Josiah Mudford

Born: 1853 and baptised 24 February 1853 in West Chinnock, Somerset, England
Died: 19 March 1939 in Ryde Hospital, Eastwood, NSW, Australia and buried 20 March 1939 in Waverley Cemetary, Sec 16 2599, NSW, Australia

Josiah's Marriage #1
Spouse: Eliza Ann Dobbins married 1877 in Taree, NSW, Australia
Children: Caroline Harriet Mudford, Samuel John Mudford, Leslie Mudford, William Mudford, Grace Mudford, Stanley Manning Mudford

Josiah's Marriage #2
Spouse: Ada Latham married 19 July 1913 in Randwick, NSW, Australia

Josiah's Heritage
Parents: John Mudford, Harriet Patten
Siblings: Sarah Ann Mudford, Gideon Mudford, William John Mudford, Samuel Mudford, David Mudford, James Mudford

This biography was kindly provided by Greg Donald

Josiah Mudford was born 1853 in West Chinnock, Somerset and travelled out with his parents on the "Cambodia" landing at Moreton Bay in 1855. They spent some time at Moreton Bay, Miller's Forest on the Hunter River and then settled at Cundletown before moving to Mitchell's Island.

Josiah married Eliza Ann Dobbins, the daughter of Samuel & Caroline Dobbins, a local family, in 1877 in Taree, NSW, Australia and at some stage moved to Sydney where Josiah worked at Mort's Dock as a shipwright. It is believed that Josiah served his time as an apprentice shipbuilder at one of the shipyards on the Manning River. They lived at 16 Victoria Street, Rozelle (now Quirk St).

Eliza was a sister to Susan and Caroline Jane with her parents being Samuel Dobbins and Caroline Cummings. The story goes that Harriet was against Josiah's marriage to Eliza as she described her as a "sickly creature". Eliza lost two female children in infancy. Apparently Leslie told my mother that they had to help their mother a lot in the home as she was not a well person. Eliza died in 1899 and was buried at Waverley Cemetery.

Elsie Lillian McCaffrey (nee Mudford) of Mitchell's Island recalls "Uncle Jo" used to visit her dad at regular intervals but never for any special reason. Never did he stay longer than 2-3 days. She doesn't recall ever seeing Eliza Ann nor has she seen a photo of Josiah. Elsie recalls that before going to live in Sydney Josiah worked for a time helping to build the Harrington sea wall. He had an accident while working on the project which resulted in the loss of one of his eyes.Josiah married Ada Latham of Randwick on 19th July 1913. Some time ater after Josiah retired they moved to a small orchard in Johnston Rd Bass Hill (near intersection of Woodville Rd and Hume Highway). At the time this area was referred to as "Upper Bankstown". After they vacated the house at Rozelle, Leslie, Sarah and their family moved there and rented it from Josiah.

My mother said they always referred to Ada as the "lady up at the farm" and apparently she walked with a limp. Mum also said that Josiah once said that he would not marry Ada until her daughter was married. I assume that Ada died before Josiah because when Josiah became ill he moved to 520 Blaxland Road ,Eastwood to be cared for by Leslie and Sarah.

Josiah died 19th March 1939 at the age of 86 in Ryde Hospital and was buried alongside Eliza at Waverley Cemetery. His estate left £1099.2.1 Nett.