Notes:

NOTE 1./ About COOLEY, Matilda : From Carol Ward`s Family Tree: {Tollgate} <>

About COOLEY, Matilda
Matilda Cooley was born in Middlesex c.1800 according to census 1851 the daughter of William Cooley a navy surgeon and Matilda nee Noyes. She had a brother, Arnold James Cooley although it is proving difficult to connect Arnold to Matilda. Even her father`s Will did not name Arnold, but Matilda was a named beneficiary.

Matilda is known to have had babies c 1824 in Southampton, c1827 in Bath, 1828/30 in Leicester and from 1833 at Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

According to the entry in the 1841 census Matilda Cooley was enumerated as "Martha". The family were resident at Fairview Street, St Mary`s Cheltenham, and George was described as a confectioner. His eldest son, George, was aged 15 (ages rounded), an apprentice, the other children were scholars which included Frances 10, Martha 8, William 6 & Henry 4. Daughter Matilda was elsewhere on the night of the 1841 census as was daughter Elizabeth (born circa 1828).

This family were present at 33 St Paul`s Street North, Cheltenham, in 1851, where George and Matilda were resident with their family. George was enumerated as a 48 year old pastry cook, wife Matilda was aged 50. Daughter Elizabeth Melmer was present in 1851 along with other siblings and Matilda Cooley, mother, aged 76, widowed annuitant born Bridgenorth, Shropshire.

Matilda was widowed in 1854 and the census for 1861 shows her living at Regent Place, Cheltenham, aged 60 with daughter Elizabeth, aged 28 (sic), both dressmakers.

In April 1860 she registered a death of an Emma Matilda Melmer (grandaughter) who was the daughter of William Melmer Schoolmaster. The child was 6 months, died from debility at birth, and Matilda was present at the death.

In 1861 Matilda was resident at Regent Place with daughter Elizabeth, both ladies were dressmakers, Matilda being aged 60, Elizabeth, aged 28.

Matilda and daughter Elizabeth emigrated after the census in 1861 arriving in Queensland, Australia on the "Theresa" in 1863.

Death Certificate on file. Matilda died at Ipswich, Queensland, Australia on 11th December 1883 at the age of 82 from Senile Decay. Her death occurred at "Racecourse", Ipswich, Q`land, and was registered by her son in law William Jones also of Racecourse Ipswich. Matilda`s death certificate gives the names of her parents as William Cooley, Surgeon Royal Navy and Matilda (nee Noyes) and states that she was born Middlesex, London, England and had been in Queensland for about 9 years. She was the mother of 3 living children at the time of her death, Martha 49, William 47 and Henry 45 and she had 1 male and 3 female children deceased. Her certificate also states that she was the widow of George Melmer, whom she had married at the age of 25 years in Southampton, Hampshire, England.

Matilda Melmer was buried on 12th December 1883 at Ipswich Cemetary, Congregational, by Rev`d E Greenwood in the present of witnesses Archibald Hughes and Michael Martin.

NOTE 2./ e-mail from [email protected] on 10-6-2006

It gives me great pleasure to send to you a copy of the original death certificate for Matilda Melmer (nee Cooley), widow of George Melmer of Jersey, Channel Isles and who died Ipswich, Queensland 11.12.1883.

You will see the certificate for Ipswich, Queensland, Australia defines more than our British certificates in that it clearly mentions parents and children of the deceased.

My contact (a direct descendent of William Jones and Martha Melmer) has confirmed to me that Matilda and daughter Elizabeth emigrated to the Australias on board the vessel "Theresa", arriving Queensland 1862/3 which accounts for why I cannot locate them in British Census post 1861, nor have I located either of their deaths in the UK.

I am also informed that Elizabeth Melmer married a Thomas Murphy in 1864 in Australia - presumably a previous husband to William Cody pictured with her in the photograph supplied by Bob.

I have also deduced that the E F Melmer, mentioned in the 1880 census for "Unorganized territory of Nabraska" was probably one and the same Henry Melmer (b.1837), though why the name was changed I do not know, but my informant confirms that it was reported Henry also emigrated to the States and that Matilda visited her son there (verbal information only).

I am promised further documentation in support of the above information though it may not be for a while due to administrative difficulties. Once I am in possession, I will share accordingly.

I hope this finds all of you in good health and high spirits.

Until next time, kind regards and very best wishes

your UK cousin, Carol

NOTE 3./ Regarding Matilda Cooley Photos: See jpeg: e-mail from [email protected] 8-29-2007

I also forgot to pass this on to you - it is an authentic photograph of Matilda Cooley [(1799-1883) - married George Melmer 1824] and still hangs in a home in Brisbane Australia. It was taken circa 1865 shortly after her arrival with daughter Elizabeth in Australia. The attached photo was taken through glass but you can clearly see how she looked.

Matilda married GeorgeSr MELMER in 1824 in Southhampton, Hampshire, England. GeorgeSr (son of George MELMER and Fanny BOTT) was born on 21 Nov 1802 in St Helier, Isle of Wight, Jersey; died on 06 Aug 1854 in Cheltenham, Gloucester, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. GeorgeJr MELMER was born in 1824 in Southampton, Hampshire, England; died on 29 Oct 1881 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada; was buried in Pointe St-Charles Grace Anglican Church, Montréal.
2. Matilda MELMER was born in 1827 in Bath, Somerset; died on 03 Dec 1874 in Back of 105 High Street, Cheltenham, Gloucester.
3. Elizabeth MELMER was born in 1828 in Leicester, England; died on 30 Jul 1873 in Coulterville, San Francisco California.
4. Frances MELMER was born in 1830 in Leicester, England.
5. Martha MELMER was born in 1833 in Cheltenham, Gloucester, England; died on 17 Jul 1897 in Raceview, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia.
6. William MELMER was born in 1835 in Cheltenham, Gloucester, England; died on 08 Feb 1893 in Hamilton, Wentworth, Ontario; was buried in Hamilton Wentworth Hamilton HM-287.
7. Henry MELMER was born on 10 Jul 1837 in Cheltenham, Gloucester, England; died after 11 Dec 1883 in Unorganized territory of Nebraska.
8. E F MELMER was born in 1838 in England.

Family/Spouse: Unknown JONES. Unknown died in in Queensland, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ 1841 St Sidwell Devon, England census,

Name Estimated Birth Year Birthplace Civil Parish County/Island
Wm Tancock abt 1802 Devon, England St Sidwell Devon
Marry Hepper abt 1785 Devon, England St Sidwell Devon
Marry Tancock abt 1838 Devon, England St Sidwell Devon
William Cooley abt 1771 Devon, England St Sidwell Devon
Matilda Cooley abt 1775 Devon, England St Sidwell Devon
Olon Cooksley abt 1799 Devon, England St Sidwell Devon
Eliza Cooksley abt 1831 Devon, England St Sidwell Devon

NOTE 2./ Ancestry.com: Carol Cooper [email protected], My Roots & Twigs, "Electronic,"
(beaumont)

William Cooley is proving hard to trace although from his occupation it should be fairly easy. He is shown on two sources as being a Surgeon and on his death certificate is says `gentleman`. (i) In the marriage Licence Allegation of Arnold James Cooley he is described as "lawful father, surgeon" and (ii) on the death certificate of wife Matilda, he is described as Navy Surgeon (deceased).

William Cooley married Matilda Noyse, by Licence, at St Clement Danes, Westminster, Middlesex. The Vicar`s Licence Allegation states that William was 23 years "and upward" in 1796, Matilda was 21 years "and upwards" of the Parish of St Ann, Westminster. The marriage was witnessed by Hannah Burton & M.Walsh.

William Cooley is shown on the 1841 census for Russell Street, St Sidwell, Exeter, aged 70, gentleman of independent means living with Wm Tancock. Also included is Matilda Cooley aged 66 also of independent means. All Navy sources have been checked but no record of William as a Surgeon. Suggest checking Merchant Navy.

I have a copy of William Cooley`s Will proved in London 21st December 1843 in which he names his wife Matilda Cooley his Executrix and makes her sole beneficiary of the residue of his estate, namely funds from various financial institutions and insurances. Also bequests to daughter Matilda Melma (sic.) - no mention of Arnold James Cooley in the Will or any other children.

William`s death was registered by Martha Lee of Russell St., St Sidwell, present at the death. It was also Martha Lee who appeared personally to prove William Cooley`s Will in 1843. She can be found living at Russell St., St Sidwell, in 1841 - so signs of a spouse named in the Will as James Lee.

William married Matilda NOYES on 02 Apr 1796 in St Clement Danes, Westminster, Middlesex. Matilda (daughter of William NOYES and Mary UNKNOWN) was born on 24 Jul 1774 in Saint Leonards, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, England; died on 08 May 1852 in #18 Paragon Place, Exeter, Devon. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ From Carol Ward`s Family Tree: (beaumont) <>

About NOYES, Matilda
Matilda Noyes was born to parents William and Mary, baptised at Bridgenorth, St Leonards 1774. She had four known sisters and one known brother all baptised at the same place.

Copy of Parish Marriage Register entry on file.

The 1841 census shows Matilda, present in the household of Wm. Tancock, at Russell St., St Sidwell, Exeter, aged 66.

Matilda was shown on the 1851 census for 33 St Pauls St. Nth as living with Son-in-law George Melmer and daughter Matilda Melmer, a widow, annuitant, aged 76. Death certificate on file. Her death certificate indicates she died at 18 Paragon Place, St Sidwell, Exeter, of old age, widow of Wm Cooley whose death was registered by Mary Ann Cooley (daughter in law, wife of Arnold James??), present at the death.

NOTE 2./ 1851 Cheltenham Gloucestershire census,

Name Estimated Birth Year Birthplace Relationship Civil Parish County/Island
George Melmer abt 1803 Isle of Wight, Jersey, Channel Islands Head Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Matilda Melmer abt 1801 Middlesex, England Wife Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Elizabeth Melmer abt 1828 Leicestershire, England Daughter Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Frances Melmer abt 1830 Leicestershire, England Daughter Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Martha Melmer abt 1833 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Daughter Cheltenham Gloucestershire
William Melmer abt 1835 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Son Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Henry Melmer abt 1838 Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England Son Cheltenham Gloucestershire
Matilda Cooks abt 1775 Bridgenorth, Shropshire, England Mother-in-law Cheltenham Gloucestershire.
Note that actual census image clearly shows "Matilda Cooks" is a transcription error, and is in actuality "Matilda Cooley"

William married Mary UNKNOWN. Mary died in in Saint Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth, Shropshire. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]