Biography Leonard Silcock 1842-1892

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My calendar reminded me a couple of days ago that it was the 133rd anniversary of the death of my husband's 2nd great-grandfather on 27 December 1892. 

I researched the Silcocks many years ago in the early days of our marriage, but it is time I formalized some of that research. So here goes! 

Unfortunately, there are no photos of Leonard (to my knowledge), so illustrations of the places where he lived and worked or relevant images have been included instead.

Birth / Baptism

1842 Shelton, Staffordshire, UK[1]

No baptism found yet

check out this great picture of the street where his family lived in the 1851 Census.

Parents

Walter Silcock – Joiner Journeyman[2]

Ellen (nee Bradbury)

Religion

Presbyterian

Siblings and Place in the Family

The youngest of five boys.

Samuel born 1831[3]

Walter Cook born 1834[4]

Edwin born 1836 dies 15 April 1866

William born 1839

Schooling

Listed as a scholar aged 10 in 1851 census

While the specific institution Leonard attended is not named, its likely location can be inferred from historical maps. An 1898 map of Hanley shows both a "School" and a "Sunday School" in immediate proximity to John Street, situated just behind the terraced houses. Given this close proximity, it is highly probable he attended one of these establishments.

 

 

Historical accounts of education in the region identify several plausible institutions. The Hanley National School, founded in 1816, stands out as a strong candidate due to its early establishment date, location, and affiliation with the National Society, which promoted Church of England-based education across the country. In such a school during the 1850s, the curriculum would have been rudimentary, focused on instilling the core skills of literacy (reading and writing) and basic numeracy (arithmetic). [5]

Occupation

Leonard was recorded as Joiner on 1861 census and shipping list of the Conway when he migrated to Australia in 1862.[6]

He was described as carpenter on the marriage certificate in 1865 to Ellen Cuthbert and on daughter Jane’s birth certificate in 1868.[7]

Leonard was finally described as contractor on his death certificate in 1892.[8]

Newspaper notices record Leonard as the successful tenderer for work on the following buildings:

  • Post Office Brisbane 1884 [9]
  • stables Lands Office 1885[10]
  • Central State School for Girls 1888[11]
  • Coorparoo State School 1889[12]
  • Fortitude Valley Infants 1889[13]
Public Lands Office, Brisbane, ca. 1883 image courtesy of the State Library of Queensland


He also submitted tenders for the following:

  • quarantine accommodation at Peel Island 1886[14]
  • the General Hospital 1886[15]
  • teachers residence at Ithaca Creek SS 1886[16]
  • additions at Bowen Bridge Road SS 1886[17]
  • play shed Fortitude Valley 1887[18]
  • Breakfast Creek State School 1889[19]

He was also acknowledged as the contractor of an addition to the United Methodist Free Church Ann Street in 1885. [20]

Marriage

1st:

Hellen Cuthbert 20th May 1865 at Elizabeth Street Sydney Presbyterian Church aged 26, witness Robert Bald and Catherine Stamford by Rev James Fullerton probably at his residence as per other marriage notices for the period.

2nd:

On 2nd July 1889, Leonard, now a 46-year-old widower, married Eliza Ann Harris (Hedge), a 39-year-old widow at the residence of the officiating minister James Stewart at Arthur Street in the Valley.  Witnesses were Walter Cooke Silcock and Ann Silcock. [21]

Children’s Birth Dates and Places

1.           Ellen born 1866

2.           Jane born 1868[22]


Jane Silcock


3.           William born 1870 

4.           Walter born 1873 died 1878 - first person buried Lutwyche Cemetery

5.           Louisa born 1875

6.           Margaret born 1878

7.           John Leonard born 1880

8.           David Walter Henry born 1882

9.           Edwin Hanley Stafford born 1885

10.  Alfred Marcus Little Silcock born 1890 to 2nd wife - died 20 December 1890

The children attended Bowen Bridge Road State School. Louisa, Margaret, John and David then attended Stafford State School.[23]


Group of children dressed up for a patriotic concert at Stafford State School, Brisbane, 1915 photo courtesy of State Library of Queensland


Stafford is recorded as attending Yeronga State School after his father's death. 

Electoral Rolls / Census

Within two years of his arrival, Leonard Silcock had clearly found his footing. The "Roll of Electors in the South Brisbane Electorate" for 1864 lists him as residing on Stanley Street with or near his brother Edward (Edwin). [24]

Crucially, his qualification to vote was based on his "salary," an official acknowledgment that he had secured stable, paid employment as a tradesman. Given that the standard residency requirement for voting was three years, Leonard's appearance on the 1864 electoral roll—less than two years after his arrival—is a powerful indicator of his rapid success. His qualification by "salary" rather than property suggests he had secured not just employment, but a position of sufficient stability and income to be recognized as a stakeholder in the new colony with remarkable speed.[25]

After 1869, electoral rolls show Leonard living at Kedron Brook.  He sold land to brother William in 1867 - allotment 9 of Portion 78 Parish of Kedron Country of Stanley. [26]

Community Life

Leonard's identity was defined by more than his work and family; he was an active and multifaceted community member whose contributions spanned civic, religious, and educational spheres. 

His commitment to the community extended to civic duty, as evidenced by his service as a juror in a criminal sitting of the Supreme Court in 1884. [27]

His religious involvement was profound; an 1885 newspaper article identifies him not only as a trustee of the United Methodist Free Church at Kedron Brook but, significantly, as the man who "had erected the present building." He also took a leading role in local education, being appointed a "Member of Committee for the State School at Stafford" by the Queensland Government in 1887. [28]

Glimpses of his daily life also emerge from official records, including an 1880 Police Gazette report of a tweed coat and handkerchief stolen from his "hut" at Kedron Brook[29] and a notice that he won a second-place certificate for his Dorking poultry at the Ekka (Brisbane's Agricultural Show) in 1885 [30]and his Kangaroo Dog "Watch" earned him second place two years later.[31]


White Dorking Hen from the Prize and Game Chickens series (N20) for Allen and Ginter Cigarettes from Picryl. http://www.metmuseum.org/

By Adam Gustavus BALL (1821 - 1882) (Australia)Born in Dublin. Died in Adelaide.Details on Google Art Project - YQEQEazrfz9IMQ at Google Cultural Institute maximum zoom level, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=23600284 see Wiklipedia for more images information re kangaroo dogs. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kangaroo_dog

Leonard's role as a hub for his extended family is clear from an 1885 funeral notice for William Silcock, which states the procession would depart from Leonard's residence, indicating he provided a home and support for his relatives.[32]

This period of prosperity and community standing, however, was soon to be overshadowed by profound personal challenges in the final years of his life.

 

Encounters with the law

  • 1863 drunk and disorderly fined 10shillings [33]
  • 1868 drunkeness fined 10shilings [34]
  • 1889 charged with neglecting to supply and keep lit from sunset to sunrise two lamps at hoarding in Albert Street[35]
  • 1890 Petty Debts Court J. McFarlane v. L. Silcock[36]
  • 1890 Kenny and Dietz v L. Silcock £10 plus costs (undertakers)[37]
  • 1891 Alfred Shaw and Co. v L. Silcock £13 15s 3d (possibly hardware and or crockery)[38]
  • 1891 Co-Operative Company meat £12 13s 4d[39]
  • 1891 Hunter and Corrie v L Silcock professional services £3 3s.(architects)[40]
  • 1892 unpaid rates 12s.[41]

Military Service

None found 

Clubs and Associations

8 October 1887 appointed member of the Stafford State School Committee[42]

Death and Burial

Died 27 December 1892 at William Street Lutwyche of cirrhosis of liver[43]

Will and Probate

Not found

Other notes

Here are some dates/events sourced from Wikipedia that are good to keep in mind for the time period Leonard was in Queensland

Acknowledgements

Over the years I have corresponded with many other researchers regarding the Silcock family. Their generosity and enthusiasm were very welcome at the time. Thank you to the following:

  • JR Wood Manager Dept of Recreation and Health who advised where the Silcocks were buried at Lutwyche Cemetery in 1990
  • Barbara Robinson (descended from Walter)
  • Merleen Stanley (descended from William)
  • Syd Ryder – author of Tapesty of Life: the Ryder family available at QFHS Library Call Number H6RYD1
  • Jean Silcock and her son Kevin (descended from Edwin)
Any errors in this biography are entirely mine. Please contact me if you think I need to make corrections.

 


[1] Ancestry.com.au, England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915, FreeBMD, Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2006.Original data - General Register Office. England and Wales Civil Registration Indexes. London, England: General Register Office. © Crown copyright. Published by permission of the Cont

[2] Ancestry.com, 1851 England Census, Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2005.Original data - Census Returns of England and Wales, 1851. Kew, Surrey, England: The National Archives of the UK (TNA): Public Record Office (PRO), 1851. Data imaged from the National Archives 

[3] Ancestry.com, England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975, Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014

[4] 1851 Census UK as previously noted 

[6] Ancestry.com, Queensland State Archive; Chermside, QLD, Australia; Immigration Indexes, 1848-1972, Web: Queensland, Australia, Immigration Indexes, 1848-1972, /search/collections/70805/records/719789?tid=11965553&pid=-358442305&ssrc=pt

[7] Marriage Certificate Leonard and Ellen Cuthbert and Birth Certificate Jane Silcock held by Alex Daw supplied by NSW and Qld Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages.

[8] Death certificate of Leonard Silcock held by Alex Daw and issued by Qld Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages.

[9] 1884 'This Day's ''Gazette''.', Daily Observer (Ipswich, Qld. : 1883 - 1887), 27 September, p. 3. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article285111242

[10] 1885 'Official Notifications.', The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), 21 March, p. 468. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19797057

[11] 1888 'State School Buildings.', The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), 27 June, p. 5. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article177861784

[12] 1889 'The Brisbane Courier', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 7 January, p. 4. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3490858

[13] "State School Tender." Evening Observer (Brisbane, Qld. : 1887 - 1907) 15 August 1889: 5. Web. 29 Dec 2025 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article286622434>.

[14] 1886 'Improving Quarantine.', Daily Observer (Ipswich, Qld. : 1883 - 1887), 20 March, p. 5. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article285316986

[15] 1886 'Brisbane Hospital.', The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), 22 March, p. 2. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article173946921

[16] 1886 'Tenders Received.', Daily Observer (Ipswich, Qld. : 1883 - 1887), 29 May, p. 5. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article285380877

[17] 1886 'Educational Works.', Daily Observer (Ipswich, Qld. : 1883 - 1887), 7 August, p. 3. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article285386729

[18] 1887 'Tenders Received.', Evening Observer (Brisbane, Qld. : 1887 - 1907), 19 September, p. 2. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article287311197

[19] 1889 'BREAKFAST CREEK STATE SCHOOL.', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 29 April, p. 5. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3495464

[20] 1885 'United Methodist Free Church.', Daily Observer (Ipswich, Qld. : 1883 - 1887), 11 December, p. 3. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article285313491

[21] Marriage Certificate held by Alex Daw for Marriage of Leonard Silcock and Eliza Ann Harris (maiden name Hedge) 2 July 1889 provided by the Registry Office of Births Deaths and Marriages in Qld.

[22] Birth certificiate held by Alex Daw for birth of Jane Silcock to Leonard and Hellen Silcock No. 8944 and provided by Registrar General of Qld 2 March 1989

[23] Queensland Family History Society Queensland School Pupils Indexes. Parts 1-6 Combined

[24] Queensland State Electoral Rolls, Queensland State Archives, https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/series/S162

[25] Queensland Family History Society “About Early Queensland Electoral Rolls 1860-1884 and 1889 https://www.qfhs.org.au/online-access/dataset-support/about-early-queensland-electoral-rolls-1860-1884-and-1889/

[26] Queensland State Archives https://www.archivessearch.qld.gov.au/items/ITM2323920

[27] 1884 'SUPREME COURT.', Daily Observer (Ipswich, Qld. : 1883 - 1887), 4 December, p. 5. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article285374431

[28] Queensland Family History Society index to Queensland State School Committee Members 1876-1899

[29] Queensland Family History Society index to Queensland Police Gazette 1864-1884 Volume XVII Page 76 8 May 1880 from notices in the Qld Govt Gazette Volume XLII page 464 8 October 1887

[30] 1885 'SECTION VI.—POULTRY.', The Week (Brisbane, Qld. : 1876 - 1934), 22 August, p. 7. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article181527680

[31] 1887 'The Queensland National Association's Show, 1887.', The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), 27 August, p. 335. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article19926909

[32] 1885 'Classified Advertising', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 22 May, p. 1. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3442234

[33] 1863 'CENTRAL POLICE COURT.', The Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1861 - 1864), 17 January, p. 4. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3160940

[34] 1868 'CENTRAL POLICE COURT.', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 10 March, p. 3. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1298997

[35] 1889 'MUNICIPAL SUMMONSES.', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 20 March, p. 3. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3493877

[36] 1890 'The Brisbane Courier.', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 19 April, p. 4. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3507361

[37] 1891 'Southern District Court.', Evening Observer (Brisbane, Qld. : 1887 - 1907), 21 October, p. 5. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article287794218

[38] 1891 'PUTTY DEBTS COURT.', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 14 March, p. 3. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3523592

[39] 1891 'Petty Payments.', The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. : 1872 - 1947), 5 May, p. 2. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article172678318

[40] 1891 'Southern District Court.', Evening Observer (Brisbane, Qld. : 1887 - 1907), 21 October, p. 5. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article287794218

[41] 1892 'TO-DAY.—DECEMBER 8.', The Brisbane Courier (Qld. : 1864 - 1933), 8 December, p. 4. , viewed 29 Dec 2025, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article3552291

[42] Queensland Family History Society Queensland State School Committee Members 1876-1899 indexed from notices in the Queensland Government Gazette.

[43] Death Certificate for Leonard Silcock held by Alex Daw Number 1593/743 issued by Colin James Green Registrar General of Queensland dated 23 July 1987.

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