EDITH EMILY BAX
|
|
Edith Emily Bax was born in Tumut, , the second child to William Thomas Bax (1855-1920)and Emma Caroline Pike (1860-1946) . Edith's older brother was William Arthur Stanley, known as Arthur (1879-1953) and she had four younger siblings; Harold William Thomas (1883-1949), Herbert Edward, known as Bert (1887-1969), Norman Maxwell (1889-1933) and Vera (Place) ( 1892-1965). Edith's father was a teacher and the family moved to Orange and Albury before moving to Sydney. He later became principle of Marrickville Public School and then Woollahra Public School.
As a young woman Edith was visiting her Aunt Elizabeth in Coolamon, when she met the handsome Reverend Charles Mclelland Barker. They were married on 10/07/1901. There wedding was widely reported on in the country papers. Edith wore, ‘white figured silk, with semi-train edged with tiny flounces, the bodice being trimmed with pearl passementerie and satin streamers, and the usual veil and wreath.’ The couple holidayed in Stanwell Park and then Charles left Coolamon to take up the Casino Circuit. Below are two different notices. The one in the Wagga Advertiser is incredibly detailed with descriptions of the decorations, the outfits of all the women in the bridal party and an extensive list of wedding gifts. I wonder what happened to it all. Wouldn't it be fabulous to have a little bit of our Great Grandmother. In an article in the Illawarra Mercury, 'Renowned barrister to quit living in Berry Hills' (2013), it says, 'One of Mr Barker's favourite pieces is the re-upholstered low-slung armchair, where his grandmother once sat knitting.' Unfortunately I never knew such a chair existed connecting to Great Grandmother and where that chair disappeared to when Dad died is not known.
As a young woman Edith was visiting her Aunt Elizabeth in Coolamon, when she met the handsome Reverend Charles Mclelland Barker. They were married on 10/07/1901. There wedding was widely reported on in the country papers. Edith wore, ‘white figured silk, with semi-train edged with tiny flounces, the bodice being trimmed with pearl passementerie and satin streamers, and the usual veil and wreath.’ The couple holidayed in Stanwell Park and then Charles left Coolamon to take up the Casino Circuit. Below are two different notices. The one in the Wagga Advertiser is incredibly detailed with descriptions of the decorations, the outfits of all the women in the bridal party and an extensive list of wedding gifts. I wonder what happened to it all. Wouldn't it be fabulous to have a little bit of our Great Grandmother. In an article in the Illawarra Mercury, 'Renowned barrister to quit living in Berry Hills' (2013), it says, 'One of Mr Barker's favourite pieces is the re-upholstered low-slung armchair, where his grandmother once sat knitting.' Unfortunately I never knew such a chair existed connecting to Great Grandmother and where that chair disappeared to when Dad died is not known.
The happy couple had three children. Harold Charles McClelland (1902-1919), Kathleen McClelland (1906 - 1998) and CHARLES McCLELLAND BARKER (1908-1999). When Edith was 35 weeks pregnant her husband died while on circuit in Young. He had contracted pneumonia. The story is that he was preaching in the rain and caught a terrible cold which progressed to pneumonia. Edith's mother Emma Bax and her mother in law, Eliza Barker and sister in law, Amy , travelled by train to Young arriving just before Reverend Charles passed away. A heavily pregnant Edith could not travel and did not see her husband again.
On his deathbed he made a will leaving. ‘All of my property to my dear wife Edith Emily Barker, to be used and disposed of by her for the benefit of herself and the children,' ’ Exactly what his property was is unknown but Edith had enough money to purchase a block of land on Alt Street, Waverley and build a house there, 'Amaroo' completed in 1911. |
|
Amaroo, 59 Alt St
(photo taken 2022)
She initially rented two rooms out in the house and either lived in one room with her three chidren or lived with her parents in 'Euston' Chester St, Woollahra. Edith placed advertisements in the Sydney Morning Herald to let out 'Amaroo' six times between 1911 and 1920; sometimes one room, sometimes two and sometimes the whole three bedroom cottage. There is no phone so everyone has to apply directly to the premises. In 1915 she is listed in the Sands Directory as living at' Amaroo' but more than likely had at least one boarder. At one point she advertises it as 'available for a few weeks after Christmas.' Her parents had a holiday
In October 1920, Edith lets out 'Amaroo' and her mother also lets 'Nimrod.' I'm unsure where they move to but Edith must have stayed in the area. In April 1922 there is a strange robbery in Birrell Street near Alt St. Edith is out at 10pm at night when a 'slight man on a black bicycle' snatches her bag. The contents of the bag are astonishing with many items of jewellery and cash. Why was she out at 10pm at night with a handbag containing so many things of value? I can't help wondering if she orchestrated something for an insurance claim to collect some money. Her brother Norman was in insurance. Already in 1912 she had reported a gold albert chain as stolen (probably the one her husband received from the Coolamon Community (see REVEREND CHARLES MCCLELLAND BARKER) Then in 1929 two watches are stolen, 'Gent.’s silver open-face keyless watch, “ C. M. Barker ” inside back case, glass broken; a lady's chased silver open-face watch, out of order.' 
|
Nimrod, 64 Alt St (photo taken 2022)
home in Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains so perhaps she went there for a holiday. In 1913 her parents purchased 'Nimrod' at 64 Alt Street, just across the road from their daughter. There is a photo of the extended family taken in the garden at 'Nimrod' around 1917. (below left) In January 1919 Edith's eldest son Harold 's appendix burst and he passed away in St Vincent's Hospital. He was just sixteen years old. How devastating this must have been for her after losing her husband. However, there was more tragedy to come. Her father William was unwell at that time, suffering from throat cancer. When his younger sister, Emily, died in Mudgee in August 1919 he was unable to attend the funeral due to illness. William Thomas Bax took his own life, shooting himself in the mouth on the footpath outside of his own house. What a cruel thing to inflict on his family. Either his own wife or Edith found him, hearing the gunshot and rushing outside to the bloody horror of William's mangled face. A family member rushed him to St Vincent's Hospital by motorcar but he died on arrival. Two of Edith's brothers lived in Waverley; Herbert and Norman, so it was likely one of them. I wonder who cleaned up the footpath after his body was taken away. I imagine this probably fell to his wife and daughter Emma and Edith. There was a Coroner's Inquest in 1920 and his death was due to the 'Effects of a bullet wound to the head. willfully inflicted by himself.' In 1930 Edith's mother Emma moved to Bondi and five years later in 1935 Edith followed her moving into a block of flats, 'Cromer' at 9 Bon Accord Ave, Bondi. Dad remembered collecting her with his father for dinner at their home in Epping. He called her Ga Ga. In July 1967 Edith was the first to write in the guestbook at the Mountain House ;16 Myoori Ave, Wentworth Falls that belonged to her son Charles and his wife Norma. She mentions that she has been a regular visitor since 1958 to this 'happy place.' Edith passed away in 1970 and is buried at Waverley Cemetery next to her husband (with her mother in law Eliza on the other side.) 
|
|
|
Waverley Cemetery
|
|
