Kathleen Ellen DECIS ROGERSON [1323]

  General Notes:

On Kathleen's 1894 marriage certificate to William Rogerson, she states that she was aged 20 years and born in Dublin, and that her father was William Decis (Gentleman) and mother was Ellen TULLOCH.

On her 1906 marriage certificate to John Bonham she states she is a spinster born Dublin Ireland, aged 34 years and that her father was William Decis Engine Driver and mother Ellen Boswick.

As William Decis and Ellen Bostock (Bostick) began having children in Melbourne in 1861 and had 7 registered children that I have found until 1876, it is unlikely Kathleen could have been born in Dublin if these were her parents. I have been unable to find the birth of Kathleen Ellen Decis in the period mentioned.

There are 12 children mentioned on the death certificate of Kathleen's mother in 1884, they are John 25, William 23, Mary Ann 22, Edward 20 , Herman (?) 18 , Sarah 17, Esther 15, Margaret 12, Ernest, 11 Kathleen 9 , Eliza dead and Constant 5.

Kathleen Decis Rogerson Bonham drowned in Saltwater Creek Melbourne (Maribyrniong River). She had been previously married to William Rogerson and had three children from that marriage.

Bendigo Advertiser Friday 7 February 1913 page 3
FOUND DROWNED.
Melbourne, 6th February.
A verdict, of "found drowned" was recorded by the coroner (Dr. Cole) after he had heard evidence in connection with the death of Kathleen Ellen Bonham, whose body was found in the Saltwater River on 13th January. According to the evidence of her husband, deceased had on 6th January intimated that the only thing to do was to separate. She had been a victim to drinking during the six years of their married life. In recording his verdict, the coroner remarked that there was no evidence to show how deceased had got into the water.

The Argus Friday 7 February 1913 page 8
"FOUND DROWNED."
At the Morgue, yesterday the Coroner (Dr Cole) conducted an inquest concerning the death of Kathleen Ellen Bonham, who was found drowned in Saltwater River on January 13. Deceased's husband, John Bonham, stated that he separated from his wife on January 3, at her wish. Deceased had been a victim to drink. A verdict was recorded that deceased was found drowned,and that there was no evidence to show how she got into the water

Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954) Sat 8 Feb 1913 Page 33
WOMAN DROWNED.
HUSBAND'S STATEMENT.
Dr. R. H. Cole, the Coroner, at the Morgue, on February 5, held an Inquiry concerning the death of Kathleen Ellen Bonham, who was found drowned in the Saltwater River on January 13. John Bonham, laborer, employed at the Prince of Wales Coffee Palace, Melbourne, said that he left Kathleen Ellen Bonham, his wife, on January 3. He last saw her on January 9, when she said that the only thing to do was to be separated. "Witness asked her how much she desired, and gave her £1. She offered to him give him back 8/, but witness told her to keep the money and not spend it on drink. She had been a victim to drink during the six years, of their married life.
William Workman, laborer, residing at Maribyrnong, stated that he found the body when he was fishing at the Saltwater River on January 13. It was lying face downwards in shallow water.
The Coroner recorded a verdict that Kathleen Ellen Bonham was drowned in the Saltwater River. There was no evidence to show how she entered the water.


IS THIS KATHERINE BONHAM??????
The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954) Fri 26 Jul 1912 Page 10 ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.
ATTEMPT AT SUICIDE.
WOMAN LIES ACROSS TRAM TRACK
unknown; and mentally defective.
A sad case of attempted suicide came under, the notice - of the Melbourne Hospital authorities last/night, when a middle aged woman was brought to the institution by Constable Spottiswoode. . According to the constable's story, the woman, who gave several names when questioned, the one she most frequently mentioned being Ellen Rogerson was seen by a Mr. R. J. Lewis of Queen's-walk, to throw, herself in front of an advancing tram car as it rounded the curve at the corner of Spring and Collins streets. This was about 8.30 p.m. The gripman of the car - NO. 136, from Fitzroy - put the brakes on hard, and managed to pull up within two feet of the woman, who was lying at full length across the rails. Mr. Lewis rushed for ward and pulled her clear of the line, and Constable Spottiswoode arriving; he took her in charge. He drove with her to the city watch house, and from there she was removed to the hospital for observation.

Drs. Goldstein, and. Crookston were not long in ascertaining that she was not in her right mind, and she stated in answer to their questions that she had been, an inmate of Kew Asylum a year or so back. Communication with the asylum by telephone failed to lead to her identification, and she was detained at the institution for the night, pending information being obtained regarding her. She is about 5 feet 8 inches high; of rather attractive appearance, and has dark hair, Her clothing is poor, and from her wanderings of the, mind' it would appear as if she at one time, lived at Germanton. Her husband's Christian name is "Jack," and that of one of her children "Nelly."

Kathleen married William ROGERSON [3851] [MRIN: 1955] on 14 Feb 1894 in Port Melbourne, VIC, Australia ^2359,2360.^,2361 (William ROGERSON [3851] was born about 1870 in , , England,²³⁶² died on 18 Nov 1899 in Port Melbourne, VIC, Australia ^2362,2363 and was buried on 19 Nov 1899 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ²³⁶².)

Kathleen next married John Stanislaus BONHAM [1272] [MRIN: 410], son of James John BONHAM [1276] and Mary Agnes JONES [1275], on 11 Aug 1906 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ²¹¹⁷.^,2118 (John Stanislaus BONHAM [1272] was born on 13 Nov 1871 in Richmond, Victoria, Australia ²¹¹⁴, christened on 26 Nov 1871 in Richmond, Victoria, Australia, died on 21 Aug 1955 in Bribie Island, QLD, Australia ^2115,2116 and was cremated on 23 Aug 1955 in Brisbane, Qld, Australia.)