Royal Commission report day 37 page 15

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The Royal Commission evidence for 20/7/1881

(full text transcription)

(see also introduction to day 37)

[[../../people/peS_T/sherrittEllenMrsJnr.html|Mrs. Sherritt, junior]] giving evidence

13285 We did hear that there was a religious difference between them–were you and he Protestants?— I am a Catholic.

13286 He was a Protestant?— He said he was nothing. His people said they were vexed about the religion, but I did not think it; I think it was because he left off working for them. He was not friends with his people since he was married, and to my knowledge he never spoke to one of them.

13287 Was he not friendly with his mother?— I think not. He and she had some quarrel after the marriage

13288 Did he let you know he was not on friendly terms with them?— Yes, he told me not to speak to them–not to go out to the place.

13289 That would not be on any religious point?— No.

13290 Because if he was speaking to Miss Byrne before, she was a Roman Catholic also?— Yes. He seemed to be well satisfied. He said he would turn a Catholic just the night before he was shot. It was on Friday night. He said he would get the horses next day and come up to the Catholic chapel at Beechworth, so he seemed well satisfied with the religion.

13291 You were born near that place?— Yes. I only knew my husband two months before we were married.

13292 You did not go to school together?— No.

13293 Your opinion is that he was shot on account of giving information to the police?— He was assisting them. He used to go out on parties, leading them to the ranges–this was before I and he were married–and he was out once or twice afterwards.

13294 It was not because he did not marry Miss Byrne he was shot?— Oh, no; it was not on that account at all. I fancy, myself, that there was information given to sympathizers, and then it was taken to the outlaws, that he was joining the police, and assisting them to capture the outlaws. That was my belief, and I heard it from many a one.

13295 Have you any knowledge of anyone who was likely to give that information?— Well, there are plenty of sympathizers about the Woolshed, people who would sympathize with the Byrnes , and I think they would tell the outlaws.

13296 Mrs. Sherritt, senior, has said that she knew that they suspected him?— I dare say they suspected him when he would not join them to go to Jerilderie that time. They might suspect him, but I do not think they would know unless the friends conveyed it to them. I heard they asked him to go to Jerilderie

13297 Did he tell you that himself?— Yes.

13298 Do you know Wallace the schoolmaster there?— Yes.

13299 Did he come to your place during the time the police were there?— No, he came to my mother's place.

13300 He did not come to your own place after you were married?— No.

13301 Did he ever make any remarks that led you to suppose he was favorable to the outlaws?— No, he seemed to have a hatred against them, and I do not think he knew where they were or anything about them. Some people seemed to think he was assisting the outlaws, but that was false. I heard something about his being a sympathizer, but I do not know how true it is.

13302 You never had any opportunity of judging of that after you were married?— No.

13303 Are you on friendly terms with Mrs. Sherritt , senior, now?— No, I have not spoken to her since I was married. There was one of his brothers used to slip down for two or three weeks. He used to stay at my place during the time the police were there.

13304 Did he stay in the hut at night?— He used to sleep at the place at night time while they were away. He was splitting in the bush with another young man.

13305 Would he know they were there?— He knew very well they were there–of course he saw them there when he was stopping there.

13306 Is there anything else you wish to say?— No.

13307 Are you living at Beechworth now?— No, I have been living with my mother. I have not had good health since my husband's death. My mother lives on the Woolshed.

13308 Does your own mother know any more about this than you do?— Well, she can remember a good many things I have forgotten since then. I was in such a state at the time that I could not remember half what happened.....

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