Howell

To Australia from Bristol, Gloucestershire, England

• Rob's Great Great Grandparents: George Howell and Mary Anne McLoughlin.
• Go to Great Grandparents: Esther Maria Howell and John Henry Simkins.
• Go to One Name Study - study of all instances of George Howell in Bristol (still under construction)

George Arthur Howell & Mary Anne McLoughlin

George Arthur Howell.  According to records here in Australia, George was born about 1836 in Bristol, England. Nothing is known about his parentage at this stage.  George emigrated to Australia some time around 1855.

Mary Anne McLoughlin was born about 1835 in Londonderry, Ireland. 

Mary emigrated: Cousin Ruth has uncovered this record.

George and Mary married on the 7th August 1855, at St Patrick's Church, West Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia. The marriage, by License, was performed by John Smyth, the witnesses being Laurence Magee and Jane Stack. 

They had their first child in Victoria, then the next seven in Tasmania, having one last child in Victoria on their return.

Children:

1. Susan was born 27th July 1857, in Melbourne, Victoria - almost two years after her parents marriage.  Some time after her birth, it was registered in Kyneton.  I have this certificate, but not transcribed it and do not have it at hand for finer details.  No further trace of Susan has been found.  Cousin Ruth did purchase of possible marriage for her in Tasmania which was inconclusive.
2. John born 13th October 1858, registered in the Emu Bay district, Tasmania.  John died 31st October 1887, and is buried with his parents.
3. Edwin was born about 1861 at Table Cape, Tasmania.  His marriage to Agnes Mary Hartigan ended in divorce. One child from this marriage, Mary Elizabeth. Edwin, a butcher, died 14th June 1925 at the Echuca Hospital.
4. Esther Maria also claimed to be born 1861 at Hobart, Tasmania. This is Rob's Great Grandmother.
5. George Arthur born about 1864 at Wynyard, Tasmania; married Bridget Buckley in 1888; died 29th January 1952. 
6. Mary Ann born about 1866 in Tasmania; married William Henry Brown; died June 1906.
7. Sarah was born about 1867 in Tasmania; married John Crocker; died October 1923.
8. Ellen (Nellie) was born about 1869 in Launceston, Tasmania; married Thomas Rourke; died 24th June 1956.
9. Minnie was born 7 am, 25th September 1871 at 10 Alfred Place, Emerald Hill, Victoria.  Her birth was attended by Mrs Rogers of Emerald Hill, who acted as the midwife.   Mary Anne did not register Minnie's birth until the following year on the 3rd of April. She signed the registration with her mark.   It appears that Minnie remained single, and may have been living in Newmarket when she was admitted to the Abbotsford Convent (Sacred Heart Class) on the 11th October 1897, telling them that she was 27 years of age.  It does not appear that she became a nun, but still resided there at the time of her death, 60 years later, aged 87.  She died 28th December 1957, Dr J. Flynn last seeing her on Christmas eve.  Her usual residence was given as The Convent of The Good Shepherd, St Helier Street, Abbotsford.  She did not have an occupation.  Her death was caused by a Cerebral Haemorrhage just hours beforehand. She had suffered for some years with Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).  Minnie is buried in the Good Shepherds plot at Fawkner Cemetery.

George died at the Melbourne Hospital  on the 23rd September 1881, aged 46 years. An inquest was held later the same day, by Dr Youl, Coroner.

The Inquest was reported in The Age, 24th September 1881, page 6.  Deaths At The Hospital.   "The city coroner also held an inquest yesterday at the same institution on the body of George Howell, aged 44 years, a laborer.  The deceased, on the 20th inst., was engaged driving some piles at the Sandridge Town Pier.  Whilst he was helping in raising a pile the chain broke, and he was thrown into the sea.  In the fall he struck his head against a beam.  He was taken out of the water insensible and removed to the hospital, where he died yesterday morning.  Dr. Stewart stated that at the time deceased was admitted to the institution he was suffering from an attack of acute pneumonia, and had his left hand fractured, as well as a large wound on the forehead.  The jury returned a verdict that the deceased died from an attack of acute pneumonia."

George's death certificate states that he had lived in Victoria for 25 years, and 6 months in Adelaide, South Australia.  His many years living in Tasmania was not mentioned.  It was recorded that he was 21 years old when he married Mary Ann McLaughlin in Adelaide.  His children are recorded as follows: Susan 24 years, John 22, Edwin 20, Esther 18, George 16, Mary Ann 14, Sarah 12, Ellen 10 and Maria 8.  This last child would actually be Minnie.     George was buried shortly after his death in the Melbourne Cemetery in the Roman Catholic Section, Compartment U, Grave 671.   His death certificate says he was buried on the 25th, the cemetery records his burial as the 24th.

Mary Ann died 3rd August 1895, aged 68,  at the Kew Lunatic Asylum where she was a patient.  The Inquest was held on 7th August by the Coroner, C. Caudler.  The verdict as to cause of death was Brights Disease and Pneumonia. This was recorded on her death certificate by the Constable who attended the Inquest.  Her marital details are not detailed, just the notation that she was married.   Mary Ann was buried in the Melbourne Cemetery on the 6th August, in the same grave as George.   Also in the same grave is their son, John, and as sixteen year old grandson, Albert Victor Simpkins, one of Esther's children. 

 some more details of George and Mary's deaths to be added from their inquest files. 

8 December 2007