William J Reed and Agnes Gibson

[mckha489]

William REED died in SYDNEY at the benevolent asylum.

That's how I read it too.

Deleted….you were right, sorry 

[Neale1961]

14 June 1881 - William Reed acquitted of cattle stealing
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/816631?searchTerm=Reed%20AND%20stealing

[judb]

Hmmm - perhaps there may have been two William REEDs in the area?  Common enough name.

Speculation only!
I also wonder if Agnes may have had some way becoming the executrix of his estate in 1879 without there being an actual death - by Power of Attorney perhaps or was he declared dead
It was by the end of June, 1879 that he had resigned from being "Keeper of the Pound"  as shown in the newspaper article found by Neale1961. Mention of William Reed resigning from a public position in June 1879 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/223121345

I doubt if this is relevant but thought I'd post it anyway - and is the Liverpool Asylum the same as the Sydney Asylum!
Liverpool Asylum for the Infirm and Destitute, Surgeon Superintendent
Weekly Report 1877-1883 - Week ending December 2, 1882
The only mention I can see of a suitable William Reed at the Liverpool Asylum is for a William Reed,aged 72 who absconded.  I doubt if this is relevant - such a common name!

[dunscore]

Thank you to those who were able to help with my inquiry.  There is a letter from a relative of William Reed and she says in the letter that William was born in Sussex, but there are other things mentioned that we know to be incorrect, so that could be one of them! 
Agnes did marry twice, firstly to William Earl in 1862.  He died at the "Squatters Arms" in 1868 and then Agnes remarried - to William Reed.
Agnes Reed was interred at the Collarenebri cemetery and their records show she was "w/William", but he is certainly not with her.  If he died at the Benevolent Asylum in Sydney, no doubt his body would not have been taken back to his home town.
Thanks again to all,
Dunscore

[judb]

According to the records shown on this site there is no William Reed or Reid that fits with the man in question.
Sydney Benevolent Asylum   Index to Admissions and Discharges 1857-1900
https://sydneybenevolentasylum.com/index.php?page=search-index

Surname   Given Name   Admission Date   Discharge Date   Age   More Details
REED   William                                      22 Oct 1869            Submit Request   
REED   William           8 Jul 1858                                     49   Submit Request
REED   William           6 Jul 1867                                  2y 6m   Submit Request
REID          William                                    8 Jul 1858               Submit Request
REID          William          23 Mar 1861                            51     Submit Request
REID            William                                   23 Mar 1861                Submit Request
REID          William           8 Apr 1886                             8     Submit Request
REID      William                                10 May 1868          4     Submit Request
REID           William            16 Aug 1893                           10d        Submit Request
REID           William             1 Jun 1897                        3y 6m   Submit Request
REID          William                              13 Sep 1897     3y 6m          Submit Request
REIDY   William      1                     8 Dec 1893                    4

Judith

[sparrett]

Thank you to those who were able to help with my inquiry.  There is a letter from a relative of William Reed and she says in the letter that William was born in Sussex, but there are other things mentioned that we know to be incorrect, so that could be one of them! 
Agnes did marry twice, firstly to William Earl in 1862.  He died at the "Squatters Arms" in 1868 and then Agnes remarried - to William Reed.
Agnes Reed was interred at the Collarenebri cemetery and their records show she was "w/William", but he is certainly not with her.  If he died at the Benevolent Asylum in Sydney, no doubt his body would not have been taken back to his home town.
Thanks again to all,
Dunscore

Hi Dunscore,
I am interested in your comment which I have underlined above.

I wonder if you would share the contents of that letter from the relative.

If you don't know the real facts about the man and his family, how have you arrived at the conclusion that the information in the letter is incorrect?

Sue

[dunscore]

Hi Sue,
Although I have not personally read the whole letter, I have seen a couple of errors mainly with BDM information and as to where a couple of the ancestors were either born or died.  I am assuming that the NSW BDM is more reliable as a resource than a very old letter!  There are a number of dates that I have been able to confirm.  The letter mentions the birth in Sussex too, but I have my doubts regarding this but nothing to confirm either way.
Cheers,
Dunscore

[~MERLIN~]

William REED was very much alive when his wife Agnes died in August 1900.

You can read the newspaper reports of a fire that destroyed their home the former Squatters Arms Hotel while he was away due to her death.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71388175?searchTerm=%22reed%22

The residence of Mr. William Reed, at Collarenebri, was totally destroyed by fire at 4 a.m. on August 1. It was the oldest building in the district. Twenty years ago it was used as a hotel, and was known as the Squatters' Arms. The origin of the fire is a mystery.

At the inquest on the suspicious fire at Mr. W. Reed's residence, Collarenebri, which was destroyed by fire on August 1, the jury brought in a verdict that the premises had been maliciously and wilfully set fire to by some person or persons unknown. The building was insured in the United Insurance Company for £600. During the progress of the inquest Mr. Reed, owner of the property, received word that his wife had died at Moongulla, where he was when the fire occurred.

A few more articles on the fire:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/230634119?searchTerm=%22william%20reed%22
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/237320493?searchTerm=%22william%20reed%22
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/237320421?searchTerm=%22william%20reed%22
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/237320493?searchTerm=%22william%20reed%22

[judb]

Excellent finds, Merlin.  I was put off by the transfer to Agnes with her named as 'executrix of his estate' back in 1879, so I assumed he was dead.  (Forgot the golden rule - never assume anything in this game! )
Don't know enough law to know how she was able to do that - power of attorney; permission given by him to act (perhaps he was away??),

Judith