Ann (Rice) McShane (abt. 1832 - 1870)

Wife of Nicholas McShane — married 8 Apr 1859 in St George Church, Woodforde, Magill, South Australia, Australia

Descendants

Died 7 Sep 1870 at about age 38 in Campbelltown, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Biography

ANN RICE (Rice-9106)

PARENTS. William Rice & ??

BIRTH. Abt. 1832, location unknown

MARRIAGE (1): date/location unknown

MARRIAGE (1): Richard Bonney, son of ??

Children: Not known

MARRIAGE (2). ^[1] 8 Apr 1859, St George Church, Woodforde, Magill, South Australia, Australia

MARRIAGE (2). 8 Apr 1859, Nicholas McShane, son of Nicholas McShane & ??

MARRIAGE (2). SA BDM Marriage Reg: #38/329: 1859

Family name MCSHANE

Given names Nicholas

Family name of Spouse BONNEY

Given names of Spouse Ann

Place of marriage District of Adelaide

Children:

DEATH. 7 Sep 1870, Campbelltown, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

(1870). CORONERS' INQUESTS. DEATH FROM NEGLECT. — On September 9, an inquest was held by the Hon. H. Mildred, J.P., at the Glynde Inn, on the body of Ann McShane, who died at Campbelltown on the 7th inst. Mr. G. F. Ind was Foreman of a Jury of 12, and after they had proceeded to view the body the following evidence was taken:—

Nicholas McShane, gardener, husband of deceased, stated that his wife died on the 7th between 10 and 11 at night. She was taken ill at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. She was near her confinement. Asked her if he should go for Mrs. Grevill, and she said 'Not yet.' About an hour and a half afterwards she told him he had better go for her. Went, and in about 10 minutes she came to his house. Saw her going in and out from the bedroom into the kitchen for necessaries, he supposed. Asked her how his wife was, and she said she was doing nicely. About an hour after she said his wife had been confined with a child, and she thought there was another. Asked her should he go for the doctor, and she said, ' Oh, no; she. is doing nicely.' It was about an hour and a half before his wife was delivered of the second child, and in that time repeatedly asked Mrs. Grevill if she wanted any help, and she said he need not fidget himself and must have patience. After the second delivery heard his wife moaning very much. Went in and asked her how she was, and she said she felt very bad, very cold. Asked Mrs. Grevill repeatedly, if he should get any help, and about an hour after she said he had better go for the doctor. Went to Mr. Rowney, who went on horseback at once for Dr. Benson, who arrived in about 25 minutes. The doctor told him to go for some brandy. When he returned his wife was dead.

By Police-trooper O'Mahoney. —A few minutes before he went for the doctor Mrs. Rowney came. Did not know whether Mrs. Grevill was a professional midwife. She had attended his wife once before without any medical man.

By the Foreman— His wife, was in good health, and had had six children previously.

Dr. Benson deposed that McShane asked him to go to his house. He went and found Mrs. McShane dying. Mrs. Grevill and Mrs. Rowney were there. (The doctor described the appearance of deceased, and the state in which she was from improper treatment.) Sent his man off for Dr. Moore, who arrived after the woman was dead, and he concurred in his opinion that she died from exhaustion through improper treatment, and that an inquest ought to be held. In connection with Dr. Moore had made a post- mortem examination that day, which confirmed the opinion he had formed. Had met Mrs. Grevill before at confinements. She knew her work as an ordinary nurse, but in this case attributed her treatment to ignorance. Dr. Moore said the amount of injury which was done, was sufficient to cause death. Had Dr. Benson been there in time he might have saved deceased's life.

Mrs. Grevill, having been cautioned by the Coroner, said she had attended confinements for 30 years, but had never had such a case, and with the blessing of God never would again.

Maria Rowney, wife of William Rowney, deposed to having seen Mrs. Grevill in attendance on deceased the night she died. Mrs. Grevill said Mrs. McShane was all right so far as she knew, but she should be glad when the doctor came. No one else was there.

The Coroner summed up, stating that if they considered death had been brought about by wilful mismanagement of Mrs. Grevill they would find a verdict of murder against her, if through negligence it would be manslaughter, or if through ignorance homicide, and they might dismiss her with a caution to be more careful in future.

In a short time the Jury returned a verdict— 'That the deceased came to her death while in childbed, caused by want of proper attention and the inexperience of the midwife, Mrs. Grevill.'

The Coroner, on hearing this, said it was such an open verdict that it was very difficult for a citizen to know how to punish the person who had caused the mismanagement. The Foreman stated that it was the intention of the Jury that the matter should end here, as Mrs. Grevill undoubtedly erred through ignorance. The Coroner thought they ought to add a rider to their verdict, advising him to remonstrate with the woman, or else he was not certain that he ought not to send her before the authorities. The Foreman said the authorities could do that if they thought it necessary when they saw the evidence.

Death of Spouse (2): 4 Sep 1908, Frederick-street, Maylands, South Australia, Australia

Sources

1. ↑ Marriage (1) Nicholas McShane & Ann (Rice) Bonney: Source: South Australian Marriages 1842 - 1916, Book/Page - 38/329 - District Code - Ade. http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=sabmd&id=I222217

• Marriage (2): SA BDM Marriage Reg: #38/329: 1859

• (1870). CORONERS' INQUESTS. DEATH FROM NEGLECT: South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900) Sat 10 Sep 1870, Page 3: http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/39199431