Phoebe Alice Parsons was born on 16th July 1872, the last child of James Parsons (born on the 20.11.1830 in Eldersfield, Worcester, England) and Eliza Badham (born 7.10.1828 in Hereford, England) who were married on 20th November 1854 in Ashchurch, Gloucester, England and immigrated to Victoria in 1855.
They were a working class family and resided within a radius of seven miles of Geelong (in a town called Germantown now known as Grovedale) the whole time they were in Australia. Eliza had nine children in 17 years from the aged of 26 until she was 43.
1880
Phoebe was 8 when her mother Eliza died 15th Aug 1880 aged 51. In 1883 aged 53 her father James remarried to 17 year old Jemima Henry and they had three children.
1888
Geelong birth records show that the 16 year old Phoebe Alice Parsons gave birth to a daughter Ethel in 1888. At what age and how Phoebe happened to be in Melbourne rather than Geelong is pure conjecture.
Perhaps after Ethel’s birth, Phoebe travelled to Melbourne to seek employment as she had siblings living there. In 1888 her older brother Thomas married Louisa Armstrong in Fitzroy and her sister Mary Ann gave birth in Richmond to a daughter (also named Phoebe). Brother Alfred and his wife Martha were living in Footscray. Brother James and his wife Maude and family were living in Fitzroy.
Harrison folklore insists Phoebe Parsons was employed in service by the Harrisons at their home in Mason Street, Hawthorn and Arthur Harrison fell in love with her. The Harrison family disapproved of Arthur’s romance with Phoebe and they had to leave in order to secure their love.
1895
Phoebe Alice Parsons arrived from Melbourne in 1895 and came escorted by brother Alfred John Parsons (34) and his wife Martha (31) their children Hilda (10), Clarice (5) and Alfred Jnr (3). Alfred Parsons was a locomotive blacksmith.
The Parsons family were no doubt renting on their arrival in Perth and it appears they were situated on the south side of Goderich Street (now Murray Street) opposite the Colonial Hospital (later Royal Perth Hospital) in Perth which was developing into a residential area, characterised by a mix of early cottages.
1896
Tragically, Phoebe’s brother Alfred never saw her wedding, as he died of typhoid fever on 31st January 1896 at his residence. 1896 was a peak year for the typhoid in Western Australia. Records show 1,462 official cases in the colony that year, with 166 deaths recorded. The extreme heat (112 degrees Fahrenheit or 44 degrees Celsius was recorded in January 1896) accelerated the spread of the disease by causing water supplies to deteriorate and supporting the breeding of flies, which spread the disease. Typhoid presented with flu-like symptoms and was characterized by a slow, insidious onset lasting 10 to 20 days.
Alfred was buried the day after his death at East Perth Cemetery which was the main public cemetery at the time. A funeral with an undertaker in February 1896, via firms like Bowra (established 1880s), would have been expensive relative to local incomes, especially during the WA gold rush boom. While funerals varied, hiring an undertaker for a burial at East Perth Cemetery in this era involved significant costs for a casket, hearse, and professional services.
This, again, indicates the financial means available to the family in order to publish a funeral notice and hire an undertaker.
This was not helped by the revelation of the undertaking scandal involving the burial of the smallpox victims. Councillors Chipper and Haynes were accused by another councillor of having charged £20 for each burial conducted at Jolimont. On 1 May 1893, Chipper presented the Council with a bill totalling £250 – £40 for each of six adults and one child at £10. The Perth Council was horrified, and called tenders for cheaper burials. Eventually Chipper was able to underbid his fellows, and the cost was substantially reduced. Martyr, Philippa, West of Subiaco,(Widowed Isis Internet Publishing, 2009)
FUNERAL NOTICE.
The Remains of the late Mr. A. J. PARSONS will leave his late residence, Goderich-st., opposite the Colonial Hospital, at 4 o’clock THIS (Saturday) AFTERNOON, for interment in the Wesleyan Cemetery. Friends will please accept this intimation. C. BOWRA & CO., Undertaker, Perth. Telephone No. 308.
The West Australian Saturday 1 February 1896 page 4
PARSONS – On the 31st January at Perth Western Australia, Alfred John, dearly beloved husband of Martha Parsons, extent Flemington and third son of James Parsons of Marshalltown, Geelong aged 35 years. Regretted by a large circle of friends.
The Age Saturday February 8 1896 page 3
PARSONS – on 31st January at Perth, West Australia, of typhoid fever, Alfred John, loved brother of A.J. Parsons of Cross Street Prahran and T.E. Parsons of St John Street Windsor. At Rest
The Age Tuesday February 11 1896 page 1
A fortnight later, Martha advertised in The West Australian to take in boarders in Little Mangles Street (later Braid Street) which ran between Parry and Stirling Streets, Perth:
VACANCIES for Three respectable young men Boarders, bath, every convenience, terms moderate. Mrs. A. J. Parsons, Little Mangles-st, off Mangles-st. The West Australian Saturday 15 February 1896 page 5
In June 1896, Martha placed an ad: SITUATIONS WANTED: SITUATION, light general, homely family. State wages, Average Wage, care of Mrs. Parsons, Little Mangles-st., Perth. The West Australian Wednesday 10 June 1896 page 5
In July 1896 Martha advertised for a house keeper for a working man and small family. Who was the working man and was the small family her own children? TRUSTWORTHY person wishes Housekeeper, working man, small family. State wages, A.L, care Mrs. Parsons, Little Mangles st. The West Australian Saturday 18 July 1896 page 5
Arthur Dight Harrison and Phoebe were married by the local minister, Arthur Johnston Barclay, on the 22th August 1896 in the old wooden Wesley Methodist Church at 113 Charles Street, North Perth. Their witnesses were William Morham and Martha Ann Parsons (nee Griffin), Phoebe’s sister-in-law.
After their marriage in August, Phoebe moved in with her new husband Arthur Harrison at 256 Perth Street Subiaco.
1898
According to 1898 The Western Australian Directory [Wise’s], Arthur Harrison was living in Perth Street Subiaco in 1898 where WILLIAM EDWARD HARRISON, the first child of Arthur and Phoebe, was born on the 15th January 1898 in Subiaco, Western Australia, Registration 4176. Births primarily occurred at home, typically involving the assistance of a midwife, female relatives, or neighbours. Doctors were rarely present at home births in 1898, as they were few in number and often called only for emergencies or by wealthier families. Midwives like Frances Catherine Barnes and Elizabeth Alice Bell were known to be working in the Subiaco area during this early period.
Second child of Arthur and Phoebe, ARTHUR LOUIS HARRISON, was born in Subiaco on 30th March 1900.
Third child of Arthur and Phoebe, NELLIE FRANCES HARRISON was born in Subiaco on 25th September 1901.
By October 1901, Phoebe and Arthur had 3 children under 4 years old.
Arthur and Phoebe Harrison’s children learnt music, which is an indication of their financial ability to afford lessons, instruments and possibly a piano and also their consideration of music being a worthy subject during a time when education was merely a path to employment.
Arthur and Phoebe’s last child CHARLES GEORGE HARRISON was born 20.8.1907.
1928
1930
According to Edna Harrison, Phoebe Alice Harrison had a lovely sense of humour – when Edna Harrison and Phoebe went on a trip to Melbourne to visit relatives, when dinner was served at Arthur’s brother Charles Dight Harrison’s house in Richmond, Charles did not start to dine with the others. When asked why he wasn’t eating, he replied “because I have no napkin”. When he died, Phoebe apparently said “where he has gone he won’t need a napkin”! Remembering that Phoebe had once been the kitchen maid at the Harrison’s household, it is not surprising she found this remark rude!
1935
Edna Harrison also remembers Phoebe giving her good advice, such as when you have bad news to tell your husband, wait until he has had a good meal, then tell him!
1940
Australia entered World War II on September 3, 1939, immediately following Britain’s declaration of war on Germany. Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced the involvement, prompting a rapid volunteer mobilization for the 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF) to support British forces in Europe and the Middle East, while initiating home-front preparations. Phoebe’s youngest son Charles Harrison enlisted in the Royal Australian Airforce in Harvey in August 1940. This reference was in his enlisted record:
1943
Phoebe Alice Harrison died aged 70 on 29th May 1943 after having had a stroke and being confined to a wheel chair.
HARRISON. On Mar 29, 1943, in Subiaco. Phoebe Alice. Dearly beloved wife of Arthur, of 18 Kitchener Street, Shenton Park. Loving mother of William, Arthur (Lou), Nellie (Mrs E. P. McDavitt) and Charles (RAPA); aged 70 years. Peacefully sleeping.
HARRISON.-On May 29, 1943, at Subiaco. Phoebe Alice. Devoted mother of William (Nedlands), fond mother-in-law of Edna, dearest grandmother of Bill, Ramon, Jack and Jill. Sweet memories.
HARRISON.-On May 29. at Subiaco Phoebe Alice, loving mother of A. L. Harrison (Lou). Derby-road. Subiaco, dearest mother-in-law of Vera. Fond grandmother of Valma and Judith. Only the casket lies under the s0d. For the Jewel is in the hands of God.
HARRISON.-On May 29, 1943. At Subiaco. Dearest mother of Charlie (RAAF). fond mother-in-law of Emmie. Loving grandmother of Lindsay. Peace, perfect peace
HARRISON.-On Mar 29, 1943 at Subiaco. Alice loving mother of Nell (Mrs M. F. McDavitt. Mosman Park); fond mother-in-law of Ted. Dear Nan of Betty, John, Ted and Ron McDavitt. At rest.
PROSPERITY LODGE. UAOD. No 333. – HARRISON – the Officers and Members of the above Lodge and Order are respectfully requested to attend the Funeral and Service for the late wife of our esteemed Brother, Arthur Harrison which will be conducted in the Crematorium Chapel. Karrakatta. THIS (Monday) AFTERNOON at 3.15 o’clock. Connecting train will leave Perth at 2.37 o’clock. W. GUMMOW, Secretary.
The Four Children of Arthur Dight Harrison and Phoebe:
William Edward (1898 – 1977) married Edna May Kerr
Children: William Arthur, Ramon Kerr, Jack Louis and Jill Lois
Arthur Louis (Lou) (30.3.1900 – 17.5.1967) married Vera May Fryer
Children: Valma and Judith
Nellie Frances (25.9.1901 – 17.9.1998) married Edward Francis McDavitt
Children: Betty, John, Edward and Ronald
Charles George (20.8.1907 – 26.8.1996) married Emerald Koefod
Children: Lindsay and Carol