Samuel BORDER accident 1915 (2)

I've previously written about the accident in which my ancestor Samuel BORDER (1892-1963) lost his legs (http://thehistoryofmatt.blogspot.com/2008/02/samuel-litson-border.html). I've now updated another entry as I've found a second small article complementing that from the Sydney Morning Herald describing the accident, with more details.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Monday 20 September 1915

 

ACCIDENT TO A SOLDIER.

Late on Friday night Samuel Border, a soldier, attached to the 10th Reinforcements of the 3rd Battalion, met wlth a severe accident, whilst waiting on the Granville railway Station for a train going to Liverpool.

It Is stated that, in a meleoe which took place amongst a number at soldiers, Border was knocked down, and fell on to the permanent way, when a passing goods train ran over him. His own version is that there was a "bit of an argument," when somebody accidentally bumped against him, and he over-balanced and fell. The train passed over both legs, and it was found necessary to amputate both feet. His condition on Sunday was considered to be fairly favourable. He attaches no blame to anybody.

The second article I recently found:

Barrier Miner (Broken Hill, NSW)

Monday 20 September 1915

SYDNEY SOLDIER'S ACCIDENT
RUN OVER BY A TRAIN
ALLEGED FIGHT AT RAILWAY STATION
Sydney, Sunday

A fight is alleged to have taken place among a number of soldiers on the Granville railway station late on Friday night, and in the mix-up one soldier, Samuel Border (23), fell off the platform on to the lines, and half the length of a goods train, which was then dashing through, passed over him.
According to the information collected from railway sources, the disturbance broke out on an island platform at the station at about 11.45 o'clock. The train was travelling on the down line, and as Border disappeared over the edge of the platform it struck him before he had any chance of regaining his footing.
When picked up it was found that Border had his left leg below the knee nearly severed, and his right foot cut off just above the boot. There were also lacerations about the body. He was taken to Parramatta Hospital.
Border is attached to the 10th Reinforcements, 3rd Battalion, and is a single man. His people live at Canowindra.

The Nuncupative Will of Richard Border, died abt 1650

This third Will pre-dates the previous two that I posted by more than 150 years. Rather than being among the few Devon Wills remaining, it was administered through the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC). The PCC covered the south of England and settled wills of people of greater wealth or who owned land in multiple counties (but there were other reasons also).

There is only one Devonshire BORDER Will in the PCC, that of Richard Border, of East Ogwell. East Ogwell is adjacent to Newton Bushel where my earliest known BORDER ancestor hailed from (James BORDER stated he was from Newtown Bushel when he married Sarah SLOOMAN at Exeter, Devon in 1706).

Given the possible connection (and Richard is a BORDER family name) I've transcribed this will, which does reveal information about the family connections this Richard BORDER had. As with the Will of Richard BORDER (1748-1815) that I posted yesterday, it appears that this Richard (died 1649) also had no wife or heirs to leave his money to - it is the sharing of money amongst extended family that reveals a little of his family tree. The Will is 'nuncupative', meaning it was delivered orally rather than being written down (on his deathbed it would appear). Paragraphs incorporated for ease of reading


The Nuncupative Will of Richard Border late of East Ogwell in the County of Devon Clothier who departed this life Monday night the Eighteenth Day of March Anno Domini 1649. The said Richard Border in his ? to witt the said Eighteenth Day of March Anno Domini 1649 being perfect in memory in the present of William Knowling of (Timgrace?) in the County aforesaid husbandman and Ann ? of Wolborough in the County aforesaid spinster did speak and declare these words following 


I give unto my brother in law John James' children five pounds and halfe a ?? of ??, and also I give unto my mother Emblin Border my Mare And also I give unto my brother in law Edward L??? child four pounds and half a ??? of ??? And also I give  unto my brother James Borders child all the money that is due to me from him And also I give to Elizabeth Lambshead the wife of Hugh Lambshead one Lambe, and one sheep ?? Joane ?? And one lambe to the saint Ann ?? and also I give unto my brother Thomas Borders three children forty pounds between them And the residue of all my goods to remain after my ?? are paid to my said brother Thomas Border the Sigur of William Knowlling and the sigur of Ann ??

The script is difficult to read in parts, the surnames particularly so. But we do learn that Richard Border of East Ogwell wasn't too old when he died - his mother Emblin Border was still alive. He had two sisters (indicated by the brothers in law) and two brothers James (who had one child living) and Thomas (who had three).

The Will of Richard BORDER (1748 - 1815)

This is the second of the BORDER Wills that I'm posting (thanks to Robin BORDER) - the last was James and this is his brother Richard BORDER, born five years later in Buckfastleigh, but dying a year earlier (1815). Richard BORDER married Joan MICHELMORE at Buckfastleigh on 27 Apr 1786. A confusing point is that according to IGI indexes Joan BORDER, daughter of Richard and Joan, was baptised the same day! This may be an error. At any rate Richard and Joan had no more children. Records were brief at time, so either Joan BORDER the mother or Joan BORDER the daughter died in September 1786 (six months after marriage). Either way when Richard wrote his Will neither his wife nor daughter were alive.

Unfettered, Richard appears to have been incredibly succesful. As his Will attests, he was a Butcher like his older brother James. I've not done the math  but a great deal of money was left to both extended family (helping to connect up the tree) and the SEARLE family. The connection is not immediately obvious but the links were obviously tight as more money went to SEARLEs than BORDERs. Richard's two sisters, Sarah (b.1746) and Elizabeth (b.1760) both married SEARLEs (Samuel and Richard, respectively). Richard BORDER died in 1781 and like his brothers James and Christopher, lived his whole life in Buckfastleigh.

I have broken the Will into paragaphs to aid in reading:

This is the last will and testament of me Richard Border of Buckfastleigh in the county of Devon Butcher which I publish and declare as follows. I order and direct that all my just debts testamentary and funeral charges be fully paid and discharged by my executor hereinafter named. 

I give devise and bequeath unto my brother Christopher Border of Buckfastleigh the sum of twenty pounds also I give devise and bequeath unto Sarah Border daughter of my said brother Christopher Border the sum of twenty pounds and a pair of XXXX I also give unto his son Thomas Border the sum of forty pounds I also give unto my sister Sarah Searle of Plymouth the sum of thirty pounds I also give unto Sarah Legasick daughter of Sarah Searle the sum of twenty pounds I also give unto Sarah Searle and Elizabeth Searle daughters of Richard Searle of Buckfastleigh the sum of twenty pounds each. 

I also give and bequeath unto James Searle the Mesuage or Dwelling housethat is now in the occupation of Philip Illington with the garden plot belonging to the said house and the other garden behind the said house which I now occupy together with one half the water course that now runs through my lands to hold the same with the appertunances unto the said James Searle his heirs and assigns for ever. I also give devise and bequeath unto the before mentioned James Searle the sum of fifty pounds. 

I also give unto Samuel Searle brother of the above James Searle the house that Samuel Tozer now rents of me with the garden with the garden belonging to the same with one half the profits of a watercourse that runs through my lands. I also give and bequeath the said Samuel Searle the sum of forty pounds to hold the said house and garden with the rights XXX and appeurtenances thereunto belonging unto the said Samuel Searle his heirs and assigns forever. I also give and bequeath unto Richard Searle now residing at Sticklepath in the parish of South Tawton in the said county Woolcomber the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds I also give and bequeath unto my housekeeper Mry German the sum of twenty pounds. 

I give and bequeath unto my brother James Border the interest of one hundred and twenty pounds (now due from him to me) on a mortgage which is six pounds a year or long as he lives or until his heirs executors or XXX shall or may redeem the said mortgage but where and as soon as my said brother James Border shall exonerate and discharge his estate from the said mortgage then it is my will and I order and direct that the said sum of one hundred and twenty pounds be equally divided between the five children that may be living at the time of my death share and share alike but it is my will and desire that the sum of twenty pounds be deducted from the said sum of one hundred and twenty pounds to be equally divided between the three children of Richard Border deceased son of James Border and it is my will and desire that the interest on the above one hundred and twenty pounds shall be paid no longer than one year after my decease. 

I hereby also give demise and bequeath unto my nephew (son of sister Elizabeth Searle) William Searle all that one field or close of land called Sanguers Park in the said parish of Buckfastleigh now rented by John Trust and the dwellinghouse I now live in with the Garden before the same to hold the said with the rights XXX and appurtenances thereunto belonging unto the said William Searle his heirs and assigns forever and I also give devise and bequeath all my household goods and furniture beds and bedding of every description plate money in the house or out on mortgage and all sums of money due to me at the time of death stock in trade and every article that I may be possessed of at the time of my death and it is my will and I order and direct that all my legacies given and desired by me in this my will may be fully paid and satisfied at the end of twelve months after my decease except my silver watch which I give to James Border Searle son of Richard Searle now living at Sticklepark. And I hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said William Searle whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills by me made. And it is my will and desire that whatsoever bad debts may occur or happen before my executor is in possession of my estate and effects that each and every one of any said legatees shall leave an equal proportion in the hands of my executor according to the sum given and the loss sustained. 

In witness whereof I the said Richard Border the testator have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this thirtieth day of September in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and fifteen.
Witnesses
Thomas Hamblyn
Thomas Angel
Thomas Irish"

The Will of James BORDER (abt 1743 - 1816)

As mentioned in my previous post I have three BORDER will transcripts to post - as I mentioned none are direct ancestors. The first is James BORDER, baptised at Buckfastleigh, Devon in 1744, the son of James BORDER and Joan nee GILBERT. He married Elisabeth GIDLEY on 23 Jul 1767 at Buckfastleigh and had children there and at Ilsington (apparently living in the Hamlet of Levaton/Leveron). He was buried as Ilsington, Devon on 13 Oct 1816 aged about 72.

His Will:

This is the last will and testament of me James Border of Levaton in the parish of Ilsington in the county of Devon Butcher which I do hereby publish and declare as followeth. First I give and bequeath unto my brother Richard Border my best greatcoat. Likewise I give and bequeath unto my son James Border the sum of forty pounds to be paid unto him by my executors hereinafter named in one year after my decease. I give and bequeath unto my grandson James son of the aforesaid James Border the sum of five pounds to be paid him with interest by my executors when he shall accomplish the age of twenty one years. I give and bequeath unto Sarah Border my daughter the sum of forty pounds to be paid her one year after my decease and I give and bequeath unto her a half dozen of silver tea spoons Coffee Mill Conder cover with the chainery and glass in it. I give and bequeath unto Jane Border widow of my late son Richard Border the sum of one pound to buy a gown with. All the remainder of my lands money goods chattels and effects which I posess at my decease I give devise and bequeath unto my brother Richard Border of Buckfastleigh o George Paddon of Ilsington and George Furse of Bovey Tracey UPON TRUST for the uses hereinafter described (viz) that the said Richard Border George Paddon and George Furse as soon after my death as convenient sell all my goods chattels lands household furniture corn cattle and everything that is saleable unless what is before excepted and the money that is arising therefrom first to pay any just debts and funeral expenses and when that is done the remainder of the money shall be parted equally between my sons Thomas Henry and Christopher Border with my late son Thomas’s three sons to have their fathers share as followeth James the eldest to have one half and Thomas and Richard the other half but the money to be put to interest on good security and to be paid them as they attain the age of twenty one years and the interest arising therefrom shall be paid when received to their mother till the youngest shall be of age and if any of the aforesaid children shall die before they are of age their share or shares shall be paid to the surviving brothers or sisters as they shall become of age but the legacys to be paid before can be parted And I do hereby empower Constitute and appoint the said Richard Border George Paddon and my whole and sole executors in trust of this my last will and testament revoking all former wills by me made declaring this to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of September 1812


It is agreed by me before the signing and sealing of the within will that my son Christopher Border shall have my writing desk and William the son of Joseph Cholditch shall have my beef cleaver and Mutton Knife.



Note that commas were not employed (at least that I've seen), similar to the court records I've read related to my convict ancestors. It is interesting that the eldest son of James (also named James) received the lion's share of the estate. Items of value to James (or to those around him) were clearly articulated - a writing desk, a greatcoat, tea spoons. James, a butcher, also left his knives to a man was possible his apprentice. Clearly being a butcher involved more than just selling the meat, given that his occupation required land, cattle and the corn to feed them.

The BORDER family Wills

My BORDER family was from Devon, specifically Buckfastleigh in the 1700's and 1800's. James, Richard and Thomas were very common family names, but I'm very lucky that a person named Robin Border is dedicated to a 'one-name' study of the BORDER family. It appears (though I may be wrong) that all the Devon BORDERs are descended from one family.

A great way to learn about family connections are Wills. See for example the Will of m ancestor George STANILAND who forced a daughter to return from Australia to England before she could claim her inheritance (http://thehistoryofmatt.blogspot.com/2008/07/staniland-family-of-wyville-lodge.html).

In England it sometimes seems they are trying to make family history research difficult. They are immensely slow compared to other countries at digitizing and indexing records, and some that are indexed (like their civil BDMs) are almost useless. But the problem with Devon Wills cannot be blamed on England. Most Wills from Devonshire were gathered from across Cathedrals in Devon (the church had responsibility prior to 1858) and stored in Exeter. As the Devon County Council puts it: "in 1942 the Probate Registry was destroyed in the bombing during the Exeter Blitz of the Second World War, and all the wills were burnt.  This means that all the original wills kept in the various church courts and in the Probate Registry in Exeter, no longer exist". Wills after 1858 were copied centrally from across England and as such copies are available.

All original wills. Copies of some remain - those who were particularly wealthy had their probate settled at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC) so theirs remain, but those of the average person do not. There is an index being prepared of Will records that are known of, but in most cases the Wills are not available: genuki.cs.ncl.ac.uk/DEV/DevonWillsProject.

This is incredibly frustrating. The indexes reveal a Will for Susan HODGE of Burrington in Devon. Susan (nee MOYSE) married John Hodge in 1697, and they had give children - I'm descended from the youngest, Sebastian HODGE. The index entry reveals only the above, and that the will was settled in 1717, telling me that John died first (only widows could own property) and that she died around 1717. It also notes "original destroyed". Imagine what that will revealed about her family!

So back to the BORDER family. There are three Wills surviving from immediate family of my family - their siblings - but not my ancestors directly. I'll post them shortly. The PCC also reveals ONE Border Will related to my family... I mentioned my earliest known BORDER ancestor, James BORDER, was born before 1690 in the Woolborough/Newton Abbot area of Devon, just a few miles from Buckfastleigh. Records farther back are not known, however thereis a Richard BORDER in the PCC index, a clothier of East Ogwell who died around 1650. The name itself is a BORDER name, and Ogwell is clutered with Newton Abbot and Woolborough - while I won't be able to draw a correct line I'm going to source this Will (which is hopefully not in Latin) to learn something of the early BORDER people.

Wills to follow.

Staniland - meaning of the name

My mate Kyle has launched his own family history blog (aworldmovedon.wordpress.com) - describing a set of ancestors from a completely different my own in name and origin. Except for his BRIMACOMBE line which reaches back into Devonshore like my BORDER line. Kyle wrote a great article about the meaning of his surname, and will few of the names I deal with are nearly as unique, the name STANILAND is a little odd.

Kyle quoted extensively from Patronymica Britannica: A dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom by Mark Antony Lower and published in 1860 (London). It covers the meaning of surnames and their origins, and while not comprehensive it also includes a delightful appendix of British names not covered in the book (including BORDER).

But in this book STANILAND does not appear, nor any derivative of it.

English surnames first appear (at least in the surviving historical record) in the 'record of the Exchequer called Domesday' compiled in 1086, brought to England by the Normans twenty years earlier. Many had only Christian names though, and there was certainly a lag before the common folk of England were applying surnames. The first treatise on English surnames appears to be a chapter in Remaines Concerning Britain by William Camden - the edition I've accessed on Google books was printed in 1674. Names have always mattered, and been an indicator of class, as shown by the following story related by Camden:

"But shortly after {the Domesday book of 1086}, as the Romans of better sort had three names... so it seemed a disgrace for a Gentleman to have but one single name, as the meaner sort and bastards had. For the daughter and heir of Fitz Hamon, a great Lord... when King Henry the First would have married her to his base son Robert, she first refusing answered 'It were to me a great shame, To have a Lord withouten his twa name' whereupon his Father gave him the name of Fitz Roy."


My STANILAND ancestors came from Lincolnshire (1800's) and before then Nottingham (apparently centered originally in the villages surrounding East Markham). In the 1700's records are spelt STANILAND, STANNILAND or STANNYLAND.

One reasonable meaning for the name appears on the web as follows:

“This unusual surname is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is either from a locational or a topographical source. If from a locational source, it derives from Stainland in West Yorkshire, first recorded as a placename in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Stanland". The form "Staniland" is a common dialectal transposition of the "n" and "i" elements and parish records often show the two versions side by side. The name means "stonyland", from the Olde English pre 7th Century "stan", stony and "land", land and as such can also be a topographical surname, from residence at or by such a natural feature. Locational surnames were developed when former inhabitants of a place moved to another area, usually to seek work, and were best identified by the name of their birthplace. Topographical surnames were among the earliest created since both natural and man-made features in the landscape provided easily recognisable distinguishing names in the small communities of the Middle Ages..... The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Nicholas Stanylande, which was dated November 30th 1561, marriage to Isabell Deye, at Ecclesfield, Yorkshire”

When searching the International Genealogical Index (www.familysearch.org), the majority of events in the 1600’s/1700’s for people named Staniland are recorded in the parishes of Yorkshire, so the locational source of the name sounds correct. My STANILAND ancestors must have moved southeastward from Yorkshire to Lincolnshire at some point prior to 1700 when my earliest traced ancestor Hugh STANILAND was living in the parish of West Burton, Nottingham.

Samuel BORDER accident 1915

I've previously written about the accident in which my ancestor Samuel BORDER (1892-1963) lost his legs (http://thehistoryofmatt.blogspot.com/2008/02/samuel-litson-border.html). I've now found a small article in the Sydney Morning Herald describing the accident.


The Sydney Morning Herald
Monday 20 September 1915
 
ACCIDENT TO A SOLDIER.


Late on Friday night Samuel Border, a soldier, attached to the 10th Reinforcements of the 3rd Battalion, met wlth a severe accident, whilst waiting on the Granville railway Station for a train going to Liverpool.


It Is stated that, in a meleoe which took place amongst a number at soldiers, Border was knocked down, and fell on to the permanent way, when a passing goods train ran over him. His own version is that there was a "bit of an argument," when somebody accidentally bumped against him, and he over-balanced and fell. The train passed over both legs, and it was found necessary to amputate both feet. His condition on Sunday was considered to be fairly favourable. He attaches no blame to anybody.

James Border and Sophia Mason - updated

My earliest Australian Border ancestor is James BORDER, born 1818 in Buckfastleigh, Devonshire, the eldest child of Thomas BORDER, a cordwainer (shoemaker), and Ann ROWLANDS. James married Sophia MASON (born 1819 in Ilfracombe, Devonshire, the daughter of Richard MASON and Agness HUXTABLE) in 1844 in Ilfracombe. James must have settled in Sophia’s home village of Ilfracombe as they had at least three children born there: Ellen in 1845, Sophia in 1847 and Richard Mason in 1848 (Richard died the following year). It appears they also had a son Richard in Pilton, Devonshire in 1851, who deceased the following year (1852).

The UK census for 1851 shows James and Sophia living at Pilton, a small village about 10 miles south of Barnstaple, with three children, Ellen, Richard M., and Sophia. James’ occupation is given as ‘woolcomber’, and it confirms all three children were born in Ilfracombe, like their mother. A woolcomber operated machines that separate the fibers ready for spinning – an occupation soon to be replaced by machinery.

On 9 September 1852 James and Sophia departed from Plymouth, Devonshire, with their two children Ellen and Sophia for Australia on the ‘Wilson Kennedy’ with 445 government immigrants on board. They arrived in Sydney on the 27th December – they paid 5 pounds for their passage. James Border listed his occupation as a woolcomber and fellmonger, and both James and Sophia could read and write.

James and Sophia moved to the Carcoar district between Cowra and Bathurst, and had three more children in Australia: Samuel Litson (b. 1857, Mulyan NSW), Mason (b. 1859, Carcoar NSW) and Thomas (b.1861 Binalong NSW). When Samuel Litson was born in 1857, the family lived at Mulyan, Cowra, and James’ profession was given as shepherd.

Only two of seven children survived adolescence to marry:

1. Sophia married Andrew MCCLYMONT on 16 Oct 1865 in North Logan near Carcoar NSW. Her marriage certificate indicated her usual place of residence as 'Bangaroo'. Sophia died 22 Sept 1942 aged 95 at Homebush, Sydney, NSW and cremated at Rookwood Crematorium. Andrew McClymont died 1 Jan 1898 aged 51 and buried at Cowra. They had at least 12 children, all born in the greater Cowra district. Information thanks to descendent Lloyd McClymont - I'd be happy to put any other descendents of Sophia and Andrew McClymont in contact with Lloyd.

2. Samuel Litson married Amy CASTLE (or CASSEL, in Wallaroo, Cowra NSW in 1884). Other posts cover their lives and children.

Sophia died in 1898, aged 79, and is buried in Cowra Presbyterian Cemetery NSW. In the 1903 Electoral Roll for NSW, James is entered as living in Cowra, with no occupation (he was in his 80’s), and he died in 1913, aged 94 – his place of death was listed as Mulyan, Cowra NSW, and he is buried at Cowra.

There’s clearly quite a bit more to piece together about this family in NSW.

Amy Border (1864-1940) - headstone at Botany Cemetery

In my last entry on the BORDER family (http://thehistoryofmatt.blogspot.com/2009/01/johnnie-border.html), I referenced the discovery that Amy BORDER nee CASTLE (1864-1940) is buried in Botany Cemetery/Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park.

In the 1930 Electoral Roll, Amy Border is listed as living with her son John and his wife in Waverley. Yet when Amy's husband Samuel BORDER died in 1931 while visiting Amy's brother in Carcoar, he was buried there (they were living in Morbel, Canowindra). In 1936 Amy is living at 340 Lord's Place, Orange with her daughter Elsie DAVIDSON and husband (her son John and family living in Canowindra). In 1940 when she died at Sydney Hospital, her address was given as "late of 17 Oatley Rd, Paddington". When her son John's daughter Maureen died in 1944 (Amy's grandaughter), the death was registered in the Annandale district.

Many of the BORDER children had relocated to the Sydney area from Canwindra, and this probably accounts for Amy's alternating residence in the country and city. In particular, her residence seems to track with her youngest son John's movements. It's difficult to determine whether Amy lived with her children for financial reasons.

Recently, a genealogy forum member Kirsty Dunn was kind enough to take photos of graves in Botany Cemetery, including that of my great grandmother Amy CASTLE nee BORDER died 1940, and her grandaughter Maureen BORDER died 1944. The small statue of Maureen's feet over the grave are particularly touching. It is possible there was an entire statue? Given that the name is carved, an entire statue would seem prohibitively expensive.

'Johnnie' Border

xFor the Canowindra (NSW) Pioneer’s plaque to the Border family, we provided information on Samuel BORDER, his wife Amy nee CASTLE and his children. This has now been updated:

Samuel Litson BORDER (21 Nov 1857, Mulyn, Cowra NSW - 27 Aug 1931, Cowra NSW) occupation Boundary Rider, Labourer. Married 1 Jan 1884 at Binni Creek, Cowra NSW to Amy CASTLE (also written CASSELL, 1 Jul 1864, Black Rock, Bathurst NSW - 11 Mar 1940 Sydney Hospital, NSW)

BORDER Children in order of birth
(Name DOB Place DOD Place Spouse: Name, Marr. Date & Place)
1. Thomas James, 1885 Cowra - 1955 Hurstville, m. Louisa JENNER, 1908, Canowindra NSW
2. Esther E, 1886 Cowra - 1903 Wallaroo, Cowra
3. Ada, 1887 Cowra - ???
4. Herbert Mason, 1889 Cowra - 1970 Penrith, m. Eliza LANG, 1912, Cowra NSW
5. Albert, 1891 Canowindra, died 1893 Cowra NSW (registed as Arthur).
6. Samuel Litson 1892 Bangaroo - 1963 Marrickville, m. Eileen Hodge, 1922 Darlinghurst NSW
7. Minnie Abt 1893 ? 1899 Walleroo, Cowra -
8. Martha Alice 1893 Canowindra - 1978 NSW, m. Edgar E LYONS, 1919 Sydney NSW.
9. Elsie May 1896 Canowindra - 1969 Orange, m. Arthur L DAVIDSON, 1920, Burwood NSW.
10. Amy 1898 Canowindra - 1955 Paddington NSW, m. Hilton R WHITEMAN, 1917, Canowindra NSW (divorced 1923), m. Thomas F HENNESSY, 1924 Paddington NSW.
11. Henry Charles 1902 - Canowindra 1965 Sydney.
12. Johnnie 1905 Canowindra - 1980 NSW, m. Marion May DWYER, 1929, Waverley, NSW.

Main changes/additions.
The main changes were prompted by Samuel Border's obituary (previously posted). His surviving children in 1931 were listed as three daughters: Mesdames Lyons (Lane Cove), Davidson (Millthorpe) and Hennessy (Paddington), and five sons: Thomas (Redfern), Mason (Hornsby), Sam (Bondi), Harry (Manly) and Jack (Canowindra).

There is a lot of variation between names of the children registered at birth and their names at marriage and death. This has made piecing the number of siblings together difficult and is reflected in the names stated in the obituary. Apart from the changes below, 'Mason' was born 'Herbert U' (M?) and died 'Herbert Mason'; 'Sam' was registered 'Samuel Litson' at birth and 'Samuel Arthur' at marriage and death; Harry was 'Henry Charles'.

Amy BORDER
No Border daughter had married a Hennesey despite a Mesdames Hennessy, however NSW BDM deaths indicated the death of Amy Hennessy, parents Samuel Litson and Amy in 1955. NSW State Records showed that Amy's first marriage to Hilton Whiteman in 1917 ended in divorce in 1923. Amy Whiteman then married Thomas F HENNESSY in 1924 at Paddington (Sydney) NSW. No indication of children yet.

Alice BORDER
A previous post of photos from Lynette (Lyn) Cosgriff of the BORDER family in Watson’s Bay from ~1920 to ~1960 included the following photo with caption:

‘Norma, Aunty Alice and Mum’ – L to R: Norma BORDER, Aunty Alice and Eileen BORDER nee HODGE. The identity of Aunty Alice has not yet been determined – it’s possible that she is not a direct aunt.

'Aunty Alice' had not been determined as no child of Samuel and Amy was registered as 'Alice' - of course the 'other side' of the family may have contained an Alice but this was known not to be the case. The obituary contained an Medames Lyons living at Lane Cove, and NSW BDM indicated that a Alice BORDER married Edgar E LYONS in 1919 in Sydney.

My mother noticed that Martha A (b. Canowindra 1894) may be Alice, and ordered her birth certificate which confirmed her suspicion - Martha Alice BORDER was born at Cowra to Samuel (aged 36, labourer) and Amy nee Castle.

So 'Aunty Alice' was registered Martha Alice Border - though she was obviously called Alice as she married as Alice E and her death was registered as Alice Eilieen. This is confirmed in the 1930 and 1936 NSW Electoral Rolls that show Edgar Ernest and Alice Eileen Lyons living at 4 St Lawrence St, Greenwich.

So the photo caption can now read:
'Norma, Aunty Alice and Mum’ – L to R: Norma BORDER, Alice Eileen BORDER (registered Martha A, Canowindra NSW, married Edgar Lyons 1919 Sydney NSW, deceased 1978 NSW) and Eileen BORDER nee HODGE.

Alice's death is confirmed in the Ryerson obituary index. One child has been found, John Border LYONS, who enlisted for service with the AIF in World War 2 (Service No. 439478). He stated his next of kin as Edgar Lyons and his date of birth as 15 May 1925. He married Myra SULLIVAN in Sydney in 1952, and the Ryerson index indicates that John Border Lyons passed away in 1989.

Johnnie BORDER
I was puzzling over Johnnie Border as I could find no other records of a Johnnie, however we know he was alive in 1931, as Sam Border’s obit states among his surviving children 'Jack' living at Canowindra.

A search of the NSW Electoral Rolls for John/Johnnie/Jack Border revealed:

1930, District: Wentworth, Subdistrict: Waverley
642, Border, Amy, 10 Ruthven St, Waverley, home duties, F
643, Border, John, 10 Ruthven St, Waverley, labourer, M
644, Border, Molly, 10 Ruthven St, Waverley, home duties, F

and

1936, District: Calare, Subdistrict: Cudal
154, Border, John, Moorbel, labourer, M
155, Border, Marion Mary, Belmore street, home duties, F

In 1930 John Border is registered at the same address as his mother in Waverley (Sydney) and Molly. Sam’s obituary in 1931 states ‘Jack’ lives in Canowindra (where Sam Border his father was living) - and the 1936 electoral roll states John is register at Moorbel (where Sam Border lived), with Marion Mary at Belmore St. Presumably Molly was Marion's name.

John’s mother Amy Border was buried in 1940 at Eastern Suburbs Memorial Park. Buried in the same plot is Maureen Border, buried 11 Aug 1944 aged 3. The NSW BDM index reveals that the death of Ena Maureen Border was registered in Annandale (Sydney) in 1944, with parents John and Marion.

Deaths of two other children were registered to these parents:
5498/1936 BORDER, RICHARD BRYAN, f: JOHN m: MARIAN MAY, TAMWORTH
23717/1946 BORDER, STILLBORN, f: JOHN, m: MARION MAY, PADDINGTON

Marriage indexes reveal the marriage of John Border to Marion M Dwyer:
8951/1929 BORDER JOHN DWYER MARION M WAVERLEY

Their deaths are both indexed in the Ryerson index, Marion May BORDER on 24 Jun 1979 (late of The Entrance) and John BORDER on 5 Feb 1980 (late of The Entrance).

The electoral roll information, and the fact that the child of John and Marion were buried with Amy, indicate that Johnnie/Jack/John Border, son of Sam and Amy, married Marion May Dwyer. No information on other children has been uncovered.

Albert BORDER
Finally, it was assumed that Albert, born 1891, married Florence Laura WILSON in 1911 as no death was registered for Albert. However Samuel's obituary lists only 5 male children, all of whom were accounted for. Which suggests another Albert Border, and Albert Charles Border was registered as deceased in 1956 with different parents.

Monumental Inscriptions for Cowra (Border no 1482) states that 'Arthur age 2 yrs' died - registered in 1893. It was assumed this was a separate child, however given that Albert was registered in 1891, and the variance in the names of children, Albert died in 1893 and was registered as Arthur.

As such, Arthur was removed from the list of siblings. The Albert Border who married Florence Laura WILSON was removed as a child of Samuel and Amy BORDER.

Updated photo details - Patricia "Doodie" Ryan

In May I posted an entry of photos of the BORDER and HODGE family in Watson’s Bay from ~1920 to ~1960, provided by Lynette COSGRIFF. The captions written on the photos were added at a later date by Margaret BURGESS (nee BORDER). The original post is at:
http://thehistoryofmatt.blogspot.com/2008/05/border-and-hodge-family-photos-2.html

One of these photos is shown below, with the original caption:

‘at June Parkes, Salisbury Street (Watson's Bay) flats there now’ - Aileen BORDER and Margaret BORDER, girl at left not identified.

I was recently contacted by Fran HARMAN, a cousin of June Parkes who found this photo on-line. She recognised the girl in the background as her cousin Patricia "Doodie" Ryan who along with her brother Michael lived with their cousin June Parkes in their grandmother Jane PARKES' house. June Parkes was the same age as Aileen and Margaret, and married in 1952 to William Aldington BROWN. Fran recalls that Margaret BORDER was a bridesmaid at June PARKES' wedding (both girls were married in the same year). This photo was assumed to be taken around 1950, and this fits well as Patricia "Doodie" Ryan would have been 13 years old then (born 27 Mar 1937). Fran also confirmed that the House was located at 6 Salisbury Street Watson's Bay.

Nice to fill in these gaps, and piece together some of the social network of this family. I've always liked the frog at the right of the photo.

Mum is arranging for a memorial plaque for Samuel Litson Border through the Canowindra & District Historical Society - Samuel BORDER (1857 - 1931) marred Amy CASTLE and he lived in the Cowra, Carcoar and Canowindra district.

During the 1890's, the family lived in 'Bangaroo'. Bangaroo is not a town or village but an area near Canowindra which took its name form a large pastoral station which employed many people over the years including a S. Border, who had children going to Bangaroo School. Mae Vanderschaar began researching the local area where she then lived and published a MA thesis entitled 'Bangaroo: a Microstudy in the Settlement and Closer Settlement of Land in NSW 1815 - 1908', MA thesis, University of Sydney, 1977. She published a shorter version, 'The Bangaroo Story 1815-1906'.

The references to the Border family can be found in the index. There is Samuel Border employed on Bangaroo in a list on page 33. On p 47 S Border is one of the signatures of parents on the letter in 1893 guaranteeing to pay a supplement to the teacher's salary at Bangaroo school. On p. 48 in an application to re-open the school Mr Border is listed as a parent who would have 3 school aged children to attend. The same application says 'there is accommodation at Mr Border's half a mile from the school where other masters used to lodge.'

To arrange the plaque we've provided the following information:

Pioneer’s Surname Border
Given Names Samuel Litson
Date of Birth 21.11.1857
Place Mulyn, Cowra
Date of Baptism 11.01.1860
Place Parish of Carcoar, County of Bathurst
Father James abt 1819-1913
Mother Sophia (nee Mason) 1820-1898
Arrival in Australia Parents: 27 Dec 1852
Ship Parents: Wilson Kennedy
Arrival in Canowindra abt 1890 (based on first birth registered in Canowindra)
Occupation Boundary Rider, Labourer
Date of marriage 01.01.1884
Place Binni Creek, Cowra
Date of Death 27 Aug 1931
Place Carcoar
Place Carcoar C of E
Spouse’s Name Castle (also written Cassell)
Given Names Amy
Date of Birth 01.07.1864
Place Black Rock, Bathurst
Father Isaac Castle 1830-1911
Mother Harriet Lewis 1836-?
Arrival in Australia Parents: 14 March 1857
Ship Parents: Beejapore
Arrival in Canowindra abt 1890 (based on first birth registered in Canowindra)
Date of Death 11 Mar 1940
Place Sydney Hospital, NSW, Australia
Date of Burial 12 March 1940
Place Church of England Cemetery, Botany

Children in order of birth
Name DOB Place DOD Place Spouse: Name, Marr. Date & Place
Thomas James 1885 Cowra, 1955 Hurstville, Louisa JENNER, 1908, Canowindra
Esther E 1886 Cowra, 1903 Wallaroo, Cowra, -
Ada 1887 Cowra, ? ? ?
Herbert Mason 1889 Cowra, 1970 Penrith, Eliza LANG, 1912, Cowra
Albert 1891 Canowindra, ? ?, 1911, Florence WILSON, Marrickville
Samuel Litson 1892 Bangaroo 1963 Marrickville 1922, Eileen Hodge, Darlinghurst
Arthur 1893 Cowra 1893 Cowra -
Minnie Abt 1893 ? 1899 Walleroo, Cowra -
Martha A 1894 Canowindra ? ? ?
Elsie 1896 Canowindra 1969 Orange Arthur L DAVIDSON, 1920, Burwood
Amy 1898 Canowindra ? ? Hilton R WHITEMAN, 1917, Canowindra
Henry Charles 1902 Canowindra 1965 Sydney ?
Johnnie 1905 Canowindra ? ? ?

More BORDER family photos

Notes on photos from Jill O’CONNOR of the BORDER family from ~1920 to ~1950. Identification of those in photos made primarily by Clare HALL (nee BORDER, ex YOUNGER) in 2008.


Probably John Walter BORDER, born 1922 Bondi NSW.


L to R: Samuel BORDER (born 1892 near Canowindra NSW, died 1963), Yvonne BORDER nee QUINANE (born 1926, Watson’s Bay NSW), and John BORDER (born 1922 Bondi NSW, died 1953 Concord NSW) son of Samuel, husband to Yvonne).


Margaret BORDER and John BORDER.


‘Jill 10 months Aileen 15’ - Aileen BORDER (born abt 1933, daughter of Samuel BORDER and Eileen HODGE) and her niece Jill BORDER. Photo taken at the home of Patrick Joseph QUINANE and family, Sans Souci.

Border and Hodge family photos 2

Notes on the second set of photos provided by Lynette (Lyn) Cosgriff of the BORDER family (and HODGE family) in Watson’s Bay from ~1920 to ~1960. The captions written on the photos were added at a later date by Margaret BURGESS (nee BORDER). Some identification of those in photos made by Yvonne YOUNGER (ex BORDER, nee QUINANE) in 2008.


‘Uncle Henry Border’ –Henry Charles BORDER, son of Samuel Litson BORDER and Amy CASTLE. Henry born 1902 Canowindra NSW, died 1965 Sydney NSW. I do not know if he married. He was the informant on his mothers death certificate in 1940, living at 151 Queen St Woollahra, Sydney.


Norma BORDER, at her wedding at St Peter's Church, Watson's Bay, NSW in 1946.


‘Mum the tall one Eileen Helen Hodge’ & ‘Hilda, Gladys & Beryl’ - On the back can just read "William - The City - Sydney". Eileen Helen HODGE, born 1900, Sydney NSW, married to Samuel BORDER 26 April 1922 at St John’s Church Darlinghurst NSW, died 1947. The identity of Hilda, Gladys and Beryl is not yet determined.


‘Me on Dunbar anchor Watson's Bay’ - written by Margaret BURGESS (nee BORDER), daughter of Samuel BORDER and Eilieen HODGE.


‘Mum & grandfather Hodge, Darlinghurst St Johns Church’ – Eileen Helen HODGE, born 1900, Sydney NSW, married to Samuel BORDER 26 April 1922 at St John’s Church Darlinghurst, NSW – when this photo was taken. Her father, Walter Herbert HODGE born Sydney 1871 to Sebastian HODGE and Harriet SMITH, married Grace Smith 1897, and died in Sydney1956.


‘Grandma Hodge’ – Grace HODGE nee SMITH. Born in Sydney, 1870, to William SMITH and Ellen ROBERTS. Married Walter Herbert HODGE St John's Church, Darlinghurst, 30th June 1897 and had two children, Eileen and Annie (died age 2). Grace died in 1934, aged 64.


‘Bondi born there’ – I do not yet have the birth certificates of any of the Border children to determine where this photo was taken. John BORDER states on his AIF enlistment papers in WW2 that he was born in North Bondi. It is not known who the people in the photo are.


Unknown, though this is clearly the same has as that Margaret Border identified in Bondi (above). There seem to be similarities between these people and Henry BORDER – they may be BORDERs.


House at Ramsgate – showing Clare BORDER (now HALL) as a child about 1954.


Unknown - there is a couple sitting at the steps


‘at June Parkes, Salisbury Street (Watson's Bay) flats there now’ - Aileen BORDER and Margaret BORDER, girl at left not identified.


Margaret BURGESS nee BORDER and daughter Lynette BURGESS (aged 10 months).


Roy BURGESS and Margaret nee BORDER

BORDER family photos

Notes on photos provided by Lynette (Lyn) Cosgriff of the BORDER family in Watson’s Bay from ~1920 to ~1960. The captions written on the photos were added at a later date by Margaret BURGESS (nee BORDER). Identification of those in photos made primarily by Yvonne YOUNGER (ex BORDER, nee QUINANE) in 2008.


‘Aunt at Randwick’ – L to R: Aileen BORDER, unknown man, Margaret BORDER, unknown man, Aunt (arrowed), unknown. Children at bottom also unknown.



‘Jill’ – Jill Elizabeth BORDER (b. 1948), daughter of John and Yvonne BORDER.


Marriage of Norma BORDER to James ‘Jim’ MCGOOGAN, St Peter’s Church, Watson’s Bay, 1948. L to R unknown sailor, Joyce BENNETT, Jim MCGOOGAN (groom), Norma BORDER (bride), John BORDER (brother of Norma), Margaret BORDER (sister of Norma).


‘Eve & Jill’ – Yvonne BORDER nee QUINANE with daughter Jill BORDER.


‘Jack and mate’ – John ‘Jack’ BORDER and friend (note onlooker in background).


‘Jack, Eve + Jill’ – L to R: Yvonne BORDER nee QUINANE with daughter Jill BORDER, and John ‘Jack’ BORDER, married 27 Dec 1947, St Finbar's Church, San Souci, NSW.



‘Norm, Jim’s mum, grandma and John’ – L to R: mother of James MCGOOGAN (standing), Norma BORDER (wife of James), grandmother of James MCGOOGAN and John MCGOOGAN (son of James and Norma).


Marriage of Margaret BORDER to Henry Roy BURGESS, St Peter’s Church, Watson’s Bay, 1952. L to R: James MCGOOGAN (b-in-law), Aileen BORDER (sister), Henry ‘Roy’ BURGESS (groom), Margaret BORDER (bride), Jan BURGESS (sister of groom), unknown, Jill BORDER at bottom.



Written on back ‘Mum, Eileen BORDER nee HODGE’ – Eileen Helen HODGE, born 1900, Sydney NSW, married to Samuel BORDER 26 April 1922 at St John’s Church Darlinghurst NSW, died 1947. Photo probably taken at Bondi Beach.


Eileen HODGE nee BORDER.


‘Jack and mate’ – John ‘Jack’ BORDER and friend (note onlooker in background).



‘Jack and Norma’ – John ‘Jack’ BORDER and sister Norma BORDER.


‘Norma + John’ – Norma MCGOOGAN nee BORDER and son John.


‘Norma, Aunty Alice and Mum’ – L to R: Norma BORDER, Aunty Alice and Eileen BORDER nee HODGE. The identity of Aunty Alice has not yet been determined – it’s possible that she is not a direct aunt.



John Walter BORDER in uniform. The badge on the hat and lapels indicate that John is a member of the 1st Battalion (The East Sydney Regiment).


Marriage of Aileen BORDER to William ‘Bill’ Melville, 1955. L to R: Bill’s brother (St George Dragons Rugby League player), Mary BORDER (sister), Bill MELVILLE (groom), Aileen BORDER (bride), and flower girls Barbara MCGOOGAN (daughter of James and Norma nee BORDER) and Jill BORDER (daughter of John and Yvonne nee QUINANE).

Samuel Litson BORDER

Given that I've been looking into the Hodge line, I've written a bio for Samuel Litson BORDER, who married Eileen Hodge.

Samuel Litson BORDER.
Born 30 Nov 1892, Bangaroo near Canowindra, NSW Australia.
Died 1963 (aged 71), Marrickville, NSW, Australia
Married Eileen Helen HODGE (1900-1947), 26 Apr 1922,St John's Church, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia

Biography.
Samuel Border had more challenges in life than most. He was born to Samuel Litson Border and Amy Castle at Bangaroo, near Canowindra NSW, in 1892. His father's occupation was listed as boundary rider in his birth certificate, and in other documents as farmer, and was one of 13 children. His childhood would have been not without drama - several of his siblings died in their infancy.

When the first world war erupted Samuel was about 22 years of age, and he enlisted for service in the Australian Imperial Force in early July 1915, like so many men, in the months following the launch of the ANZAC campaign at the Gallipoli peninsula. On enlistment, Samuel gave his occupation as labourer, and his name as Samuel Arthur (rather than Samuel Litson) and also written as Somerset Arthur on other pages. His enlistment also reveals that prior to the war he was a member of the NSW Militia as a Rifle Reservist.

It appears that Samuel initially enlisted at the Barracks in Sydney (based on a statement elsewhere in his service record), though where he lived at the time is unclear as many soldiers joined enlistment marches from all over NSW, marching to the barracks. His enlistment papers describe him as being 5 ft 6 1/2 inches tall, weighing 148 pounds, with a fresh complexion, brown eyes, and fair hair, and with a tattoo on his right forearm. His religion was Church of England.

Samuel spent only a few months training, as on 15th September 1915 he was involved in an accident at Granville railway station in Sydney. It is summarised on his medical incident form in early 1916 thus: "He was running along via platform and was jostled by crowd which bumped him against the goods with with the result that he fell between the platform and train. The train cut off both legs. Operation at Parramatta Hostpital...... both stumps quite healed and he is able to get about with artificial limbs". Interestingly, two weeks after the accident, while still in hospital, a warrant was issued as was believed to have deserted, howeve this was subsequently cancelled.

Samuel lodged a claim for a pension from the army in April 1916, which was complicated by the fact that he was on leave at the time of the accident. This application included a statement by Samuel: "at 10:40 pm... I was standing on the platform at Granville Railway Station. There was a crowd of people (chiefly soldiers) standing on the platform beside myself. There was a row (note: fight/argument) proceeding on the other side of the platform to where I was standing. I found that the train to Liverpool for which I was waiting did no leave from the platform where I was, and as I rushed along to go ove the over-head bridge, a goods train was passing through the station, and someone gave me a bump. I fell between the platform and the moving train and as a result both my legs were cut off below the knees. After the accident I did not remember anything further until I found myself in Parramatta Hospital. I was in that Hospital 5 weeks, after which I was transferred to the Garrison Hospital and thence to Rosehall in which latter place I have been 4 months. At the time of the accident I was perfectly sober. The only witness who actually saw what happened was a Jack THORNE who has since embarked on active service. No enquiry has ever been held by the military authorities and I have not been examined by any medical board. My pay was continued up till approximately 15/2/16 when I was informed that payment had been stopped. The accident was caused by no fault of my own. Neither can I say that the military authorities are to blame in any way. My trade was Carpenter's laborer, but I could do some light work."

He was discharged from the army in May 1916 and his claim for a pension was approved and 3 pounds p.f. was granted from 3rd June 1916. Later in life and long after his death, family members believed he'd lost his legs in Gallipoli. It must have been immensely frustrating to have tried to serve one's nation, outwardly appear to carry the scars of battle, but for this not to be the case.

On 26th April 1922, Samuel married Eileen Hodge, a typist, at St John's Church, Darlinghurst NSW. Eileen Hodge was born in 1900, to Walter Herbert Hodge, an auctioneer, and Grace nee Smith, both of whom were born in Sydney. Samuel's occupation was given as that of a wickerworker, and they both lived in Darlinghurst at the time of their marriage. The Sands Directory for Sydney for 1923 shows them to be living in O'Sullivan Rd, Bellevue Hill. The couple had four children, John Walter, Margaret, Norma and Aileen. The NSW Electoral Roll for 1930 shows a James Arthur (instead of Samuel, Sam or Somerset Arthur) and Eileen Helen Border living at 326 Anzac Parade, Randwick, Samuel as a grocer (which family describe him as). By 1932 they were living at 20 Glasgow Ave, North Bondi and were at 178 Old South Head Rd, Vaucluse in the 1936 NSW Electoral Roll. So the family seemed to have lived in a number of residences up to World War 2, all around the Eastern Suburbs of Sydney, centring on the Watsons Bay area at the South Head of Sydney Harbour.

After World War 2 broke out, Samuel and Eileen's son John Walter Border enlisted for service in 1941, and spent a considerable amount of the remainder of the war fighting in both North Africa and the Pacific. His enlistment names his mother Eileen as next of kin, and gives their address as Moore St, Watson's Bay. John returned home in January 1946 and was discharged from the army in March 1946 'at his own request on compasionate grounds'. While the exact reason is not stated, it was probably his mothers illness; Samuel's wife died in 1947of cancer. Then, in late 1952, Samuel's son John Walter was diagnosed with a blood cancer (leukemia) and died several months later in 1953. Two losses, his wife and his only son, in short succession must have been immensely taxing.

Samuel died ten years later in 1963. I've yet to order Samuel and Eileen's death certificates, and it is hoped that other members of the Border family will have a photo of the couple. Why his name varies over the course of his life is unclear, though it seems likely that he was unaware of his baptised middle name.

James Border and Sophia Mason

My earliest Australian Border ancestor is James BORDER, born 1818 in Buckfastleigh, Devonshire, the eldest child of Thomas BORDER, a cordwainer (shoemaker), and Ann ROWLANDS. James married Sophia MASON (born 1819 in Ilfracombe, Devonshire, the daughter of Richard MASON and Agness HUXTABLE) in 1844 in Ilfracombe. James must have settled in Sophia’s home village of Ilfracombe as they had at least three children born there: Ellen in 1845, Sophia in 1847 and Richard Mason in 1848 (Richard died the following year). It appears they also had a son Richard in Pilton, Devonshire in 1851, who deceased the following year (1852).

The UK census for 1851 shows James and Sophia living at Pilton, a small village about 10 miles south of Barnstaple, with three children, Ellen, Richard M., and Sophia. James’ occupation is given as ‘woolcomber’, and it confirms all three children were born in Ilfracombe, like their mother. A woolcomber operated machines that separate the fibers ready for spinning – an occupation soon to be replaced by machinery.

In 1852 James and Sophia departed from Plymouth, Devonshire, with their two children Ellen and Sophia for Australia on the ‘Wilson Kennedy’, arriving in Sydney on the 27th December – they paid 5 pounds for their passage. James Border listed his occupation as a woolcomber and fellmonger, and both James and Sophia could read and write.

James and Sophia moved to the Carcoar district between Cowra and Bathurst, and had three more children in Australia: Samuel Litson (b. 1857, Mulyn NSW), Mason (b. 1859, Carcoar NSW) and Thomas (b.1861 Binalong NSW). When Samuel Litson was born in 1857, the family lived at Mulyn, Cowra (I’ve not yet located it), and James’ profession was given as shepherd.

Only two of seven children survived adolescence to marry – Sophia married Andrew MCCLYMONT in 1865 in Carcoar NSW, and Samuel Litson married Amy CASTLE (or CASSEL, in Wallaroo, Cowra NSW in 1884).

Sophia died in 1898, aged 79, and is buried in Cowra Presbyterian Cemetery NSW. In the 1903 Electoral Roll for NSW, James is entered as living in Cowra, with no occupation (he was in his 80’s), and he died in 1913, aged 94 – his place of death was listed as Mulyan, Cowra NSW, and he is buried at Cowra.

There’s clearly quite a bit more to piece together about this family in NSW.