Stephen Hobbs (1844 - 1925)

Born 1844 in Bristol, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Mary Jane (Burcombe) Hobbs — married 1864 in England

Descendants

Died 23 Nov 1925 at about age 81 in Wentworthville, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

Stephen Hobbs was born about 1844 Frampton Cotterell near Bristol, Gloucestershire, England. He was the son of George Hobbs & Priscilla ?Conday/Cordy?. Married Mary Jane ... about 1864 at England. Emigrated to Australia. 1x son (Thomas Stephen Hobbs) & 1x daughter (FLORENCE LOUISA (HOBBS) CLOUSTON). He passed away 1925 at Parramatta at his son's residence. Interred at Bownefels Cemetery. New South Wales. Aged 81 years.

England and Wales Census 1851

• Name Role Age Birthplace
• George Hobbs Head 30 Westerleigh, Gloucestershire
• Precilla Hobbs Wife 29 Westerleigh, Gloucestershire
• Hannah Hobbs Dter 9 Frampton Cotterell, Gloucestershire
• Stephen Hobbs Son 7 Frampton Cotterell, Gloucestershire^[1]

"DEATH. HOBBS — Nov. 23 at Parramatta Hospital, STEPHEN HOBBS, of Inch-street, Lithgow. Aged 81 years. FUNERAL NOTICE. The funeral of the late Mr; STEPHEN HOBBS will move from his late residence, Inch street, Lithgow on WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON at 3 o'clock. Interment in Methodist portion of Bowenfels Cemetery."^[2]

NO HOPE. Old Man's Hallucinations. TOOK HIS OWN LIFE. "There is no hope. God has told me: This day thy soul is required of thee.," Lying on a bed with his throat cut, Stephen Hobbs made this strange statement. Hobbs was eighty-one years of age, and had been staying for a fortnight with his son, Thomas Stephen Hobbs, in Bungaree road, Wentworthville. Though in fairly good health, he complained of pains in the head. An inquiry was held by the District Coroner (Mr. H. Richardson Clark) at Parramatta on Friday. The son gave evidence of having seen his father in the grounds at the back of the house about 5 p.m. on November 19. "He was sitting with his back to me," said the son, "about fifty or sixty yards away. I could not see what he was doing I thought he was resting. I then noticed he had blood on his hands. When I went down to the fence, I saw he had cut his throat. He had a pocket knife in his right hand. I asked him why he did it, but he did not reply. I ran for assistance, and carried him into the house." The witness said that his father was taken to the Parramatta District Hospital, where he died early on November 23. It was before he went to the hospital that he made the statement referred to above. "At no time," said the witness, "did he make any statement as to why he cut his throat. He was a very religious man: and he had hallucinations that people were trying to do him an injury. He was also in dread of receiving a writ. Of late, he had been mentally unbalanced, especially during the fortnight preceding his death." Hobbs explained that his father had suffered two strokes: on the second occasion, when falling, he had struck his head on the edge of a door. The Coroner recorded a verdict of suicide while temporarily insane.^[3]

"MR. STEPHEN HOBBS. The death occurred at Parramatta Hospital early this morning of Mr. Stephen Hobbs, of Inch-street, one of Lithgow's oldest residents. Mr. Hobbs was 81 years of age, and recently went to visit his son Thomas at Wentworthville. Whilst there he contracted pneumonia and was removed to the hospital for more efficient treatment. Old age however, so weakened his constitution that he gradually sank and died. In addition to the son, one daughter— Mrs, Clouston— with whom he resided in Inch street is left. Mrs. Hobbs died about five years ago. The late Mr. Hobbs was a native of Gloucestershire, England, but he has resided in Lithgow for over 40 years. For many years he followed the calling of a miner and worked in most of the Lithgow pits. He was a man of strong opinions, and was never afraid of expressing them. As far back as thirty years ago he was an alderman of the Lithgow Council for a time. A man who made good in the country of his adoption, residents who knew the veteran well will regret his passing. The funeral is fixed for Wednesday afternoon, interment to be made in the Methodist portion of the general cemetery."^[4]

"IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES PROBATE JURISDICTION. In the Will of STEPHEN HOBBS late of Lithgow in the State of New South Wales, Freeholder, deceased. Application will be made after fourteen days from the publication hereof that probate of the last Will and Testament of the above named deceased may be granted to WILLIAM EVANS, THOMAS STEPHEN HOBBS and FLORENCE LOUISA CLOUSTON, the Executors and Executrix named in the said will. All creditors are requested to send in particulars of their claims within..."^[5]

Research Notes

Sources

1. ↑ England and Wales Census 1851 Stephen Hobbs in household of George Hobbs at Frampton Cotterell, Gloucestershire, England. "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGBZ-JMF : 11 September 2019), George Hobbs, Frampton Cotterell, Gloucestershire, England; citing Frampton Cotterell, Gloucestershire, England, p. 19, 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.
2. ↑ Death notice Stephen Hobbs. Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 - 1954), Mon 23 Nov 1925, p.3. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/219251857?searchTerm=hobbs%20stephen%20hobbs
3. ↑ News Article - No Hope. The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 - 1950), Tuesday 1 December 1925, p.1. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103758024
4. ↑ News Article - Local & District Deaths Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 - 1954), Mon 23 Nov 1925, p.2. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/219251837?searchTerm=hobbs%20stephen%20hobbs
5. ↑ Probate - Stephen Hobbs. Lithgow Mercury (NSW : 1898 - 1954), Mon 30 Nov 1925, p.3. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/219251221?searchTerm=hobbs%20stephen%20hobbs

• Birth Stephen HOBBS, Q1, 1844 at Chipping Sodbury, Gloucestershire. Vol 11, Page 253. Mother's Maiden Name; CONDAY. https://www.gro.gov.uk/

(mother could be Prescila CORDY)

• Marriage Stephen HOBBS & Prescilla BURCOMBE Q2, 1867 at Clifton, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England. Vol 6a, page 242. https://www.freebmd.org.uk/
• DEATH STEPHEN HOBBS, N.S.W. Births ,Deaths and Marriages. Ref# 20524/1925. Parents F=GEORGE, M=PRISCILLA. PARRAMATTA district, NSW. http://www.bdm.nsw.gov.au/Pages/family-history/family-history.aspx