John Mainey (abt. 1845 - 1896)

Born about 1845 in Dungog, New South Wales, Australia

Husband of Frances Clara (Killmore) Mainey — married 1875 in Sydenham, New South Wales, Australia

Died 28 Apr 1896 at about age 51 in Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

The son of Edward Mainey (abt.1816-1861) and his wife Margaret,^[1] John was possibly their eldest child - born at Dungog, New South Wales, about 1845.

He married Frances Clara (Killmore) Maney (abt.1860-1922) in Sydney in 1875.^[2]

They had at least fourteen children within twenty years:

1. Edward (1875-1896)^[3][4]
2. Alfred (1877-1947)^[5]
3. Henry (1880-1956)^[6]
4. John (1883-1938)^[7]
5. George (1884-1944)^[8]
6. Lawrence John (1885-1939)^[9]
7. Joseph (1886-1963)^[10]
8. Leonard Joseph (1888-1978)^[11]
9. James (1889-died aged under 1 month)^[12]
10. Frederick Lancelot (1891-?1939)^[13][14]
11. Ambrose (1891 - aft 1921)^[15][16]
12. Peter (1893-died in infancy)^[17]
13. Frances Elsie (1894-1978)^[18]
14. Charles Lewis (1894-after 1947)^[19][20]

However, life for the family was very hard, and John was diagnosed with "Melancholia" about two years before this appeared in the local newspaper:

1896 April 22 - KEMPSEY POLICE COURT. Wednesday , April l0th — Before the P.M. A Shocking Case. John Mainey, on remand, was again brought up on the charge of neglecting to provide proper food and clothing for his children, thereby endangering their lives. Mrs. Mainey, wife of the accused, gave evidence and stated she had been married 21 years and had 12 children living, five of whom were at home. The eldest boy had done no work since the twins were born, 10 months ago. Her husband’s mother sometimes sent them provisions. Accused often stopped in bed for days and very often slept in his clothes. Some two years ago he had suffered from, melancholia. Dr. Casement gave evidence as to Mainey’s physical condition, and the P.M. remanded accused for 14 days in order that he might be treated at the Hospital. No Visible Means of Support. E. Mainey, aged 20, son of John Mainey was then charged with having insufficient means of support. The evidence went to show that he was as dirty and as lazy as his father. The P.M. sentenced him to three months’ hard labor in Kempsey Gaol.^[21]

1896 April 24 - Starving a Wife and Children. At Kempsey Police Court last week, John Mainey, of Turner’s Flat, was charged with endangering his children’s lives by neglecting to give them food and clothing. The. police stated that they went to Mainey’s house in August last and found the children in a filthy, neglected state ; Mainey was always in bed in the middle of the day when they called, and he never appeared to do any work. The wife told them her husband would not work, and she did the best she could for herself and children. Mainey lived in a house on a farm of Mrs. Fisher’s, the ground being rented by someone else. On Monday last the police visited Mainey’s and saw two infants (twins) which only appeared to be a week old, though they were really 10 months old. They appeared to be absolutely starved, and were covered with rags ; the bed and clothes were filthy, and the smell in the room was sickening. The older children appeared better cared for, but this was said to be due to kindness on the part of neighbors. Mainey, who was in a filthy condition, told the police the infants were well looked after, and were better than some others they had reared. His wife said it did not bother him, as he never looked after them. She seemed quite broken-hearted, and was something like the children, half-starved and in rags. All the food in the house was part of a bag of flour, and Mrs. Mainey told the police that she had no tea or meat, or anything but milk to give the infants. Her husband was smoking a pipe with old tea leaves in it when the police arrived, and his wife said he had not worked for two years. When any rations did come into, the house Mainey and the eldest son devoured-them all ; the son was as lazy as the father.^[22]

But for John life had become just too difficult:

1896 - SUICIDE AT KEMPSEY. KEMPSEY, Tuesday. Thus morning John Mainey, of Turner’s Flat, committed suicide by hanging himself in an outhouse of the hospital. Mainey was under remand in the hospital for treatment. He was charged with neglecting his childron, whereby their lives were endangered. At the hearing of the case nearly a fortnight ago the evidenence of the police showed that on visiting Mainey’s house they found twin infants of 10 months old in a most emaciated condition covered with a few rags. The premises were in a filthy condition, and accused was in bed dressed in a filthy shirt and trousers. Owing to complaint of neighbours the police had at various times visited the place, and accused had promised to work, but from the evidence of his wife it appeared that neither he nor his son, a young fellow of 21, would work, and appeared to spend the better part of their time in bed, while the family of five children were almost starved. Accused lived in a house the property of his mother, who occasionally sent out rations. Medical evidence was given that accused suffered from melancholia, and had been under treatment for it a year or two ago.^[23]

John Mainey, in the New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Coroners’ Inquests, 1821-1937: Birth: abt 1847, Dungog, New South Wales. Death: Abt 1896, Kempsey. Age: 49. Inquest Date: 28 Apr 1896. Inquest Place: Hospital Kempsey. Coronor: James Johnston. Verdict: Suicide by hanging. Cash or property possessed by deceased: nil.

Poor destitute Frances with her youngest five children still at home - no wonder the gravestone for her husband was erected by his mother rather than his wife!

BURIAL: Mainey, John; born abt 1850; died 28 Apr 1898 [incorrect year]; age 48; son of Edward & Margaret; cemetery Kempsey West NSW, RC.[1] Gravestone inscription: [Photo is difficult to read] Erected by Mrs. Margaret Mainey to the memory of her son JOHN MAINEY died 28 April ???? [2] It is possible that John’s son Edward is on the reverse side of the stone - the photos look similar; and Edward's inscription begins "also grandson Edward".

Frances and some of her children moved to Moss Vale. She died in 1922.^[24]

Sources

1. ↑ DEATH NSW: MAINEY, JOHN; 6556/1896; parents EDWARD & MARGARET; KEMPSEY
2. ↑ MARRIAGE NSW: 154/1875, MANEY, JOHN & KILLMORE, FRANCES CLARA; SYDNEY
3. ↑ 1896 Nov 14 - DEATH IN THE HOSPITAL. A young man named E. Mainey, of Turner’s Flat, died at the hospital on Monday. The deceased, who was about 22 years of age, was the son of the late Mr. Jno. Mainey. Some time ago he contracted influenza and on Sunday week was brought to the hospital for treatment. Serious complications ensued and as the deceased had not a robust constitution, his illness ended in death. The remains were interred on Tuesday in the West Kempsey cemetery. (Macleay Argus, Kempsey, Sat 14 Nov 1896 Page 9 DEATH IN THE HOSPITAL).
4. ↑ DEATH NSW: MAINEY EDWARD; 1387 1/1896; JOHN & FRANCES; KEMPSEY
5. ↑ BIRTH NSW: MAINEY ALFRED; 14244/1877; JOHN & FANNY; MACLEAY RIVER. DEATH NSW: MAINEY ALFRED; 26497/1947; 8O YRS ORANGE; LABOURER; ORANGE.
6. ↑ BIRTH NSW: MAINEY HENRY; 16981/1880; JOHN & FANNY; MACLEAY RIVER. DEATH NSW: MAINEY HENRY; 18778/1956; JOHN & FANNY; BURWOOD.
7. ↑ BIRTH NSW: MAINEY JOHN, 22044/1883; JOHN & FANNY; WEST KEMPSEY. DEATH NSW: MAINEY JOHN; 7152/1938; JOHN & FRANCES; KEMPSEY.
8. ↑ DEATH: Mr. George Mainey, a well-known gardener and fruit-grower of Moss Vale was accidentally killed near Fitzroy Falls, Moss Vale, on April 25 . Deceased, a single man, was a son of the late Mr. John Mainey. of Turners Flat, where he was born 62 years ago. His mother died some years ago at Moss Vale. Several brothers and one sister survive, Mr. Harry Mainey, of West Kempsey, being a brother. (The Macleay Chronicle, Kempsey, Wed 10 May 1944 Page 2 Mr. George Mainey.
9. ↑ BIRTH NSW: MAINEY LAURENCE; 24526/1885; JOHN & FRANCES C; KEMPSEY. DEATH NSW: MAINEY Laurence; 1762/1939; John & Frances; Randwick & Botany.
10. ↑ BIRTH NSW: MAINEY JOSEPH; 25406/1886; JOHN & FANNY; KEMPSEY. DEATH 18 Dec 1963, Palmerston North, Manawatu-Wanganui, NZ; buried Manawatu, Horowhenua, NZ.(https://www.ancestrylibrary.com.au/family-tree/person/tree/28969706/person/162033427807/facts)
11. ↑ DEATH NSW: MAINEY LEONARD JOSEPH; 24404/1979; DIED DARLINGHURST; age 91
12. ↑ See: Long Family Tree at https://www.ancestrylibrary.com.au/family-tree/person/tree/52701426/person/422274871200/facts
13. ↑ BIRTH NSW: MAINEY, FREDERICK L; 17734/1891; JOHN & FRANCIS; KEMPSEY
14. ↑ See:https://www.ancestrylibrary.com.au/family-tree/person/tree/28969706/person/162033399254/facts. However, this death date is same date as brother Charles Lewis MAINEY (28 Feb 1939 at Randwick for both) at https://www.ancestrylibrary.com.au/family-tree/person/tree/28969706/person/162033427802/facts. I have not found the death registration for Frederick.
15. ↑ BIRTH: Ambrose Maney. Birth Date: 1892. Birth Place: New South Wales. Registration Year: 1892. Registration Place: Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia. Father: John Maney. Mother: Frances Maney. Registration Number: 18278. (The New South Wales Pioneers Index: Federation Series 1889-1918)
16. ↑ 1921 - A Young Man Sentenced. A young man, who gave his name as Ambrose Mainey, appeared before Mr. Longfield, S.M., on Wednesday to answer several charges of petty thieving. […] (Cowra Free Press, NSW), Sat 8 Oct 1921 Page 5 Wholesale Thieving. See: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/99702940?searchTerm=Mainey
17. ↑ DEATH NSW: MAINEY, PETER; 6786/1894; JOHN & FANNY; KEMPSEY
18. ↑ BIRTH NSW: MAINEY FRANCIS E; 23377/1895; JOHN & FRANCES; KEMPSEY
19. ↑ BIRTH NSW: MAINEY CHARLES L; 23378/1895; JOHN & FRANCIS; KEMPSEY
20. ↑ Charles L. Mainey was sentenced to 14 days’ hard labour in Kempsey Petty Sessions on Wednesday for having on May 5 being found on premises at Frederickton with intent to steal. […] (Macleay Argus, Kempsey, Fri 9 May 1947 Page 3 ALLEGED INTENT TO STEAL).
21. ↑ Macleay Argus (Kempsey) Wed 22 Apr 1896 Page 5 KEMPSEY POLICE COURT.
22. ↑ The Richmond River Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser (NSW) Fri 24 Apr 1896 Page 8 Starving a Wife and Children.
23. ↑ Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate (NSW) Wed 29 Apr 1896 Page 8 SUICIDE AT KEMPSEY.
24. ↑ DEATH NSW: MAINEY, FRANCES; 4162/1922; LUKE & FRANCES; MOSS VALE