Rebuilding of St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, shown in about 1871
2nd Great Grandparents – Maternal father’s line of Morris Family
Thomas Edward Wilkinson
When Thomas Edward Wilkinson was born in Sydney, New South Wales, in 1855 his mother Annie (Ann) Corrigan was 19 years old and his father Thomas Wilkinson, blacksmith, was 34 years old. Thomas was baptised at St. James Church, Sydney on 19 August 1855.
Elizabeth Ann Price
When Elizabeth Ann Price was born in 1856 in Sydney, New South Wales, her mother, Mary Ann Brigdale was aged 26; her mother died on 16th July 1911 at the age of 81 years. Her father, Frederick Price was 35 years old. Her father Frederick passed away in 1868 in Sydney, New South Wales, at the age of 43 years.
Marriage
Thomas Edward Wilkinson, Bachelor and Elizabeth Ann Price, Spinster, were married in St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, on 26 December 1877 in Sydney, New South Wales. They had six children in 12 years.
Children of Thomas Edward Wilkinson & Elizabeth Ann Price
- Daughter Mary Ann was born in 1879 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mary Ann passed away on 2 October 1902 in New South Wales at the age of 23.
- Daughter Matilda was born on 9 November 1880 in Sydney, New South Wales. Matilda Wilkinson was our direct ancestor, she married Alfred Morris on 28 April 1898.
- Son Thomas Edward was born in 1883 in Sydney, New South Wales.
- Son Cecil George was born on 8 September 1886 in Sydney, New South Wales.
- Daughter Stella E was born in 1888 and passed away at the age of one year in Sydney, New South Wales. Son Victor Albert was born in 1891 in Sydney, New South Wales.
- Son Victor Albert was born in 1891 in Sydney, New South Wales.
Residence and Occupation
At the time of his marriage in 1877 Thomas was described as a Carrier, meaning that he was a driver of (horse-drawn) vehicles for transporting goods. He remained a Carrier in Sydney during the 1880’s.
In the 1890’s Thomas worked as a Storeman and was responsible for stored goods. In May 1898, when he was living at 190 Crown Street, Sydney, he encountered personal problems that effected his current and future employment prospects.
With the start of new century Thomas regularly changed his residence from Raglan Street, Darlington; Palmer Street, Darlinghurst; and finally, Chapel Street, Darlinghurst. During this period, from 1900-1919, he worked as a Labourer. He performed physical labour and probably worked in many different industries.
Elizabeth Ann was responsible for nurturing and raising their children and other domestic duties at this time.
Death of Elizabeth and Thomas
Elizabeth Ann Wilkinson née Price died from heart disease on 22 October 1917 at 26 Chapel Street, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, when she was 61 years old. She was buried at the Catholic Cemetery, Rookwood, on 23 October 1917.
Thomas Edward Wilkinson died on 24 December 1919 in Sydney, New South Wales, when he was 64 years old. The death of Thomas, a labourer, at his home in Chapel Street, Sydney, where he died from the effects of ingesting a poison “Lercsol”. His death was inquired into by the Acting Coroner, Mr. Chippindall. Evidence was given that Thomas, who was usually of a cheerful disposition, had been worrying over a court case between his daughter and a neighbour. A verdict of suicide was returned. He was buried two days later at Rookwood, New South Wales.
Further information about the circumstances of the above court case, involving his daughter, probably Matilda, and a neighbour is not known.