THE MUDDLE FAMILIES

 

THE SUSSEX MUDDLE FAMILIES THE ARDINGLY MUDDLES

 

Chart of Charles & Elizabeth Muddle’s Family

 

Charles and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Hannah Cook Muddle who was born in about 1832. Hannah died at Union Street in Canterbury at the age of five, and she was buried in St Mary Northgate Churchyard in Canterbury on 19 February 1837.

 

Charles and Elizabeth’s second child was Charles John Muddle who was born in the Wincheap area of Canterbury in Kent during March 1834, and baptised at St Mildred’s Church in Canterbury on 20 April 1834. In 1838 Charles, at the age of 4, emigrated, with his parents, from England to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. When he was about 20 years old Charles married Agnes Elizabeth Waller at the Scots Presbyterian Church, Pitt Street, Sydney on 30 March 1854. Agnes was the daughter of James and Mary Waller, and she had been born in Sydney, New South Wales on 24 February 1832. She was the sister of the James Waller who had married Charles' sister Sarah Muddle in 1853. She was also the sister of the Martha Waller who married William Beaumont in 1851. This William Beaumont was a successfully businessman, being a landowner, builder, hotel keeper, JP and even opened the first zoo in Sydney. He was a business partner of Agnes' brother James Waller and lived at Botany and then Strathfield just as the Charles and Agnes were to do, so this connection would have been the reason that three of the children of Charles and Agnes were given the second name of Beaumont, as was one of their grandchildren and one of their great-grandchildren.

Charles and Agnes had ten children. Their first child was born at Surry Hills in Sydney 2½ months after their marriage. Their next two children were born in Sydney registration district in 1857 and 1859, the following two where born in Chippendale registration district in Sydney during 1861 and 1862. The next four where born in Redfern registration district in Sydney between 1864 and 1871. They then moved two hundred miles north of Sydney up into the Great Dividing Range mountains as their last child was born in Waterloo registration district during 1872.

Charles' father died intestate in 1857 and administration of his estate was granted to Charles, as the eldest son, by the Supreme Court of New South Wales on 27 July 1857.

Charles had initially worked as a junior clerk for Custom House agent George Thornton before moving, in late 1853, to work in the Colonial Secretary’s Department. In 1856 he transferred to the Registrar-General’s Department where he worked in the Deeds Branch. Then, with the inauguration of the Real Property Act in 1862, he was appointed Counter Clerk (Senior Clerk) in the Lands Titles Office where he was responsible for much of the work involved in the introduction of this act.

In 1864 Charles and his family were living at Botany, just to the south of Sydney, when they had articles of washing stolen and the following notice was printed in the 'Property Stolen' section of the New South Wales Police Gazette of 19 October 1864:

Stolen during the night of 12th instant, from the verandah of the house of Charles John Muddle, clerk, Botany, 2 white shirts, 1 large sheet, 2 table cloths, 1 toilet cover marked "Beumont", 1 skirt, 1 jacket, and several other articles of children's wearing apparel. Value £3. Identifiable.

 

Charles was appointed Deputy Registrar-General of New South Wales in December 1870, and served in that office until 1 April 1882, when, having been admitted as a Conveyancer he entered the business of that profession. The New Zealand Gazette reported that on 10 May 1882 Charles John Muddle was appointed a Commissioner of the Supreme Court of New Zealand in the colony of New South Wales to administer and take oaths, affidavits and affirmations. Charles’ main interest outside his work was watching cricket. (The information on Charles’ career comes mostly from his obituary in The Surveyor of the 2 December 1903.)

Agnes was living at Strathfield, which is about seven miles west of central Sydney, when she died on 4 February 1900, at the age of 67.[4] She was buried in St Thomas' Church of England Cemetery at nearby Enfield in Sydney. Then nearly four years later Charles died on 19 November 1903 at his home, Fairholm, Fairholm Street, Strathfield, at the age of 69. He was buried with his wife in St Thomas' Church of England Cemetery at Enfield, where their grave is marked by a bronze plaque that also commemorates their son Charles James Beaumont Muddle and their son William Beaumont Muddle and his wife Ida Amelia and children Aileen Beatrice and Cecil Raymond.

 

Their children were:

Hannah Mary 1854-1920  Charles James Beaumont 1857-1880

John Walter 1859-1909  William Beaumont 1861-1896

Martha Beaumont 1862-1940  Agnes Emma 1864-1916  Arthur 1865-1933

Sydney Walter 1869-1908  Robert 1870-1920  James William 1872-1939

 

Charles and Agnes’ eldest child was Hannah Mary Waller Muddle who was born at Surry Hills in Sydney on 13 June 1854. When she was 30 years old Hannah married 34-year-old clerk James Steel at St Thomas’ Church at Enfield in Sydney on 18 March 1885. James had been born in London in about 1850. James and Hannah had six children born between 1887 and 1897. James worked for the Australian Mutual Provident Society for forty-one years, starting in 1876 as a correspondence clerk, moving on to be a casher, and then in 1898 he was appointed chief accountant, in which post he was serving at the time of his death. They were living at King Street in Ashfield when their sons Eric and Robert enlisted in 1915. James died at his home Merimbula, King Street, Ashfield, on 9 July 1916 at the age of 66, and he was buried in St Thomas’ Church of England Cemetery at Enfield. Hannah died on 14 December 1920 at Ashfield in Sydney at the age of 66, and she was buried with her husband in St Thomas’ Church of England Cemetery at Enfield.

 

James and Hannah’s eldest child was Charles James Vivian Steel who was born on 3 January 1887. Charles married in 1909. He died in Randwick registration district in Sydney on 14 July 1920, at the age of 33.

 

James and Hannah’s second child was Ruth Slingsly Steel who was born on 11 February 1889. Ruth married in 1923 and had five children.

 

James and Hannah’s third child was Eric Harold Campbell Steel who was born on 1 March 1891. Eric was a 24-year-old jackeroo (apprentice on a sheep station) living with his parents at King Street in Ashfield, when, during the First World War, he enlisted in the Australian Army on 22 March 1915. He was Private 28 in the 4th Light Horse Brigade Ammunition Reserve when he embarked on transport ship A32, HMAT Themistocles, at Sydney on 12 May 1915 . He returned to Australia on 9 March 1919 as Sergeant 8977 in the 20th Company of the Australian Army Service Corps, after service overseas. He was awarded the Military Medal, the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Eric enlisted at the same time as his brother Robert; they stayed together all through the war and returned home together. The citation for Eric’s Military Medal was in issue 95 of the Commonwealth Gazette of 27 June 1918:

This N.C.O. was in charge of a Convoy working between HELLFIRE Corner and WESTHOEK on 4th November, 1917. On being informed that part of his Convoy had run into a Barrage in CHATEAU WOOD and Teams had to abandon Wagons on account of roads being impassable he, in spite of heavy shelling, collected the teams and a number of men returned to CHATEAU WOOD, repaired the road, salvaged the wagons, saw to the destruction of all wounded animals, collected the wounded men and conveyed them to the dressing station. This N.C.O.'s coolness, resourcefulness and courage set an example to those under him and is very praiseworthy.

Eric married in 1943. He died on 13 July 1980, at the age of 89.

 

 

James and Hannah’s fourth child was Robert Muddle Steel who was born on 8 February 1893. Robert was a 22-year-old jackeroo (apprentice on a sheep station) living with his parents at King Street in Ashfield, when, during the First World War, he enlisted in the Australian Army on 22 March 1915. He was Private 29 in the 4th Light Horse Brigade Ammunition Reserve when he embarked on transport ship A32, HMAT Themistocles, at Sydney on 12 May 1915. He returned to Australia on 9 March 1919 as Sergeant 8978 in the 20th Company of the Australian Army Service Corps, after service overseas. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Robert enlisted at the same time as his brother Eric; they stayed together all through the war and returned home together. Robert died on 13 March 1942, at the age of 49.

 

James and Hannah’s fifth child was Ronald Beaumont Steel who was born on 25 August 1895. Ronald married in 1924 and had three children. He died in Granville registration district in Sydney on 29 May 1947, at the age of 51.

 

James and Hannah’s sixth child was Elva Agnes Slingslby Steel who was born on 6 September 1897.

 

Charles and Agnes’ second child was Charles James Beaumont Muddle whose birth was registered in Sydney registration district in New South Wales during 1857. Charles died on 2 August 1880 in Concord registration district, which is about six miles west of central Sydney, at the age of 23, and he was buried in St Thomas’ Church of England Cemetery at Enfield in Sydney.

 

Charles and Agnes’ third child was John Waller Muddle who was born on 9 March 1859 in Sydney registration district in New South Wales.

It is thought to be John, who was the John Muddle, who started as a clerk with the NSW Government Railways and Tramways on 20 October 1875, when he would have been 16 years old. His starting wage was 15 shillings per week that was soon increased to 20 shillings, and then on 1 October 1876 he was made salaried at £54 per annum. He was promoted on 1 December 1877 and his salary doubled to £110 per annum, then he was promoted again on 24 April 1878 and his salary increased to £150 per annum. He stayed at that position and salary for four years until on the 1 August 1882 he was transferred and made assistant to Mr Downs at £200 per annum. John transferred to the Locomotive Engineer's Office on 25 June 1883 where his salary was increased to £220 per annum on 1 July 1883, to £235 on 1 July 1884 and to £250 on 1 July 1885. His first recorded absence from duty was for 21 days from 29 December 1885 to 18 January 1886, and he was not recommended for a salary increase in 1886. Then on 21 February 1887 he was transferred to Head Office at his existing salary of £250 per annum where he succeeded Mr Mason. But after two years in that position he for some reason exchanged positions with Mr Handfield in the Stores Branch and his salary reduced to £235 per annum. John's employment record then continued in another ledger that has not been seen.[5]

When he was 24 years old and a £220 per annum assistant in the Locomotive Engineer's Office John married Agnes Wakeford, who was about 22, at St James' Church, Sydney on 23 January 1884. The marriage was reported in 30 January 1884 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald. Agnes was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Wakeford, and her birth had been registered during 1861 in Campbelltown registration district, which is about 25 miles south-west of central Sydney. At the time of her marriage she was living with her parents at Ruabon, Leichhardt, Petersham, Sydney. She was the sister of Henry Edgar Wakeford who was to marry John's sister Agnes Emma Muddle in 1902.

John and Agnes had six children, the first five where born in Ashfield registration district, which is about four miles west of central Sydney, between 1886 and 1896, their last child was born in Burwood registration district, which is about seven miles west of central Sydney, in 1900. John was an officer in the Examiner's branch of the Registrar-General's Department. John died on 6 June 1909 in Ashfield registration district at the age of 50, and he was buried in his brother Sydney's grave in St Thomas' Church of England Cemetery at Enfield in Sydney. Agnes was living at 29 Hugh Street in Ashfield when her sons Sidney and Harry, who were living with her, enlisted in 1915. Ten years after John's death Agnes died on 9 December 1919 in Burwood registration district, at the age of 58, and she was buried with her husband in St Thomas' Church of England Cemetery at Enfield.

 

John and Agnes’ eldest child was Linda Muddle who was born in Ashfield registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 19 August 1886. When she was 52 years old Linda married Guy Warner Anslow, who was about 57, at St James' Church in Sydney on 4 May 1939. Guy was the son of William George and Jessie Jeanette Anslow, and his birth had been registered in Woollahra registration district in Sydney during 1882. Linda was too old for them to have any children. They lived at Newport just to the north of Sydney. Guy died at 28 Ocean Avenue, Newport on 2 September 1948, aged about 66. Nineteen years later Linda died when about 80 years old, her death being registered in Sydney registration district during 1967.

 

John and Agnes’ second child was Gladys Muddle whose birth was registered in Ashfield registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1888. When she was about 36 years old Gladys married 42-year-old Harold James Bettany, who was known as Captain, at Auckland in New Zealand on 5 August 1924. Harold was the son of James Henry and Emily Jessie Bettany, and he had been born in Nelson registration district in New Zealand on 14 December 1881. He is thought to have been in the Merchant Navy. Harold and Gladys had two children, and Gladys was matron of Heatherlands Private Hospital, Homebush Road, Strathfield, Sydney. In the Sands Directories: Sydney and New South Wales for 1922 to 1933 Harold was listed as living at Coronation Bay in Como on the southern edge of Sydney. In the New South Wales electoral roll for 1930 Harold and Gladys were recorded as living at Coronation Bay in Como; Harold was a mechanical draftsman and Gladys a trained nurse. Harold was also in the 1936 electoral roll with the same address and occupation. Harold died in Liverpool registration district in Sydney on 13 August 1942, at the age of 60. Twenty-nine years later Gladys died when she was about 83 years old, her death being registered in St Leonards registration district in Sydney during 1971.

 

John and Agnes’ third child was Sidney Muddle who was born at Ashfield in Sydney, New South Wales on 18 February 1890. Sidney was a 25-year-old salesman living with his widowed mother at 29 Hugh Street in Ashfield, when, during the First World War, he enlisted in the Australian Army on 26 July 1915. He was Corporal 10617 in the 24 Company of the 3rd Divisional Train of the Army Service Corps when he embarked on transport ship A34, HMAT Persic, at Sydney on 30 May 1916. He was a Lieutenant in the 33rd Australian Infantry Battalion when he returned to Australia on 7 July 1919, after serving overseas.

When he was about 30 years old Sidney married Caroline Elizabeth Hart, who was about 28, in Parramatta registration district in Sydney during 1920. Caroline was the daughter of William and Maria Alice Hart, and her birth had been registered in Parramatta registration district during 1892. Sidney and Caroline had three children born in Sydney between 1921 and 1926.

During the Second World War they were living at Elizabeth Bay in Sydney when Sidney, at the age of 52, enlisted in the Australian Army at Randwick in Sydney on 31 March 1942. Sidney was Lance Corporal N225567 in the 9th Battalion Volunteer Defence Corps on part time duty when he was discharged on 20 September 1945.

Sidney died in Sydney registration district on 18 February 1963, when he was about 72 years old. Four years later Caroline died when she was about 75 years old, her death being registered in Sydney registration district during 1967.

 

John and Agnes’ fourth child was Harry Muddle who was born in Ashfield registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 7 December 1894. Harry was a 20-year-old clerk living with his widowed mother at 29 Hugh Street in Ashfield, when, during the First World War, he enlisted in the army on 21 March 1915. He was Private 791 in the 5th Infantry Brigade of the 17th Australian Infantry Battalion when he embarked on the transport ship A32, HMAT Themistocles, at Sydney on 12 May 1915. He was still a Private in the 17th Australian Infantry Battalion when he returned to Australia on 2 January 1919, after serving overseas.

When he was about 29 years old Harry married Vera M Palmer, who was about 32, in Sydney registration district during 1924. Vera was the daughter of Charles and Matilda Palmer, and her birth had been registered in Parramatta registration district in Sydney during 1892. Hary and Vera had one child. Harry died when he was about 62 years old, his death being registered in Chatswood registration district in Sydney during 1956.

 

John and Agnes’ fifth child was Bessie Agnes Muddle who was born on 14 June 1896 in Ashfield registration district in Sydney, New South Wales. When she was about 31 years old Bessie married George Gordon Haydon, who was about 40, in Sydney registration district during 1927. George was the son of Thomas John and Eliza Phenton Haydon, and his birth had been registered in Gunnedah registration district, which is about 200 miles north of Sydney, during 1887. George and Bessie lived in Kootingal via Tamworth, which is about 40 miles east of Gunnedah, and had three children, a son and two daughters. George died when he was about 70 years old, his death being registered in Tamworth registration district during 1957.

 

John and Agnes’ sixth child was Marjorie Muddle who was born on 24 May 1900 in Burwood registration district in Sydney, New South Wales. When she was 26 years old Marjorie married John Robert Matheson Lowry, who was about 29, in Sydney registration district on 9 April 1927. John was the son of James and Agnes Lowry, and his birth had been registered in Sydney registration district during 1898. John and Marjorie had one child born in 1930. John died at Blaxland in Penrith registration district, which is about 40 miles west of central Sydney, on 14 July 1938, when he was about 40 years old. Thirty-one years later Marjorie died in St Leonards registration distict in Sydney on 6 November 1969, at the age of 69.

 

Charles and Agnes’ fourth child was William Beaumont Muddle whose birth was registered in Chippendale registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1861. When he was about 27 years old William married 25-year-old Ida Amelia Sparke St John's Church in Newcastle, which is 75 miles north of Sydney, on 30 January 1889. Ida was the daughter of William and Elizabeth Sparke, and she had been born in Newcastle registration district on 28 December 1863. William and Ida had three children born in Burwood registration district in Sydney between 1889 and 1893, two of whom died during childhood.

William died on 15 November 1896 in Picton registration district, which is about 40 miles south-west of Sydney, at the age of 35, and he was buried in St Thomas' Church of England Cemetery at Enfield, which is about four miles west of central Sydney. (William's death was given as 15 November 1896, at the age of 35, in his death notice in the Sydney Morning Herald of the 17 and 18 November 1896, but as 14 November 1897, aged 36, on a bronze plaque in St Thomas' Churchyard that was copied from a very weather worn sandstone gravestone, and contains other errors, so as his death was registered in 1896 it is considered that the bronze plaque contains several errors in recording William's death.)

Nine years later Ida died on 26 March 1907 in Katoomba registration district, which is about 50 miles west of Sydney, at the age of 43, and she was buried in St Thomas' Church of England Cemetery at Enfield. Duty on Ida's estate was paid on 26 August 1907.[6]

 

William and Ida’s eldest child was Aileen Beatrice Muddle who was born in Burwood registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 6 November 1889. Aileen died on 13 April 1905 in Petersham registration district, which is about three miles west of central Sydney, when only 15 years old, and she was buried in St Thomas’ Church of England Cemetery at Enfield in Sydney.

 

William and Ida’s second child was Hubert Roy Muddle, known as Roy, who was born in Burwood registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 24 January 1891. Roy's father died in 1896, then his mother died 1907, his two siblings had also by then died, so at the age of 16 Roy was an orphan and only surviving member of his family. Roy went to Sydney Grammar School where, at the age of 16, he gained the Junior Certificate in the 1907 Public Examinations. Roy's best friend at Sydney Grammar School was Errol Jones, who was from Daysdale, New South Wales, and like Roy was from a family with a legal background. A notebook in which Roy wrote information on growing vegetables contains his address as Burns Road, Wahroonga, North Sydney with the date 10 March 1910, this being where his mother's brother Percy Charles Sparke lived. It seems that after his mother's death Roy alternated between living with the Sparke family in Sydney and the Jones family in Daysdale. By about 1911 Roy had settled at Daysdale, which is about 300 miles south-west of Sydney, where in 1911 and 1912 he wrote entries in the autograph books of two members of the Rankin family, who were his friends and neighbours in Daysdale.

 

 

It seems that Roy became a farmer at Daysdale then in 1914-15 there was a terrible drought in the area and Roy went to Melbourne looking for work. It's not known if he found work but while in Melbourne he ended up enlisting in the army to serve during the First World War, possibly in the hope that he would qualify for a Soldier Settler's Farm on his return from the war.

Roy was a 24-year-old farmer of Oswestry, Daysdale, New South Wales when, during the First World War, he enlisted in the Australian Army at Melbourne, Victoria on 16 August 1915. His parents and siblings having died he gave his next of kin as his uncle Percy Charles Sparke of Burns Road, Wahrooga, North Sydney. He was then described as 5ft 10½ins tall, weighed 161lbs, had a fair complexion, fair hair and brown eyes. He was Driver 7922 in the 6th Field Artillery Brigade Headquarters when he embarked on transport ship A34, HMAT Persic, at Melbourne on 22 November 1915 and disembarked at Suez in Egypt on 21 December 1915 to join the M.E.F. (Mediterranean Expeditionary Force). After only seven days in Egypt he was admitted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Ghezireh on 28 December 1915 suffering from influenza. This developed into Broncho-pneumonia, which he had when he was transferred to the 3rd Australian General Hospital at Abassia on 18 February 1916, then the British Red Cross Hospital at Montazah on 13 March 1916 and finally the 3rd Auxiliary Hospital in Cairo on 1 April 1916. He embarked on HT Itonus at Suez on 10 June 1916 and arrived at Melbourne on 18 July 1916. He was discharged as unfit for further service due to pneumonia and pleurisy on 30 October 1916. He was given a pension of £2 1s 3d from 31 October 1916 that was reduced to £1 11s on 10 May 1917. For his war service Roy was awarded three campaign medals, the 1915/15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.[7]

 

 

On his return from the war Roy continued his connection with the Daysdale area and a local book on the history of Oaklands township, which is 10 miles north-west of Daysdale, records that in 1916-17 Purton and Muddle had a Stock and Station agency situated on the west side of Oaklands Hotel in George Street (now Milthorpe Street) in a building that was owned by Oaklands Hotel.

 

 

After his return to Melbourne and his discharge from the army Roy, at the age of 25, became engaged to 21-year-old Nancy Checchi during December 1916 and they married later that month. Nancy was the daughter of Dr Cyril Checchi and she had been born in 1895. On 9 January 1917 Nancy had an operation in a private Melbourne Hospital then moved with Roy to Oaklands where they lived in the Oaklands Hotel while Roy look for a house the buy in the town. Roy and Nancy's only child, a son, was born in Elsternwick registration district in Melbourne during 1917, Nancy presumably having returned to Melbourne to have her child delivered by her father.

They then moved to Narrandera, New South Wales, which is about 60 miles north of Oaklands, where Roy had obtained a job with H.L.Culley & Co., the Culley family being relatives of the Simpson family of Daysdale, who were friends of Roy and the Jones family. Roy died at Narrandera on 17 June 1919, at the age of 28, from influenza that was raging around Narrandera at that time. He was buried in Narrandera Church of England Cemetery where his grave is marked by an inscribed headstone. His service in the First World War is also recorded on the memorial boards at Oaklands, Daysdale and Coreen, which is 10 miles south of Daysdale.

 

 

Roy had made his will on 7 June 1919, ten days before his death, and in it described himself as a commission agent of Narrandera. In this will Roy left all his real and personal estate to his wife Nancy with the condition that it was to pass on to his son if he outlived his mother, which he didn't. The executors of the will were Roy's wife Nancy, and Sydney solicitor Arthur Percy Sparke, who was another brother of Roy's mother. Probate of Roy's will valued his total assets at £208.[8]

It seem that after her husband's death Nancy and her young son moved back to Nancy's home area, and in 1926 Nancy was living at 441 Bay Street, North Brighton, Melbourne, Victoria. Then 59 years after Roy's death Nancy died in Elsternwick registration district in Melbourne during 1978, at the age of 83.

 

Roy and Nancy’s only child was William Beaumont Muddle who was born in Elsternwick registration district in Melbourne, Victoria, during 1917. William died when he was about 42 years old, his death being registered in Parramatta registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1959.

 

William and Ida’s third child was Cecil Raymond Muddle who was born in Burwood registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 20 July 1893. Cecil died in Ashfield registration district in Sydney on 7 November 1893, when only 3 months old, and he was buried in St Thomas' Church of England Cemetery at Enfield in Sydney.

 

Charles and Agnes’ fifth child was Martha Beaumont Muddle whose birth was registered in Chippendale registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1862. When she was about 24 years old Martha married John Furlong Morgan in Burwood registration district in Sydney during 1886. They had three children born between 1887 and 1892, the first at Woollahra in Sydney, and the third at Burwood in Sydney. Martha died on 8 December 1940 at Strathfield in Sydney when about 78 years old.

 

John and Martha’s eldest child was Charles J Morgan who was born at Woollahra in Sydney during 1887.

 

John and Martha’s second child was Bessie L Morgan who was born during 1890.

 

John and Martha’s third child was Edna P Morgan who was born at Burwood in Sydney during 1892.

 

Charles and Agnes’ sixth child was Agnes Emma Muddle, known as Tiny, whose birth was registered in Redfern registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1864. When she was about 38 years old Agnes married Henry Edgar Wakeford, who was about 32 and known as Harry, at St Thomas' Church in Enfield, Sydney, on 27 December 1902. Harry was the son of William and Elizabeth Wakeford, and his birth had been registered in Concord registration district in Sydney during 1870. He was the brother of Agnes Wakeford who had married Agnes' brother John Waller Muddle in 1884. Harry and Agnes didn't have any children. Agnes died in Burwood registration district in Sydney on 12 May 1916, when she was about 52 years old. She was buried in St Thomas' Church of England Cemetery at Enfield in Sydney, where her grave is marked by an inscribed headstone that also records her brother Robert Muddle, who was buried next to her. Twenty years later Harry died when he was about 66 years old, his death being registered in Murrurundi registration district, which is about 150 miles north of Sydney, during 1936, and he was buried at Murrurundi.

 

 

Charles and Agnes’ seventh child was Arthur Muddle who was born on 28 December 1865 in Redfern registration district in Sydney, New South Wales. He was educated at Burwood School and Newington College. When he was 24 years old Arthur married Ada Phypers at St David’s Church, Surry Hills, Sydney on 30 August 1890. Ada was the daughter of James and Jane Phypers, and her birth had been registered in Redfern registration district in Sydney during 1866. She was the sister of May and Marian Phypers who married Arthur’s brothers, Robert and James. Arthur and Ada had five children, all daughters; the first was stillborn in 1891, and the other four were born in Ashfield registration district, which is about four miles west of central Sydney, between 1892 and 1896; when the first of these was born in 1892 they were living in Joseph Street, Ashfield.

Arthur and his eldest daughter, Doris, are recorded as sailing 1st class on the Osterley of the Orient Line from London on 21 June 1912 bound for Sydney. The passenger list states that they had been residing in England and that their future permanent residence was to be Australia, so they were presumably returning home from a visit to England.[9]

Arthur was a solicitor in Sydney, and when he made his will on 1 September 1932 he was in partnership with James Hunter Stephenson and their business operated under the name Arthur Muddle and Stephenson. At this time Arthur was living at Willisden, Stanhope Road, Killara, in northern Sydney, where the household furniture and effects belonged to his wife, who it seems had considerable money of her own. Six months later Arthur died at Killara in Chatswood registration district in northern Sydney during the evening of 13 March 1933, at the age of 67, and he was cremated at Rookwood the following day. Arthur's obituary was in the 14 March 1933 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald:

MR. ARTHUR MUDDLE

Mr. Arthur Muddle, a member of the legal firm of Arthur Muddle and Stephenson, of O'Connell-street, died last evening, aged 67 years. Mr. Muddle was the son of Mr. C. J. Muddle, one-time Registrar-General for New South Wales. He was educated at Burwood School and at Newington College. Mr. Muddle had practised as a solicitor in Sydney for nearly 42 years. He is survived by Mrs. Muddle and four daughters. The funeral will take place this afternoon.

Arthur's will dealt first with his business partnership stating that his half of the goodwill of the business was to be offered to his partner, James Hunter Stephenson, and his managing clerk, Oliver Hills, for £1200, and they were also to be offered his half of the tangible assets of the business at book value. Arthur also made a bequest of £400 to Miss Elsie Harris, who had been in his employ for many years. Arthur made his wife and his clerk Oliver Hills executors and trustees of his will. He directed that if his wife's own estate was less than £10,000 at the time of his death his trustees were to put aside an amount to make it up to this figure and invest it with the income going to his wife during her life. Also £10,000 was to be invested and the income from it was to go equally to his two youngest daughters, Enid and Madge, during their lives, and the balance of his estate was to be invested and the income to go equally to his two eldest daughters, Doris and Kathleen, during their lives. If when his wife died his estate exceeded £16,000 in value then out of the excess bequests of £100 to the Alexandra Hospital for Children, £50 to the children in the care of the Sydney City Mission, £50 to the Royal North Shore Hospital, and £100 to the Havilah Homes for Children were to be made. There were detailed directions in the will as to what was to happen as his wife and each of his daughters died, but ultimately when they were all dead his estate was to be divided equally between his four daughter's estates and to go to their children as his daughters each directed in their own wills. Probate of Arthur's will valued his dutiable estate at £15,825 13s 11d, most of which was held in the shares of public companies.[10]

Seventeen years later Ada died at her home, 34 Katanga Avenue in Killara, on 23 October 1950, at the age of 84, and she was buried in plot 53 of row B of the Congregational part of Frenchs Forest Bushland Cemetery at Davidson in northern Sydney. Ada death notice was published in the 24 October 1950 edition of the Sydney Morning Herald.

 

Arthur and Ada’s eldest child was an unnamed daughter who was stillborn on 1 May 1891.

 

Arthur and Ada’s second child was Doris May Muddle who was born on 29 April 1892 at her parents' home in Joseph Street, Ashfield, Sydney, New South Wales. When she was 20 years old Doris and her father visited England and they are recorded as sailing 1st class on the Osterley of the Orient Line from London on 21 June 1912 bound for Sydney. When she was about 22 years old Doris married Charles Edward Foxall, who was about 32, at All Saints Church in Hunters Hill, which is about four miles north-west of central Sydney, during 1914. Charles was the son of Edward William and Margaret Nerissa Foxall, and his birth had been registered in Newtown registration district in Sydney during 1882. Charles and Doris had three children, two daughters and a son. They lived near Doris' sister Enid and her husband Edwin Henry Bestic, who lived at 34 Karranga Avenue, Killara, Sydney. Charles died when he was about 71 years old, his death being registered in Chatswood registration district in Sydney during 1953. Twenty-eight years later Doris died in 1981, when about 89 years old.

 

Arthur and Ada’s third child was Kathleen Agnes Muddle who was born on 12 August 1893 in Ashfield registration district in Sydney, New South Wales. When she was 22 years old Kathleen married 24-year-old Richard Howell Brown in Hunters Hill registration district, which is about four miles north-west of central Sydney, on 18 September 1915. Richard was the son of James and Clara Brown, and he had been born at Hunters Hill in Sydney on 27 October 1890. Richard and Kathleen had six children born between 1916 and 1925. Richard died at the Windsor Hotel, Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria on 13 March 1950, at the age of 59. Twenty-one years later Kathleen died at Wahroonga in Sydney on 15 March 1971, at the age of 77.

 

Arthur and Ada’s fourth child was Enid Bradley Muddle who was born on 13 April 1895 in Ashfield registration district in Sydney, New South Wales. When she was about 23 years old Enid married Edwin Henry Bestic, who was about 34, at All Saints Church, Hunters Hill, which is about four miles north-west of central Sydney, during 1918. Edwin was the son of Edwin Henry and Sarah Bestic, and he had been born at 241 Elizabeth Street in Sydney on 13 April 1884. Edwin and Enid had one child, a son. They lived at 34 Kerranga Avenue, Killara, Sydney, which had been built for them. Edwin died when he was about 84 years old, his death being registered in Gosford registration district, which is about 40 miles north of Sydney, during 1968. Seventeen years later Enid died on 2 August 1985 at Lindfield in northern Sydney, at the age of 90.

 

Arthur and Ada’s fifth child was Madge Muddle who was born on 30 September 1896 in Ashfield registration district in Sydney, New South Wales. When she was about 25 years old Madge married Athol Brien Cochrane at All Saints Church, Hunters Hill, which is about four miles north-west of central Sydney, during 1921. They had two children, both daughters. Athol died in Sydney registration district during 1966. Then nineteen years later Madge died on 26 September 1985 at Hunters Hill, just before her 89th birthday.

 

Charles and Agnes’ eighth child was Sydney Walter Muddle whose birth was registered in Redfern registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1869. When he was about 35 years old Sydney married Emma Louise Hilly, who was about 31, at St Thomas' Church in Enfield, Sydney on 16 January 1904. Emma was the daughter of Frederick and Rose Hannah Hilly, and her birth had been registered in Concord registration district in Sydney during 1873. Sydney and Emma had one child born in Burwood registration district in Sydney during 1905. Three years later Sydney died on 3 June 1908 in Penrith registration district, which is about 30 miles west of central Sydney, when he was 38 years old. He was buried next to his sister Agnes Emma Wakeford in St Thomas' Church of England Cemetery at Enfield, which is about four miles west of central Sydney, where his grave is marked by an inscribed headstone. Sydney's will made on 6 March 1908 described him as a gentleman of Glenbrook, which is in Penrith registration district, and formally of Strathfield, which is in Burwood registration district. In this will Sydney left everything to his wife and made her sole executrix of the will. Probate was granted by the Supreme Court of New South Wales on 13 October 1908. The net value his estate was £537 5s, his real estate was valued at £880 on which there was an outstanding mortgage of £475, his furniture was valued at £57 5s and his personal estate at £75.[11] Sixty years later Emma died when she was about 95 years old, her death being registered Cowra registration district, which is about 150 miles west of Sydney, during 1968.

 

Sydney and Emma’s only child was Charles John Muddle whose birth was registered in Burwood registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1905. When he was about 30 years old Charles married Rosetta Hannah Howard in Burwood registration district during 1935. They divorced about ten years later. Charles then married Dolly Harrison in Five Dock registration district in Sydney during 1947, and Rosetta married Duncan John MacColl in Sydney registration district during 1948. Charles died in New South Wales during 1981 when he was about 76 years old.

 

Charles and Agnes’ ninth child was Robert Muddle who was born at Botany Bay on 20 August 1870, and whose birth was registered in Redfern registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1871. In 1886, when he was about 16 years old, Robert enrolled at Sydney Boys' High School and left during 1887. Then when he was 25 years old Robert married 27-year-old May Phypers, known as Mary, at St Peter's Church in Sydney on 23 May 1896. May was the daughter of James and Jane Phypers, and she had been born at Darlinghurst in Sydney on 23 May 1869. She was the sister of Ada and Marian Phypers who married Robert's brothers, Arthur and James. Robert and May had seven children; the first three were born in Burwood registration district, which is about seven miles west of central Sydney, between 1896 and 1900. Their fourth child was born in Liverpool registration district, which is about 17 miles south-west of central Sydney, in 1902, their next two children were born in Granville registration district, which is about 11 miles west of central Sydney, in 1905 and 1908, and their last child was born in West Maitland registration district, which is about 80 miles north of Sydney, in 1912. Robert died on 24 June 1920 at his home, Daisyvilla, Orange Street, Eastwood, in Ryde registration district, which is about 7 miles north-west of central Sydney, at the age of 49. He was buried next to his sister Agnes Emma Wakeford in St Thomas' Church of England Cemetery at Enfield, which is about four miles west of central Sydney, where their graves are marked by an inscribed headstone. Robert's death was reported in the 26 June 1920 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald. Thirty-three years later May died on 3 February 1953 at Lane Cove in Chatswood registration district, which is a few miles west of Ryde in Sydney, at the age of 83.

 

Robert and May’s eldest child was Muriel Adeline Muddle who was born at Enfield in Sydney, New South Wales on 23 October 1896, and whose birth was registered in Burwood registration district. When she was 28 years old Muriel married 32-year-old Sydney Albert Smith at Darlinghurst in Sydney on 3 October 1925. Sydney was the son of Sydney and Rose Smith, and he had been born in Paddington registration district in Sydney on 7 April 1893. Sydney and Rose lived in the Sydney area where they had two children born in 1926 and 1933. Muriel died on 16 October 1970 at Mosman in Sydney, at the age of 73. The following year Sydney died on 7 April 1971 at St Leonards in Sydney, at the age of 78.

 

Robert and May’s second child was Letitia Muddle who was born in Burwood registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 28 March 1898. When she was about 30 years old Letitia married Stanley Samuel Thompson, who was about 41, in Ryde registration district, which is about 7 miles north-west of central Sydney, during 1928. Stanley was the son of Samuel and Emily Thompson, and his birth had been registered in Wollongong registration district, which is about 45 miles south of Sydney, during 1887. Letitia died in Wollongong registration district on 8 May 1937, at the age of 39. Stanley's death was registered in Wollongong registration district in 1972, when he was about 85 years old.

 

Robert and May’s third child was Oswald Edgar Muddle who was born in Burwood registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 24 May 1900. When he was about 28 years old Oswald married Doris I Bradley, who was about 26, in Ryde registration district, which is about 7 miles north-west of central Sydney, during 1928. Doris was the daughter of Thomas and Phoebe Bradley, and her birth had been registered in Leichhardt registration district in Sydney during 1902. Oswald and Doris had at least one child, a son. Oswald had lived at Northmead in Sydney when he died in Burwood registration district on 16 July 1971, at the age of 71.[12]

 

Robert and May’s fourth child was Mona Glennie May Muddle who was born in Liverpool registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 19 October 1902. When she was about 23 years old Mona married Victor William Clarke, who was about 27, in Burwood registration district in Sydney during 1925. Victor was the son of Joseph Frederick and Marie Cornelia Clarke, and his birth had been registered in Hunters Hill registration district in Sydney during 1898. Victor and Mona had two children; the first born in about 1933. Victor died when he was about 60 years old, his death being registered in Ryde registration district in Sydney during 1958. Ten years later Mona died in Bowral registration district, which is about 65 miles south-west of Sydney, on 26 April 1968, at the age of 65.

 

Robert and May’s fifth child was Charles James Muddle who was born in Granville registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 28 April 1905. When he was about 24 years old Charles married Hilda Dorothy Bird, who was about 28, in Ryde registration district, which is about 7 miles north-west of central Sydney, during 1929. Hilda was the daughter of John and Annie Bird, and her birth had been registered in St Peters registration district in Sydney during 1901. Charles and Hilda had one child, a son, born in Beecroft in north-west Sydney during 1931.

During the Second World War they were living at Epping in north-west Sydney when Charles, at the age of 37, enlisted in the Royal Australian Airforce at Sydney on 2 June 1942. He was Leading Aircraftman 65365 at the 5th Aircraft Depot when he was discharged on 5 September 1945.

Hilda had been living at Epping when she died on 15 October 1987, at the age of 86.[13] Just over a year later Charles had been living at Epping when he died on 1 November 1988, at the age of 83.[14]

 

Robert and May’s sixth child was Nellie Nita Muddle who was born in Granville registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 17 January 1908. When she was about 24 years old Nellie had an illegitimate son who was born, and died, at Newtown in Sydney during 1932. When she was about 29 years old Nellie married Frederick Clarkson in Marrickville registration district, which is about seven miles north of central Sydney, during 1937. They had four children born between 1939 and 1946. Nellie died at Baulkham Hills in Sydney on 12 May 2002, at the age of 94.

 

Nellie’s illegitimate child was Frederick Muddle. Frederick’s birth and death was registered in Newtown registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1932.

 

Robert and May’s seventh child was Elma V Muddle who was born in West Maitland registration district in New South Wales on 12 March 1912. When she was about 24 years old Elma married Clarence Ernest Manning in Ashfield registration district, which is about four miles west of central Sydney, during 1936. They had one child born in 1948.

 

Charles and Agnes’ tenth child was James William Muddle whose birth was registered in Waterloo registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1872. When he was about 25 years old James married Marian Phypers at St Thomas' Church in Enfield, Sydney during 1897. Marian was the daughter of James and Jane Phypers, and her birth had been registered in Redfern registration district in Sydney during 1874,. She was the sister of Ada and May Phypers who married James' brothers, Arthur and Robert. James and Marian had two children, the first born in Hunters Hill registration district in Sydney during 1910, and the second in Chatswood registration district in Sydney during 1913. James died on 20 July 1939 in Moss Vale registration district, which is about 65 miles south-west of Sydney, when he was about 67 years old. Eight years later Marian died when she was about 73 years old, her death being registered in Moss Vale registration district during 1947.

 

James and Marion’s eldest child was James Muddle who was born on 1 July 1910 in Hunters Hill registration district in Sydney, New South Wales. When he was about 31 years old James married Marjorie Terance MacKellar in Chatswood registration district in Sydney during 1941.

During the Second World War they were living at Artarmon in Sydney when James, at the age of 32, enlisted in the Australian Army at Kolodong in northern New South Wales on 31 July 1942. He was Captain NX104065 at the Headquarters of the 1st Australian Corps when he was discharged on 16 January 1946.

 

James and Marion’s second child was Nancy Muddle whose birth was registered in Chatswood registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1913. When she was about 24 years old Nancy married Noel Walter Small in Moss Vale registration district, which is about 65 miles south-west of Sydney, during 1937.

 

Charles and Elizabeth’s third child was Sarah Muddle who was born in Kent, England on 7 May 1835. In 1838 Sarah, at the age of 2, emigrated, with her parents, from England to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. When she was 18 years old Sarah married 33-year-old James Waller at St James' Church in Sydney on 20 September 1853. James was the son of James and Mary Weller; he had been born at Manchester in England on 7 November 1819, and emigrated from England to Australia with his parents in 1826. He was the brother of Agnes Elizabeth Waller who was to married Sarah's brother Charles John Muddle in 1854. James and Sarah had seven children born in Sydney between 1855 and 1870. They were living at 124 Castlereagh Street in Sydney when their first three children were born in 1855, 1857 and 1860, then in 1862 when their fourth child was born they were living at 362 Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney and when their fifth child was born in 1865 they were living at 85 Botany Street, Chippendale, Sydney.

James was a fine amateur Oratorio Singer with a rich bass voice; he performed in such works as ‘The Messiah’ at concerts, and took part in the first musical at Sydney University in 1859. In other musical work James was helped by his wife, Sarah, who was a sound musician and fine pianist. James was the business partner of William Beaumont, who had married his sister Martha in 1851, and as ‘Beaumont & Waller’ they had a timber business at the corner of Pitt and Market Street. They were also involved in starting a zoo in Sydney in association with Sir Joseph Bank’s Hotel.

James died at Burva Place, Botany Road, Sydney on the night of Monday 6 February 1871, at the age of 51, from food poisoning, and he was buried in the Cemetery of St Peter's Church at Cook's River, Sydney on 7 February 1871. His obituary was published in the 8 February 1871 edition of The Sydney Morning Herold.

 

 

After James' death Sarah purchased six acres of the ‘Fairholm’ estate at Strathfield. Sarah died on 18 January 1888 at Croydon Street in Petersham, Sydney, at the age of 52, and she was buried in the Cemetery of St Peter's Church at Cook's River, Sydney.

 

James and Sarah’s eldest child was James Charles Beaumont Waller who was born at his parents' home 124 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, New South Wales on 11 April 1855. James married in 1881 and had three children born between 1882 and 1894. He died at Strathfield in Sydney on 17 June 1920, at the age of 65, and was buried in the Congregational Cemetery at Rookwood, Sydney.

 

James and Sarah’s second child was Frank Waller who was born at his parents' home 124 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, New South Wales 8 July 1857. Frank married in 1886, but is not thought to have had any children. He died at his brother's home Arleston, Wallace Street, Burwood, Sydney on 14 September 1901, at the age of 44.

 

James and Sarah’s third child was Mary Waller who was born at her parents' home 124 Castlereagh Street, Sydney, New South Wales on 12 February 1860. Mary was 20 years old and living at Burva House, Regent Street when she married John Charles Brierley at the home of William Beaumont, Presteign, Redmyre, Sydney, on 8 December 1880. They had four children born between 1881 and 1885. Mary had been living at Briwal, Station Street, Sydenham when she died at the Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney on 2 January 1901, when she was 40 years old, she was buried the following day.

 

James and Sarah’s fourth child was Rachel Hannah Waller who was born at her parents' home 362 Crown Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, New South Wales in 1862. Rachel married in 1880 and had five children born between 1881 and 1901. She died in North Sydney registration district during 1942, when she was about 80 years old.

 

James and Sarah’s fifth child was Agnes Maude Waller who was born at her parents' home 85 Botany Street, Chippendale, Sydney, New South Wales on 18 July 1865. Agnes died in Sydney in 1869, when only about four years old.

 

James and Sarah’s sixth child was Sydney C Waller who was born in Sydney, New South Wales in 1868. Sydney married in 1893 and had seven children born between 1894 and 1907. He died in Chatswood registration district in Sydney during 1953, when he was about 85 years old.

 

James and Sarah’s seventh child was Florence May Jessie Waller, known as Bene, who was born in Sydney, New South Wales in 1870. Florence never married, she died at the Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney 24 April 1898, when she was about 28 years old.

 

Charles and Elizabeth’s fourth child was Rachel Muddle who was born on 29 September 1838 at Hunter Street, Sydney, New South Wales, and baptised at St John’s Church in Parramatta near Sydney on 22 November 1838. When she was only 15 years old Rachel married 39-year-old John Harkness at the Presbyterian Church in Alexandria, Sydney on 18 May 1854. John was the son of John and Janet Harkness; he had been born on 21 March 1815 at Mitchellslacks, Closeburn, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He went to Edinburgh University where he gained a BA and then worked in the Post Office. At the age of 24 he emigrated from Scotland to Australia on the barque Glenswilly, which arrived in Sydney on 29 October 1839. He was initially a farmer at Braidwood, New South Wales before moving to Sydney where he became a clerk in the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney. In 1847 he discovered discrepancies of £10,700 in the bank's accounts which led to the dismissal of the Managing Director for embezzlement, and John was awarded £100 for discovering it.

John and Rachel had six children born in Sydney between 1856 and 1867 and named one of their sons after Sir Edward Knox who had been appointed Managing Director of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney in 1847 after the previous Managing Director had been dismissed because of the embezzlement John had discovered. John was a Sub-Manager of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney when he retired. He died on 24 April 1877 at 8 Rosebud Terrace, Old South Head Road, Paddington, Sydney, at the age of 62, and he was buried in the Wesleyan Burial Ground in Devonshire Street on 26 April 1877. On 16 May 1901 the bodies of John and his daughter Jessie were moved to the Methodist section of the Rookwood Cemetery, where their remains were re-buried in a single coffin in section 3B, row 32, grave 1513/1514; the same grave as a coffin containing the moved remains of John's in-laws, Charles and Elizabeth Muddle.

Four years after John’s death Rachel married William Joseph Barrington at Paddington in Sydney, during 1881. William and Rachel didn’t have any children. Rachel died on 2 August 1902 at Lower Forth Street, Woollahra, Sydney, at the age of 63, from a stomach tumour, and she was buried in the Methodist section of the Rookwood Cemetery on 4 August 1902, next to the grave containing her first husband.

 

John and Rachel’s eldest child was Jessie Hannah Rachel Harkness who was born in Sydney, New South Wales on 11 November 1855. Jessie died at Bourke Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, on 30 December 1856 when only just a year old, and she was buried in the Wesleyan Burial Ground in Devonshire Street. On 16 May 1901 the bodies of Jessie and her father, were moved to the Methodist section of the Rookwood Cemetery, where their remains were re-buried in a single coffin in section 3B, row 32, grave 1513/1514; the same grave as a coffin containing the moved remains of Jessie’s grandparents, Charles and Elizabeth Muddle.

 

John and Rachel’s second child was John Charles Fogo Harkness who was born at Bourke Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, New South Wales on 19 December 1856. John married in 1883 and had two children born in 1886 and 1889. He died at Paddington in Sydney on 7 December 1939, at the age of 82.

 

John and Rachel’s third child was Jessie C Rachel Harkness who was born in Paddington, Sydney, New South Wales in 1859. Jessie married in 1880 and had one child born in 1887 before her husband's death in 1890. Jessie married again in 1892 and had three more children born between 1893 and 1897. She died in Waverley registration district in Sydney during 1924, when she was about 65 years old.

 

John and Rachel’s fourth child was Walter Scott Harkness who was born in Paddington, Sydney, New South Wales in 1862. Walter married in 1886 and had ten children born between 1888 and 1906. He was a builder and real estate developer with his brother Edward and there are parks and streets in Woollahra named after them. He died at Woollahra in Sydney on 3 December 1931, when he was about 69 years old.

 

John and Rachel’s fifth child was Edward Knox Harkness who was born in Paddington, Sydney, New South Wales on 15 August 1865. Edward married in 1885 and had five children born between 1887 and 1900 before his wife died in 1903. Edward married again in 1905 and had another child in 1906. He was a builder and real estate developer with his brother Walter and there are parks and streets in Woollahra named after them. He died at Double Bay in Sydney on 7 August 1924, eight days before his 59th Birthday.

 

John and Rachel’s sixth child was Adrienne Roberta Harkness who was born in Concord, Sydney, New South Wales in 1867. Adrienne never married. She died at Newtown in Sydney on 25 February 1907, at the age of 39, and she was buried in the same grave as her mother, in the Methodist section of the Rookwood Cemetery.

 

Charles and Elizabeth’s fifth child was William Shirley Muddle who was born on 21 December 1841 at Castlereagh Street, Sydney, New South Wales, and baptised at St Lawrence’s Church in Sydney on 15 May 1842. When he was 21 years old William married 22-year-old Matilda Justina Moore at the home of Mr Harkness at Botany Street, Sydney on 25 April 1863. William was then a clerk living at Paddington in Sydney and Matilda was a dressmaker living at Bourke Street in Sydney. Matilda was the daughter of William and Alicia Moore; she had been born at Antrim in Ireland on 12 September 1840. When she was 3 years old Matilda had migrated with her parents and her younger brother, William Charles Moore, as bounty immigrants to Australia, arriving on the Herald at Sydney, New South Wales on 10 January 1844. William and Matilda had ten children, and they were living at Underwood Street in Paddington when their first child was born on 9 December 1863. Their next seven children, two of whom died very young, were also born in Paddington registration district in Sydney between 1866 and 1877; their next child was born in Concord registration district, which is about seven miles west of central Sydney, in 1880; and the last, for which no registration of birth has been found, was born in Sydney in about 1884.

William was working for the government as an Examiner's Clerk in the Lands Titles Office on a salary of £350 per annum, and living at Edgecliff Road, Woollahra, Sydney when he became insolvent, and on 25 April 1885 he requested that the Supreme Court of New South Wales issue a sequestration order for a trustee to control his estate, so that all his creditors could be fairly treated. This had been forced on him because one of his creditor had seized his furniture and was about to sell it. It seems that for several years William had been living beyond his means and had accumulated a considerable number of debts. He was overdrawn at his bank, the English, Scottish and Australian Chartered Bank, by £246 2s 8d and as security for repayment had deposited the title deeds to one acre of land at Redmyre Road in Strathfield, Sydney. William allowed his wife £25 per month for housekeeping, rent, clothing and schooling of their children, totalling £150 over the last six months but in the same period he paid out £66 9s to money lenders from whom he had borrowed money at high rates of interest. A statement of account from the exclusive Sydney department store of David Jones & Co showed that William liked to dress well and had spent a considerable amount on clothes over the last few years, but had paid off only enough to keep the store satisfied. After William had complied with all the requirements of the Insolvent Debtors' Acts a Certificate of Conformity was issued on 15 December 1885.[15]

It seems that while William was married to Matilda he was also having a relationship with another woman that produced at least three illegitimate children. When this woman, Edith Annie Hamilton, was in gaol on remand for maliciously injuring property the police had the three children living with her, Herbert aged 10, Arthur aged 8 and Shirley aged 3, placed in the care of the Sydney Benevolent Asylum. They were admitted to the asylum on Saturday 4 February 1888 in a very dirty and neglected condition and their father was recorded as being William Muddle, a married man employed at the Lands Titles Office. Three weeks later these children were discharged into the care of their mother at 181 Macquarie Street and William, who had admitted they were his children, signed an agreement to pay the mother £1 per week maintenance. The £2 5s for the maintenance of the children while in the asylum, at 5s per week per child, was paid by the mother as William failed to pay this as he had agreed.[16]

The above is based on the information in the records of the Sydney Benevolent Asylum but other records show that it was all much more complicated and confusing. It seems that Edith Annie Hamilton was born on 6 October 1855 and baptised as Ann Emma Pettit daughter of William and Jane Pettit. She seems to have adopted the name of a cousin Edith Anne Pettit who was born in 1868 and died soon after birth, then when she started to have illegitimated children Edith claimed that she was married to a man called Hamilton though there seems to be no record of such a marriage. She died on 17 March 1922 and her death certificate in the name of Emma Anna Hamilton records that she'd had ten children, so it's quite possible that William fathered more children by this woman than the three he admitted to when they were placed in the asylum. Only the birth of the first of these ten children, Herbert the eldest in the asylum, was registered when the father's name was given as Everard Roy Ereildoum Hamilton whom Edith claimed she had married in Victoria in 1871 and as she also stated that she had been born in New Zealand it seems that much of the information she gave for this birth certificate was fictitious as was some of the information on her death certificate such as she had married William Hamilton in New Zealand.

Later William was for many years an officer in the Registrar-General's Department. William died on 5 July 1906 at his home, 16 Adelaide Street, Woollahra, Sydney, at the age of 64, and he was buried in Waverley Cemetery. His death was announced in the 6 July 1906 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald. Six years later Matilda died in Paddington registration district in Sydney on 21 January 1912, at the age of 71, and she was buried with her husband in Waverley Cemetery. Her death was announced in the 22 January 1912 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald. The location of their grave is Section 19, Row 42, Grave 5031, in Waverley Cemetery, and is marked by an inscribed headstone.

 

William and Matilda’s eldest child was Charles William Shirley Muddle who was born at Underwood Street, Paddington, Sydney, New South Wales on 9 December 1863. His birth was announced in the 12 December 1863 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald.

It’s difficult to work out just what happened to Charles, but the following would fit the records. Charles moved to Clifton Hill registration district in Melbourne, Victoria, where he lived with Henrietta, whose maiden name was Gibbins, but who was still married to August Theodore Fristrom, whom she had married at All Saints Anglican Church in Brisbane, Queensland on 17 March 1886. Henrietta was the daughter of John and Sarah Gibbins; she had been born in Sydney on 25 March 1862 and when a small child moved to Brisbane with her parents. August had been born in Sweden and is thought to have been serving on a Swedish vessel with two of his brothers, Carl Magnus Fristrom and Claus Edward Fristrom, who both went on to become famous Australian artists, when they 'jumped ship' at Brisbane in about 1883.

Charles and Henrietta had two children born in Clifton Hill registration district in 1891 and 1892. These two children had Muddle as their third forename and Fristom as their surname; their birth certificates give their father as August Theodore Fristom, Henrietta's husband, and their mother as Henrietta Gibbins. Charles and Henrietta's eldest child, a daughter, died in Clifton Hill registration district in 1891, probably soon after her birth.

Sometime after 1892 Charles, Henrietta and their other child, a son, moved to the Waverley district of Sydney in New South Wales where Charles and Henrietta had another son in 1899 whose birth was registered under both the names Muddle and Fristrom, so presumably Charles and Henrietta were still not married.

They all then moved to Queensland where they always lived at 58 Victoria Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane. Their eldest son had by now dropped the name Fristom and become a Muddle, and when this son died in 1917, while serving in the First World War, he was described as being a native of Melbourne and his parents were given as Charles William Shirley Muddle and Henrietta Muddle living at 58 Victoria Street in Brisbane. Charles and Henrietta finally married at Brisbane on 25 February 1926, presumably Henrietta's husband August had died and she was now free to marry Charles.

Charles started working for Gordon & Gotch (Australasia) Ltd, a newspaper and magazine distribution company, on 7 February 1907, and in the 1907 electoral roll he was recorded as being a warehouseman. Charles continued working for this company until he retired in late 1935 when a special lunch was held in his honour. He died in Brisbane on 9 November 1940, at the age of 76. Four years later Henrietta died in Brisbane 11 September 1944, at the age of 82. Both Charles and Henrietta were cremated at Mt Thompson Crematorium in Brisbane and their ashes scattered on the rose gardens there.

 

Charles and Henrietta’s eldest child was Ethel Lilian Muddle Fristrom who was born in Clifton Hill registration district in Melbourne, Victoria during 1891. Ethel died in Clifton Hill registration district during 1891 when only 8 months old.

 

Charles and Henrietta’s second child was Osmund Shirley Muddle Fristrom who was born in Clifton Hill registration district in Melbourne, Victoria during 1892. Osmund at sometime dropped the name Fristrom to become Osmund Shirley Muddle. He moved with his parents to Sydney in New South Wales and then on to Brisbane in Queensland where he attended Leichhardt Street State School in Brisbane.

When he was 22 years old Osmund married 21-year-old Elizabeth Ada Couser in Brisbane on 1 January 1915. Elizabeth was the daughter of James and Ada Marion Courser, and she had been born in Brisbane on 4 October 1893. Osmund and Elizabeth had had two children before they married; a son born in mid-1913 who died soon after birth and a daughter born in late 1914.

Osmund was a 24-year-old clerk living at Sandgate in Queensland when, during the First World War, he enlisted in the Australian Army at Brisbane on 19 September 1916. He was private 3175 in the 47th Australian Infantry Battalion when he embarked on transport ship A64, HMAT Demosthenes, at Sydney on 22 December 1916 for Europe.

Nine months after Osmund had had embarked for Europe Elizabeth died in Brisbane on 24 September 1917, at the age of 23, from heart failure caused by chronic kidney disease, and was buried in South Brisbane Cemetery on 25 September 1917.

Just over two weeks after Elizabeth's death Osmund was still Private 3175 in the 47th Australian Infantry Battalion when he died on 12 October 1917, at the age of 25, from wounds sustained at Passchendaele. He was buried in plot 21, row A, grave 14A, of Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Viaanderen, Belgium. This cemetery was near a large clearing hospital, where Osmund presumably died. He was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. Osmund's name is on Memorial Panel 144 at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.

 

Osmund and Elizabeth’s eldest child was Ossie Sydney Muddle Couser who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 26 July 1913. Ossie died on 31 July 1913 when only 5 days old.

 

Osmund and Elizabeth’s second child was Ellen Muddle, known as Marie, who was born at Brisbane in Queensland on 26 November 1914. After Marie was left an orphan when both her parents died in 1917 she lived with her father's parents, Charles and Henrietta Muddle, at 58 Victoria Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane. Marie was educated at the Brisbane Central Practicing School and the Brisbane Girls Grammar School. When she was 25 years old Marie married 27-year-old Albert Jack Johnson, known as John, at Holy Trinity Church, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane on 15 June 1940. John had been born at Warwick in Queensland on 31 August 1912. John and Marie had three children born between 1945 and 1950. They lived with Marie's grandparents at 58 Victoria Street, Spring Hill, Brisbane until 1950 when they moved to Chermside, Brisbane. John had been a mechanic before serving in the Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War. After the war he worked for Australian Paper Manufacturers as a supervisor at their Brisbane collection depot until he retired. John died at their home in Strathpine, Queensland on 6 August 1985, at the age of 72. Then ten years later Marie died at her home in Lawnton, Queensland on 2 September 1995, at the age of 80.

 

Charles and Henrietta’s third child was Harold Ormond Shirley Muddle who was born in Waverley registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 2 March 1899. Harold moved with his parents to Brisbane in Queensland where he attended the Anglican Church Grammar School, known as Churchie, in Brisbane from 1913 to 1914, and was then secretary and treasurer of its Old Boys Association from 1917 to 1922.

When he was 25 years old Harold married 25-year-old Juliet Angulena Armanasco on 18 June 1924. Juliet was the daughter of James and Elizabeth Armanasco, and she had been born in Queensland on 4 June 1899.

During the Second World War Harold, at the age of 43, enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force at Melbourne in Victoria on 4 May 1942. He was Flight Lieutenant 275531 in 3 Wing ATC (Air Traffic Control) when he was discharged on 27 December 1944.

Harold and Juliet didn't have any children and they divorced in June 1945. Harold then married Iris Cordula Phillott. Iris had been born on 31 May 1917 and was the daughter of Francis Pender Phillott and his wife Ellen, who were cattle graziers at Cunnamulla in Western Queensland. Harold and Iris didn't have any children. Harold became the Advertising Manager of the Courier Mail, a Brisbane daily morning paper, and worked there until his retirement. He died in Brisbane on 21 September 1966, at the age of 67, and was cremated at Mt Thompson Crematorium in Brisbane where there is a memorial plaque for him. Three years later Iris died in Brisbane on 10 August 1969, at the age of 52, and she was buried in Pinnaroo Cemetery in Brisbane on 12 August 1969.

After their divorce Juliet reverted to using her maiden name and never remarried; she died on the 18 April 1979, at the age of 79, and was buried in Pinnaroo Cemetery in Brisbane.

 

William and Matilda’s second child was Albert S Muddle whose birth was registered in Paddington registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1866. Albert died when only about a year old, in Paddington registration district during 1867.

 

William and Matilda’s third child was Willie Muddle whose birth was registered in Paddington registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1868.

 

William and Matilda’s fourth child was Ernest Oswald Muddle whose birth was registered in Paddington registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1871. Notes left by his uncle John Harkness state that Ernest had a bookshop in Brisbane, Queensland. Ernest died in Newtown registration district in Sydney on 15 September 1939, aged about 68, and he was privately cremated the next day.

 

William and Matilda’s fifth child was Florence Anne Muddle whose birth was registered in Paddington registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1872. When she was about 26 years old Florence married James Norman Bendell, who was about 34, in St Leonards registration district in Sydney during 1898. James was the son of William and Louisa Bendell; he had been baptised at Battle Harbour, Newfoundland, Canada on 19 July 1864, and migrated to Australia in 1897. James and Florence had six children born in St Leonards registration district in Sydney between 1899 and 1908. James died when he was about 49 years old, his death being registered in Drummoyne registration district in Sydney during 1913. Thirty-one years later Florence died when she was about 72 years old, her death being registered in Mosman registration district in Sydney during 1944.

 

James and Florence’s eldest child was Pauline Alice Bendell whose birth was registered in St Leonards registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1899. When she was about 30 years old Pauline married Ronald Hastings Sutton, who was about 28, in Sydney during 1929. Ronald was the son of Ernest Langford Sutton and Lucy Mary Sutton, and his birth had been registered in Burwood registration district in Sydney during 1901. During the Second World War Ronald was Corporal NG2031 in the New Guinea Volunteer Rifles when he died of illness at Charters Towers in Queensland on 10 September 1942, at the age of 40. He was buried in plot A, row A, grave 2 of Charters Towers War Cemetery. Pauline was then living in the Mosman district of Sydney.

 

James and Florence’s second child was Hilda Florence Bendell whose birth was registered in St Leonards registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1900. Hilda never married. She had been living at Beecroft in Sydney when she died on the 11 July 1977, when she was about 77. Her death was reported in the Sydney Morning Herold of 19 July 1977.

 

James and Florence’s third child was Doris Bendell whose birth was registered in St Leonards registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1902. Doris never married, she died at Orange in New South Wales during 1950, when she was about 48 years old.

 

James and Florence’s fourth child was Audrey H Bendell whose birth was registered in St Leonards registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1903.

 

James and Florence’s fifth child was Richard James J Bendell whose birth was registered in St Leonards registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1905. Richard died when he was about 40 years old, his death being registered in Newtown registration district in Sydney during 1945.

 

James and Florence’s sixth child was Margery E Bendell whose birth was registered in St Leonards registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1908. When she was about 21 years old Margery married Harry Selwyn Stuart Shenstone, who was about 25, in Sydney during 1929. Harry was the son of William and Alice Shenstone, and his birth had been registered in Petersham registration district in Sydney during 1904. Harry had been living at Chatswood in Sydney when he died on 3 July 1974, when he was about 70. His death was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald of 6 July 1974.

 

William and Matilda’s sixth child was Ethel Mary Muddle whose birth was registered in Paddington registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 27 July 1874. When she was 25 years old Ethel married 28-year-old Albert Edward Kilminster, known as Sonny, in Redfern registration district, which is about two miles south of central Sydney, on 18 October 1899. Sonny was the son of George and Elizabeth Kilminster, and he had been born in Paddington registration district on 28 November 1870. Sonny and Ethel moved to Perth in Western Australia where Sonny had been working as a cook for construction teams. Their first two children were born in Perth in 1901 and 1904, then their third child was born back to Waverley, Sydney in 1906, probably while Sonny and Ethel were back there visiting their parents. Their fourth child was born in Perth in 1912.

In both the 1901 & 1906 Western Australia Electoral Rolls Sonny and Ethel were listed as living in Lincoln Street, Perth and Sonny to be a shopkeeper. Sonny had a fancy goods and tobacco shop opposite the Wesley Church in Hay Street, Perth. Then in the 1916 Electoral Roll Sonny and Ethel were listed as living at Mellville Terrace, South Perth and Sonny to be a commercial traveller. In the 1925 Electoral Roll Sonny and Ethel were listed as living at 4 Suburban Road, South Perth and Sonny to be a commercial traveller. Then in the 1936 Electoral Roll Sonny and Ethel were listed as living at 24 Kooyong Road in Rivervale, Perth and Sonny was still a commercial traveller.

Ethel died in Western Australia on 15 October 1941, at the age of 67. Then nine years later Sonny died in Western Australia on 18 September 1950, at the age of 79.

 

Albert and Ethel’s eldest child was Minnie Kilminster who was born in Perth, Western Australia on 4 April 1901. In the 1925 Western Australia Electoral Roll Minnie was listed as typist living with her parents at 4 Suburban Road, South Perth. Minnie married in 1928 and had three children. She died at South Guildford, Western Australia on 14 May 1970, at the age of 69.

 

 

Albert and Ethel’s second child was Ida Florence Kilminster who was born in Perth, Western Australia on 4 November 1904. Ida married in 1930 and had four children. She died during May 1980, at the age of 75.

 

 

Albert and Ethel’s third child was Ethel Shirley Kilminster, known as Shirley, whose was born in Waverley registration district in Sydney, New South Wales on 7 June 1906. Shirley married in 1933 and had five children. She died at Dalkeith, Perth, Western Australia on 21 April 1976, at the age of 69.

 

 

Albert and Ethel’s fourth child was Edward George Kilminster, known as Ted, who was born in Perth, Western Australia on 23 October 1912. In the 1936 Western Australia Electoral Roll Ted was listed as a salesman living with his parents at 24 Kooyong Road in Rivervale, Perth. Ted married but is not known to have had any children. During the Second World War Ted was living at Rivervale when he enlisted at Claremont in Perth on 18 October 1940 as Sapper WX8633 in the Royal Australian Engineers. He was in the 2/6th Field Park Company when he was captured by the Japanese and held as a prisoner of war in the notorious Sandakan POW Camp on the island of Borneo (in what is now Sabah) where over 2000 Allied POWs were interned, almost all of whom died in the most terrible conditions. Ted died on 4 December 1944, at the age of 32.

 

William and Matilda’s seventh child was Amy Lillian Muddle who was born in Paddington registration district in Sydney, New South Wales in about November 1875. Amy died in Paddington registration district on 28 May 1876, when she was only 6 months old, and she was buried in the Old Methodist section of Rookwood Cemetery on 30 May 1876. Her death was announced in the 2 June 1876 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald.

 

William and Matilda’s eighth child was Harold Edgar Muddle whose birth was registered in Paddington registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1877. When he was about 25 years old Harold married Mabel Annie Kelsey, who was about 21, in Paddington registration district during 1902. Mabel was the daughter of James and Frances Elizabeth Kelsey, and her birth had been registered in Ryde registration district in Sydney during 1881. Harold and Mabel had one child born in Waverley registration district in Sydney during 1905. They were living in Duchess Avenue, Five Dock, Sydney when Harold died in early November 1943, at the age of 66. The 13 November 1943 edition of the Army News reported:

BODY IN WATERHOLE. - The body of Harold Edgar Muddle, 66, of Duchess Avenue, Five Dock, who had been missing from home for three days, was found at the foot of a quarry off Barnstaple Road.

This sounds like a suicide but could have been a tragic accident; there must have been an inquest but it's not known what its findings were. Six years later Mabel died when she was about 68 years old, her death being registered in Five Dock registration district in Sydney during 1949.

 

Harold and Mabel’s only child was Edna Merl Matilda Muddle whose birth was registered in Waverley registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1905. When she was about 33 years old Edna married Augustus John James Curren, who was about 35, in Sydney registration district during 1938. Augustus was the son of James and Lily Curren, and he had been born in Glebe registration district in Sydney during 1903. Augustus died in Newtown registration district in Sydney during 1953, at the age of 49. Edna died in Burwood registration district in Sydney during 1966, when she was about 61 years old.

 

William and Matilda’s ninth child was Maude Agnes Muddle, known as Agnes, whose birth was registered in Concord registration district in Sydney, New South Wales during 1880. When she was about 24 years old Agnes married Charles C Cunningham in St Leonards registration district in Sydney during 1904. Agnes’ brother Reginald had been living with them at 12 Norfolk Street, Paddington, Sydney when he enlisted in 1915.

 

William and Matilda’s tenth child was Reginald Shirley Muddle who was born in Sydney, New South Wales in about 1883. No birth registration has been found for Reginald, so it’s been assumed that he was William and Matilda’s child because of his second name of Shirley; that he stated that he was living with his sister Maud Cunningham when he enlisted in the Army, and that William Shirley and Matilda are given as his parents on his death certificate.

During the First World War Reginald was a carpenter and 32-year-old bachelor living with the family of his sister Maud Cunningham at 12 Norfolk Street, Paddington, Sydney when he enlisted in the Australian Army on 26 August 1915. He was Sapper 1950 in the 2nd Field Company Engineers when he embarked on transport ship A17, HMAT Port Lincoln, at Sydney on 14 October 1915, to serve overseas. He was Sapper 1950 in the 1st Army Troop Company Engineers when he returned to Australia on 13 April 1919.

Reginald never married. He died when he was about 70 years old, his death being registered in Petersham registration district in Sydney during 1953.

Copyright © Derek Miller 2005-2016

Last updated 24 April 2016