A number of women related to the Brown family who had a close association to Brislington at the time of their marriage were affectionately called the “Brislington Brides”.
Their marriages reinforced the central role Brislington played in the social life of Parramatta for successive generations by uniting famous families with the history of Brislington and Parramatta.
The first of the Brislington Brides was Miss Sigismunda Brown who married Dr. Walter Brown in 1858, marking the beginning of the history of the Brown family and Brislington. Sigismunda, who was an excellent horsewoman travelled on horseback with Walter for 150 miles from Colstoun Upper Paterson where they had married, to Brislington Parramatta to begin their married lives together. Together she and Walter had nine children. Sigismunda, the daughter of John Brown and Charlotte Dowling, was born 9 March 1837 in Denmark and is buried at St John’s Cemetery Parramatta. A stained glass window in the Church of St John, Parramatta reads: "Blessed are the pure in heart" in memory of Sigismunda of "Brislington".
The second of the Brislington Brides was Mrs Mildred Lloyd, the eldest daughter of Dr. Walter Brown, who married Charles J. Lloyd in 1886.
The Cumberland Mercury reported:
“A fashionable marriage was consummated in St. John's Church on Thursday afternoon, when the nuptials of Mr. Charles J. Lloyd, C.P.S. at Tamut, and Miss Mildred Brown; eldest daughter of Dr. Brown, of Brislington, Parramatta, were celebrated. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Canon Gunther, assisted by the Rev. G.JF. Macacarthur, in the presence of a large assemblage of relatives, friends, and sightseers. Some exquisitely made, and sweet-smelling bouquets decked many of the pews of the edifice, and lent a pretty effect. The service was prefaced by 'The Angel's Chorus' played by Mr. A. Massey, organist of St. John's, the service proper being commenced by the singing of a wedding hymn. The service began at 3.30, Dr. and Mrs. Brown and members of their family being assembled in the chancel, and Mr. T. L. Docker, manager of the Commercial Bank at Granville, acting as best man. The bride was plainly attired in a dress of brown satin, trimmed with the new golden brown; a bonnet to match having trimmings of the same material. There were two petite bridesmaids, Misses Lula and Lila Brown, youngest sisters of the bride, and they were prettily dressed in cream, trimmed with old gold, having in their hands tiny baskets filled with radiant flowers. The choir sang the chant proper to the occasion, and the service being completed Mr. Massey pealed out the strains of the joyous 'Wedding March' as the happy couple proceeded down the aisle, amidst the smiles and congratulations of a host of friends. The wedding breakfast took place at Dr. Brown's residence, the grounds of which were gaily decorated with bunting. Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd left by train the same evening on their honeymoon tour.”
Mildred and Charles had three children: John E.F. Lloyd manager of the Parramatta Branch of the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney in the 1940s; Walter B. Lloyd and Enid Lloyd.
Miss Edith Brown, the third daughter of Dr. Walter Brown, became the third Brislington bride when she married Mr. Harrington Burrough Cowper at St. John’s Church on the Wednesday 10 June 1891. There were seven bridesmaids and the ceremony was performed by the Dean of Sydney, grandfather of the bridegroom. The church was decorated with a horseshoe of white camellias and blush roses were suspended from the arch where the ceremony took place. The bride was given away by her father. After the wedding service the guests were entertained at Brislington. Edith and Harrington had six children together. Two of their children Arthur Macquarie and William saw active service in World War One.
On the 10 February 1917 Margaret Macarthur Brown, the daughter of Walter Sigismund Brown and Margaret Isabella Brown married Keith Brougham Docker at St John’s Church. The marriage was a very quiet one as Margaret’s mother had just died a few weeks’ earlier on the 21 January 1917. It was the dying wish of her mother that the wedding proceed as planned. The bride was given away by her father. Margaret and Keith had three daughters: Ruth Brougham Docker, June Margaret and Patricia Macarthur.
On the 20 December 1919 The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate reported on Miss Ruth Macarthur Brown of Brislington, the second daughter of Dr. Sigismund Brown, marrying Mr Frederick Wharton of North Queensland, who had just recently returned from 4 1/2 years’ active service. They were married on a Wednesday evening on the 17 December at St John’s Church:
“The bride, who was given away by her father, wore a beautiful bridal gown of ivory satin, the court train and draping held in place with sprays of orange blossom…Four bridesmaids were in attendance, Miss Isabel Brown (bride’s sister), Miss Millicent Wharton (bridegroom’s sister), Miss Grace Sheppard (bride’s cousin), and Miss Vera Sacklier…After the ceremony a reception was held at Brislington. Mrs Keith Docker (bride’s sister), as hostess received the guests. The reception rooms were beautifully arranged with choicest flowers, in shades of pink, and the electric lights with rose colored shades. The wedding supper was served in a large marquee on the croquet lawn, where Leabeater’s orchestra played all the evening. The supper tables were decorated with mauve and pink flowers…The usual toasts were honoured, speeches being made by the Rev. S.M. Johnstone, who proposed the health of the bride and bridegroom; followed by speeches from the bridegroom, Mr J.D. Ritchie, who proposed the toasts of the 'Bride and Bridegroom’s Parents', to which Dr. Brown and Mr. Wharton replied. A display of beautiful wedding presents was made in one of the reception rooms.”
The last of the Brislington Brides was Miss Lylie Margaret MacArthur Brown, daughter of Mr and Mrs Keith Macarthur Brown and great-grand-daughter of Dr. Walter Brown and Sigismunda Brown, who married Mr Bruce Wauch at St John’s Church Parramatta on the April 9 1947. The Cumberland Argus reported that Lylie’s hand-made veil was made of point lace and her wedding gown was made of exquisitely woven Limerick lace, which was lent by her cousin whose great-great aunt wore it at her wedding 100 years earlier.
The reception with 180 guests was held at Brislington.
Together Lylie and Bruce had one daughter named Susan, who unfortunately died in her childhood.
Caroline Finlay, Regional Studies Facilitator, Parramatta Heritage Centre, City of Parramatta, 2021
References
She was the last of the “Brislington” Brides. (1947, April 23). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article105734468
Brown, K. M. (1937). Medical practice in old Parramatta: an historical review of village doctoring in the colony of New South Wales. Sydney: A. & R.
Ancestry.com. (2010). Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.
Ancestry.com. (2010). Australia, Death Index, 1787-1985 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.
Local and General. (1886, May 29). The Cumberland Mercury, p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article248794983
Obituary. (1949, July 13). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, p. 5. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article111527259
Sydney Social Items and Gossip. (1891, June 20). Illustrated Sydney News, p. 4. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63612737
Weddings. (1891, July 11). The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser, p. 72. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article162178008
Personal Pars. (1917, February 17). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, p. 6. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86092628
Social Doings in the Week. (1919, December 20). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, p. 8. Retrieved from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86113533