Daughters of a Convict - Sarah Simonson (1864-1923), Isabella Grant (1867-1928) and Hannah Monash (1869-1931)

Sisters Sarah Simonson (1864-1923), Isabella Grant (1867-1928) and Hannah Monash (1869-1931) are buried at the Brighton General  Cemetery. They are the daughters of Moton Moss and Rebecca Alexander. I wrote about the sisters for the Brighton Cemetorians newsletter, The Cemetorian, and this is an extended version of that article. I came across this family as I have an interest in place names and World War One soldiers and wrote about the streets in St Kilda named after Crimean War battles and soldiers - streets such as Alma, Inkerman, Balaclava and Malakoff. And because I like the sound of the word Malakoff I wrote about the Great War soldiers who had enlisted from Malakoff Street in both St Kilda and Caulfield. I discovered that Sarah Simonson lived for a time at 17 Malakoff Street in Caulfield, had two sons who enlisted and that they were the nephews of General Sir John Monash; and then discovered that Isabella Grant lived with Sarah at 17 Malakoff Street and that her husband also served in the War. You can read this post here. 

We will start this story with the father of Sarah, Isabella and Hannah, Moton Moss - and who in various sources is sometimes called Martin and sometimes Morton.

In 1824, Moton Moss was sentenced to seven years transportation to Van Diemen’s Land for stealing two bags of seeds valued at eight shillings. He arrived on the Medway in December 1825. He served his time, returned to England, was charged with theft again and was transported again, on the Lotus, to Hobart arriving in May 1833. He received his certificate of freedom in 1839. (1)

Moton's obituary in The Herald, in June 1879 notes he was a well-known and old established colonist, with whose doings nearly everyone is familiar and that he was born in London on June 7, 1800. It makes no reference to his convict past, but that he arrived in Melbourne from Tasmania in 1852 opening a small drapery warehouse at the corner of Bourke and Elizabeth streets ... During the days of the diggings he carried on business with varied success, and afterwards left that place and went to Sydney, where, after remaining for a short time he returned  to the colony, and opened business as a merchant in 1861, which he carried on up to the time of his death. He dealt largely in mining shares, and was also interested in most of the Banking and Insurance Companies in Melbourne ... His presence at the various auction rooms in town was always a source of pleasantry to those engaged there, his humor and good nature never deserting him up to the last ... He is one of the largest city property holders here, and leaves a considerable amount of money to his widow and children, by whom his death was much regretted, although not altogether unexpected, he having reached the ripe age of 79 years. (2)

Dr Sue Silberberg in her book A Networked Community, notes that by the early 1860s Moton had acquired around 50 parcels of land in Carlton, East Melbourne, Fitzroy and South Melbourne. (3)  When he died in 1879 Moton still had substantial land holdings mainly vacant blocks in country towns - Wallan and Epping were two of them - as well as various urban properties such as the Wexford Arms Hotel in Lonsdale Street, the White Hotel in Nunawading, the Rose and Crown Hotel in Flemington Road, and shops and houses. (4)

Moton was married to Rebecca Abrahams, who had been born in London to Isaac and Susan (nee Levy) Alexander.  Rebecca had previously married Isaac Abrahams in Sydney in about 1846, when she was 17 years old. They had three sons - Isaac, Morris and Jacob. Her husband died when the boys were little, and she was still only 23 when she married Moton. (5)

Moton and Rebecca had four children. Their son David, was on September 28, 1857 at 119 Elizabeth Street and he died in Sydney in September 7, 1906. (6)  Their three daughters were - Sarah Maria, born on January 31, 1864 at 124 Collins Street; Isabella Deborah, born in April 1867 at 3 Alfred Place, Victoria Street, Carlton and Hannah Victoria on September 30, 1869, also at 3 Alfred Place. (7)

Hannah is the best known as she was the wife of General Sir John Monash, who needs no introduction. They had married at the Freemasons Hall in Collins Street on April 8, 1891 in a service, conducted by Rabbi Solomon M. Solomon. Hannah was 21 and John was 25. They had one daughter Bertha on January 22, 1893. Hannah died on February 27, 1920 at her home Iona, in Toorak. Her service was conducted by Rabbi Dr Joseph Abrahams. (8)  Rabbi Abrahams had recently retired as the senior minister of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and only two weeks before the funeral had addressed a large crowd at the Prahran Town Hall at a function held by the Jewish Community to welcome General Monash on his return from active service abroad. (9). Hannah is buried in a double grave at Brighton Cemetery,  with her husband, who died in October 8, 1931. (10)

Hannah Victoria Monash

Image: Monash University Archives

The middle sister, Isabella, married James Peter Grant, a Quantity Surveyor on July 13, 1901, when she was 34 and he was 27. They were married by the Registrar of Marriages, Edward Shattock, at his office in Ascot Vale. (11) The marriage was not successful and they separated some years later and there were no children. When James enlisted in the A.I.F at the age of 41 in April 1916, he was living in New South Wales and he listed his sister, Miss Mary Theresa Grant f Malvern, as his next of kin. James was wounded in action whilst fighting in France - a gunshot wound to the right leg, which led to amputation – and died as a result two days later on April 7, 1918.  After his death the issue arose as to who should receive his medals. There are a series of letters in his file at the National Archives of Australia from both women supporting their claim and finally in July 1921 the decision was made that his widow, Isabella, should receive the medals. I have written more about James Grant's war service in my Malakoff Street soldiers post, here. (12)

In the 1910s Isabella lived at various addresses in Prahran or St Kilda; but in the 1920s she was living at Belle Vista in Parliament Place, East Melbourne. This was an up-market boarding house, located in the Tasma Terrace buildings. Isabella died March 24, 1928, aged 60.  She was buried the next day at Brighton Cemetery and her funeral service was conducted by Rabbi Solomon M. Solomon,  of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, who had conducted the marriage service of her sister, Hannah, and the funeral service of her brother-in-law, Max Simonson (more of whom later) (13) 

Rabbi Solomon died in March 1941 and The Argus had this short obituary-

Rev. Solomon Mark Solomon, who died yesterday at Hamilton Russell House, Alfred Hospital, aged 83 years, was chaplain-colonel of the Australian Militia Forces. His life was marked by many varied activities and for nearly half a century was secretary and assistant minister to the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. He was also secretary of the Melbourne Jewish Friendly Society. The Boy Scout movement claimed much of his time, and for his services was presented with the gold award. For many years he was treasurer and trustee of Mintern Boys' Home, Frankston. He was a Freemason and a member of the Australia Natives Association. He leaves a widow, four daughters and three sons. (14)

Moton Moss died on June 12, 1879 and his wife Rebecca on July 24, 1882 at the age of 53, they are buried at the Melbourne General Cemetery. At the time of Rebecca's death the three daughters were still under the age of 21 and Rebecca’s will listed Abraham Loel and Dr Walter Balls Headley as  Executors of her Will and Trustees of her Estate. (15)  

Who were these men who were entrusted to look after 18-year old Sarah, 15-year old Isabella and 12-year old Hannah? 

Abraham Loel was a clothier of Bourke Street.  He was in partnership with Jacob Abraham Cantor and in 1877 they undertook renovations to their building as reported in The Herald -

As the city progresses and people regard the smaller and less ornamental buildings in the principal streets as eye-sores, it is interesting to note the improvements which are taking place, from time to time, in our street architecture. The latest improvement of this sort has been effected at the establishment of Messrs Cantor and Loel, clothiers and outfitters, in Bourke street, opposite the General Post Office. The firm have erected an additional storey to their establishment, which now comprises three, and ornamented the front of the building with a great "Crystal Palace" window, which is very attractive, Messrs. Cantor and Loel's establishment, which is now one of the finest in Bourke street, comprises, in its altered condition, a shop on the ground floor, well lighted, 100ft by 50ft, a room overhead of similar dimensions used as a show-room, and for cutting and fitting on garments; and a third storey, containing a room 40 feet square, used as a workshop. (16)  

The partnership, which also operated under the names of the Crystal Palace Clothing Company and the Beehive Clothing Company, split up in May 1888. Abraham Loel was a Freemason (as was Jacob Cantor) and at one time the Worshipful Master of the Lodge of Australia Felix No. 474. (17)  Mr Loel died in December 1910 and the Jewish Herald reported - Mr. Abraham Loel, an old colonist, and at one time prominently connected with the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation, died on Monday last at the age of seventy-four years. Formerly well-to-do, misfortune over took him, and his declining days were passed in reduced circumstances, cheered however, by the sympathy of his co-religionists, by whom his kindly character was appreciated. (18) 

The other executor was Dr Walter Headley Balls. Dr Balls Headley trained as doctor in England, after his arrival in Australia worked in Queensland and then Melbourne where he was at the Womens' Hospital from 1878 until 1900. He was also a lecturer in obstetric medicine and diseases of women and children at the University of Melbourne and was considered to be the leading gynaecologist in Melbourne. (19) In 1905, Dr Balls Headley was elected as Grand Master of the Free and Accepted Masons of Victoria. He died in Canada in 1918. (20) 

It would be interesting to know why they were both selected to be the guardians of the three Moss sisters and executors of Rebecca's estate. I presume that Moton and Abraham Loel were connected through business. Loel and Balls Headley were both Freemasons, so there is that connection between them.  I have found no evidence that Moton Moss was a Freemason, even though his daughter Hannah was married at the Freemasons Hall, and John Monash was not a Freemason. (21)

One of the first duties of the Executors in October 1882 was to sell by auction Rebecca’s Most magnificent and unique assemblage of rare and valuable diamonds ever witnessed at one time in the history of the Colony – the advertisement itemises some of the individual pieces including flawless diamonds of eight to twelve carats and stones that had formed part of the diadems of Rajahs. (22) This collection along with Moton’s property portfolio certainly indicates that he made the most of his opportunities after his start in the country as a convict.  

Part of the advertisement for the sale of Rebecca Moss' Diamond collection

The Argus, October 18, 1882 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11556290

Another duty of Mr Loel and Dr Balls Headley was to give permission for Moton and Rebecca’s daughter, Sarah, to marry. She was 19 at the time and they are both listed on her marriage certificate as her guardians. Sarah married 32-year old, Max Michaelis Gabriel Simonson, on January 9, 1884 at the family home, Elsinore in Robe Street, St Kilda. The service was conducted by Rabbi Elias Blaubaum, of the St Kilda Hebrew Congregation. (23) Incidentally,  two days after the wedding, the valuable household furniture and effects of Elsinore sold at a public auction. (24).  I wonder where Isabella and Hannah lived then; perhaps with Sarah and Max.

 

Part of the Marriage Certificate of Sarah Moss and Max Simonson

Click on image to enlarge

Sarah's husband, Maximilian Simonson (but nearly always referred to as Max),  was a merchant and importer and he had been born in Christburg, West Prussia. He arrived in Victoria in June 1878, from London. He was naturalized in March 1894, when he was 42 years old. (25)

Part of Max Simonson's Naturalization file

National Archives of Australia

  https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1792995

Click on image to enlarge

Max and Sarah had six children all born in Brighton - 

Vera Amelie, born November 22, 1884 at Park Street, Middle Brighton; Karl Jacob born September 19, 1886 at Middle Brighton;  Leopold John  on July 2, 1888 at Karlvera, Church Street, Middle Brighton; Doris Belle on January 9, 1892 at Karlvera;  Eric Loudon, on January 23, 1894 at Kalvera and Paul William  on November 9, 1895 at Karlvera. There is more detail about their lives in  footnote (26)

Miss Vera Simonson, Sarah and Max's daughter, on her wedding day to Stephen Prowse, 

on August 6, 1913.

Punch, October 9, 1913 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article176550218

Eric and Paul both served in World War One and both also served as Aide de Camp (ADC) to their uncle, General Monash. I have written more about their military service in my Malakoff Street soldiers post, here.

Max Simonson died on September 30, 1920 at St Helen’s Licenced House, Woods Street, Preston. This was a hospital for mental cases, as reported in one newspaper. His Inquest noted that he had been admitted to St Helens in December 1915, and that he died of heart disease and disease of the brain and that he was 69 years old. His burial service was conducted by, as we know,  Rabbi Solomon M. Solomon.  Sarah Simonson died on September 4, 1923 at her home at 60 Coppin Street, East Malvern. Her funeral held two days later was conducted by Rabbi Israel Brodie of the Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. She is buried in a double grave at the Brighton Cemetery with her husband Max. (27)

This, then, is the story of the Moss sisters, who are a perfect examples of how having a father who was a transported convict was no barrier to marrying a respectable husband and making a successful life for themselves and their children. Moton is an example of how many convicts thrived in Australia after they had done their time. Having said that, transportation didn't always work out well for everyone.  George Moss, the brother of Moton, was also transported to Van Diemen's Land, in 1831. He along with seven others stole a boat from Port Arthur and managed to sail it all the way to Twofold Bay, near Eden, in New South Wales, where they were captured. George was sent to Norfolk Island after this and was shot and killed when he and others tried to steal another boat. (28)


Footnotes
(1) These are the names: Jewish lives in Australia, 1788-1850 by John S. Levi (Miegunyah Press, 2013), pp 622-623.

(2) The Herald, June 12, 1879, see here.

(3) Networked Community: Jewish Melbourne in the Nineteenth Century by Sue Silberberg (Melbourne University Press, 2020), p. 147.  It was footnote 46, on page 173 of Dr Silberberg's book which alerted me to Moton's entry in These are the names as Moton is called Martin/Morton in the book.

(4) Moton's Will and Probate papers at the Public Records Office of Victoria.

(5) Death certificate of Rebecca Moss.

(6) David - Birth notice - The Age, September 29, 1857, see here; Death notice - The Argus, September 10, 1906, see here.

(7) Birth notices - Sarah - The Argus, February 1, 1864, see here; Isabella - The Argus, April 20, 1867, see here ; Hannah - The Argus, October 1, 1869, see here.

(8) Hannah - Marriage certificate and Death Certificate; General Monash's entry in Australian Dictionary of Biography https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/monash-sir-john-7618 

(9) Jewish Herald, July 11, 1919, see here; Jewish Herald, February 20, 1920, see here - ;

(10) Brighton Cemetorians database https://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/ 

(11)  Isabella - Marriage certificate.

(12) James Peter Grant - (Service Number 2322) Service Record at the National Archives of Australia.

(13) Electoral Rolls on Ancestry.com; Tasma Terrace - https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/Womens-Melbourne-Walks-Part-2_B5_reducedsize.pdf Death Certificate of Isabella.

(14) The Argus, March 10, 1941, see here.

(15) The Herald, June 12, 1879, see here;  Death Certificate - Rebecca Moss; Rebecca's  Will and Probate papers at the Public Records Office of Victoria.

(16) The Herald, June 21, 1877, see here.

(17) The Argus, June 6, 1888, see here; Jewish Herald, December 12, 1884, see here.

(18) Jewish Herald, December 23, 1910, see here.

(19) Australian Dictionary of Biography entry - https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/ballsheadley-walter-2926

(20) Weekly Times, January 7, 1905, see here.

(21) Ancestry.com has two databases - United Grand Lodge of England Freemason Membership Registers, 1751-1921 and the Grand Lodge of Freemasons of Ireland Membership Registers, 1733-1923. All Australian Lodges were connected to these two Grand Lodges and their membership registers are on-line. 

(22) The Argus, October 18, 1882, see here.

(23) Sarah - Wedding Certificate

(24) The Argus, January 8, 1884, see here.

(25) Naturalisation  papers at the National Archives of Australia - https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ViewImage.aspx?B=1792995

(26) Vera - Birth notice - The Argus, November 24, 1884, see here; Vera married Stephen Robert Prowse on August 6, 1913 - there is a report of the wedding in Punch, August 21, 1913, see here. Vera died in Caulfield on August 16, 1952 and is buried at the Melbourne General Cemetery - The Argus, August 18, 1952, see here.

Karl - Birth Notice - The Argus, September 20, 1886, see here;  Karl married Alice Christina Redfern in 1918; he died in 1964 in Toorak and was cremated at Springvale Cemetery.

Leopold -  Birth notice - The Argus, July 9, 1888, see here; Leopold married Grace Alice Zwar at the Broadford Presbyterian Church  - report Broadford Courier, October 25, 1912, see here. Leopold died in New South Wales in 1960.

Doris - The Argus, January 16, 1892, see here; Doris died in Caulfield on June 20, 1945 and is buried at the Melbourne General Cemetery - The Argus, June 22, 1945, see here.

Eric - The Argus, February 3, 1894, see here;  Eric married Olive Marjorie Jenkins September 17, 1923 at Scots Church in Collins Street - wedding report The Herald, September 18, 1923, see here; they were divorced in 1931 - see Divorce file at Public Records Office of Victoria   https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/88719579-F371-11E9-AE98-0DE8EADA793B?image=1  Eric died on July 17, 1954  and was cremated at Springvale Cemetery.  Death notice - The Herald, July 19, 1954, see here 

Paul - couldn't find a  birth notice; his birth comes from the Scotch College website https://portal.scotch.vic.edu.au/ww1/honour/simonsonPW.htm  Paul married Beatrice Fleming Inglis in London at the Registry Office,  on March 15, 1919. He died on March 31, 1966 and was cremated at Springvale Cemetery.

(27) Death Certificates of  Max and Sarah; Preston Leader, September 2, 1918, see here; Max's Inquest at the Public Records Office of Victoria https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/0DC74D0E-F1C4-11E9-AE98-316C163776B2?image=1;  Brighton Cemetorians database https://www.brightoncemetorians.org.au/

(28) These are the names: Jewish lives in Australia, 1788-1850, op. cit., p. 620.

Sarah Fagan (c. 1790-1879)

Sarah Fagan, operated a hotel or a 'shanty' in Lyndhurst in the 1850s. Sarah had arrived in Victoria in 1853 and after her husband Alexander died in 1857 she opened her establishment in Lyndhurst (this part of Lyndhurst is now called Lynbrook). The building was located where the old ABC Lyndhurst Radio Station was, on the corner of the South Gippsland Highway and Hallam Road. Sarah had came to Victoria on the Earl of Charlemont, which sunk off Barwon Heads in June 1853. No lives were lost, however the passengers lost all their belongings. (1)  

Sarah Fagan (c. 1790-1879)

Image: The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire  by Niel Gunson (F.W Cheshire, 1968)

I first wrote about Mrs Fagan in 2018 and I was thrilled to receive an email from Dr Niel Gunson, the author of The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire on March 22, 2019 and he wrote this about Mrs Fagan, who was his great-grandmother -

I was delighted to see that you had contributed an article on Sarah Fagan to The Koo Wee Rup Blackfish (on line), also contained in the Casey-Cardinia blog, and am wondering if you got any feedback from descendants or local people. It is quite a few years since I investigated the Fagan family and at 88 with many other interests I doubt if I will be able to do much more. I have always avoided paying for genealogical research but in the case of the Fagans I admit to having paid for three reports from professional genealogists in Northern Ireland which provided general information but no family details. I finally gave up when I wrote to a hotel proprietor in Armagh where the Fagans had lived in an adjacent townland and asked him/her if they would put my letter on a notice board in their bar as all professional help had proved useless and it might be possible for a local patron to have knowledge of former families in the area. The lady proprietor thanked me for my letter and said she had forwarded it to the Ulster-Scot Historical Society!! Of course if I had known what I knew later I should have visited the areas where the Fagans lived when I visited Ireland in the 1950s.

I was intrigued and amused that you had promoted Sarah to hotel keeper as I always assumed she kept what was called a shanty and had no proper licence. I expect the Cobb & Co coaches changed horses there and travellers were able to get a snack (she was famous for her savoury delicacies) and the drivers and those in the know were given something strong to drink.

It was Margaret Clarke and her brother John who suggested that their parents should emigrate, and Sarah and the young ones came out before Alexander who remained behind to settle their affairs. I do not have a date for the arrival of the Clarkes in 1849 but you have provided a clue in regard to the birth of Mary Ann. I can tell you that Agnes (pet name Nancy) was born in County Down on 11 July 1839 (Nelson family bible) and I believe I have a correct birth date for Sarah Hall. I agree that the different dates are confusing. John Fagan never married and is buried in the same grave as Agnes and James Nelson at Lang Lang. I was told William Fagan did marry but they went to make their fortunes in Boulder City in WA and lost touch with their family in Victoria.

Dr Niel Gunson passed away on April 10, 2023 and he was always an inspiration to me. I had first learnt about Mrs Fagan from his book, The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire. This is what he has to say about the Fagan family in his book -
Another buyer [of land in the Cranbourne area] in 1852 was Colin Crillie Clarke of 'Beaulieu'(1807-1880) who had arrived in the late 'forties. A man of some education; he is said to have been either a remittance man or a school teacher. At 'Beaulieu' he experimented with viticulture and made his own wine. In later life, he was regarded as a somewhat eccentric recluse, and a story widely held, is that on his deathbed he was unable to tell his wife or family where his cache of sovereigns was hidden. Margaret Fagan, his wife, was a North of Ireland woman. Her father and brother, John, had arrived several years earlier and they sent for Mrs Fagan at Clonvaraghan to bring out the remaining members of the family. Mrs Fagan came out by the Earl of Charlemont which was wrecked off Point Henry [sic] in June 1853. All the passengers were saved and no personal property was retrieved. Alexander Fagan died at Lyndhurst in 1857; the sons farmed Algernon Lindsay's property. The widow occupied the block adjoining, known locally as Fagan's Hill (Lyndhurst Radio Station). Here she is said to have dispensed the 'water of life' to the coach drivers who stopped at her house. A colourful character she was known as Granny Fagan and William Greaves (d. 1935) remembered receiving 'many a tasty portion from her kindly hands' when on messaged for his mother. Both she and her other daughters, Mrs George Hall and Mrs Nelson shared a reputation for two things: generosity and kindness to the deserving stranger and fearlessness in rebuking injustice or cruelty. These good women were also marathon walkers, Mrs Hall walking from Narre Warren to Dandenong (at the age of 80) shortly before her death. Part of Clarke's 'Beaulieu' was leased to George Hall and James Henderson and later bought by the Facey family. Colin Clarke's daughter Jane was a talented artist and her paintings of Western Port and Gippsland scenes were at one time exhibited in Melbourne. (2)

Just a note on location names -  Dr Gunson wrote -  Alexander Fagan died at Lyndhurst in 1857; the sons farmed Algernon Lindsay's property.  As we will discover, Sarah Fagan died in 1879 at  Eumemmerring, where she was living with her son William. This is actually the same property, as the Cranbourne Shire Rate books show that John and William Fagan were still leasing the Lindsay property until the 1879/1880 rate year; and the property was in the part of the Eumemmerring Parish which is in the Shire of Cranbourne. The other part of the Eumemmering Parish is in the Shire of Berwick.

Entry for John and William Fagan in the Cranbourne Rate books, 1878/1879; 279 acres leased from Algernon Lindsay.

Click on image to enlarge.

Alexander Fagan died on March 8, 1857 aged 65. His death certificate lists his birth place as County Down in Ireland and his parents as John Fagan, a farmer, and Mary Gatt. The certificate also notes that Alexander had married Sarah in 1826 in County Down; and had lived in Victoria for two and half years at the time of his death (3). Sarah Fagan was born Sarah Jones in Northern Ireland. On her Death Certificate her father is listed as Evan Jones, a farmer, and her mother as Sarah (with no maiden name listed). (4)

Sarah died at the age of 89 on January 12, 1879 at Eumemmerring and her son, William, also of Eumemmerring was the informant. Her occupation was grazier. Alexander and Sarah are buried at the Dandenong Cemetery and in both cases the service was conducted by the Reverend Alexander Duff, the Presbyterian Minister. (5)  Their children, as listed on Sarah's death certificate were Mary Ann, aged 58; Margaret, 56; John 54; William, 52; Sarah 50 and Nancy (also known as Agnes) 48. According to the shipping records at the Public Records Office of Victoria Sarah was 58 when she arrived in 1853 on the ill fated Earl of Charlemont. If this age is correct then Sarah was born around 1795, even though her age at death makes her birth date 1790. Also on the ship were three of her children - William, aged 17; Sarah, aged 16 and Ann aged 12. (6) As you will see below there are a lot of discrepancies in the birth dates of the Fagan family, depending on what source you use.

Entry for Sarah Fagan and her children

Earl of Charlemont passenger list

Unassisted Passenger lists, Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 947/P0000, Jun - Jul 1853.

Click on image to enlarge.

We will have a look in detail at the children of Sarah and Alexander -
Mary Ann - born c. 1821, if the age as listed is correct on Sarah's death certificate. This is, however, five years before 1826, the date of Sarah and Alexander's marriage, as listed on his death certificate. I have no other details at the moment. I wonder if she came to Australia?

Margaret - born c. 1822, died on December 15, 1889 aged 67. Once again, Margaret's birth took place a few years before her parents stated 1826 wedding date, so this does throw doubt on the veracity of the 1826 date. Margaret was the wife of Colin Crillie Clarke (1807-1880) who as we saw before, had arrived in Victoria in the 'late forties'. We can actually narrow this date down to 1849 as their daughter, Mary Ann, was born 'at sea' in 1849. Mary Ann died in 1866 aged 16. They had one other daughter, Jane, who was born in 1868 at Cranbourne and died at the age of 25 in December 20, 1893. She was the 'talented artist' that Dr Gunson refers to in the excerpt, above. (7)

Death notice of Margaret Clarke (nee Fagan)

South Bourke and Mornington Journal December 18, 1889 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article70396871

Funeral notice of Margaret Clarke (nee Fagan)

The Age, December 17, 1889 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article197501225

John - born c. 1826, died in June 1, 1917 aged 90 at Bay View, Lang Lang.  John never married and he is buried, as noted by Dr Gunson, in the same grave as Agnes and James Nelson (sister and brother-in-law) at Lang Lang. (8)

Obituary of John Fagan

Lang Lang Guardian, June 6, 1917 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article119514446

William - born c. 1827 according to his mother's death certificate or 1836 according to the shipping record. William was living on the farm he and his brother rented in  Lyndhurst in 1879 as  his mother died at this property, but as noted by Dr Gunson in his email -  I was told William Fagan did marry but they went to make their fortunes in Boulder City in WA and lost touch with their family in Victoria. As the brothers are not listed in the rate books after 1880, it is possible William moved to Western Australia at this time.

Sarah - died  on June 11, 1915 aged 80, which means she was born c. 1835 or 1829 according to her mother's death certificate or 1837 according to the shipping record. Sarah was the one who used to walk from Narre Warren to Dandenong! Sarah married George Hall in 1855. They were the first name on the Cranbourne Presbyterian Church Marriage Register, as noted in  history of the church published in the Dandenong Journal in December, 1935. (9)

George Hall (died 1883, aged 48), and his son George, were pioneer bullock teamsters with teams of magnificent bullocks who made their own roads through the light timber county of the ranges, through to Scotty creek, now known as Emerald, and its vicinity. (10)  George and Sarah lived at Narre Warren North and their children were - Margaret (1856), George (c. 1858), Mary Ann (1863), Susan Emily (c. 1865), Annie (1869), Jane (c. 1870), William John (1871), Alexander (1873), and Herbert Henry (1876). (11). Jane married William Cadd of Clyde in 1887 and they lived on Patterson's Road. Sarah married, firstly, Thomas Williams, and when he died she operated the general store at Clyde. She married for the second time to Thomas Ridgway and they lived at Clyde. Thomas had been born at Clyde in 1860 to Anthony and Sophia (nee Cadd) Ridgway. (12)  

Obituary of Sarah Hall (nee Fagan)

South Bourke and Mornington Journal,  June 17, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article66187891

Agnes - died on June 17, 1914 aged 74, at Bay View, Lang Lang. As we saw, Dr Gunson said that Agnes was born in County Down on July 11, 1839.  Agnes married James Nelson (1831 - 1916) in 1855 when she was 16 years old. James was a blacksmith and his family had arrived in the Eumemmerring area in 1854; their property was where the General Motors-Holden factory was built in the 1950s (13).  In 1868 James, Agnes and their family moved to Bay View at Lang Lang. Dr Gunson writes that James Nelson  took to Lang Lang a modest library of theology and general works which he used to support his arguments with visiting clergymen. (14).  They had eleven children - Alexander (1856), Sarah (c.1858), James (1860), William (1862), John (1865), David (c. 1866), Elizabeth (1868), Mary (1871), Margaret (1875), Henry (1877) and Agnes (1879). (15) Sarah married Daniel Gunson (1847 - 1915) in 1882. He was a Methodist Minister whose parish went from Yannathan to the Powlett River (Wonthaggi) - it was fortunate for him that he was an experienced bushman (16).  Sarah and Daniel are the grandparents of Dr Gunson.  

The Bay View property is on the Cardinia Shire Heritage Scheme.(16)

Obituary of Agnes Nelson (nee Fagan)

Lang Lang Guardian June 24, 1914, p. 2

Trove list: 

I have created a short list of articles connected to the Fagan family on Trove, access the list here. 

Footnotes

(1) Report of ship wreck - The Argus, June 22, 1853, see here;  Bell of the ship in the Geelong Botanic Gardens -  The Age, April 28, 1934, see here; Centenary of the ship wreck The Age, November 14, 1953, see here. Information about the wreck of the Earl of Charlemont   https://environment.gov.au/shipwreck/public/wreck/wreck.do?key=6131 

(2) Gunson, Niel The Good Country: Cranbourne Shire (F.W Cheshire, 1968) pp, 57-58.

(3) Alexander Fagan - death certificate.

(4) Sarah Fagan - death certificate.

(5) Death Certificates of Alexander and Sarah. I have written about the Reverend Alexander Duff at the end of this post https://kooweerupswamphistory.blogspot.com/2021/12/cardinia-tree-plantation-in-honor-of.html

(6) Earl of Charlemont passenger list - Unassisted Passenger lists, Public Records Office of Victoria VPRS 947/P0000, Jun - Jul 1853

(7) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages; Margaret Clarke death and funeral notice -  South Bourke and Mornington Journal December 18, 1889, see here; The Age, December 17, 1889, see here. Jane Clarke death notice - The Australasian, December 30, 1893, see here.

(8) Lang Lang Guardian, June 6, 1917, see here.  

(9) South Bourke and Mornington Journal,  June 17, 1915, see here;  Dandenong Journal, December 19, 1935, see here;  

(10) Early days of Berwick and its surrounding districts - Beaconsfield, Upper Beaconsfield, Harkaway, Narre Warren and Narre Warren North, complied by Norman Beaumont, James Curran and R.H Hughes. It was first published in 1948. 3rd edition, p. 98.

(11) Early Settlers of the Casey Cardinia District researched and published by the Narre Warren & District Family History Group in 2010

(12)  Campbell, John A. Clyde history: Public Hall and Mechanics’ Institute Jubilee (Clyde Public Hall Committee, 1978)

(13) Uhl, Jean Call Back Yesterday: Eumemmerring Parish (Lowden Publishing, 1972), p. 91.

(14) Gunson, op. cit., p. 187.

(15) Indexes to the Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages

(16) Gunson, op. cit., p. 115

(17) https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/67353

This is an updated and longer version of a post, which I wrote and researched, which appears on my work blog, Casey Cardinia Links to our Past.

Brunswick Mechanics' Institute - the first sixty years

In September 1867, The Age reported that - 

 A special entertainment, in aid of the projected Brunswick Mechanics' Institute and Public Hall, took place in the Assembly Rooms recently erected adjoining the Retreat Hotel, on Thursday evening last. The programme comprised selections from Dickens, Hood, Lord Brougham and other popular authors, and a selection of duets, songs and quartettes; Miss Lowcock presided at the pianoforte, and the entire entertainment gave every satisfaction to the large assembly present. (1)

The next report I can find of this institution is in July 1868 when £300 was itemised in the Chief Secretary's Department budget for the  purchase of a piece of land for a Mechanics' Institute, Brunswick. (2)  The building is on the  corner of Sydney Road and Glenlyon Road, next to the Retreat Hotel and opposite the Brunswick Town Hall. There is another source which notes that the land for the building was actually donated by Theodotus John Sumner, the first President (more of whom later). (3) It may be the case that Sumner sold the land for a discounted rate, I have no other information  on this. 

Some sources note that the building dates from 1868; the plaque on the building lists the establishment date as 1868, even though there was obviously a committee in 1867 working towards the projected building; so the dates in these early years are a bit murky. However, it wasn't until 1869 that an Architect, Mr T.A. Kelly, was appointed. He advertised for tenders to erect the building in November 1869. (4)

Tenders called for the erection of the Brunswick Mechanics' Institute in 1869.

The Argus, November 3, 1869 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5823975 

A few weeks later, the foundation stone of the Brunswick Mechanics' Institute was laid on Monday, December 20, 1869 and the Weekly Times had this report -

The laying of the foundation-stone of the Brunswick Mechanics' Institute, by the hon. the Chief Secretary, on Monday, as anticipated, caused considerable excitement throughout the borough. The various friendly societies assembled near the Quarry hotel, and formed in procession, headed by the band of the Pentridge Rifle Corps, and marched to the grounds of the Mechanics' Institute near the Retreat inn. Here a large number of people, including a very fair attendance of the fair sex, had assembled to inaugurate the event. On the preliminary arrangements having been got through, the mayor of the borough (Mr. J. W. Fleming) came forward and presented the Chief Secretary with a silver trowel, bearing a suitable inscription, and to be used for the occasion. Mr. MacPherson then used every precaution in seeing that the stone was "well and truly laid," after which he addressed the assemblage, and said that he was highly gratified to be present on this occasion, especially as, when a boy and living in the district, what is now known as Brunswick, he had ridden over the ground where he had that day laid the foundation-stone of such an important institution; also, that whilst a resident of Brunswick he became a member of Parliament, and subsequently Chief Secretary of the colony of Victoria. Three cheers were then given for the Chief Secretary, the president of the institute, and the mayor of the borough, after which a fruit soiree was held at the Retreat-hall, which was fairly attended. The president of the institute, Mr. T. J. Sumner, occupied the chair. Several addresses were delivered, and the proceedings were agreeably interspersed with vocal and instrumental music. (5) 

Theodotus John Sumner

The Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers, June 17, 1873.  

State Library of Victoria image IAN17/06/73/96a

Theodotus John Sumner (1820-1884), the President of the Mechanics' Institute, lived at Stony Park, in Brunswick, and was well connected and wealthy.  In 1852, the same year that he married Sarah Peers, Theodotus became a partner with businessman Richard Grice (1813-1882). In 1876, Sumner’s daughter Annie married Grice’s son James and the firm became known as Grice, Sumner and Co; it was by then one of the oldest and foremost mercantile houses in the Australian colonies. The firm had large land holdings in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland. (6). Alice Sumner, another daughter of Theodotus, married Charles Snodgrass Ryan and they became the parents of Maie, whose husband Lord Casey was the Governor General of Australia from 1865 - 1969, and the namesake of the City of Casey. Charles Ryan was the brother of the artist, Ellis Rowan. (7)  Grice senior, died in Fitzroy in 1882 and left a substantial estate valued at £320,000. Sumner's estate was a more 'modest' £194,883. (8)  

T.J. Sumner's Stony Park, which bordered the Merri Creek, in  Brunswick, in 1866.

State Library of Victoria image H656

The original Stony Park mansion, as pictured above, burn down in January 1885 and Mrs Sumner built a new mansion, designed by George Wharton, the same year. Part of the Stony Park Estate, on the corner of Glenlyon Road and Nicholson Street was sub-divided in 1923 and the new streets created were Sumner, Peers, Noel and Rupert - named for Sumner, his wife Sarah (nee Peers) and their grandsons - Noel Sumner Nash and Rupert Ryan. In the 1930s the mansion was used by the Marist Brothers as a school and  in 1939 it was sold to the State Electricity Commission and demolished some time after. It was still there in 1949 as it was used for displaced persons employed by the SEC in the metropolitan area. (9)

The Mechanics' Institute was opened on April 5, 1870 and the Weekly Times again reported on the event -
Something more than ordinary gaiety was evinced by the people of Brunswick on Tuesday, on the occasion of the opening of their Mechanics' Institute and Public Library. A tea meeting on a large scale in the new hall, followed by a concert, interspersed with various addresses by gentlemen notables, was chosen as the most agreeable mode of inaugurating this valuable institution. The tea and substantial accompaniments were provided by ladies of the borough, and was done ample justice to by some 800 persons. Upon the tea and tables being cleared away, the Hon. J. MacPherson, M.L.A., in the absence of the president of the institution, Mr. T. J. Sumner, took the chair, to preside over the further and more intellectual engagements of the evening. The Orpheus Quartett party furnished the principal harmony of the evening ; and complimentary addresses to the ladies and gentlemen of the borough for their energy in raising so commodious and handsome a building were delivered by his Honour Judge Bindon, the Hon. David Moore, Mr. E. Cope, M.L.A., and other gentlemen. (10)

The Australasian also had a report which had some interesting building details, including the fact that it was planned to have another storey, which was never built - 

The inhabitants of Brunswick were called together on Tuesday, to celebrate the opening a mechanic's institute by the holding of a tea-meeting and concert afterwards. The building, which is of brick, is to have, when completed, a handsome frontage rising to two stories in height, ornamented with rusticated pilasters on the ground floor, and Ionic columns above, the whole to be surmounted by a handsome cornice and open balustrade. The ground floor will be devoted to the purposed of library, committee, and retiring rooms, while above will be the reading and class rooms. The architects are Messrs. Kelly and Beswicke, who estimate the total cost at about £2,000. The only portion at present constructed consists of the concert hall 60ft. by 30ft., and 22 ft. high, the inside of which presents a fine and imposing appearance, with a coved ceiling rising from a moulded cornice. The ventilation with Watson's cupola vents and the lighting with ornamented sun lights are very perfect, while the acoustic qualities of the hall, which were well tested last evening, were considered first-class. This portion has cost a trifle under £700, Mr. B. Crooke being the contractor....[after the refreshments] The hon. treasurer read a report, from which it appeared that the sum of £250 was still required to complete the present contract, but confident hopes existed that the amount would shortly be forthcoming. (11)  

The Mechanics' Institute, 1905

Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works detail plan. no. 1882, Town of Brunswick, 1905

State Library of Victoria  http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/128706 

Kelly and Beswicke, the Architects were Thomas Anthony Kelly and John Beswicke. Thomas Kelly was listed in the 1870 Sands McDougall Directory at 100 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne  He was noted for his design of many Catholic Churches in the 1860s and 1870s - including - St Brigid's, Fitzroy; the church of St Peter and St Paul in South Melbourne (Emerald Hill); St Augustine's in West Melbourne; St Monica's in Footscray - where The Herald noted that - The architect is Mr. T. A Kelly, of Elizabeth street, to whose taste and skill so many churches recently erected in the colony testify. ; Sacred Heart Geelong;  St Mary's in Echuca; a Sisters Of Mercy Convent and School in Kilmore and St Mary's in Sorrento.  He also designed the Footscray Town Hall. (12) Thomas Kelly had married Catherine Bullen in February 1873.  He died in Goulburn, NSW in 1923, aged 71 (13).

John Beswicke is listed in Sands McDougall in 1875 at Harcourt Street Hawthorn. He designed hundreds of buildings including the Hawthorn Town Hall; Australian Buildings at the corner of Elizabeth and Flinders Lane; the Kronheimer Wing at the Austin Hospital; the Queen's House at 360 Collins Street and many private  houses including his own, Rotha in Harcourt Street. Beswicke was also in partnership for a time with Ralph Wilson with whom he designed the Presbyterian Church in Alma Road, St Kilda; Essendon Town Hall and the Malvern Town Hall. (14) He married Mary Hannah Parsons in 1877 and died in April 1925 aged 78. (15)

Brunswick Mechanics' Institute, 1949. Photographer: Colin Caldwell.

State Library of Victoria image H84.276/2/13D

The Victoria Government Statistical Registers provides  the following information about the Brunswick Mechanics Institute -  in 1874 they had 1,450 volumes and the opening hours were 7.00pm to 10.00pm;  1877 - 1,750 volumes, same opening hours; 1880 - 3,000 volumes, same hours; 1884 -  2,000 volumes, same hours; 1887 - 3,000 volumes same hours. Three years later in 1890, the collection was  2,749 volumes, the opening hours were 10.00am to 5.00pm, 7.00pm to 10.00 pm and there were  41,000 visits that year. In 1894 - 3,150 volumes, same opening hours and 57,000 visits. (16)  It is possible that the extra statistics provided to the Government about visits were due to the new Librarian, Arthur Goding, who was employed in 1889. Mr Goding, then living at 12 Duckett Street Brunswick, retired in 1919 and he died in June 1926 aged 84. (17)

The Mechanics' Institute, 1960s. Photographer: Alf Wesson.

Image courtesy of the Wesson Collection, Mechanics' Institute Resource Centre, Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria.

In 1912 the Library had 3,736 volume and 45 members, not including life members. (18) The Coburg Leader of February 16, 1912 published this unfavourable report on the Institution, and supported the idea that the Council should take over the building -
The Brunswick Mechanics' Institute is unquestionably not an evidence of the progress of the municipality. It is conservative in its very being, and represents the ideals of a past age when free libraries as they are known to day did not exist. In many up country townships similar establishments to the Brunswick Mechanics Institute are to be found. The so called "free liberry " turns out to be a small portion of the library room shut off from the rest and furnished with very ancient copies of illustrated papers. When the visitor unwittingly seeks to look at the contents of the larger quarter where the books are ranged on shelves and more up to-date journals and magazines are to be read, he is repelled by the notice "For subscribers only" or by the warning voice of the librarian. It is under these circumstances that the name of "Free" or "Public Library " becomes a misnomer. The places are merely institutions for the convenience of those ratepayers who subscribe to their funds and the free library or public reading room is merely retained in order to save the situation in the event of Government making inconvenient inquiries. Cr. Hickford carried a motion at the Brunswick council the other night that the council wait upon the Minister of Education and request to be informed whether Government will lend assistance towards the erection of a technical school provided the council acquires possession of the property. Crs Fleming and Methven both opposed any such transfer protesting that the institute was private property and as such would be free from any interference by the municipal council. It would be beyond all question a benefit to the community the throwing open the library to the public and letting them share in what was always intended to be for the public good. People talk largely on keeping our boys off the streets yet what sort of attractions do the miniature rooms with the out of date periodicals offer? Were the resolution moved and carried by Cr Hickford to become law the council would have to take over the ground on which the institute stands and without a doubt there is room for a row of shops which should certainly be easily let on advantageous terms. Altogether the idea is one that commends to all reasonable people and it is to be hoped the public will not let the matter drop. Once the council assumed control of the Mechanics' Institute the rest would be easy. (19)

The Council did not take over control then and two years later, the Brunswick and Coburg Leader reported that there were still only 45 subscribers and that The place is rapidly falling to pieces through senile decay, sadly neglected, and altogether the institution presents an appearance of desolation which is beyond description. (20)

In 1915, the Brunswick Mechanics Institute and Free Library Bill was passed by the Victorian Parliament and the new committee of management was to consist of four members of the Brunswick Council and four members of the Institute. The local member Mr Jewell was happy with this bill as he noted -
I am very pleased that the Government has seen fit to bring in this Bill. The Institute has been established since 1868, and in later years it has become rather neglected. It is not a free library, because people have to pay so much a week for taking out books. For many years the Council contributed certain sums to the institute, but they did not care to provide very much, because they had no control over the funds. If the Bill is passed, it will be a great boon to the people of Brunswick, because the library will be free to every young man and woman in the district who cares to take books or to pass time in the institute reading the periodicals. (21)

Brunswick Mechanics Institute and Free Library Bill bill passes

The Age, December 17, 1915 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article154904433

This new management did result in improvements - in 1923, membership was 216, library visits were 37,500 and book stock was 2,987, of which 444 were new. (22)  However, in June 1925, the building was described as an eyesore, by the Sun News-Pictorial - 

The Brunswick Mechanics' Institute is in a dilapidated condition, and has been a source or complaint for a number of years. With a view to renovating the institute, at a cost of £800, specifications have been prepared.  (23)

Sydney Road Eyesore - the Mechanics' Institute - the only photo I have before the renovations. The tree on the left is a Moreton Bay Fig, which was removed for the renovation works.

Sun News-Pictorial June 24, 1925 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article274663362

The Council made the decision to renovate the building and appointed the Architect, Charles Heath, to draw up plans for the renovations and additions. Charles Heath's other work includes designing the new Coburg Town Hall in 1923; the Parish Hall and Sunday School at the Holy Trinity Church in Coburg in 1926 and the Crematorium at the Fawkner Cemetery in 1927.(24).

In October 1925, Heath advertised for tenders for the additions and renovations to the Brunswick Mechanics' Institute. (25) 

Architect, Charles Heath, invites tenders for renovations

The Age, October 24, 1925 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155671592

The Sun News-Pictorial reported on the result of the tender process in December 1925 -

Brunswick Mechanics’ Institute, Sydney-road, is to be improved and renovated. The chairman (Cr. Holbrook) stated that the committee had accepted a tender of £865 for the work. “We intend to make the building, which is one of the oldest in Brunswick, a most up-to-date institution,” said Cr. Holbrook. “Recently we have improved the front by lawns and concrete groundings. Inside improvements will include a bigger reading room, and more shelves and books." (26) 

Sadly, these improvements to the front required the destruction of a  fine Moreton Bay Fig tree, planted nearly 70 years previous by Cr John Ward Fleming and the T.J. Sumner, as the roots were impacting the foundations of the Retreat Hotel and causing the wall of the Mechanics' Institute to crack. Another tree of the same age was also removed at this time (27)

In December 1926, the Annual Report noted that the building works expenditure was £1289 including £865 for the contractors Phillips and Greeney; £211 for extra items; £79 for linen; £63 for Mr Heath's fee and £20 for two stone tablets (you can see the stone tablets in the image below). Membership had risen to 264 and book stock to 4,411. (28) 

The Mechanics' Institute, 1960s, showing the two stone tablets which were purchased for £20.

Photographer: Alf Wesson. 

Image courtesy of the Wesson Collection, Mechanics' Institute Resource Centre, Mechanics' Institutes of Victoria.

The building provided library services until March 1976,when it closed and the library moved to a new location on the old Town Hall site. It is now an Arts and Cultural Centre.(29) 

Footnotes

(1) The Age, September 14, 1867, see here. 

(2) The Argus, July 6, 1868, see here. 

(3) The Age, September 30, 1936, see here. 

(4) The Argus, November 3, 1869, see here. 

(5) Weekly Times, December 24, 1869, see here. Another report of the laying of the Foundation Stone was in The Leader of December 24, 1869, see here.

(6) Richard Grice's entry in the Australian Dictionary of Biography - https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/grice-richard-3669

(7)  J.T. Sumner, born in England, married Sarah Peers in 1852. Their seven children were born in Brunswick (or Merri Creek) -

• Annie Ruth in 1855, married James Grice.
• Egbert Peers 1856, died in 1899 in Scotland. 
• Alice Elfrida in 1858, married Dr Charles Ryan.
• Ethel Stone in 1861, married James Traill.
• Kate Omerod, in 1862, married James Osborne.
• Maud Mary  in 1864, married Albert Nash. They owned Ballarto in Cranbourne.
• Winifred in 1868, married Andrew Chirnside. They lived at Edrington in Berwick.

His obituary - Illustrated Australian News, May 14, 1884, see here; Lady Casey - https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/casey-lady-ethel-marian-maie-12296 I have written more about the Lady Casey and family here https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2024/12/miss-fanny-dango-mr-sam-mackay-and.html and https://victoriaspast.blogspot.com/2021/12/laying-of-foundation-stone-of-childrens.html

(8)  Richard Grice 's estate -  https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/grice-richard-3669; J.T. Sumner's estate -The Australasian, July 19, 1884, see here.

(9)  The Argus, January 30, 1885, see here; The Argus, April 30, 1885, see here;  Advertisement flyer for the sale of  Sumner's Stony Park Estate, May 26, 1923 at the State Library   http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/167840 The Age, March 6, 1939, see here; The Age December 24, 1949, see here.

(10) Weekly Times, April 9, 1870, see here.

(11) The Australasian, April 9, 1870, see here.  

(12)  Churches -  St Brigid's - Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers, August 14, 1869, see here; St Peter and St Paul -  The Australasian, November 13, 1869, see here;  St Augustine's - Illustrated Australian News for Home Readers, July 16, 1870, see here; St Monica's - The Herald, July 7, 1873, see here;  Scared Heart -  The Advocate, May 30, 1874, see here;  St Mary's Echuca - Riverine Herald, March 9, 1876, see here; Kilmore - The Advocate, April 21, 1877, see here;  St Mary's Sorrento - The Advocate, March 13, 1880, see here;  Footscray Town Hall, Williamstown Chronicle, July 17, 1875, see here.

(13) Marriage notice -  The Argus, February 26, 1873, see here;  Death notice -  Sydney Morning Herald, July 18, 1923, see here 

(14) Hawthorn Town Hall - The Argus, August 8, 1888, see here; Australian Buildings - Weekly Times,  May 19, 1894, see here;  Kronheimer Wing - Leader, May 28, 1904, see here;  Queens Buildings - The Herald, May 4, 1916, see here. Houses -  https://www.landscape.net.au/john-beswicke/  https://www.hawthornhistoricalsociety.com.au/history/  St Kilda Presbyterian Church -  The Argus, January 28, 1885, see here; Essendon Town Hall - Essendon & Flemington Chronicle, February 12, 1886, see here;  Malvern Town Hall - The Argus, July 27, 1886, see here.

(15) Death notice - The Argus, April 29, 1925, see here.

(16) Victoria Government Statistical Registers - available here on the Victorian Government Library Service website

(17) The Herald, February 12, 1919, see here; Brunswick and Coburg Leader, June 11, 1926, see here; The Age, June 11, 1926, see here. 

(18) Coburg Leader, March 22, 1912, see here. 

(19) Coburg Leader, February 16, 1912, see here. 

(20) Brunswick and Coburg Leader, March 13, 1914, see here.

(21) Brunswick and Coburg Leader, December 24, 1915, see here; The Age, December 17, 1915, see here. 

(22) Brunswick and Coburg Leader, November 21, 1924, see here.

(23) Sun News-Pictorial, June 24, 1925, see here.

(24) The Age, September 20, 1923, see here; The Herald, October 1, 1926, see here; The Herald, June 15, 1927, see here. 

(25) The Age, October 24, 1925, see here.  

(26) Sun News-Pictorial, December 29, 1925, see here.

(27) Brunswick and Coburg Leader, July 17, 1925, see here.

(28) Brunswick and Coburg Leader, December 10, 1926, see here.

(29)  These Walls Speak Volumes: a history of Mechanics' Institutes in Victoria by Pam Baragwanath and Ken James (published by the authors in 2015), pp 110-111.