George Rope1

M, #10908, b. 28 May 1824, d. 7 December 1875
FatherJohn Rope1
MotherMaria Field1 b. 1 Sep 1801, d. 28 Aug 1842
Relationship1st cousin 4 times removed of Keith Graham Bassett
Last Edited3 Nov 2021
Birth*28 May 1824 Castlereagh, NSW, Australia1 
Baptism11 July 1824 Christ Church, Castlereagh, NSW, Australia;
When Baptised: 11 July 1824
Christian Names: George
Parents Names: John & Maria Rope
When Born: May 28 1824
Where Registered: Castlreagh1 
Death of Mother28 August 1842 Castlereagh, NSW, Australia;Principal=Maria Field2 
Marriage*5 April 1853 Penrith, NSW, Australia;
George Rope of this Parish Bachelor and Margaret Bahan of this Parish Spinster were
married in this Church by Banns with consent of friends this fifth day of April in the year 1853
By me John Charlew William Chepmell
This Marriage was solemnized between us:
George Rope
Margaret Bahan (her mark)
In the presence of:
Charles Cottrell of Penrith
Elanor Delaney of Emu Plains
;Bride=Margaret Bahan3 
News-Arct20 October 1875 "The Queanbeyan Age", Queanbeyan, NSW, Australia;
MURDER OF A BROTHER'S WIFE:
AT the Mudgee Assizes, before Mr Justice Hargrave, George Rope was charged with the wilful, murder of Hannah Jane Rope, his brother's wife. Mr P J. Healey prosecuted on behalf of the crown, the prisoner being defended by Mr Buchanan, instructed by Mr Edward Clarke. The plea set up was, not guilty, on the ground of insanity.
From the evidence it appeared that the prisoner, George Rope, and his brother Robert Rope, resided at Lawson's Creek, not far distant from Mudgee, their homes being about a 175 yards apart. On the 12th of April last the prisoner came to his brother's place and invited him to ake a glass of grog, Robert Rope replied "I don't mind if do." Prisoner said he would bring a quart of rum over which he had at home. The deceased, Hannah Jane Rope, over-hearing this, called out, "You'll fetch no rum here George. The prisoner said, "I see you have got a down on me; I'll soon put an end to you." With this he left his brother's place, walked towards his hut, lit a candle, and in a quarter of in hour returned with a loaded gun cocked. The son of the deceased said, "Don't shoot any one here uncle." The prisoner said, "stand back, Bill, or I'll put a bullet through you." Mrs Rope thereupon came out of the next room and said, "Don't do
anything of the kind, George." The prisoner instantly turned round towards the woman and shot her. The bullet entered the left side of the abdomen, the woman dying next day. The son of the deceased instantly snatched up the gun and broke it over the prisoner's head. While the murderer and his victim were almost insensible from the injury each had received, the former rose up on his side and called out to the woman, "If I had a knife I would stab you and let your --------- guts out." A man named Johnson, who came into the room on hearing the shot fired, took up a spade and threatened to hit the prisoner with it if he did not keep quiet. The next day Sergeant Webb arrested the murderer and lodged him in the lockup at Mudgee, from whence he was removed to the gaol, having been committed to take his trial for murder. For the defence it was shown that the prisoner was under the influence of drink at the time he committed the murder, and that he had received several severe blows on the head, which rendered him very violent when drunk. It was also shown that he had taken his wife's loss
very much to heart and had become an altered man since her death, which, however happened twenty years previous. His only remarks to the apprehending sergeant were "That s
what rum has done”
Mr Buchanan made an able speech in defence of the accused.
The trial lasted nearly all day, when the jury retired to consider their verdict, returning into court after a quarter of an hour's absence, with a verdict of guilty.
His Honour, in a very impressive manner then sentenced the prisoner to death, holding out no hope of mercy, and commented upon the dread nature of the act.
The murderer, who is a man of very repulsive countenance, and about 50 years old, was then conducted back to his cell, there to await his awful but just punishment. During the passing of the sentence he appeared quiet and reconciled but the contracting of his brows and the haggard look on his face too plainly revealed the internal agony he was suffering.4 
Death*7 December 1875 Mudgee Gaol, Mudgee, NSW, Australia5 
News-Arct*9 December 1875 "The Sydney Morning Herald", Sydney, NSW, Australia;
LAWSON'S CREEK MURDER.
(Abridged from the Mudgee Times.)
For the first time in Mudgee and we trust it may be the last, the scaffold has been erected in this town. The concluding act of the tragedy commenced at Lawson's Creek has been played out and George Rope no longer exists. It is well to know the unfortunate man paid the most intense attention to the religious teachings of two rev. ministers (the Ven. Archdeacon Gunther, and the Rev. F. W. Stretton), who did all they could to imbue the unfortunate man's mind with true penitence for an act which would probably never have been committed had he, in his earlier life, been brought up differently to the manner in which many children in this district are now being trained.
At about the time appointed those who, from choice or necessity, had to witness the execution, were admitted into the gaol and the fervent prayers of the clergymen in the condemned cell which could be clearly heard, properly subdued all present into a seriousness which many had not exhibited outside the walls. After a few minutes had elapsed, the bell of the gaol tolled, and the condemned man was brought into the court-yard attended by the clergymen already mentioned. He appeared calm, but as they ascended the steps leading to the drop, he seemed to require the assistance of one of the officials at his side. It was, however, but a momentary weakness, for, as the Rev. Archdeacon commenced a most fervent prayer, the unfortunate sufferer seemed to recover self posession. The Rev. Mr. Stretton, who, with the other clergyman was deeply affected offered up an earnest prayer, after which the condemned man repeated a short prayer for mercy from his Maker. Having shaken hands with both of the rev. gentlemen, the last arrangements were quickly made; and the end was înstantaneous death, there not being the slightest movement after the body fell. After the body had remained suspended for a short period, it was placed in a coffin (the inscription upon which stated that the deceased was 53 years of age); and we believe that the relatives will be permitted to bury the remains outside the gaol, under the supervision of the gaol authorities. The usual certificate was signed by the medical officer of the gaol (Dr. Culling), and others who witnessed the execution, and many left the terrible scene "sadder, if not wiser," men.
All the arrangements in connection with this dark day in the history of Mudgee were carried out with propriety; the deputy-sheriff (Mr. J. G. Thurlow) having taken every precaution to divest the event of that sensationalism which too often accompanies the last act of the law.6 

Family

Margaret Bahan

Citations

  1. [S1570] NSW Early Church Records 1788-1855, 6663/1824 V18246663 1B George Rope.
  2. [S1223] NSW Deaths 1788-1975.
  3. [S1570] NSW Early Church Records 1788-1855, 225/1853 V1853225 39C George Rope & Margaret Bahan.
  4. [S1565] Trove digitised newspapers, online http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/, The Queanbeyan Age, Wednesday, October 20, 1875.
  5. [S1596] NSW Death Certificate.
  6. [S1565] Trove digitised newspapers, online http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/, The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday, December 9, 1875.