Family background
Alfred Skinner was born c1836 at Tunbridge Wells, Kent, England, the son of James Skinner, a bricklayer, and Sarah Monckton. He married Jane Fowler (1837-1917) in 1856 at Tonbridge, Kent, England, and they had 3 sons and 4 daughters all born in NSW.
Skinner and his wife immigrated to Australia on board the ship Fitzjames and arrived at Sydney on 1 April 1857. They lived at Pitt Street, Redfern. Skinner died at Sydney on 20 November 1901, aged 66 years, and was buried in the Presbyterian Section of Rookwood Cemetery.
Occupation & interests
Alfred Skinner worked as a bricklayer from at least the age of 15 in England and also after settling in Sydney from 1857. He was a Freemason and a member of Royal Oak Lodge of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows. He also was a member of Cambrian Lodge Of Freemasons.
Community activity
Alfred Skinner was a prominent member of the Builders and Contractor’s Association of NSW. He took a keen interesting promotion of benefit and friendly societies, which he considered conducive to the welfare of his fellowmen, and founded at Redfern the Royal Oak Lodge of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows. He also exhibited an interest in Masonic Affairs.
Local government service
Alfred Skinner was an alderman on Alexandria Council 1872-76. Skinner was also an alderman on Redfern Council, representing Belmore Ward, in 1886-88.
References
‘Borough Council Elections’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 14 February 1872, p. 5, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/13252484
England Census, 1841, Class: HO107; Piece: 1117; Book: 7; Civil Parish: Frant; County: Sussex; Enumeration District: 21; Folio: 38; Page: 8; Line: 3; GSU roll: 464163
State Archives and Records Authority of NSW, Persons on Bounty Ships to Sydney, Newcastle, and Moreton Bay (Board’s Immigrant Lists); Series: 5317; Reel: 2475
‘Advertising’, Daily Telegraph, 4 February 1886, p.8, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/237236107