I was surfing the net and came across your web page and I am hoping that you may be able to assist me in finding out about a man named Bob Edols who worked on Carpentaria Downs back in 1894 or if you can't, may be you would be able to put me in touch with someone or direct me to an organisation that can. 

I live on a property called Hopetoun Park located just outside Armidale, NSW.  The land was first bought in 1859 and I am in the process of researching the owners (some 25) and other people who rented or leased the land, and their interaction in the small community group surrounding the property.  A previous owner (from the 1960's) phoned the other day to tell me that they donated a love letter to the archives of the University of New England, Armidale that they found in an old trunk on our property in the 60's. I was lucky enough to track the letter down and copy it, and I am now intrigued as to why it was found on this property.

Who was Bob Edols and Alice?   Was Alice a daughter of this house?  Did Bob & Alice marry? Somehow I don't quite think my love letters from my husband will warrant such interest in the future! Anyway - Help!!!   I have copied a transcription of the letter (complete with spelling mistakes) on to this email and would be extremely grateful for any assistance in my quest. 
 

Dearest Alice 
Just a few lines to let you know, that I am back at Carpentaria Downs, again, the old place is like a desertd Castle, & I knock about like, some one that has, lost a shilling & found sixpence, I always leave my pipe atc, on the table going to dinner, but somehow it never disappears.  That little Fairy never takes it now, & I have to pick the old thing up & smoke & think of her, the Boys ask what is the matter with me, & I tell them that, there is something wrong with my heart, but they never dream what is really wrong with it, I expect they will be rather surprised when they hear, what is wrong with it."

[The letter continues, mentioning the property "Lynhurst", " the Rev. Mr. Storenoon/Stevenoon?, of Georgetown", then several quite tender paragraphs have been omitted. It goes on to mention that "Tragedy is running at Ingham on the 18th & 20th of this month, I hope the old fellow will have better luck this time..." One assumes Tragedy is a horse.]

"Now dearest Alice I will have, to say good night with my best love, & hoping my own Darling is well, from 
Your every loving 
Bob. Edols 
 

PS  Remember me to Tickie when you write, & tell her, I am sure we shall be good friends, but tell her not to scold me for stealing her Sisters heart. 
PPS  I came across Mr Rockburn's [Hockburn's?] poem that he wrote, about us at the horse Mountain, I will keep it for a souvenir." 

Robert (Bob) Russell Edols and Alice Mary Curr - born 7.3.1870, (her mother's name was Mary Anne Kirwan, father's name was Marmaduke) did actually marry in Qld. on 21st August 1895.  A daughter Mary Kirwan Edols was born on 16th March 1898.  I am waiting for the microfiche for "1899 - on" records for Qld. BDM to see if there were any more children.   Alice's sister referred to in the letter "Tickie" must have been Emily Adelaide Kirwan (b. 17.7.1877). 

Bob Edols was the nephew of Thomas Edols who was the patriarch at Burrawang Station outside of Forbes (my great great grandfather).  I believe Bob's father's name was Richard and he was a couple of years older than Thomas. I don't know how Bob came to be droving up at Carpentaria Downs.  

A Robert Russell Edols (son of Richard Edols son of George Edols [b 1787 Bridgewater Somerset & married Elizabeth Danger baptised Bridgewater 1791] arr Van Diemens Land 1834) married 
Alice Mary Carr
issue :  Mary Kirwan Edols 
who married Charles de Vere Shortt

Bob Edols was not from Burrawang ... he was a nephew of Thomas Edols of Burrawang

(source : Hawksford, A J  " The Bowler Family 1239 - 1987) 1987

The last address (1989) I have for Jane Hawksford is PO Box 337 Lindfield NSW 2070

At the time of the marriage John Child was a squatter age 25years, of Lawn Hill Burketown and Mary Butler was a Domestic Servant at Burketown. 

I  have been told they lived on Carpentaria Downs when John Child died on the 22  May 1885. Mary remarried 3 months later to William Charles Borlaise Wilson. Apparently William Wilson's father was also William Charles Borlaise (or Borlam) Wilson who was a surveyor and his Mother was Sarah Hall. I was also told John and Mary Child also lived on Lyndhurst Station.  Their daughter Beatrice Child married Francis Edward Cobbold and they owned Hughenden Station.

Other information you might like to have is John and Mary Child had 6 children - Charles Edward born 4th October 1873 at Wando Vale,( he was my Gr.Grandfather) Beatrice Sarah born 31 December1869,  James William born 10 December1868, John Mytton born 2 March 1872, (he was  named after Mr. Mytton who owned Wando Vale), Ernest Burdekin born 23 March 1875 died 7th February 1876 and William Child born 23rd July 1879, died 26th October1886.  I have been told that my Gr.Grandfather's Step  Father, Mr.Wilson, was very cruel and nasty to him and Daddy Shepherd, who used to take orphans to Carpentaria Downs, knew that Pop was very unhappy and  being ill treated, so gave my Pop 12 shillings to run away and so he did. He was 13 years old at that time and I believe he went to WandoVale and to  Pentland were he lived and married Elizabeth Ellen Totten.
 

• Family History Assc of Nth Queensland
• Bright Sparcs