Person Page 335

He emigrated to Australia ca. 1886 soon after his ordination as an Augustinian priest. After 14 years at Echuca in charge of St. Mary’s parish he moved to Rochester, Victoria where he was Prior.²

His birth registration gives a different date of birth of 21 Dec 1865.²

He was the son of Patrick Mulhall, a Dairyman.

She was the daughter of John McMahon, a Clerk, deceased at the time of Mary’s marriage.

He was enumerated in the 1911 Ireland census age 24, occupation pianist. He emigrated to Montreal, arriving 18 July 1913, on the ship Tunisian, sailing from Liverpool to Quebec City. He was listed as being of age 26, RC, occupation pianist, born in Dublin.

He married in 1915 in Montreal. Thomas required a dispensation from the Catholic church to marry Pearl who was a protestant. Notice from the Irish Independent, 23 December, 1915:
"Meredith and Forrest -- November 23, 1915
(by Special License) at St Aloysius Church, Maisonneuve, Canada, Thomas, only surviving son of Patrick and the late Mary Meredith, Francis street, Dublin, and nephew of the Very Rev. Thomas A. Meredith, Prior of Rochester, Victoria, to Pearl, youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Forrest, Maisonneuve, Canada."
He entered the US in November 1917; the border crossing record indicates that he was 31, occupation music composer, nationality Canadian, race Irish. He had been in New York in 1913, and this time he was going to meet a publisher in New York, Jerome H. Remick, 119 12th St West. It was indicated that he was "Physically Defective."

In 1922 Thomas, Pearl and the two children crossed into the US to live in Derby Line, VT on the Canada-USA border. He was said to be a "little lame."The others were described as follows:
"wife Pearl age 25, 5'4 Br, Bk, read & write English never resided in U.S. born in Quebec City, P.Q. son Thomas age 4 Lt hair gray eyes born Montreal P.Q. dau Mary age 18 mos Lt hair Blue eyes, born Rock Isld, P.Q. Mr Meredith is employed in Butterfield Plant at Rock Isld & they are going to reside in Derby Line." That is, although they moved to live in the USA, Thomas continued to be employed across the border in Canada.

From 11 April - 24 July 1927, Thomas (age 47) and Thomas Jr. (age 9) travelled on the Thuringia, in third class accommodation, sailing from Cobh, Ireland to Boston, Massachusetts. Their home address was 989 Main St, Athol, Mass. Thomas was a "machine inspector"; he was said to be an Irish citizen and Thomas Jr. Canadian.
In 1930 Thomas, Pearl and their four children lived in Athol, Worcester county, Massachusetts. Thomas was an inspector at a tool factory. In 1940, same occupation and residence. Three sons still with parents.
When Thomas Michael Meredith registered for the WW II draft, 26 April 1942, age 55, his address was 1020 Main St., Athol, Mass. His wife was named, and he was employed at L.S. Starrett Co. in Athol. It gives his birth date as 7 December 1886.

He was enumerated at Athol, Worcester, Massachusetts, USA in the 1950 US Census, described as Thomas M Meredith, aged 63, born abt 1887 in Ireland, married, occupation: Mechanical Inspector. The household members were: Thomas M Meredith, Pearl E Meredith, 53, Wife.

The Town Directory for Athol MA in 1954 stated that Thomas died on April 30, 1953 at the age of 66. The 1953 Directory had him listed as a machine operator at LSSCo.³

She was the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Forrest, Maisonneuve, Canada.

He was enumerated in the 1940 US Census aged 22, an upholster in a chair factory; living with parents.

She was the daughter of Arthur Davies (a Bread Baker) and his wife Mary. They were living at Lynecott, Staveley, South Westmoreland in 1939.