Bridget Mary Maher (1863 - 1935)

On the Electrol Roll 1913 & 1922, Bridget was stated as occupation, Home duties in Barcaldine, Qld.

The following is from Bridget's great grandson, Trevor John Crawford:

"Bridget Mary Maher, was born in County Cork, Ireland in 1863? to a fairly well off family. Her husband was Frederick Boustead and Englishman and he was a Blacksmith.

The family did not agree with her having anything to do with an Englishman so unbeknown to them she run away to Australia to marry Frederick Boustead. Years later her family tried to find her to give her her inheritance by placeing adds in all newspapers but her Irish pride stopped her from contacting them.

My mother could not remember much about Bridget Maher, as mum was only very young when she lived with her family. Mum did remember Bridget liked telling stories about The Banshees which used to frighten her.

Frederick died of pheumonia after going out looking for cattle at night in the cold and rain during the floods. Bridget lived for some time with Trevor's grandparents then went to live with son Frederick and his wife Bessy (my grandparents, Pop & Nana Boustead), when she became ill she was sent down to Nazareth House at Wynnum North in Brisbane, where she died in approx. 1935 aged 75".