Thomas Marriott, Snr (1817 – 1909) Obituary
Mr Thomas Marriott, senr., who shortly after Xmas took a chill, as a result of which double pneumonia supervened, died last Friday morning, despite every care and attention from Dr Williams and his family, in the 93rd year of his age.
The late Thomas Marriott was born in 1817 at Barton, Bedfordshire, England. He left England for W.A. when about 25 years of age and arrived at Australind on April 10th, 1842, in the ship Diadem. He was married to Miss Lyons (who came over in the same ship) on August 23rd, 1842, at Picton Church; and who is still living. They had a large family, 14 in all, 10 of whom are living, five sons, viz., John, Thomas, William, James and David, and five daughters, Mrs Wm. Delaporte, Mrs Meredith, Mrs Wm. Piggott and two in Victoria.
Mr Marriott retired from active life about 20 years ago. He was a member of the old Wellington Roads Board for years, but apart from that did not take an active part in public matters. It is recorded that Mrs Marriott was the first white woman to travel inland, the mode of conveyance being a bullock dray. One of the deceased’s chief characteristics was his desire to settle debts as soon as they were incurred, and he paid cash all his life, and could never rest satisfied if he knew he owed an account anywhere. When the gold rush set in to Victoria Mr Marriott with some others went over there but not amassing the wealth he expected returned to West Australia.
The funeral took place at Picton, on Saturday last, and was largely attended by a lot of Brunswick folk and many old Bunbury residents, the chief mourners being John, David and Thomas Marriott. Most of the pall bearers represented the old families who came out in the same ship. They were the Hon. the Premier Mr N. J. Moore, CM G., M.L.A., Mr E. M. Clarke, M.L.C., Mr Thos. Hayward, M.L.A., and Messrs A. S. Teede, Luke Crampton and A. F. Clifton.
(Bunbury Herald, 12 January 1909.)
Mrs Mary Ann Marriott née Lyons (c1824- 1920) Obituary
Slowly the pioneers of the great South-West are disappearing. As the years roll by one or another of those hardy pioneers who by their hardihood have made this corner of the State what it is today pass away, until at this present time very few of the early residents of this district now remain.
A further link with the past was broken with the death of Mrs. Mary Marriott, who passed away on June 12 at the residence of her son, Mr. David W. Marriott, of “Riverdale,” Brunswick. Brunswick’s Grand Old Lady was in her ninety-seventh year when her call came, after a life brimful of interest and well-doing for her family and friends. The late Mrs. Mary Marriott arrived in this State at the age of 17½ years, from London, where she had lived during her childhood. The trip out was made in 1842, in the old sailing ship the “Diadem,” which brought out a number of settlers a lot of whom took up land around Australind, creating the settlement there.
Since her arrival Mrs. Marriott has spent the whole of her 80 years in this State. She was married at Picton at an early age to Mr. Thomas Marriott, who has predeceased her. As the result of the union a full score of children were born, ten being alive at present, the eldest now being 76 years of age, while the youngest is 50.[1] Those who remain to mourn the loss of their mother are John, Thomas, James, Phoebe, William, Mary, Elizabeth, Celia, Mercy and David.
The funeral took place on June 14, at the Picton cemetery, where so many of the old people of the district lie at rest. The last rites were performed by Rev. Fryer, of Brunswick. The Pall-bearers were Messrs. T. W. Paisley, A. R. Foreman, R. Forrest, W. Reading, E. Rose and E. M. Clarke. The chief mourners included the sons (John, Thomas and William), Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Marriott, Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Meredith (daughter and son-in-law). Mr. and Mrs. W. J. Piggott (daughter and son-in-law), Mr. W. Delaporte (son-in-law), Mrs. Jackson (sister). Messrs. Stan and Irwin Meredith (grandsons), Messrs. Geo. and Walter Jackson (nephews), Mr. Harley Marriott (grandson), and Mr. W. Walker. A large number of floral tributes were received and laid upon the grave. Messrs. W. Brittain and Son conducted the funeral arrangements.
(South Western Times, 17 June 1920.)
[1] The number of children born varies in the obituaries.