The theme for Week 9 (Feb. 25 - Mar. 3) is: At the Courthouse.
The digitised newspapers on Trove are the perfect place to find out if any of your Australian ancestors went to the courthouse for any reason.
Today on Trove I found the following article in the McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser, Friday, 8 March 1872, page 2. John McCarthy, in this case, is my great great grandfather John McCarthy, with his brother Michael McCarthy.
John, who was born in 1835 at Clash, County Kerry, Ireland, would have been about 36 years old at the time, married to Catherine (Mannix) McCarthy, with 4 children. His brother Michael would have been aged 20 years.
"HEATHCOTE POLICE COURT.
(Before J. G. Taylor, Esq., P.M., R Cocks, Esq., J.P, and the Mayor)
Michael McCarthy, John McCarthy, John Long, John Sullivan, Michael Sullivan, and August Carboon, were charged with creating a disturbance in High. Street on Wednesday last.
Mr. Booker appeared for John Long and Michael and John Sullivan. All the defendants pleaded not guilty. The evidence adduced by the police went to show that the parties were, with the exception of Michael McCarthy, all drunk, and were fighting among themselves. As it did not appear that they interfered with anyone not in company with them and they bear a good general character, they were discharged with a caution. "
John and Catherine (Mannix) McCarthy had another 5 children before John's death on 29 March 1885 at Heathcote, after he was kicked by a horse.
The following newspaper article gives more information about John's sad death.
"SAD FATAL ACCIDENT - A very lamentable accident occurred about 5 o'clock on Saturday evening last resulting in the death of a very old resident of the place, Mr John McCarthy, of Commissioner's Flat. Mr McCarthy had just returned home with a load of chaff from the township, and after taking out the horse and putting it in the stable proceeded to carry in the chaff through the stable door. He was in the act of carrying in one of the bags, when the horse kicked out striking him violently in the abdomen, causing serious internal injuries from which he died about 7 o'clock on the following morning, after suffering great agony. The deceased was quite conscious to the last and stated how the accident occurred. We believe some of the children were standing by when the accident happened. Immediately after the accident Dr Clark was sent for and saw the deceased about 20 minutes after the occurrence and in company with Dr Scobell about two hours later. Under the circumstances, an inquiry was not considered necessary, thus, we are glad to state, relieving the family and friends from further pain. Very general sympathy is felt for the widow and children of the deceased, Mrs McCarthy being left with nine children to lament their sad loss. We understand it is the intention to start a subscription for the relief of the family in their distress. The funeral took place on Tuesday and was numerously attended."
Five days later, a notice appeared in the McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser, as follows:
"NOTICE
PERSONS having Lists of Subscriptions in aid of the Widow and Family of the late Mr John McCarthy are respectfully requested to hand them in without delay to Mr John Long, Heathcote, or the undersigned.
Michael Manton.
Heathcote, 6th May, 1885."
Source: Advertising (1885, May 8). The McIvor Times and Rodney Advertiser (Heathcote, Vic. : 1863 - 1918), p. 3. Retrieved February 26, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90145247
Mr John Long is likely to be the same man mentioned in the Heathcote police court report in 1872.
