Inquest into the death of Walter John Hulme 1951

Wow, I knew my brain was out of gear with all the Covid stress but it has been nearly 12 months since I posted about Walter John HULME missing in Wangaratta in 1951 and was intending to follow up with details of his Inquest.

Well better late than never.

Walter (1886-1951) was a first cousin of my Mum's maternal Grandmother Ada May Morgan nee Hulme.

He was the second child and only son of John Payne Hulme and Elizabeth O'Rourke of Oxley in Northeast Victoria.

Walter was a farmer who married Elizabeth Mary Skehan in 1913.

They had no children.

An Inquest was conducted by J.C Bell, Coroner.

Page 2

Proceedings before Coroners

Inquisition (without a jury)

An Inquisition for our Sovereign Lord King George, taken at Wangaratta Victoria, the 28th day of July 1951 and the  31st day of August A.D. 1951 in the 16th year of the Reign of our said Lord the King, before me John Colin Bell Gentleman, a Coroner of our Lord the King for Victoria, upon the view of the body of Walter John Hulme then and there lying dead.

Having duly inquired upon the part of our Lord the King when, where, how, and by what means the said Walter John Hulme came by his death, I say the the said died at Wangaratta on or about the 2nd day of July 1951 from Asphyxia willfully self inflicted by drowning himself in the One Mile Creek on or about the date aforesaid.

In witness whereof I the aforesaid Coroner have to this Inquisition put my hand and seal on the day and the year and at the place above mentioned.

J. C. Bell

Coroner

The deceased was a man of 64 years of age and resided at 59 Swan Street Wangaratta with his wife where he had considerable property interests.  Some months ago he had been a patient at the Wangaratta District Base hospital where he had had an operation for a double hernia, and since his discharge he had been going about normally, but in the last week or so before he disappeared from his home, it had apparently become apparent to some his relatives and his wife that he was not acting quite normally in his mental condition and it appears that a close watch was being kept on his movements at his home on the evening of the 1/7/51 the deceased retired to to to bed, and when his wife entered his room the following morning at about 7.45am, it was then found that he was missing.  He was then reported to the Police as a Missing Friend, and later search parties were organised to try and trace him all being of no avail.  At about 2.30pm on 28/7/51, I received a telephone message from Mrs Peacock of Edward Street Wangaratta. I went to her home in company with 1/C Land and Mrs Peacock informed us that he two small children had been down on the One Mile Creek gathering gum tips, and they had come home and told her that they has seen a man's boots in the creek.  The two children accompanied us to a point in Phillipson Street Off the Yarrawonga Road where they pointed out in the bend of the creek where they had seen the boots of man in the water.  I went to the creek at this point where I saw the legs of a man and I got the grappling iron, and pulled the body towards the bank, and then lifted it out of the water, I then saw that there was a heavy piece of railway rail about 12 inches long tied to the deceased neck with a piece of rope the iron rail weight was about 20 lb in weight.  This weight was sufficiently heavy enough to weigh the upper portion of the deceased body down under the water causing the head to rest on the creek bed.  The water at the point where the deceased was found was about 3 feet 6 ins deep.  The body appeared to have been in the water for some considerable time.

The Friday before the deceased disappeared from his home he called at Maroney's garage in Reid Street where he spoke to his sister Mrs Maroney, and as he was leaving he placed his arm around Mrs Maroney and kissed her, and then remarked Goodbye I mightn't see you again and then left.

Report of Death (for Coroner)

Name - Walter John HULME

Age - 64 years

Date of death - Probably the 2nd July 1951

Time of death - Not known

Place of death - One Mile Creek Wangaratta

Usual residence - 59 Swan Street, Wangaratta

By whom found or 

reported - Was reported a Missing Friend.  Found by two children named Peacock of Edward Street Wangaratta

Under what circumstances? - Found drowned in creek.

Was the body examined for marks of violence? - Yes

If so state result of examinations - no marks of violence could be found.

Any relatives?  Were they informed? - Yes

Are friends able to defray cost of burial? - Yes

Is there any suspicion of a criminal act 

or criminal negligence or any doubtful 

circumstances? If so give particulars. - There appears to be no suspicious circumstances

Probable cause of death (if apparent) - Drowning

Was body removed? - Yes

If so, where to? - Mortuary, Wangaratta District Base Hospital

Property found in possession (attach list if necessary) - Nil

Any expense incurred by police? - Nil

Was Coroner informed? - Yes, by telephone at 6.15pm on 28/7/51

State instructions received (if any) - Would hold Inquest.  Inquest opened for purpose of identification, and adjourned to a date to be fixed.

The deceased was a man of 64 years of age and resided at 59 Swan Street Wangaratta with his wife where he had considerable property interests.  Some months ago he had been a patient at the Wangaratta District Base hospital where he had had an operation for a double hernia, and since his discharge, he had been going about normally, but in the last week or so before he disappeared from his home, it had apparently become apparent to some his relatives and his wife that he was not acting quite normally in his mental condition and it appears that a close watch was being kept on his movements at his home on the evening of the 1/7/51 the deceased retired to to to bed, and when his wife entered his room the following morning at about 7.45am, it was then found that he was missing.  He was then reported to the Police as a Missing Friend, and later search parties were organised to try and trace him all being of no avail.  At about 2.30pm on the 28/7/51 I received a telephone message from Mrs Peacock of Edward Street Wangaratta. I went to her home in company with 1/C Land and Mrs Peacock informed us that he two small children had been down on the One Mile Creek gathering gum tips, and they had come home and told her that they has seen a man's boots in the creek.  The two children accompanied us to a point in Phillipson Street Off the Yarrawonga Road where they pointed out in the bend of the creek where they had seen the boots of man in the water.  I went to the creek at this point where I saw the legs of a man and I got the grappling iron, and pulled the body towards the bank, and then lifted it out of the water, I then saw that there was a heavy piece of railway rail about 12 inches long tied to the deceased neck with a piece of rope the iron rail weight was about 20 lb in weight.  This weight was sufficiently heavy enough to weigh the upper portion of the deceased body down under the water causing the head to rest on the creek bed.  

The water at the point where the deceased was found was about 3 feet 6 ins deep.  

The body appeared to have been in the water for some considerable time.

The Friday before the deceased disappeared from his home he called at Maroney's garage in Reid Street where he spoke to his sister Mrs Maroney, and as he was leaving he placed his arm around Mrs Maroney and kissed her, and then remarked Goodbye I mightn't see you again and then left.

POST-MORTEM EXAMINATION

Date 28/7/51

I have transcribed Post Mortem details but I feel it is a bit too gruesome to copy the transcription here.

If anyone would like a copy feel free to contact me.

Witness Depositions

This Deponent John Walter Maroney on his oath saith - I am an Auctioneer residing at 6 Turner Street Wangaratta.

I have this day viewed the body of a man at the Wangaratta Hospital Mortuary.  It is the body of Walter John Hulme aged 65 years.

He was an Uncle of mine.

signed

J. W. Maroney

***

This Deponent David Maxwell Whittaker on his oath saith - I am a Legally Qualified Medical Practitioner residing at Wangaratta.

On the 28th of July last I performed a post mortem examination on the body of a man which I was informed was the body of Walter John Hulme.

At the time of the examination I prepared a report which I now produce.  It would be correct to say the deceased died from asphyxia due to drowning.

signed DW Whittaker

***

This Deponent Elizabeth Mary Hulme on her oath saith  - I am a Widow residing at 59 Swan Street Wangaratta.

On the 1st day of July 1951 I was at my home in Swan Street with my late husband Walter John Hulme.  He retired to his bed at about 8.30pm, and I later took him in his sleeping tablets, I said to him, "Here are your tablets".  He said "Right Dick and took the tablets and some water and then said "I will sleep now and then kissed him good night and left the room the time would then be about 9.15pm my late husband occupied a room on his own.  Next morning I got up at 5.40am and unlocked the back door for Jack the man who works for us to come in, and I then went back to my room.  At about 6.45am I got up again came down to the kitchen, lit the fire and got the breakfast and about 7.45am I went to call my late husband and found that he was not in bed.  I had not heard the deceased leave the house as I may have dozed off when I went back to bed after unlocking the door.  Prior to my late husband disappearing he had had an operation for double hernia and when he returned home from hospital he appeared to be progressing in his health for a start, and then about a fortnight after he complained that he could not sleep and had a full feeling in the right side of his head, and Dr Roan who was his medical adviser prescribed tablets for him.  He took the tablets but still complained that he could not sleep, and he then lost interest in everything and complained of being very tired and could not sleep.  At no time did the deceased say anything or suggest that he would take his life, and I think the deceased left the house between 5.40 when I first unlocked the door and 6.45am.

My husband suffered loss of memory 15 years ago.  He has had no sign of this from then until after he had his operation.

Taken and sworn before me the 31st day of August 1951 at Wangaratta

J. C. Bell Coroner

signed by E. M. Hulme

***

This Deponent - Jack Drayton on his oath saith - I am a Farm hand residing at 59 Swan Street Wangaratta.

I was Share farming with the deceased Walter John Hulme I last saw the deceased about 8.30pm on the evening of the 1st day of July 1951 he was then at his home.  At about 5.30am I went to the deceased house and got some biscuits it was the practice for Mrs Hulme to unlock the back door for me to go in.  I did not see the deceased that morning.

At about 7.40am Mrs Hulme called me and said "I can't find Watty" meaning the deceased, I then loked around the yard and then entered his bedroom and felt the bed it felt cold as though it had not been slept in for some time.  I was often in the deceased company and at no time did he say he would take his life.

The iron weight which was missing from the tool shed was used on the property by the deceased for an anvil and kept in the tool shed.

The piece of iron produced is similar to the piece used on the farm.  I made a search for the deceased that day and subsequent days.  I reported him missing that day.

Taken and sworn before me the 31st day of August 1951 at Wangaratta

J.C. Bell Coroner

signed Jack Drayton

***

This Deponent - Mary Maroney residing at 20 Warby Street Wangaratta

On the 29th day of June 1951 the deceased came to the Auction Mart in Reid Street and sat behind me where I was cashier at the Auction sale.  The deceased did not enter into any conversation and at no time did he say or give any indication that he would take his life, and as he was leaving he put his hand on my shoulder and said, "Good bye" or words to that effect that was the last time I seen him alive.  

The deceased was my brother.

signed Mary Maroney

***

This Deponent Frank Gardiner on his oath saith - I am a 1st Constable of Police residing at Wangaratta.

At about 2.30pm on the 28th day of July 1951 in consequence to a telephone message I went to Edward Street Wangaratta where I met Mrs Peacock and her two small children aged 6 years and 7 years.  I was accompanied by 1st Const Land.  Mrs Peacock informed me that her two children had been down at the One Mile creek gathering gum tis, and that they had come home and informed her that they had seen a man's boots in the creek.  The two children accompanied 1st const Land and myself to Phillipson Street off the Yarrawonga road to the One Mile creek where they pointed out to me the bend in the creek where they had seen the boots on the top of the water.  I went to the creek at this point where I saw the rubber boots and legs of a body in the middle of the stream.  The upper portion of the body was under the water from the buttocks, and the body appeared to be caught under a snag.  I then got the grappling iron and hooked it into the deceased clothing, and pulled the body to the bank, and with the assistance of 1/Const Land lifted the body from the water, it was in a rather decomposed condition and appeared to have been in the water for some considerable time.  As I lifted the body from the water there was a heavy piece of railway rail about 1 foot long and about 20 lbs in weight tied around the deceased neck with a piece of rope.  This weight was sufficiently heavy enough to weigh the upper portion of the deceased body down in the water, and causing his head to rest on the creek bed.  The water at the point where the body was lying was about 3 feet 6 ins deep.  The creek after flooding had receded and the water was then running within its banks, but before the body had been found the depth of the water at this point would have been approximately 8 fee during the height of the flood caused by the heavy rains after the deceased had become missing, and as the result of the weight around the neck it would not have been possible to see the body until the water had gone down to a level which enabled his legs to come to the surface.  When I first lifted body from the water I could (see) that it was th body of that of Walter John Hulme who had been reported missing from his home since the 2nd July 1951 26 days before the body was recovered, by the description of the clothing, rubber ankle boots and the build.  Apparently the deceased had entered the water some distance up stream from where the body was found as there is a big hole in the bend of the creek above where the body was found and apparently the current when the creek was in flood washed the body down to the point where it was recovered.  I could find no indications on the banks as to which side of the creek the deceased had entered the water or how he entered the water after fastening the wight around his neck.  I have interviewed all available witnesses and it appears that after the deceased had had an operation and returned to his home he commenced to lose all interest in things that he had taken a great pride in before, and appeared to become depressed and tired.  There appears to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding the deceased death.  The weight which was found tied to the deceased neck was used at his home for an anvil, and was kept in the tool shed.  

Ex "B"   The piece for iron produced is the piece referred to.

signed F Gardiner.

William Thomas Morgan Obituary 1950

My Mum's Grandad, Bill (William Thomas) MORGAN, passed away on the 19th of December 1950.
He was born in Euroa, Victoria in 1872.  The fourth son of Thomas Fitzherbert MORGAN and Mary Ann (Marian) nee PIKE.

photo from his daughter, Daisy's album.

OBITUARY

Mr. William T. Morgan

Aged 78, Mr William Thomas Morgan, Moyhu, died in the Wangaratta Base Hospital early on Tuesday morning.  He had been in failing health for the past few months, and a patient in Hospital for a week.

Born at Euroa, he came to the Moyhu district over 50 years ago.

He was first employed at Redcamp and was then share farming with Shanley Bros.  He retired from active life about eight years ago.

Mr. Morgan took no active part in public life, but was well liked by all.

He is survived by his wife, who was formerly Miss Ada Hulme, Milawa, and the following family: Herbert (Moyhu), Clarice (Mrs. Jones, Moyhu), Daisy (Mrs. A Fleming, Hansonville), Mavis (Mrs. L. Robinson, Myrtleford), and Lila (Mrs. H. Flanigan, Katamatite).

Brothers are George (Euroa), Robert (Edi Upper), Jack (Berrigan, NSW), and Edward (Seymour).

Funeral took place yesterday at the Milawa cemetery where the Reverend A.T. Stevens officiated at the graveside.

Handley's supervised arrangements.

Coffin bearers were Messrs H. Morgan, son, K Fleming, N Jones, grandsons, H Flanagan, son-in-law, Messrs H. Hulme, brother-in-law, P. Shanley, K. Lewis, F. Bowen, R. Jones, A. Gibson and W. Gibson.

From The Chronicle Despatch, Thursday, December 21st, 1950

Courtesy of my lovely and very helpful friend Jenny who was paying a visit to the State Library of Victoria and managed to get this obituary despite a "scuffle" with a rogue microfilm machine.  

So glad you survived the flying film, Jen! 

Copyright free Photo by John Moeses Bauan on Unsplash

52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks - Week 9 - Herbert Hulme's Will

Herbert Joseph Hulme
photo from the album of my
maternal grandmother
Daisy Fleming
nee Morgan.

The theme for week 9 of the 52 Ancestors challenge is 

"Where there's a Will". 

My grandmother's maternal Uncle Herb was born Herbert Joseph Hulme at Oxley, Victoria in 1892.

I think Uncle Herb must have been a bit of a character judging by this photo that is in my Nan's album.

Front left is my Nan, Daisy Morgan, behind her is "Aunt Chub" who was Herb's sister Pleasance Alice Hulme.  Nan couldn't remember who was hidden behind the pole. The young girl peeping around the post is Herb's niece, Dulcie Simmonds (the executor of his Will, Dulcie Simmonds), then Herb pulling a face and in the background is Nan's father Bill (William Thomas) Morgan.

Herb never married and died on the 8th of October 1969 at Wangaratta aged 77 years.

He was the second son and second youngest child of the ten children of Joseph Hulme and Anna Dorothea nee Bartsh of Milawa.

Herbert and his sister Pleasance, who I wrote about in week 6 of this challenge, were both unmarried and were left the family farm when their father died in 1920.  Their mother had died in 1908 at the young age of 53.

Pleasance had died in 1965 so Herb may have sold the farm.
I am awaiting the Probate inventory to find out but Herb left quite a sum of money to both the Wangaratta Technical School and St. Paul's Church at Milawa for scholarships in his name as described below.

The family Bible was left to his niece Jessie Jean Pollack, nee Hulme who was the only daughter of Herb's older brother, Sydney Frederick Hulme.

One day I will take a trip to Milawa to see the Church.

*Updated - A couple of months later my son took me on that trip to Milawa.

More information and photos of St. Paul's Church can be seen at the
website of Australian Christian Heritage
ChurchesAustralia

Transcription.
THIS IS THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of me HERBERT JOSEPH HULME of Milawa in the State of Victoria, Farmer.

1. I REVOKE all former wills and testamentary dispositions made by me and declare this to be my last will and testament.

2. I APPOINT John Kenneth Gibb and my niece Dulcie Enid Collier, hereinafter called my Trustees, to be the executors of this my will and Trustees of my Estate.

3. I GIVE AND BEQUEATH to my niece Jean Pollack my family bible.

4. I DIRECT my Trustees to divide my household furniture and effects in accordance with any directions I may leave.

5. I DESIRE that my body be cremated and my ashes deposited within the Church yard at St. Paul's Church of England Milawa and that a suitable memorial Tablet in bronze be placed over my ashes at a cost not exceeding the sum of Forty dollars to be paid out of the residue of my Estate.

6. I GIVE AND BEQUEATH the sum of Six thousand dollars to the Wangaratta Technical School Advisory Council upon trust to invest the same and to apply the Income from time to time therefrom arising, for the provision of Scholarships for students at the said school studying a course in Agricultural Science such Scholarships to be known from time to time as the "Herbert Joseph Hulme Scholarship" and I direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or other proper officer for the time being of the said Council shall be a full and sufficient discharge for my Trustees.

7. I GIVE AND BEQUEATH the sum of Eight thousand dollars to the Church of England Trusts Corporation of the Diocese of Wangaratta upon trust to invest the same and to apply the Income from time to time therefrom arising for the provision of Scholarships for students at St. Columb's Hall Theological College Wangaratta or at such other Theological College as the Bishop in Council of the said Diocese may from time to time decide such scholarships to be known from time to time as the "Herbert Joseph Hulme Scholarship" and I direct that the receipt of the Treasurer or other proper officer for the time being of the said Trusts Corporation shall be a full and sufficient discharge for my Trustees.

8. ALL THE REST RESIDUE AND REMAINDER of my real and personal property whatsoever and Wheresoever I give devise and bequeath to my Trustees upon trust to sell call in and convert the same into money with discretionary power to postpone such sale calling in and conversion for such time as they shall think fit and after payment thereout of all my just debts Funeral and testamentary expenses Federal Estate and State Probate duties to hold the same upon trust for the Church of England Trusts Corporation of the Diocese of Wangaratta and I direct that the same and the Income from time to time therefrom arising shall be applied by the said Trusts Corporation for such general purposes fo the Church of England in the said Diocese including the provision of homes for elderly
people or the maintenance education and benefit of children as the Bishop in Council of the said Diocese may from time to time in its absolute and uncontrolled discretion decide and I further direct that the receipt of the treasurer or other proper officer for the time being of the said Trusts Corporation shall be a full and sufficient discharge to my Trustees without their being bound to see to the application thereof.

IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 15th day of May One thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven.

There are family trees and there are family trees

Recently I revisited a reunion book for my maternal grandmother's MORGAN family that was held at Euroa in November 1980.

The book was compiled from family members stories and photos by Rhonda Payne nee MORGAN who dedicated it to her grandparents Arthur and Eva MORGAN.

Book cover. 
It was later discovered that Sarah Morgan's maiden name was BLOUNT, not Brunt.

This book contains an extensive family tree of descendants of John and Sarah who migrated as assisted immigrants to Australia from Herefordshire, England in 1842 on board the ship "Lady Fitzherbert".

Over the following years and still ongoing, the family trees have been added to by an enthusiastic group of our family history researchers.

Tucked away inside the book I found a page written out by my Nanna Daisy FLEMING nee MORGAN.
These were a list of the children of her grandparents, Thomas Fitzherbert Morgan and Mary Ann Pike, all but two of her father's twelve siblings using the names she knew them as.
The two who aren't listed died in childhood. 
They are John Morgan (1867 - 1874 Euroa) and Maurice Morgan (1881 - 1882 Euroa)

Starting from the top of the list, which isn't in date order but as Nanna remembered each family.  Priceless and such a memory!

Uncle Ben - Benjamin Morgan born 1885, Euroa died 1910 Boggy Creek.

Wangaratta Chronicle, Wed Feb 9, 1910. "Sudden Death at Boggy Creek. - A young man named M. B MORGAN, 21 years of age, was found dead in his bed on Saturday morning at the residence of his brother, Mr. Wm MORGAN, Boggy Creek.  Deceased was a labourer, and had worked for Mr. H JONES and Mr. W C LEWIS, Moyhu.  While working for the latter he complained of heart pains and had to cease work.  On Wednesday last he consulted Dr McLAY, who told him that he was suffering from heart disease, and that from indications he would not live many days.  The remains were taken to Euroa for interment, as the family grave is in the cemetery at that place."

Uncle Tom & Auntie Sarah (Euroa) - Thomas Fitzherbert Morgan the 2nd born 1868 and died 1943 at Euroa.  Married Sarah McNay in 1894. They had eleven children Archibald, William, Thomas, Marion, Sarah, Jane, James, Benjamin, Harry, Edward and John.

Uncle Alex and Auntie ? - Alexander Frederick Morgan born 1875 at Euroa died 1946 at Eldorado near Wangaratta.  Alexander first married Emily Wakenshaw in 1897.  They had five children Herbert, Elizabeth, George, Emily, and Isabella.  His wife died in 1902.  Later Alexander married Alice Irene McCann in 1909.  They had four children Violet, Benjamin, Frederick, and Thomas.

Uncle Jock and Auntie Edie - John Pike Morgan born 1879 at Euroa, died 1953 at Jerilderie, NSW.  He married Edith Elsie Tynan.  They had no children.

Uncle George and Auntie Janet - George Morgan was born 1870 Euroa and died 1957 Euroa.  He married Janet Crockett in 1910.  They had one son, George Alexander Morgan.

Uncle Bob and Auntie May - Robert Maurice Morgan was born 1873 at Euroa, he died in 1952 at Wangaratta.  Robert married Hannah Mabel Morgan (no relation) in 1912.  They had ten children Ivy, Clifford, Robert (Maurice), Vivian, James, John Thomas (Tom), Benjamin, William, Arthur, and Norman.

William Thomas and Ada May (Mum & Dad) - William Thomas Morgan was born 1872 at Euroa, he died in 1950 at Wangaratta.  He married Ada May Hulme in 1905.  They had five children, four girls who had boys nicknames Clarice (Tod), my Nanna Daisy (Billy), Mavis (Bobby), Lila (Johnny) and then Herbert.

Uncle Ted and Auntie May - Edward Richard Morgan born 1883 Euroa died 1959 Melbourne.  He married Maria Paterson in 1909.  They had seven children.  Reginald, Gladys, Sylvia, Melinda, William, Edward and Jean

Uncle Fred and Auntie Nell - Frederick Alexander Morgan (it gets confusing when there are brothers Alexander Frederick and Frederick Alexander!) was born 1891 at Euroa and died 1939 Berrigan NSW.  He married Nellie Morgan (no relation) in 1911.  They had nine children. Frederick Attwell, John, Thomas Roy, Joyce, Valda, Nellie, Margaret, Ronald, and Faye.

Auntie Ease and Uncle Archie McNay - Isobela Sarah Morgan was born 1877 Euroa, died 1946 Yarrawonga.  She married Archibald McNay in 1896.  They had three children.  Marion, Lilian, and Archibald.

Auntie Pops and Uncle Harry - Marion Morgan (Pops) was born 1889 Euroa and died 1924 Beechworth, Victoria.  She married Henry Thomas McCoomb in 1911.  They had five children.  Neil, Marion Winifred, George, Evelyn, and Elsie. 

Kiely family of Edi Upper

My Mum's paternal grand-aunt Amelia Agnes "Millie" HART married Edmund Wills (or Wells) KIELY in Victoria in 1901.

Millie was born in 1879 at Echuca, the sister of my Mum's grandmother, Margaret HART.  They were daughters of Peter HART, originally from Huntingdonshire, England, and Agnes MASON.

Millie and Edmund KIELY had 7 children all born in the Wangaratta region, Victoria where they farmed for many years.

One of the boys in 1912 swallowed strychnine and luckily survived.

Edmund Kiely died in 1935.

Millie KIELY nee HART died in 1971 at the grand age of 92 years.

Longevity seems to run in the family as Mum's grandmother also lived to her 90s as did many of the HART sisters.

Adult children of Finlay Fleming and Jessie nee Splatt

Adult children of Finlay Fleming and his wife Jessie nee Splatt

William Finlay born 1893 Barwo (Kotupna/Nathalia) Victoria died 1974 Wangaratta, Victoria.

Elizabeth Ethel Linda born 1900 Nathalia, Vic died 1976 Clayton, Vic married first Dudley Norman Porter in 1920. They had six children.  Dudley died in 1945 and Elizabeth remarried Albert Ernest Cameron.

Jane/Jean Margaret born 1895 Barwo died 1981 Armadale, Victoria married Nelson Burns in 1917.  They had four children.

Vera Finlay born 1901 Moyhu, Victoria died 1992 Wangaratta, Victoria married Leonard Forge in 1921.  They had five children.

Mary Ann Sarah "Maisie" born 1904 Moyhu, Victoria died 1996 in New South Wales married Walter T Edwards at Mosman in 1930.  He died in 1960 and she remarried Jim O'Grady in 1966.

David Claude born 1897 Barwo, Victoria died 1978 Sorrento, Queensland married Agnes Frew Johnston.  They had two daughters.

Ethel Maude born 1899 Barwo, Victoria died 1976 Mildura, Victoria married John Lewis Burrell in 1918.  They had ten children.

Jessie Madeline "Madge" born 1903 Moyhu, Victoria died 1978 Parkville, Victoria married James Frederick Murphy at Wangaratta in 1929.  They had two daughters.

One daughter deceased so missing from the photo is Christina Florence Fleming born 1898 Barwo died 1953 at Mildura.  She married Garret Lyons in 1917 and they had two sons.

Their father, Finlay Fleming was the son of William Finlay Fleming and Ann Jane nee Knight.  He was born in 1864 at Spring Hill, Victoria and died in 1910 at Wangaratta.

He married Jessie Splatt at Echuca, Victoria in 1893.  Jessie was the daughter of William Edgar Splatt and Jane Margaret Simpson.  She was born in 1867 at Rokewood and died in 1942 at Whitfield, Victoria

The Fleming's had settled at Kotupna, near Nathalia in Northern Victoria, in the 1870s and in 1901 they moved to the King Valley in North East Victoria where the boys followed farming pursuits.

Finlay/Finley and Jessie are buried at the Whitfield, also known as the Hyem cemetery in North East Victoria, with their young grandson Phillip Burns who died in 1927

Wangaratta Despatch, August 6th, 1910 - Death of King Valley Farmer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The death of Mr. Finlay Fleming, a well known and much respected farmer of the King Valley, caused surprise and regret in the district on Wednesday.  The deceased was in his usual health last week, excepting for a cold to which he did not give much attention.  On Saturday, however, he became ill, and was brought to the Wangaratta hospital, where it was found he was suffering from pneumonia, he gradually got worse, and died about midnight on Tuesday.  The late Mr. Fleming, who was the fifth son of Mr. W.F. Fleming, of Edi (who celebrated his hundredth birthday in January last) was born at Creswick, but spent most of his life at Kotupna, where Mr. Fleming senior, settled after he gave up mining.  About eight years ago the parents and several of the sons moved to this district,  where they secured farms, and Mr. Finlay Fleming's residence on the King River dated back to that time,  he was a very industrious man, a good farmer, and possessed of excellent personal qualities that made him very popular.  His death at the early age of 46 years has been heard of with great regret for the deceased had many friends,  who regarded him as an acquisition to the Edi district.  His unexpected death comes with crushing effect, too upon his wife, who is left with a family of nine children, the eldest of whom is 16 years of age, and the youngest 5, the great sympathy has been expressed for her and the other relatives on this untimely bereavement,  Messrs. James, Donald, and Henry Fleming of Edi are deceased's brothers, another being resident in New South Wales, while Mrs. Lawrence (Whitfield), Mrs. Thomas (Albury), Mrs. Tuckett and Mrs. Worrall (Melbourne) are sisters.  The remains of deceased were interred in the Whitfield cemetery, the coffin being taken by train to Hyem stopping place on Wednesday afternoon.

Wedding Wednesday - Nellie Fleming and Roy Vines

Eleanor Grace Fleming, known as Nellie, was the seventh child (fifth daughter) of the eleven children born to my great grandparents Donald Fleming and Margaret nee Hart.
On the 17th of March 1925 at Wangaratta she married Roy Merten Vines.
The best man was her brother, Donald Percy Fleming and the bridesmaid was her sister Lilian Myrtle Fleming.

The Wangaratta Despatch, Wednesday, March 18, 1925 - Wedding - Vines - Fleming
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The marriage of Miss Eleanor Grace Fleming, fifth daughter of Mrs. D. Fleming "Valley View", King Valley and the late Donald Fleming, and Mr. Roy Merten Vines, youngest son of Mr. F. Vines, Dean St. Albury, was celebrated at Holy Trinity Cathedral by Rev. E.A. Hunt yesterday.  The bride who was given away by her brother-in-law, wore a pretty wedding frock of broche satin mesoline caught at the side with a spray of orange blossoms.  Her veil was lent by Mrs. Canterbury, St. Kilda (cousin of the bridegroom) and she carried a bouquet of asters, roses and maiden hair fern.  Miss L. M. Fleming, sister of the bride, who was bridesmaid, wore powder blue crepe de chine, and her blue tulle veil hung from a silver bandeux.  Her bouquet was of roses and asters.  Mr. D. Fleming, brother of the bride was best man.  The party were photographed at Vine's studio, and afterwards partook of wedding breakfast, served at the bull's Head Hotel.  Mr. Prest, cousin of the bride, presided, and the customary toast list was honoured.  The bride travelled in a navy costume and hat en suite.  The honeymoon will be spent in Sydney, and the future home of Mr. and Mrs. Vines will be at Albury.

R is for ....

REMEMBRANCE

Yesterday was my Mum's birthday.  

This post is a birthday remembrance.

 Amelia Joan Oster nee Fleming (formerly Forsyth) was

born on the 5th of September 1937 at Wangaratta 

to Daisy Marion nee Morgan and Archibald William Finlay Fleming.  

She departed this life on the 23rd of April 2012 surrounded by her loving family.

We miss you Mum and Nanna.  

Birthday kisses. 

We visited you yesterday with your treasured granddaughter and new little great grandson.

                 

       This is my 'R' contribution for Alona from Goulds  "Family History through the alphabet"  theme

 My family history through the alphabet list

Wedding Wednesday - Clarice Morgan

Clarice May Morgan married David Jones in 1930.  Her bridesmaid was her sister, (my nana), Daisy Marion Morgan and the best man was the groom's brother, Ernie Jones.

Clarice, known to us as "Aunty Tod" because all the girls in the family had boys nicknames, was born at Moyhu on the 23rd of September 1905. She was the eldest daughter of William Thomas Morgan and Ada May nee Hulme.
Aunty Tod died at Wangaratta on the 16th of January 1998, aged 92 years.  Her husband David died at the very young age of 35 in 1942.  They had 2 children, Carol and Neil both now deceased.

Matrilineal Monday - Mother's Day Honours

Yesterday was Mother's Day here in Australia so I thought I'd write this post to honour my mum and her maternal ancestors as far back as I could.

I miss you mum.

The earliest known ancestor in my maternal line was Mary - (not Joseph's Mary) - maiden name unknown.
My 5th great grandmother, Mary, married Frederick Schultz and they had a daughter, my 4th great grandmother, Anna Dorothea Schultz in Brandenburg, Prussia (Germany) on the 18th of March 1796.

Anna Dorothea Schultz married Georg Nebel in Prussia and they migrated to Australia with other family members in 1855.  Georg died on the 2nd of September, 1877 and his wife Anna Dorothea died on the 29th of October, 1877 at Westgarthtown (now Thomastown) Victoria.
They are buried in the Lutheran Cemetery there along with many other German immigrants who settled in that area.

They had 3 known children, the youngest being Anna Dorothea Nebel born about 1826 at Hohensaaten, Brandenburg.
Anna Dorothea Nebel married Johann Heinrich (John Henry) Bartsch in 1850, Bukau (or Buckow)  Prussia (Germany).  After his death in Australia in 1866, she married her second husband, Johann Christian Voigt.

Anna Dorothea and her second husband Johann Christian Voigt.

With John Henry Bartsch she had 6 children, the third being my great-great grandmother, Anna Dorothea Bartsch who was born on the Danish ship "Acmel" on which many members of the Shultz, Nebel and Bartsch families emigrated to Australia in 1855.

Anna Dorothea Bartsch

Anna Dorothea Bartsch married Joseph Hulme on the 16th of March 1875 at Beechworth, Victoria.  Joseph was a farmer.  They settled at Horseshoe Creek, Moyhu and had 10 children.
The fifth child (fourth daughter), Ada May Hulme, was my great grandmother.

Ada was born on the 10th of May 1884 at Oxley, Victoria and married William Thomas Morgan in 1905.
She died at Wangaratta on the 22nd of April 1965 aged 80 years.
Ada and William Morgan had 5 children.  Four girls and one boy.  Their second daughter was Daisy Marion Morgan born on the 10th of August 1908 at Moyhu in Victoria.  Daisy was my much loved nanna.

 Daisy grew up in Moyhu, Victoria.  She married my grandfather, Archie fleming, on the 8th of October 1932 at her parents home "Willow Bank" at Moyhu.
My dearly loved mum, Amelia Joan Fleming, was born at Wangaratta on the 9th of September 1937.
She has only recently passed away (23rd of April 2012) and I miss her terribly.
I knew it would be hard to lose my mum but I didn't realise just  how heart-wrenching.

Me and my Mum xx