1817

Thomas Brady born
-1817 in Scariff Ireland [according to his date at death aged 38 years, source: ‘Thomas Brady’. (1855). Certified copy of death certificate for Thomas Brady, 27 September 1855 (No. of certificate 846). DEATHS in the central district of Sandhurst in the Colony of Victoria, Registered by William Augustine Roche. via ancestry.com records for court case, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00103
“about 1814” [according to Assisted Immigrant Passenger Lists file IMAUS1787_081229-0020]

more info on Thomas:
-son of Peter, stonemason, of Co. Clare and Ellen his wife
-Thomas is Roman Catholic and travels out in very good health also being able to read and write.

1838

Married 1838 to Bridget Mailey at Ennis, County of Clare, Ireland.
[‘Thomas Brady’. (1855). Certified copy of death certificate for Thomas Brady, 27 September 1855 (No. of certificate 846). DEATHS in the central district of Sandhurst in the Colony of Victoria, Registered by William Augustine Roche. via ancestry.com records for court case, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00103
-Thomas was aged 21 at time of marriage.

MORE ABOUT BRIDGET
first name also sometimes spelt Brigit
maiden name recorded as:
MARLEY in cursive handwriting on thomas death certificate (marions copy)
MAILEY as typewritten entry on thomas’ death cert extract
MEALY on immigration papers , and Mary Jane’s death certificate and also her marriage cert to Richard Logan SOURCE ‘Brigit Mealy’. (1863). Online extract of marriage cert for Brigit Mealy (1963)(Registration number 1436 / 1863). Births Deaths Marriages, Victoria]
OMALLEY as her maiden name on her son Thomas Bready Jnr’s death extract [‘Thos Brady’. (1920). Online Extract for death certificate for Thos Brady, Abt 1918 (Reg. number 7218 / 1918). Births Deaths Marriages Victoria.]
MALEY on death cert as her maiden name
-Note her brother Michael also has his surname sometimes spelt as MEALLY

Parents: Thomas Mealy & Mary Murphy of Co. Clare
Brother: Michael Mealy, Stonemason, five years older than her.
[Michael Mealy married to: Mary, they have at least three young children in 1839]
Bridget was 22 when arrived in Australia 1839, so born 1817 in Co Clare Ireland.
She was a dairy woman, Roman Catholic like husband thomas, and could read and write.

20 Feb

First son Thomas Jnr born in Ireland (presumably Country Clare). Thomas Jnr turns 8 months old on 20th October 1839 according to immigration papers making his DOB 20 February 1839

corroborating evidence >>son Thomas Bready Jnr is noted as being 16 in 1855
(source: ‘Thomas Brady’. (1855). Certified copy of death certificate for Thomas Brady, 27 September 1855 (No. of certificate 846). DEATHS in the central district of Sandhurst in the Colony of Victoria, Registered by William Augustine Roche. via ancestry.com records for court case, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00103)

21 Feb

Alternate date of birth for Thomas Jnr. source:
-That I became the age of twenty one years on the twenty first day of January, one thousand, eight hundred and sixty.
SOURCE Affadavit of Thomas Bready 19.08.1874 FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00108

28 Sep.

Immigrates via ‘Abbotsford’ (vessel) part of ‘bounty’ system of immigration sponsored by Edward Cox, Esquire. [sourced from both Roxburgh, R., Baglin, D., National Trust of Australia, & National Trust of Australia. (1974). Early colonial houses of New South Wales / [by] Rachel Roxburgh ; Photography: Douglass Baglin. Sydney: Ure Smith in association with The National Trust of Australia N.S.W. p.242 and also Assisted Immigrant Passenger Lists]
Thomas aged 25 [according to Assisted Immigrant Passenger List file IMAUS1787_081229-0020] making his DOB 1814

Immigrating with: 22 year old wife Bridget and 7 month old baby Thomas Jnr sourced Assisted Immigrant Passenger List IMAUS1787_081229-0021

Also travelling with: fellow bounty Immigrant Michael Mealy (also a stonemason and sponsored by Edward Cox) who is also Bridget’s older brother. He is also travelling out with his wife, Mary also from Co. Clare and their three young children.

more info on vessel: it was a barque.
described as a ‘the barque Abbotsford’ in SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE. (1839, September 30). The Sydney Herald (NSW : 1831 – 1842), p. 2. Retrieved January 27, 2026, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article28653758

1839
28 September

Arrives in Sydney NSW via ‘Abbortsford’ part of ‘bounty’ system of immigration to work for Edward Cox Esq. as stonemason on ‘Mulgoa’, Fernhill NSW – a Greek revival sandstone house. [sourced from both Early colonial houses of New South Wales p.242 inc description of house architecture. The specific title for Edward Cox and date of arrival in sydney from Assisted Immigrant Passenger Lists IMAUS1787_081404-0173]

-part of a stonemason team of 20 [sourced from Early colonial houses of New South Wales p.242

and travelled out with Michael Mealy and his wife Mary and their three children. (Michael is Bridget’s brother) [sourced from Early colonial houses of New South Wales p.242 HOWEVER author does not make the link that Michael and Bridget are brother and sister. you can see this source: Assisted Immigrant Passenger List IMAUS1787_081404-0173 and the sibling factor can be checked IMAUS1787_081229-0021 with IMAUS1787_081229-0022]

More info on MICHAEL MEALLY / MEALY-stonemason colleague and Bridget’s brother Michael Mealy ended up being based in Mudgee with an insolvent estate, I think he almost became an alderman but never served the term. (see searches under his name on trove inc. spelling Michael Meally). Would be interesting to know when Michael came down to Victoria to get an idea of when the job finished for them. Interesting if Bridget’s travels around Vic goldfields has them crossing paths or not.
see: drowning of Michael Mealy THE PROVINCES. (1857, December 14). Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 – 1918), p. 3. Retrieved July 15, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article87977461

20 October

Thomas Bready jnr turns 8 months old according to immigration papers making his DOB 20 February 1839

1842

1842 visibly carved above front door at ‘Mulgoa’, Fernhill NSW. Presumably house is finished in this year.

1843

daughter Elizabeth / (aka Ellen?) born source for 1843? marions cert??
-or 1844 – in Sydney
MORE ABOUT ELLEN
-I think it’s an error in the death cert I think it’s always Ellen in every other document.
-Ellen married name is Cook/Cooke

1845

daughter Mary Jane born 1845
source: aged 10 in 1955 according to ‘Thomas Brady’. (1855). Certified copy of death certificate for Thomas Brady, 27 September 1855 (No. of certificate 846). DEATHS in the central district of Sandhurst in the Colony of Victoria, Registered by William Augustine Roche. via ancestry.com records for court case, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00103. cant find a birth cert for her.
try also mary j or mary bready / brady

1848

son Henry Edward born 1848, Melbourne
source Henry Edward Brady’. (1848). Online extract of death certificate for Henry Edward Brady, 1848 (3201 / 1848). Births Deaths Marriages Victoria
He is listed as having died at age 7
which means he died some time in 1855 the same year as his father
-buried in same plot and listed second on gravestone so this means the death cert is probably accurate

1850

son WILLIAM BRADY is born or at least registered.
# 5077 / 1850 and or #43559 / 1850 see 2 birth cert extracts for William Brady born in Melbourne. One william dies aged 2 and one dies aged 5 named WILLIAM EDWARD Brady.
re sons deaths: source:
‘Thomas Brady’. (1855). Certified copy of death certificate for Thomas Brady, 27 September 1855 (No. of certificate 846). DEATHS in the central district of Sandhurst in the Colony of Victoria, Registered by William Augustine Roche. via ancestry.com records for court case, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00103

14 Feb

Thomas Bready, mason builds 2 houses on George St for owner Jeremiah Crowley while listed at Little Bourke St in city. fees paid on 14.02.1851

Houses identified as 90 and 94 George St by hist society
-does this mean the houses have already been built or are about to be built on that date?

28 Aug

Fee paid for 1 house on Webb Street, opposite Collingwood Hotel with Bready listed as builder owner on 28.08.1852.
-does this mean the houses have already been built or are about to be built on that date?
-Bready listed at Little Charles St, Collingwood

who owns the land? Does Bready buy the lot off James Swords in 1852? how can I find out?
>>>>.A deed is a formal, legally binding document used to transfer rights, obligations, or property interests from one party to another. Unlike an ordinary contract, a deed does not require “consideration” (a bargained-for exchange) to be legally valid, making it a strong promise or commitment. Common uses include conveying interests in property, creating obligations, or affirming past agreements, and specific legislative requirements for execution vary by location, such as in Australia
-presumably you write out the deed and then get the original registered with the registar generals office and keep a duplicate?
-if you buy land pre 1863 where is the paperwork kept? where is the title? is it a memoriam folio kept somewhere???? Is there something lodged somewhere showing that Bready purchased the land off Swords in 1852??? And that Swords got it from Gore estate???
answer: Land under ‘general law’ – > 1837-1862
Land alienated by the Crown between 1837 and 2 October 1862. A general law title consisted of a chain of title deeds all of which had to be in place to enable a property to be transferred. General law land is also known as  NUA ‘Not under the Act’ land or ‘Old law’ land. Victorian land records are held at a number of repositories depending on the type of record and its age. The main two agencies that hold land records in Victoria are Land Victoria and the Public Record Office Victoria PROV.

18 Dec

Unclaimed letter listed for a Miss Bridget Bready as part of unclaimed letters for Nov 30 in Adelaide Observer newspaper
source: 1852 ‘UNCLAIMED LETTERS—NOVEMBER 30, 1852.’, Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 – 1904), 18 December, p. 3. 
-if this was for Bridget then the family have probably left for goldfields between 28 Aug and Nov 30 1852. However…

1853

Baby Bridget Brady is born in Melbourne in this year, so while Thomas Bready might have gone straight to the goldfields Bridget may have still been at Webb St giving birth to Bridget, OR she may have come back to Melbourne to give birth and be around more support/ infrastructure and then returned to goldfields? SOURCE ‘Bridget Brady’. (1853). Online extract of birth certificate for , Bridget Brady, 1853 (Registration number 45552 / 1853). Births Deaths Marriages Victoria.
According to death certificate for Thomas Bready Snr, Bridget dies aged 7 months. SOURCE ‘Thomas Brady’. (1855). Certified copy of death certificate for Thomas Brady, 27 September 1855 (No. of certificate 846). DEATHS in the central district of Sandhurst in the Colony of Victoria, Registered by William Augustine Roche. via ancestry.com records for court case, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00103

1855

Life generally in Myers Flat in this year:
my father kept a shanty where drink was sold without a licence on Myers Flat aforesaid up to the time of his death and the place so kept by my father as aforesaid was built by him with my assistance and contained only two apartments and not three, and it was not a store.
SOURCE Thomas Bready, Affidavit in support of Application for Probate, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00055 I think there are tax repercussions as to whether you are living within a residences selling alcohol- as opposed to a stand alone store. John McClelland of Sandhurst in the colony of victoria merchant also swears it is a shanty, 2 apartments, and not a store. SOURCE Affadavit of John McClelland FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00079 and so does Patrick Dynan, Farmer. SOURCE Affadavit of Patrick Dynan 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00099

That the said Thomas Brady deceased used to deal at the store of the said Messrs. Francis Brothers and I saw him almost daily up to the day of his death. -That for four or five months prior to the death of the said Thomas Bready I considered from his manner and behaviour that he was of unsound mind and was so up to the time of his death, and he has requested to me to lend him my revolver. SOURCE Affadavit of John McClelland FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00079

MORE ON Michael Welsh:
Ellen Cooke:
The said Michael Welsh was a miner and frequently being illiterate and unable to write called on my father during the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty five to write his letters. The said Michael Welsh left Bendigo in the latter part of the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty five since which time I have never seen or heard of him or his whereabouts nor do I know whether he is living or dead or if living where he is but I have reason to believe from observations and expressions of dissatisfaction with the Colony and his position he returned to America from which place he came to the Colony, and save as aforesaid I know nothing of the said Michael Welsh nor do I know anyone who could give any information respecting him. SOURCE Affadavit of Mrs Cook FILE 07591-p0002-000018-0600-00002

I knew and was well acquainted with Michael Welsh, one of the witnesses to the alleged will of  my father the said Thomas Bready deceased and I worked as a mate with him in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty five and for a short period  in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty six on Myers Flat aforesaid, and the said Michael Welsh did not leave Bendigo now called Sandhurst in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty five as I know he was working as a mate with two men named Pallas and Dillon on Myers Flat aforesaid in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven
SOURCE Thomas Bready, Affidavit in support of Application for Probate, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00056
I knew the man Michael Welsh and at the time it is alleged he witnessed the said document he was working with me as a mate but he never mentioned to me that he had witnessed any document for my father,
SOURCE Affadavit of Thomas Bready 00028-p0002-000033-0680-00001 and 00028-p0002-000033-0680-00002

That the said Michael Welsh did not leave Sandhurst in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty five and he was working there in that year. That to the best of my knowledge and belief the said Michael Welsh was working on Myers Flat aforesaid in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight SOURCE Affadavit of John McClelland FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00079

I Mary Daws of King Street in the city of Melbourne and the colony of Victoria wife of Michael Daws of the same place a licensed Victualler make oath and say -That I knew Michael Welsh on Myers Flat near Sandhurst in the Colony of Victoria in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty six
-That the said Michael Welsh went from this Colony to New Zealand and returned from that place in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty seven and he came to live at my place
-That the say after the said Michael Welsch came to live at my place he went into the Melbourne Hospital where he died in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty-seven
SOURCE Affadavit of Mrs Mary Daws 11.11.1874 FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00112

I Thaddeus Kelly of Mundy Street Sandhurst in the Colony of Victoria Miner make Oath and say
That I knew and became well acquainted with Michael Welsh a miner and who is as I believe alleged to be one of the witnesses to the will of the above named deceased Thomas Bready in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven on Myers Flat near Sandhurst in the said Colony of Victoria.
That to the best of my knowledge and believe the said Micheal Welsh resided on Myers Flat aforesaid for about two years after I became acquainted with him. SOURCE Affadavit of Thasseus Kelly FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00122

10 Jan

Thomas Bready Jnr’s age at this time: 17
It is possible he was working in the service of Mr. S. H. Marsh, of Cook’s River, NSW or was he living with family in Myers Flats.
A: he was 99% in myers flats, this is the OTHER thomas b.
Refer to CENTRAL POLICE COURT. (1855, January 10). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 – 1954), p. 5. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12964173

early aug

According to Thomas Jnr, he’s his father’s primary caregiver:
“I was not away from him for ten minutes at any one time for some five or six weeks before and up to within ten days of his death”. SOURCE Thomas Bready, Affidavit in support of Application for Probate, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00056

last week of aug

Patrick Dynan, Farmer:
-that I knew and was acquainted with the above Thomas Bready deceased who resided at Myers Flat near Sandhurst aforesaid in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty five -That the said Thomas Bready deceased died in the month of September one thousand eight hundred and fifty five at Myers Flat aforesaid and that five or six weeks before he died he came to my place at Myers Flat and requested me to lend him a razor, but one of his daughters came in at the time and informed me that she had been sent by her mother to tell me not to do so as he was in the delirium tremens from drink. -That about three weeks before he died he was still suffering from delirium tremons and I together with others watched him during the night to prevent him doing any injury to himself or any person else, and I verily believe that the said Thomas Bready deceased was not of sound mind for some considerable time prior to and up to the time of his death.
SOURCE Affadavit of Patrick Dynan 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00099

Mon 3 Sep

Will is created and witnessed.
SOURCE Ellen Cooke, Affidavit in support of Application for Probate, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00052
If Thomas dies on 17 Sept (SOURCE for date of death, Ellen Cooke, Affidavit in support of Application for Probate, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00052) after 14 days of illness, today is day 1 of his illness. SOURCE for duration of illness: ‘Thomas Brady’. (1855). Certified copy of death certificate for Thomas Brady, 27 September 1855 (No. of certificate 846). DEATHS in the central district of Sandhurst in the Colony of Victoria, Registered by William Augustine Roche. via ancestry.com records for court case, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00103

How Ellen remembers this day:
-I was residing with my father and family at Sandhurst then called Bendigo to and at the time of the making of his said will as aforesaid and herein after mentioned in a tent containing three compartment or rooms namely a storeroom a sitting room and a bedroom.

-I was in the room with my father who was sick and in bed and with my mother in attendance on him on the day and at the time of the execution by him of the said will as hereinafter set forth

About five o clock in the day Daniel Gill who had been in the habit of visiting us and who had several times called on my father during his illness and prescribed for him came in and after some conversation with my Father relative to his affairs the nature of which I did not understand or particularly attend to being occupied in matters about the room I saw in my fathers hand a paper writing which I verily believe to be the paper writing hereto annexed Michael Welsh a few minutes afterwards came into the room having been called in from the store by Daniel Gil as I understood at the instigation of my father.
Soon after Michael Welsh came into the room as before mentioned my father having the said paper still in his hand on being handed a pen wrote his name on or to the said paper writing in my presence and seeing and in the presence and seeing of the said Daniel Gil Michael Welsh and my mother. Daniel Gil then took and wrote his name on the same paper in the presence and setting of my Father the said Michael Welsh and myself and afterwards at the request of the said Michael Welsh write the name “Michael Welsh” and words “his mark” on the same paper the said Michael Welsh then took the pen and in the presence and seeing of my Father the said Daniel Gil my mother and myself made two strokes or lines one across the other in the form of a cross between the words “Michael” and “Welsh” on the said paper which was afterwards given to my Mother, and the said Daniel Gil and Michael Welsh shortly afterwards left. SOURCE Affadavit of Mrs Cook FILE 07591-p0002-000018-0600-00001 and 07591-p0002-000018-0600-00002

Will is created and witnessed on this date as also reported in: PUBLIC NOTICES (1855, November 14). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), p. 7.http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4823315
Thomas Bready believes the wittnessing was fraudulent: “I never knew a doctor of the name of Gill living or being on Myers Flat, aforesaid in this year one thousand eight hundred and fifty five nor at any other time and no doctor of that name ever prescribed for my father”.
SOURCE Thomas Bready, Affidavit in support of Application for Probate, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00056
Mary Jane remembers Dr Gill as a native of England, a resident of Sailors Gully near Sandhurst, who was later based in Melbourne.
SOURCE Affidavit of Mary Jane Simons, sworn on 04.11.1874 FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00058

MORE ON DR GILL:
I John Seymour Wright of 84 Chancery Lane in the City of Melbourne in the Colony of Victoria Law Clerk make oath and say -That I have searched at the office of the Register General and found the registration of the death of Daniel Gill, Surgeon, one of the attending witnesses to the will of Thomas Bready, late of Bendigo deceased, and that the said Daniel Gill departs this life on the fifth day of May one thousand, eight hundred and sixty one being then an inmate of the Benevolent Asylum at Melbourne and aged about fifty five years. -That I have searched the records of the Benevolent Asylum at Melbourne aforesaid and find it there recorded that Daniel Gill a surgeon by profession, was admitted to the institution on the recommendation of John Hodgson formerly major of Melbourne and since deceased on the eleventh day of august one thousand eight hundred and fifty nine. -That he was a national of England and arrived in this Colony in the year one thousand eight hundred and thirty nine, and that he was a member of the Church of England. That the said Daniel Gill departed his life on the fifth day of May one thousand eight hundred and seventy one aged fifty five years. Sworn at Melbourne in the colony of Victoria this first day of October one thousand eight hundred and seventy four.
source: Affadavit of John Seymour Wright FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00074 In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria in its Probate Jurisdiction
I knew one of that name residing at Maldon in the year, one thousand eight hundred and fifty four SOURCE Affadavit of John McClelland FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00079
Patrick Dynan, Farmer claims to have never known a Gill: SOURCE Affadavit of Patrick Dynan 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00099
claims not to have known him; Mary Daws, who knew Michael Welsh. SOURCE Affadavit of Mrs Mary Daws 11.11.1874 FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00112
Ellen Cooke:
I have heard and believe the said Daniel Gil was a surgeon by profession but did not generally practice his profession at all even when at Bendigo. SOURCE Affadavit of Mrs Cook 07591-p0002-000018-0600-00002

Fri 7 Sep

Thomas Jnr was living with the family and helping out with the care of his father up until this day.
“I was constantly in attendance upon him both day and night up to within ten days of his death to prevent him ‘doing’ any injury to himself and several of the neighbours used occasionally to assist me to watch him.”
SOURCE Thomas Bready, Affidavit in support of Application for Probate, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00055
He stops caring for his father on this day however:
 the cause of my leaving my father was a misunderstanding between myself and my mother as I saw she did not wish me to remain minding my said father
SOURCE Thomas Bready, Affidavit in support of Application for Probate, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00057

around this time and leading up to 17th:
Mrs Ellen Casey runs a school in Myers Flat where Ellen and Mary Jane are students. She recalls:
-That some time before and up to within a few days of the death of the said Thomas Bready the said Ellen Cooke formerly Ellen Bready and Mary Jane Simons formerly Mary Jane Bready used frequently to complain to me that they were compelled to stay up all night in consequence of their father the said Thomas Bready deceased suffering from Delirium Tremens
SOURCE Affadavit of Mrs Ellen Casey 29.10.1872 FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00110. In 1872 she is based of McCrae St Sandhurst and married to Edward Casey of the same place Licensed Victualler.

Sun 16 Sep

Thomas Bready leaves his father’s place
SOURCE Thomas Bready, Affidavit in support of Application for Probate, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00055

Mon 17 Sep

‘-that the above named Thomas Bready late of Bendigo in the Colony of Victoria Stonemason departed this life on or about the seventeenth day of September one thousand eight hundred and fifty five’
SOURCE Ellen Cooke, Affidavit in support of Application for Probate, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00052
NB this is reinforced by the fact the coroners inquest is performed on the 20th (source Thomas Brady (1855) in the Victoria, Australia, Coroner Inquest Deposition Files, 1840-1925, 20 September 1855) but often his date of death is attributed to the day the death certificate was issued which was the 27th.

Thomas Bready recounts this day:
a man named Nugent came for me to my house at my father’s request and on my arrival at the said Thomas Bready’s residence which was about one hundred yards from mine he was speechless and died within ten minutes after I had arrived at his house.
SOURCE Thomas Bready, Affidavit in support of Application for Probate, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00057

20 Sep

Coroners inquest of Thomas Bready’s cause of death in Long Gully, district of Bendigo Victoria performed 20.09.1855 by William Augustine Roche.
Finding: “Thomas Brady Committed Suicide whilst labouring under a fit of temporary insanity, which we are of opinion was brought on by the excessive use of intoxicating liquor” (source Thomas Brady (1855) in the Victoria, Australia, Coroner Inquest Deposition Files, 1840-1925, 20 September 1855)

27 Sep

Thomas Bready Snr death certificate issued dies at Myers Flat, Sandhurst
-cause ‘delirium tremens, 14 days’
SOURCE ‘Thomas Brady’. (1855). Certified copy of death certificate for Thomas Brady, 27 September 1855 (No. of certificate 846). DEATHS in the central district of Sandhurst in the Colony of Victoria, Registered by William Augustine Roche. via ancestry.com records for court case, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00103
-burial details White Hills Cemetery Bendigo, Greater Bendigo City, Victoria, Australia
source Find a Grave memorial page for Thomas Brady (1817–27 Sep 1855)

14 Nov

Bridget Bready advertises intention to apply for probate in The Argus for Bready’s will dated 3rd Sept. via her attorney and proctor JOHN M. MINTER source: PUBLIC NOTICES (1855, November 14). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), p. 7.
Do a search on John Minter is he another colourful fitz character

also sometime in this year

Henry Edward born 1848, Melbourne

-extract doesn’t indicate his age at death or how he died, would be interesting to know.
He is listed as having died at age 7 SOURCE ‘Thomas Brady’. (1855). Certified copy of death certificate for Thomas Brady, 27 September 1855 (No. of certificate 846). DEATHS in the central district of Sandhurst in the Colony of Victoria, Registered by William Augustine Roche. via ancestry.com records for court case, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00103 which means he died some time in 1855 the same year as his father, presumably after, and buried in same plot and listed second on gravestone [gravestone info from source: Find a Grave, memorial page for Thomas Brady (1817–27 Sep 1855)]

also in this year back in fitzroy

That my father the above named deceased at the time of his death left personal property in the Colony of Victoria of the value of one hundred pounds consisting of household furniture, tools of trade, and timber used by him in his trade of a stonemason but my mother took possession of the said property at his death and, as I believe, disposed of same and I am not aware where any of the said property now is or if any of it is left. SOURCE Affadavit of Thomas Bready 19.08.1874 FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00108

some time after Breadys death

THE WILL GOES TO THOMAS ROWE
Some time after the death of my said Father which took place on or about the seventeenth day of September one thousand eight hundred and fifty five my mother deposited the said will with Mr Thomas Rowe of Fitzroy near the city of Melbourne in the said Colony Gentleman by way of securing the repayment of money advanced her by them in whose custody it was since remained as I have been informed and believe. Sworn at the City of Melbourne in the colony of Victoria this thirteenth day of September in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy four before me./ Ellen Cooke SOURCE Affadavit of Mrs Cook FILE 07591-p0002-000018-0600-00002

29 Dec 1855

THE WILL
“a memorial of a document” of Bready’s will, is lodged at the office of the Registar General of the Colony of Victoria and signed off as a true duplicate by James Fowler
SOURCE Affadavit of Thomas Bready File 00028-p0002-000033-0680-00001
James Fowler was in the employ of Mr Kingston law stationer of number 76 Chancery Lane 1855 but left about thirteen years ago and that he believed the said James Fowler was now somewhere about Melbourne.
SOURCE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00117
Where was the original?
According to Thomas Bready, it is in the possession of Thomas Rowe who won’t relinquish it because money is still outstanding on the property
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00077
According to Ellen Cooke, the original will, which she’s sighted, is filed in the office of the Master of Equity
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00053
Question: what’s the difference between the master of equity and the office of the Registar General and why couldnt they produce the original from the master of equity? was that the original place wills were deposited in the 50s and had that changed to Register General later on in 70s?
THE DUPLICATE OF THE WILL:
“I Thomas Bready being of sound mind declare this to be my last Will and testament “the property situate in Webb Street Collingwood in the City of Melbourne Colony of Victoria consisting of a stone house with all buildings and ground attached I in this my testament will and bequeath to my wife Bridget Bready for and during whe whole of her life at her decease to my three children Thomas Bready Ellen Bready and Mary Jane Bready to be by their enjoyed conjointly  and equally
In witness whereof I place my name  and seal this third day of September in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and fifty five in the presence of Daniel Gill
Witness Daniel Gill / Michael Welsh x his mark”
SOURCE Affadavit of Thomas Bready File 00028-p0002-000033-0680-00001

1857

Bridget Bready builds a house which presumably she rents to Pallas and Dillon, or if not formal rent arrangement possibly an in-kind style arrangement.
as per Thomas Bready Jnr: ‘[Michael Welsh] was working as a mate with two men named Pallas and Dillon on Myers Flat aforesaid in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven and Pallas brought a three roomed house from my late mother which she had built in the latter end of one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven or the beginning of one thousand eight hundred and fifty seven and the said Pallas and Michael Welsh went to live in the said house’.
SOURCE Thomas Bready, Affidavit in support of Application for Probate, FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00056

21 Jan 1860

Thomas Bready Jnr turns 21 years of age, presumably making him a legal adult? is that the significance? SOURCE Affadavit of Thomas Bready 19.08.1874 FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00108

28 Oct

George Wilson and Co., Webb street, Fitzroy. list family notice in The Age seeking to locate Mrs Bready re matter of importance, she has been last heard of at Carisbrook and Amphitheatre. (goldfield towns within a few hours of Bendigo) source: Family Notices (1861, October 28). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 – 1954), p. 1.

1863

Brigit marries Matthew Richard Logan, aka Richard Logan.
She is referring to herself by her maiden name Mealy. Don’t have the area they married in, would be on the original cert.
source: ‘Brigit Mealy’. (1863). Online extract of marriage cert for Brigit Mealy (1863) (Registration number 1436 / 1863). Births Deaths Marriages, Victoria

1865

1866

1868

1869

In this year, Thomas Jnr recollects signing paperwork involving monies involved with Thomas Rowe that Bridget used to make repairs to WEBB ST:

I Thomas Bready of Talbot in the colony of victoria Labourer vow of the above named deceased make oath and say
–That in or about the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty nine I together with my mother and sister Mary Jane Simons formerly Mary Jane Bready signed a document which I was informed by my mother was to secure the repayment of the sum of sixty pounds lent to her by one Thomas Rowe.
-That I was induced to sign the said document by my mother stating that she had proved a will left by my father the said Thomas Bready deceased and also that she required the money to repair the house erected on the land left by my father situate in Webb Street Fitzroy in the Colony of Victoria, and the said Thomas Rowe aforewards advanced a further sum of twenty five pounds to my mother to which I consented.
-That I have been informed and verily believe the said document is not registered and I called upon Mr Rowe in company with a clerk of Mr Thomas Miller’s solicitor and requested him to show me the deeds but he refused
-That the said Thomas Rowe informed me this morning that the sum of seventy six pounds seventeen shillings is still due to him and that he was recovering the rent of the property above mentioned to pay off that amount.
-Sworn at Melbourne in the colony of Victoria this second day of September in the year of our lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Seventy four before me.
SOURCE Affadavit of Thomas Bready. dated 2 Sept 1874 FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00077

Mr & Mrs Nicholas and Mary Jane Simons have son Matthew in Landsborough Victoria.

1870

Mr & Mrs Nicholas and Mary Jane Simons have son George Simons at either a place starting with MOON, [would need to source full birth cert] or at Avoca, Victoria. He is cited as being born in 1868 but that’s from his burial info which I don’t think is accurate. 1870 as DOB is sourced from births, deaths marriages birth extract.
birth extract source: ‘George Simons’. (1870). Online extract of birth certificate for George Simons. (Registration number 17869 / 1870). Victoria Births Deaths Marriages]
Find a Grave source:

1873

21 Mar 1874

A Thomas Bready (presuming it’s NOT ‘my’ thomas jnr) pleads guilty to “imbibing too freely” in Toowoomba QLD Not sure if this is the right man and most likely not as Thomas seems to be based in Avoca. source:
TOOWOOMBA POLICE COURT. (1874, March 21). The Toowoomba Chronicle and Queensland Advertiser (Qld. : 1861 – 1875), p. 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212789546
-I dont believe it’s my thomas bready jnr as he’s located in Talbot, Vic in July of this year. source: SOURCE Affadavit James Colgan FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00093

28 April 1874

Bridget dies, aged 50, as Mrs Bridget Logan. Spouse at time of death, Richard Logan.
death place: Victoria

I don’t have the date of death from death extract but Thomas Bready Jnr advises of the actual date: That my mother the said Bridget Bready departed this ‘life’ on the twenty eighth day of April one thousand eight hundred and seventy four SOURCE Affadavit of Thomas Bready 12.08.1874 FILE 00028-p0002-000033-0680-00002
Bridget’s death in April of 1874 is also referenced in newspaper here
NEW COURT HOUSE.—TUESDAY, DEC. 1. (1874, December 3). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), p. 6. Retrieved August 31, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11508482



MORE ON RICHARD LOGAN. If I have the right person, he died in 1882 in Donald, Victoria (just general search on victoria births deaths marriages).
Don’t know where Bridget is buried, and if she and Richard spent their 11 years of marriage together in Myers Flat or in Donald. (80 odd kms apart).

1874 day/month unknown

Bridgets adult daughter Mary Jane:
-Mr & Mrs Nicholas and Mary Jane Simons have a daughter who they also name Mary Jane. Born in Victoria
source: Mary Jane Simons’. (1874). Online extract of death certificate for Mary Jane Simons, Full Date ?,Registration number 24857 / 1874). Victoria Births Deaths Marriages.

23 July

Clerk James Colgan of 64 Little Collins St East, Melbourne, for Proctor Thomas Miller acting for Thomas Bready Jnr places the following ad in The Age giving notice of intention to obtain administration of his father’s estate:
“Notice is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen days from the publication hereof application will be made to the Supreme Court in its probate jurisdiction that Administration of the Estate of Thomas Bready late of Bendigo in the Colony of Victoria Stonemason deceased intestate may be granted to Thomas Bready of Talbot in the Colony of Victoria the son and one of the next of kin of the said deceased. Dated the 23rd of July of 1874 Thomas Miller 64 Little Collins St East Melbourne Proctor for the said Thomas Bready’
SOURCE Affadavit James Colgan FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00093
also
–Only four pages of The Age for this date,survive with slv and I’ve gone through all of them. cant find the notice.

12 Aug

-that I am seeking to obtain administration of the estate of Thomas Bready late of Bendigo in the Colony of Victoria Stonemason deceased SOURCE Affadavit of Thomas Bready 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00119
why now?
-That the reason I have not made application for letters of administration earlier is that my mother the said Bridget Bready was living and receiving the rents of the said property and I had no wish to disturb her in possession of the property.
SOURCE Affadavit of Thomas Bready 12.08.1874 FILE 00028-p0002-000033-0680-00002
Interesting fact: I don’t think Bridget had been collecting ANY rent from Webb St, I think Thomas Rowe had been pocketing the lot, as per other testimonies.

13 Aug

-That I have this day searched in the office of the Register General of the Colony of Victoria and found that no will purporting to have been made by the said Thomas Bready deceased had be lodged or deposited there, the said Registrar General being the proper person for the time being authorised to have the Custody of deposited wills.
-That I also this day searched in the office of the Master in Equity that being the proper office of The Honourable Court and find that no Caveat has been lodged against administration of the estate of the above named Thomas Bready deceased intestate being granted to Thomas Bready the son and one of the next of kin of said deceasedSworn at Melbourne in the Colony of Victoria this 13th day of August in the year Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy four
SOURCE Affadavit of James Colgan
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00114 FILES and 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00115

-That on thursday the thirteenth day of August last Mr A Beckett on behalf of the said Thomas Bready applied to this Honourable Court that administration of the estate of the deceased thomas bready should be granted to the said Thomas Bready in accordance with the above SOURCE Affadavit James Colgan FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00093

14-15 Aug

Notice when the application was adjourned for a further affidavit and his honour Mr Justice Molesworth directed that notices of the application should be served personally on Ellen Cooke and Mary Jane Simons the sisters of the said Thomas Bready.

-That notices of the application were personally served on the said Mary Jane Simons and Ellen Cooke on the fourteenth and fifteenth days August last respectively SOURCE Affadavit James Colgan FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00094

19 Aug

I Thomas Bready of Talbot in the Colony of Victoria Labourer son of the above named deceased make oath and say…That the property situate in Webb Street Fitzroy in the Colony of Victoria and which my father left at the time of his death is now occupied by a Mrs Hobart,  and Mr Thomas Rowe of Fitzroy aforesaid who received the rent for my mother in her lifetime, is still receiving the rent for same.
SOURCE Affadavit of Thomas Bready 19.08.1874 FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00108

20 Aug

on the twentieth day of August last Mr Fullerton appeared for the said Mary Jane Simons and Ellen Cooke and applied to the Honourable Court that the matter should stand over for a fortnight the undertaking that no caveat would be entered by the said Mary Jane Simons and Ellen Cooke in the meantime. SOURCE Affadavit James Colgan FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00094
also
-That although the said Mary Jane Simons and Ellen Cooke were aware that the application for administration of the estate of the said Thomas Bready deceased was being made on the twentieth day of August last the said Thomas Bready informs me that the first day of October last was the first time he ever saw the original will and  which I verily believe was only filed in this Honourable Court on that day. SOURCE Affadavit James Colgan FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00095

2 Sept 1874

Thomas Rowe continues to collect rent from Webb St, according to Thomas Jnr:
Thomas Rowe informed me this morning that the sum of seventy six pounds seventeen shillings is still due to him and that he was recovering the rent of the property above mentioned to pay off that amount.
-Sworn at Melbourne in the colony of Victoria this second day of September in the year of our lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Seventy four before me.
SOURCE Affadavit of Thomas Bready. dated 2 Sept 1874 FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00077

3 Sept

-That upon the matter of the said application coming out again on the third day of September last Mr Fullerton applied to this Honourable Court for a further adjournment and it was again adjourned until the first day of October last. SOURCE Affadavit James Colgan FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00094

1 Oct 1874

That I was present in the library at the supreme court on Thursday the 1st day of October one thousand eight hundred and seventy four with council for the said Ellen Cooke Council for Thomas Bready and James Colgan Clerk to Thomas Miller Proctor for the Caveator when it was arranged the notice for administration by Thomas Bready should be withdrawn and that for the purpose of saving expenses Ellen Cooke his sister should first apply for administration with the will annexed in default of her other sister Mary Jane Simons the wife of Nicholas Simons in default of her that Thomas Bready the son of the Testator should apply for administration and finally in default of him the said Thomas Bready taking out administration the caveator Was to do so as to avoid any further litigation and it was on this district understanding the then pending application was with the council of the parties withdrawn. SOURCE: Affadavit of W (William) Cuddy FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00090

-That I attended at this Honourable Court on the first day of October last and whilst waiting in court for the said application to be called on Mr A’Beckett informed me that he had seen an affidavit made by Ellen Cooke and which had been filed and that in the face of the said affidavit it would be useless to make the application for administration as of an intestate and advised that the application should be withdrawn -That I accordingly had an interview with Mr Cuddy and Mr Fullerton in the library of this Honourable Court in presence of Mr A’Beckett when it was arranged that the application of Thomas Bready should be withdrawn and a conversation then took place between us as to the best thing that could be done in the matter and after some time it was suggested by Mr Cuddy that … The arrangement mentioned in the first paragraph of Mr Cuddy’s affidavit sworn herein on the 15th day of March instant would be the best and I then told him I should require to see the said Thomas Bready about the matter before finally agreeing. -That I immediately consulted the said Thomas Bready who was sitting in Court and mentioned the circumstances to him and he requested me to let him see the original will which I did.
-that upon seeing the will he declined to agree to the arrangement suggested and informed me that he would like to have the matter stand over for a time and I told Mr Cuddy the result of my interview with the said Thomas Bready.-That although the said Mary Jane Simons and Ellen Cooke were aware that the application for administration of the estate of the said Thomas Bready deceased was being made on the twentieth day of August last the said Thomas Bready informs me that the first day of October last was the first time he ever saw the original will and  which I verily believe was only filed in this Honourable Court on that day. SOURCE Affadavit James Colgan FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00094 and
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00095

2 Oct 1874

Particulars of the Real Estate of which the deceased was at the time of his death possessed or entitled to and of his personal estate and the value thereof and of the debts due by the deceased
Assets
Real Estate
Real Estate being freehold land situate in Webb Street Fitzroy with a frontage of 70 feet to Webb Street 400 pound
Liabilities
A mortgage to Mr Thomas Rowe of Fizroy to secure a sum of 90 pound and interest
Personal Estate
Furniture 5 pounds
Total assets 405 pounds
Liabilities 90 pounds
Balance 315 pounds
I certify that the amount chargeable with Duty under the 74th section 315 pounds 22.04.75
This is the statement referred to in the annexed affidavit of Ellen Cooke sworn herein this second day of October in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy four before me SOURCE Particulars of the Real Estate of which the deceased was at the time of his death possessed or entitled to and of his personal estate and the value thereof and of the debts due by the deceased FILE 00028-p0002-000033-0680-00013

3 Oct 1874

That on the matter being called on and the above arrangement being initiated/ intimated to the court the said Ellen Cooke accordingly produced to obtain Administration with the Will annexed and an advertisement for such purpose duly appeared on the third day of October one thousand eight hundred and seventy four and on search being made it was found the said Thomas Bready had entered a Caveat through his Proctor Mr Thomas Miller in violation of the said arrangement and agreement. SOURCE: Affadavit of W (William) Cuddy dated 15.03.1875 FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00091

29 Oct

That on the twenty ninth day of October last, an Order Nisi was granted by this Honourable Court in this matter calling on the said Thomas Bready to show cause to this honourable Court on thursday the twelfth day of November instant why Probate or Letters of Administration with the will annexed of thomas bready deceased should not be granted to Ellen Cooke the wife of John Sturgeon Cooke. SOURCE Affadavit of James Colgan FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00082

2 Nov

a copy of said order Nisi was served at the office of the said Thomas Miller on or about the second day of November instant. SOURCE Affadavit of James Colgan FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00082

7 Nov

That affidavits of John McClellard, Patrick Dynan Thaddeus Kelly, Ellen Casey and Thomas Bready in support of the case of the said Thomas Bready were duly filed in this Honourable Court and notice of such filing given to Mr Cuddy on Saturday the seventh day of November instant as required by the rules of this Honourable Court. SOURCE Affadavit of James Colgan FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00082

10 Nov

That on the tenth day of November instant Mr Cuddy caused to be served at the office of the said Thomas Miller a notice stating that he would require it cross-examined John McClelland and Thomas Bready. SOURCE Affadavit of James Colgan FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00082

11 Nov

That on the eleventh day of November instant the return of the order nisi herein at the request of the said Mr Cuddy was by consent postponed until Thursday the twenty Sixth day of November instant. SOURCE Affadavit of James Colgan FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00082 and FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00083

21-24 Nov

That on Saturday the twenty first day of November instant the said Mr Cuddy caused to be served at the office of the said Thomas Miller a notice stating that he required to cross examine John McClelland, Thomas Bready, Patrick Dynau?, Thaddeus Kelly and Ellen Casey on the return of the order nisi wherein -That as Monday last was a holiday it was impossible to have issued a sub poena to compel the attendance of the witnesses required whilst Tuesday the twenty fourth day of November instant and it would then have been too late as John McClelland, Thaddeus Kelly and Ellen Casey reside at Sandhurst. Thomas Bready at Talbot, and Patrick Dynan who is a most material witness on behalf of the said Thomas Bready resides at Myers Creek about thirteen miles out of Sandhurst and they could not have attended in Melbourne on the return of the order Nisi herein today. SOURCE Affadavit of James Colgan FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00082

1 Dec 1874

NEW COURT-HOUSE. TUESDAY, DEC. 1.
SITTINGS IN EQUITY. (Before his Honour Mr. Justice Molesworth.)
RE THOMAS BREADY, DECEASED.
Rule Nisi calling on Thomas Bready, son of the deceased, to show cause why letters of administration with the will annexed of the estate of the deceased, should not be granted to Mrs E Cooke. Mr L Alderton appeared in support of the rule, Mr A Beckett against it
source: NEW COURT HOUSE.—TUESDAY, DEC. 1. (1874, December 3). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), p. 6. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11508482 
Note on 4 Dec Mr. Fullarton appeared in support of the will in court.

Note: …the son, who would be entitled as heir-at-law to all the landed property (which is situate in Collingwood, and worth about £400) disputes the validity of the will..
source: LAW REPORT. The Argus. (1875, February 13). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), p. 7. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11512141

17-24 Dec

Thursday the 17th day of December 1874
Before his Honour Mr Justice Molesworth This Matter coming on the 1st day December 1874 to be heard and debated before his Honour Mr Justice Molesworth in the presence of Counsel learned for the applicant and the caveator and the rule nisi in this matter being read
-And upon debate of the matter and hearing of Patrick Dynar Ellen Casey and James Colgan the affidavit of Ellen Cook, sworn and filed herein read and the vice voce evidence given by and on behalf of the parties and what was alleged by counsel on both sides this court did order that this matter should stand for Judgement and this matter standing for judgement this day in the presence of counsel learned for the applicant and caveator this court do the order than the matter and application be tried and heard by and before his honour mr Justice Molesworth and a jury of four special jurors at the supreme court house Melbourne on Friday the 12th day of February 1875 or at such other time as it is Honour may be able to try and hear same –
Acting Master 24 December 1874
SOURCE Copy Order
FILE 00028-p0002-000033-0680-00007 and 00028-p0002-000033-0680-00008

12 Feb

The hearing of a suit was commenced the Supreme Court yesterday, before Mr. Justice Molesworth and a special jury of four, relative to the proof of a will of one Thomas Bready
source: LAW REPORT. The Argus. (1875, February 13). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), p. 7. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11512141

13 Feb

LAW REPORT. SUPREME COURT. NEW COURT-HOUSE. SATURDAY, FEB. 13. PROBATE JURISDICTION.(Before his Honour Mr. Justice Molesworth and a Special Jury of Four.)
IN THE WILL OF THOMAS BREADY, DECEASED. In this case application had been made to the Court for letters of administration, with the will annexed, of Thomas Bready, to be granted to Mrs. E. Cooke, daughter of the deceased
source: LAW REPORT. SUPREME COURT. (1875, February 16). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), p. 7. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11512251
The jury, after a few minutes’ deliberation, returned a verdict in favour of the validity of the will
source LAW REPORT. SUPREME COURT. (1875, February 16). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 – 1957), p. 7. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11512251

18 Mar

-administration of the estate awarded to Ellen Cooke.
Be it known to all men by these presents that on Thursday the Eighteenth day of March in the year of our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and seventy five, with the will annexed, Administration of all and singular the Estate goods chattels and effects of Thomas Bready formerly of Sandhurst in the Colony of Victoria Stonemason deceased who departed this life on the twenty seventh day of September one thousand eight hundred and fifty five was and is hereby committed to Ellen Cooke the wife of John Sturgeon Cook the Daughter of the deceased SOURCE Letters of Administration FILE 00028-p0002-000033-0680-00004

and also:
that administration with the will of the Testator Thomas Bready annexed do issue to the said Ellen Cooke and let the same issue accordingly and this court doth further order that the said Ellen Cooke and the said Caveator Thomas Bready as between themselves that each do abide her and his own costs up to and including the original hearing had before his Honour Mr Justice Molesworth on the 1st day of December last and this court doth further order that the said caveator Thomas Bready do pay to the said Ellen Cooke or to Mr William Cuddy her Proctor all costs incurred by her consequent thereon and in relation thereto as between party and party since the said original hearing on the 1st day of December last as aforesaid down to and including the costs of this motion and proceedings thereon not including the Costs of the said two affidavits of Willam Cuddy filed herein on the 15th and 18th day of March last herein of or referred to and also the costs incurred by her of obtaining and taking out of the said Letters of Administration and let the master proceed to duly tax and ascertain the same accordingly by the court
Acting Master in Equity SOURCE Order 00028-p0002-000033-0680-00010 and 00028-p0002-000033-0680-00012

19 Mar

In Equity. (Before Mr. Justice Molesworth.)Probates were granted in the following wills : —Thomas Bready, £100… IN RE THOMAS BREADY Deceased.— In this case his Honor ordered administration cum testaments – parties as between themselves to pay their own costs up to and including the hearing in November, Thomas Bready to pay Elizabeth Cook her costs since hearing, not including costs of two affidavits used on motion. source IN EQUITY. (1875, March 19). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 – 1954), p. 3. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article202131323

28 Apr

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
“April 28th special letter to Mrs Cooke pointing out to her what should be done in order to complete the sale of her late Father’s property.
Attending at the Registrar Generals office searching for death of Henry Bready but was unable to find any record thereof.”
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
specifically this jpeg: 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00038

1-3 May

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
“May 1. Letter to Mrs Cooke in reply to hers of 29th … informing her that I had written to Mr Hackett requesting him to obtain certificate of your brother Henry’s death and postage. Long letter to Mr Hackett fully explaining to him the evidence required to meet the difficulty arising from the death of Henry Bready requesting him to obtain same and postage.
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
specifically this jpeg: 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00038
May 3…Letter to Mrs Cook inclosing advertisement of sale and informing her of difficulty in consequence of no registration of her late Brother Henry’s death.
(they are talking about preparing the land to be sold)
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
specifically this jpeg:
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00039

12 May

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
May 12th Attending M Fergis as agent for Mortgagee Rowe inspecting site Deeds, engaged 3 hours.
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
specifically this jpeg:
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00039

15 May

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
Letter to Mrs Cook inclosing advertisement of sale and informing her of difficulty in consequence of no registration of her late Brother Henry’s death.
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
specifically this jpeg:
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00039

22 May

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
22nd Attending sale of Property at Webb Street when Lot no. 1 was sold for L220.10 and Lot No. 2 for 247.10
*** double check what lot number he is talking about and what these land parcels are?? he’s not talking about 80 webb.
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
specifically this jpeg:
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00039

1 Jun

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
June 1 Letter to Mrs Cooke informing her that the property had been sold at £470 and postage
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
specifically this jpeg:
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00039

July

–there are two characters, a Greenwood and a Vartheth (?) Partheth? , it’s possible Varneth/Parneth is the one raising objections/ issues with the title – I think it’s to do with child Henry’s status – that Henry Bready might be alive and come forward and make a claim to land? see below entry. Greenwood obviously goes through with the sale but there is some second party that might be sharing the title with him who later pulls out. So the whole “what about the child Henry” might be the start for them to drag their heels because they may already be wanting to reneg out of the deal, which is what starts to become evident in January.
These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
‘July 1st Letter to Mrs Cooke in reply to hers of yesterday informing her that owing to the extremely complicated nature of the title it was probable that it would be some time before the matter was complete and paid postage.
July 10th Letter to Mrs Simons in reply to hers of the 5th Inst. and informing her that the delay in completing the matter was unavoidable and paid postage/
14th Letter to Mrs Simons in reply to hers stating to her that the principal objection to the title was that there was no official record of the death of Henry Brady and suggesting that if she could furnish certain evidence the difficulty might be got over and paid postage.’
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
specifically this jpeg:
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00040

20 Aug

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
Aug 20th Attending all the Roman Catholic Cathedral of St Patricks at Melbourne and afterwards at the Church of St Ignatious at Richmond making search for any register of the death of Henry Brady whom I found and was informed that no regular registry answering to that by the Church of England had ever been kept by the Roman Catholics.
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
FILE
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00041

23 Aug

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
August 23. Long letter to J.S.Cook [[john sturgeon cook, ellen’s husband in reply to his fully pointing out what should be done in order to get the best proof of the death of Henry Bready and instructing him to proceed to Sandhurst and as to his proceeding there.
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
FILE
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00041

24 Aug

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
24th Attending with Mr Croker registration of Births and Deaths at Richmond at St Patricks Cathedral Melbourne and after with him at St Ignatious. Paid cab fare.
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
FILE
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00041

26-29 Aug

I’m only including this because it mentions how they sent a telegram, wheras everything else has been done via post:
These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
Letter to Mr J.S.Cooke forwarding declarations to him at Sandhurst and fully instructing him of execution of same
28th Telegram to Mr Cook in reply to his and attending transmitting same
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
FILE
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00041

03 Sept

Of note: FERGIE works for CUDDY at 84 Chancery Lane and states that Bready’s original Will is deposited with Deeds on Mortgage to Mr Thomas Rowe of the town of Fitzroy. He swears to a verbatim copy of the will where it is provided to court.
SOURCE Affadavit of Henry Ponketh Fergie
in this jpg: 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00012
cite the court case documents here

13 Sept

of note: one of CUDDY’s clerks testifies that on this date, they …paid to Thomas Rowe with his subpoena the sum of one pound one shilling – that Thomas Rowe was one of several material and absolutely necessary Witnesses to the case…thus thomas rowe of fitzroy is still alive at this point. this info was sworn on: 19 dec 1876
the clerk is: John Seymour Wright of Number 84 Chancery Lane in the City of Melbourne in the Colony of Victoria Clerk Managing Clerk to William Cuddy
SOURCE see Affidavit of Increase and see jpeg 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00020 for references to Rowe.

2 Oct

Ellen formally seeks letters of administration and consents to legal conditions/responsibilties.
SOURCE Affidavit of administratrix promising due performance of duties FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00068

3 Oct

An advertisement is placed in The Argus stating the Probate of the last Will and Testament of the abovenamed Thomas Bready deceased may be granted to Ellen Cooke wife of John  Sturgeon Cooke of Amherst – as declared by John Seymour Wright law clerk.
SOURCE Affadavit of publication and securelbm? Of the will and caveat FILE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00071

6 Oct

John Sturgeon Cooke consents to the probate being granted to his wife Ellen
SOURCE Consent of John Sturgeon Cooke that probate be granted to Ellen Cooke and verified by affidavit of William Cuddy 84 Chancery Lane Proctor for the said Ellen Cooke
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00064

14 Nov

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
Nov 14  Letter to Mrs Cooke in reply to two of hers of 12th
Inst regretting the delay that had taken place and explaining that the matter was being pushed on as expediently as possible and paid postage
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
specifically this jpeg:
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00042

5 Dec 1875

Mrs Ellen Cooke (nee Bready) dies, aged 31, in Victoria. Buried at Amherst public cemetery in Church of England plot.
exact date and burial details cited from Find a Grave: source: Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/231108354/ellen-cooke: accessed July 13, 2025), memorial page for Ellen Cooke (1844–5 Dec 1875), Find a Grave Memorial ID 231108354, citing Amherst Public Cemetery, Amherst, Central Goldfields Shire, Victoria, Australia; Maintained by woowoo (contributor 49949980).
general death cert extract info:
source: Ellen Cook’ 1875 Death Certificate Extract Only for Ellen Cook Registration number 12224/1875, Births Deaths Marriages Victoria
Ellen’s husband at time of death John Sturgeon Cook. (as per her death cert extract)
more info on John Sturgeon Cook:
‘John Sturgeon Cooke of Amherst in the Colony of Victoria Miner’ –as sourced from: Affidavit in support of Application for Probate SOURCE 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00052

NOTE Ellen Cook would have died on 3 December and buried on the 5 Dec.
See affadavit: “My late sister…Ellen Cook…departed this life on the third day of December last past leaving the said estate of the said Thomas Bready unadministered”
cite: 00028-p0000-000173-0040-00013
Administration granted to Ellen Cooke 18 March 1875

Feb 12

Law and Judicial Notices. IN the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria in its PROBATE JURISDICTION — Notice it hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen days from the day hereof, application will be made to this Honourable Court that Letters of Administration with Will annexed, of the above named deceased, THOMAS BREADY, of all singular the unadmistered estate of the said deceased, Thomas Bready. unadministered by the late Administratix, Ellen Cooke, deceased, may be granted to Mary Jane Simons, the wife of Nicholas Simons, of Percydale, in the Colony of Victoria, miner, and daughter of said deceased. Thomas Brady. Dated this 12th day of February, A. D., 1876, William Cuddy, 81 Chancery-Lane, Melbourne Proctor for the said Mary Jane Simons. 
SOURCE Advertising (1876, February 12). The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 – 1954), p. 3. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article244275255

Feb 21

Mary Jane Simons becomes the administratrix of the Estate of my father Thomas Bready late of Bendigo in the Colony aforesaid Stone Mason deceased, signs off to this effect. SOURCE Affadavit of Mary Simons verifying the particulars of the Real and Personal Estate of the deceased FILE 00028-p0002-000051-0240-00001
-Webb street is described as: Freehold land situate in Webb Street Fitzroy with a frontage of 70 feet on which is erected a 4 roomed brick house 400 pounds SOURCE Particulars of the Real Estate of which the deceased was at the time of his death possessed or entitled to and of his personal estate and the value thereof and of the debts due by the deceased FILE 00028-p0002-000051-0240-00002

2 Mar

Letters of administration are ordered to be committed for Mary Jane Simons
SOURCE Order FILE 00028-p0002-000051-0240-00005

July

from clerks book keeping notes:
1876 July Having received letter from Mr Nicholas Simons informing me of the death of Mrs Ellen Cooke, the estate not having been administered. ((does he mean that Ellen’s own estate hasn’t been settled and does this complicate things because it does look like he goes looking for another will around this time))
—he obviously knows Mrs Ellen Cooke has died, but the news here is that her own estate was never administered???
SOURCE In the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria in its Probate jurisdiction ‘Re: Brady deceased. Costs of obtaining letters of administration to Mary Jane Simons’
specifically file 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00047
and in addition to this they dont start collecting new affadavits until february ie 7 months later

16 July

more clerk book keeping notes for Cuddy:
I think there is now work to get Mary Jane to be administrator, they need to redo letters of administration etc, and possibly they need husband to consent to Mary Jane to do all this???
‘July 16 1876 Long Letter to Mr N Simons forwarding three affidavits to him fully instructing him to get same sworn before commissioner…
Consent of Nicholas Simons to his wife administering Drawing and engrossing affidavit verifying consent of Nicholas Simons…
Letter to Mr Simons therewith and paid postage’
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs FILE :00028-p0000-000149-0480-00048

1 aug

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
1 August Attending Registrar Generals Office when I was informed that the consent of Mr Rowe the Mortgagee would be required.
Drawing consent of Rowe and fair Copy
Clerks attending at Fitzroy to ascertain the names of owners and occupiers of the adjoining properties
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
specifically this jpeg:
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00043

6 oct

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
6 Letter to Mrs Simons informing her that having written to Mr J.S.Cooke at Amherst and receiving no reply requesting her to inform us of his whereabouts.
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
specifically this jpeg:
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00043

28 Oct

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
28 Attending at Registrar Generals office searching for death of Bridget Logan.
Paid fee
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
specifically this jpeg:
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00044
significance of this: By running a check on deaths for Bridget Logan in this timeframe I’ve found Bridget’s death certificate – she had remarried at the time of her death.
see: and file this correctly under annobib as well:
Family Name: LOGAN
Given name: Bridget
Event: Death
Mother’s name: Mary
Mother’s name at birth: MURPHY
Father’s name: Maley Thomas
Place of birth: CLAR
Place of death:
Spouse at death: LOGAN, Richd
Age at death: 50
Registration year: 1874
Registration number: 5867/1874
Viewed online here: https://my.rio.bdm.vic.gov.au/efamily-history/685bb4babed394691fe5a16c/results?q=efamily
***also to do: update the variance on her maiden name as here it’s listed as MALEY for her father.
**rabbit hole: who is Richard Logan and what was his story.

Jan- July

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
Jan 12th Attending Mr Gibbs of Wisewould and Gibbs / Gills? Complaining of the delay in this matter when he informed me that he had not heard from his clients, although he had written to them more than once. 
17th not having received any communications from Messnrs Wisewould and Gibbs the solicitors for the purchasers attending Mr Wisewould as to this matter when he informed me he would give it his immediate attention and informed me he thought at latest on Monday next.
March 22 Attending Mr Wisewould when he called at my office this day and suggested that I should withdraw the contract for the sale of the property each party paying their costs deposit money to be returned when I took time to consider the matter and promised to write in reply
May 2/2 Letter in reply declining offer to withdraw the contract
May 3 Attending Mr Wisewould at his request when I informed him that I would not in any way rescind that contract and he
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00043
Informed me that he would see his clients the purchasers at 3 o clock and that he would subsequently communicate with me.
July 20 Attending Messrs Wisewould and Gibbs conferring with them as to what they were going to do in respect of the terms of my interview some time ago namely that I should bring the property under the Transfer of Land statute when Mr Wisewould informed me that he was waiting too the return of one of his Clients to the colony to give me an answer and would communicate with me in the course of two or three days.
July 26 Having received Letter from Messrs Wisewould and Gibbs attending Mr Wisewould thereon when he agreed that should endeavour to carry out my proposal to bring the property under the Real Property Act
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
specifically this jpeg:
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00042 and 00028-p0000-000149-0480-00043

Mar

These entries taken from book keeping for legal research, for William Cuddy:
Mar 3
…Attending commissioner at titles office when he requests that I should furnish him with a fuller Declaration and further Exhibits Instructions for same. Drawing same for 26 Engrossing same.
Attending before the Commission lodging and entering into same when he promised to give it his attention and would consider same and communicate with me.
Mar 28th Having received Letter from the Titles Office forwarding further requisitions Long attendance on examiner and with him before the Registrar when it was suggested that in the absence of Mr Buchan consent release of his mortgage. I should prepare and tax my bills of costs for the 2nd administration to M J Simons and these present costs so as to exhaust the whole of the value of Thomas Bready’s interest in the estate to his late father.
[[MY NOTE::::: does this mean Mary is inheriting two thirds now, and that one third is now just worth court costs for thomas jnr is this how expensive this has been???]]
Attending to insert advertisement of application in the Argus Newspaper as directed by the Commissioner Paid therefore
SOURCE Mrs Mary Jane Simons
The Administratrix of the Estate of the Late Thomas Bready deceased
Costs
specifically this jpeg:
00028-p0000-000149-0480-00045

1882

Mr & Mrs Nicholas and Mary Jane Simons have a son Pendock Bingley Simons. Born in Percydale, Victoria
source: ‘Pendock Bingley Simons’. (1882). Online extract of birth certificate for Pendock Bingley Simons, Full Date (Registration number 24867 / 1882). Births Deaths Marriages Victoria.
Mary Jane is aged 37.

1918

Thomas Bready (Jnr) dies aged 79 from influenza at Victoria, interred in Avoca Cemetery 5 August.
Occupation Farmer, Roman Catholic
source: Find a Grave, memorial page for Thomas Bready (1839–Aug 1918)

1920

Mrs Mary Jane Simons nee Bready dies, aged 74 at Charlton Victoria

23 Oct 1940

George Simons dies, aged 71 or 72, at Lalbert, Victoria. The son of Mary Jane and George Nicholas Simons. Buried at Charlton Victoria in Roman Catholic plot.

23 Nov 1942

Matthew Simons dies, aged 75, at Lalbert, Victoria. The son of Mary Jane and George Nicholas Simons. Buried in same plot as younger brother George at Charlton Victoria in Roman Catholic plot.