Person Page - 566

     Winifred Doris Minter was born in December 1906 in Edmondton RD, Middlesex. She was the daughter of Ernest James Minter and Elizabeth Frances Grimes.

     Margaretta W? Miston or Alliston was born in Northamptonshire. She was the daughter of Bryan Miston.
     Margaretta W? Miston or Alliston married Holden Bowker, son of Thomas Bowker, on 14 September 1749 in St Giles, Northampton, Northamptonshire. Holden Bowker & Margaretta Alliston, both of All Saints parish, by licence. She subsequently married Mr Johnson of Northampton (the executor of her husband's will Thomas Johnson ?).
     Margaretta died before 31 January 1782?. She may be the Margaret Booker buried 31 Jan 1782 at St Giles, Northampton, but if she remarried Johnson this cannot be so.

     Dr Arthur Martin Mitchell was born in England.
     The marriage of Dr Arthur Martin Mitchell and Mary Evelyn Hebbert, daughter of Francis Henry Hebbert and Rosa Frances Dempster, was registered in the quarter ending in September 1902 in Guildford RD, Surrey. Arthur was a doctor in Guildford, Surrey.
     Arthur died on 12 April 1936 in Tower House, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England. He was of Portsmouth and formerly of Guildford and left an estate of over £33000. He was cremated at Southampton and had a committal service in Guildford.

     Barbara Mitchell was born circa 1799 in Kennethmont, Aberdeenshire.
     Barbara Mitchell married James Emslie, son of Peter Emslie and Mary Law, on 20 September 1824 in Premnay, Aberdeenshire.
     Barbara Mitchell and James Emslie appeared on the 1841 census in Backbrae, Premnay. James Emslie aged 55, farmer, Barbara aged 45, James 14, Mary 12, Alex 10, Ann 8, Barbara 6, John & George aged 4, Isabel 2, and Robert aged 5 months. In the next household but same building are Peter Emslie aged 25, ag. lab., with Alex Gray, Ag. lab, 35; William Davidson, aged 15, ag. lab., and Margaret Meldrum aged 15, F.S.
     Barbara Mitchell and James Emslie were recorded on the 1851 census in Premnay. James Emslie, aged 65, farmer of 80 acres, born at Tullynessle with his wife Barbara aged 55, born Kinnethmont, William aged 21, Alexander aged 19, both ag. labs, Ann aged 17 & Barbara aged 15, both house servants, John aged 13, ag. lab, George 13, Isabel 11, & Robert 9, all scholars, all born at Premnay.
     Barbara Mitchell and James Emslie appeared on the 1861 census in Premnay. James Emslie, 75, head, born Tullynessle, farmer of 80 acres employing 4 labourers, with his wife Barabara 63, born Kinethmont, and children Alexander 28, born Premnay, Ann 25, ditto, George 22, ditto, Isobel 20, ditto, Ann 1, grand daughter, born Premnay, and John Watt aged 13 and George Anderson aged 15, farm servants.
     Barbara died before 27 August 1869 in Premnay, Aberdeenshire.
     Her will was proved on 27 August 1869 in Aberdeen. Barbara Emslie alias Mitchell, residing at Backbrae in the parish of Premnay, widow of James Emslie, farmer, inventory.

     James Mitchell married daughter Rich, daughter of William Rich and Ann? Unknown, before 1599 in Yorkshire.

     Lydia Mitchell married John Rithe in 1695 in DOM, Surrey.

     Robert Mitchell married Mary Emslie, daughter of James Emslie and Barbara Mitchell, on 3 August 1850 in Premnay, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

     Robert Walter Benbow Mitchell was born in 1909. He was the son of Dr Arthur Martin Mitchell and Mary Evelyn Hebbert.

     Anna Maria Mitford married Miles Bowker, son of Thomas Bowker and Dorothy Monkhouse, on 8 March 1800 in Mitford, Northumberland.
     Anna died on 8 July 1868 in South Africa.

     George Mizen was born circa 1800 in England.

     Mary Moat was born circa 1824 in Thurston, Suffolk.
     Mary Moat married William Cocksedge as his second wife, on 8 May 1858 in Thurston, Suffolk.
     Mary Moat and William Cocksedge appeared on the 1861 census in Planck?, Thurston. William Cocksedge, head, 64, ag. lab., born Hessett with his wife Mary, aged 37, and grandson Daniel Cocksedge, 19, ag. lab. and daughter Susannah aged 2, Frederick L/S Moat, step son aged 7, all born Thurston.
     Mary Moat and William Cocksedge appeared on the 1871 census in Beyton Rd, Thurston. William Cocksedge, head, 77, ag. lab., born Hessett with his wife Mary, aged 47 and daughter Susannah aged 12, son Thomas 9, and daughter Mary Ann, 7, all born at Thurston. Daniel and his wife are living next door.
     Mary Moat appeared on the 1881 census in Thurston. Mary Cocksedge, head, widow, 57, laundress, with her children Thomas 19, butcher (out of employ) and mary Ann 17, domestic servant, all born at Thurston.
     Mary died before 1891?. None of the children are identifiable in 1891 so they may have emigrated.

     Mercy Mockett was born before April 1818 in Alciston, Sussex.
     Mercy Mockett married William Shaw Denman, son of William Denman, before 31 December 1841 in Lewes RD.
     Mercy Mockett and William Shaw Denman appeared on the 1871 census in Willingdon. William Denman, head, 59, blacksmith, born Bolney, Sussex & his wife Mercy, aged 54, born Alciston, with lodgers Henry & Jane Hall, and a daughter Catherine J Hall (but amended in transcript to Denman), unmarried, 20, born Southwick, Sussex.
     Mercy Mockett appeared on the 1881 census in Willingdon. Mary Denman, head, widow, aged 63, born Allceston, Sussex, with her sister Esther Mockett, widow, aged 62, born Allceston, and Frederick J Pitcher, unmarried, 28, a lodger, a Land agent's clerk, born Wartling, Sussex.
     Mercy died on 26 July 1888 in Willingdon, Sussex.
     Her will was proved on 18 August 1888 in Sussex. Mercy Denman, personal effects £291/15s. The will of Mercy Denman, late of Willingdon, Sussex, widow, who died 26 July 1888 at Willingdon, proved at Lewes by Thomas Martin, sub-postmaster & Edwin Mockett, blacksmith, the nephew, both of Willingdon, the executors.

     Unknown Moffat married Lyla May Colbert (Moffat?), daughter of John Colbert and Mary Jane Robertson.

     Margaret Moggenwood was born before 1575 in Hampshire, England.
     Margaret Moggenwood married William Ryther, son of Unknown Ryther, on 13 July 1589 in Heckfield & Mattingley, Hampshire.
     Margaret Moggenwood made a will dated 10 December 1646 in Finchampstead, Berkshire. The wll of Margaret Ryther, widow, l mentions her sons William, Richard & Nicholas and daughters Margaret, Elizabeth & Ann?
     Margaret died before 15 January 1647.
     Her will was proved on 15 January 1647 in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury.

     Margaret Mohun married John Carew Lord of Moulesford, son of John Carew and Joan Talbot. Margaret Mohun was the daughter of John Mohun Lord of Dunster.
     Margaret died before 1362.

     Reginald Mohun married Mary Killigrew, daughter of Sir Henry Killigrew and Katherine Cooke, circa 7 September 1589 in London, England. 1589 Sep 7, Reginald Moone [i.e. Mohun] Esq., now of City of London, son & heir of Sir __ Moone, kt. & Mary Killigrew spinster, daughter of Henry Killigrew of St Margaret Lothbury, London, Esq. General Licence Harleian Society v.25 London Marriage licences 1520-1610, p.181.

     Major General Arthur Molesworth was born. He was of the East India Company in 1820. He married Mary Kearney and had issue: Hickman Thomas b: 1820 (General); Robert Francis b: 1826 (Rev); Gertrude b. 1807?; Mary ; Emma ; Selina Hase; Agnes Maria b. 1810? married 12 Oct 1847 Rev. Charles Richard de Havilland. He was the son of Robert Molesworth and Elizabeth Rose.
     Major General Arthur Molesworth was mentioned in the will of Capt Jonas Rose dated before June 1820.
     Arthur died on 7 January 1843.

     Her birth was registered in the quarter ending in March 1862 in Eastry RD, Kent. Eleanor Jane Molesworth was the daughter of Rennel Francis Wynn Molesworth and Eleanor Jane Hilton.

     His birth was registered in the quarter ending in March 1854 in Thanet RD, Kent. Francis Hilton Molesworth was the son of Eleanor Jane Hilton.

     Hickman Molesworth was born on 23 February 1842 in Dublin, Ireland. He was the son of Robert Molesworth and Henrietta Johnston.
     He was a judge. The family migrated to Victoria in 1852 and Hickman studied law at the University of Melbourne, being called to the Bar in April 1864. On 9 July 1868 he married Eliza Emily (d.1881), daughter of William Rutledge, at Warrnambool; on 15 June 1882 he married Alice Henrietta Peck at Sale. Molesworth built up a reputation defending criminal cases, and his personal popularity with juries was such that some brought in verdicts 'for Mr Molesworth'. He was appointed to the County Court bench in December 1883, becoming permanent judge of the Insolvency Court soon after.
There he fought the abuse of the insolvency system by land speculators that aggravated the depression of the 1890s. Whenever he could legitimately do so Molesworth would refuse approval of secret compositions arranged with their creditors by insolvents applying for release from sequestration. In 1895, when he refused an application from J. M. Davies for his brother's discharge, he pointed out that, as County Court judges were dependent on parliament for their salary, the application would better be made before independent judges of the Supreme Court. In the storm that followed Molesworth was reprimanded by the attorney-general but in his public reply revealed that the Crown Law Department was attempting to remove him and that a request from County Court judges in 1894 for a guarantee of freedom from political interference had received no reply. Supported by public and judiciary, Molesworth remained in his position and in 1896 was appointed special commissioner to investigate the collapse of the City of Melbourne Bank. He was chairman of the Metropolitan Licensing Court, of General Sessions and the Court of Mines, and, during 1891, an acting justice of the Supreme Court.
Known for his lively personality and optimistic and cheerful nature, he was of a mediating and tolerant disposition. Picturesque and unconventional, especially in his dress, he refused to robe for court. Even as a judge he enjoyed socializing with the Bar and showed 'palpable relief' upon being 'freed of the judicial harness' when court rose. A member of the Melbourne Club from 1872, Molesworth was a keen rider to hounds and enjoyed shooting. In 1893 he became a committee-member of the Charity Organisation Society.
In 1907 on medical advice Molesworth took leave and sailed for Queensland.
     Hickman died of cirrhosis of the liver on 18 July 1907 aged 65. On board R.M.S. Omrah on 18 July 1907, and after a service at St Columb's Church, Hawthorn, was buried in Boroondara cemetery. His wife and their three children, and four of his first marriage, survived him.

     Hickman Blayney Molesworth was born in 1773. He was the son of Robert Molesworth and Elizabeth Rose.
     Hickman Blayney Molesworth married Wilhelmina Dorothea Hone in January 1806.
     Hickman Blayney Molesworth was mentioned in the will of Capt Jonas Rose dated before June 1820.
     Hickman Blayney Molesworth lived at Summer Hill, Dublin, between 1823 and 1827. Miss Gertrude Molesworth (his niece) was a passenger from the Bengal Presidency, and sureties for the £200 bond dated 10 Mar 1823 were Hickman B Molesworth, Summer Hill, Dublin, Solicitor. John Inman, Little Tower Street, Merchant. In March 1827 he was also surety for Jane Molesworth, Lower Rutland Street, Dublin, widow.
     Hickman died in 1844.

     Mary Jane Sophia Molesworth was born in 1854 in St Kilda, Victoria. She was the daughter of Robert Molesworth and Henrietta Johnston.
     Mary died in 1855 in St Kilda, Victoria.

     Rennel Francis Wynn Molesworth was born on 17 January 1827 in Millbrook, Hampshire. He was the son of John Edward Nassau Molesworth & Harriet MacKinnon.
     Rennel Francis Wynn Molesworth and Eleanor Jane Hilton's marriage was registered in the quarter ending June 1851 in Thanet RD, Kent.
     Rennel Francis Wynn Molesworth and Eleanor Jane Hilton appeared on the 1861 census in Betteshanger Parsonage, Northbourne, Kent. R F W Molesworth, head, 34, curate of Betteshanger, born Millicent, Hampshire; Eleanor his wife, 25, born Sarre, Kent, children Mary A 8, Francis H y, John H, 5, Ernest H 2, Arthur H, 10 months, the last two born Northbourn; Ellizabeth M G Hilton, niece, 13 born ???, Mary Eliz. Hilton mother in law, widow, 70. clergyman's widow, born Sarre, Kent; John W D Hilton, nephew, 15, scholar, born Southampton, Hampshire; and a housemaid.
     Rennel Francis Wynn Molesworth appeared on the 1871 census in the Vicarage, Todmorden, Lancashire. Rennell F W Molesworth, 44, vicar of Todmorden, born Millbrook, Hants: his wife Frances E, 37, born Benton, Somerset; children Mary Agnes, 18, born Ichhow, Kent, Arthur H, 10, born Betteshanger, Kent, Eleanor Jane, 9 ditto, Rodney H 5, ditto, Bertha 3, born Bideford, Devonshire; Harriet Crompton, 51, visitor and Harriet M Crompton, 7, and 4 servants. The Cromptons are probably relatives of Frances.
     Rennel died on 6 January 1906 in Tonbridge RD, Kent, aged 78.

     Robert Molesworth married Elizabeth Rose, daughter of Hickman Rose and Elizabeth Pratt, before 22 May 1770 in Limerick. In Limerick, Capt Robert Molesworth of the 38th Regiment to Miss Rose.

     Robert Molesworth was born on 3 November 1806 in Dublin. He was the only son of Hickman Blayney Molesworth, solicitor, and his wife Wilhelmina Dorothea, née Hone. The family claimed descent from Sir Walter de Molesworth who accompanied Edward I to the Holy Land and was sheriff of Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire in 1298-1308. Robert was descended from the first Viscount Molesworth, created in 1716. He was the son of Hickman Blayney Molesworth and Wilhelmina Dorothea Hone.
     He was a Judge. In 1821 he won a scholarship to Trinity College, Dublin (B.A., 1826; M.A., 1833). Called to the Irish Bar in 1828, he joined the Munster Circuit and practised in Ireland until 1852. In 1838 he had published An Essay on the Registration of Deeds and Conveyances in Ireland, and Receivers in Chancery in Ireland. On 6 January 1840 he married Henrietta, daughter of Rev. Joseph England-Johnson.
In 1852 the Molesworths migrated to Adelaide and next year to Melbourne, where he was at once admitted to the Victorian Bar. He soon had a large practice and on 27 October 1853 was appointed acting chief justice for a term when Sir William à Beckett was ill. From 4 January 1854 he served as solicitor-general while James Croke was absent, and on 15 April was appointed a nominee in the Legislative Council. In succession to Croke he was solicitor-general under W. C. Haines from 25 November 1855 to 17 June 1856 when he became the fourth appointment to the Supreme Court bench. In March the Administration of Justice Act (19 Vic. no 13) had authorized the sittings of a single judge in the Equity, Insolvency and Ecclesiastical jurisdictions, and he discharged those duties for nearly thirty years.
Though Molesworth sometimes sat in the Criminal Court most of his work was on the Equity side. An admirable judge, he was noted for his industry, courtesy, learning and expedition; very few of his decisions were successfully challenged. His most remarkable achievement was as chief judge of the Court of Mines. In dealing with this new province he established a code of precedent which gave much satisfaction to the legal profession and the mining industry and became a guide in other Australian colonies and overseas. Apart from a short visit to New Zealand he never left the colony, and took no leave except the Court vacations. He had a strong constitution and his only sick leave was five weeks in 1881. The profession complained of his habit of sitting through the luncheon hour and of his later occasional irascibility, but appreciated his dispatch and dry humour. On 1 July 1885 he was appointed acting chief justice and sat as such until 1 May 1886 when he retired. He was given an ovation at a farewell ceremony in the Court and knighted by patent on 9 July.
Molesworth's judicial achievements were the more remarkable because of domestic unhappiness, which culminated in an extraordinary matrimonial suit in the Supreme Court from 1861 to 1864. His wife petitioned for judicial separation on the ground of cruelty, and he counter-petitioned for similar relief on the ground of her alleged adultery in 1855 with R. D. Ireland and in 1861 and 1862 with some person unknown, resulting in the birth of an illegitimate child in England. On an interlocutory application for alimony pendente lite in 1862, Mrs Molesworth was represented by G. Higinbotham.
The trial, which attracted much attention, took place before Chief Justice Stawell and a jury in November 1864. The jury absolved Molesworth (who had personally given evidence) of cruelty, and Mrs Molesworth of adultery with Ireland, but found against her on the charge of adultery with a person unknown. In December her appeal to the Full Court failed; her petition was dismissed and the judge's counter-petition succeeded. She died in 1879 aged 56. At his own request Molesworth never sat in a matrimonial case after the trial.
Molesworth had long been a prominent member of the Church of England Assembly. He lived quietly in Melbourne until he died on 18 October 1890 and was buried in the Kew cemetery. He was survived by a married daughter and two sons, Hickman who became a judge and Robert a pastoralist.
Select Bibliography
Votes and Proceedings (Legislative Assembly, Victoria), 1864-65, 2 (C2); Victoria Government Gazette 1853, 1653, 1854, 37, 182, 1599, 1855, 3125, 1856, 1019; Victorian Law Reports, Insolvency, Ecclesiastical and Matrimonial cases, 1 (1861-62), 57; Argus (Melbourne), 18-23 Nov, 15-18, 26 Dec 1864, 20 Oct 1890.
Author: Reginald R. Sholl
Print Publication Details: Reginald R. Sholl, 'Molesworth, Sir Robert (1806 - 1890)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 5, Melbourne University Press, 1974, pp 264-265.
     Robert Molesworth married Henrietta Johnston.
     Robert died on 18 October 1890 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, aged 83. He was buried at Kew.

     Eschyn de Molle of Huntlaw married Walter FitzAlan, son of Alan Thane of Lochaber and Adelina de Hesding of Oswestry. Eschyn de Molle of Huntlaw was born in London, England. She was the daughter of Thomas de Lundins, grand-daughter (maternal) of Uhtred de Molle and sister of Malcolm, 1st Doorward of Scotalnd. Widow of Robert le Croc, snr..

     Catherine Molloy was born circa 1845.
     Catherine Molloy married Patrick Handy, son of Patrick Handy, before 1864. In Rahan looks back by Sister Olver Wrafter, there is a photograph of Patrick Hande & Catherine Molloy, of Morrough in 1864. Their daughter Brigid married Frank Mollin, of Lynally, c. 1885.. Administration of the estate of Patrick Handy was granted to Catherine Molloy, on 16 August 1913 in Dublin, Ireland, Administration of the estate of Patrick Handy, late of Killina, Rahan, Tullamore, Kings county, farmer who died 18 Feb 1890 were granted at Dublin to Catherine Handy, the widow. Goods under £623/10/6.

     Isabel Molton married John Arundell, son of John Arundell, before 1371. She was the daughter of Sir Thomas de Molton.

     Charles Joseph Monaghan married Mary Teresa Rubie in 1912 in Victoria, Australia.