Thomas Hockridge (bef. 1828 - 1892)

Born before 23 Nov 1828 in Kilkhampton, Cornwall, England

Ancestors

Husband of Bridget (Ryan) Hockridge — married 1865 in Victoria

Descendants

Died 23 Mar 1892 after age 63 in Smythesdale, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

Thomas Hockridge was born in Cornwall, England.

Thomas Hockridge migrated from UK to Australia.

Thomas Hockridge was born about 1828 and baptised on 23rd November 1828 at Kilkhampton, Cornwall, England. He was the illegitimate son of Elizabeth Hockridge and a man named Benjamin.^[1] His father's name came from Thomas's death record.

In 1856 Thomas, aged 28, migrated to Australia on the "Mermaid" arriving in Victoria during October of that year. He appeared to be travelling alone.^[2]

Thomas Hockridge married Bridget Ryan in 1865 in Victoria, Australia.^[3]

Thomas and Bridget had seven children.

1. William Hockridge b. 1866
2. Thomas Hockridge b. 1868
3. John Hockridge b. 1869
4. Francis James Hockridge b. 1871
5. Andrew Joseph Hockridge b. 1873
6. Frederick Charles Hockridge b. 1876
7. Amy Elizabeth Hockridge b. 1879

Thomas Hockridge died as a result of a mining accident on 23rd March 1892 near Smythesdale, Victoria.^[4]

He was buried two days later in the Smythesdale Cemetery, Smythesdale, Victoria. ^[5]

His obituary appeared in "The Ballarat Star" on Friay 25th March 1892.

• A shocking fatal accident (our Smythesdale correspondent writes) took place at Watson's Hill on Wednesday afternoon, when Thomas Hockridge, a very old resident of this township, working in a tunnel claim with three of his sons, lost his life. The deceased was working in the face, about 40 feet in, when a set of timber suddenly came down, pinning him to the ground and crushing him to death. Strenuous efforts were made by his sons and others to rescue him, but unfortunately without avail, as a further fall took place, and when recovered the man was dead. The deceased leaves a widow and large family, mostly grown up. A magisterial enquiry was conducted by Mr John Lynch, J.P., before a jury of five, this afternoon, at the local police station, when the following verdict was returned:—“We find that the deceased, Thomas Hockridge, met his death by an accidental fall of earth, while working in a mine at Watson’s Hill, Smythesdale, on Wednesday, the 23rd March. Mr Stewart, Government mine inspector, was present at the enquiry.^[6]

Reference Notes

There was a discrepancy on his gravestone memorial and on the FindAGrave details where his year of death was given as 1893. Clearly this was in error, as his obituary was written in 1892. FindAGrave have been informed and they have accepted that there was an error.

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch [1], Thomas Hockridge, 23 Nov 1828; citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 897,356. Accessed 31 Jul 2019.
2. ↑ Unassisted Passenger Lists (1852-1923) Record Series Number (VPRS): 947; Public Record Office of Victoria. [2] Accessed 29 Jul 2019.
3. ↑ Vic BDM Index Marriage 1865/1712 Thomas Hockridge and Bridget Ryan [3] Accessed 18 Jul 2019.
4. ↑ Vic BDM Index Death 1892/4056 Thomas Hockridge, age 62, father Benjamin Unknown, mother Elizabeth Hockridge, died at Smythesdale; [4] Accessed 30 Jul 2019.
5. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images [5] accessed 19 August 2019, memorial page for Thomas Hockridge (1861–23 Mar 1893), Find A Grave: Memorial #115717054, citing Smythesdale Cemetery, Scarsdale, Golden Plains Shire, Victoria, Australia ; Maintained by Suzy & Rob (contributor 46950534).
6. ↑ The Ballarat Star (Vic. : 1865 - 1924) Fri 25 Mar 1892; NLA trove newspapers [6] Accessed 19 Jul 2019.