1821 Info 6a: Caleb Crompton

1821 Info 6a for Caleb Crompton
Caroline Cox and William Pearson

Caroline's birth and early life at Mount Jeffcott

SCHEDULE A.
BIRTHS in the District of `Miners Rest` in the State
No.	CHILD			PARENTS
	When and Where Born	Name and whether present or not	Sex	FATHER		MOTHER
				(1) Name and forename, Rank Profession of Father (3) Age And (4) Birthplace	(1) When and Where married (2) Previous issue living and deceased	(1)Name and Maiden Surname of Mother (2) Age And (3) Birthplace
`13`	`19^th June 1876 Dowling Forest Shire of Ballarat County of Grenville`	`Caroline Louisa Not present`	`Fe male`	`William Cox Farmer 34 Devonshire England`	`14^th April 1867 Miners Rest Charles Francis Deceased Elizabeth 7 Emily years John Arthur 6 years Charles Francis 4 years Thomas Frank Deceased`	`Elizabeth Milner formerly Crompton 29 Launceston Tasmania`

SCHEDULE A.
of Victoria Register by `Charles James Little, Deputy Registrar`
17783	INFORMANT	WITNESS	REGISTRAR
	Signature, Description and Residence of Informant	Accoucheur, Nurse by whom certified And Name of Occupier or Other Witness	When Regis- tered and Where	Signature of Registrar
	`Elizabeth Milner Cox Mother Dowling Forest`	`Not Any Mrs Wilkins Mrs Cox`	`26^th July 1876 Miners Rest`	`Charley Little`

Donald Express 7 September 1888

Donald Show Results: the display in the Miscellaneous Class was one of the greatest attractions of the show. The winners of the prizes were too numerous to particularise. For the special prize given by Mr PJ Hoban, there was considerable competition. Master Killen, of Jeffcott, won the boys' prize and Miss C Cox of Jeffcott, won the girls' prize. Special: Writing (for girls under 15) to be the copy books, exercise books and house lessons for girls attending school. First prize 10s[hillings], second prize 5s[hillings] Miss C Cox of Jeffcott 1^st

In 1899 a concert was held at Jeffcott North, when prizes were awarded for the year's work, but all pupils were given a book, as there were sufficient funds. Prize winners were: VI class: Iris Hamilton 1, Caroline Cox 2.

Source: Jeffcott History Research Committee, The View from the Mount

1821info6a sheet 2



Examples of pages from Carrie Cox's school book dated 1888 Above: A map of Tasmania Right top: A page of maths Right bottom: A page of composition about flax. Clicking on the images will open the full A4 page image.

Caroline lived at Mount Jeffcott until the age of 14 years, when she left for South Melbourne to begin teacher training. At the age of 22, between September 1898 and October 1901 she taught at Katyil West Primary School, near Dimboola and 100km due west of Jeffcott. It is possible that Caroline met William john thomas Pearson (WJTP) whilst teaching at Katyil as WJPT's mother, now Sarah Barlow, was living in Nhill, Victoria, 50km west of Katyil. (WJTP's father went missing in 1886, shortly after the birth of Otto.) In 1889 Sarah, WJTP's mother gave birth to Edith by Robert Barlow, a painter. Later,

in 1891, Sarah and Robert married at Horsham, Victoria.)

In October 1901 Caroline moved across the State into what is now a suburb of Melbourne and started teaching at Wonga Park Primary School, some 30km north east of the centre of Melbourne. It is possible that Caroline travelled from home to Croydon and then by coach to Wonga Park. Through the week she stayed at 'Teachers Cottage'. As Donald William, her first child, was born in January 1902 Caroline was already pregnant before leaving Katyil. In 1905 the Inspectors gave a poor report of her teaching.

1821info6a, sheet 3

Her marriage to William john thomas Pearson

FOURTH SCHEDULE - Acts Nos 1100 and 1593
MARRIAGES solemnized in the District of `MELBOURNE`

No. in Register	When and where Married	Name and Surname of the Parties	Condition of the Parties			Birthplace
			Bachelor or Spinster	Children by former marriage
			Bachelor or Spinster	Living	Dead
60	`448 Queen St Melbourne 26^th August 1905`	`William John Thomas Pearson Caroline Louisa Cox`	`Bachelor Spinster`	`-`	`-`	`Dalky South Australia Dowling Forest`
I, `? Ferguson`, being `duly Authorized` do hereby certify that I have, this day, at `448 Queen Street Melbourne` duly celebrated Marriage between `William John Thomas Pearson, Labourer, Port Melbourne` and `Carolina Louisa Cox, No occupation, Port Melbourne` after Notice and Declarations duly made and published by law required ~~and with the written consent of~~ Dated this `Twenty sixth` day of `August 1905`

FOURTH SCHEDULE - Acts Nos 1100 and 1593
in the State of Victoria.

Rank or Profession	Age	Residence		Parents
Rank or Profession	Age	Present	Usual	Name	Father's Rank or Profession
`Labourer Nil`	`25 28`	W`onga Park Wonga Park`	`35 Raglan St Pt Melbourne 35 Raglan St Pt Melbourne`	`Frederick Pearson Sarah Chigwidden William Henry Cox Elizabeth Crompton`	`Labourer Farmer`
Marriage `after Declaration`, was solemnized by us `{ William JT Pearson` according to the `Presbyterian Church Rites { Caroline Louisa Cox { James Holt` Witnesses { `{ Annie Holt`

The birth of her husband.

1880 District of Gilbert 402

When Born	Name, if any	Sex	Name and Surname of Father	Name and Maiden Surname of Mother	Rank or Profession of Father	Signature, Description and Residence of Informant	When Registered	Signature of Assistant Registrar	Name, if added after Registration
`1880 Jany 22^nd`	`William John Thomas`	`Male`	`William Francis Frederick Pearson`	`Sarah Ann Pearson Formerly Chipwithen`	`Farm Labourer`	`William Francis Frederick Pearson Father Balaclava`	`1880 Feby 3^rd`	`? Barton`

Entered at the District Registry Office, the Twenty first day of February 1880

1821info6a, sheet 4

Map locating Dalkey South Australia - 108Kb jpg

Above: Map locating Dalkey South Australia, birth place of WJT Pearson
©2008 Google Imagery ©2008 TerraMetric, MapData ©2008 MapData Sciences Pty Ltd - acknowledged

Caroline was pregnant with her second child, Hector, when she married WJTP at Holt's New Matrimonial Chambers at 448 Queen Street, Melbourne. This seems to have been as close to a civil ceremony as the times would allow.

An advertisement in "The Age" of October 25 1901 gives details. James Holt and his wife Annie were usually the "witnesses provided". James Holt's seemed to be able to supply clergy of quite a number of denominations, so that the address (and possibly the witnesses) are the only clue to Holt's Agency.

"Marriages celebrated by ordained clergymen, with due solemnity, in strictest privacy, at Holt's Matrimonial Agency, 448 Queen Street, Melbourne, opposite the old cemetery, or elsewhere, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily, Saturdays included. (no notice required).

Fee ten shillings and sixpence; or marriage, with guaranteed gold wedding ring and necessary witnesses provided, £1 one shilling P.S. - No other charges whatsoever. All sizes, more costly wedding rings kept in stock if required."

An advertisement on the same day, suggests that the Holt's agency seemed to have been a well-run organization, giving a complete service, from introductions to marriages.

The place of their marriage now stands opposite Queen Market.

Source: Ada Ackerly, Melbourne, Australia formerly Ackerly DocuSearch

"Ladies, gentlemen, every station in life, contemplating matrimony, immediately consult proprietors of Holt's New Matrimonial Chambers, 448 Queen Street Melbourne, opposite the Old Cemetery, specially erected by the proprietors for introductions, costing £4,000. (Established 1886). Introductions privately arranged between eligible partners, either sex, with view to matrimony. Only letter containing stamp for reply answered. All communications treated confidentially, and managed solely by the proprietors, thereby ensuring strictest privacy. Holt's "Matrimonial Gazette" containing particulars of a number of our available clients, modus operandi, etc., forwarded to any address, in plain envelope, upon receipt of a two penny stamp."

Family life

By making reference to marriage and birth certificates and to volumes of Sands and McDougall's it is possible to trace William and Caroline's homes through Port Melbourne.

1905, their marriage: 35 Raglan Street
1906, Hector's birth: 190 Heath Street
1912, William Leslie's birth: 35 Raglan Street }
1913, Donald's registration: 35 Raglan Street }
1914, Myra's birth: Bayswater North, Melbourne

from 1901 to 1905 this was Caldwell's green grocers

from 1907 to 1914 the address was listed
as Wm Pearson, second hand books.
WJTP had bought land in Bayswater on two occasions

1821info6a, sheet 5

Note: Sands and McDougall's produced various Melbourne and Suburban Directory from 1856. They contain(ed) the "Street, Alphabetical, Trade and Professional Directories of Melbourne and Suburbs together with Government, Ecclesiastical, Legal, Official, Municipal, and other miscellaneous Information".

The recollections of Myrtle Stephens, nee Pearson, WJTP's eldest grandchild, suggest that Caroline's children had a difficult childhood: there appears to have been a marked contrast between parents. WJTP was a serious man and a strong disciplinarian, especially towards his eldest son Donald who he would wack. When Donald refused to cry he wacked him again. He was also said to be a snappy dresser and rumoured to be a 'womanizer', who frequently lived away from home.

Caroline tried to teach WJTP to read and write. Though he was good at maths, she failed and he remained illiterate and continued to sign his name with an X.

William was a gardener who would grow flowers and sell them in Camberwell Market, in South Melbourne. He also had an apple orchard on the land he purchased in Bayswater North. Dorrie Heib, sister of his daughter-in-law and Myrtle's aunt recorded that William's children had potato bags as bed covers.

Right: William John Thomas Pearson in his garden

By contrast, Caroline the teacher, appears to be more cultured. She played the piano, which was passed to her son William leslie and is now looked after by Sylvia may. She sent Myra to singing lessons. Caroline was also a member of the local Church of England church committee and, judging by later actions, she had a strong Anglican/Episcopalian belief. However, despite her education she was frightened of lightening and would hide under the bed blowing a whistle for help.

Right: Caroline Cox (left) and Myra Pearson (right)

Caroline Cox and Myra Pearson - 43Kb jpg

1821info6a, sheet 6

Caroline's death

THIRD SCHEDULE
DEATH in the District of FERNTREE GULLY in	26757
Victoria, Registered by `Ada M C Friburg`

1 No	`1998`
Description - 2 (1) When and where died (2) Usual place of residence	`Bayswater 16^th November 1958 Shire of FERNTREE GULLY County of Mornington as above`
3 Name and Surname Occupation	`Caroline Louisa Cox Nil`
4 Sex and age	`Female 81 years`
5 (1) Cause of death (2) Duration of last illness (3) Legally qualified medical pract- itioner by whom certified and (4) When he last saw deceased	`Cerebral Haemorrhage, seconds Senile Arteriosclerosis - 15 yrs W^m Silcock 15^th November 1958`
6 Name and surname of Father and Mother (maiden name, if known), with Occupation	`William Henry Cox, Farmer Elizabeth Milner Cox Formerly Crompton`
7 Signature, Description and Resi- dence of Informant	`R ? Authorised agent ? Road Ferntree Gully`
8 (1) Signature of Registrar (2) Date and (3) Where registered	`Ada M C Friburg 18^th November 1958 FERNTREE GULLY`
If burial registered 9 When and where buried Undertaker by whom certified 10 Name and Religion of Minister or names of Witnesses of burial	`18^th November 1958 AWP Box Hill Cemetery S W Padbury R Harwood E Phillips`
11 Where born and how long in the Australian States, stating which	`Dowling Forest in Victoria 82 years`
If deceased was married - 12 (1) Where and (2) At what age and (3) To whom (4) Conjugal Condition at Date of Death	`Melbourne 28 years William John Thomas Pearson Married`
13 Issue in Order of Birth, the Name and Ages	`Donald William 51 Hector 49 William Leslie 46 Myra Elizabeth 44`

1821info6a sheet 7

THIRD SCHEDULE

DEATH IN THE STATE OF VICTORIA

Registered by Ian James BOWLER

1 No	No 3960/71
Description - 2 (1) When and where died .. (2) Usual place of residence .. 3 Name and Surname Occupation 4 Sex and age	15^th February, 1971, Ballarat, 102 Ascot Street South, Ballarat, William John Thomas PEARSON, Gardener, Male, 89 Years
5 (1) Cause of death and duration of last illness (2) Legally qualified medical practitioner by whom certified and when he last saw deceased	Bronchopneumonia - 3 days J. Ambrose, 12^th February, 1971
6 Name and surname of father and mother (maiden name, if known), with occupation	William Francis Pearson, Sarah Ann Pearson, maiden name Chidwidden, Labourer.
7 Signature, description and resi- dence of informer	Certified by A.D. McMillan, 102 Ascot Street South, Ballarat, Occupier.
8 (1) Signature of Registration Officer (2) Date (3) Where registered	`Ian Bowden` 23^rd February 1971, Melbourne
If burial registered - (Adapt as required) 9 When and where buried Undertaker by whom certified 10 Name and Religion of Minister or names of witnesses of burial	17^th February 1971, Ballarat Cemetery, L. Lillington, J. Morris, J. Ritchie.
11 (1) Where born (2) Period of residence in Australia	Dalky, South Australia, 89 years in Victoria.
If deceased was married - 12 (1) Where and (2) At what age and (3) To whom (4) Conjugal Condition at date of Death	Melbourne, Victoria, 25 years, Caroline Louisa Cox, Widower.
13 Issue in order of birth, the name and ages	Donald, 69 years, Hector, 64 years, William, 58 years, Myra, 56 years.

1821info16, sheet 8

Caroline lived in Bayswater North until her death. In her later years Myra cared for her, turning her every two hours to prevent bed sores.

Caroline was buried in Box Hill Cemetery, Victoria, with her mother.

Right: The headstone for Elizabeth milner Cox and Caroline louisa Cox

Headstone for Elizabeth milner Cox and Caroline louisa Cox - 107Kb jpg

After Caroline's death WJTP move to the Queen Elizabeth Health Centre, Ballarat to be near his sister. This is now Queen Elizabeth Centre (Steele Haughton Unit), still based at 102 Ascot Street South as part of the Ballarat Health Service for retirement and aged, geriatric and palliative care. It was formerly the Queen Elizabeth Geriatric Centre, and before that The Queen Elizabeth Home, but from 1850 to as late as 1950 it was the Ballarat Benevolent Home originally described as a 'benevolent asylum: a 19th century model of Christian duty, civic duty and social reform'. WJTP was buried in Ballarat Cemetery.

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This page was created by Richard Crompton and maintained by Chris Glass	Version A2 Updated 01 December 2009

1821 Info 6a for Caleb Crompton Caroline Cox and William Pearson