Brian Condon: Letters and Documents in 19th Century Australian Catholic History

[Source: Adelaide Archdiocesan Archives copy. Fragment]

Mrs Dillon parted with her baby Ann Cross when she was about 3 years old and gave her in charge to Ann Wright, residing at the lower branch of the Hawkesbury, after the baby was baptised by her father Mr Dillon who is, as well as her mother, a Catholic.

Mrs Dillon had at the time 7 children and was in embarrassed circumstances. The woman wept bitterly when an attempt was made to deprive her of the child. They afterwards went to Maitland. Mrs Dillon sent her son Thomas about ten years ago to bring the child from Maitland. They were to let her come, but persuaded her not to accompany her brother.

Her son Thomas complained to a Magistrate, who ordered that his sister should be permitted to accompany her brother, when the said Ann Wright, who was then Mrs Glass, clandestinely removed the child, who was then about 12 years old.

Mrs Dillon sent her son a second time for his sister with a letter from R. Brook Esq. J.P. to his son in law Captain Bloomfield then residing at Newcastle. Again the child was put out of the way under the pretence that she was married.

She afterwards was married to Mr William Cross without the consent, or even the knowledge, of either of her parents. She was married at 15 and about 2 years after came with her father from Landsdown *Bridge* to see her Mother and children. She stopt with her Mother 6 weeks.

Mrs M. Dwyer and Mrs Bowler called on Mrs Cross shortly after her confinement and, as the child was prematurely born, the former (Mrs Dwyer, who is a Catholic) asked Mrs Cross whether she should baptise the child, and having assured in affirmative, Mrs Dwyer asked whether she thought her husband would be satisfied of her doings. She assured that she believed he would. Mrs Cross afterwards asked Mrs Dwyer for the Holy water, which Mrs Cross placed at her head.