Re: Help in USA offered for Help in Australia - Watson- McDonald
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In reply to:
Help in USA offered for Help in Australia - Watson- McDonald
John Dempsey 7/16/06
Jack
This query motivated a visit to the Queensland State Archives as I couldn't find anything on this family apart from the 'Intestate File' [ died not leaving a will] on Charles James Watson. The ref. is SRS 335-1-2288. There are about 30 pages, some not very interesting, think the cost is about $1, aud, per page.They do have a website and you can order it. There was a letter [ written in pencil on notepaper] byCharles Howard on reaching the age of 21, requesting the balance of the estate.
On reading the file, it states that Charles was born 24 Nov 1907. He states his address as c/- Mr James McDonald, Hanover National Bank, Ashland, Virginia. It appears that he was born in Virginia but there is no record of the birth as the Vital records didn't start until 1912.
His mother died soon after birth and there are letters written by Mrs Susan McDonald claiming that she had always cared for him since birth.[ ? did they emigrate with Charles]
It appears that she requested to take him back to America with her and applied for payments from the estate for his maintenance. By the time Charles reached 21, there wasn't much money left. Some of the personal effects were sold apart from a swiss watch and a 9 ct. gold ring which she requested that she wanted so that she could give them to him.
When Charles snr. died, 11 Oct 1915 [ ref.no. 1915/005033] his address was given as Boat Mt Murgon. On page 19, is the description - 'Particulars Furnished to Deputy Curator of Intestate Estates' occupation, carpenter, age 47 yrs 11 mths b about 25 Oct 1868, New York, New Jersey, America, 5'9", stout, brown hair moustache turning grey, fully identified - died from pneumonia and fatty degeneration - cash in hand , 5 pounds, 15 shillings and threepence, Commonwealth Bank passbook , 87 pounds, 13 shillings and 5 pence. [ When his son applied for the balance there was only about 12 pounds 2 shillings and 4 pence left] The address on the report is given as Mr James McDonald of Jones Hill, Kingaroy.
The letters written in 1929 give Susan's address as 49 Chicora Avenue, Toronto, Canada. It appears that the McDonalds returned to America soon after Charles's death and took the son with them and she received monthly payments from the estate. When the son applied for the balance of the estate, the bank queried his address as it wasn't the correct one and stated that the money would be paid into an account in New York.
So apart from Charles James's death, none of the family married or were born in Australia. Hope that you can decipher all of this.
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Re: Help in USA offered for Help in Australia - Watson- McDonald
John Dempsey 8/02/06