Siely

DESCRIPTION

NameSielyAlternative NameSieley / SeilyDescriptionWalter Siely was born 1862, Mudgee, to James and Ann Elizabeth Siely (nee McKeown).

James had arrived in Sydney in 1855, from Norfolk, England. He married Ann (from County Armagh) in 1856. James and Ann lived at Shellharbour.

Walter married Ellen McLaren McAndrew at Wollongong in 1883. They had two children, James Alexander b.1885, and Charles b.1887, before Ellen's death at Kiama in 1889.

Walter Siely worked as a coach and livery operator in Shellharbour.

In 1892, Walter married his second wife, Catherine Malone at St Paul's Catholic Church, Albion Park. Catherine was the daughter of Bartholomew and Mary Malone (nee Clare).

Walter, Catherine and family lived Addison Street, Shellharbour - Section 9, Lot Pt 1, on the southern side, near the corner of Mary Street.

Walter and Catherine had six children, all born at Shellharbour -

Mary Agnes b.1892
William Augustus b.1894
Annie Elizabeth b.1896
Catherine/Kathleen 'Kitty' Mary b.1898
Walter Clement b.1900
Elizabeth b.1902

Catherine/Kathleen Mary Siely who was just 14 years old at the time, was charged with feloniously and maliciously killing her father in 1913.

Walter had a reputation for being unkind and physically abusive to his family. According to the newspaper report, detailing the case (Sydney Morning Herald 7 June 1913), he was also a drunkard who had thrashed his three month old son with a belt buckle on one occasion.

On Sunday 2 March 1913, Robert Henry Ellis, a labourer in Shellharbour, went to the Siely home after hearing screaming. Ellis stated Kathleen 'Katie' had in the past, often come to his home for protection.

Katie had to leave the Siely family home on leaving school at 14 years old, as she was expected to earn her own living. Katie took a position in Wagga and returned home in February with savings from her wages.

On the day of his death, Walter had demanded Katie's money. She did so begrudgingly, and asked that he give her mother some. Walter then loaded his gun and threatened to kill his wife and Katie. He aimed the gun at his wife and Katie grabbed it. The gun went off, and Walter died.

At the conclusion of the inquest into his death, the jury delivered a verdict of not guilty. The crowd in the court room and those standing outside in the rain, cheered loudly on hearing the result.

External LinkBrevities 1895Kiama Police Court 1902A Heavy Fine 1902Albion Park 1903Here and There 1906Police vs Seily 1906Kiama Police Court 1907Death James Siley 1908Death James Siely 1908Return Thanks 1908Report 1908Accidental Death 1913Evidence 1913The Shellharbour Tragedy 1913To Save Mother 1913Tragedy at Shellharbour 1913The Shellharbour Shooting Verdict Accidental Death 1913Unusual Scene at an Inquest 1913Mrs Seily 1919Mrs Catherine Siely 1930

Walter and Catherine Siely on their wedding day in 1892.

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CollectionFamiliesFamilyMaloneLocalityShellharbour Village

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Siely