Edward Patrick Milovitch
FatherThomas Milovitch b. 1830, d. 20 Dec 1910
MotherEliza Meagher b. c 1838, d. 21 Jul 1898
Pedigree

Birth, Death, Marriage

Edward Patrick Milovitch was born on 26 February 1872 in Prahran, Victoria.1 
He married Mary Reid, daughter of Kennis (or Kenneth) Reid and Mary Donoghue, on 4 October 1901 in Mooroopna, Victoria.2,3,4 
He died on 9 June 1929 in Shepparton, Victoria, at age 57.5,6 

Family

Mary Reid b. 22 Dec 1879, d. 22 May 1950
Children
ChartsMilovitch, Thomas, descendant chart

Story

Edward Patrick was born at Regent St in Prahran on 26 February 1872. He was the fourth child of Eliza and Thomas. The birth was registered on 2 September as Edward Patrick Melovitch.1
 
He was known as Paddy and several family documents give his name as Patrick Edward. He is Edward Patrick in most official records including birth registratons (his and his children's), marriage registration, Shepparton rates and the courts.7,8,3,9
 
The five Milovitch children, Annie, Mary, Peter, Edward 'Paddy' and Korizo, may have gone to school in the Prahran area where they were born (the youngest in 1875), or near Nagambie where they were living by 1890.
 
Paddy had red hair, and he played the squeezebox.10
 
Death of Brother Peter Nicholas 
Peter Milovitch died in June 1890. He was just 20 years old and was working at Tahbilk at the time. One newspaper reported he died of 'brain fever', but his death certificate says he died of bronchitis.

Within 12 months the family had relocated to Mooroopna.11,12
 
An In Memoriam appeared in The Age three years after his death:
MILOVITCH - In sad and loving remembrance of our dear son, Peter Nicholis Milovitch, who departed this life on 15th June, 1890, at Chateau Tahbllk.
Immaculate heart of Mary,
Your prayers for him extol,
Oh, sacred heart of Jesus,
Have mercy on his soul.
- Inserted by his loving father and mother, brother and sisters.13

 
Family Move to Mooroopna
It is uncertain where the family was between Korizo's 1875 birth in Prahran, and 1891 when they were in Mooroopna. Mooroopna Justice of the Peace, WS Archer, said in an 1891 document that he had known Thomas for seven years. This would seem to imply that Thomas was in the Mooroopna area by about 1884. But the death registration for their son, Peter Nicholas, says he died in 1890 in Tahbilk. And the informant for that information was Peter's sister, Mary Elizabeth, who gave her residence as Tahbilk. This implies that the family, or a significant part of it, was still in Tahbilk in 1890.14,15,16,12
 
By late 1891 the family was living in Finsborough St, Mooroopna (later 24 Main St).

At this time, eldest Annie was 26 and youngest Korizo was 16.

The brick section at the front had a wine shop and two other rooms. The timber section at the back had five rooms with lined partitions of wooden dado (lower part of the wall) and the balance paper and canvas.16,17
 
Marriage and Family
Mary Reid and Edward Patrick Milovitch were married at the Roman Catholic church in Mooroopna (later St Mary's) on 4 October 1901. They had ten children between 1899 and 1921, though the eldest was born to Mary two years before they married. Two children died as infants.

Unusually, there are two marriage registrations with the first having the margin entry 'A mistake. This entry should not be on this schedule and will appear on the next'.

Nine of the children were born in Mooroopna or nearby Ardmona and the youngest was born in Shepparton.3,18
 
Nellie (Ellen Agnes), Vincent Patrick, Bub (Peter Maurice, back), Mary (Reid) with Toti (Gertrude Ann), Korizo, Thomas & Paddy (Edward Patrick) Milovitch, c. 1916
Image: Jeanette Henderson
Winery and Early Orchard Work
On his 1901 marriage registration, Paddy describes himself as a labourer. He was most likely working at the orchard in Ardmona owned by Trojano Darveniza, a good friend of his father.

In 1903, EP Milovitch is shown as tenant in a wine salon in Fryers St, Shepparton. This is Darveniza's Excelsior Wine Depot and was operated for the previous five years by Paddy's brother-in-law, William O'Connell.9,19,4
 
In 1905, Paddy Milovitch is reported to be head storeman at the Goulburn Valley Winery in Mooroopna. Originally the Goulburn Valley Wine and Distillery Company, it was near the railway station and managed by brother-in-law Henri Fortin. By 1915, the Goulburn Valley Winery was in Vaughan St, Shepparton.

MOOROOPNA
On Wednesday Mr P Milovitch, head storeman at the Goulburn Valley Winery here, detected two swagmen in the act of stealing a five-gallon keg of wine each from the back storeroom. He called for assistance, but the thieves got away. Sergeant Westcott was sent for, and after a long chase for several miles secured both of the men. There have been several cases of pilfering around here lately.20,21,22,23

 
Parents' Estates 
In his father's 1899 will, Paddy was to get the Mooroopna wine salon and the wine licence, though we have no records around 1911 when Thomas died, that Paddy ever owned a wine shop or held a wine licence. And in his mother Mary's (delayed) 1911 probate, Paddy is shown an orchard manager. At this time, the wine shop was being run by Paddy's sister and brother-in-law, Mary and William O'Connell.24,25
 
Family Life
Paddy and Mary lived in Mooroopna or Ardmona from their marriage in 1901 to 1927.

On electoral rolls between 1906 and 1927, Paddy's occupation remains as his earlier 'cellarman'. Though other documents from 1911 show his occupation as orchard manager, orchard worker or labourer. These include his mother's 1911 probate (orchard manager), son Thomas's 1913 birth registration (labourer), son Vincent's 1927 marriage registration (labourer) and 1929 newspaper article.

By 1928, Paddy and Mary had moved to 92 Vaughan St in Shepparton, and Paddy gives his occupation as labourer. At this time he was working on an orchard east of Shepparton.

In 1929, Paddy was living with son Vincent in Adams Avenue, east of SPC cannery, and Mary was living in Moonee Ponds.25,26,27,28,29,30,31,32,33,34,4
 
Difficult Times
Paddy's fortunes changed significantly in 1927.

He and Mary moved from Ardmona to Shepparton, and Paddy's orchard work moved there too.32,33
 
In late 1927, Paddy began appearing in court due to unpaid debts. In November he was ordered to pay over £45 plus costs to F Friend (clothing store and tobacconist) for goods sold and delivered. In December, it was over £7 plus costs to M Dunstan (delicatessen). There were three more cases in 1928 totalling over £20 for general stores, food and a wheelwright. And one in February 1929 (SJ Hall, household goods and groceries) for more than £15.35,36,37,38,39,40
 
In June 1928, Paddy was fined 3/- (30c) for 'having neglected to send children to school'.41
 
In June 1927, a Park St property title was transferred to Paddy from brother-in-law William Patrick O'Connell. The empty block had a 22' (6.7 m) frontage to 4 Park St and was once part of his father's estate. Though not high in value (£30 in 1938), it was not used to pay any debts.42,6
Title held by Edward Patrick Milovitch, Mooroopna, Jun 1927
Image: Land Registry Services
Paddy's difficult times began around when family friend Trojano Darveniza died (October 1927). Trojano was approaching 90 and the winery was now being run by three of his nephews. Until then, Paddy's was one of only two remaining connections between the Milovitch and Darveniza families. Trojano was executor when his friend Thomas Milovitch died in 1911. Henri Fortin, married to Annie Milovitch and once Trojano's winemaker, died in 1918, and Annie had moved to Melbourne. Mary O'Connell (Milovitch) had died in 1919, though the Mooroopna wine shop could still have been selling Excelsior Vineyard wines (the licence would be withdrawn in 1928). And youngest Korizo had married and moved to Melbourne. Perhaps Paddy's orchard work with Darveniza's vineyard ended around 1927, along with his income.43,17,44,45,25,46
 
Fatal Bike Accident 
In June 1929, Paddy was riding his bike home from work when he was hit by a car. He died the next day from his injuries.47,48
 
On Saturday 8 June 1929, Paddy left his work at IG Murdoch's orchard just after 5pm (according to son Vincent). He was riding west along High St and had just crossed the railway line, when around 5:45pm he was struck by a car from behind and run over. The driver did not stop. Paddy was taken to Mooroopna Hospital about 6pm with very serious injuries. The following morning, he was operated on, but died about 4:45pm.

Police investigated and a man was charged with manslaughter. The prosecution case included a witness who saw the car enter the Terminus Hotel car park, only losing sight of it for a short time; evasive answers when questioned by police; and fresh marks on the car consistent with the accident. The defence case included that he did not cross the railway line at High St; that the marks on the car were old ones; and crucially, two witnesses who stated he was already in the hotel at the time of the accident.

The judge said the evidence of identification was not conclusive, especially with statements that the defendant was at the hotel before the accident occurred, and the evidence as to marks on the car was not conclusive, as they might have been made in many ways. He invited the jury to return a verdict of not guilty, which they did.48,47
 
Edward Patrick Milovitch died of severe fractures and internal injuries at Mooroopna hospital on 9 June 1929, aged 57. He was buried at Mooroopna cemetery.

Paddy left behind children aged between eight and thirty.49,5,47
Tombstone of Edward Patrick & Mary (Reid) Milovitch, Mooroopna cemetery
Image: Ken Haddock

Citations

  1. [S342] Edward Patrick Melovitch, birth registration no. 18760, 26 February 1872.
  2. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, 'Edw Pat Milovitch' and Mary Reid entry, marriage registration no. 7232, 1901.
  3. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, 'Edw Pat Milovitch' and Mary Reid entry, marriage registration no. 5200, 1901.
  4. [S460] Edward Patrick Milovitch and Mary Reid, marriage registration no. 7232, 4 October 1901.
  5. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, Edward Patrick Milovitch, death registration no. 7224, 1929.
  6. [S394] 'Edward Patrick Milovitch', VPRS 28 Probate and Administration Files, no. 292/921, probate, 14 February 1938.
  7. [S68] Thomas Nicholas Milovitch, death registration no. 13871, 20 December 1910.
  8. [S438] Milovitch Family, family history, 1996.
  9. [S233] Shepparton Shire & Town Rates Index, 1885-1939/1941, computer file, Shepparton Family History Group, Milovitch entries.
  10. [S80] Ken Haddock, personal communication, 13 July 1996.
  11. [S429] 'Tabilk', Weekly Times, 1869-1954, newspaper, 28 June 1890, p. 28, viewed 1 August 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/221186590
  12. [S349] Peter Nicholas Milovitch, death registration no. 13136, 15 June 1890.
  13. [S171] 'In memoriam: Milovitch', The Age, 1854-, newspaper, 15 June 1893, p. 1, viewed 1 August 2018, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/193429112
  14. [S341] Korizo Mellivitch, birth registration no. 25087, 5 January 1875.
  15. [S166] 'Thomas Milovitch', A712 Letters received, no. 1891/R11040, naturalisation, 1891.
  16. [S561] LANDATA, online property information, certificate of title, vol. 1119, folio 223687, Mooroopna, 1879-1935.
  17. [S339] 'Thomas Milovitch', VPRS 28 Probate and Administration Files, no. 118/620, probate, 20 February 1911.
  18. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, Bernard Joseph Milovitch entry, death registration no. 7870, 1942.
  19. [S233] Shepparton Shire & Town Rates Index, 1885-1939/1941, computer file, Shepparton Family History Group, O'Connell entries.
  20. [S171] 'Country news: Mooroopna', The Age, 1854-, newspaper, 5 January 1905, p. 6, viewed 21 October 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/192231610
  21. [S171] 'Country news: Goulburn Valley Winery', The Age, 1854-, newspaper, 8 Julty 1897, p. 6, viewed 26 November 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190654047
  22. [S429] 'Country letters: Tatura', Weekly Times, 1869-1954, newspaper, 25 September 1897, p. 29, viewed 27 November 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/221128161
  23. [S446] 'Lord Northcote's tour', Leader, 1862-1918, newspaper, 7 May 1904, p. 23, viewed 26 November 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/196667660
  24. [S338] 'Thomas Milovitch', VPRS 7591 Wills 1853-1992, will, 13 March 1899.
  25. [S347] 'Elizabeth Milovitch', VPRS 28 Probate and Administration Files, no. 121/621, probate, 11 September 1911.
  26. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, division of Echuca, polling place Mooroopna, 1906.
  27. [S248] Early Electoral Rolls of Australia, 1st ed., DVD-ROM, AIGS, 2009, division of Echuca, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1912.
  28. [S248] Early Electoral Rolls of Australia, 1st ed., DVD-ROM, AIGS, 2009, division of Echuca, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1914.
  29. [S248] Early Electoral Rolls of Australia, 1st ed., DVD-ROM, AIGS, 2009, division of Echuca, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1916.
  30. [S248] Early Electoral Rolls of Australia, 1st ed., DVD-ROM, AIGS, 2009, division of Echuca, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1921.
  31. [S248] Early Electoral Rolls of Australia, 1st ed., DVD-ROM, AIGS, 2009, division of Echuca, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1924.
  32. [S248] Early Electoral Rolls of Australia, 1st ed., DVD-ROM, AIGS, 2009, division of Echuca, subdivision of Mooroopna, 1927.
  33. [S248] Early Electoral Rolls of Australia, 1st ed., DVD-ROM, AIGS, 2009, division of Echuca, subdivision of Shepparton, 1928.
  34. [S201] 'Accident ends fatally', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 10 June 1929, p. 5, viewed 7 February 2019, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186947284
  35. [S201] 'Petty sessions', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 14 February 1929, p. 7, viewed 8 February 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186945480
  36. [S201] 'Petty debts court', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 22 December 1927, p. 9, viewed 8 February 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190015647
  37. [S201] 'Debt cases', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 21 November 1927, p. 2, viewed 8 February 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190015157
  38. [S201] 'Shepparton petty sessions', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 5 July 1928, p. 14, viewed 8 February 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/179174777
  39. [S201] 'Shepparton petty sessions', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 22 March 1928, p. 5, viewed 8 February 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/179172846
  40. [S201] 'Debt cases', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 20 February 1928, p. 8, viewed 8 February 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/179172359
  41. [S201] 'Neglect to send to school', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 28 June 1928, p. 3, viewed 8 February 2020, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/179174600
  42. [S561] LANDATA, online property information, certificate of title, vol. 3575, folio 714952, Mooroopna, 1912-1997.
  43. [S201] 'Obituary: Mr Trojano Darveniza', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 6 October 1927, p. 9, viewed 8 April 2020|https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/190014543
  44. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, Henri Fortin entry, death registration no. 14661, 1918.
  45. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, division of Melbourne, subdivision of Carlton South, 1921.
  46. [S201] 'Licensing court: Mooroopna wine licenses', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 4 June 1928, p. 10, viewed 20 October 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/179174017
  47. [S201] 'Supreme court: Alleged manslaughter case', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 12 September 1929, p. 7, viewed 21 October 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186948892
  48. [S220] 'Charge of manslaughter: Acquittal by direction', The Argus, 1848-1957, newspaper, Argus Office, 11 September 1929, p. 17, viewed 24 October 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4036412
  49. [S132] Mooroopna Cemetery, cemetery and register.