Phoebe Alice Parsons
16 July 1872 – 19 May 1943
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tragically, Phoebe’s brother Alfred never saw her wedding, as he died of typhoid fever on 31st January 1896 at his residence.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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!
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, L943, 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.
- GUMMOW, Secretary.