BAILEY, Thomas Arthur (1826 - 1920)

BAILEY, Thomas Arthur (1826 - 1920)
Thomas is believed to have been born about 1826 in Sandhill Launceston, he stated his age as 22 years when he was married in 1847. Thomas died at the age of 96 years on the 15th May 1920 and is buried with his second wife Jane at the Council Cemetery in New Norfolk. Thomas Arthur Bailey's obituary states his father held a licence for the "Horse and Jockey Inn" in Launceston. Edward E Bailey and Sarah Williams held the license for the "Horse and Jockey Inn" during the 1830's.

In the early days Thomas Arthur Bailey was engaged in bush work, sawing, splitting and carting and he settled at Broadmarsh where he became a skilled blacksmith. Thomas passed on his blacksmithing skills to all of his sons. Thomas Arthur married Mary Ann Barber on the 24th March 1847 at the United Church of England and Ireland in Green Ponds. Research has revealed that Thomas later changed his surname to Bailey. Thomas and Mary Ann had eleven children, ten of whom reached adulthood. My great grandfather Edwin was their fourth son. Mary Ann died on the 11th May 1872 at the age of 42 years and is buried in the church yard of St Marks Church of England, Pontville.

Thomas, daunted by the task of raising a young family, enlisted the help of Jane Burke. Jane maintained the household and cared for the younger children. Thomas and Jane had 9 children.

BAILEY, Thomas Arthur (1826 - 1920)
BAILEY, Edwin
BARBER, Mary Ann & 11 children
BURKE, Jane & 9 children