Mary Jane "Tottie" Hayes 1881 - 1970
married 1909
Thomas Isaac Davies 1975 - 1967
First Born
Mary Jane was born 25 Nov 1881 in Tooborac with the help of the districts mid-wife Granny Haack. From her early days, her father Ted's nick name for her was 'Tottie' and it stuck for the rest of her life.
Tottie was the first of nine siblings - she had four brothers and four sisters. Sadly little Winifred died as a three year old from heatstroke in 1897 when Tottie was a fifteen year old. This must have been a very hard experience for Tottie as she would have been like a second mother to the children as a first daughter. Later that year Tottie turned 16 and had apparently become quite discontented.
Tottie was the first of nine siblings - she had four brothers and four sisters. Sadly little Winifred died as a three year old from heatstroke in 1897 when Tottie was a fifteen year old. This must have been a very hard experience for Tottie as she would have been like a second mother to the children as a first daughter. Later that year Tottie turned 16 and had apparently become quite discontented.
Polishing 'School' in the City
Tottie's daughter Lorna recalls her mother explaining the following to her: "Tottie was not content working at home at 'Mimosa Glen' and so in 1897 at the age of 16 years her parents boarded her with her mother’s first cousin, Sarah Ann Kemp (nee Hendy). Sarah’s half sisters, Polly and Eliza Jacka also lived there. Sarah had baby Hubert Kemp in the December of that year. This household lived in Wellington Street in Clifton Hill, the Toorak of Melbourne in those days. She learnt needle craft, oil painting, and piano. She later returned home to 'Mimosa Glen' to be the seamstress for 8 children." We can only assume that Sarah Ann’s husband, James Kemp was there as well but Lorna didn’t happen to mention him. James was from Cornwall, as were the Hendy family. He had been an engine driver in Chewton at the time of their marriage.
While Tottie was away, Edward and Sarah fostered a 15 year old girl, Grace Eveline Bone from March 1898. While Tottie was away, Leslie was born in 1898 and her last sister, Violet Bernice was born at the turn of the century in 1900. Grace left a year after Violet was born. We presume that 'Tottie' had returned by this time to become the seamstress for her family. |
Dressmaker in Nagambie
Lorna recalls her mother explaining that: "At some later stage Tottie went to live and work at Alfred Gadd's General Store in Nagambie as a dressmaker. Alfred had married Esther Hayes (nee Berry), the widow of George Hayes." Thus Tottie was living with her Aunt Esther and two of her four cousins plus two step-cousins. If we assume Tottie was there in 1903 at age 22 years, then Maria, who had been working as a dressmaker for her step-father, was now married (1891) and had five children. Emily was also married and had two children. Tottie would have appreciated the company of her cousins Esther (‘Topsy’) age 23 and Caroline (‘Pimpy’) age 21 who we assume were also working for Alfred. Her step-cousin, Ivy was about 13 and may have been helping in the workshop or at school. Ivy's brother Richard was about ten.
However, the photo (on the right) taken of Alfred Gadd's dressmakers in 1902 does not include any of these women. |
Sweet Romance
While working in Nagambie, possibly even in the store, Mary Jane Hayes met Thomas Davies. Tom had been previously married to Sarah Mary Clayton who had died in the November of 1907, leaving him with their only daughter, Edna Irene May Davies. Edna had been born in 1906. Sarah was known to all as "Cissy" and was described as a tiny, delicate person.
Tom and Tottie were married 19th August 1909 at Tottie's parents' home, ‘Mimosa Glen’ in Tooborac.
|
"Wedding Bells"
|
"Fairview" Children
Tom took Tottie home to his property “Fairview” in Rushworth where they ran sheep and grew wheat.
Clifton Hayes Davies was born 21 March 1911 at "Fairview". The following year, on 6th November 1912, Lorna Hazel Davies was also born at "Fairview". Tottie gave birth to Hazel Janet Mary on the 22 February 1915. Sadly Clifton died February 1916 barely a month before his 5th birthday. Lorna was only three and a bit at the time, so would have only been confused by all the strange emotions of the household. |
Lauderdale
They later sold this property and moved to Stanhope, also in Victoria, where they had bought a property they called Lauderdale.
House Renovators in their Retirement
Tom and Tottie retired to Melbourne. We assume Edna, Hazel, and Lorna all went with them. They bought and sold a couple of houses in Melbourne and did them up: for example, Selwood Street, Hawthorn East. Tom also invested in shares to receive a steady income.
Their final home in Melbourne was 4 Broadway in Camberwell in Melbourne with at least Lorna still living with them. |
Inheritance
Tom's daughter EDNA
Edna - struck by car
Unfortunately, Edna was only thirty years old when she was died after a car accident on Burke Road in Camberwell.
"Woman Struck by Car" The Argus, Melbourne 19 Aug 1936:"While she was crossing Burke Road Camberwell about 9pm yesterday, Edna Davies aged 30 years of Selwood Street, Hawthorn East was struck by a motor-car. She was admitted to the Alfred Hospital in a critical condition. It is feared that her skull is fractured." The Argus, Melbourne 21 Aug 1936: "Miss Edna Davies, aged 30 years, of Selwood Street, Hawthorn East died in the Alfred Hospital early yesterday morning from injuries suffered when she was knocked down by a motor-car in Burke Road, Camberwell, on Tuesday night." |