Finding the impetus

My Dad didn’t know his mothers’ family at all. His mother sent Dad and his sister to the movies alone and when they returned she had left with the father of Dad’s uncle. As a consequence I never knew my grandmother as a grandmother. I only met her twice. When she died, Dad went to her funeral, alone. He didn’t want us to go with him although we wanted to. He came home and said “I have waited all my life for that woman to get what she deserved”. Dad died 2 days later.

So researching that side of the family has always been a difficult thing for me to do. I just feel wrong doing it. But after finding this article on one of the ancestors from that side, I now think I have the impetus to follow the line. I’m sure you will understand why when you read the article below from The Goulburn Herald and the County of Argyle Advertiser, Friday, May 15, 1857, page 4.

Before the Police Magistrate, E. Maitland, Esq, and Dr Falder

Assaults: The time of the Bench was occupied for several hours this morning with three cases of assault, namely: Samuel Smart v. Patrick Riley; Temperance Smart v. Samuel Smart; Patrick Riley v. Samuel Smart. Mr Demleby appeared for Smart.

The particulars are almost devoid of general interest. It appeared that about seven years ago, Smart and his wife fell out, and he then made the liberal offer of selling her if she fetched only fourpence. Riley, in a fit of excessive gallantry took the lady under his protection, and at a subsequent period, offered Smart the very inadequate figure of 10s., for his right, title in, and to the lady and her son. Smart, no doubt smarting under the insult insidiously conveyed, told Riley he would not sell her to him at any price, but would put her up to public auction.

The veteran, Pincher, was pressed into the service, and, with bell in hand, announced that “a wife was to be sold.” It did not come out in evidence whether there was a sale or not, but Riley and Mrs. Smart kept on residing together on the banks of the Mulwarree. On Monday last Smart went to the place for the purpose of taking his boy away, and at that time alleged assaults were committed.

As soon as the matter was settled, Smart bustled out of the Court House, and before his better half and Riley collected their family together, he had snatched up his eldest son, a youth of seven years of age, and was to be seen rushing with him across the Market-square.