George Morgan (1844 - 1896)

Born 7 Jul 1844 in Kelso.N.S.W.Australia

Ancestors

Died 19 Jul 1896 at age 52 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

18-6-1896- Mr George Morgan promoted to be under sheriff and Chief Clerk.

18-7-1896 - The man who committed suicide in the domain by shooting himself has been identified as George Morgan , age 53. The Undersheriff. Mr Morgan was a single man. He left home in his usual state of health this morning. His salary had recently increased by 100 pounds per year, No reason can be assigned for the act.

18-7-1896. Tragedy In The Domain. What is believed to be a determined case of suicide took place in the Domain on Friday. Mr George Morgan whom for some years held the post of Chief Clerk in the Sheriffs Department, was found dead near the lower footpath on the Eastern side of the Domain overlooking Garden Island. There was a bullet wound in his right temple and his right hand clutched a six chamber revolver, four chambers of which were loaded. Two chambers contained discharged cartridges. Mr McKay, the Domain ranger, who discovered the body immediately gave information to the police and the body was removed to the morgue.The circumstances that led to the event are currently unknown. It appears that Mr Morgan left his home in Point Piper Road on Friday morning in his usual state of health in order to go to his office and made no intimation that he was seriously in trouble. He was not in financial difficulties but on the contrary was comfortably circumstances, when the Public Service Board reorganisation of the justice department took place a few weeks ago he was appointed Deputy Sheriff at an increased salary of 4150 pounds per year.The new position however it is stated entailed some extra work upon him. His relatives heard nothing from him after he left home in the morning . His body was found about half past four in the afternoon. It has evidently rolled down an embankment , a distance of about ten stand was lying beneath some bushes at the foot of the elevation. No one witnessed the act . Mr McKay who was on duty in the afternoon heard a shot fired between 3 & 4 O'Clock, and some labourers also heard the report, but no one was aware of the tragic occurrence . The deceased was age 53 and was a native of Bathurst. He was in married and resided with his mother. His connection with the sheriff department extended over 15 years.

Inquest. An inquest touching the death of Mr George Morgan , the Under-Sheriff who shot himself with a revolver in the Domain last evening was held today at the Lloyd Hotel,lower George Street, by the city coroner. Evidence of identification was given by Felixstowe Strawbell, Compositor. He stated that the deceased was of temperate habits . Some time ago he suffered from Quincy, but lately had complained of pains in the head. John M Wiltshire , clerk in the sheriffs office , deposed that the deceased attended to his duties as usual during the forenoon of yesterday. He left the office about one o' clock yesterday , said that he was going out for half an hour, he did not return . He had complained of his head being bad but witnesses never heard him say anything about suicide and had never seen him with a revolver.

Morgan’s mysterious end. Suicideof Mr Morgan came as a severe shock,the affair however is shrouded with mystery.Rumour is that the solution of the melancholy affair lies in a love affair,in which the deceased became involved. The late under- sheriff had for some time prior been paying attention to a married lady,of whom he became amoured. It is stated that he was on terms of intimate personal friendship with the husband who never suspected his friends admiration for his spouse. From all that can be gathered from the circumstances, the deceased never pressed his attention on the lady beyond the limits of honourable . Never the less whispering tongues may poison the truth.Those who knew the parties state on more than one occasion saw the lamented under- sheriff escorting the lady about,without reserve and that he was merely paying formal attention to the wife of his trustful friend, which appear to be the simple facts. Slander has many tongues. Letters from the deceased are said to come into the hands of her husband,whose mind had become biased by rumours & gossip.On the day Morgan done away with himself the husband of the lady turned up at the under-sheriff’s office at the Supreme Court & created a terrible scene.The husband denounced his ...? In the strongest bitter terms, demanded an explanation,threatened personal violence & public exposure.It is assertained that the irate husband wound up by challenging Mister Morgan to a duel... A DUEL TO THE DEATH in the Domain, Mr Morgan’s suicide has affected the husband aforesaid, that he has been unable to get out of bed. Mr Morgan was never known to carry a revolver,Mystery that a dertermined man bent on suicide could fire off several billets at his own head before succeeding.

30-7-1896. The Funeral The funeral of the late Mr George Morgan, Under-Sheriff who shot himself in the Domain took place yesterday and was largely attended. The cortège left the deceased' residence "Seaton" Point Piper Road, Paddington and proceeded to the mortuary station thence to Necropolis (Rookwood) . The two chief mourners were Messers W Morgan. M.L.A. Brother of the deceased. John & Samuel Morgan his uncles, S Gaud & S Morgan his cousins and Mrs Carroll(Aunt) Mr Strawbell. Others present were Messers John HunterAlcock, J.W . James. A Flexman. E Wadley Drew Saddler. John Hourigan. H Wickham. Alex Wilson. W McQuade. C Hopter. Dr Peldstadt. J Hunter Hooper. Kr Kron. Dr Colhis. Murray White Lloyd, Rev John Walker. Drew Junior. R Cobcroft. H Patterson. Vic Cohen Packer. Dr Marano.( console for Italy). Holden Wiltshire (Sheriff Dept, Mr John Portus. The Sheriff Mr C B B Mayberry. Mr Huenerbein. E LewisScott. John Osborne. Mr Piddington. M.L.A. Mr Mc Laughlin. Major Chapman. Mr John Portus. Mr & Mrs Wadley. Mr & Mrs Nevins. A number of beautiful wreaths & floral tributes were forewarned by Mrs W Koehler. Mr & Mrs John Hunter. Mr Aleck Hunter. (England). Alice & Lilly & Mr Arthur Hunter. Mr & Mrs Flexman Mr & Mrs O' Hare(Coorowong) Mr & Mrs Armstrong(Young) Mr Saddler. Mr & Mrs William McQuade. Mr & Mrs Robe rift. Mr & Mrs Thorpe. Mrs J Bushell. Mr Maclaughlin. Mr & Mrs Dadling. Mrs Flood. Mr & Mrs Drew.Mrs Phillips. Mrs Kron. The funeral service was read by Rev. John Walker, Presbyterian Church. Wollarah.

George Morgan - Age 53 - Internment 19-7-1896 - Zone B - Section BB - Grave Number 212 George is buried with his grandmother Ann Morgan

Sources

Register BDM ON LINE 1936/1844V18441936 28 Morgan George [F] William [M] Jennet

Register BDM ON LINE 8680/1896 Morgan George [F] William [M] Janet. Sydney

Australian Star 20-7-1896. P6. Windsor & Richmond Gazette 25-7-1896. P6 Truth Newspaper 26-7-1896. P5.

Find A Grave Rookwood

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