Hi Wayne,

The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, Wednesday 5 March 1856.

Assault. Charles Woodward appeared before the bench, at West Maitland, on Monday, charged with assaulting Anna Maria Woodward, his wife. Mr. Mullen appeared for the complainant. It appeared from her evidence that they resided at Cessnock. It appeared that on the 24th February her husband struck her with his hand, and threatened to kill her. He had repeatedly abused her, and on one occasion had put her into a water-hole. She was in bodily fear of him. In defence the defendant denied the charge, saying he had never assaulted her. The bench ordered the defendant to find bail himself in £50, und two sureties in £25, to keep the peace for six months, or in default to be imprisoned for that time. The defendant refused to find bail, and was accordingly taken into custody.

Maybe, not the correct Charles WOODWARD (as his wife is not Mary), but in the correct area, at the correct time.

Mary