On 14 June 1873, only a few months after his release from Parramatta Asylum, George Faulkner was convicted before James Styles, JP, for using obscene language in Cork Street, Gundaroo, "towards William Affleck of Gundaroo, to wit You bloody Scotch bugger, I'll break your bloody door and smash your bloody machinery".
Sentenced to three months in Queanbeyan Gaol, he was again separately examined by two doctors as required before he could be committed to an asylum.
Andrew Morton, surgeon, wrote that he had observed "his violent conduct in the gaol... - his obscene language - & at one time praying, quoting scripture & immediately afterwards blaspheming - cursing, swearing and altogether behaving as a Maniac with homicidal tendencies - his constant headaches & vertigo with confusion of thought & the wildness of his manner & eyes".
The jailer and warder told Morton that their prisoner "is increasingly so violent - threatening them & his fellow prisoners - that he had to be put under restraint - & that his habits were very filthy - & his insomnia".
John Newton MD noted similar observations - "his violent language, his obscenity, his threats to commit murder if called nicknames, his headaches and vertigo and the wildness of his appearance and manner".
On 24 June 1873 Morton and Newton signed a medical certificate certifying George Faulkner "to be of unsound mind, and a proper object for reception into a Lunatic Asylum". He was transferred to Goulburn Gaol on 28 June and from there to Gladesville Hospital for the Insane.
George Faulkner died of pneumonia in Gladeville Hospital on Oct 14th 1875. The death certificate gave his age as 75 and stated that he was married and had two children, "further particulars unknown". He was buried in the hospital cemetery.
Showing posts with label Asylum records. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Asylum records. Show all posts
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Saturday, May 29, 2010
Parramatta lunatic asylum
George Faulkner's admission records:
"Nov 11th, 1872:
This man is a native of England, a Protestant: 70 years of age and by trade a Blacksmith. Admitted by Warrant from Goulburn Gaol Oct 28th. Is serving a sentence of three months for "indecently exposing his person", which sentence expires Nov 2nd 1872.
"On admission he looked ill - fatigued, badly clothed, and ill-nourished. At once desired to write letters to his wife and family, as he had property at stake of great value. These are false delusions as he is said in the "Medical Certificate" to be "homeless and destitute". Eats well, sleeps well, is cleanly in person and habits. Suffers from Senile Dementia, aggravated by long periods of intemperance. Is in fair bodily health.
"Dec 1st, 1872: Continues in good bodily health and is somewhat mentally improved.
"Jan 2nd, 1873: Is in good health, and mentally improved. I think if it could be ascertained that this man has relations willing to receive him he might be discharged to their care.
"Jan 30th, 1873: A letter received from his son expressing his willingness to receive his father when fit to be discharged.
"Feb 3rd, 1873: Continues in good health: and much improved mentally.
"Feb 20th, 1873: Should be brought before the Board. No answer has been received from his son who was informed that his father could be given up to him after the Board Meeting in February.
Less than three months after his admission, George Faulkner "being of perfectly sane mind" was "discharged cured" from Parramatta Asylum on February 24th 1873.
"Nov 11th, 1872:
This man is a native of England, a Protestant: 70 years of age and by trade a Blacksmith. Admitted by Warrant from Goulburn Gaol Oct 28th. Is serving a sentence of three months for "indecently exposing his person", which sentence expires Nov 2nd 1872.
"On admission he looked ill - fatigued, badly clothed, and ill-nourished. At once desired to write letters to his wife and family, as he had property at stake of great value. These are false delusions as he is said in the "Medical Certificate" to be "homeless and destitute". Eats well, sleeps well, is cleanly in person and habits. Suffers from Senile Dementia, aggravated by long periods of intemperance. Is in fair bodily health.
"Dec 1st, 1872: Continues in good bodily health and is somewhat mentally improved.
"Jan 2nd, 1873: Is in good health, and mentally improved. I think if it could be ascertained that this man has relations willing to receive him he might be discharged to their care.
"Jan 30th, 1873: A letter received from his son expressing his willingness to receive his father when fit to be discharged.
"Feb 3rd, 1873: Continues in good health: and much improved mentally.
"Feb 20th, 1873: Should be brought before the Board. No answer has been received from his son who was informed that his father could be given up to him after the Board Meeting in February.
Less than three months after his admission, George Faulkner "being of perfectly sane mind" was "discharged cured" from Parramatta Asylum on February 24th 1873.
"Indecently exposing his person"
On 3 August 1872, a few months before he turned seventy, George Faulkner was committed to Queanbeyan Gaol for three months after pleading guilty, under the Vagrant Act, before Joseph Styles and Arthur Affleck, JPs, of “indecently exposing his person” in a public street, namely Cork Street, Gundaroo on 2 August.
The Yass Courier reported the story, omitting details of the offence: “On Saturday last George Falconer [sic], better known as Old Blocker, was brought before Messrs. Styles and Affleck under the Vagrant Act. The unfortunate was in the horrors of drink, and as this was his second offence, he was sent to prison at Queanbeyan for three months.”
On 16 September, he was transferred to Goulburn Gaol where he was examined separately by two doctors, William Hayley and Selby Norton.
George Faulkner, Hayley found, was "restless", "talked a great deal of nonsense" and "labors under hallucinations and illusions". Selby added that "he is constantly asking for a warrant for persons who have wronged him". Both noted that their patient believed he had a hole in his chin which "he had stopped up with bread". His gaoler reported that he was "disgustingly filthy in his habits", a reference, perhaps, to masturbation.
Hayley wrote that his patient "believes that he has a house, wife and family and is the possessor of property, whereas he is homeless and destitute".
Certified insane by the two doctors, "George Faulkner, blacksmith, late of Gundaroo" was transferred from Goulburn Gaol to the lunatic asylum at Parramatta on 14 October.
Colonial-Secretary's Correspondence (72/7893)
Yass Courier, 9 August 1872
The Yass Courier reported the story, omitting details of the offence: “On Saturday last George Falconer [sic], better known as Old Blocker, was brought before Messrs. Styles and Affleck under the Vagrant Act. The unfortunate was in the horrors of drink, and as this was his second offence, he was sent to prison at Queanbeyan for three months.”
On 16 September, he was transferred to Goulburn Gaol where he was examined separately by two doctors, William Hayley and Selby Norton.
George Faulkner, Hayley found, was "restless", "talked a great deal of nonsense" and "labors under hallucinations and illusions". Selby added that "he is constantly asking for a warrant for persons who have wronged him". Both noted that their patient believed he had a hole in his chin which "he had stopped up with bread". His gaoler reported that he was "disgustingly filthy in his habits", a reference, perhaps, to masturbation.
Hayley wrote that his patient "believes that he has a house, wife and family and is the possessor of property, whereas he is homeless and destitute".
Certified insane by the two doctors, "George Faulkner, blacksmith, late of Gundaroo" was transferred from Goulburn Gaol to the lunatic asylum at Parramatta on 14 October.
Colonial-Secretary's Correspondence (72/7893)
Yass Courier, 9 August 1872
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