Thomas Hardin Davidson & Mary-Jane Allen ...
Thomas Hardin Davidson was the first-born son of Robert Telford Davidson and his first wife, Isabella Hardin. Born in Newcastle-on-Tyne in Northumberland on 16 March 1852, Thomas was christened 7 months later at Lanercost in Cumberland, on 10 October. The story of his journey to Australia with his parents at the young age of 2, and the sad loss of his mother, Isabella, can be found on his father’s page by clicking here.
After the death of his mother, Thomas spent his early years with the McIntosh family in Steiglitz while his father Robert moved around the countryside working. Eventually both the Davidson and McIntosh families settled in the Daylesford area, with Robert marrying Margaret McIntosh, the eldest daughter of Robert and Grace McIntosh, in 1858. Margaret had also played a large part in the upbringing of young Thomas since their arrival in Australia.
About 10 years later, the Davidson family made the move to the Mt Egerton district, and in 1871 Thomas applied for 20 acres of land south-west of Egerton, on the Egerton-Yendon Road. On this land, he constructed a two-roomed, weatherboard, shingle-roofed house. As time went by, Thomas made improvements to his property, adding a dam and fencing around the perimeter, as well as sinking a well to provide a good water supply.
In 1876, he married a local girl, Mary-Jane Allen, at her parent’s residence in Egerton, with family history stating that the reception was held at the Doch and Doris, his father’s hotel. Thomas and Mary-Jane went on to have 9 children over the following years - William Silas, Robert Telford, Isabella Ellenor, Thomas Alfred John, Teresa Maud, Ethel May, Richard Ephraim, Sarah Jane, and Ada Priscilla Elizabeth. Sadly, little Sarah Jane born in 1890 died in infancy the following year. Further information on Thomas and Mary-Jane's children can be found by accessing the links on the left.
In the early 1880’s, Thomas and Mary-Jane and their growing family moved to Malmsbury. At that time, he transferred his land in Egerton to his stepmother, Margaret. During their time in Malmsbury, Thomas worked as a manager at one of the local gold mines. It is told that Thomas loved his music, and was known to often stay out late, singing and dancing, dressed in his kilt.
Accident at the Lord Nelson mine
Accident at the Lord Nelson mine
In October 1888, an accident occurred at the Lord Nelson mine which resulted in Thomas becoming somewhat of a hero when he saved 2 of the trapped miners, putting himself in great danger whilst doing so.
Considerable excitement was caused Thursday morning last when it became known that two mining accidents had occurred at the Lord Nelson Mine during the night. As the news spread it became intense. The first information we received was to the effect that Henry Stefan, an old identity and highly respected miner had been removed to hospital in a dying condition caused by the falling in of the stope at the north end of the mine at 700' and that Thomas Perry and William Cutting, also well-known residents and respected workmen, had been smothered in the stope between the 780' and 880' levels. On interviewing the Manager, Mr. Lowe, he informed us that the men had run a great risk of their lives but that both accidents were of the nature likely to occur at anytime in a large mine.
In the first case Stefan had while, in the place indicated, at 11pm, received
severe bruising and dislocations of his collar bone caused by the giving way of the large catch piece and he was glad to say the house surgeon of the hospital just reported that his injuries were not of a dangerous nature. With regard to Cutting and Perry at 1am the first set gave way where they were working, they were pinned to the wall by their legs, one standing and the other in a particularly stooping position. Both were able to converse throughout with those engaged in releasing them. This was a matter of time as the ground was such a loose nature that fresh timber had to be brought from the surface at 9.30am. I understand both men after a short time were able to walk home, much to the relief of relatives and friends. The Lord Nelson had produced 385ozs of silver at that period.
Source: St. Arnaud Mercury, October 20th, 1888
As a result of his bravery, Thomas was presented with a medallion by the Royal Human Society of Australasia. The Governor of Victoria brought him down to Ballarat by Cobb & Co coach, and then on to Melbourne for the presentation ceremony. After the ceremony, everyone went back to Craig's Hotel in Ballarat for an overnight stay, before returning to St. Arnaud the next day. The medallion is made of solid silver, measures about 4cm in diameter, and is attached to a coloured ribbon.
The citation reads:
"Awarded to Thomas H. Davidson, aged 37 years, manager of the 'Lord Nelson Mine', St Arnaud who saved William Cutting and Thomas Perry from death by suffocation on 18th October, 1888 at the Lord Nelson Mine, St Arnaud. A fall of earth took place in the stope at 780' and 880' level. Cutting and Perry were nearly buried and pinned down with broken timber and covered with debris. Davidson entered the stope and coolly proceeded to secure the ground to prevent a further fall which would have suffocated the two men. His life was in great danger during the operation. He was awarded a silver medal for his bravery by His Excellency, Sir William Robertson, acting Governor of Victoria, at Melbourne Town Hall on Monday, 22nd July 1889."
The family continued to live in St Arnaud, with Thomas furthering his love of music by playing with the Town Band. He was also a member of the local Fire Brigade. It appears that once the family moved from Egerton, contact between the two families was not as frequent.
Thomas suffered from what was known at the time as 'miner's disease' and, after a long illness, he passed away in 1893 at the young age of 41. He was buried in the Wesleyan section of the St Arnaud Cemetery, with his infant daughter Sarah, who had died just 2 years earlier.
Thomas’s wife, Mary-Jane, was left with 8 young children to bring up, and she worked very hard to care for them by doing laundering, ironing, repairing and general housework. By night, she educated her children by lamplight. Later, when the children were a bit older, she operated a coffee shop named the “Do Drop Inn”, in Napier Street, St Arnaud. It was at the coffee shop that she apparently met her second husband, Joe Rogan, and they were married at St Arnaud in 1898. Mary-Jane passed away at Fitzroy in 1912, at the age of 55. She is buried at Booroondara Cemetery, in Kew.
LOCAL & GENERAL NOTICE
General regret was expressed on Monday morning when it became known that Mr Thomas Davidson had breathed his last. The deceased, who had been a long sufferer from what is known as “Miner’s Disease” was unable to follow his usual occupation for some six months. The immediate cause of death was dropsy, following a severe attack of influenza. Mr Davidson had occupied a prominent position in the underground management of the Lord Nelson Mine for some years, and gave entire satisfaction therewith to his employers as well as the employees. The deceased, who was only 41 years of age leaves a widow and a large family of children, whom, were are sorry to know are in poor circumstances. The funeral will leave deceased’s late residence at 3.30 this afternoon and friends are kindly invited to accept this intimation. The members of the local fire brigade, of which deceased was a member, will take part in the funeral, and the coffin will be conveyed to the cemetery on the ladder carriage, drawn by firemen. The fire bell will toll for an hour during the progress of the funeral which will be headed by the local Brass Band, playing the “Dead March of Saul”. – St Arnaud Mercury
DEATH
DAVIDSON – On the 18th instance at Silvermines Road, Thomas Davidson, aged 41 years. The funeral will leave deceased’s late residence this day, Wednesday at 3 o’clock. – St Arnaud Mercury
FUNERAL
The funeral of the late Mr. T. Davidson took place on Wednesday afternoon. The mournful procession was headed by about 70 miners followed by the Brass Band playing the “Dead March” and a large number of firemen in uniform, some of whom drew the ladder carriage on which the coffin containing the remains of the deceased was placed. Attendance of the public was large. The flat at the Fire Station was hoisted half mast while the fire bell tolled. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. R. Ditterich and Captain Knight of the Salvation Army. – St Arnaud Mercury
To view the full Descendant Chart for Thomas Hardin Davidson and Mary Jane Allen, please click here.
Sources:
The Egertonian: Kith and Kin of our Clan Davidson - written by Gail Chambers and Lydia Davidson 1995 (edited by Gail Erwood 2021)
VPRO Land Files VPRS 24/1281 Folio 1467/49
Report of Lord Nelson Mine accident, St Arnaud Mercury, October 20th, 1888
Local & General notice, St Arnaud Mercury, June 21st, 1893
Death notice, St Arnaud Mercury, June 21st, 1893
Funeral notice, St Arnaud Mercury, June 24th, 1893