FatherJoseph Anthony de Morton b. c 1840, d. 2 Nov 1909
MotherCharlotte Lavinia Williams b. 12 Apr 1866, d. 7 Sep 1940
Pedigree

Birth, Death, Marriage

Helene Maude de Morton was born on 22 July 1896 in Tallygaroopna, Victoria.1,2,3 
She died in 1985 in Kew, Victoria.4,2 
ChartsWilliams, John, descendant chart

Story

Helene Maude de Morton was born in Tallygaroopna on 22 July 1896. She was the sixth and youngest child of Charlotte and Joseph. Other names given to her include Helena, Helen and Maud. As a child she was known as 'Nellie'.

Though living in Healesville at the time, Charlotte chose to have the birth in Tallygaroopna where her mother Mary Ann Williams was a midwife and delivered Helene.3,2,1,5
 
Around March 1895, the family of six (Charlotte, Joseph and four oldest children) moved to Healesville. Youngest child, Helene, was born the following year. The four acre property was known as 'Zillandah' and was on Don Rd about 4 km south of the Healesville township. The area was later also known as Gracedale. Joseph began farming and had a few animals on the property.6,7,8,9,10,11
 
A snapshot of the family's life in Healesville can be seen in letters Zillah wrote to "The Children's Column: Cinderella's letter box" in the Leader newspaper.5
 
Don Road, Healesville, 28th | 2 | 1896.
Dear Cinderella,
I am writing this letter to ask may I be one of your nieces, and to tell you a little about Healesville; we have been living here nearly a year, and we like the place very much, there is a grand view from our house, Mt Riddell is quite close to us on the east, these are the names of some of the other Mts, Mt Juliet, Mt Monde, Mt St Lenoard [sic], Mt Don or Malleson's Lookout. In the gullies there are plenty of different kinds of ferns and flowers, the heath and sarsaparilla will soon be out in flower, we will all be very glad. I have three little sisters, Lilly, Myrtle, and Joey all younger than myself, we have a little cousin staying with us just now, she is very lively and makes plenty of fun. We live two and a half miles from the township and there is no school nearer to us than that, but I think there is one going to be built near the Badger River about a mile from here, it is wanted very much as there are a lot of children who would be very glad to go to it. The river was very high on Wednesday but it has gone down again. There is a lot of fish to be caught in it. If you like my letter I will write again soon, and tell you more about the place. - I will close this with love from your fond friend, ZILLAH MAY DE MORTON.
Aged, 11 years 8 mths.6
 
'Zillandah' Don Road Healesville 16th 4 mth 1897.
Dear 'Cinderella,'
We are having holidays at present for Easter. The weather is splendid, and the country round about looks lovely; the flowers in the gardens are all blooming beautifully, they give the place quite a gay appearance. I have seen two letters in the column from Tallygaroopna, one was from my Auntie's brother, [ Andrew Larsen ]. My Grand-parents, Aunties and Uncles live there, they all get 'The Leader,' and I know they would like to see my letter in it. My little baby sister was born up there last July, we are all very fond of her, she is such a little darling no one could help but love her. Now I am going to tell you about a concert which Myrtle, Joey and myself took part in, Myrtle sang with some other little girls, and also recited; Joey did the same only in different pieces, with girls more of her own age. I was in a sash and flower drill, which was considered very pretty. It turned out a great success, and was in aid of our Sunday School. We have plenty of milk now; Papa bought a nice little cow and calf the other day. I have nothing more very interesting to tell you, so will close, and remain your affectionate niece
ZILLAH MAY DE MORTON.
Age 12 y 10 m.7
 
'Zillandah' Don Road Healesville 4th 1 mth 1898
Dear Cinderella,
I am sending you back my collecting card with the money collected which amounts to thirteen and three-pence (13s 3d) I passed in the school examination, got my certificate, and am going into the sixth to-morrow; our holidays for the Christmas will be over, but we have holidays again in about March, for the hop picking. Christmas was very quiet with us, except having had the novelty of fighting a bush fire which came very near to the house; with a good deal of trouble we managed to keep it from doing any very great harm, except for the burning of fencing and grass. The heat at the time was almost unbearable. New Years day was beautifully cool, so we took a well-filled hamper and enjoyed a nice little picnic among ourselves, on the bank of the Badger river. Our dear Auntie at Allandale [ Maria Jane Livingstone ] sent us a box filled with all sorts of good things, she often surprises us in that way. I will now tell you a little about our baby Nellie [Helene Maude], she is more of a darling than ever, especially when she is trying to imitate everything we say, and wants to come with us wherever we go, she is nearly 1½ years old. My sisters join me in sending best wishes for the New Year to you, and now I will close hoping to see this in the 'column'. I remain with love yours affectionately
Zillah de Morton.
Age 13½ years.
[This 'best letter' earned Zillah 2s 6d.]5
 
Josephine wrote her first letter to the 'Leader' in October 1898:

Zillandah Don Road Healesville
August 1st 1893
Dear Cinderella,-
We take 'The Leader' every week. I have never written to you before. My Teacher's name is Miss Iles, I like her very much. I have four sisters, their names are Zillah, Lilly, Myrtle, and Nellie. I would like to see this letter in 'The Leader'. As this is all the news I have to tell you, except that we had snow beautiful snow upon the Mountains and here below. From your new and loving friend
JOSEPHINE DE MORTON.
Age 7 years.12

 
In 1901, Myrtle wrote a letter to the Weekly Times:

A Frog's Nest.- Badger Creek, 15/8/01.- Dear Uncle Ben,- We have been having a lot of rain. It ought to make the crops and plants in the garden grow. We have been living in Healesville for about six years. I think it is a very nice place. In many parts near the Badger River we find beautiful maiden hair and many other kinds of ferns, and also lovely mosses. Our school teacher (Miss Jack) is very fond of curiosities, and she has on the school mantel shelf a frog's nest in a bottle. The nest is a jelly-like substance, with little black specks. These are the eggs. Some day we may see some frogs jumping about in the bottle. I like going to school very much. I am in the fifth class. Now, I think I have written enough for you to read, so I will say good night. With love to the children who write to you. I remain, your new and affectionate niece.- Myrtle De Morton.13

 
The girls performed well at St John's Church of England Sunday School. In 1902, in 1st Senior Girls, Zilla received second top marks; in Third Class Girls, Myrtle received second top marks, and in Fourth Class Girls, Josephine received third top marks. The three girls also received special prizes for best answers to bible questions.14
 
In 1902, after the Badger Creek state school opened, the children began attending. They performed at concerts and were awarded prizes for their school work.15,16,17,7,14
 
[In all newspaper references to the de Morton children's activities in Healesville, Lillian is never mentioned by name, but all the others are.]
 
Around 1905, Charlotte and Joseph separated. Charlotte returned to Tallygaroopna with their daughters, while Joseph remained at 'Zillandah'.11
 
In November 1908, while they were still in Tallygaroopna, the girls' father died in Healesville. At this time, they were aged 23, 21 and 18 and 13.18
 
Return to Healesville
Following Joseph's death, Charlotte and the two youngest children, Josephine and Helene ('Nellie'), returned from Tallygaroopna. On their return to Healesville, they lived at 'Bon Espoir' in McGretton's Rd. It is not known if the two oldest, Lillian and Myrtle (Zilla had died), also returned to Healesville.19,20
 
Charlotte and the children were involved in community and social activities. The children were involved in artistic events including singing, dancing, recital, acting and playing instruments. They also participated in community fundraisers.21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30
 
St John's Break-up
ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION OF PRIZES.
The annual distribution of prizes to the pupils at St John's, Healesville, took place on Wednesday of last week, Burt's Hall having been decorated with some degree of art for the occasion.
...
During the year there had been two competitions. An essay on the 'Shepherd Psalm' was written by seven or eight pupils. ... Miss Nellie DeMorton gained first place, and Miss Jean Maxwell a very close second.
...
Another competition was engaged in a during the last six months. The subject was 'English History' which proved as exciting as it was useful. This competition took the shape of a match, each side having its captain. The captains were Misses Ray Maxwell and Nellie DeMorton.31
 
Return to Tallygaroopna
In 1914, Charlotte again returned to Tallygaroopna where she continued nursing. Youngest daughter, Helene, aged 18, went with her. They lived with Charlotte's mother Mary Ann in Victoria St. By June 1917, Myrtle Irene was also living there.32,33,34,35,36,37
 
Tallygaroopna
Miss Helen de Morion has been appointed temporarily to the position of sewing mistress of the State-school.36
 
Nursing
In December 1918, Helene commenced duty as a probationer nurse at Mooroopna hospital.

In December 1921, while still at Mooroopna hospital, she was successful at the half yearly examinations of the Royal Victorian Trained Nurses' Association.38,39
 
In October 1922, now Sister de Morton, Helene took charge of the Bendigo Baby Clinic. This followed two Sisters leaving for America to study the latest methods in infant hygiene. At this time her sister Myrtle Irene was also a nurse in Bendigo. Helene resigned in March 1926.40,41,37,42
 
[Confusingly, newspaper reports show Helene as working in Bendigo at the same time as she is shown on the electoral roll as living in Caulfield East.]
 
After they married, Josephine Antoinette and William Henry Errol lived at 'Khan Yunis' in Neerim Rd, Caulfield East. From 1925 to 1928, the address is given as 35 Neerim Rd. From 1922 to 1924, Myrtle Irene also lived there. In 1925, Helene Maude also lived there.44,45,46,43,47
 
In June 1936, Sister Helene de Morton was appointed Sister in charge of the Maryborough baby health centre.48
 
In 1943, several family members were living together at 62 Erica Ave in Gardiner (later Glen Iris). They were Mary Elizabeth Williams, Helene Maude de Morton, and Josephine Antoinette and William Henry Errol.49
 
Death of Aunt Mary Elizabeth 
Mary Elizabeth Williams died in Glen Iris on 27 July 1950, aged 81.50,51
 
Mary Elizabeth wrote a will in October 1947 naming William Henry Errol as executor. Beneficiaries of her estate were: Myrtle Irene Tippett (niece): £10; Morton Joseph, David & Natalie Tippett (children of Myrtle Irene): £10; Helene Maude de Morton (niece): £10; John de Morton Errol & Anthony de Morton Errol (children of niece Josephine Antoinette Errol): £10; and Josephine Antoinette Errol (niece): balance of estate.52,51
 
In 1967 and 1968, Helene was living with her sister Josephine in Burke Rd, Malvern East.53,54
 
Helene Maude de Morton died in Kew in 1985, aged 88.4,2
 

Citations

  1. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, 'Helene Maud' de Morton entry, birth registration no. 23829, 1896.
  2. [S297] Williams-Howard family tree, computer file, March 2000.
  3. [S638] Helene Maud de Morton, birth registration no. 23829, 22 July 1886.
  4. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, 'Helene Maude' de Morton entry, death registration no. 15672, 1985.
  5. [S446] 'The Children's Column: Prize letters', Leader, 1862-1918, newspaper, 5 February 1898, p. 27, viewed 18 November 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/197308289
  6. [S446] 'The Children's Column: Correspondence', Leader, 1862-1918, newspaper, 14 March 1896, p. 34, viewed 28 November 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196660388/…
  7. [S446] 'The Children's Column: Correspondence', Leader, 1862-1918, newspaper, 15 May 1897, p. 31, viewed 28 November 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196838061
  8. [S640] 'Joseph Antony De Morton', VPRS 28 Probate and Administration Files, 114/293, probate, 1 March 1910.
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  11. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, division of Mernda, subdivision of Healesville, 1908.
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  16. [S641] 'Badger Creek concert', Healesville and Yarra Glen Guardian, newspaper, 25 April 1903, p. 2, viewed 11 December 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/60283202
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  18. [S643] Joseph Anthony De Morton, death registration no. 12715, 2 November 1909.
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  28. [S641] 'Healesville Dramatic club: Successful concert', Healesville and Yarra Glen Guardian, newspaper, 11 July 1913, p. 2, viewed 18 November 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/64007738
  29. [S641] 'Sale of gifts', Healesville and Yarra Glen Guardian, newspaper, 6 June 1913, p. 2, viewed 11 December 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/60188168
  30. [S641] 'Successful Rainbow Fair', Healesville and Yarra Glen Guardian, newspaper, 21 November 1913, p. 3, viewed 11 December 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/64008329
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  32. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, division of Flinders, subdivision of Healesville, 1914.
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  37. [S636] 'De Morton, Myrtle Irene', B2455 First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920, control symbol DE MORTON M I, service record, 18 June 1917.
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  49. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, division of Fawkner, subdivision of Gardiner, 1943.
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