PART SIX: THE CUNNINGHAM FAMILY

Undergoing revision Oct 2024

175.0 Introduction
The third branch of our Scottish ancestry is the Cunningham family from Bo'ness in the Linlithgow area. Records indicate that the Cunningham's were a farming family, but they were not as well off as our other Scottish families, the Forresters and the Macfarlanes. They were farm workers rather than farm owners. All three of these Scottish families originate from communities that were not that far apart. GGGM Agnes Cunningham was born at Bo’ness, 29 miles from Thornhill, where GGGF Alexander Macfarlan was born. Twenty-four years later, on the other side of the world, the two had a relationship in Melbourne, which resulted in the birth of GGM Margaret Allan Macfarlane Cunningham. (See 185.3).

175.1 Linlithgow
Linlithgowshire was located in the old county of West Lothian. It included the parishes of Abercorn, Bathgate, Borrowstounness, Carriden, Kirkliston, Linlithgow, and Whitburn. The Scottish Places website tells us that from 1775, “both proprietors and tenant-farmers started on the course of vigorous improvement (to agricultural practices) that has given such renown to the Lothians”. However, the number of people employed in the industry steadily declined. According to Wikipedia “By 1799, Linlithgow was described as a large town with about 2300 inhabitants, whose primary industries included the tanning of leather, refining cotton cloth, the making of Tambour lace and Stockings, and shoemaking, as well as acting as a market town for the surrounding agriculture.”

175.2 Bo'ness or Borrowstounness
Bo'ness or Borrowstounness is a town in NW Linlithgowshire, just north of the town of Linlithgow. A seaport since 1748, the Bo’ness stands on a low ness or promontory washed by the Firth of Forth. Daniel Defoe described it, early in last century, as "consisting only of one straggling street, extended close to the water along the shore, but a town that has been, and still is, of the greatest trade to Holland and France of any in Scotland, after Leith." An early photo of the town is shown above.

Cholera Outbreaks.  

Being a busy seaport, Bo'ness was susceptible to devastating outbreaks of infectious diseases, brought in by passengers or crew on ships. For example, in the 1800's there were two outbreaks of Cholera. In 1850 it is reputed that Corbiehall Graveyard was set aside for the victims of a second severe cholera epidemic. Although in a poor state of repair, many of the gravestones, which have been laid flat, can still be read. Dr. Cowan noted that from the time of seizure till death took a minimum of 11 hours, a maximum of 95 hours, and an average of 33 hours. Perhaps it was the second Cholera outbreak that caused the death of the mother of GGGM Agnes Cunningham, and the large number of sudden deaths may be the reason there is no record of her death.

175.3 Map showing Linlithgow and nearby locations

All these locations were within a few miles of each other. From Bo'neess to Linlithgow in the south was 3.5 miles. From Bo'ness to Falkirk to the west was 8 miles.

175.4 CUN1 Cunningham & Johnston family Trees

176.0 Ancestors of GGGM Agnes Cunningham (1835-1929)
No baptism registration has been found for Agnes Cunningham, however other documents do provide some details of her early life.

From her daughter Margaret's birth and marriage registrations, and Agnes' obituary in 1929, we know that Agnes Cunningham was born in 1835 at Bo'ness, 3 miles north of Linlithgow. Agnes named her parents as Andrew Cunningham c1800 and Catherine Bennet c1810 in documents. The records show that Agnes Cunningham, arrived in Melbourne on 21 Aug 1857 on the ship 'S.S. Undaunted' as one of 277 assisted single female passengers so she lived in Scotland up until she was 21 in early 1857.There were many Cunningham families living in the Bo'ness area around 1800, and these included at least three Andrew Cunninghams. Most of the Cunningham families were employed in the mining industry and very few were employed the agricultural sector. The records below, fit well with the known facts.

176.1 GGGGP Andrew Cunningham (1813-1878) & Catherine Bennet (c1815-c1837)
Agnes named her parents as GGGGP Andrew Cunningham said to be a farmer, and Catherine Bennet (or Bennens or Bannan; the last letters are hard to read and there may be spelling errors).

There are no conclusive records for the birth, marriage or death of Catherine Bennet/Bennen, anywhere in the Linlithgow and surrounds area, during the appropriate time frame. However, there is a record for a ‘Cathrine’ Bennet born in South Leith to David Bennet and Kathrine McDonald in 1805. Also, a 'Margaret' Bennet, born to Robert Bennet b1784 and Christian Parker b1786 on 28 Dec 1810 at Linlithgow. The latter record has the right location and time frame but wrong Christian name. Margaret Bennet may have been Catherine Bennet's sister which may explain why Agnes later named her first daughter, Margaret. Agnes' mother GGGGM Catherine Benner/Bennet was probably born around 1815.  The most likely possibility is that Agnes' mother was Margaret Bennet, but as she died when Agnes was a baby Agnes got the Christian name wrong,.

Agnes' father was Andrew Cunningham born in Bo’ness on 19 Mar 1813, to parents GGGGP William Cunningham and Mary Johnson. Andrew was 21 in 1834, when he married Catherine Bennet. I have located no marriage records in West Lothian or surrounding counties for Andrew Cunningham and a woman named Catherine Bennet/Benner or Banner or Margaret Bennet.

Daughter GGGM Agnes Cunningham was born in 1835 (named after Andrew's sister Agnes b1819). No baptism record for Agnes b1835 has been found. There are also no records of other children born to the couple, which suggests that Andrew’s wife, Catherine Cunningham nee Bennet may have died soon after the birth of their first child, perhaps from one of the outbreaks of Cholera that swept through Bo’ness. This would explain why Agnes b1835, a single child, was living with her aunt Elizabeth Erskine nee Cunningham in 1841. (See 181.4). Agnes' grandmother Mary Johnston was also deceased by that time (see 180.1) and her father and grandfather would not have been able to care for a baby girl. In 1840 and probably earlier, Andrew was living at Polmont, within one mile of his sister Elizabeth and his daughter Agnes.

In 1841, Andrew 35 (really 28 and surname incorrectly transcribed as ‘Cassingham’) was either working for, or boarding with James (50yo) and Janet Hodge (40yo)at Oldwalls in Polding. His occupation was male servant. Working with him was female servant named Margaret McIsaac 20, and over time the two developed a relationship. Margaret’s parents were John McIsaac and Jean Hodge, so her mother was probably related to her employers. Also working on the farm was David Bowie 15. David may have been related to Andrew because Andrew’s great grandmother was Elizabeth Bowie (c1735-c1788 b.Boness).

176.2 Andrew Cunningham (1813-1878) & Margaret McIsaac (1821-c1907)

On 14 Jun 1844, Andrew 30 of Polmont married for a second time, firstly in Polmont parish, and on the following day at Bothkennar parish, 7 miles to the east (see 2nd line above). The Scottish custom was to register the marriage in the parishes of both the husband and the wife. The Bo’ness marriage simply lists their names and their parishes.

Andrew’s second wife was 23 year old Margaret McIsaac, who was born in Polmont in 1821 to John McIsaac and Jean Hodge. In Polmont, two months later, on 18 Aug 1844, the couple had a son named William Cunningham after Andrew’s father. In 1851 Andrew 31 (really 37) agricultural labourer, Margaret 24 and son William 6 were living at Bowhouse, Bo’ness. Once again Andrew was living close to his daughter. In 1851 she was working at Woodhouse Farm about 1 mile from Bo’ness. In fact, as a farm labourer, Andrew may have been doing day work on the same farm.

In early 1857, Andrew’s first daughter Agnes migrated to Australia. Andrew would never see her again. Little did he know that his daughter would have a relationship with, and a child by one of the richest men in Scotland (Alexander Macfarlan). That child (Margaret Macfarlane Macfarlene Smith nee Cunningham) would inherit £4000 from her father, a sum that Andrew would have considered a fortune.

In Nov 1857 another daughter was born to Andrew and Margaret Cunningham nee McIsaac named Jane Cunningham with the birth registered at Polmont. She was a half-sister to Agnes b1835. By 1861 Andrew, Margaret and Jane were living at Borrowstoun Village and Andrew 43 (really 48) was working as a ploughman. Margaret 35 was a farm labourer.

In 1871 Andrew (listed as ‘Cummingham’) was listed as a 56 year old ag lab living in Beech Cottage, Bo’ness with wife Margaret 45 and daughter Jane 12. For the first time in decades Andrew's listed age was close to his real age of 57. Andrew Cunningham ‘farm servant’ died on 19 May 1878 with a listed age of  65. Cause of death was chronic bronchitis, which had been causing health problems for eight years. The death registration (below) listed his wife as Margaret McIsaac and son as William Cunningham (the informant). It also listed Andrew's parents as William Cunningham, deceased sexton and Mary Cunningham (maiden surname Johnston).

Andrew’s widow, Margaret Cunningham nee McIsaac 50, was working as an ’outdoor worker’ in 1881 and living at 2 Borrowston Rd, Bo’ness with daughter ‘Jennie’ (Jane) Cunningham 23 (b1858) housekeeper. In 1891 Margaret aged 70 was still working as an outdoor worker and living in Bo’ness with her ‘adopted’ daughter Janet Dunsmuir 5 (b1886, Bonnybridge, two miles from Denny). In 1901 Margaret 80, retired farm servant, was living at 2 North Kinglass, Bo’ness with grandchild Janet Dunsmore (sic) 15 (b.1886, Denny). Margaret probably died at Linlithgow in 1907 at the reputed age of 90 (really 88). Her mother’s surname was not recorded, probably because it was unknown, as most of her close relatives were deceased.

NOTE: 1891 and 1901 censuses described Janet Dunsmore as both a ‘grandchild’ and as ‘adopted’. She was probably related to Margaret in some way, but the actual relationship is unknown. She does not seem to be a grandchild. According to ‘Scotlands People’ website there was a Janet Dunsmore born in Falkirk Landward (4 miles from Bonnybridge) in 1885 whose mother’s maiden name was Crosbie (479/2/292).

177.0 Three Children of Andrew Cunningham (1813-1878) & 2 Wives
Andrew’s first marriage to Catherine Bennet c1835 resulted in the birth of GGGM Agnes Cunningham in 1835. He then married Margaret Mcisaac in 1844 and that marriage resulted in two children named William Cunningham b.1844 and Jane Cunningham b.1857.

177.1 GGGM Agnes Cunningham (1835-1929)
Agnes was the first-born child to Andrew Cunningham and his first wife Catherine Bennet. No baptism record has been found, but other documents indicate she was born in 1835. She migrated to Australia as a young adult and had a relationship with a fellow Scot resulting in the birth of GM Margaret Allan Cunningham Mcfarlane. Agnes married twice and was widowed twice with seven more children from the two marriages. She died in W.A. in 1929. See 184.0 for the amazing full story of Agnes Cunningham’s long life.

177.2 William Cunningham (1844-1879): Son of Andrew Cunningham b1813
William was born in Polmont on 18 Aug 1844 and named after his grandfather. In 1851 he was 6 and living with his parents at Bowhouse, Bo’ness. Like his half-sister Agnes, William started work at a young age, as a farm labourer/servant like his father. In 1861, the 16 year old, was one of seven servants working in the household of the Dunlop family in Claret Road, Polmont, about 5 miles from Bo’ness. He left that employment before 1871 and became an engine keeper, boarding with the Clarkson family in Manse St, West Calder.

William was the informant on his father’s death registration in 1878. Sadly, William died after a short illness at Bo’ness in 1879, one year after his father at the age of 35. He was probably being cared for in the house of his mother in Borrowston Rd. The death registration listed him as being single and his parents as Andrew Cunningham, deceased farm servant, and Margaret McIsaac. The informant was cousin, John Johnston b1836, farmer of Reddoch Rd in Polmont (see 178.0).

177.3 Jane Cunningham (1857-?)
Jane was born at Polmont on 14 Nov. 1857 in the same year that her half-sister, Agnes, sailed to Australia. Jane’s parents were listed as Andrew Cunningham and Margaret McIsaac. She was living at 8 Borrowston Village,  Bo’ness with her parents in 1861 and 1871, and Jane/Jennie was living with her widowed with her mother in 1881 at 2 Borrowston Rd. Jane married James McCarrol (b1862, Bo’ness) in 1884 at Linlithgow. They seem to have had only one child, a daughter named Ann McCarrol in 1885. In 1891 James 28, iron dresser, and Jane McCarroll nee Cunningham 28 (really 34) were living at Corbiehall with Ann aged 6. All details were much the same in 1901. James and Jane were listed as being 38 and Ann was 16 and working as a pithead worker. Their address was Corbiehall Southside. No more is known but records suggest the family migrated to the USA.

178.0 John Johnston (1836-1905): cousin of William Cunningham b.1844
John was born in Bo’ness in 1836 to Alexander Johnston (b1812, Bo’ness) and Jane/Jean McIsaac (b.1815 Polmont and m.1836 Bo’ness). He was a cousin to William Cunningham b1844 (above). John’s mother Jane McIsaac b1815 was a sister of William Cunningham’s mother, Margaret McIsaac b1821. Jane was born in Polmont in 1815 to John McIsaac and Mary Hodge. Through his father, John was also probably related to William’s grandmother (Mary Johnston b.1786).

In 1841 John b1836 was living with his father Alexander 25 (really 29) and mother, Jean 25, on his grandfather’s (John Johnston 65, really 69) farm at Upper Hainings. His grandmother was deceased. Grandfather John Johnston b1771 farmer at Upper Haining died in his seventies in 1845 and left a will. In 1851 Alexander Johnston 39 (b1812, Bo’ness) was a farmer of 28 acres at Upper Haining with his wife Jane/Jean McIssac 35 and son John 14. By 1861 Alexander 50 (b1811, Linlithgow) was a farmer of 81 acres 3 miles away at Reddoch, living with wife Jean 45 and son John 24 and three servants named Andrew Melville 27, John Betts and James Muirhead. A decade later in 1871 they were all still at the same location and Alexander 59 (b1812, Bo’ness), Jean 54 and son John 34 farmed 100 acres with the help of 3 servants.

Alexander Johnston farmer died 28 Mar 1877 at Reddoch, Polmont. In 1881, son John 44, was farming the 100 acres at Reddoch with his mother Jean Johnston (nee Mcisaac) 65, another woman also named Jean Johnston and three servants.

In 1886 John married Helen Binnie 33 at Cannongate. By 1891 John 54 had changed occupations and was a carting contractor living at Wester Millerhill, Newton with his wife Helen 38 (b1853), children Alexander 3 and John 1, mother, Jean Johnston 77 and two stepdaughters, Helen Robb 13 and Davina Liddel 9. Jane Johnston nee McIsaac (mother’s maiden name Hodge) died later in 1891 aged 77 (b1814) at Newton, Falkirk.

In 1901 John 44 (really 64, b.Bo’ness) retired farmer, wife Ellen (Helen Binnie Johnston) 49 (b1854, Carron) were living at Whittinghame with three sons John 11, William 9 and Andrew 6. John Johnston (mother’s surname McIsaac) died in Whittinghame in 1905 aged 68. It seems that his three sons John 22, William 20 and Andrew 16, were living in Cannongate in 1911 but their mother’s location is unknown.

178.1 Alexander Johnston (1811-1877) & Jean/Jane McIsaac (1815-1891)
Alexander Johnson was born on 13 Oct 1811 at Bo’ness to John Johnston and Elisabeth Hodge. Sadly, Alexander’s mother died a few weeks later, on 17 Nov 1811. On 21 June 1836 Alexander married Jane McIsaac at Bo’ness. In 1841 Alexander 25 (really 29), Jean 25 and son John b1836 were living with Alexander’s father (John Johnston b1771 listed as 65, really 69) on the family farm at Upper Hainings.

Alex’s father, John Johnston b1771 farmer at Upper Haining, died in his seventies in 1845 and left a will. In 1851 Alexander Johnston 39 (b1812, Bo’ness) was a farmer of 28 acres at Upper Haining with his wife Jane/Jean McIssac 35 and son John 14. By 1861 Alexander 50 (b1811, Linlithgow) was a farmer of 81 acres 3 miles away at Reddoch, living with wife Jean 45 and son John 24 and three servants named Andrew Melville 27, John Betts and James Muirhead. A decade later in 1871 they were all still at the same location and Alexander 59 (b1812, Bo’ness), Jean 54 and son John 34 farmed 100 acres with the help of three servants.

Alexander Johnston farmer died 28 Mar 1877 at Reddoch, Polmont. Nearest of kin was John Johnston of Reddoch. An inventory of Alexander’s assets can be found on the Scotlands people website. In 1891 Jean 77 was living with son Alexander and his family at Newton, Falkirk. It seems that she died later that year.

178.2 John Johnston (1771-1845) & Elisabeth Hodge (1782-1811)
John Johnston was born in 1771 at Bo’ness to Alexander Johnston c1750 and Agnes Paterson (m.1761, Bo’ness). Elisabeth Hodge (a twin to sister Jean below) was born at Polmont in 24 Jul 1782 to John Hodge and Margaret Cairns. In 1810 John married Elisabeth Hodge in Bo’ness and their only known child was Alexander Johnston born at Bo’ness in 1811. Elisabeth Hodge, wife of John died on 17 Nov 1811 after the birth of her only child, at Polmont

In 1841 John Johnston 65 (really 69) was running his farm at Upper Hainings. Living with him was his son Alexander and his wife and his grandson John. John Johnston b1771 farmer at Upper Haining died with a reputed age of 71 (really 74) in 1845 and left a will.

NOTE 1: Nothing much is known about John’s father Alexander Johnston c1750, but there was an Alexander Johnston who was a witness at the baptism of Margaret Gibb in Polmont in 1780. This record is on the same page as the baptism of Janet Hodge b1780, daughter of John Hodge and Margaret Cairns (see below).

NOTE 2: The spelling of the surname Johnston varied. For the sake of consistency, I have used the Johnston spelling in this blog rather than Johnson or Johnstone.

178.3 John McIsaac (c1780-?) & Jean Hodge (1782-?)
John McIsaac was born around 1780 but no record has been found. Jean Hodge was born 24 Jul 1782 to John Hodge and Margaret Cairns at Polmont. Jean was a twin sister to Elisabeth Hodge who married John Johnston in 1810 (above). Two years later in 1812 Jean married John McIsaac in Polmont.

The six known children, with birth dates, of John McIsaac and Jean Hodge were John McIsaac 21 March 1813, Jean McIsaac 3 Dec1815 (See 179.1), George McIsaac 1816 (See 179.2), Margaret McIsaac 18 Mar 1821 (See 179.3), Unnamed son (James) b 24 Aug 1823 (See 179.4) and Christian McIsaac 23 Apr 1826 (Rec 30/39). All were born at Polmont. Jean was in her early forties when she had her last child. See 179.0 for more information about the lives of the children of John and Jean McIsaac nee Hodge.

Daughter Janet Hodge b1780 married Peter Taylor at Larbert (5 miles away) in 1796 and had ten children including Robert Paterson Taylor b.1811.

178.4 John Hodge (c1740-?) & Margaret Cairns (1744-?)
Margaret Cairns was born in Bo’ness to John Cairns and Janet Logan in 1744. Her siblings were James Cairns 1746 and Alexander Cairns 1750. John Hodge married Margaret Cairns in 1766 at Polmont. They had six known children who were all baptised in Polmont. At least two daughters died as infants. The children were John Hodge c1769-?, Janet Hodge 1774-c1780, Elisabeth Hodge, 1777-c1782, Janet Hodge 1780-1831, Jean Hodge (later McIsaac, see 179.1), 1782-1826 and Elisabeth Hodge (later McIsaac, see 178.2) 1782-1838. Margaret was in her late thirties when she gave birth to twins Jean and Elisabeth.

Daughter Janet Hodge b1780 married Peter Taylor at Larbert (5 miles away) in 1796 and had ten children including Robert Paterson Taylor b.1811.

179.0 Four Married Children of John McIsaac (c1780-?) & Jean Hodge (1782-?)

Four children (Jean, George, Margaret and James) of John McIsaac and Jean Hodge survived to adulthood, married and had families of their own. Their lives are explored below and elsewhere Nothing more is known about John McIsaac (b1813) and Christian McIsaac (b1826) and they may have died young. Two Unnamed children of John McIsaac died in Polmont on 5 Feb 1834 and 10 Feb 1835 (ref 30/331& 333). These may have been John and Christian. 

179.1 Jean/Jane McIsaac (1815-1891)

Jean McIsaac was born at Polmont on 3 Dec 1813 and was named after her mother. She later went by the forename Jane. On 21 June 1836 Jane McIsaac married Alexander Johnston at Bo’ness and had one son named John. Jane Johnston nee McIsaac probably died in 1891 aged 77 (b1814) at Newton, Falkirk.

179.2 George McIsaac (1816-1894)

George was born after two older siblings who were named after his parents. Church records confirm that George was baptised at Polmont on 4 Aug 1816 by John McIsaac and Jean Hodge.

 

In early 1837 George 21 had a relationship with Mary Allan who was about 20. Nine months later, on 4 Oct 1837, illegitimate daughter Isabella was born at Alva (Rec FR538). As Isabella was given George’s surname, George and Mary may have unofficially married using the old highland’s custom of handfasting. The marriage was confirmed on 13 Nov 1839 (Ref 50 / 225) when George McIsaac married Mary Allan in Logie, about 6 miles from Alva.

 

Note: This is Logie on the outskirts of Stirling not Logie near Cupar and as marriages usually occurred in the wife’s hometown, Mary’s parents may have been residing there. In 1841 George and Mary were living in Tullibody village which is close to Stirling so this supports that contention.

 

No birth record has been found for George’s wife Mary Allan/Allen. According to George’s gravestone she died in 1889 aged 70 suggesting she was born about 1819. George’s death certificate names her parents as John Allan and Mary Unknown. Mary’s death registration lists her age at death as 75 so she was probably born between 1814 and 1819. Although her parent’s names were listed as John and Mary Allan, it is quite possible that the informants got the mother’s name wrong.

 

George and Mary McIsaac’s second child also named Mary was born on 7 Oct 1840 with the birth registered in Alva. In April 1841 George 20-year-old labourer and Mary McIsaac 20 (ages rounded down) were living in Tullibody Village, Clackmannanshire (3 miles from Alva) with daughters Isabella 4 and Mary 8 months. In the next decade three more daughters were born, Jean 1844, Catherine 1846 and Margaret 1849.

 

The 1851 census listed the family as George 34 (b1817 Polmont), labourer, Mary 34 (b1817 Crieff), Isabella 14, Mary 10 scholar, Jean 7 scholar, Catherine 4 scholar and Margaret 1. They were living at Beauclerk Place, Alva.

 

In early 1853 George’s brother James and his wife boarded the ship ‘Catherine Glen’ bound for Melbourne. The ship arrived in Port Phillip Bay on 14 Aug 1853 after a trip lasting 105 days. During the next few months George and his wife decided to follow his brother to the other side of the world. George and his family departed Liverpool on ‘Bride of the Sea’ on 26 May 1854. The passenger list on arrival at Geelong on 11 Aug 1854 listed George 36-year-old ag lab (really 37), Mary 37 (b1817), Isabella 17, Mary 13, Jane/Jean 10, Catherine 7, Margaret 5, Helen 2 and Infant (Elizabeth) born on the voyage. A note in the passenger manifest titled “By Whom Engaged” appears to say “by own account ….. Chilwell 25th Sep.”  This suggests that George (or brother James) had prearranged employment before they left England. This would not have been difficult because the Victorian goldrush was in full swing and farmers were desperate for labourers to help on their farms.

 

Soon after their arrival in Australia George made efforts to locate his brother who he knew to be living in the Bendigo area. He placed an advert in ‘The Argus’ as follows “James McIsaac, late Polmont, Scotland, send your address to John Robertson, …. Bendigo and you shall hear of your brother George” (3 Mar 1855). We can assume they caught up with each other because by 1860 they were both farming in the Amherst area of Victoria.

 

It seems that George and his family were living in Geelong (AER) in 1856 because a house in Corio Rd is listed on the AER as their residence. It was here that Mary gave birth to her last child Ann/Annie Doherty McIsaac (b1856 Geelong). Mary McIsaac nee Allan was about 40 when she had her last baby. On 12 Mar 1857 daughter Isabella married Michael Ford in the Presbyterian Church at Geelong and their first six children were born there.

 

By the mid 1860’s George and his family had settled in the Kingston area, about 40km south of Majorca where brother James was farming. In 1865 George McIsaac of Forest Hill, Kingston (see Ballarat Star 12 Jul 1907 for location) purchased 2 shares in goldmining company at nearby Creswick.

 

In 1869 George was leasing 140 acres from a company known as ‘A & C.B’, at Kingston 9km NE of Creswick and 3km from a location known as Allendale. Was this location named after George’s wife’s surname? Kingston is 40km south of Majorca where brother James resided.

 

According to rate books George was managing his 140 acre farm at Spring Hill (aka Forest Hill?), Kingston from 1869 to 1873 but by the mid 1870’s the family had moved 150 km north to Banyena near Avon Plains. During 1878-9 George farmed a 187 acre holding at Trainors/Traynors Plains near Banyena 30 km west of St Arnaud. Mary McIsaac nee Allan died on the 24th Sep 1889 at Traynors Lagoon. 

 

Five years later, on 26 Dec 1894, George McIsaac, farmer, died at Trainors Lagoon, aged 85 (really 89). His parents were listed as John and Catherine McIsaac, but his mother’s name may have been an incorrect guess by the informant.

 

There is a possibility that George’s mother died after the birth of Christian in the late 1820’s. If so, George’s father may have remarried around 1830, and George may have gained a stepmother named Catherine which would explain why the name 'Catherine' was nominated as his mother’s name on his death certificate. Apart from George’s death registration there are no other primary records that support that contention. It is a fact that between them, George and James named three daughters Catherine, so that name was important to them. On the other hand, both George and sister Margaret named daughters Jean or Jane after their birth mother.

 

Another explanation for the name 'Catherine' listed as George’s mother on his death registration is that by the time he died in 1894 his mother’s name had been forgotten. Circumstantial evidence that supports this includes: -

• George was illiterate (and probably his parents too) so he was unlikely to have received many written communications from his family
• His mother had probably been dead for 50 or more years
• George’s brother James’s death certificate listed their mother as ‘not known’.
• George named his third child Jean after his mother
• The informant for George’s death registration was daughter Ellen who was one of his youngest children and she would have had little or no knowledge about her grandmother who she never met.
  

179.2a Nine Children of George & Mary McIsaac nee Allan

NB Alva and Tullibody are about 15 miles from Polmont. Alva is 15 miles from Thornhill

 

i.   Isabella McIsaac b4 Oct 1837 Alva (illegitimate). (Rec FR538) On 12 Mar 1857 at the Presbyterian Church in Geelong Isabella 19 married Michael Ford engineer. They had seven children between 1858 and1870. The first six children were born in Geelong, before the couple moved to Emerald Hill (South Melbourne) around 1870. According to rate books they were renting a property at 60 Dorcas St from 1871. Sadly their eight year old son died on 12 Aug 1873 and was buried in Geelong, so they obviously retained links with that city. From 1876 to 1877 the family was living at Market St, South Melbourne. By 1879 they moved to Napier St and then in the 1880’s back to 61 Dorcas St from 1882-1883. In 1881 eldest daughter Mary Jane Ford, daughter of Michael Ford engineer of Emerald Hill, married Samuel Isley of Prahran (The Argus 14 Sep 1881). Sometime after 1906, Michael and Isabella Ford nee McIsaac moved to NSW and that was where they both died, Michael in 1918 and Isabella in 1926.

 

ii.  Mary McIsaac b7 Oct 1840 Alva (Rec FR538 In 1866 Mary married local farmer John Leishman of Spring Hill. Their eight children were all born at Kingston. Eldest son John Michael McIsaac of Kingston married Maggie Gorman at Geelong in 1886. On 22 Dec 1900 Alice 29 daughter of John & Mary Leishman died at her parent’s residence ‘Worringeth’, Kingston. Mary Leishman nee McIsaac died at Kingston on 3 Feb 1915 at the age of 74 and was buried at Creswick.

 

iii. Jean/Jane McIsaac b11 Jan 1844 Alva (FR538) Jane McIsaac married Simeon Stone (1832-1916) in 1866. Simeon and Jane had eight children mostly born at Kingston. Simeon’s obituary in 1916 described him as a pioneer resident of the Allendale district. At his funeral the coffin bearers were his four sons and pall bearers included J Crosbie & J Leishman. Vic BDM list June (Jane) Stone 89 dying at Allandale on 18 Jun 1932. She was buried at Creswick.

 

iv. Catherine McIsaac b12 Oct 1846 Alva (FR538) Catherine married William Thomas Raymond at Clunes on 18 June1865. Catherine and William had four children between 1865 and 1881. The first two children were given their grandmother’s maiden name (Allan) as a middle name. Catherine died at the age of 41 on 24 Sep 1888 at Swanwater, Avon Plains.

 

v.   Margaret McIsaac b21 Jun 1849 Alva (FR539). Margaret married John Crosbie in1867. Vic BDM lists seven children born to the couple between 1872 and 1888. Margaret Crosbie nee McIsaac died at Swanwater in 1891 at the age of 42. John Crosbie died at the age of 90 in 1938.

 

vi.  Helen/Ellen McIsaac b20 Jul 1851 Alva (FR539) In 1871 Helen married a local farmer who lived nearby at Spring Hill named Thomas Morrish at Kingston. Their nine children were mostly born in the St Arnaud area. Vic BDM lists Ellen Morrish dying in 1944 at St Arnaud aged 92. Her parents are listed as George McIsaac and Mary Unknown. Thomas Morrish died at St Arnaud in 1919 at the age of 69.

 

vii. Elizabeth McIsaac b1854 at sea on board ‘Bride of the Sea’ (Parents George McIsaac & Mary Allan) (BDM 149/1854) As no further records have been found it is likely that Elizabeth died as an infant.

 

viii.Georgina McIsaac b1855 Vic BDM incorrectly lists Georgina being born a sea, when the family were already living in Geelong by this year (BDM 4770/1855). Georgina married John Manton in 1887. There were no known children. The couple lived on farm at Rich Avon West. John Manton died at St Arnaud in 1907 aged 53. Georgina died at St Arnaud in 1930 aged 72.

 

ix.  Ann/Annie Doherty McIsaac b1856 Geelong. According to the Trove website, Ann 60 married 81 year old Edwin H Green on 4 Mar 1916. The “daughter of late George Isaac of St Arnaud was attended by sister Mrs J (Georgina) Manton”. Edwin Green died at St Arnaud in 1932 aged 97. Annie Doherty Green died in 1946 At St Arnaud aged 88. Probate for the will of Ann D Green widow was granted on 12 Jul 1946.

179.3 Margaret McIsaac (1821-1907)

Margaret McIsaac married the widower Andrew Cunningham and became stepmother to GGGM Agnes Cunningham before having two more children of her own. In the same year that Margaret became pregnant with her second child, GGGM Agnes migrated to Australia. We do not know why Agnes decided to migrate. It may have been connected to the relationship with her stepmother, financial pressures on the growing family, the fact that Agnes’ two step uncles had migrated a few years earlier and pointed out attractions of the new colony or for some other reason.

179.4 James McIsaac (1823-1908)

No baptism records have been found that list James McIsaac. However, James was probably the unnamed son born 24 Aug 1823 to John McIsaac and Janet Hodge. There are several records of his later life that date his birth at around 1824 including his reputed age of 28 years (really 29) on arrival in Victoria on 14 Aug 1853. James’ death record in 1908 (Vic BDM) confirms his father was John McIsaac but mother’s name was unknown at that time. It is likely that James was illiterate like his brother George.

 

At the census in April 1841 James was listed as being 16 years old (really 17) working as a farm servant at Inveravon Farm, Boness along with Jn Wallace, Thos Dunlop, Jn Stirling, Jas Kindred & Jos Arnslie. On 15 Nov 1850 at Leith South (Rec 250 / 239). 

 

James McIsaac 24 (really 27) married Janet/Jeanette Neish/Neash. Janet was born on 30 Apr 1828 at Dunfermline, Fife so was aged 22 at the time of her marriage. Janet Neish was born to John Neish (Nish/Naish) b1795 and Janet Philp (Phillip) 30 Apr 1828 at Dunfermline, Fife. They had five children including Margaret Neish b. 29 May 1825 to John Neish and Janet Philp at Dunfermline who married George Haig in1849 at South Leith.

 

Around Apr 1853, James and Janet boarded the ship ‘Catherine Glen’ bound for Melbourne. A report on Trove (23 Jun 1853) reports that passengers started boarding the ship on 21 Mar in Glasgow. The ship set sail on 30 Apr 1853 and Janet must have been pregnant at the time because during the 3 month journey an Unnamed (Jessie) child was born at sea. Her birth was registered in Victoria after arrival with parents listed as Janet ‘Nish’ and James McIsaac. The ship arrived in Port Phillip Bay on 14 Aug 1853 after a trip lasting 105 days. James McIsaac was listed as 28 (really 29 on date of arrival) and wife Janet was listed as 24.

 

James’ older brother George and his family departed Liverpool on ‘Bride of the Sea’ on 26 May 1854 and arrived in Geelong on 11 Aug 1854. Seven months later George placed and advert in ‘The Argus’ as follows “James McIsaac, late Polmont, Scotland, send your address to John Robertson, …. Bendigo and you shall hear of your brother George” (3 Mar 1855). George was living in Geelong at that time.

By 1857 according to the birthplace of children and other records, the family had settled in the Talbot area, eventually farming at Eglinton, Majorca. The births of their last two children Agnes and Margaret were both registered with the Majorca location in the late 1860’s. Government Gazettes of 1876-7 list James McIsaac as farming a crown grant at Eglinton, Talbot (15km from Majorca). Janet Neish was 42 on the birth of her last child.

 

In 1873 James’ wife Janet McIsaac nee Neish died at Majorca aged 45. Probably because of her young age, an inquest was held at Talbot to examine the cause of death by the coroner. The record is hard to read but both daughter Jessie McIsaac and husband James McIsaac both of Mt Cameron gave evidence as well as the local police sergeant. Cause of death of Janet McIsaac of Mt Cameron was determined to have been Pulmonary Apoplexy (bleeding into the lungs).

 

The 1903 Electoral roll listed James McIsaac, farmer and daughters Catherine and Jessie McIsaac (both home duties) of Mt Cameron, Eglinton. James McIsaac died on 4 Oct 1908 aged 82 (really 84) with the death registered at nearby Talbot. His father was listed as John McIsaac, but the name of his mother was unknown by his daughters.

 

Probate for the will of James, widowed farmer of Mt Cameron, was granted with daughters Catherine spinster of Mr Cameron, Agnes confectioner of Geelong and Margaret Smith married woman of Clunes named as executrices.

179.4a Nine Children of James & Janet McIsaac nee Neish.

(Two born in Scotland and seven in Victoria)

 

i. Janet McIsaac b20 Jun 1851at South Leith, Scotland and named after her mother. Presumed to have died as an infant because she did not accompany her parents to Australia 

 

ii.Catherine McIsaac b12 Aug 1852 and baptised 3 Oct 1852 at South Leith. Presumed to have died as an infant because she did not accompany her parents to Australia. Also, a sister was later given the same name.

 

iii.Unnamed (Jessie) McIsaac child born 1853 at sea on board ‘Catherine Glen’ (parents listed as Janet Nish & James McIsaac). The 1903 AER roll listed James (farmer) and Catherine and Jessie McIsaac (both home duties) of Mt Cameron. Eglinton. In 1909 (AER) Agnes, a confectioner and Catherine and Jessie McIsaac, both home duties lived in Service St., Clunes, but by 1914 only Jessie remained at that address. Later that year she moved to Maryborough (AER). Jessie’s cemetery record confirms her birth in 1853. Jessie died on 21 Sep 1938 aged 85 and was buried at Majorca. The record confirms her mother’s maiden name as Neish. Jessie shares a gravestone with sister Catherine and neither appears to have married or had children

 

iv.John McIsaac b.1857 (Vic BDM) birth registered at Dunolly. As first-born son he was named after his grandfather. He was listed on his parent’s gravestone which states he died 11 Jun 1894 aged 38 at Majorca (b1856).

 

v.Mary McIsaac b1858 Burnt Creek, near Dunolly Vic, died 1865. Her gravestone says she died at the age of 7 and both parents are listed on the death registration.

 

vi.Catherine McIsaac b1860 to James McIsaac & Janet Neish at Amherst was the second child with this forename. Her death was registered at Maryborough as occurring on 9 June 1953 aged 92. Catherine shares a gravestone at Majorca with sister Jessie and neither appears to have married or had children. Her parents are listed on the death registration as Jas McIsaac and Janet Leith (sic). 

 

vii.James McIsaac b1863 at Amherst to James McIsaac & Janet Neash (BDM 58/1863). Died in Vic aged 4 in 1867.

 

viii.Agnes McIsaac b.1865 at Majorca. According to her father’s will, Agnes was a confectioner based in Geelong in 1908. In 1909 (AER) Agnes, a confectioner and Catherine and Jessie McIsaac, both home duties, lived in Service St., Clunes. In 1917 Agnes “late of Geelong” opened the Majorca Tearooms in Bairnsdale close to where her sister Margaret was living. By 1919 Agnes had retired and was living alone at Acland St, St Kilda. Agnes never married and there were no known children. Her death notice read, “McIsaac – On the 22 Nov at a private hospital Toorak, Agnes McIsaac, of Watson St Armidale, daughter of the late James and Janet McIsaac of Majorca loving sister of Jessie, Catherine and Mrs Margaret Smith of Bairnsdale” (The Argus, 24 Nov 1927). Probate on Agnes’ will was granted on 16 Dec 1927. Agnes’ death at 61 years was registered at Armidale in 1927 and both her parents were listed. Her gravestone reads “In loving memory of our dear sister & aunt”. These words must have been written by Agnes’ sisters Jessie and Catherine McIsaac and Margaret Smith nee McIsaac and her children. 

ix.Margaret McIsaac b1868 Majorca to James McIsaac & Janet Neish. In 1901 Margaret married James Gordon Smith. Their only known child was James McIsaac Mitchell Smith b1908 at Clunes. Margaret died at Bairnsdale in 1930 aged 61 (parents listed). She left a will. A funeral notice for Margaret was placed in The Age, 18 Mar 1930, announcing that she would be buried in Cheltenham.

179.5 McIsaac & Cunningham Connections

The main reason for including the above chapter about the McIsaac family relate to information kindly provided by Faye Crosbie. On reading the Cunningham Chapter of the blog, Faye saw that I was puzzled by the origins of the forenames GGGGM Agnes Cunningham chose for her first (illegitimate) daughter GGGM Margaret Mcfarlane Allan Cunningham. Other chapters explain the origins of Mcfarlane. The name 'Margaret' probably came from Agnes’ stepmother Margaret McIsaac who raised Agnes after the death of Agnes’ mother. However up until Faye made contact, I had not found any clues as to the source of the name Allan/Allen. Through her own research Faye had discovered that Agnes’ step uncle (brother of her stepmother) was George McIsaac b1816.

 

As explained above George married Mary Allan in 1839 when Agnes was 4. Although Agnes’ father had not then married Margaret McIsaac, the families may have known of each other because Andrew and his to be wife were both boarding or working as servants at the Oldwalls Rd residence, Grangemouth of James and Janet Hodge in Apr 1841. If not before, certainly after her father’s marriage in 1844, Agnes would have known step Uncle George and his wife Mary Allan. In the 1840’s Andrew and Margaret lived at Polmont and George and his wife lived in Tullibody Village near Alva. These locations were about 15 miles apart using the old ferry service at Alloa.

 

Another connection between the families was through George’s brother James McIsaac. At the census in April 1841 James was listed as being 16 years old (really 17) working as a farm servant at Inveravon Farm (2m northeast of Polmont and 3m west of Boness) along with Jn Wallace, Thos Dunlop, Jn Stirling, Jas Kindred & Joseph Arnslie (Ainsley). This was 2 miles south of where James’ older sister Margaret and Andrew Cunningham were working at that time. Margaret would have been in frequent contact with her younger brother, so Andrew and his daughter Agnes were well acquainted with the McIsaac siblings all through the 1840’s.  Another interesting possibility is that Joseph Ainsley who was working with James may have been related to James Ainsley who was working with Andrew and Margaret.

 

In 1853 James McIsaac and his wife migrated to the colony of Port Phillip in Australia. Andrew, wife Margaret and daughter Agnes Cunningham would have reason to keep in close contact with George McIsaac to share news sent by James to his siblings, especially as George was illiterate. Perhaps it was young Agnes who read out letters and newspaper clippings etc. It is very likely that Agnes enjoyed the company of George and Mary McIsaac nee Allan. She would also have enjoyed the company of George and Mary’s eight daughters (step cousins) born between 1837 and 1854.

 

Sadly, for Agnes, George and Mary decided to uproot their family and follow brother James to Victoria in 1854. Agnes probably missed the company of her cousins but would have received news from time to time. Her connection to Uncle George and Aunt Mary McIsaac nee Allan was probably one factor that led her to make the big decision to leave her family and start a new life in Australia. The records show that Agnes Cunningham 21, arrived in Melbourne on 21 Aug 1857 on the ship 'S.S. Undaunted' as one of 277 assisted single female passengers. The ship’s log tells us that her occupation was ‘general servant’, that she came from Linlithgow, was a Presbyterian and she could read and write.

 

We can only guess about much of what happened in Agnes’ life from 1857 to 1863, but on arrival in Melbourne I expect that she connected up with George and Mary McIsaac nee Allan who were living in Geelong. Within a few months of arrival in Melbourne, Agnes had met the wealthy merchant GGGF Alexander Macfarlan, (32 years old) who was busy building his fast-expanding company, 'Macfarlan & Co'. The Mcfarlane family were used to having servants to look after their houses. As a very busy merchant Alexander may have employed Agnes as a servant. He certainly would have also welcomed the company of someone (especially a young woman) from 'home' to give him a break from his hard day's work in his business. For more about the early and later life of Alexander Macfarlan see 103.0

 

GGGM Agnes became pregnant in late Jan 1858 just five months after arriving in the colony. Agnes, a 22 year old single mother, gave birth to GGM Margaret Macfarlan Allan Cunningham in Prahran on 31 Oct 1858. The birth was registered over six months later which suggests that Agnes was hoping Alexander may marry her or take some responsibility for the baby. I suspect that once Agnes announced that she was pregnant, the relationship with Alexander ended. He certainly denied that he was the father right up until his death in 1909.

 

After being abandoned by Alexander, Mary McIsaac nee Allan may have played an important role in comforting Agnes and helped her get over the trauma of the breakdown of the relationship. During this time Agnes would have really appreciated personal and perhaps financial support. Mary may have spent time with Agnes helping her to develop mothering skills with her little baby. If this is true it explains why Agnes named her baby daughter Margaret Macfarlane Allan Cunningham!

 

NOTE: Members of the McIsaac family are not directly related to Agnes or her daughter Margaret Cunningham. However they are significant members of the family tree as they played an important role in Agnes' early life and were one of the factors (pehaps the main one) behind her decision to migrate Australia  in 1857.

179.6 CUN2 Cunningham & McIsaac Family Connections

180.0 William Cunningham (1783-1856) & Mary Johnston (1786-c1840)

GGGGGF William Cunningham was the father of Andrew Cunningham b1813. William was born in Bo'ness on 25 Mar 1783 to GGGGGGP Andrew Cunningham and Elizabeth Mungall (See 182.0). GGGGGM Mary Johnston was born in Bo'ness too, on 16 Feb 1786, so she probably knew her husband for most of his life. No marriage record has been found, but they would have been married in about 1810. They were grandparents to Agnes Cunningham b1835.

GGGGGP William Cunningham and Mary Johnston had eight known children born in Bo'ness; Christian Cunningham 1811-1882, GGGGF Andrew Cunningham 1813, Mary Cunningham 1815-1891, Elizabeth Cunningham 1817-c1845, Agnes Cunningham 1819, William Cunningham 1821, Janet Cunningham 1825-1909 and John Cunningham 1829-?. All children were baptised in Bo'ness. William and Mary followed the traditional Scottish naming pattern, of naming their children after their parents and themselves. Their first son was named after William's father, second son after William himself, and third son after Mary's father. Their first daughter was named after Mary's mother, second daughter after Mary herself and third daughter after William's mother.

Bo'ness records from 1834-1842 show that William Cunningham was a male head of family during that period. William was listed as a 'labourer'; probably a 'farm labourer'. Agnes' father Andrew b1813 followed in his father's footsteps, which is why Agnes said her father was a farmer. GGGGGM Mary Cunningham nee Johnson probably died in her fifties before 1841.

In 1841 William Cunningham was listed as being a labourer in his fifties and living alone in North St, Bo'ness. The fact that he was living alone suggests his wife, GGGGGM Mary Cunningham nee Johnston was deceased. Ten years later in the 1851 census he was recorded as being 63 (really 68) and working as a ‘seaton’. This is confirmed on son Andrew’s death registration when William was confirmed as a ‘sexton’. The sexton was originally a person appointed to look after a church and its surrounds, but later came to denote one who looked after the churchyard and dug graves.

In 1851 William was living in the 29th house on south side at Corbiehall, not far from the church and graveyard (picture from Wikipedia below), with his two youngest adult children; Janet Cunningham 24 (b1825) and John Cunningham 21 labourer (b1829). William may have been living in the same house all his married life. He was in North St in 1841, which is a continuation of Corbiehall, where he was living in 1851. The house may have been the same one; its location just described differently at each census.

GGGGGF William Cunningham died in Bo'ness in 1856 at age 70 (really 73). His death registration is hard to read but says William Cunningham 70 year old widower, late gravedigger died on 25 Nov 1856 at Waggonhead?, Bo’ness, after a 14 day illness. He was buried at Bo’ness churchyard. Unfortunately, his parents were unknown and the informant appears to have been John Stephens (unrelated), who was not present at the time of death.

180.1 GGGGGM Mary Johnston (1786-c1840

GGGGGM Mary Johnston was born in Bo'ness too, on 16 Feb 1786, so she probably knew her husband for most of his life. Her parents were John Johnston and Christian Wilson.

180.2 Corbiehall, Bo’ness

Corbiehall is part of the town of Bo'ness. In 1850 there was second outbreak of Cholera in Bo'ness. It is said that Corbiehall Graveyard was set aside for the victims of this cholera epidemic. William was living at Corbiehall at that time and perhaps gained plenty of work as a gravedigger. This graveyard may be Lower Church Wynd Graveyard in Church Wynd, Bo'ness (above).

From Rootschat.com; "As you walk down to the bottom of Church Wynd - turn left at the bottom and the Corbiehall area extended from there westwards along to where Kinneil Pit once stood ….. At Corbiehall on the left going towards Grangemouth there is a long 3 storey tenement building which has been renovated over the last 5 years. Straight across the road was the site of Corbiehall church and graveyard which was done away with in the 1970's it is now a meadow with some of the stones visible but lying flat in one corner.” Falkirk local history society has an excellent website with several old photos.

181.0 Eight chn of William Cunningham (1783-1856) & Mary Johnson (1786-c1840)
Of William and Mary’s eight children only five are known to have had children themselves. Six of the children were name after their parents or grandparents.

181.1 Christian/Christina Cunningham (1811-1882) & Alex Snadden

Christian was born on 7 Oct 1811 at Bo’ness and married Alexander Snadden in 1838 at Carriden, West Lothian. They had six known children named Mary Johnston Snaddan 1839-1919, Janet Mcmath Sneddon 1840-1905, Christina Snadden 1844-?, Sarah Snadden 1846-?, Alexander Sneddon 1849-? and Margaret Sneddon 1854-?. Censuses confirm the names and birth years of the children and provide the following information.
NOTE: The spelling of Snadden varies in documents e.g. Sneddon, Snaddon etc.

In 1841 Alex was a coal miner and the family were living at Grangepans with daughters Mary and Janet. Alex was still a miner in 1851 but the family address was given as Bridgeness Village, Grangepans. In 1861 the surname spelling was Sneddon and they were listed at Grangepans. Alex was an Ironstone miner. In 1871 Alex was a 53 year old labourer and they were living at Carriden with their two youngest children. By 1881 Alex was a 64 year old retired coal miner and Christina was aged 68. Christina’s death registration on Scots people listed her as Christina Cunningham 72 dying at Bo’ness in 1882. Her mother’s surname was Johnston.

Notes re Children from Scots People. Surname spelt Snadden, Snaddon or Sneddon
i. Mary Johnston Snadden 1839-1919 Died at Falkirk registered as Mary Hunter aged 79
ii. Janet McMath Snadden 1840-1905 Died Portobello aged 65 (Sneddon)
iii. Christina Snadden 1844-1927 Died at Linlithgow aged 82 (Sneddon)
iv. Sarah Snadden 1846-1912 Died at Govan aged 64 (Sneddon)
v. Alexander Snadden 1849-?
vi. Margaret Snadden 1854-1939 Died at Bo’ness aged 82

181.2 GGGGF Andrew Cunningham (1813-1878)
Andrew Cunningham born in Bo’ness on 19 Mar 1813, to parents GGGGP William Cunningham and Mary Johnson. He was 21 in 1834, when he married Catherine Bennet, and 22 when daughter Agnes was born the following year. There are no marriage, baptism or death records in West Lothian or surrounding counties for Andrew Cunningham and his wife Catherine Bennet/Benner or Banner. It seems his first wife died soon after the birth of their first child and Andrew remarried. See 176.2 for more information.

181.3 Mary Cunningham (1815-1891) & William Salmond
(See Salmond family tree on Ancestry)

Mary was born in Bo’ness in 1815 and married William Salmond in 1838 at Muiravonside (3.5 miles from Bo’ness). They had seven known children born at Polmont, named Mary Salmond 1839-1875, Janet Salmond 1841-1929, John Salmond 1844-1873, William Salmond 1845-1921, Helen Salmond 1849-?, Jane Salmond 1851-1929 and Christine Salmond 1853-1940. Mary was 38 when she had her last child.

In 1841 William and Mary Salmond were living at nearby Redding, Falkirk with daughter Mary 2 and John Cunningham 11. John was Mary’s younger brother and as their mother had died recently she was caring for him.

The 1851 census listed William Salmond 37 boatman, Mary Salmond 35 (b1815 Bo’ness) and children Mary Salmond 11, Janet Salmond 9, John Salmond 7, William Salmond 15, Helen Salmond 2 and Jane Salmond 4 months living in Redding. All children were born in Polmont.

By 1861 it seems that William had died (in the mid 1850’s). The census listed the family living in Redding as Mary 44 dressmaker, Helen 12, Jane 10 and youngest daughter Christine 7. In 1871 Mary, 54 year old dressmaker, was still in Redding living with John 27 labourer, William 25 baker and Christine 18.

In 1881 Mary was 65 and living in Johnston’s Row with William 35 year old baker. In 1991 Mary was 75 and living in Redding with William who now worked for the railways and Christine who was a domestic servant. Mary Salmond died in Polmont in 1891 aged 76. Her mother’s maiden name was listed as Johnston. Her children William 55 and Christine 47 were sharing the family home in Johnston’s buildings, Grangemouth and son William was back working as a baker.

Notes re Children
i. Mary Salmond 1839-1875 died at Polmont age 35. Mother’s maiden name Cunningham
ii. Janet Salmond 1841-?
iii. John Salmond 1844-1873 Died at Polmont aged 29. Mother’s maiden name Cunningham
iv. William Salmond 1845-1921 Died at Falkirk aged 75. Mother’s maiden name Cunningham
v. Helen Salmond 1849-?
vi. Jane Salmond 1851-1929 Died at Falkirk aged 79. Mother’s maiden name Cunningham
vii. Christina Salmond 1853-1940 Died at Falkirk aged 87. Mother’s maiden name Cunningham

181.4 Elizabeth Cunningham (1817-c1845) & Robert Erskine

Elizabeth Cunningham was born in Bo'ness on 9 Feb 1817. She was a sister to GGGGF Andrew Cunningham b1813 and aunt to GGGM Agnes Cunningham.

On 4 Jan 1840 Elizabeth 23 and Robert Erskine (b1818 Polmont-from census) declared their intention to marry. Polmont was just 5 miles from Bo'ness. Nine days later, on 13 Jan 1840, Elizabeth Cunningham married Robert Erskine in her hometown of Bo'ness. Elizabeth was three or four months pregnant.

Robert and Elizabeth Erskine settled in Redding just one mile from Polmont and six miles from Bo’ness. At around this time it seems that the wife of Elizabeth's brother Andrew took ill and passed away leaving their only daughter Agnes Cunningham b1835 without a mother. As Andrew was unable to care for the baby, Elizabeth became her carer. On 31 May 1840 Elizabeth gave birth to her first baby Mary Erskine at Polmont.

The 1841 census listed Elizabeth's family living in Redding, Polmont as Robert Erskine 20 (b.Stirlingshire), a blacksmith, Elizabeth Erskine nee Cunningham 20. In this census ages were rounded down. We know Elizabeth was born in 1817, so Robert was probably born in the same year, or a year or two earlier. Also listed were their daughter Mary Erskine aged 1 and niece GGGM Agnes Cunningham aged 6.

On 23 Apr 1842 Robert and Elizabeth had an unnamed son who was baptised on 15 May 1842 at Polmont. He probably died soon after. By 1844 Robert and Elizabeth Erskine had moved 5 miles to Muiravonside which was on the outskirts of Linlithgow and 5 miles from Bo'ness. It was also close to sister Mary. It was there on 23 Jun 1844, that Elizabeth had her third baby, who she named Agnes Erskine after her niece Agnes Cunningham b1835 and her own sister Agnes b1819. In Dec 1847 Elizabeth's first daughter, Mary Erskine, died. As there were no more children born to the couple, and Elizabeth Erskine nee Cunningham did not appear on the 1851 census, it seems that Elizabeth and perhaps her three children died in the mid 1840's. Perhaps from the cholera epidemic. Husband Robert survived and remarried. When Elizabeth became sick in the mid 1840’s niece Agnes Cunningham may have moved in with her father, but by 1851 Agnes was employed and making her own way in life (See 185.0).

181.4a Robert Erskine (1815-1884): husband of Elizabeth Cunningham b1817
Robert was born at Uphall in 1815 to parents William Erskine and Elizabeth Mccall. He became a blacksmith like his father. In 1840 he married Elizabeth Cunningham. They had three known children born in 1840, 1842 and 1844. In 1841 the family was living at Redding, Polmont with niece Agnes Cunningham (see above). Tragically Robert’s wife and all three children died in the mid 1840’s.

In Feb 1847 Robert married 28 year old Jane Orr (b1819 Livingstone) at Livingstone. In 1851 Robert was listed as a 32 year old blacksmith and Jane was 29 (b1822). They were living on Dechmont Rd. on the outskirts of Livingstone. In 1861 Robert was listed as 42. Jane was 38 (b1823) and living with them in Dechmont Rd were Robert’s blacksmith father William Erskine 75 (b1786) and niece Margaret Orr 16 teacher.

In 1871 Robert was a 50 year old blacksmith (b.Uphall 1821) and Jane was 45. They were living alone at Dechmont Village. In 1881 Robert was a 62 year old blacksmith (b1819 Uphall) and Jane was 55. They were living alone at Dechmont.

There is a gravestone at Livingstone Churchyard, West Lothian for Robert Erskine that reads “Erected to the Memory of Robert Erskine, Blacksmith, Deermont (Dechmont?). Died 31.12.1884 Aged 68 (b1816). Also His Wife Jane Orr died 17.10.1908 Aged 88” (b1820).

From the death certificate: At Wester Dechmont Robert Erskine died aged 68 years, blacksmith, married to Jane Orr. His parents were William Erskine, blacksmith & Jane Mccall, both deceased. Cause of death apoplexy. Informant who provided details about Robert was neighbour Alexander Williamson, not his wife or one of his children which suggests there were no surviving children. Robert was buried at Livingstone Old Churchyard and a headstone marks his grave.

At Dechmont, Jane Orr died aged 88 years, widow of Robert Erskine, blacksmith. Parents were William Orr, dairyman and Jane Haig, both deceased. Cause of death; carcinoma of stomach. Detail provided by a non-family member named John Naismith.

181.5 Agnes Cunningham (1819-?)
No further records

181.6 William Cunningham (1821-?)
No further records

181.7 Janet Cunningham (1825-1909)

Janet was born to William Cunningham and Mary Johnston in early 1825 at Bo’ness. In 1851 Janet 24, was listed as living with her father William Cunningham aged 63 (really 58), occupation ‘seaton’ and brother John Cunningham 21 year old labourer at 29th House Southside, Corbiehall, Bo’ness.

Janet married sailor David Gibson later that year (Dec, 1851) at Bo’ness. Her older sister Mary had also married a man of the ‘water’, but he was described as a ‘boatman’. In 1861 David 34 and Janet Gibson 35 were living in North St, Bo’ness with their four children, Mary 8, Margaret 5, Agnes 3 and David 1. By 1871 they had moved to South Backrow, Falkirk and had two more children named Janet 7 and Elizabeth 4. In 1881 Janet was a widow, working as a laundress and living with her daughter Maggie (Margaret) 34. By 1901 both Janet 70 and her daughter 45, had retired. Janet Gibson died at the age of 79 in 1909 at Falkirk. Her mother’s maiden name was listed as ‘Johnstone’

181.8 John Cunningham (c1829-?)
No baptism registration has been found for John, but census records give a rough idea of his birth year. As his mother was in her early forties, he was probably her last child.

John’s mother died around 1840 and his father must have found it difficult to care for John and work at the same time. In 1841, John 11, was living with or visiting his older sister Mary Salmond and her family at nearby Redding in Polmont.

In 1851 John Cuningham (sic) 21 labourer, was listed as living with his father William Cunningham aged 63 and sister Janet Cunningham 24 at 29th House Southside, Corbiehall, Bo’ness. No more is known. John probably either died or migrated overseas in the 1850’s.

182.0 GGGGGGP Andrew Cunningham (c1755-?) & Elizabeth Mungal (1758-?)
GGGGGGF Andrew Cunningham was probably born in the Bo'ness area around 1755, but no baptism registration has been found. 

GGGGGGM Elizabeth Mungal was born in Bo'ness on 21 Feb 1758 to John and Elizabeth Mungal nee Bowie and appears to have been their only child, although a possible half-sister, Mary Mungle, was born to John Mungle and Margaret Robertson in Linlithgow in late 1759. Elizabeth’s mother Elizabeth Mungal nee Bowie may have died in 1788 at Carriden, just over a mile from Bo’ness.

NOTE: Approximately 658 people bear the 'Mungal' surname which is most prevalent in Scotland. From 'Mungall' in the parish of Falkirk, Stirlingshire, which is just 8 miles from Bo'ness. (forebears.com)

Andrew Cunningham married Elizabeth Mungal 22 on 25 May 1780 at Bo’ness. They had at least five children, all baptised in Bo'ness. The children were GGGGGF William Cunningham 1783-? (see 180.0), Mary Cunningham 1785-?, Elisabeth Cunningham 1788-1873 (see 181.4), Jean Cunningham 1790-? and Andrew Cunningham 1793-? As all children were born in Bo’ness that is where the family lived at least up until 1793. Elizabeth was 35 when her last child was born. No records have been found that relate to Jean and Andrew so they may have died as children. However, second daughter, Elisabeth Cunningham, b1788, at the age of 25 married Peter Burleigh (b1786) in Bo'ness on 12 Jan 1813. Mary may have died around 1665 in Bo’ness.

The dates of death of Andrew and Elizabeth Cunningham nee Mungal are not known, but judging by the birth place of their children they seem to have spent their whole lives living in Bo'ness.

183.0 Five Known Chn of Andrew Cunningham (c1755-?) & Elizabeth Mungal (1758-?)
The only records that have been found relate to eldest son GGGGGF William Cunningham 1783-? (see 182.1), and daughter Elisabeth Cunningham 1788-1873. The other three may have died as infants.

183.1 GGGGGF William Cunningham 1783-?

William was born in Bo'ness on 25 Mar 1783 to GGGGGGP Andrew Cunningham and Elizabeth Mungall. He married Mary Johnston in Bo’ness around 1810, but no marriage record has been found. They had eight known children born in Bo’ness. (See 180.0 for more information about William)

183.2 Elizabeth Cunningham (1788-1873). Daughter of Andrew c1755

Elisabeth Cunningham, born at Bo’ness on the 26 March 1788 was the second daughter of Andrew Cunningham and Elizabeth Mungal.

At the age of 25 Elizabeth married Peter Burleigh (b1786) in Bo'ness on 12 Jan 1813. Elizabeth had at least two children, Elisabeth Burleigh (b1813 Bo’ness) and Matilda Burleigh (b1827, from census).

The 1841 census listed Mary Cunningham 50, Elizabeth Cunningham 48 living with Elizabeth Burleigh 26 and Matilda Burleigh 14 at North St, Bo’ness. Strangely, Matilda was listed as a ‘painter’. In 1861 Elizabeth Burleigh nee Cunningham was listed as a 69 year labourer living in Pen Close Bo’ness. She was recorded as living with a sister (Mary) aged 71 and was living very close to daughter Matilda White nee Burleigh 33 and her family. In 1871 Elizabeth Burleigh 82 was living in the poorhouse at Bo’ness. Elizabeth died in 1873 at the age of 84 with the death recorded at Linlithgow

NOTE: Daughter Elizabeth Burleigh b1813 married Andrew Forrester (b1814) in 1844 at Slamannan. According to Ingrid Forrester’s Family Tree, Andrew was the son of Andrew Forrester b1774 at Muiravonside and Helen Hart b1776. Andrew Forrester b1774 was the son of Jean Bryce and William Forrester b1740. In 152.4 I suggest that William Forrester may have married Jean Bryce on 25 Aug 1758 at Muiravonside, about 25 miles from Frew. William was present at his father’s encounter with Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746. A child named Robert (named after his grandfather?) was born to William Forrester and Jean Bryce in 1767 with the baptism witnessed by John Brown and John Gibb. If this is so, GGGM Agnes Cunningham was unlikely to have known that her father’s cousin (Elizabeth Burleigh b1813) married a distant Forrester relative of her partner Alexander Macfarlane.

182.3 Three other children of Andrew Cunningham (c1755-?) & Elizabeth Mungal (1758-?)
No other information, apart from baptism registrations, has been found about the three other children named Mary Cunningham 1785-?, Jean Cunningham 1790-? and Andrew Cunningham 1793-?

184.0 GGGGGGP John Johnston (1763-?) & Christian Wilson (1758-?)
John Johnston (1763-?) and Christian Wilson (1758-?) were the parents of GGGGGM Mary Johnston b1786. 

John was born in 1763 to parents were John Johnston and Martha Gray.

Christian Wilson was born on 17 Oct 1758 in Bo'ness to Thomas Wilson and Mary Dick. She probably knew her future husband from an early age.

John Johnston 22 and Christian Wilson 27 were married on 27 May 1785 at Bo'ness and listed as "both of this Parish". They had six known children, who were all born in Bo'ness. Their names were GGGGGM Mary Johnston 1786, Martha Johnston 1787, Christian Johnston 1788, John Johnston 1791, Thomas Johnston 1793 and William Johnston 1795. According to the birth records for their children, John Johnson and Christian Wilson spent most of their lives in Bo'ness and survived to at least the late 1790's. John Johnston may have died at Bo’ness in 1813 with a reputed age of 55 (really 50). Christian Wilson’s date of death is unknown.

NOTE: John Johnston of Corbiehall was charged with selling ale without a licence in 1757 (JP2/6/1/6/9). This may have been John’s father.

184.1 Six Chn of GGGGGGP John Johnston (1763-?) & Christian Wilson (1758-?)
Apart from the first-born child GGGGGGM Mary Johnston 1786, very little information has been found about the other five children.  The children were:-

i) Mary Johnston (1786-c1840) For information about Mary Johnston see 179.0.

ii) Martha Johnston 1787-1817 Death of unnamed female at Bo’ness aged 29. Father John Johnston
iii) Christian Johnston 1788-1832 Died Bo’ness aged 45 on 8 Jan 1832
iv) John Johnston 1791-?
v) Thomas Johnston 1793-?
vi) William Johnston 1795 became a farmer, probably inheriting the family farm. He married Jane Ingram at Polmont in 1833 and had four daughters Margaret 1833, Christina 1835, Mary 1838 and Jane 1843.

184.2 Ancestors of GGGGGGP John Johnston (1763-?) & Christian Wilson (?-?)
Constance Saim (Hunter family Tree) has researched this family on Ancestry and has much information, including wording from original documents. Her research shows relatives going back to the early 1600’s in Bo’ness.

185.0 GGGM Agnes Cunningham (1835-1929)
From her daughter Margaret's birth and marriage registrations, and Agnes' obituary in 1929, we know that Agnes Cunningham was born in 1835 at Bo'ness, 3 miles north of Linlithgow, Scotland but no baptism record has been found. If she was born under traumatic circumstances (death of her mother), a baptism may have been overlooked.

Agnes’ mother (Catherine Bennet) died within a year or two after her birth and as a working man, her father, Andrew Cunningham, was unable to care for a young daughter. Agnes was placed in the care of Andrew’s sister Elizabeth Erskine nee Cunningham who lived at Redding. She was not far from her father who was living and working at Oldwalls in 1841 and less than one mile away at Polmont when he remarried. 

 

On 23 Apr 1842 Robert and Elizabeth Erskine had an unnamed son who was baptised on 15 May 1842 at Polmont. He probably died soon after. By 1844 Robert and Elizabeth Erskine had moved 5 miles to Muiravonside which was on the outskirts of Linlithgow and 5 miles from Bo'ness. In that same year Agnes’ father remarried. His second wife was Margaret McIsaac and they moved to Polmont (4 miles from Muiravonside) where a son named William was born. Agnes (about ten years old) was probably living with her father and stepmother at this time. Although there is no solid evidence of this, Agnes did name her first child Margaret, which may have been in honour of her step-mother. She may have also spent time with her uncle George and his wife Mary McIsaac nee Allan.

Agnes’ father was not well off. He would have been earning a very basic wage as a farm labourer and his wife also worked as a labourer to try and make ends meet. It seems that Agnes must have had some schooling because she could read and write (her signature on various documents is very neat and legible). By the age of 16 Agnes was expected to make her own way in life.

In 1851 Agnes Cunningham was a female servant living at 'Woodhead' [Farm] with Robert Storie 39, forrester and his large family. Woodhead Farm was about 1.5 miles south of Bo'ness, which is where Agnes’ father was living at that time. Although Andrew was living at Bowhouse, Bo’ness he may have been working as a day labourer on the same farm as his daughter.

185.1 GGGM Agnes Cunningham Migrates to Australia in 1857
In the 1850’s it must have been obvious to GGGM Agnes Cunningham that her life options were very limited in Bo’ness. We know from accounts of court battles with her future husband, Frank Wakefield, that she had a feisty disposition and was prepared to stand up for herself. These attributes help explain why she decided to take the huge step of leaving behind all she was familiar with and migrate alone to the Colony of Victoria in 1857. At that time the Victorian Government were offering free passage to settlers and particularly to single women, to try and redress the gender imbalance in the Colony. The gold rushes had brought a huge influx of single men and there were labour shortages. If Agnes remained in Scotland working as a servant, her future would have looked fairly bleak. The chance to start afresh in a new country with all sorts of exciting possibilities would have appealed. Her step uncles James and George McIsaacs had already moved to the colony with their families a few years earlier and were probably encouraging her to move too.

 

The records show that Agnes Cunningham 21, arrived in Melbourne on 21 Aug 1857 on the ship 'S.S. Undaunted' as one of 277 assisted single female passengers. The ship’s log tells us that her occupation was ‘general servant’, that she came from Linlithgow, was a Presbyterian and she could read and write. The ship departed London on 5 Jun 1587 and the trip took 77 days. (PROV Book 13, page 8) Perhaps she drew comfort from the name of the ship. Of the several hundred passengers, only a handful were from Scotland, so Agnes must have felt very much alone. Somehow, she managed to finance a trip from Linlithgow down to London prior to boarding the ship. Perhaps she was given some financial assistance from her step uncle, Alexander Johnson and his wife Jean McIsaac.

185.2 Steamship ‘Undaunted’
Agnes’ trip was far quicker than voyages made in sailing vessels, and according to this (edited) article in ‘The Age’, 17 Aug 1857, it was also far more comfortable.

"Government Emigration.— The Commissioners for emigration, paid an official visit to Plymouth on June 3 to inspect the new ship Undaunted, belonging to the Australian Screw Steam Clipper Company, now at anchor. From long experience it has been found that while cruising the equator in sailing ships, especially when calms prevail, more sickness occurs among female emigrants and more deaths among children than during any other part of the voyage. To obviate this evil, an experiment is to be tried with a clipper steamer carrying sufficient fuel to propel her in and out of harbor, and through the calm latitudes, where sufficient ventilation will be created to decrease materially the probabilities of sickness and of death. The Undaunted is a teak-built ship; her length is 230 feet overall, breadth, 39 feet, and depth 23 feet. The engines are 100-horse power working up to 380h.p.. The Undaunted has about 300 tons of general cargo and is engaged to convey to Melbourne about 370 adults, comprising 260 single women, 50 married couples, and 18 single men, all of whom will be accommodated in her 'tween decks, which are full eight feet high, capacious, and well ventilated.

The commissioners expressed their entire satisfaction with the ship and her equipment. The emigrant fittings are so contrived as to be readily converted into second-class berths on the voyage home, when the Undaunted, which has a suitable saloon, ladies' cabin, &c., will commence her duties on the line as a passenger ship. The emigration to Australia from England during the month of May has been 7959 people, being an increase of 5290 over the corresponding month of last year."

185.3 Melbourne & GGGF Alexander Macfarlan

Agnes may have stayed with her Uncle George McIsaac and his family in Geelong after disembarking from the ship. Within a few months of arrival Agnes had met the wealthy merchant GGGF Alexander Macfarlan 33, who was busy building his fast-expanding company, 'Mcfarlan & Co'. The Macfarlan family were used to having servants to look after their houses and mundane tasks. As a very busy merchant Alexander may have employed Agnes as a servant. He certainly would have also welcomed the company of someone (especially a young woman) from 'home' to give him a break from his hard day's work in his merchant business. For more about the early and later life of Alexander Macfarlan see 103.0

185.4 Birth of GGM Margaret Allan Macfarlan Cunningham

GGGM Agnes became pregnant in late Jan 1858 just five months after arriving in the colony. Agnes, a 22 year old single mother, gave birth to GGM Margaret Macfarlan Allan Cunningham in Prahran on 31 Oct 1858. The origins of the middle names of Agnes’ daughter, Margaret Mcfarlane Allan Cunningham are explained above (see 179.5)

In 1859 Alexander Macfarlane's aunt, Agnes Macfarlane c1788 (see 94.10) died, which resulted in him inheriting extensive landholdings in Scotland (originally owned by his uncle William Macfarlane). He was obliged to return to Scotland to sort out property transfers and financial matters because he was the only executor of the estate. It is not known when he left Melbourne, but if he received news that his aunt was ailing, it is possible he left prior to the birth of his daughter (he may not even have known that Agnes was pregnant).  This separation (particularly if Agnes Cunningham was desirous of a marriage to legitimise her baby daughter may have contributed to the breakdown in their relationship. The trip to Scotland and back, would have likely taken twelve months or more.

We have no idea how long the relationship lasted between GGGP Agnes Cunningham and Alexander Macfarlane, or why the relationship ended. Just over a decade after the birth of his daughter, Alexander Macfarlane returned to the U.K. and lived there from the early 1870's to the end of his life in 1909. Alexander was a family minded person and took the trouble to keep in contact with several members of his extended family who had migrated to Australia. From his will we know he felt a 'connection' with dozens of other people (family and friends) in Scotland, Australia and Jamaica. We also know, that he not only knew of daughter GGM Margaret's birth, but also the name of her husband after she married, his occupation and their address. He must have kept in contact with Agnes at least for a while (or had other people do so). 

Well before 1863, the relationship was well and truly over, because GGGM Agnes Cunningham 27, married jockey Frank Wakefield, during that year. As Agnes had financial troubles over the next decade we can assume that the wealthy Alexander did not maintain a connection with her, after she married (but he probably knew of her well-publicized marital troubles through newspaper articles).

185.5 First Marriage: Frank Wakefield (1834-1869)

On 23 Dec 1863, GGGM Agnes Cunningham 26 (28) married horse trainer and jockey Frank Wakefield 29 (b1834, Suffolk) at Brighton Presbyterian Church (Vic BDM 3864). The registration confirmed that Agnes was born in the Linlithgow area of Scotland and that she was a '26' year old spinster at the time of her marriage. Her father was GGGGP Andrew Cunningham 'farmer' and mother was Catherine Cunningham nee Bennet/Benner?

Frank Wakefield (aka Francis), a 29 year old bachelor (b1834), had been born in Newmarket, Suffolk, England (baptised 12 Nov 1834) and was a horse trainer and jockey. His father Christopher Wakefield was a well-known English jockey (a.k.a. the 'Vicar of Wakefield') and his mother was Sophia Wakefield nee Kerry. At the time, Frank and Agnes were living together at Frank's house in Asling St., Brighton. Witnesses at the marriage were horse racing identities, William (1825-1899) and Ann Lang nee Gettens.

 Frank was a heavy drinker (possibly alcoholic) and as reported in 'The Age, 9 May 1864' he was often in trouble with the law because of this. This incident occurred just four months after their marriage.

It was not long before GGGM Agnes had more children; Clara in 1864, Jessie 1866, Annie in 1868 and Frank Christopher Wakefield (named after his father) in 1869. Sadly, baby Annie died shortly after being born in 1868. The nature of his employment meant that Frank was frequently absent for periods of time at country race meetings, where he was either training horses or working as a jockey. By 1866 the couple had moved to 41 Little Park St, South Melbourne.

With each new child, family life deteriorated, as Agnes' marriage fell apart. Drunkenness (on Frank's part), his absences and arguments about money, lead to verbal abuse and domestic violence. During the late 1860's there were many court appearances that were widely reported in the press. Some extracts of these are below.

'Ballarat Star', 30 May 1865, "We learn from the Argus that an assault case, in which two well-known jockeys were concerned, was heard at the Emerald Hill Police Court on Saturday. The plaintiff was James Kelly, the rider of Beaufort at the recent steeplechase at Ballarat, and the defendant was Francis Wakefield, who rode Alice for the same event. The assault, which seems to have arisen out of some circumstances connected with the race, took place at the Napoleon Hotel about a fortnight ago. Before making the attack, Wakefield accused Kelly of having said something detrimental to his professional character, and, on receiving a denial of the charge, he struck him in the eye. The defendant was fined 20s with 21s costs."

'The Age', 7 May 1867. "Francis Wakefield, who had been creating a disturbance in the public streets and otherwise misconducting himself, was ordered to pay a surety of £5 to keep the peace."

The marriage was well and truly in dire straits by the end of 1867, as revealed in the court case, that was reported in several papers including the 'St Kilda, Prahran and South Yarra Guardian', 14 December 1867 (above). The above report ends with the following exchange. 

"He admitted cashing a cheque for £20 or £30, but as his wife had bad advisers, he placed it to his own account. In reply to the bench, he said it was his business as to what he had done with it, and when further pressed for an answer, insultingly told them 'put it under the bed.' The bench committed him to gaol for 24 hours for contempt of court, they having previously cautioned him. The case was adjourned for a week."

Agnes and Frank continued to live together after this incident and Agnes became pregnant with her fifth child, Francis Christopher Wakefield (named after his father), who was born on 9 Apr 1869. However, by this time, Frank Wakefield senior, was seriously ill, as the following letter in 'The Australasian' (22 May 1869) explains.

One month later, Francis (Frank) Wakefield died at his home in Robe St, St Kilda at the age of 35 (not 37 as reported in the paper). Agnes was left alone, with three children to support under the age of ten. The death notice below was matter of fact with no indication of emotional attachment.

 

Agnes was in great financial difficulty and did receive some support from members of the racing community who made an appeal for financial support for her. Interestingly, Agnes' first partner and father of her eldest daughter, was one of the wealthiest men in the colony (GGGF Alexander Macfarlan). However, as he was probably residing in London at that time, he may not have known of Agnes' circumstances.

An obituary above published in 'The Australasian, 19 Jun 1869' reflected on Frank's riding skills but also appealed for financial help for Agnes. For many decades after his death, articles and snippets in newspapers referred to Frank's legendary abilities in the saddle. One example forty years after his death was published in 'The Advocate' on 18 Jul 1908, "One of the best judges of pace at that period was undoubtedly the professional rider, Frank Wakefield, who learned his business in France, and was one of the few cross-country jockeys of his day who knew how to ride a waiting race in front. His plan was to get the lead, and with neither rushing nor pulling make the pace just what he wanted it and win after waiting."

'The Australasian' reported on 26 Nov 1870 that a racing identity, Mr Lang "gave £50 to the widow of Frank Wakefield the jockey, who is very badly off". 'Mr Lang' was probably William Lang who was one of the witnesses at Agnes' wedding to Frank in 1863. William Lang was a well known horse trainer, most famous for training 'Nimblefoot', who won the Melbourne Cup in 1870. According to 'The Australasian', 3 Dec 1870, the donation to Agnes was half the £100 that Lang had intended to pay the jockey who won the Cup.

185.6 Second Marriage: Henry Jennings (1824-1909)

At the age of 33, GGGM Agnes Wakefield nee Cunningham was left a widow with four young children; GGM Margaret Cunningham McFarlane was 11, Clara 5, Jessie 3 and Frank Christopher was only a baby. Her husband Frank died in Robe St, St Kilda and that may have been her home when Frank died. It seems that by 1875 Agnes had moved to Neptune St, because that is the address daughter Margaret gave when she was married in Dec of that year. Agnes was able to celebrate her 17 year old daughter GM Margaret's marriage to GGF Elijah Smith (See 187.1). In 1876, Agnes 40 found love for the third time herself, when she married older man, Henry Joseph Jennings 54, a widowed contractor (born in Hertsfordshire 1823). Henry had a ten year old son named William so Agnes was ‘mother’ to five children under the age of 17.

The following year in 1877 Agnes 42 gave birth to twins Emily and Thomas Jennings in St Kilda and in 1880, her final child Henry Joseph Jennings was born, when Agnes was 44. Agnes had been living in Neptune St in 1875, so she was either living with or near Henry Jennings; the man who became her third partner (he resided at 35 Neptune St)

On the 29th August 1887, daughter Clara Wakefield was married. The above announcement reads "Charles W. C. McClatchie, to Clara 23, daughter of the late Frank Christopher Wakefield, of St. Kilda.." 

Sadly Clara McClatchie nee Wakefield died in 1893 and was buried in St Kilda cemetery. 'The Argus' newspaper of 8 May 1893 published the following death notice, "On the 7th inst., at her late residence, Cumber, Punt Road, St. Kilda, Clara, the beloved wife of Charles McClatchie, and daughter of the late Frank Wakefield, after a short and painful illness, aged 28 years. Deeply regretted". 

An 'In Memoriam' notice in 'The Age' 7 May 1895 suggests that Agnes remained 'close' to her first daughter Margaret. The ad was in remembrance of daughter Clara and read; "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 [GGGM Agnes Jennings nee Wakefield nee Cunningham], M. Smith, [GGM Margaret Smith nee Macfarlane/Cunningham] 4 Longmore-street." Siblings Jessie and Frank Wakefield were not included in the advert!

The St Kilda Voter’s roll listed Henry Jennings, carter later contractor, living at 35 Neptune St (West Ward) from as early as 1878. He was listed as the owner of the property. The Melbourne Directory listed Henry Jennings as living at 35 Neptune St from at least 1898 onwards.

Henry's occupation was usually given as 'contractor'. The 1902 advert in 'The Age' 12 Nov 1902' (above) offering a reward for a lost draught horse, indicates that he may have been a contract carter or removalist/carrier, using a horse and cart for his trade.

In 1903 (AER) GGGM Agnes Jennings nee Wakefield nee Cunningham was living with husband Henry Jennings, contractor, at 35 Neptune St, St Kilda and two adult twins; Emily Jennings dressmaker, and Thomas Jennings, contractor. (Neptune St is a few hundred metres from where son-in-law and daughter (GGP Elijah and Margaret Smith) were living in Robe St. Sadly daughter Emily Jennings passed away in St Kilda in 1906 aged 28, with her mother listed as Agnes Jennings nee Cunningham. (Vic BDM)

In 1909 Henry and Agnes Jennings were still living in Neptune St., but sadly Henry died later that year. The death notice in 'The Age', 18 Dec 1909 read "Jennings, On the 17th Dec at his residence, 35 Neptune St, St Kilda, Henry Joseph in his 85th year of his age. A colonist of 68 years". Home papers please copy."

In this same year Agnes’ former lover Alexander Macfarlan died at his home in Scotland. He was the father of Agnes’ first daughter GGM Margaret. Although he specifically denied that Margaret was ‘of his blood’, Alexander named her in his will and bequeathed her £4000. We do not know how Agnes felt about this, but it would have come as a surprise after not seeing (and probably not hearing from) Alexander for over forty years. 

By 1912 Agnes had moved to Perth to live near her sons Henry Joseph Jennings (jnr) and Thomas Jennings, who had both moved there in the early 1900's. The AER of 1910 and 1912 censuses list Henry (going by the name Harry) and Louisa Jennings nee Samms living with brother Thomas at 1 Myrtle St Perth. The 1913 AER (above) shows that by then, Agnes was living with both of her sons; Henry and Thomas and his wife Louisa at their new address 32 St Leonards Ave.

From 1916 to 1919 the AER (above) shows that Agnes was living in the same street but at no 38. Son Henry and his wife Louisa had moved out, but son/stepson William was now living with her. Agnes lived at this address for the rest of her life.

Agnes died in 1929 as announced in 'The West Australian', 7 Aug 1929; "JENNINGS. On August 4, at her late residence, 38 St. Leonard's-avenue, West Leederville, Agnes, dearly loved wife of the late Henry Joseph Jennings, in her 94th year [b1835]. Peacefully sleeping. Privately interred in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Karrakatta, on August 6."

'The Daily News', 7 Aug 1929 published an obituary which confirmed many of the details of Agnes long life. Her three surviving sons were Frank Christopher Wakefield 1869-1931, Thomas Jennings 1877-1932 and Henry Joseph Jennings 1880-1961. However, of Agnes five daughters, the obituary indicated that there were two surviving ones. We know that Clara died in 1893, Annie died in 1868, Emily died in 1906 and GGM Margaret died in 1926. That leaves Jessie Wakefield who died in 1948 and one other unknown daughter. The probable explanation is that, perhaps in 1929, the West Australian relatives were unaware of their half sister Margaret's death in Victoria in 1926!

NOTE: In 1909, Agnes' 'first love' Alexander Macfarlane (the father of her first child) died. Agnes must have known about this, as it was very widely publicised in Australian newspapers and her first daughter (Margaret) received a £4000 bequest from the will.

185.7 Henry Joseph Jennings senior (1823-1909) Agnes 2nd Husband
Henry Joseph Jennings was born in Harpenden, Hertfordshire on 3 Jul 1823. The 1841 census recorded him living with his parents on the family farm. His birth year was confirmed by the death notice placed in the papers in 1909 (85 years old). This notice also informed us that he arrived in the colony under the age of 20 in the early 1840's. (He possibly came with his family).

In 1866 Henry 43 married widow Mary Ann Abbott nee Brougham in Melbourne. Henry and Mary Ann had one child named William Henry Jennings in 1868. William later became a half-brother to Henry's other sons (Thomas and Henry Joseph Jennings jnr) by his second wife GM Agnes Cunningham. Mary Ann Jennings nee Abbott or Brougham died in 1875 at the age of 42.

In 1876 Henry Jennings married GGM Agnes Wakefield nee Cunningham and by her, he had three children (See below). The death notice for Henry in 'The Age', 18 Dec 1909 read "Jennings, On the 17th Dec at his residence, 35 Neptune St, St Kilda, Henry Joseph in his 85th year of his age. A colonist of 68 years". Home papers please copy." This record confirms that Henry was born in 1823 and that he had arrived in Victoria in the early 1840's. Henry was buried in Brighton Cemetery.

185.8 William Henry Jennings (1868-1946) Son of Henry Jennings
William Henry Jennings was born in 1868 to Henry ‘James’ Jennings and Mary Ann Broughton. William became a stepson to Agnes when she married Henry in 1876. He was therefore a step-brother to Henry Joseph Jennings b1880 and Thomas Jennings b1877.

From 1916 to 1922 William Jennings, driver was living with his stepmother Agnes Jennings nee Cunningham, and at times his half-brother Harry at 32 and 38 St Leonard's St.,Leederville, Subiaco/Fremantle, WA.

In 1931 William (railway employee) was living at 328 Oxford St. with Thomas (railway employee) and Louisa Jennings. Also living in the house were two of Thomas' daughters; Doris Linda Jennings, waitress and Vera Emily Jennings b1908, dancing teacher.

In 1934 William 65 married widow Ellen Howie nee Marshall in Perth. Ellen had two adult children named Edgar A Howie and Dorothy Marshall Howie (Nicholls). The 1943 AER shows William and Ellen Jennings living at Sydney St and Louisa and Ada Jennings at 328 Oxford St. In 1943 William and Ellen Jennings were living at 49 Sydney St. William was 74 and must have retired as no occupation was listed. They were living quite close to widowed sister-in-law Louisa Jennings and her daughter Ada Louisa Jennings at 328 Oxford St.

William Jennings died at the age of 77 on 18 Aug 1946 at his home, 49 Sydney St, North Perth. He was described as husband of Ellen, brother of Henry Joseph Jennings (Fitzgerald St Perth) and brother of Thomas Jennings, deceased (of Oxford St). There were also tributes to him from his niece Alma (daughter of brother Thomas) and her husband Ron, nephew Edgar and her grand-daughter Kaye Howie nee Jennings and grandchildren.

William's wife Ellen died on 9 May 1848. Her sister-in-law Louisa and her nephews placed a tribute in the paper. She had children named Edgar (1899-after 1848) and Dorothy (1896-1829).

186.0 Eight Children of GGGM Agnes Cunningham (1835-1929) & three partners
Agnes' first child was the only one fathered by GGGF Alexander Macfarlan. The four Wakefield children were fathered by Frank Wakefield and the three Jennings children were fathered by Henry Joseph Jennings. Of the eight children, GGM Margaret, Frank Wakefield, Jessie Wakefield and Thomas Jennings were the only ones recorded as having children themselves.

Most of Agnes' children out of her first two relationships married at a young age, before the age of consent, which was 21. (Daughter Margaret was only 17 and Jessie and Frank b1869 were 19). This may have related to the fact that the family was not well off, and the children had to make their own way in life and support themselves from an early age.

Agnes outlived most of her children. Of her eight children she was survived only by Frank C Wakefield who died in 1931, Thomas Jennings in 1932, Jessie Wakefield died in 1948 and Henry J Jennings in 1962. Her obituary incorrectly said that she was survived by three sons and two daughters. It seems that the Wakefield and Jennings children (who moved to Perth) lost touch with each other. I have found no death notices that indicate they knew about the deaths of their half siblings. When Agnes died in Perth, only the Jennings family seems to have acknowledged her passing.

186.1 GGM Margaret Allan MacFarlane Cunningham (1858-1926)

Margaret was the first child born to GGGM Agnes Cunningham, who was an unmarried mother at the time. Margaret was born on 31 Oct 1858. She went on to marry GGF Elijah Smith in the Registry Office, Gore St, Fitzroy, on 11 Oct 1876 and they had seven children. For more details about Margaret's early life see 186.0, and for her married life see 16.0.

186.2 Clara Wakefield (1864-1893)
Clara was born on 2 Oct 1864 to Frank and Agnes Wakefield nee Cunningham.

On the 29th August 1887 daughter Clara 22 was married. The announcement read "Charles W. C. McClatchie, to Clara 23, daughter of the late Frank Christopher Wakefield, of St. Kilda. Home papers please copy."

Sadly Clara McClatchie nee Wakefield died six years later in 1893. 'The Argus' newspaper of 8 May 1893 was one of several newspapers to published the death notice. "McClatchie.—On the 7th, at her late residence, Cumber, Punt Road, St. Kilda, Clara, the beloved wife of Charles McClatchie, and daughter of the late Frank Wakefield, after a short and painful illness, aged 28 years. Deeply regretted".

Clara McClatchie 28 was buried next to her father in St Kilda cemetery. The date of death on the gravestone for Clara is correct, but the date for her father is incorrect (should be 14 Jun 1869)

186.3 Jessie Wakefield (1866-1948)

According to her birth registration Jessie was born in 1866 at Windsor. (The registration incorrectly listed her father's first name as Frederick). Her father died in 1869 and her mother was left to support four young children. (Margaret, Clara, Jessie and Frank).

Jessie Wakefield 19 married Henry Lawrence Apperly 30 (b1855 Kyneton) in 1885 (Vic BDM no.3217). Henry was a teller working at the Brunswick Union Bank and Jessie may have met him at work or after hours.

Jessie Wakefield 19 married Henry Lawrence Apperley 30 (b1855 Kyneton) in 1885 (Vic BDM no.3217). Henry was a teller working at the Brunswick Union Bank and Jessie may have met him at work or after hours.

Henry had previously lived in NSW, and there are a number of newspaper reports, from the late 1870's onwards, that record evidence given by him on behalf of his employer, in several criminal cases involving fraud. An extract from the 'Riverine Grazier' 22 Feb 1882 is above.

Jessie fell pregnant and the couple moved to NSW for the birth of daughter Lily Isabel Apperley.

Daughter Lily later married David Jamieson in 1915. When she died in 1971 her parent's names were confirmed.

Jessie gave birth to two sons during the next few years; Lindon Wakefield Apperley was born in 1887 in Grenfell (died 1955) and George Norman Apperley was born in Orange, NSW in 1891. Husband Henry Lawrence Apperley was a bank manager in Orange, NSW, but died in his fifties in 1908. The widowed Jessie 47, moved back to Victoria, and in 1909 was living with daughter Lily in Camberwell. (AER)

Jessie Apperly married Robert Graham Seaton in 1913. According to the AER in 1915 Jessie and Robert were living at Sandringham and were living by 'independent means'. This may have been an outdated record because Robert filed for a divorce from Jessie in Oct 1914. The grounds for divorce were that Robert believed that Jessie had committed adultery.

Over the next few years Robert and Jessie were not residing together and seem to have separated. The divorce case lapsed for a few years, however in 1917, another application for divorce was made and this time Robert named the co-defender as Edward Holford of 3 Gertrude St, Windsor. Robert Graham Seaton 66 (b1859) died at Brunswick in 1925, leaving Jessie a widow for the second time.

Son George Apperly became a carter in NSW. In 1915 he enlisted in the AIF and under Next of Kin listed his brother Lindon Wakefield Apperly (married Irene Watkins 1935, d1955). George served in Egypt but contracted acute nephritis and was discharged in 1916.

Jessie Seaton nee Appleley nee Wakefield died in Victoria in 1948 aged 82. The death registration listed her father as Unknown Wakefield and mother as 'unknown'. As Jessie's mother (Agnes Jennings nee Wakefield nee Cunningham) had remarried and moved to Western Australia in 1912, Jessie's children may have 'lost touch' with their grandmother.

186.3a George Norman Apperly (1891-1969)
George Norman Apperly was born to Henry and Jessie Apperly nee Wakefield in Orange, NSW in 1891. On 12 Oct 1915, George aged 24 joined the AIF, enlisting in the Lighthorse Brigade. He listed his brother Lindon, a bank broker, as his next of kin. He served in Egypt from early 1916, but six months later returned to Australia suffering from acute nephritis. His regimental number was 1688.

On his return to Australia, George became engaged, then married one year later on 18 Apr 1917. George Norman Apperley 26 year old carter, married Beattie Veronica McCarty, 25 year old bookbinder in St Aiden's Church, Annandale, NSW on 18 Aug 1917. George's parents were listed as Henry Lawrence Apperley deceased banker and Jessie Wakefield.

According to the electoral roll George was a milk carter living in Mowbray St, Chatswood from the 1930's to 1960's. He had at least one daughter; Doreen Gladys Apperley and two sons; Noel George Apperley 1925-1988 and Norman Longstaff Apperly 1918-2000. George Norman Apperly died in NSW in 1969.

186.4 Annie Wakefield (1868-1868)

Annie was born in 1868 in St Kilda but died shortly after in the same year.

186.5 Frank Christopher Wakefield (1869-1931)

Frank was born in 1869 in St Kilda and was named after his father, who died in the same year as his son's birth. After the death of his father, the family would have struggled to make ends meet. Frank's mother, Agnes, had three young children under the age of ten, with baby Frank only a few months old.

In 1888, at the age of 19l9, Frank 19 married Mary Campbell.

In 1889 Mary gave birth to the couple's first child; Frank Lewis Wakefield, with the birth registered at Elsternwick. Three more children followed, with their births registered at St. Kilda; James Melville Wakefield 1891, Eileen Wakefield 1892-1961 and Victor Wakefield 1898. Sadly, baby Victor died within two weeks of his birth. Frank b1869 had trained as a compositor, and this was his lifelong trade. The family moved to Prentice St, St. Kilda.

As the report in 'The Age' 28 Oct 1995 above shows, Frank Wakefield 26, compositior, was residing at 4 Prentice St, East St. Kilda. Whilst going for an evening walk he was attacked and robbed. Fortunately he was not seriously hurt.

A decade later, Frank, a compositor, and Mary had moved to 16 Gordon Grove in Malvern; perhaps they considered it to be a safer place to raise their family (AER 1905)

The family had moved again before the 1909 census (above),and were living at 71 Morrah St Parkville. Frank was listed as a printer. Another Wakefield family was living close by in Manningham St, and they  may have been related to Frank's father. In 1913 the family were still at Morrah St and consisted of Frank and Mary as well as offspring Frank jnr and James Melville Wakefield.

Son, James Melville Wakefield, married Alice Richardson on 2 Mar 1914 (Australasian 24 Mar 1914). Sister Eileen Wakefield was a bridesmaid and eldest son, Frank Lewis Wakefield, was best man. Frank Wakefield senior and his wife were living at Victoria House, Morrah St, Parkville at the time.

A few years later in 1919 (AEC) , Frank was working as an overseer and living in Park St,  Parkville with wife Mary. Son Frank Lewis Wakefield was living nearby in their former home at 71 Morrah St. The other Wakefield family was still living nearby; William E Wakefield clerk, his wife Mary Wakefield nee Watts and their daughter Minnie b1891. Degraves St is just 350m from Morrah St. By 1924 things were much the same except that Frank Lewis Wakefield, salesman, was living with his parents in Park St. Son Frank Lewis Wakefield married Olivette Pearl Coleman in 1925 (See 185.5a).

At the end of that decade, world events were to have a devastating effect on Frank. The great depression started on the other side of the world and its fallout gradually made its way to Australia. In the early 1930's it is estimated almost 30% of Australia's workers were unemployed, and Frank was one of them.

By 1931 (AEC), family life seems to have broken down for Frank, who had lost his job as an 'overseer' and was again listed as a compositor. He was still living in his former home, but wife Mary, son Frank Lewis Wakefield, salesman, and his son's wife Olivette Wakefield nee Coleman, had all moved 3 km to 107 Royal Parade, Parkville.

According to Vic BDM, Frank Christopher Wakefield died later that year on 25 Aug 1931, with the death recorded in East Melbourne. The coroner's report described him as a 63 year old compositor of Park St, Parkville. The death registration erroneously recorded his age as 73. His parents were listed as Frank Wakefield and Agnes Wakefield nee Cunningham. Sadly his death was attributed to suicide as reported in 'The Herald' on 1 Sep 1931.

186.5a Frank Lewis Wakefield (1889-1963)

Frank Lewis Wakefield was born to Frank Wakefield b1869 and Mary Campbell in 1889.

Vic Police Gazette 1906

Frank Lewis Wakefield, the first son of Frank Wakefield b1869. He crossed paths with the law at least twice in his younger days. At the age of 18 in 1906 (Vic Police Gazette 1906), he was charged with larceny. Then at 19 ('The Herald' 25 Aug 1908) he was gaoled after admitting theft of a cheque to pay off a gambling debt. An interesting statement made to the court was that "when he was given his liberty, his people intended to send him to New Guinea where he would be out of the way of temptation." Whether it was as a result of this threat or the experience of the gaol term, Frank Lewis Wakefield seemed to keep out of trouble after this time.

On 15 Jan 1815 Frank a 26 year old salesman, joined the AIF, He listed his mother, Mary Wakefield of 71 Morrah St. Parkville, as his next of kin. He was posted overseas in May and served in the 8th Field Company Engineers. His first action was on the front at Gallipoli. After the Anzacs pulled out, he fought in France and received a number of promotions. He finally returned to Australia on 21 Mar 1919 after four years in the AIF.

.

Frank Lewis Wakefield married Olivette Pearl Coleman in 1925 and was a salesman. In the 1930's Frank and Olivette were living in St. Kilda. In the 1940's Frank had become a manager and they were living in Mentone with daughter Mary Wakefield. In 1949 Olivette was listed as a guesthouse proprietress.

From 1954 to 1963 the couple were living in Sandringham and had apparently retired.

Frank Wakefield b1889 died in 1963 at the age of 74 in Heidelberg.

Olivette Wakefield nee Coleman aged 85 died in Cheltenham in 1972.

186.6 Thomas Jennings (1877-1932)

Thomas was the first born child of Henry Jennings and GGGM Agnes Cunningham. He was born  in 1877 and was probably a twin with sister Emily.

In 1903, Thomas 26 was listed on the AER and living with his twin sister and parents; GGGM Agnes Jennings nee Wakefield nee Cunningham and father Henry Jennings contractor, at 35 Neptune St, St Kilda. Thomas listed his occupation as a contractor (perhaps working with his father).

At this time, there were at least two members of the Samms family living just a few hundred metres away. Up until March 1899, Esther McQuay nee Samms was living at 11 Inkerman St St.Kilda. Sadly she died that month and three of her sisters Edith, Louie (Louisa) and Lizzie (Elizabeth) placed 'In Memoriam' notices in 'The Age' on 22 Mar 1900. All three may have been living in the area. We do know that sister Louisa Janet Samms was a cook living a few hundred metres away at 47 Alma Rd St.Kilda in 1903 (AER). Thomas must have met Louisa and soon they became engaged.

Thomas Jennings married Louisa Janet Samms in Victoria in 1903. Children born to the couple were  Cyril Jennings (b1904 in Vic), Doris L Jennings (b1906 in W.A), Vera E Jennings (b1908 in W.A.), Jack J Jennings b1911 in W.A.), Alma T. Jennings (b1913 Leederville, W.A) and Ada L. Jennings (b1916 in Perth). From the birth years of the children, we know the family moved to Perth around 1905. Louisa's sister Elizabeth Grace Samms had moved there in 1901. From 1906 to 1917 Thomas was paying rates for a house in Myrtle St., Perth

From 1910 to 1912 (AER) Thomas a council, then railway employee (signal fitter), and Louisa were living at Myrtle St, Perth. Brother Harry (Henry, see 185.8) was also living with them during that time.

In 1912 mother Agnes moved to Perth to live near her sons and in 1913 Thomas and Lousia were living with GGGM Agnes Jennings nee Cunningham and brother Henry at 32 St Leonards Ave. From 1914 to 1917 Thomas and Louisa were back living at 1 Myrtle St.

From 1919 to 1925 Thomas, a railway employee, was living with wife Louisa Janet Jennings at 9 Arthur St, West Perth. In 1930 Thomas was paying rates for his house at 9 Arthur St.

By 1931 (AER) Thomas and Louisa had moved 2 km to 328 Oxford St. Fremantle.

Thomas and Louisa were living at 328 Oxford St, Leederville, when Thomas was found dead (after a long illness) at home on 13 Jan 1932. He was aged 54 and was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery. He was obviously highly regarded, because there were five adverts placed in the newspaper by local organisations, including sporting clubs and the Society of Railway Employees, advising the details of his funeral. Louisa continued to live at the sames address at least until 1937 with children Alma Thompson Jennings, waitress, Doris Linda Jennings waitress, Vera Emily Jennings dancing teacher and Jack Joseph Jennings, nil occupation..

Thomas' wife, Louisa Janet Jennings, survived until 1953, living in the same home. She was much loved, with nine death notices paying tribute to her (West Australian 19 Dec). The notices confirmed her relationship to many people including the fact that she was the wife of Thomas Jennings, sister of Elizabeth Jennings nee Samms and sister-in-law to Henry Jennings. She was a mother of six children and grandmother to ten children.

186.7 Emily Jennings (1877-1906)

Emily was born to Henry Jennings and GGGM Agnes Cunningham in 1877 and was probably a twin with her brother Thomas. In 1903 Emily 25, a dressmaker, was listed on the AER as living with her parents GGGM Agnes Jennings (nee Wakefield nee Cunningham) and father Henry Jennings contractor at 35 Neptune St, St Kilda.

The Age 20 Sep 1906

Emily died in 1906 aged 28. Her parents were listed as Henry and Agnes Jennings [nee Cunningham]. There is no record of any marriage or children.

186.8 Henry Joseph Jennings (1880-1961)

Henry was born to Henry Jennings and Agnes Cunningham on 16 Apr 1880. In 1903 Henry 23 was living with his siblings and parents Henry and Agnes Jennings at 35 Neptune St, St.Kilda. For an unknown reason Henry, brother Thomas and half brother William moved to W.A early in the 1900's. One of the reasons behind the move may have been that the brothers were friends with the 'Samms' family; the daughters in particular. In 1901 Louisa Samm's sister, Elizabeth Grace Samms, had moved to W.A. and married George William Harris. George and Elizabeth Harris settled in Fitzgerald St, North Perth, where they had two children. Henry's brother Thomas (above) married Louisa Samms in Victoria in 1903 and in 1905 they decided to move to W.A too.

Henry probably moved at the same time as his brother and took up a job with the W.A. railways.  Henry's railway record cites him as becoming a permanent employee, mainly working as a 'labourer and ganger' on 7 Jan 1907. According to his employment record he was paid bonuses from time to time for making valuable suggestions, and in 1931 was paid compensation when he crushed the top of his ring finger at work.

1913 Census Leederville

From 1910 to 1912 (AER) Henry (going by the name Harry) signal fitter, was living with brother Thomas and his wife Louisa at 1 Myrtle St (See 185.6). In 1913 (AER above) Henry was living with his mother Agnes and brother Thomas and sister-in-law Louisa Jennings nee Samms at 32 St Leonards Ave.

1919 Census Perth

From 1914 to 1921 (AER above) Henry (Harry) was still living with his mother Agnes and from 1916 they were joined by his half brother William Jennings, driver when they were all living a few doors away at 32 St Leonards Ave, Leederville. In 1925 Harry was living in Millington St., Northam.

In 1924 Henry J Jennings was listed in the Perth Directory as living at 38 St Leonards Ave, Leederville. Sadly Henry's sister-in-law Elizabeth Grace Harris nee Samms ( sister to brother Thomas' wife) died in 1926 leaving her a widow. The Jennings brothers and the Samms sisters would have know each other well and only lived a few kilometres apart.

In 1930 at the age of 50, Henry J. Jennings married Elizabeth Grace Harris nee Samms and they settled in North Perth (above).

1931 census, North Perth

Henry retired from his job at the railways on 20 Dec 1940, after 33 years of service.
Henry and Elizabeth occupied the house that Elizabeth had been living in during her first marriage. They continued to live at 286 Fitzgerald St (AER above), until at least 1958. Henry's wife Elizabeth Grace Jennings 79 died in 1959.

Henry Joseph Jennings died in Perth on 13 Aug 1961 aged 81. His death registration listed his parents as Henry J. Jennings and Agnes (Jennings nee Wakefield nee Cunningham) (W.A BDM).

187.0 GGM Margaret Macfarlane Allan Cunningham (1858-1926)

NB: The spelling and order of Margaret's names change from document to document. When her full name is cited below, it is as written on each particular document. Although her birth registration (Reg 6480) listed her as 'Margaret Macfarlane Allan Cunningham' most documents recorded her name as Margaret Allan Macfarlane Cunningham. Even Margaret was somewhat confused by her correct name and this confusion lead to her being married to the same man twice to make sure the marriage was correctly registered (see below)! Later when her first child was born she listed herself on his birth certificate as 'Margaret Smith nee Macfarlane'.

Margaret Macfarlan Allan Cunningham was born to 22 year old unmarried mother Agnes Cunningham on 31 Oct 1858 at Prahran St, Prahran (but the birth was not registered until 1859). Margaret was an ‘illegitimate child’ and no father was listed at the time, but later, her marriage registration and other documents confirmed her father to be Alexander Macfarlan, merchant. (See 103.0 for information about his life).

We have no idea how long the relationship lasted between GGGP Agnes Cunningham and Alexander Macfarlan. He knew of Margaret's birth, so he must have at least kept in contact with Agnes for a while. However by 1863, the relationship was well and truly over, as Agnes 27 married Margaret's stepfather, Frank Wakefield, during that year, when Margaret was five years old. It was not long before half-siblings started arriving; Clara in 1864, Jessie 1866, Annie in 1868 and Frank Christopher Wakefield (named after his father) in 1869. Sadly, sister Annie died shortly after being born in 1868. With each new child, family life deteriorated as her parent's marriage fell apart. Arguments about money and drunkenness (on Frank's part), lead to verbal abuse and domestic violence, which came before the courts in 1867. The court cases were reported in several articles in the local papers in Dec 1867, when Margaret was 9. (See 187.0 for more about Margaret's life as a child)

Margaret's stepfather Frank (Francis) Wakefield died on 14 June 1869 aged 37 in his Robe St home, and as there was no spouse listed on the death registration, he was possibly divorced by then. The 1860's would have been a very traumatic time for young Margaret, as her mother struggled to survive with four young children and no breadwinner.

187.1 GGP Margaret Macfarlane Allan Cunningham (1858-1926) & Elijah Smith (1852-1925)

At 16, Margaret must have been very happy to start a new life after her traumatic childhood. When she met GF Elijah Smith, a 24 year old cabinet maker in 1875, she found a partner who would love and care for her, for the rest of her days. Unusually, Margaret married Elijah twice within twelve months because of confusion over her legal name.

The first marriage ceremony occurred on 29 Dec 1875 (above) 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 dressmaker (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.
NOTE: 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 supposedly 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 that, 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).

Unusually Elijah and Margaret had to re-marry the following year using her official surname, which was Cunningham, maiden name 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.

On her second marriage to Elijah (above), her name was given as 'Margaret Allen Cunningham, maiden name McFarlane'. Reg 4890. She married Elijah Smith in the Registry Office, Gore St, Fitzroy, on 11 Oct 1876. A sign of her eagerness to get out of the family home was that she claimed her age was 18 on her marriage registration even though she was three weeks short of her 18th birthday. As she was 'under the age of 21', she had to provide her mother's written consent for her to be married. The marriage registration tells us that Elijah and Margaret had both "been previously married to each other, the bride erroneously in her mother's surname formerly, now married again in own registered name-McFarlane". In other words on the original marriage registration Margaret had not recorded her correct legal name (a result of the confusion about her names mentioned above).

The marriage registration also stated that Margaret had been born in South Yarra, and was living in St Kilda before and after the wedding. The registration confirmed that her birth parents were GGGP Alexander McFarlane, merchant and Agnes Cunningham (later Wakefield, then Jennings). Witnesses were Grace Quail (b1857 Emerald Hill, married Arthur Aadams in 1880) and her mother Catherine Quail nee Bryan who had no known connection to the couple. It is interesting to note that none of Elijah's siblings acted as witnesses at either wedding.

187.2 GGM Margaret & her father GGGF Alexander Macfarlan (1825-1909)

Alexander Macfarlan was born in 1825, migrated to Melbourne in 1853 and spent most of the next 15 years building up his large machinery and hardware business in the city. There is no specific record of him ever having a wife or children, but during this time he did have a short relationship with GGGM Agnes Cunningham resulting in the birth of Margaret in 1858. Interestingly, in his will (1909) Margaret is mentioned in the group of people he calls ‘friends’, who he makes a point of saying are "not related by blood". As far as Margaret goes, this was quite likely an attempt to preserve his ‘reputation’ whilst still doing ‘the right thing'. The fact that he got her Christian name wrong, shows he didn’t have a close personal friendship, but he is definitely referring to Margaret, because he did get Elijah’s name and occupation and their residential suburb correct. His will was written on 23 Apr 1909, some fifty years after Margaret was born, so it is not surprising that he had a lapse in his memory. The records show that he was based in London, then Scotland from the late 1870’s up until his death in 1909. (See 103.0)

Of the fifty or so beneficiaries named in his will there were no children mentioned as being his progeny. A handful of his nephew and nieces were given amounts larger than £5000, but the great bulk of the beneficiaries (even family members) were given less than £2000 each. The fact that Margaret Smith nee Cunningham/Macfarlan was given £4000 suggests Alexander had a much more significant connection to her than friendship.

Margaret named her first son Alexander Hubert Smith b1880 after her father GGGF Alexander Macfarlan and later she and Elijah named their home in Longmore St, 'Alexlea'. Margaret died on 25 Apr 1926 at her home ‘Alexlea’. For more about Margaret Allan McFarlane Cunningham's life see 16.0 (Part 1: The Smith family) for her married life, and 184.4 for her early life with her mother.

188.0 Descendants of GGGM Agnes Cunningham

 189.0 Reserved for Future Use