Australian Royalty: Genealogy of the colony of NSW

In Divorce before his Honor Mr Justice Windeyer
BLACK V BLACK AND MATHEWS
This was a petition by the husband, Joseph Ebenezer
Black, for a dissolution of marriage on the ground of his
wife's conduct with the co-respondent, Jacob Matthews,
with whom she had eloped
Mr Ralston, instructed by Mr W T A Shorter, for
the petitioner.
The parties were married in May, 1873 The respon-
dent's maiden name was Emma Jane Bonfield. The peti-
tioner was a farmer at Buckinbah at the time of his mar-
riage, and is now a mail-coach proprietor at Manly Beach.
They lived together happily for about seven years, and had
four children, of whom only one is now surviving.
About May, 1881, they were staying with petitioners
brother near Parramatta. The co-respondent, whom Mrs.
Black had known from childhood, was at this time staying
with his people at Homebush. One day the three left
Sydney together in the train, the petitioner going on to
Orange, leaving his wife at Parramatta to be escorted home
by Matthews. He afterwards learned that she had not
been back to his brother's. He heard nothing of her for
several weeks, when he found that she was living with
Matthews. He taxed her with her conduct, but got no
answer. He met Matthews one day, who said, " Well,
Joey, how are you ? " but his only answer was a blow with
a loaded whip which knocked Matthews off his horse.
Senior-constable Murphy (noting C P S at Obley) gave
evidence that proceedings had been taken by Mrs Black
against Matthews for the maintenance of two children
Mathews did not deny that they were his children, and
paid £24 in settlement of her claim.
His Honor thought it was a clear case, and granted a
decree nisi, to take effect in six months.

Divorce Court.
THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12.
(Before Mr. Justice Windeyer.)
Black v. Black and Matthews.— This was a
suit for divorce brought by Joseph Ebenezer Black
against his wife, Emma Jane Black, in consequence
of her adultery with Jacob Matthews. Mr. Ralston
appeared for the petitioner. The respondent and the
co-respondent were not represented. The parties
were married on May 6, 1273, in Orange, and
there are two children living. The respondent
and the co-respondent had known each other
since they were children. The petitioner and his
wife came down to Sydney on a trip in 1881, and on
returning, the co-respondent joined them at Home
bush. From Granville the petitioner went on to
Orange, but the other two stopped behind and went
to Parramatta. They afterward lived together, and
a child was born. His Honor found the issues
proved, and made a decree nisi for dissolution
accordingly.

Died 2 Jan 1900

Died 22 Jan 1900

Knight, Emma Jane 22 Jan 1900 42 y nee Bonfield; w/Thomas R; mother Prot A