2040-J-EVIDENCE OF 4 WITNESSES

EVIDENCE OF FOUR WITNESSES⁶

ON THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED WHEN DR HALL MET ANN RUMSBY AT AND IN THE VICINITY OF DR DOUGLASS' HOUSE AT ABOUT NOON ON 31ST JULY 1822

THE DEPOSITION OF ANDREW WHITE

Servant to Dr Douglass

Paramatta, Thursday 22nd August 1822, 8 AM

Andrew White, a prisoner by the Ship Speke, Cap't McPherson, and House Servant to Dr Douglass, being sworn, states, that Sir James Jamison and Dr Hall called one day at about Noon at his Master's, and he thinks about three weeks since, but is not certain as to the exact day. That he answered the knock at the door; when he was asked if the Doctor was at home, he answered No. At this period Ann Rumsby came out of her Mistress's Bed Room into the Parlour, Dr Hall being at this time in the Hall, who beckoned with his finger for here to follow him, which she did, going out of the front door; she was absent three Minutes , when she returned and went again to her Mistress's bed room (when she went out of the house, she sent towards the front Gate; did not observe them have any conversation together at the time, as he was at his own work during the time. About half an hour after this, a Man came to Deponent and told him that Dr. Hall wanted the Servant (I think I should know this Man, if I again saw him; he was a little man and has a dun or withered Arm; he was dressed in Prisoner's Clothes). I asked him what servant; he said Ann Rumsby. I then went to her, and told her Dr. Hall wanted her. She then left the house by the front door, and went into the Main Road. After being absent about twenty Minutes, Deponent went to look after her, when he saw Dr. Hall and her Conversing together near or close to the Green Wattles on the Sydney Road. About ten Minutes after this, Ann Rumsby returned, when Deponent asked what Dr. Hall had been saying to her; she answered he had been making some promises to her and also he had given her a ten shilling Bill. I then asked what she had been saying to him; she answered that Dr. Douglass would be her ruin. I then asked her what she meant by her ruin; she answered when Bragge (of the hospital) asked her Master's consent to marry her, that he had given it, adding that she did not like Bragge. He was induced to ask those latter questions about Bragge and her, having himself expressed a wish to marry her and in fact had made her an Offer, which her Master had refused saying the Deponent was too young. Deponent further added that on Sunday week, Ann Rumsby gave him a Letter to read, which she had received, and, on perusing it, found it was signed by Dr Hall. Deponent then asked her, if her Master had taken any liberties with her; she answered he had not.

ANDREW WHITE

THE DEPOSITION OF MARY WOOTON

Servant to Dr Douglass

MARY WOOTON, prisoner, Servant to Dr. Douglass's, being sworn, states she came a prisoner to this Country with Ann Rumsby, and was at Dr Douglass's about three weeks before the latter came into his service

Question. Do you recollect Sir John Jamison and Dr. Hall calling at your Master's? Yes, I recollect the Doctor calling about three weeks since with a Gentleman, who she has since heard was Sir John. That she never saw them there but once. That on Dr. Hall's coming into the Hall, he spoke to Deponent and said "How do you do, Wootton." I answered "Very well, Sir." He then asked if Dr. Douglass was within; she answered, No, He went to Sydney this Morning. At this time, Ann Rumsby came out of the Bedroom about two yards into the Parlour, as Deponent supposed from hearing Dr. Hall's voice. Deponent then heard Dr. Hall say, "Ann, I want you"; on which Deponent (who was at this time at the Cupboard in the parlour putting some Wine into some gruel for her Mistress, who as sick) turned round to her fellow Servant, and said "Ann. Dr. Hall wants you;" on which, she, Ann Rumsby returned into the Bedroom, to adjust her Clothes and came out again immediately, going through the Parlour into the Hall and from thence to the Verandah, then Deponent put down her ***** and followed her to the front door; that Dr. Hall and the other Gentleman did not stop, nor did Deponent see Ann Rumsby speak to Dr. Hall. That Deponent returned taking the Gruel into her Mistress. That Deponent made a remark to her Mistress, saying she wondered Dr. Hall should call Ann out and then not want to speak to her, adding that she thought he looked very much agitated and different from what he usually did. Ann Rumsby was at this time in the same room with her Mistress and Deponent, and must have heard the remark made by her to her Mistress. Ann Rumsby was her bed-follow during the whole time they lived they lived there together, with the exception that, when her Master was from home, Ann slept in the same room with her Mistress. Deponent never heard Ann Rumsby at any time say or even hint that any person in the house had ever taken liberties with her, and was much astonished at hearing of such a report, which she did not hear until last Monday week. That Deponent is entrusted with the Keys of the Cupboard, and never goes to bed until all the Servants in the house have retired before her, examining the Door, etc. to see all is safe before she goes to bed

MARY x WOOTON

(HER MARK)

DEPOSITION OF MATHEW FINNEGAN

Keeper of Turnpike Gate

Matthew Finnegan (Free), being duly sworn, states, that he is Keeper of the Turnpike Gate on the Sydney Road (at Parramatta). That, three or four weeks since, a man who goes by the name of Scrummy Jack and who is kept as a Messenger at the Penitentiary, he observed going towards the house of Dr Douglass (this was about Noon). That on his coming away from the house, he observed a Woman to follow him. On the Woman's coming down from Dr Douglass' house, the gentleman went from the Wattle brush back to meet her. That on their meeting they conversed and remained together a few Minutes, after which they went into the Wattle brush, as herein related. That on Scrummy Jack's arriving at the Turnpike Gate, Deponent asked him, who is that Gentleman; he answered that he was the Gentleman that had sent him to Dr Douglass' house for a Maid Servant. He then said to him in a Joke, I suppose the Gentleman has paid you well for it; he said, No, but that he would ask him for something, when he came up to him. At this period, the Gentleman and Woman had left the Turnpike Road, and was in the Wattle brush. Deponent thinks that they remained there 15 or 20 minutes, when the woman returned to Dr Douglass' and the Gentleman came to the Turnpike Gate and passed through, Scrummy Jack followed him close, until they were out of Deponent's sight. That he, Jack, returned through the Gate on the following day, when the Deponent asked him how the Gentleman had behaved to him. He answered that he had given him a Dump. Has never seen the Gentleman since, but should know him, if he saw him again, and did since hear from Mr Thomas MacDougall that it was a Dr Hall, who came out as Surgeon of the Ship the Girl came to the Colony in.

MAT'W FINNEGAN

THE DEPOSITION OF JOHN FARLEY

Messenger

Before The Revd. Thos. Reddall, J.P., Parramatta, 23d August 1822.

John Farley, Known by the Name of Scrummy Jack, a Prisoner of the Crown employed in the Lumber Yard, Parramatta, being duly sworn, states, That, about four or five weeks ago, he was passing on the Public Road to Sydney on Government business that, on the New Bridge beyond the Turnpike Gate, he met a Gentleman, who asked him whom he belonged to; Deponent told him that he belonged to Government. The Gentleman, whose Name he does not know, then enquired where he was going? To which the said Deponent replied, to Sydney. The said Gentleman then asked Deponent if would do a Message for him, saying it would not take him more than half an hour, and that he would pay him for his trouble. Deponent then asked the Gentleman what the nature of the Message was; to which the said Gentleman replied it, was to go to Dr. Douglass's and to enquire for a female servant in his (Dr. Douglass's) employ of the Name of Ann Rumsby, and to inform her that a Gentleman wished to speak to her at the Gate leading into the road from the Doctor's house. Deponent complied with the request and went to Dr. Douglass's house. He did not see Ann Rumsby, but he delivered the Message to a Man Servant of Dr. Douglass's. and left the Premises. When Deponent had left the Premises a short distance, he met the Gentleman approaching the Doctor's residence and did not then speak to him, as he seemed to be going in haste as he supposed to meet the Girl; that he, this Deponent, looked behind him and saw the Girl come out to meet him, That they stood for some time together, after which the Girl returned to the house and the Gentleman followed him. Deponent says that the Gentleman, in asking him for the promised reward, gave him a trifling sum. That he saw the said Gentleman again in Sydney Yesterday, but had no Conversation with him.

Q. How far did Ann Rumsby go down the road with the Gentleman?

A. Into the Hollow below Dr Douglass.

Q. Did you Notice Ann Rumsby and the Gentleman to go amongst the Wattles?

A. I did not notice.

Q. Why did you not take notice?

A. Because I did not think it right to do so.

Q. Did the female servant in question run after the Gentleman and call after him?

A. Neither saw her run nor did I hear her call; she came out as I have stated in compliance with the message.

Q. Did the Gentleman alluded to tell you what Name to make use of to the Girl, when he sent the message to her by You?

A. Yes.

Q, What Name did he give?

A. Doctor somebody, but I forget the Name.

Q. What time in the day was it that You met the said Gentleman?

A. About Twelve O'clock.

John X Farley. His MARK