The children of William and Eliza HALL - Yass, NSW - Version 7

This is the seventh version of this post, updated with new information. I have headstone photos of 11 of 15 siblings, and confirmation that at least 2 others don't have a headstone. I have now added photos of the HALL children I've been able to source for the first time.

Occasionally I find my posts act as fishing expeditions to find common descendants. Google brings those looking for an ancestor to my blog, and thankfully in contact with me. If posts are fishing exercises, then this post is a big hook. It lists the fundamental facts about the issue of William HALL and Eliza BLISS of Yass, NSW. William came to Australia from England with his parents Samuel HALL and Mary Anne nee WELLS - as outlined elsewhere (http://thehistoryofmatt.blogspot.com/2009/04/samuel-hall-headstone-yass-nsw.html).

William and Eliza had 15 children together from 1868-1896, all registered in Yass, NSW. William's death certificate in 1912 (informed by one of his children) lists only 13 children (11 living, 2 dead) but there were another 2 living children that were missed (http://thehistoryofmatt.blogspot.com/2010/03/death-certificate-of-william-hall-1843.html).

In initially putting together this list I  benefited greatly from the work of my grandfather's brother, Francis 'Frank' Michael HALL (1923-2005). While the HALL children below were born from 1868-1896, many of THEIR offspring (the grandchildren) were born after the 1918 cut-off for publicly available birth records in NSW, so in some cases all I know comes from Frank's notes - information passed to him by the living children and grandchildren of William HALL that Frank drove all over NSW meeting.

While all William and Eliza's children were born in Yass, they moved with their younger children to Koorwatha about 1900-1903 and so the elder children married in Yass, the younger ones in the Koorawatha area (90 miles away). It has been suggested that this was precipitated by the droughts that ravaged Yass around this time, that possibly financially crippled the family's farming activities.

It appears that the family were not all in close contact. When my great grandfather Norman HALL (son of Afred E HALL, #2 below) wrote up a family tree, he 'thought' his grandfather's name might be William (true), but more than this he did not know. He sketched out the names of six of his aunts/uncles but the remainder he was not aware of. This may just be a reflection of the fact my great grandfather Alfred E HALL left home when he was about 15 - he only met his youngest sister for the first time when she was 16, and he over 40! It may also be that conversion to Catholicism by a number of the siblings (including Alfred E) distanced them a little from the C of E (Protestant) family.

1. Mary Ann HALL (1868-1909). Born Yass, NSW 1868. Married Frederick COSTELLO in the nearby Goulburn district in 1895. They had six children around Goulburn and Yass, and a seventh child in the Narromine district in 1907. One daughter, Amelia Alice 'Millie' COSTELLO was burnt to death in 1908 (registered in the Warren district of NSW). The Registers of Coroners' Inquests shows that at the inquest on 6 Jul 1908 held at the Court House in Warren NSW shows that she 4 years 10 month old and was born at Bowning NSW (outside Yass) and died at 'Egelabra, Warren' as a result of 'Effect of burns accidentally received' - apparently it is still a large wool property.

Mary Ann drowned there a year later (1909) aged 40. She apparently blamed herself for not smothering the flames engulfing Millie (from Frank HALL's notes). Her own inquest, also held at Warren, concluded that she died of 'Suffocation by drowning her own act while temporarily insane'. I have not yet ascertained where she and her daughter were buried, and whether a headstone exists.

Frederick COSTELLO re-married to Jessie M BROWN in Granville (western Sydney) in 1911 and they lived in Lidcombe for a time - Frederick served in the First World War. Jessie died in Queensland in 1942, and Frederick married a third time to Frances DRINNER in 1946. Frederick died in 1956 and is buried in Bundaberg Cemetery (QLD).

2. Alfred Ernest HALL (1870-1954). Born Yass, NSW 1870. Died Croydon, NSW 1954. The second eldest son, Alfred Ernest Hall, was my great-great-grandfather. He studied at the University of Sydney, married Bridget MOLONEY in 1895, and was a teacher from age ~14, ultimately being headmaster at several schools in Sydney including Granville. I have posted a number of times on Alfred: http://thehistoryofmatt.blogspot.com/2009/11/alfred-ernest-hall-1870-1954.html . They had four children, Norman (1896-1972), Claude (1899-1984), Kathleen (1901-1912), and Winifred (1903-1965). Alfred was buried at Rookwood cemetery, Catholic section with his wife Bridget nee MOLONEY. There is no headstone at the grave.

Photo of Alfred Ernest HALL, probably when graduating from the University if Sydney in 1893.

3. James Samuel HALL (1872-1955). Born Yass, NSW 1872. Married Lavina Jane HEATH (1878 Yass - 1969 Sydney) at Goulburn district in 1895. James (called 'Jim') was a surveyor's assistant and miner and lived mainly at 50 Cross St Corrimal. Jim, Lena and eldest son John ran a catering  business in the Wollongong district and in 1987 son John was a partner in Bill's Sports Bar Corrimal. James like his older brother Alfred was fairly short and stocky and Lena was tall and thin. They had four children: Ave Maria (1907-1984 married Robert Michael POSITTI), William Vincent (1909-2000), Mary Ann Jane (abt 1913-1966) and John James (1918-2001).

James died on 17 Mar 1955, and Lovina Jane on 4 Feb 1969 (registered in Sydney). They are buried together at Bulli General Cemetery.

  

Headstone of James Samuel HALL

Bulli General cemetery

In Loving Memory of

My Dear Husband and Our Father

JAMES SAMUEL HALL

Died 17 March 1955 Aged 84 Years

Also Our Dear Mother

LOVINA JANE HALL

Died 4th Feb 1969 Aged 92 Years

4. Edward HALL (1874-1952). Born Yass, NSW 1874. He was the informant on his father's death certificate living at Koorawatha, NSW in 1912. He was a surveyor and travelled through western NSW as a young man. Around 1908 he moved to Koorawatha (where his parents lived) and operated a general store (E. Hall & Co) in Boorowa St Koorawatha. In 1912 he was charged and found guilty of 'uttering' orders, and sentenced to six month's hard labour in Goulburn Gaol. Aged 40, Edward was bald with brown hair at the sides, a thick beard, was 5' 8" tall. He never married and died 21 Mar 1952, probably in Koorawatha. Edward's estate was left to two nieces, Margaret BOYD nee WATKINS (daughter of #8 Sarah) of Koorawatha and Mary MCQUILLAN nee HALL (daughter of #13 Cyril) of Bass Hill in Sydney. I have not confirmed where Edward was buried and whether or not Edward has a gravestone.

Photo of Edward HALL in 1912, from his Gaol Description and Entrance Books.

Photo of E. Hall General Store (presumably with Edward standing at front), scanned from the book 'Chronicles of Koorawatha, Celebrating 100 Years of Public Education in Koorawatha' (published about 1984).

5. John HALL (1875-1950). Born Yass, NSW 1875. He married Eliza Jane Clarke (1889 Yass - 1954 Yass) in 1907 at Yass and they lived in the Yass district for the remainder of their lives. In the 1936 NSW Electoral Roll John is described as a grazier, and the family is living on O'Brien St, North Yass. Their only child Arthur James HALL (1909 Yass - 1979 Yass) married Stella BALLARD (abt 1915-1993) in 1932 - it is not know whether they had children but believed they lived in the Yass area. John died on 02 Feb 1950, and Eliza exactly four years later on 02 Feb 1954. Buried side-by-side in the Church of England section of Yass cemetery.

The photos below taken in 2010 by Kate Roloff show flowers at the grave.

Headstones of John HALL and Eliza Jane nee CLARKE

 Yass Cemetery

In Loving Memory of

JOHN HALL

Died 2nd Feb 1950

Aged 75 Years

and

In Memory of

ELIZA JANE HALL

Passed Away

  2nd Feb 1954

Aged 63 Years

6. Arthur HALL (1877-1899). He accidentally shot himself while 'rabbiting' near Devils Pass (adjacent to the family property at Yass River).

Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday 18 Feb 1899
SAD SHOOTING ACCIDENT
YASS, Friday. A sad accident happened this afternoon on the
Yass River about seven miles from Yass. A young
man named Arthur Hall, a son of Mr. William Hall,
farmer, started out about 2 o'clock in order to indulge
in wallaby shooting. Before he got out of
sight of his house he had to crawl through a fence.
After he had done so he was dragging the rifle
through after him, when it went off. The bullet
entered behind one ear and passed out at the top of
his head. His brother saw him fall, and on running
to him found him dead.

He was not married. He is buried next to his grandfather Samuel HALL in Yass Church of England cemetery.

Headstone of Arthur HALL
Yass C of E cemetery

In Loving Remembrance
Arthur Hall
Who Accidentally Shot Himself
Feb17th 1899
Aged 21 Years
I little thought my time so short,
In this world to remain
I {thought?} when I left my home
I should return again

7. Thomas HALL (1879-1961). Born Yass, NSW 1879. Perhaps named after his uncle Thomas HALL (1846 Cambridge, England - 1928 Manly, NSW). Married Margaret Ann RICHARDS (1883 Yass - 1905 Orange) at Yass in 1905.  Thomas was a railway gauger and lived in various towns in NSW including Orange, Ilabo (near Junee) and Bowning.

They had nine children: Annie B (1906 Yass - 1982, married Brian CASEY in Orange 1933), Lyle J T (1909 Yass - 1982 late of Dee Why, also a railway worker), Kathleen D (1910 Yass - 1993, married Henry E Sloane in Orange 1931), Stanley F (1912 Cootamundra - 1995, married Rita M O'SULLIVAN in Parkes NSW), Robert William (1913 Yass - 1995, married Eileen STYLES in Orange 1941), Inez M (1916 Cootamundra - 1936 Orange, married William COOKE in Young NSW 1934), Evelyn Lorraine (1918 - 2008 Mudgee NSW, married Herbert VIDLER 1940 Petersham NSW), Russell B (? - 1971 Helensburgh NSW, married Daphnie CHURCH 1949 Orange), and Constance E (1922 - 2005, married Clive WRIGHT in Orange NSW 1941).

Thomas died at Orange in 1961, and his wife Margaret Ann in 1968 also at Orange, and they are buried at Orange cemetery in the Catholic section, suggesting that Thomas converted to Catholicism like his brothers Alfred and Cyril, and sister Martha.

Copy of wedding photo of Margaret Ann nee RICHARDS and Thomas HALL, provided by descendant Geraldine Murray

Headstone of Thomas HALL and Margaret nee RICHARDS

Orange cemetery, Catholic section

In Loving Memory of

A Dear Husband and Father

THOMAS HALL

Died 6 Oct 1961

Aged 82 Years

R.I.P.

and

In Loving Memory of

Our Dear Mother

MARGARET ANN HALL

Died 26 April 1968

Aged 85 Years

Missed by Her Family & Sister Eileen

Attached is a plaque:

Evelyn "Lorraine" Vidler
19.8.1918 - 21.5.2008
In loving memory of our
darling mother, grandmother and great grandmother
At peace with her mother 

8. Sarah Jane HALL (1881-1946). Born Yass, NSW 1881. Married Richard Thomas WATKINS (1872 Young - 1943 Cowra/Koorawatha), a farmer, in 1908, probably at Koorawatha (registered at Cowra). They had one daughter Margaret WATKINS (1908 - 1963 Cowra) who married Thomas Garner BOYD at Young in 1936, and they had two children Brian and Peggy - both were living in the Koorawatha area in the 1980's. Sarah was a fine dressmaker.

Richard died in 1943, and his will indicates their property included a horse and dray and four acres of land. Sarah died in Koorawatha in 1946, and is in an unmarked grave at Koorawatha cemetery (no headstone at grave). Her daughter Margaret BOYD apparently had a simple wooden cross in the same cemetery.

9. Catherine HALL (1883-1951). Born Yass, NSW 1883. Married Edwin Michael RYAN (1869 Yass - 1915 Yass) at Yass in 1902. Lived at Grace's Flat near Bowning just out of Yass where they farmed. I believe they had six children: Leslie V (1902-1985), Claude Edward (1904-?, marred Neta CROSSLEY 1940 Yass), Margaret E E (married Charles Smith 1926 Yass),  Arthur William (1909-?, married Joan FALLON 1946 Yass), John James (1911-?, marred Harriet Amelia DAVIS 1941 Yass), and Alfred George (1914-?, married Daisy DONE 1940 Yass).

Catherine was widowed early when her husband 'Edwin' RYAN died 29 March 1915 aged 46 years and was buried at Yass C of E cemetery. Catherine died 29 April 1951 aged 68 years. Catherine is buried at Yass Cemetery, Church of England, Section U, buried in the same plot as her husband.

After Catherine died, her son Arthur ran the property - but it had been sold by 1987. According to Frank Hall, in 1987 Claude was at Lightning Ridge (previously he worked at Burrunjuck Dam), and John with wife Millie ran a home, Warmington Lodge, Rossi St, Yass. I believe my grandfather visited the RYAN property in the 1930s, so there was some enduring family connection there.

 Headstone of Edwin RYAN and Catherine (nee HALL)

Yass Cemetery, C of E Section

In Loving Memory of
EDWIN RYAN
March 29th 1915
Aged 46 Years
May the winds of heaven blow softly,
O'er this sweet and hallowed spot
For mid the changing scenes of life,
Our loved ones will not be forgot.
Erected by his sorrowing wife & brothers
Also his loving wife
CATHERINE RYAN
Died 29th April 1951, Aged 68 Years

10. Martha Emily HALL (1885-1930). Born Yass, NSW 1885. She married James FAHEY (no details known) at St Augustine's Roman Catholic Church, Yass on 16 May 1905. In the news announcement (Evening News, 27 May 1905) James was listed as 'of Tangmangaroo'. I cannot ascertain whether they had children, and by 1920 had moved to Sydney (Spencer St, Summer Hill). Martha was killed by a car on 10 April 1930 during a violent storm.

The Sydney Morning Herald
Friday 11 April 1930
WOMAN KILLED BY MOTOR CAR
A middle-aged woman, believed to be Martha Fahey, of Summer Hill, was knocked down and killed by a motor car while crossing Parramatta-road late last night.

Martha was buried at Rookwood cemetery in the Catholic section (Mortuary Mortuary 2, Area 10, Grave 2049), suggesting she had converted to Catholicism (like some of her siblings, and FAHEY is an Irish Catholic surname). Based on electoral rolls and Sands directories, it is possible that Martha and James were living separately. Martha's will, made out in 1921, left her entire estate to Thomas Savage of Concord West.

I have been unable to determine the origins or fate of James FAHEY.

 Headstone of Martha Emily FAHEY (nee HALL)

Rookwood Necropolis

In Loving Memory of
MARTHA EMILY FAHEY
Who Died 10th April 1930,
Aged 45 Years
R.I.P.

11. Norman William HALL (1887-1967). Born Yass, NSW 1887. Married Edith Maud LACK (1883 Campbelltown - 1946 Lismore) in 1908 at Yass. They had at least five children, including William Edward HALL (1909-1973), Thelma V HALL (?-1913), Keith N HALL (?-1922), George S HALL (?-1926) and Cecil Henry HALL (?-1964). While William was born in Boorowa (west of Yass), Thelma's death was registered in Byron Bay and Keith and George's in Ballina, so they'd made their way to the far north coast of NSW. Cecil is buried Alstonville Cemetery (CEM-A2-243) and William at Goonellabah Lawn Cemetery (por G sec 11 num 29), both in Riverina district of NSW. Edith died in 1946 and Norman died in 1967 - buried in the same plot as their son Cecil at Alstoneville cemetery (CEM-A2-244).

Headstones of Norman William HALL and Edith Maud nee LACK

Alstonville Cemetery

In Loving Memory of

Our Dear Father

Norman William Hall

Died 6th June 1967, Aged 80 Years

and

In Loving Memory of

My dearest wife and our dear mother

Edith Maud Hall

Died 25th March 1946, Aged 62 Years

12. Florence Eva HALL (1889-1952). Born Yass, NSW 1889. Married Allan Low MCPHAIL (1885 East Macquarie - 1944 Lithgow) at Cowra (probably Koorawatha) in 1908 and they lived at Vale of Clwydd, Lithgow. Allan died in 1944 at Lithgow and Florence Eva in 1952 also at Lithgow, and the are buried at Lithgow General cemetery (austcemindex.com).

They had several children including Leslie K (died 2004), Cecil MCPHAIL (1908 Wallerawang - 1993 NSW, married first Doris COWARD at Lithgow 1932 and they had children, and again in 1941 to Bedelia Marjorie DOYLE at Condolbin), Muriel G MCPHAIL (1910 Wallerawang - ?, marred Harold SMITH), Allan Bruce (1915 Wallerawang - 2002 NSW, married Gwendoline Vivian ISLEY at Lithgow 1940), and Roy (born about 1925 - ?).

Headstone of Florence Eva PMCPHAIL (nee HALL)
Lithgow General Cemetery
In loving memory of
My dear Husband and our Dear Father
Allan Low McPhail
Died 10th April 1944, aged 59 years
and our dear mother
Florence Eva McPhail
Passed away ??? 63 years

13. Cyril HALL (1891-1948). Born Yass, NSW 1891. Married Margaret WATKINS (1892 Cowra - 1951 Auburn) on 15 Jan 1913 at Koorawatha - he apparently also converted to Catholicism to marry. They had six children all born in Koorawatha: Mary (1913-1999, first a nun, then married Robert MCQUILLAN in 1944), Kathleen (1914-1993 Goulburn, became Sister Cyril HALL of the St Joseph's order), Nita Lillian (1917-1996, marred Reginald GRAYSON at Wollongong 1938, then Eric ROBERTSON), Sidney (1922-2005 Warrawong, married Ellen MALONEY at Wollongong 1942), Olive (1922-1989 Yass, married Arthur HILL at Murrumburrah in 1946), John (Jack, 1928-1992,  married Nora Ethel HARDY and lived in Wollongong).

In the 1943 NSW Electoral Roll Cyril and Margaret were living in Koorawatha, Cyril a labourer. Cyril died of Parkinson's disease in 1948, and Margaret died in 1951, both buried in the R.C. section of Koorawatha cemetery.

Copy of wedding photo of Cyril HALL and Margaret nee WATKINS in 1913, provided by descendant Cheryl BORG.

Headstone of Cyril HALL

Koorawatha Cemetery

In Loving Memory of
Our Dear Mother & Father
MARGARET HALL
Died 19th June 1851
Aged 59 years
CYRIL HALL
Died 16th July 1948
Aged 58 years
R.I.P

14.Walter Henry HALL (1893-1950). Born Yass, NSW 1891. Enlisted in Australian Infantry Forces in early 1916, he served in the 45th Battalion AIF. His enlistment records show he'd previously failed the entry test for the Australian Light Horse, and he gave his mother as his next of kin (Mrs Eliza Hall, Koorawatha). Enlistment also reveals he was 5' 8" tall, dark complexion, grey eyes and dark brown hair. He was assigned to B Company of the 45th Battalion AIF. He was wounded in France, shot in the leg that resulted in a fractured femur, and returned to Australia in 1918. This injury resulted in a limp for the rest of his life. Whilst in Britain he sent a portrait photograph of himself to his brother Thomas and sister-in-law (see below).

Walter lived most of his life in Koorawatha,  at one time he was a postman. He married Marjorie A DONGES (1902 Young - 1930 Young) in 1928 - she died in child-birth leaving a daughter Maureen who was apparently placed in State care and I have not been able to ascertain her fate. In the 1980s Frank Hall stated that so far as he could tell she was still alive. Walter died at Concord Repatriation Hospital (in Sydney) in 1951 after finally losing his leg, and is buried at Rookwood Cemetery, Anglican Section (Section 16, Grave No. 0003673). Andrew Hall noted that his headstone appeared to be relatively new, and was probably installed by the War Graves Commission.

Portrait photograh of Walter Henry HALL, provided by descendant of Thomas HALL -Geraldine Murray, taken by Edward Sharp, 221 Westminster Bridge Road, London. Back says "CPO1937 To Tom & Annie with best love from brother Pte Walter H Hall. 45th Battalion, 3rd Reinforcements, 12th Infantry Brigade, AIF On Active Service Abroad."

 Headstone of Walter Henry HALL

Rookwood Anglican Cemetery

1937 Private
W.H. HALL
45 Battalion
12th February 1950 Age 55
His Duty Fearlessly
And Nobly Done
Ever Remembered

15. Ethel May HALL (1896-1967). Born Yass, NSW 1896. Married Joseph William HODGES (1897 Dubbo - 1983 NSW) at Lithgow in 1918. Joseph William 'Bill' had enlisted in the AIF during WW1 but did not serve overseas. He was a pastry cook who ran bakeries in several towns including Harden and Moss Vale. Ethel was petite, and Bill a fine violinist who played at local dances in Koorawatha and surrounds.

They had five children: Joyce (married John Thomas SCHUBERTH in 1943 at Murrumburrah), Gloria (married Maurice MCNALLY in 1954 in Sydney), Betty, Paul (married and had children but nothing further known, see headstone below), and Jill (married Kevin BRYANT 1858). Joyce owned a photo of Eliza HALL nee BLISS.

Ethel died in 1967 and is buried at Rookwood cemetery, Anglican section (Section 15, Grave 0001124). 'Bill' died in 1983, late of Belmore.

 Headstone of Ethel May HODGES (nee HALL)

Rookwood Anglican Cemetery

 In Loving Memory Of
A Devoted Wife & Mother
ETHEL MAY HODGES
Died 5th Sept 1967
Aged 71 Years
Devoted Husband & Father
JOSEPH WILLIAM HODGES
Died 13th July 1983
Aged 86 Years

Attached is a plaque:

 Ashes of PAUL ALBERT HODGES

Son of Joseph & Ethel Hodges

Loved Companion of Sylvia

Beloved Father of Gregory, Trevor, Lesa, Robert

2.11.26 - 15.1.2000 Rest in Peace

It would be great to make contact with descendants and exchange information - please contact me if you are part of the family!!