PART ONE: THE SMITH FAMILY TREE

 Introduction to 2023 Edition

The Smith family originated in Hampshire, England only eight miles or so from Farnham, Surrey, where another branch; the Moss family came from. It is quite possible that members of these two families crossed paths in the early 1800's, but one hundred and fifty years later, two of their descendants in a faraway land, married and brought the two branches into one tree. At the end of Part One is a diagram showing our 'Smith' Ancestors and the other families that joined them in our extended family tree.

 

This chapter was completely rewritten in Dec. 2021 taking into account much new information that has come to light. Some of this was from my own research, but also much of the information came from Rod Gilbert's extensive research into the life and times of members of our Smith family. Rod’s research has unearthed many previously unknown documents and includes a wealth of information from handwritten letters written by GGGF Anthony Smith to his father and brothers. Rod donated some of these letters to Ballarat Gold Museum and others to the S.A. library in Adelaide, where they can be seen on request. I would also like to acknowledge the research of John Trevenen who has spent many years delving in to the Smith family history and also Janet Woodger for her discoveries relating to early Smith ancestors. John and Janet both made significant contributions to Rod's books.

 

Rod has privately published his research about some of our relatives under the titles listed below. Although these books are not available for public circulation, I have been able to draw on Rod’s research and have indicated each source using the abbreviations listed in brackets

• Letters From the Goldfields (LFTG): The Letters & Diary of Anthony Smith
• Anthony Smith: Farmer, Miner, Preacher (FMP)
• Your Affectionate Son (YAS)
• William Collins: Bricklayer, Colonist, Gentleman (BCG) 

Two other sources that have been invaluable in my research are:- 

• The website of John Owen Smith http://www.johnowensmith.co.uk/ which has hundreds pages of original documents relating to historical Hampshire, with many detailing life in and around Headley. Eli Smith and his family feature on many pages. John is also the author of many publications that can be purchased.
• The Smith Family Tree published on Ancestry.com by Stephen Bruce Smith. The tree not only covers the direct family line but also expands laterally to include families that intermarried with the Smiths and their ancestors as well. Stephen has also attached dozens of documents, photos and pages from his own research

Both of these sites are well worth a visit if you wish to learn more about the Smith family and the historical context in which they lived.

1.0 Ancestors of GGGGGF John Smith (1745-1840)

The earliest known ancestor with reliable records attached to his name was GGGGGF John Smith b1745, but recent research has revealed more about his possible ancestors. See Chapter 3.0 for discussion regarding his birth year.

GGGGGF John Smith was likely born and baptised in Greatham (5 miles from Headley) by parents William Smith and Ann Carter. Rod’s book traces the family ancestry back through William Smith born in Medstead (10 miles from Greatham) in 1711 to John Smith of Old Alresford b1673 and Mary Unknown. This Smith line leads back to Richard Smith and Ann Warner, who resided in Micheldever in the early 1600’s. (See Earliest Members of our Smith Family Diagram above for more detail). Although there are baptism records for the Smith family at Greatham, a lack of other corroborating records mean that the adult lives of some of the children listed below may be other people with the same name.

1.1 GGGGGGP William Smith (1711-1774) & Ann Carter (1714-1778)

William Smith was baptised at Medstead on 9 Dec 1711. His parents were John Smith (b1673 Old Alresford) and Mary Unknown and judging by the birth years of their children, they were married around 1700. William had at least five siblings born in Medstead; Mary Smith 1702, John Smith 1704, James Smith 1707, Dinah Smith 1719 and Henry Smith 1725.

William became a miller at Greatham (10 miles from his place of birth), and at the age of 23 married Ann Carter at Newton Valance in 1734. The marriage registration listed William, as “of Greatham” so he must have moved there before 1734. He eventually became the miller who operated the Greatham Mill. There were a few ‘Ann Carters’ born in this area, but Ann Carter baptised on 14 May 1714 at Ropley was the closest to William’s birthplace (5 miles and the same from Newton Valance), and fits better in age, with the birth of her last child in 1759, when she would have been 44.

GGGGGGM Ann Smith nee Carter is said to have died in 1778, but the date of death of GGGGGGF William Smith is uncertain. It is likely that he died in Headley in 1774 with the burial record listing him as “William Smith of Selborne” which was 3 miles from Greatham. At least two of his children (Lydia and James) were possibly living at Selborne in the 1770’s and he may have retired to live with one of them in his latter years. At the age of 67, he may have been visiting or temporarily living with his son GGGGGF John Smith, who had settled with his family at Chase Farm near Headley a few years earlier.

William and Ann seem to have had thirteen children; all baptised in Greatham. Each entry in chapter 2.0 includes any evidence of any connections between these siblings that I could find. Evidence includes:-

• Seventh child GGGGGF John Smith used many of his sibling’s names for his own children and some of these names were not very common at that time. John named a son Eli (Elijah), a name later used many times in our Smith family. Its first known use was for GGGGGF John’s sibling.
• Some members of the families below were named as executors of wills of other family members. For example, nephew (Richard Hearsey b1804) was the executor of GGGGGF John’s will.
• Dates of births, deaths and marriages do not conflict and most of the children listed below settled within a few miles of Greatham.
• All of these siblings and their descendants belonged to the middleclass; farmers, grocers and professionals, and most seemed to be literate (could sign their names).
• GGGGGF John Smith’s sister Ann was a witness at his second wedding and her son was a witness at John’s daughter Ann’s wedding.

2.0 Thirteen Children of GGGGGGP William Smith (1711-1774) & Ann Carter (1714-1778) See diagram above

Of GGGGGF John Smith’s twelve siblings born in Greatham, very little is known about most of them, which suggests they died young. At least three of the sisters; Ann, Mary and Hannah married and had families, and records show there were ongoing connections between those families.

Although there are no records that confirm that William was the father of GGGGGGF John Smith, there are a number of reasons for supporting this contention.

• William’s birth and marriage dates fit with what is known about John
• William’s birth and abode locations (Medstead then Greatham) are very close to where GGGGGF John settled down. In fact, all of the above ancestors were born, married and died in towns and villages just a few miles apart. 
• William’s occupation of miller and farmer suggests he passed his knowledge about grains onto son John, who became a maltster and farmer.
• Of GGGGGF John Smith’s eleven children (from two marriages), all but two were given the same names as his siblings. This was a common practice at the time and especially so in the Smith family.William Smith, and his adult children, were part of the middleclass and generally mixed with and married others in the same class. Their socio-economic standing allowed them to live comfortably as farmers and shopkeepers and later in their lives by independent means. They had a basic education, could sign their names (rather than make their mark) and often made wills to indicate how they would like their assets distributed after their deaths. In contrast, the bulk of the population at this time scraped a living to get by, were rarely educated and worked as labourers and servants. 
• William Smith b1711 had a sister named Dinah b1719. Both were baptised by their parents John and Mary Smith in Medstead. William would later name one of his own children after his sister.

A brief outline of each child’s life is given below. Records relating to some of the siblings and their partners that connect them with each other, and the life of GGGGGF John Smith are also mentioned.

2.1 William Smith (1735-?)

William was baptised in Greatham in 1735 and named after his father. He possibly married Elizabeth Wheatley at Greatham in 1772. No other family connections found.

2.2 Ann Smith (1736-1802)

Ann was baptised in Greatham in 1736 and named after her mother. She married John Small (1737-1826) at Greatham in 1761. John and Ann Small nee Smith were witnesses at GGGGGF John Smith’s marriage to Judith Bayley in 1777. John Small senior and each of his sons occupied shops in Petersfield in 1798. See Wikipedia for information about John Small, cricketer; our famous ancestor. Mrs Ann Small was a vociferous supporter of the Hambledon team and was a regular attendee at its matches, often travelling with the team to away games too. Ann died in 1802 aged 65 and her husband John died in 1826 aged 89. John Small was an executor for cousin Hannah Lipscombe’s husband’s will (see 2.8 below).

John and Ann had at least five children including three daughters. The daughters were Ann born 11 July 1761 (bap 23 July), Dinah born 10 Sep 1763 (bap 29 Sep) and Ann born 23 Aug 1774 (bap 10 Sep) and all three died in childhood. The two sons were Jack [John Small jnr (born 7 Oct 1765 (bap 25 Oct, d.1936) [married 1st Mary Lever (1770-1809) in 1794, 2nd Elizabeth Holland in 1811] and Eli Small born 25 Sep 1767 (bap 20 Feb) [died unmarried in 1837].

 

As was common in the Smith family, children were often named after family members. Obviously both Anns and John were named after their parents. Dinah and Eli were probably named after Ann Small nee Smith’s siblings. Was GGGGGF Eli Smith b1781 named after his cousin Eli Small b1767 and were they both named after their deceased uncle Elias Smith b1757? The sons of John and Ann Small nee Smith seem to have maintained close contact with at least several members of their extended families. The wills of both sons list the husband of Hannah Hearsey, Charles Cotton Butterworth as an executor. Son John Small b1766 and his first wife Mary Lever (m1794) were witnesses at the marriage of cousin Mary Smith b1766 (GGGGGGF John Smith’s first daughter) to Isaac Cater in 1797.

2.3 Richard Smith (1737-1739)

Richard was baptised in 1737. He died as an infant in 1738 or 1739, but probably after the birth of his brother James in 1739.

2.4 James Smith (1739-?)

James was baptised in 1739 and named after his Uncle James Smith b1707. He may have married Mary Leahey at Selborne in 1782. No other family connections found.

2.5 Richard Smith (1741-1810)

Richard was baptised in 1741 and named after his deceased brother. Richard may have died in nearby Petersfield in 1810. No further records have been found but he was probably alive, when brother John named his son Richard in 1771.

2.6 Mary Smith (1743-?)

Mary was baptised in very early 1744, but probably born in 1743 and named after her aunt Mary Smith b1702. She married John Fairmainer (baptised 1740 at Headley) at Greatham in 1762. She was probably 19 when Marriage Banns were called in Headley. Mary was described as ‘of Bramshott’ (6 miles from Greatham), but the marriage took place at Greatham. They settled at Bramshott, where Mary gave birth to at least six children including John b1765, Edward b1767, Daniel b1771, Richard b1773, James b1775 and Mary 1779. Their abode was just 2 miles from brother GGGGGF John’s ‘Chase Farm’ in Tulls Lane. There are no records that confirm the deaths of John and Mary Fairmainer  or Fairminer. They possibly moved elsewhere after 1780.

2.7 GGGGGF John Smith (1745-1840)

John was baptized on 17 Nov 1745. He was named after his grandfather. John’s first marriage was to Mary Chase in 1766, and after she died, he married GGGGGM Judith Bayley in 1777. He lived all his married life in Standford near Headley and was the father of Eli and grandfather of Anthony Smith.  See chapter 3.0 for more about GGGGGF John Smith’s life.

2.8 Hannah Smith (1747-1843)

Hannah was baptised in 1747. She married John Hearsey at Greatham in 1767. Their children born at Greatham included Richard Hearsey 1775-? (m.1795 Sarah Fullock), Hannah Hearsey 1771-1857 (m. John Lipscombe), Henry Hearsey 1773-? (m.Martha Ghey), Henrietta Hearsey 1779-1848 (m. John Fullock gent from Empshott) and Sarah Hearsey 1781-1845 (married Samuel Ghey, butcher).

John Hearsey b1739 died in 1801 leaving a detailed will naming his children and their partners. Their grandson, Richard Hearsey of Greatham (1804-1855), was named as executor of his great uncle’s (GGGGGF John Smith) will in 1840.  Hannah Hearsey nee Smith died at Greatham in 1843. The Hearsey and Fullock families seem to have been very close to each other, but not so much with the families of Hannah’s siblings Ann Small nee Smith, GGGGGF John Smith and Lydia Smith b1748.

NOTES about Hannah Hearsey nee Smith’s children:

a) Two sets of siblings seem to have married two sets of siblings. Richard and Henrietta Hearsey married Sarah and John Fullock and Henry and Sarah Hearsey married Martha and Samuel Ghey.

b) Henrietta b1779 was an uncommon name. Hannah’s niece Ann Smith b1772 (GGGGGF John’s daughter) named her first child Henrietta (illegitimate) in 1798, perhaps after her cousin.

c) Son Henry Hearsey b1773 married Martha Ghey in 1799. One of their seven children was Hannah b1805 who married (and later divorced) bankrupt banker Charles Cotton Butterfield (who was named in several of the wills of family members).

d) Daughter Henrietta Hearsey b1779 married John Fullock gent of Empshott at Greatham in 1801 and lived at Liphook, Bramshott in 1841 with daughters Hannah Henrietta Fullock 26 (1811-1896 b.Empshott) and Elizabeth 23. Henrietta’s daughters all married at Bramshott. Harriet married William Mitchell in 1824 and lived in Petersfield, Helen married Henry Lacy in 1830 and lived in Petersfield, Emily married Rear Admiral Henry Binstead in 1834 and moved to Kent, Elizabeth married Charles Bloxam in 1843 and moved to Portsmouth and Hannah married Charles Butler in 1854. Henrietta’s son John Fullock never married and became a lawyer in London.

e) Grand-daughter Hannah Henrietta Fullock 26 (1811-1896 b.Empshott) lived with her widowed father at Bramshott in 1851, and two of their servants were Charlotte Cole 22 (b.Linchmere) and James Pink 15 (b.1836 Bramshott), which is another indication of links between the Coles, Fullock, Hearsey and Pink families.

f) Richard Hearsey of Greatham (1804-1855), grandson of Hannah Smith and John Hearsey, left a detailed will and was also listed in both the 1841 and 1851 census. From these documents we learn that he married his wife Frances Collins b1805 in 1834. She died in 1851 just a few months before Richard. Richard’s children born at Greatham were Frances/Fanny Hearsey b1834, John Hearsey b1839, Richard Hearsey b1846 and Henry Hearsey b1849. Richard Hearsey 1804-1855 was executor of GGGGGF John Smith’s will in 1840 and described by him as a friend.

 

2.9 Lydia Smith (1748-1828)

 Lydia was baptised in 1748. Her Christian name, which was not widely used at that time, was later used to name several children in the family tree. She married Peter Wells (1740-1824) at Selborne in 1768 and gave birth to 14 children with the last born when she was in her mid-forties. As she made her mark, rather than sign her name on her marriage registration, there is some doubt about whether this Lydia was a sister of GGGGGF John Smith. However, countering that thought is the fact that two of her sons seemed to have been named after brother Elias Smith b1757. The first was named Eli (b1780 at Selborne), shortly before they moved to Froxfield. Lydia’s father William Smith may have been living with her at Selborne in the 1770’s until he died and was buried at Headley in 1778. No other family connections found, but brother John named his daughter Lydia in 1783. Lydia Wells died in 1828.

NOTE: Another a son named Elisha was born in 1790 and died the following year. Baptism records confirm he was a male (ruling out a misprint of ‘Eliza’), so his parents must have viewed the two names (‘Eli’ and ‘Elisha’) as different from each other. Both sons may have been named after Lydia’s brother Elias and were part of the Smith family tradition of naming a son Eli which continued for several generations. The first son named Eli Wells went on to have a long life and married Martha Small at Petersfield in 1807. Martha may have been a cousin related through Lydia’s sister Ann Smith who married John Small in Petersfield in 1761. Eli Wells b1780 appeared in both the 1841 and 1851 census and was listed as a mason/bricklayer. He died at Petersfield in 1851.

2.10 Anthony Smith (1752-?)

Anthony was baptized in 1752. His Christian name was later used for children of his siblings. He may have married Catherine Batt at Kilmeston (16 miles from Greatham) in 1787. Their daughter, Elizabeth Smith (1787-1869) was baptized at Hinton Ampner. No other family connections found but he was probably still alive when brother John named his son Anthony in 1784.

2.11 Benjamin Smith (1755-?)

Benjamin was baptised in 1755. He may have died in Petersfield in 1820 aged 64 but no more is known. No other family connections found.

2.12 Elias Smith (1757-?)

Elias was baptized 1757. He may have been known as Eli, a name later used for children of his siblings. Ann Small nee Smith, GGGGGGF John Smith and Lydia Smith all had sons named Eli. No further records have been found, but he was probably alive when brother John named his son Eli in 1781.

2.13 Dinah Smith (1759-1833)

Dinah was baptised in 1759, when her mother was in her mid-forties. She was named after her aunt (father’s sister) and her Christian name was later used for children of her siblings. Dinah may have married Thomas Hebbard at Alton in 1773 (8 miles from Greatham), but as she was only aged 14 this is very unlikely (unless she was actually born earlier eg 1750; a zero can look like a ‘9’). Dinah Hebbard died in 1833 at Alton. No other family connections found.

3.0 GGGGGF John Smith (1745-1840)

Historical records suggest two possible birth years for GGGGGF John Smith, who was born near Headley in Hampshire. The first possibility is a birth year of late 1747 or early 1748, based on his given age at marriage, and the second is 1742 (based on his reputed age at the time of his death). His reputed age at death of 98 was extremely rare in those days, so I tend to favour a later year as his birth year. It was not unusual for people to make an error with the age of older people. As outlined above, there was a John Smith baptised a few miles from Headley at Greatham on 17 Nov 1745. If this is the same John, he was 31 at the time of marriage, so his given age was wrongly recorded on the marriage record. However, errors in ages were not uncommon. This birth date also fits well with John’s first marriage at 20 in 1766 (see below).

John’s father operated the mill at Greatham and John would have developed knowledge about farming grains and the milling process as he grew up. He later added the skills of a maltster to his qualifications and this was the occupation he listed when he married for the second time in 1777.

3.1 GGGGGF John Smith's (1745-1840) 1^st Marriage, to Mary Chase (1744-1775)

According to his second marriage registration in 1777, John Smith b1745 was married previously. Other documents show that John's first wife was probably named Mary. Research by Janet Woodger of the UK quoted in YAS reveals that GGGGGF John Smith 20, married Mary Chase 21 at Priors Dean on 25 Jan 1766 when she was 21 years old.

Mary was pregnant at the time of her marriage and their first daughter, named Mary after her mother was born a few months later at nearby Hawkley. After the birth of the first child, the family moved to the Headley area where another five children were born. They were Dinah Smith 1768, John Smith 1769, Richard Smith 1771, Ann Smith 1772 and Lydia Smith 1775. All were named after John’s siblings. The births were probably at his farm in Tulls Lane, Standford, where John established himself as a farmer and maltster. The farm was known as Chase Farm, probably purchased/leased around 1768 and was possibly named after his wife’s family name.

Mary Chase was baptised on 4 Jun 1744 in Priors Dean to William Chase (b.1714 East Meon) and Elizabeth Grace (b1718 Priors Dean). Parents William and Elizabeth were married in Priors Dean  11 Oct 1736. Mary’s siblings born in Priors Dean were Richard Chase 1737 (named after mother's father),  Elizabeth Chase (b.21 Aug & bapt. 31 Aug 1740), Sarah Chase 1743 (named after mother's mother), Ann Chase 1748, Olive Chase 1752 and William Chase 1755. All these villages; Priors Dean, Hawkley and Headley are less than 5 miles from Greatham.

Sadly, John's first wife Mary died at the age of 31 after giving birth to her sixth child, Lydia, who had died five weeks earlier in 1775. Both were buried at Headley; Lydia on 10 Sep 1775 and Mary on 18 Oct. Perhaps in honour of the loss of Lydia, John named his first child in his second marriage with the same name. For more about John’s life, including his second marriage, see chapters below.

Diagram showing John's 11 children and the ancestors of his two wives

4.0 Six Children of GGGGGF John Smith (1745-1840) & Mary Chase (1744-1775)

The six children of John Smith and Mary Chase were step siblings to GGGGF Eli Smith and step Uncles and Aunties to GGGF Anthony Smith. Mary was the only child not born at Standford. Apart from Mary and Dinah, all appeared to have died prior to Anthony returning to England in 1846/7.

John seems to have named his children after family members. The first son and daughter were named after John and his wife Mary. Dinah, Richard, Ann and Lydia were named after his siblings. Apart from

Lydia and possibly Richard, we know the others were all alive when John had his second family.

4.1 Mary Smith (1766-1846)

Mary Smith was born a few months after her parent’s marriage and baptised at Hawkley on 22 Apr 1766. Soon after her birth the family moved to Standford. Mary was named after her mother and grew up at Chase Farm, Standford. After her mother died in 1775, when she was only 11 years old, she would have helped look after her younger siblings (and later half siblings). At the age of 30 on 18 May 1797, Mary married Isaac Cater (1746-1828) at Headley. Isaac was a 50 year old widowed yeoman (farmer) and came from Woolbedding, Sussex (near Midhurst), and was twenty years older than his wife. GGGGGF John Smith was listed as the bondsman on the Marriage Allegation record. Witnesses to the marriage were John and Mary Small nee Lever. John Small was a cousin of Mary Smith and born in the same year. His parents; John and Ann Small nee Smith, were witnesses at Mary’s father’s marriage 20 years earlier in 1777. All parties signed their names. Nothing is known about Mary Cater’s married life but there were no known children.

Mary’s husband Isaac died in 1828 and it is believed that around this time Mary moved back to her childhood home to care for her father GGGGGF John Smith, who by then was in his eighties and widowed for the second time. She probably helped care for her nephew GGGF Anthony Smith who was 11 and living with his grandfather. Anthony would later name his third daughter after “Aunt Mary”.

When Mary’s father died in 1840, she was the main beneficiary of his will. The 1841 census listed Mary Cater 70 (really 74) living at Chase Farm, Standford and of independent means. She was living in the main house on the farm, next to farmers John (Anthony’s Uncle T) and Jane Tull nee Cole and their family, which is possibly how Tulls Lane gained its name. A few years earlier John Tull was a witness to Mary Cater’s father’s will, so the families were quite close.

Mary Cater died in 1846 with her abode listed as Arford in Headley. Arford was less than one mile from Chase Farm and Mary may have lived there when she found she could not manage on her own; perhaps living in Arford House with the widowed Mary Ewster, who was about the same age and was godmother to GGGF Anthony. On her death, Mary’s age was listed as 82, but she was really 80 and she was buried at All Saints, Headley. Under the terms of Mary’s father’s will, ownership of Chase Farm passed to Mary’s nephew GGGF Anthony Smith.

4.2 Dinah Smith (1768-1855)

Dinah Smith was the second daughter of John and Mary Smith and was baptised in Headley on 1 May 1768. She may have been named after her father’s youngest sister Dinah Smith b1759.

Dinah married farmer Richard Nunns at Midhurst on 28 Jun 1796. Dinah’s siblings John and Mary Smith were witnesses at the wedding. Richard and Diana had four children; Eldred Nunns 1796-1858, Frederick Nunns 1798-1857, Alfred Chase Nunns 1800-1802 and Celia Catherine Nunns 1802-1877. Dinah’s third son seems to have been named after her mother Mary Smith nee Chase and after the family farm where Dinah grew up. Sadly he died at the age of 2.

The family moved closer to London and going by the baptismal places of their children lived in Midhurst and then Woolbeding, before settling in Lambeth where William was a victualler. By 1841 they had moved to Cobham, Surrey about 30 miles from Standford. In 1840 Dinah’s father died, and for an unknown reason (perhaps a family rift or perhaps the family did not approve of her husband’s occupation as a ‘victualler’), she was the only surviving child left out of his will

 

In 1841 Richard 66 and Dinah Nunns nee Smith 65 were living at Fair Mile, Cobham with adult children Frederick 45 and Celia Nunns 35 (ages rounded down). Richard and his family were living by 'independent means'. Richard died at Fairmile, Cobham in 1846 aged 75. Dinah was still living at Cobham with unmarried children; Frederick and Celia, a decade later.

 

Dinah Nunns nee Smith aged 87 died at home in Fairmile in 1855 and was buried at St Andrews, Cobham on 20 Apr. 1855. Dinah is one of the few relatives that GGGF Anthony does not seem to mention in his diary in 1847. Although he travelled to London several times, he does not seem to have visited her, which supports the theory of a serious family rift.

4.3 John Smith (1769-1837)

John Smith was baptised by John and Mary Smith at Headley on 1 Nov 1769. As the first son, he was named after his father GGGGGF John Smith b1745. In 1796 John was a witness at sister Dinah’s marriage to Richard Nunn.

John Smith aged 68 may have died in 1837 and was buried at St Nicholas, Guildford on 29 May 1837. Guildford is 16 miles from Headley. He was not named in his father’s will in 1840 and was presumably deceased. Unlike brother Richard there is also no mention of a widow for John, so presumably he never married or had children. No more is known, but there was another John Smith baptised in Headley in 1765 and records pertaining to the two Johns can easily be confused. There is a strong possibility that both Johns were distantly related, especially since some of the children of John b1765 lived and/or worked at Hatch and Chase farms, but the link has not yet been found. For information about the life of John b1865. See below.

4.3a John Smith (1765-1846) & Hannah Stevens (1773-1842) Not Related

There was another John Smith baptised in Headley a few years before John Smith b1769. He was the illegitimate son of Mary Smith c1745 and was baptised in Headley in May 1765. His mother Mary Smith b1745 was the daughter of John Smith c1720 and Mary Smith c1720 and was baptised in Headley on 2 Mar 1745. It would seem likely that John and Mary Smith were somehow related to our Smith family, who also settled in Headley, but no link has been found so far.

John Smith b1765 married Hannah Stevens at Binstead (5 miles from Headley) in 1787 and they had ten children baptised at Headley. Census documents later indicate at least some of the children were born at Bramshott. In 1841 John 75 and Hannah 68 were living at Lindford with grand-daughter Jemima Woods 15, near some of their married children. Hannah Smith nee Stevens probably died at nearby Selborne in 1842. John Smith died at Lindford in 1846 aged 80. His age at marriage and death confirm he was not John Smith b1769. Most records also indicate that their children were unable to sign their names which differentiates them from members of our Smith family.

The children of John and Hannah Smith nee Stevens were:-

i) John Smith (1788-?) No more is known.
ii) Hannah Smith (1790-1868) Hannah married William Woods at Headley in 1808. Both made their mark. From 1841 to 1861 they lived at Lindford, where they had their family, and William became a bricklayer. Hannah Woods nee Smith died at Lindford and was buried at Headley in 1868 aged 80.
iii) William Smith (1793-1802) Baptised at Headley and was buried there at the age of 10.
iv) Sarah Smith (1795-1867) Sarah was baptised at Headley and possibly married John Brider there in 1816. Sister Ann was a witness and all parties made their mark. Sarah and John settled in Liss. Sarah Brider nee Smith died in 1867 with her death registered at Petersfield (reputed age of 80). However all censuses and her age on the death record indicate this may have been another Sarah born in the late 1780’s.
v) Ann Smith (1797-?) Ann married Edward Stillwell b1793 of Bramshott in Headley in 1820. All parties made their mark. By 1841 Ann was widowed and lived with five children in Bramshott working as a house servant for Thomas Silvester. In 1851 the only change was that Ann was living with four adult children but still working for Thomas Silvester.
vi) Charlotte Smith (1799-?) Charlotte was a witness at sister Sophia’s wedding in 1831 at Headley. No more is known.
vii) James Smith (1801-1867) m Celia Collyer 1823. See 4.4c for more information about James and Celia 

viii) Lucy Smith (1803-1867
Lucy was boprn at Bramshott and married Henry Powell (b1794 at Sheet), a carpenter, at Eton in 1834. They had at least three children including at least one who was baptised in the non-conformist (Bible Christian) church. In 1841 Lucy and her family lived at Lindford near her parents and some of her siblings. In 1851 Lucy worked in the paper mill, and the family were living at Standford not far from Hatch Farm. In 1861 Henry 67 and Lucy 57 were living at Standford Hill with daughter Martha 24, who was a Bible Christian teacher. Lucy died at Standford in 1867 with a reputed age of 66 (really 64).

ix) Sophia Smith (1806-1856) In 1826, single woman Sophia Smith, gave birth to Charlotte Smith at Headley. Sophia married Henry White at Headley in 1831. Sister Charlotte Smith b1799 was a witness and both sisters signed their names. Sophia and Henry settled in the Standford area (abode in brackets) and had at least four children Eliza White (b1832 on John Smith’s Chase Farm), Henry White (b1834 Linford), William White (b1836 Bramshott) and Jane White (b.1840 Bramshott). By 1841 the family seem to have broken up, with Henry either deceased or separated. In 1841 Sophia was working in a public house at Odiham as a female servant and living with baby Jane 10 months. Daughter Eliza White 10 was living with William 25 and Mary Chandler nee Piggot 25 in Headley (married in 1835) and working as a female servant. Later that year though, Sophia White nee Smith married James Tickner coal porter at Hartley Wintney near Odiham. In 1851 Sophia 40 (really 45) and James Tickner 38 were living in London with daughter Jane 11 (she had taken her stepfather’s surname). Also in 1851, sons from Sophia’s first marriage; Henry and William, were ag labs lodging in Bramshott. Sophia Tickner nee White nee Smith died in London in 1856. In 1861 daughter Jane 21 unmarried was living in Holywater with her young daughter and working as a female servant for her older sister Charlotte Fullock and family.
NB: Illegitimate daughter Charlotte Smith born to Sophia Smith in 1826 listed Edward Smith as her father (possibly a made up name), when she married James Fullock in 1844 at Headley. They were both living at Linford at the time and all made their mark. Charlotte went on to have a large family and lived in Headley and Holywater before moving to Trotton by 1881. By 1891 they were back in Bramshott where Charlotte died in 1891.
x) Mary Smith (1808-?) No more is known

4.4 Richard Smith (1771-1810)
Richard Smith was baptised by John and Mary Smith at Headley on 5 Jun 1771 and probably named after GGGGGF John’s brother Richard b1741. The only other confirmed information about Richard comes from his father’s will. In that document we are told that Richard was deceased prior to 1840, his widowed wife’s name was Jane and that they possibly had a son named James who was also a beneficiary of the will. From this information it is most likely that:-

a) Richard married Jane Unknown between 1791 and the mid 1830’s
b) Richard Smith died between 1800 and 1839
c) Wife Jane Smith should have appeared in the 1841 and possibly the 1851 census, as a widow, unless she remarried.
d) There were possibly one or more Smith children born to Richard and Jane Smith. One of them may have been named James (mentioned in GGGGGGF John Smith’s will)
e) A search using the above parameters indicates that Richard may have married Jane Unknown in c1793 and had a son named James baptised on 11 Jun 1794 at Petersfield. Other children born to the couple were Jane 1795, Sophia 1797, John 1799-1811, Elizabeth 1800 and Lucy 1802-1803. James was the only surviving son and in 1840 he was mentioned in his grandfather’s will. (The Ancestry record lists James Smith and his siblings being born to 'Robert' and Jane Smith; either in error or perhaps Richard went by the name ‘Robert’). Richard Smith was buried at Petersfield on 18 Sep 1810. He would have been 39 years old.
NB: Supporting the theory that Richard went by the name Robert is the fact that a baptism search shows no children named Robert Smith were born in this part of Hampshire between 1751 and 1775.

4.4a James Smith (1794-?) Possible son of Richard b1771 & Jane Smith

There was a James Smith baptised on 11 Jun 1794 at Petersfield by parents Robert (Richard?) and Jane Smith. This is the only known record that fits all the above criteria, so he may be the James Smith who was grandson to GGGGGF John Smith and a beneficiary in the will. Although there are no other definitive records that tell about his life, there are records for two other James Smiths born around this time and who lived in this area. Further investigation shows that they probably belonged to different Smith families.

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4.4b James Smith (1793-1878) b.Selborne

The first is James Smith a farmer born in Selborne in the 1790’s. There are documents that record his age throughout his life, but they give inconsistent birth years ranging from 1794 (death record) to 1801 (1861 census). In actual fact this James was probably baptised in Selborne on 4 Sep 1793 by parents James b1767 and Lydia Smith. Father James Smith c1767 had married Lydia Carter c1770 in 1791 in Selborne. If Lydia was around 20 when she married she would have been in her early 40’s when she had her last child and she would have been born around 1770. Children born to James b.1767 and Lydia Smith nee Carter were Lydia Smith b1791, James Smith 1793, William Smith b1796, Lucy Smith 1798, Maria Smith 1801, Benjamin Smith 1806, Henry Smith 1808 and Hori Smith 1812; all baptised in Selborne. James (b1767) 73 and Lydia Smith nee Carter 70 were living in Selborne in 1841.

In 1823 James b1793 married the widowed Elizabeth Nash at Selborne. Elizabeth Nash born Elizabeth Wells (c1778) had married George Loe in 1796 at Selborne. George Loe died in 1801 leaving Elizabeth with children named James Loe and Lucy Loe. Elizabeth Loe married Benjamin Nash in 1803 at Selborne. She had at least two more children; Benjamin and Henry before her second husband Benjamin Nash died in 1821 at Selborne. Two years later in 1823 she married her third husband James Smith b1793.

NB: Elizabeth Wells c1780 was possibly related to Peter Wells b1740 at Selborne. Peter Wells married Lydia Smith, sister of GGGGF John Smith at Selborne in 1768. See 2.9.

In 1841 James Smith 44 was living with wife Elizabeth 50 (really 60) in Wanborough, Puttenham (14 miles from Standford). In 1851 James 52 (b.Selborne) and Elizabeth 70 (b.Selborne) were listed as farming 4 acres at nearby Merrow with daughter Lucy Loe 40. It was at Merrow in 1854 that Elizabeth Smith nee Nash nee Loe nee Wells died at the reputed age of 74.

In 1856 James Smith (b1793 Selborne) widower married the much younger Julia Readless (b1821 Lambeth) at Merrow in 1856. In 1861 James was listed as a 60 year old (really 68) retired farmer living at Merrow with wife Julia 39 and sons Henry 2 and Arthur 8 months. In 1871 James 75 (really 78) was a lodging housekeeper living with Julia 50 and in Midhurst. James died at Midhurst in 1878 with a reputed age of 84 (ie born 1793).

4.4c James Smith (1801-1867) b.Bramshott, m. Celia Collyer

Another James Smith appears in the 1841, 1851 and 1861 census. Once again, records list an age that indicates a varying birth year ranging from 1792 (death record) to 1804 (1851 census) and list his birthplace as Bramshott. He was baptised at Headley by John and Hannah Smith in 1801. (See 4.3a above) James married Celia Collyer in Headley in 1823, with Edward Knight as a witness. No one signed their name.

Children born to the couple and baptised at Headley were James 1823, William 1826, John 1828, Mary Ann 1830, Mark 1832, Hannah 1834 (named after her mother), Jane 1837, Charles 1839, Emily 1842 and Andrew Albert Smith 1845. The family abode was listed as Holywater except for the last baptism which was listed as Lindford.

In 1841 the family were living at Lindford with six of their ten children. The 1851 census listed James Smith 47 (b.Headley) ag lab and Celia Smith 48 living in Headley with their children; Hannah 15 (worked at the paper mill), Charles 13, Emily and Andrew. James 60 and Celia 57 (both born in Bramshott) were living at Holywater in 1861. James died at Holywater in Dec 1867 with a reputed age of 75. In 1871 Celia a 67 year old widowed paper sorter was living at Holywater with unmarried children Emily and Andrew.

In 1873 son Andrew Smith married Thurza Barnett (daughter of William Barnett; see 13.4a) at Headley and in 1878 daughter Emily Smith 35 married George Parfitt (b.1833 Binsted) at Headley (both residents of Holywater). Witnesses were Emily’s sibling Andrew and his wife Thurza Smith. In 1881 Celia Smith nee Collyer 85 was living with daughter Emily Parfitt and her family at Holywater where she lived until her death in 1890.

4.5 Ann Smith (1772-1849)

Ann Smith was baptised by GGGGGGF John and Mary Smith at Headley on 23 Oct 1771. She probably lived with her family at Chase Farm up until her mid 20’s when she gave birth to an illegitimate daughter, who she named Henrietta Fletcher Smith. The birth was registered on 9 Nov 1798 at nearby Midhurst. As this was 10 miles from Chase Farm, Ann may have been sent there to avoid the scandal of an illegitimate birth. Another possibility is that Ann went to the Midhurst area to stay with her newly married older sister Mary at Woolbeding, just one mile from Midhurst (See 4.1 above). The name ‘Fletcher’ may be the surname of the father of the baby. 

 

On 21 Sep 1802 Ann 30 married Isaac Jacobs (1774-1866) at St Mary’s Portsea. Isaac had been born on the Isle of Wight and was slightly younger than Ann. This marriage location is interesting, because it was 30 miles from Headley, and both Ann and her step brother Eli, were married in the same church (14 years apart). Usually marriages occurred in the town of the bride’s family, but this was not the case with these two weddings. Isaac and Ann had six known children; all apart from the first were born in Portsea. Their names were Henrietta Jacob 1798-1861 (illegitimate), George Jacob 1803-1877, John Jacob 1806-1852, Henry Jacob 1808-1882, Mary Ann Jacob 1812-? and Elizabeth Jacob 1814

 

In 1841 Isaac, 67 year old office clerk (later an accountant) and Ann 68 were living in Portsea with daughter Elizabeth Jacob 25 (b1816). Ann inherited £100 and all household goods and furniture from her father’s estate in 1847 when the will was finalised

 

Ann Jacob nee Smith probably died at the age of 77 and was buried at Portsea on 27 Feb 1849. The family have not been found on the 1851 census, but in 1861, widower Isaac, 87 year old retired dockyard clerk, was living in Brougham Tce., Portsea with unmarried daughter Elizabeth Jacob. In the 1860’s Isaac moved to Reading, to be close to his adult children; George, Mary and Elizabeth. He died at Reading in 1866 aged 93.

4.5a Six Children of Ann Smith (1772-1850) & Isaac Jacob (1774-1866)

i. Henrietta Fletcher Smith (1798-1861)
Henrietta was baptised by single mother Ann Smith at Midhurst in 1798. In 1840 she inherited £40 from her grandfather’s (GGGGGF John Smith) will. As her siblings were not mentioned in the will, she must have been particularly close to her grandfather. Perhaps GGGGGP John and Judith Smith raised her, like they later cared for GGGF Anthony Smith when his mother died.

During Henrietta’s adult life she seems to have gone by her stepfather’s surname ‘Jacob’. In 1851 Henrietta Jacob 53, was listed as dressmaker at Petersfield (wrong age listed). In 1861 Henrietta Jacob, 63 year old unmarried school mistress, was living in West St., Midhurst (10m to Standford). The record indicates she was born in Portsea, but she probably moved there as a young child, after her mother’s marriage in 1802. Henrietta Smith/Jacob died later that year and was buried at Portsea. She was unmarried and there is no record of any children. The probate record confirms the above abodes when it says “Henrietta Smith otherwise Jacob, spinster, formerly of Petersfield, but lately of Midhurst who died on 17 July 1861 at Southsea granted to Henry Revell Reynold solicitor ….. Effects under £200.” Her solicitor was a top ranking London solicitor. 

 

ii. George Jacob 1803-1879

George was born to Isaac and Ann Jacob nee Smith in Portsea. On 10 Oct 1832 he married Sarah Stevens at Chepping Wycomb, Berkshire. His parents were listed on the marriage record. In 1851 George, 47 year old grocer, was living in Reading St Mary with wife Sarah 50, sister Mary Ann Jacob 39 (b1812, see below), nephew John Stevens 15 (b1835 Higher Wycombe), visitor Emma Reynolds 4 and one servant. On the record, father Isaac Jacob was listed as an accountant. In 1861 they were at the same residence, but George had retired. Sarah died in 1867. By 1871 George a 67 year old widower was living with his unmarried sisters Mary Ann 59 and Elizabeth Jacob 56. George “a gentleman” of Erleigh, Berkshire, died 5 Mar 1879. Probate was granted to Charles James Stevens, engineer and to brother Henry Jacob gentleman of Rock Ferry, Birkenhead.

NB: The ‘Stevens’ men (nephew John and Charles) mentioned above, appear to be related to George’s wife, but I have not established the link. 

 

iii. John Jacob 1806-1814 

John was baptised by Isaac and Ann Jacobs on 23 Nov 1806 and most likely died as a child in 1814. He was buried at St Mary’s Portsea on 13 Oct 1814.

iv. Henry Jacob 1808-1882 

Henry was born on 31 May 1808 to Isaac and Ann Jacob at Portsea. By 1836 Henry was working as grocer (like brother George) and married Mary Ann Enoch at Evesham in 1836. The marriage registration listed Henry’s parents as Isaac Jacob grocer and Ann of Portsea. Interestingly, Henry’s marriage was the only one in our extended family that was conducted in the Quaker tradition. After their marriage, Henry, by then an accountant, and Mary Ann moved over 100 miles to Gloucestershire where they had their first child Mary Louisa Jacob born in 1840. They continued to move over the next decade, with daughter Lucy born in Birmingham in 1843, and daughter Alice born in London in 1845. Finally they moved 200 miles north to Cumberland, where they lived for the next 30 years.

By 1851 Henry was working as a railway secretary. Henry 42 and Mary Ann 38 were living at Ropery with daughters Lucy 8 and Alice 6. They had one servant. By 1861 they had moved to Burgh and Henry 52 was working as a general manager to a railway dock company. Mary Ann was 49, Lucy 18 and Alice 16 and they had two servants. Daughter Lucy met and married hat manufacturer William Carrick in 1863 in Northern Ireland and daughter Mary Louisa married Henry Robert Chapman in Northern Ireland in 1868. Lucy and William settled at Rickergate, Cumberland, where they had a large family of at least six children and were helped by three servants. Son Henry and Mary Louisa Chapman nee Jacob settled in Northern Ireland where they had at least one child.

In 1871 Henry Jacob 62 was a retired railway secretary, Mary Ann was 60 and unmarried daughter Alice was 26. They were living in Mill Grove Longburgh. By 1881 Henry and Mary Ann had moved to Higher Bebington to live with their unmarried daughter Alice Eliza Jacob 36, who was principal of a ‘Ladies School’.

In 1879 Henry was listed as an executor of his brother George’s will. Henry Jacob, gentleman, died on 24 Jan 1882 at Rock Ferry, Cheshire. Probate was granted to William Carrick of Carlisle (son-in-law). Personal estate valued at £999. Henry’s daughter Alice Jacob died unmarried in 1900 and probate was granted for her will to William Carrick, hat manufacturer (brother-in-law). Mary Ann Jacob nee Enoch died at Rock Ferry in 1884. William Carrick the younger was also an executor of her will.

v. Mary Ann Jacob 1812-1907

Mary was born on 17 Feb 1812 at Portsea to Isaac and Ann Jacob. In 1851 aged 39 she was living with her brother George at Reading, Berkshire, and was listed as an accountant’s daughter. Aged 59 in 1871, she was still living in her widowed brother George’s house with the occupation housekeeper, along with sister Elizabeth. By 1881 her brother had died, and Mary Ann 69 and sister Elizabeth (both unmarried annuitants) were living together. From 1891 to 1901 Mary Ann was lodging in a boarding house in Reading. Mary Ann died in Reading aged 95 in 1907. Probate for her will was granted to Robert Henry Chapman retired bank manager (husband of niece Mary Louisa Jacob). There are no records of children. 

 

vi. Elizabeth Jacob 1814-1883 

Elizabeth was born on the 6 Dec 1814 at Portsea to Isaac and Ann Jacob. She was born when her mother was 42. In 1861, unmarried Elizabeth 46 was housekeeper for her widowed father in Portsea. After his death she moved in with her brother George and was listed as ‘companion’. By 1881 after her brother had died, Elizabeth and sister Mary Ann (both unmarried annuitants) were living together in a boarding house. Elizabeth Jacob of Reading (formerly of Erleigh) died at Pangbourn Railway Station near Reading on 9 Jun 1883 aged 69. Probate for her will was granted to William Carrick (nephew) the younger. There are no records of children.

4.6 Lydia Smith (1775-1775)

Lydia Smith was baptised by John and Mary Smith nee Chase at Headley on 14 Jun 1775, but died a few months later on 19 Sep 1775, a few weeks before her mother.

5.0 GGGGGM Judith Bayley (1748-1822) & her Ancestors

GGGGGM Judith Bayley was baptised 11 May 1748 at Stedham, near Midhurst, West Sussex (10 miles from Standford).  She was the ninth and last child of GGGGGGP Robert Bailey and Grace Young.

 

As she was a 29 year old resident of the Headley Parish at the time of her marriage in 1777, she probably moved there in her younger days. Evidence of this is that there are several 'Bayleys' listed as participants in the Headley Parish Marriage records during the preceding years. These include John, William, Mary and Nat Bayley in 1774. The latter in particular was a witness at most weddings in the 1760's and may have held a position as a church warden.

John and Judith Smith nee Bayley had five known children, GGGGF Eli Smith 1781-1868, Lydia Smith 1783-1856, Anthony Smith 1784-1837, Sophia Smith 1788-1866 and George Smith 1789-1865. These children joined John’s first family at Chase Farm. GGGGGM Judith Smith nee Bayley died at the age of 74 in 1822 and was buried at Headley on 7 Mar 1822. See more about Judith’s married life in chapter 6.0.

5.1 GGGGGGP Robert Bayley (c.1705-?) & Grace Young (1709-?)

No details are known about the ancestry of GGGGGGF Robert Bayley. He was probably born not far from Stedham in the early 1700’s.

GGGGGGM Grace Young was baptised on 26 Feb 1709 at Trotton (about one mile from Stedham) by GGGGGGGP John Young and Eleanor Heather. At the age of 21, she married GGGGGGF Robert Bayley on 5 Jan 1730 at Stedham and had nine known children; Robert Bayley b9 May 1731, John Bayley b8 Apr 1733, Ann Bayley b27 May 1735, Sarah Bayley b1 May 1737, Elizabeth Bayley b1 Oct 1739, Mary Bayley b11 Apr 1742, Richard Bayley 1 Apr 1744, Jane Bayley b24 Feb 1745 and GGGGGM Judith Bayley b11 May 1748. All but the first of Grace’s children were baptised at Stedham, with her last child born when she was 39. There are no other records about Grace’s siblings apart from her older brother Robert b1731, who married Mary Phillips in Stedham in 1762. The dates of death for Robert and Grace Bayley nee Young are unknown but they both died sometime after 1748.

5.2 GGGGGGGP John Young (1675-1752) & Eleanor Heather (1676-?)

John Young was probably born in Kirdford, Sussex (14 miles from Trotton) and baptised there by his parents; either Henry Young and Mary Holden in 1675 or Edward Young and Unknown in 1680. The former is more likely as husbands were usually a year or two older than their wives.

Eleanor Heather was baptised at Iping (14 miles from Kirdford) on 27 Dec 1676 by parents Thomas and Eleanor Heather. John Young married Eleanor Heather at Trotton on 23 Oct 1701.

GGGGGGGP John and Eleanor Young settled in Trotton and seven known children were born there; John Young 1702, Elizabeth Young 1705, Mary Young 1707, GGGGGGM Grace Young 1709, Ann Young 1712, Margaret Young 1714-1726 and Mercy Young 1717-1717. Eleanor was 41 when she had her last child.

GGGGGGGF John Young died in Trotton in 1752. The date of death of Eleanor Young nee Heather is unknown, but was after 1717.

5.3 GGGGGGGGP Henry Young (c1640-?) & Mary Holden (c1646-?)

Very little is known about Henry and Mary Young nee Holden. Henry was possibly born in Kirdford in the late 1630’s to Henry Young and Jane Mower. Mary Holden must have been born in early 1646. This would have made her 18 at the time of marriage and 43 when she gave birth to her last child. Henry Young married Mary Holden at Kirdford on 27 May 1762. Children born at Kirdford include Henry Young 1667, Mary Young 1672, Henry Young 1673, GGGGGGGF John Young 1675, Thomas Young 1677, Unknown Young 1681, Mary Young 1684 and Jane Young in Jan 1687.

6.0 GGGGGF John Smith's (1745-1840) 2^nd Marriage to GGGGGM Judith Bayley (1748-1822)

On 22 October 1777, John Smith and Judith Bayley ('both of Headley Parish') were married in All Saints Church, Headley. The 'Allegations for Marriage Licence' listed John Smith as a 29 year old 'maltster' and widower (see above for his first marriage). John’s age was incorrectly transcribed. It should have been listed as 31 because he was probably born in early Nov 1845. This error was not uncommon. (John’s son Eli b1781 was recorded as being 35 on his second marriage but was actually 38.) Judith was listed as a spinster aged 28. John signed his name as did the two witnesses; John and Ann Small nee Smith (John’s sister and brother-in-law). Judith made her mark on the marriage registration which indicated that she could not sign her name. For more about the ancestors of GGGGGM Judith Bayley b1748 see 5.0 above.

 

NOTE: A maltster was a person who selected cereals, mainly barley, from the growing fields, for malting. The maltster would then modify the barley, using nature as part of the process, to allow the brew master to be able to make beer from it. This occupation usually provided a good income and probably supplemented John's farm income.

John and Judith Smith nee Bayley had five known children; GGGGF Eli Smith 1781-1868, Lydia Smith 1783-1856, Anthony Smith 1784-1837, Sophia Smith 1788-1866 and George Smith 1789-1865. The last child was born when Judith was 41. These children were in addition to the surviving children from John’s first marriage, who were all under 14 years of age. Therefore in the 1780’s, the family consisted of parents John and Judith living in a very lively house of around nine or ten surviving children. Luckily the house at Chase Farm was quite a large dwelling.

Grandson Anthony Smith was born in 1816, and tragically his mother died shortly after. It seems that GGGGGP John and Judith Smith raised Anthony from a baby, because his widowed father had to spend his days running his farm. Both farms were nearby in Tulls Lane, so Anthony would have been able to maintain a close relationship with his father (later revealed in his letters to his father).

GGGGGM Judith Smith nee Bayley died at the age of 74 and was buried at Headley on 7 Mar 1822. Her abode was listed as Headley. This would have left GGGGGF John Smith 77 looking after his 6 year old grandson, but with the help of Anthony's father and stepmother who lived nearby. As Anthony grew older he would have been a great help to his grandfather on the farm up until he was 21, when he left to start a new life in South Australia. The 1836 Poll of Headley listed widower GGGGGF John Smith (around 90 years old) of 'Chase Farm' and son Eli Smith of Hatch House Farm, Standford. GGGGGM John Smith lived to his mid-nineties and died on 28 Jul 1840.

Grandson GGGF Anthony Smith returned to England in 1847 to collect his inheritance from his grandfather's estate. To return all the way to England was a huge undertaking and implied the inheritance was of some value. On 12th May 1847 Anthony and his father rode over to Headley, "saw some old friends, conferred with Mrs R.H. & J.M., trustees respecting his late grandfather's estate". On the 14th June, Anthony "Visited Uncle T's [Tull] at Headley- the residence of my late grandfather.... my mind naturally reverted to the past. Ten years ago I left it and him for a foreign clime...now I had returned to (collect) the patrimony left to me by his own will..."

GGGGGF John Smith b1748, and his wife Judith were buried in Headley Cemetery. John and Judith Smith's gravestone also includes their daughter-in-law Anthony’s mother GGGGM Elizabeth Smith nee Cole. It reads;

"Sacred to the memory of / Elizabeth / wife of Eli SMITH / who died in childbed / July 3, 1816 / aged 20 years / also / Judith SMITH / who departed this life / March 1, 1822 / aged 74 years / also / John SMITH / who departed this life / July 28, 1840 / aged 98 years / Behold the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed / be the name of the Lord; for with Thee is the well of / life, and in Thy light shall we see light".

NOTE: As explained above, John's age on the burial registration and gravestone seems to have been mistakenly recorded as 98 instead of 95.

6.1 GGGGGF John Smith’s Will (Copy published in YAS)

John’s will was signed by him on 3 Apr 1840. The witnesses were John Tull and John Montague Evans. Probate was granted on 5 Nov 1840 with the executors named as John Mills, carpenter of Headley, and Richard Hearsey of Greatham. The estate was valued at less than £800.

Under the terms of the will, the main beneficiary was John’s eldest daughter Mary Cater nee Smith “as long as she shall remain a widow”. Mary had spent more than a decade caring for her father in his old age, so it is not surprising that John’s will provided security for her future. The will stipulated that land occupied by son Eli would remain leased to him. After Mary’s death, ownership of Chase Farm would pass to John’s grandson, Anthony Smith. The will stipulated an obligation for Anthony to pay small amounts out of his inheritance to other family members and beneficiaries. These were:-

• Daughter Lydia, wife of John Smith an annuity (see 7.2)
• Daughter Sophia, wife of Charles Elstone an annuity (see 7.4)
• Son George Smith £250 (see 7.5
• Son Eli to maintain access to parts of the farm (see 8.0)
• Daughter Ann, wife of Isaac Jacobs £100 and all household goods and furniture (see 4.5)
• Grandson James Smith £50. (Unknown parentage, see 4.4a)
• Grand-daughter Henrietta Smith (Jacobs) spinster, daughter of daughter Ann Jacobs £40 (see 4.5a)
• Jane Smith, widow of late son Richard Smith £19 19s (see 4.4)

Also mentioned in the will were:-

• Friend and Executor John Mills of Headley, carpenter (a neighbour)
• Friend and Executor Richard Hearsey of Greatham, yeoman (a distant cousin; grandson of Hannah Hearsey nee Smith. See 2.8)
• Witness John Tull who was married to Jane Tull nee Cole, sister of John Smith's deceased daughter-in-law Elizabeth Smith nee Cole. John Tull was Anthony's 'Uncle T', and his family occcupied Chase Farm with Mary Cater in 1841 (see 9.3 & 12.3)
• Witness John Montague Evans
  

NOTE: Of John’s eleven children only seven; Mary, Lydia, Sophia, George, Ann, Eli and deceased son Richard were mentioned. For an unknown reason daughter Dinah Nunns nee Smith was not mentioned, but all the others were presumably deceased (date in brackets) and had no offspring. They were John Smith (c1837), Lydia (1775 as infant) and Anthony Smith (c1837)

6.2 Chase Farm, Tulls Lane, Standford

The farm was probably purchased by GGGGGF John Smith soon after his marriage to Mary Chase in 1766. In fact it may have been named after John’s wife’s surname. All but the first of John’s eleven children from his two marriages were born on the farm and baptised in nearby Headley. John lived on the farm for over 70 years. In the early 1800’s John’s oldest surviving son Eli purchased a nearby property in Tulls Lane named Hatch Farm. The 1836 Poll of Headley listed GGGGGF John Smith (probably in his eighties) of 'Chase Farm'.

 

After GGGGGF John Smith died in 1840, the farm was occupied by widowed daughter Mary Cater nee Smith. After Mary died in 1846, ownership passed to GGGF Anthony Smith who had migrated to Australia in 1837. Anthony returned to England in 1847 to claim his inheritance and the farm was sold. At that time the farm was occupied by Anthony’s aunt Jane Tull nee Cole (sister of Anthony’s mother) and her husband John Tull (Uncle T). It seems that it was from their surname that the Lane became known as Tulls Lane.

 

More can be found about Chase Farm in the chapter on the Smith family properties (see 9.3) and in the chapter about GGGF Anthony Smith’s return to England 1746-1748 (see 14.5)

7.0 Five Children of GGGGGP John Smith (1745-1840) & Judith Bayley (1748-1822) See diagram at start of 4.0

John and Judith Smith nee Bayley were married at Headley in Oct 1777 and had at least five known children. John Smith had been married previously and had six children by his first wife; the eldest being eleven in 1777 (See 4.0 above). As with his first children, John named his next three children after family members. Eli b1757, Lydia b1748 and Anthony b1752 were all named after John’s siblings. We know Lydia was alive in the 1780’s and the other two were probably alive then too.

7.1 GGGGF Eli Smith (1781-1868)

Eli Smith was born on 16 Apr 1781 (from Anthony's letter) and baptised on 27 June 1781 at All Saints, Headley, by his parents John and Judith Smith. For more about his life see 8.0 below.

7.2 Lydia Smith (1783-1853)

Lydia Smith was baptised on 5 May 1783 at Headley, by her parents John and Judith Smith. She was named after a deceased half sibling from John's previous marriage, who had died as a child. At the age of 24 on 11 Nov 1807 Lydia married a possible distant relative named John Smith in Farnham (7 miles from Headley). Her brother Eli and sister Sophia Smith were witnesses. All participants signed their names. John Smith was probably born in Farnham in 1788 to John and Ann Smith.

John and Lydia Smith had at least six children, who were all baptised at St Andrews, Farnham. The children were Harriett Smith b1809, Elizabeth Smith b1811, John Smith 1814-1820, Elizabeth Smith b1816, Henry Smith b1818 and Caroline Smith b1820. The first born Elizabeth must have died as an infant. Lydia was 37 when she had her last child.

According to the baptism registrations, John Smith was working as a butcher from at least 1814 to 1816. By 1818 he was a 'hop planter' and by 1820 he been appointed as a 'high constable'. During the next decade John changed occupation again. In 1821-1822 John was listed on the electoral register as living at Upper Hale, in 1825-1826 at Badshot Lea and the 1829 tax records listed him as an owner and occupier of a house and land at Compton. All locations are on the outskirts of Farnham and just a few miles apart. Lydia’s father died in 1840 and she was one of the beneficiaries of his will.

In 1841 John Smith 50 yeoman and wife Lydia were still living at Comptom Common, Farnham (This was probably in the vicinity of Compton Way) and all their children had left home. From 1840 to 1849 the electoral register listed John Smith living in freehold houses at Compton and from 1850 to 1856 at Badshot with son Henry as a tenant at Compton Common. In 1850 son Henry a 32 year old widowed labourer of Compton married Mary Ann Winch from Bighton, who was listed as being a minor (the age of consent was 21). The marriage took place at Farnham. John Smith was listed as a yeoman. Witnesses were James and Frances Harmsworth. By 1861 son Henry was a publican at Abbey Clock Public House, Compton and in 1871 he was also a landowner.

On 7 Sep: 1847 nephew GGGF Anthony Smith drove with his father GGGGF Eli to Farnham, they met legatees ("relations, one of them an uncle whom I had not seen for 12 or 14 years [c1835] got my business settled with those lawyers and the money paid down - an important day this". Anthony's uncle, John Smith b1785 was married to GGGGF Eli's sister, Lydia Smith b1783. They lived in Farnham in the 1840’s. Lydia inherited an annuity from her father’s will when it was finalised in 1847.

In 1851 John Smith 60 year old bailiff and Lydia Smith 62 were living at Badshot on the outskirts of Farnham. Lydia Smith, a resident of Badshot aged 69, was buried in St Andrews, Farnham on 8 Aug 1853. Her family were possibly farming Badshot Farm, a few miles out of Farnham.

The 1861 census entry tells us that the widowed John Smith, 72, was a visitor at the Crown Inn Public House in Badshot and lists his occupation as "formerly a butcher". John probably died in Farnham in the first half of 1865.

NB: Badshot Lea is on the outskirts of Farnham and about 13 miles from Bramshott near Headley

7.3 Anthony Smith (1784-c1810)

Anthony Smith was baptised on 23 Sep 1784 at All Saints, Headley, by his parents John and Judith Smith. He was an uncle to GGGF Anthony Smith who was named after him. Anthony b1784 appears to have never married and had no known children, as there are very few records relating to him. It was likely that he died young and certainly before 1840, because he was not mentioned in his father’s will.

There is a record for an Anthony Smith being buried in Headley on 22 Apr 1837. However the Headley Parish burial record indicates that this man was a resident of the workhouse aged 16. He was the illegitimate son of Sarah Smith born in the workhouse in 1820.

7.4 Sophia Smith (1788-1866)

Sophie Smith was baptised on 25 Mar 1788 at All Saints, Headley, by her parents John and Judith Smith. In 1807 Sophia was a witness at older sister Lydia's marriage, when she signed her name.

At the age of 23, Sophia Smith married Charles Elstone 31 from Bramshott on 28 Nov 1811. Sophia's brother Eli Smith was one of the witnesses. All parties signed their names. Charles Elstone and some of his offspring were grocers at Bramshott. Over the next two decades Charles and Sophia had at least 10 children; Elizabeth Elstone 1813, Charles Elstone 1814, Elizabeth Elstone 1817, John 1823, William 1823 and George Elstone 1823, Edwin Cater Elstone 6 Jan 1824, Sophia Elstone 1827, Mary Ann Elstone 1831 and Thomas Elstone early 1833. There appear to be one set of triplets all baptised on same date, 27 Mar 1823, but they were probably born in 1819, 1821 and 1823 respectively and baptised together later. A late baptism (two years late) also happened with their youngest son. Some children had the same name (William b1823 and Elizabeth b1813), so the earlier born children must have died in infancy. Interestingly, one child was given the middle name ‘Cater’, which was the married surname of Sophia’s step-sister Mary Cater nee Smith b1766.

Their youngest son Thomas Gilbert Elstone was born in 1833 when Sophia was 45. For an unknown reason he was baptised sometime later in 1835, at the Farnham Bible Christian Mission. The edited text reads "Thomas Gilbert the son of Charles Elstone on Bramshott, grocer and draper and of Sophia his wife, who is the daughter of John and Judith Smith was born on 12 Mar 1833... was baptised". 

In 1841, Charles 56 year-old draper, and Sophia Elstone 45 were living in Bramshott with children; Elizabeth Elstone 23, Mary Ann Elstone 12, William Elstone 15 and Thomas Elstone 8. Sophia inherited an annuity from her father’s will when it was finalised in 1847.

In 1851, Charles Elstone, 70 year-old grocer and draper, was living in Bramshott with daughters Elizabeth 30 and Mary Ann 18, but wife Sophia 62 was visiting unmarried younger brother George Smith 61 at his home 30 miles away in Harmoor, Tilehurst, Berkshire.

By 1861 Sophia was back with her husband in Bramshott and living with son Edwin, who had become a grocer and draper like his father and had expanded into the bakery business. Charles Elstone died in 1861 and Sophia Elstone nee Smith died at the age of 77 in 1866. Both deaths were registered at Farnborough.

Notes about Children of Charles Elstone & Sophia Smith
i) Elizabeth Elstone 1813-1855 Died as a spinster in Conford, Bramshott. Was a witness at brother Charles' wedding.
ii) Charles Elstone 1814-1876, draper (son of Charles Elstone, draper) married Ann Windebank at Guildford in 1844. Sister Elizabeth was a witness.
iii) Elizabeth Elstone (1817-?) No baptism record but 1841 and 1851 census records list her living in the family home at the ages of 23 and 30 respectively. Not to be confused with Elizabeth Elstone baptised by Henry and Ann Elstone in 1821 at Bramshott. No more is known.
iv) John Elstone (1819-?) Baptised in 1823 but probably born in 1819. Not to be confused with John Elstone baptised in 1825 by Henry and Ann Elstone or John baptised in 1826 by Richard and Charlotte Elstone; both at Headley. No more is known
v) William Elstone (1821-1885) Marriage and death records indicate a birth in 1821. By 1851 William had moved to Lewes where he was an assistant tea dealer. In 1862 William married Mary Elizabeth Lee at Westminster. Both William and his father were listed as tea dealers, but in the 1871 census he was described as a grocer at Chichester. Died at Chichester in 1885. Probate on William’s will was granted to brother Thomas Gilbert Elstone and the notice describes William as a gentleman.
vi) George Elstone (1823-?) not to be confused with George Elstone baptised by Henry and Ann Elstone in Headley in 1823 who married Jane Allen at Bramshott in 1846. No more known.
vii) Edwin Cater Elstone (1824-1903) grocer, married Mary Ann Chandler b1838 (daughter of farm bailiff William Chandler) in 1864 at Farnborough. They had eight children all born in Bramshott and lived there until the early 1900’s. Edwin died in Petersfield in 1903.
viii) Sophia Elstone (1827-1909) Sophia never married and died at Farnham in 1909.
ix) Mary Ann Elstone (1830-1911) Married Charles Hopkins, grocer in 1860 and settled in Chichester. Their five children were all born in Chichester. Mary Ann Hopkins nee Elstone died at Chichester in 1911 aged 82.
x) Thomas Gilbert Elstone (1833-1888) Thomas married Sophia Strutt in 1874 at Seven Oaks, Kent. By 1881 he was a widowed grocer in Brighton and was listed in Kelly’s Directory of 1882. He became an innkeeper and died at the Isle of Wight aged 54. He must have married a second wife because the probate record named his widow as Caroline Elstone.

NOTE: The Bible Christian Mission was established in Farnham around 1830. Like many members of the Smith family and other branches of our family tree, Charles and Sophia preferred the teachings of the independent churches to the established Church of England and had their last son baptised in that faith in 1835. In 1840 the Rev J. Moss was ordained as an evangelist in Surrey. He may have been part of the Moss family that were another branch of our family tree.

7.5 George Smith (1789-1865)

George Smith was baptised by parents John and Judith Smith at Headley on 28 Aug 1789. GGGGGM Judith Smith nee Bailey was 41 when she had George; her last baby. Not much is known about George’s life, except that he became a builder/bricklayer, never married and moved to Essex (90 miles from his birthplace) later in life. After his father’s death in 1840, George inherited £200 when the will was finalised in 1847. He has not been found on the 1841 census.

In 1851 unmarried George Smith 61 retired builder was living with his sister Sophie Elstone nee Smith 62. Strangely Sophia is described erroneously, as either a widow or unmarried. She was likely on a temporary visit, as she returned to her husband and home before the next census. Both were described as annuitants, which meant they were in comfortable circumstances and could live by their own means in retirement.

In 1861 unmarried George Smith 71 was a retired mason living alone in Debden Rd, Saffron Wolden, Essex. George Smith died at Saffron Wolden in Essex in 1865 with the death registered in March of that year.

8.0 GGGGF Eli Smith (1781-1868)

Eli was baptised on 27 Jun 1781 at Headley, Hampshire to farmer John Smith b1745 and his wife Judith Bayley (1748-1822). He grew up on the family property named Chase Farm in Tulls Lane. He had at least two younger brothers, named Anthony and George and two sisters named Lydia and Sophia, as well as five older step siblings (see above). Brother Anthony Smith was baptised on 23 September 1784 and was possibly buried in 1816 at Ropley. Eli named his first son GGGF Anthony Smith after his brother in 1816.

It seems that Eli was the eldest surviving son and jointly ran the farm with his father until he was able to purchase his own property, which he probably did in the early 1800’s prior to his first marriage. The first property he purchased was named Hatch Farm and was very close to his father’s property in Tulls Lane.

8.1 GGGGF Eli Smith's First Family

On 26 Jun 1815 Eli (aged 34) married GGGGM Elizabeth Cole (just turned 19) at St Mary’s Church, Portsea, Hampshire. Witnesses to the marriage were Elizabeth Leach and (according to some family trees) an unknown member of the Smith family. This was probably Eli’s stepsister Ann Jacob nee Smith who lived at Portsea with her family from the early 1800’s. In fact, sister Ann was married in the same church as Eli 14 years earlier. At the age of 19 Elizabeth Cole would have needed her father’s consent to marry, but as her parents were both deceased, she would have needed consent from another relative; perhaps an older brother or sister. Around 11 months later in Jun/July 1816 the couple had their only child, GGGF Anthony Smith (named after his uncle). Tragically, Anthony’s young mother, GGGGM Elizabeth Cole, died a few weeks later.

GGGGM Elizabeth's gravestone also included her husband's parent’s names. It reads:

"Sacred to the memory of / Elizabeth / wife of Eli SMITH / who died in childbed / July 3, 1816 / aged 20 years / also / Judith SMITH / who departed this life / March 1, 1822 / aged 74 years / also / John SMITH / who departed this life / July 28, 1840 / aged 98 years / Behold the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed / be the name of the Lord; for with Thee is the well of / life, and in Thy light shall we see light"

For more about GGGGM Elizabeth Cole and her ancestors see 11.0 below.

8.2 GGGGF Eli Smith's second Family

Four years after his first wife's death, Eli, 38, widowed 'yeoman' married his much younger second wife Elizabeth Paice 26 (1794-1842) spinster, on 1 Apr 1820 at Yateley, Hampshire. (Yateley was 18 miles from Headley). Elizabeth had been born on 2 Nov 1794 and baptised at Yateley on 28 Nov 1794. Her parents were Edward Paice, yeoman of Yateley and Ann Allden of Aldershot (married 1786). Both signed their names. Elizabeth had at least one sister; Ann Paice b1787 who was born in Aldershot, but no known brothers.

GGGGF Eli and his second wife Elizabeth had ten children, who were half siblings to GGGF Anthony Smith. They were Caroline Smith, born 1820 and baptised 21 January, 1821, Jane Smith , baptised 15 December, 1822, William Smith, baptised 13 September, 1824, John Smith, baptised 15 October, 1826, Emma Smith, baptised 9 November, 1828, Alfred Smith, baptised 5 September, 1830, Eli Smith, baptised 20 July, 1832, Elizabeth Smith 22 Apr 1834, George Smith 1836 and Mary Ann Smith 1837.

The family continued to occupy Hatch Farm, Headley, where Eli was a 'well-to-do' farmer, "who was one of the inhabitants, and rateable for the 'Maintenance of the Poor', of the parish of Headley." Over the years he purchased more properties, so by the 1830’s he farmed and or leased out Hatch Farm, Hatch House Farm, Headley Farm and eventually he took over his father’s property Chase Farm. Eli earned income from his own farming operations and also from tenants who leased some of his land. In addition to employing labourers to help run the farm, Eli most likely also had servants, who would have helped run his household.

In 1830, economic conditions in southern England had deteriorated so much, that riots started breaking out in many of the rural towns. The passage below from www.gravelroots.net/families describes an incident at the farm, "The tenants of Eli and the other local farmers wanted to hire the local poor at 6 shillings per week and have the ratepayers subsidise their wages so that they were comparable with the wages the poor could get working on the roads and elsewhere at 8 shillings or more. The farm owners, including Eli, said that if that happened they would go broke. Apparently at the time the poor were complaining of mistreatment and were 'a mob under a red, white and yellow flag' according to the farm owners. The farm owners had heard of no mistreatment!" (See 8.3 below for more details of this incident)

Eli must have been looking for 'opportunities' and joined with partner William Warren at some time in the mid-1830's; probably to build or run a business related to a nearby water mill. Oldest son GGGF Anthony Smith aged 21 (from Eli's first marriage) migrated to South Australia on the ship 'Katherine Stewart Forbes' sailing from Gravesend on 27 July 1837.

In the late 1830's GGGGF Eli Smith decided it was time to move. This may have been because William Warren wanted to bring his sons into the mill business or may have been because Eli saw opportunities further afield. "At first [William] Warren was in partnership with Eli Smith a farmer but in 1838 [he] became the occupier of Hammer and Hatch farms as well as the mill. In 1852 he took his sons George Roe Warren and Andrew Warren into partnership and the firm became known as Wm Warren & Sons. A member of the family still lives at Hatch Farm and holds many interesting records and artifacts of the mill." (www.johnowensmith.co.uk)

Another reason for Eli moving from Headley, at least in part, may have been a result of the dramatic incident that occurred eight years earlier that became known as the 'Headley Riots'. From the court records we know that Eli was present, and the ramifications from that event may have had an impact on him or his family.

8.3 The Headley Riots (from http://www.headley-village.com/)

In the year 1830, a mob several hundred strong attacked the workhouse in Selborne, Hampshire, turned out the occupants, burned or broke the fittings and furniture, and pulled down the roof. The next day an even larger mob, did the same to the workhouse at Headley, some seven miles away. The parsons in both villages were coerced into promising to reduce by half the income they took from tithes. Less than a month later, at a special court hearing in Winchester attended by no less a person than the Duke of Wellington, nine local men were sentenced to transportation, and all but one sailed for Australia in the Spring of 1831 never to return. According to the historians J.L. & Barbara Hammond, 'If these riots had succeeded, the day when the Headley workhouse was thrown down would be remembered ...[in the same way] as the day of the taking of the Bastille.' Had the incident got further out of hand, it could have changed the course of English History.

Background to the riots
In summary, successive poor harvests meant farmer's incomes had dropped and as a result they reduced their workforce and cut wages to their workers. The demands on parish funds had increased, due to higher than usual unemployment, and taxes and tythes had not been reduced in line with the lower incomes. To discourage numbers trying to access Poor (or Work) Houses (for the destitute), paupers were brought together to live in larger buildings which were purposely made to be cheerless and uncomfortable. In these, families would be segregated by sex and a tough regime adopted. Residents could not go out or see visitors without the permission of the Master, who was often running the workhouse on a franchise basis to make a living for himself and his family. As conditions worsened, frustration and anger rose not only among the poor and workers, but also farmers who also were finding conditions [taxes and tythes] untenable.

The main target of the anger was the Church tithes, but the church would not give up its traditional income willingly. The only way that hard-pressed parishioners could see of achieving their aim was by using force of numbers, and as a result many vicars and rectors in the south of England were 'mobbed' during the 1830 disturbances, usually with labourers to the fore and farmers and other tax-paying tradesman urging them on from behind. When angry 'mobs' formed they mainly vented their anger on the workhouses which were operated by the church.

The Selbourne Mob Arrives
After the Selbourne riot, the mob arrived at Standford. Estimates vary between several hundred and more than a thousand, but it is certain that the mob marched up Tulls Lane (past the Smith's Hatch Farm) and along Liphook Road into Headley. They had a kind of a red, or a red, white and yellow flag on a pole, according to a Headley farmer Eli Smith, who was with them. The mob halted outside the gates of the Poor House. Mr Shoesmith tried to argue his case saying, "If any person can say I have acted unfairly by any poor man, let it be revenged on me, not on the house," and Eli Smith confirmed later that he himself had 'never heard any complaint of ill-treatment of any of the paupers in Headley Workhouse.' Smith claimed that he was only there because he had been pressed to do so, and said to Shoesmith, 'I have done all in my power to try to dissuade them from doing this, but I have not succeeded'."

NOTE: In the subsequent trials of the rioters, some were sentenced to transportation to Australia and at least two were executed.

8.4 Eli Smith’s life at Hatch Farm, Standford

By standards of the time, Eli Smith was quite a wealthy man and his family would have lived quite comfortable lives. However, it must be remembered that his wealth was tied up in farming properties and his income was completely dependent on climatic and social conditions at the time, as well as his ability to run his properties using effective and efficient practices. As described above, agriculture suffered a severe blow in the years prior to 1830, when harvests were poor and prices for produce low. At the same time Eli’s costs remained the same; payments to workers, blacksmiths and other tradesmen, taxes etc all had to be paid. In addition to this, he had a large family of growing children to feed, clothe and educate (governesses, tutors or small private schools were paid to provide education). The family lived comfortably, but life was not without its worries and pressures and it all required work and good management.

8.5 Eli Smith’s life at Selham Farm, West Sussex

Around 1837, Eli 57 sold his interest in Hatch Farm and the other properties to William Warren, and with the proceeds, moved his family to Manor Farm in Selham, Sussex (a distance of about 12 miles and not far from Stedham, the birthplace of his mother, Judith Bayley). (See photo below) Selham Farm was also known as Manor Farm and Selham Manor Farm. Eli's new property, part of the Cowdray Estate, was about 300 acres – quite large for England. Compared to the village-like environs of Headley, the Selham property was much more 'open country'. The new farm consisted of a farmhouse, barns and three cottages and required the employment of a workforce of a dozen or more labourers. His last daughter was born at Selham; Mary Anne Smith was baptised at Selham on August 22, 1837.

In 1841 GGGGF Eli Smith 55 (really 59) was living at Selham Farm along with his wife Elizabeth Smith nee Paice 45 and seven of his children; Caroline Smith 20, Jane Smith 15, John Smith 14, Emma Smith 12, Alfred Smith 10, Eli Smith jnr 5 and Mary Smith 3. There appears to have been a mix-up between son Eli and Elizabeth. Eli was listed with Elizabeth's age when he should be 8. Either, daughter Elizabeth was staying elsewhere, or her name was left off. (In that census, ages of adults were rounded down). Also living on the farm were four labourers and one servant. The following year Elizabeth Smith nee Paice died at the age of 46 and was buried at Selham on the 16 Sep 1842. Her death was registered at Midhurst; the same place that Eli's death was later registered. Eli, widowed twice, was left to look after his family alone, including two of his children under ten years old. His older daughters would have been a great help. Eli was listed in Kellys Directory 1845 as "Selham Gentry- Eli Smith, farmer".

After a very long sea voyage which began in Nov 1846, oldest son GGGF Anthony returned to England from Australia to visit his father and half siblings and to collect his inheritance on the death of his grandfather (GGGGGF John Smith b1748). Anthony arrived at Selham Farm on 3 May 1847 and left again on 8th Nov to return to his wife and family in Australia. He would not see his father again. See 14.5 for an account of the visit and Anthony's interactions with his father and siblings.

By 1851 more children had left home. GGGGF Eli Smith 68 widowed farmer was still living at Selham farmhouse. He was running a farm of 253 acres and employed 13 men. Also living in the house were five of his unmarried children; Caroline Smith 39, Emma Smith 22, Eli Smith 18, Elizabeth Smith 16 and Mary Smith 13 and four servants. During the early 1850’s three more of his sons decided to try their luck on the Australian Goldfields. Sons John and William would never see their father again, but son Alfred returned to Selham Farm after more than a decade in Australia. The 1852 Post Office Directory listed Eli Smith, farmer and Edward Gadd, miller of Lodge Hill (called Lodge Bridge Mill in 1855). Kelly’s directory of 1855 listed Edward Gadd, miller and Eli Smith as living at 'Selham Farm', providing evidence of Eli's involvement in running a mill after they moved to Sussex. Edward Gadd was to later marry Eli's daughter Emma Smith. (See 13.6).

At the time of the 1861 census, Eli was 80. Living at the farm of 210 acres were his daughter Emma 33, his son Eli Junior 28, daughter Mary 23 and granddaughter Mary Jane aged 4. There were also a foreman and five servants, which indicate the Smiths were living in some comfort.

GGGGF Eli Smith died in early 1868 aged 87 with his death registered at Midhurst, Sussex (EDI). He was buried with his second wife at Selham with the following inscription on the gravestone

In memory of Eli Smith. Died 1 Feb 1868 Age 87
In memory of Elizabeth Smith wife. Died 16 Sept 1842 Age 46
My children dear left behind
To trim your lamp be sure mind and with your oil prepare to go.
The Lord will call for you also

9.0 Smith Family Properties in Hampshire & Sussex

At least six properties in Hampshire and Surrey are associated with the Smith family

9.1 Greatham Mill

Eli’s grandfather GGGGGGF William Smith operated the Greatham Mill and his family probably occupied the associated Mill House. Rod Gilbert writes in YAS “the mill was transferred to William in December 1769 which was the year that his last daughter was baptised in Greatham, but in fact, William must have been there before that date as he was described as being 'of Greatham' when he married Anne Carter at Newton Valence in 1734. Perhaps he worked at the Mill and owned one of the cottages before being in a position to be able to buy/lease the Mill, but we can be sure that John Smith, father of Eli and grandfather of Anthony, spent his formative years at the cottage, mill and old Church.”

9.2 The Headley Area

There are many records providing details about four properties occupied by the Smith family in the Headley area. The website www.johnowensmith.co.uk/headley/ has extracts from a handwritten ledger titled 'Valuation of the Parish of Headley by Mr Cull & Mr Comely, 1822', which lists the properties associated with Eli Smith. These were the first three properties below:-

A) Headley Farm [on the Openfields/ Church Lane site?] Eli Smith, occupier of the following parcels of land (acreage in brackets); Homestall Dry Meadow at Lindford (5), Water Meadow, Lindford (5), Curtis's field (5), Foot Path field (4), Four Acres (3) ditto by Mill Lane (4), Barn field (5). Total 21 acres. Cottages on the Farm, Mrs Fry & Mrs Street, occupiers (0).

B) Chase Farm, Eli Smith, occupier of the following parcels of land; Water Hole field (5), Kiln field (2), Great Marl field (2), Garden field (3), Little Marl field (2), Turf House field (4), Orchard (0), Homestall (0). Total 21 acres. Cottage on the Farm Homestall occupied by [GGGGGGF] John Smith (0); Homestall occupied by John Hack (2)

C) Hatch Farm, late Ellis’s, Eli Smith, occupier Six Acres (6), Little Three Acres (3), Further Three Acres (3), Barn field (5), Pasture (2), Water Meadow (3), Further Meadow (4), Kiln field (6), West Lands (6), Homestall (0) Total 31 acres.

D) Hatch House Farm, Headley Rd, Lindford. There are two old properties that incorporate the name "Hatch" today; 'Hatch Farm' in Standford, on Tulls Lane, near the ford, and 'Hatch House Farm' on Headley Road, Lindford. Both properties have heritage listed buildings. Eli does not seem to have resided at Hatch House Farm. He used the land for farming purposes and rented out the dwellings.

The entries above show that Eli expanded the family's farming operations to include four farms in the same vicinity including his father's farm (Chase Farm), where his father (GGGGGF John Smith lived until his death in 1840. For much more detail about the Smith family properties and photos of the farmhouses see below and ‘YAS’, by Rod Gilbert

9.3 Chase Farm, Tulls Lane, Standford

 The farm was probably purchased by GGGGGF John Smith soon after his marriage to Mary Chase in 1766. In fact, it may have been named after John’s wife’s surname. John lived on the farm for over 70 years and his children were born on the farm and baptised in nearby Headley. John and his second wife Judith also raised grandson GGGF Anthony Smith at the farm. In the early 1800’s John’s oldest surviving son Eli purchased an adjacent property in Tulls Lane named Hatch Farm and late added other nearby properties to the ‘Smith Landholdings’.

Over the years GGGGGF John Smith employed many servants and labourers to help him run the farm. The Headley Parish records list some of the people who were born at, or died at Chase Farm. Jane Chandler nee Robinson 27 (b1802 and wife of John Chandler b1799) died at Chase Farm in 1829 and in 1832 Eliza White was baptised by her parents, who resided at Chase Farm.

The 1836 Poll of Headley listed GGGGGF John Smith (probably in his eighties) of 'Chase Farm'. By this time though, son Eli had taken over management of the farm. After GGGGGF John Smith died in 1840, the farm was occupied by widowed daughter Mary Cater nee Smith.

By 1841 residents of Chase Farm were listed as John Tull 50 year old farmer, Jane Tull 50, Edwin Tull 15 and Samuel Tull 14 living with Mary Cater nee Smith 70 of independent means. Mary inherited the farm from her father on his death in 1840 and as a 70 year old, she needed help with the farm. Jane Tull nee Cole was a sister-in-law to Mary’s brother Eli; and as such, part of Mary’s extended family. Mary died in 1846 and tragedy hit the Tull family in Feb 1847, when son Henry Tull died at Chase Farm at the age of 23. It seems that it was from their surname that the Lane became known as Tulls Lane.

After Mary died in 1846, ownership passed to GGGF Anthony Smith, who had migrated to Australia in 1837. Anthony returned to England in 1847 to claim his inheritance and visited his childhood home. He wrote about his visits to ‘Uncle T’ [John Tull] and his aunt Jane on the farm (See diary entries below in 14.6). Anthony sold the property in 1847 ending over 80 years of Smith ownership. After the farm was sold, John and Jane Tull nee Cole migrated to Canada with their three surviving sons, and the West family moved in prior to 1849, when their daughter Mary West was born at the farm.

The 1851 Census indicates that, Chase Farm was occupied by William West a 39 year old labourer and his wife Frances and their family. The West family were still living there in 1861 when residents were listed as William West 47, Frances West 37, Eliza West 18 rag sorter (for paper mill), Jane West 14, William West 13, Mary West 11 and Charles West 8. Occupying another cottage on the farm were Thomas Moss 60 year old carpenter and Jane Moss and their two sons.

In 1871 Chase Farm cottages were occupied by Edward Benham, 50 year-old millwright, wife Jane Benhem nee Hearsey and their family, unmarried lodger Sarah Ede 68, 62 year old widow Martha Cathery and unmarried lodger Charles Bridger 68. In 1881 living at Chase farm were George and Betsy Hall and their two children and George and Sarah Adams and their two sons. In 1891 Chase Farm was not listed in the census, but living in Tulls Lane next to the Warrens (at Hatch Farm) were the families of Richard Tilbury, a 28 year-old farmer, and Walter Small 32 year-old labourer and Matilda Small nee Carpenter and their two children. A decade later in 1901 Richard Tilbury and his family were still living in Chase Farm, Tulls Lane, but Walter and Matilda Small had moved to Holywater.

 

In 1911, Chase Farm, Tulls Lane was occupied by Samuel Small 28 and Louisa Ellen Small 27 and their four children. The census indicates that their cottage had 5 rooms counting the kitchen, but not including smaller rooms like bathrooms. Another cottage was occupied by blacksmith Alfred Humphrey, his wife Annie Humphrey and their three children. Their cottage had six rooms.

 

A recent listing on the web includes the following description; Farmhouse C16th: Tulls Farm, formerly Chase Farm, Tulls Lane, Standford. 2 storeys. Small-coursed stone blocks. Ridge tiled roof. Plain wood casements. Tile-hung gable towards road. Formerly two cottages. Casements on ground floor under segmented lintels; ridge tiled roof hipped to left, half-hipped to right. Simple boarded door and gabled porch. Stands at right angles with tile-hung gable towards road. Stone dates building as 1767, but structure probably C16th - date refers to joining of cottages into one dwelling. The Granary/Barn pictured above was probably used by GGGGGF John Smith for storing grains in his work as a maltser. The granery is listed in Joyce Stevens' list of heritage buildings.

9.4 Hatch Farm, Tulls Lane, Standford  

It appears the property was rented to a Mr Cleare according to 1774 rent roll lists. The listing describes the farm as 40 acres in Standford. John and Margaret/Mary Cleare baptised children at Headley in the 1770’s. Mary Cleare was buried at Headley in 1779. There is an entry in Headley Wills for a will and inventory of John Cleere, senior, yeoman of Hatch House buried on 4 September 1717, dated 1718, so it appears that the Cleare family held the property for most of the 1700’s.

 

Eli Smith probably purchased the property from a family with the surname ‘Ellis’ in the early 1800’s prior to his first marriage, and it was at Hatch Farm that his first child GGGF Anthony Smith was born in 1816. The Smith family are recorded in several documents as living and farming Hatch Farm and were listed as owners, with tenant farmers during the early 1800’s. The large family would certainly have needed the space of the large farmhouse. Eli and his family left Hatch Farm in 1838 and moved to Selham Farm, Sussex. Eli's son Anthony returned to England in 1847 and on 16th June 1847 dined with ‘G.R.W.’ at Bramshott, "in the home in which I was born (Hatch Farm), where I drew my first & she who bore me drew her last breath. O may we meet again." 'GRW' was George Roe Warren b1815 Midhurst, son of William Warren who took over Hatch Farm after the Smiths left.

The 1851 census listed George Roe Warren, wife Ann, four children and three servants living at the farm. A note says "The Firm of William Warren & Sons employs 29 men & 40 women in mills and 11 men & 2 women in farming and carting for the mills." The listing was much the same in the 1861 census, except that George was also listed as a Bible Christian preacher as well as a farmer of 170 acres. It seems his landholdings encompassed all of Eli’s former land and more. From 1851 until his death in 1892, George Roe Warren paper manufacturer, farmer and preacher was living at Hatch Farm, Tulls Lane, Headley. In 1901 son George Warren b1845, farmer, occupied Hatch Farm with wife Sarah Jane Warren nee Curtis (b1846 Standford) 54 and three children and servant, widow Annie Small 37 (all born in Headley except George).

In the 1911 census, Hatch Farm, Tulls Lane was occupied by George Warren 66 yeoman, Sarah Jane Warren 64 and their children George Lynton Warren 30, Percival John Warren 27. Also living in the house were a nephew and Edith Small a 21 year old servant. George Warren died of a stroke in 1918 at Standford and Sarah Jane Warren died in 1926 at Standford at the age of 80.

Ownership of Hatch Farm was passed on to Percival Warren, the son of George Warren b1845. Probate for the will of Percival John Warren of Hatch Farm, who died in Jan 1960 at the age of 76, was granted to his widow Kathleen and brother John Lynton George Warren, farmer.

A recent listing on the web describes Hatch Farm as follows: Farmhouse: Hatch Farm, Tulls Lane, Standford. 2 storeys. Stone structure with some tile hanging and exposed timbers, believed to be old ships timber brought from Portsmouth when Pepys was modernising the navy..... Timber roof. Sash and square-paned casement windows. C19th wing. A tributary of the River Wey flows through the cellar. The cellar, may at one stage been a mill, drawing power from the river beneath.

A modern real estate website provides the following information,"Hatch Farm, Tulls Lane, Headley Rd, Lindford. Est. value £3,466,000….. a charming 16th century farmhouse built of mellow stone and brick with part timbered elevations with oak mullion leaded light windows. The house benefits from a wealth of period features, including delightful inglenook fireplaces and wonderful oak joinery and panelling. This five-bedroom property with its separate cottage is set in approximately 20 acres."

"The house, which dates back to 1580, was once a working farm and is believed to have been part of the Headley Estate. [This term may be a collective term for GGGGF Eli’s four properties]…We [the estate agent] have a copy of the last Will & Testimony of a previous tenant farmer dated c1725 which provides a fascinating insight to the property all these years ago."

9.5 Hatch House Farm, Headley Rd, Lindford 

This was a much bigger property and comprised around 80 acres. Many of its fields abutted fields of Headley and Hatch Farms, also owned by Eli. When Eli acquired the farm is not known, but it was listed in his ownership in 1822. In 1836 he placed a ‘For Sale’ advert in the newspaper and this included a detailed description of the property. Interestingly several people associated with this property were very close to the Smith family. 

 

In 1822 Thomas Baker (1775-1832) was an occupier of Hatch House Farm. He was married to Mary Ann Tull, sister of John Tull (Anthony’s Uncle T), who later occupied Chase Farm (see above). Thomas Baker’s sister Sophia Baker married James Elstone brother of Charles Elstone, who married Eli’s sister Sophia Smith. Charles and Sarah Chandler nee Hunt settled at Hatch House Farm (H.H.) as tenants around 1818. Charles’ mother Hannah Chandler nee Cole 77 year old widow (b1745) died at H.H. in 1823. Children of Charles and Sarah who died at Hatch House farm included Jane Chandler infant 1829, Eleanor Chandler 1830 an infant and Eliza Chandler 1834 aged 17. In 1829 John Harris shoemaker and Elizabeth Harris were also living on Hatch House Farm in one of the cottages as tenants. Sarah Chandler nee Hunt died in 1830 at H.H. Farm aged 32 (after childbirth) and Charles Chandler died there in 1836 aged 50.

Eli Smith sold the property in the late 1830’s. The 1841 census listed Charles and Sarah Chandler nee Hunt’s son Charles Chandler 23 ag lab, Eliza Chandler nee Barnett 22 and Mary Chandler 1 living at Standford, probably in one of the cottages on Hatch House Farm. They were living next to Richard Knight, 25 year old farmer. On 17th Jun 1847 GGGF Anthony Smith wrote that he “went up to C.C’s and walked over his farm, spent the evening together at R.K’s [neighbour Richard Knight]. Returned home [CC’s] and slept at his house. Talked over old affairs.” By 1848 the Chandler family had moved on and the Bridger family moved onto the farm. From the 1850’s to his death in 1889 the family of Joseph Bridger from Liss, occupied Hatch House Farm, Lindford and farmed its 70 acres (later 200 acres). In 1891 the farm was occupied by Richard S Gardener 48 and Emma Gardener 48 and their large family. In 1901 The Gardener family were living next to Hatch House Farm which was occupied by John Warner 42, Mary Warner and their two sons. John Warner farmer was widowed in the early 1900’s, but he was still living at Hatch House Farm, Lindford in 1911 with two sons.

 

NOTE: An interesting fact is that Lulu and Maurice Gibb (of the Bee-Gees) lived at Hatch House Farm, Lindford in the 1970s (they were married 1969 and divorced in 1973). Today, the farm is on the outskirts of the town and is listed as a protected historic property, but there are still pressures to develop the surrounding land. In 2016 planning permission was refused “for the erection of 33 dwellings in a range of two storey buildings with accommodation in the roof space, comprising of detached, semi-detached and terraced houses and flatted blocks on land adjacent to Hatch House farm, Headley Road, Lindford ,Bordon, Hampshire GU25 0NZ”. (Richboroughestates website)

9.6 Mills around Headley (from www.weyriver.co.uk)  

At its peak there were at least a dozen watermills active at one time or another on the six mile stretch of the River Wey between Haslemere and Lindford. The Headley Mill was the last commercially working watermill. In the 1830's Eli Smith had a commercial interest in one of the mills and as a 'maltster' his father GGGGGF John may also have had an interest in the mills.

Bramshott Mill during the early 17th century operated as an iron mill known locally as the Bramshott Hammer. In 1690 this was converted to paper milling (John Smith was possibly the son of an earlier John who, with John Salter, is shown in the chronology as being a Papermaker at Bramshott Mill in 1711 and 1714. Hatch Farm was about two miles away). The Bramshott Mill House was burned to the ground by suffragettes in 1913 (This was long after the Smiths left but would be an interesting story!). Only the front steps and a garden wall remain. Another mill, this milling flour, was built in the 18th century at Bramshott and was converted to the Old Mill House, a private residence in the early 20th century. The house has retained some of the machinery, sluices and part of the millpond although the waterwheel was dismantled.

 
9.7 Selham Farm, West Sussex (After Eli Smith’s Death)

After Eli senior's death, son Alfred Smith 40 seemed to be in charge of the farm, employing eight men and four boys. In 1871 he was listed as head of the family and was living with brother Eli Smith 38. Interestingly Eli junior was listed next to his brother; above Alfred's wife Fanny Smith nee 26, which suggests there was a joint ownership of the farm by the brothers. Also living in the house were four servants.

On 21 June 1880, Alfred aged 49 died and was buried at the Selham Church. The following year in 1881 the census tells us that the farm's name had changed to Manor Farm and Eli Smith jnr 47 was farming 300 acres and employing nine labourers and three boys. Living in the house were widowed sister-in-law Fanny Smith 36 and nephews and nieces Annie Jane Smith 9, Frank Alfred Eli Smith 5, Kathleen Harriett Smith 2 and Elizabeth Gadd 14. Also in the house were a governess to look after the education of the children and a servant.

In 1891 the farm's name had reverted to Selham Farm and it was adjacent to several buildings called 'Selham Farm Cottages' (where many of the workforce lived). Eli Smith jnr 58 was listed as a farmer and living with widowed sister-in-law Fanny Smith 46, niece Annie Jane Smith 17 and nephew Frank Alfred Eli Smith 15. There was one domestic servant.

The farm was called 'Selham Manor Farm' in the 1901 census and had nine rooms including the kitchen. It was near two other houses; each called Selham Farm, which housed the families of men with the occupation 'cowman' (presumably working for Eli jnr). All buildings were in Selham Street. Eli Smith (jnr) 68 was listed as a farmer and employer, and lived with his sister-in-law Fanny Smith 56, his niece Annie J Smith 29, his nephew Frank A E Smith 25 and niece Kathleen H Smith 22. The farm is nortjhwest of Selham in the above map.

After Eli Smith junior died on 20 Dec 1909, the 1911 census shows that brother Alfred's son Frank A E Smith (grandson of Eli Senior) took over the farm, with the address listed as Selham Manor Farm, Petsworth. The occupants in 1911 were Frank Alfred Eli Smith 35 unmarried, his widowed mother Fanny Smith nee Palmer 66 and unmarried sisters Annie Jane Smith 38 and Kathleen Smith 32. Frank's occupation was 'farmer' and he was an employer, so had paid help. The farmhouse was described as having nine rooms (excluding minor rooms) and the address was given as Selham Manor Farm, Petsworth. Fanny Smith nee Palmer died on April 13 1922, aged 77. She was buried with her husband Alfred at St James, Selham. There is an engraved headstone marking the grave (see above).

Alfred Smith's son, Frank Alfred Eli Smith b1875, married Hilda Mary Bartlett in 1923, and does not seem to have had any children. He died on 4 December 1943 and was the last male of this branch of the Smith family, which had run Selham Farm for 105 years.

Frank was buried at Selham Church. In addition to the memorial plaque below,  there is another plaque on the nearby fence with this inscription: “This plot of ground is given to the very dear memory of Frank A.E Smith church warden of this parish from 1900-1943”. (Information supplied by Les Smith) 

Probate for Frank, farmer of Manor Farm, Sussex was granted to Leslie George Gadd (b1905 Midhurst) with Frank's effects valued at £18,544. Leslie was the son of Frank's cousin Alfred Eli Gadd b1865 (who was son of Edward Gadd and Emma Smith). Frank was buried near his parents in St James Cemetery along with his own wife.

Alfred Smith's daughters (Frank’s sisters) seem to have never married. Nothing more is known of Annie Jane Smith b1872, but she may have died in Chelsea, London in 1920 at the age of 48. Unmarried daughter, Kathleen Harriet Smith (b1879 Midhurst), died under mysterious circumstances in 1949 at the age of 70. The probate record states that "Kathleen Harriet Smith of Sunray, Carron Lane, Midhurst, Sussex, spinster, who was last seen alive on the 2nd April 1949 and whose dead body was found on 24 Apr 1949 [less than two miles from her home] at Midstead, Midhurst ....." The value of the deceased's effects was £21,458. Hilda Mary Smith nee Bartlett died in 1987.

9.8 Selham Manor Farm in Recent Times

 

Modern Address: Manor Farm, Selham Road, Petworth, West Sussex. Aerial photo above.

In February 2010, James Packer won approval from Chichester District Council for a 327 acre polo complex to be built at 'Manor Farm' on land owned by Lord Cowdray. Mr Packer planned to build his polo centre in the sleepy west Sussex village of Selham, just 8km from the complex that his father Kerry built in the 1980s. The tiny village has no shops, a centuries-old church and one of the smallest pubs in Sussex, the Three Moles Inn, and locals say the multi-million-dollar project could change the sleepy tone of the area, which is in England's premier polo territory.

Plans that Mr Packer's aides have outlined to the Chichester District Council indicate that he wants to take a long-term lease on a dairy farm called Manor Farm and turn farming fields and hedgerows into two pitches. A heritage listed barn on the farm would be converted into stables and grooming areas and accommodation would be built. These buildings could well be the buildings occupied by the Smith family in the 1800's!

10.0 Chandler, Cole & Smith Families. How were they related? 

The Chandler, Cole, Pink and Smith families all lived in close proximity and the surnames appear in the family tree several times. There is uncertainty about the origins of the Chandler, Cole and Pink families because these surnames (like the Smiths) were very common in this part of Hampshire, so sorting out members of each family is very difficult; especially when individuals have the same forenames and lived in close proximity. However the following chronology makes sense. The diagram above shows the relationships between various families.

10.1 Thomas Chandler (1748-1814) & Hannah Cole (1745-1823)

Thomas Chandler was born in 1748 at East Worldham (6 miles from Headley) to Thomas and Ann Chandler. Hannah Cole was born to Richard Cole and Sarah Pink at Binstead (married 1738) in 1745. Both of these dates match Thomas and Hannah’s reputed age at death and the two locations are only three miles apart, so Thomas and Hannah would have known each other for a long time. Hannah’s siblings were Sarah Cole 1739-1739, John Cole 1743-1818, Thomas Cole 1747-?, Sarah Cole 1752-?, William Cole 1752-? and Mary Cole 1754-? The siblings were baptised at East Worldham, Binstead, and Kingsley. All these hamlets are very close, so the family probably moved a few miles from time to time, to take up work. As young adults, Thomas and Hannah probably moved a few miles to the Headley Parish for the same reasons, and romance blossomed. Thomas Chandler (1748-1814) married Hannah Cole (1745-1823) at Headley on 7 Mar 1770. They were both of the Headley Parish.

NOTE: It is possible that Hannah Chandler nee Cole was a sister of Anthony’s grand-father William Cole c1752, because she had a brother with that name born in that year. This would make Anthony and both Charles Chandlers mentioned below, distant cousins, and would help explain the closeness of the Chandler, Cole and Smith families over several generations. This is an alternative ancestry to the one I have explored in chapter 11.0. Further research is needed.

Thomas Chandler and Hannah Cole had at least nine children baptised in Headley. The children were;

i. Sarah Chandler 1770-1810 Married William Mills at Headley in 1797. Died at Headley.
ii. John Chandler 1771-1842. John 22 (really 25) a husbandman (farmer) of Worldham (the area where his father was born and perhaps inherited a property from his grandfather) married Frances Alberry 27 of Bramshott at Headley in 1796. Witness was Edward Elstone (b1777 of Bramshott; brother of Charles Elstone who married Sophia Smith in 1811). The wife of their son, John Chandler b1799, Jane Chandler nee Robinson (m.1822), died at Chase Farm in 1829. Interestingly there are two baptism records for son John in Jun 1799, with parents John and Frances Chandler, listed in both Headley and Kingsley Parishes. This seems to indicate that baby John was baptised in his parent’s home town then ten days later baptised in the home town of his great grandparents, Richard and Sarah Cole nee Pink.
iii. Martha Chandler 1773-1844 Martha had an illegitimate child in 1795 named Eleanor Chandler. In 1798 Martha married George Parfait, bricklayer. Witness was brother-in-law William Mills. They lived at Arford in 1816. Martha died at Headley. Daughter Eleanor was a witness at two of her uncles’ marriages (Thomas and Charles)
iv. Charlotte Chandler 1776-1844 married John Voller of Frensham in 1798 at Headley. Witness was brother-in-law George Tickner.
v. Hannah Chandler1777-1848. Married George Tickner of Farington at Headley in 1797. Witness was future brother-in-law George Parfait
vi. Thomas Chandler 1779-1849. Married Martha Stocker at Headley in 1813. Brother Richard and niece Eleanor Chandler were witnesses. Thomas and Martha’s children were (family abode at birth in brackets); Mary Ann Chandler 1815-? (Arford), William Chandler 1816-1887, Charles Chandler 1817-1895 (Headley), George Chandler 1819 (Arford), Harriett Chandler 1821-? (Arford), Thomas Chandler 1826-? (b.Lindford) and Arthur Chandler 1831-1897 (b.Lindford). (See more about their son Charles Chandler b1817 below)
vii. Richard Chandler 1781–1824. Was a witness to marriage of William Dillaway to Elizabeth Smith at Headley in 1803, and also at the marriages of his brothers Thomas and Charles in 1813 and 1814. Richard died at Lindford. No known marriage or children.
viii. Anne Chandler 1783-1850. Married James Gamblen, shoemaker in Headley in 1803. A witness was Elizabeth Elstone (b1763 Headley; older sister of Charles Elstone who married Sophia Smith in 1811).
ix. Charles Chandler 1786-1836. Married Sarah Hunt at Headley in 1814, witnessed by brother Richard b1781 and niece Eleanor Chandler b1795. Going by their listed abodes given at the baptism of their children, it seems that the family at first settled in Arford, but about 1818 moved to Hatch House Farm, Lindford. Sarah Chandler nee Hunt died in 1830 at H.H. Farm aged 32 (after childbirth) and Charles Chandler died there in 1836 aged 50.

Most of the Chandler siblings above could not sign their names. Hannah Chandler nee Cole was 40 when her last child was born. Thomas Chandler c1748 died at the age of 66 at ‘The Parsonage’ Headley on 16 Mar 1814. Hannah Chandler nee Cole 77 year old widow (b1745) died at Hatch House Farm in 1823.

10.2 Charles Chandler (1817-1895) & Eliza Barnett

Charles was baptised at Headley on 16 Aug 1817, the third child of parents Thomas Chandler b1779 and Martha Stocker. It seems the family moved to the Lindford area (Hatch House Farm, where their cousins were living) in the 1820’s and that is where the last two sons were born. An 1822 document confirms that his parents occupied a cottage at Hatch House Farm, Lindford during 1822. In the 1830’s Charles moved to Standford; possibly Hatch Farm. Charles was close in age to GGGF Anthony, and at least from 1826 until the time when Anthony left England in 1837, they lived in close proximity. They knew each other well and were probably good friends.

Charles Chandler b1817 labourer, married Eliza Barnett aged 20 in 1838 (sister of William Barnett b1812 see 13.4a) at Headley, Surrey. His listed abode was Standford and both he and Eliza signed their names. One of the witnesses was cousin George Gamblen b1819. Brother George Chandler b1819 also of Standford, was married on the same day, to Harriet Hearsey of Lindford (both were aged 19), and one of the witnesses was sister Mary Ann Chandler b1815. Harriett was the daughter of Thomas Hearsey.

Children born to Charles and Eliza Chandler nee Barnett, with family abode in brackets, were; Mary Ann Chandler 1839-1927 (Standford), Eliza Chandler 1841-1934 (Standford), Sarah Martha Chandler 1844-1927 (Standford), James Chandler 1846-1922 (Standford), Stephen Chandler 1848-1923 (Mill Chase, Deadwater), George Chandler 1850-1931 (Mill Chase), Levi Chandler 1852-1925 (Dead Water), Thomas Chandler 1855-? (Mill Chase), Harriet Chandler 1858-1939 (Mill Chase), Jane Chandler 1860-1937 and Henry Chandler 1863-1934.

The 1841 census listed Charles Chandler 23 ag lab, Eliza Chandler 22, Mary Chandler 1 and cousin Stephen Chandler 15 (b1821 Headley) ag lab living at Standford. They were living next to Richard Knight, 25 year old farmer. On 17th Jun 1847 GGGF Anthony Smith wrote that he “went up to C.C’s and walked over his farm, spent the evening together at R.K’s [neighbour Richard Knight]. Returned home [CC’s] and slept at his house. Talked over old affairs.”

The 1851 census listed the family living Headley parish (no specific address mentioned) as Charles Chandler 33, Eliza Chandler 51, Maryann Chandler 12, Eliza Chandler 10, Sarah Martha Chandler 7, James Chandler 6, Stephen Chandler 2 and Charles Chandler 6 months. Charles’ mother Martha Chandler nee Stocker died at Lindford in early 1861. From 1871 to at least 1881 the Chandler family were living less than one mile away in the Mill Chase/Deadwater,/Hollywater area (on the other side of Headley Rd). By 1891 Charles was a widower and at 74 he was living with his married daughter Harriet and her family in Hollywater. He died of old age and dropsy at Hollywater in 1895 aged 78.

10.3 Charles Chandler (1819-1891) & Harriet Blanchard

This Charles grew up with Anthony, but is probably not the one that Anthony recorded in his diary in 1847, because he was not a farmer and seems to have lived in Farnham and Headley during the 1840’s. He was a cousin of Charles Chandler b1817 in 10.3 above.

Charles was born at Hatch House Farm and baptised at Headley on 4 Jul 1819 by parents Charles b1786 and Sarah Chandler nee Hunt. They had been married at Headley in 1814 with witnesses uncle Richard Chandler b1781 and niece Eleanor Chandler b1795. Going by their abodes listed at the baptism of their children, it seems that Charles’ parents at first settled in Arford, but about 1818 moved to Hatch House Farm, Lindford. Charles’ grandmother Hannah Chandler nee Cole 77 year old widow (b1745) died at H.H. in 1823. Charles’ siblings who died at Hatch House farm include Jane Chandler infant 1829, Eleanor Chandler 1830 an infant, and Eliza Chandler 1834 aged 17.

In 1829 John and Elizabeth Harris were also living on Hatch House Farm in one of the cottages. John Harris was a shoemaker and he was the likely person who introduced Charles to the shoemaking trade and possibly took him on as an apprentice. A few months after the birth of her last child, Charles’ mother Sarah Chandler nee Hunt b1798 died at Hatch House farm in 1830 at the age of 32. In Mar 1836, Charles’ father Charles Chandler b1786 also died at Hatch House Farm at the age of 50. This meant that Charles junior was left to fend for himself at the age of 16. As the eldest known surviving son, he may have been expected to provide for all his siblings. By the late 1830’s he had moved 8 miles to the large town of Farnham to seek work.

By 1841 Charles was living and working as a shoemaker with John Figg and his family in Farnham. It is likely that Charles 20 had been working there since his father died. In 1841 there were two other apprentices, but John was listed as a qualified shoemaker. The facts above make it unlikely that Charles Chandler b1819 was ‘CC’, who Anthony referred to when he returned to England in 1847.

Unmarried and 31 in 1851, Charles b1819 was living with his widowed uncle James Gamblin (husband of deceased Aunt, Ann Chandler (1783-1850) in Headley (see 10.2viii above). He was working as a shoemaker like his uncle. In 1857 Charles 38 married Harriet Blanchard at Headley. Both signed their names. In 1861 Charles 41 was lodging at Headley with his 71 year old widowed father-in-law, farmer James Blanchard. Living with Charles was wife Harriet 37 (b1824 Headley) and two sons. From 1871 to 1881 Charles 50 shoemaker, Harriett 47, and sons Andrew b1858 and Hori b1860 and daughter Elizabeth b1862 were living at Lindford. A decade later, the 1891 census listed Charles 71 and Harriett 67 were living at Longcross, Headley with 34 year old single son Andrew. This census tells us that Charles was disabled, but does not specify in what way or for how long. Charles died of a stroke later that year and was buried at Headley at the age of 72.

10.4 The Warren Family from Devon

 

The website http://users.skynet.be/lancaster/Barnett.html has the following information. The Warren family was well known in Headley local history. Not only were they part of what became an increasingly important business enterprise, but they helped bring Methodism into the area. This family was founded by William Warren (b1787 Devon). His 20th century descendant, John Warren, Marion Warren's late husband, wrote a small book which can easily be ordered through John Owen Smith's website, called 'A River Runs By', which has more details about William Warren.

 William originally came from a family of papermakers in Devon. He married Elizabeth Roe in Midhurst in Sussex in 1811 and in 1815 was working at Bathford Mill in Somerset. They had four known sons; George Roe Warren b1815, Charles Warren b1817, William Warren b1819 and Andrew Warren b1821. In 1822 he took over Bramshott Mill. At first Warren was in partnership with Eli Smith, but in 1838 became the occupier of Hammer and Hatch Farms as well as the mill. He prospered and was soon making many different kinds of paper as well as doing his own printing. Eventually the mills employed more than 100 workers. Son George Roe Warren b1815 was a friend of Anthony Smith and he was mentioned several times in Anthony’s diary which covered Anthony’s brief return to England in 1847. In 1852 William Warren took his sons George Roe Warren and Andrew Warren into partnership and the firm became known as Wm Warren & Sons. William Warren died and was buried at Headley in 1860. Sons George Roe and Andrew Warren were granted probate.

George Roe Warren and members of his family took over management of Hatch Farm up until George’s death in 1892. In 1901, son George Warren b1845, farmer, occupied Hatch Farm with wife Sarah Jane Warren nee Curtis (b1846 Standford) 54, their three children and servant, Annie Small 37 widow. All were born in Headley except George.

In the 1911 census, Hatch Farm, Tulls Lane was occupied by George Warren 66 yeoman, Sarah Jane Warren 64 and their children George Lynton Warren 30 and Percival John Warren 27. Also living in the house were a nephew and Edith Small a 21 year old servant. George Warren died of a stroke in 1918 at Standford and Sarah Jane Warren died in 1926 at Standford at the age of 80.

Ownership of Hatch Farm passed on to Percival Warren b1884, the son of George Warren b1845 and great grandson of William Warren. Probate for the will of Percival John Warren of Hatch Farm, who died in Jan 1960 at the age of 76, was granted to his widow Kathleen and brother John Lynton George Warren, farmer. At the time of Percival’s death, Hatch Farm had been in possession of the Warren family for over 120 years. See also the chapter dealing with the history of Hatch Farm in 9.4 above.

11.0 GGGGM Elizabeth Cole (1795-1816) & her Ancestors 

Until recently, all we knew about Elizabeth Cole was the information contained on her marriage and death records. Rod Gilbert and Janet Woodger may have discovered who GGGGM Elizabeth Cole’s ancestors were. The following is largely based on material uncovered by Rod and Janet.

11.1 GGGGGP William Cole (1752-1813) & Mary Purchase (1757-1812)

Elizabeth Cole was the fifth child born to William and Mary Cole nee Purchase. When she married in 1796, at 19 she was considerably younger than her 34 year old husband Eli. Her father, William Cole had married Mary Purchase on 11 December 1777 at Exton, Hampshire. Mary Purchase had been baptized at Exton, on 11 July 1757, so was 20 (about the same age as daughter Elizabeth) when she tied the knot. Mary was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Purchase.

After their marriage at Exton, William and Mary settled at nearby Hinton Ampner (4 miles) where five children were born. These were William Smith Cole baptised 4 September 1781, Mary Cole baptised 17 Oct 1786, Jane Cole baptised 11 June 1788, Sarah Cole baptised 12 September 1791 and James Cole baptised 4 January 1795. In the late 1790’s William and Mary Cole moved 3 miles to East Meon, and that is where GGGGGM Elizabeth Cole was baptised. Elizabeth must have been born in mid-1796 as her gravestone says she was aged 20 at her death in early July 1816. At the time of Elizabeth’s birth the family may still have been at Hinton Ampner, but sometime after, the family moved 7 miles to East Meon, which may explain the late baptism. She was not baptised until 31 July 1799 at East Meon. Mother, Mary Cole nee Purchase, was 39 when her last child as born in 1796. The family eventually returned to Exton (6 miles) where two daughters were married and William and Mary were both buried. On the marriage of his daughter Jane Cole (b1788) in 1809, William’s occupation was given as ‘farmer, which indicated his family would have moved in the same social circle as Eli Smith.

Mary Cole, ‘wife of William’ died at the age of 53 and was buried at Exton on 18 Aug 1812. William Cole, a ‘widower’ was buried on 16 Feb 1813. William Cole was aged 61 when he died in 1813, giving a year of birth around 1752. Unfortunately, neither a baptism record nor a will has been found. GGGGGM Elizabeth Cole’s parents both died when she was a teenager. This may explain why she married at such a young age. Twenty-one was the age of consent and marriages under this age were not common. Without parents for support, a marriage was one solution for many young women.

12.0 Six Children of GGGGGP William Cole (1752-1813) & Mary Purchase (1757-1812)

Records relating to the lives of only the three youngest daughters have been found. It seems the other three children died young. Interestingly, there is a pattern of women in the Cole family marrying at a young age. GGGGGM Mary Purchase married William Cole at 19 and two of her daughters (Sarah and GGGGM Elizabeth) were the same age when they married. See the diagram above to show relationships in the Cole family.

12.1 William Smith Cole (1781-1781)

William was baptised on 4 September 1781 at Hinton Ampner and as the first son he was named after his grandfather and possibly a grandmother with the Smith surname. The baptism record notes that William was buried at Compton on September 9th of the same year.

12.2 Mary Cole (1786-1787)

Mary was privately baptised on 17 Oct 1786 at Hinton Ampner and later 'received' into the congregation on 20 July 1787. As the first daughter she was named after her mother. No more is known about her life but private baptisms were often held for babies who were unlikely to survive. The 'welcoming into the church' may have actually been a burial! 

12.3 Jane Cole (1788-1856) married John Tull (1787-1870)

Jane was baptised 14 June 1788 at Hinton Ampner. In the late 1790’s Jane moved to Exton with her parents and siblings. By early 1813 both of Jane's parents were deceased, with her father (the family breadwinner) being buried on 16 Feb 1813. On 25 May 1813, aged 24, Jane married John Tull (1787-1870, b.Selborne) at Exton. At first the family lived in John’s home town where their first two children, Jane (b. Jun. 1814) and William (b.Jul 1815), were born and baptised. Sadly, son William died as an infant and shortly after the family moved 9 miles to Frensham. Five more children were born named Mary Ann Tull (twin 3 Nov 1816), William Tull (twin  3 Nov 1816), John Tull (b.1819), Robert Tull (b.1821) and  Henry Tull (b1823). These five children were all baptised at Linchmere which was eight miles from the family's listed abode. Around 1826 the family moved ten miles to Fernhurst and that is where their last two children were born and baptised. Their names were Edwin Tull (b1825) and Samuel Tull (b.1827). Mother Jane was forty years old when her last child was born.

NOTE: The first five children were named after their parents and grandparents. In every baptism, father John Tull was listed as a farmer.

Sadly their first daughter Jane died at the age of 6 after the family moved to Frensham. Although the family moved several times, all these hamlets were within ten miles of each other. Perhaps John worked as a ‘journeyman’, that is he travelled to where work was available. In 1838 daughter Mary Ann Tull married shoemaker Felix Halfacre at Frimley (10 miles from Linchmere). Tragically Mary Ann died after childbirth in the year following her marriage at the age of 22 and was buried at Hawley near Frimley.

By 1841 John and Jane Tull nee Cole and their family were living at Chase Farm, Standford. Residents were listed as John Tull 50 year old farmer, Jane Tull 50, Edwin Tull 15 and Samuel Tull 14 living with Mary Cater nee Smith 70 at the Farm. Mary Cater inherited the farm from her father GGGGGF John Smith on his death in 1840 and as a 70 year old, she needed help with the farm. Jane Tull nee Cole was a sister-in-law to Mary’s brother Eli; and as such, part of Mary’s extended family. 

In 1841 sons Robert 20 and Henry17 were both apprentice shoemakers living in Castle St, Farnham with John Cranston and his family. Tragedy hit the family again in Feb 1847 when son Henry Tull died at Chase Farm, Standford at the age of 23. A few months later GGGF Anthony Smith visited his childhood home and wrote about his visits to ‘Uncle T’ [John Tull] and his aunt Jane.

In the late 1840’s John and Jane Tull nee Cole got ‘itchy feet’ again, but this time it was a major move. They decided to migrate to Canada with their three surviving sons. By 1847, all their other children were deceased and their only grandchild (Mary Ann Halfacre b1838) at that time probably went to Canada with them. The 1851 Ontario census listed John Tull 65 year old farmer, Jane Tull 64, Robert Tull 30, Edwin Tull 27 and Samuel Tull 25. Jane Tull nee Cole died in 1856 aged 68 and John died before 1870. They were both buried in Caradoc, Ontario.

12.4 Sarah Cole (1791-1842) married Thomas Pink (1785-1868)

Sarah was privately baptised 12 Sep and then publicly baptised 14 Nov 1791 at Hinton Ampner. After the baptism of youngest sister Elizabeth at East Meon in 1799, Sarah and her parents moved 6 miles to Exton. Sarah Cole, b1791, married Thomas Pink (b.East Meon) at Exton on 17 April 1809. She was a ‘minor’ aged 18, and married with the consent of her father William Cole a farmer. Her husband, Thomas Pink, was a farmer from Durley, Hampshire (7 miles from Exton) and was listed as aged 21, but really 24 (b1785).

Thomas and Sarah settled in Thomas’ home town of Durley and there they had twelve children. The children were Sarah Pink 1813-1898, Nicholas Pink 1815-1887, Mary Pink 1818, Clarissa Pink (twin)  1820-1905, Caroline Pink twin 1820-?, Richard Pink 1823-1892, George Pink 1824-1903, Harriet Pink 1826-1901, Edward Pink 1827-1910, William Pink 1829-1906, Kate Pink 1835-1913 and Jane Pink 1838-1888. Sarah Pink nee Cole was well into her forties when she had her last two children; 46 when she had Jane. All children were baptised at Durley with Thomas listed as a farmer.

The 1841 census listed Thomas 55 year old farmer and Sarah 45 (really 49) living at Green Wood Farm, Durley with ten of their children; Nicholas Pink 25, Mary Pink 20, Clarissa Pink 15, Richard Pink 15, George Pink 15, Hariott Pink 15, Edward Pink 10, William Pink 10, Kate Pink 6 and Jane Pink 3 (some ages rounded down). The missing child was first born daughter Sarah 28 (b1813), who was visiting or working elsewhere. The large family with at least two daughters under the age of ten, moved 7 miles to Droxford, which was closer to Thomas’ extended family at East Meon. Sarah Pink probably died at Droxford in Dec 1842 (EDI). After her death the family moved 12 miles to Oakshott just north of Petersfield.

GGGF Anthony Smith wrote in his diary on 1 and 2 July 1847 that from Bentworth, Alton he “walked about ten miles to Petersfield, my dear Mother’s sisters Family, she being done the way of all flesh (died) since I left England. Left Uncle P’s [Thomas Pink] in the Evening walked to Liss…” (Oakshott is just north of Petersfield and is twelve miles from Bentworth.) This diary entry confirms that Aunt Sarah Pink nee Cole had died in the early 1840’s, and that her widowed husband and family were living at Oakshott by 1847.

By 1851 Thomas was living at Oakshott and the family was much smaller. Living there were Thomas a 65 year old widowed farmer of 120 acres and children Sarah 38, Nicholas 36, Harriett 24, Richard 23, Kate 15 and Jane 13. In 1861 they were still farming the same property with the family consisting of Thomas 75 helped by children Nicholas 45, Harriett 34, Richard 33 and Jane 23.

Thomas Pink died at Oakshot on 4 Apr 1868 and probate was granted to his children Nicholas, Richard and Sarah. Those three siblings and sister Harriet took over the farm after their father’s death and were living in Oakshot in 1871. Interestingly, younger brother Richard was listed as head of the household and Nicholas 55 was listed as a helper. This suggests the latter may have been disabled in some way. All were unmarried.

12.4a Sons of Thomas (1785-1868) & Sarah Pink nee Cole (1791-1842)

Most of the Pink children married and lived in the Hampshire on rural properties.

i) Nicholas Pink (1815-1889)
Nicholas married Mary Ann Budd in 1877 and moved to his own farm in East Meon. He died 9 Mar 1889 at Stroud Bridge, East Meon and his brother Richard of South Mill was the executor of the will. There were no known children.

ii) Richard Pink (1823-1892)
Richard was baptised in Durley 28 Mar 1823. He also moved to East Meon and became a miller. At 58 he was unmarried and in 1881 was living with unmarried sister Sarah Pink 68, who was his housekeeper. He married a much younger woman named Jane Hammond b1843 in 1889 and they were living at South Mill in 1891. Richard died there in 1892 and probate was granted to wife Jane Pink. There were no known children.

iii) George Pink (1824-1903)
George was baptised in Durley on 25 July 1824. He lived with the family until his marriage to Henrietta Hale in 1845 at Bishops Waltham. He became a miller and from 1861 to 1881 was running a corn mill at St Helen, Isle of Wight. George lived there until his death in 1903. His children included Mary Pink (1854-1942) and Arthur Seth Pink (1857-1863).  Probate was granted to daughter Mary Pink, spinster.

iv) Edward Pink (1827-1910) (Pink's Jam Company)
Edward was born in July 1827 and baptised Dec 26 1827 at Durley. He was living on Greenwood Farm, Durley with his parents in 1841. Like his younger brother William, Edward became an apprentice grocer, but later took an interest in preserves. In 1851 he married Caroline Childs and over the next decade they had five children. By 1860 he had established a preserves business in Holborn, which rapidly expanded until in the 1880’s he was able to claim to have the largest jam factory in the world! His son Thomas Pink (later knighted) came into the business and eventually assumed control. Products labelled ‘Pink’s Preserves’ included a large variety of jams and marmalades. In the 1900’s, mistreatment of workers and mismanagement lead to the company’s downfall and the company no longer exists. In 1891 Edward 73 year old widower was an employer living at Portabella House, Kingsdown, Kent with son-in-law Frederick Harland and three of Frederick's children (Edward's grandchildren). Both Edward and son Thomas made fortunes and each left over £200,000 in their estates when they died.

v) Sir William Pink (1829-1906)

Son William Pink was born on 15 December 1829 and baptised on 19 Jan 1830 at Durley. The website Mayors of Portsmouth was the source of some of the following information. “William Pink was a farmer's son. The Pinks were a notable Hampshire family having their family seat, for over 300 years, at Kempshott Park near Basingstoke. On leaving school he was apprenticed to a greengrocer at Winchester. During the Crimean War period he worked in London for the prestigious grocery firm of Fortnum & Mason thereby gaining extra experience of the retail trade.” He married Charlotte E Horne in 1852 at Alverstoke. The couple settled in Portsea and had a large family of eleven children and in 1858 he opened his first shop in Commercial Road. By 1861, in his early thirties, he had established a very successful tea dealing business which employed 13 men. He stood for the Council in 1868 and served his borough for thirty-six years including terms as Mayor of Portsmouth.

By 1971 he had purchased a 21 acre farm named Shrover Hall at Catherington, and according to the following census in 1881 still worked as a farmer and grocer. Charlotte E Pink nee Horne died at the age of 50 in early 1882. On the 9th May, widower William Pink married Mrs Jane Goy Cleveland, widow of Commander Cleveland RN, at the church of St Nicholas at Rochester, Kent. The groom was accompanied by his son Victor Pink, who acted as best man. In 1891 William Pink was made a knight by Queen Victoria. Sir William Pink of Shrover Hall died in 1906 and three of his sons were executors to his will which valued his effects at £75,000.

12.5 James Cole (1795-1795)

James was privately baptised 4 January 1795 at Hinton Ampner, but according to the baptism record, he died shortly afterwards.

12.6 GGGGM Elizabeth Cole (1796-1816)

Elizabeth Cole was born around 1796 (from gravestone), possibly at Hinton Ampner. Her mother turned 40 in 1797, so Elizabeth was unlikely to have been born any later. Elizabeth was baptised 31 July 1799 at East Meon by William Cole and his wife Mary Cole nee Purchase. The late baptism may have been due to the family moving residences to Exton in the late 1790's. Sadly both parents died when Elizabeth was a teenager (in 1812 and 1813). Elizabeth probably lived with her older sister Jane Cole after her parents died. Sister Jane had married in 1813 and was living in Selborne with her husband from 1813 to 1815. Elizabeth met her future husband Eli Smith a farmer who lived 5 miles from Selborne at Headley.

On 27 Jun 1815, at the age of 19, she married the much older Eli Smith 34 at St Mary’s Church, Portsea. Witnesses to the marriage were Elizabeth Leach and (according to some family trees, an unknown member of the Smith family). At the age of 19 Elizabeth would have needed her father’s consent to marry, but as her parents were both deceased, she would have needed consent from another relative; perhaps an older brother, uncle or sister. The marriage location is interesting, because it was 30 miles from Headley, and this is the same church where Eli’s step-sister Ann Jacob nee Smith, was married 14 years earlier. She lived at Portsea with her family from the early 1800’s. Usually marriages occurred in the town of the bride’s family, but perhaps Elizabeth need the consent of her step-uncle husband of Ann Jacob. See 4.5).

Around 11 months after the marriage, in 1816 the couple had their only child, GGGF Anthony Smith (named after his uncle Anthony Smith b.1784). Tragically, Anthony’s young mother, GGGGM Elizabeth Smith nee Cole, died a few weeks later.

GGGGM Elizabeth's gravestone reads "Sacred to the memory of / Elizabeth / wife of Eli SMITH / who died in childbed / July 3, 1816 / aged 20 years". The burial record at Headley confirms these details; Elizabeth Smith (nee Cole) died at Standford and was buried at Headley 6 Jul 1816 aged 20.

For more information about Elizabeth Cole’s married life see 8.1.

 

 13.0 Eleven Children of GGGGF Eli Smith (1781-1868) from two Marriages

Eli's first Marriage to GGGGM Elizabeth Cole (1796-1816) produced one child and his second marriage to Elizabeth Paice (1794–1842) produced the other ten children. Several members of the Smith family have headstones in the cemetery at St James, Selham. See diagram above.

13.1 GGGF Anthony Smith (1816-1878) From Eli's 1st marriage
 

Anthony was born at Headley in 1816, with the family's abode given as Stanford (Standford). He was GGGGF Eli's first and only child from GGGGM Elizabeth Cole (1796-1816). GGGF Anthony went on to migrate to Australia, married and had a family there. He briefly returned to England in 1847. For more about his life see 14.0.

13.2 Caroline Smith (1820-1903) from Eli's 2nd marriage

Caroline was baptised on 21 January, 1821 at Headley, but was born on 23 Dec 1820. She was Eli's first child with his second wife. In 1838 she moved with her family to Selham Farm. In 1841, Caroline 20, was living at Selham Farm with her father Eli, 55 farmer, and mother Elizabeth 45 (ages rounded down) and many of her siblings. Sadly, the following year, her mother (Elizabeth Paice) died aged 47 and was buried at Selham on 16 Sep 1842. At 21, Caroline would have taken a major role in caring for her younger brothers and sisters. In 1844 Caroline was a witness at her younger sister Jane's wedding. On 23rd June 1847 unmarried Caroline and brother Anthony (visiting from Australia) drove (in a gig) to Chichester. By 1851 most of Caroline's siblings had left home. Living in the house at that time were father Eli and five of his unmarried children; Caroline Smith 39, Emma Smith 22, Eli Smith 18, Elizabeth Smith 16 and Mary Smith 13 and four servants. The youngest child Mary was listed as a scholar but all the older children were employed at home or on the farm.

On 26 Jan 1853 Caroline 32 married Richard Gadd 35 b1818, a farmer of Barlavington and son of Richard Symonds Gadd snr at Selham Church, Sussex. The witnesses were her sister Emma Smith and brother-in-law Henry Tice. Caroline and Richard Gadd settled down at Rowhook Farm, Sussex and started their family; Caroline Elizabeth Gadd b1856, Alice Sebina Gadd b1858 and Emma Kate Gadd b1861. Five years later a relative (the connection is unknown) named Edward Gadd (b1823 Heyshott) miller, who had been living with the Smith's, married Caroline's sister Emma Smith (see 13.6 below).

The 1858 Melville Directory listed Richard Gadd of Old Mill (later called Rowhook Farm, Lurgashall. According to the Gravelroots website, the old mill is now in the Weald and Downland Museum. In 1861 Richard Gadd 43, farmer of 160 acres employing 3 men and one boy and Caroline 40 were living at Rowhook Farm, Lurgashall, Sussex with their family; (Caroline) Elizabeth Gadd 5, Alice Gadd 3 and Kate Gadd 1 month as well as Richard's father aged 74. The family had one servant. Caroline had her last child (their fourth daughter) Mary Isabel (Polly) Gadd in 1863 when she was 42.

By 1871 the family had moved to a bigger farm called Betty Hill at Titsy, Surrey. Living there were Richard Gadd 53 farmer of 254 acres, Caroline Gadd 50, Caroline Elizabeth Gadd 15, Alice Gadd 13, (Emma) Kate Gadd 10, Polly Gadd 7 and Richard's father Richard S. Gadd Snr 83 and three servants.

In 1881 the family were living at Cobden Hill, Findon and Richard 54 (really 63) was working as a farm bailiff. Caroline Gadd nee Smith was 53 and unmarried daughter Alice Gadd was 22. Strangely, their ages do not correspond with their birth dates or ages given in other censuses. Daughter Emma Kate Gadd 21 married a much older man, Scottish born James Warrack 38 farm bailiff, on 21 Jan 1882. At this time youngest daughter Polly (recorded as Mary Isabel Gadd born at Lurgashall) 18, was working as a servant at Howland Farm in Lodsworth with the Bolling family.

By 1891 Richard 73 and Caroline 70 were living at Edwards Hill, Lambourn, Berkshire with unmarried daughter Alice Gadd 33, stationer's assistant. Richard was still working as a farm bailiff but sadly died in 1893. After Richard's death Caroline Gadd nee Smith 80 (in receipt of a pension from the Agricultural Society) moved into the village of Lambourn and was living in High St with her unmarried daughter Caroline Elizabeth Gadd 40 year old housekeeper. Caroline Gadd nee Smith died in late 1903 aged 82 with the death registered at Hungerford, Berkshire. (EDI)

Two of the Children of Caroline Gadd nee Smith 

Alice Sebina Gadd b1856 never married and died in 1936. Probate was granted to her widowed sister, Emma Kate Warrack nee Gadd who had married James Warrack 38 in 1882, when she was 21. Father Richard Symonds Gadd and sister Caroline were witnesses at the wedding.

In 1891 Emma Kate and James Warrack farmer with their two children, were living in Lambourne, not far from her parents. By 1901 the family had shifted to Mile End in the same vicinity and they had five children. James was working as a mail contractor. Emma and James were still at Mile End in 1911 but of their five children only Edwin James Warrack 19 was living at home. Emma Kate Warrack died in 1947 in Berkshire. Probate was granted to her son Alexander Symonds Warrack, downsman (I have no idea what that means).

13.3 Jane Smith (1822-1902)  

Jane was baptised at Headley on 15 December, 1822 whilst the family were residing at Hatch Farm. She was the first of Eli Smith’s daughters to marry.

On 23 July 1844 she married the much older Henry Tice 41, a Puttenham farmer (son of William Tice) at the Selham church, with witnesses; sister Caroline Smith and William Harding. On 13th May, 1847 brother Anthony (visiting from Australia) stayed at Jane's house at Puttenham and wrote that he “found her looking exceedingly well.” On another visit on 1st June he borrowed his brother-in-law’s horse (Henry Tice) and rode to Farnham.

Jane and Henry made their home on his Puttenham farm near Guildford, and started their family there. In 1851 their household consisted of Henry Tice 48 farmer of 38 acres employing fourteen labourers, Jane Tice 28, Elizabeth Tice 5, William Tice 5, Henry Tice 1 and four servants.

In 1861 Henry Tice 58 was recorded as farming Rodsall Farm, (possibly the same property, but expanded to 324 acres and employing nine men and three boys) at Puttenham. By this time Jane Tice 38 had eight children who were Elizabeth Tice 15, Will Tice 13, Henry Tice 11, Alfred Tice 9, Walter Tice 7, Kate Tice 5, Fredrick Tice 3 and Herbert Tice 2. Also in the house were a governess, a nurse maid and three servants.

By 1871 most children had left Rodsall Farm, leaving Henry Tice 68, Jane Tice 48, Elizabeth Tice 25, Henry Tice 21, Alfred Tice 19 and Walter Tice 17. There were also four servants living there. Henry Tice died in 1876 aged 73 and was buried at St John the Baptist Churchyard, Puttenham on the 7 Oct 1976.

After the death of Henry Tice snr, Jane's unmarried son Henry Tice jnr 31 took over the farm. In 1881 those living with him at Rodsall Farm (320 acres employing fifteen labourers) were Jane Tice nee Smith 59 widow and housekeeper for son, daughter Kate Tice 25 and three servants. The situation was much the same in 1891, but by 1901 Jane 78 and two single daughters Elizabeth Tice 53 and Kate Tice 43 had moved into Pithild House in Puttenham. They had one servant and one nurse to help care for them.

Jane Tice nee Smith ("widow of Henry Tice and formerly of Rodswell") died in 1902. She was buried at St John the Baptist, Puttenham on 8 Mar 1902 aged 79. Probate for the will of Jane Tice, widow, of Woodbridge Rd, Guildford was granted to her two oldest daughters, Kate and Elizabeth Tice spinsters and solicitor John Robert Nash. Her effects were valued at £2831.

13.3a Children of Henry & Jane Tice nee Smith   

Son William Tice b1848 married Lucy Thompson in 1875 at Puttenham and moved to his farm called Park Farm in Chobham where they were living with their three children in 1881 and two servants. William Tice 52 died at Park Farm on 22 Dec 1908. Probate was granted to his widow Lucy, son Percy Tice and Frank Lewry. He left effects valued at £2985.

Son Henry Tice b1850 married Florence Philpott in 1897 at Horsham, Sussex and moved to a farm called Gesses Farm at Wiston, Sussex. He had one known child named Hugh H. P. Tice. By 1911 the family had moved to Billingshurst and Henry 59 was working as a gardener. Henry Tice died at Steyning Sussex in 1927 at the age of 77. Their son, whose name varied over the years, died in 1976. Probate for Hugh Henry Philpott Tice of 11 Oaklands Grove, London, was granted in the year of his death. His estate was valued at £20,296.
 

Son Alfred Tice b1852 became a miller and married Elizabeth Lee in 1879 at Worplesdon. His brother Walter Tice was one of the witnesses. Children born to the couple at Ockham included Ethel E Tice b1881, Bessie M Tice b1882, Lillian Tice 1884, Alfred H Tice b1886, Frank G Tice b1889, Ernest W Tice b1890, Gladys May Tice b1892 and Cecil Tice b1894 born at Ripley. In 1880 Alfred was occupying the house and land at Ockham Mill and working as a miller. The electoral register listed him at that abode until 1897 then a few miles away at Yew Tree House at Ripley from 1898-1900, but census records have not been found. Most of Alfred’s surviving children migrated to North America, and their parents may have too.

Son Walter Tice b1854 by the age of 27 (1881) had left his childhood home, to manage his own 80 acre farm called Runfold Farm in Farnham where he employed seven men. He was unmarried and living with his unmarried sister Elizabeth Tice 35. Walter married Ada Hewitt Perrett on 9 Nov 1881. Sister Kate Tice was one of the witnesses. Walter managed Runfold Farm into the 1900's and had at least six children. Sadly Walter 54 died just a few days before his older brother William on 17 Nov 1908. His will left effects valued at £7038.

NOTE 1: Puttenham is only 5 miles from Ash, which is where another direct relative in our extended family lived and worked as a minister at Ash Vale. "The pages of the Surrey Advertiser have many references to the public life of the Rev George Thomas Moss. Apart from his involvement in Surrey Missions, the British School, the Working Men’s Institute in Farnham and being appointed to the Ash Burial Board he was responsible for having the soldier’s home at Ash Vale built." (www.boardmanmoss.blogspot.com ). It is quite possible that members of the Smith family knew of the activities of the Moss family.

NOTE 2: Rodsall Farm was probably in the vicinity of Rodsall Manor on Rodsall Lane, which comes off Suffield Lane opposite Puttenham Common.

13.4 William Smith (1824-1875)  

William was baptised in Headley on 13 September, 1824 a few weeks after his birth at Hatch Farm and was the second son of Eli Smith. In 1837 his older stepbrother Anthony migrated to Australia at the age of 21. In 1841 William was not listed at Selham with the rest of the family and at 16 he may have been living and working nearby. The 1851 census listed William Smith 23 (really 26) farm labourer born in Headley, lodging with William Barnett, 37 year old farm carter, and his family at Arford which may be him. Arford was close to Hatch Farm, where William Smith was born. He may have returned to this area around 1840 after his family moved to Selham Farm. See more about the Barnett family below.

During 1850-1851 several deposits of gold were discovered in Victoria. After news reached England, thousands of fortune seekers booked passage on ships to Australia. An estimated 6000 men arrived each week seeking their fortune. Step brother Anthony, who lived in South Australia, would have kept the family informed of these developments. In mid-1851 William embarked for Australia, but we do not know for certain when he arrived. The most likely scenario is that he sailed direct to Adelaide (where half-brother Anthony lived). The ship ‘Constitution’ had a William Smith on board, and left Liverpool on 1 May 1851. It arrived in Adelaide on 7 Aug.

A letter written by Mr Walls suggests that William spent 3-4 months with Anthony and other people, who had migrated from the Headley area to Australia. In late 1851, when excitement about the gold fields was at a peak (gold had been discovered at Ballarat in Aug 1851), William travelled to Victoria to try his luck. There were several small ships that were running shuttle services between the states, such as the ships Lady Flora’, ‘The Gazelle’ and the brig ‘Rattler’.

According to Mr Wall’s letter, William “cleared £280” in gold fossicking, in just one month. He probably wrote to his brothers in England about his success, which then became their motivation for coming out in mid-1852 (John) & late 1852 (Alfred). The reason the brothers sailed separately may have been due to difficulty they had in securing a berth on a ship.

In mid-Jan 1852 William returned to Adelaide, after one month on the gold fields (according to the letter from Mr Walls dated 29 Jan 1852). On Sunday, 25 Jan 1852, William dined with “Messrs Walls, etc … to acquaint us with the departure for the diggings and has returned [after] working at the Gold Fields”. In his letter Mr Walls wrote that the allurement of Gold Fields was at fever pitch in Adelaide, 18,000 made the three day sea trip and he foreshadowed William returning to Victoria with Anthony in following week. In Feb 1852 Anthony and William probably travelled together to the Victorian Goldfields to try their luck. William remained on the goldfields, but Anthony probably returned home to S.A. for the birth of his next child before May.

The information about William Smith in the following paragraphs is drawn from local newspapers of the day. Although there were several William Smiths on the various goldfields, I am assuming that the newspaper references to William Smith in Forest Creek and Barkers Creek (on the outskirts of Castlemaine) are most likely our William, because the information provided fits well with what we do know about him i.e. the reports start and finish during the period William stayed in the area, he was a Wesleyan, he was educated and mindful of social conditions and like his brothers developed a business once the gold ran out.

On 11 Mar 1852 a newspaper report listed the amount of gold found by William Smith at Forest Creek (Castlemaine) and on 14 Apr 1852 William wrote to ‘The Argus’ about miners being cheated. The letter was co-signed by Frederick Langham (1833-1903). Fred Langham was a well-regarded teacher at the Wesleyan School, Barkers St, Castlemaine up until 1858, after which, he became a high ranking missionary in Fiji. On 9 Jul 1852 (The Argus) an advert was placed advising that “Mr William Smith, late of Adelaide, will hear of Mr John Barrett by enquiring at 12 Elizabeth St Melbourne”. Was John Barrett a misprint of ‘John Barnett’ and was he related to William Barnett who William Smith lodged with at Arford in 1851? (see 13.4a below)

By early 1853 William’s younger brothers John and Alfred had both arrived from England and joined him on the goldfields. On 16 May 1853 (The Argus) William Smith placed an advert re a horse lost or stolen in the vicinity of the Forty Foot Hill, Forest Creek. The following year William was again the victim of a crime. On 17 Nov 1854 the ‘Mount Alexander Mail’ reported the court case resulting from the robbery. William stated “I am a butcher at Forest Creek. I deposited … between 60 and 70 pounds…” After finding the money gone, William followed the suspect to Barkers Creek and informed the police. This article suggests that William like many diggers turned to other employment, as the easy gold began to decline. It also tells us that he was starting to develop a business as a butcher.

In 1854, brother Alfred gave up on gold prospecting to try his luck running a store to sell supplies to ‘diggers’. He moved 12 km to Fryers Creek in early 1854 and established the 'Ford and Smith' Store there. Twelve months later the business burned to the ground, and was relocated 60 km to the west to the newly expanding Daisy Hill Diggings at Back Creek, 26 km south of Maryborough. Alfred’s move to this area may have been the impetus for brother John (who also opened a store) moving to nearby Maryborough.

During 1855 William moved 3km from Forest Creek to diggings at Barkers Creek (a locality on the other side of Castlemaine). On 19 Oct 1855 (Mt Alexander Mail) William was elected on to a Committee to further interests of Castlemaine, representing the Barkers Creek area. (Brother Alfred also took on civic duty when he later became a councillor in the Amherst Shire). On 26 Sep 1856 in the same paper, tenders were sought for a building, with plans displayed at “William Smiths of Kennedy St”, which runs alongside Barkers Creek, Castlemaine. This building had to be one that was open to the public and was probably William’s butcher shop. William was possibly refining his ham & bacon curing skills over the next few years. Interestingly, today Don KR Meats (Castlemaine Ham) is located around 1 km from William’s Shop. Is this just a coincidence? The Castlemaine Bacon Company is said to have started in 1905, but perhaps William’s skills were passed on to others in the area, prior to him leaving in 1858.

In 1856 the Castlemaine Post Office was holding unclaimed letters for both John Smith and William Smith. As miners only came 'into town' from time to time, post offices would publish lists of letter waiting to be collected. In that year half-brother Anthony informed his father that his brothers “were all well, doing about the same as last year", which suggests that he believed the brothers were working together or near each other at least from 1855 onwards and probably before.

Brother John opened a shop in the Maryborough area and met his future wife, whilst Alfred settled a few km away at Back Creek near Amherst. On 16 Jun 1856 brother John Smith 27 year old shopkeeper and bachelor married 19 year old spinster Alice Warren (b1837) at Carisbrook Church of England (established in 1855). Both John and Alice were living in the Maryborough area prior to their wedding. Although he was 60 km away, William possibly attended his brother’s wedding. In Apr 1857 in a letter from Brighton S.A. to Alfred, Anthony foreshadowed travelling to Vic., and in another letter on 14 May 1858 Anthony asked Alfred if John was still with him. He said he “knew nothing of William”. Unknown to Anthony, John was not far from Alfred in Maryborough, but William was a butcher 60 km away at Castlemaine. On May 14 1858 Anthony wrote another letter from Ballarat and concluded by asking whether brother John was still with Alfred (confirming that he knew the two brothers Alfred and John were together in the mid 1850's). Anthony said he hadn't heard from his brother William, since he (Anthony) came to Ballarat in 1857.

As gold finds ‘dried up’ and people left the area, William’s business may have gone into decline. Perhaps he was looking for new opportunities or perhaps a wife, but whatever the motivation, William moved to Melbourne in 1858 and not long after, he began courting his future wife. 

 

Early 1859 (or before) William settled at 123 Queensberry St North Melbourne (The Argus 1 Jul 1859) and at first worked as a carrier (delivering goods?). Soon after his marriage in February 1860, William started his butcher/ham curing business (apparently working with brother Alfred) under the title ‘Smith Brothers’. Perhaps Alfred was a silent partner at first or provided setup capital, because he was still living at Amherst until the early 1860’s.

On 14 Feb 1860, William Smith 32, married Mary Allan Charles aged 18 at St Marks, Collingwood. The marriage was announced in 'The Argus' on 16 Feb 1860. “On the 14th inst., at St. Mark's Church, Collingwood, by special licence, by the Rev. James Darling, William Smith, of Melbourne, second son of Eli Smith, farmer, Petworth, Sussex, England, to Mary Allan, youngest daughter of Mr. Robert Charles, Melbourne, late of Glasgow". Mary Allan Charles was born in Glasgow in 1841 and was the daughter of Robert Charles and Isabella Allan. The marriage certificate above, provides more details. It confirms that William was residing in North Melbourne but informs us that his occupation at that time was ‘carrier’. William’s father was listed as farmer Eli Smith, but his mother’s maiden name was incorrectly listed as ‘Nash’! Witnesses were the bride’s parents, which suggests that none of William’s brothers attended the wedding.

 

In the 1860’s there were a few advertisements listing the Smith Brothers business at 123 Queensberry St, but the one on 24 May 1860 describes the nature of the business as 'Beef hams & bacon, Smith Brothers' curers, 123 Queensberry St, North Melbourne. William would have learned basic meat smoking skills as a young man because his family had a 'smoke bay' at their house on Hatch Farm. In late 1860-61, Sands Directory informs us that ‘Smith Brothers Ham Curers’ had relocated to 109 Queensberry St. Soon after, on 28 Apr 1861, William and Mary had their first child named William Charles Smith (1861-1907). As his birth was registered at Hotham (North Melbourne) the family probably resided at or near the business. William was named after his father, but also given his mother’s maiden name, ‘Charles’.

In a letter from Anthony to father Eli on 20 Jan 1862, he says “William I hear is married and settled at his trade in Melbourne”. In that year Alfred seems to have withdrawn from the partnership, because from then on, only William’s name was used in the business name. From another of Anthony’s letters we know that Alfred tried his hand at running a store in Melbourne, but this did not go well, and he wanted to return to England, which he did in the mid 1860’s.

In 1862 William moved 3 km to 100 Victoria St, West Melbourne and his business flourished. There were many ads and listings (Sands Directory) for ‘William Smith Ham Curer’ at 100 Victoria St. William used some of his profits to buy land. In 1865 ‘William Smith Ham Curer’ owned a house and land in Browns Rd, Footscray. In Nov 1866 William Smith Ham Curer was listed as the owner of a house and land in Swamp Rd, Flemington (The land was located at Saltwater River, now known as the Maribyrnong River).

Two more children were born to William and his wife in 1863 and 1864. Elizabeth Agnes Smith (1863-1887) was born in 1863 and Eli Charles Smith (1864-1936) was born in 1864. Both births were registered in Melbourne. Son Eli was named after his grandfather and like his older brother he was given his mother’s maiden name as a middle name. Later in life he usually went by the forename ‘Charles’.

In late 1866 William took on a new partner named Joseph Clark, and renamed the business ‘Smith & Clark Hams’. The earliest mention of the new business name was in ‘The Herald’ on 13 Dec 1866. Although ads confirmed the business remained in Victoria St, the 1867 Sands Directory listed ‘William Smith Ham Curer’ at Roden St, West Melbourne and at Freshwater River, Footscray. Also the rates records of Dec 1867 listed ‘William Smith Ham Curer’ as owner of a ‘Curing & Slaughterhouse’ and land on (the) SW [Saltwater] River at Flemington. Apart from selling products, William was busy developing new techniques and in 1868 submitted a claim for a new processing patent.

In 1867 William and Mary’s fourth child Mary Agnes Smith (1867-1876) was born in Melbourne. According to the number of newspaper adverts, the business was prosperous, but it seems that one of the partners became unwell, because on 3 Mar 1869, the partnership between William Smith and Joseph Clark at Victoria St, Nth Melbourne was formally dissolved. When the plant was put up for sale a short time later (24 Mar 1869) the reason given was “due to ill health”. The health reference was probably referring to William as he died at the young age of 48, six years later in 1875.

In 1870, the couple’s fifth child; Eveline Constance Maud Smith (1870-1946), was born at Collingwood. The following year William sold the factory on Melbourne Rd, to Samuel Henderson, who in 1873 relocated it to Saltwater Creek between Maribyrnong and Moreland St. Samuel then sold it in 1874. The site was later occupied by the Swallow Biscuit Company and a local street named Swallow St. may mark the location today.

Early in the 1870’s, William was probably retired (due to ill health) and he and Mary Allan Smith nee Charles moved to Maidstone. In 1874 William Smith was paying rates for Stone House, Swan St, Footscray (2 km from Maidstone central). In 1875 the sixth and last child of William and Mary; George Robert Smith (1875-1960) was born at Maidstone.

Sadly in the same year that his youngest child was born, William Smith died. The 1875 death registration listed William as being a 48 year old butcher who died on 19 Oct 1875 at Maidstone. His parents were listed as Eli Smith, farmer and Elizabeth Smith nee Paice and his spouse was Mary Allan Charles. The cause of death was listed as hepatitis? over a period of two months. (NB: Pigs can be a reservoir of the hepatitis virus creating a danger to humans when they are slaughtered.) William had been in Victoria for 24 years which confirms that he arrived in the colony in 1851. His six children with their ages in 1875 were William Charles Smith 14, Elizabeth Agnes Smith 12, Eliah Charles Smith 11, Mary Agnes Smith 9, Eveline Constance Maud Smith 5 and George Robert Smith 7 months. A funeral announcement placed in ‘The Age’, 20 Oct 1875 announced that William’s funeral procession would start from his home in Maidstone and that he was to be buried at Melbourne General Cemetery.

During Oct-Nov 1875 (‘The Age’, 9 Nov) William Smith’s remaining properties were put up for sale. They included:-

a. “The well-known and extensive factory and ham and curing premises of Mr William Smith.” This property included a large shop, stabling for 5 horses, enclosed garden and entrance off Roden St. The buildings were substantially brick and solid bluestone with slate roof and verandah.
b. A brick cottage adjoining the factory on Victoria & Roden St, West Melbourne
c. Blocks 3, 4, 8 and 9; each 1 acre and
d. Blocks 13, 14 and 18 over 3 acres with buildings thereon situate on the Saltwater River at the junction of the Footscray Bridge.

Widow Mary Allen Smith nee Charles must have been devastated by the death of her husband and the fact that she was left alone to raise a family of six children. Her children ranged in age from a few months to 14. Fortunately for her, William left enough assets to keep her financially secure. Tragedy struck again in 1876 when daughter Mary Agnes Smith died at the age of ten. In 1882 Mary Allan Smith nee Charles married Alfred Joseph Willmore and they moved to Fitzroy then Abbotsford.

In 1883, at the age of 42, Mary Allan Willmore gave birth to her last child, Josephine Daisy Willmore (1883-1960) at Fitzroy. During the 1880’s until her death, Alfred and Mary Allan Willmore moved to 2 Yarra St, then 102 Charles Street Abbotsford.

On 19 Feb 1901, ‘The Age’ announced the death of Mary. “At her residence, 102 Charles St Abbotsford, Mary Allan, the wife of Joseph Willmore. mother of William (William Charles Smith b1861) & Charles (Eli) Smith (b1864) and Mrs Lamble (Evelyn Constance Maud Campbell nee Smith) & George R(obert) Smith; in her 58th year”. The ad confirms that daughters Elizabeth Agnes and Mary Agnes Smith were both deceased by 1901, because neither was mentioned. Vic BDM lists Mary Allan Willmore nee Smith nee Charles’ parents as “Chas Robert Willmore” (name should be Robert Charles) and Isabella Allan. The funeral announcement in the same paper said that Mary was buried at Melbourne General Cemetery.

Another death notice was placed in ‘The Age’ 23 Mar 1901 by Mary’s sister. “On 18 Feb, at her residence, Mary Allan, wife of A.J. Willmore, youngest daughter of the late Robert Charles and sister to Mrs W.T. Hay (nee Charles), Collingwood”. Alfred lived with daughter Josephine until 1917, when he died in Mildura while grape picking (24 Mar 1917). Mary Allan Willmore nee Smith nee Charles’ youngest daughter was married in 1923 and the following marriage notice tells us that she had a good relationship with her stepbrother Eli Charles Smith. ‘The Age’, 4 Aug 1923 reported that “Josephine Daisy Willmore (daughter of the late Mr & Mrs Alfred Joseph Willmore of Abbotsford) married Thomas E Batty at the residence of the bride’s stepbrother C. Smith” (Eli Charles Smith b1864) of Abbotsford). Josephine had no children.

Six Children of William & Mary Smith nee Charles

On William’s death, his considerable assets would have first gone to pay off any debts, and then the remainder would have been inherited by his wife and/or children, who mostly lived in the suburbs of inner Melbourne. According to William’s death certificate all six of his children survived him.

i) William Charles Smith (1861-1907) William married Helen Davies (1867-1936) in 1887 and their nine known children were William Henry Charles Smith (1889-?), George Robert Smith (1890-1951), Lilian May Smith (1893-1970), Ethel Ruby Smith (1894-1974, Rupert Roy Smith (1896-1980), Reginald Clifford Smith (1898-?), Ivy Victoria Smith (1901-1966), Vera Irene Smith (1902-1982) and Violet Elaine Smith (1903-1966). All children apart from the first were born at Collingwood. In 1919 the widowed Helen was living at 13 Fenwick St, Clifton Hill with several of her adult children. According to information given at daughter Vera's marriage Helen Smith nee Davies was living at Park St, St Kilda in 1925 just a few hundred metres from her husband's cousin GGGF Elijah Smith who lived at 40 Longmore St. However that address is contradicted by the AER record, so it may have been only a short stay in Park St for Helen. Helen died in 1936 and the funeral left the home of her daughter Violet in Ludstone Ave, Hampton. Helen was buried in St.Kilda cemetery

Of William and Helen's nine children at least eight survived to adulthood and married. Rupert Roy Smith married Lilah Vera Stevenson in 1920. Ivy Victoria Smith married William James Carroll (1890-1951) in 1922 and they had two children, Ivy Helen Carroll (1922-2009) and Patricia Kathleen Carroll (1928-2007). George Robert Smith married Doris Ida Metcalf in 1921 and inherited a house from his uncle Eli Charles Smith (see below). Lilian May Smith married Harold A. Towers (1891-1962). Ethel Ruby Smith married Charles Stanley Prowse (1896-1968). Reginald Clifford Smith became a bootmaker and married Elsie Mary Ryan in 1922. Vera Irene Smith married Alistair Kennedy (1900-1984) in Feb 1925. Violet Elaine Smith married Ralph James Clark, salesman, in 1925.

ii) Elizabeth Agnes Smith (1863-?) Elizabeth was 12 when her father died in 1875 but was deceased by the time her mother died in 1901. No more is known about Elizabeth.

 

iii) Eli (Ely) Charles Smith (1864-1936) Eli went by sweveral Christian names during his lifetime, which made the task of researching his life difficult. At various times he was known as Eli, Eliah, Ely, Charles and Chas. At the age of 45 Ely Charles Smith married widow Mary Ann (Minnie) Whiteford nee Macauley (b1866) in 1909 (Vic BDM ) and became stepfather to her only daughter Minnie Whiteford b1896. From at least 1919 to 1924 (Eli) Charles Smith was living with wife Minnie Smith and stepdaughter Minnie Whiteford (a clerk) at 416 Johnstone St, Abbotsford. Eli’s occupation was listed as ‘dealer’. In 1923 Minnie married Albert Charles Dick at Abbotsford. The newspaper marriage notice (Argus 3 Nov) tells us that Minnie was the only child of Mrs C Smith of ‘Allandale’, Johnstone St, Abbotsford.

By 1926, (Eli) Charles had retired and was living at 49 Normanby Rd, Northcote with wife Minnie. They lived there until 1934, when they moved to Ivanhoe. Mary Smith nee Whiteford nee Macauley b1866 died at her Ivanhoe home on 23 Dec 1935. In 1836 according to the AER Ely Charles Smith gentleman was living alone at 37 Waterdale Rd. On his death on 23 Apr 1936 Eli left “£2490 reality and £368 personally” in his will. Probate was granted on the will of Charles Smith of Waterdale Rd, Ivanhoe on 21 May 1836 (Herald 20 May). He left his estate to his widow subject to a gift of a property at Abbotsford to his stepsister Josephine and an unnamed nephew. The nephew was George Robert Smith b1890 (son of brother William above) who lived in the house at 416 Johnstone St until he died in 1950. As Eli's wife predeceased him, his assets possibly passed to stepdaughter Minnie Dick nee Whiteford who died at Boronia in 1979. Vic BDM listed Ely’s age as 72, his parents as William and Mary Smith and registered place of birth and death as Carlton and Camberwell.

 

iv) Mary (Minnie) Agnes Smith (1866-1876) Minnie died in 1876 at the age of ten a year after her father.

 

v) Evelyn Constance Maud Smith (1870-1946) Evelyn married William Clancy Campbell in 1894. They had five children Charles Allan Clancy 1895-1966, twins Wilfred Denmar Clancy and Eric Owen Clancy in 1898, Violet Pansy Clancy 1899 and Roy William Campbell-Clancy 1901-1974 born at Carlton then Collingwood. The children are listed in Vic BDM under the surname Clancy and as there are no further records of the twins, presumably they died as infants. Husband William was a wireworker, and the first two children were baptised at St Peters, Eastern Hill, Melbourne. Sadly, William died young in 1901 leaving Evelyn with three young children to raise. Family members went by the surname Campbell after William's death. In 1903 Evelyn was living at 102 Charles St, Collingwood, but according to the military record of son Charles Allan Campbell she was living in Lennox St, Richmond in 1914. In the 1920's Evelyn was living in Courtney St, North Melbourne with Violet and Roy. Roy married Eileen Elizabeth Collis in 1931 and moved to Fitzroy where he started work in the boot trade. Evelyn died in 1946.

 

In 1948 (The Age 9 Oct) there was a mysterious newspaper advert relating to son Charles “Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Charles Allan Campbell Clancy late of North Melbourne please contact R.G. Clark.” This notice may have related to his mother’s will. It seems that Charles became estranged from his family because his 1966 death certificate includes no details of his mother, father or spouse.

 

vi) George Robert Smith (1875-1960) George married Mary Jane Newton (1881-1958) in 1906 and their six children were George William Allen Smith (1907-1958), Iris May Smith (1908-1998), Mary Agnes Smith (1908-1983), John Raymond Smith (1909-1991), Percival Charles Smith (1912-1973) and Lawrence Kitchener Smith (1918-1973). The family moved to Portland in the early 1900’s where George worked as a tinsmith. They lived there until George died in 1960. Note that  this george is easily confused with his nephew George Robert Smith b1890 [son of William Charles Smith and Helen Davies. See i) above].

13.4a The Barnett and Smith Families of Headley  

In 1851 William Smith 27 was lodging with the William Barnett, 37 year old farm carter and his family, at Arford, 1.5 miles from Hatch Farm, where he was born. According to his marriage registration, William Barnett was living at Stanford in 1837 (possibly Hatch Farm), when he married Jane Wood. Although William and Jane Barnett lived in Arford from 1841 to 1851, by 1861 they were again living in Standford. William Smith would have known the Barnetts well and may have returned to this area in the 1840’s, after his family moved to Selham Farm. William Barnett had a daughter named Thurza Barnett baptised in 1847 in Headley. She married Andrew Albert Smith at Headley in 1873. Andrew Smith (b1845 Lindford) was the son of James Smith and Celia Collyer who had married in Headley in 1823. (See 4.4c above)

13.4b John Barrett or John Barnett?
On 9 Jul 1852 (The Argus) an advert was placed advising that “Mr William Smith, late of Adelaide, will hear of Mr John Barrett by enquiring at 12 Elizabeth St Melbourne”. Was John Barrett a misprint of ‘John Barnett’ and was he related to William Barnett, who William Smith lodged with at Arford in 1851 (see above)? A John Barnett was born in Headley in 1796 and lived at Arford in 1841 with his wife Catherine Sandhurst and family of seven children; William 20, Thomas 15, James 14, Edward 12, Mary 10, Emily 6 and Richard 2. However, this John Barrett died in 1843 at Headley and never came to Australia.

Daughter Mary Barrett 19 married George Elstone 19 year old papermaker (b1830 Bramshott, son of William Elstone b1800 and Eliza Bridger) at Headley in 1849. A witness was Ann Warren nee Elstone b1804 married to John Warren of Barford House. The Elstones had been living in Bramshott for generations and were connected to the Smiths through the marriage of Sophia Smith (Eli’s sister) to Charles Elstone b1780. George Barnett was the grandson of Charles Elstone’s brother, John Barnett b1761. George and Mary Elstone nee Barnett migrated to Canada.

NB: To further confuse matters a J. E. Barnard was listed as a donor to the Wesleyan Methodist Chapel in Adelaide on 7 Jul 1838 along with Anthony Smith. Was he the mystery John Barrett sought after by William above?

13.5 John Smith (1826-1900)  

John was baptised on 15 Oct 1826 at Headley, Hampshire by Eli Smith and Elizabeth Paice. He lived at home with his family and moved with them to Selham, where he was listed at the age of 14 in the 1841 census. In 1851 the census records John Smith aged 20 (really 24), farm labourer, born in Headley and lodging with the Burrow family in Headley. This also fits the pattern mentioned above with older brother William, who also worked at a farm near his birthplace in 1851.

During 1850-1851 several deposits of gold were discovered in Victoria. After news reached England by mid-1851, thousands of fortune seekers booked passage on ships to Australia. An estimated 6000 men arrived each week seeking their fortune. In mid-1851 John’s older brother William embarked for Australia and no doubt wrote back to his family with news from the gold fields.

John in his late 20’s followed his brother, at some time in late 1852 or 1853. There are two theories as to how John reached Australia. The first is that John aged 25 sailed on the barque Invincible, departing London in July 1852 and arriving in Melbourne on 13 November 1852. The passenger manifest lists him as being 26 on arrival, which is correct, having had his birthday during the trip. The second possibility is that John 27 arrived in Melbourne from London via Adelaide on board the ‘Sydney’ steamship on 25 October 1853. Once again the age is correct (he was born early Oct). Both John Smith’s paid their own way and travelled as single men in steerage (the cheapest form of travel). On arrival, whether 1852 or 1853, John would have headed straight to the goldfields and started work with, or close to brother William, near Castlemaine. The brothers may have sailed separately because ships were fully booked by thousands of aspiring gold diggers.

Not long after John arrived in Australia, his younger brother Alfred joined William and John, and the three worked together near Castlemaine. In 1854, brother Alfred gave up on gold prospecting to try his luck running a store to sell supplies to ‘diggers’. He moved to Fryers Creek in early 1854 and established the ‘Ford and Smith’ Store there. The ‘Ford & Smith Store’ at Fryers Creek burned to the ground twelve months later in Jan 1855 (Mt Alexander Mail 2 Feb 1855). The business was relocated 60 km to the west to Back Creek, Daisy Hill Diggings, 26 km south of Maryborough. Alfred’s move to this area may have been the impetus for John moving to the nearby Maryborough area, where he also opened a store.

In 1856 the Castlemaine Post Office was holding unclaimed letters for John Smith and William Smith and in a letter dated 30 Apr 1856, stepbrother Anthony informed his father that his brothers “were all well, doing about the same as last year" which implies the brothers were working together or near each other at least from 1855 onwards and probably before. Anthony in Adelaide had been getting news from his brothers by letter. As miners only came 'into town' from time to time, post offices would publish lists of letters waiting to be collected

By early 1856 John had set himself up as a shopkeeper and met and courted his wife to be. On 16 Jun 1856, John Smith 27 year old single shopkeeper married 19 year old spinster Alice Warren (b1837) at Carisbrook (7 km from Maryborough) in the minister’s house. The presiding minister was A.H. Smith (Church of England). John and Alice had both been living in Maryborough prior to their marriage. John’s father was listed on the marriage registration as Eli Smith, farmer, but strangely the record states that John was ignorant of both the Christian and maiden name of his mother who had died 14 years earlier. This situation was similar for brother William who did not know his mother’s surname when he was married in 1860. The witnesses were William Henry and Mary Betts nee Warren (Alice's sister). The fact that no Smith family members were witnesses may indicate that they were not present at the ceremony.

In a letter dated 24 Apr 1857 Anthony wrote to Alfred mentioning a fire near the Smith brothers at Spring Hill near Back Creek and asked him to pass his love on to John and William. He believed all three were working together or close to each other, and had not heard about John’s marriage or that William lived some distance away in Castlemaine.

In 1857 John and Alice’s first child, Caroline Smith (1857-1940), was born at Maryborough. She was probably named after John’s sister Caroline. Later that year Anthony moved to Ballarat and established a base for his family at Brown Hill. In a letter dated 14 May 1858 Anthony asked if John was still with Alfred. He still did not know that John was married and a shopkeeper in Maryborough. In another letter dated 17 Aug 1858 Anthony wrote that he had not seen his brother John since he came out. [It is not clear whether he meant since John came to Victoria, possibly 1852/3? or since Anthony moved to Victoria in 1857]

In 1859, John and Alice’s second child Emma Smith (1850-1928; named after John’s sister) was born at Maryborough (Vic BDM incorrectly lists Alice’s maiden name as Warner). There were occasional mentions of ‘John Smith of Maryborough' in local papers in the 1850’s, and 1860’s, but none of these can be confidently linked to our John Smith. For example, there was another John Smith (connected to the business named ‘Sutton and Smith’), who had a store in High St. Maryborough, had a dispute over rates in 1861 and died in a tragic accident in New Zealand in 1875. However, we do know that our John spent the rest of his life in the Maryborough vicinity, because that is where his children were born and that is where both he and wife Alice died. All children can be verified as John’s through Vic BDM records.

By the late 1850’s, brothers William and Alfred started a meat processing business in Melbourne, leaving John running his store in Maryborough. John’s third child Elizabeth/Eliza Smith (b1861-died after 1912) was born in Maryborough. In a letter dated 20 Jan 1862 Anthony wrote that John was still in Maryborough. In 1863 Vic BDM two children are listed as being born to John Smith and Alice Warren; Alfred John Smith (named after brother Alfred) and Eli John Smith. It is possible that they were twins, but as they had the same middle name and a later child was given the name Eli, and the fact that no more records can be found about the first child named Eli, I tend to think that they were the same child, entered in the register twice by error. Son Alfred John Smith died in 1931.

Over the next 10 years Alice gave birth to four more children; Mary Alice Smith (1865-?; named after a sister and wife) in 1865, Annie Jane Smith (1867-1878; named after sister Jane) in 1867, Eli Thomas Smith (1870-1936) named after John’s father and brother who were both named Eli) in 1870 and Louisa Warren Smith (1873-1950; named after John’s wife’s maiden name) in 1873. John’s wife, Alice Smith nee Warren, gave birth to at least eight children, with her last born when Alice was 36. Occasionally John’s occupation was listed on documents and it appears he remained in the storekeeper business working as a grocer.

Tragedy hit the family in 1878 when 11 year old daughter Annie Jane Smith died in Maryborough. The following year though, brought some joy, when daughter Caroline married Edmund Harrop. Sadly, this marriage did not last long, with Edmund moving to Sydney and remarrying in a bigamous relationship. Daughter Polly married Richard Thomas a Fitzroy in 1886. Three more of John’s children married in the 1890’s. In 1891 son Eli Tom Smith 21, a butcher, married Mary (Miriam) Fletcher Smith 19 (no relation) at Fitzroy. Eli’s father John Smith was listed as a grocer. On 28 Aug 1895 Louisa Warren Smith married Ferdinand Robert Jansen at Talbot. (The Age, 25 Sep 1895). On 14 Jul 1896 son Alfred John Smith married Mary Ann Bales (b1868 Vic) at the home of the bride’s parents. Both were of Maryborough. (The Age, 18 Aug)

John Smith was the last of the four brothers that came to Australia to die (and the second last of Eli Smith’s sons to die). John Smith 72, died in hospital on 23 May 1900, after being a patient for the last 5 years of his life. The cause of death was listed as old age and apoplexy (incapacity after stroke). He was listed as former labourer but in receipt of a pension from a Benevolent Society. His father was ‘grazier’ Eli Smith, but his mother’s name was not known. It was possibly not known by John’s surviving children, as she died well before John came to Australia. The presiding minister was of the ‘Primitive Methodist’ faith. The death certificate records that John was born in Hampshire and had been in Victoria for 42 years (incorrect) and had married Alice Warren at the age of 27. John’s eight children with ages at the time of his death were listed as Caroline Smith 42, Emma Smith 40, Elizabeth Sarah Smith 38, Alfred John Smith 34, Mary Alice Smith 32, Annie Jane Smith deceased, Eli (Tom) Smith 28 and Louisa Warren Smith 26. John was buried in Maryborough Cemetery on 25 May 1900 by undertaker Robert Hubble.

John’s widow, Alice Smith nee Warren, lived with her son Alfred and his wife in Fraser Street, Maryborough, but by 1909 she had moved to Melbourne to live with her eldest daughter Carrie and died there in 1912. The death notice on 9 Mar 1912 (The Age) reads, “Smith. At her daughter Carrie’s residence, Fitzroy, Alice Smith relict of John Smith of Maryborough, and mother of Carrie [Caroline b1857], Emma [Emma Bryan nee Smith b1861], Lily [may have been an error; should have read Eli], Polly [Mary], Louisa [Louisa Jansen b1873], Fred [Alfred John Smith b1863] & Eliza [Elizabeth b1857], aged 74 years” The same notice appeared in ‘The Leader’ newspaper one week later. I have identified most of Alice’s children in this advert, but some questions remain. Was Eli misprinted as Lily? Was Polly the pet name for daughter Mary Alice Smith b1865? Daughter Annie Jane Smith 1867-1878 was not mentioned because she was deceased.

Eight Children of John & Alice Smith nee Warren
John Smith and Alice Warren had at least eight children, but only seven are known to have reached adulthood. The parents of all the children were listed as John Smith and Alice Warren on both birth and death records.

i) Caroline Smith (1857-1940) 

 married Edmund Harrop in 1879. ‘The Age’ marriage notice of 14 Apr 1879 announced “On the 31 March… at 92 York St Emerald Hill, Edmund Harrop, bellows maker, late of Sheffield to Catherine (Carrie) eldest daughter of John Smith of Maryborough”. Sadly, this marriage did not last long, with Edmund moving to Sydney and remarrying in a bigamous relationship. After her first husband’s death Caroline married John Pearson Roberts in 1928. There were no known children from either marriage.

ii) Emma Smith (1859-1928) 

Emma married Frederick Bryan in 1883 and there were no known children. Interestingly both Frederick and the husband of cousin Evelyn (daughter of uncle William Smith b1824) were wire workers and both families attended St Peters Church in East Melbourne, so we can assume they were in contact with each other.

iii) Elizabeth (Eliza) Sarah Smith (1861-?)

Eliza Smith was living in Fraser St Maryborough with her mother and married brother Alfred from 1903 to 1908. She survived at least to 1912 when her mother died, but was not listed on the AER so she may have married. No more is known Elizabeth survived at least to 1912 when her mother died. No more is known

iv) Alfred John Smith (1863-1931)

On 14 Jul 1896 Alfred married Mary Ann Bales (b1868 Maldon, Vic) at the home of the bride’s parents. Both were of Maryborough. (The Age, 18 Aug) Their only child was daughter Reina Victoria Smith (1897-1946). Alfred became a draper and the couple lived in Fraser Street, Maryborough until 1913. After his father died in 1900, Alfred's widowed mother was living with Alfred and his wife for a few years. By 1914 (AER) Alfred, a draper's assistant, and Mary Ann had moved to 30 Loch Ave, Ballarat. This was only three km from where some of his cousins lived in Grant Street. (Children of his uncle GGGF Anthony Smith). Alfred died in 1931 and Mary Ann died in 1953. both were buried at Ballarat New Cemetery. Daughter Reina became a milliner and married Albert Ernest Terry in 1932 and had one daughter named Gweneth Terry.

v) Mary (Polly) Alice Smith (1865-?)

In 1886 Mary Alice Smith 21, "fourth daughter of the late John Smith of Maryborough" married Richard Thomas at Fitzroy. The four children born to the couple were Mary Alice Thomas 1887, Richard Thomas 1889, Alfred Charles Thomas 1891 and Hazel Lilian Thomas 1900. From 1909 to 1912 they were living at Clifton Hill with Richard working as a furnaceman. A silver wedding notice was published in ‘The Age’ 1 Nov 1911 and listed their address as 'Hazel Dell' at 45 Ramsden Street, Clifton Hill. In 1923 daughter Hazel married and her father was listed as deceased. The 1924 AER listed Mary living by herself in Ramsden St. No more is known.

vi) Annie Jane Smith (1867-1878) 

Annie died in Maryborough in 1878 when she was 11 years old. She was buried at Maryborough Cemetery in plot 854.

vii) Eli Tom Smith (1870-1936) 

In 1891 Eli 21, a butcher, married Mary (Miriam) Fletcher Smith 19 (no relation) at Fitzroy. Eli’s father John Smith was listed as a grocer on the marriage certificate. Mary Fletcher Smith was born in Brunswick in 1872 and her parents were listed as William Smith (also a witness) and mother Jane Gilbert. Eli and Mary had six children but two died as children and two died in their twenties. The children were Elsie Daisy Smith (1892-1895), Clarence George Eli Smith (1894-1957) who inherited his father and grandfather’s name, Doris Pearl Smith (1896-1973), Mary (Mollie) Jane Smith Alice Smith (1897-1920), William John Leeman Smith (1902-1925) and Jesse Smith (1907-1907)

Sadly, Eli and Mary Fletcher Smith’s eldest daughter Elsie Daisy Smith b1892 died at her mother’s parent’s house in 1895. Eli’s first wife Mary Fletcher Smith (aged 48) died in 1920 after the birth of daughter Mary. Mary’s death notice in ‘The Age’ 9 Jul reads “Mary Fletcher wife of Eli (Tom) Smith of 87 Hanover St, Fitzroy and loving mother of Clarence, Doris, John and the late (Elsie) Daisy and Mollie Smith”. Mary Fletcher Smith was the eldest daughter of Jane (Gilbert) and the late William Smith of Laura St Brunswick. Eli, a labourer, was still living in the Laura St house in 1927. In 1928 Eli married second wife Bessie Chamberlain nee Dunstan. According to the AER, Eli worked for the railways and lived at 54 Cameron St, Coburg. When Eli died in 1936 there were four notices in ‘The Argus’ of 27 Nov. The death notices tell us that Eli of Cameron St, Coburg, died at Caulfield Hospital aged 66. He was the son of John and Alice Smith, late of Maryborough and husband of Bessie Smith nee Dunstan, stepfather of Tasma Chamberlain. It is easy to confuse Eli Tom Smith b1870 with his cousin Eli Charles Smith b1864 (son of William Smith b1824) because they both died in Melbourne in 1836.

viii) Louisa Warren Smith (1873-1950) 

On 28 Aug 1895 Louisa Warren Smith “3rd (surviving) daughter of John Smith and Alice Warren” both of Maryborough, married Ferdinand (Bob) Robert Jansen (b1869 Maryborough) at Talbot. (The Age, 25 Sep 1895). They had two sons and one daughter. Their third child, named Ferdinand after his father, died in 1937. From as early as 1912 the family settled at 339 Danks St, Middle Park and lived there until their deaths in 1950. Ferdinand senior became one of Melbourne’s leading bookmakers in a 54 year career but was described on the AER as a clerk or a commission agent! Interestingly their home was less than two km from the home of Lousia’s half cousin GGF Elijah Smith (40 Longmore St). Whether they knew each other is unknown, but from what we know of Elijah he did not approve of gambling and possibly horseracing.

The Argus 20 Oct had an article titled “Big Estates for Probate”. It reported that an “Estate sworn at £51,208 was left by the late Louisa Warren Jansen of Danks St, Middle Park, who died August 29. The estate goes to her widower, excepting certain legacies, including £500 to the Children’s Hospital”. Lousia’s husband Ferdinand died at the age of 81 just three month’s after his wife. The death notice (20 Nov) tells us that two of their children were still alive; Ivy Irene Jansen (Mrs A. Swift) and Jack (John William Jansen). His obituary (The Age 20 Nov 1950) described him as a household name amongst the racing community and said he always displayed unfailing courtesy and a cheerful disposition. Details of his will were published the ‘The Herald’ 7 Sep1951. His estate was valued at over £73,000 and the joint executors and beneficiaries were his surviving son and daughter; John William Jansen clerk of Dendy St, Brighton and Ivy Irene Swift of Harold St, Middle Park.

 
13.6 Emma Smith (1828-1911)  

Emma was baptised at Hatch Farm, Headley on 9 November 1828, and moved to Selham with her parents in the late 1830's. In 1841 Emma 13 was living at home with her father, mother and many of her siblings. Sadly, her mother died the following year, when Emma was 14. In 1851 at the age of 22 she was still living with her widowed father and four of her unmarried siblings; Caroline Smith 39, Eli Smith 18, Elizabeth Smith 16 and Mary Smith 13 and four servants.

The 1852 'Post Office Directory' listed Eli Smith, farmer and Edward Gadd, miller of Lodge Hill (called Lodge Bridge Mill in 1855). Kelly’s directory of 1855 listed Edward Gadd, miller and Eli Smith as living at 'Selham Farm' suggesting that Edward had moved into the Smith house. In 1857 Emma had an illegitimate child. At the time of the 1861 census, when her father Eli Smith was 80, Emma was 33 and her siblings Eli Junior 28 and Mary 33, the family was joined by a young girl named Mary Jane Smith aged 4 (b1857 Selham) and described as Eli's grand-daughter). There were also a farm foreman and five servants to assist with the farm and household. Mary Jane Smith was Emma's illegitimate daughter who waas most likely fathered by Edward Gadd (she later went by his surname). The 1871 census confirmed this, when it listed Emma and husband Edward Gadd having a 14 year old daughter named Mary Jane Gadd (b1857 Selham), who was born four years prior to their marriage.

Emma 33, the third and youngest daughter of GGGGF Eli, married widower Edward Gadd (b1823 Heyshott), a miller, on 21 Jun 1861 at St Nicholas, Brighton, Sussex. Edward was probably a distant relative of Richard Gadd who married Emma's sister Caroline in 1853. It appears that Edward separated from his first wife Jane Gadd nee Andrews (b1821 Barkham) and his three children (Henry b1849, Charles b1851 and Edward b1856) in the mid 1850's and was living at Selham Farm (2 miles from his home at Lodsworth). Edward fathered a child (Mary Jane Smith b1857) by Emma Smith whilst living at Selham and married Emma in 1861, which was the year after his first wife died.

Edward and Emma Gadd nee Smith settled at Lodsworth Bridge Mill, Lodsworth and more children arrived soon after. In 1871 living at the mill were Edward Gadd 48, Emma Gadd 41, Mary Jane Gadd 14, Alfred E Gadd 5, Elizabeth Gadd 4 and two teenage servants. Edward's children from his marriage were living independently. The youngest, Edward Gadd b1856 was working as a servant and grocer's apprentice in Lodsworth in 1871. Young Edward had a very successful life as a grocer and merchant, leaving assets of nearly £8000 in his will when he died in 1923.

By 1881 Edward Gadd 56 had changed occupations from miller to farmer and was farming 30 acres in Heyshott (the town of his birth) and employing two labourers. Living with him were wife Emma Gadd 51 and youngest son Alfred Eli Gadd 15 (named after Emma's father and brother). In 1891 they were at the same address and the household consisted of Edward Gadd 66 farmer, wife Emma Gadd 62 and their children Alfred Eli Gadd 24 and Elizabeth Gadd 23.

By 1901 Edward 78 had retired and along with Emma was living next to their son Alfred and his large family at Hoyle Farm, Heyshott. Edward Gadd died in 1905. By 1911 things had gone badly for Emma as she was living as a patient with health issues at West Sussex County Asylum, Graylingwell, Chichester. Emma Gadd nee Smith died at Chichester later that year at the age of 83.

NOTE: Hoyle Farm, Heyshott had been occupied by Edward's father when Edward was growing up, so it had been in the family for at least 60 years.

13.7 Alfred Eli Smith (1830-1880)  

Alfred was baptised at Headley on 5 Sep 1830 and the family abode was given as Standford. In 1841, Alfred aged 10, was living at Selham Farm with Eli Smith 55, Elizabeth Smith nee Paice 45 and five of his siblings. Sadly his mother died the following year, when he was only 11. At the age of 23 in 1851, Alfred was working as a draper’s assistant in Petworth and later put the knowledge gained to use when he opened up a store at Fryers Creek in 1854. Like his older brothers he left home to start and make his own way in life rather than stay on the family farm.

During 1850-1851 several deposits of gold were discovered in Victoria. After news reached England by mid-1851, thousands of fortune seekers booked passage on ships to Aust. An estimated 6000 men arrived each week seeking their fortune. In mid-1851 Alfred’s older brother William embarked for Australia and no doubt wrote back to his family with news from the gold fields. In late 1852 brother John set sail to join William.

Not long after John migrated, Alfred also set sail for the Colony. The brothers may have sailed separately, because ships were fully booked by thousands of aspiring gold diggers. The most likely transport possibilities for Alfred were:

• Alfred departed England on 2 Sep 1852 as an unassisted passenger aboard Hyderabad bound for Australia. He arrived in Melbourne on 20 Dec 1852. The passenger arrivals manifest lists Alfred as 23 (really 22) and there is a space underneath for another name which has been left out, but other details show the person is a female aged 27. This could be a wife which would mean that this Alfred was not our Alfred.
• Alfred left London on 12th April 1853 and arrived in Victoria on the ship 'Plantagenet' on 18 Jul 1853. The ship carried a handful of cabin passengers and one hundred and seventy in the intermediate and steerage classes including an 'Alfred Smith' 23. This record fits what we know of Alfred. We do not know Alfred’s actual date of birth. If he was born two months before his baptism in early July, this age is correct, so this is likely to be the correct record.

On arrival in the colony Alfred probably started working with his two brothers near Castlemaine. Alfred did not stay at gold prospecting for long, and formed a business partnership 12km south of Castlemaine at Fryers Creek, which became known as ‘Ford and Smith’. The first mention of this store can be found in ‘The Argus’ 10 Jan 1854. Alfred had learned retail skills from his work as a draper’s assistant in 1851. The ‘Ford & Smith Store’ at Fryers Creek burned to the ground in Jan 1855 (Mt Alexander Mail 2 Feb 1855). The premises, constructed of wood and canvas, “were burnt to a cinder”. The business was relocated 60 km to the west at the fast growing Back Creek settlement, Daisy Hill Diggings, 26 km south of Maryborough. This move may have been the impetus for brother John (who also opened a store) moving to the Maryborough area.

NOTE: Back Creek is a long intermittent stream that flows parallel to the Lexton-Talbot Rd in a north-easterly direction through Talbot towards Daisy Hill before draining into the McCullum Creek near Craigie. This area is about 60km from Ballarat. There is a different creek also known as 'Back Creek' in the Taradale area.

On 20 April 1855 (Mt Alexander Mail) an advert for a lost horse is the first mention of the ‘Ford & Smith’ store at Back Creek. The men running the store were Alfred Smith and either (or both) James or Henry Ford who both lived in the area at that time (see unclaimed mail 6 Feb 1857).

According to Anthony’s letter of 30 Apr 1856, his brothers “were all well, doing about the same as last year". In that year William and John, but not Alfred, had letters waiting for collection at the Castlemaine PO. On 27 May 1856 Henry Ford (possible business partner of Alfred’s) was listed as owning a house at Amherst near Back Creek (Mt Alexander Mail).

During 1856 the brothers were all living separate lives. Brother John had moved to Maryborough (10 km north of Back Creek) and opened a shop and met his future wife, who he married on 16 Jun at Carisbrook Church of England. Carisbrook is between Maryborough and Back Creek. William had remained in Castlemaine and had established a butcher shop.

Over the next five years there were many adverts for the ‘Ford and Smith’ general Store in local papers. On 25 Jan 1858 the store advertised as a wine and spirit merchant and on 28 Dec 1858 they were advertised as a “Drapers, grocery and general store”.

In a letter dated 24 Apr 1857, Anthony wrote to Alfred re a fire near the Smith brothers at Spring Hill near Back Creek and asked him to pass his love on to John and William. He seemed unaware that William at Castlemaine was quite a distance from Alfred and John. In Dec 1857 Alfred loaned Anthony £90, probably in person. Anthony had settled 60 km away at Ballarat in late 1857. On 14 May 1858 Anthony apologised for not repaying the loan from Dec. “He supposed Alfred doesn't come to Ballarat (a distance of 55 km), but if he did, Anthony was at the 'Morning Star Prospecting Claim, Caledonian Lead'”. He asked whether brother John was still with Alfred (confirming that brothers Alfred and John were not far apart in 1857-1858). Anthony said he hadn't heard from his brother William since he (Anthony) came to Ballarat in 1857. About a month later on 8 Jun 1858 Anthony wrote again from Brown Hill, Ballarat North saying he had received Alfred's letter 'today'. Anthony mentioned the 14 May letter that he had addressed to Back Creek, Daisy Hill, but was confused whether he should send letters via Amherst or Maryborough, as he was unsure which was closest. He emphasised that he would be happy to see Alfred, William or John if they came to Ballarat.

On 17 Aug 1858 Anthony wrote again from Brown Hill, North Ballarat replying to a letter from Alfred and said he sent the £90 pounds owed. He mentioned that Alfred can expect to see him "sometime next week" and that he was looking forward to the visit as he had not seen his brother John since he came out [to Victoria].

On 19 Nov 1858 (Maryborough Advertiser) Alfred stood as a candidate and was elected to the Amherst Council. He was re-elected in 1859 and served until he retired in 1860. This was a voluntary role and he would have needed to support himself financially with gold mining or storekeeping. Councillors were often people involved in commerce so this fits with Alfred being a storekeeper. Throughout 1859 there were many adverts for the ‘Ford and Smith Store’ at Back Creek that read “Wholesale and retail grocers, drapers and general storekeepers.”

On 1 Mar 1859 an advert reported that “A.Smith ..returns thanks to miners & storekeepers for their support & begs to inform them that he has opened an express office for letters at White Star Store, New Rush, Back Creek". Alfred seems to have sold his interest in the ‘Ford and Smith’ store, but it may have kept operating under the same name. It was cited in several articles as a location near to where several incidents occurred, including two gun accidents and a robbery (The goldfields were a bit on the wild side.) On 11 Dec 1860 an advert in ‘The Age’ confirmed Alfred’s previous connection to the ‘Ford and Smith’ Store. The notice advertised shares in the Nightingale Gold Mining Co at All Nations Reef in Back Creek. The first name on the provisional directory was Alfred Smith Esq and in brackets (Messrs Ford and Smith), Back Creek. The second name was the chairman of the local council (Alfred had recently retired as a councillor). This advert also suggests that Alfred had sold his interest in the store and was looking at other ways to invest his money.

In the late 1850’s brother William moved to Melbourne and he began courting his future wife. He was also exploring the potential for a meat processing business to supply the needs of the city. In early 1859 (or before) William settled at 123 Queensberry St North Melbourne (The Argus 1 Jul 1859) and started his butcher/ham curing business, apparently working with brother Alfred under the title ‘Smith Brothers’. Perhaps Alfred was a silent partner at first, because he was still living at Amherst until the early 1860’s. Alfred’s role may have been to help source animals from the Maryborough area or he may just have provided some of the start-up capital. This would fit in with the fact that a few years earlier, he had loaned stepbrother Anthony £90 and more recently sold his interest in the ‘Ford And Smith store’.

In the 1860’s there were many advertisements listing the Smith Brothers business at 123 Queensberry St, but the one on 24 May 1860 describes the nature of the business as “Beef hams & bacon, Smith Brothers” curers, 123 Queensberry St North Melbourne. William and Alfred would have learned basic meat smoking skills as young men because their family had a “smoke bay” at their house on Hatch Farm. However, of the brothers, William was the main driver behind the new business.

During the early 1860’s, Alfred was still living at Back Creek. On 1 Jun 1860 (Maryborough Advertiser) Alfred was listed as a steward at the Town Hall Ball in Amherst. He filled this role again in Feb 1861. On 15 Jun 1860 Alfred formally retired from the Council by rotation. In mid-1860 Anthony sent a letter to Alfred at Back Creek by an acquaintance, but did not receive a reply suggesting that Alfred was already spending much of his time in Melbourne.

The 1861 Census recorded Alfred Smith at Amherst, but this was probably based on data from the previous year. The last mention of the ‘Ford & Smith’ Store at Back Creek was on 15 Nov 1861, but again this may have been based on old data. The business may have been sold, but the business name may not have been changed. Henry Ford relocated his business to Maryborough where he formed a partnership with May Garland. That partnership was dissolved on 7 Aug 1863 (Maryborough Advertiser)

It seems that during 1861, Alfred permanently moved to Melbourne and worked with William before starting up his own store. Whatever his enterprise, it was not going well and he was not happy. In 1862 adverts under the name ‘Smith Brothers’ were replaced with the name ‘William Smith Ham Curer’, indicating that Alfred had withdrawn from the business. On 20 Jan 1862 Anthony wrote to his father from Browns Diggings, North Smythesdale saying that Alfred would like to return to England. His store in Melbourne was not doing as well as he wanted and he wanted to be back in England so he could help his ageing father run the family farm.

13.7a Alfred Eli Smith (1830-1880) returned to England  

No more is known of Alfred’s life in Australia, but at some point in the mid-1860’s Alfred returned to England possibly on the 'Durham', which sailed from Port Phillip to London in Oct 1865. By the late 1860’s Alfred was settled back in England helping his father and younger brother Eli manage the family farm at Selham. Now in his late 30’s, he started courting the much younger Fanny Palmer. In 1868 Alfred’s father Eli Smith died aged 87, and was buried at Selham.

On 26 Oct 1870 at St Nicholas, Godstone, Alfred Smith a 40 year old bachelor farmer at Selham married Fanny Palmer 25. Fanny's sister Harriet Palmer was married at the same time, making it a double wedding. They had the same witnesses for both weddings, who had the surname 'Stevens'. William Stevens b1841 was a farm carter who lived with his wife Hannah in Selham Farm Cottages. Over the next eight years Alfred and Fanny had three children; Annie Jane Smith, baptised on January 21, 1872 at Selham, Frank Alfred Eli Smith, baptised July 4, 1875 and Kathleen Harriet Smith about 1878.

When Alfred's father Eli snr died in early 1868, Alfred Smith 38 took over the running of the farm employing eight men and four boys. In 1871 he was listed as head of the family and was living with younger brother Eli Smith 38. Interestingly Eli jnr was listed next to his brother (above Alfred's wife Fanny Smith nee Palmer 26), which suggested there was a joint ownership of the farm by the brothers. Also living in the house were four servants. Alfred was a witness at his younger sister Mary's wedding in 1872 at Selham.

On 21 June 1880, Alfred Smith died at the age of 49 and was buried at St James, Selham (EDI). His widowed wife Fanny Smith nee Palmer 36 was living at Selham Manor Farm with her brother-in-law Eli jnr and her three young children; Annie 9, Frank 5 and Kathleen 2.

Probate for Alfred's will was granted on the 9 Nov to Charles George Gadd, coal merchant (son of his sister Emma Gadd nee Smith). Alfred’s own children were too young to be executors but eventually inherited the farm from their father. For more information about Selham Farm up into modern times and also information about Alfred's children see 9.7. Fanny Smith died in 1922 and is buried next to her husband at Selham.

13.8 Eli Smith jnr (1832-1909)  

Eli jnr was baptised on 20 July, 1832 at Headley and moved with his family to Selham Farm in 1837 when he was five. In 1841 at the age of nine, he was living at Selham Farm with his father Eli Smith senior 55, his mother Elizabeth Smith nee Paice 45 and five of his siblings; Caroline Smith 20, Jane Smith 15, John Smith 14, Emma Smith 12, Alfred Smith 10 and Mary Smith 3.

By 1851 most children had left home. Eli's widowed father Eli Smith snr 68 was still living at Selham Farm house. He was running a farm of 253 acres and employed 13 men. Apart from young Eli 18, also living in the house were four of his unmarried sisters; Caroline Smith 39, Emma Smith 22, Elizabeth Smith 16 and Mary Smith 13 and four servants. By the early 1850’s all of Eli’s surviving brothers had migrated to Australia, so Eli was left as his father’s only male son, who could help on the farm. At the 1861 census, unmarried Eli jnr 28 was still living at Selham Farm with his 80 year old father and sisters Emma 33, Mary 23 and niece Mary Jane Smith aged 4 (Emma's daughter). There were also a foreman and 5 servants.

After GGGGF Eli Smith snr's death in 1868, older brother Alfred Smith 40, who had returned from Australia (probably in early 1866) was in charge of the farm and employed eight men and four boys. Eli 38 was listed second, which implies he was managing the farm jointly. Also living there were Alfred's wife Fanny Smith 26, her children and four servants.

On 21 June 1880, when brother Alfred 49 died, unmarried Eli 48 took over the farm. The 1891 census shows that Eli Smith jnr 58, his sister-in-law Fanny Smith 46 and two of her children Annie Jane Smith 19 and Frank Alfred Eli Smith 15 were at the farm. The 1901 census shows that Eli Smith jnr. 68, his sister-in-law Fanny 56 and her children Annie J Smith 29, Frank A E Smith 25 and Kathleen H Smith 22 were living at 'Selham Manor Farm'.

Eli jnr died on 20 December 1909, aged 77 and was buried at Selham. He remained unmarried and there is no record of any children.

 

13.9 Elizabeth (Lizzie) Smith (1834-1921)  

Elizabeth was born on 22 Apr 1834 and baptised in Headley on the 19 May 1834. In 1837, along with the rest of her family, she moved to Selham Farm. When she was only 8 years old in 1842, her mother (Elizabeth Paice) died.

For an unknown reason, Elizabeth aged 7 was not included in the 1841 census (perhaps she was staying with relatives), but she was back with the family for the 1851 census. At that time most children had left home. Elizabeth's widowed father GGGGF Eli Smith snr 68 was still living at Selham Farm house. He was running a farm of 253 acres and employed 13 men. Apart from young Elizabeth 18 (really 17) and 'employed at home', also living in the house were four of her unmarried siblings; Caroline Smith 39, Emma Smith 22, Eli Smith 18 and Mary Smith 13 and four servants.

On 5 Jan 1858 Elizabeth married Thomas Otway (1836-1871) baker at Petworth (EMI). The couple settled at Market Place, Petworth, where Thomas probably ran his bakery. In 1861 Thomas Otway 25 master baker was employing 2 men and four boys so his business must have been doing well. At that time Elizabeth Otway nee Smith was 26 and they had one child Fanny L Otway 2. Also in the house were three workers and one servant. Elizabeth had a second child, Elizabeth (Lizzie) Otway, on 24 Aug 1862.  

After the death of her father Eli in 1868, Thomas and Lizzie decided to migrate to the US. In 1870 the family set sail from Liverpool on the ship 'Manhattan' on their way to New York. They travelled west and eventually settled in St Louis, Missouri. Sadly, tragedy hit their life in their new country. Thomas died in 1871 and then Elizabeth's first daughter Fanny died in 1883. Elizabeth’s address in the 1920’s was 1727 Waverley Place, St Louis.

Elizabeth Otway nee Smith spent the rest of her life in St Louis and died there on 7 Mar 1921 at the age of 86. The cause of death was listed as cerebral haemorrhage. Other details provided on the death certificate include that Lizzie had lived in St Louis for 49 years and that she was buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery. In the section on parent’s details (above) her father was listed as Eli Smith. Her mother’s details are hard to read but appear to read ‘Elizabeth Cole’. This detail on the death record is wrong. Elizabeth's mother was Elizabeth Paice who died in 1842 when Lizzie was only 8. Whoever filled in the death certificate mistakenly believed that Eli Smith's first wife, Elizabeth Cole was Lizzie's mother. The error is understandable considering that Lizzie's death happened almost sixty years after her mother's and on the other side of the world. Elizabeth Otway nee Smith was survived by her only surviving daughter Elizabeth (Lizzie) Otway who (coinidentally) married Francis Daniel Cole and had seven children.

13.10 George Smith (1836-1836)
George was baptised at All Saints, Headley on 17 Feb 1836 by Eli Smith farmer of Standford and his wife Elizabeth Smith nee Paice. He was probably named after Eli's younger brother George Smith b1789.

Sadly, baby George died as an infant at the age of 6 weeks. He was buried in Headley on 7 Mar 1836. His death may have been one of the reasons for the family making the move to Selham.

13.11 Mary Anne Smith (1837-1927)
(Mary) Anne was the first child baptised after the family moved to Selham, Sussex and was baptised on 22 Aug 1837. Strangely, the baptism record shows her parents to be Eli and Emma (should be Elizabeth) Smith nee Paice. As Anne was not listed on the 1841 census nor any records after that, she possibly died as an infant, or much more likely, the record relating to her incorrectly lists her name. She was probably Mary Anne Smith because there is no separate birth record for Mary Smith.

In 1841 Mary (as she was known) 4 was living at home with her father and mother and many of her siblings. At the age of 13 in 1851 she was still living there with four of her unmarried older siblings; Caroline Smith 39, Emma Smith 22, Eli Smith 18 and Elizabeth Smith 16 and four servants.

At the time of the 1861 census when her father Eli was 80, Mary 23 and her siblings Eli Junior 28 and Emma 33, were joined by a toddler who had been born in 1857 named Mary Jane Smith aged 4 (sister Emma's illegitimate daughter see 13.6). There was also a farm foreman and five servants living in the house.

Mary b1837 was the youngest of Eli’s daughters and at age 35 married a much older man named John Ewens 47 on 16 May 1872 at Selham Church. The witnesses were brother Alfred Smith and Charles George Gadd (stepson of sister Emma Gadd nee Smith). John and Mary Ewens nee Smith had a son named John Smith Ewens, baptised on 29 June 1873 at Funtington (about 15m from Selham). Records for Mary, John and their children are hard to find after this date because their name is often wrongly transcribed as “Evans” or "Ewers". In 1881 John Ewens 56 retired farmer, wife Mary Ewens 45 and children John S. Ewens 7, Percy Ewens 6 and Frank Ewens 5 were living at Sidlesham, Berkshire. Later children had been born at West Ashling, Sussex (half mile from Funtington). In 1891 John Ewens 66 (living by his own means), Mary Ewens 53 and son Frank Ewens 15 were still living in Sidlesham.

Mary's husband John Ewens became quite ill in the last years of his life and died on 28 Oct 1899. Mary Ewens 63 year old widow, was living with her son Percy 26 in 1901. In 1911 Mary Ewens 73, widow, was visiting her son Frank Ewens 35, special constable and his family at Leyton. Mary Ewens nee Smith died at Highleigh Villa, Haslemere Rd, Fratton, Hampshire on 19 Feb 1927 aged 89. Probate was granted to son Percy Ewens commercial traveller and Edward Gadd, retired grocer. Effects were valued at £1837.

Children of John Ewens and Mary Smith 

In the 1891 census, youngest son Percy Ewens was listed as an apprentice grocer living with Edward Gadd 35 and his family in London. Edward Gadd was a cousin of Percy’s; the stepson of his aunt Emma Gadd nee Smith. Percy Ewens 36 married Harriet Pugh Barlow 40 in London in 1908. They had one daughter and moved to Portsmouth where Percy died in 1953.

Son Frank Ewens married Rosie Louisa Budd in 1901 and had two children. His brother Percy was a witness at the wedding. Frank was living in Leyton, Essex in 1911 and died the following year in 1912 at the age of 36.

Eldest son John S Ewens joined the Scots Guards in 1890. In 1891 John Smith Ewens was a soldier who was living in the Cavalry Barracks Hospitals Military Prison in Berkshire. In 1901 he was visiting the Pearce family in Sussex and living “on his own means’, which suggests he had retired from army service. John Smith Ewens 34 died at Portsmouth in 1907 and nominated his widowed mother Mary Ewens nee Smith as the sole executor of his will with effects valued at £1219.

14.0 GGGF Anthony Smith (1816-1878)  

Anthony Smith was born at Standford in early 1816 and baptised in Headley, Hampshire on 28 June 1816. He was the only child born to GGGGP Eli Smith and Elizabeth Cole, as his mother died a few weeks after his birth. Anthony gives a clue as to exactly where he was born, in his diary of his return trip to England. On 16th June 1847 he dined with G.R.W. (George Roe Warren) at Hatch Farm, "in the home in which I was born, where I drew my first & she who bore me, drew her last breath. O may we meet again." We don’t know much about Anthony’s childhood, but he did write in his diary that he attended school. On 13th June he wrote “..a gentleman I used to know … went to school with his wife’s brothers.”

It would have been impossible for Anthony’s father Eli to run the farm and care for his newborn son. Rod Gilbert suggests in YAS it is highly likely that Anthony was raised by his grandparents John and Judith Smith, who lived next door to Eli on Chase Farm. This is all but confirmed when Anthony wrote in his diary on 14 June 1847, “Started for Headley, arrived at Uncle T's in evening; the residence of my late grandfather.... my mind naturally reverted to the past. Ten years ago I left it [the residence] and him for a foreign clime... now I had returned to (collect) the patrimony left to me by his own will....” ‘Uncle T’ was John Tull, husband of Anthony’s mother’s sister (see 12.3 above) and in this quote he reminisces about leaving his grandfather’s property a decade earlier.

Anthony’s father would have been very busy running the farm, but no doubt was in constant contact with his young son. Later in life Anthony makes it clear in his writings that he was close to his father. As he grew up, Anthony would have been a great help on his grandfather’s farm and at the same time would have picked up practical knowledge and skills that he used in later life himself.

Four years after his first wife’s death, Anthony’s father GGGGF Eli aged 39 married Elizabeth Paice aged 26 at Yateley, Hampshire (19 miles north of Headley) on 1 April 1820 and together they had ten step siblings to Anthony. From later documents it is obvious that Anthony felt close to his father’s second family, but the evidence suggests that he continued to live with his grandparents at Chase Farm, where he would have been very helpful to his ageing grandfather. In 1822 Anthony’s grandmother Judith Smith nee Bayley died, and this tragedy probably brought Anthony and his ageing grandfather even closer together. The fact that Anthony was the main beneficiary of GGGGGF John Smith’s will is further evidence of how close he was to his grandfather. 

In 1830 a dramatic event known as The Headley Riots (see 8.3 above for more detail) occurred in the Selbourne/Healey area. At the age of 14 Anthony saw an angry noisy mob march past his farm carrying flags, poles and items that were intended for use as weapons. Anthony and other bystanders would have been fearful for what the crowd would do. It would have been especially frightening for Anthony because his father tried to calm things down, and the outcome of that could have been tragic. The people in the crowd had justification for their anger. Workers were living in poverty and wanted fair wages. The income of many farmers had declined due to environmental factors and they were having trouble making ends meet. Much of the anger was directed towards the established church which ‘taxed’ farmers a proportion of their production and the church was not keen on reducing its’ income. This event may have been one reason why Anthony rejected the established Church of England and its hierarchical structures and became involved in grassroots religious groups that worked to help improve social condition for poor people. The event was probably very traumatic for GGGGF Eli and all the family and may have been a factor in Eli selling the farm and moving his family to Selham in Surrey.
 

Around the age of 19 in 1835, Anthony joined a Methodist denomination who called themselves ‘Bible Christians’ The group had been founded by William O’Bryan, a Wesleyan Methodist preacher, in 1815 in Cornwall and from there gradually spread through England and to further parts of the world. One characteristic of the group was concern about the poor economic and social conditions experienced by working class people. The Bible Christian Mission was established in Farnham around 1830. The riots mentioned above, highlighted social inequities and may have been one factor in the minds of those people that joined the group. Anthony seems to have joined the Bible Christians at the same time as his aunt Sophia Elstone nee Smith. Sophia’s youngest son Thomas Gilbert Elstone was baptised in 1835, at the Farnham Bible Christian Mission. By 1836 there was a Bible Christian Chapel at Lindford and it was there that Henry and Lucy Powell nee Smith (b1803) had their daughter Martha baptised. (Lucy Smith was the daughter of John and Hannah Smith see 7.4). Martha went on to become a Bible Christian teacher in the 1860’s. George Roe Warren who purchased Hatch Farm in 1837 also became a Bible Christian preacher. Interestingly, Anthony’s father Eli had two of his children baptised in the late 1830’s and neither were baptised as Bible Christians. Eli seems to have maintained links with the established church (Church of England)

Bible Christians placed great importance in spreading their message far and wide. It seems that several Bible Christians in Hampshire (including Anthony) saw new opportunities for themselves and a chance to take their faith abroad when advertisements announced the opening up of settlement in the Colony of South Australia. Anthony remained a very religious man his whole life (his faith is very evident in his personal letters and diary) and he later become a very highly regarded missionary serving the poor in Ballarat.

In late 1836 or early 1837, Eli Smith and his second family sold Hatch Farm and moved 12 miles to Selham Farm in West Sussex. At about this time Anthony must have seen notices advertising the potential of farming properties in the new Colony of South Australia sold at prices that a young man could afford. In June 1837 Anthony made enquiries regarding passage by ship to Australia. (See more detail in YAS).

14.1 Migration to South Australia 

At the age of 21 in 1837, Anthony decided to make a new life in the new Colony of South Australia. After paying the cost of the passage £17 10s, he sailed on the 'Katherine Stewart Forbes', which was the ninth emigrant ship to reach the new colony in the second year of colonisation. Other passengers and ship's records provide some information about the trip.

The 'Katherine Stewart Forbes' (image above) sailed from Debtford Docks (London) on 26 Jun 1837 (SA Maritime Museum) and arrived at Holdfast Bay S.A. on October 17, 1837 carrying 177 passengers. Some accounts of the voyage list the ship as departing Gravesend on 27 July, so the ship may have been becalmed for a few weeks awaiting favourable winds. The passengers came from all over England, and some from Ireland. There were six aged over thirty, of whom five paid their own way. There were 129 aged between fifteen and thirty, of whom only four were required to pay, and there were forty-two aged under fifteen, all of whom were granted free passage. GGGF Anthony Smith was listed in the passenger list, but no occupation was listed.

Richard Hamilton and his wife were also passengers on the ship and they reported that "They were farewelled by a boat-load of friends as they sailed past Dover". The ship did not stop at Cape Town, but travelled directly to South Australia from Rio. Richard Hamilton described his voyage as "a most delightful passage of sixteen weeks". (Aligns with a departure date of 26 June)

When the 'Katherine Stewart Forbes' reached Holdfast Bay, S.A. on 17 Oct 1837, the passengers and cargo were landed on to the beach, as there were no port facilities. Small boats were used to unload passengers and a number of colonists came out to the ship to offer work to the passengers. Would-be emigrants had been advised to bring a prefabricated wooden house with them, although a tent or marquee "which should be lined, as the rays of the sun render a tent very oppressive during the day", was more economical. Emigrants were also advised that "Doors and sashes would also greatly facilitate the erection of the settler's future dwelling". The Hamiltons brought with them a marquee in which they lived for some time, while building a house on a half-acre block which they purchased from a fellow passenger, after learning that the country land surveys had not been completed and that the selection of purchased land could take some time.

Most settlers to the new colony were given free passage on agreement that they would provide labour and purchase land to farm. The most likely reason Anthony migrated, was to take up a golden opportunity to make a life as a farmer on his own farmland. Unfortunately agricultural land was not available straight away as it was awaiting survey, but Anthony had pre-purchased a 'town lot' in Adelaide where he probably headed as soon as he could. On landing on the beach Anthony would have had to walk the six miles to Adelaide unless he had money to spare for a ride in a carriage.

Recent archaeological studies on the old Adelaide Gaol site have revealed evidence of a large temporary camp where new immigrants may have camped until more permanent lodgings became available. For the next eighteen months Anthony probably worked for others to earn enough money to start his farm, and at some point was either living or working in the Brighton area and this is where he possibly met his future bride.

Rod Gilbert has done extensive research into some of the early religious communities in Adelaide. It appears ‘that several of Anthony’s fellow passengers were Bible Christians as was Anthony, and Rod believes that spreading the ‘Bible Christian message’ was one of the motivating factors that influenced his decision making. This theory is certainly supported by the material in his diaries and letters, and by his actions later in life.

Anthony’s future father-in-law, William Collins, was a trustee of three Wesleyan Chapels in Adelaide and his family would have regularly attended church activities. Bible Christians and Wesleyans often shared facilities and mixed socially, so this was most likely how Anthony met his future wife; William’s daughter, Charlotte Elizabeth Collins. On 7 Jul 1838 a newspaper report listed both William and Anthony as donors towards the construction of the Wesleyan Chapel in Adelaide, which suggests that Anthony probably met Charlotte around one year before he married her in April 1839.

 

14.2 Marriage to GGGM Charlotte Elizabeth Collins (1818-1881)

Charlotte was born in Lambeth in 1818 and came from a completely different background to Anthony. She had grown up close to London centre, in a rapidly growing overcrowded urban area. She would have had little experience of wide-open spaces and certainly knew nothing of the farming life. Her parents were GGGGP William and Charlotte Elizabeth Collins nee Bird. In 1832 when Charlotte was 14, the family set sail on the barque 'John Craig' for Hobart and arrived in Dec 1832. Two more siblings were born before the family departed Hobart on 3 November 1837 and arrived in SA on 27 Nov 1837 aboard the 'Eudora'. Charlotte was 19 by the time they arrived in Adelaide and settled in the Brighton Area. The Collins family arrived in Adelaide just one month after Anthony. For information about Charlotte's early life and ancestors see PART 3: The Collins family Tree.

 On 16 Apr 1839 GGGF Anthony Smith 23 married GGGM Charlotte Elizabeth Collins 21 (1818-1881). The marriage was conducted by Colonial Chaplin Charles Howard and was one of the earliest marriages held in the newly built Trinity Church, Adelaide. They were unable to be married in a Wesleyan chapel because the building was yet to be completed. Anthony's letter above contained a photo of Charlotte taken in the 1850's.

14.3 Life in Adelaide 1837-1840

The following extract from ‘The Observer' (Adelaide) 11 Jan 1913, about the memories of William Burrows Bradshaw, one of Anthony's fellow passengers on the ‘Katherine Stewart Forbes', provides information about life in Adelaide during his early years in the colony.

 14.4 Anthony’s First Farm in South Australia

Anthony's first farm was a seven-acre property near the corner of present-day Hicks Hill Rd and Lewis Street at Cherry Gardens (18km from Brighton) and was only accessible by a rough track that would have been a journey of several hours by horse and cart. This location was probably chosen because it was deemed suitable for farming, but Anthony would have been attracted by the fact that other Bible Christians and Wesleyans had moved to the area as well.

The family was living there in the years 1839 to 1843, which according to 'The South Australian Register' 10 Jul 1841, consisted of four acres planted mainly with oats, but also some barley, maize (doing "exceedingly well") and potatoes. The property had a well for water supply, stockyards and a dwelling. As Charlotte gave birth to two babies in Adelaide during this time, she may have temporarily moved closer to the city (where she had the support network of her parents and other family) to give birth. The first two children were Elizabeth Smith b9 Oct 1840 and Jane Smith c1843. Anthony's grandfather John Smith died on 28 Jul 1840, but Anthony would not have received the sad news until at least the end of 1840 or early 1841.

In 1843 Anthony sold his farm to Henry Field and the family moved closer to Adelaide and Charlotte’s parents. Later that year he jointly (with father-in-law William Collins) purchased a farm (Lot 205) in Glenelg. William Collin’s occupation was builder and plasterer, so he would have had little knowledge about farming. Anthony grew up on farms and would have provided the expertise and perhaps was the main motivating force for planting crops. In 1844 Anthony was using his farming skills to grow 18 acres of wheat and 25 acres of barley. At the same time William Collins was growing 76 acres of wheat 20 acres of barley. In all likelihood Anthony was probably growing or at least overseeing the whole farm because William had no farming experience at all.

On 27 Apr 1844, Anthony’s third child, Mary, was born in Unley. The 1844 Almanac listed Anthony as farming section 205 at Glenelg jointly with his father-in-law, who also owned properties in Franklin St, Adelaide. 1846 was a very eventful year. On 13 Apr 1846 Anthony’s fourth child, first son, John Smith was born at Brighton. In that same month, Anthony’s aunt Mary Cater nee Smith died in Headley, Hampshire. Under the terms of his grandfather  John Smith’s will, ownership of Chase Farm passed to Anthony, and he would have received this news many weeks later. (The news would have come by letter transported by sailing ship.) Anthony had to then make arrangements to return to England to collect his inheritance.

14.5 Anthony's Return Trip to England from 1846-1848

In late 1846 Anthony made the huge decision to return to England, leaving his wife and young family in the care of his father-in-law GGGGF William Collins for a trip that turned out to be seventeen long months. His motivation for making the trip was to "receive his grandfather's estate personally" and probably to see his English family as well. Anthony left Adelaide on 8 Nov 1846 on board ‘The Tigress’ and arrived in Bristol on 30th Apr 1847. He took a train to Paddington Station, describing his first ever steam train trip of four and a half hours as "a novel mode of travelling (under hill and over land), 'flying', but very pleasant." He then took a stagecoach to Selham Farm in West Sussex to catch up with his family.

With his father GGGGF Eli Smith, Anthony travelled to Headley to catch up with friends and meet with 'Mrs R.H & J.M', trustees of his grandfather's estate. Over the next few months, he visited many people socially, for family reasons, for business and to finalise his grandfather's will. Anthony kept a diary during this trip and used initials to refer to people, so the full names given in brackets are guesses. Some of the towns he visited (usually travelling by horse, gig or walking) were Puttenham, Farnham, Petworth and Godalming.

 

14.6 Excerpts from GGGF Anthony's Diary 1846-1848
In his diary Anthony refers to people by initials. His words below are in italics. [Bracketed words are my comments]. 'Letters from the Goldfields ', ‘Farmer Miner Preacher’ and ‘My Affectionate Son’ contain full accounts of the two parts of the diary.

Ø 8 Nov 1846 Sail'd down the River, Port Adelaide....foul wind [The long journey for 'The Tigress' started off very slowly. By 1st Jan the ship finally reached the Indian Ocean on its way out of Australian waters. They sailed via the Cape of Good Hope (Africa) and encountered several severe gales, which must have been very uncomfortable and frightening]
Ø 30 Apr 1847 Got discharged from 'The Tigress' ... and caught a steamer to Bristol. [The trip had taken almost 6 months and Anthony expressed his relief at surviving the voyage]; Bless the Lord & my soul and all that is within me
Ø 1 May 1847 Booked myself at the Bristol Terminus for Paddington, London
Ø 3 May 1847 ....started for Selham Farm by stage coach [from Guildford] where I arrived at seven in the evening with feelings indescribable. All well with the blessings of Providence.
Ø 5 May: Went with father to Petersfield market....saw R.H on business. [Richard Hearsey (1804-1855) was an executor of GGGGGF John Smith’s will and a distant relative (see below)]
Ø 12 May: Father & me went over to Headley. Conferred with Messrs G.H. & J.M. trustees respecting my late grandfather's estate. [J.M. may be John Mills b1775, farmer of Arford]
Ø 1 Jun: Started by coach to Milford, walked to Putenham, dined there, borrowed brother-in-law's [Henry Tice] horse and rode to Farnham. Saw Mr E. on business. Returned to Puttenham and slept.
Ø 3rd June ...Took coach for Godalming. Walked thence 1½ miles to Mr H's at Eashing; a distant relation. [Eashing is on the outskirts of Godalming and Mr H may be a member of the Hearsey family]
Ø 13 June: Stayed at sister Jane's at Puttenham. [Jane Tice nee Smith see 3.3]
Ø 14 June: [A week's tour] Started for Headley arrived at Uncle T's [John Tull] in evening; the residence of my late grandfather.... my mind naturally reverted to the past. Ten years ago I left it and him for a foreign clime...now I had returned to (collect) the patrimony left to me by his own will....
Ø 15 June: [Headley area] Dined at A.W's, tea'd with Mrs W. walked to Bramshott saw W.C. on business. Suppd and slept there. [A.W. was Andrew Warren b1821 paper manufacturer & farmer at Headley. Mrs W was Andrew's step mother Lydia Warren b1804]
Ø 16 June: Visited Aunt E [Sophia Elstone nee Smith at Bramshott] & E.H an old acquaintance who lately lost her husband and was left a young widow with one child. Dined with G.R.W., "in the home in which I was born [Hatch Farm], where I drew my first & she who bore me drew her last breath. O may we meet again." [G.R.W was George Roe Warren b1815 Midhurst, son of George Warren who took over Hatch Farm, Tulls Lane after the Smiths left].
Ø 17 June: Went up to C.C's. [He visited CC, a few times] Evening at R.K's and slept at C.C's. ([R.K. was Richard Knight, farmer at Standford b1815. Next door was Charles Chandler a childhood friend, who in 1822 was occupying a cottage on Hatch House Farm, Lindford. See ]
Ø 18 June: Accompanied C.C. Dined at farmer J.P's, tea'd at W.L. and supp'd at J.C's whose brother G is in South Australia. [J.P. could be John Peter b1796 Headley farmer of 300 acres; J.C. could be John Carpenter b1790 farmer of 7 acres Headley, W.L. could be William Langrish of Picketts Hill Farm]
Ø 19 June: Rode with CC in his gig to Selham, arriv'd home after a week's tour.
Ø 23 June: [From Selham]...Drove sister Caroline & cousin to Chichester. [Caroline Smith married Richard Gadd in 1853; see 3.2]
Ø 1 July: Walked 10m to Petersfield [from Bentworth, Alton] to see my Dear mother's sister's family, she being 'deceased' since I left England. [Jane Pink nee Cole; sister of his mother GGGGM Elizabeth Cole]
Ø 2 July: Left Uncle P's [Thomas Pink; widowed husband of Jane Pink nee Cole living at Oakshott, Petersfield]
Ø 16 July: Drove over to Greatham to Mr H’s [Richard Hearsey]. Saw Mr E on business
Ø 23 July: Went to Bramshott
Ø 24 July: Started [from Bramshott] with WC [William Chandler?] in his gig to Farnham to see Mr E; was disappointed he being gone out. Intended to walk to Godalming but could only reach my sister's [Jane's] at Putenham.
Ø 26 Aug: Took Uncle T. [John Tull] to Farnham. Saw Mr E on business, back to Kingsley at JW's
Ø 27 Aug: Walked over to Headley, spent afternoon with my godmother, [Mary] Ewsters. Slept at C.C's.
Ø 2 Sep: Horse and gig to Uncle T. [John Tull] at Headley.
Ø 3 Sep: Drove over to Farnham. Saw Mr. E. on business... Drove to Headley...[to Uncle T's; John Tull]
Ø 4 Sep: Home to Selham
Ø 5 Sep: Walked to Headley 2½ hours. Shot a few partridges at CC's
Ø 7 Sep: Drove with father to Farnham, met the legatees (relations, one of them an uncle whom I had not seen for 12 or 14 years [c1835] got my business settled with those lawyers and the money paid down - an important day this. [Anthony's uncle, John Smith b1785 married to GGGGF Eli's sister, Lydia Smith b1783 lived at Compton Common, Farnham in the 1840’s]
Ø 30 Sept: Went to London. Called on G.M. Took lodgings in Bow Lane.
Ø 3 Oct Walked to Brixton Hill saw the chapel that Daddie C. built [in 1824]. [The Brixton Hill Wesleyan Chapel had begun in a cottage in Coldharbour Lane in 1820. A chapel was erected in 1824 (built by Daddie C; William Collins) on the site of the present church on the west side of Brixton Hill between Endymion Road and Elm Park. The first chapel was entirely rebuilt in 1856-7, but was totally destroyed by enemy action in WW2]
Ø 4 Oct: Paid half of return passage on the ship 'Hindoo'.
Ø 20 Oct: Still engaged in getting my goods forward for shipment [Anthony returned to S.A. with many cases and other items; see newspaper report after he arrived back in Adelaide]
Ø 8 Nov: Bade farewell to my dear father and family -found it very hard work indeed. Went to London. [Sailing was delayed until 24 Nov 1847]
Ø 25 Dec: Christmas Day. Ah my dear wife- you wished I might spend it with you this year but I am far, far away and you are lamenting my absence. God grant that our meeting may be the sweeter.
Ø 31 Jan: Crossed the equator "thoughts of home and those who lie nearest my heart"

Second Part of Diary

Ø 16 Feb 1848: ..beautiful weather, pleasant in the extreme, but o' my, home is far away & that dear....Father of mercies. [As he nears home, Anthony comments on how much he misses his family]
Ø 22 Feb: A large barque the 'David Clark' came up with us for Bombay, 57 days out. Capt ... came on board and dined.
Ø 27 Feb: Sabbath. Had some very good singing this morning, but the preaching and living are two different things, both are bad enough. A nice little breeze springing up last night & I was in hopes we had lost the 'David Clark', but she came up again this afternoon and our Capt & some passengers went on board... our people just got (back) on board... as it was coming to blow pretty stiff,- a better wetting than they got, would have served them well right, as there has been too much of it, and we have been hindered many hours sail by this boy's play.
Ø 2 Mar: William Horsfor, one of the seamen died this day, another proof of man's mortality. He had been in decline for some years & came on this voyage thinking to better his health..... to all appearance he had been mending for this month past, when all at once he was called away.
Ø 11 Mar: Off the Cape (of Good Hope) this morn about 200 miles, beautiful clear weather
Ø 27 Mar: A tremendous shark alongside; could not catch him
Ø 3 Apr: Had a rare tumbling last night, very little sleep, a heavy sea today
Ø 9 Apr: Sabbath. Mr 'W' preached in the cabin today.... rather better than usual. [Anthony made notes each Sunday about the sermon and often added his evaluation of it]
Ø 11 Apr: Light winds, fair weather off King Georges Sound. Shot 2 or 3 birds.
Ø 16 Apr: Sabbath. No sermon today. Prayers twice in the cabin read by Mr Miller. A week ago expected to see land today. Lord pardon my impatience. Nine years ago this day I entered into a solemn engagement. O may it be ever kept inviolable. [Anthony's Wedding Anniversary]
Ø 22 Apr: Entered Vincent Gulf... the cutter 'Midge' came alongside and left us a paper -much anxiety for home
Ø 23 Apr: Off Holdfast Bay [Adelaide]
Ø 24 Apr: Found we had got too northward of the lightship this morning at daylight... took the pilot aboard at 12...went ashore with the pilot boat & was the first in town. Thanked God & took courage. Found all well. Praise! Praise the Lord...

14.6a Some of the People mentioned in Anthony's Diary  

(Diary date in brackets) [My guess in square brackets]

• Messrs G.H. & J.M. trustees (12 May) @ Headley [John Mills b1775, neighbour & farmer of Arford]
• Mr E of Farnham. (1 Jun, 16, 24 Jul & 26 Aug, 3 Sep) Mentioned many times re business matters. Probably George Montague Evans who witnessed John Smith’s will. Janet Woodger’s research shows that George Evans was an attorney and solicitor who lived in Farnham in the 1840’s. Many consultations would have been needed to finalise various aspects of the will.
• E.H (16 Jun) @Bramshott/Headley= old acquaintance [husband had died recently (1840's) widow with a child]
• R.K (17 Jun) @ Headley [Richard Knight b1815 farmer at Standford 1841]
• J.P (18 Jun) @ Headley [John Peter b1796 farmer of 300 acres]
• W.L. (18 Jun) @Headley [William Langrish of Picketts Hill Farm]
• J.C (18 Jun) @ Headley brother G in South Australia [John Carpenter b1790 Bramshott farmer of 7 acres?]
• JW (26 Aug) @ Kingsley 3 miles from Headley [Possibly James Woodhouse, wheelwright b1815]
• Godmother Ewsters (27 Aug) @ Headley [William Ewsters (1760-1842) of independent means & his wife Mary Ewsters nee Dale b1767 occupied Arford House (about 1 mile from Hatch Farm) in 1841 and the latter was Anthony's godmother, She died in 1854 at Headley]
  

The Chandler Family

• W.C. (15 & 24 Jul) @ Bramshott on business [One of two William Chandlers both ag lab at Standford
• C.C (17-19 Jun) @ Headley [Charles Chandler ag lab b1817 occupied a cottage on Hatch House Farm, Standford 1822-1841. Same age as Anthony]
  

The Warren Family

• A.W (15 Jun) @ Headley [Andrew Warren b1821 paper manufacturer & farmer at Headley. Son of William Warren]
• Mrs W. (15 Jun) @ Headley [Andrew Warren's step mother Lydia Warren b1804]
• G.R.W. (16 Jun) @ Hatch Farm, Standford [George Roe Warren b1815 Midhurst, son of William Warren who took over Hatch Farm after the Smiths]

Relations mentioned by Anthony

• Uncle T (14 Jun, 26 Aug, 2 Sep) John Tull husband of Anthony's aunt Jane Tull nee Cole living at Chase farm, Tulls Lane, Standford (See Below)
• Sister Jane Tice nee Smith (13 Jun, 24 Jul) Lived at Puttenham
• Sister Caroline Smith (23 Jun) Living at Selham Farm; married Richard Gadd in 1853.
• Aunt E (16 Jun) Lived at Bramshott [Sophia Elstone nee Smith 1788-1866; sister of his father]
• Uncle P (1 & 2 Jul) Lived at Oakshott, Petersfield [Thomas Pink; widowed husband of Sarah Cole Anthony's mother’s sister who died in 1842]
• Uncle at Farnham, legatees. (7 Sep) Not seen him for 12 years. [Uncle John Smith b1785 married to GGGGF Eli's sister, Lydia Smith b1783. Lydia was also beneficiary of GGGGGF John's will. They lived in Farnham area from 1841-1851]
• 'Daddie C' (3 Oct) "Walked to Brixton Hill. Saw the chapel that Daddie C built". This location was most likely Brixton Hill Wesleyan Chapel built in 1824.‘Daddie C’ was Anthony's father-in-law GGGGF William Collins. He was in the building trade and lived and worked in the Brixton/Lambeth area and would have  been 29 in 1824. William Collins was a staunch member of the Wesleyan faith. Sadly, Anthony’s grandmother-in-law, GGGGGG Elizabeth Collins nee Johnson died 15 Mar 1847 just six months before Anthony visited the area.
• Mr H, a distant relation lived at Eashing near Godalming (3 Jun) Possibly a member of one of the Hearsey families that were related to Anthony through his mother Elizabeth Cole
• R.H seen on business (5 May & 16 Jul). Richard Hearsey (1804-1855) was an executor of GGGGGF John Smith’s will and a distant relative; grandson of GGGGF John’s sister Hannah. Richard lived at Greatham 5m north of Petersfield. His death was registered at Petersfield in 1855

14.7 GGGF Anthony Smith's return to South Australia 1848 GGGF Anthony arrived back in Adelaide on 24 Apr 1848 and no doubt immediately returned to his family farm at Black Forest. A report of the arrival of ‘The Hindoo' appeared in the S.A.Register on 26 Apr. It listed the passengers including Anthony, as well as the cargo. Anthony's belongings included; 10 casks (for water?), 7 bales, 7 cases (perhaps containing items he inherited from his grandfather), 15 iron bundles, 234 iron bars and one patent axeltree. The latter item was a beam of wood or iron, connecting the opposite wheels of a carriage, on the ends of which the wheels revolve. Anthony must have returned with his inheritance, because over the next few years he was looking for ways to invest it. In 1848 'Anthony Smith of the Black Forest' was chosen to be on the board of directors of the newly formed 'South Australian Provincial Mining Association'. The 'South Australian Register', 28 October 1848 reported with great enthusiasm that, 

"The first meeting of this Association took place on Wednesday at the 'Castle Inn,' Rundle-street, for the purpose of choosing directors, and bringing the newly formed company into an organised state. It was stated that upwards of a thousand shares of six pounds each, are already applied for, and about 900 taken up, principally by those of the, industrious classes whose laborious exertions have given them wealth, coming forward in a very spirited manner to contribute their ten shillings per month, per share, towards raising the capital needful for bringing to light the concealed riches and resources of their adopted country."

 

Anthony's interest in this venture was an indication of his future interest in the Victorian Goldfields. He was re-elected as a director six months later. Many speculative Mining Companies were formed at this time, but were very much a gamble. "The 'South Australian Mining Association' (with a very similar name to the company above) was a no-liability company which established several mines in South Australia, notably the 'Grey Wheal', or north mine at Burra, which made a fortune for its promoters, the 'Snobs', while the adjacent southern claim, by the Princess Royal Company ('Nobs') proved worthless." (from Wikipedia) Whether Anthony found the investment profitable is unknown.

Anthony was also appointed a director of the 'Bremer Mining Co' and took a more active part in this venture. From at least 1848 to 1850 Anthony used some of his inheritance to sublease a flour steam mill at Black Forest. He would have had some knowledge of the milling process from his early days at Standford in the 1830’s, when his father Eli also had part ownership of a mill (powered by water). Anthony’s experience with the Steam Mill was probably one of the motivations for his father-in-law later becoming involved with the Brighton Steam Mill.

On 9 Nov a letter from Anthony to potential investors was published in the Adelaide Observer. It contained an enthusiastic report by Anthony on the company's potential. However, not long after, he became disillusioned and resigned his directorship in Sep 1851.

Anthony's fifth child, Caroline Smith, was born on 21 Mar 1850 at Black Forest, now a suburb of Adelaide. Soon after the birth, the family moved the short distance to Brighton, where his next three children were born; GGF Elijah Smith b10 May 1852, Emma Cole Smith b27 Aug 1854 and William Alfred Smith b19 July 1856. Whilst at Brighton, baby daughter Caroline Smith died at the age of three.

During 1850-1851 several deposits of gold were discovered in Victoria. After news reached England, thousands of fortune seekers booked passage on ships to Australia. An estimated 6000 men arrived each week seeking their fortune. Among these was Anthony’s stepbrother William, who would have been kept informed of these developments by Anthony. In mid-1851 William embarked for Australia, but we do not know for certain when he arrived. The most likely scenario is that he sailed direct to Adelaide (where half-brother Anthony lived). The ship ‘Constitution’ had a William Smith on board, and left Liverpool on 1 May 1851. It arrived in Adelaide on 7 Aug.

A letter written by Mr Walls suggests that William spent 3-4 months with Anthony and other people, who had migrated from the Headley area to Australia. In late 1851, when excitement about the gold fields was at a peak (gold had been discovered at Ballarat in Aug 1851), William travelled to Victoria to try his luck. There were several small ships that were running shuttle services between the states, such as the ships Lady Flora’, ‘The Gazelle’ and the brig ‘Rattler’.

According to Mr Wall’s letter, William “cleared £280 in gold fossicking, in just one month and in mid-Jan 1852 he returned to Adelaide. On Sunday, 25 Jan 1852, William dined with Messrs Walls, etc … to acquaint us with the departure for the diggings and has returned [after] working at the Gold Fields”. In his letter Mr Walls foreshadowed William returning to Victoria with Anthony in following week. In Feb 1852 Anthony and William probably travelled together to the Victorian Goldfields to try their luck. William remained on the goldfields, but Anthony probably returned home to S.A. for the birth of his next child before May.

In 1853 Anthony was listed as having donated one pound towards the erection of an Episcopal Church in Brighton. The Brighton residence of the Smith family was confirmed in the newspapers in 1857. The newspaper report of the inquest below also tells us that Anthony had given up on farming and had opened a shop in Brighton by 1857.

In a letter to his father dated 30 Apr 1856 Anthony wrote from Brighton about his sadness after the loss of his baby daughter Emma from croup on 23 Mar, about how last year's crops were good and notes that "the Melbourne gold fields are not making the stir they once did". He also expressed disappointment at not getting a block of land he had his eye on and says, as his health was not good he was trying other things such as trading etc. This latter comment about 'trading' is clarified in the evidence he gave at the inquest below, when he was described as a storekeeper.

In a letter to Alfred dated 24 Apr 1857 from Brighton SA, Anthony foreshadowed his plan 'to come to your side' (join you in Victoria) and send my love to brothers William and John, which suggests his three half-brothers were working together in Victoria. During this month (7 Apr 1857) an appeal by Anthony to reduce the rates charged on his Brighton property was dismissed.

On the 18 March 1857, the 'Adelaide Times' reported that the 'Thatched Inn' in Brighton burned down and "A Jury, to inquire into the origin and particulars of the above unfortunate occurrence, was convened yesterday at Mr Moody's, the St. Vincent Inn, Brighton, at 11 a.m., of which (GGGGF) William Collins, gentleman, of Brighton, was elected foreman." As a local resident and witness, his son-in-law GGGF Anthony Smith (a resident of Brighton) gave evidence at the inquest.

In a remarkable coincidence, Anthony's father-in-law, GGGGF William Collins (who was foreman of the jury in the previous inquest above) lost his own property, 'The Flour Mill', to fire a few months later. An inquest into that fire was held soon after. On Thursday morning, the 18 Apr 1857 GGGGF William Collin's 'Brighton Plains Steam Flour Mill' burned down and once again Anthony gave evidence as a witness. In his evidence at the inquest reported in 'The Adelaide Observer' on 25 Apr 1875, GGGF Anthony Smith, storekeeper of Brighton Plains said "he lived about 160 yards from the mill. Was aroused by Mr. Dungey between half-past 12 and 1am, and saw the mill in flames. Got on his clothes and ran over, and gave what assistance he could. The whole body of the mill seemed to be on fire; but most of the flames were above, and the roof was falling in."

On 24th Apr 1857 Anthony now 41 wrote a letter to his brother Alfred in Victoria, which described how terrible the Flour Mill fire was, but was relieved that it would not 'affect him materially'. He wrote that his health had not been good, especially in the extreme heat and told the brother "not to write back yet because he had made up his mind to [be] off" [to the Victorian goldfields].

https://data.environment.sa.gov.au/Content/heritage-surveys/2-Brighton-Heritage-Review-1998.pdf

The above extract locates the flour mill in Sturt Rd, Brighton and also throws some light on the nature of Brighton in the 1840's. The fire proved disastrous for GGGGF William Collins (see Part 3 of this blog for information about the Collins Family Tree) and was probably another reason that Anthony packed his family up and moved to Victoria at this time

14.8 GGGP Anthony & Charlotte Smith Move to Victoria  

By mid-1857 Anthony had made up his mind to move his family to Victoria, with his eye on the goldfields of Ballarat. He probably started out midyear in the winter of 1857. Anthony may have made the trip by foot and or horse, which was along a well trodden route made by thousands of men before him, but most likely he travelled to Victoria by boat and walked or rode to the goldfields from the coast.

By late 1857 Anthony had moved to Ballarat and in another letter dated 14 May 1858, to his stepbrother Alfred, said his wife and family (of five surviving children) joined him in Feb 1858 and all were in good health. The five children that made the 800 km trip were Elizabeth Smith 17, Jane Smith 14, Mary Smith 12, GGF Elijah Smith 5 and William Alfred Smith a toddler.

This was during the time of the Victorian Gold Rush; just three years after the Eureka Stockade rebellion and one year prior to the finding of the huge 'Welcome Nugget' at Bakery Hill, Ballarat.In a letter to brother Alfred dated 14th May 1858, Anthony thanked him for the loan of some money, described how his prospecting was progressing and said he was to be found at the 'Morningstar Prospecting Claim, Caledonian Lead' if his brother wished to visit. The 'Caledonian Lead' was close to the Ballarat Township.

About a month later on 8 Jun 1858 Anthony wrote again from Brown Hill, Ballarat North saying he had received Alfred's letter today. He mentioned the 14 May letter that he addressed to Back Creek, Daisy Hill but was confused as to whether he should send letters via Amherst or Maryborough as he was unsure which was closest. He emphasised that he would be happy to see Alfred, William or John if they came to Ballarat.

On 17 Aug 1858 Anthony wrote again from Brown Hill, North Ballarat replying to another letter from Alfred and says he sent the £90 pounds owed. He mentions that Alfred can expect to see him "sometime next week" and that he is looking forward to the visit as has not seen his brother John since he came out [to Australia]. This suggests that Alfred and John were still working together. GGGP Anthony and Charlotte were now settled at Ballarat and this was where their next child, Eva Cole Smith was born in 1859. The image below shows the Ballarat Diggings in the 1860's.

14.9 Smythesdale (See Note Below)

In 1860 GGGF Anthony became disenchanted with his mining efforts at Ballarat and in early 1861 he moved 20 km SE to Browns Diggings, Smythesdale to try his luck. He must have felt the opportunities were better there because his family joined him soon after. Accommodation on the diggings at that time was usually in a canvas tent. As new goldfields were opened, tent cities quickly formed as thousands of hopeful miners and their families converged on each site. Living in crowded tents in rain, hail or the hot Australian sun with no services or heating, would have been a very hard life. It was into these circumstances that Anthony and Charlotte's next child Marion Collins Smith was born in 1861. Although there was joy in 1861 with the birth of baby Marion, there was also tragedy with the death of five year old William Alfred Smith who was buried at the Old Ballarat Cemetery on 12 Mar 1861.

In a letter to his father dated 20 Jan 1862, from Browns Diggings, North Smythesdale, GGGF Anthony revealed a little of his financial circumstances and other thoughts. He wrote that his property in Adelaide (Black Forest?); a stone house, land, garden and fruit trees was almost valueless (and presumably vacant) and no one will buy it. He had had little success with gold mining in Ballarat, although admitted that a 'friend' "took out of my hands about £800" (probably a bad loan). However he had been doing better since moving to Smythesdale and managed to paid off a few debts. "This is a fine colony or country-well suited for agricultural purposes and agrees with my health better than Adelaide."

In 1862 Anthony was listed as a miner in Old Rd. (now Browns Rd), two doors away from the Methodist Chapel. 'The Star' 11 Oct 1862 reported that the local Scarsdale Municipal Council had reduced rates for a number of residents who had appealed, including Anthony who was listed as owning a house and garden. His rate bill was reduced from £15 to £10. Later in the decade Anthony's rates were set at £9.

In the 1860's three of Anthony's daughters were married and all three seemed to settle in the Ballarat area. In 1862 Anthony's eldest daughter Elizabeth Smith 22 married James Thomas Cummings. Their first child, Harriet was born the following year in 1863 on the 'diggings' and their residential address was given as 'Browns'. The following year on 23 Oct 1863, daughter Mary married James Luke Trevenen at Scarsdale and they too made their home in the area. A third daughter Jane 24 "second daughter of Anthony Smith, Esq., of Browns, late of Adelaide" married William Marfleet Vear at Smythesdale in 1867.

In 1862 and 1863 Anthony became a shareholder in several local mining companies with the hope that he would share in the wealth if one of them made a big discovery and on 22 Jun 1864 Anthony and Charlotte had their last child Alice Burnett Smith. She was named Burnett in honour of the Rev Matthew Burnett, a preacher who gave much inspiration to Anthony.

Most of Anthony's investments in mining companies did not come to anything. For example the 'Ballarat Star' on 23 March 1867 reported that "Forfeited Shares in the Phoenix Gold Mining Company will sell by auction this Day at the Unicorn Passage; five shares in the name of Anthony Smith." In 1869 his shares in the ' Extended Great Tunnel Quartz Mining Company, Blackwood were also forfeited.

NOTE: Browns and Scarsdale was a borough (1862-1915) about 25 km south-west of Ballarat. The main town was Scarsdale and the mining village of Browns Diggings. Brown’s Diggings were named after John Browne, the licensee-holder of the Moppianamum pastoral run (1844).When the inhabitants petitioned for creation of the borough they said that it had over 5000 inhabitants engaged in mining commerce and agriculture. There were 15 hotels and the weekly gold production was 1500 ounces. The gold was found in gullies and tributaries of the Woady Yaloak Creek. There were also several equally rich gold fields and villages to the west in Grenville Shire. Today Browns Rd runs south from Smythesdale, crosses the Caledonian Creek and continues to the south, east of Scarsdale. Anthony was living at 'Browns' at least to 1867 when daughter Jane was married.

14.10 GGGP Anthony & Charlotte move to Ballarat East

 A reading of Anthony's diary and letters makes it clear he had strong religious beliefs. He had an association with various churches throughout his life and endeavoured to promote Christian beliefs. A 'memoriam' was published by the 'Town & City Mission', Ballarat as a tribute to Anthony and it provides further information about his religious work.

Anthony's parents were members of the Episcopal Church but Anthony at the age of 19 (1835 two years prior to leaving England) converted to the Bible Christian Church. In Adelaide he joined the Wesleyan Church, for which he acted as a lay preacher and came to know the Collins family. About 1864 when Anthony was at a religious gathering at Scarsdale, "he experienced the cleansing power of Jesus' blood." This strengthened his resolve to spread the gospel and in 1870 he gave up his gold mining activities and moved to Ballarat East where he focussed on spreading the word of God through missionary work in the area with the Wesleyan Church. Anthony was on the Committee of Management on 29 Mar 1870. He commenced open air services in Esmond St and the Main Rd, Ballarat and a systematic plan of house to house visits was adopted. 'The Ballarat Courier' 12 Oct 1878 reported that the Town's Mission Committee noted "the loss by death of the assistant missionary, Mr Anthony Smith, whose services were of great importance to the mission, and particularly in the capacity of a sick visitor, he was invaluable".

During this period he worked as a milkman to earn an income which was supplemented by his work as an evangelist. He seemed to own his house and land (which was in the 'poor' part of the city, and probably grew vegetables and fruit (as he had done in Adelaide). By 1870 GGGF Anthony was 54 and most of his surviving children had left home, so his income needs would have been modest. In 1876 Anthony's son GGF Elijah married GGM Margaret Allan Cunningham McFarlane in Prahran. (Elijah Smith had left home in the 1870's, to make his own life in the city.) According to his son's marriage registration, GGGF Anthony was working as a gardener in the last years of his life.

Several records provide a Ballarat address for Anthony and his family in the 1870's, but as each provides a different street name, the exact location is hard to pinpoint. Rate books listed his address as Magpie St in 1872, in 1875 the Ballarat Directory listed his occupation as milkman and address as Grant St and in 1878 the death notice placed by son Elijah said Anthony died at home in Tress St. When son Elijah was married on 11 Oct 1875 his listed his father's occupation as gardener.

John Trevenen has studied the Ballarat Rate Books and his conclusion is that Anthony and Charlotte lived in a two-bedroom miner’s cottage at 614 Grant St on the corner with Wainwright St. from the late 1860’s. If this is correct, Anthony’s former house is adjacent to the present-day Gold Museum in Ballarat, where some of his handwritten letters are now preserved as valuable historical records. By the mid 1870’s Anthony and Charlotte had moved 500 metres to 8 Magpie St. where they lived until their deaths. Their property backed on to Tress St and some records later gave that as their address.

GGGF Anthony's death notice appeared in the 'Weekly Times' 19 Oct 1878 and read, "On the 3rd of October, at his residence, Tress street, Ballarat East, Anthony Smith, father of Elijah Smith, Union street, Windsor, aged sixty-two years. Adelaide and home papers please copy". 'The Age' on 26 Sep 1879 announced that probate for Anthony's will had been granted with the value of his estate at £495.

The Ballarat Courier 19 Oct 1878 had the following advert by the 'Barkley St, Wesleyan Church'. A sermon will be preached in the above church by the Rev. W. A. Quick To-morrow Evening, referring to the decease of "Brothers William Martin and Anthony Smith".

In the church news section of 'The Ballarat Courier' 28 Oct 1878, there was a report on the previous Sunday's sermon at the Golden Pont, Wesleyan Church, which included; "The preacher delivered an eloquent sermon, touching upon the death of the late Mr Anthony Smith, and concluded with an appeal for the charities".

GGGM Charlotte Elizabeth Smith nee Collins survived Anthony by three years and died on 29 Aug 1881. A death notice was placed in 'The Ballarat Courier' 3 Aug 1881. "On the 2nd August, at her residence, Tress Street, Golden Point, Charlotte Elizabeth, relict of the late Anthony Smith; aged sixty-three years. Adelaide papers please copy".
NOTE: The Barkley St (c1860) and Golden Point (c1867) Churches were different buildings, both not far from Anthony's house.

GGGP Anthony and Charlotte were buried in the Ballarat Old Cemetery in the Wesleyan Section 7, Row 2, Grave 21 (in area towards the south west corner). There is a headstone, but is hard to find, as it is broken into three pieces and lying flat. It starts with the names of Elizabeth Cummings (Anthony and Charlotte's daughter who married James Cummings), Lillian Jane Cummings (Anthony's grand-daughter), Charles James Cummings (grandson) and at the bottom "the wife's parents, Anthony Smith and Charlotte E Smith". GGGP Anthony and Charlotte were buried in the cemetery in the Wesleyan Section 7, Row 2, Grave 21.

14.11 Magpie St, Ballarat East (Golden Point)

Anthony and Charlotte purchased 8 Magpie St in the mid 1870’s. After their deaths, the house remained in the family for many years. From 1881 to 1885 daughter Eva Smythe nee Smith and her husband Frank were recorded as owners and following their occupation, the house was taken over by older sister Mary Trevenen nee Smith and her husband James Luke Trevenen. In 1915 the approaching marriage of son Herbert Trevenen of Magpie St, Golden Point was announced in ‘The Ballarat Star’ by his parents (30 Oct). A full report of wedding details was published on 4 Dec. In 1816 another son, Charles Harold Trevenen, died in the house at the age of 51. Then the following year in 1917, James Luke Trevenen also died at 8 Magpie St aged 79.  Mary Trevenen nee Smith died ten years later in 1927 at the residence of her son Herbert, in Barkley St. The house had been in the Smith family's possession for at least 40 years.

14.12 GGGF Anthony Smith's Diary & letters

Members of the Smith family are very lucky to have in their possession the diary and letters written by Anthony Smith. Most family trees have to rely solely on official documents to build a picture of their ancestry. These documents provide a basic framework of names, dates and locations. Having access to Anthony's personal writing builds a much richer picture of his life. We can get a much better idea of his motivations, the obstacles he had to overcome and the hardships of his life; perhaps even a more complete picture of where we came from.

 Fortunately his writings were carefully passed down through the family over the years and were cared for as precious items by his descendants. The bulk of the letters and diary form the basis of the book, 'Letters from The Goldfields' by Rod Gilbert, which tells the story of GGGF Anthony Smith's voyages to and back from England in 1846-1847, and of his life in Australia, focusing particularly on his letters and diary. Although the book is not available publically, some of the letters are held by The Gold Museum in Ballarat as part of their historical collection relating to the Ballarat Gold Rushes.

 Above is the first page of his diary titled “Anthony Smith, Adelaide “journal” Homewards and Outwards bound 1846-7. The first entry was written on board the ‘Brigg Tigress’ and is dated 8 Nov 1846. On the bottom left hand page is the address of descendant Clarence Smith who held the diary for a number of years after his father's deathm (see 17.5)

 15.0 Eleven Children of GGGP Anthony Smith (1816-1878) & Charlotte Elizabeth Collins (1818-1881)

Of Anthony and Charlotte's eleven children, four died as young children. In his writing Anthony lists ‘croup’ as the cause of death of the youngsters. However, John Trevenen believes it is more likely that they died from whooping cough, which was not known by that name at the time. Fortunately, a vaccine was developed in the following century, and we can now protect children from this disease. The first eight of Anthony's children were named after his mother, grandmother, father and step siblings. The next two children were given his mother's and wife's maiden names as their middle names. His final child was named after a preacher who inspired Anthony.

It is interesting to note that Anthony’s five surviving children had at least 23 children altogether (Anthony’s grandchildren). Birth rates dropped in the twentieth century, but survival rates increased dramatically. If those 23 grandchildren had on average four surviving children, that would make around 90 great grandchildren. Then in turn if those children, had an average of only 2 children each, that would give Anthony and Charlotte 180 great, great grandchildren. By now another two generations would have added over 300, then over 600 descendants. In the 21^st century Anthony and Charlotte could have over 1000 descendants, who would mostly be living in Australia. If the same pattern happened in the family tree of Anthony’s brothers; William and John, that would make 3000 of Eli Smith's descendants now living in Australia. As Rod Gilbert points out in his book there have been many occasions where his relatives have unknowingly been living close to other relatives. With so many Smith descendants (now going by many different names), many may be unknowingly living close to a distant cousin.

Anthony, Charlotte, and their surviving children spent much of their lives in, or near Ballarat. We do not have many photographs of t. However, a visual (and auditory) concept of Ballarat and the people that lived there at that time can be gained by a visit to Sovereign Hill Historical Park and Gold Museum. This recreates life and times on the gold fields not only with text, photographs, and artifacts, but also houses a life-size, gold rush era, Ballarat Township. It is only a few hundred metres from the Smith’s family homes in Ballarat East.

15.1 Elizabeth Smith (1840-1874)
Elizabeth was born on 9 Oct 1840 in Adelaide, South Australia. The family lived in Brighton, S.A. up until 1856, but then moved interstate to Ballarat East Victoria. At that time the family consisted of GGGP Anthony 40, Charlotte 38, Elizabeth Smith 16, Jane Smith 13, Mary Smith 12, GF Elijah Smith 4 and William Alfred Smith a few months old. (Siblings John Smith 1846-1847, Caroline Smith 1850-1853 and Emma Cole Smith 1854-1856 all died as children.) By 1861 the family consisting of Elizabeth 21, Jane 18, Mary 17, Elijah 9 and new arrival Eva Cole Smith 2 (b1859) had moved 20km out of Ballarat to the newly established gold rush town of Smythesdale.

In 1862 Elizabeth Smith 22 married James Thomas Cummings at Ballarat (Vic BDM). Their first child, Harriet Morton Cummings was born the following year in 1863 on the 'diggings'. On 12 Sep 1863 a notice in Ballarat Star listed James Thomas Cummings as a shareholder in 'The Archer Gold Mining Co'. His residence was given as 'Browns'. The couple's next children were Charles James Cummings in 1865, Amy Clarissa Cummings 1867 and Minnie Smith Cummings in 1868. Sadly two children appear to have died as infants. Charles died in 1869 and Minnie in 1870. The following death notice appeared in at least four newspapers at the time including the 'Ballarat Star', 28 May 1870. "Cummings. On the 27th May at Ballarat, Minnie Smith, second and youngest daughter of Elizabeth and James Thomas Cummings, aged 1 year and 11 months".

In the 1870's John T Cummings was operating a store at 86 Sturt St, Ballarat that sold china, glassware and crockery etc. The store and all stock were put up for sale in Feb 1872. The sale included a "superior American wagon and horse in sound condition". At the time the family was living at 13 East St, Ballarat, near the fire station.

In 1873 John T. Cummings was involved in a monetary dispute that went to court. He also wrote a letter to the Editor in defence of himself which started as follows:

"Sir, It is the opinion of an eminent German Divine that a time arrives when a man must vindicate himself when he finds his enemy pressing him too hard, though much against his will. I think that time has arrived for me. In your issue of the 19th, a letter appeared signed “James Long," to which I should have replied before, but have been waiting for the writer to withdraw it, or have the honesty to tell the whole truth, as the letter is calculated to injure my character, and makes me appear a dishonest man...."

 

The 1870's saw the arrival of baby Frank Percy Cummings in 1870, Florence Darwin Cummings in 1872 and Lillian Jane Cummings in 1874. A double tragedy befell the family and was reported in the Death Notices of the 'Ballarat Star' 23 Jan 1874. "On the 22nd January, at her residence, 13 East street, Ballarat, the beloved wife of Mr J. T. Cummings aged 33 years, deeply regretted. Also, on the 19th January, Lillian Jane, infant daughter, aged four days." Elizabeth Cummings nee Smith was only 34 when she died of complications after the birth of her last baby. She was buried at the Old Ballarat Cemetery with her parents and several of her children. They share the one headstone in the south west part of the Ballarat Old Cemetery but it is hard to find, as it is broken into three pieces and lying flat. It starts with the names of Elizabeth Cummings (Anthony and Charlotte Smith's daughter who married James Cummings), Lillian Jane Cummings (Anthony's granddaughter), Charles James Cummings (grandson) and at the bottom "the wife's parents, Anthony Smith and Charlotte E Smith".

After his wife's death, James Thomas Cummings moved to Brisbane, possibly for reasons to do with his employment. His surviving children (Harriet, Amy, Frank and Florence) moved with him and spent the rest of their years in that state, where James worked, as manager in 1888 for J & B Sniders at their new premises in Brisbane. The Brisbane Courier announced on 29 May 1908 that ‘J.T. Cummings late manager for J & B Sniders’ was auctioning off General Stock that he had acquired. James Thomas Cummings was not buried with his wife and died in Brisbane General Hospital on 26 November 1908. The death notice reads ‘James T Cummings late of Ballarat and for many years with J & B Sniders of this city aged 75.’ J & B Sniders was an importer of China, glass & earthenware that ran businesses in both Brisbane and Melbourne.

 

James’ son Frank married Catherine E Brown in 1893, daughter Amy married Joseph Bowes in 1900 and daughter Florence married Robert J. Brown in 1901. Harriet Cummings remained unmarried and both she and Frank died in 1948. No records indicate that James Cummings remarried.

NOTE: James Thomas Cummings may have met another ancestor, GGGF Henry Boardman who was heavily involved in the China and Glass Industry during the 1890's and 1900's, and lived in Brisbane for a short while in the 1890’s.

15.2 Jane Smith (1843-1913)

Jane was born in 1843 at Adelaide, South Australia. The family lived with her family in various parts of Adelaide up until 1857, but then moved interstate to Ballarat East Victoria. At that time the family consisted of GGGP Anthony 40, Charlotte 38, Elizabeth Smith 16, Jane Smith 13, Mary Smith 12, GF Elijah Smith 4 and William Alfred Smith a few months old. (Siblings John Smith 1846-1847, Caroline Smith 1850-1853 and Emma Cole Smith 1854-1856 all died as children.) By 1861 the family consisting of Elizabeth 21, Jane 18, Mary 17, GF Elijah 9 and new arrival Eva Cole Smith 2 (b1859) had moved 20km out of Ballarat to the newly established gold rush town of Smythesdale.

It was at Smythesdale in 1867 that Jane 24 married William Marfleet Vear (1840-1901). William had been born in Friskney, Lincoln to George Vear farmer and Elizabeth Vear on 21 June 1841. It is not known when he migrated to Australia. The wedding was announced in 'The Ballarat Star' 8 May 1867. "On the 7th May, at the residence of George Vear, Esq., Haddon, by the Rev. Henry Baker, Wesleyan Minister, William, eldest son of George Vear, farmer, Haddon, to Jane, second daughter of Anthony Smith, Esq., Browns, late of Adelaide. No cards. Adelaide papers please copy". 'Browns' is the hamlet where Anthony's family were living and was 8 km south of Haddon.

At first the couple lived in a small town named Haddon, 12 km from Ballarat and according to this report in 'The Age' 27 Jun 1874 were running a sheep farm. The Smythesdale correspondent of the Ballarat Star wrote: "The destruction of sheep by dogs is becoming so general and so extensive, that stricter measures for dealing with the grievance seem to be imperatively required. Mr. William Vear of Haddon, recently had some very valuable sheep destroyed..."

By the early 1880's articles in 'The Horsham Times' reported that William and Jane were running a general store in the town of Kaniva. William became a man of some standing in the community and in 1887 was appointed one of the managers of Kaniva Common and in 1892 William Vear was appointed a Justice of the Peace (JP). In 1899 he took on the role of his deceased father-in-law GGGF Anthony Smith, when he 'gave away' his sister-in-law Alice Burnett Smith at her wedding to the Rev Frank Jolly at Nhill.

William Marfleet Vear's life came to a sudden end in 1901 when he died of a heart attack. The death notice in 'The Leader', 17 Aug 1901, read, "On the 8th August, at Nhill, suddenly, of heart failure, William Vear, J.P., beloved husband of Jane Vear, aged 61". The Australasia reported that the value of his estate was £395.

Jane Vear nee Smith survived until 1913 and passed away at her sister's house in Echuca. The 'Bendigo Advertiser' 20 Nov 1913 ran her death notice as follows; "The death occurred at the Methodist parsonage, Echuca, yesterday, of Mrs. Jane Vear, widow of the late Mr. William M. Vear, of Nhill, and sister of Mrs. Frank Jolly, of Echuca. The deceased lady had been ailing for some time past." There are no documents indicating the birth of any children.

A Death Notice was published in 'The Age', 29 Nov 1913 listing her age as 70 and her surviving siblings as Mr E. Smith (Elijah), Mrs J. L. Trevenen (Mary), Mrs F. Smyth (sic) (Eva) and Mrs W.J. Letcher (Marion).

15.3 Mary Smith (1844-1927)

Mary was born on 27 Apr 1844 at Unley, a suburb of Adelaide, South Australia. She lived with her family in various parts of Adelaide, until 1857, but then moved with them interstate to Ballarat East Victoria. This was during the latter period of the Ballarat gold rush and Mary’s father was hoping to make a living on the gold fields. At that time the family consisted of Anthony 40, Charlotte 38, Elizabeth Smith 17, Jane Smith 14, Mary Smith 13, GGF Elijah Smith 5 and William Alfred Smith a toddler. (Siblings John Smith 1846-1847, Caroline Smith 1850-1853, Emma ColeSmith 1854-1856 and William Alfred Smith 1856-1861 all died as children.) By 1859 the family consisting of Elizabeth 21, Jane 18, Mary 17, GGF Elijah 9 and new arrival Eva Cole Smith 2 (b1859) had moved 20km out of Ballarat to the newly established gold rush town of Smythesdale.

Mary 19 married James Luke Trevenen 26 (b1838) on the 23 Oct 1863 at Scarsdale, where they made their home. James had been living in Ballarat for some time because on 5 Aug 1856 'The Ballarat Times' reported that he appeared as a witness in a court case where a man had been charged with stealing a leg of mutton from a butcher shop on Bakery Hill. Their wedding took place at Browns Diggings and was conducted by Wesleyan minister Rev. W. Woodall. James is shown on his marriage certificate to have been born in Gwennap Parish, Cornwall to James Trevenen, miner, and Catherine Luke in 1837 and to be living at Gemini. (Gemini was an area in the Scarsdale-Smythesdale Browns-Newtown-Piggoreet gold mining district just to the west of Newtown. Mary was living with her parents and siblings at Browns, northeast of Newtown.) Anthony Smith, her father, and Jane her older sister, signed as witnesses.

Mary gave birth to seven children at Scarsdale over the next twenty years; Charles Harold Trevenen 1865-1916, William Alfred Trevenen 1867-1874, Annie Maud Trevenen 1869-1869, Fredrick James Trevenen 1870-1948, Ada Mary Trevenen 1872-1939, Jane Trevenen 1874-1874 and Herbert Smith Trevenen 1884-1958. Sadly, Annie and Jane died soon after their birth and William died aged seven. All three children, who died as youngsters, were buried in the Smythesdale cemetery.

In 1883 the family moved to Ballarat East. James worked as a braceman at the Prince Regent mine employed by the company until the early part of the 20th century. He was a member and one of the trustees of the Golden Point Methodist church. He and his wife Mary and surviving children, Charles, Frederick and young baby Herbert lived at 8 Magpie Street, Golden Point from 1885, taking over from Mary’s sister, Eva and her husband Frank Smythe.

In the early 1900's James who was listed as a miner (at least up to 1909) and Mary were living at 8 Magpie Street, Mt Pleasant, Ballarat with their son Herbert, a clerk. Mary and James were still in Magpie St in 1912, but by this time James 74 had retired. In 1914, living at 8 Magpie St were James, Mary and son Herbert Smith Trevenen, clerk. In 1915 the approaching marriage of son Herbert was announced in ‘The Ballarat Star’ by his parents (30 Oct). A full report of wedding details was published on 4 Dec. In 1816 another son, Charles Harold Trevenen, died in the house at the age of 51. 

James Luke Trevenen died in the Magpie St home in 1917 aged 79. His funeral was held at the Golden Point Methodist Church after which he was buried at the Old Ballarat Cemetery. The house in Magpie St was sold and Mary moved in with son Herbert Smith Trevenen and his wife Lena, who he had married in 1915. Mary Trevenen nee Smith died at son Herbert’s home at 77 Barkley St in 1927 aged 83. Rev. Frank Jolly (her brother-in-law), assisted with the funeral and she was buried with her husband at the Ballarat Old Cemetery. Chief mourners were her sons Frederick James and Herbert Smith, Frank Smythe (brother-in-law), Jack Bremer (son-in-law), GF Alexander Hubert Smith (nephew and eldest son of GGF Elijah Smith) together with grandsons John Leslie and Charles Trevenen. Her other grandson Frederick (John Trevenen’s father) was in Canberra at the time of her death and could not attend. 

NOTE: At least one of Mary's descendants is a resident of North Carolina, USA. 

 

15.4 John Smith (1846-1847)

John was born on 13 Apr 1846 in Adelaide was Anthony and Charlotte’s first son. He was named after Anthony’s grandfather and sadly died the following year on 21 Apr 1847.

15.5 Caroline Smith (1850-1853)

Caroline was born on 21 Mar 1850 at Black Forest, Adelaide, and named after Anthony’s sister. She died at Brighton on 14 Apr 1853 aged 3.

15.6 GGF Elijah Smith (1852-1925)

Elijah was born on 10 May 1852 at Brighton, Adelaide and was named after Anthony’s father. When he was 24 he married GGM Margaret Allan Macfarlane Cunningham (1858-1926) in 1876. See 16.0 for more details about his life.

15.7 Emma Cole Smith (1854-1856)
Emma was born on 27 Aug 1854 at Brighton and was named after Anthony’s stepsister. Sadly, she died of 'croup' on 19 Mar 1856 when she was 19 months old. Her middle name was Anthony's mother's maiden name.

15.8 William Alfred Smith (1856-1861)

William was born on 19 July 1856 at Brighton and was named after two of Anthony’s stepbrothers. He died in Ballarat of 'croup' at the age of four years, eight months in 1861

15.9 Eva Cole Smith (1859-1947)
Eva was born in 1859 at Ballarat East. She was given Anthony's mother’s maiden name as her middle name. In 1882 aged 23 she married local man Frank Smythe (b1860) at Ballarat. Frank was born in 1860 in Ballarat to Robert Smythe (1827-1901)) and Eliza Withy (Vic BDM). Robert Anthony Baldwin Smythe, 26 gardener (b1827) and Eliza Withy 28 were married at St Peters, East Melbourne in 1853. Robert was the son of Edward Smyth and Mary Harvey. Frank’s siblings were Helena 1855-1855, Edward 1857-1880, Henry 1858-1858, Lilian/Lilias 1862-1926 and Lucy 1865-1946. Prior to his marriage Frank may have been a boot repairer, but he did not stay in that field for long.

An advert run in the Ballarat Courier on 10 Dec 1880 read, “Boot Repairer: Wanted a boy who can peg and nail, F Smythe, Barkly St.” Frank had a variety of jobs and occupational skills during his life including boot repairer, book-keeper, mine worker, mine manager, battery (rock crusher) manager, engine driver (engines used in mines for crushers etc.) and storekeeper.

Frank and Eva appear to have lived in the East Ballarat area all of their lives. In 1885 Frank 25 undertook a book-keeping course, which would have been useful for his shopkeeping occupation. (He was listed as a grocer from at least 1885 to 1897.) Both Frank and Eva also took on roles in their local community throughout their lives. For example, in 1892 Frank was a trustee of the Golden Point Wesleyan Church, a member of the Building Committee of the same church (along with relative by marriage; J. Trevenen, Ball St. 18 May 1912), an active member of the Ballarat Engine Driver’s Association and in 1893 was elected President of the Ballarat East branch of the Australian Natives Association (ANA).

On 12 July 1886 Frank’s mother died in Ballarat. Her will listed her assets as a four roomed house that was rented out, and several allotments of land, all on Grant St. Probate was granted to her husband Robert Anthony Smythe, draper of Grant Street, one of the named executors, as [son] Frank Smythe the other executor had renounced probate. The fact that Frank renounced probate and was the only child not named as one of his father’s beneficiaries in 1901, suggest that there may have been a falling out between Frank and his father. Frank’s father Robert sold a 5 roomed house at 113 Barkly St in 1890.

In 1889 Frank’s sister Lilias Smythe married Alexander Krygger in Ballarat. They must have got on well with Frank because they named their second son Frank Smythe Krygger. In 1897 (Ballarat Star, 13 Nov) a mining company applied for a mining lease in Ballarat East that included properties owned by members of Smythe family. The advertisement listed landholders who may have been affected by the application and they included Robert Smythe unoccupied land in Barkly St, Alexander Krygger (brother-in-law), Robert Smythe a property in Barkley St and Frank Smythe unoccupied land in Blair St. (Blair St intersects Barkly St between Grant St and Young St so all these properties were very close, perhaps adjacent.

Sands Directory of 1888 listed Frank Smythe grocer of Grant St (on corner with Barkly St; a building owned by his father), which he probably ran until mid-way through the next decade. An advert in the Ballarat Star (4 Nov) in 1895 informs us that “F. Smythe late of Grant St grocer notifies that all accounts owed to him must be paid by Saturday”. In 1897 the store was completely gutted by fire (21 Aug Ballarat Star). This was probably the end of Frank’s storekeeping days and possibly led to a falling out with his father (perhaps over insurance or a lack thereof). The next year at the age of 38 he unexpectedly changed direction. At that age something must have provided strong motivation for a change; probably a combination of the destruction of the store and perhaps the mining works carried out in his area in 1897 (see above) offered opportunities that were too good to resist.

In the late 1890’s Frank undertook a course at the Ballarat School of Mines (Ballarat Star 5 Feb 1898). The course did not always go to plan though. In 1898 the ‘Ballarat Star’ (29 Mar 1898 shown below) reported a lucky escape for 'young' Frank Smythe of Young St, Ballarat, when he received a cut on his hand whilst working at the New Normanby Mine (This mine was used as part of courses run by the Ballarat School of Mines and the ruins are located in Sovereign Hill Tourist Park. The description of “young” man is obviously an error by the reporter as Frank was in his late 30’s at that time. It was probably a typo linked to the name of Frank's street.

On graduation Frank was appointed manager of Highton Co, Bolwarrah a mining operation 24 km from Ballarat (Ballarat Star, 1 Aug 1899). Frank continued to expand his qualifications and became an apprentice Engine Driver (Ballarat Star 8 Apr 1903). Frank tendered his resignation from the Mining Association Committee having accepted the position as mining manager at the Highton Mine.
 

Frank’s father, Robert Anthony Baldwin Smythe, died early Apr 1901 at Ballarat East aged 74 (Parents listed as Edward Smythe and Mary Harvey. Vic BDM). The funeral Notice for “Robert A Smythe” listed his address as 144 Barkly Street Sth. Frank received a letter of condolence from the ANA on death of this father (Ballarat Star 1 May 1901). Interestingly, Robert's his address is described as Grant St. and makes no mention of son Frank. In the will dated 9 Feb 1899 "Robert Anthony Smythe retired draper of Grant St left...":

• A parcel of land at the corner of Grant and Barkly St to “daughter Lilias Krygger (nee Smythe) on which is erected a shop and dwelling now occupied by Mrs C.T.Treloar …”
• Also to Lilias a parcel of land with a five roomed dwelling in Barkly St occupied by Mrs March?
• Also £100 invested in a property in Dana St, Ballarat West.
• To Daughter Lucy Eliza Bailey(nee Smythe) a parcel of land and four roomed dwelling (Robert’s house) at 144 Barkly St.

NB: Sister Lilias Krygger, music teacher, lived in the latter house from 1903-1906. Lucy Eliza Bailey nee Smythe lived at 9 Young St from 1903-1913 next to brother Frank. Both sisters later moved away from Ballarat, but the shop on the corner Grant and Barkley must have stayed in the family, with Frank and Eva taking it over possibly after 1910. The shop was run by the Harris family in the early 1900’s, but their stock was sold by auction in 1910 (Ballarat Star 11 Jul).

From the 1890’s to 1905 (AER) Frank, manager, and wife Eva Smythe were living at 11 Young St, Ballarat East. Four years later from 1909-1937 Eva and Frank were listed as living at 73 Bond St, Mt Pleasant, Ballarat, just 1 kilometre from sister Mary and her husband, who lived at 8 Magpie Steet and a few hundred metres from the New Normanby Mine. On the AER Frank was listed as being an engine driver from 1909 until his death. During this period Sands Directories listed Frank at the same address but with the occupation mine manager. The records show that he was both an engine driver and a mine manager, perhaps he listed the latter as his highest qualification or perhaps he did not get around to telling the AER or Sands Directories that his occupation had changed. Frank and Eva lived at this address for the rest of their lives. In a 1913 court case Frank Smythe (as a witness) gave evidence and was listed as an engine driver, an assistant battery manager and also a holder of competency as mine manager (Ballarat Courier 16 Dec 1913). Frank may have given up his managerial role in the early 1900’s and focussed on being an engine driver for the rest of his career or vice versa.

In the early 1890's Eva and Frank became foster parents to a young boy who had been born in Ballarat c1892. They legally adopted young Reginald when he was ten weeks old and he took on their surname. As a young man, Reginald became a clerk, but also served as a voluntary army cadet for two years.

Reginald enlisted in the A.I.F 22nd Battalion on 13 Feb 1915 at the age of 22 and 5 months and was given service number 464. Within a few months he was shipped to the Gallipoli Peninsula where he took part in the Anzac offensive on Turkey. In Dec of that year he contracted mumps, and was shipped to the Mustapha Convalescent Depot in Alexandria, Egypt. He rejoined his unit in the following March and they were shipped to France. Reginald was reported missing on 5 Aug 1916 and his family were notified. It was not until 26 Nov 1917 that his death was confirmed. Reginald was buried in France and is remembered on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial. Mr Frank Smythe of 73 Bond St received word of death of his son Private Reg Smythe ‘killed in action’ WW1. A short but detailed obituary was published in the ‘Ballarat Star’ 2 Feb 1918. Reginald's online War File contains his war records and correspondence between the War Office and his parents, up until 1922 when matters were finalised. Also, a newspaper notice regarding Reginald Smythe can be found in The Ballarat Star 22 Sep 1916.

An article in the local paper about Frank and Eva's 50th wedding anniversary confirmed that they were still living at 73 Bond St. in 1932, that they had been active in the local Golden Point Methodist Church and school and for many years, had conducted the grocery store on the corner of Grant and Barkly Streets about 500 m from their home (inherited by sister Lilias Krygger nee Smythe in 1901). Frank was listed as an engine driver (Sands) and mine manager (AER) for most of the latter part of his working life. Frank died at Ballarat East in 1939 aged 79 and Eva died at her home in 1947 aged 88. Both were buried in the Old Cemetery, Ballarat. Their only known child was Reginald Smythe (adopted) c1892.

15.10 Marion Collins Smith (1861-1947)
  Marion was born in 1861 at Smythesdale and given her mother’s maiden name as a middle name. She lived with her family at Scarsdale until 1891 when she married William James Letcher (b1863 Daylesford). Their first child was Maxwell Murley Letcher born in Oct 1891 at Hawksburn (Reg at St Kilda) followed by James Anthony Letcher (1893-1977) at St Kilda and Eva Letcher born 1895 at Ballarat East. Marion probably stayed with her sister for the latter birth.

In 1892, and probably prior to this, Marion and William were living in Melbourne and William worked on the railways. He was working as a guard when he witnessed a theft on the train at St Kilda in 1892 which was reported in the newspaper (The Herald 12 Apr).

Around the turn of the century Marion and William moved their family to Burnie, Tasmania, where they lived for the rest of their lives. From early in the 1900's they were lived at Wellington St, Emu Bay, South Burnie, and William worked as a guard for the Emu Bay Railway Co. Son James Anthony Letcher enlisted in the army on 31 August 1915 at Claremont in Tasmania where he joined the 3rd Division Signal Company. He was discharged on 25 October 1919 and died at Launceston in 1977.

William travelled to Ballarat (probably accompanied by his wife) where he was a coffin bearer at the funeral for his brother-in-law James Luke Trevenen in 1917. In 1919 daughter Eva joined her parents on the AER and was listed as an accountant. In 1922 son Max was living with them as well and his occupation was given as engineer. Daughter Eva married William Kent Harkness at the Methodist Church in Burnie in 1921.

William James Letcher died on 16 May 1827 aged 64 and was buried Wivenhoe Cemetery at Burnie, Tasmania. The following death notice was placed in the Burnie Advocate on 16 May 1828, "In memory of William James Letcher, my beloved husband and our father, who passed away at the Spencer Hospital on May 16, 1927-Inserted by his wife, sons and daughter."

The following article about William's funeral is from the Launceston Daily Telegraph 20 May 1927,

"The funeral of the late Mr. William James Letcher, of South Burnie, who died at the Spencer Hospital, Wynyard, on Monday night, took place on Wednesday afternoon, when representatives of all classes of the community were present, indicating the great respect in which the deceased was held. The cortege moved off from the Methodist Church, where the short service was conducted by the Rev. Wesley Hobbs, who afterwards officiated at the graveside. The chief mourners were Messrs. James Letcher (son) and K. Harkness (son-in-law), the pall-bearers being Messrs. T. Trethewey, C. Smith, A. Poke and W. Summers, fellow employees of the deceased, and incidentally representatives of the various departments of the Emu Bay Railway Co., who employed the deceased for 25 years. Many floral tributes were received."

Marion Letcher lived in the family home until 27 Apr 1847 when she died aged 86 and was buried with her husband at Burnie Cemetery. Daughter Eva was living in Emu Bay at least until 1954 (AER) and was involved in a motor car accident in Burnie in 1954 caused by bad weather. Her husband then a storekeeper, died in 1942 but her date of death is unknown. Given that she does not appear on the AER after this date and the fact that she was around 60 years old Eva probably died in the mid 1950’s.

15.11 Alice Burnett Smith (1864-1961)
Alice was born on the 22 Jun 1864 at Smythesdale, Ballarat. She lived with her family until her father died, then with her mother at Magpie Street until Charlotte died in 1881, after which she moved to Nhill to live with her married older sister Jane Vear. In 1899 she married the Rev Frank (Francis) Jolly at Nhill.

The Horsham Times, 14 Apr 1899, described the wedding in the following article (edited). 

"The Methodist Church at Nhill was the theatre of an interesting and very pretty function, when the Rev. Frank Jolly, who for three years past had been Weslesyan minister at Nhill, was married to Alice Smith who for several years had been a prominent worker in the Sabbath school and church organist. ....The bride was given away by her brother-in-law, Mr. William Vear, J.P. She was attended as bridesmaid by Miss Harriett Knight, whilst Mr. Fred. Trevenen supported the bridegroom as best man. After the ceremony a reception was held in the Masonic Hall, which had been tastefully decorated for the occasion by the young ladies of the congregation and the choir. There were upwards of 200 people present. Mr Jolly made a graceful response for himself and his wife. The Methodist congregation took advantage of the reception to make valuable presentations to Mr. and Mrs. Jolly, who were also the recipients of many handsome presents from personal friends. Mr. and Mrs. Jolly having bade good-bye to their friends, left for Horsham, on route to Charlton, Mr. Jolly's new charge, where he will commence his ministerial week on Sunday week."

As a minister of the church Frank and Alice were regularly moved from place to place, mainly in western Victoria but finally ending up serving congregations in Melbourne. Their first two children Marion Iris Jolly (1900-1980) and Jean Alison Jolly (1902-1958) were born in the country town of Charlton.

Their next daughter Alice Vear Jolly was born during Frank's next appointment which was to Portland. Whilst there, an article in the Portland Guardian, 24 March 1905 described a "presentation to the Rev. Frank Jolly. A very pleasant function took place at the conclusion of the ordinary meeting of the Methodist Church. Women's Thursday Afternoon Class, yesterday. It is well-known that the Rev F. Jolly is about to leave Portland....after he had laboured profitably, he trusted, for three years"

Frank and Alice's only son, Francis Nelson Jolly, was born in 1905, during Frank's next position at Stawell. It was here that they had their last baby Elva Opie Jolly, who was born in 1907, but died the following year in 1908.

Their next residence was in Echuca. Whilst there, Alice's widowed sister Jane Vear nee Smith, who had been ill for some time, came to stay with them in 1913. Jane died in Echuca in 1913 (see 15.2). The following year The Bendigo Independent 2 April 1914 announced, "The Rev. Frank Jolly has been transferred to the metropolis. On Monday evening, at a large assemblage of the congregation, the popular preacher was presented with a purse of sovereigns."

Frank's first city appointment in 1913 was to Albert Park until 1917 when he was shifted to Fairfield. After 25 years of marriage the couple were living in Essendon when they announced in The Argus 12 Apr 1924 "Jolly-Smith.-[Silver Wedding.]-On the 12th April, 1899, at the Nhill Methodist Church, by the late Rev. Richard Brown, Rev. Frank Jolly, to Alice Burnett Smith, 65 Richardson street, Essendon." Frank passed away five years later. The Argus 18 Feb 1929 published the following notice; "On the 16th February, 1929, at his residence, 215 Rathmines Road, Hawthorn, the Rev Frank Jolly, the beloved husband of Alice, and loving father of Marion, Jean, Alice Vear and Francis Nelson, aged 69 years." Frank was buried at Box Hill Cemetery.

 Alice Burnett Jolly nee Smith died on 27 Feb 1961 aged 97 at Camberwell. Alice was great grandmother of Rod Gilbert and passed on her collection of her father's letters to him.

16.0 GGP Elijah Smith (1852-1925) & Margaret Allan Cunningham Macfarlane (1859-1926)

The union of Elijah and Margaret brought together two completely different ancestral backgrounds. Elijah’s ancestors (on both his mother and father’s side) had lived in the south of England for hundreds of years, whilst the ancestry of both of Margaret’s parents was solidly Scottish. See the McFarlane and Cunningham Trees for Margaret's ancestors. They lived through some of modern Australia’s formative events including the Victorian gold rushes, the subsequent growth in Melbourne from horse and cart days to a thriving metropolis with trains, automobiles and aircraft and WW1 in which over 60,000 young Australians died out of a total population of 5 million.

16.1 Elijah Smith's Early Life
Elijah was the sixth child (and only son to survive childhood) born to parents GGGP Anthony Smith and Charlotte Elizabeth Smith nee Collins. He was born on the 10 May 1852 at Brighton, Adelaide and named after his grandfather Eli Smith (b1781). The family lived in Brighton up until 1856, but shortly after his younger brother was born, they moved interstate to the gold fields at Ballarat, Victoria. At that time the family consisted of Anthony 40, Charlotte 38, Elizabeth Smith 16, Jane Smith 13, Mary Smith 12, Elijah Smith 4 and William Alfred Smith a few months old. (Siblings John Smith 1846-1847, Caroline Smith 1850-1853, Emma Cole Smith 1854-1856 and William Alfred Smith 1856-1861 all died as children.)

By 1861 the family consisting of parents GGGP Anthony and Charlotte Smith nee Collins and children Elizabeth 21, Jane 18, Mary 15, GGF Elijah 9 and new arrival Eva Cole Smith 2 (b1859) had moved 20km out of Ballarat to the newly established gold rush town of Smythesdale. That year, Elijah's only surviving brother William died. In Apr 1863 Elijah (aged 11 years 5 months) was attending Woady Yallock School (1 mile from Smythesdale and 5 from Scarsdale). There was good news for the family in 1864, on the birth of Elijah's youngest sister Alice Burnett Smith.

16.2 Elijah Smith’s Move to Melbourne

We do not know what Elijah was up to in his late teens, but he must have completed a cabinetmaking apprenticeship, because that became his lifelong trade. He probably did his apprenticeship with William Frank Ennor Nichols, who grew up in East Ballarat and was a neighbour of the Smith family in the 1860’s. According to rate books, the Smith family were residing in 614 Grant Street from 1869 to 1875, after which they moved to 8 Magpie St. Elijah most likely lived with his family until the early 1870’s, when he moved to Melbourne. In letters, Elijah’s father often talked about the heavy toll manual labour (as farmer and miner) took on his body, so he probably encouraged Elijah to take up a trade.

NOTE: William Frank E Nichols was born in Cornwall and came to Australia with his large family, arriving in Geelong at the height of the gold rush in 1852, when he was 4. The family moved to Ballarat and several of William’s siblings lived, settled and died in Ballarat East. The family were Wesleyan and probably attended church with members of the Smith family or knew them as neighbours. It is very likely that the connection between the Nichols family and the Smith family was one of the reasons that Elijah left his family home as a teenager and went to work for William Francis Nichols (4 years older), probably starting as an apprentice in Ballarat. In fact both Elijah and William Nichols may have done their apprenticeship with William’s older brother James Nichols (b1831), who was a carpenter in Ballarat. William Nichols’ mother Jane Nichols died in Ballarat East on 15 Feb 1867 and the informant, William’s brother Thomas Nichols, wood splitter, gave his address as Magpie St, Ballarat so the Nichols family were neighbours of the Smith family, when Elijah’s family moved there in in the late 1860’s. In 1864 when Lydia Nichol’s first husband J.B Halls died, her address was listed as Grant St. Twelve years later in 1876, when Lydia and William Nichols’s father Richard Nichols died, the funeral procession started at the home of his daughter (Lydia Halls nee Nichols) in Grant St near Barkley St. Various members of the Nichols family lived near the Smith family homes in the 1860’s through the 1870’s so Elijah would have known them very well.

We know that by his early twenties Elijah had moved to Melbourne and was settled in Emerald Hill (South Melbourne). In 1874, along with 19 other residents, he was summoned by the "Inspector of Nuisances" and fined 10 shillings for "failing to deodorise his [outside toilet] pan". In the same year Mr W.F. (William Francis) Nichols advertised for “2 cabinet makers or joiners for shop fittings. Apply sharp. W. F. E. Nichols 39 High St, St Kilda” (The Argus 12 Aug 1874). Elijah may have applied for and gained one of those jobs or he may have already been working there. The 1875 Sands Directory listed Elijah living at 73 Grant St, Emerald Hill (South Melbourne) and working as a qualified cabinet maker. When Elijah was living at 73 Grant St, he would have taken the St Kilda Rd tram to work each day.

By 2 Mar 1875 (The Argus), the job had turned sour, when creditors took Elijah’s employer to court for unpaid debts of £62. In April W.F.E. Nichols financial problems turned personal, when he was charged with insulting behaviour. In that same month Elijah himself was caught up in the legal events according to the following report in, 'The St Kilda Telegraph', 24 Apr 1875.

"Small Debts. Mary E. Boxill summoned Elijah Smith for goods to the extent of 20s. The plaintiff had sold four chairs to the defendant (or his employer, Mr Nicholls, it did not very explicitly appear) at the rate of 9s each. Sixteen shillings had been paid on account, and the balance was now sued for. Verdict for amount, with 10s 6d costs".

The way I interpret this, is that Elijah (or his employer) had bought 4 chairs off Mary Boxall for 36s and 20s of that was still owing. This ad confirms that Elijah was employed by William Nichols.

By mid-1875, Elijah Smith 23 was probably working for himself, because in that year his employer was declared bankrupt and his assets sold. His employer appeared in the paper a few times after that, when he was married and started having a family. In one of those adverts W.F.E. Nichols' address was given as 44 High St, St Kilda (now Windsor), whereas earlier it had been given as 39 High St. The business of W.F.E. Nichols was sold to pay for his debts. The application of William Nichols, cabinet maker of St Kilda, to be released from the insolvency provisions was refused in 1879. William F. E. Nichols 60 of 32 High Street, St Kilda died at home in 1908

Elijah established his own workshop in the same vicinity where the various dramas that enveloped his former employer arose. In fact after William Nichol’s business became insolvent, Elijah may have taken on some of the customers. He established his own thriving business and workshop near the Nichols family home in High St.

 
Around 1874 Elijah met a young lady (probably aged 16) who went by the name Margaret Wakefield (her stepfather's surname), who was living in Neptune St, St Kilda. Although Grant St is 5 km from Neptune St, both locations are connected by the St Kilda Rd tramline, and this may have been how they met. According to the first marriage record Elijah had moved to High St Windsor by the end of 1875, which brought him much closer to Margaret's home. Elijah and Margaret were first married in 1875. In a very unusual circumstance they had to formally re-marry the following year, but this time using her official surname, which was Mcfarlane. In various documents the spelling of Margaret's names varies from Allen to Allan and from McFarlane to McFarlan or Macfarlane. She is named on her birth certificate as Margaret McFarlan Allan Cunningham. (See Part Six of the blog for information about her early life.)

16.3 GP Elijah & Margaret's Married Life
Elijah and Margaret were first married in a church, and then a Registry Office for the second time. Throughout their lives there are few other references to churches or religion in general. This seems to suggest that Elijah, unlike his father, was not of a highly "religious persuasion".

First marriage ceremony 29 Dec 1875
The first marriage ceremony occurred on 29 Dec 1875 at the United Methodist Free Church, 71 Union St, Windsor. “Elijah Smith 23 year-old cabinetmaker of High St, St. Kilda married 17 year old Margaret Wakefield dressmaker, of Neptune St, St Kilda; with the written consent of Agnes Wakefield, mother of the bride (father deceased).” In fact, Margaret’s birth father (Alexander Mcfarlan) was very much alive and well, but probably living in Scotland, so this fact may have been unknown at the time. Margaret was born in Melbourne 31 Oct 1858, so at the time of her first marriage she was a very young 17 years and 2 months.

Other facts we learn from the marriage licence were that Elijah was born in Adelaide to Anthony Smith, gardener, and Charlotte Elizabeth Smith (maiden name Collins) and Margaret was born in South Yarra to Frank Wakefield, horse trainer, and Agnes Wakefield (maiden name Cunningham). In fact, Frank Wakefield was Margaret’s stepfather and had died six years prior. He had been separated from Margaret’s family for some time before then and had been a very poor father figure during his marriage to Agnes. The witness signatures are very hard to read with one appearing to be ‘Sarah Oliver’ and the other ‘Elizabeth Unknown’. None of the witnesses to either the first or second marriages appear to be relations. Most of Elijah’s relatives lived in country areas (Ballarat and beyond) and Agnes had no relations in the Colony.

NOTE: Sarah Oliver was probably the wife of shopkeeper James Oliver who ran a shop in High St, St Kilda (Telegraph 18 Sep 1868) in the late 1860’s and possibly into the 1870’s. James Oliver possibly lived in Ballarat in 1867.

Unusually Elijah and Margaret had to re-marry the following year using her official surname, which was Mcfarlane. In various documents the spelling of her names varies from Allen to Allan and from McFarlane to McFarlan or Macfarlane. She is named on her birth certificate as Margaret McFarlan Allan Cunningham. (See Part Six for her early life.)

Second marriage ceremony 11 Oct 1876
GGP Elijah and Margaret were married in the registry office in Gore St., Fitzroy on the 11 Oct 1876 and were living together in St Kilda. There is a note on the marriage registration explaining that Elijah 24 of St. Kilda, cabinet maker and Margaret 18 domestic duties had previously been married to each other during the previous year, but "the bride erroneously in her mother's surname formerly [Wakefield], now married again in her own registered name-McFarlane".

 

The marriage registration also included the following details; her maiden name was McFarlane, Elijah had been born in Adelaide to parents Anthony Smith who was then working as a gardener and Charlotte Elizabeth Smith nee Collins, and Margaret had been born in South Yarra to parents Alexander McFarlane merchant and Agnes Wakefield nee Cunningham (unmarried). The couple had Margaret's mother's written consent (as Margaret was only 17 when she married Elijah in 1875, which was well under 21; the age of consent at that time). Witnesses at the wedding were Grace and Catherine Quail (surname hard to read).

 

The rest of that decade was both joyous and sad. A daughter, Edith Maude McFarlane Smith was born in 1877, when the family were living at 4 Union St Windsor (Sands), but the following year both she and Elijah's father GGGF Anthony Smith passed away. Anthony Smith's death notice in the 'Weekly Times' on 19 Oct 1878 mentioned Elijah (but not his four sisters, who were still alive), and confirmed his address at that time. "On the 3rd of October, at his residence, Tress street, Ballarat East, Anthony Smith, father of Elijah Smith, Union street, Windsor, aged sixty-two years". During 1878 to 1879 the family moved to 73 Union St, Windsor, and rate books list him renting a 3 roomed residence, which was possibly a workshop too.

 The 1880's were happier times for Elijah and Margaret (both pictured above). Four sons and one daughter were born with the births registered at Prahran. Elijah’s business must have been going well because Elijah bought his first house (owner/occupier) located at 4 Green St, Windsor. The family lived there from 1881 to 1882 and it was very convenient being only 500m from Elijah’s workshop in High St. For an unknown reason (but probably for the amenity of the area), the family moved to 4 Longmore St in 1883. This was further away and gave Elijah a 2 km walk to work each day. In 1886 someone was looking for Elijah. On 22 Feb 1886 a notice was placed in ‘The Argus’ stating “Elijah Smith cabinet maker formerly of Green St send address to A.M. Gordon & Gitch" (sic; probably meant to be Gordon & Gotch; newspaper distributers). In 1885 (The Telegraph, 4 July) Elijah wrote a letter to the council regarding the state of a nearby footpath, that was just around the corner from 4 Longmore St. Perhaps he walked this path on the way to work!

In the 1880’s Elijah and Margaret's children were GF Alexander Hubert Smith 1880, Arthur Lionel Smith 1882, Olive Muriel Smith 1884, Clarence Dudley Smith 1887 and Leslie Gordon Smith 1889. Sadly young Arthur died as an infant, but the house must have been very lively with a new baby arriving around every two years. In 1893 Elijah and Margaret's last child Marguerite Adelaide Smith was born. It was in that year that the family placed the following advert in The Age "Found; six ducks. Owner to pay expenses; 4 Longmore St. Middle Park". A later advert announced that the ducks were unclaimed and had been sold to pay for expenses. The records above, combined with Rates records for the area and later AER records, show that Elijah and his family were living at 4 Longmore Street from 1883 to at least 1911 (Sands). The rates notices listed Elijah as an owner/occupier of a 4 roomed (sometimes listed as 5 rooms) weatherboard house.

An 'In Memoriam' notice in 'The Age' 7 May 1895 suggests that Margaret remained 'close' to her mother and step-sister. The ad was in remembrance of step-sister Clara and read; "McClatchie (nee Wakefield). In sad and loving memory of our dear Clara, who died on the 7th May, 1893. Inserted by her sorrowing mother and sister, A. Jennings [Agnes Jennings nee Wakefield nee Cunningham], M. Smith, [Margaret Smith nee Macfarlane/Cunningham] 4 Longmore-street."

The family lived at 4 Longmore St. for nearly 30 years, and Elijah's cabinet making business must have been going well because he was running a business in High St in the 1890's. In 1891 he placed an ad in The Argus (16 May) which read “Photographic outfit, half plate, splendid order, cheap E. Smith, cabinet maker High St, St Kilda near junction” (St Kilda junction end of High St. Rates notices show that in 1894 Elijah Smith cabinet maker, was renting a four roomed shop at 118 High St, St Kilda. By the end of that decade (1897-1910) he had expanded his business to a 12 roomed workshop at 130 High Street, St Kilda. Sands Directories listed his occupation as 'joiner' from the late 1890's to 1914.

The AER 1903-1909 confirmed that Elijah was a cabinetmaker, Margaret Allan Smith nee McFarlane had the occupation home duties and they were living with their family at 4 Longmore St, St. Kilda. For an unknown reason Elijah was left off the 1909 AER, but son GF Alexander Hubert Smith, engine driver, had moved back in with his parents at 4 Longmore St, and his sister Olive Muriel Smith, home duties, was listed as old enough to vote.

16.4 Death of GGM Margaret Smith's father [GGGF Alexander Mcfarlan (1825-1909)]
In 1911 Elijah and Margaret received some sad news that changed their lives. Margaret's biological father Alexander Macfarlan, had died in Scotland in 1909, and had left Margaret a sizeable amount in his will. The news about the generous benefactor and the huge amount distributed in his will was reported in many Australian newspapers. 'The Argus' on 4 July 1911 ran the story as follows;

 "An Estate of Nearly £350,000. Bequests to Victorians. Probate was granted today in respect of the New South Wales estates of the late Mr Alexander Macfarlan, of Rosemount and Aldie. Ross-shire, Scotland, who died in Scotland on 1 July 1909. The net value of testator's estate in England and Scotland was £214,410 11s 7d, and the net value of the New South Wales estate £103,182, of which £41,175 represented shares in public companies and £55,000 mortgages. Among the bequests made by the deceased were £2OOO to Colin Y Caird. of Sydney; £4OOO to Mrs Catherine (sic) Smith wife of Elijah Smith, of St. Kilda, Victoria; £5OO to Mrs Whitelaw, widow of John Whitelaw, corn merchant, Gertrude street Fitzroy, Victoria; £1OOO to his servant, Mary Fraser; £5OO each to his coachman and gamekeeper; and £150 to his gardener. The residue of the estate was bequeathed to trustees in trust for certain nieces and nephews."

NOTE: According to the Reserve Bank Inflation calculator £4000 would be worth well in excess of $500,000 today.

 

Although the article (and the will) got Margaret's Christian name wrong, everything else fitted (Elijah's name and occupation and the location of their home in St Kilda). As Elijah and Margaret moved into a 'new' home (built c1881) at 40 Longmire St, soon after this time, it is quite possible that they used the bequest to help in its purchase. At that time houses were selling in that area well within their budget. 'The Herald' 29 Sep 1910 reported "...sold by public auction, on September 25, two five roomed brick cottages, No. 30 and 40 Longmore street, Middle Park, after spirited competition, for £475 and £405 respectively." The property was described as; "A neat and compact brick cottage, of 5 rooms with every convenience. In good order, land 16ft 6in by 100ft to pitched [tarred] right of way, and returning £33/10s year". Margaret's will later described her house as a "double fronted weatherboard villa of six rooms".

It is interesting that GGGF Alexander called Margaret 'Catherine' in his will, because that was her grandmother's Christian name. Perhaps he knew that and got confused. The will was also written many years after he left Australia, when Alexander was quite old, so it is not surprising that his memory was beginning to fail. (See Part 4 of this blog for more information about Alexander Macfarlan, his will and his ancestors.)

 

The 1912 AER listed the adults in Elijah's family living at 36 Longmore St as Elijah Smith cabinetmaker, Margaret Allan Smith home duties, Clarence Dudley Smith clerk and Leslie 'George' (real name Gordon) Smith cabinetmaker. In 1914 youngest daughter Marguerite joined her siblings on the roll, but was listed as living at 40 Longmore St., which suggests either the listing of 36 Longmore St was an error or perhaps using their inheritance they may have purchased both houses! Elijah and Margaret named their 'new' house at 40 Longmore St. 'Alexlea', in honour of Margaret's generous father GGGF Alexander McFarlan. This name was used for their house as early as Dec 1910, when daughter Olive married Reginald Tymms. 

Elijah seems to have retired from cabinetmaking in his early 60's as there were no more listings of a business address after their move to 40 Longmore St in 1914. Margaret's inheritance a few years before had probably ensured they were in a comfortable financial position. The 1919-1922 AER’s list Elijah as a cabinet maker but he may have been retired by then. The 1919 AER also lists son Leslie George Smith, cabinet maker, living with his parents, so he may have taken over his father’s business. Elijah's death notice indicates he was unwell for the last years of his life. GGP Elijah and Margaret Smith lived at 'Alexlea' from 1914 until their deaths in the mid 1920's.

GGF Elijah Smith was the first to die. His gravestone incorporates wife Margaret Allan Smith and is pictured above. Judging by the tone of the three death notices placed in 'The Argus' on 13 June 1925, was very badly missed by his extended family.

• "SMITH.-On the 9th June, at his residence, 40 Longmore street, St Kilda, Elijah, the beloved husband of Margaret A. and loving father of Alexander, Olive (Mrs. R. A. Tymns), Clarence (Dec), Leslie (South Australia), and Marguerite (Mrs. F. P. Hill), aged 73 years. (Interred privately at St. Kilda Cemetery on the 10th June). After a long illness peacefully at rest."
• "SMITH.-On the 9th June, at his residence, 40 Longmore street, St Kilda, passed peacefully away after a long Illness. Elijah, son of Anthony Smith and grandson of Eli, of Selham Manor Farm, Petworth, Sussex, England, aged 73 years."
• "SMITH.-On the 9th June, at St Kilda, after long illness, Elijah Smith, loved brother of Mrs. J. Cummings (deceased), Mrs. W. Vear (deceased), Mrs. J. Trevenen (Mt. Pleasant, Ballarat), Mrs. F. Smythe (Ballarat), Mrs. W. Letcher (Burnie), Tasmania), and Mrs. Frank Jolly (Newport)."

On 9 Jun 1927 a memorial notice was placed in 'The Argus' by Elijah's daughter Olive Tymms nee Smith. "In fond remembrance of my dear father, Elijah Smith, who died at St Kilda on 9th June, 1925. Always in thought. (Inserted by his loving daughter, Olive, and son in law, Mr and Mrs. R A Tymms, Caulfield.)".

'The Argus', 17 Jun 1925 published the following probate notice; "Probate for the will of ELIJAH SMITH late of 40 Longmore street, St Kilda, gentleman, deceased ... granted to Alexander Hubert Smith of the corner of Gordon and Bell streets, Coburg, builder, and Reginald Albert Tymms (in the said will erroneously named Timms) of 3 Imperial avenue, Caulfield, accountant". (See Will Extracts below)
 

A few days after his death, two brief obituaries were published in local papers. 'The Age', 13 Jun 1925 wrote; "The death of Mr. Elijah Smith occurred at 40 Longmore Street, St. Kilda, after a long illness. Mr. Smith was born at Brighton, South Australia in 1852. Shortly afterwards his family settled in Ballarat. For the past 50 years he has been in business and a resident of St. Kilda. He was a son of Anthony Smith, and a grandson of Mr. Eli Smith, of Selham Manor Farm, Petworth, Sussex."

Then a week later 'The Australasian' (20 Jun 1925) wrote "Mr. Elijah Smith died at his residence, 40 Longmore street, St Kilda, on June 9, after a long illness. Mr. Smith was born at Brighton (SA) in 1852. Shortly afterward his family settled in Ballarat, and for the last 50 years Mr. Smith had been in business in St. Kilda. He was an active member and P.C.R. of the Ancient Order of Foresters Lodge; having been connected with the Court Good Intent (No. 2728), St, Kilda, for 41 years." (See note below for information about Foresters Lodge.)

A year later there were two 'In Memoriam Announcements' in 'The Age' 9 Jun 1926

• "SMITH. In loving memory of our dear father, who passed away at St. Kilda on the 9th June, 1925. Inserted by his loving son and daughter-in-law, Alex, May, and grandchildren." [GP Alexander Hubert Smith and his wife May Smith nee Brown]
• "SMITH. In remembrance of our late respected bro. Elijah Smith, P.O.R. and trustee, who died 9th June, 1925, at St. Kilda. Sadly missed. Inserted by members of Court Good Intent, No. 2723, A.O.F., St. Kilda."

An advert for the auction of Elijah and Margaret's home, 'Alexlea', was published in 'The Age' on 2 Sep 1926 and gives us a description of the house at that time 

"Auction of 40 Longmore Street, St. Kilda. Executor's sale on the premises. Timber villa containing 9 rooms, sep. bathroom, detached wash house, gas stove, elec light. Good Family Home in First Class Residential Area between Middle Park and St. Kilda Station. Close to Electric Tram and beach. Land 40 ft. frontage by about 95 ft. depth to Main Road."

NOTE:Ancient Order of Foresters Lodge
Originating in England in the mid nineteenth century, Foresters Friendly Society began life as The Ancient Order of Foresters. In Australia, the first branch of the Order (known as a Court) was established in Victoria in 1849. St. Kilda Branch (Court Good Intent No. 2728) began in the 1850's. Foresters was originally a non-profit organisation with a mission to provide financial and social support to members and their families in times of hardship. Foresters members who experienced unemployment, sickness, death or disability could rely on the assistance of the Society to ensure they and their families were looked after during difficult times.

Foresters played a particularly strong role in supporting members and their families during the depression and both World Wars. GGF Elijah Smith joined the Court Good Intent (No. 2728) Branch, St. Kilda, in 1884, and was a Past Chief Ranger (P.C.R.). It seems that belonging to the Foresters was a family affair. Elijah's son Alexander Hubert Smith also joined the branch and was in the winning team in an inter-branch rifle match in 1905. (Prahran Chronicle 2 Sep 1905). Son-in-law Reginald Tymms (1880-1968) was treasurer in 1927.

16.5 GGP Elijah Smith’s will

In his will Elijah bequeathed the following:-

• GF Alexander Hubert Smith £100
• Olive Muriel Tymms nee Smith £250
• Clarence Dudley Smith £100
• Leslie Gordon Smith £300
• Marguerite Hill nee Smith £250
• Wife GGM Margaret Allan Smith the balance of the estate

These were sizeable sums of money. The RBA inflation calculator indicates £100 in 1925 is equivalent  to $8000 dollars today.

16.6 GGM Margaret Allan Macfarlan Smith’s Will
 

The 1925 AER listed Margaret as the sole occupant of 40 Longmore St Kilda. GGM Margaret survived her husband by ten months and died at her home on 25 Apr 1926. In her will she appointed son GF Hubert Alexander Smith and daughter Marguerite Hill to be her executors and indicated that she wished her assets to be shared equally between her five surviving children. The total value of the estate was said to be £7674 made up of two properties (her St Kilda home and a vacant block of land in Coburg), some cash, personal belongings and shares (Henry Jones Department Store, Royal Bank of Australia and Goldsboro Mortgage Co). As this was just a few years prior to the Great Depression, the share value would have dropped considerably a decade later. 

17.0 Seven Children of GGP Elijah Smith (1852-1925) & Margaret Allan Macfarlane Cunningham (1859-1926)

Apart from GF Alexander Hubert Smith, these are all great uncles and aunties to our generation. Up until this generation the Smith family tended to name most of their children after parents, grandparents and uncles and aunties and often incorporated mother’s maiden names. Out of the 23 grandchildren of Anthony and Charlotte very few were named after their Smith relatives. There was one child named James Anthony (Letcher) and another named William Alfred (Trevenen) and two grandchildren had the name Smith as a middle names. The reason for this probably related to the fact that, apart from Elijah’s children, none had the surname Smith and in these families the husband’s family names took precedence. Elijah did use family names for his children including Macfarlan and Alexander (after his wife’s father) and Marguerite (after his wife Margaret).

 
17.1 Edith Maude Macfarlane Smith (1877-1878)
Edith was born in Windsor in 1877 but died the following year in 1878 aged 1.

17.2 GF Alexander Hubert Smith (1880-1964)

GF Alexander Hubert was born on 4 May 1880 in Union St., Prahran. According to his birth certificate his parents were Elijah Smith 27, cabinet maker and Margaret Smith, "formerly Macfarlane" 21. He was named after his mother's father GGGF Alexander Macfarlan. The birth registrataion includes the name under  'other issue' of Alexander's deceased sister, Edith Maude Macfarlane who died as an infant in 1878.

 

On most documents Alexander was known by his first name, but at a social level he went by his middle name 'Hubert'. Some documents list Margaret's surname as Cunningham and others list it as Wakefield. For more details about GF Alexander Hubert Smith's life see 12.0 and for Margaret’s ancestors see the Cunningham and Macfarlan sections of this blog.

17.3 Arthur Lionel Smith (1882-1883)
Arthur was born in Windsor, Melbourne in 1882 but died the following year in 1883 aged 1.

17.4 Olive Muriel Smith (1884-1975)
Olive was born in St Kilda in 1884 and lived with her parents at 4 Longmore St, St. Kilda until her marriage in 1910. Her marriage came after a three year engagement which was announced in 'Punch' on 28 Nov 1907 as follows; "An engagement is announced between Miss Olive Muriel Smith, eldest daughter of Mr. E. Smith, of 'Alexlea', St. Kilda, and Mr. Reginald Albert Tymms, youngest son of Mr. H. J. T. Tymms, of 'Marli House', St. Kilda". [Marli House still exists at 3-7 The Esplanade]. Reginald Tymms was a clerk and lived in Elsternwick with his parents prior to his marriage.

The following marriage notice was placed in 'The Argus' on 14 Jan 1911, "Tymms-Smith. —On the 10th December, 1910 at Independent Church, Malvern road, Prahran, Reginald youngest son Mr. and Mrs. H.J.T Tymms, 'Stroms', North Road, Brighton, to Olive Muriel, eldest daughter Mr. and Mrs E Smith, 'Alexlea', Longmore Street, St. Kilda".

After their marriage the couple moved into 3 Imperial Ave, Caulfield and Reginald's occupation was given as accountant. Over the next few years at least two children were born.

• Henry Gordon Tymms b14 June 1913. His birth was announced as follows: "Tymms (nee Smith) -On the 6th June, at Nurse Blair's private hospital, Shoobra road, Elsternwick, to Mr and Mrs Reginald A. Tymms, of 'Myrtle', Imperial Avenue, Caulfield - a son". Henry was listed as unemployed in the AER in 1936 and 1942. In the latter year he enlisted in the AIF in Western Australia on 9 Jul 1942 and served overseas fighting the Japanese invasion of PNG from 1944 to 1946.
• Lindsay McFarlan Tymms was born next. His birth was announced on 12 Jan 1918 "Tymms. -On the 8th January, at Nurse Blair's private hospital, Davis street, Elsternwick, to Mr. and Mrs. Reginald A. Tymms, of 3 Imperial avenue, Caulfield - a son." His middle name was chosen to honour his grandmother GGM Margaret Allan Smith nee Macfarlane and Margaret's father GGGF Alexander Macfarlan. 

Note: There is an Ancestry record (above) for the death of Lindsay McFarlan Tymms; son of Reginald and Olive registered in Victoria in 1918. As there is no actual corresponding birth or death record on Vic BDM, nor a birth or death notice on Trove, I assume that the Ancestry record is an error.

Lindsay McFarlan Tymms enlisted in the AIF on the 23 Apr 1940 (occupation clerk). His war record included a note regarding his gallantry; "On occasion of the wreck of the Launch Cymare at 1am on 19-1-1940? Sgt Tymms ... swam to the vessel and brought the crew who were in an exhausted condition; ashore. Having regard to the tidal currents in the rip, this was an act of great courage ...." Whilst on leave Lindsay was involved in a serious accident at Geelong resulting in injuries that placed him on the seriously ill list. During the war years in 1943, whilst on leave, Lindsay married Lois Kent in Melbourne. After the war Lindsay worked as an insurance agent, and in 1949 was the subject of a rescue mission himself. The engine on his small runabout boat would not start and he was left drifting overnight in stormy seas. Luckily he was rescued by a large passenger liner. This escapade was published in many Australian newspapers of the time (Nov 1949).

Olive and Reginald Tymms lived at the same address (3 Imperial Avenue, Caulfield) for all their married lives. On 10 Dec 1935 they proudly announced "Mr. and Mrs. Reginald A. Tymms announce with pleasure the 25th anniversary of their wedding which was celebrated on the 10th December, 1910 at Congregational Church, Malvern road, Prahran Victoria (Present address 3 Imperial avenue Caulfield)"

Reginald Arthur Tymms died on 30 Aug 1968 aged 88 and was buried at Brighton Cemetery. Olive Muriel Tymms nee Smith died in 1975 at Kew aged 95. Interestingly on the death certificate, her mother was listed as Margaret Allan Cunningham, which differs from her mother's name on her birth record.

17.5 Clarence Dudley Smith (1887-1953)

Clarence was born to parents Elijah and Margaret Smith in St. Kilda in 1887. He lived with his parents at 4 Longmore St during his younger days and in 1900 raised 5 shillings through 'lantern entertainments' and donated this sum to the "The Empire Patriotic Fund" organised by 'The Age', (19 Mar 1900).

Clarence, with his parents moved to 36 Longmore St. around 1910. In 1912 and 1913 those of the family listed by the AER as being of voting age were Elijah Smith cabinetmaker, Margaret Allan Smith home duties, Clarence Dudley Smith clerk and Leslie 'George' (should be 'Gordon') Smith cabinetmaker. In 1914 youngest daughter Marguerite joined her siblings on the roll but strangely was listed as living at 40 Longmore St.

By 1915 Clarence had moved out of the family home and the following year married Stella May Anwyl. The marriage notice in 'The Age' on 3 Jun 1916 was as follows; "Smith- Anwyl. On the 20th May, at St. Matthews Church, Prahran, Clarence Dudley Smith, second son of Mr and Mrs. E. Smith Longmore Street, St. Kilda, to Stella May Anwyl youngest daughter of the late Mr R Anwyl and Mrs. Anwyl, Liverpool, England." The AER listed Clarence and May Smith as living at 'Roselea', Orlando St, Hampton in 1916. (There is still a house named 'Roselea' at 6 Orlando St, Hampton, but it appears to be of more modern construction.) The following year Clarence gained a job as a salesman and the couple moved to 20 Moore St, South Yarra.

On 29 Apr 1917 Stella gave birth to a daughter Stella Muriel Smith later Wheelhouse (1917-1980). By 1921 Clarence, now a clerk, and Stella May Smith had moved to 24 Hyland St, South Yarra where they lived until 1924.

Clarence and Stella had at least three other children. Robert George Smith 1920-1921, Lillian Eva 1925-1925 and Florence Ada Smith, born 1923 (died in 1988). Florence married Bruce Ford in 1945

From 1925 to at least 1931 Clarence and Stella were listed as living at 39 Queens Ave, Oakleigh. During this period Clarence and Stella had possession of GGGF Anthony Smith’s diary. We know this because Stella wrote her name and address inside the cover. Clarence’s father Elijah died in 1925 and his mother (Margaret) died in 1926, so the diary was possibly passed to Clarence from one of his parents around 1925-6. Why possession of the diary by-passed Clarence’s two older siblings (Hubert and Olive) and why Clarence’s wife wrote her name and address on the cover is unknown.

By1936 the AER listed Clarence and Stella at 27 Thames Promenade/Parade, Chelsea and that was their home up until Clarence died. Clarence Dudley Smith sheet metal worker, died at 27 Thames Pde., Chelsea on 1 Dec 1953 aged 66. As was the case with his sister, his mother was listed as Margaret Allan Cunningham (not Mcfarlane). Stella May Smith died at Cheltenham in 1960 aged 68.

17.6 Leslie Gordon Smith (1890-1933)

Leslie was born in St. Kilda either in late 1889 or early 1890. His birth registration in 1890 listed his mother as Margaret Allan Cunningham Mcfarlane. He lived with his parents at 4 Longmore St during his younger days and moved with them to 36 Longmore St. around 1910 and became a cabinetmaker like his father. In 1912 and 1913 those of the family listed by the AER as being of voting age were Elijah Smith cabinetmaker, Margaret Allan Smith home duties, Clarence Dudley Smith clerk and Leslie 'George' (should be Gordon?) Smith, cabinetmaker.

 Prior to WW1, Lesley, by then an 'electric wireman', moved to Adelaide where he enlisted in the AIF on 21 Aug 1914. His military record notes that he had been a naval cadet for two years in Victoria and he had anchor tattoos on his arm. He became a driver in the 3rd Ambulance Unit (photographed in uniform below). He embarked from Adelaide on board transport ship 'HMAT Medic' on 20th October 1914 for France and seems to have served the whole war overseas only returning home in Oct 1918. He was at Gallipoli 2 Mar 1915. Leslie returned to Australia on 8 Oct 1918, but was listed on the 1917 AER as a cabinetmaker (like his father) and his registered address was his parent's home at 40 Longmore St.

Soon after the war, he made his way back to Adelaide, probably for romantic reasons, because in 1919 he married Florence Emma Irene Bristow, at Stepney. Over the next few years they had two sons; Kenneth Bruce Smith (1920-1979) and Raymond Lawrence Smith (1922-1980).

Leslie died at Stepney SA on 20 Nov 1933 aged 43. A year after his death the following three notices were placed in the Adelaide Advertiser on 20 Nov 1834;

• "In memoriam Smith. In loving memory of our dear friend Les, who passed away on 20th November. 1933. Always unselfish, loving and kind. Few in this world his equal you'll find. Ever remembered by Rita and George."
• "Smith. —In loving memory of our dear husband and father. Leslie, who passed away on the 20th November. 1933. Not just today, but every day. In silence we remember. Inserted by his loving wife and children."
• "Smith.—In loving memory of our dear son-in-law, who passed away on the 20th November. 1933. Time goes on but memory stays. Remembered by us always. Inserted by Mr. and Mrs. Bristow and family."

Leslie was buried at West Terrace cemetery, Adelaide. The 'Adelaide Advertiser' reported on 8 Jan 1834 that probate had been granted on the will of Leslie Gordon Smith from Stepney with his assets valued at £1,259. Florence Smith nee Bristow died at Stepney in Adelaide in 1983 aged 89. She was buried at Enfield Memorial Park.

17.7 Marguerite Adelaide Smith (1893-1979) 

Marguerite was Elijah and Margaret's youngest child. Her names were in honour of her mother (Margaret) and the city where her father (Elijah) was born. She was born in St. Kilda in 1893 and lived with her parents first at number 4, then at 36 Longmore St, St. Kilda. In 1914 at the age of 21 she was entitled to vote and was listed on the AER as a milliner living at 40 Longmore St. Although her parents were listed at number 36 at that time, they must have moved that year, because in 1917 that is where they were also listed.

Marguerite 26 married Frederick Pearce Hill, a baker, in 1918 (BDM Vic). In 1919 she was listed as Marguerite Hill with the occupation home duties, but still living with her parents at 40 Longmore St. According to the 1919 AER, husband Frederick Pearce Hill was living in his family home at 45 Swallow St, Port Melbourne. This muddle was the result the change of address being sent after the close of the AER. In 1919 Marguerite gave birth to her only known child, daughter Marguerite Agnes Hill.

From 1921 to 1926, Frederick (now listed as a driver), was listed as living with his wife Marguerite at her parent's residence 40 Longmore St. Marguerite was probably living in her parent's residence to care for her parents, who were both becoming frail (they died in 1925 and 1926). Her father GF Elijah Smith died in 1925 and Marguerite inherited £250 from his will. The confusion regarding the family’s address occurred again in the 1930’s. From 1934-1936 Marguerite was listed as living alone at 34 Tope St, South Melbourne, but by 1937 Frederick Pearce Hill, bookbinder and Marguerite were living together at 113 Canterbury Rd, Albert Park.

Frederick Pearce Hill served in WW1 volunteering on 10 Jul 1915 at the age of 20 and serving as a driver. At that time his occupation was biscuit baker. He was discharged due to health issues in mid-1916. Frederick Hill 44 volunteered for AIF again very early in WW2, and  his service record provides details about him and Marguerite. He was discharged from service in 1940.

In 1943 Frederick Pearce Hill, bookbinder and Marguerite were joined on the AER by their daughter Marguerite Agnes Hill, librarian (c1920). They were living at 1136 High St., Malvern. In 1949 they were at the same address, but daughter Marguerite had married and left home by then. By 1954 they had changed address to 106 Thompson St, Williamstown and Frederick was now listed as a storeman.

By 1958 Frederick and Marguerite had changed direction and address. They moved to the country at Lot 10, Macclesfield Rd, Macclesfield and Frederick was the manager of a poultry farm. By 1963 Frederick had retired and they were living at 50 Warrandyte Rd, Ringwood until Frederick died in 1966.

From 1972 to 1977 Marguerite used her full name of Marguerite Adelaide Hill and she was living alone at 64 Warrandyte Rd, Ringwood. Marguerite Adelaide Hill nee Smith died in 1979 with her death registered at Mitcham. Her mother was listed as Margaret Allan McFarlan on the death registration. She was 85 years old.

Daughter Marguerite Agnes Hill b1919 married in 1947. Her husband was Aubrey Noel Wilkinson (b1907 Footscray), storeman. At first the couple lived in Malvern, but during the 1950's they moved to Morwell. Aubrey died in Traralgon in 1970. Marguerite Wilkinson was still living in Morwell at 13 William St from 1972-1979. Marguerite possibly had two children. Douglas Alexander Wilkinson and Christine Wilkinson. According to the AER Douglas was doing national Service in 1972, and was working as a photography assistant and living close to his mother in 1979. He had married a woman named Selena by 1977 and they still resided in Morwell in 1980. Daughter Christine Wilkinson married a man named Jeffrey, but the surname is unknown. Christine resided in Morwell from 1977-1980.

18.0 GP Alexander Hubert Smith (1880-1964) & Elizabeth May Brown (1881-1953)

GF Alexander Hubert Smith (Hubert) was born in 1880 in Prahran and named after his grandfather Alexander Macfarlan. According to his birth certificate Alexander's parents were GGP Elijah Smith and Margaret McFarlane (aka Cunningham). In 1903 Alexander Hubert Smith 23 was listed on the AER as an engine driver living at 4 Longmore St, St Kilda with his parents. Presumably his occupation was driving steam engines for the railways, which meant he must have done an apprenticeship in the late 1890's but I have yet to find a record confirming this.

From 1905 to 1906 GF Alexander Hubert Smith 25 engine driver had moved 200 metres from the family home to 8 York St, St. Kilda. At this time he was sharing the house with four women with the same surname (Smith) and all with the occupation 'home duties'; Ethel Smith, Ellen Smith, Madeline Elizabeth Selwyn Smith and Margaret Jane Smith. As they were not his sisters, I thought they may have been cousins. However further research indicates they were not related at all. Madeline Elizabeth Selwyn Smith b1835 was a widow and (Madeline) Ethel Selwyn Smith 28 b1877 and Emily (Florence) Smith 30 b1875 were her unmarried daughters. There was also a woman named Margaret Jane Smith living in the house but there are no records indicating her background. The AER listed the same information in 1906. See below for more information about the Selwyn Smiths. The house at 8 York St may have been a boarding house because it was advertised as such in 1910. 

As a young man Alexander Hubert Smith joined the Foresters Friendly Society (like his father Elijah before him) and was in the winning team in an inter-branch rifle match in 1905 (Prahran Chronicle 2 Sep 1905).See photo below showing Hubert in his regalia.

According to the AER, in 1909 Alexander Smith engine driver moved back into the family home at 4 Longmore St, with his parents and his sister Olive Muriel Smith home duties (now old enough to vote). Alexander's addresses at 8 York St and 4 Longmore St were only 200m apart. They were also less than 2 km from his future wife's house in Inkerman St, so they could have easily met at a social gathering in the area or casually whilst going about their daily lives. Later that year Alexander Hubert changed address and career paths again. Prior to his marriage in July he was living at 9 Bell St., Coburg and operating a grocer shop.

 

On 7 Jul 1909 GF Alexander Hubert Smith 29 (born Windsor) bachelor, married GM May Elizabeth Brown 28 spinster at May's home at 75 Inkerman St, St Kilda. The wedding was conducted by the minister of the local Presbyterian Church. (See 11.0 for May's early life.) May had been living at 75 Inkerman St with her family and listed her parents as GGP Richard Vasey Brown, retired and Janet Stewart. Hubert listed his parents as Elijah Smith carpenter and Margaret Allan Cunningham [not Mcfarlane]. (The marriage was prior to the death of Margaret's father and Elijah possibly knew very little about the Mcfarlane story). The witnesses were May's younger sister Katie Brown and Alexander’s future brother-in-law Reginald A. Tymms (signature is hard to read). Reginald married Alexander’s sister Olive the following year. It is interesting to note that May's brother Herbert Brown became a grocer at about the same time. I doubt whether it was a coincidence. 

 A later AER in that same year listed a new address, a new occupation and Hubert's wife under her married name. The listing was for Alexander Hubert Smith  grocer and Elizabeth May Smith (nee Brown), occupation home duties, living at 9 Bell St, Coburg (not far from Bowden Reserve). Soon after, they started having a family. Allan Stewart Smith was born in Coburg on 11 Apr 1911 and Olive Margarite (sic) Smith in 1913. The birth announcement for Olive was in 'The Age', 11 Jan 1913; "SMITH (nee Brown). On the 8th January, at Nurse Walsh's Private Hospital, the wife of Alex. H. Smith of 'Monaro', 9 Bell-Street, Coburg, a daughter (Olive Margarite)". It may be just a coincidence, but all the forenames of both children can be found in the Smith family tree. Allan had one grandmother’s surname (Stewart) and another grandmother’s middle name (Allan), whilst Olive was named after two of Hubert’s sisters (Olive and Marguerite).

Over the next few years, they remained at this address, but Elizabeth reversed her Christian names to May Elizabeth Smith. Alexander was known to his friends by his middle name; Hubert. In 1915 there were two May Elizabeth Smiths on the AER. GM May Elizabeth was still at 9 Bell St, but the other May Elizabeth lived at 8 Rennie St., Coburg with her husband Harry Noel Smith. Hubert's grocery shop at 9 Bell St, was redeveloped into an office block some time ago.)

From 1919 to 1922 they were listed at a new address; 337 Bell St, Coburg and 'Sands Directory' still listed Alex. H. Smith as being a grocer in 1922-1923, so perhaps their home address was different to their shop address. In the 1920’s Hubert became a builder. The fact that they moved again within a few years suggests that as a builder, Hubert may have been renovating houses and then moving, when he sold them. By 1924 they had changed addresses again to 326 Bell St on the corner of Gordon St, Coburg and Alexander Hubert Smith was listed as a builder, no doubt putting carpentry skills learned from his father into action. On the death of his father in 1925, Hubert was named as joint executor of the will and he was described as Alexander Hubert Smith, builder, of corner of Gordon and Bell St. Coburg. The same address was given when he applied for probate for his mother’s will in 1926 (The Argus 7 Oct).

Alex Hubert Smith must have had an interest in the Gordon St property prior to when they moved there in 1924, as is evident from this report in the 'Brunswick and Coburg Leader' 6 years earlier. On 1 Feb 1918; "Alex. H. Smith asked Council to extend brick paving at present being constructed in Gordon street, 14 ft. easterly along Bell street. The applicant is willing to either pay the full cost or share same with the Council. Request granted on payment of cost". Perhaps he had already bought that house and was renovating it so that the family could occupy it in 1924.

In 1927, Alexander Hubert attended the Ballarat funeral of his aunt, Mary Trevenen nee Smith, who died on 2 Apr at 77 Barkly St.; the home of her son Herbert (YAS). This was only 600m from the childhood home of Hubert’s father Elijah in Magpie St.

The Smith family remained at 326 Bell St until 1934, when daughter Olive Smith, 'typiste' (at 21- voting age) was listed. According to the AER, they had moved to 19 Glen Ebor Avenue, Blackburn by 1936. Listed were Hubert Smith and Elizabeth May Smith (she had reversed her names again) along with daughter Olive Margaret Smith, 'typiste'. Allan had left home some years earlier and in 1934 was teaching and living at Taggerty. Allan married Florence Mabel Boardman in 1941.

Around 1940 Hubert and his family moved again. From 1942 to 1949 they were running a citrus orchard in Stephensons Rd, Mt Waverley until the 1950's when they moved to 10 Morey St, Burwood where they lived until their deaths. GM Elizabeth May Smith nee Brown was the first to pass away. The following notice appeared in The Age on 10 Oct 1953, "Smith. On October 9 at 10 Morey street, Burwood, Elizabeth May, beloved wife of Alexander H. Smith, loved mother of Allan and Olive, loved sister of Dick (dec.) [Richard Vasey Brown], Harry, [Henry Stewart Brown], Janet (dec.) [Janet Stewart Brown], Ted (dec.) [Edwin Douglas Brown], Bert (dec.) [Herbert Duncan Brown], Kate (dec.) [Kate Muir Brown] and Jim [James Allan Brown], grandmother of Graham and Heather."

NOTE: Names in square brackets indicate birth names. Four siblings died as children and are not mentioned

GF Alexander Hubert Smith (1880-1964) survived another decade, living with daughter Olive and his granddaughter. The last AER he appeared on was in 1963 where he was listed as ‘retired’ and Olive was listed as a nurse. GF Alexander Hubert Smith died in 1964 at Burwood aged 83 and was buried in Burwood Cemetery with his wife GM Elizabeth May Smith nee Brown.

18.1 The Selwyn Smiths (Not related)

In 1905 GF Alexander Hubert Smith 25 engine driver moved 200 metres from the family home to 8 York St, St. Kilda. At this time he was sharing the house with four women with the same surname and all with the occupation 'home duties'; Ethel Smith, Emily Smith, Madeline Elizabeth Selwyn Smith and Margaret Jane Smith. As they were not his sisters I thought they may have been cousins. However further research indicates they were not related at all. Madeline Elizabeth Selwyn Smith b1835 was a widow and (Madeline) Ethel Selwyn Smith 28 b1877 and Emily (Florence) Smith 30 b1875 were her unmarried daughters.

Madeline Elizabeth Selwyn Smith nee Kelly was born in 1835 to parents John Hubert Kelly JP, Lunestown, Westmeath, Ireland and Hannah Featherstonhaugh. Madeline 29 married Harold Selwyn Smith 46 widower on 18 Feb 1864. They had seven children most of whom went by the name Selwyn Smith. Harold Selwyn Smith was a well-known accountant who worked in Sydney and Melbourne and for a time was the NSW Returning Officer in NZ where one of his daughters was born. He died in 1891 in Sydney and his widow and three of her daughters moved to Melbourne. They lived for a while at 8 York St then moved to 35 Park St in St. Kilda.

In 1917 they moved to 'Khala' 13 Como Ave, Toorak and were well known in Melbourne social circles. In 1924 Madeline Elizabeth Selwyn Smith, died at Khala, Como Ave, but her unmarried daughters continued to live there until their deaths. The youngest daughter, Madeline Elizabeth Selwyn Smith died in 1964 whilst a resident at Khala, 13 Como Ave. Sadly the house was demolished and replaced with a modern building.

19.0 Two Children of GP Alexander Hubert Smith (1880-1964) & Elizabeth May Brown (1881-1953) 

Allan Stewart Smith was born in Coburg on 11 Apr 1911 and became a teacher. He married Florence Mabel Boardman in 1941 and had three children. Olive Margaret Smith (later Wall) was born on 8 Jan 1913. She became a nurse and had one daughter.

NOTE: Allan’s name was spelt Alan on some documents but was spelled as Allan on his birth and marriage registrations and burial and war records. The name Allan may have come from his grandmother Margaret Mcfarlane Allan Cunningham. This spelling comes from her birth registration. Olive’s middle name also may have come from her grandmother and her father’s sister Marguerite.

20.0-21.0 Reserved for Future Use

Diagram of the Smith family Tree