Mary Ellen (Skinn) Cross (1819 - 1918)

Born 12 Jan 1819 in Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia

Wife of Ralph Jackson Cross — married 20 Feb 1837 in Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 21 Oct 1918 at age 99 in Eschol, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

Mary was born in 1819. She passed away in 1918.

Birth Mary Ellen was born on 12 January 1819 at Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia, She was baptised on 31 May 1819 at St Lukes Liverpool.^[1]

Marriage Mary Ellen married Ralph Jackson Cross on 20 February 1837 at St Lukes, Liverpool, NSW. The register recorded that they were both of Bankstown, and both marked with an X. The marriage was witnessed by John Harris of Nepean River and Mary Morris Horsley of Bankstown.^[2]

Obituary: Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 23 October 1918, page 9:^[3]

DEATH OF A PIONEER.

The death occurred at Eschol, near Dubbo, on Monday of Mrs. R. J. Cross, one of the oldest natives of New South Wales. She was born in Liverpool in January, 1819, and was therefore within three months of 100 years of age. Her father, Mr. William Skene, was managing man for Sir Joshua John Moore for some years. On his marriage he received a grant from the Crown - in Gover-nor Macquarie's time - and it was on this land that Mrs. Cross was born, and resided up to the time of her marriage to Ralph Jackson Cross, in 1837. There were 12 children of the marriage, of whom seven are still living, viz., Mrs. Jos. Allan, aged 81, Dubbo, Ralph J. Cross, 78, William Cross, 70, Dubbo, Mrs. J. Hearne, 68, Narromine, Charles R. Cross. 65, Dubbo, George H. Cross, 63, Dubbo, and Fred. J. H. Cross, 57, Dubbo. Mrs. Cross lived at Dubbo for over 40 years. She had one sister. Mrs. John Harris, who died some few years ago at Annandale at the ago at 86.

Mrs. Cross, who retained her memory to the last, frequently related stirring tales of the early days. Bushranging was rife about Parramatta and Liverpool when she was in her teens. Their place was stuck up twice. On one occasion the marauders stripped the place of everything they could carry away.

Obituary: Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate, Tuesday 22 October 1918, page 2:^[4]

Almost a Centenarian.

DEATH OF MRS. M. E. CROSS.

One of the most interesting person-ages in the Dubbo district, possibly in the State, was removed from our midst by death yesterday. At the grand and venerable age of 99 years and 9 months Mrs. Mary Ellen Cross passed quietly away at the residence of her daughter, Mrs. Allen, Eschol. Born at Liverpool, N.S.W., on January 12th, 1819, she lived nearly half her great and useful life in the Dubbo district. During her lifetime of residence in these parts no lady was more popular and highly esteemed than Mrs. Cross, of Eschol. In later years, on account of her advanced age, she was unable to get about amongst her friends, but a very pleas-ant hour could always be spent with the old lady by any visitor who made a call at her home. For years she resided with her daughter, Mrs. Allen, an old lady of 80 years, and strangers were often astonished to hear Mrs. Allen speak of introducing her mother, and were doubly astonished to find the old lady hale, hearty and intelligent. The late Mrs. Cross was baptised in St. Luke's Church, Liverpool, and in the same church she was married. For some years after her marriage she re-sided at Emu Plains, and afterwards at Castlereagh, Nepean River. She came to Dubbo in 1872, and for 46 years she has lived in this district. Her husband predeceased her about 30 years. Eleven children were born of the marriage, seven of whom are still alive. These are — Mrs. Allen, Eschol (80); Mrs. Hearne, Narromine (67); Ralph, Sydney (78); William, Eschol (70); Charles, Eschol (63); George, Eschol (60); and Frederick, Eschol (58). Deceased also leaves 40 grand-children, and 22 great-grandchildren. The Cross and Allen families are amongst the best known and most re-spected in the West, and the late Mrs. Cross was known far and wide for her hospitality and good citizenship. The funeral, which was largely attended, took place to-day. After a short ser-vice at Holy Trinity Church, conducted by the Rector, the remains were laid to rest beside those of her late husband in the Church of England portion of the Cemetery, the Rev. C. W. Leavers (Rector) reading the burial service. Mr. J. R. Tighe carried out the funeral arrangements. The bereaved family have the condolence of a large circle of friends.

Sources

1. ↑ Baptised as Mary Ellen "Skin", Sydney, Australia, Anglican Parish Registers, 1814-2011 for Mary Ellen Skin Liverpool St Luke Composite 19 May 1811 - 07 July 1823 https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/61177/images/45578_liv%5Eco18111823-00015?pId=231460
2. ↑ Sydney, Australia, Anglican Parish Registers, 1814-2011 for Mary Ellen Skinn, Liverpool St Luke Composite 27 February 1826 - 23 September 1838 https://www.ancestry.com.au/imageviewer/collections/61177/images/45578_liv%5Eco18261838-00049?pId=900320762
3. ↑ 1918 'DEATH OF A PIONEER.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 23 October, p. 9. , viewed 15 May 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15807818
4. ↑ 1918 'Almost a Centenarian.', The Dubbo Liberal and Macquarie Advocate (NSW : 1894 - 1954), 22 October, p. 2. , viewed 15 May 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75565201

• Marriage, St Lukes register, Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia