Indigent burial 1886

[sparrett]

The informant on the record appears to be Constable HOEY. Present at the inquest.

If you go to Provic Inquests and search by the deceased's name, you can read the entire transcript of the inquest.


He was employed by a man named DUNBAS, who knew a good deal about him, including that he left a wife and family.

https://prov.vic.gov.au/explore-collection/explore-topic/inquests-and-other-coronial-records/inquests-deaths-deposition


This man DUNBAS was probably the source of the information about the deceased man.

Sue

[tejjy]

Yes, I have the inquest, thanks. PROV is amazing - so many of my ancestors died drunk and thanks to PROV I know the grim details more-or-less for all of them:-) This time I'm interested in the discrepancies; for example, Dundas says Robb is 65, not 61, and the duration of his stay isn't mentioned at the inquest.

I just wonder if there was a bureaucratic function for dealing with these kinds of burials in the 1880's (there is today) and if so, did it maintain records? Or might the church have stepped in to lend a hand (not likely, but perhaps) and if so, might there be records?

All very speculative, but you know, curiosity...

[sparrett]

My understanding is that in the absence of a relative who could pay for the burial a "pauper's burial" at the expense of the government, or a charitable institution would be carried out.
What do you know about his wife?

Sue

[wivenhoe]

Using britishnewspaperarchives.co.uk

  * Newtownards Chronicle and Co Down Observer  3 Apr 1886 p3
    Robb—January 19. at Melbourne, Austraia of apoplexy, Mr Thomas Robb, formerly of Lisburn.

  * Witness Belfast 2 Apr 1886 p1
    Robb—January 19, at Melbourne, Australia, of apoplexy, Mr Thomas Robb, formerly of Lisburn.


Three months after his death news is back in Ireland, and cause of death. Sounds like a letter sent back by....?

[tejjy]

What do you know about his wife?

Sue

The whole family returned to Dublin in 1873, and his wife died in Belfast in 1911. The inquest includes a deposition from his employer saying his wife and family was in Ireland.

[tejjy]

Using britishnewspaperarchives.co.uk

  * Newtownards Chronicle and Co Down Observer  3 Apr 1886 p3
    Robb—January 19. at Melbourne, Austraia of apoplexy, Mr Thomas Robb, formerly of Lisburn.

  * Witness Belfast 2 Apr 1886 p1
    Robb—January 19, at Melbourne, Australia, of apoplexy, Mr Thomas Robb, formerly of Lisburn.


Three months after his death news is back in Ireland, and cause of death. Sounds like a letter sent back by....?

That is exactly the quote that sent me looking for him in Melbourne. Prior to that I had assumed he was in Ireland with the rest of the family.

Whoever drafted the death notice knew more about him than the d/c informant, who wrote Belfast.

I would guess someone wrote to his wife - she would know his true origin. It's not what you'd call a warm notice, though, is it?

I have to say Thomas was not a good guy. If you extend your researches in the britishnewspaperarchive to 1861 you will find him (probably) stealing 100 pounds from his wife's brother 🥴

[maddys52]

This time I'm interested in the discrepancies; for example, Dundas says Robb is 65, not 61

For interest, a mention in the newspapers says he was 60
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/199450779

[maddys52]

Also for interest - at the inquest it mentions ROBB was employed by James DUNBAR. There is a mention of James DUNBAR of Westwood Place (same as Thomas ROBB) advertising for a lost dog:
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196954783 (1st column, near the bottom)

[tejjy]

Thanks for the dog! I have a range of directory entries for Dunbar - he was at Westwood St for about 10 years, then he moved to Club Lane on the other side of Little Collins St.

But a dog is more humanising. He must have been a saint to employ Thomas.