Mary Jane Rogers

Emigrated to New Zealand in Sep 1842 on the SS Essex and arriving in New Plymouth, NZ 20 Jan 1843 with her husband John and 8 children.

Died of multiple stab wounds - this was the first known murder of a white woman in the New Plymouth settlement. paperspast.natlib.govt.nz By searching under Taranaki in the Taranaki Herald newspaper and entering Joseph Cassidy and exact phrase two entries came up: Resident Magistrates Court Sept 20 1854 (the last part of this appears to be missing) Supreme Court 28 March 1855 These are write ups of the court reports. By searching under Mary Rogers a small piece appeared on 11 Apr 1855 under Communications: We understand that the case of Joseph Cassidy, now under sentence of death for the murder of Mary Rogers, will be considered by His Excellency and that evidence as to the state of the prisoners mind at the time, has been taken before the Resident Magistrate.

By Raewyn Evans

John and Mary Rogers rented a whare at Waiwhakaiho, Glenavon, near the settlement of New Plymouth died in September 1853. Three months after John's death the family purchased four acres of land at Omata. Joseph Cassidy moved with them. He had been their boarder for some three years since his discharge from the 65th (2nd Yorkshire, North Riding) Regiment of Foot in 1850.

On 14 September 1854, daughter Victorine saw Joseph Cassidy murder her mother. Cassidy had wanted to marry Mary Rogers, but she had spurned him for another suitor. In a fit of jealousy Cassidy had stabbed and beaten her to death. Victorine was a key witness at Cassidy's trial in Auckland on 1 March 1855 and was described as 'an intelligent little girl'. Cassidy was found guilty and condemned to hang, but the death sentence was later revoked on the grounds of insanity.

• Residence: Crowan, Cornwall, England
• Residence: Crowan, Cornwall, England - 1841
  • Reference: FamilySearch Genealogy - SmartCopy: Apr 26 2024, 17:32:11 UTC