| [Index] |
| Margaret Elizabeth WILKINSON (1859 - 1944) |
| Children | Self + Spouses | Parents | Grandparents | Greatgrandparents |
| Margaret Elizabeth WILKINSON (1859 - 1944) + Edward Edwin John BRIDLE (1856 - 1943) |
Thomas William WILKINSON (1824 - 1904) | William WILKINSON (1797 - 1860) | John BOWMAN | |
| Elizabeth BLAKLEY | ||||
| Margaret KEOGH ( - 1829) | ||||
| Susannah Helena BRIDLE (1833 - 1912) | William BRIDLE (1797 - 1873) | |||
| Martha MILES (1807 - 1886) | Edward MILES | |||
| Susannah (MILES) |
| b. 19 Jul 1859 at Tumut, New South Wales, Australia |
| m. 10 Jun 1908 Edward Edwin John BRIDLE (1856 - 1943) at Murrumburrah, New South Wales, Australia |
| d. 1944 at Tumut, New South Wales, Australia aged 85 |
| Parents: |
| Thomas William WILKINSON (1824 - 1904) |
| Susannah Helena BRIDLE (1833 - 1912) |
| Events in Margaret Elizabeth WILKINSON (1859 - 1944)'s life | |||||
| Date | Age | Event | Place | Notes | Src |
| 19 Jul 1859 | Margaret Elizabeth WILKINSON was born | Tumut, New South Wales, Australia | 73 | ||
| 11 Jul 1904 | 44 | Death of father Thomas William WILKINSON (aged 80) | Tumut, New South Wales, Australia | 73 | |
| 10 Jun 1908 | 48 | Married Edward Edwin John BRIDLE (aged 51) | Murrumburrah, New South Wales, Australia | ||
| 16 Dec 1912 | 53 | Death of mother Susannah Helena BRIDLE (aged 79) | Tumut, New South Wales, Australia | 73 | |
| 04 Oct 1943 | 84 | Death of husband Edward Edwin John BRIDLE (aged 86) | Tumut, New South Wales, Australia | ||
| 1944 | 85 | Margaret Elizabeth WILKINSON died | Tumut, New South Wales, Australia | ||
| Personal Notes: |
|
MAGGIE BRIDLE nee Wilkinson
by Val Wilkinson Maggie was born on the 19 July 1859, the fourth child and first daughter of Thomas Wilkinson and his wife Susannah Bridle, and christened Margaret Elizabeth Wilkinson. Thomas and Susannah Wilkinson, whose family eventually consisted of eight sons and two daughters, lived at Yellowin, a property at the top end of the Blowering Valley. Maggie grew up on the family property and, no doubt, from an early age helped her mother with the household chores. She attended school with her brothers at the residence of Mr Timmis, a tutor employed by Thomas Wilkinson for his family, who lived nearby in the original Yellowin house. Maggie's role in life was to be nurse, helper, companion and child-minder for the family and from an early age this was apparent. Thomas Henry Wilkinson, her elder brother, recorded in his diary in 1871, that Margaret had remained home from school to attend to the household chores due to the illness of their mother - at this time, Maggie was 12 years old. Although the family home was over 20 miles from Tumut, Maggie did not lead an isolated life. From family records and photographs there were evidenfly numerous gatherings, picnics, social outings and visits to all members of the wider family. The diaries of her cousin also record visits to the Bridle family at Roseva/e, Bombowlee, just across the River at Tumut. Maggie is remembered by family members and in correspondence as the one who was always helping. ln 1886 her brother, Thomas Henry Wilkinson, recorded an extended visit by Maggie to Warialda where he was Police Magistrate. The entries show she was companion to her sister-in-law, Jinnie, and assisted with their children. In June 1BB7 Maggie returned to Yellowin with one of her nieces after her brother's family left Warialda. The years passed, but Maggie is still recorded as the nurse to family members - brother Alfred with brain fever being nursed at Adaminaby in 1g00; helping her brother Bertie, his new wife and baby in 1904 and 1905 when living at Adaminaby and the nearby property of Glen Maggie; in 1906 minding a iephew, Bevan Wilkinson at Yellowin; and caring for yet another nephew, Jack Wilkinson, who had been scalded but taken back to Yellowin for Maggie's caring attention. Maggie's own diary (Margaret Elizabeth Wilkinson - Her Litile Book) recorded some married. Apart from the diary, 'Maggie's Little Book' contains recipes, verses and autographs. Her nephew, Ross Wilkinson, who later in life edited her diary, wrote ".....Her terse laconic style of writing and the flavour of the quotations she has chosen will, perhaps, be found to reveal to the reader something of Maggie herself." Susannah Wilkinson, Maggie's mother, continued to need nursing due to ill-health, and in 1907 they both moved to Tumutto live to be closerto medical help. Maggie obtained the services of a nurse as well. Their home was in Richmond Street and called Chicara (named after a ridge running behind their old home at Yellowin). At Chicara Maggie continued caring for the next generation of her family, looking after nieces and nephews, especially at times of confinement of her sisters-in-law or family illness. Maggie's cousin continued his attentions through all this life of care, and on 10 June 1908, just before her 49th birthday, Maggie married Edward John Bridle of the Bowler's Flat family. Edward had spent much of his life away droving, but following the marriage, settled down to a life in town. Maggie's mother continued to live with the couple atChicara. Early in 1912, Maggie and Edward moved to a small property which her husband had bought at Bombowlee. lt was at this home, called Belubra, that Maggie's mother, Susannah, finally passed away in December 1912 after suffering another stroke. It seems that Maggie and Edward, now released from nursing Susannah Wilkinson, moved around to various places. Batlow, Campbelltown and Tallong are recorded as their places of residence. However, by 1939 they had returned to their home town and spent their last days in a home in Macquarie Street, Tumut. Edward was almost totally blind and it can be imagined that once again Maggie's skills were called upon. Edward died in 1943, after a long illness, having been lovingly cared for by Maggie. ln a letter written by Beatrice Bridle, a cousin by marriage, to Miles Franklin another cousin, a touching description of their love is given: ".....,..... They lived ,...in each other and their strong religious beliefs. I shall always remember the sight of Maggie, bespectacled, her silvery, grey hair falling over a huge magnifying glass reading her evening lesson from a large family Bible, while Ed leant forward on his stick drinking in every word. This... followed by a prayer was their daily custom......." Maggie died just thirteen months after Edward on 14 November 1944 aged 85 years. She is buried beside her beloved husband in the Church of England portion of the Tumut New Cemetery. Maggie Bridle was well loved by her family and friends - nieces and nephews regularly received notes and birthday greetings, presents and postcards from their dear Auntie". ln later years, great-nieces and nephews accompanied their grandparents on visits to Auntie Maggie, and all are remembered with fondness. Although not blessed with children, Maggie Bridle left a legacy of selfless care for others. The experience, skill and knowledge she imparted with the assistance freely and willingly given to her family, has given her a place as one of the true pioneering women of this district. Bibliography: FRANCIS, Margaret; VERNON, Stella & WILKINSON, Colin (eds), The Buddong Flows On, Volume 2 Genuine People. (The Buddong Society, 1993). |
| Source References: |
| 69. Type: Book, Abbr: Relict of, Title: Relict of … Lives of Pioneering Women of Tumut and District, Auth: Tumut Family History Group, Publ: Tumut Family History Group, Date: 2001 |
| - Reference = 81 (Name, Notes) |
| 73. Type: Book, Abbr: Pioneers of Tumut Valley, Title: Pioneers of the Tumult Valley , The History of Early Settlement, Auth: H.E. Snowden, Publ: Tumut & District Historical Society Incorporated, Date: 2004 |
| - Reference = 39 (Birth) |
| - Reference = 39 (Name, Notes) |