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the family of james belcher of waterford, ireland - University of ...

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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>

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