JOHN JOSEPH SMITH
Son of Bernard and Henrietta Maria Smith
Born: 1846, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 754/46).
Married: Mary DUFFY on 11.11.1869 at St. Mary's Cathedral, Perth,
W.A. (Perth 3036/69). She was born on 3.3.1848 in Portadown, Co.
Armagh, Ireland and died on 23.3.1938 at Mt. Lawley, Western
Australia (Perth 519/1938). Mary was the daughter of Bernard
Duffy and Sarah (nee Campbell). Bernard DUFFY died on 17.1.1861,
falling from the back of a cart in Adelaide Tce., while under the
influence of alcohol. Sarah re-married this time to Joseph Pearse, Blacksmith, at the Wesleyan Church, Perth, and then both disappeared!
CHILDREN
William Henry John
Edith Laura
Maud Clara (Bapt. Magdalena 25.1.1874)
Henrietta Maria
Emma Amelia
Alfred Ernest Bernard
Ethel Margaret
Eliza Ellen
Francis Reynolds Matthew
Plus one other child who died in infancy, dates unknown
John Joseph Smith was born in 1846 but little is known of his
youth although it is a safe bet that he attended the Perth
Catholic School and was taught by his Uncle Terrence Farrelly. On
11.11.1869, at the age of twenty three, he married an Irish
immigrant lass named Mary Duffy who had been born in Portadown,
Co. Armagh in 1843.
The family had ten children, eight of whom survived. At one
stage John Joseph was recorded as living in Roe St., where the
railway offices were later located. This may have been just before
or just after his marriage. Certainly by the late 1870's the
family was living at Paradise, a small settlement south of
Armadale, where the family ran a hotel. It was here that their
fourth daughter, Emma Amelia, was born on 7.7.1879.
Hillman recorded in his diary entry for Monday 9th May, 1881:-
Lent £100 for the Colonial Mutual to JJ Smith, on a good property worth three times as much on the Albany road.
During the next decade the family built and owned the Beaufort
Arms, the Brisbane and possibly the Newcastle hotels. His
mother's father had opened the Vauxhall Tavern at Point Walter and
his father had been the Secretary of the Temperance Society. A fly
on the wall would have heard an interesting exchange between
father and son when these projects were first announced.
Little more is known of his life and on 16.3.1892 the Inquirer
reported:
Mr. John J. Smith, the licensee of the Beaufort Arms, died very
suddenly at his residence about 9 0'clock last night, the direct
cause being an interruption to the action of the heart followed by
longstanding injury to one of his feet, for which he underwent an
operation, but which was not attended by wholly successful
results, several months ago. For some little time he had
occasionally complained of not feeling well, and the cause of his
indisposition was attributed by his medical adviser (Dr. Haynes)
to the injury referred to, but the doctor at no time regarded the
condition of his general health to be at all critical. Last night,
shortly after 8 O'Clock, he was overtaken by a fit, from the
effects of which he partially recovered, but within half an hour,
and before medical aid could be summoned, he passed away. The
deceased was the eldest son of Mr. Bernard Smith, of
Adelaide-terrace(sic) and leaves a widow (a daughter of the late
Mr. Duffy) and several children. Mr. Smith was very widely
respected, as was testified by the numerous attendance at the
funeral which took place this afternoon.
The attending physician felt some need to reply to this article,
and in doing so, gave us an additional insight into the last
months of John Joseph's life. Dr. Haynes letter was printed in the
Inquirer on 17.3.1892. and reads:
THE LATE MR. SMITH
Another obituary appears in "The W.A. Record" and reports the
death "with extreme regret". It also contains the information
that, "Mr. Smith had been a sufferer from an illness resulting
from an accident which happened many years ago" . The Record was
published by J.T. Reilly, the father-in-law of one of John Joseph
Smith's sisters, Mary Elizabeth, and so this report probably has
some family knowledge which was not readily available to other
reporters.
Dying three months before his father, John Joseph Smith was buried
in the East Perth Cemetery where his father was soon to be laid to
rest. Some years later his remains were removed to the new
Karrakatta Cemetery and many others of his family are interred in
the same grave.
Despite having been alive through the early decades of photography
in this State there seem to be no likenesses of him left and so we
are left with the comment from his doctor that he had become
"stout". For the rest he probably resembled his father.
Mary, his widow, continued to own the Beaufort Hotel. In 1975
Trevor Tuckfield, in an address to the Royal Western Australian
Historical Society entitled "Early Colonial Taverns and Hotels",
mentioned that "The Beaufort Arms" in Goderich Street, between Ellis and Beaufort
Streets, was occupied in 1895 by a Mrs. Smith.
In the Daily News of 4.3.1938, on the occasion of her 90th
birthday, ran an article about the:-
NONAGENARIAN PIONEER - In Perth for 79 years.
Mrs. Smith came to Western Australia from Ireland at the age of
11, so that this year is her 79th in Perth. The journey was made
in the sailing ship, the Amelia Mitchell, and took over three
months. Despite her age, Mrs Smith has an excellent memory and
talks interestingly of the days when Perth was nothing but sand
and trees.
A widow now for 45 years, Mrs. Smith had 10 children, eight of
whom she reared and educated. She has 23 grandchildren and five
great grandchildren. Her eyesight does not permit her to read or
sew, but she loves gardening. At present, her eldest daughter,
Mrs. V. Hawtin, is staying with her, but until recently she has
been quite capable of looking after herself in her own home.
Not bad for a newspaper reporter - there was only one error - the
ship she arrived in was the "Hamilla Mitchell". A bonus is the
photograph which accompanied the article.
Just three weeks later she died and her obituary appeared in the
West Australian.
THE LATE MRS. MARY SMITH
Following was a reprise of the 90th birthday article and finally a
list of attendees at the funeral. Here is that list with
annotations showing their relationship to Mary Smith.
Sons:
This was probably the last time there was such a major collection
of the descendants of Colour Serjeant John Smith in the one place
at the one time.
Died: 15.3.1892, aged 46, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 178/92).
Born 1870, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 12535/70).
Born 16.9.1871, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 13404/71).
Born 3.1.1874, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 15299/74).
Born 28.4.1876, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 17228/76)
Born 7.7.1879, Paradise, Western Australia (Williams Bridge
19214/79).
Born 2.11.1880, Perth, Western Australia (Albany 21404/80).
Born 6.9.1882, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 23236/82).
Born 16.6.1884, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 25240/84).
Born 8.1.1887, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 110/87).
Sir,- In your report of the death of Mr. John J. Smith, in last
night's issue, as my name is mentioned I may be allowed to point
out that the report is incorrect. It appears that some five
months ago deceased suffered from mortification of the little toe
and was operated on, not by me but by another medical man, and
about a month ago deceased applied to me for treatment as the
wound from the operation had remained unhealed. I then examined
him and found he had valvular disease of the heart, and I told him
that he had a narrow escape, for if the embolism which obstructed
the blood supply to his toe had gone to the brain sudden death
would have been the result. After one months tedious treatment I
healed his wound and on the morning before his death I cautioned
him that since he had had some five months confinement and had
grown rather stout he would have to be very careful not to overexert himself, lest he might cause another embolus to be carried
from the heart, which would perhaps lodge in the brain and bring
about sudden and fatal consequences. I may also point out, that I
never considered his condition other than critical, seeing he had
heart disease, and I had in my mind the idea that as one embolus
had found its way into the bloodstream it was likely another
would, and this I impressed on the deceased very firmly.- I am,
Sir, very truly yours, E.J.A. HAYNES
P.S.- The cause of death was due to embolism.- E.J.A.H.
Although her health has been failing slightly during the past 12
months, Mrs. Mary Smith, of 240A Newcastle Street, Perth, hoped
that she would be well yesterday for the celebration of her 90th
birthday. The excitement, however, proved to much for Mrs. Smith
and she spent the first day of belonging to the honoured ranks of
nonagenarians in bed.
Mrs. Mary Smith, of 240A Newcastle Street, Perth, the widow of the
late John Joseph Smith, who lived in Perth for the past 79 years
and was the original hostess of the Beaufort Hotel, died at Mt.
Lawley on Tuesday morning last. The funeral took place
yesterday morning and her remains were interred in the Roman
Catholic portion of the Karrakatta Cemetery. Prior to the
cortege leaving, the Rev. Father Valentine conducted a requiem
mass at St. Brigid's Church, West Perth, at which numerous
relatives and friends attended. The Rev. Father O'Neil conducted
the last rites at the graveside.
A.B. SMITH - Alfred Ernest Bernard Smith.
RENNIE SMITH - Francis Reynolds Matthew Smith.
Sons-In-Law:
J.V. HAWTIN - James Vernon Hawtin, husb. of Edith.
T.J. REARDON - Thomas Joseph Reardon, husb. of Etta.
W.B. HOOPER - William Birmingham Hooper, husb. of Emma.
J. WILSON - Gilbert Wilson - son-in-law, husb. of Ethel.
Close Relatives:
JACK REARDON - John Joseph Reardon - grandson, son of Etta & Tom.
STEVE SMITH - Stephen Arthur Aloysius - nephew, son of Harry
Smith, John Joseph Smith's brother.
C.REILLY - Charles Phillip Reilly - brother-in-law, husband of
Mary Elizabeth nee Smith, John Joseph Smith's sister.
C.GREEN - Clement Vaugham Green - nephew-in-law, husb. of Mary
Blanche nee Wiggett, (dtr. of Sarah Wiggett nee Duffy,
sister of Mary Smith).
C.BODICOAT - Clarrie Bodicoat - grandson-in-law, husb. of Evelyn
(Molly) nee Reardon, dtr. of Etta nee Smith & Tom Reardon.
Pall-Bearers:
M.F. TROY - Minister for Lands & Immigration -
F.P. (?) HORGAN - retired S.M. -
J.R. CAMPBELL - Manager State Hotels -
W.H. DUNPHY -
V.R. TRENAMAN -
S. CONDON -
Attendees:
J. JOYCE - Crown Law Dept. -
R.J. CAVANAGH - Righton John Cavanagh - great-nephew, son of Mary
Henrietta (Harriet) nee Gibbs & her 1st husband John
Cavanagh, (dtr. of Margaret Gibbs nee Duffy, (sister of
Mary Smith), & Henry Righton Gibbs).
B.J. CHARLES - Bede J. Charles - grandson-in-law, husb. of Enid
nee Hawtin, (dtr. of Edith nee Smith & James Hawtin).
W. GREEN - William Green - great-nephew, son of Mary Blanche
Green nee Wiggett, niece, (dtr. of Sarah Wiggett nee
Duffy, sister to Mary Smith), & Clement Vaugham Green.
CLEM GREEN - Clement Vaugham Green - (as above)
OSSIE GREEN - Oswald Green - great-nephew, son of Mary Blanche
Green, nee Wiggett (etc., as above)
GREG F.CHIPPER - Gregory Frederick Michael Chipper - great-nephew
son of Edith Sarah nee Gibbs (dtr. of Margaret nee Duffy,
(sister of Mary Smith), and Henry Righton Gibbs), and John
Frederick Whidby Chipper.
HARRY DUFFY - nephew, son of Bernard Duffy, brother of Mary Smith.
W. DUFFY - William Charles Duffy - nephew, son of Bernard Duffy,
brother of Mary Smith.
S.J. SMITH - Stephen Joseph Smith (as above - Steve Smith)
R.T. SMITH - Reginald Thomas Smith - nephew - son of Harry Smith,
brother of John Joseph Smith.
F.E. REARDON - Francis Eugene Reardon - grandson, son of Henrietta
Maria Reardon nee Smith, (dtr. of Mary & John Joseph
Smith), & Thomas Joseph Reardon.
E. DUFFY - Ernest Duffy - nephew - son of Bernard Duffy, brother
of Mary Smith.
H. POLAND -
J.B. DUFFY - James Bernard Duffy - nephew, son of Bernard Duffy,
brother of Mary Smith.
H.K. CORRY -
C.A. BODYCOAT - Clarence Aubrey Bodicoat (as above)
W.P. HORGAN -
K. RIDLEY - Keith Ridley, husband of Geraldene nee Reardon -
granddaughter (daughter of Etta nee Smith & Tom Reardon).
C.A. JONES - Charles Antony Jones - husband of Sarah Duffy, niece,
(dtr. of Bernard Duffy, brother of Mary Smith).
R.M. COURTNEY - Raymond Michael Courtney - great-nephew, son of
Elsie May Camillus Courtney, niece, (dtr. of Sarah Wiggett
nee Duffy, sister of Mary Smith), & William Vincent
Courtney.
W.V. COURTNEY - William Vincent Courtney - nephew-in-law, husb. of
Elsie Mary nee Wiggett, (dtr. of Sarah nee Duffy sister of
Mary Smith) & William Wiggett.
J.E. REILLY - possibly Joseph Thomas Reilly, father of Charles
Phillip Reilly, OR John Thomas Reilly, brother of Charles
Phillip Reilly. (should be J.T. - there was no J.E.)
B.S. RANFORD -
H. MAHER -
T. HOOPER - Tom Hooper - brother to William Birmingham Hooper.
R. GREEN - Ronald Clement Wiggett Green - great-nephew, son of
Mary Blanche Green nee Wiggett, (dtr. Sarah Wiggett nee
Duffy, sister of Mary Smith), and Clement Vaugham Green.
E. McKENNA -
GERALD HORGAN -
MRS. FURLONG - neighbour & friend.
MISS FURLONG - dtr. of Mrs. Furlong.
Floral Tributes:
Will, Emma & Family - William Birmingham Hooper & Emma nee Smith
(daughter & son in-law) & Roland John, Frederick Lionel,
Thelma Gertrude, Francis Gerald, Victor Allan, Laurence
Brice, Phyllis Marne.
Ren, May & Family - Francis Reynolds Matthew Smith & May (son &
daughter-in-law), & Joan, Arthur, Vera, Bill, Irma, John.
Vern, Edith & Family - James Vernon Hawtin & Edith nee Smith
(daughter & son-in-law) & James, Vivian, Dick, Irma, Enid
(Mrs. Bede Charles), Victor.
Etta, Tom & Family - Thomas Joseph Reardon & Henrietta Maria nee
Smith (daughter & son-in-law) & Evelyn (Molly)(Mrs. Clarrie
Bodicoat), John Joseph, Francis Eugene, Geraldene (Mrs.
Keith Ridley), Josephine (Mrs. John Shearer), Margaret.
Bert, Happie & Family - Bert Wilson & Ethel nee Smith (daughter &
son-in-law), & Langdon, Eric.
Jock & Maude - John Murphy & Maud Clara nee Smith (daughter &
son-in-law).
Patty White -
Mr. & Mrs. Ridley - could be parents of Keith Ridley OR Keith &
Geraldene nee Reardon (granddaughter).
Keith & Dulcie -
Molly & Clarrie - Evelyn (Molly) nee Reardon & Clarrie Bodycoat
(granddaughter & her husband).
Madge & Hilda Wiggett - nieces - daughters of Sarah Wiggett nee
Duffy, (sister to Mary Smith), & William Wiggett.
Alf, Jo & Mardie - Alfred Ernest Bernard Smith & Josephine (son &
daughter-in-law), & Margaret.
Mr. & Mrs. Edwards -
A.T. Jones & Family -
Maude Sullivan & Family - niece - dtr. of Sarah Wiggett nee Duffy,
(sister to Mary Smith), & William Wiggett, widow of Patrick
Joseph Sullivan.
Mrs. Pennefather & Family - Mother of Alecia Pennefather - wife of
John Joseph Reardon, son of Etta nee Smith & Thos. Joseph
Reardon.
Mrs. Furlong & Family - neighbour & friend.
Management & Staff Chas. Moore & Co. -
Norwood Women's Auxiliary R.S.L. -
