Drs Hickson and Mitchell, Oculists and Aurists, Ballarat, Australia

We know from a couple of sources that Edward Mitchell may have been an oculist.

We also know that he was of Peel Street, Ballarat.

So I was very interested when I saw the following notice which ran at least 66 times in the Empire Newspaper from Tuesday, 17 May 1864 to Monday 1 August 1864.

Empire Newspaper (Sydney, New South Wales)
Tuesday, 17 May 1864

TO THE BLIND, AND THOSE WHOSE
SIGHT IS IN ANY DEGREE IMPAIRED,

Drs. HICKSON and MITCHEL, Oculists and Aurists,
are prepared to undertake the treatment of all forms of
Eye Disease; and their large experience and marvellous
success have enabled them to announce that,- by a
process not yet, known to the medical world, they can
positively restore the sight to all persons suffering from
any kind of opacity.

Drs. H. and M. have restored to sight and the duties
of social life, many who had been consigned to asylums
for the remainder of their days. They had been pre-
nounced by the faculty incurable;.they now see and
follow their vocations.

Communications may be made in reference to terms
and conditions, to Drs. HICKSON and MITCHELL,
Oculists and Aurists, Ballarat, Victoria.

In an article in the The Star (Ballarat, Victoria) on Thursday, 11 Jun 1863, titled Cause List, Macfarelane v Hickson which detailed

"...a complaint brought by a medical man against the defendant under the Medical Practitioners' Act, sec.7 for assuming the style and title of "doctor," without being registered according to the Act, and therefore unlicensed to act as a medical man."

it clearly shows that Dr Hickson lived at Peel Street the same street that we know Edward Mitchell lived in.

"...The defendant denied that he called himself a doctor. William Macfarlane deposed that he knew the defendant. He resided in Peel street, and had a sign over the door with "Dr Hickson" on it. He had a sign board in the hall of the Mechanics' Institute also with "Dr Hickson" on it..." 

But I would like to find something else that shows a connection between John Bell Hickson and Edward Mitchell.

Thomas Barrett, Saracen's Head, near Wye bridge and his extensive preparations for emigrating to Australia

Thanks to a Lost Cousins connection I suspect that the Mr Thomas Barrett of the Saracen's Head, near Wye bridge mentioned in this article, is likely the first child of Francis Barrett and Catherine Pritchard of Herefordshire.

Thomas Barrett was born on 24 Apr 1820 in Burghill, Herefordshire, England and he married Esther SLACK on 10 Feb 1848 in Hereford, Herefordshire, England.

The Mr Pritchard mentioned in the article is likely Edward Pritchard, Thomas Barrett's uncle...

Hereford Times - Saturday 20 August 1853

COUNTY COURT— Thursday, Before J. M. Herbert, Esq. Breach of Contract.—The only case of interest at the County Court, held on Thursday last, was an action for breach of contract, in which Mr. Thomas Barrett, of the Saracen's Head, near Wye bridge, was the plaintiff, and Mr. John Banton, of Ross, the defendant.—Mr. Pritchard, who appeared for the plaintiff, stated that, Mr. Barrett being about relinquishing his business with a view of emigrating to Australia, the defendant entered into agreement to take to the stock, fixtures, &c, of the Saracen's Head a valuation. Mr. W. James, the auctioneer, was appointed valuer on behalf of the plaintiff, and Messrs. Morgan and Son, of Ross, on the part of the defendant. The valuation amounted to £511, and agreement was drawn up in which these words were inserted, " Either party neglecting to fulfil the terms of the contract, is to forfeit the sum of £50 liquidated damages.' The contract, he should show, was afterwards broken the defendant, and the present action was brought to recover the £50 damages under that agreement. What the defence would be, he did not know, but he thought it probable that this sum of £50 would be said to be a penalty and not liquidated damages, and that the plaintiff was only entitled to recover for any actual damage which he might have sustained the non-fulfilment of the contract. The words the agreement, however, were so clear that could not imagine his Honour would have the slightest difficulty in distinguishing between penalty and liquidated damages.—Mr. Lanwarne, for the defendant, said that Mr. Pritchard had quite anticipated the point he was about raise, and quoted several cases, analagous to the present, in which it was decided that, although in the agreements the sums were described as ”liquidated settled damages to be paid and forfeited without deduction”, they were in fact penalties and not liquidated damages. In the case of Davies v. Penton, Chief Justice Abbott made this remark —" A great deal has been said about the different import of the words penalty and stipulated damages, but I am of opinion, and shall always be so until has been otherwise determined by the higher Courts, that, whether the terms penalty or liquidated damage be employed, the party shall only be allowed to recover what damage he has really sustained." Mr. Justice Bayley also says, " Where the sum which is to be accrued for the performance of agreement of which there are several acts, will, some instances, be too much, and others too small a compensation, for the injury thereby sustained, that sum is to be considered a penalty." Now in the present agreement there were no less than five stipulations : first, that he should take to the premises secondly, have the effects valued on cer-day; thirdly, take to the agreement by which the premises are held under the Corporation ; fourthly, pay a particular sum a particular time; and fifthly, that he is to do everything in the agreement or forfeit a penalty £50. He (Mr. Lanwarne) therefore submitted that the plaintiff was only entitled to recover for any actual loss proved to have been sustained. —The Judge remarked that the Courts had always struggled to get at the real amount of damages sustained but he thought the present discussion premature. —Mr. Pritchard, reply to the objection, quoted the case of Lowe v. Pearce, in which the defendant agreed to pay to the plaintiff £1,000 if he married any person but herself, the forfeiture being there held to be liquidated damages and not a penalty. He also quoted Fletcher r. Dowle, and other cases, from which he drew the conclusion that, where the forfeiture was larger than the sum to be paid under the contract, it must be considered penalty and not liquidated damages. In the present instance the forfeiture was £50, the contract £511. —Mr. Lanwarne replied that the cases referred to by Mr. Pritchard quite confirmed the view which he had taken, viz., that where there one specific act, the breach of which incurred a fixed penalty, as in the case of Lowe v. Pearce, it was to be considered liquidated damages; but when there were five or six, the non-performance of any one of which would a breach of the contract, it was considered as a penalty and the party could only claim for actual damage sustained —His Honor was inclined take Mr. Lanwarne's view of the case, and quoted from Chitty very strong opinion of Chief Justice Tindal on the point.—After some discussion, Mr. Wm. James was called, and deposed that he was employed behalf of the plaintiff to value the effects at the Saracen's Head, Messrs. Morgan of Ross being engaged on the part of the defendant, who formerly kept the Royal Hotel tap at Ross; the stock, fixtures, &c., amounted to £511; the defendant was put in possession on the Monday, and remained so until the Wednesday, when he gave up the key to the plaintiff. A proposition was made by the plaintiff that the defendant should pay £140 down, and give joint notes of hand for the payment of the remainder from persons of responsibility, at three, six, and twelve months, and that £100 should remain until it would be more convenient for him to pay it. After making one or two attempts, defendant failed to give the required security, and gave up the premises. The defendant called at his house once or twice before the agreement was prepared, when he told him that the plaintiff's reason for leaving was that he was about to start for Australia ; defendant asked him what he thought the amount of the valuation would be ; he replied he could not tell within £20, but said it would amount as near possible to £500 and that it would be useless for him to think of entering into it unless he could command that sum. His answer was, “I know what my stock will fetch Ross, and I can command £.500 at least. In consequence the contract not being fulfilled, Mr. Barrett had been obliged to keep possession of the house, after having gone the expense of erecting a wooden house, and made extensive preparations for emigrating to Australia; witness' charge for making the valuation was 2 1/2per cent., which, with the stamp, and some other expenses, amounted to £13 10s. 2d. ; he should consider the sum of £50 very inadequate to remunerate the plaintiff for his loss.—Cross-examined : Knew that the plaintiff had gone to considerable expense in making preparations, but could not give any other specific item of loss except the £13 10s. 2d. ; he could not, of course, tell whether the going to Australia would have been an advantage or a disadvantage to the plaintiff, and had not taken into account, in the sum he had mentioned, the probability of his success in Australia ; plaintiff had been at some expense in erecting the wooden house to take with him ; and he did not consider it a saleable article, inasmuch as not one person in a thousand who emigrated to Australia thought of taking a house with them; the defendant was the occupation of the premises, and received the money for what was sold from the Monday afternoon until the Wednesday, it being usual for the incoming tenant to receive all money soon as stock had been taken by the excise officer, but he had been informed by Mr. Barrett that the defendant had handed over all the money which he received; he should say that very good trade is done at the Saracen's Head, but probably not so extensive it was prior the closing of the tram-road. —Mr. Barrett, the plaintiff, deposed that after the agreement was signed and the valuation made, as described Mr. James, he saw the defendant and asked him if he was prepared to pay the amount; he said that Mr. Morgan would be there presently, and they would try and get the matter settled ; Mr. Morgan shortly afterwards came, and the defendant then said that he had been disappointed in letting his house at Ross, and that his stock had not fetched anything like so much he had expected it would; plaintiff offered to take bills for £311, saying that he would leave £100 in his father's hands upon approved security ; defendant took possession on the Monday, and remained there until the Wednesday, receiving the money for the drink which was sold ; on the Wednesday he (plaintiff) met the defendant, Mr. James, and Mr. Morgan, at the Green Dragon, when the former said he could get no one to join him in bills for the amount; plaintiff asked him what was to be done, to which he replied, "You must take to the place again." After some little difficulty, the money which the defendant had received while in possession of the premises was returned; the wooden house, which cost him £29 13s, was partly finished when the defendant threw up the contract, and he (plaintiff) had expended a further sum of £20 on his outfit; altogether he had spent about £60 in making preparations for starting, independently of the expense of the valuation; he had been offered £10 for the house; he was least £30 out pocket, including Mr. James' charge, in consequence of the defendant not fulfilling his contract. —Cross-examined: Saw defendant Ross on the Sunday before the agreement was executed; the forfeiture of £50 was objected to, and the substitution of £5 suggested, to which he would not consent; defendant said that perhaps should be £100 deficient, upon which he (plaintiff) agreed to allow it to stand over for twelve months; had not given up all idea of going to Australia, but had no prospect of letting his house; defendant offered to pay him £140, including bill of £60, which he refused to take, because he knew nothing of the parties by whom it was drawn, and to give bills for the remainder, but this he declined to accept; had never said that he was glad it had ended as it had, and that he would go back into the business; the outfit consisted of boots and shoes and clothes, which are worth, to any one who wanted them, as much he gave for them, but he should find it difficult to dispose of them for half what they had cost; if he ultimately went to Australia, they would available.—Mr. Lanwarne contended that the question for his Honor to decide was the actual amount of damage which the plaintiff sustained. Mr. James had estimated that damage at £50, while the plaintiff himself estimated it at £30. Mr. James's claim of £13 he admitted he could not get rid of; but, with regard to the wooden mansion which the plaintiff had built, he certainly thought it rather a peculiar way of estimating the loss to say that he had been offered £10 for it. If any person about to emigrate required such a thing, he would readily purchase it at a premium of £10 rather than a loss of £20. It would take no harm by remaining for short time—on the other hand, the wood would become more thoroughly seasoned. The plaintiff, he therefore contended, was not entitled to compensation on account of this house. And, with regard to the outfit, a few pairs of boots and shoes were no ill store, and it was well known that articles of that description improved by keeping. -The Judge: But people cannot afford to lie out of their money. Mr Lanwarne: We are consistently told that there is not a better investment for money, if a man wants to make his fortune, than by buying boots and shoes “green” and keeping them hung up until they are seasoned. -The Judge: I have seen such announcements respecting Moses and Sons' clothes; but not boots and shoes. (Laughter.)-Mr Lanwarne: Moses and Sons' clothes will wear to pieces, but is well known that boots and shoes improve by keeping (laughter) ; therefore, I contend that, upon this point also, the plaintiff is not entitled to compensation. His Honor asked the plaintiff was disposed to take the small amount (£30) at once, without his considering the question of liquidated damages.-Mr. Pritchard assented —Mr. Lanwarne hoped, in that case, the defendant would be allowed the house and the stock of boots and shoes and he would not then object to the decision. (Laughter )—His Honor: You can have them by paying -£29 10s. for the house and £20 for the outfit – Judgment was then given for £30 with expenses, £10 of which was paid at once, and the remainder to be paid by monthly instalments of £5.

Elizabeth Mitchell (1839-1919), Florence Isabel Mathews (1881-1942), June Duprez (1918-1984)

I was about to go to bed one-night last weekend when I thought, I'll just clear a couple of Ancestry Hints!

It was then that I discovered that Elizabeth Mitchell, daughter of Edward Mitchell and Hannah Buckler, hadn't disappeared into thin air but had remained in Australia after her half-siblings had returned back to England following the death of their father.

The hints showed an:

• Elizabeth Mitchell marrying a Frederick Mathews in Victoria in 1858.
• Elizabeth Matthews dying on 19 Jun 1919 in Ballarat, Ballarat City, Victoria, Australia.

Could this really be 'our' Elizabeth that I have been hunting for, for years?!?!?

I searched the Victoria births marriages and deaths to see if the father's names were mentioned but sadly they were missing.

Then I remembered that Australian death certificates mention parents names so I went back to search for the death of Elizabeth Matthews 1919.

MATTHEWS Elizth
Death
Elizth BUCKLER
Mitchell Edw
Hawth
82
1919
7262/1919

It was 'our' Elizabeth. But this was just the start of an exciting discovery.

Now I was convinced that it was our Elizabeth, I looked at some of the family tree hints. It was then that I noticed a death notice attached to one of Elizabeth and Frederick's children.

It read:

FORMER AUSTRALIAN ACTRESS DIES

Collapsing in Gleneira rd Caulfield
yesterday Mrs Florence Isabel
Duprez, former Australian actress
widow of the late Fred Duprez, the
English comedian, and mother of
the Hollywood film artist, June
Duprez, died before medical aid
could be summoned. Mrs Duprez
who was about 60, returned recently
to Australia to see her relatives after
many years absence.

Before her marriage 30 years ago
Mrs. Duprez was Miss Florence
Mathews, niece of the late Julia
Mathews actress. Born at Ballarat
she was always interested in the
stage and one of her last appearances
was in Sweet Lavender produced
by the late Gregan McMahon.

Mrs Duprez was married in London,
where she lived for many years.
Her late husband wrote the play
"My Wife s Family" which ran for
many years in London. Returning to
Australia via America, Mrs Duprez
stayed in Hollywood for many
months with her daughter. While
there she witnessed the premiere of
"The Thief of Bagdad" in which
film June Duprez was seen here
recently. The film was made in
London but the final scenes were taken
in America and June Duprez
remained in Hollywood under contract
to Alexander Korda.

Since her return Mrs. Duprez had
been living in Glenferrie rd Kew.
The funeral will be private.

Original Source: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Fri 16 Jan 1942 Page 5

Wow! Wow! Wow!

Could it really be true?

So I off I went to search for the children of Elizabeth Mitchell and Frederick Matthews. After a bit of trial and effort and realising it was mainly Mathews not Matthews I came up with the following possible children and the youngest child was named Florence Isabel.

Elizabeth MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick
BALL
1860
2179/1860 

(MATHEWS Elizabeth

Death

Elizabeth & Frederick

BAL

4 Days old

1860

1349/1860)

Frederick William MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Geo.
BALLARAT
1861
7287/1861

Julia Louisa MATTHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Geor
BALL
1862
12310/1862

Thomas Edward MATHEWS
Elizabet MITCHELL & Frederick Geor
BALL
1864
620/1864

Adolphus Augustus MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & George Frederic
F'ROY
1866
14086/1866

Elizabeth Ada MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Geo.
BALLARAT
1869
6480/1869

Sarah Ann Adelaide MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Geor
BALL
1871
13924/1871

James Henry MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Georg
BALL'T
1874
13640/1874 

(James MATHEWS Death

Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Ge

BALL

7 Months old

1875

5525/1875)

Elizabeth MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Georg
BALL
1876
480/1876

James Ernest MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Geor
BALL
1878
20594/1878

Florence Isabel MATHEWS
Elizabeth MITCHELL & Frederick Geor
BALL
1881
328/1881

I then tried to find a marriage for Florence to Mr Duprez. FreeBMD came up with the goods:

Marriages June Quarter 1916
St. Giles 1b 1204
Duprez Frederick A
Mathews Florence I

Refine the search from marriages to births – change the name to Matthew and you get – June Duprez

Births June Quarter 1918
Kingston 2a 744
Duprez June A R Mother's maiden name: Matthews

To type this up I recreated all the searches again and noticed a little envelope next to her entry. Clicking on it leads to this message:

Postems for this entry:

31/08/2014

Film actress June Duprez who appeared in a number of successful British films, particularly the 1940 Thief of Baghdad. Died in 1984.

I searched Trove to see what other evidence I could find to support the above. Here are all the entries I have found and noted so far starting from Frederick Matthews' death in 1900:

-----------------------26 Jan 1900----------------------- 

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Fri 26 Jan 1900 Page 3 Advertising

JUDICIAL AND LAW NOTICES.

AFTER 14 days from the publication hereof
application will be made to the Supreme
Court of the Colony of Victoria, in its Probate
jurisdiction, that PROBATE of the WILL of
FREDERICK GEORGE MATHEWS, formerly of
Ballarat, but lately of Burwood road, Hawthorn,
in the said colony, engineer, deceased, maybe
granted to Elizabeth Mathews, of Burwood road
Hawthorn aforesaid, the widow of the said
deceased and the sole executrix named in and
appointed by the said will
Dated this 25th day of January, 1900
RICHARD LAWSON CROSS, 457 Little Collins
street, Melbourne, proctor for the said executrix. 

-----------------------24 Dec 1903-----------------------

Punch (Melbourne, Vic. : 1900 - 1918; 1925) / Thu 24 Dec 1903 / Page 25

The Misses Mathews' juvenile ball was held at
Hawthorn on Wednesday, [?]2nd December, and
was a great success. The hall was prettily decorated
for the occasion. The fancy costumes
worn by the children were very handsome and
much admired. During the evening Mr. A. G.
Lumsden, on behalf of the pupils, presented
Miss Sadie Mathews with a gold chain and medallion
in appreciation of their esteem. 

[Note: I think Sadie Mathews might be Sarah Ann Adelaide Mathews]

-----------------------12 Jun 1907-----------------------

Sydney Sportsman (Surry Hills, NSW : 1900 - 1954) / Wed 12 Jun 1907 / Page 3 / THEATRICAL TITBITS.

Our then mechanist in the Academy of
Music, Ballarat, was 'Old Mathews,'
a brother to the famous Julia Mathews, and our
scenic artist was 'Young Mathews,' old M.'s
son, and we had a daughter of old M.'s
playing small parts with us. I remember,
years after, I wanted a photo of Julia
Matthews for press purposes, and I journeyed
all the way to Ballarat for it, and I got it.
Dear old Bill gave it to me.

[Note: I believe 'Old Mathews' is Frederick George Mathews – he seems to have been in scenery design which might explain why the children were dancers and actresses]

-----------------------28 Apr 1910----------------------- 

Punch (Melbourne, Vic. : 1900 - 1918; 1925) / Thu 28 Apr 1910 / Page 28 / Advertising

ELOCUTION

MISS SADIE MATHEWS. Teacher of Elocution,
Theory, and Voice Cultivation. The first prizewinners
in the Open Scene, A.N.A. Competition
("The Man Who Stole the Castle"), Dagmar Thake
and Gladys Daniels, are pupils of Miss Sadie
Mathews. Miss Florence Mathews intends forming
a class for dramatic work-scenes and dialogues.
For particulars apply "Killala," Liddiard-street,
Glenferri .. and Glen's.

-----------------------08 Jun 1916-----------------------

Punch (Melbourne, Vic. : 1900 - 1918; 1925) / Thu 8 Jun 1916 / Page 42 / GREENROOM GOSSIP

Miss Florrie Mathews, a young: stage
aspirant who left Melbourne for London
two or three years ago, has ' achieved
some success in touring companies in
the English provinces. Miss Mathews has also
acquired a husband in the person of Mr.- Fred
Duprez, a clever young artist who is well •••and.
popularly known in vaudeville circles in
England. Mrs. Duprez is a niece of the late/Julia -
Mathews, and a cousin of Mr. T. Mathews
who manages several theatres in London.

-----------------------18 Apr 1923-----------------------

The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1950) / Wed 18 Apr 1923 / Page 5 / Mainly About People.

A most enjoyable afternoon was spent 

at the residence of Mrs. W. Barnes, of
'Killala,' Bruce-street, Nedlands Park,
last, -week, to bid bon voyage to 

Miss Ada Coultas on the eve of her departure for
London. The rooms were tastefully
decorated with autumn flowers, and a very
dainty afternoon tea was served to over
30 guests. Musical items were rendered
by Miss Coultas in her usual artistic
manner, songs by Mrs. Rogers, and
orchestral pieces led by the Misses Du Boulay,
while the recitative portion was represented
by Mrs. McClintock, Miss Hallet, and
little Miss Mathews. 

[Note I believe Mrs. W. Barnes to be Elizabeth Mathews]

-----------------------10 Nov 1923----------------------- 

The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Sat 10 Nov 1923 / Page 1 / Family Notices

BARNS. —On October 28, to Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Barns, of 36 Perth-Fremantle-road, Nedlands —a son.

-----------------------17 Oct 1926-----------------------

Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954) / Sun 17 Oct 1926 / Page 28 / Motoring and Motoring

Mr. W. E. Barnes, of Bruce-street, Nedlands, has purchased a Fiat Model 503

-----------------------06 Sep 1931-----------------------

Sunday Times (Perth, WA : 1902 - 1954) / Sun 6 Sep 1931 / Page 13 / The Social Whirl and Personal Pars on Prominent People Edited by Renee

AN AFTERNOON was held
at Temple Court last week
to bid bon voyage to Miss
Ada Matthews, who leaves
by the Ballarat for Europe
after an enjoyable-holiday
with her sister, Mrs. W. Barnes.
of Nedlands.
Amongst the guests were Mesdames
Barnes, McRostie, Harris, Darling,
Robinson, Bentley, Atkinson, Cunninghame,
Brown, Mcclintock and Faulkner,
and Misses S. Matthews, Gundill,
Pengelly, and .Burton

-----------------------26 Nov 1932-----------------------

The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1950) / Sat 26 Nov 1932 / Page 3 / NEWS IN BRIEF

NEWS IN BRIEF 

Adolphus Augustus Mathews, of 50
Bruce-street, Nedlands Park, who died
on September 24 last, left estate valued
at £2904. The sole legatee is his sister,
Miss Sarah Mathews.

-----------------------15 Sep 1932-----------------------

The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Thu 15 Sep 1932 / Page 1 / Family Notices

MATHEWS. — On September 14, 1932, at St. 

John of God Hospital, Subiaco, 

Adolphus Augustus Mathews, beloved brother of 

Sarah Mathews and Elizabeth Barnes (of Nedlands),
James Mathews (of Albany), 

Thomas Edward Mathews (of Melbourne), 

Julia Joyce (of Melbourne), 

Ada Mathews (of London), and
Florence Dupres (of London).

-----------------------02 Nov 1936-----------------------

The Daily News (Perth, WA : 1882 - 1950) / Mon 2 Nov 1936 / Page 6 / Young English Film Star's Link With Perth

Young English Film
Star's Link With Perth
Miss June Duprez, regarded
as one of the most promising
of Britain's dramatic
actresses, who is now appearing
in 'The Crimson Circle' at
Hoyts Regent Theatre, is- a
niece of Mrs. W. E. Barnes,
of Bruce-street, Nedlands, and
a sister of Mr. Charles
Manhattan Duprez, an
announcer at Station 6PR.

The 17-year-old actress, who was
married in September of last year
to Dr. Guy Beauchamp, a Harley
street physician, is the daughter of
Mr. Fred Duprez, the famous
English comedian. Mrs. Barnes is Mrs.
Duprez's sister.

'Even as a small child June
showed undoubted talent,' said Mr.
Charles Duprez, when discussing his
actress sister. Mr. Duprez has been
out from England for only three
months. 'She was originally
destined for a musical career, and at
the age of 15 gave recitals at the
Wigmore Hall, London. She also did
some work for the British Broad
casting Commission,' he added.

Stage Experience
June, however, was hankering
after a stage career, and in spite of
the opposition of her father, joined
the Croydon Repertory Theatre and
played all sorts of parts, from old
women to 'Tondeleyo' in 'White
Cargo.'

It was while site was playing with
this company that she met Dr.
Beauchamp, then practising in
Nuneaton, and became his wife.
When she returned from her
honeymoon she appeared in a small
part in 'The Amateur Gentleman.'
The attention she attracted resulted
in her being cast for the lead in
'The Cardinal,' opposite Matheson
Lang.

Emotional Gifts
Speaking of the filming of one scene
in this picture, a prominent English
film critic writes: 'June Duprez has
that gift, so seldom found in younger
British actresses, of letting herself go
completely and sweeping right; into
the deepest emotions on demand.

Each time she finished the scene
her lashes were wet with tears—
and they were real tears.'

With her leading role in 'The
Crimson Circle,' with Hugh Wakefield 

and Noah Beery, June Duprez
definitely achieves front rank stardom

in British films.

'Besides her really startling 

dramatic power, she has a dark, unusual
beauty, and, a rare thing in a
woman, a deep and beautifully 

modulated voice,' says the same- critic.
'So many young English girls have
not only too much restraint for really
dramatic acting, but also those
dreadfully 'naice' voices.'

'I think it is her intention to
carry on with her film career in
spite of her marriage,' said her
brother, 'She loves her work so much
and has just begun to be definitely
established Her husband realises
this, and realises, too, that she is
very young, and has raised no
objections to her acting.

-----------------------02 Aug 1941-----------------------

Mirror (Perth, WA : 1921 - 1956) / Sat 2 Aug 1941 / Page 16 / Of Interest To Ladies

Mrs. G. V. Purdue entertained an 

old school friend Mrs. Florence
Duprez, mother of film star June
Duprez, at dinner at the Adelphi this
week.

-----------------------03 Jul 1941-----------------------

The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Thu 3 Jul 1941 / Page 8 / American Visitor Welcomed.

American Visitor Welcomed. 

Mills. W. FAUCKNER was the
hostess at an enjoyable afternoon
at the Hotel Adelphi on Tuesday
to welcome Mrs. Florence Duprez,
who has just arrived from America
on .a visit to her sister, Mrs. W.
Barnes, of Nedlands. Mrs. Duprez
is the mother of June Duprez, who
is appearing in "The Thief of Bagdad.

The lounge was arranged with
roses and Iceland poppies. Among
those invited to welcome the guest
of honour were Lady Wittenoom,
Mesdames Harry Graham, Darling,
G. Purdie. W. McCrostie, E. Smyth,
Maurice Buck, Allen, H. Baker, 

Camper, W. Barnes, Misses du Boula?,
Ida Geddes and Ada and Sadie
Matthews.

-----------------------05 Jul 1941-----------------------

The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Sat 5 Jul 1941 / Page 8 / MOTHER OF FILM STAR.

MOTHER OF FILM STAR.

Mrs. Duprez in Perth.

WHEN June Duprez, who is known
to Perth picturegoeers by her
work in the Technicolour films, "Four
Feathers" and "The Thief of Bag
dad," went in search of her first
screen role, she took her own test
with her and walked out with a
contract. This story was told
yesterday by her mother. 

Mrs. Florence Duprez. who 

is visiting her sister.
Mrs. W. Barnes, of Nedlands.

In private life Mrs. Guy Beauchamp,
wife of a Harley-street
specialist. Miss Duprez belies her
French-sounding name. Her mother
was born in Australia, but became
a citizen of the United States when
she married the American comedian,
Fred Duprez. Both June and her
brother Hatton (whose voice, by the
way, was heard over local radio
stations about five years ago) were born
in England. Her first big part was
in "Four Feathers," for which she
was selected by Alexander Korda
from 200 applicants. Her latest
picture, "The Thief of Bagdad," was
started at the Denham Studios,
interrupted by the war, and finished
in Hollywood, where Miss Duprez
is now living.

"Now-or-Never" Ship.

Mrs. Duprez left England on June
3, 1940, on the "now-or-never" ship.
President Roosevelt, which was sent
to Galway by the United States
Government to bring home American
citizens stranded by the war. She
carried nearly 800 passengers, many
of whom had to sleep in the dining
saloons. Mrs. Duprez sailed at two
days' notice.

Discussing the film colony's war
work, Mrs. Duprez said that 

Ronald Colman and his wife, 

Benita Hume, were leaders of an 

unceasing effort to which all the stars 

contributed.
Her own daughter spent her spare
time sewing and knitting for the
Red Cross Society and, with many
other stars, had taken part in a
three-week benefit season of Noel
Coward plays.

-----------------------17 Jan 1942-----------------------

The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Sat 17 Jan 1942 / Page 1 / Family Notices

DUPREZ (Florence).--On January 15 

1942, suddenly, at Melbourne, sister of
Ada, Sadie, James, Julia, Elizabeth (Mrs.
W. E. Barnes) and W. E. Barnes,
mother of Hatton and June (Mrs.
Beauchamp) and Dr. Guy Beauchamp.

-----------------------22 Jan 1942-----------------------

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954) / Thu 22 Jan 1942 / Page 25 / AUSTRALIA AND THE PACIFIC

Mrs. Florence Isabel Duprez, 

former Australian actress, widow
of Fred Duprez, the English
comedian, and mother of the
Hollywood film artist June Duprez,
collapsed and died at Caulfield
(Vic.) last week. Mrs. Duprez, who
was about 60, returned recently to -
Australia to see her relatives after
many years' absence.

-----------------------13 Mar 1950-----------------------

The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Mon 13 Mar 1950 / Page 30 / Family Notices

MATHEWS: On March 11. 1950, at Perth. James Ernest. the beloved husband of Mary Mathews, devoted father of Jean (Mrs. Merrifield, Albany) and Ada (Victoria Park)- and father-in-law of Lance; aged 69 years.

-----------------------14 Mar 1950-----------------------

The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Tue 14 Mar 1950 / Page 25 / Family Notices

MATHEWS: On March 11. passed away at St. Margaret's Hospital. James. loved brother of Elizabeth Barnes, Ada and Sadie Mathews.

-----------------------14 Mar 1950-----------------------

The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Tue 14 Mar 1950 / Page 25 / Family Notices

MATHEWS: A Presbyterian Cremation Service for the late Mr. James Ernest Mathews, of 15 Cardiff-street, Victoria Park. and formerly of the W.A.G.R., will be held in the Karrakatta Crematorium Chapel at 11 o'clock THIS (Tuesday) MORNING. The Funeral Cortege is appointed to leave our Service Chapel. 664 New castle-street, Leederville, at 10.45 o'clock. ARTHUR J. PURSLOWE AND CO. Tel. B2649.

-----------------------14 Mar 1950-----------------------

The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Tue 14 Mar 1950 / Page 25 / Family Notices

MATHEWS: On March 11. passed away at St. Margaret's Hospital. James, loved brother of Elizabeth Barnes, Ada and Sadie Mathews.

-----------------------03 Sep 1952-----------------------

The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) / Wed 3 Sep 1952 / Page 20 / Family Notices

THE RELATIVES of the Late 

MRS. W. BARNES and the late
SADIE MATHEWS THANK all
kind friends for their floral
tributes and expressions of
sympathy in their recent sad
bereavements. Their heartfelt
thanks to Mrs. Callcott, Mrs.
Ralph, Mrs. Purdue, Mrs. Allen,
Mrs. Radford; also 

Rev. C. Cameron and Nedlands
Presbyterian Ladies' Guild. Will all
please accept this as a personal
expression of gratitude.

I think it is clear from the above newspaper articles that this family structure is correct. That means that June Duprez is my 3 cousin 3 times removed. I am beyond excited given that one of my favourite things is 1940s movies. She knew Nigel Bruce and his wife, was in a film with Cary Grant and starred in a movie with Sabu!!!

I can't explain how much I LOVE Trove and thank you to those people on Ancestry who, by growing their family trees at Ancestry, have caused a hint to pop up and has allowed me to discover this exciting branch of my family.

Edward Mitchell - Oculist & Homeopathist, Peel Street, Ballarat - Diptheria and its treatment

Thanks again to Trove, I have just made an amazing discovery. The actual words of an ancestor by way of a letter written by him in January 1872; two months before he died.

Edward Mitchell, the drunken doctor of Ballarat (converted by Matthew Burnett, the Yorkshire Evangelist & Australia's Greatest Evangelist and Social Reformer) appears to have had a letter of his published in the Ballarat Star and repeated in the Geelong Advertiser (Vic) on Friday 19 January 1872.

DIPTHERIA AND ITS TREATMENT.

The following appears in the Ballarat
Star-.—" Sir, I have, from time to time,
when this disease has been raging, called
attention to the fact that homoeopathic
treatment has been the only known treat-
ment by which cures of diptheria have been
effected, and I have often stated that some
years ago in Geelong where the disease
raged to a fearful extent; and the number of
deaths great, I attended, nearly forty, the
whole of which I treated homoeopathically.
and all recovered except one, this one case
I pronounced incurable (being too far gone)
immediately I saw it. I would here state
that many of the cases so cured were in
families where one or more had died of the
disease previous to my being called in. I
merely state this in order that it may
not be supposed they were not real cases of
the disease. It is too often the case that
many suffering from simple affections of
the throat are unduly alarmed by hints
being thrown out that there exist symptoms
of the disease. You will, doubtless, recol-
lect some few years, ago when scarlatina
raged in Ballarat, especially in the hollow
in Wills street, where were seventeen cases,
nine of which I treated homoeopathically
and all recovered, and of the remaining
eight treated allopathically five died. I
wish it to be distinctly understood
that I am not making this state-
ment in order to increase my practice,
as I am relinquishing all practice except that
of the eye and ear. I merely wish to men-
tion some of the remedies by which I so
successfully treated the cases named, and
as the whole may be obtained for a few
shillings, heads of families would do well to
provide them. I may here state for in-
formation that Mr Towl, chemist, from my
recommendation, commenced to sell them.
I will here give a few directions for the
guidance of parents, which may be useful,
especially where medical aid cannot be
immediately obtained. On the first ap-
pearance of the disease, which very often
closely resembles croup, my treatment
has generally commenced with aconitum,
one globule every half-hour, which ge-
nerally produces a profuse perspiration
When such is the case, which is gene-
rally after the sixth or eighth dose,
deep sleep will generally result, this is to
be considered a very favorable symptom.
If it lasts from three to four or even five
hours, I have always had but little trouble
after. On awaking drink will generally be
asked for, when half a wineglass-full off
cold water, previously boiled, should be
given. Aconitum will often have such
salutary effect that but little treatment is
required after; but should the patient com-
plain of sore throat, belladonna should be
administered, one or two globules every two
hours. In severe cases, where a whistling in
breathing, which is generally accompanied
with a hoarse, hollow cough, hepar sul-
phuris, two globules every half hour.
When oppression in breathing, or rattling
of phlegm in the chest, antimonium, tar-
taricum, two globules every half hour.
Phosphorus may follow in same dose and
time. In very severe symptoms arsenicum,
may be given with great benefit, one or two
globules every half or even every quarter
of an hour. Of all the abovenamed medi-
cines, four to eight doses will generally be
the quantity to produce beneficial results,
and can if required be repeated a second
time. In severe cases, and generally as a
last resource, spongia is an invaluable
remedy, one globule every half hour.
This medicine I have very seldom used,
cures having been generally effected
without it. Lachesis is very useful where a
short dry cough exists, with difficulty in
breathing. There are many other medi-
cines, but those already named will gene-
rally be sufficient to effect a cure. Great
care should be used to prevent a relapse,
which is easily brought on by draught, and
commencing to exercise the body too soon,
and great care should likewise be used on
approaching convalescence in giving food
light, nourishing, in small quantities, and
not too often. By publishing this, I doubt
not many will have to thank you. Yours,
&c.,E, MITCHEL, Oculist.&c.,Peel-street

Edward Mitchell - Gold Pen Maker, Silversmith and Jeweller - Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

Updated 23 February 2018 with new articles from Trove - his wife selling up after the funeral so she can return to England.

Updated 9 July 2016 with new articles from Trove re the funeral.  Previously updated 19 June 2015

Click for Part 1 - Birmingham & London, England

Click for Part 2a - Collingwood, Melbourne, Victoria

Click for Part 3 - Beyond the Grave

Edward Mitchell

Ballarat

By 1862 there was some happier news when Edward's daughter, Louisa Mitchell, married George Brownley on 14 July in Victoria, Australia^. (Registration number 2603).

Their marriage was announced in The Star newspaper (Ballarat, Victoria) on Thursday, 24 July 1862

MARRIAGES

At the Wesleyan Chapel, Lydiard street, by special

license, Mr George Brownley, Shakepere Hotel, Bal-

larat, to Louisa, youngest daughter of Mr Mitchell,

oculist, homoepathist, &c., of Ballarat.

A daughter, Hannah Elizabeth Brownley, soon followed in 1863. Possibly Edward and Hannah's first grandchild.

It looks like Edward was having a hard time again according to the report in The Star (Ballarat, Victoria) on Monday, 28 December 1863

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man named John Robinson alias William Wright, for having uttered a valueless cheque to Edward M.Mitchell of this town.

And little over a week later more trouble was reported in the same newspaper (The Star - Ballarat, Victoria) on Wednesday, 6 January1864

ALLEGED THEFT.-Edward Boylow was charged

with having stolen a brooch, the property of Edward

Mitchell. The prosecutor deposed that he knew the

prisoner, who was at his house on Saturday, on

which occasion he (the prosecutor) lost two brooches

from his residence in Lyons street. Witness missed

the brooches after the departure of the accused. The

brooches produced were those that were stolen from

witness. He considered them worth £7. Senior

Constable Dann deposed that he arrested the priso-

ner on Saturday on the charge of personating a de-

tective. Witness found the brooches now produced

in his possession, he made no statement as to where

he got them. Detective Officer Hannon deposed to the

arrest of the prisoner that morning on the charge now

advanced against him. He said that he had taken

them, and that he had been drinking. The prisoner

elected for summary conviction, had nothing to say,

and appeared to regret his position. The Bench

said that it would look on the offence as one arising

from intemperance, and would only sentence him to

three weeks' imprisonment.

Edward was back in court yet again but this time as a witness to a very sad case. The Ballarat Star (Victoria) reported the following on Monday,1 January 1866

On Saturday, 30th December, at the Golden

Fleece hotel, Ballarat, the district coroner held an

inquest upon the body, aged about three weeks, of

William (Hoolahan) Smith. The jury returned the

following verdict-" His death took place on 21st

December, in the house of Mrs Joner, of Princess

street, Ballarat, and it arose from natural causes,

being caused by exhaustion, brought on by diarrhoea

and dysentery. The mother was Catherine Hoolahan,

unmarried. Bridget Jones deposed that she kept

the child for about a fortnight, while its mother was

in a situation. It was then given to a Mrs M'llhoon,

who kept it six or seven days and then brought it

back on Wednesday, when it was found to be very

ill, never having suckled its mother. Some six or

seven days before the child died it was taken to Mr

Mitchell. Witness reported the death of the child to

the police as she had no means of burying it and

Mr Morris, the undertaker, took the child away in a

coffin about one o'clock on Sunday, 24th December.

Witness got no medicine for the child as it was so

delicate. She went to Mr Mitchell after deceased's

death and got from him a certificate with which wit-

ness thought she could bury the child. The father

of the child was stated by the mother to be a George

Smith, and that he lived at Clunes. Montague

Edward Mitchell of Ballarat "not a legally qualified

medical practitioner, but I practice the calling of an

oculist, and my friends take my advice when I give

it to them," deposed that the child was brought to

him, and on hearing tho symptoms said the child

was dying and refused to give advice or medicine.

Witness recommended Mrs Jones to go to the hos-

pital, witness also refused to give a certificate until

he saw the child. After he saw the child, he gave

Mrs Jones the following certificate "21st December,

1805. I certify that William Smith died this morn-

ing, two o'clock. Disease, dysentery; age, three

weeks. Mr E. Mitchell, homoeopathist." Mr Richard

Bunce made the post mortem examination and ten-

dered the medical evidence.

Before the year was out Edward was back in court again, thankfully again as a witness. The Ballarat Star (Victoria) reported the worrying case of a stolen child on Tuesday, 4 September 1866

CHILD STEALING.-Israel Martin was charged with

having, on the 1st instant, taken away from its

home a little girl named Lilly Trinder; Mr Lewis

appeared for the defence. The following evidence

was called:-William Trinder, a bootmaker, residing

at the rear of Humffray street, deposed that he had

seven children. The one now in court was two years

and eight months of age. She was at home about

midday on Saturday, and as he was shortly after-

wards informed that she was missing, he followed

the prisoner as far as the cemetery. but he then lost

all trace of him. He next gave information to the

police and in about two hours afterwards, when he

returned home, the child was there. The child was

not examined by any medical man, but there was

nothing the matter with it. Cross-examined-Be-

lieved the child was not hurt in any way. A woman

named Mary Ann Gillespie lived at some little dis-

tance from his house. Heard in the evening that

the child had been taken away in mistake for Gil-

lespie's child. Never saw the prisoner. To Mr

Ryall-The women about the place talked about the

child being taken away in mistake. It was said that

the child was to have been taken from Mary Ann

Gillespie. That woman told witness so herself the

father of her illigitimate child was spoken of as being

a man named Irwin. Montagu Edward Mitchell, a

medical man, deposed to being in Peel street and

seeing a man running away with a child in his

arms towards a cab. The blinds of the cab -were

down, and the child having been pitched in, the

cab was driven off quickly. Witness thought he

knew the child, and one of its elder sisters came

running to him and said her sister was taken away.

The child's father also came up and ran after the

cab. Knew the prisoner about Ballarat for several

years, but could not say that he was the man whom

he saw running away with the child. Laura

Trinder, a girl thirteen years of age, sister of the

child in question, deposed that the prisoner was not

the man she saw taking away the child. The man

was dressed in grey clothes; he was short and had

red hair and a red beard. She never saw the man

before. (The prisoner had black hair and a slight

beard of the same color). A girl named Bessy

Thomas brought back the child. Sergeant Larner

deposed to the prosecutor having informed him of

the child being missing, and to afterwards arresting

the prisoner at the Rising Sun hotel under a war-

rant; The prisoner then told him that the child

had been taken away in mistake for another child.

A Mr Irwin, who was present, asked witness into a

room in the hotel and gave him to understand that

he had employed the prisoner to take away a child

but he had made a mistake and taken the

wrong one. Mr Lewis-You know Mr Irwin had

an illegitimate child by a woman named Gillespie,

and he only wanted to take it away and keep it

himself. Witness believed that such was the case.

The prisoner did not know that he had taken the

wrong child at the time; neither did Irwin himself,

as though he had a child he did not know it. Mr

Lewis stated it was evident that it was all a mistake

as the wrong child had been taken, Mr Irwin, it

was well known, had red hair, and he must have

been the man whom the girl saw, and not the pri-

soner. Mr Clissold-But people .are not to have

their children taken away by any scoundrel who

chooses to do so on hire. Mr Ryall asked for a

postponement until Friday for the production of

further evidence. Mr Lewis thought the postpone-

ment altogether unnecessary since the case was

purely one of mistaken identity. Mr Clissold stated

he would grant the remand if it was pressed for.

The prisoner was then remanded until Friday, and

admitted to bail in two sureties of £50 each.

In the following month what should have been a very happy time turned out to be very sad. Edward's daughter, Louisa, gave birth to a little girl, Mary Louisa Brownley, in the October of 1866 but the baby died the same month.

Louisa herself did even last another year and she died in September 1867 in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia (Ballarat and Western Region - Victoria, Australia).

Edward, himself, died on Monday, 18 March 1872 also in Ballarat, Victoria, Australia (Ballarat and Western Region - Victoria, Australia). His death was registered by John Little, a friend, Storekeeper. The death certificate states that he was in Victoria for 20 years (which we know to be true) and that he was married at 29 years to Hannah Beckett. It appears to state two children Sarah – Dead and Louisa 23 years. I do not know who Sarah is and Louisa was about 23 when she died. Edward is listed as an Oculist, male, 58 years. He died of acute dysentery 2 weeks. His parents are shown as Robert & Elizabeth Mitchell, Goldsmith. I am so impressed at the level of detail that John Little provided.  He must have been a good friend to know such detail and Edward must have been proud of his origins to have spoken about them enough for his friend to record the details accurately. I do wish dearly that Elizabeth's maiden name had been mentioned though as that would have been a really great gift to us descendants.

The Ballarat Courier (Vic.) on Tuesday, 19 March 1872 placed the following notice:

We regret to state that Dr Mitchell, an old and
respected resident, of Ballarat, died at his resi-
dence in Peel street yesterday morning; the cause
of death was dysentery. Special prayers were at
his own request offered in his behalf at the
Lydiard Street Wesleyan Church on Sunday.    
The funeral will take place on Wednesday.

The Ballarat Star on Tuesday 19 March 1872 announced that:

Mr Mitchell, an old resident of Ballarat, died on
Monday morning. For some years he had attained
local celebrity as an oculist and aurist, and it is un-.
derstood was about,to patent a gold-saving machine.

The Ballarat Courier of  Tuesday 19 March 1872

FUNERAL NOTICE.— The Friends of the late
Mr EDWARD MITCHELL, Oculist, are
respectfully invited to follow his remains to the
place of interment, the Ballarat Old Cemetery.
The funeral procession to move from his late
resldence, Peel street north, on Wednesday, the
20th instant, at Two o'clock p.m.
F. ATKINS, Undertaker, Main road, next
-Yarrowee Hotel; and Bridge street, next Limerick
Castle Hotel

The Ballarat Star for Wednesday 20 March 1872

The funeral of the late Mr Mitchell, the oculist of
Peel street, will take place to-day. We are informed
that the deceased gentleman was the original patentee
of the well-known “ Mitchell’s pens,” and that the
machinery in connection with his lately patented, gold

mining apparatus is on its way out from England.

Edward was buried two days later (20 March 1872) in Ballarat General Cemeteries, Ballarat, Victoria, Australia. And more mysteries were to follow. The Ballarat General Cemeteries grave Headstone inscription states:

DUNN our parents John 1.1.1903 68 yrs
Agnes 16.11.1905 78 yrs
children Agnes, William, Chellew, Agnes d in infancy

The details for the grave that someone very kindly looked up for me are as follows:
DUNN AGNES, 7, 13/07/1863, residence Mount Pleasant, Ballarat
DUNN AGNES, 9MTHS, 8/01/1869, CHILD, residence Ballarat
DUNN AGNES, 79, 17/11/1906, WIFE, residence Mount Pleasant
DUNN JOHN, 68, 3/01/1893, MINER, residence Mount Pleasant, Ballarat
DUNN WILLIAM CHILLEN, 5, 6/07/1863, residence Mount Pleasant, Ballarat

MITCHELL EDWARD, 67, 20/03/1872, OCULIST, residence Peel St, Ballarat

John and Agnes Dunn had buried two children (William aged 5 and Agnes aged 7) within days of each other in 1863, then a third child (Agnes 9 months) a few years later in 1869.

Burial of John Dunn daughter Agnes –

http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/72515692?searchTerm=%22john%20dunn%22%20Mount%20Pleasant%20ballarat&searchLimits=#pstart6982769

Why would this couple then allow the burial of a 58 year old man, Edward Mitchell, in their family plot? The kind person who did the look up felt that this would indicate a very close relationship, like Edward was a brother of Agnes. However, Agnes death details are as follows:

Death

DUNN Agnes

Father Chellew Arth

Mother Agnes CARDEW

Age 78

Place: Ballt E

Year 1906

Reg. 11744

I have not been able to establish a family connection but it would seem that Edward made some really good, close friends in Australia.

The Age of Thursday 21 March 1872 repeated the earlier report:

The death of a man whose name is pretty
well known is reported by the Ballarat Star :
—"The funeral of the late Mr. Mitchell, the
oculist, of Peel-street, will take place to-day.
We are informod that the deceasod gentle
man was the original patentee of the well
known Mitchell's pens, and. that the ma-
chinery in connection with his lately patented
gold mining apparatus is on its way out from
England."

The Ballarat Star of Thursday 21 March 1872

The funeral of the late Mr Edward Mitchell, Ocu-
list, took place yesterday afternoon, at two o’clock,
and was largely attended, many of the leading mem-
bers of the Wesleyan community, of which the de-
ceased gentleman had been for a few years past an ac-
tive and useful member, being present. The remains
were interred in the old cemetery, and the Rev.
Spencer Williams, assisted, by.the Rev. J. W. Crisp,
officiated at the grave. Mr Matthew Burnett was also
present with the family, and it was manifest by the
emotion discernible that the deceased was held in
affectionate esteem by the circle in which he moved.

On 30 April 2011, I must have found a notice of his funeral in a New Zealand paper on Papers Past.

AUSTRALIAN NOTES. Otago Witness , Issue 1063, 13 April 1872, Page 9

The death of a man whose name is pretty well known is reported by the Ballarat Star : —"The funeral of. the late- Mr Mitchell, the oculist, of Peel street,, will take place today. We are' informed that the deceased gentleman was the original patentee of the well known Mitchell's pens, and that the machinery in connection with his lately patented gold mining apparatus is on its way out from England."

I am not clear on what happened to Edward's wife Hannah nor their son, Thomas. Thomas is certainly back in Aston, England by the time of the 1871 census where he is shown as a visitor in the home of Thomas Beckett. 

Thomas may have returned in 1868. There is a reference to a T Mitchell aged 22 born in 1846 departing in March 1868 from Victoria on the Great Britain heading to Liverpool. When the Great Britain docked in Liverpool in May of 1868 it was apparently 'immediately boarded by a number of police detectives who made a close examination of the passengers' as they had received word that accomplices of the 'would-be assassin of the Duke of Edinburgh, were on board'.  It must have been quite something to have been on board the ship for c60 days only to not be able to disembark until the police had examined the 600 passengers who were reportedly on board.

This section is an update (23 February 2018) 

Page 3 of The Ballarat Courier of Saturday 17 Aug 1872 shows the following advertisement and hints at what happened to Edward's wife.

PRELIMINARY NOTICE.
FOR Unreserved Sale by Auction on Tuesday next, 28th August, the HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, Homoeopathic Medicines, Electroplating Machine. Books &c of the late Dr Mitchell, Peel street. Further particulars in Monday's issue. 
H.I.WHITE. Auctioneer 

Again on Page 3 of The Ballarat Courier this time on Monday, 19 Aug 1872 another advertisement was placed:

TUESDAY, 20th AUGUST,
At Twelve o'clock,
On the Premises, Peel Street, near Wills Street
FOR UNRESERVED SALE,
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE,
Quantity of Homoeopathic Medicines, Books, Bottles, Electro-plating Apparatus, Quantity of Plating Solution, &c, &c.,
Of the Late Dr Mitchell.

H. I. WHITE has received instructions from Mrs Mitchell, who is leaving for England, to sell by auction, on the premises, as above,
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, &c, &c. comprising:
Tables, chairs, sofas and couches [?], engravings, fender and fireirons, carpets, clock, bedstead and mattresses, Chest Drawers, washstand and ware, dressing table and glass, crockery, glassware, kitchen Utensils, and quantatity of sundrieds
Terms - Cash
H. I. WHITE, Auctioneers



When Thomas was 32, he married Caroline Cane in 1879. They can both be found on the 1881 census with their new born daughter, Louisa, Hannah (Thomas' mother) and Hannah Elizabeth Brownley, his niece. They are living at New John Street West!

Hannah died on 27 December 1889 at 34 Terrace Road, Handsworth, Staffordshire, England. She was just 65 and had been to the other side of the world and back again.

By the time of the 1891 census Louisa was joined by three siblings: Thomas Edward born 26 November 1882 (he married Norma Gladys James (granddaughter of his father's sister, Julia James) in 1905), Caroline born in 1884 and Arthur was born in 1890. By the time of the 1901 census they have another child, Horace born in 1894.

Hannah Elizabeth Brownley by the time of the 1891 census was a nurse at the Devon and Exeter Hospital, Exeter. And by the time of the 1901 census Hannah is married (having married Francis Joseph Sparshott in West Bromwich in September quarter 1896) and living in London as a Professor of Music & Teacher of Singing. Her husband, Frank, is a School Master. (Thanks to The Genealogist for the ability to search the 1901 census by first name and key word only and Freebmd where I found the marriage which matched the first hit on The Genealogist).

Thomas and Caroline and their daughter, Caroline, are living at 5 Roberts Road by the time of the 1911 census. Frank and Hannah Sparshott are now at the Endowea School Nr High St, Whitstable with two sons and two daughters. 

Edward Mitchell - Beyond the Grave.