Emily Jane Reilly, Inskip Point - QLD Australia
S 25° 48.757 E 153° 03.564
56J E 505954 N 7145066
On the 15th June 1891 a terrible tragedy struck the Reilly family. Their 14 year old son William accidently shot his sister, Emily Jane.
Waymark Code: WM19NTA
Location: Queensland, Australia
Date Posted: 03/24/2024
Views: 1
‘William Walter Reilly, on oath, deposed: Am the son of Samuel James Reilly and the brother of deceased; on the 15th instant my father left the house leaving my sister and myself alone; my sister was cleaning pictures in the kitchen; there was a revolver hanging in the parlour; took it down off the nail; I was standing on a chair; my sister was in the next room (the kitchen) standing at the table; did not think the pistol was loaded; looked at the chamber and saw the cartridges were all dented in; as I stood on the chair I turned round toward my sister and said to her, ”It ain’t loaded” at the same time pointing toward her; I had previously snapped the hammer down, but it was not at my sister; when I pointed it at her I pulled the trigger and it went off: She immediately said “Oh Will, you’ve shot me,” and threw her arms out; she ran out to the gate and fell down; Mrs. Dewar than came up but my sister did not speak; I was about five yards from her when the pistol went off; I saw where the bullet struck her afterwards; it was right under the breast.’ (Gympie Family History Society)
‘THE terrible tragedy of Emily Reilly's death at Inskip Point more than 120 years ago was officially acknowledged for its place in the history of Inskip Point this month when her great nephew joined Queensland Parks and Wildlife in opening her restored grave and memorial plaque.
Griffith University research fellow Dr Richard Walding is Emily Jane Reilly's great nephew and a descendant of three generations of men who worked the Inskip Point light and signal station.
"My great grandfather was Samuel James Reilly who joined the Queensland Lighthouse Service as the pilot and receiving officer at Inskip Point on December 1, 1875," Dr Walding said.
Dr Walding said his father often talked of Emily's death and how it rocked the family.
"It was seen as a shameful episode and Emily's father was most remorseful that he left a loaded gun in the house," he said.
"It only came to light in 1980 when my father drew a map of the area and marked 'grave' on it." (Gympie Times August 17, 2012)
Although Emily Jane’s grave was restored in 2012, it seems to have been forgotten again. There is no formed track or marker to guide the way to her grave. These coordinates are the best location to enter the scrub to pay your respects to Emily Jane.
S 025° 48.650' E 153° 03.567'
Do not try to locate the grave from the beach as there is thick mangrove and a swamp.
Insect repellent is highly recommended when accessing this area.
First Name: Emily
Last Name: Reilly
Born: 06/01/1875
Died: 06/15/1891
|
Recent Visits/Logs:
There are no logs for this waymark yet. |
|
|