Florence E Potts was born on 17 February 1875 in the Colony of New South Wales, either in Balmain where her parents lived until at least 1870 and where her birth was registered, or nearby Hunter's Hill (now Hunters Hill). She was the youngest child of Cornelius Potts (born Pot) and Elizabeth Potts (born Bathgate). Her birth was registered under the name "Florence E Potts".[1] In later years, she used the name Evelyn or Eva.
Her father Cornelius Pot was Dutch. Born in Rotterdam, Cornelius came to Australia as a Mariner. Later, he was a partner in the firm Potts and Paul, ship chandlers and blacksmiths, which operated from premises in Balmain and Sydney. Her mother Elizabeth Bathgate was a Scottish lass who emigrated to Australia with her parents and siblings in 1852. After their marriage, her parents used the name "Potts". According to oral family history, it was Elizabeth who wanted the letters "ts" added to "Pot" because she refused to be known as "Mrs Pot", a name which she considered to be unbecoming.[2]
In 1863 her parents were living in a house in Waterview Street, Balmain.[3] The Potts family remained in Balmain through to at least 1870. They later moved to Hunter's Hill. In 1875, her mother purchased a house at 66 Alexandra Street, Hunters Hill. Made of sandstone, it was built by Swiss-Italian stonemason, Antonio Bondetti between 1868 and 1870. Her mother lived in this house for many years.[4]
Her father died in 1876 in their home in Hunter's Hill when she was only a year old, leaving her mother a widow with five children to care for. Her mother did not remarry. Later her mother moved to Katoomba, in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney.
Marriage
Evelyn Florence Potts married George William Bonomy on 27 June 1901 at Stephen's Church, in Phillip Street, Sydney.[5] Newspaper articles published in 1902 show George was the eldest son of George Richard Bonamy of Hillcrest, Petersham and formerly of Windsor. Most researchers think he was the George W Bonamy born on 2 July 1880 in Wellington in the Colony of New South Wales which seems likely although later records show he was born in California on 2 July 1879.
BONAMY — POTTS. — June 27, 1901, at St. Stephen's
Church, Phillip-street, by the Rev. John Ferguson,
George William, eldest son of the late G. R. Bonamy, of
Hillcrest, Petersham, to Evelyn Florence, youngest
daughter of the late C. Potts, of Hunter's Hill.[6]
The couple had three sons:
George P Bonamy (known as Douglas), born on 4 October 1902 in Moree in New South Wales.[7][8]
Cornelius J Bonamy (known as Jack) , born two years later on 10 October 1904, birth registered in Hunters Hill.[9]
Donald R Bonamy, born on 23 January 1908 in or near Alameda, California, United States.[10].
The Bonamy family initially lived in Moree, in western New South Wales. Their first child Douglas was born at their residence in Moree and their second son in or near Hunters Hill in October 1904.
Emigration
Evelyn (Potts) Bonamy migrated from Australia to United States.
On 16 May 1904, Evelyn's husband George and his brother Hedley Stuart Bonamy (1885-bef.1920) left Sydney on the Canadian Australian Royal Mail steamer Manuka which sailed from Circular
Quay.[11] According to a Letter to the Editor penned by Hedley Bonamy which was pubilshed in a Sydney newspaper in 1906, Hedley lived in San Francisco from at least 1905 through to just after the devastating 1906 earthquake. After the earthquake, Hedley moved to Ohio.[12] George Bonamy possibly lived with or near Hedley in San Francisco before the earthquake.
Evelyn emigrated to the United States sometime after the birth of her second son Jack in October 1904, possibly in 1906 (according to the1920 Census) although no record of their departure has been found. Evelyn (and presumably George) were in California in 1908 (when they registered the birth of their third son in Alameda).
In the United States, it appears both Evelyn and her husband George later claimed to be natives of California, presumably for residency or citizenship purposes. For example, the 1920, 1930 and 1940 Censuses show George was born in California, as does his death certificate. The 1920 Census correctly shows Eva born in Australia to a Dutch father and Scottish mother but later Censuses also show she was born in America (either Massachusetts or California).
Life in the United States
Later, the Bonamy family lived in Honolulu . A shipping record from 1911 suggests the family were living in Honolulu in December 1911 and her husband's obituary states George worked as a book keeper for a meat packing company in Honolulu.
Later, they moved to Seattle , possibly about 1916, where they resided for about 25 years and where her husband George worked as a lumber broker.
Eva did return to Australia with her three sons at least once when her boys were young, as she and her three sons are listed on the Manuka passenger list which arrived in Honolulu, Hawaii on 5 December 1911 from Sydney. She probably stayed with her mother in Katoomba as Manuka passenger manifest shows her mother's address in Lett Street Katoomba as her last address in Australia. Eva and the boys probably travelled via Fiji as there is a photo of Eva and the boys taken in Fiji about this time.[13][14]
1920 Census
In the 1920 census, the Bonamy family of five was recorded in Seattle (Precinct 50), in King County, Washington. Interestingly, Eva was recorded as only 38 years old (in 1920, the Florence E Potts born on 17 Feb 1875 would have been closer to 45 years old). She may have understated her age. Also, this Census record shows Eva's husband George was born in California not in New South Wales.[15]
Name
Sex
Age
Status
Relation
Occupation
Birth Place
Father's Birthplace
Mother's Birthplace
George W Bonamy
M
38
Married
Head
Auditor Ship Company
California
California
Australia
Eva Bonamy
F
38
Married
Wife
None
Australia
Holland
Scotland
Duglas G Bonamy
M
17
Single
Son
None
Australia
California [written over the word Australia]
Australia
Jack C Bonamy
M
15
Single
Son
None
Australia
California [written the word Australia]
Australia
Donald R Bonamy
M
11
Single
Son
None
California
California [written over the word Australia]
Australia
1930 Census
Eva, her husband George and their youngest son Donald Bonamy were very likely the family of three recorded in the 1930 census in Seattle, King, Washington although this record shows "Florance E" 51 years old, born in Massachusetts to New York born parents whereas the 1920 Census showed her father was born in Holland and her mother in Scotland. Again, it seems her husband George claimed to be a native of California. However, this Census shows both his parents were American (from New York) whereas the 1920 Census showed his father was born in California and his mother in Australia.[16]
Name
Sex
Age
Status
Relation
Occupation
Birth Place
Father's Birthplace
Mother's Birthplace
George W Bonamy
M
49
Married
Head
Salesman, Bond [unclear]
California
New York
New York
Florence E Bonamy
F
51
Married
Wife
Massachusetts
New York
New York
Donald R Bonamy
M
22
Single
Son
California
California
Massachusetts
1940 Census
In the 1940 census, Florence (age 60) was recorded as the wife of George W Bonamy in Seattle Election Precinct, King, Washington, United States. This record shows both were born in California[17]
Name
Sex
Age
Status
Relation
Occupation
Birth Place
George W Bonamy
M
59
Married
Head
California
Florence Bonamy
F
60
Married
Wife
California
Eva and George Bonamy were still living in Seattle at 1137 W. 57th St when George died on 15 March 1941.[18]
Death
It seems almost certain the "Florence E Potts" born in Hunters Hill, New South Wales, Australia was the "Eva Bonamy" , Widow, who died 9 August 1951 in Seattle aged 70 years notwithstanding George W Bonamy is wrongly recorded as Eva Bonamy's "Father" rather than spouse on the death certificate issued for her. [19] A number of obituaries were published for her in the Seattle Daily Times. The one below comes from the The Semi-Weekly Spokesman-Review.
Obituary
MOTHER OF GRID STARS PASSES AWAY IN SEATTLE
SEATTLE, Aug. 10. (AP) --Mrs. Eva Bonamy, 70, mother of three former University of Washington players, died here last night. She was well known as a Seattle amateur artist. Her sons are Douglas, in the rubber industry in the East Indies; Jack, in San Francisco, and Donald, of Spokane.[20][21]
Eva's remains were cremated at Washelli Cemetery on 13 August 1951. There is a small memorial plaque for her in Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park.[22]
Sources
↑Birth Registration (index): NSW Government. Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Birth Index (Births search page : accessed 12 Mar 2021), Index entry for POTTS FLORENCE E; Father's given name(s): CORNELIUS; Mother's given name(s): ELIZABETH; District: BALMAIN; Registration Number: 3273/1875. [Event Date=17 February 1875]
↑ As communicated to the Author by various family members Stopford-19 00:42, 1 September 2023 (UTC)
↑Potts' Residence (1863): 1863 'V. Property Stolen or Lost.', New South Wales Police Gazette and Weekly Record of Crime (Sydney : 1860 - 1930), 4 March, p. 66. , viewed 01 Sep 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article252047293
Property Stolen or Lost...
Stolen sometime between the hours of 10 p.m., the 25th, and 8 a.m., 26th ultimo,-from a clothes’ line at the rear of the house of Cornelius J. Potts, seaman, residing in Waterview-street, Balmain, his property, two white calico shirts, and one white linen handkerchief. Value 5s.
↑Son George's Birth Registration (index): Birth Index (NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages : accessed 8 Sept 2023), index entry for GEORGE P BONAMY; Father's Given Names: GEORGE W, Mother's Given Names: EVELYN B; District: MOREE; Registration Number: 33534/1902. [Event Date=4 October 1902]
Research Note: given he was later known as "Douglas", the "P" in the index may be a transcription error and should perhaps be "D".
↑Son George's Birth Notice (Moree, 1902): 1902 'Family Notices', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 25 October, p. 1. , viewed 04 Sep 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14490977
BONAMY. - October 4, 1902, at her residence, Moree, the wife of George W. Bonamy of a son.
↑Son Jack's Birth Registration (index): NSW Government. Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Birth Index (Births search page : accessed 08 Sep 2023), Index entry for BONAMY CORNELIUS J; Father's given name(s): GEORGE W; Mother's given name(s): FLORENCE E; District: HUNTERS HILL; Registration Number: 32939/1904. [Event Date=10 October 1904]
↑Birth of son Donald R Bonamy:
"California Birth Index, 1905-1995", database
Alameda, California, United States, Department of Health Services, Vital Statistics Department, Sacramento
FamilySearch Record: V259-JNR (accessed 4 September 2023)
Donald R Bonamy born to Potts on 23 Jan 1908 in Alameda, California, United States.
↑Husband George sails with brother on Manuka: 1904 'PASSENGERS BY THE MANUKA.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 16 May, p. 8. , viewed 02 Oct 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14619977
↑Letter to Editor: 1906 'AUSTRALIANS IN SAN FRANCISCO.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 11 September, p. 5. , viewed 02 Oct 2023, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14804712
↑Passenger List:
"Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S., Arriving and Departing Passenger and Crew Lists, 1900-1959", database with images
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Series Title: Passenger Lists of Vessels Arriving At Honolulu, Hawaii, Compiled 02/13/1900 - 12/30/1953; NAI Number: A4156; Record Group Title: Records of the Immigration and Naturalization Service, 1787 - 2004; Record Group Number: RG 85 Ancestry Record 1502 #15220435 (requires subscription, accessed 4 September 2023)
Name: Eva Bonamy; Gender: Female; Race: Australian; Nationality: Australian; Marital Status: Married; Arrival Age: 29; Birth Date: abt 1882; Birth Place: Sydney, Australia; Last Residence Place: Sydney, Australia; Final Destination Place: Honolulu, T. H.; Arrival Date: 5 Dec 1911; Arrival Place: Honolulu, Hawaii; Complexion: Fair; Eye Color: Blue; Hair Color: Fair; Height: 5 Feet 5 Inches; Money: $50; Ship: Makura; Mother: Potts Katoomba; Spouse: Bornamy; Person in Old Country Name: Mrs Potts Katoomba; Person in Old Country Residence Place: N. S. W?? Australia; Person in Old Country Relationship: Mother; Person in US Name: Mr Bornamy; Person in US Relationship: Husband.
↑ Copy of photograph in the personal possession of the Author, Susan Stopford.
↑1920 Census:
"United States Census, 1920", database with images
citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T625; Affiliate Film Number: 1926; Line: 53; Digital film/folder number: 004968991; FHL microfilm: 1821926; Record number: 32122; Sheet number: 1; Sheet letter: B; Packet letter: A
FamilySearch Record: MHNP-TST (accessed 4 September 2023)
FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GRNY-93SB Image number 00673
Eva Bonamy (38), wife, in household of George W Bonamy (38) in King, Washington, United States. Born in Australia.
Additional information (Occupation, Father's Birthplace and Mothers Birthplace) transcribed by Susan Stopford on 9 Sep 2023 10:03 am AEST.
↑1930 Census:
"United States Census, 1930", database with images
citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T626; Line: 11; Digital film/folder number: 004955349; FHL microfilm: 2342227; Image number: 478; Sheet number: 21; Sheet letter: A; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N03825-5
FamilySearch Record: XC33-RLQ (accessed 4 September 2023)
FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9RCZ-ZSJ
Florence E Bonamy (51), wife, in household of George W Bonamy (49) in Seattle, King, Washington, United States. Born in Massachusetts.
Additional information (Occupation, Father's Birthplace and Mothers Birthplace) transcribed by Susan Stopford on 9 Sep 2023 10:03 am AEST.
↑1940 Census:
"United States Census, 1940", database with images
citing Affiliate Publication Number: T627; Line: 46; Digital film/folder number: 005460466; Image number: 712; Sheet number: 7; Sheet letter: B
FamilySearch Record: K93M-VWV (accessed 10 September 2023)
FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L9M1-9VVL
Florence Bonamy (60), wife, in household of George W Bonamy (59) in Seattle Election Precinct, King, Washington, United States. Born in California.
↑Death of husband George W Bonamy:
"Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960", database
citing Seattle, King, Washington, reference 1051, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Olympia; FHL microfilm 2,023,903
FamilySearch Record: N3RN-PZ6 (accessed 4 September 2023)
Eva Bonamy in death record for husband George W Bonamy 15 Mar 1941 in Seattle, King, Washington.
↑Death:
"Washington Death Certificates, 1907-1960", database
citing Seattle, King, Washington, reference 14047, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Olympia; FHL microfilm 2,033,042
FamilySearch Record: N3BS-8HD (accessed 9 September 2023)
FamilySearch Image: Death Certificate
Eva Bonamy death 9 Aug 1951, daughter of George W. Bonamy, in Seattle, King, Washington.
↑Obituary (newspaper): 1951 The Semi-Weekly Spokesman-Review 11 Aug
↑Memorial Plaque: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/130665652/evelyn-florence-bonamy: accessed 9 September 2023), memorial page for Evelyn Florence “Eva” Potts Bonamy (1879–9 Aug 1951), Find a Grave Memorial ID 130665652, citing Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle, King County, Washington, USA; Maintained by Diane Payne (contributor 46850881).
This profile was originally created by Neil Smith citing information provided by Kerry Serl.
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