Edwin Hooper Dix
Edwin Hooper Dix
Date of Birth 2 November 1830
Place of Residence Launceston Tasmania Australia
Spouses Name 1. Anastasia Wise; 2. Sarah Courtier; 3. Catherine Mance
Childrens Names 1. James Edwin, Nicholas, Edwin; 2. Louisa Jane, Charles Edwin & 5 others

Edwin Hooper Dix was born in Wells, Somerset, England, to James Dix and Temperence Hooper. Edwin was convicted on 22 Oct 1849 for stealing two pieces of mahogany and was transported to Van Diemen's Land for seven years. He arrived in Launceston on the Oriental Queen on 19 Feb 1853 as Edwin Hooper, alias Dix. While still a convict he married Anastasia Wise on 10 Jul 1854 at St Joseph's Catholic Church in Launceston. He was pardoned on 8 Nov 1854 as transportation had ceased by this time. Anastasia died of consumption on 9 Jul 1860 aged 29.

His second marriage was to Sarah Courtier (or Courtice) at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Launceston, on 8 Nov 1860. She was a housemaid from Middlesex who arrived in Launceston with her younger sister Rosanna as free settlers in 1856. Sarah died of apoplexy on 18 April 1897 aged 66. Edwin's first two marriages produced 10 children of whom only the eldest, James, survived.

Edwin's third marriage was to Catherine Mance on 18 Sep 1897. He was 68, she was 53. During his years in Launceston Edwin had been a groom, a storeman, a caretaker, a city and municipal valuator, an assistant collector, a summoning officer and a messenger to the Corporation of Launceston. For many years he lived at the Town Hall in Cameron Street. Edwin was a Brother of St John's Masonic Lodge and a Brother of Court Sherwood No 4845. Edwin died on 19 Oct 1900 aged 71 years. Catherine died 11 months later on 12 Sep 1901 aged 59. In his obituary Mr Dix was described as a burly but genial man who will be much missed.

Jenee McCusker Nov 2005 & Sylvia & Matthew Dix May 2008