Thomas pictured on horse and cart.
1849-1926
Father
John White
Mother
Bridget Devory
Siblings
Henry
Married
Catherine Ryder Banwell
Stepchildren
William Henry, Elizabeth, Mary, Charles, Edward, Alfred, Charlotte (Banwell)
Married
Catherine Thompson Fitzgerald Carney
Stepchildren
Amelia (died in infancy), William Peter, Mary Ann, John, Joseph Henry, Catherine (Katie), David (Carney)
Children
Elizabeth, Agnes (White)
Thomas’ Life
Thomas was born in 1849 to John White and Bridget Devory at Cooks River in 1849. His father, John, arrived on the ‘Alexander’ from Dublin in 1841, citing his calling as a brick layer. He could both read and write. He married Bridget Devory in Sydney in 1845. Bridget had arrived on the ‘Nabob’ in February 1842, she was sponsored by Mrs Gunner of Rush Cutter Bay.
Thomas followed his father’s calling and became a brick-maker. They undertook this industry at what was known as Brickfield Hill, the area between the now Central and Townhall Railway stations where several brick yards produced Sandstock Bricks. As there were no drying sheds available to dry the bricks slowly, they used to go and cut reeds and rushes from what is now known as Rushcutters Bay to cure the bricks effectively. This probably where John and Bridget met.
As the settlements of Sydney and Melbourne expanded and the now Hume Highway became settled, Thomas and his father erected their brickyards where they could find suitable clay (colour and consistency) and contracts for various works such as banks, homes, hotels etc – at various localities including Boorowa, Gundagai, Henty, Canowindra, Cowra, – moving their families with them.
Thomas met and married Catherine Banwell, nee Ryder in Gundagai in 1879. Catherine was widow, 13 years older than Thomas and had seven children ranging from 6 to 15 years old. Catherine died in 1888. There were no children from this marriage.
Thomas married Catherine Carney – nee Fitzgearld Thompson in Cootamundra in 1892. Catherine was also widowed with six living children ranging from 3 to 11 years old.
Thomas and Catherine had two daughters Elizabeth and Agnes. They both became Josephite nuns, and were stationed at Perthville for some of their service where some of Catherine’s grandchildren boarded for their education.
Thomas was very fondly remembered by his families. He was a father figure to 16 young children with only two being his own and he passed on his skill as a brick-maker and businessman to his Carney stepsons who in turn also became brick-makers and followed the work around the districts to provide beautiful sandstock bricks for notable buildings in these towns.
He died at Canowindra.
Authored by Leah Burnheim in collaboration with Clare Sweeney