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Thomas Butler and Elizabeth Buckby © The son of George Butler and Maria (nee Checkley), Thomas was born on 19th December, 1848, in Exhall, Warwickshire. His birth was registered by his mother in the registration District of Foleshill and Sowe, a Sub-distict of Foleshill, Warwickshire, on the 4th January, 18491, his father's occupation on the Birth Certificate is given as Miner. Foleshill is 3km south-south-west of Exhall. The 1851 Census2 has Thomas age 2, with the family living at Black Bank, Exhall, Warwickshire. His father George’s age is given as a 32years old, a Miner Coal. His mother Maria is recorded as a 30year old Ribbon Weaver. Thomas’ siblings are listed as: James 9, Mather 5, Thomas 2 and Mary 8months. Exhall is an area roughly 3.5km south of Bedworth and 7km north-north-east of Coventry. Although Exhall is not mentioned specifically in the Domesday Book, it would have probably formed part of lands owned by Lady Godiva in Ansty and Foleshill. In any case, the parish was doubtless inhabited from at least the 13th Century, as the nave and chancel of St Giles's church appear to date from this period, with the tower added in the 14th Century. Largely rural until recent times3, coal mines were established from the early 17th Century onwards. During the Industrial Revolution, activities such as coal-mining and brick-making were further developed, leading to an increase in the population of the parish, and consequently the construction of many small houses for workers. These were mainly located along what is now Black Bank, and this is where Thomas’s family lived in 1851. Today, the name Exhall applies principally to the area immediately south of Bedworth. Records indicate Thomas was not baptized until the 5th December, 1858, along with his younger brother David, in Bedworth. This record has their father as a Weaver of Bedworth. Records indicate Thomas was not baptized until the 5th December, 18584, along with his younger brother David, in Bedworth. This record has their father as a Weaver of Bedworth. Thomas, a 12year old scholar, is listed on the 1861 Census2, along with his parents and siblings: James; Martha, Mary; George; Catherine (Esther); and David, living in Leicester Street, Starkeys Yard, Bedworth, Warwickshire. In 1863, Thomas accompanied his parents and siblings when they immigrated to Australia5. Arriving in Moreton Bay, on the Golden Empire, the family settled for a year or so in Stratton, a suburb roughly 20km south-south-east of Fortitude Valley. On the 3rd September, 1868, Thomas married Grace Randle in the house of her father at Eagle Farm in Brisbane, according to the Rites of the Weslyan Church6. Thomas was a 22year old Bachelor, occupation Farmer, Grace a 20year old Spinster, and they both signed their names. Married by Henry Woodhouse, the witnesses were Graces parents Charles & Mary Randle. Thomas & Grace were to have 3 children: Maria Grace 1870; Selina 1871; and Henry Stanley 18747. Sadly Grace died in 18777, however while the exact date and cause of death is unknown, it is known that she was buried in the Toowong Cemetery on the 19th November, 18778. Three years later, on the 11th February, 1880, Thomas married Elizabeth Buckby in St John's Church, Brisbane6. Thomas gave his age as 31, a Widower, his occupation given as a Drayman. He identified his parents as George Butler, a Labourer and Maria (nee Checkley). Elizabeth gives her age as 25, a Spinster, her occupation is given as a Dressmaker. Elizabeth identified her parents as James Buckby, a Carpenter and Anna Maria (nee Sutton). The officiating minister was John Sutton, and the Witnesses Alfred Buckby and Emily Buckby, it is assumed the witnesses were Thomas' brother & sister-in-law. Although we know Elizabeth’s mother Anna (nee Sutton) had a brother in the colony, it is not known if the minister John Sutton was related to Anna. A drayman was historically the driver of a horse drawn dray, a low, flat-bed wagon without sides that were used for transport of all kinds of goods. Now the term is really only used for brewery delivery men, even though routine horse-drawn deliveries are almost entirely extinct. It is believed Thomas may have worked for the Queensland Brewery, which was close to where he lived at the time. Some breweries do still maintain teams of horses and a dray, but these are used only for special occasions such as festivals or opening new premises. Born on the 7th October, 1854, at the German Station, Nundah, Brisbane9, Elizabeth was the daughter of James Buckby, a Labourer, and his wife Anna Maria (nee Sutton). Elizabeth was baptized at St John's Church in Brisbane on the 26th November the same year. Originally a small parish church, this was demolished in the early 1900s to make way for the much larger, and current, magnificent St John’s Cathedral. Records of the Nundah State School10 indicate that, in 1865, Elizabeth was one of the Foundation Scholars at what was then known as the German Station National School. Founded in 1865, on the same site that it occupies today, it was re-named Nundah State School in 1896, and is today one of the oldest primary schools in Queensland. After their marriage Thomas and Elizabeth settled in Hill Street, Stratton, which was then a part of Fortitude Valley, and Thomas continued in his occupation as a Drayman. Their first child, Edward David arrived in 1881, followed by: George Checkley 1884: Thomas Harold 1887, he married Elizabeth McKeown/Russell 1912; Elizabeth Grace 1889; Norman Artill 1891; Vernon Albert 1893; James William 1895; and Ethel May 1898. At some stage the family moved to Doggett Street, Fortitude Valley. This is where, at the age of 64years, on the 19th May, 1919, Elizabeth died11. Cause of death is given as Senile Decay, Chronic Heart Disease, Influenza and Heart Failure. The informant is recorded as her son N. A. Butler, her occupation a Housewife. Elizabeth was buried at the Toowong Cemetery on the 21st May, in Grave No.22, Section 15, Portion 411 & 8. Eighteen months later, on the 30th December, 1920, in Dogget Street11, at the age of 72, Thomas died. The informant was son Vernon A. Butler, who registered the death on 5th January. The cause of death recorded as Diabetes Mellitus, Coma and Heart Failure. The certificate identifies his parents as George Butler and Maria nee Checkley, states Thomas was born in Warwickshire England, and he had been in Queensland for 58 years. Thomas was laid to rest at the Toowong Cemetery on the 1st January, 1921, in the same plot as his wife11 & 8. It is not known if there is, or was, a headstone on their grave.
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