Another Child Lost, 1859

This photo gives a view of the old part of the Beechworth Cemetery in about 1875.  Courtesy of the State Library of Victoria Collection.  H2005.34/515; H2005.34/515A.

George and Susan lost their little fellow George at the age of 7 months and 1 week, on 2 October 1859.  The certificate states that the death occurred at Silver Creek, and he was buried on the same day at Beechworth.  There are no extant burial records for the Beechworth Cemetery in this period, so it is impossible to say whether he was buried with his older brother Edward George, or popped into the grave of an adult being buried that day. 

The doctor John C Dempster gave the cause of death as acute hydrocephalus, from which the children had suffered for one week.  The symptoms would be headaches, vomiting, sleepiness and seizures.  In infants the head could swell because of the buildup of fluid.  The cause may have been congenital, or acquired by disease or injury.  The available records don't allow us to know the cause.  Dr Dempster had last seen the child the day before its death.  Dempster was based in Beechworth, and it is possible that the child was brought from Chiltern to see him, which would explain why the death occurred at Silver Creek.  They would probably have had friends there.

The witnesses were W R or W K Lyon, and C Bennett, and the service Church of England.

Susan and George returned to Chiltern with their little girl, now aged just over two years.

New Life at Silver Creek, 1857

Image taken from page 33 of '[Original Poems, for Infant Minds ... A new and revised edition. [By Ann and Jane Taylor and others.]]'  London, 1868.   "British Library HMNTS 11649.f.5.

The Griffiths' second child, a girl called Mary Jane, was born on 10 August 1857 at Silver Creek.  Silver Creek was  not far from the centre of Beechworth.  No witnesses were recorded, nor doctor.  Did no-one assist with the birth?  Perhaps it was George.  He was the informant.  At this time he was performing at the El Dorado Hotel.