HENRY EDWARD SMITH (HARRY)
Son of Bernard and Henrietta Maria Smith
Born 3.6.1850, Perth, Swan River Colony (Perth 1473/50).
Married: Louisa May CORRIGAN on 13.12.1871 at St. Mary's
Cathedral, Perth, W.A. (Perth 3362/71). She was the daughter of
Thomas CORRIGAN, a merchant of Perth, and had been born in 1851.
She died on 15.12.1935 at North Perth, W.A. aged 84 (Perth
2173/1935)
CHILDREN
Harriett Elizabeth (Lily)
Henry Bernard
Joseph Edward
Alice Henrietta
Stephen Arthur Aloysius
Edward Basil (Ted)
Mary Veronica
Amy Carmel Gertrude
Reginald Mary Thomas
Francis Xavier Joseph
Rose Lavinia
Edgar Matthew Berchmans
Douglas B.
Henry Edward Smith was a Superintendent of Mails, and a member of
the Perth Flying Squadron, a yachting club.
After years of marriage, Harry left his wife and returned to his
mother's home, "FERN HILL", where he stayed until her death in
1921. He then returned to North Perth but to live with his sisters
at 232 Charles St. His wife continued to live in Chelmsford St.,
North Perth and seems to have had nothing further to do with her
husband. A possible cause for this is discussed in the story of the adopted son, Douglas.
Harry was referred to, by many family members, as "a lovely man",
"a very kind man", etc. In one of the many stories the Authors
heard, when his mother moved back to Fern Hill, after the Sister's
of St John had moved to Subiaco, she wanted a man about the house.
She did not relish the idea of living only with her unmarried and
widowed daughters. As her eldest son had died and her youngest
son was in Adelaide, there was only one candidate. She told Harry
to come home and look after her. And he did!
Some other family members have different stories to tell. The
common themes in these stories are of alcoholism, domestic
violence and philandering! One story has him riding his horse
through the house. At this distance there is no documentary
evidence one way or the other and so Harry's true character
remains a mystery.
His Obituary in the Catholic Record fails to mention his wife by
name:-
The death of Mr. Harry Edward Smith, ex-Superintendent of Mails,
which took place at his residence, 231 Charles Street, North
Perth, removes another old identity from our midst. The late Mr.
Smith was a son of the late Bernard and Henrietta Smith, of "FERN
HILL", Adelaide Terrace, and had reached his 77th year. He leaves
a widow and family as well as other relatives to mourn his loss.
The funeral took place on Thursday morning. A Requiem Mass was
celebrated at St. Mary's Church, Leederville, for the repose of
his soul, and his remains were laid to rest in the Karrakatta
Cemetery. We offer our sympathy to the bereaved relatives. May
his soul rest in peace.
Died: 11.5.1927 - North Perth, W.A (Perth 644/1927)
Born 12.1.1872, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 13595/72).
Born 27.10.1873 Perth, Western Australia (Perth 15150/73).
Born 26.10.1875, Perth, Western Australia
Born 25.7.1877, Perth, Western Australia
Born 4.8.1880, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 21236/80).
Born 17.12.1882, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 23812/82).
Born 17.12.1882, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 23813/82).
Born 31.12.1884, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 25847/84).
Born 8.5.1887, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 586/87).
Born 5.3.1889, Perth, Western Australia (Perth 341/89).
Born 2.5.1891, Western Australia (Perth 716/91).
Born 18.12.1893, Western Australia (Perth 24/94).
Born - Adopted
