James Radical (Spiers) Speirs (abt. 1794 - 1856)

Born about 1794 in Renfrewshire, Scotland

Husband of Mary (Irvin) Speirs — married 2 Aug 1812 in Dumfries, Scotland

Descendants

Died 4 Oct 1856 at about age 62 in Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Ming Speirs [send private message]

Biography

James Speirs was born about 1794 in Scotland most likely in Renfrewshire. There is reference ( in trial notes) to his father living in Johnstone in 1820 which was where James returned and worked as a weaver when he left his regiment prior to 1820.

Whilst a soldier with 26th Regiment ( likely pre 1817) as a weaver in Johnstone Renfrew in 1820 and also listed as a Spirit Merchant in 1845, James is best known for his part in the Radical wars and trials of 1820 where he was tried for High Treason but after a trial with high public interest, found not guilty in August 1820. So relieved and delighted to have escaped with his life, James named his next born child “ James Grant Sanford Jack Speirs”. Grant and Sanford were the defence advocates in Jame’s trial. P & J Jack were the writers in the trial. Whilst there are references to his death in 1852 , he factually died in early October 1856 ( a death record for a James Speirs with son David in Paisley) and a small newspaper article confirming the details..

There is at this stage some doubt about the parentage of James Radical Spiers / Speirs and his brother Alexander Spiers. He is mentioned in the death newspaper article in NZ for his niece Mary Robertson Spiers daughter of Alexander Spiers who married William Lang Thorburn and emigrated to NZ.

What we thought for 20 years was the lineage was incorrect. See James Speirs. James was not born in Lanark and his parents were NOT James Speirs and Margaret Robertson of Lanark. The other James Speirs was a Collier and our records indicate other occupations for “our James” - Soldier, weaver, spirit merchant. It is likely that James and his brother were born in Renfrewshire- likely in the Johnstone, Kilbarchan, Lochwinnoch region.

• I will be grateful for any research/ information - particularly in relation to Jame’s Speirs Parentage and his movements as a soldier in 26th (Cameronian) Scottish infantry regiment of the British Army between 1810? & 1817. We are possibly looking for birth records in Paisley or other parts of Renfrewshire.

Below is the information which has been confirmed through various sources.

A marriage bann record for James Speirs (misspelt as Spiers - in records re This James Speirs and Spiers seem to be interchangeable) and Mary Irvine is recorded on 2 August 1812 in Dumfries.^[1] James is recorded as from 26th Regiment. Other records also list him as in 26th foot regiment. The death record for his son David records his father James Speirs as having been a foot soldier.

A character witness at the 1820 High Treason trial, Malcolm Fraser - had been a Serjeant & Serjeant Major in the 26th Regiment, stated that he knew James Speirs upwards of 6 years in the regiment. He stated that James Speirs “had very fair character, joined as a boy, was L/Cpl., Full Cpl., Ordinary Serjeant and a Drill Serjeant. He left due to a “Complaint of the Breast.” Would have been very promising had he continued. His Commanding Officer was Captain Hall, a Captain at the Depot. He was some time employed in the Recruiting Service.” [1]

It is uncertain when James left the army and when he arrived and took up a trade as a weaver trade in Johnstone near Paisley but likely before 1817 when his son John was baptised in Abbey parish which included the town of Johnstone.

Records for children born to James Speirs and Mary Irven ( have various spellings for both names Irvin, Irven, Irvine, Speir Spiers Speirs). It is likely there are 2 families ( related?) with parents of similar names... those baptised at Greenock and those at Abbey. Those born at Abbey are likely to be siblings of James Grant Sanford Jack Speirs. There could be one or two older siblings born elsewhere (Gibraltar?) between 1813 -1816 depending on James deployment as a soldier

1. John Speir was baptised 12/01/1817 Abbey ^[2]
2. Margaret Robertson Speirs was baptised 27/06/1819 Abbey^[3] Note the Margaret was named Margaret Robertson Speirs - so looking for a Robertson in geneology.
3. James Grant Sanford Jack Spiers was baptised 07/10/1821 Abbey^[4] He was born and baptized the year after James incarceration and trial for his part in the uprising.
4. There are at least 2 other younger siblings William and David whose birth records have not yet been located.

In 1820 James was involved in “ the Radicals Wars” or “The Scottish Insurrection”, a week of strikes and unrest with demands for reform in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The economic downturn after the Napoleonic war ended, brought increasing unrest with the Artisan workers in Scotland, seeking action to reform the government.

Following the Risings in 1820, John Fraser (school master) was arrested after the authorities intercepted a letter to him from James Speirs, who although in hiding in Ecclefechen in Dumfries at the time, had been a local weaver in Johnstone who had been involved in distributing leaflets, striking and encouraging others to strike. James Speirs was arrested (in Ecclefechen) and incarcerated along with three other “Radicals”- John Lang, John Neil, and Alexander Thompson. The men were charged with High Treason. The men were taken to Paisley's Tolbooth. Their incarceration lasted for almost four months.

John Fraser later wrote, "There was not room for all of us to walk on the stone floor. Two lay on the bed whilst the other two walked. Thus we alternated our exercise. Our small iron grate faced the High Street. We spent much time, though four or five stories high, in gazing out at the passers by, many an eye being turned up to us. The prisoners kept abreast of current affairs via visitors or other political prisoners. Lively political debate continued.

At the trial in August 1820, John Fraser was called as a witness against James Spiers. After a heated debate between the prosecution and defence lawyers, it was agreed that John Fraser would be freed following his evidence. His testimony did not harm Speirs’ case, much to the annoyance of the prosecution. [2]

On 1st August1820, in spite of efforts by the prosecution and the Bench, a jury refused to convict James Speirs of Johnstone, and later John Lang of Kilbarchan. The jury found James Speirs guilty of organising a strike but not guilty of treason. The judge was unhappy with their verdict and ordered them back a few times to reconsider their verdict in relation to treason. Eventually they came back in and delivered a verdict of NOT GUILTY. The Lord Justice admonished Speirs and discharged him.

“On the release of Speirs” wrote his friend John Fraser, “almost the whole population of Paisley burst out cheering and exulting joy at the fondly desired deliverance.” Another report suggests that 10,000 people were in the surrounding crowd. [3]

So relieved and grateful to have escaped with his life, James named his next born child -the following year- “ James Grant Sanford Jack Speirs”. Grant and Sanford were the defence advocates in Jame’s trial. P & J Jack were the writers in the trial.

James was recorded as a Spirit merchant on his son James GSJ Speirs marriage record to Elizabeth Byard in Nov 1845 in London) . His son William recorded him as a carpenter on his marriage record in London In 1868 though James had been dead for a dozen years.

James’ son James Grant Sandford Jack Speirs married into a boat building family at Limehouse Basin on the Thames in London. In the census record on 51, living with JamesGSJ Speirs was a younger brother William Speirs (Are there records of Mary or were JGSJSpeirs and William half brothers?).

A family letter by one of James GSJ Speirs (ie grandson of this James) written in1901, talks of visiting his Uncle David and his son James in Glasgow. ( death record in 1907 lists David’s age as 74 and his parents as James Speirs and Mary Irvine and James occupation as Foot Soldier) The letter also refers to Uncle William

There is a death record for Mary Speirs in 1824. And a marriage record the same year to Helen Murdoch. Several records for children born to James Speirs And Helen Murdoch list a William and a David Speirs/Spiers however this information is uncertain. There are no other Scottish records for the birth of William and David Speirs that’s fit.. but perhaps they were born in England? Census records for David list his birth place as Greenock Lanarkshire Scotland. Was he correct? Or did he lose his parents early and assume from stories?

According to the authors of The Radical Rising = The Scottish Insurrection of 1820, (pub. 2916), “ Spiers was to have an unhappy end. In 1850, while living in the Sneddon district of Paisley, he fell on hard times. A public fund was raised by “The Friends And Admirers of James Speirs” and realised about £20, but in 1852 Spiers died in great destitution .” [4]. This was not entirely correct ( date wise) as a death record and accompanying old newspaper article confirm James death as the 4th October 1856. He would have been in his early 60s. Cause of death was given as “dropsy” which presents as a fluid build up. The major underlying causes of dropsy are congestive heart failure, liver failure, kidney failure, and malnutrition.

• Death of Old Radical Speirs James Speirs who underwent trial for “High Treason” in St George’s Church Paisley in 1820, died peaceably at 11 Old Sneddon Street Paisley on Saturday 4th October, having survived the legal attempt on his life for 36 years. Poverty and broken health have been his lot for several years past . By the kindly exertions of his two or three sympathisers, a little pecuniary aid was obtained for him and the closing hours of the veteran’s life were passed in comparative ease and tranquility. The stern old radical but warm hearted and congenial man. Councillor MacGregor who assisted materially in providing defence for Speirs’s defence at the trial in 1820, was in attendance at his bedside at the hour of his death and on Tuesday last officiated as Chief mourner when his remains were deposited in their last resting place. Paisley Journal.

His burial place as recorded on his death record was Gaelic Church Burial Ground Shuttle Street, Paisley Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland [www.scottishchurches.org.uk/sites/site/id/9619/name/Free+Gaelic+Church+Site+Paisley+Strathclyde]

So... this record confirms much about James Radical Speirs but also raises questions

Research Notes

• James and Mary were married in 1812.^[1] The first record for a child that I have located is for John in 1817. Where was James deployed to with his regiment. Did Mary aJohn Sccompany him as a soldier’s wife. Were other children born and listed in army records.
• Where are the birth records for William and David Speirs Younger brothers of James GSJ Speirs? They feature in a family letter from his JamesGSJ Speirs’ son Edwin and also records. William moved to London and lived in the same street as the family of his brother JamesGSJSpeirs. David remained around or returned to Glasgow
• census records 1841 and 1851 for James Radical Speirs and Mary Irvine have been difficult to locate. Did they move south to England for a time?
• Or Did Mary die young?
• Were younger members of family brought up by other family or friends? David Speirs 8 was recorded living with his sister Margaret Love in 1841 census. ^[5]

• Did James Radical move south into England when the children were young ... or did James GSJ Speirs head off as a young man to seek his fortune? English records have not yet been explored.

• John Spier and Elizabeth Johnston were married in 1793^[6] and had 7 children including James and another son Alex. Lochwinnoch is about an hours walk from Johnstone where Alex’s daughter was born in 1821 . His brother James was also located there,
  • Children of John Spier and Elizabeth Johnston
    1. Alexander Spier, b 01/09/1793 Lochwinnoch^[7]
    2. James Speir, b 18/10/1795 Lochwinnoch^[8]
    3. Johnston Speir, b 04/02/1798 Lochwinnoch^[9]
    4. Mary Speir, b 03/08/1800 Lochwinnoch^[10]
    5. Robert Speir, b 02/01/1803 Lochwinnoch^[11]
    6. Allan Speir, b 09/06/1805 Lochwinnoch^[12]
    7. Janet Speir, b 13/03/1808 Lochwinnoch^[13]

• There are two families with parents with same names James Spiers and Mary Irvine. Children of one family were baptized in Abbey, the other were baptized in Greenock Old or West. Since children were born in different locations in same year, they must be different families with parents with same names.
  • One had their children baptized in Abbey, which is this profile person
    • marriage record James Spiers and Mary Invine 1812.^[1]
    • birth records for children of James Speirs and Mary Irvine. Note the variance in spelling of the names, as stated above, with sources
      1. John Speir baptised 12/01/1817 ^[2]
      2. Margaret Robertson Speirs baptised 27/06/1819^[3]
      3. James Grant Sanford Jack Spiers baptised 07/10/1821^[4]
      4. There are at least 2 other younger siblings William and David whose birth records have not yet been located.
  • One had their children baptized in Greenock Old or West
    1. Robert Speirs, b 26/05/1815 ^[14]
    2. John Speirs, b 21/02/1818 ^[15]
    3. Mary Speirs, b 29/12/1819 ^[16]
    4. Margaret Speirs, b 30/04/1821 ^[17]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Banns and Marriages," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), James Spiers marriage to Mary Irvine on or after 2 Aug 1812 in Dumfries, Dumfriesshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 821, Ref 50/188, Frame 1332.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), John Speir born or baptised on 12 Jan 1817, son of James Speir & Mary Irven, in Abbey, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 559, Ref 30/517, Frame 1231.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1} "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), Margaret Robert Speirs born or baptised on 27 Jun 1819, daughter of James Speirs & Mary Irven, in Abbey, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 559, Ref 30/578, Frame 1263.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1} "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), James Grant San Spiers born or baptised on 7 Oct 1821, son of James Spiers & Mary Irvin, in Abbey, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 559, Ref 60/55, Frame 2018.
5. ↑ "Scotland Census, 1841," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), David Speirs (8) in Abbey registration district in Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Ref 559/ 13/ 15.
6. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Banns and Marriages," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), John Spier marriage to Elizabeth Johnston on or after 12 May 1793 in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 570, Ref 20/142, Frame 572.
7. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), Alexander Spier born or baptised on 1 Sep 1793, son of John Spier & Elizabeth Johnston, in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 570, Ref 11/369, Frame 289.
8. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), James Speir born or baptised on 18 Oct 1795, son of John Speir & Elizabeth Johnstoun, in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 570, Ref 11/389, Frame 300.
9. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), Johnston Speir born or baptised on 4 Feb 1798, son of John Speir & Elizabeth Johnston, in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 570, Ref 11/409, Frame 311.
10. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), Mary Speir born or baptised on 3 Aug 1800, daughter of John Speir & Elizabeth Johnson, in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 570, Ref 11/433, Frame 323.
11. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), Robert Speir born or baptised on 2 Jan 1803, son of John Speir & Elizabeth Johnston, in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 570, Ref 11/462, Frame 338.
12. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), Allan Speir born or baptised on 9 Jun 1805, son of John Speir & Elizabeth Johnston, in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 570, Ref 11/489, Frame 351.
13. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), Janet Speir born or baptised on 13 Mar 1808, daughter of John Speir & Elizabeth Johnston, in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 570, Ref 11/511, Frame 364.
14. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), Robert Speirs born or baptised on 26 May 1815, son of James Speirs Mary Irvine, in Greenock Old or West, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 564/3, Ref 30/316, Frame 890.
15. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), John Speirs born or baptised on 21 Feb 1818, son of James Speirs Mary Irvine, in Greenock Old or West, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 564/3, Ref 30/412, Frame 920.
16. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), Mary Speirs born or baptised on 29 Dec 1819, daughter of James Speirs Mary Irvine, in Greenock Old or West, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 564/3, Ref 30/476, Frame 970.
17. ↑ "Church of Scotland: Old Parish Registers - Births and Baptisms," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), Margaret Speirs born or baptised on 30 Apr 1821, daughter of James Speirs Mary Irvine, in Greenock Old or West, Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Parish Number 564/3, Ref 50/53, Frame 1301.

• Thames Star, Thames Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 4621, 29 December 1893 https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/THS18931229.2.15
• http://paisleyphilosophicalinstitution.blogspot.com/2015/09/paisley-radical-trial-1820.html
• Evening Mail - Wednesday 09 August 1820 via British Newspaper Archive

Sources related to Radical Wars of 1820 where James "Radical" Speirs was tried and found not guilty for High Treason

• James “Radical” Speirs was married, a weaver, an ex soldier from 26th Regiment (Cameroon’s) and tried and found not guilty for treason in 1820 [5]
• James Speirs features in this article. “Johnstone - The “Cap of Liberty” and the “Radical Rising” [6]

High trials for Treason - the trial if James Speirs [7]

• recorded On birth certificate of his son James Grant Sanford JackSpeirs in 1821( see photo attached)

• listed As Spirit Merchant. on marriage certificate of his son James GSJ Speirs 10 Nov 1845 to Elizabeth Byard in London

• Possible census record : 1841 David Speirs, age 8, Abbey, Renfrewshire. - "Scotland Census, 1841," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), David Speirs (8) in Abbey registration district in Renfrewshire, Scotland; citing Ref 559/ 13/ 15. If this is the correct record, it would indicate that David lost his parents at an early age and was living with the Love family. Edwins letter in the biography talks of Members of the Provost Love family. Not conclusive.

• listed as Foot soldier on son David’s death record: David Speirs, age 74, in 1907 in Milton.- "Statutory Register of Deaths," database, National Records of Scotland, (ScotlandsPeople : accessed 18 June 2024), David Speirs death registered 1907 in Milton (age 74); citing Ref 644/9/19.

Further Reading

• James Speirs is listed as being in 26th Regiment on his marriage record and as a foot soldier on his son David’s death record and in the news report of his trial in 1820. [8]

Below is Wikipedia info on 26th Scottish regiment.Please contact me with any further insights and research.

The 26th (Cameronian) Regiment of Foot was a Scottish infantry regiment of the British Army, active from 1689 to 1881. Although the regiment took the name of its first colonel as The Earl of Angus's Regiment, it became popularly known as The Cameronians until 1751, when it was ranked as the 26th Foot.

• 26th Regiment of Foot. Colour Sergeant, Private and Officer 1815 [9]

26th (Cameronian) Regiment of Foot - Wikipedia

• James Speirs features in this story about his friend John Fraser [10]
• The Radical Rising of 1820 ( 30 minute play) 7 Feb 2021

2020 was the 200th anniversary of the 'Radical Rising' in which people in the west of Scotland rose up for democracy and freedom. Members of the Glasgow West End and Paisley U3As researched the history and prepared a short play about the events. Because of the pandemic this had to be recorded. Now this 'illustrated version' has been produced. A podcast about how the play came to be produced during lockdown is available at [11]

The Radical Rising. The insurrection of 1820 2016 by Peter Berresford Ellis [12]

Watch the video on http://paisleyphilosophicalinstitution.blogspot.com/2015/09/paisley-radical-trial-1820.html https://youtu.be/IQZB3u8HP5o

• The Paisley trials 1820.

“Although Paisley had not been direcctly involved in the Radical Rising in early 1820, the government was determined to root out what it regarded as trouble-makers and set up a commission to try suspects under English Law, and two Paisley Radicals were put on trial, charged with treason.[13]

Newspaper Articles

Evening Mail - Wednesday 09 August 1820 SPECIAL COMMISSION. PAISLEY, Aug. 1. This day the Court met in the George-street Church, for the trial of James Spiers, weaver, Johnston, and Robert Lang, weaver, Kilbarchan, against whom the grand jury had found true bills for high treason. After both the prisoner and Crown had made number of challenges, 12 gentlemen were chosen for a Jury ; Sir M. Shaw Stewart, of Greenock and Black-ball, Bart, foreman. Robert Lang was summoned as evidence against the prisoner, Mr. Grant objected to his being in Court, and he was taken out. After thejury were sworn the indictment was read, and, like the others, it consisted of 4 counts ; the overt acts were 19. The Solicitor-General opened the case on the part of the Crown, and briefly commented on the law of treason. Twenty-two witnesses were examined. The prisoner, during the Radical Rebellion, had been chosen and acted a member of a committee commanded a mob whicii went and stopped the cotton-works in Johnston and neighbourhood, on the 3d April. A witness of the name of John Frazer intimated to the Court that he had been confined for four months on a charge similar to that of the prisoner, and wished to be informed whether he was to be considered as still to be a principal, or if he was to be witness only. The Court informed him that it was rule that those who were implicated, if called upon for evidence, were no longer considered principals, lie then gave his evidence, and was discharged. The evidence closed on the part of the Crown at a little past 12 o’clock, and the Court adjourned till 10 o'clock next morning. Wednesday, Auo. 2. The Court met this day 10 o’clock. Eleven witnesses were examined in exculpation. Mr. P. J. Grant, counsel for the prisoner, rose at o’clock to address the Jury, and continued explaining what constitutes the law of treason, contrasting the different constructions which have been put on it by learned Judges past and present, till 10 o’clock. The Lord-Advocate replied at length to Mr. Grant’s utatcments, recapitulating the leading part the evidence given for the Crown, and concluded his address calling on the Jury return a verdict of guilty. The Lord-Justice Clerk then charged the Jury. The Jury retired a quarter before 4 o’clock in the morning, and came into Court at half-past five, finding the prisoner Guilty of the i 15th overt act of the first count; and, on account of his former good character, hoped the Court would recommend him the clemency of the crown ; but this not being considered the regular mode returning the findings the Jury, they were advised to retire again and return a special verdict, finding him guilty on (he first count; and having been absent about five minutes, they again returned into Court, finding him Guilty of that part of the first count laid in the ! indictment, viz.;—compelling his Majesty’s subjects to strike work, &c. The Lord-Justice Clerk having been little unacquainted with this singular verdict, observed that one of his learned brethren j being absent, who was more versant in these matters, he begged the Jury to be seated till the Lord Chief-Baron should be sent for, he having retired at two o'clock through fatigue. The Lord Chief-Baron arrivetl in about 15 minutes, and explained the point law to the Jury, but they continued adhere to their former return; on which his Lordship said, that finding the prisoner guilty ot a particular overt act was no finding at all, but that they must find him guilty or not guilty count of the indictment, as the 15th overt act of the first count was connected with two of the other counts which form the indictment. The Jury again retired at about quarter past six, and returned again 25 minutes past 7 when Sir Michael Shaw Stewart, the Foreman, read the verdict the Jury from a manuscript copy, finding that the prisoner did strike work. and compel others the same on the 3d April. The Court found this us insufficient as the former verdicts. The Lord-Chief-Baron again explained the law, as to the overt act being linked in more counts than one; and the Clerk was ordered to read the several overt acts the Jury. Sir Michael said he understood the point, but the Jury were not agreed in that way. They then retired again, after being informed that they could rot be separated till they were unanimous. They returned again, and gave in a verdict Not Guilty, when the audience in general commenced cheering. The Lord Chief Baron immediately got his eye on a boy who was clapping his hands and cheering, and he was instantly ordered to be taken into custody, and brought before the Court.; and was, after an animated speech the Lord Chief-Baron, sentenced to committed to gaol. The huzzaing commenced by the crowd out of doors the moment the cheering commenced in the church, and the Sheriff was ordered to go out and take means to preserve the peace. The Lord-Justice Clerk then, in an impressive speech, dismissed the prisoner from the bar. Mr. Grant came to Spiers, and taking him by the hand, said, he hoped he would take care what company he kept in future, and not get into a like scrape again. Robert Lang was then put to the bar, and the Jury having been sworn in. The Lord-Advocate said he would call no evidence, and the Jury found him Not Guilty. The Lord Justice Clerk congratulated the prisoner on the favourable result of the trial, and said he hoped that hereafter his conduct would be such as to prevent him from ever being brought again to the bar of any Court of Justice, accused of an offence of a similar description. His Lordship should only say further,. that, while he had no reason to presume that the prisoner was in any way guilty, he trusted that neither he nor any other person would far deceive himself, as to suppose that the facts charged against him, if equally substantiated by evidence in the last case, would not amount to the crime of high treason ; for it was impossible that any person acquainted with law could entertain doubt upon that subject. This finished the business in Renfrewshire, and the Court then adjourned till the Ist December. immense crowd surrounded Mr. Grant and Mr. Sandford, on their leaving the Court, and accompanied them to their lodgings, after which they returned in peaceful manner towards the Cross.

His niece )https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Spiers-210) went to New Zealand Thames Star, Thames Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 4621, 29 December 1893

DEATH OF MRS W. L. THORBURN.

The many friends of Mrs W. L. Thorburn will learn with sincere feelings of regret of her death, which took place at the residence, Tararu, at 2.45 o'clock this afternoon, at the age of 72 years and 8 months. The deceased lady, who was born at Johnstone, Renfrewshire (Scotland), was the daughter of the late Alexander Spiers, and the niece of the celebrated James Spiers, known as " Radical Spiers," who in 1820 was tried for high treason, but was acquitted. She was married fo Mr William Lang Thorburn in Paisley on the 23rd of April, 1839, and after remaining there about two years they came to New Zealand in the Duchess of Argyle, arriving at Auckland on the 8th of October, 1842. They resided in Auckland for some years, and next took up a farm at the Wade, residing there about 15 years. From there Mr and Mrs Thorburn came to the Thames, and took up their residence at Tararu, where they have lived for 23 years. The deceased lady has during that time won for herself the respect and esteem of all with whom she has ever come in contact, and has been well known for her many kindly acts and benevolent disposition. She leaves five sons and seven daughters, while there are 76 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, or 102 of a family who are living. Much sympathy is felt for Mr W. L. Thorburn and family in their bereavement.