I was thrilled to finally get a copy of the book which a retired History Professor has written about my grandfather Frank Leysley. “Adulterers!” by Dr Kett Kennedy is the story of a divorce trial in Queensland in 1900. My grandfather was the plaintiff and his first wife, Anne McLean was the defendant. The co-defendant was John Henry Dunsford, a popular member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, who’d been elected in 1893 on a Labour ticket. Frank was able to bring this case “in forma pauperis” because he was impoverished, and the case became a precedent in Australian law.
The book gives a full account of the trial which took four days. After twenty minutes’ deliberation the jury of four men found the pair guilty of adultery, and awarded Frank £300 damages, plus costs. Presumably it was this windfall that enabled him to move to New Zealand and later marry my grandmother.
This slim volume (just 102 pages) has been published through the Charters Towers & Dalrymple Family History Association, and is recorded as being the “First and only edition: limited to 150 copies for public sale.” Printing was subsidised by the Estate of Siriol Kate Giffney, which holds the copyright.
My grandfather does not come out well in this story and it appears that he probably connived at the adultery. He died when my mother was just two years old, so she never really knew him. Whatever his failings may have been I’m delighted to have a book which gives so much detail about his life.
“The convoluted path Frank took
is clearly outlined in this book.”
What a treasure Ruth. I have a great grandfather who married for a second time and adopted a child with his new wife(she was the child’s grandmother). I would love to know why they married and who the mother of the child was but lips stayed well sealed it would appear.
The rights and wrongs of these old events are irrelevant but the colour they add to our family stories is wonderful.
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Yes. There are quite a few skeletons in my family closet, and I like to have them uncovered.
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Nothing has changed in terms of human nature and behaviour despite being told about “the good old days” and how moral and well behaved they all were!
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Interesting reading this part of your family history, Ruth!
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Fascinating for me to read it in a published book!
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How exciting to have this piece of family history in your hands.
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How satisfying to have such a full account of your grandfather, who was obviously a colourful character.
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I’d discovered some of the story in the late 70’s when I made contact with an Australian half-cousin, but it’s wonderful to have it all set out in such detail. The book is now on its way to the U.K. so my daughters can read it.
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I love it that there was an actual trial over this issue! And money awarded. What a really terrific basis for a piece of historical fiction! And Ruth, I continue to be so astonished that you consistently write a couplet a post. xoxo
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Thanks, Lily. I’ve been glad to see you blogging again!
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I learned today that Kett Kennedy died in February of cancer. He was just 66. I greatly appreciate his work, and am sure there will be many who miss him.
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[…] an excellent book about my war hero relation, and an Australian history professor has written a book about my grandfather. Those stories I know about my ancestors I’ve recorded in the Family Stories category of […]
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