Yesterday a leaf (hint) came up in Ancestry, on the name of my 2xgreat grandfather, Robert Allan. This was unusual because there haven't been many for him. I clicked on the leaf and found a gem. It's the digitised deposition Robert gave to the coroner on the event of his father's death. I didn't even think to search PROV for his name, so I'm pleased to have found this record.
What's so special about it? In the deposition he says he was with his father when James was dragged from the wagon by the bullocks: the incident which ultimately cost James Allan his life. I didn't know Robert (16 at the time) was with his father. There's no mention in the newspaper articles that he was present.
Now I have to rewrite 3000 words of my work in progress.
I've transcribed the deposition, but sadly Dr Youl (Coroner) had terrible handwriting. The question marks indicate words I can't make out, but it's still an interesting read. Poor Robert gave the deposition 9 days after his father's funeral.
If anyone can make out words I couldn't that would be great :)
Coroner’s Inquest
Colony of Victoria
To wit:
This Deponent Robert Allan on his oath saith, I am a son of
the deceased.
Residing at Monegeetta.
The deceased ? was my father. I was with him on the eighth instant when he was driving a Bullock Wagon. I was next to him when the ? ? in ? I was sitting in the wagon ? I saw a ? when the King bolt came out ? ? ? ? ? ? the bullocks broke away and dragged my father (the rest is illegible).
Taken and Sworn by me, on the 18th day of April 1873 at Melbourne.
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