George
SKINNER &
Jane
Wilson BROWN
========================
These are the parents of Alfred Henry
Skinner who married Jane Hickey in Adelaide in 1903
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
THEIR
PARENTS’ BACKGROUND
For details on George’s parents see the
Chronology files “James Skinner of Tunbridge Wells” and “Sarah Monkton of
Tunbridge Wells”.
As Sarah Monkton links back to all of the
landed families of Europe, see also “A Gateway Ancestor”.
For the details on Jane’s parents see the
Chronology file “James Brown and ...Cochran”
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The photo on the left is George Skinner,
taken fairly late in his life, probably not long after the death of Jane in
1916 going by the black arm band. Unfortunately there are no images of Jane,
but the one on the right is of her eldest daughter Harriet, taken in 1917, but
whether she looked like her mother or not isn’t known.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
The Life and Times of George and JANE
The following is simply all of the data
collected on their lives, in date order. Where the record of some events come
from several sources and don’t quite agree, all versions are shown. (Sources
are referenced as “[a]” etc, and are listed at the end of this file).
And, as with all genealogy, very little is
absolutely certain, and sometimes it’s a matter of “Well, because of
such-and-such cross-reference, this surely has to be them.”
Note that there are unanswered questions
imbedded in the text, purposely left there for some subsequent family historian
to answer!
< >
8/6/1837
to 7/6/1838 – George Skinner was born in Kent, father James and mother Sarah
[c4]
1838
- George Skinner born at Tonbridge, to James Skinner and Sarah nee
Monckton [a]
30/3/1838
to 31/3/1839 - George Skinner was born in Tonbridge Kent, father James and
mother Sarah [c5]
March
¼ 1838 – A George Skinner was born in Tonbridge Regn Dist [v]
June
¼ 1838 – A George Skinner was born in Tonbridge Regn Dist [v]
12/6/1838
– George was born in Tonbridge, Kent, the seventh of nine children of James
Skinner, a builder, and Sarah (nee Monkton).
[r]
22/6/1838
– George was bapt in Tunbridge Wells
[w]
28/4/1838
to 27/4/1839 - The George Skinner who died at Eden Hills in 1931 was born in
Tunbridge Eng [b]
12/12/1838
- George’s uncle Samuel Skinner (Bricklayers labourer) and his wife Martha (nee
Quinnell) (Laundress) left England for Sydney on the “Argyle”, both sponsored
by a John Marshall. They arrived 1/4/1839 and initially settled in the Windsor
area and later in Braidwood for a while.
[j] [ae]
(There are children born to a Samuel and
Martha Skinner somewhere in NSW 1841 to 1855, before Braidwood in 1857 &
1860, and Qld 1864)
March
¼ 1839 – A George was Skinner born in Tonbridge Regn Dist [v]
11/7/1840
to 10/7/1841 - The Jane Wilson Brown who married George Skinner in Braidwood
NSW in 1861, and died in Perth in 1916, was born in Coatbridge New Glasgow, to
a James Brown and his wife (unknown) “Cockran”
[q]
(Her name “Jane” seems to be used in
most instances, but sometimes the more Scottish “Jean” was used, but with a
probably heavy Glasgow accent, her saying “Jane” or “Jean” would’ve surely
sounded the same to an English-Australian ear).
7/6/1841
– Living in one house in “Dundyvan Row” in parish of Old Monkland is James
Brown, a Coal Miner, “40”, Jean Cochran (with no “e”), “30”, Coal Miner,
William Brown “15”, Coal Miner, Laura Brown “12”, and Margaret Brown “8”, and
for county of birth all given a “Yes”, that is, born Lanarkshire, Scotland [c4]
IF this is Jane’s family, she must’ve been
born after this Census.
7/6/1841
– George Skinner’s family were in the district described as "...Bells Yew
district... tween Dundall Rd and the road leading from Bush Houses to Tatty's
Village... in the Parish of Frant".
In the house were James Skinner (39)
"Bricklayer" born Kent; Sarah his wife (36) born Kent; son Henry (16)
"Bricklayer", born Kent; son William (14) "Lots-to-do"; son
James (12); dau Harriet (9); dau Sarah (7); son Alfred (5); and son George
(3). [c4]
March
Qtr 1841 - A John Skinner was born in Tonbridge Dist [v]
1841/1842
- George's sister Mary born, in Tonbridge
[c]
March
Qtr 1842 - A Mary Ann Skinner was born in Tonbridge Dist [v]
14/7/1841
to 13/7/1842 – The Jane Brown, age 18 (= bn 1842), Nurse, Native County
Argyllshire, who arr in Port Jackson on the “Chance” on 13/7/1860, was
born [p]
Here, “Native County” implies place of
birth? If so, this doesn’t quite fit with her death certificate, even though
the “Nurse” bit looks good considering her later activities in life, and the
birth date is closer to that on her death certificate.
1844
- George's brother John was born [xx]
(Where did this come from? Why isn't
“John” in the 1851 Census with the other kids?)
Sept
Qtr 1844 - A Mary Ann Skinner was born in Tonbridge Dist [v]
Sept
Qtr 1846 – A Henry Skinner married an Emily Austin in Sevenoaks [v]
(Assuming this is George’s older brother,
so when - between this marriage in 1846 and George’s wedding in Braidwood in
1861 - did Henry emigrate and then settle in Braidwood?)
June
Qtr 1847 - A John Skinner was born in Tonbridge Dist [v]
1848
to 1849 – George’s uncle Samuel Skinner moved to Braidwood (and stayed there
until about 1862/3) [j]
(Where were they from 1838 to 1848?)
30/3/1851
– Living together in “Village of Motherwell” in Dalziel parish was a James
Brown (Head, 52, = bn 1798/9) a Miner, born Kilpatrick Dunbartonshire, Jane
Cochrane his wife (49, = bn 1801/2) born “Calford” (County not stated), and
their daughter Jane (9, = bn 1842) born Old Monkland Lnrkshire. [c5]
This family is surely the same family as
in the 1841 Census.
Motherwell is abt 4 kms S of Coatbridge.
Kilpatrick is just north of Glasgow, but
can’t find a relevant “Calford”, and Coatbridge is just east of Glasgow, a big
coal mining and industrial area at that time. Their neighbours in this Census
are mostly miners or industrial workers.
30/3/1851
– Living in the Census district described as "Dundale Dist ... lies
between the Bells Yew district and outbounds of the parish of Tuttys Village or
Hawkenbury and the Hastings Railway to Bush Houses, taking in the Bush Houses,
Tuttys, Bayham Abbey and Lodge and Tollseye." The family were shown as living in Hawkenbury. [c5]
In the house were James (49)
"Bricklayer" born Tonbridge, Sarah his wife (46) born Pembury, unm
dau Harriet (19) "Servant" born Tonbridge, unm dau Sarah (17)
"Servant" born Tonbridge, son Alfred (15) "Bricklayer" born
Tonbridge, son George (12) "Labourer" born Tonbridge, and dau Mary
(9) "Scholar" born Frant.
Again, this is surley the same family
as in the 1841 Census.
(Where are elder bros William and James in
the 1851 Census?)
1852
– A Mary A Skinner (infant) died in Braidwood, father and mother not shown [ac]
16/9/1854
– A Samuel Skinner of Braidwood advertised a reward of one pound each for
return of two bullocks strayed from Tarrago area (40km north of Braidwood), on
delivery to James Ferguson of Tarrago.
[z]
Oct
to Dec 1856 – George’s brother Alfred married Jane Fowler [v]
1856
– An Elizabeth Skinner (no age) died in Braidwood, father Samuel, mother
Elizabeth [ac]
(Is this a transcription error? –
“mother” s/be Martha nee Quinnell?)
23/12/1856
– George Skinner, Bricklayer from Kent (age “20” but really 18?, relgn “CofE”)
and his brother Alfred, Bricklayer from Kent (“22” but really 20?, relgn
“Independent”) and Alfred’s new wife Jane (20) sailed on the “Fitzjames”,
departing Plymouth with a load of 98 single female emigrants under the “British
Ladies Female Emigrant Society”, plus 429 “Emigrants”. [ab]
(There is a Matron’s diary of this voyage
in NSW Records, inc some background but mainly re the single women. There is NO
Jane Browns amongst them, ruling out possiblity of meeting on the ship out).
1/4/1857
– George, Alfred & Jane arrived at Port Jackson on the
"Fitzjames", status on arrival "Free Settler". [a]
(Note that he’s on the “Assisted” lists,
and not “Free Settler”, in Ancestry.com)
(A handwritten [Jan's] ref to
"Fitzjames 1857-4/4967 70 to Moreton Bay pg 65-7" may have come from
a book at the SAGHS).
1857
– George’s uncle Samuel and Martha Skinner had a son George in Braidwood [ad]
1/4/1857
to 27/3/1861 – George, and presumably brother Alfred and his wife Jane, moved
to Braidwood [a] [d]
(Note that their uncle Samuel and his wife
were already there from at least 1854, but it’s anyone’s guess why they all
picked this place at this time, other than the building opportunities).
(They would all probably have sailed south
to Batemans Bay on coastal shipping, and then gone overland to Braidwood on
what is now the main road, but back then was the recognised “track to the
goldfields”).
23/10/1858
– In the Goulbourn & County of Argyle Advertiser there is a builder in
Braidwood referred to as “Messrs Skinner & Brothers”. This could reasonably
be their Uncle Samuel Skinner, with George and Alfred as the “& Brothers”.
[z]
25/11/1859
– A Jane Brown, age 21 (= bn 1838), Domestic Servant, Native County Lanarkshire,
arr in Moreton Bay on the “Shackamaxon” (ex Liverpool 26/9/1859), as a single
female not attached to a family, on a boat load of assisted immigrants, one of
many with “Remittance” (as against “Ordinary”) in Remarks, denoting that she
had a NSW sponsor who paid a warranty against her passage. [ah]
This is more likely to be “our” Jane Brown
than the 1860 one above from Argyllshire, as in the same group on this ship is
the only other Lanarkshire person on board, an Elizabeth Smith (24, Dom
Servant, Presb, can R+W), but of “Ordinary” status. There was an Elizabeth
Smith born in Old Monklands, (as was Jane), and in the 1841 Census for Old
Monklands (in “London Row”) there is an Elizabeth Smith and her family in the
large house of her father “Furnace Keeper” James Smith. And she’s also in 1851
Census in “Clyde” Old Monklands, shown as a 16 yo “Bleachfield Worker”. It
would be reasonable to think these two girls were travelling together, and
probably knew each other since childhood. But WHY Jane was emigrating is
unknown.
Notes on immigration -
“Nominated or remittance passages – Any
natural born or naturalised person residing in Queensland, desiring to provide
a passage to the colony for a friend or relative in Europe, could obtain a
passage warrant from the Government on payment of the required amount. The
warrant was then forwarded to the friend or relative in Europe. On presentation
of the warrant, the Govt rep in Europe would then arrange a passage for the
emigrant. [WikiTree]
“...under the present system of
immigration, the Commissioners in London, charter vessels to bring out a
specified number of souls, the rate paid for each adult being about £14. Out of
this £14 the immigrant pays £6, and the remainder comes out of the colonial
revenue, and will, in the case of each ship sent to this port, be charged to
the debit of the new colony. Thus, for every adult introduced, the state pays
to the extent of £8, at least...” (Moreton Bay Courier 30 Nov 1859).
13/7/1860
– A Jane Brown, age 18 (= bn 1842), Nurse, Native County Argyllshire, arr in
Port Jackson on the “Chance” (ex Southampton 3/4/1860), as a single female on a
boat load of assisted immigrants [ah]
(Argyllshire takes in the lower Highlands
and Islands NW of Glasgow, and while the age is closer, and the fact that she
landed in NSW not QLD seems more likely, the “Native County” tends to rule her
out?).
1860
- A Mary Skinner was born to an Alfred and Jane Skinner in Braidwood [ad]
1860
– George’s uncle Samuel and wife Martha had a son James in Braidwood [ad]
1860
– A male Skinner (no age) died at Braidwood, father Samuel (prob George’s
uncle), mother Martha (presumably nee Quinnell) [ac]
7/3/1860
- Kyama Examiner - A Samuel Skinner was a witness at a trial in Braidwood,
testifying he sold a bullock to a John Kennedy (see 16/9/54 entry above) [z]
Aug
1860 - Illawarra Mercury - “The road from the end of Monkittee Flat to
Braidwood is very dangerous at night, as it abounds in stumps. We trust that
before the now line of coaches commence to run through from the Clyde to
Queanbeyan the road will be proporly cleared. The money that has been expended
in repairing coaches is amply sufficient to have paid for such clearing long
ago.” [z]
(The Monkittee Creek is now the
Gillamatong Creek, and is referred to later).
1861
– An Emma J Skinner was born to an Alfred and Jane in Braidwood [ad]
before
March 1861 – Jane Brown, born Coatbridge Scotland, third dau of James Brown a
Gamekeeper and mother nee Cockran, arrived in Braidwood area. [b] [d]
by
March 1861 - Jane Wilson Brown was working in Braidwood NSW as a servant [d]
==================
MARRIAGE =====================
27/3/1861
- George Skinner, batchelor, bricklayer (no age shown but may have been only 19
acc to his death certif) married Jane Wilson Brown, spinster, servant (no age
shown but about 18?), both resident Braidwood, in St Andrews Anglican church in
the NSW goldfields town of Braidwood, witnesses Thos Hogg and Emily
Skinner [d]
Emily Skinner is surely the wife of George's
older brother Henry.
A Thomas McMicking Hogg was born
Stoneykirk Wigtownshire in June 1813, parents John Hogg and Isabell
Cochran(!?). [af]
A Thomas Hogg and a Jane McCrae were
married in Presbyterian church in Bungonia, Goulburn NSW in 1851 [ad]
The "Chief Constable" in
Braidwood in 1862 was a T. Hogg [aj]
A Thomas Hogg was buried at Braidwood
26/4/1880, aged 67 (=bn c1813). In the same plot is his wife "Jean"
aged 69 d 1893. His parents shown as John and Isabella [ak] [ad]
This is surely the Thomas Hogg who was the Chief Constable and the
witn at George Skinner and Jane Wilson Brown's wedding at Braidwood in 1861.
But just coincidence that his mother is a nee Cochran? Also just coincidence that Jane's middle
name is the same as the founder of Braidwood?
But Stoneykirk is out in the bottom left of Galloway! – a long way from
Glasgow.
May
1861 - Newcastle Chronicle - “Population of the District of Braidwood.”
“According to the recently taken census,
it appears that the total population of the district of Braidwood is 7,354. The
exact number of persons resident in the town is 719, the remainder of the 1,085
as stated in a former issue, live without the boundaries. The returns for that
portion of the district bounded on the east by the Mongarlowe River, on the
west by the Shoalhaven River to Monkittee Creek, and south by that creek to its
source, give 136 houses and 802 inhabitants.”
[z]
1862
- Harriett Skinner was born to George and Jean Skinner [q] [ad]
23/2/1862
- Daughter Harriet was born at “Monkittee nr Braidwood” NSW, George age 22,
Jane age 19, witnesses are “Mrs S Skinner” (uncle Samuel’s wife?) and “Mrs A
Skinner” (brother Alfred’s wife?). Regd 2/4/62, baby “not present” [r]
(The “Monkittee Farms” started about 4kms
from Braidwood. They were “...32 farms on the state of R. Madrell Esq...from 48
to 89 acres... and the Monkittee [Creek] running through most of them...
between Little River Rd [to the north] and Clyde Rd [today’s main Braidwood to
Batemans Bay road]... leased for 14 years at 10/- an acre [to a] respectable
tenantry.” - Braidwood Observer March 1860).
30/9/1862
– Martha Sophia Cole (nee Skinner, wife of William Cole, and sister to George’s
dad James) died at Mulloon Flat in the Braidwood area [j]
(William and Martha emigrated early and
had kids from 1838 to 1853 in Queanbeyan, Bungonia, Molonglo, Bungendore,
Araluen. Tradition has it that she died - and was buried - on the side of the
Braidwood to Queanbeyan road. There is a memorial plaque in the St Thomas
Anglican cemetery at Carwoola. There are other children and grandchildren in
the same cemetery).
1862/1863
– George and Alfred and families moved to Qld, prob Brisbane area [y]
(Is there any shipping data?)
1862/1863
– George’s uncle Samuel moved to Warwick in Qld (where they had their last
child) [j]
(Warwick is about 100kms SW of Brisbane,
but why there?)
abt
1863 – (From the 9/8/1919 SA Chronicle’s life-and-times-type article on George
Skinner) –
“Mr Skinner tells an interesting story of a
meeting with Gardiner the outlaw in the early days of Brisbane. The bushranger
called at his home under an alias, and during a conversation asked his host
what distinguishing marks Gardiner was known to have. Mr Skinner mentioned the
scars and Gardiner remarked – ‘It's a wonder they don't arrest me on
suspicion.’ Not long after the police
ended the outlaw's career.” [z]
(According to Wiki and other data Frank
Gardiner robbed a man in NSW in April 1862, and was arrested in March 1864 at
the store he was running with his girlfriend Kitty at Appis Ck near Rockhampton
Qld and then taken back to NSW, so it’s quite feasible he was passing through
Brisbane going north at this time).
1862/63
– Son Albert Skinner was born to George and Jean [q]
4/5/1863
- An Albert Skinner born in Qld to George Skinner and Jane Wilson Brown [p][y]
(Where was he born in Qld? His Army file
says he was born in “Braidwood Qld” but there are no Braidwoods other than the
one in NSW. This must be a misunderstanding on Albert’s part?)
1863
- James, son of Alfred and Jane Skinner, was born in Brisbane (he died in NSW
1901) [p]
1863
– A James Skinner was born in Qld to Alfred Skinner and Jane Fowler [y]
(Where was he born in Qld?)
1864
– An Agnes Skinner was born in Qld to Samuel Skinner and Martha (Quinnell) [y]
(Was she born in Warwick as well?)
abt
1863/1864 – George and his family were living in Qld, brother Alfred's also,
while George’s eldest brother Henry was still living down in Braidwood [n]
2/1/1864
- Back home in Kent Timothy Monckton (described as "grandfather of Mr
Henry Skinner of Braidwood and Mr George and Alfred Skinner of Qld") died
in Tunbridge Wells, aged 89 [n]
March
1864 – There are “Unclaimed Letters” addressed to an Alfred Skinner in
Brisbane [z]
5/5/1864
– “Sydney Morning Herald” - DEATHS - On the 2nd of January, at Cradich Villa,
Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, Mr. Timothy Monckton, in the 89th year of his
age, father of Mrs. Ebenezer Dibley, of Shepherd's Paddock, Sydney, and
grandfather of Mr. Henry Skinner, of Braidwood, and Mr. George and Alfred
Skinner, of Queensland. [z]
12/9/1864
- “Brisbane Courier” - George and Alfred Skinner, “bricklayers”, were called to
testify at a law suit over a building, that “the work was good” (as if brought
in as experts?) [z]
27/10/1864
– A George and an Alfred Skinner were passengers (with others) in the First
Cabin on the “Lady Young” from Melb to Sydney
[z]
This is quite soon after the court case
above, but too much of a coincidence to NOT be them? And if them, when and how
did they sail from Brisbane TO Melbourne? And why?
27/9/1864
– A Henry Skinner had a sawmill in Sth Brisbane [z]
Any more on this person?
24/12/1864
– A George Skinner is a Stock & Stn agent in Queen St Brisbane [z]
Any more on this person?
mid
1865 ? – The family moved to Auburn in the mid north of Sth Aust [p]
Why all the way to Auburn? And how and
when did they travel?
1864/65
- Sarah Monkton Skinner was born to George and Jean [q]
(There is no record of this in the Qld,
SA, NSW or Vic Indexes. Some sources suggest she was born in Auburn SA, but the
only relevant entry in the SA Indexes is for JANE Monkton Skinner below, but
then a subsequent dau was named Jane, suggesting this one is just a
mis-transcription??)
30/10/1865
- A Jane Monkton Skinner born in Auburn dist of Sth Aust, to George Skinner and
Jane nee Brown [h]
1866
– George’s elder brother James died at Maitland NSW [p]
Is this right ??
12/11/1866
- "Coroners Inquests” A George
Skinner was a juror, re fire at the house of John Harvey of Sth Auburn (at Mail
Stn Aurburn ??) [t]
(Where did this data come from?)
abt
Jan 1867 – George must have been home in Auburn, as his son James was born 9
months later in Oct 1867 [g][h]
27/2/1867
– The “King Oscar” left Brisbane for Adelaide with George Skinner and F. Smith
as the only passengers, and arrived Ad 4/3/1867 [z]
IF this is George, when and how, and why,
did he travel from Auburn to Brisbane, to purchase speculative premium timber –
see 21/3/1867 entry below.
13/3/1867
– Goulbourn Herald (Braidwood Section) “The Wesleyan chapel was reopened for
public worship yesterday... great credit is due to Messrs Skinner and Naylor
for the manner in which they have fulfilled their contracts...” [z]
In the 1867 directories, a Henry Skinner
(Bricklayer) and a Samuel Naylor (Stonemason) were living in Braidwood [ag]
21/3/1867
– SA Advertiser - SHIPPING NEWS. – ARRIVED (from Brisbane). WEDNESDAY, MARCH
20. ‘KING OSCAR’, barque, 248 tons. Passengers (inc) Messrs George Skinner and
H. Smith, in the cabin.
IMPORTS. ‘KING OSCAR’, from Brisbane — l93
logs cedar, 327 pieces sawn timber. 346 planks, 5 logs rosewood, 2 do. pine.
(And on 29/3/1867 in SA Advertiser) - Mr.
George Skinner has just arrived, per ‘King Oscar’, from Brisbane, bringing with
him samples of the Queensland timbers, comprising specimens of cedars, cypress
pine, tulip wood, and various other sorts. Some of these have been shown to the
principal cabinet makers, who highly approve of, and recommend them for both
ornamental and useful purposes. [z]
Does this suggest George does some regular
speculative trading? – see below. And
who is “H. (or F.) Smith” with him – a partner in the deal?
4/5/1867
– SA Advertiser - MISC SHIPPING - Passengers per “Contest”, for Brisbane — Mr.
George Skinner (and only one other) [z]
This is only six weeks after he
returned from Brisbane!!
Does that Henry Skinner still have the
sawmill in Brisbane? And is this any connection to George and his timber
speculation?
1866/67
– A James Skinner born to George and Jean
[q]
24/10/1867
– Their son James was born in Auburn SA, to George (builder) and Jane (nee
Wilson Brown) [g] [h]
1868/69
– A Jane Skinner was born to George and Jean
[q]
5/9/1869
– Their daughter Jane was born in Auburn SA, to George and Jane (nee
Brown) [h]
1871
- Directory NSW – Braidwood - Skinner Henry – Bricklayer [z]
March
1871 – George must have been in Auburn, as his son George William was born 9
month later in Dec 1871. [h]
21/7/1871
– from ‘Northern Argus’ (SA)
A “Skinner” was caught up in a civil claim
(O’MEALY v O’FLAHERTY) over the building of two culverts, in which the
“...Plaintiff employed Skinner to help him. He was to pay £10 when the work was
finished, and the balance when the culverts were passed by the surveyor...”,
presumably in the same general district as the Undalya Inn (which is just south
of Auburn). [z]
Could be George, but Skinner is a common
enough name.
1870/71
- George William Skinner was born to George and Jean [q]
16/12/1871
- Son George William born, residence of parents Auburn SA, father George
(mason), mother Jane (nee Brown). Regd by Jane at Auburn 24/1/1872 (Dist of
Upper Wakefield), but she signed (in uncertain hand) "Jain
Skinner". [f] [h]
1872
– Henry Skinner (Bricklayer) and Samuel Naylor (Bricklayer) still living in
Braidwood [ag]
Nov
1873 – George must have been in the northern areas of SA, as their daughter
Margaret was born 9 months later in July 1874.
[h]
1873/74
- Percy Skinner was born to George and Jean
[q]
When? Where?
1874/75
- Alfred Henry Skinner was born to George and Jean [q]
20/7/1874
– Their daughter Margaret was registered in Moonta SA, to George and
Jane Wilson (nee Brown) [h]
Where was she actually born? Who regd her?
Why were they in Moonta, or just George?
26/12/1874
– Their daughter Margaret died age about 5 months [w]
Where did she die? Where is she buried?
1875/76
- Charles Ernest Skinner born to George and Jean [q]
Any date on this? Place?
Early
1876 ? – George (at least) must have moved to Adelaide, possibly ahead of the
family, as son Alfred seems to have been born in Auburn acc to his Army
records, but was regd by his father while living in the CBD, while the 1877
directories show George in Goodwood, where they lived for some time.
16/3/1876
- Son Alfred Henry born, father George (bricklayer) living at Sth Tce (Young
Ward), mother Jane Wilson (nee Brown)
[f] [h]
18/3/1876
- Ad Observer (and others) BIRTHS - SKINNER – On 16th March at South Tce East,
the wife of George Skinner, of a son
[z]
25/4/1876
- Alfred's birth was registered in Dist of Adelaide by his father [f]
1876
– Trade Directories show George Skinner, Mason, Sth Tce East [k]
1877
– The National Building (& Investment) Society (formed in SA 1862)
subdivided an area into small housing allotments... to the east of Goodwood
Road... (named) Goodwood Park, a subdivision of Sections 222... bordered by
Goodwood Road to the west and extending to include Ada Street to the east...
and from Albert Street and Musgrave Street the area extended south to
Gilbert Street. There were 170 lots.
(Houses were)... typical standard double
fronted, single-storey bluestone cottages of the original bank housing estate
that predominates in the zone... including the traditional front verandah and
ornamental features, and the regular building layout which forms the historic
character of the area. (Hist of Unley
online)
In a 1990s phone conversation with Robyn
Wilkins (the grand-daughter of George’s eldest daughter Harriet) that Robyn’s
mother Ruby was told by her mother Harriet that “my father George Skinner was
involved in some kind of a building society.”
(See also the article on old Goodwood at the end of this file). There’s
no record of George being any more involved with this Soc than as one of their
building contractors.
1877
- George Skinner was listed as a Mason, of Goodwood [k]
1875/76
– Son Horace Skinner was born to George and Jane [q]
29/4/1877
- Son Horace was born in Goodwood SA, to George and Jane Wilson (nee
Brown) [h]
17/6/1877
– SA Register (and others) BIRTHS - SKINNER On the 29th April, at Goodwood
Park, the wife of George Skinner, mason, of a son. [z]
(Oddly, put in the papers nearly 2
months after the birth?)
20/7/1877
- "...a few Christian friends who had settled in the newly-established
township of Goodwood met together to consider the formation of a Baptist
Church... Rev Silas Mead and Rev HJ Lambert met these Christian friends in the
home of Mt J O'Connell and constituted them into a Church... original members
were... Mr and Mrs Skinner... and Miss Skinner (pres Harriet). Services were held in Mr O'Connell's home for
six months, and then land was secured... in Albert St... " [i]
1877/78
– Son Percy born to George and Jane [q]
(This is from Jane’s 1916 death certif,
saying Percy’s 38, but as he was actually born in 1882 he was only 34, which
possibly demonstrates the sometimes rubbery nature of what goes on death
certificates).
19/3/1878
– SA Advertiser – A Petition for Wm Townsend to run for Unley Electorate,
signed by a George Skinner [z]
22/7/1878
- SA Advertiser - Election Notices. DISTRICT OF STURT. (incs Goodwood)...
“TO THOMAS KING, ESQ., J.P. Sir, We, the
undersigned Electors of the District of Sturt, respectfully request that you
will allow yourself to be nominated again as a Candidate lor the representation
of this District in the House of Assembly...” (blah blah blah)... signatures inc
a George Skinner. [z]
5/10/1878
– SA Advertiser - In the Albert St schoolroom, a meeting of ratepayers of
Goodwood area seeking to separate it from the Unley Council. George Skinner
seconded a motion to do further polling of ratepayers before taking further
action [z]
1879
(and each year through to 1884) - George Skinner listed in the Trade
Directories as a Mason, Albert St Goodwood
[k]
22/7/1879
– SA Advertiser - Unley Council notes, referring to “the state of the footpath
opposite Mr Skinner’s premises near the Goodwood Post Office” [z]
1879/80
– Son Charles Ernest was born to George and Jane [q]
(Again, this is from Jane’s 1916 death
certif, which says Charles was 36 at that time, but as he was actually born in
1883 he was only 33).
30/8/1880
- Daughter Ethel Maggie Augusta born in Goodwood SA, to George and Jane Wilson
(nee Brown) [h]
31/8/1880
– SA Register BIRTHS - SKINNER. On the 30th August, at Goodwood Park, the wife
of George Skinner, of a daughter. [z]
(This has to be Ethel Maggie above and
below)
26/2/1881
– SA Advertiser (and others) DEATHS - SKINNER. On the 20th February, at
Goodwood Park, Ethel Maggie, the infant daughter of George and Jane Skinner,
aged six months. “We know the Master has done it in love." [z]
17/3/1881
– SA Register - Mr Skinner on behalf of the Goodwood Baptist Church presented a
token of their esteem to a departing elder
[z]
7/9/1881
- Eldest dau Harriett married John Charles Ashby [r]
In the SA Register (and others) late Sept
1881 – MARRIAGES - ASHBY—SKINNER. On the 7th September, at the residence of the
bride’s parents, Goodwood Park, by Mr. T. J. Gore, John Charles, eldest son of
the late Mr. E. Ashby, of Glenelg, to Harriet, eldest daughter of Mr. George
Skinner. [z]
13/9/1881
– SA Register – Report on a letter from G. Skinner to the Unley Council about
him receiving a notice from the Town Clerk complaining of him “allowing impure
water to flow into the street”. Skinner stated it was only rain and clear tap
water. Referred to the Surveyor. [z]
1882
- "The (Goodwood Baptist) Sunday School was first started in the old
Church in Albert Street, and early minutes show that ... Mr Linnington and Mr
George Skinner drew up the first rules with the Rev D Badger." [i]
6/1/1882
- Son Percy was born in Goodwood SA
[h]
30/8/1882
– SA Advertiser - The “Misses Skinner” (and others) associated with fund
raising for new Goodwood Baptist Church (the old 1878-built temporary church
was inadequate) [z]
19/1/1883
– SA Advertiser – A FOR SALE notice for dogs, M Skinner, Albert St
Goodwood [z] (“M” Skinner ??)
25/6/1883
– George Skinner left Adelaide for Melbourne, one of many “First Cabin”
passengers (plus 100 in “Second Cabin”) on the ‘South Australian’ [z]
10/7/1883
- George Skinner left Melbourne for Adelaide, one of many “In Saloon”
passengers (plus 50 in “Second Cabin”) on the “South Australian” [z]
(This was a quick Adelaide-Melbourne
return trip, even on the same coastal service ship – see above – but no idea
what for)
24/10/1883
– Their daughter Sarah married Ernest Walters
[w]
17/11/1883
- SA Chronicle (and others) MARRIAGES - WALTERS-SKINNER: On 24th Oct at the
residence of the brides’s parents Goodwood, by the Rev D Badger, Ernest Henry
eldest son of the late J R Walters Esq of Sydney, to Sarah Monkton, second dau
of G Skinner builder Goodwood. [z]
25/11/1883
– A son Charles Ernest born at Goodwood SA, father George, a mason of Goodwood,
mother Jane Wilson (nee Brown) [f] [h]
28/11/1883
SA Advertiser BIRTHS - SKINNER. On the 25th November, at Albert street,
Goodwood Park, the wife of G. Skinner, builder, of a son. [z]
3/1/1884
– Charles’ birth registered [f]
21/2/1884
– ‘SA Advertiser’ Report on a Presentation...
On Tuesday evening, at the conclusion of
the Pastor's Bible Class at the Goodwood Baptist Church, the Rev. D. Badger, on
behalf of the Sunday-school and congregation, presented a very handsome marble
timepiece, suitably inscribed on a silver-plate, to Mr G. Skinner
(Superintendant of the Sunday-school from its formation eight years ago), as a
mark of their appreciation of his labour of love on his leaving for New
South Wales.
Several of those present spoke in highly
complimentary terms of Mr. Skinner's worth, to which he suitably responded,
(inc) “...it would serve to remind him of the friends he would leave behind in
Goodwood, and also act as a stimulus to him in the future in whatever work
he might undertake.”
Revd Badger (pastor) spoke of his “hard
labour for the cause and the good done by him” (other speakers) “expressing regret
at the circumstances which caused his departure, and wishing him every
success in his future career.” [z]
Why is he – or whole family? – “leaving
for NSW”? George seems to have always had a little “wanderlust”, but it sounds
like he hasn’t made it general knowledge what he’s doing next, or even that
he’s decided what that is.
At this time George is 46, Jane is 44,
while the kids are – Charles 1, Percy 2, Horace 7, Alfred 8, George 13, Jane
15, while the two older girls are already married and settled in Adelaide, and
James is 17 and Albert is 21 and assumed both off working locally. There is
also a suggestion that Alfred stayed behind as well, attached to his brothers
and all working in the Adelaide building trade.
26/4/1884
– Syd Morn Herald - (Shipping Departures) “Birksgate”, 1413 tons, Captain A.
McKenzie, for Adelaide. Included in
about 20 other named passengers there’s “George Skinner” (and l8 in the
Steerage) [z]
(Now this is George on his own,
returning from Sydney to Adelaide, only two months after the 21/2/84
presentation above, so where is Jane and the younger kids? Never went with him?
And when did he sail to Sydney?)
12/8/1884
– SA Advertiser (part of [an Annual?] Report from Goodwood Baptist Church) “...The
resignation of Mr. Skinner, the late superintendent of the school, had been
received with regret...” [z]
22/11/1885
– George’s mother Sarah (nee Monkton) died in the Stratford Regn Dist of
Warwickshire [b]
8/3/1887
– George’s father James died at Wellesbourne Hastings in Warwickshire (which is
in the Stratford Regn Dist) [b]
14/5/1889
- SA Advertiser “LOST - Supposed to be taken by mistake between ‘SS Adelaide’
and city by rail, one canvas covered BOX and one tin TRUNK containing ladies
wearing apparel etc adressed “Mrs G Skinner Passenger per ‘SS Adelaide’ to
Adelaide South Australia”. Anyone giving information leading to the recovery of
the above will be suitably rewarded by applying to Mrs Skinner care of Mrs
Ashby Albert St Goodwood.” [z]
April
1884 to 1890 ? – There seems to be no record of the family between the return
of George from Sydney on 26/4/1884, and the 14/5/1889 SA newspaper “Lost” entry
above that appears to be about the family’s return to Adelaide on the “SS
Adelaide”, which did the regular intercolonial coastal run
Sydney-Melbourne-Adelaide (this particular trip left Sydney April 27th).
But the ad doesn’t say from where they
embarked, so presumably they all lived in the eastern states somewhere for
those years, and the marriage notice for their daughter on 5/7/1890 says George
is “of Melbourne”.
The nominated contact in the ad being
their married daughter Harriet (Ashby) though suggests that they had no
Adelaide address at that time. Were they just passing through on the way to
Perth? WA newspaper references begin in 1891 with the marriage of their son
James in Perth, but George is described as being “of Adelaide” at the time,
suggesting that maybe they were actually in transit to WA?
In 1890 George was 51, Jane 49, and of the
younger kids were – Charles 6, Percy 7, Horace 12, Alfred 13, George 18.
5/7/1890
- SA Chronicle – MARRIAGES - HOLLIDAY—SKINNER. On the 18th Jane, at the
residence of the bride's sister, Port Adelaide, by the Rev. J. O. Kirby, George
John, second son of the late Mr. T. Holliday, of Sydney, to Jane, youngest
daughter of Mr. G. Skinner, of Melbourne. [z]
14/2/1891
- Daily News Perth MARRIAGES - SKINNER-HOWELL. At St.George's Cathedral, Perth,
W.A., on the 10th of February, ]891, by the Very Rev. the Dean of Perth, James
SKINNER, second son of George Skinner of Adelaide, S.A. to Maria Mary
Anne Charlotte, second daughter of Herman George Howell, artist, of
Melbourne [z]
1892
– George and Jane and some of the family moved to WA [b]
The marriage of son James above in early
1892, when George is “of Adelaide” suggests that James went to Perth before his
parents and their younger kids?
1893
- Geoge Skinner was living at (probably No 9) Wanneroo Rd North Perth. [u]
(This is probably the suburb of Joondanna
today, and presumably this was their residence, while the 1895 ref to “Nurse
Skinner” of Charles St is surely her cottage hospital, as it was later referred
to as “Braidwood Cottage” at 212 Charles St, which is today’s suburb of North
Perth, and is about 2kms south of their first home. Both Wanneroo Rd and
Charles Street are actually today’s Route 60 through the city’s northern
suburbs. However, there are later baby death references to both, suggesting
that BOTH could have been cottage hospitals?).
1893
– A “Jas Skinner” living at Garden Rd & Sutherland St Perth. [u]
1895
- G Skinner, 9 Wanneroo Rd, Perth [e]
27/9/1895
– “The West Austn” (plus several more ads the same during Oct 1895) - “WANTED,
by respectable woman, baby wet-nurse, own baby died. Apply Nurse Skinner
Charles St” [z]
This is the first specific mention, of
many here onwards over the years to her death in 1916, to “Nurse Skinner” and
her cottage hospital.
1897
– A Henry Skinner (parents James and Sarah, so presumably George’s brother)
died in Granville NSW [ad]
2/2/1897
- (in DEATHS) ...at Nurse Skinners, Wanneroo Rd Perth [z]
6/2/1897
- (Sit Vac) GIRL, clean, tidy, wanted at once, apply Nurse Skinner Charles St
[z]
21/10/1897
– (Sit Vac) WANTED, kind motherly person, adopt baby from birth, premium given,
Apply Nurse Skinner Charles St [z]
1/11/1897
- LOST, on Saturday evening, TRINKETS off watch chain, gold key with rubies,
silver locket and silver elephant, reward on returning to Nurse Skinner Charles
St [z]
18/5/1898
- (in BIRTHS) ...at Nurse Skinners, Charles St
[z]
7/9/1898,
15/11/1898 - (in BIRTHS) ...at Nurse Skinners, West Perth [z]
1899
- George Skinner & Mrs Skinner (Nurse), 9 Wanneroo Rd, Perth [e]
5/9/1899,
7/11/1899, 15/11/1899 - (in BIRTHS) ...at Nurse Skinners, No 9 Wanneroo Rd,
West Perth [z]
11/12/1899
- (Shipping – Sailed) - “SS Wollowra” 2628t, for the eastern colonies via
Bunbury, Albany, (among many others ... ) Nurse Skinner ... (but no other
family names) went to Cape Borda KI 15/12/99
[z]
(Hard to say if this is Jane or not? Why
would she do this trip?)
1900
& 1901 - George Skinner (Bricklayer) & Mrs Skinner (Nurse), 9 Wanneroo
Rd, Perth [e]
5/4/1900
- (Indian Famine WA Relief Fund) (among many others...) Nurse Skinner 10/6d [z]
9/7/1900
- (Sit Vac) GIRL, 16, clean and tidy wanted, Midland Junction, apply early,
Nurse Skinner, Wanneroo Rd [z]
1901
– Their son Horace married an Amy Morrell in WA [w]
7/2/1901
- (in DEATHS) ...at Nurse Skinners Home, Charles St Perth [z]
9/2/1901
- (in BIRTHS) ...at Nurse Skinners Home, Charles St Perth [z]
...and then there’s HEAPS of these
identical Birth entries that go right through to June 1905, at variously
“Braidwood Cottage” Charles St, or just 212 Charles St, or sometimes “Nurse
Skinners Hospital” Charles St, but then July 1907 onwards it’s “Braidwood
Cottage” 169 Charles St through to Jan 1912)
(“169” and “212” Charles St are only about
200m apart today, suggesting she moved to more suitable premises on the same
main road north out of the city, and “212” became their residence as well?).
18/3/1901
– Their Son George married Mary Baker in Pt Adelaide [w]
20/11/1901
– George’s brother Alfred died in NSW
[j]
1902
to 1907 - George Skinner & Mrs JW Skinner (Nurse), 212 Charles St, North
Perth [e]
14/9/1903
- Son Alfred nominally converted to Catholicism and married Jane Hickey at Pt
Adelaide (refer his own file) [d]
Oral history has it that this union of
Alfred’s was never popular with his parents, but there’s a heap of evidence
that Alfred was definitely and always his own man!
21/12/1906
– ‘The West Australian’ - THE TRAINING OF NURSES. MIDWIFERY CERTIFICATES
PRESENTED AT THE TOWN HALL. An interesting ceremony took place at the Town Hall
yesterday afternoon, when the Mayoress of Perth (Mrs. S. Stubbs) presented the
certifcates gained by the nurses who have attended the winter course of
lectures on midwifery conducted by Drs. Haynes, and Couch.
The system of lectures was inaugurated
some two years ago at the Topsham Hospital, Stirling Street, in order to supply
a proper course of midwifery training for nurses, and at the same time to
afford a means whereby indigent women may receive skilled attention. The
lectures extended over a period of four months, and nurses attending paid a fee
of £5... Recipients of the Certificates
were Nurses Skinner (and then 17 others)...
[z]
It seems that at this time the WA Govt was
formalising and regulating midwifery, and all who wished to continue
practising, including Jane, had to pass the prescribed studies and be
registered.
29/8/1907
– ‘West Australian’ - (Shipping Arrivals) “Grantala” from Eastern States,
(among others) Nurse Skinner... (but no other family names) [z]
(Hard to say if this is Jane or not? Why
would she do this trip?)
30/11/1907
– “West Australian” - HOSPITAL NURSES. THE YEAR'S WORK. The Resident Medical
Officer at the Perth Public Hospital yesterday laid before the Hospital Board
the results of the examinations for first, second, and third year probationers.
He expressed the opinion that they showed a very satisfactory year's work. The
results were (listed after 3rd and 2nd Yr results):-
First Year - Results in Anatomy and
Physiology - The following have passed - Nurses ... Skinner (plus 7 others)...
The papers of Nurses Boss, Grover, and Skinner were highly creditable. Six
failed to satisfy the examiner.
General Nursing - The following passed the
practical examination: Nurses Skinner ... (plus 14 others) One candidate failed
to pass the examination. [z]
1908
to 1912 - George Skinner & Mrs J W Skinner (Nurse), 169 Charles St,
Perth [e]
7/9/1910
- West Austn – A reference to “Nurse Skinner”
[z]
NOTE that this is a Miss Mary
Louisa Skinner, who was in charge of immigrant women, but while she became a WA
resident, she arrived ex England just before this. There are some other
newspaper entries on her that can be misleading from 1910 onwards.
Sept
1910 – ‘West Australian’ - Thanks to “Nurse Skinner” of “Braidwood (Cottage)
Hospital” at a birth (and again, many of these through this period) [z]
27/9/1910
– ‘West Austn’ - LOST, between Robinson St or Charles St and city, Gold Brooch,
old family keepsake, return to Nurse Skinners, Charles St, reward. [z]
This is the second time Jane has lost a
piece of jewelry that seemed to be important to her.
7/4/1911
- The “West Australian” Personal Notices (Golden Weddings) – “MARRIAGE.
SKINNER—BROWN. On March 27, 1861, at St. Andrew's Church of England, Braidwood,
N.S.W., by the Rev. James Allen, George, the fifth son of James Skinner,
builder, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, to Jean W. Brown, the third
daughter of James Brown, of Glasgow, Scotland.” [z]
11/2/1916
- West Mail Perth – “SKINNER HOWELL (Silver Wedding). On February 10, 1891, at
the George Cathedral, Perth, by thc Hov. Dean Goldsmith, (now Bishop of
Banbury), James, second son of George Skinner, of Adelaide SA, and Charlotte
(Lottie), second daughter of thc late Herman George Howell, Melbourne, and
granddaughter of the late Captain William Wood, of Ipswich, Suffolk, England.
Present address, 45 Ballway Parade, Mt. Lawley. Melbourne and Adelaide papers,
please copy.” [z]
“...second son of George Skinner of
Adelaide SA” ? This is five months
before Jane died (below) so why “of Adelaide”? Was the custom to refer to their
- sort of - “native” city? Not that Adelaide was!
10/7/1916
- Jane Wilson Skinner died aged 75, at 3rd Ave, Mt Lawley in WA, of “chronic
bronchitis and exhaustion” (1yr), profession Nurse, born Coatbridge New Glasgow,
(father James Brown, a Gamekeeper, mother nee Cockran), who was married in
Braidwood NSW aged 20, to George Skinner, and had 10 living children (+ 2 daus
dec), was a resident NSW and SA 25 years, WA 24 years. (She was buried 2 days
later at the Bible Students section of the Karrakatta cemetery in Perth) [b]
11/7/1916
- Daily News Perth (NOTICES) “SKINNER.
The Friends of Mr. George Skinner, of Third-avenue, Mount Lawley, are
respectfully invited to follow the remains of his late dearly beloved WIFE,
Jane Wilson, to the place of interment, the Bible Students portion of the
Karrakatta Cemetery. The Funeral is appointed to leave his residence,
Third-avenue, Mount Lawley, at 1.45 o'clock TOMORROW (Wednesday) AFTERNOON, per
road. Friends wishing to attend the Funeral may proceed by the 3 p.m. train
leaving Perth. No flowers by request. C. H. SMITH and CO., Undertakers, 481
Newcastle-st, Perth.” [z]
14/7/1916
- West Mail Perth (DEATHS) - “SKINNER. On July 10 1916, at her late residence,
Third-avenue, Mount Lawley, Jane Wilson, the beloved Wife of Mr George Skinner
and late nurse Charles Street, Perth in her 76th year; loving mother of Mrs J C
Ashby, Mrs Walters, Mrs Holliday, Albert Skinner of South Australia, George W
Skinner, Alfred H. Skinner (at The Front), James Skinner & Percy Skinner of
Mount Lawley; Horace Skinner of Boulder; and Charles B. Skinner of Wagin.” [z]
14/7/1916
- Daily News Perth “THE LATE MRS. JANE
WILSON SKINNER. The funeral of the late
Mrs. Jane Wilson, Skinner, late wife of Mr. George Skinner, of Third-avenue,
Mount Lawley, took place on Wednesday afternoon in the presence of a large
circle of friends and relatives. The deceased, aged 75 years, was born at
Coatbridge, near Glasgow, Scotland, resided in New South Wales one year, South
Australia 25 years, and in this State 24 years, where, in Charles street,
Perth, she for many years followed the vocation of ladies' nurse, and was
highly esteemed by all who had occasion for her services.
She leaves a husband and grown-up family
of three daughters and seven sons, besides numerous grand-children, to mourn
her loss. The cortege moved from her late residence, Third-avenue, Mount
Lawley, and proceeded by road to the Bible Students' portion of the Karrakatta
Cemetery, where the remains were interred.
The chief mourners were: Mr. G. Skinner
(husband), Messrs. Jas. and Percy Skinner (sons), Mesdames J. and P. Skinner
(daughters-in-law), Mrs. E. R. Banks (grand-daughter), Messrs. E. R. Banks and
J. W. Skinner (grand-sons). The pall-bearers were Messrs. G. McCorkill, E.
Bolton, P. Hudson, J. M. Brown, W. Lazenby, and T. K. Twist. Among those
present were Mesdames Twist, Harding, Lazenby, Fitzgerald, Stewart, Gould,
Bradbury, Walters, Manning, Corney, A. Wallis, Urquhart, Patterson, Dawson, C.
Walker, Miss Wallig, Messrs Stewart, T. M'Laughlan, D. Bevan, A. Wallis,
Manning, E. Gale, H. Sloman, Walters, W. Horton, Urquhart, C. Walker, R.
Lazenby, A. P. Davey, and many others. There were no flowers, by request, but
numerous telegrams, letters, and messages of sympathy were received.” [z]
15/7/1916
- "On the 10th July in Perth WA, Jinnie, beloved wife of George Skinner,
late of Goodwood, leaving seven sons, three daughters - Nurse Ashby, Mrs
Walters, Mrs Holliday, 48 grandchildren, 8 great-grand-children. Two sons and
seven grandsons serving their country"
[z]
(There is a studio photo of George wearing
a black arm band, and holding a copy of “The Divine Man of the Ages”)
By
March 1917 – George must have returned to Adelaide, to live with his eldest
daughter Harriett at No 7 King William Rd Unley, as this is shown as his
address (“c/o Mrs H Ashby”) as next of kin on his son Albert’s enlistment
papers of that date. [ah]
10/11/1917
- West Austn Perth (In Memorium) –
“SKINNER. In loving memory of my dear
wife, who passed away on July 10, 1916, at Third avenue, Mount Lawley. Inserted
by her loving husband, George Skinner, now of S.A.”
“SKINNER - In fond and loving memory of
our dear mother, Jane Wilson Skinner, who died at Third-avenue, Mount Lawley,
on July 10, 1916. -Inserted by her loving son and daughter-in law, Percy and
Annie Skinner.”
“SKINNER - In loving memory of our dear
mother, who passed away on July 10, 1916, at Third-avenue, Mount Lawley.
Inserted by her loving son and daughter-in law, James and Lottie Skinner. and
grand children, Mrs. H. Banks, Roy, Lionel, and James Skinner.” [z]
9/8/1919
– ‘SA Chronicle’ (from a series on old colonists) –
Born in the garden of Eden Kent, Mr George
Skinner who resides with his daughter Nurse Ashby at Nth Unley, completed his
81st year recently. He came to
Australia in 1857 in the FitzJames, which was later converted to a training
ship, the hulk of which is still at Pt Adelaide.
In that year he had a conversation at
Glebe Sydney with one of the first white men who came to Australia to stay...
(who) had been a convict & had come out in one of the seven ships that
arrived in Botany Bay.
Mr Skinner settled first in NSW, but
resided in each of the other states.
He was the father of 12 children, 5 of his sons served in the big war
& one of them in the South African campaign. His grand-children number 34 & 7 served in the AIF. He has 13 great-grandchildren.
Mr Skinner has enjoyed a wonderful immunity from sickness. He is hale, healthy & happy with his
faculties intact. [m] [z]
The “5 sons” who served in the “big
war” (WWI) should only be 4 – Albert, George, and Alfred (all of whom put their
ages down to under 45 so they could enlist, Albert by ten
years!), and Horace. The one in the “South African campaign” (Boer War) was
Percy. All of them have files with the AWM.
24/12/1920
– A Mr & Mrs Cook had a son at “Nurse Ashby’s Private Nursing Home King
William Road North Unley”. [z]
22/7/1924
- George’s widowed daughter Harriett married Ross Cromwell Chapman [h]
(She was 62 and he was 22, the original
‘cougar’, plus some!!)
16/3/1925
– George’s son James purchased (land ?) at Nth Perth [g]
17/7/1925
– Their son Albert died at home (he was a fisherman on the Murray at the shack
community of Cournamont, abt 20kms east of Mannum SA. It seems that Albert had
never married). [ac]
27/4/1931
- George died aged 92, of cardiac failure, at Eden Hills near Adelaide,
described as a Builder, born Tunbridge Eng, aged 19 at marriage, issue living
6m, 3f, dec 1m (this was Albert above), dec 2f (these are Margaret and Ethel, d
as babies), living in Aust for 75 yrs. He was buried in the West Tce
cemetery [b]
30/4/1931
– ‘SA Chronicle’ - On the 27th April 1931, at the residence of his daughter Mrs
Ross C Chapman of Eden Hills, George, beloved husband of the late Jean Wilson
Skinner, late of WA, aged 93 years.
Colonist 76 years. To a
beautiful life came a peaceful ending
[z]
========================================
SOURCES...
[a] Database printouts (ex Sue Lamrock)
[b] Death certificate
[c4] 1841 Census
[c5] 1851 Census
[d] Marriage certificate
[e] WA Directories (Battye Lib)
[f] Birth certificate
[g] "Aust Biog & Gen Record 1842-1899
Vol I" (hand transcript)
[h] SA BMD Indexes
[i] Hist of Goodwood Bapt Church 1877-1937
(SAGHS)
[j] Skinner/Cole Fam Hist notes
[k] Directories of SA (Mortlock)
[m] Chronicle biographies
[n] Dibley family bible (David Billinghurst
1986)
[p] Phone etc data (Sue Lamrock May '05)
[q] Jane's death certificate
[r] Old Family Group sheet (Jan's handwriting)
[s] Advertiser obituaries (SAGHS)
[t] Scrap of paper in Jan's handwriting
[u] PO Directory for WA (WA Gen Soc)
[v] FreeBMD
[w] Melissa Skinner publication
[y] Qld Records Office Index
[z] Newspapers ex Trove ANA
[aa] Shipping websites
[ab] NSW State Records website
[ac] Aust Cemeteries website
[ad] NSW Govt BMD Indexes
[ae] NSW Immigration Certificate
[af] LDS website
[ag] NSW Directories online
[ah] NSW Records online – Shipping
[aj] 1862 Directory of Braidwood
[ak] Braidwood cemetery headstones
[ah] ANA War records online
[xx] Ex file notes, source uncertain
=================================
SA
Register 23/12/1912
Reminiscences
of Goodwood by an old settler
In my younger days, where these suburbs
now stand, the ploughman guided his single or double furrow plough ... in 1870
we had to go to the village of Unley or to Adelaide for our supplies. There was
not a shop in Goodwood or any kind, not even a cobbler's or blacksmiths shop.
When Unley was detached from the Mitcham
District Council in 1871, and formed into a Corporation, Goodwood was also
detached with it. At this time there were only 58 householders in the whole of
Goodwood and Goodwood Park... nearly all the residents of Goodwood were
proprietors... only 13 at that time were tenants.
The open nature of the country even in
1871 may be gathered from the fact that there were several tanners and some
dairymen in the district.
Between the years 1870 and 1880 Goodwood
awoke from its lethargy. The National Building Society bought up a large
part of (T) Hardy's open and unused section, situated between the present Hardy
street and the Goodwood road. In a short time there was a transformation. Where
the cows grazed, the herbage grew, and the birds sane, there were now loads of
stones, bricks, sand, and the sound of hammer and trowel. Scores of men were
busy disfiguring the face of nature, digging trenches, mixing mortar, and
raising piles of masonry. Everything was done on a mechanical and uniform
scale.
The blocks were small and of similar size,
and all tbe houses built by the National Building Society were precisely
alike. There was no variation in either survey or architecture. So 'Hardy's
section', over which we lads and lassies for many years had freely wandered, be
came covered with a monotonous multitude of houses. This was the first step in
the way of material advancement.
The extension of the water service to
Goodwood was a priceless boon. No longer did we have to walk with our buckets
and cans to look for water in the Brownhill Creek, or to some well which had
been sunk on its borders.
A further social benefit was the
construction of the Glenelg Railway by a company which established a station at
Goodwood. This line was opened in August 1873. Previous to this there was no
public conveyance to Adelaide (and) the residents of Goodwood and surrounding
districts had to walk into the city and walk out.
When the suburb of Goodwood began to wake
up I believe a post office waa located at one of the stores. In 1877 a
Government building was erected for post office and telegraph purposes. In 1878
a school was temporarily opened, with Mr. C. J. Webb as teacher. At the opening
there were 24 scholars, by the end of the year the number on the roll was 170.
The residents now thought that a schoolhouse should be built... and in 1879 a
new schoolroom was ... opened
In pioneer times the only church ...
within Goodwood was... the Methodists. About 1875 members of other churches
came... the Bible Christian and Baptist Churches... services in connection with
the Baptist church were begun in Goodwood Park about the year 1877 ... held in
the house of Mr. John O'Connell [z]
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