Finding Clues in Unusual Places

On 27 April 1901, Louisa Williamson was interviewed about the health benefits of Clements Tonic. This interview became one of the many testimonials the company producing Clements Tonic used to market its product. Louisa signed a Statutory Declaration attesting that the Tonic had cured her of illness and that she received no payment for her testimonial.

1903 'Advertising', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 23 May, p. 14. , viewed 12 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197223637

The interview helped to furnish the following details about Louisa’s life:

She was living at 62 Harmsworth Street, Collingwood. which on investigation is the same address where her youngest living daughter, Phoebe Brooks, was residing with her husband Henry.[i] Before April 1901, she had been feeling poorly and had gone to Bulli in New South Wales for respite. Bulli is also where her eldest daughter, Rachael Croft, lived with her second husband.[ii] On the return journey home, she experienced a severe bout of illness which continued after she returned home to St Kilda. It seemed nothing could be done until someone recommended that she take Clements Tonic after which she began to feel better. As she got better, she moved to live with her daughter Phoebe where the interview took place.

In essence, the interview reveals the following details:

•          On 27 April 1901, she was residing at 62 Harmsworth street, Collingwood
•      She had lived in St Kilda for many years before moving to Collingwood
•         While living in St Kilda she went on a trip to Bulli, New South Wales
•          It was not until after her trip to Bulli that she moved from St Kilda to Collingwood

Louisa died (an old pensioner of 72 years of age) on 6 September 1901, three months after the interview, of an umbilical hernia, uncontrollable vomiting and exhaustion.[iii]

Although not published before her death, the Testimonial continued being published until February 1904. 

Useful links for background

WikiTree profile for Louisa (Walker) Williamson (1828 - 1901)

See below for links to original copies of the published Testimonial.

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Copies of the Testimonial can be found in the following newspapers:

1901 'Advertising', South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic. : 1877 - 1920; 1926 - 1927), 7 August, p. 4. (WEEKLY.), viewed 11 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70047585

1901 'Advertising', South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic. : 1877 - 1920; 1926 - 1927), 6 November, p. 4. (WEEKLY.), viewed 11 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70047918

1902 'Advertising', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 1 March, p. 13. , viewed 11 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197258709

1902 'Advertising', South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic. : 1877 - 1920; 1926 - 1927), 7 May, p. 4. (WEEKLY.), viewed 11 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70048612

1902 'Advertising', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 21 June, p. 14. , viewed 11 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article199399115

1902 'Advertising', South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic. : 1877 - 1920; 1926 - 1927), 6 August, p. 4. (WEEKLY.), viewed 11 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70048957

1902 'Advertising', South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic. : 1877 - 1920; 1926 - 1927), 5 November, p. 4. (WEEKLY.), viewed 11 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70049247

1902 'Advertising', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 11 October, p. 13. , viewed 11 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article187621752

1903 'Advertising', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 31 January, p. 17. , viewed 11 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197897754

1903 'Advertising', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 23 May, p. 14. , viewed 11 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197223637

1903 'Advertising', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 12 September, p. 17. , viewed 11 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article189343355

1904 'Advertising', The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 13 February, p. 17. , viewed 11 Oct 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197229004

Additional Sources:

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[i] Melbourne Directory (Sands) 1900, page 232, entry for Henry Brooks residing at 62 Harmsworth st, Collingwood, page 232

[ii] '''Birth Registration of Hiram Croft (grandson)''': "New South Wales Births, Deaths and Marriages"Birth Registration Number: 38358/1894; District: Woonona; [https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/lifelink/familyhistory/search/births Births search page] (accessed 11 October 2024) citing Hiram Croft birth registered 1894 in New South Wales, Australia, son of George & Rachel.

[iii] Registry of Birth, Death and Marriages, Victoria, Australia, Death Certificate Louisa Williamson, (Year 1901, Reference #9613)