Charles Horsnell

Riverine Herald 14 May 1870, advertising: NOTICE. -- If Charles Horsnell does not hand over my furniture before Monday next, I will proceed against him as the law directs. J Cashin. Not likely to be Charles Horsnell Snr, so I think Charles Jnr is being threatened by his future brother-in-law.

George Horsnell's father, Charles, disappeared about 1878, without trace. It is believed things were not well in the family because it was not talked about afterwards. While in Echuca, Arthur Octavius and Eliza cared for George and his 3 sisters after their father left. George seems to have spent time in jail at age 12 yrs. George helped Arthur Octavius walk his cows from Echuca to Coalville when they moved to Gippsland. (as told by Paul Horsnell)

In 1878, Charles' wife Mary Agnes was admitted to the lunatic asylum at Kew. This is Mary's second admission and both seem associated with recent childbirth, so possibly post partum depression. There are also reports of domestic abuse in associated court cases, where the judge asks Charles to stop abusing his wife. Charles is reported to be a fisherman and he neglects to pay for Mary Agnes's care, so Kew Asylum gets a court order to enforce their claim for payment. It might be about this time that Charles goes missing.

In April 1882 Mary Agnes takes Charles to court charging him with desertion, and stating that she had recently seen him in the company of another woman. See docs. Riverine Herald 19 April 1882 WIFE DESERTION. Mary A. Horsnell v. Charles Horsnell. Mr. Conant for plaintiff; Mr. Pennefather for defendant. Complainant said that she wished to get her children from defendant. She was married to him at St. Francis church, Melbourne. Had had no support from him for a very long time. Defendant lived near the Sportsmans' Arms Hotel, and witness had been supported by her friends. To Mr. Pennefather—Her husband never offered to give her 15s. per week, and she had never made a claim for £4 per week. Had been sent to the lunatic asylum in 1878, through her husband's brutality and beating. Came out of the asylum on the 29th August, 1881, and never saw her husband till last Thursday, when she saw him with another woman. Up to that date had been living with her friends, as she had no means to travel, and was in delicate health. Had written to Sergeant Hayes, asking the whereabouts of her husband and children, but never received a reply. Senior-constable Nedwell, sworn, said he knew both complainant and defendant. Recollected inquiries being sent to the station, which were forwarded to Moama, but had never been replied to. To Mr. Pennefather—Had soon defendant regularly at the station ; he was a fisherman. After considerable argument as to the means of defendant the Bench said there was no doubt that a fisherman's life was a precarious one, and therefore it would be no use of making an order which he could not comply with. At this stage Constable Nedwell, in reply to the Bench, gave the defendant an excellent character for sobriety. An order was eventually made for 15s. per week to be paid, and it was understood the defendant was to retain the two youngest of the children. The police witnesses make it clear that Charles is still living in the locality and working as a fisherman at Moama, so he has not "disappeared without trace" at this point.

The children were certainly left high and dry if Charles abandoned them, so it is as well that Arthur and Eliza were able and willing to step in. Mary Agnes tried to gain custody of her children when she was discharged, but the court would not allow her to care for them. She was admitted again in 1888 and seems to have not left after that, and died in an asylum.

Death certificate for Charles father, also Charles, lists Charles Jnr as still living in 1895 at his father's death, but he is not named in the newspaper death notices. Suggests that perhaps the family had disowned him. There is a lot of movement of Horsnells to and from New Zealand. Many of them are new migrants from the UK, but it is entirely possible that Charles disappeared in to New Zealand, or interstate in Australia where there are also several Horsnell families.

There is a stray Charles Horsnell at Bordertown SA in 1884, who might possibly be our man if, indeed, he left Echuca at all. My guess is that he simply crossed the Murray River to Moama where he was out of the jurisdiction of the Victorian courts, and could not be sued for recovery of monies re Mary Agnes or the children.

DEATH & BURIAL Possibilities Charles Horsnell Australia, New South Wales, Deceased Estate Files, 1880-1923 Name: Charles Horsnell Event Type: Probate Event Date: 16 Feb 1928 Event Place: Kyogle, New South Wales, Australia Event Place: Kyogle Death Date: 04 Jan 1928 Note: Occupation: labourer Affiliate Record Identifier: 183626 [This man left a will with daughter Dorothy Jane Horsnell as sole beneficiary. If it is the right man, he has formed new relationships and gone a long way from home. Not impossible, but unlikely?]

Name: Charles W Horsnell Death Date: 1928 Death Place: New South Wales Father's name: Charles Registration Year: 1928 Registration Place: Casino, New South Wales Registration Number: 3967

Charles' son with Mary Agnes, Charles Purcell Horsnell, died and was buried at Moama in 1879. Is that a clue?