Grandma Wilmott and Goll lived in The Glebe (Newcastle) throughout their married lives. For many years their address was 84 Wilton Street, but I am not sure when they first took up residence there.
After their marriage, the couple had two more children. Granduncle William (Will) was born in 1898. He married Mary Griffiths and lived in Wilton Street just a few blocks away from his parents. They had two children Joan and Trevor (could I have been named after my 1st cousin once removed?). Next, granduncle David (Dave) was born in 1901. later he married Edith Brownhill and the couple lived in the house next to Grandma Wilmott in Wilton Street. They had one child, Colleen.
In addition to having three natural children of their own, Mary Jane and Goll adopted (or “took in”) two other children; Kathleen (‘Aunty Kath’) and Thomas O’Brien (“Tommy”). Kath married Roy Watherson and had three children Elaine, Norma and Julie. Tommy married Essie Benson but, as far as I know, had no children.
I have little other knowledge of the married lives of Grandma Wilmott and Goll. Goll was a coal miner and would have, from time to time, been on strike. To keep food on the table, he used to hunt birds and rabbits (shooting and trapping), catch fish and grow fruit and vegetables. In addition, Grandma Wilmott had a “corner shop” on the corner of Alice Street and (what is now) City Road (formerly Railway Street, I think).
She was one of those people in the neighbourhood who helped other families with home births and also preparing those who had died at home prior to them being taken to the funeral home. She would have been well known and highly respected.
Mary Jane passed away at home on 23rd February 1948 having had a stroke caused by a brain clot. She was a diabetic and had been living with heart disease for many years.
The following entry in the “In Memoriam” column of the Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners Advocate of the 23rd February 1948 was from her husband Stephen Laurence Wilmott. The couple had been married for 53 years.
| WILMOTT. — In loving memory of my dear wife, Mary Jane, who passed away February 23, 1948.
The sorrow I feel words cannot ex plain, The ache in my heart will always remain, I loved her in life, I love her yet, She is mine to remember when others forget. Sadly missed by her loving husband, Steve. |