Charlotte Holmes

#925, (circa 1830-28 August 1899)
FatherWilliam Hyde Holmes1 (1794-1 Jul 1864)
MotherEllen O'Donnell1 (c 1799-11 Jan 1865)
ChartsDescendents of Robert Holmes
Last Edited23 Sep 2022
Biographical Database of Australia ID:U#30381167902, X#30381167904, T#50011543147.2
WikiTree ID:https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Holmes-19519.
     (For a brief history and context on the Holmes family see this page)

NOTE: The information on this page is my research to date and is subject to change as I become better informed. I very much welcome any corrections or additional info you might have - my email address is at the bottom of this page. Whilst historical facts are not copyright, my writing about these facts are. If you wish to use any text from this site on Ancestry or on any other website, please ask me first - Tim Hill.
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Charlotte Holmes may have been born circa 1830 at County Limerick.3 She was the daughter of William Hyde Holmes and Ellen O'Donnell.1 Charlotte Holmes may have been born circa 1834 at County Limerick.4

Charlotte emigrated from Liverpool on 27 October 1841 on the 'Champion' with her parents and siblings (both biological and adopted.)1,5,6,7 After a voyage of 108 days Charlotte arrived at Sydney on 12 February 1842. During the voyage 5 sailors committed mutiny but were eventually released by the Attorney General.1,5,6,7
She presumably lived with her parents at Princes Street in The Rocks, in Sydney, in 1843. It is not clear that the entry refers to this family, but is a reasonable speculation given that Bridget and her husband claimed to live in this same street ten years later.8

The family soon became parishioners at St. James' Church of England, thought of as the principal church in the city and one which "the congregation usually includes the family of the Governor, and a large proportion of the leading members of society. It is also decidedly the favourite resort for the more aristocratical among the votaries of Hymen". How this sat with the Holmes family isn't known, but perhaps it sat well with William and Ellen as they contemplated the future for the eight young women under their charge. With space to seat a congegation of 1500, it would have made for a bustling centre of the community.9
Killmallock c.1821 attributed to John George Muvany
She presumably lived with her parents at Sydney in January 1851. in Macquarie street.10

She may have attended the wedding of her sister in the marriage of Henry Hugh Hill and Bridget Holmes at St. James' Church of England on Monday, 20 January 1851 at Sydney. Bridget and Henry went on to have four children together.10,11

She may have attended the wedding of her sister in the marriage of William Patrick McMunn and Albina Hyde Holmes at St. James' Church of England on Monday, 17 January 1853 at Sydney. William and Albina went on to have some 10 children together.12,13

She married George Edward O'Brien, son of Sergeant Timothy O'Brien and Judith Julie Josephine McCoy, at St. James' Church of England on Saturday, 9 April 1853 at Sydney..14,15 She presumably lived with her spouse George at at Leichhardt Street in the Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley in June 1864.16

Her father died 1 July 1864 at the approximate age of 70.

Her mother died 11 January 1865 at the approximate age of 65.

A Charlotte O'Brien was charged with larceny in April 1872:
STEALING A BLANKET AND COUNTERPANE -Charlotte O'Brien was charged with larceny; she pleaded not guilty. -Mr Inspector Lewis prosecuted-John Gallwey said he was a sheriff's officer, and resided in Skinner street. On Saturday evening last, about 8, he went out; on his return home his wife told him something, and he went into a back room and found that a blanket and counterpane had been removed from the bed and were missing; they were his own property, and he had never authorised their removal. He identified the articles produced. It appeared, from further evidence, that Mrs James Grant, wife of Joseph Grant, residing in Leichhardt street, shopkeeper took charge of the blanket and counterpane for the prisoner, and to prevent her selling them, as she had proposed, lent her 5s on their security, she handed over the stolen property to Detective Mosse who, with Detective Timmins afterwards arrested the prisoner at Bradley's residence, on Spring Hill. The prisoner maintained that the articles belonged to her, but adduced no evidence on that point. His Worship, in sentencing the woman to six months' imprisonment, said it was the inordinate love of drink which had brought her into trouble.17



She arrived at Toowoomba Gaol, in Toowoomba, Queensland, in April 1872 in April 1872:
'One more unfortunate was received at the Toowoomba gaol, under sentence of six months' imprisonment, from the Brisbane Bench. The prisoner's escort consisted of thirteen armcd policemen, and no little stir was occasioned at the railway station on their arrival. The woman's name is Charlotte O'Brien, and 'love of drink' is reported to have been the cause of her downfall.18



A Charlotte O'Brien was charged with using insulting language; she pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 14 days gaol.19

A Charlotte O'Brien was charged on 29 September 1875:
Charlotte O'Brien was charged with vagrancy and having no visible means of support. The prisoner it appears is an old offender, and has been frequently in Toowoomba gaol. She was remanded until the following day.20



A Charlotte O'Brien was gaoled on 18 May 1877:
DRUNKENNESS.— Charlotte O'Brien, for this offence, and having twenty-one, previous convictions recorded against her, was sentenced to three months imprisonment with hard labour in Toowoomba gaol.21



A Charlotte O'Brien was fined one pound (or 24 hours imprisionment) for drunkenness.22

Charlotte was charged on 26 February 1879:
Minor Offences. — Three inebriates were discharged, one was fined 10s., and Charlotte O'Brien, for a similar offence; was fined; £2, with the alternative of forty-eight hours imprisoninent.23



A Charlotte O'Brien was charged on 18 June 1879:
Disorderly Conduct.-Charlotte O'Brien, for behaving in a disorderly manner, was fined £2, with the option of forty-eight hours'confinement.24



Charlotte A Charlotte O'Brien was charged on 18 June 1879:
Minor Offences.— Two drunkards were discharged. Charlotte 0'Brien , who made her thirty-third appearance before the Bench, was fined £2, with the alternative, of forty-eight hours in the cells, for disorderly conduct.25

Charlotte (and presumably her spouse George) lived in February 1881 at at Gibbs Street in the Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley.26

A Charlotte O'Brien was charged on 28 February 1881:
Charlotte O'Brien, charged with using threatening and abusive language likely to cause a breach of the peace, with one of her neighbours in Gibbs-street, Fortitude Valley, on the 23rd of February, was remanded, after the hearing of the prosecuting witness, until Monday morning, to enable her to bring evidence in her defence.26



Charlotte was charged with threatening her husband in May 1883:
SURETIES OF THE PEACE —Charlotte O'Brien, charged on remand on Monday with unlawfully threatening her Husband, G. E. O'Brien, was ordered to find one surety of £10, to keep the pence for a period of three months.27



Charlotte was charged again: on 2 October 1883:
PROTECTION. - Charlotte O'Brien, who was reported to be stone blind, was brought before the court for protection. She was remanded for examination by the medical officer of police.28



A Charlotte O'Brien was charged with drunkenness and was given the option of a 20s. fine or 24 hours imprisionment.29

She was sentanced to 7 days imprisonment for drunkenness on 1 January 1886.30

She was sentanced to 7 days gaol at at Darlinghurst Gaol in the Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst for drunkenness on 14 January 1886.31

She was sentanced to 4 days imprisonment for drunkenness on 25 June 1886; she was imprisioned at Darlinghurst.30

Charlotte was sentanced to 7 days gaol at Darlinghurst for drunkenness on 9 December 1886.32

Frances Hyde Holmes was sought for stealing money from her sister Charlotte Holmes on 3 February 1887:
"Sydney - A warrant has been issued by the Water Police Bench for the arrest of Fanny Montgomery, charged with stealing the sum of £3 [or £8] 15s. from the person of Charlotte O'Brien, on the 3rd instant. Offender is about 46 years of age, tall, medium build, fair hair and complexion; dressed in black dress, black cape, black and white bonnet with lace strings, and elastic-side boots with high heels. Complainant may be heard of at Mrs. Joseline, Langton place, Paddington."33



She was admitted to Darlinghurst on 21 October 1887 for a 7 day sentence for drunkenness.34

Charlotte was admitted to Darlinghurst on 1 December 1887 for a 7 day sentence for drunkenness; she was released after 5 days when the fine was paid.35

Her husband George died 2 December 1887 at the age of 56, leaving her a widow.

On 30 June 1888 she was admitted to at Newington Asylum For Frail and Aged Women in the Sydney suburb of Newington where she stayed for a little over a month, before being released on her own request. Ten weeks later she was back for another 60 days before absconding. She was admitted three times in the following year, remaining on two occasions for a little over a month before absconding again. When she was admitted on the 28th of January she remained for nearly two years before absconding again.4

She was sentanced to 7 days imprisonment at Darlinghurstor drunkenness on 4 April 1889.36

She was only free for 4 days before she was brought back again, this time for 13 months when her conduct was described as 'so-so'.4

On 4 June 1892 she was again admitted to Newington, this time staying for 18 months. Her conduct was described as 'bad' and she again left without permission.4

Repeating a familiar pattern, she was again admitted to Newington on 2 February 1894, this time staying for 10 weeks before absconding; she was back within a day. This time she stayed for 6 months when she discharged herself.4

On 6 November 1896 her daughter Elizabeth died.

On 19 November 1896 her daughter Julia died.

On 9 February 1897 she was sentanced to 6 months gaol at Darlinghurst for vagrancy.37

On 24 July 1897 her son William died He was her last remaining child, of nine.

Charlotte died on 28 August 1899 at Newington of cancer.38,39 Her body was interred at Rookwood Cemetery (Catholic section) on 29 August 1899 at the Sydney suburb of Rookwood. Old Catholic Mortuary 1 (Grass plot).40

Timeline

DateEventPlace
Family
Family
1830Birth-CandidateCounty Limerick3
1
1834Birth-CandidateCounty Limerick4
1853Married Name14,15
1853MarriageSt. James' Church of England, in Sydney14,15
1872Quotation type 217
1872Quotation type 2Toowoomba Gaol, in Toowoomba, Queensland18
1875Note memo only CR CRToowoomba, Queensland19
1875Quotation type 2Toowoomba, Queensland20
1877Quotation type 2Toowoomba, Queensland21
1878Note memo only CR CRBrisbane22
1879Quotation type 1Brisbane23
1879Quotation type 2Brisbane24
1879Quotation type 1Brisbane25
1881Residence at Gibbs Street in the Brisbane suburb of Fortitude Valley26
1881Quotation type 2Brisbane26
1883Quotation type 127
1883Quotation type 1Brisbane28
1885Note memo only CR CRBrisbane29
1886Note memo only CR CR at Darlinghurst Gaol in the Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst30
1886Note memo only CR CRDarlinghurst31
1886Note memo only CR CRDarlinghurst30
1886Note memo only CR CRDarlinghurst32
1887Quotation type 233
1887Note memo only CR CRDarlinghurst34
1887Note memo only CR CRDarlinghurst35
1888Note memo only CR CR at Newington Asylum For Frail and Aged Women in the Sydney suburb of Newington4
1889Note memo only CR CRDarlinghurst36
1891Note memo only CR CRNewington4
1892Note memo only CR CRNewington4
1894Note memo only CR CRNewington4
1897Note memo only CR CRDarlinghurst37
1899DeathNewington38,39
1899Burial at Rookwood Cemetery (Catholic section) in the Sydney suburb of Rookwood40

Family

George Edward O'Brien (12 May 1831-2 Dec 1887)
Children

Citations

  1. [S272] Assisted Immigrants to NSW, Archives Office of NSW "Champion", arr. 12th Feb. 1842.
  2. [S1295] Sydney Parish Registers for St. James, 1832-1856 George Edward O'Brien, Marriage Status: Bachelor; Gender: Male; Residence: St James Parish [NSW AUS]; Bride: Charlotte Holmes, Marriage Status: Single; Residence: Parish of St James [NSW AUS]; Gender: Female; Married by Licence or Banns: Licence; Married: 9 Apr 1853 By Rev Oswald J Howell; Husband signed or X mark: signed name; Wife signed or X mark: signed name; Witness: Charlotte Holmes, [NSW AUS]; Signed or X mark: signed name; Witness: John Fahey, Residence: Macquarie Street, Sydney [NSW AUS]; Signed or X mark: signed name; Registered at church: St James, Religion of church: Church of England; Volume entry number: 26, Event Registered at Sydney [NSW AUS]; NSW Registry number: V1853963,39,C; Original Remarks: Additional witness(es): Eliza O'Brien of Victoria Barracks (S).
  3. [S272] Assisted Immigrants to NSW, Archives Office of NSW "Champion" arr. 12 Feb. 1842.
  4. [S1200] New South Wales, Australia, Hospital and Asylum Records, 1840-1913 Ancestry.com, Name: Charlotte O'Brien; Birth Year: abt 1834; Admission or Discharge Date: 30/06/1888 (30 Jun 1888); Admission or Discharge Place: New South Wales Australia; Age: 54; Asylum: Government Asylums for the Infirm and Destitute; Title: Register of Inmates Mc-O, S-U, 1880-Nov 1896.
  5. [S327] My Early Pioneers and Their Lives (http://www.frankmurray.com.au) http://www.frankmurray.com.au/?page_id=787
  6. [S344] The Australasian Chronicle, 1842 'Shipping Intelligence.', Australasian Chronicle (Sydney, NSW : 1839-1843), 15 February, p. 3, viewed 20 February, 2011, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article31735058
  7. [S344] The Australasian Chronicle, 1842 'News and Rumors of the Day', Australasian Chronicle (Sydney, NSW : 1839-1843), 3 March p. 3, viewed 20 February, 2011, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page4232218
  8. [S640] New South Wales, Australia Historical Electoral Rolls, 1842-1843, Civilian Roll for Gipps Ward, in the City of Sydney, for the year 1842-43.
  9. [S1335] Joseph Fowles Sydney In 1848 Chapter VII.
  10. [S271] Parish Registers for St. James, Vol.37A No.51.
  11. [S268] The Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1851 'Family Notices', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 25 January, p. 5. , viewed 19 Jan 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12924347 (Interestingly, the newspaper stated that Bridget was the second daughter of William and Ellen).
  12. [S271] Parish Registers for St. James, Vol.39C No.913.
  13. [S268] The Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1853 'Family Notices.', The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 21 January, p. 2, viewed 17 October, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12943044
  14. [S271] Parish Registers for St. James, Vol.39C No.963.
  15. [S268] The Sydney Morning Herald, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 12 Apr. 1853.
  16. [S350] The Brisbane Courier, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1864 'Family Notices', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 16 July, p. 1. , viewed 15 Nov 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1259726
  17. [S350] The Brisbane Courier, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1872 'CENTRAL POLICE COURT.', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 9 April, p. 3. , viewed 15 Nov 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1316833
  18. [S1204] The Darling Downs Gazette, BrisbaneToowoomba, Queensland, Australia, 1872 '(From the Courier.)', The Darling Downs Gazette and General Advertiser (Toowoomba, Qld. : 1858 - 1880), 10 April, p. 3. , viewed 15 Nov 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article75528980
  19. [S1204] The Darling Downs Gazette, BrisbaneToowoomba, Queensland, Australia, 1875 'TOOWOOMBA POLICE COURT.', The Darling Downs Gazette and General Advertiser (Toowoomba, Qld. : 1858 - 1880), 15 September, p. 2. (SUPPLEMENT TO THE DARLING DOWNS GAZETTE.), viewed 15 Nov 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article77763459
  20. [S1205] The Warwick Examiner and Times, Queensland, Australia, 1875 'WRDNESDAY, SEPT. 29.', Warwick Examiner and Times (Qld. : 1867 - 1919), 2 October, p. 2. , viewed 15 Nov 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article82106704
  21. [S1203] The Telegraph (Brisbane), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1877 'CITY POLICE COURT.', The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), 18 May, p. 3. , viewed 15 Nov 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169510415
  22. [S1203] The Telegraph (Brisbane), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1878 'CITY POLICE COURT.', The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), 15 June, p. 2. , viewed 15 Nov 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169693754
  23. [S1203] The Telegraph (Brisbane), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1879 'CITY POLICE COURT.', The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), 27 February, p. 2. , viewed 15 Nov 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169500507
  24. [S350] The Brisbane Courier, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1879 'City Police Court.', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 19 June, p. 3. , viewed 15 Nov 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article890222
  25. [S1203] The Telegraph (Brisbane), Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1879 'CITY POLICE COURT.', The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), 18 June, p. 2. , viewed 15 Nov 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article169500829
  26. [S350] The Brisbane Courier, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1881 'City Police Court[?]', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 28 February, p. 3. , viewed 15 Nov 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article912998
  27. [S1206] The Week, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1883 'POLICE COURT.', The Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), 26 May, p. 11. , viewed 15 Nov 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article183698740
  28. [S350] The Brisbane Courier, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1883 'CITY POLICE COURT.', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 3 October, p. 3. , viewed 15 Nov 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3422592
  29. [S350] The Brisbane Courier, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, 1885 'CITY POLICE COURT.', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 23 February, p. 6. , viewed 15 Nov 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3439430
  30. [S952] New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books 1819-1930 Ancestry.com, Name: Charlotte O'Brien; Date of Admission/Photo: 01/01/1886 (1 Jan 1886); Gaol: Darlinghurst; Gaol Location: Darlinghurst New South Wales Australia; Record Type: Entrance Book.
  31. [S952] New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books 1819-1930 Ancestry.com, Name: Charlotte O'Brien; Date of Admission/Photo: 4/01/1886 (14 Jan 1886); Gaol: Darlinghurst; Gaol Location: Darlinghurst New South Wales Australia; Record Type: Entrance Book.
  32. [S952] New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books 1819-1930 Ancestry.com, Name: Charlotte O'Brien; Date of Admission/Photo: 09/12/1886 (9 Dec 1886); Gaol: Darlinghurst; Gaol Location: Darlinghurst New South Wales Australia; Record Type: Entrance Book.
  33. [S617] State Records Authority of NSW, New South Wales Government Gazette, 1901-2001, Sydney 9th February 1887 p.44.
  34. [S952] New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books 1819-1930 Ancestry.com, Name: Charlotte O'Brien; Date of Admission/Photo: 21/10/1887 (21 Oct 1887); Gaol: Darlinghurst; Gaol Location: Darlinghurst New South Wales Australia; Record Type: Entrance Book.
  35. [S952] New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books 1819-1930 Ancestry.com, Name: Charlotte O'Brien; Date of Admission/Photo: 01/12/1887 (1 Dec 1887); Gaol: Darlinghurst; Gaol Location: Darlinghurst New South Wales Australia; Record Type: Entrance Book.
  36. [S952] New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books 1819-1930 Ancestry.com, Name: Charlotte O'Brien; Date of Admission/Photo: 04/04/1889 (4 Apr 1889); Gaol: Darlinghurst; Gaol Location: Darlinghurst New South Wales Australia; Record Type: Entrance Book.
  37. [S952] New South Wales, Australia, Gaol Description and Entrance Books 1819-1930 Ancestry.com, Name: Charlotte O'Brien; Date of Admission/Photo: 09/02/1897 (9 Feb 1897); Gaol: Darlinghurst; Gaol Location: Darlinghurst New South Wales Australia; Record Type: Entrance Book.
  38. [S338] Ancestry.com.au Ancestry.com, (http://www.ancestry.com.au/) https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/161633812/… (for exact date and place).
  39. [S365] Genes Reunited (http://www.genesreunited.com.au) Tree of Kathleen Le Gras (member_key=8887262).
  40. [S951] Sydney Cemetery Headstone Transcriptions Ancestry.com, Name: Charlotte O'Brien; Age: 64; Burial Place: Sydney, New South Wales, Australia; Cemetery: Rookwood; Section: O; Inscription: buried 29 Aug 1899 (Grass plot); Denomination: Old Catholic Mortuary 1.