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THE FAMILY OF JAMES BELCHER OF<br />

WATERFORD, IRELAND<br />

Robert S. Belcher


© Copyright by Robert S. Belcher 2010<br />

All Rights Reserved<br />

ii


Preface<br />

Nei<strong>the</strong>r a Genealogy nor a Family History is ever finished. New children are born to<br />

go to <strong>the</strong> bottom <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Family Tree. New information becomes available from o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> - branches which may not have been known before, second<br />

names and dates previously unknown, or corrections to errors in <strong>the</strong> data used for<br />

<strong>the</strong> Family Tree or <strong>the</strong> History. A Family History can always be expanded fur<strong>the</strong>r,<br />

as more detail <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> past becomes available, or information on <strong>the</strong> present or future<br />

is inserted. This Book is bound by a particular time - <strong>the</strong> 150th Anniversary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

arrival <strong>of</strong> John Belcher and his wife and two sisters in Australia. Such a history might<br />

have been published in 1949, <strong>the</strong> Centenary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir arrival, but too few people were<br />

interested in <strong>family</strong> history in those days, and many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sources currently available<br />

could not be used - ei<strong>the</strong>r because <strong>of</strong> secrecy in <strong>the</strong> case <strong>of</strong> Birth, Death and Marriage<br />

records or because archives had not been collected toge<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

There will be errors in this book. Not every date has been able to be verified from<br />

original documents, or by members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> with personal knowledge. Some <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> data came from “Birthday Books”, where human error or lack <strong>of</strong> knowledge has<br />

resulted in an errant name or figure. I ask that any person who can identify errors or<br />

omissions from <strong>the</strong> book to let me know - perhaps at a later date, a second edition<br />

can be printed, or at least an errata circulated to purchasers. I have also included a<br />

Family Tree at <strong>the</strong> back <strong>of</strong> this book in Appendix G.<br />

Much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> material in both <strong>the</strong> genealogy and <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> history has been passed<br />

on to me by o<strong>the</strong>r members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong>. Those whose own studies <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong><br />

history have been significant are listed in <strong>the</strong> bibliography, but many o<strong>the</strong>rs have<br />

contributed, over <strong>the</strong> years, information on <strong>the</strong>ir own branch or twig <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Tree. and<br />

I am very grateful for <strong>the</strong>ir assistance. There are important branches where little<br />

information has been discovered or made available in respect to later generations, or<br />

where information from public records has not yet been freely released, and or where<br />

people contacted have nei<strong>the</strong>r interest or knowledge. O<strong>the</strong>r branches are complete<br />

at perhaps July 1999. Again I seek <strong>the</strong> information so that <strong>the</strong> maintenance and<br />

iii


update <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> History and Genealogy may be continued by myself or one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

major collaborators in this enterprise. Please see Appendix H for a list <strong>of</strong> people who<br />

have contributed <strong>the</strong>ir time and efforts in helping me produce this book. The same<br />

applies to photographs. I have selected some from among those that have survived in<br />

my <strong>family</strong>, and those supplied by o<strong>the</strong>r <strong>family</strong> members, but <strong>the</strong> distribution across<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> has been strongly biased by this availability. As many as possible have<br />

been scanned onto a computer disk, and copies <strong>of</strong> laser-printer quality can be fairly<br />

easily provided, including some which have not been included in <strong>the</strong> book. I have<br />

been searching and collecting information about <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> for some sixty years, both<br />

here in Australia and overseas on rare trips. There have been long periods when<br />

<strong>the</strong> papers have been put away and almost forgotten. A short history <strong>of</strong> my search<br />

appears in Appendix A. The <strong>family</strong> <strong>of</strong> John Belcher, and in particular his son William<br />

Belcher, has received most attention as most biographical information available to me<br />

applies to that <strong>family</strong>. However, a timeline covering <strong>the</strong> lives <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first and second<br />

generations is given at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> this preface. Two histories have been written<br />

covering branches <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Floyd <strong>family</strong>, but o<strong>the</strong>r branches still require an author, as<br />

do both Joyce families. I hope that this book will inspire <strong>family</strong> historians among<br />

those branches. So, I present this book before you, so that you will know something <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> past <strong>of</strong> this particular Belcher <strong>family</strong> and some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> related families descended<br />

from <strong>the</strong> five children <strong>of</strong> James Belcher, including <strong>the</strong> Joyces, <strong>the</strong> Floyds, <strong>the</strong> Cupitts<br />

and <strong>the</strong> Broughtons, with all its imperfections, and all its interest.<br />

iv


A Belcher Time Line<br />

First Generation (1792 - 1813)<br />

1792 James Belcher (Senior) born at Waterford in Ireland<br />

Second Generation (1814 - 1849)<br />

1814 Edward Belcher born<br />

1819 Mary Anne Belcher born<br />

Apr 1823 John Belcher born<br />

1828 Eliza Belcher born<br />

1833 Sarah Belcher born<br />

5 Nov 1847 John Belcher married Eliza Fleming<br />

8 May 1849 John and Eliza Belcher with his sisters Eliza and Sarah leave Liverpool<br />

12 Sep 1849 John Belcherś <strong>family</strong> arrive in Melbourne<br />

Third Generation (1850 - 1868)<br />

4 Jan 1850 Sarah Belcher (Junior) born<br />

17 Feb 1852 James <strong>belcher</strong> (Junior) born<br />

21 Oct 1852 Sarah <strong>belcher</strong> (Senior) married John Joyce<br />

9 Nov 1852 Eliza Belcher married William Joyce<br />

1854 Baby John Belcher (Junior) born and died at Lindhurst<br />

1854 Belcher Family arrived at Mount Alexander Goldfields<br />

22 Dec 1855 John Joyce died<br />

1 Jan 1856 William Belcher born<br />

1856 James Belcher (Senior) arrived in Australia<br />

16 Jun 1858 Sarah Joyce nee Belcher married Charles Cupit<br />

Apr 1859 Elizabeth Belcher born<br />

17 May 1860 Elizabeth Belcher died<br />

22 Apr 1862 James Belcher (Senior) died<br />

25 Aug 1862 Mary Anne Belcher born<br />

6 Jun 1863 John Belcher (Senior) drowned in <strong>the</strong> Loddon River<br />

1864 James Belcher (Junior) disappeared<br />

28 Apr 1864 Elizabeth Belcher nee Fleming died<br />

20 Jul 1864 Sarah Belcher (Junior) married John Furlong<br />

23 Aug 1864 Mary Anne Floyd nee Belcher and Thomas Floyd arrived in Australia<br />

10 Feb 1866 Charles Cupit died<br />

v


Fourth Generation (1869 - 1907)<br />

22 Apr 1869 Dora Furlong born<br />

20 Nov 1870 Sarah Furlong nee Belcher died<br />

12 May 1871 Sarah Cupit aka Joyce nee Belcher married John Broughton<br />

3 Mar 1886 William Belcher married Ellen Jamieson<br />

6 Jan 1887 Fred Belcher born<br />

12 Sep 1888 Thomas Floyd died<br />

28 Oct 1888 Ada Belcher born<br />

7 Aug 1889 William Joyce died<br />

12 Feb 1890 Mary Anne Belcher married Richard Wheatley<br />

25 Nov 1890 Alice Belcher born<br />

1 Dec 1890 Lucy Wheatley born<br />

4 Jan 1892 Harry Belcher born<br />

7 Apr 1894 Sarah Broughton aka Cupit aka Joyce nee Belcher died<br />

25 Mar 1895 William Belcher born<br />

8 Apr 1896 Nellie Belcher born<br />

14 Nov 1899 John (Jack) Belcher born<br />

21 May 1900 Nellie Belcher died<br />

19 May 1900 Eliza Belcher nee Belcher died<br />

23 Nov 1907 Mary Anne Floyd nee Belcher died<br />

vi


Contents<br />

Preface<br />

A Belcher Time Line . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .<br />

iii<br />

v<br />

1 First generation 1792 - 1813 1<br />

James Belcher and Mary Belcher née Quinn . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1<br />

2 Second generation 1814 - 1849 7<br />

John and Eliza Belcher née Fleming . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7<br />

John and <strong>family</strong> come to Australia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8<br />

Trouble aboard The Courier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9<br />

Arriving in Melbourne in 1849 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11<br />

John and <strong>family</strong> head to <strong>the</strong> Goldfields . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12<br />

Tragedy strikes <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12<br />

Mary Anne Floyd née Belcher and Thomas Floyd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13<br />

Eliza Joyce née Belcher and William Joyce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15<br />

SarahBroughtonakaSarahCupitakaSarahJoycenéeBelcherandherfamilies 17<br />

Edward Belcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20<br />

3 Third generation 1850 - 1868 21<br />

Sarah Furlong née Belcher and John Furlong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21<br />

A second tragedy in <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23<br />

William Belcher and Ellen Belcher née Jamieson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23<br />

Coming to Miepoll in 1880 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24<br />

William marries Ellen Jamieson . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27<br />

Settling in at Meipoll . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28<br />

William admitted to hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29<br />

William and Ellen pass away . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30<br />

Mary Wheatley née Belcher and Richard Wheatley . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30<br />

vii


4 Fourth generation 1869 - 1907 35<br />

Louisa Harrop née Furlong and Edmund Harrop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35<br />

Clarice Dora Fox née Furlong . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36<br />

Fred Belcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37<br />

Ada Clarice Smith née Belcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40<br />

Mary Alice “Allie” Williams née Belcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42<br />

Harry Belcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46<br />

William Fleming Belcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48<br />

John “Jack” Belcher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52<br />

Lucy Barker née Wheatley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54<br />

A Search for a <strong>family</strong> 57<br />

B Registrar certificates 63<br />

C The story <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> flood 71<br />

D The coroner’s inquest on John Belcher 75<br />

E The Courier 79<br />

F Obituaries 81<br />

G Family Trees 83<br />

H Acknowledgements 145<br />

Bibliography 147<br />

viii


Chapter 1<br />

First generation 1792 - 1813<br />

In 1845, <strong>the</strong> great Potato Famine began in Ireland. In <strong>the</strong> following year outbreaks <strong>of</strong><br />

potato blight (Phytoph<strong>the</strong>ra infestans) spread right across Ireland, almost completely<br />

destroying <strong>the</strong> potato harvest, depriving <strong>the</strong> majority <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> population <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir staple<br />

diet. The ease by which potatoes could be cultivated to yield a nutritious food had<br />

resulted in a considerable increase in <strong>the</strong> population <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> country since introduction<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> vegetable, and <strong>the</strong> 1841 census <strong>of</strong> Ireland showed an enumerated population <strong>of</strong><br />

over eight million. And this was reckoned as 25% underestimation. See Figure 1.1.<br />

The effect <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> famine was particularly great in <strong>the</strong> West <strong>of</strong> Ireland but <strong>the</strong> economy<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> whole country was seriously affected. The British Government made some<br />

moves to assist in <strong>the</strong> situation, but help from England was minimal, <strong>the</strong> principal<br />

support <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> starving people being Poor Law Rates levied largely on bankrupt Irish<br />

landlords.<br />

Although in 1847 <strong>the</strong> blight was less severe than during <strong>the</strong> previous year, 1848<br />

was a repeat <strong>of</strong> 1846. With <strong>the</strong> realization by many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> population that to stay in<br />

Ireland was to court death by starvation and disease, emigration increased. Even in<br />

1846, sixty eight thousand people were estimated to have left <strong>the</strong> country and many<br />

hundreds <strong>of</strong> thousands emigrated over <strong>the</strong> next few years. A map <strong>of</strong> Ireland from <strong>the</strong><br />

early 1850’s, indicating <strong>the</strong> regions and towns associated with <strong>the</strong> Belcher <strong>family</strong> can<br />

be seen in Figure 1.2 and Figure 1.3.<br />

James Belcher and Mary Belcher née Quinn<br />

James Belcher was born in Waterford County, Ireland, possibly in <strong>the</strong> city <strong>of</strong> Waterford<br />

itself, about 1792. His age when he died in Melbourne on 22 April 1862 was<br />

given as 70 on his death certificate. See Appendix B - Registrar certificates.<br />

James became a cabinet-maker (Marriage certificate <strong>of</strong> his son, John Belcher and<br />

Eliza Fleming, Colpe, Meath, Ireland, 1 11 1847, and <strong>of</strong> his daughter Sarah and<br />

Charles Cupit in Melbourne in 1857)).<br />

At some time and place in Ireland, possibly at Mount Rath in County Laoise<br />

(Queen’s County), James married Mary Quinn. James had at least three daughters<br />

1


2 CHAPTER 1. FIRST GENERATION 1792 - 1813<br />

Figure 1.1: People charging towards a work house in <strong>the</strong> hope <strong>of</strong> finding food and a place to sleep at<br />

night without <strong>the</strong> thought <strong>of</strong> hunger or sleeping in <strong>the</strong> bitter cold Irish country side.<br />

and two sons in Ireland, Edward (c. 1814), Mary Ann (c. 1819 at Mount Rath), John<br />

(c. April 1821 at Dublin? , according to his death certificate), Eliza ( c. 1828 at<br />

Mount Rath) and Sarah (c. 1833 in Queen’s County, probably also at Mount Rath.).<br />

There were also 3 o<strong>the</strong>r children who had died in Ireland. Nothing is known <strong>of</strong> Mary<br />

Quinn but her name, but a Quinn <strong>family</strong> were hotel-keepers in Mount Rath in <strong>the</strong><br />

1820s. See Figure 1.4.<br />

James came to Australia in about 1856, as a widower, and lived with his daughter<br />

Sarah Cupit, at 56 Queen Street, West Melbourne until he died <strong>of</strong> Chronic Bronchitis<br />

at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 70 on 22 April 1862. He is buried in <strong>the</strong> “New Melbourne” Cemetery, in<br />

<strong>the</strong>“Joyce”grave, in<strong>the</strong>Church<strong>of</strong>EnglandCompartment,SectionM,Grave158, but<br />

does not have his name on <strong>the</strong> headstone. (The death certificate <strong>of</strong> Eliza suggested<br />

that her mo<strong>the</strong>r was Eliza Belcher, but Sarah, <strong>the</strong> youngest daughter, claimed Mary<br />

Quinn as her mo<strong>the</strong>r on her marriage to Charles Cupit in 1858, when her fa<strong>the</strong>r was<br />

surelyinAustraliatocorrectanyerror. Hisdeathcertificatedoesnotsuggestasecond<br />

wife!) There is <strong>family</strong> tradition that a Dolly Raisin (probably Reason) was a <strong>family</strong><br />

ancestor and could have been John’s grandmo<strong>the</strong>r. The existence <strong>of</strong> an ancestor, a<br />

Colonel Belcher, has also been passed down through <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong>. No documentary<br />

evidence has been discovered to support ei<strong>the</strong>r <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se traditions. (There was a


Figure 1.2: Map <strong>of</strong> Ireland in <strong>the</strong> 1850s<br />

3


4 CHAPTER 1. FIRST GENERATION 1792 - 1813<br />

Figure 1.3: Map <strong>of</strong> Waterford, Ireland


5<br />

<strong>family</strong> <strong>of</strong> Belcher’s in Waterford in <strong>the</strong> early years <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 18th Century, as evidenced<br />

by documents in <strong>the</strong> Registry <strong>of</strong> Deeds in Ireland. A William Belcher, Merchant <strong>of</strong><br />

Waterford, and Mark Belcher, his bro<strong>the</strong>r, a landowner at Kells in Co. Kilkenny (not<br />

Co. Meath), sons <strong>of</strong> an Arthur Belcher <strong>of</strong> Kells, engaged in considerable number <strong>of</strong><br />

legal transactions relating to land ownership during that time. However <strong>the</strong>re is no<br />

suggestion in <strong>the</strong> documents <strong>of</strong> a James Belcher, so if he was a relative, he must have<br />

been a poor relation. There were also at least two families <strong>of</strong> Belchers in Co. Cork, a<br />

neighbouring County, in Bandon and in Cork City, so one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se families may have<br />

included James.)<br />

Extract from Pigot & Co. Directory <strong>of</strong> August 12 1824 concerning Mount<br />

Rath<br />

A Past Market Fair Town, situated in Queen’s County on <strong>the</strong> High Road between<br />

Dublin and Limerick distant from <strong>the</strong> former 47 miles South West and <strong>the</strong> latter<br />

48 miles North East, from Maryborough 7 miles South West and from Killkenny 22<br />

miles North West. There are few towns in Ireland so improved - a handsome new<br />

church with a tower, spire and a good clock and a new street called Coote Street<br />

having lately been built. It has a good Market-house, over which is held <strong>the</strong> Manor<br />

Court for recovery <strong>of</strong> debts under 5 pounds. The Market for fresh meat is excellent<br />

and very cheap - it is considered <strong>the</strong> best real market in <strong>the</strong> kingdom. The town<br />

stands in a very eligible situation for world trade, being midway between Dublin and<br />

Limerick. The Manufacture carried on is chiefly Worsted stuffs and gives employment<br />

to most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> poor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> ”parish”; <strong>the</strong>re is also a cotton spinning factory. Besides<br />

<strong>the</strong> Church, <strong>the</strong>re is <strong>the</strong> Roman Catholic chapel, two Methodist chapels and a Quaker<br />

meeting house. There has lately been built a free parochial school for an unlimited<br />

number <strong>of</strong> male and female children, who are taught reading, writing & arithmetic on<br />

<strong>the</strong> Lancastrian and Pestolazzian plans; <strong>the</strong> number already taught is one hundred;<br />

<strong>the</strong> present master is Mr. Henry Smyth. Mount Rath also possesses a Catholic<br />

Free School for boys and girls and a Dispensary for <strong>the</strong> poor. There are fairs on<br />

17th February, Easter Monday, <strong>the</strong> second Thursday in May, <strong>the</strong> second Thursday in<br />

August, <strong>the</strong> 29th September and 10th November. The population is about 4700. Note<br />

<strong>the</strong> population <strong>of</strong> Maryborough 2800 and Mount Mellick 2000. Nobility and Gentry<br />

[Names not recorded], Merchants and Tradesmen [Names not recorded], Attorneys [2],<br />

Bakers [3] Boot and Shoe Makers [3] Grocers [5] Linen Drapers [4] Linen and Woolen<br />

Drapers [3] Publicans [15] [including Sarah Quinn, Inn Keeper] Stuff Manufacturers<br />

[6] Tallow Chandlers [3] Miscellaneous (including cotton spinner, dyer, woolen draper,<br />

brewer, bedding shop, slater, lea<strong>the</strong>r seller. apo<strong>the</strong>cary, land surveyor. miller, master<br />

<strong>of</strong> parochial school, tin man. There is also <strong>the</strong> White Horse Whiskey Distillery,<br />

operated by <strong>the</strong> Carr Family.<br />

Figure 1.4: Framed Calligraphic exercise on <strong>the</strong> wall <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bar room <strong>of</strong> The White Horse Hotel<br />

Mount Rath, County Laoise, Ireland.


6 CHAPTER 1. FIRST GENERATION 1792 - 1813


Chapter 2<br />

Second generation 1814 - 1849<br />

John and Eliza Belcher née Fleming<br />

In <strong>the</strong> interval between <strong>the</strong> two great potato famine years in Ireland, on Monday<br />

November 1st 1847, after Publication <strong>of</strong> Banns, a gardener from <strong>the</strong> seaside village<br />

<strong>of</strong> Bettystown in Meath named John Belcher, married, Elizabeth Fleming at<br />

Colp Church <strong>of</strong> Ireland. She was <strong>the</strong> daughter <strong>of</strong> a coastguardsman named Jeremiah<br />

Fleming. John’s fa<strong>the</strong>r was recorded as James Belcher, a cabinetmaker, but <strong>the</strong>re is<br />

no indication as to whe<strong>the</strong>r he was present at <strong>the</strong> wedding or whe<strong>the</strong>r his wife was<br />

alive at <strong>the</strong> time, since nei<strong>the</strong>r was named as a witness to <strong>the</strong> marriage. (Witnesses<br />

were named Thomas Halvey and D.J.Hogan and <strong>the</strong> celebrant was <strong>the</strong> Vicar <strong>of</strong> Colpe,<br />

Joseph Druitt). See Appendix B - Registrar certificates.<br />

The bride’s fa<strong>the</strong>r was probably based at <strong>the</strong> next village south along <strong>the</strong> coast<br />

called Laytown, where <strong>the</strong> old Coast Guard Station building still stands as does a row<br />

<strong>of</strong> 6 two hundred year old coastguardsmen’s cottages and a small redbrick building<br />

formerlyknownas“MrsCooper’sSchoolforProtestantChildren<strong>of</strong>Coastguardsmen”.<br />

Both <strong>the</strong> bride and bridegroom were stated to be adult at <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> wedding<br />

and o<strong>the</strong>r evidence suggests that John was 24 and Elizabeth was 25. It is presumed<br />

that John continued in his occupation <strong>of</strong> gardener after marriage. However, <strong>the</strong>re is<br />

7


8 CHAPTER 2. SECOND GENERATION 1814 - 1849<br />

no indication as to who employed him at Bettystown.<br />

John and <strong>family</strong> come to Australia<br />

With <strong>the</strong> deteriorating economic situation in Ireland, John took steps in 1849 to<br />

emigrate, with his wife and two younger sisters. His choice <strong>of</strong> a new homeland was<br />

Australia but <strong>the</strong>re is nei<strong>the</strong>r evidence nor <strong>family</strong> tradition to explain this strange<br />

choice, except <strong>the</strong> possibility that previous emigrants to Australia, <strong>the</strong> Joyce <strong>family</strong><br />

from County Cork Ireland, may have influenced <strong>the</strong> choice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Belcher <strong>family</strong>.<br />

Irish emigration o<strong>the</strong>r than to North America or Great Britain - for example to<br />

Australia - was negligible at that date. The passage was expensive, and no significant<br />

Irish community which would encourage friends and relations to come out, as yet<br />

existed in that colony, o<strong>the</strong>r than <strong>the</strong> convict exiles in New South Wales and Tasmania.<br />

Moreover, anti-Irish prejudice was strong among <strong>the</strong> Australian colonists. The<br />

only <strong>of</strong>ficial emigration, <strong>of</strong> even minor importance, from Ireland to Australia during<br />

<strong>the</strong> famine years was that <strong>of</strong> female orphans from Irish workhouses, paid for by <strong>the</strong><br />

British Government. Never<strong>the</strong>less, by <strong>the</strong> 1850s, passages from Dublin and Cork to<br />

Plymouth were provided by <strong>the</strong> British Government for intending emigrants. It is<br />

possible that this practice arose from <strong>the</strong> earlier availability <strong>of</strong> a supply <strong>of</strong> intending<br />

migrants.<br />

In any case, John Belcher with his wife Elizabeth and two sisters Eliza and Sarah<br />

crossed <strong>the</strong> Irish sea and embarked for Australia on <strong>the</strong> ship Courier. They had<br />

probablybeenrecruitedinIreland,whereEmigrationAgentswereseekingoutsuitable<br />

settlers for assisted passages to Australia, financed by <strong>the</strong> sale <strong>of</strong> Crown Land in this<br />

country. They left Liverpool on Monday May 28th 1849 calling at Plymouth on<br />

Thursday 7th June 1849 to pick up more emigrants. The ship was ra<strong>the</strong>r larger than<br />

most emigrant ships to Australia, having a displacement <strong>of</strong> 1061 tons, so <strong>the</strong> voyage<br />

should have been more comfortable than most. On this her first voyage to Australia<br />

under Captain Gustav O. Melling, she brought 384 immigrants to Australia - 382<br />

embarked with 5 births and 3 deaths during <strong>the</strong> voyage. The immigrants were under<br />

<strong>the</strong> care <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Surgeon Superintendent, Dr Alfred Bowden. According to <strong>the</strong> notice<br />

<strong>of</strong> arrival <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> vessel in Melbourne in <strong>the</strong> Melbourne newspaper The Argus, <strong>the</strong><br />

voyage <strong>of</strong> 96 days appears to have been uneventful with no newsworthy incidents<br />

taking place. However, history tells a different tale, and it would appear that <strong>the</strong> two<br />

young girls, Sarah and Eliza were very lucky to have had protectors in <strong>the</strong> persons <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong>ir bro<strong>the</strong>r and sister-in-law on that voyage.


9<br />

Trouble aboard The Courier<br />

The day after <strong>the</strong> Courier arrived in Melbourne, <strong>the</strong> 12th September 1849, John<br />

Patterson, <strong>the</strong> Immigration Agent, toge<strong>the</strong>r with two o<strong>the</strong>r citizens <strong>of</strong> Victoria, constituted<br />

as <strong>the</strong> Immigration Board for Port Philip, came on board <strong>the</strong> ship, in accordance<br />

with <strong>the</strong> usual practice to receive a report <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Master and surgeon on <strong>the</strong><br />

voyage, and to enquire into <strong>the</strong> conditions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> voyage and <strong>the</strong> general health <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

passengers. They made an <strong>of</strong>ficial report to <strong>the</strong> Superintendent <strong>of</strong> Immigration which<br />

was very favourable towards <strong>the</strong> ship’s management. This was important, since a<br />

gratuity was due to <strong>the</strong> Master, Surgeon Superintendent, Schoolmaster and Matron<br />

on <strong>the</strong> ship, if <strong>the</strong> report was satisfactory. The abstract <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> report stated that<br />

<strong>the</strong> vessel was in a superior, state <strong>of</strong> cleanliness, <strong>the</strong> immigrants were healthy, <strong>the</strong><br />

provisions and water appeared to have been <strong>of</strong> good quality, and in sufficient quantity,<br />

although <strong>the</strong>re were a few complaints made about <strong>the</strong> ship’s biscuit. The ship<br />

had had a very favourable passage, being only 96 days from Plymouth to Melbourne,<br />

no infectious disease had occurred on board, ventilation and cleaning had been well<br />

attended to and <strong>the</strong> immigrants were reported as having been well conducted on <strong>the</strong><br />

voyage.<br />

However some complaints were made by certain single women as to <strong>the</strong> want <strong>of</strong><br />

attention by <strong>the</strong> matron, and by some young men that <strong>the</strong> Schoolmaster (husband <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Matron) had neglected his duties, whereby some young men who could nei<strong>the</strong>r<br />

read nor write, had no opportunities <strong>of</strong> attending school during <strong>the</strong> voyage.<br />

The Board stated that <strong>the</strong>y had made an enquiry into <strong>the</strong> truth <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> complaints,<br />

and statements were made to <strong>the</strong> Board by <strong>the</strong> Schoolmaster and Matron <strong>of</strong> “irregularities”<br />

during <strong>the</strong> voyage, which <strong>the</strong> board considered were not <strong>of</strong> a serious<br />

nature. They were more concerned that one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> single young women appeared to<br />

be mentally deficient, and ano<strong>the</strong>r far advanced in pregnancy.<br />

In <strong>the</strong>ir full report, <strong>the</strong>y added that <strong>the</strong> Surgeon Superintendent had claimed that<br />

<strong>the</strong> failure <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Schoolmaster and Matron to effectively carry out <strong>the</strong>ir duties, was<br />

partlyduetothatfactthat<strong>the</strong>yhadbeenseparatelyappointedby<strong>the</strong>Commissioners<br />

for Immigration and were not under his immediate orders, but he admitted that he<br />

had not read <strong>the</strong>ir letters <strong>of</strong> appointment, nor had he read “<strong>the</strong> printed instructions”,<br />

always issued by <strong>the</strong> Commissioners to Surgeon Superintendents when joining an<br />

emigrant vessel in <strong>the</strong> United Kingdom, only becoming aware <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>m on arrival at<br />

Hobson’s Bay. A late complaint had been received from five single female immigrants,<br />

who may have been diseased or pregnant, that <strong>the</strong>y had been seduced by certain<br />

parties on board <strong>the</strong> ship, and <strong>the</strong> Board agreed that some sailors had been involved


10 CHAPTER 2. SECOND GENERATION 1814 - 1849<br />

inthisactivity, butcarehadbeentakentokeepitsecretfrom<strong>the</strong>MasterandSurgeon,<br />

who were thus effectively exonerated from any blame.<br />

The result <strong>of</strong> this routine examination appeared to give a glowing reference to <strong>the</strong><br />

Master and Surgeon Superintendent, and an accusation <strong>of</strong> incompetence or failure<br />

to perform <strong>the</strong>ir proper duty against <strong>the</strong> Schoolmaster and his wife, <strong>the</strong> Matron.<br />

The Master and Surgeon Superintendent thus received <strong>the</strong>ir gratuities and hastily<br />

departed with <strong>the</strong> ship from Australia. However, <strong>the</strong> Schoolmaster and his wife<br />

decided to defend <strong>the</strong>mselves and claim <strong>the</strong>ir gratuities, so <strong>the</strong>y submitted <strong>the</strong>ir own<br />

complaints to <strong>the</strong> Superintendant <strong>of</strong> Port Phillip, later Governor, C. J. Latrobe,<br />

supported by affidavits from <strong>the</strong> Chief Mate <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Courier and <strong>the</strong> Ship’s Baker,<br />

and also from some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r passengers. These documents told a completely<br />

different story, which was in part corroborated from <strong>the</strong> Surgeon Superintendent’s<br />

own Log.<br />

The true story <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> voyage is one which might shock even <strong>the</strong> present generation.<br />

It seems that Thomas Barlow, <strong>the</strong> schoolmaster, was a Waterloo veteran, with a field<br />

commission in <strong>the</strong> King’s Dragoon Guards, becoming Adjutant, and later an <strong>of</strong>ficer<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 2nd Regiment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Cheshire Yeomanry, with a commission for life. He was<br />

also a committed pr<strong>of</strong>essing Christian, and we can believe that it was this quality<br />

which both obtained him his employment by <strong>the</strong> United Kingdom Commissioner for<br />

Emigration and incurred <strong>the</strong> enmity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Master and Surgeon Superintendent <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> ship Courier.<br />

From <strong>the</strong>se submissions it appears that, initially, <strong>the</strong> Barlow <strong>family</strong> commenced<br />

religious services, with hymn singing and preaching for <strong>the</strong> emigrants each evening<br />

for <strong>the</strong> first month <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> voyage. Possibly with <strong>the</strong> connivance <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Master and<br />

certainly with his approbation, a parody <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> service, involving blasphemous and<br />

obscene songs, and imitation preaching, was performed by <strong>the</strong> steward, undermining<br />

<strong>the</strong> authority <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> school master and his wife, and making <strong>the</strong>m a laughing stock <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> crew and many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> emigrants. This was followed by rebellion by many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

singlewomenagainst<strong>the</strong>matron, includinganattackwithbiscuitsando<strong>the</strong>rmissiles.<br />

The Master took no disciplinary action. The Master was engaged in a liaison with<br />

one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> single women, aided by <strong>the</strong> steward, to <strong>the</strong> extent that hole was made in<br />

<strong>the</strong> floor <strong>of</strong> his stateroom above <strong>the</strong> bunk <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> woman concerned so that he could<br />

supply her with food and spirits, and could talk with her. The steward had supplied<br />

spirits and extra food to some passengers at a price and diluted <strong>the</strong> remaining stocks<br />

with water to hide his actions. The food supplied to <strong>the</strong> Barlows was also rendered<br />

uneatable from time to time. As a consequence, <strong>the</strong> Barlows, had been forced to


11<br />

confine <strong>the</strong>mselves for significant periods <strong>of</strong> time to <strong>the</strong>ir cabins. However, <strong>the</strong>re is<br />

no doubt that Mr Barlow continued to attempt to exercise his role as Schoolmaster,<br />

and to attempt to improve <strong>the</strong> morals <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> company, thus increasing <strong>the</strong> enmity <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Master.<br />

There appeared to be little control after dark <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> behaviour <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> single men or<br />

<strong>the</strong> movement about <strong>the</strong> ship <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> single women who wished to be in a relationship<br />

with o<strong>the</strong>r emigrants or with <strong>the</strong> crew. There is more than a suspicion that in those<br />

days, many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> single female immigrants to Australia, claiming to be servant girls<br />

or lady’s maids, were actually prostitutes from <strong>the</strong> streets <strong>of</strong> England and Ireland<br />

seeking a more prosperous life in Australia.<br />

Eventually right had its reward, as Mr Barlow received his full gratuity, although<br />

MrsBarlowreceivedless, becauseshehadconfinedherselftohercabinformuch<strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong><br />

voyage. This was <strong>the</strong> environment under which John and Eliza, and his sisters Eliza<br />

and Sarah Belcher, as single women, had to suffer on <strong>the</strong> voyage out to Australia.<br />

Arriving in Melbourne in 1849<br />

After <strong>the</strong> 96 days passage, <strong>the</strong> passengers disembarked in Melbourne on Tuesday 11th<br />

September 1849. See Appendix E - The Courier. According to <strong>the</strong> ship’s Disposal<br />

List, Johnwaslistedasalabourer, aged25, Elizabethasahousekeeper, aged27, Eliza<br />

as a housemaid and Sarah as a child’s maid. The <strong>family</strong> is recorded as having all<br />

disengaged from <strong>the</strong>ir commitments as assisted migrants, and gone to Melbourne, <strong>the</strong><br />

two girls being under <strong>the</strong> protection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir bro<strong>the</strong>r. See Appendix E - The Courier.<br />

John’s eldest daughter Sarah was born in Melbourne on Friday 4th January 1850<br />

while John and Eliza were living in Lonsdale St. Sarah was baptized on 18th January<br />

at St Peter’s Church <strong>of</strong> England Eastern Hill. At this time John gave his occupation<br />

as gardener, <strong>the</strong> same as he had given in Ireland. (There was also baptized a Sarah<br />

Margaret Belcher at St Frances Catholic Church on 30th December 1850, <strong>the</strong>n being<br />

claimed to have been born <strong>of</strong> 4th January 1849, a daughter <strong>of</strong> John and Eliza Belcher,<br />

but this seems to have been ano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>family</strong> as no child was recorded on <strong>the</strong> shipping<br />

list <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Courier).<br />

Their eldest son, James, born on 17th February 1852 was also baptized, privately,<br />

at St Peter’s Eastern Hill, on 22nd February 1952, so it appears that any religious difference<br />

in <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> was now settled in favour <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church <strong>of</strong> England in succession<br />

to <strong>the</strong> Church <strong>of</strong> Ireland.


12 CHAPTER 2. SECOND GENERATION 1814 - 1849<br />

John and <strong>family</strong> head to <strong>the</strong> Goldfields<br />

Gold was discovered in Victoria at Clunes in June 1851 and by <strong>the</strong> beginning <strong>of</strong> 1852<br />

was being found at a large number <strong>of</strong> diggings in central Victoria.<br />

It is not known when John Belcher and his <strong>family</strong> first went to <strong>the</strong> goldfields, but<br />

in 1854 a child was born at Lyndhurst and by Tuesday 1st January 1856 when <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

son William was born, <strong>the</strong>y were located at Butcher’s Gully near Vaughan on <strong>the</strong><br />

Mount Alexander Goldfield. Probably this was only one <strong>of</strong> many areas where <strong>the</strong>y<br />

had sought gold. In any case <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> appears to have settled at Shicer’s Gully, a<br />

tributary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Loddon between Vaughan and Guildford. Here <strong>the</strong>ir daughter Mary<br />

was to be born on <strong>the</strong> 24th August 1862. Mary was <strong>the</strong>ir 8th child, with at that time,<br />

James aged 12, Sarah aged 13, and William aged six being still alive, and John (Jr)<br />

and Lizzie and two children with names unknown having died. Elizabeth Belcher, at<br />

13 months old, having been born at Shicer Gully, was registered as having died on<br />

17th May 1860 at Shicer Gully, Kangaroo, supposedly <strong>of</strong> dysentery, and buried at<br />

Vaughan Cemetery by John himself. A son, possibly John junior, had been born and<br />

died at Lyndhurst in 1854.<br />

John Belcher is recorded as having a third share in a partnership which took over<br />

an abandoned tunnelling claim 300 feet by 240 feet on Table Hill on 24th March 1863.<br />

This hill lies on <strong>the</strong> right bank <strong>of</strong> Shicer’s Gully. His partners were an Edward Byara<br />

and John Furlong. John’s license had been renewed on 4th September 1862.<br />

Tragedy strikes <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong><br />

Between three and four o’clock on Saturday 6th June 1863, immediately after returning<br />

from work in <strong>the</strong> mine, John Belcher went from his home in Shicer’s Gully to go<br />

with his mate to divide some gold. Just as he was about to go a man named Plumer<br />

called to remind him to go to <strong>the</strong> settlement at Kangaroo (later known as Tarilta) to<br />

vote at <strong>the</strong> local Mining Board election. He attended <strong>the</strong> election, after calling at <strong>the</strong><br />

local and drinking with his mates. At a little past five, before it was dark, he started<br />

for home telling a miner named Michael Guest that he had to get home on time.<br />

At seven o’clock that night, a carter named Edwin Fox and a miner named Samuel<br />

Nash, who lived on <strong>the</strong> south side <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Loddon River, heard a man call out across<br />

<strong>the</strong> river asking if he could cross. Since <strong>the</strong> river was in flood at <strong>the</strong> time, and <strong>the</strong><br />

footbridge a little fur<strong>the</strong>r downstream had been washed away, Fox called out “No”.<br />

The voice replied “Well, I must, so here goes”, and <strong>the</strong>y heard a splash, but since it<br />

was dark, could see nothing, and received no reply to <strong>the</strong>ir calls.


13<br />

At half past seven next morning, ano<strong>the</strong>r miner from Shicer’s Gully named Benjamin<br />

Alexander went to see how his “machine” (probably a sluice box) had survived<br />

<strong>the</strong>flood. Hefoundabodyentangledwithastakenear<strong>the</strong>machineandwith<strong>the</strong>help<br />

<strong>of</strong> Fox and ano<strong>the</strong>r miner William Watts, <strong>the</strong>y recovered <strong>the</strong> body. They recognized<br />

it as John Belcher, and called <strong>the</strong> police. See Appendix C - The story <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> flood.<br />

A local doctor from Guildford, Dr John O’Niel, examined <strong>the</strong> body and rejected<br />

any suspicion <strong>of</strong> violence, stating that in his opinion <strong>the</strong> cause <strong>of</strong> death was drowning.<br />

At an inquest held <strong>the</strong> next day, Monday, 8th June, a coroner’s jury found “that John<br />

Belcher aged 40 years was found drowned in <strong>the</strong> Loddon on <strong>the</strong> morning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 7th<br />

June and we believe he got into <strong>the</strong> river whilst under <strong>the</strong> influence <strong>of</strong> drink”. See<br />

Appendix D - The coroner’s inquest on John Belcher. This was partly based on his<br />

wife’s admission that he was an Irishman and in <strong>the</strong> habit <strong>of</strong> taking some drink.<br />

There is no indication on his death certificate or <strong>the</strong> cemetery records as to where he<br />

was buried, but it is believed to be Vaughan Cemetery.<br />

John Belcher left a widow and three children, Sarah aged 13 1/2, William aged 7<br />

1/2 and Mary aged 9 months. James who had been 10 years old at Mary’s birth, although<br />

recorded as being 14, had apparently disappeared or died since <strong>the</strong>n, leaving<br />

no breadwinner for <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong>. To make matters worse, Eliza herself died <strong>of</strong> Pulmonary<br />

Phthisis on Saturday 28th April 1864 leaving <strong>the</strong> three children orphans on<br />

<strong>the</strong> goldfields. She was buried in Vaughan Cemetery, by John Furlong, John’s mining<br />

partner, described as ‘a neighbour’. John’s sisters were living, two in Melbourne and<br />

one at Beechworth but it is believed that <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> were out <strong>of</strong> touch with <strong>the</strong>m and<br />

it appears little help was available from those sources. In later years it is known that<br />

<strong>the</strong>re was not a great deal <strong>of</strong> contact between <strong>the</strong> children and <strong>the</strong>ir cousins. The<br />

baby Mary and young William had <strong>the</strong>reafter to be brought up by <strong>the</strong>ir 14 year old<br />

sister Sarah.<br />

Mary Anne Floyd née Belcher and Thomas Floyd<br />

John’s older sister Mary Anne Belcher, eldest daughter to survive to adulthood <strong>of</strong><br />

James Belcher and Mary Quinn was born about 1819 at Mount Rath in County<br />

Laoise. She married Thomas Floyd in 1842 in St. Mary’s (Church <strong>of</strong> Ireland) Church<br />

at Clonmel in Co. Tipperary, about 50 miles (75 km) from Mount Rath and 25 miles<br />

(35 km) from Waterford. She was <strong>the</strong>n aged 22. When her bro<strong>the</strong>r and two sisters<br />

had migrated to Australia in 1849, she remained behind in Ireland. There she and<br />

her husband had, it seems, 8 children - Anna, Mary J, Eliza, Thomas, Anna, Sarah,<br />

Susan and a baby, Henry James. The first Anna appears to have died young, but


14 CHAPTER 2. SECOND GENERATION 1814 - 1849<br />

Figure 2.1: Mary Anne Floyd née Belcher<br />

<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r seven children were all baptized at St Mary’s Church <strong>of</strong> Ireland, Clonmel.<br />

(A baptismal certificate was obtained from Ireland in 1888, presumably to supply<br />

information on <strong>the</strong> children’s dates <strong>of</strong> birth). Then, in 1864, Mary Anne migrated<br />

to Australia with her husband Thomas and <strong>the</strong> 7 young children. They travelled<br />

via Liverpool, on <strong>the</strong> 1118 ton ship Annie Wilson, captained by John Duckett, and<br />

arrived in Melbourne on 23 August 1864, bringing a young girl named Ellen Cahill<br />

aged 18, possibly to assist as a nursemaid.<br />

Her husband, Thomas Floyd, immigrated as a labourer, according to <strong>the</strong> shipping<br />

lists, as <strong>the</strong> demand in Australia was for agricultural labourers, shepherds, female<br />

domestics and farm servants. He was listed in Clonmel as a coach maker on his<br />

children’s baptismal certificate and was employed as a Coach Painter in Beechworth,<br />

for a coaching firm, Crawford and Connolly, who operated coaches in North Eastern<br />

Victoria and Sou<strong>the</strong>rn New South Wales. Between 1865 and 1888, Thomas and his<br />

wife acquired 2 blocks <strong>of</strong> land in John St., Spring Creek, Beechworth, where <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>family</strong> built <strong>the</strong>ir home, and lived until <strong>the</strong>ir deaths, and also Crown Allotments in<br />

Oxley, Long Gully near Bendigo, and Whorouly. The reasons for ownership <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>


15<br />

Figure 2.2: Mary Anne’s daughter Anna Warner with Alice and Roy (on lap)<br />

scattered pieces <strong>of</strong> land outside Beechworth is not known.<br />

The <strong>family</strong> were staunch members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Beechworth Congregational Church, and<br />

would almost certainly haved helped with <strong>the</strong> construction <strong>of</strong> a new church, to accompany<br />

<strong>the</strong> existing building, used as a Sunday School, in 1869. Their youngest son<br />

became <strong>the</strong> organist at that church for a while, and <strong>the</strong>ir descendants continued to<br />

support it. The church was sold after <strong>the</strong> formation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Uniting Church in 1979,<br />

and is now a library.<br />

On 23rd November 1907, Mary Ann Floyd died at Beechworth <strong>of</strong> stomach cancer<br />

at her home in John Street aged 88. At this date, only Eliza Ruth 58, Anna 53, Sarah<br />

Beatrice 50, Susan Amelia 48 and Henry 44 were alive. Her husband had predeceased<br />

her on 12 September 1888, when he died at Spring Creek, in Beechworth, <strong>of</strong> bronchitis<br />

anddementiaat<strong>the</strong>age<strong>of</strong>73years, not18thSeptember, asappearsonhistombstone.<br />

They are both buried in <strong>the</strong> Congregational Compartment <strong>of</strong> Beechworth cemetery,<br />

in a <strong>family</strong> grave.<br />

Eliza Joyce née Belcher and William Joyce<br />

Eliza Belcher was born at Mount Rath in Queen’s County in Ireland, about 1828,<br />

and came to Australia with her bro<strong>the</strong>r, sister-in-law and sister in 1849, at <strong>the</strong> age


16 CHAPTER 2. SECOND GENERATION 1814 - 1849<br />

Figure 2.3: Mary Anne’s daughter Susan Amelia Stewart<br />

<strong>of</strong> 21 giving her occupation as “House Maid”.<br />

On 9th November, 1852, she married William Joyce, at St. Peter’s Church <strong>of</strong><br />

England in East Melbourne, with her newly married sister Sarah and bro<strong>the</strong>r-in-law<br />

<strong>of</strong> 19 days, John Joyce, as witnesses. William, who had been born in Co. Cork,<br />

Ireland, had arrived in Australia, directly from Cork City, with his parents, John<br />

and Ann Joyce, his bro<strong>the</strong>r John and sister Hannah on <strong>the</strong> Mary Nixon, on 30th<br />

November 1841, at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 20, as a labourer. In Australia, William Joyce, like his<br />

bro<strong>the</strong>r John became a baker.<br />

The <strong>family</strong> lived at 322 Napier Street, Fitzroy, but it is not currently known<br />

whe<strong>the</strong>r William and his bro<strong>the</strong>r worked toge<strong>the</strong>r in Little Bourke St., or whe<strong>the</strong>r he<br />

had his own business in Fitzroy. They had eight children, William Manuel, Anna,<br />

Henry Lewis, John James, Mary Jane, George and Charles Edward. The youngest,<br />

Charles Edward, in <strong>the</strong> 59th Battallion AIF, was later killed in action on 19th <strong>of</strong><br />

July 1916 at <strong>the</strong> battle <strong>of</strong> Fromelles/Fleurbaix in France. (William Fleming Belcher,<br />

in <strong>the</strong> Fourth Light Horse Regiment, his second cousin, fought in and survived that<br />

same battle).<br />

Eliza Joyce died <strong>of</strong> pneumonia and heart failure at <strong>the</strong> home <strong>of</strong> her son George, at


17<br />

Figure 2.4: Eliza Joyce<br />

160 Johnstone St., Fitzroy on 19th May 1900, and was buried in <strong>the</strong> Joyce grave at<br />

<strong>the</strong> Melbourne General Cemetery. She had been predeceased by her husband, who<br />

died at <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> home on 7th August 1889. It is interesting that <strong>the</strong> doctor in<br />

attendance at his death was a Dr. Joyce, but <strong>the</strong>re were no doctors in our Joyce<br />

<strong>family</strong>.<br />

Sarah Broughton aka Sarah Cupit aka Sarah Joyce née Belcher and her<br />

families<br />

Sarah Belcher was born at Mount Rath in Queen’s County in Ireland, about 1831,<br />

and came to Australia with her bro<strong>the</strong>r, sister-in-law and sister in 1849, at <strong>the</strong> age<br />

<strong>of</strong> 19, giving her occupation as “Childs Maid”.<br />

On 21st October, 1852, she married John Joyce, at St. Peter’s Church <strong>of</strong> England<br />

in East Melbourne, with her sister Eliza and bro<strong>the</strong>r-in-law to-be William Joyce as<br />

witnesses. John, who had been born in Co. Cork, Ireland, had arrived in Australia,<br />

directly from Cork City, with his parents, John and Ann Joyce, his bro<strong>the</strong>r William<br />

and sister Hannah on <strong>the</strong> Mary Nixon, on 30th November 1841, at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 20, as a<br />

labourer. He had later set up as a Baker at 167 Little Bourke Street, in Melbourne.<br />

Sarah and John had two daughters, Sarah Jane and Ann, born in 1854 and 1855


18 CHAPTER 2. SECOND GENERATION 1814 - 1849<br />

Figure 2.5: Eliza Joyce’s son Charles Edward Joyce


19<br />

respectively. John Joyce died on 22nd December 1855, leaving Sarah as a young 26<br />

year old widow with 2 young children. Ann died at one year old in 1856. However<br />

John Joyce had been a shrewd businessman, and at his death he left to his wife 3<br />

allotments<strong>of</strong>land, oneinCollingwood, oneatLyndhurstandoneatBraybrook, being<br />

carefultoensurethat<strong>the</strong>seweretobe<strong>the</strong>personalproperty<strong>of</strong>hiswife, independently<br />

<strong>of</strong> any future husband, and independent <strong>of</strong> any debts that husband might contract.<br />

He also left her in his will, his horse and dray and all o<strong>the</strong>r goods and chattels for<br />

her own use absolutely.<br />

On 16th June 1858, Sarah Joyce, now living in Collingwood, married a Charles<br />

Cupit, a 33 year old Baker from Wandsworth in Surrey, England, again at St. Peter’s<br />

Church <strong>of</strong> England, East Melbourne, and <strong>the</strong>y moved to 56 Queen Street, West<br />

Melbourne. They had three children, Sarah, born in 1859, George born in 1861 and<br />

Charles William, born in 1863. Meanwhile, Sarah Jane Joyce died in 1861.<br />

On April 22nd 1869, Charles Cupit died in turn, and on 24th May 1871, <strong>the</strong><br />

now 33 years old Sarah married a 51 year old widower <strong>of</strong> 14 years, John Henry<br />

Broughton, previously married to a Mary Johnstone, with whom he had had two<br />

deceased children. They married at <strong>the</strong> Independent Church in Collins Street. John<br />

Henry was a prosperous lea<strong>the</strong>r merchant and shoe manufacturer at 335 Lonsdale<br />

Street, Melbourne, opposite St Francis Church. She and her husband lived at 2<br />

Union Street, Richmond, a house owned by her, where <strong>the</strong>y had two children Ada<br />

Florence and Alfred James, born in 1872 and 1874 respectively.<br />

On 7th April 1894, Sarah Broughton died, aged 60, and was buried on 9th April<br />

at Booroondara Cemetery in Kew. She had appointed <strong>the</strong> two sons <strong>of</strong> her previous<br />

marriage, George and Charles William Cupit, as executors to her will. It appears<br />

that <strong>the</strong> lea<strong>the</strong>r business in Lonsdale Street belonged to her and not her husband,<br />

although in his obituary, when he died in 1903, he received <strong>the</strong> credit for it. She<br />

left <strong>the</strong> house in Richmond to her two daughters, and a life interest in a property<br />

in Bridge Road, Richmond to her husband, and upon his death to <strong>the</strong>ir son Alfred<br />

James. The lea<strong>the</strong>r business was to be inherited by all three sons equally. She had<br />

been as shrewd as a businesswoman as her first husband John Joyce, and presumably,<br />

had financed her husband in his business.<br />

Her husband, John Henry Broughton died on 28th May 1903 at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 83, after<br />

53 years in Australia. He was reported to have commenced his lea<strong>the</strong>r business 48<br />

yearsearlier, in1855, inRichmond, afterafewyearsat<strong>the</strong>diggings, takingadvantage<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> shortage <strong>of</strong> skilled lea<strong>the</strong>r-workers during <strong>the</strong> gold-rush.


20 CHAPTER 2. SECOND GENERATION 1814 - 1849<br />

Figure 2.6: Sarah and her daughter Ada Broughton and grand-daughter Alice Cupit<br />

Edward Belcher<br />

Nothing is known <strong>of</strong> Edward Belcher, except his name and <strong>the</strong> indication that he was<br />

<strong>the</strong> eldest surviving son, born about 1814. Family tradition in John Belcher’s <strong>family</strong><br />

suggested that he had gone to seek gold in <strong>the</strong> Klondyke, but this is surely wrong as<br />

he would have been 73 years old when gold was discovered on <strong>the</strong> Klondyke in 1887,<br />

and 8 years older when <strong>the</strong> main rush was on. It has always been believed that he<br />

emigrated to America, and probably found his way to <strong>the</strong> California Gold Rush in<br />

1849.<br />

A book published in 1897 in London was entitled “All about Klondyke - with Full<br />

Particulars by a Returned Miner”, edited by an H.A. Belcher. A copy may have found<br />

its way to Australia, and been adopted by <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> as an explanation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fate <strong>of</strong><br />

Edward. However <strong>the</strong>re was an Edward Belcher <strong>of</strong> origin Irish, a carpenter aged 30,<br />

arrived at New York from Liverpool on <strong>the</strong> ship Excelsior on 21st July 1851. Possibly<br />

this was Edward.


Chapter 3<br />

Third generation 1850 - 1868<br />

Sarah Furlong née Belcher and John Furlong<br />

SarahBelcherwasbornon4thJanuary1850, accordingtoherBaptismalrecorddated<br />

18th January, at St Peter’s Church <strong>of</strong> England in East Melbourne, nearly 5 months<br />

after <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong>’s arrival in Australia, while <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> was living in Lonsdale Street.<br />

A baptismal record from St Francis Catholic Church, Melbourne, <strong>of</strong> a Sarah Margaret<br />

Belcher on December 30th 1850, daughter <strong>of</strong> John and Eliza Belcher, born on<br />

4th January 1849, (same day and month, different year) might possible be a duplicate<br />

baptism, with a wrong date, but <strong>the</strong>re is no record <strong>of</strong> John and Eliza bringing a baby<br />

to Australia on <strong>the</strong> ship Courier. There seems to have been ano<strong>the</strong>r couple John and<br />

Eliza Belcher in Victoria.)<br />

Sarah was <strong>the</strong> eldest child <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong>, as far as is known, and one <strong>of</strong> only three<br />

children to survive to adulthood. On 9th May 1864, 37 days after she had been<br />

orphaned by <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong> her mo<strong>the</strong>r, at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 14, Sarah took out a miner’s<br />

licence and had her fa<strong>the</strong>r’s share <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tunnelling claim at Table Hill transferred<br />

to her name. And <strong>the</strong>n on Wednesday 20th July <strong>of</strong> that year, at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 14<br />

1/2, but giving her age as 17, she married her fa<strong>the</strong>r’s mining partner John Furlong.<br />

He was an immigrant from Port Louis, Mauritius. His parents were John Joseph<br />

21


22 CHAPTER 3. THIRD GENERATION 1850 - 1868<br />

Figure 3.1: John Furlong, husband <strong>of</strong> Sarah Belcher<br />

Furlong, a Customs House <strong>of</strong>ficer and Frazie (possibly Aphrasia) Simon. John was<br />

aged 26. Consent <strong>of</strong> a Justice had had to be obtained as Sarah was still legally an<br />

infant, without parents to give consent (even at <strong>the</strong> exaggerated age <strong>of</strong> 17), and <strong>the</strong>y<br />

were married at <strong>the</strong> Congregational parsonage, Castlemaine, before witnesses Mary<br />

Hasham and E.H.Bigara (probably Edward “Byara”, <strong>the</strong>ir mining partner) by Rev.<br />

Edwin Day. Thus she was able to provide a home (or perhaps a tent ? ) for her 8 1/2<br />

year old young bro<strong>the</strong>r and 23 month old baby sister. Under <strong>the</strong> conditions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

day in a mining camp, <strong>the</strong> alternatives for <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> could have been devastating.<br />

See Appendix B - Registrar certificates.<br />

The third share <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> tunnelling claim was shortly (on 17 May 1865) transferred<br />

from Edward Byara to F.B.Coupin. The French name suggests ano<strong>the</strong>r Mauritian.<br />

Sarah, at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 16, had her first child Louisa Jane born on Saturday 10th<br />

February 1866 at Shicer Gully. Her second child Clarice Dora was also born <strong>the</strong>re, 4<br />

1/2 years later, on 20th November 1870.<br />

It was noted by <strong>the</strong> mining registrar that John Furlong, without partners, was<br />

on 25th May 1870 abandoning his tunnelling claim at Shicer’s Gully, on <strong>the</strong> grounds<br />

<strong>of</strong> want <strong>of</strong> funds and too much water. What his source <strong>of</strong> income <strong>the</strong>reafter was is<br />

not known but it would appear that <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> remained in <strong>the</strong> Guildford district at<br />

Shicer’s Gully or nearby Tarilta, until <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong> John. From 1872 to 1875, at least,


John Furlong is recorded on <strong>the</strong> Ratepayers Roll <strong>of</strong> Guildford Riding, Mt. Alexander<br />

Shire, as owner <strong>of</strong> a house and garden at Shicer Gully East, valued at £10.<br />

23<br />

A second tragedy in <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong><br />

On 12 May 1871, tragedy again struck <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong>. Sarah Furlong died at Shicer Gully<br />

at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 21 (reputed 23) <strong>of</strong> “Phthisis Pulmonalis 3 years” and “Febris Hectic 3<br />

days”. She left her two young daughters, Louisa aged 5 and Dora aged 5 months,<br />

toge<strong>the</strong>r with her 15 year old bro<strong>the</strong>r William and 8 year old sister Mary, to <strong>the</strong> care<br />

<strong>of</strong> her husband John. After a funeral conducted by a Wesleyan Lay Preacher, she<br />

was buried in Vaughan Cemetery. It is noted that <strong>the</strong> informant <strong>of</strong> her death was a<br />

Charlotte Cantin, possibly <strong>of</strong> Mauritian or Swiss origin, <strong>of</strong> Fryars Rd., Guildford as<br />

a friend. It is possible that Charlotte helped to bring up <strong>the</strong> young <strong>family</strong>. However,<br />

she obviously knew little <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> background as <strong>the</strong>re are a number <strong>of</strong> errors on<br />

<strong>the</strong> death certificate including Sarah’s name and those <strong>of</strong> her parents.<br />

It is interesting to note that at that time <strong>the</strong> ratepayers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Gully were predominately<br />

Italian <strong>of</strong> name, with two or three French or Mauritians and 12 names<br />

<strong>of</strong> Anglo-celtic origin. Names which occur ei<strong>the</strong>r on documents associated with <strong>the</strong><br />

Furlong <strong>family</strong> or appear in <strong>family</strong> records include Charlotte Cantin informant for<br />

Sarah’s death in 1871, P. (Phillipo) Martinoja, informant for John Furlong’s death<br />

in 1895 and his sister Mary Passalaqua née Martinoja, a long time friend <strong>of</strong> Sarah’s<br />

sister Mary, know to her <strong>family</strong> as “Granny Passalaqua”.<br />

Little is known <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Furlongs over <strong>the</strong> next 20 years. In 1890, Clarice Dora<br />

married Joseph Fox, a member <strong>of</strong> a prominent local <strong>family</strong>, possibly a son <strong>of</strong> one <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> witnesses to John Belcher’s drowning. Louisa Jane married Edmund Harrop in<br />

1894. On 8th August 1895, John Furlong died in Castlemaine Hospital <strong>of</strong> Pneumonia<br />

and Exhaustion at <strong>the</strong> reported age <strong>of</strong> 65 and was buried in Guildford Cemetery after<br />

a Church <strong>of</strong> England service. The informant, a friend, was named A P Martinoja, <strong>of</strong><br />

Guildford. This death certificate was in error as to his wife’s name as Mary Belcher<br />

(not Sarah) and his age at marriage as 27 and not 26.<br />

William Belcher and Ellen Belcher née Jamieson<br />

WilliamBelcher, survivingson<strong>of</strong>JohnandElizaBelcher, wasbornatButcher’sGully<br />

nearFryarstown, on<strong>the</strong>MountAlexanderGoldfieldsinVictoria, on1stJanuary1856.<br />

His fa<strong>the</strong>r and mo<strong>the</strong>r were 31 and 33 years old respectively, and <strong>the</strong>re were two o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

surviving children at <strong>the</strong> time, Sarah aged about 6 and James aged about four, three<br />

children having died already. Shortly after his birth, <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> moved to Shicer


24 CHAPTER 3. THIRD GENERATION 1850 - 1868<br />

Figure 3.2: Memorial plaque on a picnic bench in Vaughan Springs, Victoria. “Presented by Louisa<br />

Harrop 1940 in memory <strong>of</strong> her mo<strong>the</strong>r Sarah Furlong 1848”<br />

Gully near Guildford, where his fa<strong>the</strong>r joined a partnership in a tunnelling claim, and<br />

had some success in finding gold. After <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong> his fa<strong>the</strong>r in 1862 and mo<strong>the</strong>r<br />

in 1864, when he was 8 1/2 years old, he was brought up by his 14 year old elder<br />

sister, and her husband John Furlong, in <strong>the</strong>ir home in Shicer Gully. He presumably<br />

went to school at Tarilta or some o<strong>the</strong>r place nearby, as he learned to read and write<br />

successfully.<br />

At some time before 1878, but probably when he was about 16, after his sister<br />

Sarah had died, William went to Echuca and got work at <strong>the</strong> sawmill <strong>of</strong> Edward<br />

Whitely. By 1880, William had purchased a quarter acre building block at Echuca.<br />

It is not known if he ever lived on <strong>the</strong> block, but in August <strong>of</strong> that year, he was<br />

working as a sawmill labourer at Bunbartha, near Tallygaroopna.<br />

Coming to Miepoll in 1880<br />

On 21st August 1880, he placed notices at <strong>the</strong> corners <strong>of</strong> portions <strong>of</strong> allotments 36<br />

and 45, Parish <strong>of</strong> Miepoll, County <strong>of</strong> Moira, on land <strong>the</strong>n recently thrown open for<br />

selection. On 23rd <strong>of</strong> August, at <strong>the</strong> Land Office at Shepparton, he made formal<br />

application for a license under <strong>the</strong> Land Acts <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Victorian Government, for 320<br />

acres <strong>of</strong> land, being Allotments 36B and 45B in <strong>the</strong> Parish. The land was described<br />

as level, with medium soil, covered with box forest. A creek, <strong>the</strong> Middle Creek,<br />

passed through <strong>the</strong> two blocks. It would appear to have been an unreliable source <strong>of</strong><br />

water, even though subject to quite severe flooding. The land was reported not to be<br />

auriferous and no mining conditions applied.


Figure 3.3: Mount Alexander, Vaughan District<br />

25


26 CHAPTER 3. THIRD GENERATION 1850 - 1868<br />

Figure 3.4: Allotments at Miepoll and Moglonemby which were ei<strong>the</strong>r selected by William Belcher<br />

senior or purchased by him from <strong>the</strong> original selectors while still under license or lease.


27<br />

Figure 3.5: William Belcher and Ellen Jamieson after <strong>the</strong>ir wedding in 1886<br />

Having paid <strong>the</strong> Survey Fee, and <strong>the</strong> first half-yearly License Fee <strong>of</strong> £8, he was<br />

issued with a licence dated 1st May 1881, and was entitled to occupy <strong>the</strong> land as a<br />

farmer. This he did by 1st September <strong>of</strong> that year. He <strong>the</strong>reupon set out to clear<br />

<strong>the</strong> land. It is presumed that he sold his house block at Echuca to pay his initial<br />

costs in setting up at Miepoll South. The railway through Euroa, from Sydney to<br />

Melbourne, having been opened in 1873, <strong>the</strong>re was a market for firewood to be taken<br />

to Melbourne, and William carted wood by horse and dray from <strong>the</strong> felled trees on<br />

<strong>the</strong> selection to Euroa to be railed to Melbourne. There was also a demand for Red<br />

Gum timber at local saw mills, and also for wattle bark for tanning, and I dare say<br />

that William also took advantage <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se markets while clearing his land.<br />

William marries Ellen Jamieson<br />

In 1881, Ellen Jamieson traveled to Miepoll South from her home in Franklinford,<br />

to be a bridesmaid at <strong>the</strong> wedding <strong>of</strong> Mary Wade, her sister Jean’s sister-in-law, to<br />

William Leckie. Mary Wade, her bro<strong>the</strong>r John Wade and William Leckie had all<br />

selected land not far from William Belcher’s selection, and <strong>the</strong>y all appear to have<br />

been good neighbours and friends. That wedding took place on 27th April 1881.<br />

After <strong>the</strong> wedding, it is said that <strong>the</strong> bridal party rode to Shepparton, to escort <strong>the</strong>


28 CHAPTER 3. THIRD GENERATION 1850 - 1868<br />

newly married couple on <strong>the</strong>ir honeymoon, and that it was on this journey that <strong>the</strong><br />

bridesmaid, Ellen Jamieson, got to know William Belcher, who lived next door to <strong>the</strong><br />

Wades and whom she was later to marry. Ellen had been born at Spring Hill near<br />

Creswick, on 11th November 1859, <strong>the</strong> 5th daughter <strong>of</strong> Robert Jamieson, a farmer,<br />

but former ship’s carpenter, from Bute in Scotland, and Jean (or Jane) Cunning,<br />

who had come out to Australia with her fa<strong>the</strong>r and stepmo<strong>the</strong>r and <strong>the</strong>ir <strong>family</strong> from<br />

FalkirkinScotland. ItispresumedthatshecameacrosstoMiepollSouthtostaywith<br />

her sister from time to time, for, on 3rd March 1886, when William was 30 years old<br />

and Ellen 26, <strong>the</strong>y were married, at <strong>the</strong> home <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> bride’s fa<strong>the</strong>r, Robert Jamieson,<br />

at Franklinford. They were married according to <strong>the</strong> rites <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>Presbyterian Church,<br />

and <strong>the</strong> witnesses were John Wade and Jean Jamieson.<br />

Settling in at Meipoll<br />

They settled on William’s 320 acre farm in a three room log, plaster and paling house<br />

- 30 feet by 16 feet in size. There was an orchard and also a kitchen garden. By<br />

May 1887, when William applied to convert his licence on <strong>the</strong> property to a Crown<br />

Lease, 160 acres had been cleared. The property had been completely fenced, with<br />

a mixture <strong>of</strong> chock and log, brush and post, and wire fences which he had erected<br />

himself without payment by his neighbours, and valued at £121 10 shillings. As well<br />

as <strong>the</strong> house, William erected a wood and bark ro<strong>of</strong> outhouse, 16 feet by 12 feet, and<br />

two sheds, one 40 feet by 16 feet and <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r 40 feet by 30 feet <strong>of</strong> wood and bark<br />

with a straw thatched ro<strong>of</strong>.<br />

Over <strong>the</strong> previous three years, he had cropped 50 acres with wheat, oats and<br />

barley with yields between 8 and 16 bushels per acre. Although not mentioned in<br />

his application, he had almost certainly commenced dairying on <strong>the</strong> property by this<br />

time. At intervals over <strong>the</strong> next 13 years, William Belcher wrote many letters to<br />

<strong>the</strong> local paper, <strong>the</strong> Euroa Advertiser, on various subjects relating to dairying, and<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r types <strong>of</strong> farming. During this period, a neighbour, William Murray who had<br />

not verified his land claim on Allotment 46 B, parish <strong>of</strong> Miepoll adequately, and had<br />

first built his house on an adjacent property and <strong>the</strong>n had problems <strong>of</strong> illness in a<br />

large <strong>family</strong>, had to abandon his licence, because he failed to meet <strong>the</strong> requirements<br />

for improvements and payments. William Belcher took up <strong>the</strong> crown lease <strong>of</strong> this<br />

property, known <strong>the</strong>reafter to <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> as “Murrays”, later to pass it on to William<br />

Belcher junior. Later, William Belcher purchased <strong>the</strong> crown lease <strong>of</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r property<br />

Allotments 31 and 32 at Rigg’s Creek, in <strong>the</strong> parish <strong>of</strong> Moglonemby, where <strong>the</strong>re had<br />

been built a fine house, with <strong>the</strong> intention <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> moving <strong>the</strong>re. This property


was <strong>the</strong>n currently on a three year lease to James Henley and Matilda McKer for<br />

three years from 19 January 1898 at £50 per annum payable quarterly.<br />

29<br />

William admitted to hospital<br />

William and Ellen had seven children between 1886 and 1900, being Frederick (1887),<br />

Ada (1888), Alice (1890), Harry (1892), William (1895), Nelly (1896), and John<br />

(1899) On 21st March 1900, Nelly died aged almost 4 years old. Nelly’s death seems<br />

to have had a pr<strong>of</strong>ound effect on William Belcher’s health, as on 1st June 1900, he<br />

was admitted to Beechworth Mental Hospital, variously diagnosed a suffering from<br />

Grief and Melancholia, and being in unsatisfactory bodily health. After some five or<br />

six months at Beechworth, he was transferred to <strong>the</strong> Mental Asylum at Kew, where<br />

he remained until his death in 1916. See Appendix F - Obituaries.<br />

Instead <strong>of</strong> moving from <strong>the</strong> house at Miepoll across to <strong>the</strong> house at Rigg’s Creek,<br />

Ellen decided to move in to Euroa, since Fred <strong>the</strong> eldest son was only aged 13, so was<br />

too young to operate <strong>the</strong> farm. The <strong>family</strong> moved into a brick house up along <strong>the</strong><br />

Seven Creeks, in Kirkland Street East, just across <strong>the</strong> creek from <strong>the</strong> Presbyterian<br />

manse in Foy Street. There, <strong>the</strong> older children attended Euroa State School, and<br />

Ellen participated in <strong>the</strong> activities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> town. The two blocks <strong>of</strong> land at Miepoll<br />

were leased out, each for three years from 11th October 1900, <strong>the</strong> home block to<br />

Jas McNair for £56 per annum payable quarterly for three years, and “Murrays” to<br />

Charles and Jas Hunt for £53.6.8 per annum payable quarterly. It is not known who<br />

<strong>the</strong> Rigg’s Creek property was leased to at that time.<br />

Later, when <strong>the</strong> <strong>the</strong>n current lease expired, <strong>the</strong> Moglonemby block was leased to<br />

Ellen’s bro<strong>the</strong>r-in-law, John Wade, who needed a house larger than <strong>the</strong> log cabin on<br />

his original selection at Miepoll South. Presumably, <strong>the</strong> rents were enough for <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>family</strong> to live on, although <strong>the</strong> pickings were somewhat slim.<br />

While living in Euroa, <strong>the</strong> Belcher children and <strong>the</strong> Robinson children from <strong>the</strong><br />

Presbyterian Manse became close friends, regularly playing along <strong>the</strong> Seven Creeks<br />

between <strong>the</strong> two houses. Rev W. Robinson acted as Ellen Belcher’s financial advisor,<br />

atthistimewhile<strong>the</strong>ywerelivingawayfrom<strong>the</strong>farm. FredBelcherwaseventuallyto<br />

marry Dorothy Robinson. Also during this period various young nephews and nieces<br />

<strong>of</strong> Ellen Belcher’s Jamieson <strong>family</strong> would come to stay with <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> on holidays,<br />

and Ellen herself would visit her sisters in Melbourne, Ballarat and even Kyogle in<br />

Nor<strong>the</strong>rn New South Wales, travelling by train and boat when necessary.<br />

AfterhersonFredreturnedfromafewyears<strong>of</strong>apprenticeshipasafarmer, withhis<br />

uncle, John Wade, who had moved to Kyogle, New South Wales. The <strong>family</strong> moved


30 CHAPTER 3. THIRD GENERATION 1850 - 1868<br />

out to <strong>the</strong>ir house in Rigg’s Creek in 1909. They had named <strong>the</strong> house “Ro<strong>the</strong>say”,<br />

after <strong>the</strong> capital <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Scottish Isle <strong>of</strong> Bute, from where Ellen Belcher’s fa<strong>the</strong>r and<br />

grandfa<strong>the</strong>r had immigrated to Australia.<br />

In1915, with<strong>the</strong>approval<strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>PublicTrusteewhohadresponsibilityforWilliam<br />

Belcher’s property, Ellen had a new house built for £250 on <strong>the</strong> original selection but<br />

on <strong>the</strong> more accessible eastern bank <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Middle Creek. This served as a home for<br />

son Fred and his bride Dorothy. From this home Fred managed <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> farm until<br />

it was broken up and divided amongst <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> on Ellen’s death in 1933.<br />

William and Ellen pass away<br />

On 28th February 1916, William Belcher died at Be<strong>the</strong>sda Hospital, following a<br />

prostatectomy, and was buried at Euroa Cemetery. He died intestate and left <strong>the</strong><br />

three properties, with two houses, to be divided up between his wife and <strong>the</strong> six surviving<br />

children. The farm continued to be farmed as a unit by Fred on behalf <strong>of</strong> all,<br />

with young Jack seasonally. William assisting after his return from <strong>the</strong> War in 1919,<br />

while also running his own property. The <strong>family</strong> participated in many district activities,<br />

including <strong>the</strong> local Presbyterian church, with services held at <strong>the</strong> Moglonemby<br />

hall. Two <strong>of</strong> William and Ellen’s sons served in <strong>the</strong> 1914-18 World War, and Ellen<br />

was very active in patriotic activities, not being above blunt speaking on <strong>the</strong> subject<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> desirability <strong>of</strong> young men volunteering for <strong>the</strong> services. Ellen remained<br />

at “Ro<strong>the</strong>say” until <strong>the</strong> marriage <strong>of</strong> her youngest son, John “Jack” in 1927, when<br />

she moved to a house in Templeton Street, Euroa. There she lived until her death<br />

<strong>of</strong> heart failure on 8th September 1933, aged 73. She was buried beside her husband<br />

in Euroa Cemetery. Her daughter Ada, had shared <strong>the</strong> house with her until she got<br />

married in 1929 to William James Smith. See Appendix F - Obituaries.<br />

In her will she left, to divided up equally amongst her six children, <strong>the</strong> Ro<strong>the</strong>say<br />

property and half <strong>of</strong> “Murrays”, being her half share <strong>of</strong> her husband’s estate, toge<strong>the</strong>r<br />

with <strong>the</strong> house in Templeton Street, and a block <strong>of</strong> land in Essendon, and also two<br />

loans which had be granted to Lloyd Williams and Ada Smith.<br />

Mary Wheatley née Belcher and Richard Wheatley<br />

Mary Ann Belcher, youngest daughter <strong>of</strong> John and Eliza Belcher, was born at Tarilta<br />

(formerly known as Kangaroo), near Guildford, on <strong>the</strong> Mount Alexander Goldfields,<br />

on 25th August 1862. Her fa<strong>the</strong>r had been drowned about 9 months after to her<br />

birth.


31<br />

Figure 3.6: “Ro<strong>the</strong>say”, <strong>the</strong> house in Riggs Creek, Victoria, where Ellen Belcher and <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong><br />

made <strong>the</strong>ir home in 1908<br />

Figure 3.7: The house on <strong>the</strong> old Belcher Selection in Miepoll, probably just prior to its demolition<br />

by Fred Belcher


32 CHAPTER 3. THIRD GENERATION 1850 - 1868<br />

Twenty-one months later, her mo<strong>the</strong>r died, leaving her to be brought up by her<br />

14 year old sister, Sarah, and her soon to be bro<strong>the</strong>r-in-law, at <strong>the</strong>ir home in Shicer<br />

Gully. When she was eight years old, her sister died leaving her and her bro<strong>the</strong>r-inlaw<br />

John Furlong, to bring up, with <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> neighbours, her two nieces, Louisa<br />

aged 6, and Dora aged 6 month. Despite this, she attended school at Tarilta, and<br />

learned to read and write quite well, and as she grew older, took more and more<br />

responsibility for <strong>the</strong> household. Her bro<strong>the</strong>r William, 6 1/2 years older than her,<br />

left home, perhaps when he was about 16, to work for a saw-mill at Echuca, on <strong>the</strong><br />

Murray River, owned by an Edward Whiteley, who with his wife, (a daughter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Cook <strong>family</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Carrier’s Arms Hotel), lived with <strong>the</strong>ir 4 sons in <strong>the</strong> Mill House,<br />

next to <strong>the</strong> sawmill.<br />

Some time later, Mrs. Whitely heard that William had a 16 year old sister Mary,<br />

who had been ill (perhaps as a result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> pressure upon her as housekeeper to her<br />

bro<strong>the</strong>r-in-law and 14 year old and eight year old nieces), and invited her to come to<br />

Echuca and stay <strong>the</strong>re for a fortnight’ s holiday. Mary did so, and from 1878 until she<br />

was married from <strong>the</strong> Whiteley home 0n 12th February 1890, stayed <strong>the</strong>re, employed<br />

as a house maid. It was <strong>the</strong> custom <strong>of</strong> Mrs Whiteley to go with her maid to <strong>the</strong><br />

Carriers Arms Hotel at busy times, such as harvest, to help her mo<strong>the</strong>r, Mrs. Cook<br />

in <strong>the</strong> kitchen or to wait on tables. It is in this way that Mary met Richard Wheatley,<br />

a young English immigrant, whom she was to marry.<br />

Aftermarriage, sheandherhusbandlivedinPatho, inNor<strong>the</strong>rnVictoria, wherehe<br />

was a farmer, <strong>the</strong>y lived <strong>the</strong>re for many years. Richard Wheatley seems to have had<br />

some income coming from his <strong>family</strong> or property in England and in later years <strong>the</strong>y<br />

were <strong>of</strong> independent means. They had one daughter, Lucy, born on <strong>the</strong> 1st December<br />

1890. During <strong>the</strong> time <strong>the</strong>y lived at Patho, <strong>the</strong>y were visited by her bro<strong>the</strong>r William,<br />

fromMiepollSouthandhisdaughterAda,andalsobyvariouso<strong>the</strong>rlocalfamiliesfrom<br />

<strong>the</strong> Euroa district. In 1916 <strong>the</strong>y later moved to Williamstown, where her husband<br />

died on 16th February 1928, aged 74.<br />

Mary, herself <strong>the</strong>n moved into <strong>the</strong> home <strong>of</strong> her daughter Lucy Barker, where she<br />

died on 22nd May 1944, aged 82 years.


33<br />

Figure 3.8: Mary Wheatley née Belcher and her husband Richard Wheatley in front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir Charles<br />

Street home<br />

Figure 3.9: Caption on back reads “Grandma Wheatley”


34 CHAPTER 3. THIRD GENERATION 1850 - 1868<br />

Figure 3.10: Mary Wheatley née Belcher, Louisa Harrop née Furlong, daughter <strong>of</strong> Sarah Furlong<br />

née Belcher and William Belcher


Chapter 4<br />

Fourth generation 1869 - 1907<br />

Louisa Harrop née Furlong and Edmund Harrop<br />

Louisa Jane Furlong was born on 10th February 1866 at Shicer Gully, near Guildford<br />

in Central Victoria. Her mo<strong>the</strong>r was not quite 16 years old, <strong>the</strong> eldest daughter <strong>of</strong><br />

John Furlong, an immigrant from Mauritius and Sarah Belcher. After her mo<strong>the</strong>r’s<br />

death in 1871, when she was 5 years old, she was looked after by her fa<strong>the</strong>r and her 9<br />

year old aunt, Mary Ann Belcher, with <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Italian and Mauritian<br />

neighbours. It is not clear what education she received, but she almost certainly<br />

attended <strong>the</strong> State school at Tarilta (formerly Kangaroo) until old enough to leave.<br />

In 1894 Louisa married Edmund Harrop, a immigrant from Oldham in Lancashire.<br />

Hewasamachinegrinderandpossiblyhadbeenworkingforaminingcompany. They<br />

35


36 CHAPTER 4. FOURTH GENERATION 1869 - 1907<br />

Figure 4.1: Louisa Harrop, daughter <strong>of</strong> Sarah Furlong née Belcher and niece <strong>of</strong> William Belcher<br />

moved to live in 15 Pickett Street Footscray, where she was to stay 51 years - <strong>the</strong> rest<br />

<strong>of</strong> her life. Her fa<strong>the</strong>r had died at Castlemaine in 1895.<br />

Her husband died on 15th April 1917, leaving her a widow, with a now grown up<br />

son, Frank Edmund, a glass worker, who had been born in Footscray in 1896 and was<br />

now 21 years old. He later married, and he with his wife and <strong>family</strong> shared <strong>the</strong> house<br />

until Louisa died in Footscray on 24th July 1945.<br />

Clarice Dora Fox née Furlong<br />

Dora Clarice Furlong was born on 20th November, 1870, at Shicer Gully, near Guildford<br />

in Central Victoria, <strong>the</strong> youngest daughter <strong>of</strong> John Furlong, an immigrant from<br />

Mauritius and Sarah Belcher. After her mo<strong>the</strong>r’s death <strong>the</strong> following year, when<br />

she was less than six months old, she was looked after by her fa<strong>the</strong>r and her 9 year<br />

old aunt, Mary Ann Belcher, with <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Italian and Mauritian<br />

neighbours.<br />

It is not clear what education she received, but she almost certainly attended <strong>the</strong><br />

State school at Tarilta, until old enough to leave.<br />

In 1890, at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 20, she married Joseph Fox, born about 1868, one <strong>of</strong> quite a<br />

large <strong>family</strong> living in <strong>the</strong> district. They eventually settled down in South Gippsland


37<br />

Figure 4.2: Fox <strong>family</strong> at North Wonthaggi 1921<br />

where many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir descendants still live. They had seven children: Ada, Mary Irene<br />

“Tot”, E<strong>the</strong>l, Edwin, Alma, Doris and Vanice Amy “Trixie”, three <strong>of</strong> whom, Edwin,<br />

E<strong>the</strong>l and Trixie had predeceased her. Her husband died in 1931 at Wonthaggi,<br />

Victoria, and she herself died <strong>the</strong>re on 23rd October 1963.<br />

Fred Belcher<br />

Fred Belcher was born at Miepoll East on 6th January 1887, <strong>the</strong> eldest son <strong>of</strong> William<br />

Belcher and Ellen née Jamieson. During his childhood he lived firstly in <strong>the</strong> original<br />

selectionhomeatMiepollEast, on<strong>the</strong>banks<strong>of</strong><strong>the</strong>MiddleCreek. Hisearlyeducation<br />

was at Miepoll East State School, No. 2911, where he and his sister Ada were among<br />

<strong>the</strong> first pupils to enrol.<br />

After living for a few years at “Ro<strong>the</strong>say”, at Rigg’s Creek in Moglonemby, <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>family</strong> moved, after his fath had been confined to hospital, to Euroa in 1901. They<br />

lived in Kirkland Street East on <strong>the</strong> Seven Creeks up from <strong>the</strong> Sydney Road. Fred<br />

became <strong>the</strong> “man <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> house” at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 14. At <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> about 16, he travelled<br />

up to Kyogle in Nor<strong>the</strong>rn New South Wales where he worked for his uncle, John<br />

Wade, and learnt <strong>the</strong> art <strong>of</strong> farming. When <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> returned to <strong>the</strong> land and<br />

re-settled at “Ro<strong>the</strong>say”, at Rigg’s Creek in 1909, he, with his mo<strong>the</strong>r and younger


38 CHAPTER 4. FOURTH GENERATION 1869 - 1907<br />

Figure 4.3: Fox <strong>family</strong> after wedding <strong>of</strong> Trixie Hargreaves 1925<br />

Figure 4.4: Fred Belcher


39<br />

bro<strong>the</strong>rs and sister Ada. He farmed <strong>the</strong> three <strong>family</strong> properties. He took a keen<br />

interest in local affairs while quite young and became secretary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> local Mutual<br />

Improvement Society, and <strong>the</strong>n in 1911 secretary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> local Presbyterian Church at<br />

Moglonemby. About this time he played cricket for Tamleugh. For some time, he<br />

was also Correspondent for <strong>the</strong> Committee <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> local Rigg’s Creek School.<br />

In 1912, Fred had joined <strong>the</strong> Militia in <strong>the</strong> 16th Light Horse Regiment with his<br />

bro<strong>the</strong>rWilliam. With<strong>the</strong>commencement<strong>of</strong>WorldWarOnein1914, heandWilliam<br />

discussed <strong>the</strong> matter <strong>of</strong> enlistment. It was decided that, in <strong>the</strong> absence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fa<strong>the</strong>r<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong>, it was necessary for Fred to stay at home and care for <strong>the</strong> farm and<br />

for his mo<strong>the</strong>r and younger bro<strong>the</strong>rs and sisters. In any case Fred was planning to<br />

marry.<br />

On 28th September 1915 at Euroa, Fred married a young school teacher, Dorothy<br />

Robinson, <strong>the</strong> daughter <strong>of</strong> a former Presbyterian minister at Euroa, Rev Fred Robinson.<br />

The couple settled on <strong>the</strong> farm “Braeside”, <strong>the</strong> original <strong>family</strong> selection at<br />

Miepoll East, in a house built just across <strong>the</strong> Middle Creek from <strong>the</strong> old <strong>family</strong> home.<br />

A new house had been built and timbers from <strong>the</strong> old house were used for some <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> sheds. The farm was sometimes referred to as “McNairs”, because it had been<br />

leased to a person <strong>of</strong> that name, while <strong>the</strong> Belcher <strong>family</strong> lived in Euroa.<br />

There, he and his wife raised sheep and pigs, and at least at one stage, ducks. In<br />

1916, <strong>the</strong>re was a record flood in <strong>the</strong> district, and <strong>the</strong>y lost many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir poultry<br />

in <strong>the</strong> flood. They also planted grapevines for production <strong>of</strong> table grapes, as well as<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r orchard trees on <strong>the</strong> old farmstead across <strong>the</strong> creek.<br />

Fred and his wife had four children - Winifred Jamieson, born 18 July, 1916;<br />

William Robinson, born 29 January 1918; Joan born 24 September 1920 and died 31<br />

March 1923, and Alan born 15th April 1924.<br />

He served on <strong>the</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Management <strong>of</strong> Moglonemby Presbyterian Church, and<br />

participated in a wide range <strong>of</strong> district activities. In 1916, with <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong> his<br />

fa<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> three properties were divided amongst his mo<strong>the</strong>r, his five siblings and<br />

himself, Fred is still managing <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r properties as well as his own.<br />

In 1931, because <strong>the</strong>re was insufficient land for his farm to be viable, he and his<br />

wife sold <strong>the</strong> “Braeside” property to a Mr Arthur Hunt and moved to Thoona, near<br />

Glenrowan, where <strong>the</strong>y bought a farm “Bleak House”, on <strong>the</strong> South-east slopes <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Warby Ranges. However he was not to live in Thoona for long.<br />

He died on 23rd March 1935 at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 48, leaving his widow and children, aged<br />

18, 17 and 11 to operate <strong>the</strong> farm alone, which <strong>the</strong>y did for many years. He was<br />

buried at Thoona cemetery. During his short life at Thoona, Fred was very active in


40 CHAPTER 4. FOURTH GENERATION 1869 - 1907<br />

local affairs <strong>the</strong>re. He started a local football club and tennis club. He was an elder<br />

at Thoona Presbyterian Church and was involved in <strong>the</strong> local school committee. He<br />

also ran a small Border Leicester stud on his farm.<br />

Ada Clarice Smith née Belcher<br />

Ada Clarice Belcher was born at Miepoll East on 28th October 1888, <strong>the</strong> eldest<br />

daughter and second child <strong>of</strong> William Belcher and Ellen Belcher née Jamieson.<br />

During her childhood, she lived firstly in <strong>the</strong> original selection home at Miepoll<br />

East, just over <strong>the</strong> Middle Creek. As <strong>the</strong> eldest girl, much <strong>of</strong> her time would have<br />

been spent looking after <strong>the</strong> younger children <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong>.<br />

About 1901, when she was about 13, after her fa<strong>the</strong>r had been confined to hospital,<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> farm was rented out and <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> moved to Euroa, where <strong>the</strong>y lived in a<br />

rented brick house, upstream along <strong>the</strong> Seven Creeks from <strong>the</strong> Sydney Road. While<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> lived in Euroa, Ada had lessons in painting, dressmaking, singing and<br />

piano. For a time she worked at Mr. W. H. Neville’s draper’s shop. During this time<br />

she also taught Sunday School at <strong>the</strong> new Euroa Presbyterian Church in Kirkland<br />

Street.<br />

By 1909, <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> had moved out to “Ro<strong>the</strong>say”, on <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> farm, which<br />

her bro<strong>the</strong>rs were now old enough to manage, and Ada assisted with <strong>the</strong> house and<br />

farm duties. She too joined in many district activities, including <strong>the</strong> Tennis Club,<br />

and dances and social evenings. She was by <strong>the</strong>n a good piano player and a fine<br />

singer. She was a active member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Presbyterian Church, which held services at<br />

<strong>the</strong> Moglonemby Mechanics Institute Hall, and she was <strong>the</strong> organist for many years,<br />

from 1913 until 1927.<br />

A fair amount <strong>of</strong> time was spent away from home, including housekeeping for a<br />

while for her two bro<strong>the</strong>rs at Seaford, Harry being Assistant Station Master <strong>the</strong>re,<br />

and Jack who lived <strong>the</strong>re while studying Wool-classing at <strong>the</strong> Melbourne Technical<br />

College. She also stayed from time to time with sister Allie, who was teaching at<br />

Geelong. During <strong>the</strong> 1914-18 War, she had worked for <strong>the</strong> Comforts Fund and <strong>the</strong><br />

Red Cross to raise money for War Relief.<br />

Ada was one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first women in <strong>the</strong> district to learn to drive a car. On one<br />

occasion, she and her mo<strong>the</strong>r drove to Mildura to visit her sister Allie, who lived<br />

<strong>the</strong>re after her marriage. The two women travelled toge<strong>the</strong>r by car. The event<br />

include driving over sand-hills on <strong>the</strong> unmade roads, with her mo<strong>the</strong>r pushing sand<br />

bags under <strong>the</strong> wheels as Ada drove. The trip <strong>the</strong>re and back was most successful, if<br />

adventurous.


41<br />

Figure 4.5: Ada Clarice Belcher, eldest daughter <strong>of</strong> William Belcher and Ellen Jamieson<br />

In 1927, Ada and her mo<strong>the</strong>r moved to Euroa to live in a house in Bury Street, as<br />

her bro<strong>the</strong>r Jack had married and was now running “Ro<strong>the</strong>say” with his wife. She<br />

and her mo<strong>the</strong>r hosted many <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> nieces and nephews when <strong>the</strong>re was illness or a<br />

new baby in <strong>the</strong>ir own households. On 5 June 1929, in Euroa Presbyterian Church,<br />

she married William James (Bill) Smith, son <strong>of</strong> James Smith and Elizabeth Marie<br />

Herrman, <strong>of</strong> Moglonemby. They settled just <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> Moglonemby Road in Balmattum,<br />

(Lots 55, 56 & 56a, Parish <strong>of</strong> Balmattum), naming <strong>the</strong>ir house “Roselea”, and <strong>the</strong>re<br />

<strong>the</strong>y conducted a mixed farm. This property was later augmented by <strong>the</strong> addition<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> old Smith selection in Moglonemby. On 22 July 1930, <strong>the</strong>ir only daughter<br />

Alwynne Belcher Smith was born.<br />

Over <strong>the</strong> next few years, Ada managed to combine home duties, farm duties and<br />

outside activities. On many occasions, over <strong>the</strong> years, she continued to care for <strong>the</strong><br />

children <strong>of</strong> her bro<strong>the</strong>rs and sister when this was needed, and provided a home for<br />

<strong>the</strong>m to visit on holidays. She was always an active member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Red Cross, and in<br />

1949 she was awarded a medal for long service to <strong>the</strong> society, with a bar to <strong>the</strong> award<br />

in 1962. She was a long time member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Country Womens Association becoming<br />

secretary in 1950, and later president <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Euroa branch and delegate to <strong>the</strong> State<br />

conference. She also acted in dramatic performances at CWA conferences.


42 CHAPTER 4. FOURTH GENERATION 1869 - 1907<br />

After moving to Euroa, she had joined <strong>the</strong> Euroa Presbyterian Church, where<br />

she remained a prominent member until her death. She was a keen member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

PWMU, being a member for about 50 years, serving for a time as secretary and<br />

being its president for 6 years to 1965 She was also a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ladies Guild<br />

<strong>of</strong> which she was <strong>the</strong> secretary in 1928, 1940-41 and 1948-52. She acted as organist<br />

from time to time, and up to two weeks from her death, she played <strong>the</strong> piano for <strong>the</strong><br />

Kindergarten Sunday School. Her life in <strong>the</strong> church was very important to her and<br />

she had a reputation for strong leadership – at her funeral <strong>the</strong> text applied to her was<br />

“Blessed are <strong>the</strong> peacemakers”.<br />

Bill and Ada sold <strong>the</strong>ir property in 1957 and retired to Euroa, to a house in<br />

Kirkland Avenue, where she was able to spend more time on her various activities.<br />

She was always interested in <strong>the</strong> lives <strong>of</strong> her extended <strong>family</strong>, particularly her three<br />

grandchildren. And she was also very interested in <strong>the</strong> happenings <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> world, with<br />

her mind always open to new ideas, being ready to discuss any topic.<br />

She died <strong>of</strong> heart failure on 30th May 1967, after a very short illness, leaving her<br />

husband and daughter, son-in-law and three grandchildren, and was buried at Euroa<br />

Cemetery. Her husband Bill lived on in <strong>the</strong> Kirkland Avenue home, himself dying 5<br />

years later on 22 March 1972.<br />

Mary Alice “Allie” Williams née Belcher<br />

Mary Alice Belcher was born in Euroa on 25th November 1890 - <strong>the</strong> second daughter<br />

and <strong>the</strong> third child <strong>of</strong> William Belcher and Ellen (née Jamieson). She was known by<br />

her <strong>family</strong> as “Allie”.<br />

During her childhood she lived firstly in <strong>the</strong> original selection home at Miepoll<br />

East, <strong>the</strong>n at Euroa in a rented brick house, upstream along <strong>the</strong> Seven Creeks from<br />

<strong>the</strong> Sydney Road. Her early education was at Miepoll East State School No 2911 and<br />

<strong>the</strong>n at Euroa State School. The <strong>family</strong> had moved to Euroa at around 1901 after<br />

her fa<strong>the</strong>r had been confined to hospital when she was 11.<br />

She and three o<strong>the</strong>r Euroa girls, Dorothy Robinson (who eventually became her<br />

sister-in-law), JulieFoleyandLenaLewisallattendedasmallprivateschoolinEuroa,<br />

popularly known as “Sammy Simpson’s night school”. This led to Alice being able<br />

to go to Melbourne and attend <strong>the</strong> “The Continuation School” in East Melbourne<br />

- <strong>the</strong> predecessor <strong>of</strong> Melbourne High School. This step enabled her to become a<br />

school teacher. While in Melbourne she boarded in Sunshine, with her ”Aunt Lizzie”<br />

Elizabeth Marchant, her mo<strong>the</strong>r’s sister.<br />

In 1909, she was posted as Junior Teacher (Third Class) to Euroa School No.


Figure 4.6: Mary Alice “Allie” Williams née Belcher<br />

43


44 CHAPTER 4. FOURTH GENERATION 1869 - 1907<br />

1706. By 1916-17, she was teaching at Geelong, where various members <strong>of</strong> her <strong>family</strong><br />

visited her. Her mo<strong>the</strong>r also stayed with her from time to time. During this period<br />

she saved enough money to pay for her bro<strong>the</strong>r Jack’s education in wool-classing at<br />

Melbourne Technical School. Her photo was published in <strong>the</strong> Geelong paper in July<br />

1916. During 1917 she managed to transfer to Tamleugh West School near home at<br />

Moglonemby. In February 1918, she took over <strong>the</strong> local school at Rigg’s Creek, where<br />

she was to teach until she retired in marriage in 1921.<br />

She married Richard Horace Lloyd Williams - son <strong>of</strong> Richard and Emma Williams<br />

- at <strong>the</strong> Presbyterian Church in Euroa on 1st September 1921. The Reverend Fred<br />

Robinson <strong>of</strong>ficiated at <strong>the</strong> marriage. Her husband was an Ex-8th Light Horseman<br />

from <strong>the</strong> 1914-18 War.<br />

On his return from Service overseas, he had been attracted to <strong>the</strong> Mildura district<br />

as a result <strong>of</strong> meeting Robert Gordon, an early resident <strong>of</strong> that area, on <strong>the</strong> boat<br />

returning from <strong>the</strong> war. He first bought land at Nichol’s Point. He was unable to<br />

obtainassistanceunder<strong>the</strong>SoldierSettlementSchemeashehadsavedmoneyfromhis<br />

service pay. Before his marriage, he sold that land and purchased a 10 acre vineyard<br />

property on Deakin Avenue, Mildura South, on which he built a dwelling. Alice<br />

assisted in building <strong>the</strong> house by using her money, inherited from her fa<strong>the</strong>r William<br />

Belcher, to make <strong>the</strong> house comfortable. They named <strong>the</strong> house “Belcaire”. While<br />

getting established Lloyd worked <strong>the</strong> neighbouring Brewster’s vineyard and ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />

vineyard own by Jack Giles, as well as his own. Jack Giles was an employee <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Merbein Research Station. Mr Brewster was crippled from polio, and later died.<br />

When Mrs Brewster moved to Melbourne, Lloyd purchased her 10 acre property,<br />

which was situated next door. This property was bought in Mary Alice’s name, as<br />

a way <strong>of</strong> acknowledging her contribution to <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> house. A fur<strong>the</strong>r 10 acres,<br />

adjoining <strong>the</strong> original property, but facing Walnut Ave had already been purchased,<br />

making a combined holding <strong>of</strong> 30 acres. Currants, sultanas, Gordos (Muscatel) and<br />

Walthams were grown and dried to produce dried fruit. Alice and Lloyd had three<br />

daughters: Jean Alison, born 5th March 1923; Margaret Helen, born 2nd January<br />

1927; Noela Betty, born 26th December 1928.<br />

Alice was committed to her Presbyterian faith and continued membership at St<br />

Andrews Presbyterian Church, Mildura. She was instrumental in having a Presbyterian<br />

service established in <strong>the</strong> Mildura South School, which was conducted by <strong>the</strong><br />

Rev. W.E. Blackwood - Presbyterian Minister at Mildura. A Mrs. Evans conducted<br />

a Sunday school along <strong>the</strong> lines <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church <strong>of</strong> England faith. The children began<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir religious education at Mrs.Evans Sunday School. learning <strong>the</strong> Church <strong>of</strong>


45<br />

England Catechism and attending <strong>the</strong> Presbyterian service. Never<strong>the</strong>less, when <strong>the</strong><br />

<strong>family</strong> purchased a Buick motor car, Alice drove <strong>the</strong> children into <strong>the</strong> Mildura Presbyterian<br />

Church and Sunday School, and until her death took an active part in <strong>the</strong><br />

women’s work <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church - her main interest being <strong>the</strong> P.W.M.U.<br />

Alice and Lloyd were instrumental in <strong>the</strong> establishment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> primary school at<br />

Mildura South. Their involvement grew because <strong>of</strong> Alice’s interest in education and<br />

<strong>the</strong> distance her children would have had to travel to school. They canvassed <strong>the</strong><br />

district and made a submission to <strong>the</strong> Education Department, to have a school built.<br />

Both worked tirelessly to get <strong>the</strong> school established and continued to support it -<br />

Lloyd as Correspondent on <strong>the</strong> School Committee, and Alice holding Office in <strong>the</strong><br />

Mo<strong>the</strong>rs Club.<br />

Alice Williams died <strong>of</strong> cardiac failure on 7th July 1941, leaving her husband to<br />

bring up <strong>the</strong>ir three daughters, <strong>the</strong>n 18, 14, and 12 years old. She is buried at<br />

<strong>the</strong> Mildura Cemetery. One <strong>of</strong> Alice’s student friends from Euroa, Julie Foley, now<br />

married to Thomas Patrick Ryan, and living at Merinee and later at Benetook, near<br />

Mildura had remained a life-long friend, and she helped guide her daughters’ lives<br />

after Alice’s death.<br />

Daughter Jean, an active Guide Leader, became a Student Teacher at Mildura<br />

West, Mildura South, <strong>the</strong>n sole teacher at <strong>the</strong> Nangiloc School, some 30 miles south<br />

<strong>of</strong> Mildura. In 1944, she attended Teachers Training College in Melbourne. At<br />

Easter she became ill with influenza and on arriving home contracted scarlet fever<br />

and complications. She died 24th April, 1944, aged 21 years.<br />

Margaret, after leaving Mildura High School, worked for Irymple Packing Pty.<br />

Ltd., Irymple, <strong>the</strong>n J.H. Gardiner Pty Ltd. in Brisbane, Queensland and later at<br />

Dunlop Rubber Australia Ltd. in Adelaide South Australia. She married Thomas<br />

Walter Morgan on 26 August 1967 at St Andrews Presbyterian Church Mildura and<br />

made her home in Tranmere S.A. where she cared for her two step-children, Timothy<br />

and Meredith. Later she joined her husband in <strong>the</strong>ir Post Office at Underdale.<br />

Noela completed her Mildura High School years, in 1946. While staying at home<br />

to look after her fa<strong>the</strong>r, she continued her interest in Guiding and in <strong>the</strong> Presbyterian<br />

Church in Mildura. On November, 17th 1951, she married Leslie John Hunt at St<br />

Andrews Presbyterian Church Mildura. Her two sons were born at Mildura: Peter<br />

Williams on 25th October 1956 and Craig Leslie on 1st July 1959. The <strong>family</strong> continued<br />

to live at Mildura South until Noela’s fa<strong>the</strong>r bought a much more fertile dried<br />

fruits property at Coomealla in 1960.<br />

Noela helped with <strong>the</strong> management <strong>of</strong> this property, while continuing to take


46 CHAPTER 4. FOURTH GENERATION 1869 - 1907<br />

Figure 4.7: Harry Belcher - because he was in <strong>the</strong> railways, <strong>the</strong>y put him in as a clerk which he<br />

hated so became a cook and <strong>the</strong>n got into signals.<br />

an interest in Guiding, in <strong>the</strong> Dareton Public School organisation, and later in <strong>the</strong><br />

Mildura High School Mo<strong>the</strong>r’s Club, and <strong>the</strong> Mildura Technical School Mo<strong>the</strong>r’s club.<br />

She was also an active member <strong>of</strong> Scot’s Church, Dareton. In later years her main<br />

interest has been with <strong>the</strong> Mildura and District Historical Society.<br />

Harry Belcher<br />

Harry Belcher was born at Miepoll East on 4th January 1892, <strong>the</strong> second son and<br />

fourth child <strong>of</strong> William Belcher and Ellen née Jamieson.<br />

During his childhood he lived firstly in <strong>the</strong> original selection home at Miepoll East,<br />

<strong>the</strong>n at Euroa, in a rented brick house, upstream along <strong>the</strong> Seven Creeks from <strong>the</strong><br />

Sydney Road. The <strong>family</strong> had moved to Euroa about 1901, after his fa<strong>the</strong>r had<br />

been confined to hospital, when he was about 9. Later for a short time he lived at<br />

“Ro<strong>the</strong>say” at Riggs Creek, Moglonemby. His early education was at Miepoll East<br />

State School No 2911, <strong>the</strong>n Euroa State School.<br />

After leaving school in 1908, he joined <strong>the</strong> Railways Department. He served first<br />

at Euroa as a lad porter, and later at Clifton Hill where he boarded with <strong>the</strong> Liddle<br />

<strong>family</strong>,exEuroa,andplayedapartin<strong>the</strong>localPresbyterianYoungMen’sAssociation.<br />

By 1914, he was Assistant Station Master at Seaford where he occupied a Railways<br />

house. From time to time, his sister Ada would come down to Seaford to housekeep


47<br />

for him and his bro<strong>the</strong>r Jack who stayed <strong>the</strong>re while attending Melbourne Technical<br />

School, studying woolclassing. Harry volunteered to follow his bro<strong>the</strong>r Bill into <strong>the</strong><br />

AIF in September 1915, and was appointed as a Pay Clerk at Broadmeadows Camp,<br />

becoming a Corporal almost immediately. By December he had transferred to a<br />

Signals unit as a Dispatch Rider. He left Australia, on <strong>the</strong> Orontes on 21st July 1916,<br />

for Great Britain and was posted to 2nd Div Signal Coy, 2ADBD, attached to <strong>the</strong><br />

British army. He fought on <strong>the</strong> Somme in February 1917 and in April at Bapaume.<br />

He was hospitalized in “Blighty” with a bad knee arizing from a fall over a stone wall<br />

near Ro<strong>the</strong>say on <strong>the</strong> Isle <strong>of</strong> Bute, when on leave in October 1918. By November,<br />

and <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> war, he was up in Belgium where he met some <strong>of</strong> Bill’s Belgian<br />

friends and by <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> that year was located at Dinant, remaining for some time<br />

with <strong>the</strong> army <strong>of</strong> occupation. He returned to Australia, leaving England about 12th<br />

May 1919. During <strong>the</strong> war his mo<strong>the</strong>r used his allotment, paid to her as his mo<strong>the</strong>r<br />

and next <strong>of</strong> kin toge<strong>the</strong>r with that <strong>of</strong> his bro<strong>the</strong>r Bill, to buy <strong>the</strong> Leckie’s property<br />

at Miepoll South. Later, Bill bought out Harry’s half <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> land when he took up<br />

farming <strong>the</strong>re.<br />

Harryreturnedto<strong>the</strong>VictoriaRailwaysondischarge,joining<strong>the</strong>RelievingBranch,<br />

one <strong>of</strong> his postings being to Lismore where he met Elsie Vowles, daughter <strong>of</strong> Charles<br />

William and Clara Vowles.<br />

They were married at Lismore in 1922 and made <strong>the</strong>ir first home in Lancefield, in<br />

a Railways house. Following Lancefield, Harry was station master at Nathalia, Boort,<br />

Alexandra, Portland (during <strong>the</strong> 1934 Centenary Celebrations), and Woodend. While<br />

in Woodend, he bought his own house.<br />

He and his wife had two sons, Noel Charles, born on 16 June 1924 at Sunshine,<br />

and John Jamieson, born on 18 November 1927 at Boort.<br />

Harry took an active interest in sports all <strong>of</strong> his life. He was an athlete, and during<br />

<strong>the</strong> war was <strong>the</strong> best sprinter in his unit over 100 yards. Some years after <strong>the</strong> war<br />

he competed in <strong>the</strong> Bendigo Gift on at least one occasion. He also liked football and<br />

played for Lancefield. His o<strong>the</strong>r activities included hunting and fishing, and tending<br />

his garden. He also enjoyed travelling on his railway pass. He enjoyed going back<br />

to <strong>the</strong> land, and with his <strong>family</strong>, regularly visited his bro<strong>the</strong>rs and sisters to keep<br />

<strong>the</strong> close contacts he so cherished. He was also very active in <strong>the</strong> Returned Soldiers<br />

League.<br />

In 1939, after inspecting a train, Harry jumped up onto <strong>the</strong> station platform, and<br />

immediately collapsed. He became a paraplegic and never walked again, dying nearly<br />

three years later. The doctors could give no explanation and <strong>the</strong> cause was never


48 CHAPTER 4. FOURTH GENERATION 1869 - 1907<br />

diagnosed, but it has been suggested that it may have been <strong>the</strong> consequence <strong>of</strong> some<br />

accident while on war service. However, this was not accepted by <strong>the</strong> Commonwealth<br />

Repatriation Department. He was first confined to <strong>the</strong> Be<strong>the</strong>sda Hospital, and in<br />

his last year to <strong>the</strong> Austin Hospital, where he died on 15 September, 1942. He was<br />

cremated at Fawkner Cemetary. He was survived by his wife and two sons, but<br />

Elsie was to die less than one year later on 9 September 1943. Elsie’s younger sister,<br />

Dorothy “Dorrie”, came to live in <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> home at David Street, Preston, and help<br />

out <strong>the</strong> two sons who were only 19 and 16 at <strong>the</strong> time.<br />

Noel, by this time, had enlisted in <strong>the</strong> RAAF, and John was attending Preston<br />

Technical School. John went on to graduate as a Civil Engineer from <strong>the</strong> Melbourne<br />

Technical College (later RMIT), having been <strong>the</strong> youngest student to ever do so, and<br />

to qualify as a Local Government Engineer and as a Surveyor. After <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Second World War, Noel completed a degree in Architecture at <strong>the</strong> <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

Melbourne under <strong>the</strong> CRTS program.<br />

Uncle Harry is remembered by members <strong>of</strong> his bro<strong>the</strong>rs families as a balding man,<br />

a little older looking than William Belcher, on <strong>the</strong> occasions when he and his <strong>family</strong><br />

visited “Ro<strong>the</strong>say” and “Elmslea”, from Alexandra where he was Station Master.<br />

Such a visit may have been at <strong>the</strong> time <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong> “Gran” Ellen Belcher, his<br />

mo<strong>the</strong>r, in 1937.<br />

William Fleming Belcher<br />

William Fleming Belcher was born on 25th March 1895, at Euroa, Victoria, <strong>the</strong> third<br />

son and fifth child <strong>of</strong>f William and Ellen Jamieson.<br />

He spent his first six or so years on <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> selection at Miepoll East, attending<br />

<strong>the</strong> Miepoll East State School (later to be renamed <strong>the</strong> Moglonemby State school) for<br />

a year or so, until <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> moved to live in Euroa, in 1901, owing to <strong>the</strong> ill health<br />

<strong>of</strong> his fa<strong>the</strong>r. In Euroa, he attended <strong>the</strong> Euroa State School. The <strong>family</strong> moved out<br />

to a property at Riggs Creek in about 1909, and <strong>the</strong>re, on 27th September, at <strong>the</strong><br />

age <strong>of</strong> 14, he obtained his Merit Certificate, and left school to help his eldest bro<strong>the</strong>r<br />

manage <strong>the</strong> farm, now consisting <strong>of</strong> 960 acres, which had been leased out for some<br />

7 to 8 years He joined <strong>the</strong> Militia Cadets when <strong>the</strong> scheme was introduced in 1909.<br />

He graduated from <strong>the</strong> cadets to <strong>the</strong> Militia, <strong>the</strong> 16th Light Horse, when in March<br />

1913, he turned 18, riding his horse to Euroa for training. During his five years on<br />

<strong>the</strong> farm, he played cricket, with his elder bro<strong>the</strong>r Fred, for <strong>the</strong> Moglonemby team,<br />

and joined in o<strong>the</strong>r district activities, including <strong>the</strong> local Presbyterian Church, with<br />

<strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r older members <strong>of</strong> his <strong>family</strong>.


49<br />

Figure 4.8: William Fleming Belcher in uniform <strong>of</strong> 2nd Anzac Mounted Regiment.<br />

When <strong>the</strong> war broke out in 1914, he was in a militia camp at Puckapunyal and he<br />

immediately volunteered for overseas service. At <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 19, on 19th August 1914,<br />

he was enlisted (No 223, B Squadron) in <strong>the</strong> Fourth Light Horse Regiment. This was<br />

intended to be an elite regiment, recruited from <strong>the</strong> most efficient <strong>of</strong>ficers and men<br />

in <strong>the</strong> various Light Horse regiments <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Militia in Victoria, so that a force could<br />

be embarked for England as soon as possible. After a short period <strong>of</strong> preliminary<br />

training at Broadmeadows Military Camp, <strong>the</strong> Unit left for London, via <strong>the</strong> Suez<br />

Canal, on 20th October 1914. However, within a few weeks plans had changed and<br />

<strong>the</strong> regiment disembarked in Egypt, on 11th December. There, as Mounted Rifles,<br />

<strong>the</strong>y underwent extensive cavalry and infantry training.<br />

In May 1915, <strong>the</strong> Regiment went to Gallipoli with B Squadron landing at Anzac,<br />

on 23rd May. William was promoted to Corporal on 27th November. He fought<br />

on <strong>the</strong> Sou<strong>the</strong>rn trenches <strong>of</strong> ANZAC until he was evacuated on 12 December 1915,<br />

and returned to Egypt for fur<strong>the</strong>r training. On 21st March 1916, B Squadron <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Fourth Light Horse Regiment (including Corporal William Belcher), was transferred<br />

to France, leaving <strong>the</strong> remainder <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Regiment behind in Egypt, to later take<br />

part in <strong>the</strong> Cavalry charge on Beersheba. William and <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> squadron,<br />

arrived in Marseilles on 27th March and moved by a 58 hour train journey and a<br />

route march, walking <strong>the</strong>ir horses to Estaires in French Flanders. William was to


50 CHAPTER 4. FOURTH GENERATION 1869 - 1907<br />

serve in <strong>the</strong> Flanders area for most <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> remainder <strong>of</strong> his service in <strong>the</strong> Field, as<br />

a non-commissioned <strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 1st and 2nd Anzac Mounted Regiments <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Australian Military forces. He was involved in <strong>the</strong> various activities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> regiment,<br />

including raids to get intelligence information, cross-roads duty, communications and<br />

salvage <strong>of</strong> equipment, using horses. In July 1916, he fought as infantry in <strong>the</strong> trenches<br />

at Fleurbaix following <strong>the</strong> Battle <strong>of</strong> Frommelles. The ANZAC experience gave <strong>the</strong><br />

LightHorsemenaconsiderableadvantageover<strong>the</strong>freshlyarrivedAustralianInfantry<br />

battalions. On 9th September he was promoted to Sergeant. He later fought as<br />

mounted infantry at <strong>the</strong> Second Battle <strong>of</strong> Messines, in June 1917.<br />

On <strong>the</strong> 24th December 1917, while serving on <strong>the</strong> Paschendale front, he suffered<br />

a fractured ankle, when his horse slipped on <strong>the</strong> ice on a wooden plank roadway<br />

through <strong>the</strong> mud, and was transferred to Hospital in England. This was <strong>the</strong> end<br />

<strong>of</strong> his field service, although on partial recovery, he spent some time in <strong>the</strong> military<br />

police, escorting troops between England and France and around England. After<br />

<strong>the</strong> war ended, he enrolled for some adult education courses, including book-keeping.<br />

He returned to Australia, leaving England on 31st March 1919, arriving home on<br />

12th May, being quarantined for some weeks because <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Spanish Flu, and was<br />

eventually discharged on 17th November 1919.<br />

He was later to join <strong>the</strong> Australian Militia, being Commissioned as a lieutenant<br />

in <strong>the</strong> 8th Light Horse on 2nd October 1921, retiring with <strong>the</strong> rank <strong>of</strong> Captain in<br />

about 1932. While overseas, he and his bro<strong>the</strong>r Harry had allocated some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

pay to <strong>the</strong>ir mo<strong>the</strong>r, and she used this to buy <strong>the</strong> Mary Leckie selection at Miepoll<br />

South, always later known as “Leckies”. His fa<strong>the</strong>r had died while he was away at<br />

<strong>the</strong> war, and he had also inherited a share in <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> farms. Thus after <strong>the</strong> war,<br />

he was at once able to commence farming on his own account, as well as helping his<br />

bro<strong>the</strong>rs on <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> farm. He was able to immediately buy out Harry, who was not<br />

interested in farming, using his deferred pay. Eventually he obtained an adjoining<br />

allotment “Murrays”, by buying out his sister Ada’s half share on 11 April 1928, and<br />

inheriting <strong>the</strong> o<strong>the</strong>r half when his mo<strong>the</strong>r died on 8 May 1933. However, because <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> depression, and his subsequent illness, <strong>the</strong> mortgages required to buy out all <strong>the</strong><br />

members <strong>of</strong> his <strong>family</strong>, were not finally paid <strong>of</strong>f until 1953.<br />

On 21st April 1927, at St James, Malvern Church <strong>of</strong> England, he married Ilma<br />

Dunbar Stirling, who had for some years previously, been school-teacher at Riggs<br />

Creek State School, near his home, and who had boarded at a neighbouring farm.<br />

After <strong>the</strong> marriage, <strong>the</strong>y settled down in <strong>the</strong> house on “Leckies”. The house consisted<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> original log cabin built by Mary Leckie and her husband in 1882, with four


51<br />

rooms <strong>of</strong> wea<strong>the</strong>rboard construction which had been added on. Over <strong>the</strong> next ten<br />

years <strong>the</strong> property was slowly renovated. The home was called “Elmslea”, because <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> numerous elm trees around it.<br />

The 640 acre sheep farm was only marginally pr<strong>of</strong>itable during <strong>the</strong> depression,<br />

particularly as <strong>the</strong>re were two droughts during that time. The income from fat lambs<br />

and wool went from <strong>the</strong> agents directly to <strong>the</strong> bank to cover <strong>the</strong> mortgage and <strong>the</strong><br />

overdraft, and <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> lived <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> farm - meat, vegetables, fruit, milk and eggs,<br />

with some small cash flow from cream and eggs, sold to <strong>the</strong> local Euroa butter factory<br />

or grocer, and for some years, pigs and geese. Land was cropped each year, for oaten<br />

hay and chaff for <strong>the</strong> cows and <strong>the</strong> horses needed for cropping, as well as drought<br />

feeding <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sheep. Cropping and transport was basically using horses, with a gig<br />

and buggy not being replaced by a car until 1935.<br />

Over <strong>the</strong> post World War One years, William played cricket in <strong>the</strong> Euroa and District<br />

Cricket Association for Tamleugh, and later for <strong>the</strong> Euroa Blues. He also played<br />

tennis at <strong>the</strong> Moglonemby courts. He and his wife Ilma participated in <strong>the</strong> activities<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> district in connection with <strong>the</strong> schools which his children attended, and <strong>the</strong><br />

local Moglonemby hall, attending various dances, socials, card nights. concerts and<br />

o<strong>the</strong>r functions. They took an active part in <strong>the</strong> local Moglonemby congregation <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> Presbyterian Church, and he served for a time on <strong>the</strong> Board <strong>of</strong> Management. He<br />

was also an active member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Euroa RSL. He was a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Country Party,<br />

but did not engage in active politicos ei<strong>the</strong>r at a local, State or Federal level. In fact<br />

he regularly acted as a poll clerk for Moglonemby for State and Federal Elections.<br />

William and Ilma had four children, all boys - Robert Stirling, who eventually<br />

became an agricultural chemist, Ge<strong>of</strong>frey Jamieson, who was in <strong>the</strong> future to take<br />

over and operate <strong>the</strong> farm, Henry Frederick Lloyd “Harry”, who was to operate a<br />

wool classing business, and later become a social worker, and Bruce Fleming, who<br />

also, after studying political science, later became a social worker.<br />

William’s health had been seriously affected by his war service, and this caused<br />

problems from time to time during <strong>the</strong> thirties. In 1939, just before <strong>the</strong> outbreak <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> second World War, he was to go into <strong>the</strong> Bundoora Repatriation Hospital, where<br />

he remained until his death on 28th April 1968. He is buried in <strong>the</strong> Euroa cemetery.<br />

From <strong>the</strong> time that he entered hospital, his wife Ilma was left to manage <strong>the</strong> farm<br />

and bring up <strong>the</strong> four boys, until Ge<strong>of</strong>frey was old enough and experienced enough<br />

to take over <strong>the</strong> management.


52 CHAPTER 4. FOURTH GENERATION 1869 - 1907<br />

John “Jack” Belcher<br />

John Belcher (known always as Jack) was born at Rigg’s Creek on 14th November<br />

1899, <strong>the</strong> youngest son <strong>of</strong> William Belcher and Ellen nee Jamieson.<br />

Hewasbroughtupfirstat“Ro<strong>the</strong>say”,<strong>the</strong><strong>family</strong>homeatRigg’sCreek,Moglonemby,<br />

andwhen<strong>the</strong><strong>family</strong>movedtoEuroaheattendedschool<strong>the</strong>re. Later, afterhismo<strong>the</strong>r<br />

and his bro<strong>the</strong>rs and sisters moved back to “Ro<strong>the</strong>say” in about 1909, he attended<br />

school at Rigg’s Creek. In 1915, he went to Seaford to stay with his bro<strong>the</strong>r Harry,<br />

who was Assistant Station Master <strong>the</strong>re, and studied wool-classing at Melbourne<br />

Technical College. His sister Alice, from her salary as a school teacher, contributed<br />

to <strong>the</strong> cost <strong>of</strong> his education and his sister Ada came from time to time to Seaford to<br />

house-keep for him and his bro<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

While still at school, he had helped on <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> farm, helping his mo<strong>the</strong>r and<br />

bro<strong>the</strong>rs, and with <strong>the</strong> enlistment <strong>of</strong> William in <strong>the</strong> Light Horse, and subsequent<br />

departure to <strong>the</strong> 1914-18 War, and with <strong>the</strong> marriage <strong>of</strong> his bro<strong>the</strong>r Fred in 1916,<br />

he became <strong>the</strong> “man <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> house” on <strong>the</strong> farm at Ro<strong>the</strong>say. By <strong>the</strong> time he was<br />

old enough to consider volunteering himself for <strong>the</strong> army, <strong>the</strong> war was almost over.<br />

With <strong>the</strong> return <strong>of</strong> William to <strong>the</strong> farm in 1919, Jack went wool-classing in Victoria<br />

and NSW with <strong>the</strong> Australian Estates Co. Ltd. However, <strong>of</strong>f-season, he continued to<br />

work on <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> farm.<br />

On 17th March 1927, Jack married Vera Merle Claire Harding, <strong>the</strong> daughter <strong>of</strong><br />

Edward Silas Harding and Clara Emily Newton, <strong>of</strong> Moglonemby. They settled at<br />

“Ro<strong>the</strong>say”, and his sister and his mo<strong>the</strong>r Ellen moved into a house in Euroa in<br />

Bury Street. Toge<strong>the</strong>r, he and Merle farmed “Ro<strong>the</strong>say”, <strong>the</strong> home block, (Lots<br />

31 & 32 Parish <strong>of</strong> Moglonemby), and over <strong>the</strong> years acquired 2 additional blocks,<br />

“Creightons”, on <strong>the</strong> Murchison Road, and “Bartons”, Merle’s patrimony, on <strong>the</strong><br />

Rigg’s Creek-Euroa road, to give <strong>the</strong>m a viable farm <strong>of</strong> 960 acres. In <strong>the</strong> early days,<br />

as well as sheep, <strong>the</strong>y raised table grapes, irrigating <strong>the</strong>m from <strong>the</strong> Faithfull’s Creek.<br />

The coming <strong>of</strong> Phylloxera to Victoria, and <strong>the</strong> competition from <strong>the</strong> main irrigation<br />

schemes, spelled an end to this enterprise. Merle maintained a notable flower garden<br />

and a very productive vegetable garden on <strong>the</strong> farm.<br />

During <strong>the</strong> first War period, Jack with his wife, Merle and sister Ada acted in patriotic<br />

concerts, mainly at <strong>the</strong> Moglonemby Mechanic’s Institute Hall, and he was also<br />

involved in organizing dances and o<strong>the</strong>r functions <strong>the</strong>re. In later years, he and Merle,<br />

usually with his sister Ada, and his sister-in-law to be Ilma Stirling, <strong>the</strong> local school<br />

teacher, continued amateur acting, with many performances in <strong>the</strong> Moglonemby Hall.<br />

While on <strong>the</strong> farm, he was a very active member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Rigg’s Creek Rural Fire


53<br />

Figure 4.9: John “Jack” Belcher<br />

Brigade, and was <strong>the</strong> recipient <strong>of</strong> a long service badge. He was for some years president<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Euroa Bush Fire Group. During <strong>the</strong> second World War, he served in <strong>the</strong><br />

Volunteer Defence Corps in <strong>the</strong> district (leading training with <strong>the</strong> aid <strong>of</strong> some <strong>of</strong> his<br />

bro<strong>the</strong>r Bill’s old Militia textbooks).<br />

He played cricket for Moglonemby, and also tennis for many years.. In 1935-36, he<br />

wascaptain<strong>of</strong>StAndrewsTennisClub, Euroa, whenitwas<strong>the</strong>Premiershipwinnerin<br />

<strong>the</strong> Euroa District Tennis Association. He was also interested in swimming. In later<br />

years, he took a keen interest as a member <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Euroa Bowling Club, and following<br />

his retirement to Euroa, he became an <strong>of</strong>fice-bearer, being president in 1958-59 and<br />

secretary in 1962 . In 1963, he took over as greens director, which position he held<br />

until shortly before his death.<br />

In 1955, he and his wife left “Ro<strong>the</strong>say”, to settle in Binney Street, Euroa, purchasing<br />

<strong>the</strong> house for £1600. From <strong>the</strong>re he continued, with <strong>the</strong> help <strong>of</strong> a manager,<br />

to run <strong>the</strong> farm until a few years before his death, when it was sold.<br />

Jack Belcher died on 20th October 1967, at Wangaratta Base Hospital, leaving his<br />

widow Merle. He was cremated at Fawkner Crematorium.


54 CHAPTER 4. FOURTH GENERATION 1869 - 1907<br />

Lucy Barker née Wheatley<br />

Lucy Wheatley was born on 1st December 1890 at Echuca in Nor<strong>the</strong>rn Victoria, <strong>the</strong><br />

only child <strong>of</strong> Mary Ann Belcher and Richard Wheatley.<br />

She lived on <strong>the</strong> farm at Patho for her early life, but while she was still quite young<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> moved in to Echuca, where she lived until World War One. Her <strong>family</strong><br />

moved to live in Williamstown in 1916, and she volunteered for nursing duties as a<br />

VAD in Melbourne. On 20th September 1920, she married Herbert Elisha Barker, a<br />

carpenter, who she had met at Echuca before he joined <strong>the</strong> army. He had applied<br />

to join <strong>the</strong> army in Echuca but being rejected, came to Williamstown where he was<br />

eventually accepted. They moved to live for a time in Charles Street, Williamstown,<br />

with her mo<strong>the</strong>r and fa<strong>the</strong>r until her husband Bert built a house in Railway Cresent.<br />

They lived <strong>the</strong>re <strong>the</strong> rest <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir lives. They were joined <strong>the</strong>re by her mo<strong>the</strong>r Mary<br />

after her fa<strong>the</strong>r died in 1928.<br />

They had three sons, <strong>the</strong> eldest, Herbert Wheatley, who was born in 1921, who<br />

became an engineer, served in <strong>the</strong> Second World War as such, and remained in <strong>the</strong><br />

RegularArmyuntil1974. FrederickCharles, wasbornin1925, andbecameanAtomic<br />

physicist, and pursued a career in research at <strong>the</strong> Australian National <strong>University</strong><br />

at Canberra, eventually retiring as an associate pr<strong>of</strong>essor. The youngest, Edward<br />

John (Jack), studied engineering at <strong>the</strong> Footscray Technical College and Melbourne<br />

<strong>University</strong>, and eventually became Principal <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Ballarat Institute <strong>of</strong> TAFE. All <strong>of</strong><br />

her sons were enthusiastic players <strong>of</strong> baseball.<br />

The <strong>family</strong> were staunch members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Williamstown Methodist church.<br />

Her husband Bert Barker died at Williamstown died on 27th December 1973, and<br />

she followed him 18 months later on 8th April 1975.


55<br />

Figure 4.10: Lucy Wheatley, daughter <strong>of</strong> Mary Wheatley née Belcher and niece <strong>of</strong> William Belcher<br />

Figure 4.11: Fourth Generation. Descendents <strong>of</strong> William Belcher: Ellen Jamieson and her <strong>family</strong> at<br />

Ro<strong>the</strong>say probably in 1927. Back row: Fred Belcher, William Belcher, Harry Belcher, Jack Belcher<br />

Middle Row: Dorothy Belcher nee Robinson, Ellen Belcher nee Jamieson, Elsie Belcher nee Vowles<br />

with son Noel Belcher Front Row: Ada Belcher with nephew William Belcher, Winifred Belcher,<br />

Merle Belcher nee Harding


56 CHAPTER 4. FOURTH GENERATION 1869 - 1907<br />

Figure 4.12: Fifth Generation. Back row: Ge<strong>of</strong>frey Jamieson Belcher, Henry Frederick Lloyd<br />

”Harry” Belcher, Bruce Fleming Belcher, Ada Smith née Belcher, Robert Stirling Belcher, William<br />

Robinson Belcher. Front Row: John ”Jack” Belcher, Winifred Jamieson Belcher, Noel Charles<br />

Belcher, John Jamieson Belcher. January 1956, Probably taken on <strong>the</strong> occasion <strong>of</strong> John Belcher’s<br />

Wedding


Appendix A<br />

Search for a <strong>family</strong><br />

The following is based on <strong>the</strong> speech <strong>of</strong> Robert S. Belcher at <strong>the</strong> Reunion Dinner for<br />

<strong>the</strong> Belcher Family at Miepoll Hall on Saturday 20th September 1999.<br />

Beginnings<br />

In January 1942, when I was almost 14 years old, my cousin Jean Williams, who was<br />

<strong>the</strong>n 18 years old and a teacher trainee, and her sisters Margaret and Noela from<br />

Mildura, came down to Euroa, where <strong>the</strong>y stayed for part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Christmas holidays<br />

with <strong>the</strong>ir Aunts and Uncles. Their mo<strong>the</strong>r had died <strong>the</strong> year before, and <strong>the</strong>ir fa<strong>the</strong>r<br />

wanted <strong>the</strong>m to know her <strong>family</strong>. For a week or so <strong>the</strong>y stayed at “Elmslea”, my<br />

home, <strong>the</strong> home <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir Uncle Bill and Auntie Ilma Belcher. During that week, Jean<br />

and I started to investigate our ancestors. We first enquired <strong>of</strong> our various Aunts and<br />

Uncles as to <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Belchers. We heard a number <strong>of</strong> stories, including <strong>the</strong><br />

following :-<br />

Among <strong>the</strong> Belcher ancestors was a Colonel Belcher, associated in Ireland<br />

with a Dolly Rayson. There was a mixed marriage in <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> (Protestant<br />

and Catholic) and it was thought that John Belcher, a Protestant,<br />

was working as a gardener at a house, and was turned down by someone,<br />

possibly <strong>the</strong> daughter <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> house, so ran away with a servant girl, Eliza<br />

Fleming, who was a Roman Catholic. Since <strong>the</strong>y lived in Ireland where<br />

<strong>the</strong> religious bias was very strong <strong>the</strong>y had to emigrate to <strong>the</strong> Colonies, so<br />

<strong>the</strong>y came alone to Australia just before <strong>the</strong> Gold Rush. John Belcher had<br />

an Elder Bro<strong>the</strong>r in Ireland, Edward Belcher, who went to <strong>the</strong> Klondyke<br />

after gold. After gold had been discovered in Victoria, John went mining<br />

in various goldfields, taking his wife and children. Eventually John Belcher<br />

was drowned in <strong>the</strong> Loddon River, while returning home from Guildford<br />

– he was on a horse, possibly drunk. His widow was left with 3 children,<br />

Sarah about 15, William about 5 and <strong>the</strong> baby Mary. Eliza Belcher died<br />

57


58 APPENDIX A. SEARCH FOR A FAMILY<br />

shortly afterwards leaving Sarah responsible for <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong>. A kind neighbourJohnFurlonghelped<strong>the</strong>mandeventuallymarriedSarah.<br />

Thechildren<br />

were brought up Protestant. William eventually came to Euroa and began<br />

farming <strong>the</strong>re, taking up land and marrying Ellen Jamieson. Aunt Mary<br />

Wheatley, a widow, lived with her daughter Lucy in Williamstown. Nobody<br />

knew anything about Sarah Furlong and her <strong>family</strong>, but <strong>the</strong>re was an<br />

“Auntie” Lou somewhere, possibly at Guildford near Castlemaine.<br />

I did not take an interest in <strong>the</strong> Belcher History again until 1953, when an old<br />

notebook <strong>of</strong> my fa<strong>the</strong>r’s was found with <strong>the</strong> following cryptic entries:<br />

Col. Belcher Mrs. Porter Aunt May Cow<br />

Miss Rayson<br />

Floyd<br />

G G Fa<strong>the</strong>r 1 son John Belcher<br />

John Belcher 3 daughters Eliza Fleming<br />

(Edward Belcher Klondyke)<br />

G Fa<strong>the</strong>r John Belcher<br />

1 son Bill<br />

3 daughters<br />

Sarah Mrs. Furlong<br />

Eliza Died in Infancy<br />

Mary Ann Mrs. Wheatley<br />

John Belcher<br />

Drowned in Loddon 71 years ago on 1 June 40 years 2 months<br />

Later research proved <strong>the</strong>se notes remarkably accurate, even if very brief and<br />

somewhat confusing, and it is believed that my fa<strong>the</strong>r had received <strong>the</strong> information<br />

from his aunt Mary Wheatley in 1934. The apparent allusion to “Aunt May Cow”,<br />

seems to be to “Aunt Mary’s Cousins”, by name “Porta” and “Floyd”.<br />

I slowly continued research over <strong>the</strong> following years, as information became available<br />

from Victoria Archives, or from <strong>the</strong> registrar <strong>of</strong> Births, Deaths and Marriages,<br />

or from various o<strong>the</strong>r indexes and sources, being distracted from time to time with<br />

<strong>the</strong> families <strong>of</strong> my o<strong>the</strong>r ancestors, Jamiesons and Cunnings on my fa<strong>the</strong>rs side, and<br />

Whites and Innells and Sterlings on my mo<strong>the</strong>rs. This 150th Anniversary seemed a<br />

good time to put toge<strong>the</strong>r as much <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> information as I and o<strong>the</strong>rs had collected<br />

over <strong>the</strong> years. Some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> legends were verified, some still remain only legends,<br />

and many o<strong>the</strong>r questions have been raised by <strong>the</strong> investigation. Like most<br />

<strong>family</strong> historians, I regret that some 50 or so years ago, I did not interview all <strong>the</strong><br />

oldest members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> to obtain <strong>the</strong>ir stories and <strong>the</strong>ir knowledge, nor did I<br />

start to collect photographs <strong>of</strong> people or <strong>of</strong> places with connections with <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong>.


59<br />

So this collection <strong>of</strong> information, in <strong>the</strong> form <strong>of</strong> a book, with a set <strong>of</strong> charts, photographs<br />

and biographical details, reports my progress up to 1999, and I fear I will<br />

have to leave it to some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> members <strong>of</strong> succeeding generations to go fur<strong>the</strong>r.<br />

All <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Belchers<br />

The search for <strong>the</strong> Belcher <strong>family</strong> in Ireland has not been easy. Although a fairly rare<br />

name <strong>of</strong> Anglo-Norman origin ra<strong>the</strong>r than Irish, <strong>the</strong>re appear to have been a number<br />

<strong>of</strong> unrelated or very distantly related families in various parts <strong>of</strong> Ireland, particularly<br />

in Cork city and at Bandon in County Cork, in County Waterford and at Kells in<br />

County Kilkenny, in Dublin and also, by coincidence, in ano<strong>the</strong>r Kells in County<br />

Meath. No connection has yet been established with any <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>se families. A number<br />

<strong>of</strong> sources in libraries, including that <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Society <strong>of</strong> Genealogists in London, allow<br />

us to look back at <strong>the</strong> whole <strong>family</strong> <strong>of</strong> Belchers. A number <strong>of</strong> origins have been<br />

suggested for <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> name “Belcher”. They may all be valid.<br />

1. Derivedfrom<strong>the</strong>NormanFrench“BelChere”meaning“GoodCheer”or“Pretty<br />

Face”. The term occurs in Chaucer, at <strong>the</strong> end <strong>of</strong> The Shipman’s Tale, and is <strong>the</strong><br />

name <strong>of</strong> a steward in <strong>the</strong> anonymous mediaeval work The Assembly <strong>of</strong> Ladies.<br />

2. Derived from <strong>the</strong> Norman “Bel Sieur” meaning grandfa<strong>the</strong>r. There are variants<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> name Belcher spelled as “Belsire”, supporting this <strong>the</strong>ory.<br />

3. Derived from <strong>the</strong> English word “to belch” . The normal pronunciation <strong>of</strong> “sh”<br />

andnot“ch”, despite<strong>the</strong>spellingwitha“ch”and<strong>the</strong>variantspellings“belsher”,<br />

would seem to indicate at least that this was not <strong>the</strong> only origin.<br />

Early English reports <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> name include a <strong>family</strong> <strong>of</strong> Belchers in Guilsborough,<br />

Northamptonshire, England from 1553 to 1627, coming earlier from Staffordshire.<br />

The <strong>family</strong> bore arms, but apparently died out. The name was also recorded in Wantage,<br />

Berkshire, registers in 1615, <strong>the</strong> register having commenced in 1537. O<strong>the</strong>r early<br />

Belchers appear in Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Worcestershire about this period.<br />

We have some record <strong>of</strong> crests but not <strong>of</strong> coats <strong>of</strong> arms. Belcher <strong>of</strong> Northampton: A<br />

demi-hawkor,wingsexpandedsable. Belcher<strong>of</strong>Gilsborough,Northampton,Staffordshire<br />

and Warwickshire: A greyhound’s head erased ermine, eared azure, gorged with<br />

a collar gules, rimmed and ringed or.<br />

There was a Sir Edward Belcher who was a very famous navigator, and was a<br />

polar explorer, who led an expedition to find <strong>the</strong> lost explorer Sir John Franklin, but<br />

appeared more interested in making fame for himself by his own explorations than<br />

finding Sir John. His <strong>family</strong> later migrated to <strong>the</strong> USA. There was also a famous


60 APPENDIX A. SEARCH FOR A FAMILY<br />

cartoonist in <strong>the</strong> 19th Century in England called George Belcher, an illustrator <strong>of</strong><br />

Punch magazine. And<strong>the</strong>rewasafamous<strong>family</strong><strong>of</strong>bare-knucklepugilists(boxers), <strong>of</strong><br />

whom Jem Belcher was <strong>the</strong> most famous. A special spotted handkerchief was named<br />

after him. More recently, <strong>the</strong>re was a famous pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> chemistry at <strong>University</strong><br />

<strong>of</strong> Birmingham, named Sir Ronald Belcher. A recent comedy series on British TV<br />

starred <strong>the</strong> Belchers, a very bohemian group <strong>of</strong> young people, and <strong>the</strong>re was a comic<br />

strip “The Belchers” in an English conservation magazine The Vole.<br />

The earliest record I have found in Ireland is <strong>the</strong> baptism <strong>of</strong> a Jane Belcher,<br />

daughter <strong>of</strong> Francis Belcher on 24th February, 1683, at St John <strong>the</strong> Evangelist in<br />

Dublin. Then <strong>the</strong>re is <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> <strong>of</strong> William Belcher <strong>of</strong> Kells in Meath, who was<br />

secretary to <strong>the</strong> Bishop <strong>of</strong> Ossory, having gone to Ireland from Warwick, England in<br />

about 1770. He was <strong>the</strong> ancestor <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Geelong Belchers. There is ano<strong>the</strong>r <strong>family</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />

very long standing in Ireland based on Cork City, with several generations <strong>of</strong> doctors<br />

and ano<strong>the</strong>r, possibly related, with several generation <strong>of</strong> lawyers at Bandon in County<br />

Cork. The most noted representatives <strong>of</strong> those families appear to be James Belcher,<br />

Secretary to <strong>the</strong> Lords Justices <strong>of</strong> Ireland in 1724, and Robert Tressillian Belcher,<br />

Lieutenant in <strong>the</strong> 32nd Cornwallis Foot in 1811 and JP in Cork in 1837.<br />

At least 3 o<strong>the</strong>r Belchers served in <strong>the</strong> Army in Ireland between 1794 and 1810,<br />

and ano<strong>the</strong>r four earlier, but none seemed to reach <strong>the</strong> rank <strong>of</strong> Colonel.<br />

Belch(i)er Ensign Poles Regt<br />

Lt. Frederick John, Poles & Blakeneys Regts<br />

Lt Jas Otway’s Regt<br />

Wm Manager <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Royal Family Privateers<br />

The international Genealogical index lists some Belchers in Ireland:<br />

Belcher<br />

Amelia<br />

FB 04 FEB 1830 Cork Cork<br />

Ann John Branscomm WM 08 JUL 1647 Cork Cork Holy Trinity<br />

Easter Thomas Belcher FC 12 APR 1702 Dublin Dublin St. Nicholas Within<br />

Elizabeth Samuel Belcher FC 1732 Down Saintfield<br />

James James Belcher/Mary MC 01 JUL 1827 Limerick Adare<br />

Jane Francis Belcher FC 24 FEB 1683 Dublin Dublin St. John Evangelist<br />

Jane Asbury James Belcher/Jane Walker FB 08 JAN 1838 Armagh Hamilton’s Bawn<br />

Jane Asbury James Belcher/Jane Walker FB 08 JAN 1838 Cavan Hamilton<br />

Jn Eliz Woods HM 07 JUL 1745 Limerick Limerick St. John<br />

John James Belcher/Sarah MC 08 JUL 1716 Dublin, Dublin Sts. Peter & Kevin<br />

John James Belcher/Mary MC 07 JUL 1830 Galway Amscrogh<br />

Mary Felix Belcher/Norry FC 30 MAR 1832 Cork Macroom<br />

Thomas Martha Burrows HM 1627 Cork Ross<br />

Thos Will Belcher/Jane MC 05 NOV 1738 Down Saintfield<br />

William Susana Smart HM 01 JAN 1647 Cork Cork Holy Trinity (XtChurch)


61<br />

William Samuel Belcher/Jane MC 16 MAY 1737 Down Saintfield<br />

William William Belcher/Rose MC 30 AUG 1821 Down Downpatrick<br />

Bolsher<br />

Margaret<br />

Alexander Bolsher/Isabella FC 20 NOV 1836 Armagh English Parish<br />

Belchar<br />

Thomazin Ichabod Harding WM 1692 Cork Cloyne Parish<br />

Reason<br />

Elizab Sam Reason/Elioner FC 10 JAN 1670 Dublin Dublin Sts. Peter & Kevin<br />

Reasin<br />

William Anna Moyes HM 24 SEP 1670 Dublin Dublin St Michan<br />

None <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> above persons or families have been found by me to have any connection<br />

with one ano<strong>the</strong>r nor with James Belcher <strong>of</strong> Waterford. A <strong>family</strong> <strong>of</strong> Belchers<br />

did exist in Waterford and nearby Kilkenny, but no connection has been found yet.<br />

Belchers are not uncommon in Australia, and <strong>the</strong>re appear to have been at least ten<br />

different families migrating, including our John Belcher. In 1975, <strong>the</strong>re were at least<br />

37 Belchers listed in <strong>the</strong> Melbourne Phone book, and only 3 are among John Belcher’s<br />

descendants; now in 1999, <strong>the</strong>y total 72 with 5 from <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong>.<br />

The search<br />

Now how did I go about searching <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> our Belchers? Firstly, I had <strong>the</strong><br />

following sources available: notes <strong>of</strong> my fa<strong>the</strong>r, <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> Bible, conversations with<br />

my mo<strong>the</strong>r and my Aunt Ada, and my fa<strong>the</strong>r’s cousin Lucy Barker. Then I went to<br />

<strong>the</strong> basement <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> newly opened Latrobe Library in Lonsdale Street where some<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> archives were kept. There I found <strong>the</strong> Shipping Lists - original hard copy<br />

transcriptions with very limited indexes. As I was able to afford it, I began buying<br />

some Birth, Death or Marriage Certificates from <strong>the</strong> Registrar. In <strong>the</strong> late 1960s, I<br />

was receiving reports from Ireland from my youngest bro<strong>the</strong>r Bruce, now deceased,<br />

after he found John Belcher’s marriage certificate and <strong>the</strong> church at Colpe in Meath<br />

where he was married. This scotched <strong>the</strong> legend that his marriage was a mixed one,<br />

and <strong>the</strong> suggestion that <strong>the</strong>re was a Reason involved in that generation. I would<br />

have to look fur<strong>the</strong>r back to check those stories. Then more recently since I retired,<br />

I was searching <strong>the</strong> micr<strong>of</strong>iche indexes and recently <strong>the</strong> CDs, and spending hours at<br />

<strong>the</strong> Victorian Archives <strong>of</strong>fice seeking wills, coroners reports, land settlement papers<br />

and state school records. And calling on <strong>the</strong> telephone to people with likely names,


62 APPENDIX A. SEARCH FOR A FAMILY<br />

and in some cases visiting <strong>the</strong>m in person. I have made three visits to Ireland myself<br />

searching Births, Deaths and Marriages with most existing records too late to catch<br />

our <strong>family</strong>. I also searched <strong>the</strong> Registry <strong>of</strong> Deeds and some o<strong>the</strong>r archives. I visited<br />

Colpe and Bettystown in Meath, Mount Rath in County Laoise and Waterford city,<br />

where records had found that <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> had lived. Back in Australia, I sought out<br />

publications in <strong>the</strong> State and o<strong>the</strong>r libraries with little success. And <strong>the</strong>n, with <strong>the</strong><br />

approaching 150th Anniversary <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> arrival <strong>of</strong> John and Eliza Belcher in Australia,<br />

I sat down to write up on a word processor as much as I could <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> information I<br />

had ga<strong>the</strong>red. I also used <strong>the</strong> computer program Generations to set out <strong>the</strong> Family<br />

Trees. This publication is <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> my efforts in genealogical research and in<br />

literature. The format and <strong>the</strong> publication are <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> my son, William, who<br />

knows far more <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> use <strong>of</strong> computers that I ever will.


Appendix B<br />

Registrar certificates<br />

Death certificate <strong>of</strong> James Belcher<br />

DEATH CERTIFICATE<br />

Year: 1862<br />

Deaths in <strong>the</strong> District <strong>of</strong> Melbourne in <strong>the</strong> Colony <strong>of</strong> Victoria Registered by<br />

Daniel Joseph Tierney<br />

1: No: 6516<br />

2: When and Where Died:<br />

Twenty Second April 1862<br />

56 Queen Street Melbourne<br />

3: Name and Surname James Belcher<br />

Occupation<br />

Cabinet Maker<br />

4: Sex and Age: Male 70 Years<br />

5: (1) Cause <strong>of</strong> Death, (2) Duration <strong>of</strong> last Illness,<br />

(3) Legally qualified Medical Practitioner and (4) When last saw deceased:<br />

(1) Chronic Bronchitis<br />

(2)<br />

(3) Certified Richard Eades<br />

(4)<br />

6: Name and Surname <strong>of</strong> Fa<strong>the</strong>r and Mo<strong>the</strong>r (Maiden Name), if known, with Rank or Pr<strong>of</strong>ession:<br />

Not Known<br />

[Number in Channel 4793 ]<br />

7: Signature, Description, and Residence <strong>of</strong> Informant:<br />

C Cupit Baker Son in Law 56 Queen Street West Melbourne<br />

8: (1) Signature <strong>of</strong> Registrar, (2) Date, and (3) Where Registered:<br />

D J Tierney<br />

Twenty Third April 1862<br />

Melbourne<br />

63


64 APPENDIX B. REGISTRAR CERTIFICATES<br />

IF BURIAL REGISTERED-<br />

9: When and where buried. Undertaker by whom certified:<br />

Twenty Fourth April 1862<br />

New Cemetery Melbourne<br />

John Daley<br />

10: Name and Religion <strong>of</strong> Minister or Names <strong>of</strong> Witnesses <strong>of</strong> Burial:<br />

Rev Edmund Puckle Church <strong>of</strong> England<br />

Francis Upton J Purves<br />

11: Where born, and how long in <strong>the</strong> Australian Colonies, stating which:<br />

Waterford Ireland<br />

Pt <strong>of</strong> 6 years in Victoria<br />

IF DECEASED WAS MARRIED-<br />

12: (1)Where, and at what (2) Age, and to (3) Whom:<br />

Married<br />

Not Known<br />

13: Issue, in order <strong>of</strong> Birth, <strong>the</strong>ir Name and Age:<br />

5 living<br />

Edward 48<br />

Mary Ann 44<br />

John 41<br />

Eliza 35<br />

Sarah 35<br />

3 dead


65<br />

Death certificate <strong>of</strong> John Belcher<br />

DEATH CERTIFICATE<br />

Year: 1863<br />

Deaths in <strong>the</strong> District <strong>of</strong> Loddon in <strong>the</strong> Colony <strong>of</strong> Victoria Registered by John Rogers<br />

1: No: 4337<br />

2: Where and When Died:<br />

Eightth June 1863<br />

Guildford<br />

3: Name and Surname John Belcher<br />

Occupation<br />

Cannot inform<br />

4: Sex and Age: Male 40 years<br />

5: (1) Cause <strong>of</strong> Death, (2) Duration <strong>of</strong> last Illness,<br />

(3) Legally qualified Medical Practitioner and (4) When last saw deceased:<br />

(1) Found drowned in <strong>the</strong> Loddon<br />

(2)<br />

(3) W F Preshaw Coroner<br />

(4)<br />

6: Name and Surname <strong>of</strong> Fa<strong>the</strong>r and Mo<strong>the</strong>r (Maiden Name), if known, with Rank or Pr<strong>of</strong>ession:<br />

No information<br />

7: Signature, Description, and Residence <strong>of</strong> Informant:<br />

W F Preshaw, Coroner, Castlemaine<br />

8: (1) Signature <strong>of</strong> Registrar, (2) Date, and (3) Where Registered:<br />

(1) John Rogers, Deputy Registrar<br />

(2) 30th June 1863<br />

(3) Castlemaine<br />

IF BURIAL REGISTERED<br />

9: When and where buried. Undertaker by whom certified:<br />

No Information<br />

10: Name and Religion <strong>of</strong> Minister or Names <strong>of</strong> Witnesses <strong>of</strong> Burial:<br />

No Information<br />

11: Where born, and how long in <strong>the</strong> Australian Colonies, stating which:<br />

No Information


66 APPENDIX B. REGISTRAR CERTIFICATES<br />

IF DECEASED WAS MARRIED<br />

12: (1)Where, and at what (2) Age, and to (3) Whom:<br />

No Information<br />

13: Issue, in order <strong>of</strong> Birth, <strong>the</strong>ir Name and Age:<br />

No information


Marriage certificate <strong>of</strong> John Belcher and Elizabeth Fleming<br />

67<br />

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE<br />

1847 Marriages Solemnized in <strong>the</strong> Parish Church, Parish <strong>of</strong> Colpe in <strong>the</strong> County <strong>of</strong> Meath.<br />

November 5th 1847<br />

John Belcher Full Age Bachelor Gardener Bettystown Co. Meath<br />

Fa<strong>the</strong>r James Belcher Cabinetmaker<br />

Elizabeth Fleming Full Age Spinster Servant Bettystown Co. Meath<br />

Fa<strong>the</strong>r Jeremiah Fleming<br />

In <strong>the</strong> Coast-guard Service<br />

Married in Parish Church according to <strong>the</strong> rites <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church <strong>of</strong> England and Ireland,<br />

by Publication <strong>of</strong> Banns.<br />

Joseph Howitt Vicar <strong>of</strong> Colpe.<br />

John Belcher<br />

Elizabeth Flemming<br />

Witnesses Thomas Halvey<br />

D J Hogan.<br />

Drogheda<br />

Baptism - Julianstown Church <strong>of</strong> Ireland


68 APPENDIX B. REGISTRAR CERTIFICATES<br />

Marriage certificate <strong>of</strong> John Furlong and Sarah Belcher<br />

CERTIFICATE OF MARRIAGE<br />

Year: 1864<br />

Marriages solemnized in <strong>the</strong> District <strong>of</strong><br />

Registered by<br />

No: 103<br />

Where and When Married: On <strong>the</strong> twentieth day <strong>of</strong> July One thousand eight hundred and<br />

sixty four at <strong>the</strong><br />

Congregational Parsonage Castlemaine<br />

Name and Surname <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Parties: John Furlong Sarah Belcher<br />

Condition <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Parties:<br />

Bachelor or Spinster If Widow or Widower, date <strong>of</strong> decease <strong>of</strong> former wife or husband.<br />

Bachelor Spinster<br />

Children by each former marriage:<br />

Living:<br />

Dead:<br />

Birthplace<br />

Port Louis Mauritius Melbourne Victoria<br />

Rank or Pr<strong>of</strong>ession Miner ---------------<br />

Age 26 17<br />

Residence<br />

Present Guildford Guildford<br />

Usual Guildford Guildford<br />

Parents<br />

Names (Mo<strong>the</strong>r’s Maiden Name John Joseph Furlong John Belcher - dead<br />

Frazie Furlong Eliza Belcher<br />

Maiden Surname - Simon Maiden Surname - Fleming<br />

Fa<strong>the</strong>r’s Rank or Pr<strong>of</strong>ession.<br />

Custom House Officer Miner<br />

We do hereby declare that we are<br />

Members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Church <strong>of</strong> England<br />

(Insert Church, Religious Society or Denomination, as <strong>the</strong> case may be.)<br />

Married in <strong>the</strong> Congregational Parsonage Castlemaine<br />

The consent in writing <strong>of</strong> John Edward Newell Bull a Justice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Peace duly appointed<br />

under <strong>the</strong> Act <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Governor and Council 22 Vic. No. 70 to <strong>the</strong> marriage <strong>of</strong> Sarah Belcher<br />

with John Furlong was produced to me prior to <strong>the</strong> celebration <strong>of</strong> that marriage. Edwin Day.


69<br />

This Marriage was solemnized between us:<br />

John Furlong<br />

Sarah Belcher<br />

In <strong>the</strong> presence <strong>of</strong> us:<br />

Mary Haslam<br />

E K Bigara<br />

According to <strong>the</strong> rites and ceremonies <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Congregational Denomination<br />

by (or before) me Edwin Day<br />

Officiating Minister or Deputy Registrar.


70 APPENDIX B. REGISTRAR CERTIFICATES


Appendix C<br />

The story <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> flood<br />

THE MOUNT ALEXANDER MAIL<br />

Castlemaine, Monday June 8, 1863<br />

THE FLOOD<br />

TherainfallonThursdayandFridaynightswasprobably<br />

heavier than has been experienced within <strong>the</strong><br />

like period for <strong>the</strong> last two years. Before Saturday<br />

morning every gutter had become a swift rivulet and<br />

<strong>the</strong> creeks impetuous streams roaring along at <strong>the</strong><br />

rate <strong>of</strong> from ten to twenty miles an hour. Before long<br />

<strong>the</strong> embankment thrown up by <strong>the</strong> Council near <strong>the</strong><br />

Gas Works, to confine Forest Creek to its new channel,<br />

was burst through and <strong>the</strong> water rushed with<br />

extraordinary force down its old course. At <strong>the</strong> same<br />

time it poured over into <strong>the</strong> main road and cut <strong>of</strong>f<br />

access to <strong>the</strong> Ten Foot Hill Bridge. The flat opposite<br />

<strong>the</strong> Square was more or less submerged, and some <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> inhabitants insulated from terra firma. The cutting<br />

in which <strong>the</strong> Creek ordinarily flows was nearly<br />

filled by a stream that roared and leaped in its course<br />

like a rapid. Passing <strong>the</strong> Barker-street Bridge, <strong>the</strong><br />

water expanded, completely occupying both arches<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> railway bridge, spreading <strong>the</strong>nce entirely over<br />

<strong>the</strong> depression in front <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Camp, and invading <strong>the</strong><br />

railwayembankments. Thecreekmadeacleanbreast<br />

over <strong>the</strong> Sheriff’s Bridge, which was submerged to a<br />

depth <strong>of</strong> several feet. At this point several wreckers<br />

had taken up <strong>the</strong>ir station, to catch <strong>the</strong> floating waifs<br />

and strays. An eddy in <strong>the</strong> stream here presented<br />

a curious spectacle, being covered with myriads <strong>of</strong><br />

corks, match boxes, bottles &c., that formed a sort<br />

<strong>of</strong> constantly accumulating scum on <strong>the</strong> surface, ever<br />

on <strong>the</strong> point <strong>of</strong> dispersing, yet without power to escape.<br />

Occasionally logs <strong>of</strong> rough or sawn timber were<br />

dextrouslypulledoutby<strong>the</strong>menon<strong>the</strong>lookout, and<br />

sometimes <strong>the</strong>ir efforts were rewarded by more valuable<br />

articles. A portion <strong>of</strong> Winter’s Flat was also<br />

bured under water, while at Maloney’s Bridge <strong>the</strong><br />

highway on both sides was covered by <strong>the</strong> creek. We<br />

regret to say that Mr Helfenstein, who some time<br />

since succeeded to <strong>the</strong> soap and candle manufactory<br />

<strong>of</strong> Mr Brown’s is a heavy sufferer, his house and establishment<br />

being completely flooded. Opposite <strong>the</strong><br />

John O’Groat’s Hotel, Campbell’s Creek, <strong>the</strong> road<br />

for a considerable distance was entirely submerged,<br />

<strong>the</strong> stream in this locality being at one time not less<br />

than 400 or 500 feet wide.<br />

Considerable regret was expressed when it was<br />

known that <strong>the</strong> integrity <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> new Prince’s Bridge<br />

at Ranter’s Gully was endangered. On <strong>the</strong> fact becoming<br />

known, a number <strong>of</strong> persons hastened to <strong>the</strong><br />

spot, and found that <strong>the</strong> embankments were rapidly<br />

disappearing, The evil arose through <strong>the</strong> water washing<br />

through <strong>the</strong> planking <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> wings, and gradually<br />

dissolving <strong>the</strong> earthwork. During <strong>the</strong> afternoon<br />

, efforts were made by throwing down bags <strong>of</strong> stone,<br />

&c., to arrest <strong>the</strong> mischief. Lower down <strong>the</strong> creek,<br />

<strong>the</strong> highway turned into a mill race, by <strong>the</strong> bursting<br />

<strong>of</strong> a large puddler’s dam near <strong>the</strong> White Hills. The<br />

Cemetery Bridge was also in jeopardy, <strong>the</strong> violence<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> water being so great that <strong>the</strong> structure trembled<br />

in every plank. Fortunately <strong>the</strong> bridge sustained<br />

no fur<strong>the</strong>r injury than <strong>the</strong> washing away <strong>of</strong> a portion<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> approaches. Cemetery Flat was <strong>of</strong> course<br />

nearly buried from sight. The newly metalled road<br />

above Sutcliffe’s has been completely carried away,<br />

as well as <strong>the</strong> bridge at Taylor’s station,which had<br />

stood <strong>the</strong> floods <strong>of</strong> five years previous. At Forest<br />

Creek, also, <strong>the</strong> flood occasioned damage to public<br />

property. The culvert but recently completed by<br />

<strong>the</strong> Castlemaine Council for carrying <strong>of</strong>f <strong>the</strong> drainage<br />

from Little Bendigo, proved wholly inadequate to <strong>the</strong><br />

occasion. The result was that, part <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> stonework<br />

being swept away, <strong>the</strong> water broke down <strong>the</strong> wall <strong>of</strong><br />

earth, and ran over <strong>the</strong> road. During <strong>the</strong> greater portion<br />

<strong>of</strong> Saturday, <strong>the</strong> road, from its junction with Little<br />

Bendigo to Aberdeen’s Bridge, resembled a creek<br />

71


72 APPENDIX C. THE STORY OF THE FLOOD<br />

ra<strong>the</strong>r than a public highway Adelaide Flat, too was over <strong>the</strong> river at Vaughan, and <strong>the</strong> new one erected<br />

nearly impassable from <strong>the</strong> storm water, and some by <strong>the</strong> Road Board, are both carried away. Large<br />

injury accrued to private persons. quantities <strong>of</strong> hay were seen floating down <strong>the</strong> river<br />

OnBarker’sCreek, asusualeveninordinaryfloods, on Saturday and it is feared that much damage has<br />

much damage has been done to <strong>the</strong> gardens by which been done to <strong>the</strong> cultivated land along its banks.<br />

<strong>the</strong> creek is skirted on its western bank, and <strong>the</strong> small<br />

A correspondent at Newstead says – At an early<br />

fords were impassable Some anxiety was felt as to<br />

hour on Saturday morning, <strong>the</strong> Loddon was risen to<br />

what would be <strong>the</strong> effect at <strong>the</strong> railway station <strong>of</strong><br />

alarming height, and by mid day it made a clean<br />

such an extreme rise in <strong>the</strong> waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> creek; it was<br />

sweep through several <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dwellings and stores<br />

foundthat<strong>the</strong>precautionsthathavebeenadoptedby<br />

near <strong>the</strong> bridge. Mr Richardson’s Bridge Inn and<br />

widening and straightening <strong>the</strong> channel at that part<br />

Mr Clark’s store had a flow <strong>of</strong> water right through<br />

<strong>of</strong> its course were sufficient for <strong>the</strong>ir intended purpose,<br />

<strong>the</strong> large and rapid torrent rushing by without<br />

<strong>the</strong>m about 18 inches deep. Mr Day <strong>the</strong> butcher had<br />

<strong>the</strong> foundations <strong>of</strong> his premises so much inundated,<br />

encroaching on <strong>the</strong> railway ground.<br />

that <strong>the</strong> whole <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> back wall <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> shop and <strong>the</strong><br />

At Taradale <strong>the</strong> Coliban overflowed its banks, doinggreatdamage,<br />

carryingawayseveralsmallbridges,<br />

partition wall <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> house fell in. The back water<br />

covered a large portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> flat, all traffic across<br />

inundating <strong>the</strong> flats, and deluging numerous tents<br />

<strong>the</strong> bridge was stopped on Saturday, and on Sunday<br />

on <strong>the</strong> banks,. Several tunnelling parties have sustained<br />

severe loss in consequence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> flood, <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

morning, when <strong>the</strong> water had subsided, <strong>the</strong> scene was<br />

truly pitiable. Great quantities <strong>of</strong> fencing and part<br />

tramways, & c. being ei<strong>the</strong>r washed away or damaged.<br />

At 3 p.m. on Saturday, Holywell’s Bridge was<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> soil on some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> farms were carried. away.<br />

Two large gaps were made in <strong>the</strong> embankment approaching<br />

<strong>the</strong> bridge, and logs <strong>of</strong> larger dimensions<br />

in great jeopardy, large trees having been brought<br />

down by <strong>the</strong> swollen current, and done great damage<br />

to <strong>the</strong> works. Many miners were prevented from<br />

were lying on <strong>the</strong> road. All day Sunday, <strong>the</strong> people<br />

were kept employed clearing <strong>the</strong> sludge, and bailing<br />

recording <strong>the</strong>ir votes for <strong>the</strong> Mining Board Election<br />

<strong>the</strong> water out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir places. Altoge<strong>the</strong>r serious amage<br />

has been done to <strong>the</strong> neighbourhood. Could <strong>the</strong><br />

in consequence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> flood.<br />

Heavy rains have fallen on <strong>the</strong> north-west and <strong>the</strong><br />

Governmenthavebutseen <strong>the</strong>site<strong>the</strong>yhavefixed for<br />

rivers are consequently much swollen , and on Saturday<br />

communication by coach was interrupted. The<br />

andbegan<strong>the</strong>telegraphstationon, <strong>the</strong>ysurelywould<br />

not risk such a building <strong>the</strong>re, especially when <strong>the</strong>re<br />

new bridge at Carisbrook was completely submerged<br />

is so much dry ground near. The water encroached<br />

. Altoge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> quantity <strong>of</strong> rain on Saturday and<br />

on Marsden’s Hotel to <strong>the</strong> depth <strong>of</strong> two feet.<br />

<strong>the</strong> previous day was remarkable, and but for <strong>the</strong> numerous<br />

excavation along <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Creek. we<br />

Mr Parker (<strong>of</strong> Cobb and Co.) informs us that<br />

a portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> large bridge, and <strong>the</strong> approaches<br />

should have witnessed a scene almost equal to that<br />

<strong>the</strong>reto, which crosses <strong>the</strong> Loddon at Eddington were<br />

in 1850.<br />

washed away on Saturday morning., <strong>the</strong> water actually<br />

covering <strong>the</strong> bridge rails. Communication was<br />

About midday on Saturday, <strong>the</strong> rain abated in<br />

Castlemaine and neighbourhood, though <strong>the</strong> appearance<br />

<strong>of</strong> dense masses <strong>of</strong> heavy clouds coming up from<br />

<strong>the</strong>reforeinterruptedwithDunnollyandDandyCreek.<br />

It was with difficulty that <strong>the</strong> mail bags were got<br />

<strong>the</strong> north and west seemed to forbid <strong>the</strong> hope that<br />

across on Sunday. The bridge was built by Government,<br />

and cost about 3,000.<br />

<strong>the</strong> cessation was more than temporary. In this, however,<br />

<strong>the</strong> public were agreeably disappointed, for in<br />

<strong>the</strong> afternoon, <strong>the</strong> sky cleared, and yesterday was an The body <strong>of</strong> a man was found in <strong>the</strong> River Loddon,<br />

above Guildford, on Sunday morning, On being<br />

open, clear, bracing winter’s day.<br />

taken out, it was recognised as that <strong>of</strong> a person living<br />

at Shicer Gully, named Belcher. Someone was<br />

THE LODDON<br />

The flood in <strong>the</strong> Loddon, we are informed, was heard late on Saturday night to “cooey” near Fox’s,<br />

higher than for several years past. The foot-bridge at <strong>the</strong> Middle Crossing, and afterwards a splash in


73<br />

<strong>the</strong> river. It was probably Belcher, who in attempting<br />

to swim across was carried down <strong>the</strong> stream and<br />

drowned. Belcher leaves a <strong>family</strong> wholly destitute.<br />

The river was very much swollen by <strong>the</strong> floods. Mr.<br />

Preshaw, <strong>the</strong> Coroner, will hold an inquest on <strong>the</strong><br />

body today at <strong>the</strong> Gaffney’s Hotel, Guildford.<br />

At Bet Bet Creek, two miles beyond Eddington,<br />

one <strong>of</strong> Cobb’s coaches, driven by James Ray was carried<br />

away by <strong>the</strong> force <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> current, while attempting<br />

to cross, on Saturday morning, at <strong>the</strong> usual crossing<br />

place . There was but one passenger, and he got<br />

out before <strong>the</strong> attempt to cross was made, having<br />

some misgivings as to <strong>the</strong> practicability <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> feat.<br />

The driver stuck to <strong>the</strong> coach for some time, but finding<br />

<strong>the</strong>re was no hope, at length secured his way bag,<br />

and being a good swimmer, leapt into <strong>the</strong> foaming<br />

current (12 or 11 feet deep), cut <strong>the</strong> traces, released,<br />

<strong>the</strong> struggling horse, and gained <strong>the</strong> bank in safely,<br />

after a desperate struggle. The coach was carried<br />

down <strong>the</strong> stream and broken up in a debris <strong>of</strong> floating<br />

logs. The whole country wears a most desolate<br />

aspect.<br />

THE MOUNT ALEXANDER MAIL<br />

Castlemaine, Monday June 9, 1863<br />

THE FLOOD<br />

Some o<strong>the</strong>rs had already departed, while away on <strong>the</strong><br />

reserve could be seen Chinamen’s tents. surrounded<br />

far and wide by <strong>the</strong> roaring tide. A smoke was seen<br />

to issue from <strong>the</strong> tents, apparently as a signal for<br />

help, and it was ascertained that eleven Chinese were<br />

<strong>the</strong>re imprisoned, in <strong>the</strong> prospect <strong>of</strong> a watery grave.<br />

Preparations were now made to rescue <strong>the</strong>se unfortunates,<br />

but so wide and furious were <strong>the</strong> waters that<br />

any attempt seemed vain and futile. At length a<br />

raft made <strong>of</strong> timber, supplied by Messrs Jobson and<br />

Innes, was launched into <strong>the</strong> tide, but only to return<br />

for <strong>the</strong> brave men who essayed to manage it<br />

could make no way in <strong>the</strong> furious current. Although<br />

it was now fair, many an anxious glance was cast at<br />

<strong>the</strong> lowering clouds and <strong>the</strong> now declining sun, <strong>the</strong><br />

last perhaps, those poor Chinamen might ever see.<br />

A parcel <strong>of</strong> drift and scum left high and dry during<br />

<strong>the</strong> effort with <strong>the</strong> raft gave cheering hope that <strong>the</strong><br />

worst was past, and that if <strong>the</strong> frail supports <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

tents only held till morning <strong>the</strong>rewas still a chance.<br />

The darkness closed in, <strong>the</strong> lookers on were obliged<br />

to return home, and leave <strong>the</strong>m to <strong>the</strong> perils <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

night. The Sabbath morning saw <strong>the</strong> waters abated,<br />

and <strong>the</strong> prisoners relieved from <strong>the</strong> wearisome watch<br />

on <strong>the</strong> top <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir establishment.<br />

Newstead as may be supposed was under water.<br />

Cellars were filled with o<strong>the</strong>r liquors than those supplied<br />

by McBride and Fitz: oozy slippery sludge covered<br />

many a heret<strong>of</strong>ore well scrubbed floor and left a<br />

goodly coating on <strong>the</strong> flats as well. On each side <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> culvert near Marsden’s <strong>the</strong> road gave way leaving<br />

after great chasms, while <strong>the</strong> metal recently laid on<br />

has been swept clean over <strong>the</strong> side into <strong>the</strong> ditches<br />

and <strong>the</strong> police paddock. Early on Saturday morning,<br />

<strong>the</strong> Surveyor and some members <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Road<br />

Board were on <strong>the</strong> spot, and placed barriers at <strong>the</strong><br />

bridge to prevent accidents. It is pleasing, however,<br />

to note, that amid all this destruction <strong>of</strong> property, no<br />

lives have been reported as lost, although parties on<br />

<strong>the</strong> qui vive imagined <strong>the</strong>y saw <strong>the</strong> body <strong>of</strong> a man<br />

float down on Saturday. Below Newstead, <strong>the</strong> destruction<br />

<strong>of</strong> fences and new ploughed land has been<br />

serious, Messrs Ryd and Walker coming in for a large<br />

share. The body <strong>of</strong> sludge that comes down <strong>the</strong> Loddon<br />

annually is immense and evidently ere long will<br />

silt up <strong>the</strong> river bed and render valueless <strong>the</strong> hi<strong>the</strong>rto<br />

rich flats that now adorns its banks. According<br />

to <strong>the</strong> collected opinions <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> oldest inhabitants,<br />

this is by far <strong>the</strong> largest flood that has been known<br />

for many years, but from <strong>the</strong> accumulation <strong>of</strong> sludge,<br />

already mentioned, this opinion may be taken cum<br />

gravo salis.<br />

Monday morning - The wea<strong>the</strong>r is serene once,<br />

more but <strong>the</strong> ravages <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> flood are becoming more<br />

apparent. We are sorry to hear that Mr Lethbride, a<br />

hard working farmer, has lost a considerable quantity<br />

<strong>of</strong> grains: indeed, so sudden was <strong>the</strong> rise <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> river,<br />

tha<strong>the</strong>andhis<strong>family</strong>wereobligedt<strong>of</strong>lee. Ourenterprising<br />

neighbour, Mr Day, who suffered so severely<br />

in <strong>the</strong> flood <strong>of</strong> ’62, has also come to heavy loss on<br />

this occasion; <strong>the</strong> large butcher’s shop lately built by<br />

him is nearly a ruin, and great sympathy is felt for<br />

him. Our Road Board, with <strong>the</strong> promptness that so<br />

distinguishes it, meets today , to take <strong>the</strong> necessary<br />

steps for <strong>the</strong> restoration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> damaged portions <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> roads and bridges under its control.


74 APPENDIX C. THE STORY OF THE FLOOD<br />

Drowned in <strong>the</strong> Loddon<br />

Dr. Preshaw, <strong>the</strong> Coroner, held an inquest, at<br />

Gaffney’sHotel, Guildfordon<strong>the</strong>body<strong>of</strong>JohnBelcher,<br />

aged 40, a married man and a miner, who was found<br />

drowned in <strong>the</strong> Loddon, on <strong>the</strong> morning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 7th<br />

inst. Deceased ’s wife stated that her husband left his<br />

home in Shicer Gully on Saturday afternoon, with his<br />

mate, it being <strong>the</strong>ir intention to divide some gold: he<br />

was <strong>the</strong>n sober. Benjamin Alexander found <strong>the</strong> body<br />

in <strong>the</strong> river, it had been stopped by a stake: he called<br />

William Watts and a man named Fox, to his assistance,<br />

and <strong>the</strong> body was got out and recognised as<br />

that <strong>of</strong> John Belcher. Michael Griest, a miner had<br />

seen deceased in Kangaroo after <strong>the</strong> termination o<br />

<strong>the</strong> poll for <strong>the</strong> Mining Board election: he was not<br />

<strong>the</strong>n sober, but started for home alone. The most important<br />

evidence was that <strong>of</strong> Edwin Fox, a carter, residing<br />

close to <strong>the</strong> river, where deceased fell in. This<br />

witness said :- “ On Saturday night about 7 p.m.,<br />

when <strong>the</strong> river was very high from <strong>the</strong> rains, I heard<br />

a man cry out ’Can I get ver ?”’. I replied, “No” I<br />

could not see him, it being dark; I had a light, but<br />

saw none on <strong>the</strong> opposite side, from whence <strong>the</strong> voice<br />

came.. I heard a plunge into <strong>the</strong> river afterwards. I<br />

cried out, but got no answer. There had been a small<br />

bridge a little lower than <strong>the</strong> place where I heard <strong>the</strong><br />

voice, but <strong>the</strong> flood had carried it away. The place<br />

was not in <strong>the</strong> direction <strong>of</strong> deceased’s house. The<br />

stream was very strong, so that I could do nothing.<br />

I think he had been drunk” Ano<strong>the</strong>r witness named,<br />

Samuel Nash, said he heard deceased ask Fox if he<br />

could cross. Fox replied: ’No” on which deceased<br />

said, “Well , I must cross, so here goes” A splash was<br />

heard in <strong>the</strong> darkness, nothing more. The medical<br />

testimony(byDrJohnO’Neill) showedthatdeceased<br />

hadbeendrowned, <strong>the</strong>rewerenomarks<strong>of</strong>violenceon<br />

his person. After due deliberation, <strong>the</strong> jury returned<br />

a verdict <strong>of</strong> “Found Drowned” adding that <strong>the</strong>y believed<br />

deceased got into <strong>the</strong> Loddon while under <strong>the</strong><br />

influence <strong>of</strong> drink.


Appendix D<br />

The coroner’s inquest on John<br />

Belcher<br />

Proceedings before coroner’s inquisition<br />

Castlemaine Victoria<br />

To Wit<br />

An inquisition for our Sovereign lady Queen Victoria, taken at Guildford Arms, Guildford in <strong>the</strong><br />

District <strong>of</strong> Castlemaine aforesaid, <strong>the</strong> eighth day <strong>of</strong> June AD 1863, in <strong>the</strong> twenty sixth year <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Reign <strong>of</strong> our said Lady <strong>the</strong> Queen, before me William Fisher Preshaw, Gentleman, a Coroner <strong>of</strong><br />

our Lady <strong>the</strong> Queen for <strong>the</strong> District <strong>of</strong> Castlemaine aforesaid, upon <strong>the</strong> view <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> body <strong>of</strong> John<br />

Belcher, <strong>the</strong>n and <strong>the</strong>re lying dead, upon <strong>the</strong> oaths <strong>of</strong><br />

• William Joseph Gaffney<br />

• Richard Lackford<br />

• David Findlay<br />

• Thomas Wear<br />

• Henry Price<br />

• James Moyes<br />

• William Cocking<br />

• William Duffreon<br />

• Joseph Alfred James<br />

• Andrew Clark<br />

• Jonathan Woods<br />

• John Jones<br />

good and lawful men <strong>of</strong> Guildford in <strong>the</strong> said District who being duly sworn and charged to inquire,<br />

upon <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> our Lady <strong>the</strong> Queen when, where, how and by what means <strong>the</strong> said John Belcher<br />

came by his death, do say upon <strong>the</strong>ir oath that - That John Belcher aged 40 years was found drowned<br />

in <strong>the</strong> Loddon on <strong>the</strong> morning <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 7th June, & we believe he got into <strong>the</strong> river whilst under <strong>the</strong><br />

influence <strong>of</strong> drink.<br />

75


76 APPENDIX D. THE CORONER’S INQUEST ON JOHN BELCHER<br />

In witness where<strong>of</strong> as well <strong>the</strong> aforesaid coroner as <strong>the</strong> Jurors aforesaid, have to this Inquisition<br />

put <strong>the</strong>ir hands and seals, on <strong>the</strong> day and year, and at <strong>the</strong> place above mentioned.<br />

Wm Preshaw<br />

Coroner<br />

Coroner’s inquest deposition <strong>of</strong> witness<br />

Castlemaine Victoria<br />

To Wit<br />

The Examination <strong>of</strong> Edwin Fox <strong>of</strong> Loddon Vale taken on oath this eighth day <strong>of</strong> June AD 1863,<br />

at Guildford, before <strong>the</strong> undersigned, a Coroner on <strong>the</strong> said District.<br />

The Deponent on his oath said as follows.<br />

I am a carter, and live at <strong>the</strong> Loddon Vale. On Saturday last about Seven p.m., <strong>the</strong> river was<br />

very high from <strong>the</strong> rains. I live close by <strong>the</strong> river, I heard a man, cry could he get over. I told him<br />

no. I could not see him being dark I had a light, I saw none on <strong>the</strong> side from whence <strong>the</strong> voice came.<br />

I heard a plunge into <strong>the</strong> river afterwards. I cried out but got no answer.<br />

There was a small bridge a little lower than <strong>the</strong> place where I heard <strong>the</strong> voice but <strong>the</strong> flood had<br />

taken it away, <strong>the</strong> place where he got in [was] in <strong>the</strong> opposite direction to his own house. The stream<br />

was very strong where he had gone in I could do nothing I think he had been in drink<br />

Taken and sworn before me <strong>the</strong> 8th day <strong>of</strong> June AD 1863, at Guildford<br />

Edwin Fox<br />

Coroner’s inquest deposition <strong>of</strong> witness<br />

Castlemaine Victoria<br />

To Wit<br />

The Examination <strong>of</strong> Samuel Nash <strong>of</strong> The Loddon taken on oath this eighth day <strong>of</strong> June AD 1863<br />

at Guildford before <strong>the</strong> undersigned, a Coroner in <strong>the</strong> said District.<br />

The Deponent on his oath said as follows:<br />

I am a miner and live on <strong>the</strong> Loddon. On Saturday night, I heard a man ask <strong>the</strong> last witness<br />

if he could cross <strong>the</strong> river, it was very high. Fox said no. I heard <strong>the</strong> man say well I must cross so<br />

here goes. I heard a splash & it being dark I could see no more. I have seen <strong>the</strong> body on view which<br />

was found yesterday a little lower down <strong>the</strong> stream. I had known deceased before.<br />

Taken and sworn before me <strong>the</strong> 8th day <strong>of</strong> June AD 1863, at Guildford<br />

Samuel Nash<br />

Coroner’s inquest deposition <strong>of</strong> witness<br />

Castlemaine Victoria<br />

To Wit<br />

The Examination <strong>of</strong> Benjamin Alexander <strong>of</strong> ———-, taken on oath this 8th day <strong>of</strong> June AD<br />

1863, at <strong>the</strong> Guildford Arms before <strong>the</strong> undersigned, a Coroner in <strong>the</strong> said District.


77<br />

The Deponent on his oath said as follows:<br />

I am a miner and live at Shicers gully Guildford. About half past seven, yesterday morning, I<br />

went down to <strong>the</strong> river to see how my machine had stood after <strong>the</strong> flood. I saw <strong>the</strong> body <strong>of</strong> a man<br />

entangled to a stake in <strong>the</strong> river. I called William Watts, he came with <strong>the</strong> assistance <strong>of</strong> a man<br />

named Fox. The body was got out & recognised as that <strong>of</strong> John Belcher. Word was <strong>the</strong>n sent to<br />

<strong>the</strong> Police.<br />

Taken and sworn before me <strong>the</strong> 8th day <strong>of</strong> June AD 1863, at Guildford<br />

Benjamin Alexander<br />

Wm Preshaw<br />

Coroner<br />

Coroner’s inquest deposition <strong>of</strong> witness<br />

Castlemaine Victoria<br />

To Wit<br />

The Examination <strong>of</strong> John O’Niel <strong>of</strong> Guildford taken on oath this eighth day <strong>of</strong> June AD 1863,<br />

at Guildford before <strong>the</strong> undersigned, a Coroner in <strong>the</strong> said District.<br />

The deponent on his oath said as follows.<br />

I am a legally qualified Medical Practitioner residing at Guildford. This day at <strong>the</strong> request <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Coroner I have examined <strong>the</strong> body <strong>of</strong> deceased. The clo<strong>the</strong>s loaded with sand. There was great rigor<br />

mortis face livid. The clo<strong>the</strong>s all on. No marks <strong>of</strong> violence, <strong>the</strong> appearance such as if <strong>the</strong> person has<br />

died <strong>of</strong> asphyxia from drowning.<br />

Taken and sworn before me <strong>the</strong> 8th day <strong>of</strong> June AD 1863, at Guildford<br />

John O’Niel<br />

Wm Preshaw<br />

Coroner<br />

Coroner’s inquest deposition <strong>of</strong> witness<br />

Castlemaine Victoria<br />

To Wit<br />

The Examination <strong>of</strong> Eliza Belcher <strong>of</strong> Shicer Gully taken on oath this eighth day <strong>of</strong> June AD<br />

1863, at Guildford, before <strong>the</strong> undersigned, a Coroner on <strong>the</strong> said District.<br />

The Deponent on his oath said as follows.<br />

I am <strong>the</strong> wife <strong>of</strong> deceased. On Saturday afternoon last, my husband between three and four<br />

o’clock, went with his mate to divide some gold. He was <strong>the</strong>n quite sober and had just returned<br />

from work. I was expecting him every moment & it was yesterday morning that I heard that he<br />

had been drowned. He was an Irishman & has left three children. He was in <strong>the</strong> habit <strong>of</strong> taking<br />

some drink. When my husband was about to go , a man named Plummer ............. him to go to<br />

Kangaroo to vote at <strong>the</strong> Mining Board Election. I live at Shicer Gully. He is 40 years <strong>of</strong> age. There<br />

is a creek in front <strong>of</strong> my house which was also flooded on Saturday.<br />

(her mark)


78 APPENDIX D. THE CORONER’S INQUEST ON JOHN BELCHER<br />

Eliza Belcher<br />

Taken and sworn before me <strong>the</strong> 8th day <strong>of</strong> June AD 1863, at Guildford<br />

Wm Preshaw Coroner<br />

Coroner’s inquest deposition <strong>of</strong> witness<br />

Castlemaine Victoria<br />

To Wit<br />

The Examination <strong>of</strong> Michael Guest <strong>of</strong> Shicer Gully taken on oath this eighth day <strong>of</strong> June AD<br />

1863, at Guildford, before <strong>the</strong> undersigned, a Coroner on <strong>the</strong> said District.<br />

The Deponent on his oath said as follows.<br />

I am a miner and live at Schicer Gully. I saw <strong>the</strong> deceased at Kangaroo, after <strong>the</strong> termination <strong>of</strong><br />

<strong>the</strong> poll at <strong>the</strong> election for <strong>the</strong> Mining Board He was not sober but could walk, at a little past five.<br />

He started for home it was not dark & he had time to get home before it was dark I saw him start<br />

alone. He said he wished to get home in time.<br />

Taken and sworn before me <strong>the</strong> 8th day <strong>of</strong> June AD 1863, at Guildford<br />

Michael Guest<br />

Wm Preshaw<br />

Coroner


Appendix E<br />

The Courier<br />

Passenger list <strong>of</strong> The Courier<br />

Courier 1849<br />

Ship "Courier"<br />

Disposal list <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Immigrants in <strong>the</strong> Ship "Courier",<br />

which arrived at Port Phillip on <strong>the</strong> 11th September 1849.<br />

No. Name Calling Age Name and Adress <strong>of</strong> Employer<br />

21 Belcher John Laborer 25 Went to Melbourne<br />

22 Belcher Elizth Housekeeper 27 Disengaged on own a/c<br />

302 Belcher Eliza House maid With her bro<strong>the</strong>r to Melbourne disengaged<br />

303 Belcher Sarah Child’s maid With her bro<strong>the</strong>r to Melbourne disengaged<br />

The Courier arrives<br />

THE ARGUS<br />

Wednesday, September 12, 1849<br />

ARRIVED<br />

September 11 - Courier, Ship, 1,061 tons Gustave O’Melling, commander, from Liverpool<br />

via Plymouth. Dr Alfred Bowden, Surgeon Superintendent, and 325 emigrants.<br />

H.A. Smith & Co. agents.<br />

IMPORTS<br />

September 11-Courier from Liverpool via Plymouth - 35,000 slates, 2000 bags salt -<br />

H.A. Smith & Co.<br />

REPORTS<br />

The Courier has made a very good passage <strong>of</strong> 95 days from Plymouth , she made<br />

<strong>the</strong> island <strong>of</strong> St Paul’s in 68 days, since that she has had contrary winds, she brings<br />

out 381 immigrants, equal to 325 adults, principally Irish, with a few English and<br />

79


80 APPENDIX E. THE COURIER<br />

Scotch. Their classification is as follows: 56 married couples, 69 male adults, 106<br />

female adults, 39 male children, from 1 to 14, and 17 infants, 5 births and 3 deaths<br />

occurred on <strong>the</strong> passage, <strong>the</strong> latter 1 male adult and 2 infants which were born on<br />

<strong>the</strong> passage. The Anna, a large ship, belonging to <strong>the</strong> same owners as <strong>the</strong> Courier,<br />

is advertised to sail from Liverpool via Plymouth, about ten days after <strong>the</strong> Courier.<br />

The Courier met <strong>the</strong> following vessels : on <strong>the</strong> 28th June, in lat 5°51’ N, long 19°40<br />

W, <strong>the</strong> Stately from Plymouth to V.D. Land. On <strong>the</strong> 29th July, in lat 37°16’8, long<br />

2°0’E, <strong>the</strong> Brillant from Glasgow for Port Philip. On <strong>the</strong> 18th August in lat, 39°16’ S<br />

long, 84°0’ E , <strong>the</strong> Elgis from Plymouth for Adelaide with single female immigrants.<br />

ENGLISH<br />

The Courier brings one day later news. With <strong>the</strong> exception <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> introduction <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Australian Colonies Bill, into <strong>the</strong> House <strong>of</strong> Commons, <strong>the</strong>re is little <strong>of</strong> interest, save<br />

an arrival from America, conveying <strong>the</strong> following intelligence etc. etc..


Appendix F<br />

Obituaries<br />

Mrs. Ellen Belcher<br />

It is with regret that we have to record <strong>the</strong> death, which took place at her residence,<br />

Templeton street, Euroa on Friday morning last <strong>of</strong> Mrs Ellen Belcher, at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 73<br />

years. Deceased was a very old resident , having before coming into <strong>the</strong> town resided<br />

for many years at Moglonemby, where with her <strong>family</strong> she carried on farming operations<br />

and held <strong>the</strong> respect and esteem <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entire district, for her many excellent<br />

qualities, and her courage in adversity. Her husband predeceased her by many years<br />

and for a long time she was faced with <strong>the</strong> task <strong>of</strong> carrying on <strong>the</strong> farm and bringing<br />

up <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong>. On <strong>the</strong> marriage <strong>of</strong> her youngest son, Mrs Belcher retired from <strong>the</strong><br />

farm and came into Euroa to enjoy a well earned rest. She was a staunch adherent<br />

at <strong>the</strong> Presbyterian church. Two <strong>of</strong> her sons saw active service in <strong>the</strong> Great War.<br />

Her many friends regret her passing and sympathise with <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> <strong>of</strong> four sons (<br />

Fred, Harry, William and John) and two daughters Ada (Mrs Smith, Moglonemby)<br />

and Alice (Mrs illiams). Until recently, Mrs Belcher had been an active woman, but<br />

had recently suffered from heart trouble, and though given care and attention , her<br />

condition during <strong>the</strong> past few weeks gave her relatives small hope <strong>of</strong> her recovery.<br />

The funeral took place on Saturday last, when <strong>the</strong> large attendance was an evidence<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> esteem in which she was held. Rev. L. Hume conducted a service at <strong>the</strong> house,<br />

and also <strong>the</strong> graveside service. The pall bearers were Messrs J. Wallis, N. Ralston,<br />

L. Newton, R. Brown, A. McBurney and J. Chanter. C<strong>of</strong>fin bearers were Messrs<br />

F., W., H. and J. Belcher, W. Smith and B. Kimber. Flower bearers were Messrs<br />

R. Barry , A. Barton, C. Burton, A. Winburn, R. Brown, T. Webb, I. Graham, C.<br />

Trask, A. Hunt and P. Schneeberger. Mr T.G. Ferguson had charge <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> funeral<br />

arrangements.<br />

Mr. William Belcher<br />

We have to chronicle <strong>the</strong> passing away <strong>of</strong> ano<strong>the</strong>r old resident in <strong>the</strong> person <strong>of</strong> Mr<br />

WilliamBelcher,whodiedat<strong>the</strong>Be<strong>the</strong>sdahospital,MelbourneonTuesdayafternoon,<br />

81


82 APPENDIX F. OBITUARIES<br />

after undergoing an operation. The remains were brought to Euroa and interred at<br />

<strong>the</strong> local cemetery yesterday afternoon. Deceased, who was 60 years <strong>of</strong> age, was a<br />

native<strong>of</strong>Victoria, andaveryolddistrictresident, havingbeenengagedinagricultural<br />

and pastoral pursuits at Miepoll Sth., and later at Moglonemby. He leaves a grownup<br />

<strong>family</strong> <strong>of</strong> four sons and two daughters, two <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> former having enlisted in <strong>the</strong><br />

Empire cause. The sympathy <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> entire district is tendered to <strong>the</strong> relatives on <strong>the</strong><br />

sad occasion.


Appendix G<br />

Family Trees<br />

Figure G.1: James Belcher and Mary Quinn (Part 1)<br />

83


84 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.2: James Belcher and Mary Quinn (Part 2)


Figure G.3: James Belcher and Mary Quinn (Part 3)<br />

85


86 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.4: William Barnes and Eliza Floyd


Figure G.5: Thomas Floyd and Mary McKenzie (Part 1)<br />

87


88 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.6: Thomas Floyd and Mary McKenzie (Part 2)


Figure G.7: Thomas Floyd and Mary McKenzie (Part 3)<br />

89


90 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.8: Thomas Floyd and Mary McKenzie (Part 4)


Figure G.9: Thomas Floyd and Mary McKenzie (Part 5)<br />

91


92 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.10: Thomas Floyd and Mary McKenzie (Part 6)


Figure G.11: Thomas Floyd and Mary McKenzie (Part 7)<br />

93


94 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.12: Thomas Floyd and Mary McKenzie (Part 8)


Figure G.13: Thomas Floyd and Mary McKenzie (Part 9)<br />

95


96 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.14: Thomas Floyd and Mary McKenzie (Part 10)


Figure G.15: Thomas Floyd and Mary McKenzie (Part 11)<br />

97


98 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.16: Thomas Floyd and Mary McKenzie (Part 12)


Figure G.17: James Warner and Anna Floyd (Part 1)<br />

99


100 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.18: James Warner and Anna Floyd (Part 2)


Figure G.19: James Warner and Anna Floyd (Part 3)<br />

101


102 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.20: James Warner and Anna Floyd (Part 4)


Figure G.21: John Ambrose and Sarah Floyd<br />

103


104 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.22: Duncan Stewart and Susan Floyd


Figure G.23: Henry Floyd and Margaret Harper (Part 1)<br />

105


106 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.24: Henry Floyd and Margaret Harper (Part 2)


Figure G.25: John Furlong and Sarah Belcher (Part 1)<br />

107


108 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.26: John Furlong and Sarah Belcher (Part 2)


Figure G.27: John Furlong and Sarah Belcher (Part 3)<br />

109


110 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.28: William Belcher and Ellen Jamieson (Part 1)


Figure G.29: William Belcher and Ellen Jamieson (Part 2)<br />

111


112 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.30: William Belcher and Ellen Jamieson (Part 3)


Figure G.31: William Belcher and Ellen Jamieson (Part 4)<br />

113


114 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.32: William Belcher and Ellen Jamieson (Part 5)


Figure G.33: Richard Wheatley and Mary Belcher (Part 1)<br />

115


116 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.34: Richard Wheatley and Mary Belcher (Part 2)


Figure G.35: William Joyce and Ann Dixon (Part 1)<br />

117


118 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.36: William Joyce and Ann Dixon (Part 2)


Figure G.37: William Joyce and Ann Dixon (Part 3)<br />

119


120 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.38: William Joyce and Ann Dixon (Part 4)


Figure G.39: William Joyce and Ann Dixon (Part 5)<br />

121


122 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.40: John Porta and Anne Joyce (Part 1)


Figure G.41: John Porta and Anne Joyce (Part 2)<br />

123


124 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.42: John Porta and Anne Joyce (Part 3)


Figure G.43: John Porta and Anne Joyce (Part 4)<br />

125


126 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.44: John Porta and Anne Joyce (Part 5)


Figure G.45: John Porta and Anne Joyce (Part 6)<br />

127


128 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.46: John Porta and Anne Joyce (Part 7)


Figure G.47: John Porta and Anne Joyce (Part 8)<br />

129


130 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.48: John Porta and Anne Joyce (Part 9)


Figure G.49: John Porta and Anne Joyce (Part 10)<br />

131


132 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.50: Henry Joyce and Jane Drummond


Figure G.51: John Joyce and Emily Whilding<br />

133


134 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.52: Thomas Joyce and Elizabeth Smith


Figure G.53: Brian O’Reilly and Mary Joyce (Part 1)<br />

135


136 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.54: Brian O’Reilly and Mary Joyce (Part 2)


Figure G.55: George West and Mary Joyce (Part 1)<br />

137


138 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.56: George West and Mary Joyce (Part 2)


139<br />

Figure G.57: George West and Mary Joyce (Part 3)<br />

Figure G.58: George Cupit and Alice Kennedy


140 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.59: George Cupit and Alice M<strong>of</strong>fat (Part 1)


Figure G.60: George Cupit and Alice M<strong>of</strong>fat (Part 2)<br />

141


142 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES<br />

Figure G.61: George Cupit and Alice M<strong>of</strong>fat (Part 3)


143<br />

Figure G.62: Charles Cupit and Mary Scott<br />

Figure G.63: William Peebles and Ada Broughton


144 APPENDIX G. FAMILY TREES


Appendix H<br />

Acknowledgements<br />

Many descendants <strong>of</strong> James Belcher, and also several o<strong>the</strong>r relatives by marriage,<br />

have contributed to this book, particularly to <strong>the</strong> Family Tree Sections. Some have<br />

encouraged or inspired me to continue an interest in <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> my families. Some<br />

have gladly provided <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong> what, for <strong>the</strong>m, has been many hours and days<br />

<strong>of</strong> work researching <strong>the</strong>ir own branch <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong>. O<strong>the</strong>rs have corrected drafts,<br />

or filled in gaps in <strong>the</strong> documents, or, over <strong>the</strong> years, supplied me with up-to-date<br />

news and information <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own families and near relatives. I cannot list all who<br />

have helped, and indeed <strong>the</strong>re may be some significant contributions that I cannot<br />

list, due to a loss <strong>of</strong> a month’s records in late 1999 due to a jammed computer hard<br />

disk. For interesting me in <strong>the</strong> history <strong>of</strong> my ancestral families, I remember my<br />

cousin Jean Williams, and for entries in <strong>the</strong> Family bible, my mo<strong>the</strong>r Ilma Belcher,<br />

nee Sterling. My Aunt Ada Smith and second cousin Lucy Barker provided leads in<br />

my early interest and my bro<strong>the</strong>r Bruce pursued <strong>the</strong> first trails in Ireland. Once I<br />

began <strong>the</strong> more intense research towards producing <strong>the</strong> written record and planning<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>family</strong> reunion, I had many willing contributors, providing <strong>the</strong> results <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir own<br />

interest in Belcher genealogy and <strong>family</strong> history. These include Dorothy Ambrose,<br />

Keith Asbury, Kaye Brewer, Joan Bridges, Vicki Clay, Grace Cupitt, Robynne Durie,<br />

Beverly Durrant, Thomas Floyd, Fay Perussich, Hubert Warner and Tony and Merle<br />

Watkins. I must also acknowledge <strong>the</strong> work <strong>of</strong> my son William in preparing this book<br />

for publication over <strong>the</strong> several years, despite my own procrastination in supplying<br />

him with text.<br />

145


146 APPENDIX H. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


Bibliography<br />

[1] Cannon, Michael, ”Perilous Voyages to <strong>the</strong> New Land”, Chap. 20 ’Five Modest women aboard <strong>the</strong><br />

Courier’, (Mornington: Today’s Australia, 1997).<br />

[2] Chuk, Florence, ”The Somerset Years”, (Ballarat: Pennard Hill Publications, 1987).<br />

[3] Durrant, Beverly Margaret, ”Heaven, History and Heroism - The story <strong>of</strong> Thomas and Anne Floyd<br />

and some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir descendants”, (Self Published, 1995).<br />

[4] Floyd, Thomas Maxwell, ”The Floyds A Family Story”, (Self Published, 1995).<br />

[5] Mount Alexander Mail, SLV Micr<strong>of</strong>iche, (Castlemaine Victoria: June 8 & 9, 1863).<br />

[6] Public Record Office <strong>of</strong> Victoria, Immigration, VPRS 115/P Inwards Registry <strong>of</strong> Correspondence, Unit<br />

2, 29/6/2 1849, Doc. 49/277 / Unit 3, Doc. 49/302 / Unit 4, various [Courier Voyage]<br />

[7] Public Record Office <strong>of</strong> Victoria, Probates and Administrations, VPRS 28/P3, 0610 143 585, 2669 269<br />

799, 2705 271 979 [Probates/Admon WFB, EB, FB]<br />

[8] Public Record Office <strong>of</strong> Victoria, Inquest Deposition Files, VPRS 24, 1840 1988, 358/63. [Inquest<br />

John Belcher]<br />

[9] Public Record Office <strong>of</strong> Victoria, Closer Settlement Files, VPRS 5714, 1891-1916, 14-132 19.20 &<br />

15117 19.20, [W Belcher Selection]<br />

[10] Public Record Office <strong>of</strong> Victoria, Shipping Lists <strong>of</strong> Immigrants - Micr<strong>of</strong>iche, VPRS 7310, Book 4A P.<br />

154 [Courier 11 9 1849]<br />

[11] State Aerial Survey, Victorian Standard 40 Chain Series, (Castlemaine: C or 817C, 1st Edn).<br />

[12] The Argus, SLV Micr<strong>of</strong>iche, (Melbourne Victoria: Sep. 12, 1849).<br />

[13] The Euroa Advertiser, SLV Micr<strong>of</strong>iche, (Euroa Victoria).<br />

[14] Victorian Dept <strong>of</strong> Lands & Survey, Cadastral Plan <strong>of</strong> Miepoll and Moglonemby<br />

[15] Victorian Registrar <strong>of</strong> Births, Deaths and Marriages, Various cerificates including Death Certificate <strong>of</strong><br />

John Belcher, Marriage Certificate <strong>of</strong> Sarah Belcher/John Furlong<br />

147

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