Maria Charles

Birth record not identified - rootsireland.ie lists a Catherine Byrne, father Peter Byrne, mother Bridget, baptised 2 December 1821, parish of Newbridge, Co. Kildare.

Passenger list record for Maria Catherine Byrne, 15 (born about 1826), born Kildare, Ireland, general servant, arriving at Port Phillip Bay, (Melbourne, Victoria), on 28 November 1841 , on the Frances, departure port Liverpool. Also listed with Maria is Elizabeth Byrne, 15 (born about 1826), born Kildare, general servant. Listed elsewhere listed is: father Paddy Byrne, 58 (born about 1783), born Kildare, Ireland, mason; mother Ellen Byrne, 38 (born about 1803), born Kildare, house keeper; brother Peter Byrne, 16 (born about 1825), born Kildare; brother Patrick Byrne, 12 (born about 1829), born Kildare; sister Ann Byrne, 8 (born about 1833), born Kildare; brother Martin Byrne, 5 (born about 1836), born Kildare; and brother James Byrne, 2 (born about 1839), born Kildare. Note the age 15 for Maria doesn't match with her age at death. Sister Elizabeth is above Maria in the passenger list and she is recorded as age 15 with a quote mark under for Maria's age.

Note at this time the settlement of Melbourne was part of the colony of New South Wales.

The Francis left Liverpool on 18 August 1841 with 107 bounty immigrants. The passenger list records that Maria and Elizabeth were imported on a bounty of £19 each. Father Paddy was too old for a bounty, but Ellen was worth £19; Peter £15; Patrick and Ann £10; and Martin and James £5 to the group that brought the migrants out to Australia, paid by the colonial government.

Victorian (ie New South Wales) Marriage registration index record for Maria Byrne marrying James Charles, No. 40166 of 1847.

Parish marriage record for Maria Byrne of Melbourne marrying James Charles of Loddon on 31 August 1847 at the St Francis Roman Catholic Church, by the Rev Nicholas Joseph Coffey, No. 467 of 1847. The witnesses were Bernard Loughrey and Elizabeth Bryne, both of Melbourne. Elizabeth signed with her mark. St Francis' Church was the first Catholic Church in Victoria and is at 326 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne.

Husband James died in 1871.

Victorian Probate record for James Charles who died intestate, his property at Swan Street, Richmond granted to his widow Maria Charles.

Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Wednesday 7 August 1872, page 3

IN the County Court at Melbourne.— Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction.— In the matter of JAMES' CHARLES, late of Richmond, in the Colony of Victoria, Laborer, deceased.— Notice Is hereby given, that, after the expiration of fourteen days from the publication hereof, application will be made to this. Honorable Court. that a RULE to ADMINISTER the freehold land whereof the said James Charles-died seised or possessed may be GRANTED to Maria Charles, of Richmond aforesaid, the widow of the said deceased. Dated 7th August, 1872. H. 0.STUTELY, 56 Chancery-lane, Proctor for the said Maria Charles.

Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Wednesday 25 January 1899, page 2

" WILD RABBIT."

John Liddal, a rabbit hawker, was fined £1. with 2s 6d costs, in default seven days' Imprisonment. by the Richmond bench to-day for assaulting Mrs Maria Charles on Monday last. The affair arose out of a dispute as to the price of a rabbit, and defendant smacked complainant over the head with the carcass.

Age (Melbourne, Vic.), Thursday 26 January 1899, page 7

AN ANGRY RABBIT HAWKER.

John Siddall was charged at Richmond court yesterday with assaulting Maria Charles on 23rd inst. On the day named accused was hawking rabbits, and called at Mrs. Charles's residence. Informant said she would take one, but when it was skinned, she saw it was discolored, and refused to take delivery, whereupon accused swung it round his head, and struck her in the face with it ; at the same time using some bad language, Siddall, whose only explanation was that he had lost his temper, was fined 20s., or seven days' imprisonment.

1903 Electoral roll - Charles, Maria, 4 Kingston Street, South Richmond, home duties.

1909 Electoral roll - Charles, Maria, 4 Kingston Street, South Richmond, home duties.

Victorian Death registration index record for Maria Charles, died Port Melbourne, Victoria, aged 90, father Peter Byrne; mother Ellen Brady, No 3028 of 1910.

Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Saturday 2 April 1910, page 13

CHARLES.—On the 30th March, at the residence of her daughter, 115 Clark-street, Port Melbourne, Maria, the relict of the late James Hugh Charles, in her 91st year. A colonist of 69 years. Late of Fitzroy and Richmond. (Interred privately, April 1.)