Annie Quinn (nee Seward) - 1867 to 1937

Annie is the second child of Thomas and Jane Seward.  She was born on 27 October 1867 at North Shore, Port Macquarie. She was baptised at St Thomas' Anglican Church, Port Macquarie on 07 March 1868.

Between 1873 and 1878, Annie moved with her mother and siblings to the Kempsey region.

Annie Quinn (Seward) from Martyn Killion's collection

On 10 Mar 1890, Annie married Thomas Francis Quinn at Kempsey.  The obituaries published at the time of Thomas's death record that he was born in September 1862 in Ireland.  It's thought that his parents were Thomas (Denis) and Bridget Quin who settled in Adelaide after their arrival.  Annie was 22 and Thomas was 27 when they married.

Annie and Thomas's six sons and six daughters were born in Kempsey.  Three daughters died as infants - twins, Doris and Ethel, and Neta.  Annie and Thomas were survived by their other nine children.  (Research notes on the birth, marriage and death details of the children are included at the end of the post.)

Family of Annie and Thomas Quinn

Thomas opened his business as a "tailor and woollen draper" in Belgrave Street, Kempsey in mid 1897.  In 1913, we find that Thomas enlarged his shop in Belgrave Street and lives on the premises.  

Advertising (1897, May 1). Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), p. 10. Retrieved June 7, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234009149

Advertising (1913, August 15). Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved June 7, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article233748866

From left to right - Unidentified man, Charles Quinn, Thomas Quinn (father), Francis (Frank) Quinn and Henry James (Harry) Quinn - Belgrave Street Kempsey from Martyn Killion's collection

Charles Quinn from Martyn Killion's collection

John Quinn from Christine Woodlands' collection

By 1916, Charles Quinn was working as a tailor in Kempsey.  On 7 August 1913, Charles wrote to Rene Gersbach, his 1st cousin, with the portrait of his brother, John (above).  It's signed "C Quinn Tailor & Cutter".

Postcard from Charles Quinn to Rene Gersbach from Christine Woodlands' collection

Charles advertised his services regularly in the local Kempsey newspapers.
Advertising (1922, October 6). Macleay Argus (Kempsey, NSW : 1885 - 1907; 1909 - 1910; 1912 - 1913; 1915 - 1916; 1918 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved June 7, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article234199742

Annie and Thomas Quinn's third sons, Frank, was also a tailor.  The 1930 Electoral Roll shows Frank was working as a tailor in Lismore and living on the premises with his wife, Elsie.

Francis (Frank) Quinn from Debbie Quinn's collection

Annie Quinn (nee Seward) from Margaret Hand's collection

On 17 January 1937, Annie Quinn, nee Seward, died at her home in Belgrave Street, Kempsey.  She was 66 years of age.  The cause of her death is recorded as "chronic myocarditis and anasarca" (inflammation of the heart muscles and widespread swelling of the skin).  Annie was buried on 19 January 1937 at the Catholic Cemetery, West Kempsey.  Annie and Thomas had been married for almost 47 years.


Obituary. (1937, January 20). The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), p. 4. Retrieved June 7, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article173115611

Annie Quinn (nee Seward) headstone
Catholic Cemetery, West Kempsey
http://www.austcemindex.com/inscription?id=8186883

By 1937, Thomas had been a tailor for 52 years.  In May 1937, the Belgrave Street premises were advertised for sale.  Thomas seems to have retired at the age of 74!  

Advertising (1937, March 31). The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), p. 5. Retrieved June 7, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article173116192



Advertising (1937, May 26). The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), p. 1. Retrieved June 7, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article173113579

The 1943 Electoral Roll shows Thomas living at 184 Keen Street, Lismore with his son, Frank, and daughter-on-law, Elsie.
Thomas Quinn - 1862 to 1950 from Debbie Quinn's collection

On 24 May 1950, Thomas died in Lismore aged 87.  He was buried the Catholic Cemetery, West Kempsey with his wife, Annie.

Mr. T. F. Quinn. (1950, March 29). The Macleay Chronicle (Kempsey, NSW : 1899 - 1952), p. 2. Retrieved June 7, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174012878

Thomas Francis Quinn Headstone
Catholic Cemetery, West Kempsey
http://www.austcemindex.com/inscription?id=8186884

Research details for the family of Annie and Thomas Quinn follow-







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