Jessie Whitrow (nee Wilson) (9 August 1856 - 26 June 1936)

Jessie Wilson was born on 9 August 1856 at Avoca, Victoria, Australia to parents Alexander and Elizabeth (nee McRae) Wilson. Her father was a farmer and miner at Avoca.

On 20 April 1876 she married Alfred James Whitrow at the Manse of Presbyterian Church, South Yarra, Victoria, Australia.

The paper reads: "WHITROW-WILSON - On the 20th instant, at the Manse, South Yarra, by the Rev Mr Brins, Jessie, eldest daughter of Mr Wilson, Homebush, to A J Whitrow, only son of Mr Whitrow, Avoca.



They had 9 children. 7 survived.

Paul Whitrow - Born in Victoria in 1877. Died in 1877.
Alexander James Whitrow (Alex) - Born in Victoria in 1878. Died in 1968.
Alfred William Whitrow (Will) - Born in Victoria in 1880. Died in 1971.
John Herbert Whitrow (John) - Born in Victoria in 1883. Died 1969.
Hersey George Whitrow (George) - Born in Adelaide, South Australia in 1886. Died in 1951.
Peter Whitrow - Born in Adelaide in 1889. Died in 1889.
Annie McRae Whitrow (Annie) - Born in Adelaide in 1891. Died in 1978.
Jessie Louise Whitrow  (Lou) - Born in Adelaide in 1894. Died in 1956. My great grandmother.
Andrew Hersey Cushion Whitrow (Ranji) - Born in Eastwood, Adelaide in 4 July 1897. Died in 1975. Occupation: Motor Driver

Jessie and Alfred with children Jack (John), Alexander, Bill (Alfred) and Hersey

Between 1883 and 1886, Jessie, Alfred and the family move to South Australia.

13 days after Andrew was born, Jessie lost her mother Elizabeth.  This was on 17 July 1897. Elizabeth died at Homebush, Victoria, Australia.

Alfred started and managed the Adelaide Broom Manufacturing Company which was located on Franklin Street-Bentham Street, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.  The Company was there on 10 February 1886.

In 1902, Alfred is elected a councillor on the Burnside Council in the Eastwood Ward.

On 26 April 1906, their son Alexander James Whitrow marries Edith Maunder. Alfred and Jessie attend the wedding.  See photo below.

Back row: Albert William Whitrow, Charles Henry (Harry) Maunder, John Herbert Whitrow, Alexander's parents Alfred James and Jessie Whitrow.
Front row: Edith's best friend (name unknown), Violet Murray, Alexander and Edith, Laurel Mead, Edith's parents Mary Ann and Theophilus Maunder. 
Photo taken 26 Apr 1906 at St John's Anglican Church, Halifax Street, Adelaide.

On 26 October 1911, their daughter Annie McRae Whitrow marries Norman Love McLeod at Eastwood Methodist Church.


On the 18 May, 1915, their youngest son Andrew was involved in a car accident in Pirie Street.  His occupation was a motor driver.

The newspaper records as follows:

""COLLISION IN PIRIE STREET - Constable Nicholls reported to the city watchhouse that at 11.15am on Tuesday a horse attached to a trolly, driven by Mr C R Peacock, of Milner Street, Hindmarsh, was being driven out of Chesser Street into Pirie Street, City, when it collided with a motor delivery van, owned by Messrs. Murphy and Malone, and driven by Mr. Andrew Whitrow. The shaft of the trolly tore out the side of the motor lorry and threw two barrels of eggs on the road.  The eggs were scattered about the roadway.  The shaft of the trolly was broken."

In 1916, Alfred is elected a councillor on the Burnside Council in the Eastwood Ward.

On 26 June 1936 Jessie dies at home (12 Matilda Street, Eastwood).

The paper writes: "WHITROW - On 26 June at her residence, No. 12 Matilda Street, Eastwood, Jessie, the dearly beloved wife of Alfred James Whitrow, and loving mother of Alick, Will, John, George, Ranji, Annie and Lou, aged 81 years. Resting."

She is buried at Road 1 North, Path 24, Site 8, West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.