Susan Mary Crompton
Susan Mary Crompton (née Clark) (1846–1932), known as Mary was a diarist and social welfare reformer. She was born in the United Kingdom but moved to Australia aged 4. She was best known for her involvement in the 'boarding out system' for destitute children and joined the committee of the State Children's Council in 1906. In World War I she was made a justice of the peace, one of the first women in South Australia chosen for this office.[1]
UK to Australia
Crompton's parents Francis Clark (1799-1853) and his wife Caroline (1800–77) emigrated to South Australia on the Fatima with their children Caroline Emily Clark (1825–1911), Algernon Sidney (1826–1908), John Howard (1830–78), Henry Septimus (1837–64), Ellen Rosa (1838–99), Matthew Symonds (1839–1920) and Susan Mary (1846–1932) arriving at Port Adelaide on 11 June 1850. Francis Clark was a silversmith of Birmingham, and his wife Caroline, was a sister of Rowland Hill.
Honeymoon voyage to Europe
She married
On their return to Australia, the couple settled in Adelaide and had 7 sons and 5 daughters.[1]
Involvement in the Australian welfare system
Crompton's sister Caroline Emily Clark known as Emily Clark was an active social reformer well known for championing the cause of children in institutions and founding the "boarding-out system" for settling orphan children with foster families in Adelaide. She began working for Emily and later joined the committee of the State Children's Council in 1906. During World War I she was made a justice of the peace, one of the first women in South Australia chosen for this office.[1]
Crompton died at
Clark family archives
Documents connected to Crompton, and the rest of the Clark family are held in the State Library of South Australia.[4]
References
- ^ a b c d Susan Mary Crompton, Global Stories Website https://globalstories.ssgreatbritain.org/_/traveller/15907
- ^ Susan Mary Crompton,'Journal of a Honeymoon Voyage in S.S. Great Britain' ed. James Crompton 1992
- ^ Voyage 28 Return, Global Stories Website https://globalstories.ssgreatbritain.org/_/voyage/60/
- ^ Clark Family, State Library of South Australia Website https://archival.collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/prg/PRG389_Clarkfamily_serieslist.pdf