Amelia Biggs 1876–1929
Ron’s great-grandmother
When Amelia Biggs was born on 8 November 1876, in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, her father, David, was 26 and her mother, Jane, was 21. She married James William Clingan on 29 September 1896, in Narrabri, New South Wales. They had eight children in 17 years. She died on March 13, 1929, in Marrickville, New South Wales, at the age of 52, and was buried in Rookwood, New South Wales.
Birth
Amelia Biggs was born on 8 November 1876, at Springhill Farm, in Wagga Wagga, New South Wales to Jane Campbell, age 21, and David Ronald Biggs, age 26. It is a common belief that Amelia’s full name was Amelia Adelaide Biggs; I have been unable to confirm this fact and have therefore only used Amelia Biggs in this publication.
1866 to 1874
Amelia Biggs was the fourth born child of David Ronald Biggs and Jane Campbell. Her siblings, all born in New South Wales, in birth order were:
- William R Biggs – born 1870 in Wagga Wagga and passed away in 1892
- Isabella Jane Biggs – born 1872 in Wagga Wagga and passed away in 1924
- Elizabeth Ann Biggs – born 1874 in Wagga Wagga and passed away in 1950
- David Ronald Biggs –born and passed away at Wagga Wagga in 1878
- Robert H Biggs – born in 1884 in Bourke
- Amy M Biggs – born in 1887 in Nyngan
- Ethel M E Biggs – born in 1889 in Nyngan
- Ernest E Biggs – born in 1891 in Nyngan
- Florence M Biggs – born in 1893 in Nyngan
Death of Father
Amelia’s father David Ronald passed away in June 1893 in Nyngan, New South Wales, at the age of 43. David Ronald Biggs 1850–1893
Marriage
Amelia Biggs married James William Clingan on 29 September 1896, in the newly dedicated St. Cyprian’s, Church of England, Narrabri, New South Wales, when he was 26 years old. Their marriage was conducted by the eighth Vicar of Narrabri, Rev. Thomas Edward Fox.
James William Clingan married Amelia Biggs in September 1896 at St. Cyprian’s, Church of England, Narrabri, New South Wales.
Children of James and Amelia born in New South Wales were:
- James William Clingan, born 1894 in Nyngan, passed away in 1954
- Ernest Edward Henry Clingan, born 1896 in Narrabri, passed away in 1968
- Myrtle Lily Jane Clingan, Born 1898 in Walgett, passed away in 1974
- George Albert Clingan, born 1900 and registered in Waterloo, passed away in 1982
- Dorothy May Clingan, born 1902 in Narrabri, passed away in 1967
- Amelia Adelaide Clingan, born 1904 in Walgett, passed away 1981
- David Ronald Clingan, born 1906 and registered in Sydney, passed away 1987
- Victor John Clingan, born 1911 in Waterloo, passed away 26 October 1920
1896 – 1929
Amelia Biggs and James William Clingan moved to Sydney in 1910 from Narrabri on the Namoi River, 521 kilometres northwest of Sydney. At the time of their marriage in September 1896 James was working as a woolscourer, following their arrival to the Sydney suburb of Botany James was employed as a labourer.
Amelia and James encountered problems following their move to Sydney. Official documents indicate that by November 1918 Amelia was probably no longer living with James. In 1918 the address for James William Clingan is listed as Tramway Street, Mascot and Amelia Clingan is residing at Bulwarra Road, Ultimo.
By January 1919 James had assaulted his wife Amelia Clingan at Mascot. A warrant was issued by the Redfern Bench for the arrest of William James Clingan, 45 years of age, 5 feet 9 or 10 inches high, thin build dark complexion and hair, dark moustache turning grey, grey eyes; dressed in a grey sac suit and dark soft-felt hat. He was described as a wool-washer. The complainant was Amelia Clingan of Bullwarra Road, Ultimo.
Six years later in Sydney, on 21 January 1925 a warrant was issued by the Children’s Court Bench for the arrest of James William Clingan, charged with wife desertion. At that time he was described as being 53 years of age, about 5 feet 5 inches high, medium build, fair complexion, brown hair turning grey, brown moustache; a labourer or wool scourer. Again the complainant was Amelia Clingan, who was then living at Silver Street, Marrickville. Almost a year later, on 6 January 1926 he was charged with “Wife Desertion” and arrested by Sydney Police. James was ordered to pay 15s per week for the support of his wife and £1 19s. 6d. costs.
In March 1929 Amelia Biggs was admitted to Marrickville hospital suffering from bronchopneumonia. Before hospitalization, Amelia had been living with daughter Amelia Adelaide Watt and her husband Leslie at 33 Charles Street, Marrickville.
James William Clingan was still separated from Amelia. He was living with his son Ernest Edward Henry Clingan and his wife Stella at Banks Terrace Street, Botany.
Death
Amelia Clingan passed away on 13 March 1929, in Marrickville Hospital, New South Wales, at the age of 52. They had been married 32 years. Amelia was buried on 14 March 1929 at the Church of England Cemetery Rookwood.
Ancestral Tree of James Amelia Biggs
Ancestors of Amelia Biggs
Our direct relationship to Amelia Clingan
- Dorothy May Clingan (1902 – 1967) daughter of Amelia Clingan
- → Dorothy Amelia Morris (1923 – 1966) daughter of Dorothy May Clingan