John Riley (1861 - 1942)

Born 4 Sep 1861 in Wollombi, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Rosena (Doherty) Riley — married 1896 in Warialda, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 18 Dec 1942 at age 81 in Warialda, New South Wales, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Shane Riley [send private message]

Biography

John was born in 1861. He was the son of John Riley and Catherine Reynolds. ^[1]

He passed away in 1942. ^[2] His Obituary appeared as follows: ^[3]

MR JOHN RILEY

Mr. John Riley, who passed away at his home "Sonoma," on Friday morning, was one of the oldest residents of the Warialda District. He was 81 years of age and had been in the district 66 years. Until eight months ago he always enjoyed good health. During that period, however, he had been in hospital at intervals, but he was at home for the closing few weeks of his long career.

Born at Wollombi, deceased came to the district when about 15 years of age. The first land acquired by him was "Glen Eden," Gravesend (subsequently owned by Mr. Albert Moffett for many years). On disposing of that property he purchased "Sonoma," where he had resided for 50 years. He was a man of high ideals and generous disposition, and was held in high esteem by a very large circle of friends. He married Miss Rose Atkins, (a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Harry Atkins) who is still living. A family, of four sons and one daughter survive, viz., Messrs John, Colin and Percy (Warialda) and Sinclair (Wee Waa), and Miss Myrtle, who resides at home.

The funeral took place on Friday afternoon. Rev. W. J. Powell conducted service in the church at Warialda Railway and the cortege then proceeded to the Anglican portion of the oemetery.

Research Notes

Please note that while John lived his life and died with the last name 'Riley' his birth was registered as illegitimate in his mother's married name to John (Becket) Beckett (abt.1814-1872). Why his was registered in this way but not the births of those of his siblings to father John Riley (abt.1815-1907) is unclear. There are no reasons to doubt that his father was John Riley.

However, in the absence of of any official record of marriage of his parents, the illegitimate birth registration would have been required at that time. There are instances of illegitimate births in that era being the subject of prosecution of the informant (usually the mother or father) and of their incarceration for at least a few months.

The current thinking is that perhaps there was a new person involved with the registration of births in Warialda in and around 1861 who was a 'stickler' for the rules. If he had insisted that John's birth was registered in Catherine's married name to her legal husband then that would have been necessary.

As to why 'Beckett' should be used here, please refer to WikiTree Help: Name Fields, Last Name at Birth.

Sources

1. ↑ NSW BDM birth registration of BECKETT, JOHN, reg. no. 14239/1861, to unnamed father and mother CATHERINE, registered at WOLLOMBI
2. ↑ NSW BDM death registration 30649/1942
3. ↑ Obituary (1942, December 21). Warialda Standard and Northern Districts' Advertiser (NSW : 1900 - 1954), p. 2. Retrieved March 4, 2022, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article215047875

• NSW BDM marriage 1958/1896 of Riley, John and Atkins, Rosina, at Warialda
• Australia Cemeteries Index Inscription
• Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 12 June 2019), memorial page for John Riley (1861–1942), Find A Grave Memorial no. 49626682, citing Warialda General Cemetery, Warialda, Gwydir Shire, New South Wales, Australia ; Maintained by T.V.F.T.H. (contributor 46496806) Find A Grave: Memorial #49626682