JULIANNA RIDDLE nee Pemberton – my great grandmother

My great grandmother was Julianna Pemberton, daughter of William Pemberton and Hanna/Hannah Bourk/Bourke.

Julianna was born on 30.6.1844. She was baptised on 21.3.1850 aged 5 ½ years with her brother William Gregory Pemberton (born 9.3.1850 Kent Street, Sydney, NSW) at St. James Church, Sydney, NSW.

She married William Riddle, son of James Riddle and Ann Cadby, on 6.5.1862 at St. Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, NSW.

They had a family of 11 children, William Thomas born 1864, William Thomas born 1866, Emily Maud born 1868, Richard Henry born 1870, Ellen born 1872, Sarah Ellen born 1873, Mark Gregory born 1876, Hannah Louisa born 1878, Charles James born 1880, Julia Ann born 1883 and John Frederick born 1886.

Their first child, William Thomas died 23.4.1865 aged 15 months from diarrhoea.

Their fifth child, Ellen died on 18.12.1872 aged 12 months from diarrhoea.

Their sixth child, Sarah Ellen died 14.3.1877 aged 3 ½ years from diphtheria.

Adding to the grief of losing three young children, Julianna lost her husband William, after 22 years of marriage. On the night of 4.9.1886, he was accidently thrown from his cart. He did not recover from a fractured spine, and died on 13.10.1886, at the age of 46 years.

Julianna was left a widow, with their youngest child John Frederick only 3 months of age, and 6 other remaining children.

It is impossible to know how she coped with the situation she found herself in.

Proof of her love and devotion to her family is shown in the death and funeral notices from her for her family members.

Her third child, Emily Maud Maria Thornycroft died on 26.1.1898 aged 28 years from pulmonary tuberculosis.

Her grandson William Stanley Riddle died on 30.3.1900 aged 3 weeks, from infantile diarrhoea.

Her eighth child, Hannah Louisa Riddle died on 25.2.1905 aged 26 years, from tuberculosis and exhaustion.

Her granddaughter May Elderine Riddle died on 8.5.1905 aged 4 ½ years, from tubercular meningitis and exhaustion.

Her grandson Mark Gregory Riddle died on 31.8.1908 aged 1 year 8 months, from septic pharyngitis and exhaustion.

Her grandson Raymond Charles Riddle died on 17.11.1909 aged 6 years, from accidental injuries when knocked down by a motor car in Crown Street, Sydney.

Her ninth child Charles James Riddle died on 31.7.1911 aged 30 years, from accidental injuries to head at Miller Street, North Sydney. He was a cab proprietor, so it is assumed he had an accident in his cab.

Her granddaughter Eliza Ann Riddle died on 19.1.1912 aged 25 years, from asphysia and renal disease.

Her granddaughter Margaret Ellen Riddle died on 27.5.1913 aged 10 months, from convulsions and gastro-enteritis.

Another granddaughter, Mary Kathleen Riddle, died a few months later on 16.11.1913 aged 2 years, from whooping cough and pneumonia.

Just five days after that, another granddaughter Elsie Grace Riddle died on 21.11.1913 aged 5 months, from convulsions and gastro-enteritis.

Her daughter-in-law, Mary Gertrude Riddle, died on 15.3.1916 aged 40 years, from pulmonary tuberculosis, cardiac failure and exhaustion.

Her fourth child Richard Henry Riddle, died on 15.5.1918 aged 49 years, from pulmonary tuberculosis and exhaustion.

Then very sadly for the four remaining children, William Thomas, Mark Gregory, Julia Ann and John Frederick, their mother Julianna died on 11.10.1919 aged 75 years, from chronic bronchitis and senile decay.

I feel you could add “broken heart” to her list of causes of death!

I have total admiration for her strength of character, her determination and her total compassion for her children and grandchildren.

It was with great sadness whilst researching my family that I discovered she did not have a headstone on her grave in Gore Hill Cemetery. So, I set about rectifying the situation. On 25.9.1990, almost 71 years after her death, a lovely bronze plaque, mounted on a sandstone block was erected on her grave.

The plaque marks the final resting place of JULIANNA RIDDLE, a truly remarkable woman - born 1844 died 1919.

May she rest in peace.

Mrs. Catherine Williams nee Herring