Reilly Family History

Amos Chauncey Harrison Norcott & Ada Mary Gardiner

Summary

full name: Amos Chauncey Harrison Norcott
parents: James Henry Norcott & Adela Ann Harrison
born: 1857 in Sandhurst (Bendigo)
died: 22nd September 1932
married: 27 Nov 1888 in Bendigo, VIC
wife: Ada Mary Gardner. b 30 December 1863 in Croydon, England
child: Adela Ida Mary Norcott was born 20 November 1889. She marrried Guy Wriothesley Baptist Noel, of Black Rock.

Amos Chauncey Harrison Norcott
Amos Chauncey Harrison Norcott with Dame Nellie Melba.
Endorsed on reverse 'Nellie Mitchell (Melba) with Amos Norcott'

Details

Amos Chauncey Harrison Norcott was born in 1857 in Sandhurst (Bendigo), Victoria. He married Ada Mary Gardner (born in England) in 1888 in Bendigo, VIC.

Amos worked in the Victorian Railways Department. Amos was Club secretary of the Melbourne Football Club from 1898 - 1906. Norcott presided over their first premiership victory but was dismissed after back-to-back wooden spoon seasons. He served as secretary again for 1908. (from demon wiki)

Amos married Ada on 27 Nov 1888 in Bendigo, Victoria.

Ada Mary Norcott (nee Gardiner or Gardner) had the stage name Ida Osborne. She began her singing career as an original member of Williamson's Royal Comic Opera Company in Melbourne in 1881 at the age of sixteen or seventeen. She toured extensively in Australia and New Zealand in Williamson's and other companies, as well as making her name as a concert performer. She sang in the chorus and in minor parts up until 1901. Although she performed in opera, operetta and recital for many years, in later life her career turned to teaching the piano, both privately and for Allan's music store.

Ada (Ida) published her diaries, which can be found at the State Library of Victoria. They are said to "give a fascinating picture of a woman coping with career, marriage and child-rearing; they are complemented by two scrapbooks of cuttings, programmes and invitations."

The Victorian electoral rolls give an insight into their life.

Amos died on the 22nd September 1932. Here is the notice that was placed in the Argus Newspaper on Friday 23 September 1932.

NORCOTT - On the 22nd September. Amos C. H. loved husband of Ada Norcott (Ida Osborne), and loving father of Ida Noel

Norcott - The Friends of the late AMOS C. H. NORCOTT are informed that his funeral will leave Slights Chapel 138 Flinders street Melbourne Tomorrow (Saturday the 24th September) at 11 o'clock, for the Boroondara Cemetery, Kew.

Also in the same paper was this memorial

DEATH OF MR. A. C. H. NORCOTT

Mr. Amos Chauncey Harrison Norcott, who died in a private hospital yesterday after a short illness, was a former secretary of the Melbourne Football Club, and was a nephew of the "father" of the game, Mr. H. C. A. Harrison. He took a great interest in the performances of the team and was a frequent visitor to the rooms until this season. Formerly in the stores branch of the Victorian Railways, Mr. Norcott retired when aged 65 years and then became house manager of Hyotts picture theatre in Bourke street. He occupied that position until a year ago. He was the foundation secretary of the Old Scotch Collegians' Club. Mr. Norcott, who was aged 75 years, leaves a widow and a daughter. The funeral will leave Sleight's Chapel at 11 o'clock on Saturday morning for the Boroondara Cemetery.

(from the Argus, 4th Aug 1938, p9) CONTRALTO'S DEATH A popular favourite with theatre-goers and especially lovers of Gilbert and Sullivan opera of 40 or 50 years ago, Miss Ida Osborne, a former leading contralto in Australia, died yesterday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. G. Noel, Middleton street, Black Rock. She was aged 74 years. Her real name was Mrs. Ada Mary Norcott. On the Australian stage she was associated early in her career with Nellie Stewart, Billy Elton, Violet Varley, Charles Ryley, and Charles Tapley. Under the management of Williamson, Garner, and Musgrove, she was the prin- cipal contralto in many musical comedies. "Iolanthe" was her favourite Gilbert and Sullivan opera. She was born at Croydon, England, and carne to Australia in her early twenties, with her late husband, Mr. Amos C. H. Norcott, who was formerly well known as secretary of the Melbourne Football Club, and house manager of Hoyts Theatre, Bourke street. The funeral will take place at Boroon- dara Cemetery at 11 a.m. to-morrow. A. A. Sleight Pty. Ltd. are making the arrangements.

(from the Age, 4th Aug 1938, p4) Mrs. A. M. NORCOTT. Mrs. Ada Mary Norcott, who as Ida Osborne was a member of the original Royal Comic Opera Company in the nineties." and afterwards a prominent concert artist, died at the home of her only daughter, Mrs. G. Noel, Mlddleton-street. Black Rock, yesterday at the age of 74 years. About three months ago. Mrs. Norcott sang at a performance given by the Old Players and Playgoers' Association, but, becoming ill soon after, she had been confined to her bed up to her death. Deceased was born at Croydon. England, and arrived in Australia when she was in her early twenties. She mar-ried the late Mr. Amos C. H. Norcott, a former secretary of Melbourne Football Club, and house manager at Hoyts Bourke-street picture theatre for a number of years. The interment will take place at the Boroondara cemetery tomorrow at 11 a.m. The funeral will leave the residence of Mrs. Noel, Mlddleton-street. Black Rock.

 

CHILDREN

Adela Ida Mary Norcott was born 20 November 1889. She marrried Guy Wriothesley Baptist Noel, of Black Rock on 20 Nov 1914.

From the Punch newspaper, Thurs 5 Nov 1914, p29. Approaching Marriages: "The marriage of Mr. Guy Wriothesley Baptist Noel, of Auburn, and the grandson of the late Judge Noel, and Miss Adela Ida M. Norcott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A. C. H. Norcott (Miss Ida Osborne), of Jolimont, is arranged to take place at Christ Church, Hawthorn, at 3 o'clock on 20th November.". On the 3rd Dec 1914, the Punch newspper also had this notice: Mrs. Guy W. B. Noel (Miss Ida Norcott) will be "at home" on the 9th and 10th December, at her new home, "Elbra." Thomas-street, Black Rock.

From the Punch newspaper, Thurs 10 Dec 1914, p39. MR. G. W. B. NOEL TO MISS A. I. M. NORCOTT. The wedding of Mr. Guy Wriothesley Baptist Noel, elder son of Mr. Anthony Noel, of "Bendemeer." Auburn, and Miss Adela Ida Mary Norcott, only child of Mr. and Mrs. Amos C. H. Norcott (Miss Ida Osborne), of Jolimont, was celebrated on 20th November at Christ Church, Hawthorn, by the Rev. E. Rodda, an old fiend. Appropriate music was rendered by a friend of the bride, Miss Eleanor Pilkington. The bride, who was given away by her father, wore ivory crepe de chine draped over white satin. The bodice and tunic were of fine lace, whilst a crepe de chine hat was simply wreathed with flowers. The bridesmaid was Miss Eleanor Noel (sister of the bridegroom), who wore a line white voile, with lace flounces. Her white straw hat was set with tiny bunches of flowers. The bridegroom's present, to the bride was an enamel wristlet watch, and to the bridesmaid a monogram ring. The bride's gift to the bridegroom was a signet ring. Mr. John Snowball was best man. The wedding was a quiet one. only relatives and a few friends being entertained at a wedding breakfast held at the house of Mr. and Mrs. H. Carroll, "Bella Vista." Camberwell. The bride's mother wore a silk coat and skirt in deep autumn red tones, with vest and Medici collar of lace; black hat, clustered with black feathers. The bridegroom's mother wore a mauve coatee and skirt of fine-faced cloth, with a smart black hat. After the ceremony Mr. and Mrs. G. W. B. Noel motored to Black Rock, where they will reside at "Elba." Thomas-street, Black Rock. The travelling dress was a black silk poplin coat and skirt, opening over a black ninon blouse : small tagel hat, swathed in pale blue, and set with white feathers.

from the Weekly Times newspaper, Sat 28 Nov 1914 p12: WEDDINGS NOEL - NORCOTT At Christ Church, Hawthorn, on November 20, the marriage was quietly celebrated of Miss Adela Ida Mary Norcott, only daughter of Mr and Mrs Amos C. H. Norcott (Miss Ida Osborne) or Jolimont, With Mr Guy W. P. Noel, son of Mr Anthony Noel of Kildare street, Auburn. Rev. Edwin Rodda officiated. The bride who was given away by her father, was frocked in ivory satin with a panel of lace in front, draped with ivory crepe de chine. In place of a wreath and veil she wore a hat of crepe de chine, wreathed with white roses and leaves. Miss Nellie Noel, her solo bridesmaid, wore a frock of white voile. The bridegroom's gift to her was a little finger gold signet ring. Mr J. Snowball, son of the late Dr Snowball, was best man. After the marriage service, wedding tea was served to a small party of relatives at the residence of Mrs H. Carroll, Grand- view Grove, Auburn.