Elizabeth Mary (Thornton) Wroe (1840 - 1881)

Born 1840 in Halton, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Wife of James Wroe — married 25 Dec 1863 in Surrey, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 8 Dec 1881 at about age 41 in Royal Park, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Elizabeth Mary Thornton was born in 1840 in Halton, Yorkshire, and christened in Whitkirk, half a mile southeast of Halton, on 17 April. ^[1] Halton is now part of Leeds, but in 1840 it would have been a small village.

Elizabeth was the daughter of James Thornton, a chemist, and Mary née Kay. She was the third of their six children and their only daughter.

When Elizabeth was a child in the 1840s, her family moved to Surrey.

The 1851 census records her aged 11, living with her parents and siblings. ^[2]

In 1861 she was still living at home. Her occupation is recorded as an artificial flower maker. ^[3] The making of artificial flowers was generally a poorly paid and seasonal occupation. However, in a time when many of the options for home-working involved time consuming, tedious and frequently dangerous work, artificial flower making was arguably one of better options open to women, and there was real potential, if working enough hours, for a woman to earn enough money to help to support her family. ^[4]

Elizabeth married James Wroe in Surrey on Christmas Day, 1863. ^[5]

Their first child, Alfred Henry was born soon after their wedding at the end of 1863, followed by William James in 1867 and Mary-Anne Elizabeth in 1869. Mary-Anne was baptised on 20 May and nine days later the family emigrated to Australia.

They sailed from Plymouth for Melbourne on board the Tenobia which departed 29 May 1869. They are recorded as James (27), draper’s assistant; Elizabeth M (29); Alfred H (5); William J (2); and Mary A. E (infant). ^[6] Elizabeth’s parents, James and Mary Thornton, were also on the voyage, as was her younger brother Edward. The journey was expected to take 140 days, and probably arrived some time in September. Elizabeth’s older brothers had already emigrated and were established in Melbourne as Thornton Brothers, carriers.

The Wroe family settled in Southgate Street, Royal Park. James found employment with with G. S. Brown & Co., Emporium for Men, Boys & Youths Clothing on Bourke Street.

Little Mary-Anne died in March 1870 at nine months and is buried in Melbourne General cemetery.

Elizabeth and James had four more children: Ellen Annie (Nellie) (1871); Joseph Charles (1873); Elizabeth Maria (Lizzie) (1876); and Sarah Jane (1879). Sarah died in 1881 at the age of two.

Elizabeth died at her home on 8 December 1881, aged 41. ^[7]

WROE.— On the 8th December, at Southgate street, Royal Park, Elizabeth Mary, the beloved wife of James Wroe, daughter of Mr. James Thornton, Mooroolbark, and only sister of the Messrs. Thornton Brothers, cartage contractors. ^[8]

She is buried in Melbourne General cemetery. ^[9]

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J3FH-2RH : 19 September 2020), Elizabeth Mary Thornton, 1840.
2. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGK3-G3B : 9 November 2019), Elizabeth Mary Thornton in household of James Thornton, Saint Mary Newington, Surrey, England; citing Saint Mary Newington, Surrey, England, p. 32, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
3. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1861," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2MG-W9QY : 25 August 2020), Elizabeth Thornton in household of James Thornton, Lambeth, Surrey, England, United Kingdom; from "1861 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO RG 9, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
4. ↑ http://victorianoccupations.co.uk/a/a-is-for-artificial-flower-makers-2/
5. ↑ "England, Surrey Parish Registers, 1536-1992," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGZR-SR34 : 16 March 2018), James Wroe and Elizabeth Mary Thornton, 25 Dec 1863; citing Marriage, , London Metropolitan Archives, England; FHL microfilm 475,300.
6. ↑ "Australia, Victoria, Inward Passenger Lists, 1839-1923", database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QLC9-85Q6 : 15 October 2019), James Wroe, .
7. ↑ VIC BDM Event: deaths Registration number 9785 / 1881 Family name: WROE Given name(s) Elizabeth Mary Place of event: CARL, Australia Mother's name Mary Mother's family name at birth KAY Father's Name: Thornton Jno
8. ↑ Weekly Times (Melbourne, Vic. : 1869 - 1954) Saturday 10 December 1881 - Page 21
9. ↑ Elizabeth M Wroe BIRTH 1840 DEATH 9 Dec 1881 (aged 40–41) BURIAL Melbourne General Cemetery Carlton North, Melbourne City, Victoria, Australia PLOT MGC-COE-Comp-W-No-633 Find A Grave: Memorial #192405097