Charlotte Mary Ann Brooks - Duffy

Born Charlotte Mary Anne SCOTT. Her name appears as Mary AC BROOKS on the marriage certificate -John DUFFY married Mary A C BROOKS in 1840 in St Patricks Church Parramatta. it's possible she may have adopted her mothers maiden name. Her name appears as BROOKES on her daughter Bridget's birth certificate. One of the witnesses to this wedding is listed as Margaret DUFFY, this would most likely be John's Sister-in-law Margaret Fountain who married John's elder brother Peter in 1836.

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Charlotte Duffy died 1908 the daughter of Martha, no father named. This is probably the connection:

Marriage V1822 239 8 CA (Church of England Sydney, St Phillip's); Scott, James, to Brooks, Martha.

Birth V1824104 45A JA (Presbyterian Sydney, Scots Church); Scott, Charlotte M A, to James and Martha.

Charlotte is the only recorded birth for James and Martha Scott. Martha then remarried, to Henry Pollard:

Marriage V1829101 73A JA ; Pollard, Henry, to Brookes (sic), Martha.

Note: Obituary below states that John Duffy married a Miss Pollard, daughter of Henry, sister of Mr T Pollard.

Henry and Martha Pollard had a son Thomas 1839/1840; Mr T Pollard?

Marriage V1840 14 146 LH (Roman Catholic Parramatta); Duffy, John, to Brooks, Mary A C.

Charlotte M A/Mary A C used her mother's previous name Brooks at marriage.

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NSW BDM 1908/3158 St Leonards; Duffy, Charlotte M A, daughter of Martha.

The SMH Sat 11 Jan 1908; Death:

DUFFY -January 9, at The Valley, Hornsby, Charlotte, widow of the late John Francis Duffy, late of Thornleigh, aged 84 years.

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John Francis Duffy died 1894/12597 St Leonards, son of Patrick and Bridget.

The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate Parramatta Sat 21 Jul 1894

Death. — The sting of Death has this week been the means of taking from this district one of its oldest, most respected and prominent residents, in the person of Mr. John Francis Duffy, who died at his residence on Monday morning last, having completed his 76th year. For the past two years the deceased gentleman had been ailing a good deal, and during the latter twelve months had been almost entirely confined to his room, having become during that time almost helpless. Dr. Smith had been in attendance frequently.

Mr. Duffy was born on the coast of France in 1818, and came to this colony with his father, Sergeant Duffy, in 1828. The latter arrived here at the time of the visit of the Third Regiment of the Irish Buff's, and as he desired to stay out here in preference to returning with that Regiment, he received a grant of 100 acres, situated along which is now known here as Duffy's lane.

Shortly after arrival Sergeant Duffy was given charge of a party of convicts, who were then located in the vicinity of what is now known as Beecroft. The removal of these having taken place, Sergeant Duffy settled down on the grant with his wife and four sons, viz. : Patrick, John Francis, William and Peter.

Sergeant Duffy died at the age of 52, his wife having preceded him; both were interred in the R. C. Cemetery, Parramatta North.

John, the now deceased, continued on part of the grant of his father's, some 25 acres, and went in for orcharding principally, marrying a Miss Pollard, a daughter of old Henry Pollard, the wedding taking place in St. Patrick's, Parramatta.

The couple took up their residence on the 25 acres referred to above, and continued to live a prosperous and happy life, rearing a family of seven sons and six daughters, all of whom are now living, and all married excepting one son and one daughter, the whole of the family being a credit to their parents, as well as being an acquisition of the right sort to any district in which they might choose to live.

As well as leaving these behind him, the deceased leaves his wife (a sister to Mr. T. Pollard) and over 50 grandchildren.

He was not a man who, like many, rested indifferently as to the general welfare of his district, for he was always up and doing until he even had to be lifted in and out of a vehicle to attend different meetings. He took a most prominent part in church matters, and he and the late Mr. Osborn were the principals in having the old Hornsby school established.

He also took an active part in the establishment of the present Thornleigh public school, and up to his death was a member of the School Board, and was also the first president appointed in connection with the School of Arts here.

The main road from Pennant Hills to Gordon he was instrumental in having cleared and formed, and, in fact, to sum up all his accomplishments in connection with the advancement of the district would only be taking up too much space, suffice it to say he was one who would never say "fail" once he went about a thing. As a member of the Fruitgrower's Union in its infancy he was also a thorough worker, and when he was compelled to leave it, it lost a good man.

During his life, Mr. Duffy had several unpleasant experiences, and narrowly escaped with his life. One occasion was on the return from the Ophir diggings. When he arrived home he was pulling from among the baggage off the dray a double barrel gun, when suddenly one of the barrels discharged. Luckily for him it happened to be the off barrel from him, which sent the charge along his arm and by the side of his ribs, completely shattering his coat, vest and shirt.

On another occasion, whilst returning home from the Sydney Markets after selling a load of fruit, he was stuck up by a man at North Shore near the Crow's Nest and tied to a tree and robbed, it being early the next morning before he was released by a passer-by.

The funeral of the deceased took place on Wednesday, the interment taking place in the Gore Hill cemetery, where the remains were followed by an exceedingly large procession of the deceased's many friends. Among the many beautiful wreaths was a magnificient floral cross sent by Mr. Hugh Epthorp, on behalf of the pupils attending the local public school.

Mr. Patrick Duffy, senior, known as the father of the eleven Duffy cricketers, is the only surviving brother left of the deceased, and he was among the mourners at his brother's funeral.