Jane Ann Dallas
28 August 1859 – 1 September 1933
Daughter of Robert Dallas and Robina Alan McKenzie
Sister of Marey Dallas, Margaret Isabella Dallas, James Dallas, Robert Dallas, Christina Dallas, Joseph Dallas, Jessie Robina Dallas, Ada Marey Dallas
Wife of Horace James Rockwell
Mother of Horace Bruce Rockwell, Gladys Robina Jean Rockwell, Winifred Jessie Dallas Rockwell, Alexander Gordon Roy Rockwell, Joseph Rockwell, William Percival Rockwell, Female Rockwell, Dorothy Eliza Annie Rose Rockwell
Jane Ann Dallas was born in the District of Horton, Tasmania, Australia on Sunday, 28 August 1859 to Robert Dallas and Robina Alan McKenzie. She was referred to as Jean throughout her life.
Jean’s birth also appears in copies of the Dallas Family Bible.
On Wednesday, 29 December 1886, Jean married Horace James Rockwell in the home of her father, Robert Dallas, at Rocky Cape, Tasmania, Australia.
We have pictures of the Dallas Family Home at Rocky Cape, Tasmania, Australia. It was also home to the Detention River Post Office. The date of the photographs are possibly from 1895 but we are yet to verify the address, date or people. The Reserve Bank of Australia also has a 1913 picture of the property in their archives. In approximately 1975 another photograph was taken of the same property. The caption on the back reads “Old Dallas House. Mrs Robert Dallas and granddaughter Rachael.” More research is needed to identify these two women. Again, no address was given.
According to the 1902 Tasmania Post Office Directory, Jean was living in Detention River. However, there is no mention of her husband, Horace, or any children.
In 1908, Jean wrote a Letter to the Editor of the Circular Head Chronicle regarding a church organ. It was also submitted by her two brothers James and Robert.
On 15 January 1915, Jean sent a telegram to her daughter, Gladys Robina Jean Rockwell, on graduating as a nurse.
In 1916, Jean wrote a message in the autograph book of her daughter Gladys Robina Jean Rockwell’s mother-in-law, Annie Freia Smith.
Jean and her husband and children about 1916. Son, William Percival Rockwell, absent (serving in WWI)
Horace Bruce Rockwell (son), Gladys Robina Jean Rockwell (daughter), Horace James Rockwell (husband), Winifred Jessie Dallas Rockwell (daughter), Jean Ann Dallas, Joseph Rockwell (son), Alexander Gordon Roy Rockwell (son)
Standing: Jean Ann Dallas, Alexander Gordon Roy Rockwell (son), Gladys Robina Jean Rockwell (daughter), Winifred Jessie Dallas Rockwell (daughter)
Sitting: Joseph Rockwell (son), Horace James Rockwell (husband), Gladys’s children (Jean’s grandchildren): Joan Freia McKechnie, Winifred Betty McKechnie, Charles Bruce McKechnie
Butcher’s Rocks, Burnett Heads, Queensland, Australia about 1926
According to Australian electoral rolls, in 1919, 1921, 1925 and 1928 Jean and her children Alexander Gordon Roy and Winifred Jessie Dallas were living in Burnett Heads. Her husband, Horace, was living at their nearby farm ‘Hatherleigh’ in Kalkie, Queensland, Australia. He was working as a farmer with his son, Joseph, who was a dairyman.
According to electoral rolls, in 1922 and 1926 Jean was living in Burnett Heads in Bundaberg with her husband, Horace, and children Joseph and Winifred. Her occupation was listed as home duties. In 1930 she was living in the same place with Horace and Winifred however Joseph was not listed but another of her sons, Alexander Gordon Roy Rockwell, was also living with her. In all electoral rolls her middle name is given as Annie.
Jean died on Friday, 1 September 1933 in Bundaberg General Hospital, Queensland, Australia. Her obituary appeared in the Circular Head Chronicle on 6 September 1933. Her death is also recorded in the Dallas Family Bible under J A Rockwell.
Jean was buried at Bundaberg General Cemetery, Queensland, Australia, on Friday, 2 September 1933. Her burial information is as follows:
Record Id: 6346
Location: Gen-B9C
Grave No: P1223
She is currently buried with her husband, Horace James Rockwell, and daughter, Winifred Jessie Dallas Rockwell.
Sources:
Obituary, Circular Head Chronicle (Stanley, Tas. : 1906 - 1954), Wednesday 6 September 1933, page 2
Letter to the Editor, Circular Head Chronicle (Stanley, Tas. : 1906 - 1954), Wednesday 11 November 1908, page 2
Tasmanian Archives, https://stors.tas.gov.au/PH30-1-7319 Description: Photograph - Dallas Homestead, Rocky Cape, Item Number: PH30/1/7319
Tasmanian Archives, https://stors.tas.gov.au/PH30-1-1842 Description: Photograph – Dallas family – Detention Post Office, Item Number:PH30/1/1842, Start Date: 01 Jan 1895
Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980, Queensland, Division of Wide Bay, Subdivision of Musgrave, 1919, page 39
Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980, Queensland, Division of Capricornia, Subdivision of Bundaberg, 1921 page 36, 1922 page 86 & 98, 1925 page 94, 1926 page 96, 1928 page 97, 1930 page 103.
Australia, City Directories, 1845-1948, Tasmania, Tasmania PO Directory (Wise) 1902 page 448, 1905 page 462.
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:StateLibQld_1_391625_Bundaberg_General_Hospital,_1937.jpg
Marriages, Tasmanian (Launceston, Tas. 1881 - 1895), Saturday 8 January 1887, page 28
Reserve Bank of Australia. Premises - Commonwealth Bank of Australia - Post Office Agencies - Detention River Tasmania - late 1913, Expanded Number PN-014081, Date, 1913, Type, Photograph, Digital Object Identifier, https://doi.org/10.47688/RBA_Archives_PN-014081
