Bridget Whelan (Mary Theresa) b.1860
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(It is believed that Bridget Whelan became known as Mary Terica or Theresa, some time before her marriage in 1891.)
Bridget was born on 1 November 1860 at Little Lonsdale Street, East Melbourne, when her father John, was recorded as a labourer. She was delivered by Dr. Lloyd, and her 27 year old mum took her second baby daughter to her formal registration on 25 March 1861, when the little lass, named Bridget, no doubt after her grandmother was four months of age.
The next record for her is at her marriage to Henry (Harry) Westerdale on 9 April 1891. Although her name had changed, Mary Terica Whelan, as she was then known, was recorded as the daughter of John Whelan, a carrier, and Mary Whelan, formerly Looney. The bride, age 30, had earned her living in Kyneton, near Chewton, as a tailoress.
Her groom Harry, age about 28, was the son of John James Westerdale, a hotel-keeper, (born in Sussex, England about 1817 to a James Westerdale and Sarah Westerdale) and his wife Mary Westerdale, formerly Mary McKinnan (spelt McKennon on the certificate). Harry was a farmer and had been living in New South Wales.
The wedding took place in the Free Church of England, Moor Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne. The minister was Nathaniel Kinsman, and Mary’s married sister, Sarah Coulthard, and Lydia Kinsman (possibly the minister’s wife) were the witnesses.
Mary and Harry Westerdale originally made their home in Victoria where they had their first child. However within two years they moved to Berrigan, New South Wales, where Harry farmed, and where their next two children were born.
We think it probable that Harry’s brother, John James Westerdale was farming in the same area, since his eldest son (also John James) in 1920 married a Coralie Tongs who was born in Finley NSW, a small town on the main highway just to the west of Berrigan.
After about 10 years or so family returned to Melbourne and Harry changed his occupation from a farmer, and became a hotel-keeper and then a shop-keeper.
We can find no record of Harry’s death in Victoria, but in 1907 Mary was living at 75 Princess Street Carlton, the same house as her recently deceased mother Mary had lived in, her occupation shown as home duties (presumably she was there with her 3 children). Mary was still living there in 1919 when she was admitted to the Gipps Ward of Melbourne Hospital where she died on 14 May, aged 57. Her death certificate states that she had lived 47 years in Victoria and 10 years in New South Wales.
Mary and Harry Westerdale produced three children:-
Mary Victoria Westerdale, born c1891, died of heart failure in April 1910
Lily Westerdale, born c1893, became Lily Nicholson
Henry John Westerdale, born c1897, married Irene Evans
Lily Westerdale was born in Berrigan, and living in West Melbourne by the time she was 24-26 years of age. It was then, in 1917, that she married James Leonard Nicholson in West Melbourne. Lily and James Nicholson had two daughters:
Beryl Patricia Nicholson , born c1924 who may have married a Mr. Doyle
Margaret Doris Nicholson, born c1926 who may have married G. A. Grant
Henry Westerdale, also born in Berrigan, New South Wales, was living in Melbourne by 1925 for his marriage to Irene Evans. Henry earned his living as a waterside worker and lived to the age of 69 years, dying suddenly on 17 July 1966, at which time his home was 32 Ormond Street, Clayton, Melbourne. He was survived by his wife Irene and two daughters.
Henry and Irene Westerdale shared two daughters:
Beryl Westerdale, born c1927
Phyllis Westerdale, born c1929