1857 Margaret/Mary(?) Ann Hindmarsh born, parents James and Ann Hindmarsh.

Police Station Geelong 16 March 1875 Senior Constable O'Hair Reports Between 9 and 10 this morning a girl Mary Ann Hindmarsh 17 years of age and residng with her parents Bellerine St Sth Geelong was so severly burnt that she died this afternoon. The deceased who was idiotic and also affected with St Vitus dance, was left left in the house for a short time by herself and it is supposed that going to near the fire her clothes got ignited. A neighbour hearing her screams ran to her assistance but the (word) her clothes were burnt off except for the bands of her petticoats. Sgn Scott was sent for and on his arrival he ordered her sent to the hospital at which institution she died this afternoon.

Catherine Holly widow being sworn this 17th day of March 1875 “I knew the deceased that lived next door to me in Bellerine St. She was of weak mind. I only knew her about two months. Saturday (or Yesterday) about 9am I heard a moaning “oh, oh” in the house and someone walking about the house and I knew it was the deceased as there was no else in the house, as her mother had left to take another child to school. I heard walking through the house and then the kitchen door close, I heard her call when outside, “Mother, Mother, Oh God” repeatedly. I thought it strange and ran around by the lane into their yard and saw the deceased enveloped in flames…” “The deceased was about 16 years of age, very harmless and inoffessive, her mother generally left her with a neighbour and seldom with a fire in the place, she was kind and attentive to her, the (something) of her and not negligent towards her as long as I have known two months, whilst living along side of me;

William Coleman Publican living corner of Bellerine St being sworn this 17th day of March 1875 ”… The girl was still on fire about the middle … almost everything was burnt off her…“ The girl was of weak intellect and boys often are larking with her making a noise and we do not always take much notice of what is going on in the house, but there was no one there at the time. I know that both parents were most kind and attentive to her.”

Walter Scott Surgeon Geelong Hospital being sworn this 17th day of March 1875 “The deceased was admitted yesterday morning suffering from burns the whole of the body burnt except the feet and the hands and a few small patches about the trunk, they were all more or less deeply burnt, there was no hope of her recovery from that point, the wounds were all dressed and stimulants given but she sunk and died on quarter to two pm, having passed into a state of delerium and coma.”

Anne wife of James Hindmarsh, Farrier being sworn this 17th day of March 1875 Deceased was my daughter 17 years of age. She has been of weak intellect from her birth. Yesterday morning I went to see my son into school, he is nearly 12 years of age, he had not gone there. I then returned home without seeing him. He left he house to go to school about 9 o'clock, it was then 1/2 past 9 o'clock when he returned. When I got near the gaol he ran away from me, I did not go after him but returned homeand I got near by our door, I saw people running towards my house I then into my bedroom when I went into the house. I saw Mr Coleman and others putting the deceased on the bed and putting oil and clothe over her. She had nothing on her person but her (word). Her body, breasts, arms and thigh were all burnt her face alone escaping. A doctor was sent for, she was taken at once to the hospital. There was scarcely any fire in the oven or hearth only a spark not sufficient to set her on fire, when I left there was no fuel on, or near the hearth and I thought it quite safe to leave her. I always put the fire out when I leave her at home. She nust have gone into the yard to get some shavings and bark and lighted the fire on the oven as there was a fire when I returned and a kettle on, which had not been when I left. I never let her make a fire. I had to dress and undress her as I would a child, she was so helpless and more trouble than a baby. She could not even put on her boots and stockings. My husband was at his work at the foundary. My son had been playing the truant for two days running and I was afraid of being fined. If I went on an errand, I generally left her with in a neighbours house. I did not suspect to be so long away when I left and therefore did not always like to be troubling my neighbours.“

• Inquest was held the day after the death and the mother had to give her testimony at the inquest
• Clear statements are given that the parents/mother did not cause the death by carelessness, negligence or deliberate action
• Thomas is the only child who is around the right age to be described as the truant
• The Hindmarsh family doesn't have any extended family to support the care of Mary Ann
• St Vitus dance is was a term used for involuntary movement illnesses. It may have been Chorea

Chorea (or choreia, occasionally) is an abnormal involuntary movement disorder, one of a group of neurological disorders called dyskinesias. The term chorea is derived from the Greek word χορεία (=dance; see choreia), as the quick movements of the feet or hands are comparable to dancing

Chorea is characterized by brief, semi-directed, irregular movements that are not repetitive or rhythmic, but appear to flow from one muscle to the next. These 'dance-like' movements of chorea often occur with athetosis, which adds twisting and writhing movements. Walking may become difficult, and include odd postures and leg movements. Unlike ataxia, which affects the quality of voluntary movements, or Parkinsonism, which is a hindrance of voluntary movements, the movements of chorea and ballism occur on their own, without conscious effort. Thus, chorea is said to be a hyperkinetic movement disorder. When chorea is serious, slight movements will become thrashing motions; this form of severe chorea is referred to as ballism or ballismus. Chorea can occur in a variety of conditions and disorders:

• Chorea is a primary feature of Huntington's disease, a progressive neurological disorder.
• Twenty percent (20%) of children and adolescents with rheumatic fever develop Sydenham's chorea as a complication.
• Chorea gravidarum is rare type of chorea which is a complication of pregnancy.