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Chief Constable Patrick KINSELA

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Chief Constable Patrick KINSELA

Horse & Cart Accident

Queanbeyan, NSW

23 February, 1841

 

On 23 February, 1841 Chief Constable Kinsela and Constable John Scott were travelling in a cart returning to Queanbeyan. While they were crossing a dry creek bed near the Elmsall Inn the cart overturned, killing Constable Kinsela. Scott luckily survived the accident and was later able to give coronial evidence. It is not known whether this accident occurred while the constable was on duty or not, however it is believed that he was, and research is continuing into this aspect of the incident. In those days police were considered to be always on duty.

 

Rumours were apparently circulated at the time that both Kinsela and Scott were drunk when the accident occurred, however this was soon discredited. The Sydney Gazette of 11 March, 1841 printed information from a correspondent who informed the readers that he had seen a person who has just come from Limestone; he reports that the Chief Constable and another man were killed by the upsetting of a dray in a creek in that neighbourhood; it is said the parties were drunk, but this is contradicted, as Kinsela was a sober man. (In other words, Kinsela did not drink alcohol at all).

 

The Australasian Chronicle of 4 March, 1841 reported the following.

QUEANBEYAN, FEBRUARY 27- There was an inquest held here on the 24th instant, on the body of Mr. Patrick Kinsala [sic], chief constable, who came by his death by the upsetting of his cart in crossing a creek close to his own house. The night was very dark, and he was thrown with such force on his head that his neck was dislocated. Kinsala was a very active officer, a friend to the poor, and always ready to attend when called on. He had obtained a few enemies for himself by being zealous in the discharge of his duty. He has left a wife and two children to deplore his loss, the youngest only nine days old…

Patrick Kinsela was a native of Ireland and had arrived at Queanbeyan in 1836. On 1 January, 1838 he became the first Chief Constable of Queanbeyan and Limestone Plains (Canberra) on an annual salary of £75. His appointment as Chief Constable was published in the Colonial Secretary’s Notice dated 7 February, 1838 which also listed ordinary constable appointments to Queanbeyan as James Pegg, Lockup Keeper, and Peter Connel and James Crossley. Captain Alured Tasker Faunce was also appointed as the Police Magistrate to Queanbeyan about the same time. Kinsela married Joanna Wigmore (nee Mehegan) on 6 February, 1838 and the couple had two children James and Mary. The constable is thought to have been buried in the Oaks Burial Grounds at Queanbeyan.

 

At the time of his death the constable was stationed at Queanbeyan and had been a police officer for a little over three years.

 

 

Source:  Beyond Courage

 

 

4 thoughts on “Chief Constable Patrick KINSELA

  • The son James was apprenticed to Emily’s husband. There was a plan for James to live with the couple.

    I may contact you again, but firstly, in my browser, your web page has numerous meaningless characters. Can the characters be removed?

    Reply
    • Hi Rees.
      This website is NOT live at the moment – so you have most probably reached it by doing a search on KINSELA.

      I am in the process of upgrading and updating the information on this website and I thank you for bringing the meaningless characters to my attention. These characters come into play when you copy and paste an apostrophe etc.

      I have cleaned up that particular entry but, no doubt, there will be numerous other similar characters throughout the site.

      cheers

      Cal
      Site Owner
      Retired NSWPF
      1975 – 2004

      Reply
      • Hi Cal
        Just found your web page with thanks. My wife & I have a fair bit of information regarding Patrick Kinsela and his son James as Patrick was my wife’s G/G/G/grandfather.
        Patrick’s son James was post master at Queanbeyan & he has a story to tell.
        If I can help in any way please contact me.
        Regards
        Andy
        PS
        We have spoken to Queanbeyan police about Patrick being on the Police Honor Roll

        Reply

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