Australian Royalty: Genealogy of the colony of NSW

7136/1875 CLARK FLORENCE GERTRUDE EMILY BATHURST

228/1896 BURGESS GEORGE A CLARK GERTRUDE T SYDNEY

On January 20 1909, Florence, who lived at Petersham, attempted suicide. On that day she went to a convent at Annandale and had a conversation with the Mother Superior about school fees. With her she carried something wrapped in paper. The Mother Superior said that she didn't notice anything in Florence's demeanour that would cause suspicion but one of the sisters said that Florence seemed somewhat excited. After the conversation with the Mother Superior ended, Florence asked to be permitted to go into the chapel, which was closed at that particular time. She then left to return home.

Just as she reached the entrance to Collins-street she took a revolver from the paper in which it was wrapped and shot herself, first in the breast and then behind the ear. She fell to the ground, and when the people who heard the shots came to her assistance they found that she was unconscious. The police were summoned and Mrs Burgess was hurriedly taken to Prince Alfred Hospital in a critical state, and was not expected to live.

On 19 May, Florence was charged with stealing twelve diamonds, value £35 (recovered), the property of Murray Aird Campbell. She had been arrested by Senior Constable Robertson and Constable Saunders, Sydney Police and committed for trial at Quarter Sessions. Bail was allowed. She was acquitted of this charge on 31 May.

On July 16 of the same year, Florence appeared in Newtown Police Court. Her husband George Arthur Burgess had commenced a court proceeding against her. She was charged with, on January 19th, maliciously administering laudanum to her children George Stanislaus Young Burgess (5), Clarinda Cecilia Burgess (9), Mary Gertrude Burgess (12), Jessie Florence Burgess (10), and Alfred Edward Burgess (6) and endangering their lives. She was also charged with attempting to commit suicide by taking laudanum at Abbortsford on the same day, and with attempting to commit suicide again on January 20 by shooting herself with a revolver. The case was adjourned until the following Wednesday.

On 10 August Florence appeared at the Children's Court at Burwood and committed for trial on a charge of having caused poison to be taken by her five children. The principal evidence was given by Mary Gertrude Burgess, her daughter, aged 12 years. It was to the effect that Mrs Burgess took her five children on a boat on the Parramatta River on January 19 last. It fell wet, and she gave the children some wine and laudanum, and also took some herself, saying that the liquid would keep them from the ill effects of cold and wet. One of the chidlren, according to the medical evidence, was in a serious condition. They all recovered under medical treatment. Other evidence indicated that Mrs Burgess had her mind unsettled by misfortunes, and had told a neighbour that she preferred death to dishonour. Bail was allowed.

On 21 October Florence was again in court on the charge of maliciously causing her son George Stanislaus Young Burgess, to take poison, at Abbotsford, on January 19. The Crown case was that on January 19 Mrs. Burgess took her five children out in a boat at Abbotsford and gave them some wine containing laudanum. They afterwards became giddy and sick, and she took them home. A doctor was called and, under his treatment, they recovered. George Burgess, who was five years old, was, however, seriously ill, and almost died.

Mrs. Burgess said, on oath, that she had been living with her husband till January 19. On the previous day some diamonds had been stolen, and she had been charged with the theft, but acquitted. She had not lived happily with her husband for some years. He had been unkind to her, and did not allow her sufficient money for her maintenance. His treatment of her made her at times very despondent, and she admitted having made an attempt to shoot herself.

She had brought an action for maintenance against her husband, and the present charge was subsequently brought against herself.

Overtures were made to her that if she would withdraw the action the charge of having administered poison to her children would not be gone on with, but she had refused. This case had not been begun by the police. She loved her children and believed they returned her affection. She had taken them out in a boat at Abbotsford in accordance with a promise she had made them.

On the way to the boat she was in pain from an internal complaint, and called at a chemist's for some medicine. She also got some port wine at a grocer's. When the children were wet with rain she gave them some of the wine with medicine in it to make them warm. She had no intention of doing them any harm. She took some of the mixture herself. She had only seen her children in court since the poisoning.

Georgina Keith, chemist of 262 Parramatta Road Ashfield, said she had made up the medicine Mrs. Burgess had asked for. It was composed of tincture of rhubarb, ginger, and five drops of laudanum. Dr. Green said the least bit of laudanum given to a child would produce symptoms of opium poisoning. Dr. Bolger stated that if the boy Burgess had not vomited, he might have died.

Emily Golding inspector under the Early Closing Act, said the accused was a "fond and foolish mother" and was upright and honorable in her dealings. The witness took an interest in her and looked after her because her husband had not done so. After a short retirement the jury re- turned a verdict of not guilty. Subsequently here was a demonstration on the part of the women in and out-side the Court.

On October 28, at the Glebe Police Court, Florence's husband George was in court charged by Florence with having left her without means of support. The case had previously been adjourned pending the issue of the criminal charge against Florence.

Florence told the Court that her husband asked her to plead insanity at a recent trial, and she refused and that during their married life her husband had not properly supported her. She asked for £2 a week.

George said he generally denied the statements of his wife and said that in fact he had been too generous all through to his wife. He said that now he was unable to pay his way on his income, and was heavily in debt.

Mr. Barnett said from the last evidence given by the defendant it was evident there was no possible chance of reconciliation. Mrs. Burgess had certainly done a number of extraordinary things, and her husband had thought her guilty of two that were criminal, though a jury had acquitted her. She had not, however, forfeited her right to support. Under the circumstances the matter was only one of means.

The defendant was in receipt of 300 pounds per annum as a member of Parliament, out of which there were said to be certain deductions. Nevertheless he was able to support his wife properly, and under all the circumstances he thought an order for 25/- a week would be a fair one. He made an order for 6/- court costs, and three pound three shillings professional costs.

Possible (unconfirmed) death details:
17009/1956 BURGESS FLORENCE 78 YEARS LITTLE BAY SYDNEY