Cecilia Louise (Edwards) Priestly (bef. 1858 - 1901)

Born before 1858 in Bristol, England, United Kingdom [uncertain]

Wife of Joel Wolf Lawrence — married 24 Dec 1874 (to 15 May 1892) in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Wife of William Henry Priestly — married 10 Jun 1896 (to 29 Nov 1901) in Balmain, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 29 Nov 1901 after age 43 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

Bio written and researched by Susan stopford. First publ on Wikitree 14 Jan 2020. Last updated by Susan Stopford 11 December 2023. This profile is a work in progress. If you would like to contribute, please leave a Comment below or send me a Private Message. Thanks. ©2020-2023 Susan Stopford

Cecilia Louise Edwards, later Cecilia Louise Lawrence ("Mrs. Lawrence") and Cecilia Louise Priestly ("Mrs. Priestly") was an Australian publican. She was a licencee of three hotels in the Colony of New South Wales - the Prince of Wales Hotel (Nowra), the Duff Hotel (Nowra) and the Oxford Hotel (Drummoyne). She was also a devoted wife to two husbands, a devoted mother to her only daughter, Julia, and stepmother to the children of her second husband.

Birth

Cecilia Louise (Edwards) Priestly was born in England.

Cecilia's date and place of birth are uncertain (various sources contain conflicting information and no birth or baptism record has been found for her to date). Various sources show or infer she was born in England, either in Bristol or Bath, sometime between 1851 and 1858.^[1][2][3][4] She claimed to be the daughter of Edward Edwards, a farmer, and Louisa Godfrey.^[3][5]

Immigration to Colony of New South Wales

Cecilia emigrated to the Colony of New South Wales at some point prior to December 1874 (when she married her first husband in Sydney). Her Death Certificate shows she was 26 years in the Colony suggesting she arrived in 1874.^[4] However, no immigration record has been found. It is unclear how Cecilia supported herself prior to her first marriage, or how she met her first husband Joel Wolf Lawrence (abt.1832-1892), who was a commercial traveller. Commercial travellers often stayed at hotels. Did she work in a hotel in Sydney, or elsewhere in the Colony, prior to her first marriage?

First Marriage, Sydney (1874)

Joel Wolf Lawrence was at least 15 years her senior, probably closer to 20 years older. A Londoner by birth, he was the son of Samuel Lawrence, a diamond merchant, and Julia (Solomon) Lawrence. Joel was Jewish although not an active member of the Synagogue in Sydney. He may have converted from Judaism to Christianity prior to their marriage but this is uncertain as he was later interred in the Hebrew Cemetery, Rookwood. He was a widower and many researchers believe he had children from an earlier relationship. Kate Emily Bouwens, known as Kate Emily Lawrence prior to her marriage to Charles Bouwens, was possibly his daughter or stepdaughter. Joel was working as a commercial traveller when he married Cecilia but had previously worked as a hotel keeper (he was the Licensee of the South Head Hotel in the late 1860s) and had also operated a warehouse in the Colony.

Cecilia and Joel married in Sydney on Christmas Eve, 1874 in the Presbyterian Church in Elizabeth Street. The Parish Register shows Cecilia was aged 23 when she married Joel, born in England, and a Spinster. She signed as C. L. Edwards. Kate Emily Bouwens and Jane Laundy (signed her mark X) were witnesses. Cecilia's parents' names are not recorded in the Register, and no occupation is recorded for her.^[1][6] The Parish Register shows Joel as a commercial traveller, a widower, born in England. His age was not recorded.

By 1881, Cecilia and Joel were living in "Rose Cottage" at 64 King Street, Newtown, in a property owned by J.I. Josephson. It was here their only child was born on 23 September 1881 - Julia Louise Susanna Lawrence. Joel was a commercial traveller when Julia was born.^[2]

Prince of Wales Hotel, Nowra (1891- 1893)

In 1891, Joel (J. W. Lawrence) became the Licencee of the Prince of Wales Hotel, Nowra and the family moved to Nowra to operate the hotel. Cecilia assisted by supervising the tables and bedrooms. She also oversaw the catering function. The hotel had two well-toned pianos and their daughter Julia learned to play piano in Nowra.

PRINCE OF WALES HOTEL

NOWRA

The home for Commercial Travellers; Tourists, and the Public.

J. W. Lawrence (THE OLD COMMERCIAL TRAVELLER), HAVING become the Proprietor of the above Hotel, respectfully informs all whom it may concern that he has remodelled the house in every particular, and happy to say he has succeeded in making it the 'household word' for comfort, attention, cleanliness, and the best provided table on the South Coast. Attached to the Hotel is the Billiard Room, supervised by George Maguire. The SeIection of Wines and Spirits, second to none in the colony, needs no remarks. The Table, Bedrooms, &c., &c., are under the careful supervision of Mrs. Lawrence. The Bar is under the sole management of the Proprietor. The Commercial Rooms (3 In number) are well lighted and appointed with every requisite. Shower Baths, and two well-toned Pianos for the use of visitors.

J. W. LAWRENCE Proprietor"^[7]

Joel and Cecilia became active members of the local community. Joel became a member of the Masonic Lodge and the couple hosted and catered many meetings in their hotel for members of the lodge and others.

In early 1892, Joel fell ill and returned to Sydney where he was cared for by relatives. Cecilia assumed responsibility for the day to day running of the establishment. Joel passed away a few months later on 15 May 1892.

After Joel's death, Cecilia became the hotelkeeper. Her hotel was well patronised by local politicians and businessmen, and her culinary skills greatly valued.

"Complimentary Dinner to the Mayor of Nowra.

The Mayor of Nowra (Mr. John Maclean, J.P.) was entertained at dinner at Mrs. Lawrence's Prince of Wales Hotel, Nowra, on Tuesday evening last, March 7, the anniversary of the Mayor's dinner to the citizens after his first election to the mayoral chair. The catering was in Mrs. Lawrence's best style, and the evening's proceedings were of a most enjoyable kind, being conducted with the utmost enthusiasm. Mr. J. Hyde Nisbett, P.M., occupied the chair, and Dr. H. K. King, J.P., the Vice-chair. There were also present, beside the guest, Alderman C. Graham, Alderman Patterson, Mr. W. Kennedy (Mayor of Berry), Mr. J. Green, J.P., Mr. John M. Sheahan, C.P.S., Mr. T. Marriott, Mr. H. L. Whittell, Mr. W. P. Blackmore, Mr. G. S. Roberts, Mr. T. C. Kennedy, Mr. J. B. Bond, Mr. A. Hielman, Mr. W. W. Wood, Mr. F. Hammick, Mr. H. R. Hodgkinson, Mr. B. Thompson, and Mr. Dausey (a visitor)...."^[8]

In 1893, she catered for a banquet for a 100 guests held in the newly completed School of Arts, following the opening of the extension of the South Coast Railway to Bomaderry. Governor Sir Robert Duff was among the guests.^[9]

Joel left a substantial estate. According to oral family history, the Estate was mismanaged by the Executor and Trustee. Whatever the reason, by mid 1893, Cecilia was in financial difficulty and by late 1893 was bankrupt.^[10] As a consequence, the hotel licence was transferred to one of the property owners.

Duff Hotel, Nowra (1893- abt.1895)

Cecilia then moved to The Duff Hotel, Nowra. Previously, the Imperial Hotel, Cecilia took over the license from Robert A. Lowe on 21 December 1893.^[11] Cecilia placed advertisements in Sydney papers in an attempt to attract businessmen and tourists to her hotel.

NOWRA, the terminus of South Coast Railway.--
THE DUFF HOTEL, by Mrs. C. L. LAWRENCE,
late of the Prince of Wales Hotel, Nowra. Suites for fami-
lies ; best accommodation for commercial gentlemen and
tourists. Fishing, shooting, boating,, easy distance. Coaches
meet all trains. Telegrams promptly attended to.
^[12]

Cecilia's creditors continued to pursue her through 1894 and by May 1894, James Fitzgerald was licencee of the Duff although Cecilia may have remained at the Hotel in another capacity.

Oxford Hotel, Drummoyne (1895-1901)

By 1895, Cecilia had returned to Sydney where she became the licencee of the Oxford Hotel, Drummoyne on 31st July.^[13]

Second Marriage, Balmain, 1896

In 1896, she married for the second time to William Henry Priestly (1848-1923), a produce broker who lived in Drummoyne. Priestly's first wife had died in 1892 leaving him a widower with at least ten children to care for. No doubt, he desperately needed someone to help him with the children and the running of his large household. As the licencee of one of the main hotels in Drummoyne, Cecilia would have been quite a catch.^[3][14]

Following their marriage, either Cecilia or her husband William applied for the licence of the Oxford Hotel to be transferred to William and that application was granted.^[15] It is not clear if Cecilia was happy with this arrangement.

In any event, Cecilia fell ill shortly afterwards. During this period, her daughter, Julia, worked in the hotel but later spent many months away, staying in the homes of various family friends and relatives.

Death

Cecilia eventually succumbed to her health issues, passing away at St. Kilda Private Hospital, a private hospital for women in Woolloomooloo Street, Sydney, on 29 Nov 1901.^[16][4][17]

She was buried on 30 Nov 1902 at Field of Mars Cemetery, Ryde, New South Wales, C of E, Sec B, plot 1195. Cemetery records show she shares the plot with her step son Samuel Priestly. However, there is no reference to Samuel on the headstone.^[18][19]

Field of Mars Cemetery, Marsfield, NSW, Australia. Photographer: Susan Stopford ©2021 In Loving Memory Of CECILIA LOUISA PRIESTLY Died 29th Nov 1901 Aged 43 Years

In Memoriam

PRIESTLY.-In loving memory of my dear wife. Cecilia Louise Priestly, who departed this life November 29, 1901. Inserted by her affectionate husband and family.^[20]

PRIESTLY.-In loving memory of my dear mother, Cecilia Louise Priestly, who departed this life November 29, 1901. Inserted by her affectionate daughter, T. Lawrence. All you who have [is] a mother, Cherish her with loudest care, For when she's gone, and gone for ever, You will miss her everywhere.^[20]

PRIESTLY -In sad and loving remembrance of our dear mother, Cecilia Louise Priestly, who departed this life November 29th, 1901 Inserted by her loving son and daughter-in-law, Thomas and Ada Priestly.^[20]

PRIESTLY.-In fond and loving memory of my dear mother, Cecilia Louise Priestly, who departed this life November 29, 1901. Inserted by her affectionate daughter, J. L. S. Lawrence.^[21]

Research Notes

1. Death Place. St Kilda Private hospital in Woolloomooloo Street , Sydney, was opened in 1884 by Dr Thomas Chambers, a gynaecologist. It was a private hospital for women, the first of its kind in Australia. It was solely his responsibility for nearly six years when three other doctors joined him as proprietors; one of them was his closest friend, Henry William Crago.
   
2. MISSING - Parents' marriage; Cecilia's Birth/Baptism record & Immigration Record (Date/Place etc)

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Marriage Certificate (Joel Wolf Lawrence): 'Joel Wolfe Lawrence & Cecilia Louise Edwards’. (1874). Certified copy of Marriage Certificate. Marriage Date: 24 December 1874. Marriage Registered: Sydney District. Registration Number 1163. NSWBDM Marriage Index #1163/1874. Issued 11 July 2018 to Susan Stopford.
   • This record shows Cecilia was 23 years old when she married her first husband, Joel Wolfe Lawrence, on 24 Dec 1874 (so born about 1851). Her place of birth was recorded as "England".
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} Birth Certificate of daughter Julia Louise Susannah Lawrence: 'Julia Louise Susanna Lawrence’ (1881). Certified copy of Birth Certificate. Born 23 Sep 1881, King St Newtown. Birth Registered: Newton, 1 Nov 1881. Reg. No: 565. NSWBDM Birth Index #6529/1881. Issued 11 Jul 2018 to Susan Stopford.
   • This record shows Cecilia was 30 years old when her daughter Julia was born on 23 Sep 1881 (so born about 1851) . Her place of birth was recorded as "Bristol, England"
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Marriage Certificate (William Henry Priestly): 'William Henry Priestly & Cecilia Louisa Edwards’. (1896). Certified copy of Marriage Certificate. Marriage Date: 10 June 1896. Reg District: Balmain South. Entry Number 40. NSWBDM Marriage Index #2751/1896. Issued 27 February 2019 to Susan Stopford.
   • This record shows Cecilia was 39 years old when she married her second husband,Henry William Preistly, on 10 June 1896 (so born about 1857) and her place of birth as "Bath, England"
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2} Death Certificate: 'Cecilia Louisa Priestly’ (1901). Certified copy of Death Certificate. Died 29 Nov 1901, St. Kilda Private Hospital, late of Oxford Hotel Drummoyne. Death Registered: Sydney, 29 Nov 1901. Reg. No: 1624. NSWBDM Death Index #12368/1901. Issued 28 Feb 2019 to Susan Stopford. Informant: William Henry Priestly.
   • This record shows Cecilia was 43 years old when she died on 29 November 1901 (so born about 1857/8), 26 years in the N. S. Wales, and her place of birth as "Bath, England"
5. ↑ See Research Note (2)
6. ↑ NSW Births Deaths and Marriages Marriage Index No:1163/1874 Groom: LAWRENCE JOEL W Bride: EDWARDS CECILIA L District: SYDNEY
7. ↑ 1891 'Advertising', The Shoalhaven News and South Coast Districts Advertiser (NSW : 1891 - 1937), 6 June, p. 1. , viewed 27 Apr 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108132069
8. ↑ 1893 'Complimentary Dinner to the Mayor of Nowra.', The Shoalhaven News and South Coast Districts Advertiser (NSW : 1891 - 1937), 11 March, p. 2. , viewed 27 Apr 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108135341
9. ↑ 1893 'OPENING OF THE RAILWAY TO NOWRA.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 3 June, p. 7. , viewed 28 Apr 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13905571
10. ↑ 1893 'IN BANKRUPTCY.', New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900), 11 August, p. 6273. , viewed 27 Apr 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article222120038
11. ↑ 1893 'LOCAL NEWS.', The Shoalhaven News and South Coast Districts Advertiser (NSW : 1891 - 1937), 23 December, p. 2. , viewed 28 Apr 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108134617
12. ↑ 1894 'Advertising', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 2 February, p. 8. , viewed 28 Apr 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13939630
13. ↑ 1895 'POLICE COURTS.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 1 August, p. 3. , viewed 27 Apr 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14004588
14. ↑ NSW Births Deaths and Marriages Marriage Index. Registration No.: #2751/1896 Groom: PRIESTLY WILLIAM H Bride: LAWRENCE CECELIA L Registration District: BALMAIN SOUTH
15. ↑ Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), Wednesday 24 June 1896, page 5 Cecilia Louisa Lawrence, licensee of the Oxford Hotel, Drummoyne, having married, William Henry Priestly applied for the rights and privileges of the licence to be conferred on him. The application was granted.
16. ↑ NSW Births Deaths and MarriagesDeath Index. Death Registration No: #12368/1901 Name: PRIESTLY CECILIA L Registration District: SYDNEY
17. ↑ See Research Note (a)
18. ↑ Deceased Search - Field of Mars Cemetery
19. ↑ Daily Telegraph (Sydney, NSW : 1883 - 1930), Saturday 30 November 1901, page 16 FUNERAL NOTICES
    PRIESTLY.— The Friends of Mr. WILLIAM H-. PRIESTLY, are respectfully Invited to attend the Funeral of his late dearly loved wife; to leave his-residence, Oxford Hotel, Drummoyne, THIS AFTER NOON, at 2.30, for Field of Mars Cemetery. COFFILL and COMPANY, Central Office— 812 George-street, Main Depot— Harris-street. Tel. 424, etc.
    PRIESTLY. — The Friends of Miss TOTTIE LAWRENCE are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of her late dearly loved mother, Mrs. Cecilia L. Priestly; to leave the Oxford Hotel, Drummoyne, THIS AFTERNOON, at 2.30, for Field of Mars Cemetery. COFFILL and COMPANY, Sydney, Pyrmont, Balmain, N. Sydney, St. Peters, etc. Tel. 424. etc.
    PRIESTLY.— The Friends of Messrs. JOSEPH, THOMAS, ARTHUR, VICTOR, and BERTIE PRIESTLY are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of their late dearly loved mother; to leave the Oxford Hotel, Drummoyne, THIS AFTERN00N, at 2.30; for Field of Mars Cemetery. COFFILL and COMPANY, 118 Weston-road, and 7 Beattie-street, Balmain.
    PRIESTLY.— The Friends of Mr. HENRY PRIESTLY, Mrs. S. H. HYAM, and Mr. and Mrs. W. M. BURNS are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of their late dearly loved sister-in-law, Mrs. W. H. Priestly; to leave the Oxford Hotel, Drummoyne, THIS AFTER NOON, at 2.30, for Field of Mars Cemetery. COFFILL and COMPANY, Funeral Directors.
20. ↑ ^{20.0 20.1 20.2} 1902 'Family Notices', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 29 November, p. 1. , viewed 03 Sep 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14482368
21. ↑ 1903 'Family Notices', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 30 November, p. 6. , viewed 22 Feb 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14583033

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/123698108/cecilia-l-priestly : accessed 13 February 2022), memorial page for Cecilia L Priestly (1858–Nov 1901), Find a Grave Memorial ID 123698108, citing Field of Mars Cemetery, East Ryde, Ryde City, New South Wales, Australia ; Maintained by III (contributor 47426837) .