Passing of the Pioneers

November sees more interesting obituaries from the “Portland Guardian“.  The “Horsham Times” is now available at Trove, so I have included obituaries from that paper.

Read about a long time manager of “Burswood”, the Henty homestead, a man who grew new teeth at 80 and two women who lived in the same houses for over 60 years.

Benjamin EDRICH – Died November 18, 1887, Portland.  The “Portland Guardian” reported at the time of Benjamin EDRICH’s death that another resident “had been removed by the hand of the Grim Destroyer”.  Benjamin had been in the hotel business for many years.

George BUSH – Died November 18, 1909, Portland.  George BUSH arrived in Portland in 1853 in his early twenties.  A seaman, George was instrumental in rescuing  passengers from the wreck of the “Jane” at Bridgewater some years later.

Peter GOLDSMITH – Died November 23, 1909, Portland.  Peter GOLDSMITH arrived in Portland in 1853 aboard the “Cornelius” captained by Thomas H. CLARKE. Clarke’s son Thomas Denton CLARKE was mentioned in the October Passing of the Pioneers.  Four months after his arrival Peter GOLDSMITH married Miss BLAY and they had nine children.  He was 85 at the time of his death.

Michael TOBIN – Died November 13, 1916, Murtoa.  The “Horsham Times” reported the death of Michael Tobin, a Justice of the Peace and former Councillor with the Dunmunkle Shire.  Michael arrived at Geelong in 1853, with his parents from Kilkenny, Ireland.  He worked with his father who ran a carrying business to the diggings.  Michael later lived in the Warrnambool area where he married Mary CLUNE.  In 1872, Michael was one of the first settlers in the Wimmera.

Obituary. (1916, November 21). The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 – 1954), p. 4. Retrieved November 24, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article72983888

George JARRATT – Died November 1919, Portland.  George JARRATT arrived in 1848 to Portland and married soon after.  He and his wife, a daughter of Thomas KEAN, had 12 children.

Rose Genevive McCRYSTAL – Died November 8, 1920, Caulfield.  Rose McCRYSTAL, was the daughter of well-known Portland resident Pat McCrystal.  She married W. PEARSON, and moved to Hamilton.  After her husband was killed in a buggy accident, she moved back to Portland where she married Antonio RIZZO in 1891.  They later returned to Hamilton.

William POLAND – Died November 20, 1922, Portland.  William POLAND arrived in Portland in 1856.  He met Edward HENTY and acquired the position of manager of “Burswood”, the Henty’s original homestead.  William held the position for 25 years.

“HOME, SWEET HOME.”. (1934, November 15). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 – 1953), p. 1 Edition: EVENING.. Retrieved November 24, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64287315

Mrs ROW – Died November 3, 1923, Portland. I enlarged this obituary to make sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me.

OBITUARY. (1923, November 8). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 – 1953), p. 2 Edition: EVENING.. Retrieved November 24, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64103714

Mrs Row was 94 when she died in 1923, however the obituary reads she arrived in Portland in 1836 as a married woman!  I think this may have been a typo.

Mrs Isabella ROBB – Died November 8, 1927, Portland.  Mrs ROBB managed to pass Mrs ROW (above) for the longest time in one house.  She lived in the same house for 65 years.  Originally from Scotland, Isabella arrived in Portland aboard the “Indian Ocean” in 1854 with her husband William.  She was 96 when she died and left seven children, 23 grandchildren, 29 great-great grandchildren and one great-great-great grandchild.  She was buried at the North Portland Cemetery.

Sarah MILLARD  – Died November 10, 1927, Paschendale.  Sarah MILLARD was the daughter of William MILLARD of Narrawong.  She married William Henry ANNETT in 1870 and they 10 children, eight sons and two daughters.  William or Henry as he was known was also known as the “Father of Wallacedale”.  He died only weeks earlier than Sarah on September 29.  Unfortunately I missed his obituary for the September Passing of the Pioneers, as it appeared in an October issue, but it will definitely appear in September 2012.  Henry’s obituary is one of the best I have read, and what a life he led, especially before he married Sarah.  If you can wait until next year, this is the link:  Obituary of William Henry Annett.  I also spent too much time trying to find a link between Sarah MILLARD and William MILLARD, the winner of the first Stawell Gift.  He may have been Sarah’s brother, but there were a lot of Millards.  Research for another time.

Mrs Agnes CHEQUER – Died November 10, 1942, Horsham.  Agnes CHEQUER arrived in Brisbane with her new husband Ralph in 1886 aboard the “Roma“, having married in their home country of Scotland before departing.  Over the years they spent time in Melbourne, Portland and Quantong.  At Quantong, the CHEQUERS cleared the land and planted orchards and for thirty years Agnes helped Ralph with the orchard work.  One memorable events in the CHEQUERS was in 1911 when they travelled to England for the coronation of King George V.

James COLES – Died November 18, 1944, Stawell.  James COLES was born in the mid 1850s close to the Melbourne GPO.  After time in Avoca, James moved to Stawell as a teenager, later to marry Louisa GILHAM.  He remained in Stawell until his death at 91, aside from a short stint at nearby Fyans Creek.

Thomas THOMPSON – Died November 17, 1945, Portland.  Thomas THOMPSON from Ireland, began his time in Australia in Western Australia as a miner.  Unsuccessful he headed to Victoria and the Portland district.

OBITUARY. (1945, November 19). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 – 1953), p. 3 Edition: EVENING. Retrieved November 25, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64406000

Annie KERR – Died November 1947, Portland.  Annie KERR was the daughter of early Portland residents, her father a doctor.  Interesting that he had not practiced before his arrival in Portland!  Annie went on to marry John NEWTON.

J.L.R.BAKER – Died November 27, 1950, Hamilton.  J.L.R.BAKER appears to have been a single gentleman who enjoyed tennis and summer trips to Portland.  The obituary reported he was known throughout the Commonwealth for his calligraphy skill.

Carl Frederick Wilhelm PULS – Died November 12, 1953, Lower Norton.  Carl PULS had many claims to fame, but one was his ability to grow new teeth at the age of 80.  Carl was a respected pioneer of the Horsham district and was sadly found dead by his car after a trip to gather wood.

John BERRY – Died November 12, 1953, Horsham.  John BERRY’S death came on the same day as Carl ULS (above).  The BERRY family were pioneers in the Blackheath district, north of Horsham.  They later moved to Horsham and John attended the Horsham State School.  John married Ethel KNIPE of Ballarat and worked at Horsham car dealer Wilson Bolton for over 40 years.  He held one of the first driving licenses in Victoria, but had driven previous to that, in a time when a licences was not required…scary.  I noted that John had a brother James from Hamilton.  This may have been the same James BERRY of James Berry & Sons Jewellers , a long established business in Hamilton when I was growing up there in the 1970s and 80s.

The Horsham Times Goes Digital

(1891, January 6). The Horsham Times (Vic. : 1882 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved November 23, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page7084926

It’s great to see issues of  The Horsham Times going online at Trove.  I was very happy when I immediately found articles about family members.  While I did have some family in Horsham, I have found a lot of articles about the Cavendish area which I am hoping will help with the Hadden and Mortimer families.

When fully released, issues available will cover the period 1882-1954.  This will be a great resource for researching the Western District.  There is more to look forward to.  New titles for the 2011-2012 financial year will include:

Ararat Advertiser (1914-1918)   NOW AVAILABLE

Casterton News and the Merino and Sandford Record (1914-1918)  NOW AVAILABLE

Colac Herald (1914-1918) NOW AVAILABLE

Mildura Cultivator (1888-1920) NOW AVAILABLE

Warrnambool Standard (1914-1918) NOW AVAILABLE

If you haven’t visited Trove lately, these are the titles from Western Victoria already available:

The Ballarat Star (1865)

Camperdown Chronicle (1877-1954)

The Kerang Times (1889-1890)

Kerang Times & Swan Hill Gazette (1877-1889)

Portland Guardian (1876-1953)

Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser (1842-1876)

The Star (Ballarat) 1855-1864

Happy reading!

In the News – November 16, 1922

The Portland Guardian of November 16, 1922, reported much excitement surrounding the town’s birthday celebrations beginning that day, including “Back to Portland” celebrations.  Former residents had started to return and reacquaint themselves with old friends.

Portland's Gala Week. (1922, November 16). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), p. 2 Edition: EVENING.. Retrieved November 15, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64027013

One article “Coming Home” , is reminder of how useful newspapers are in assisting our research.  Included is a list of all those who had indicated they would be attending the reunion.

Each name includes the present town of residence, some with an address.  The following are just a few of the names:

(1922, November 16). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), p. 4 Edition: EVENING.. Retrieved November 14, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-page6065696

Other well-known names included Henty, Holmes, Kittson, Malseed and Silvester.

Advertising. (1922, November 16). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), p. 2 Edition: EVENING.. Retrieved November 14, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64027014

Advertising. (1922, November 16). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), p. 3 Edition: EVENING.. Retrieved November 15, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64027000

Off to the Melbourne Cup!

Melbourne Cup day is one of my favourite days of the year.  As a horse lover and a racing fan, it’s not the fashion and the glamour that draws me but rather the elusiveness and history of the prize.  To win the Melbourne Cup is the aim of anyone who has raced horses.  Just to have a runner in the final field of 24 is a dream of many.  With most winners comes  a story. Some are told for decades to come, such as Archer, Phar Lap and more recently Media Puzzle.  This also adds to the romance.

This year marks the 150th running of the Cup, the race that stops a nation.  But when did it become such an event?  When Phar Lap gave some certainty to depression weary Australians in the 1930s?  When television was able to beam the Cup into lounge rooms around the country?  Or in the past 15 years or so, with the need to display opulence moving it from a day of silly hats as in the 1970s and 80s, to high-class fashion, marquees and celebrities?   None of these.  The Cup’s standing today is just as it has been from the beginning in 1861.

Reading The Argus or The Portland Guardian from the time of the early Cups reveals even then it was a highlight of the racing year.  Racing was well established by the time the Cup began, with many towns having a race track.  Steeple-chasing was a popular pursuit, particularly in the Western District, at tracks such as Coleraine and Hamilton.  Racing as a pastime probably had a greater following then than it does today.  Remember that the crowds that flock to the races this week are not indicative of attendances on regular race days.

The Brisbane Courier reported the first Cup had created interest not seen before in the colonies.

THE MELBOURNE CUP. (1861, November 12). The Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1861 - 1864), p. 2. Retrieved October 31, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4602126

By 1862, the Sydney Morning Herald was declaring it a red-letter day on the racing calendar.   And there it has remained.

MELBOURNE TURF CLUB RACES. (Abridged from the Herald.) FIRST DAY—THURSDAY, 13TH NOVEMBER. (1862, November 20). The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), p. 8. Retrieved October 31, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article13237409

The Melbourne Cup was popular among the fine ladies and gentleman of the Western District.  Many, some with their own racing connections, would make the trip to partake in the carnival.  There have also been Western District owners, trainers, jockeys and horses involved in the running over the years, such as the Chirnsides and 1941 Cup winner Skipton.

Melbourne businesses knew of the interest and advertised in the Portland Guardian to lure some of the Western District money as this advertisement from 1877 shows:

Advertising. (1877, November 12). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), p. 3 Edition: EVENINGS.. Retrieved November 1, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63339903

I hope readers of the Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser saw the following article or there would have been some disappointed racegoers when they realised they were hour late for the steamer to Melbourne.

TABLE TALK. (1875, November 2). Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser (Vic. : 1842 - 1876), p. 2 Edition: EVENINGS.. Retrieved November 1, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64748366

The steamer was also a point of concern in 1879.

The Melbourne Cup. (1876, October 24). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), p. 3 Edition: EVENINGS.. Retrieved November 1, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63336697

In the same year, the Portland Guardian ran an article declaring the 1879 Cup a huge success with 90,000 patrons and comparisons with the great races of the world.

In 1910, advertisements ran in the Portland Guardian luring Western District racegoers to the Cup:

Advertising. (1910, October 26). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), p. 2 Edition: EVENING. Retrieved November 1, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63978762

In 1915, the Glenelg Shire president cabled Gallipoli with news of the winner minutes after the race.

First Issue, August 20, 1842. (1915, November 10). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), p. 2 Edition: EVENING. Retrieved November 1, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63975310

It was an article “Off to the Melbourne Cup” in the Portland Guardian on October 28, 1887 which sums up the grasp the Melbourne Cup holds on the people of Australia.  It could easily have today’s date on it.

Off to the Melbourne Cup!. (1887, October 28). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), p. 3 Edition: EVENING. Retrieved November 1, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65410876

In the same article, patrons were reassured all their needs would be met at the course and they could rest easy in the knowledge the chicken was safe to eat!

Off to the Melbourne Cup!. (1887, October 28). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953), p. 3 Edition: EVENING. Retrieved November 1, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65410876

Passing of the Pioneers

This is the fourth “Passing of the Pioneers” and includes a chess champion who lived in Merino and plenty of Irish influence.  They highlight some of the pioneers of Victoria’s Western District by way of their obituaries as published in The Portland Guardian.  If you would like to read the full obituary, just click on the pioneer’s name.

Mrs J. HAY  – Died October 4, 1888, Portland.  This obituary demonstrates the tone of many at the time.

OBITUARY. (1888, October 5). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 – 1953), p. 2 Edition: EVENING.. Retrieved October 26, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63590480

George BEVAN – Died October 17, 1888, Portland.  George owned and died at the London Hotel in Portland.  His family notice shows he was born in Somerset, England and was 59 at the time of death.  George had been in Portland since the early 1860s and was a keen sportsman and former Town Councillor.

Mrs Mary EGAN – Died October 1912, Greenwald.  Mary Egan was 86 at the time of her death and had lived in Victoria for 60 years.  She originally went to Tasmania from Ireland with her parents as a small child.  Mary married Francis Egan who had passed away 30 years earlier.

W. S. P. LEWIS – Died October 4, 1915, Hamilton.  William Sudgen Price Lewis was the step son of Richard Lewis, a former owner of “Rifle Downs” at Digby.  Born in Tasmania in 1835, William and his brother came to live with Richard Lewis when Richard and their mother married in 1841.  In adult life, William leased “Hilgay” station for a time, bred fine livestock and was a member of several racing clubs.  He later retired to Hamilton.

John H. ROW- Died October 27, 1926, Portland.  Mr Row was a Portland jeweller.

Advertising. (1879, March 27). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 – 1953), p. 2 Edition: MORNINGS.. Retrieved October 27, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63341984

John McDONNELL – Died October 17, 1930, Moree.  Mr McDonnell was originally from Ireland and arrived in Australia in 1863 via Liverpool.  He was considered one of the oldest people in the district.  He married Catherine FAHEY and they selected land at Moree in 1865.

Catherine Bridget SAMPEY – Died October, 1933, Melbourne.  Catherine Sampey arrived in Melbourne, from Ireland aboard the “Red Jacket” in 1852.    She travelled on to Chetwynd with her brother James Sampey and she later married Patrick WHITE of Casterton.

Mrs Elizabeth GLOVER – Died October 12, 1933, Casterton.  Elizabeth Glover was 100 when she died.  Arriving from Ireland aboard the “Frances Henty” at age 21, 79 years before, she was still able to converse in Welsh and Gaelic in her later years.

Mrs J. T. SUTTON – Died October, 1934, Portland.  Born in Tipperary, Ireland but remembered as “a true type of  a fine old English lady”, Mrs Sutton arrived in Australia as a six year old in the mid 1850s.  She married Frances Sutton in 1874 and together they had six daughters and two sons.

Ernest John SEALEY – Died October 25, 1935, Casterton.  In his younger years Ernest Sealey worked as a bullock driver transporting wool.  In later worked on Portland’s deep-water pier, hauling logs from the forests to the pier.

Charles PRATT – Died October 26, 1935, Birchip.

Obituary. (1935, November 4). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 – 1953), p. 2 Edition: EVENING.. Retrieved October 27, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64290777

And so begins the obituary of Charles Pratt.  Charles or Charley has he was widely known, was born at Mumbannar in 1870.  In 1891, he went to Beulah in the Mallee and worked with his step brother and later selected his own land near Watchupga.  He married Annie LAVERY in 1914 and they had three sons.

Thomas Denton CLARKE – Died October 5, 1937, Hamilton.  Thomas, born around 1847 at Liverpool,  was the son on Captain Thomas H. Clarke who was a trader in Portland.  Thomas jnr was a champion chess player and a composer of chess problems.  He won many competitions for both pursuits.  Composing problems up until his death, it was considered probable, according to the obituary, that he was the world’s oldest composer.

Mr James McCLUSKEY – Died October, 1942, Koroit.  James McCluskey was born at Portland in 1857, not long after the arrival of his parents on the ship, “British Empire“.  Soon after, the family travelled by bullock wagon to Kirkstall near Warrnambool.  In his early working life, he drove pigs to Port Fairy in order to load them on the steamer “Casino” to go to market in Melbourne.

Mary PRATT- Died October 7, 1942, Greenwald.  Mary, the widow of George COWLAND, was 87 at the time or her death.  There were 12 children in their family.  Her obituary recalled her pioneering traits.

OBITUARY. (1942, October 26). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 – 1953), p. 2 Edition: EVENING. Retrieved October 27, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article64382483

The Day the Queen Visited Hamilton

Just as Melbourne today prepares for the arrival of Queen Elizabeth 2 and the Duke of Edinburgh, on February 26, 1954, Hamilton was itself buzzing with excitement for a much anticipated visit by the royal couple. Mt Gambier and Hamilton were the only towns in the region chosen for a visit by the new Queen, despite much lobbying by nearby towns.  The inter-town rivalry preceding the visit was immense.  Headlines in the Portland Guardian at the time included “Number One Priority for Royal Visit Should Have Been Portland’s” and “No Royal Visit an Insult to Portland”

On the big day, The Argus, printed a map of the best place to catch a glimpse of the Queen and the Duke.

Where to see the Queen Today FIRST COUNTRY VISIT. (1954, February 26). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), p. 7. Retrieved October 26, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26593160

Queen Elizabeth and the Duke were met at the Hamilton airport by the Shire of Dundas President, Cr. H.R.A. Bull and his wife and around 1000 eager locals.  The plane had been scheduled to arrive at 3.55pm. The royal party then moved on to Hamilton’s Melville Oval, where around  13,000 school children had been assembled, some since 8.00am.

HAMILTON'S FAMILY WELCOME. (1954, February 27). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), p. 15. Retrieved October 26, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26593294

Along with the school children were several thousand others, many travelling long distances for the celebrations.  The Canberra Times reported there were 50,000 people present.

HAMILTON'S FAMILY WELCOME. (1954, February 27). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), p. 15. Retrieved October 26, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26593294

Hamilton rocked in Royal salute. (1954, February 27). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), p. 7. Retrieved October 26, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26593444

Hamilton rocked in Royal salute. (1954, February 27). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), p. 7. Retrieved October 26, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article26593444

After being met by the Mayor Cr. R.S White and Town Clerk H.F. Donald and their wives, the royal couple drove around Melville Oval before returning to the airport for a flight to Melbourne.

This would have to have been one of the biggest days in Hamilton’s history.  In my own life time, I cannot recall a similar turnout for an event of any kind.

Passing of the Pioneers

The Portland Guardian obituaries from August recognized several residents with very early links to the Portland district. It is well worth reading their obituaries in full.

Robert HEAZLEWOOD  Died August 3, 1892, Portland.  Robert was one of Portland’s oldest residents at the time of his death.  He had been in Portland for around 40 years arriving from Tasmania where he had resided since age 16.  Robert ran a farrier business and was considered the best of his trade in the town.

Thomas KEAN  Died August 8, 1892, Portland.  Thomas arrived in Melbourne in 1843 and went to Portland in 1845 to take charge of the Customs boat.  He did leave for a time when he caught “yellow fever” and joined the hunt for gold.  Unsuccessful, he returned to Portland to resume his position on the Customs boat. and was also a Councillor on a few occasions.

Mr F. SAUNDERS  Died August 11, 1914, Narrawong.  At 88 years old, Mr Saunders had been in Australia for 83 years.

Francis ROBERTS  Died August 5, 1920, Orford.  Francis was born in Tasmania and came to Victoria as a nine year old.  He spent time at the Firey Creek diggings and selected land at Broadwater where he farmed for the most part of his life.

Mrs E.A MALSEED  Died August 11, 1920, Myamyn.  Mrs Malseed epitomized the pioneering women of the south-west.  She arrived in Portland from Ireland with her brothers, later marrying James Malseed.  She and her husband, along with a small group of pioneering families, forged a life on unsettled land around Cape Bridgewater.  She was remembered as widely read and extremely charitable.  She was 85 when she died.

John Read HEDDITCH  Died August 12, 1927, Cape Bridgewater.  The Portland Guardian reported that John was a descendant of the Hedditch family who arrived in Adelaide in 1837 aboard “The Eden” .  Also John was apparently the first white child be born at the Henty brothers’ Bridgewater run.  He was born in 1847.

William Henry MILLS  Died August, 1931, Trafalgar.  William’s obituary is an interesting one, not only for its insight into early Australian history, but it demonstrates the need to check the “facts” presented.  William was born in Port Fairy in 1848 and remained there before moving to Gippsland in the late 1870s.  His father was credited as being one of the early discoverers of the south-west of Victoria, arriving in 1825, two years before the Hentys.  The obituary reports that William’s grandfather was the secretary to “Captain Blyth (sic) the then Governor of Victoria”.  Of course, the obituary writer was talking of Captain William Bligh, whose official title was Governor of New South Wales.  Captain Bligh did have a 19 year old secretary by the name of  Peter Mills .

Arthur Harold SUTTON   Died August 1935, Portland.  This is a most glowing obituary and includes a description of the funeral service.  Arthur was only 53 at the time of his death, which shocked Portland.  His parents were Strathdownie pioneers, where Harold was born.  He served in WW1, ran a successful wool export business and served on the Portland Council.  Over 500 mourners were at his funeral, with over 100 cars (remember this is 1935) following the cortege.  This is an extensive obit which includes details of his children.

Michael J MINOGUE  Died August 1935, Portland.  Michael was the youngest son of Mr and Mrs Simon Minogue early pioneers of Portland.  A natural horseman, he at one time trained thoroughbreds.

Frederick William BILSTON  Died August, 1935, Sandford.  Frederick was the son of Thomas and Annie Bilston who arrived in Victoria in 1836. Another son, George Yarra Bilston was reportedly  the first white child born in Melbourne.  A sister born in 1840, was claimed as the first white child born on the Glenelg river.  Frederick was born in Heywood in 1849 while his parents were running the Heywood hotel.  He trained horses in his early life with the likes of Adam Lindsay Gordon.  He then became a bootmaker and then a carrier.  An expert blade shearer, Frederick would ride to N.S.W to work sheds.  His obituary includes stories of the 1851 bushfires,  bushranger Frank Gardiner and high-jumping.

Passing of the Pioneers

The Portland Guardian was mindful of the contribution made by the early pioneers toward developing the south-west.  They offered regular items titled “Passing of the Pioneers” or “Passing Pioneers” and often mentioned in obituaries that “…one by one are old pioneers are passing”.  As early as 1889, they were lamenting the loss of the links to the early settlers and suggesting that the efforts of those who passed be recognised.

The Portland Guardian,. (1889, January 16). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876-1953), p. 2 Edition: EVENING. Retrieved July 18, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63591640

Established August 1842. The Portland Guardian,. (1899, July 7). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876-1953), p. 2 Edition: EVENING. Retrieved July 19, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63676630 MLA citation

In 1921, the paper spoke of the many unwritten histories that had gone before, but  now we can see The Portland Guardian lived up to its charter of 1889,  successfully recording the histories of many of the local pioneers.  By doing so they are now helping us learn more of our families and gain a sense of life in the early days of the Western District.  Of course, The Guardian was not alone.  References to the “passing pioneers” are found in most of the papers on the Trove website.

Obituaries are a secondary source with the information coming from the knowledge of those still living and I have noticed errors in obituaries of my family.  But they can offer  leads to look in places you may never of thought of  such as Masonic lodge records and local council records. What ever you do or don’t get out of an obituary, no-one can deny they are often a good read.

July was a month when many “Passing of the Pioneers” columns appeared.  Cold winters in the south-west saw many of the older residents “cross the Great Divide” as the Guardian would put it.

Some of the more notable passing pioneers in the month of July were:

James PARKER:  Died  July 6, 1889, Heywood.  James PARKER’S obituary is an interesting read.  Born in Tasmania, he came to the mainland as a whaler.  Later he had some luck at the Creswick goldfields only to have an encounter with bushranger Captain Moonlight.

William TULLOH: Died July 19, 1889, Portland.  This is a lengthy obituary of a Portland resident of nearly 50 years, whose death saw half closed shutters on homes around the town.  Born in Scotland in 1812, he left a wife, four sons and a daughter at the time of his passing.  I have  found a site with more detail of William and his wife Eliza Mary KEARTON.

James BARNETT: Died July 18, 1892, Portland.  James was known as “Old Barney” around Portland and while the Guardian credit him as a pioneer, they make judgement in saying that he did not make the most of his opportunities as other early settlers had done.

Alex THOMSON:  Died July 1897, Hamilton.  Scottish born Alex THOMSON was prominent around the Hamilton area as a Shire of Dundas Councillor for 21 years.  At the time of his death he was the owner of Pierrepoint Estate near Hamilton and was also an active member of the Pastoral and Agricultural society.

Mr Thomas Webb SMITH:  Died July 29, 1914, Branxholme.  Thomas served on the Borough of Portland council and was mayor from November 1871-November 1873.  He was also a member of the Goodfellows and Freemasons.

Annie Maria HENTY:  Died July 2, 1921, Hamilton.  Annie was from the most famous south-west pioneering family of them all, the Henty’s.  The daughter of Stephen HENTY, Annie married Hamilton stock and station agent Robert STAPLYTON BREE in 1874.  The Bree name is preserved in Hamilton with a much used road of the same name in the town.

Ann Eliza KEEPING:  Died July 9, 1921, Portland.  Annie Eliza KEEPING arrived in Australia aboard the “Eliza” and married John FINNIGAN in 1857.  She was 82 at the time of her death.

Joseph Bell PEARSON:  Died July 7, 1922, Portland. Yet another interesting character.  According to his obituary, Joseph was born on the voyage from England to Tasmania.  His family moved to the Retreat estate near Casterton in 1844.  He was a noted horseman, with several good racehorses which he would ride himself.  One of his jumps racing rivals was Adam Lindsay Gordon.

Mrs Sarah BEAUGLEHOLE:  Died July 7, 1923, Gorae West. Sarah was the wife of the late Richard BEAUGHLEHOLE and she died at 73.  Richard selected land at Gorae West and transformed swampland into flourishing orchards.  Sarah and Richard had 12 children.

Mary HEDDITCH: Died July 1, 1930, Drik Drik.   Mary HEDDITCH was born in Portland in 1844 and moved with her family to Bridgewater in 1846.  Her elder brother drowned when she was a teenager leaving her to take on some of his duties.  As a result she became an accomplished horsewoman, helping her father with the cattle.  She married James MALSEED and together they had seven children.

Mrs Phillipa DELLAR:  July, 1931, Portland.  Mrs DELLAR, the daughter of a doctor,  was herself something of a substitute doctor for those living in the Willenbrina area, near Warracknabeal.  Later she and her husband William DELLAR moved to the Portland district.  They had nine children.

In the News – July 1, 1891

As Victoria’s banks closed on July 1, 1891 to celebrate 40 years of Separation, some were questioning the relevance of the holiday.

The Portland Guardian reported there was some indifference among business owners at to whether they closed or not.  Some shops did decide to open their doors.  The writer proposed this may have been some indication of how each trader  felt about Separation day.

The Portland Guardian, (ESTABLISHED 1842.) With which is incorporated The Portland Mirror. (1891, July 1). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876-1953), p. 2 Edition: EVENING. Retrieved July 1, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65386464

On the same day two years earlier, the Guardian had again raised the worth of the Separation Day holiday.  This time, a character of Charles Dickens, Melvin Twemlow is used to make the writer’s point.

The Portland Guardian,. (1889, July 1). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876-1953), p. 2 Edition: EVENING. Retrieved July 1, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article63623718

Forward to 1894 and there was barely a mention of Separation day, but it did not go by without comment

Established August, 1842. The Portland Guardian, With which is incorporated The Portland Mirror. (1894, July 2). Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876-1953), p. 2 Edition: EVENING. Retrieved July 1, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65407317

In the News – June 4, 1860

The Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser had a regular feature know as “Table Talk” presenting local news.  The June 4, 1860 edition demonstrates some of the rivalry which already existed between towns in the Western District.

Table Talk. (1860, June 4). Portland Guardian and Normanby General Advertiser (Vic. : 1842-1876), p. 2 Edition: EVENINGS.. Retrieved June 3, 2011, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article65443736

The writer is bemused that the Ararat newspaper, presumably the Ararat Advertiser, could compare Ararat with the three coastal towns, Belfast, Warrnambool and Portland.  Also at the time, money was being spent on the road from Ararat to Warrnambool.  The writer made it clear that while the Government described the road as the Ararat to Portland district road, Portland was in no way benefiting from the money which was being spent on the road.

Land sales were also making news.  The Government was releasing land in the Merino, Tahara and Digby raising concern that by the time the Land Sales Bill went through there would be little decent land to buy.  Further on in the paper several advertisements spruik the land opportunities including this one for acreage at Tahara

A  “superior class” of female immigrants were to making their way to Portland in the following week, the paper reports.  The women had arrived in Melbourne aboard the “Atalanta” and were considered to be “of timely benefit to this town”.

The mail was late in Mount Gambier on June 2, arriving at 2.40pm.  The correspondent surmises that something must have happened to the mailman because when he did arrive, his head was bandaged.