Neighbours in Devonshire Street

In my last post about Abigail Dann, the midwife, I began to explore the notion of the townsfolk surrounding my great-grandmother Mary Ann.

I have previously written about Mary Ann's child support court case. In the court papers, there was of course mention of the alleged father of the child, Charles Nott, a carpenter, and the witnesses she called being William Hodges and Daniel Taylor - all acquaintances of Mary Ann. Also Mr Solling (Charles Nott's lawyer).

There were also signatures on the court papers that I had always found very difficult to decipher, some almost childish writing, those of judge or police.

I suppose I must admit to having tunnel-vision. I received the court papers, fantastic. It told me in detail about the court proceedings and the snippet from the paper then seemed less important.

But going back to the paper I have gleaned a little more about the people of the town and those Mary Ann would have been acquainted with when she lived in Devonshire Street. 

On that same day in court, there was another case heard for the charge of "obscene language". The case itself wasn't that interesting, a neighbour making a claim against another for swearing on her verandah where it could be heard by all. However, these people lived in Devonshire Street too. 

The neighbours were Eliza Rhodes (the swearer) and Alexander Monie (the complainant) who lived opposite her. Witnesses were Mrs Monie, Kate Bonner (recently boarding with Eliza) plus Eliza's daughter. Constable Gillies was the policeman who attended to the scene. 

These cases were listed as being heard at the Police Court by Messrs. Brooks, Crothers and Gillies. All three were the signatures that I couldn't identify on Mary Ann's court papers.

While not an amazing discovery, when you have little information about an ancestor, looking a bit further afield might provide a few small details. Oh, and the swearer.... a fine of 5 pounds or 3 months imprisonment!