|
The founder of the first Australian Farndales, and their descendants. |
Matthew Farndale The Birregurra
(Australia 1) Line FAR00225 |
Farmer of Kilton who then emigrated to Australia |
Headlines of Matthew Farndale’s life are
in brown.
Dates are in red.
Hyperlinks to other pages are in dark blue.
References
and citations are in turquoise.
Context and local history are in purple.
Overview
Matthew Farndale lived (1) at
Kilton Hall; then (2) at Hallgarth Farm, Kildale (150 acres, 2 men in 1851),
then (3) sailed from Liverpool on the Argo on 8 October 1852 and arrived in
Melbourne, Australia on 19 January 1853. He is the founder of the Australia 1 (Birregurra)
Line of Farndales.
Mary Ann had
already married William Martin when they emigrated, so although no direct
Farndale line followed from this family in Australia, the Martin family and
other descendants can link in to this story. The Martin family are the
descendants of the Birregurra
(Australia 1) Line and of Mary
Ann Martin (nee Farndale) and William Martin, who settled in Victoria in
southern Australia. When Matthew
Farndale died in 1884, there were no more Farndales in Australia descended
from the Birregurra
Line. However the family continued by female
descent and the name Farndale continued to be used over further generations.
The Australians did not forget their ancestry. Martin Edgar Martin’s second son
was called Farndale as a Christian name and his house
name was Farndale in Wilby. Other members of the
family used it as a second name: Valerie Farndale Basset; Graeme Farndale Woodmason and Stuart Farndale Dunstan.
1793
Matthew Farndale was born on 30 September 1793, the twin of William, son of William
& Mary Farndale (FAR00183)
of Kilton. He was baptised at Brotton on 3 November 1793 (Brotton PR & IGI).
Matthew Farndale was one of twin sons
born at Kilton Hall and baptised at The Parish Church, Brotton, on 3 November
1793. The other twin was William. Mathew and William were the third and fourth
children of William and Mary Farndale of Kilton Hall Farm, Kilton. Kilton was
then a village of some 120 inhabitants. Matthew's elder brothers were George
(born 1789) and John (born 1791). There were to be four more children, Mary (b
1796), Martin (b 1798), Anna (b 1801) and Elizabeth (b 1804).
We know very little about Matthew's life
at Kilton and he is not mentioned at all in his brother John's book about
Kilton. However he would be brought up on the farm, go
to school in the village or possibly at Brotton and go to church regularly. His
parents were churchgoers and about the turn of the century became methodists.
There is no evidence that he ever left the farm as he grew up.
1816
In 1816 his father took a farm at Easby
for his elder brother George and another at Skelton for his next elder brother
John. This left Matthew with his father William and his younger brother Martin
at the Hall Farm Kilton. As he grew up (he would be 23 when his elder brother
left home) he clearly did more at Kilton.
1829
His name first appears in the Kilton Church Rates Book in `1829 as paying more
rates than his father. He paid 8/9d and his father 7/9 3/4d. This would
indicate that he was now in charge at Kilton aged 36. 1829 was also the year he
was married. On 13 May 1829 Matthew Farndale of Kilton married Hannah Thompson
of Sleights at the Parish Chapelry Brotton, indicating a methodist marriage.
They were married by licence with consent of their parents by William Close,
the Minister. Both signed in the presence of Ann Thompson, Elizabeth Seller and Richard Thompson.
1829
Matthew Farndale,
aged 35, and Hannah Thompson married at Brotton,
on 13 May 1829 (Brotton PR &
IGI). Hannah Thompson was born at Sleights on 11 October 1807 and died 9
December 1892 aged 85.
Hannah Farndale
The situation at Kilton at this stage is
not quite clear but as William got older Matthew began to take over,
particularly after his marriage in 1829.
1831
In 1831 their eldest daughter, Mary Ann Farndale
was born at Kilton on 6 April 1831 (FAR00313).
Also in 1831 his twin brother William died
of typhus fever. There is an obituary to him in the Methodist Records which
reads: "October 21st at Kilton: In the Stokesley Circuit in his 37th
year, Mr William Farndale Junior. He was of an open disposition and of studious
habits. About the year 1815 a revival of the work of God took place in the
neighbourhood where he resided. When he was acquianted
with his condition as a sinner and sought and found the Lord to the joy of his
heart. He then listed himself to the Wesleyan Methodists and became very useful
among them as an exhorter and local preacher. The complaint typhus fever which
terminated his mortal existence, considerably affected his mind, yet when he recollected he expressed strong confidence in God."
William was buried at Brotton on 23
October and his tombstone still stands in Brotton old churchyard.
1832
Their second daughter, Elizabeth Farndale was born
at Kilton
on 5 Apr 1832 (FAR00323).
1833
Matthew’s younger brother Martin married
Elizabeth Hours at the Chapel, Brotton on 18 May 1833. There were three
families living at the Hall; William & Mary; Matthew and Hannah and their
two children; and Martin and Elizabeth. Somewhere about this time their elder
brother George returned from Easby and in 1839 John's wife Martha had died at Skelton but he did not return to Kilton. Both his younger
sisters Mary and Elizabeth had died and Anna was
married, living at Seamer, in 1841.
1834
The Kilton accounts show Matthew as
paying a rent of £100 for the first time in 1834.
1835
The Poll Books 1835 – 1850 all show
Matthew Farndale, as ‘Farmer; occupier of Kilton Hall Farm.’ From 1838 to 1850,
Matthew is shown as a farmer at Kilton and with his brother Martin on the
Register of Voters.
1841
The Census 1841 for
Kilton listed Matthew Farndale, 45, Farmer;
living with Hannah Farndale, 30; Mary Ann Farndale,10 (FAR00313); Elizabeth Farndale, 8,
(FAR00323); and Thomas
Farndale 15, Male servant Born Yorks (FAR00280), son of his brother
George Farndale (FAR00215).
This census shows Matthew and his family at Kilton Hall, Martin and
Elizabeth at Stank House nearby and William and Mary at Brotton.
Matthew signed the 1841 Census for Kilton.
1842
There are entries in 1842 and 1843 for
the provision of horses by Matthew for work on the roads, mainly How
Lane and Mill Beck. He was paid for these sometimes teams of 1, 2 or 3 horses.
In 1843 the Rate Assessments @ 6d in the £ showed his brother @ £212, George
(now returned from Easby) @ £208 and Matthew @ £164, giving him a rateable
value of £6,560.
1843
On 25 March 1843 Matthew's mother Mary
died at Brotton and was buried in Brotton
Old Churchyard on 28 March 1843 aged 81 years. It appears that old William now
went to live with his daughter Anna at Seamer for it was here that he died on 5
March 1846 aged 86, a farmer who died of old age in the presence of his son in
law, William Phillips. In his will he left "All my money upon note and
other securities unto my said son Matthew Farndale ...... my said son Matthew
Farndale, my sole executor".
Clearly William expected his son Matthew
to take over the farm at his death. We can only guess what was going through
Matthew's mind however. It seems that he was not
prepared to let down is father but it seems that he
did not want to spend the rest of his life at Kilton. He was clearly at Kilton
until 1849.
6 Jun 1843 Martin & Matthew Kilton lane
Repairs (Kilton Surveyors Accounts Book).
31 Aug 1843 Matthew Swindles, loading stores
(Kilton Surveyors Accounts Book).
11 Dec 1843 Martin & Matthew Gripping stones
(Kilton Surveyors Accounts Book).
In the Estate
list of Freeholders Tithe for Brotton, Matthew was shown as renting a
farm at Kilton in 1843 and 1845 and Townend Farm in 1849.
1844
The York Herald, 30 March 1844 : GUISBOROUGH. MAGINSTRATES’
ROOM, 26th March … New Overseers. The overseers of the different
parishes produced their accounts for the last year which were examined and
allowed by the magistrates. The following is a list of the new overseers
appointed for the ensuing year … Kilton, Matthew Farndale and Francis
Breckon … POOR LAW GUARDIANS. The newly elected guardians for the several
townships comprising the Guisbro’ Union are as
follows … Kilton, M Farndale …
An overseer of the
poor was an official who administered poor relief such as money,
food, and clothing in England. The position was created by the Act
for the Relief of the Poor 1597. Overseers of the poor were often reluctant
appointees who were unpaid, working under the supervision of a justice of
the peace. The law required two overseers to be elected every Easter,
and churchwardens or landowners were often selected.
Overseers of the poor were replaced in the Poor Law Amendment Act 1834,
and replaced with boards of guardians, although overseers remained in some
places as a method of collecting the poor rate.
18 Mar 1844 Martin & Matthew Cutting
snow 2/- each (Kilton Surveyors Accounts Book).
22 May 1844 Matthew Loading stones at Kilton
Quarry 2/- (Kilton Surveyors Accounts Book).
29 Jun 1844 Matthew & Martin Repair Cowhill Lane 2/- each (Kilton
Surveyors Accounts Book).
1845
3 Feb 1845 Matthew Repair Cowhill Lane (Kilton Surveyors
Accounts Book).
24 Mar 1845 Matthew Cutting stones
How Lane, cutting stones Kilton Lane, 2/- each lane (Kilton
Surveyors Accounts Book).
1846
The York
Herald, 24 January 1846: PROPERTY TAX. On Tuesday last, the Rev Henry
Clarke and J B Rudd Esq, two commissioners of property tax, sat in the town
hall, Guisborough, for the purpose of appointing collectors for the Division of
Laughbaurgh East, and signing the duplicates of
assessment. The following are the collectors: … Kilton, Matthew
Farndale and Thos Bolton …
1849
"1849 John Marshal, Townend
Farm, late Matthew Farndale" .This would appear to be
the year that Matthew and his family left Kilton. His farm with
details of his fields are shown on the Tithe map for
Kilton 1845.
1851
The Census
of 1851 for Hallgarth, Kildale listed Matthew Farndale, Head; Married; aged 57 ;farmer of
150 acres with 2 labourers; Hannah Farndale, wife; married; age 43; Mary Ann
Farndale, daughter; unmarried; aged 19 (see FAR00313); Elizabeth Farndale,
daughter; unmarried; aged 17 (see FAR00323); and Richard
Thompson (perhaps Hannah’s brother), a servant, unmarried aged 51 and lodger,
William Horsley aged 28, living in.
So Matthew had moved to Kildale, about
10km south of Guisborough. Perhaps Hallgarth is what is now Hall Farm. Garth is
a word which means paddock or yard.
The lease of his farms in Kildale were relinquished in 1851. The Yorkshire
Gazette, 4 and 11 January 1851: FARMS TO LET AT KILDALE IN CLEVELAND.
CHURCH HOUSE FARM, occupied by Matthew Farndale, containing, more or less, 76 acres of superior Turnip and Barley Soil;
74 acres in good Old Grass; and 85 acres of sheep pastures … Every encouragement will be shown to good and
improving tenants. For further particulars apply to Mr George Peirson, Marske,
Near Middlesbrough. Marske, January 1st, 1851.
About the same time advertisements
encouraging emigration to Australia were appearing in the Press. The York Herald, 4 January 1851: EMIGRATION TO
AUSTRALIA. New Line of Packets from Liverpool, for Port Adelaide and Sydney,
landing passangers at Port Philip. Reduced Fares. 1st
Cabin: £45; 2nd Cabin: £25; Intermediate: £15; Steerage: £10.
Accommodation, Provisioning and Equipment, second to None. CONDOR, 1500 Tons,
to sail 20th January 1851. Osprey (or other
Vessel), 20th March. A1 new ships, coppered
and copper fastended. For further particulars apply
to the Owners. Gibbs Brigg & Co, Liverpool or R
Mills, 2 Blakestreet, York. Indeed
his brother John Farndale (FAR00217)
advertised passage to Australia after Matthew had departed there. The Stockton Herald, South Durham and
Cleveland Advertiser, 3 July 1863: FOR
SALE, A PASSAGE WARRANT TO AUSTRALIA AT HALF PRICE. Open until July 1863, for a
single eligible young man. Apply (poist paid) to John Farndale, 20 Park Row,
Stockton on Tees.
1852
Emigration to Australia
We do not know what it
was that made Matthew and Hannah decide to emigrate to Australia.
Perhaps they had been thinking of this for some time, but whatever the reason
it was a major undertaking to look for a new life at the age of 57 and to leave
his family and all that he knew. Before leaving Kildale their eldest daughter Mary Ann married
William Martin of Kildale who had been a butler at Ingleby Manor.
The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser, 17
August 1852:
THE LIVERPOOL “BLACK
BALL” LINE OF AUSTRALIAN PACKETS, FOR GEELONG, ADELAIDE, PORTLAND BAY,
MELBOURNE, PORT PHILIP AND SYDNEY.
|
Ships |
Destination |
Tons |
Captains |
To Sail |
|
SOUTH SEA |
for Port Philip and
Sydney |
1800 |
Brett |
25th Aug |
|
NORTHUMBERLAND, |
for Melbourne, Port
Phlip |
1500 |
T Smith |
5th Sep |
|
ARGO |
for Melbourne, Port
Philip |
2000 |
C Mills |
20th Sep |
|
BEEJAPORE |
For Melbourne, Port
Philip |
2500 |
W M’Lay |
15th Oct |
To be followed by
equallyt good A1 ships.
Hese magnificent A1
frigate built ships have very lofy well ventilated between decks, splendid
cabin accommodation, are commanded by captains of great experience, who wil
carefully attend to the colmfort and health of the passengers, carry qualified
surgeons, and will be despatched under the inpsection of her Majesty’s
Emigration Agent.
For further
particulars, apply to Hames Baines & Co, 6 Cook Street.
The Albion, 23 August 1852 reported the same detyails,
but the Argo’s sailing date had slipped to 1 October.
The Liverpool Mercury, 27 August 1852:
AUSTRALIA
To sail on the 10th
September next
FOR MELBOURNE, PORT
PHILIP
The well known fast
sailing favourite New York Black Star Packet ship
ARGO
SAMUEL MACADOCK,
Commander
986 tons register, 1750
tons burthern; open to the public for inspection. This splendid vessel was
built by Smith and Dimon, in New York, expressly for the packet service,
without regard to expense, her frame being entirely live oak, and copper
fastened throughout. She is now temporarily withdrawn from the line for one
voyage to the gold regions. Her cabin arrangements, which are unsurpassed
by any ship in port, combine comfort with elegance, no pains or expense being
spared to have every possible convenience for passengers. To ensure the comfort
of those on board, the advertisers wish to remark that it is intended to take first
and second class passengers only. The rates of passage are:
After Saloon: £50
Forward Saloon: £45
Second Cabin: £20 and
£25
These saloon staterooms
will be furnished with everything necessary. The second cabin passengers will
have to supply themselves with beds, bedding, linen etc. Superior stores will
be provided, and an experienced surgeon will be attached to the ship, which
will be dispatched under the superintendence of the government immigration
officer.
Parties wishful to
avail themselves of so desirable an opportunity are requested to make early
application to see Grimshaw and Co, 10, Goree piazzas.
The same advertisememnt
appeared in the Liverpool Mail, 2 October 1852,
but now “to sail positively on the 4th instant.”
The Liverpool Shipping Telegraph and Daily Commercial
Advertiser, 6 September 1852 reported that Argo,
1030, Macoduck, C Grimshaw was berthed at the Salthouse Dock.
The Argo left Liverpool on 8 October 1852. Onboard were Matthew (59),
Hannah, his wife (45), Elizabeth (19) their youngest daughter and Mary Ann (23)
and her husband William Martin (23). The Liverpool
Shipping Telegraph and Daily Commercial Advertiser, 8 October 1852 reported
that Argo, 1030, Macoduck, C Grimshaw, bound for Port Philip was “in the
River outward Bound”. There was clearly an early problem as the Liverpool Shipping Telegraph and Daily Commercial
Advertiser, 8 October 1852 reported: The Prince of Wales (s), and the
Argo, for Port Phillip, got in contact yesterday morning, while at anchor in
the river, owing to the latter breaking her shear. The Prince of Wales lost
funnel, quarter boats, bulwarks etc; The Argo did not appear to have sustained
any damage.
The Liverpool Mercury, 12 October 1852 reported the
Argo (ship), for Port Philip was off Holyhead (at the tip of Anglesea) at
8.30am.
By 1 November, the
voyage had reached Mauritius and the Liverpool
Albion, 1 November 1852 reported a hurricane near Mauritius, but that “in
the same storm the Argo made part of her second circuit, scudding round in the
gale in the same direction…”
Australian Emigrants,
Liverpool Harbour in the 1850s
Migrants prepare to board the Bourneuf at Liverpool Emigration depot in
1852. During its voyage, 88 passengers were to die of consumption, diarrhoea,
measles and other diseases
It is hard to
reconstruct what happened, all the feelings and emotions and the excitement of
their departure. They would know little of Australia - had they met a returning
emigrant? They were not looking for gold or a fortune, but simply a new life.
They knew of the perils of the journey, but for whatever reasons, they left.
forever.
We must presume that
they travelled to Liverpool by a combination of railway and stage coach. It is
unlikely that there was any family to see them off, but their feelings must
have been of great trepidation as the Argo sailed out of Liverpool. Little remains
now of what they took with them but we know they took a pillow case woven from
flax from Kilton which is still with descendants in Australia. We know they
took their feather beds and riding saddles.
Aboard the Argo were
242 passengers, each with a cabin trunk of tin or timber, a port-monteaux
and hand luggage. The ship was small; only 967 tons. The master was
Sammuel Macadock. We know nothing of the voyage but conditions would have
been primitive, food simple and sickness rife. They would be well out into
the Bay of Biscay before they were used to the ship's routine and much relieved
to get their feet on dry land at Cape Town, their likely first port of call,
probably some four weeks later. The voyage took 103 days or just over 14
weeks. We do not know if they called into port again - perhaps Freemantle
in Western Australia or Adelaide in South Australia before they sailed up the
Yarra Yarra river to Melbourne. It was 19 January 1853, a midsummer day, as
they disembarked to a new life in a new world and to establish the Farndale
family in Australia.
1853
They arrived in Melbourne
Australia on 19 January 1853, a journey of 103 days or some three months.
Andrew Pettit emailed me in August 2004
and gave me this information:
Just happened upon your website when
searching for the passenger list of the “Argo”. My great-great-grandfather
& his son were also on the ship as part of a party
of 10 travelling from Ireland to Melbourne.
I
have attached a few images which may be of interest to you.
A poster/information sheet promoting the
voyage (departing Sept 20).
A ticket which shows the actual
departure date was 10 Nov 1852. This ticket lists the 6 males in the party – I
have a separate ticket which list the 4 females.
A photo of an Argo sailing ship. I found
this in the State Library, Melbourne. However there
were several sailing ships called Argo during the 1800’s and I have not been
able to confirm that this is the one we are talking about.
I also have some small details about the
voyage somewhere, but I will have to dig those out if your are interested.
I jumped onto the Public Records Office
site and found the Farndales on the passenger index for the Argo. Interesting
to see that the spelling “Farndall” and some ages
listed are different from your website. Not unusual though as my ancestors names were listed as “Petitti” instead of
“Pettit”.
As to the Argo, the La Trobe Library in
Melbourne has a hand written volume by Thomas Edgar
RIDDLE called “T.......... of British Ships in the Melbourne Trade – Year
1853”. The Argo is mentioned on pages 15 & 16. The rations provided to
passengers were quite good for the time (see the poster I sent yesterday for
details) and only 2 people died during the voyage – brothers named Custon from diarrhoea.
The Argo was a chartered American ship
on its first voyage to Melbourne. The voyage lasted 100 days arriving in
Melbourne of 19 January 1853. It departed Melbourne on March 25, 1853, for
Callas.
Argo Black Star
1841
Sailing ship of 967 tons built in New York.
Used on the Liverpool to New Orleans route. Also used by Caleb Grimshaw and Co
on the Liverpool to Melbourne route in 1852
Melbourne, 1853 from below Princes
Bridge
They must have first spent some time in Melbourne, first renting a house, hut or tent; there were only a few permanent buildings. Here
they would enquire after land.
They would have heard much of gold - the gold rush was in
full cry.
Life in the Goldfields
However they decided against it. Someone
advised them to move west to Western Victoria around Colac. There was not much
there; it was a risk; but they took it. It was a land of bush, huge gum trees,
scrub, native wattle huts and bracken. There were no roads so they must
assemble stores, equipment and prepare to move. They would probably have had a
large wagon hauled by bullocks and a few horses. They would have found their
way across country, crossing rivers where they could, until they came to
Geelong - perhaps 60 miles the way they would have to go - this would have
taken about a week. They would camp outdoors listening to the strange sounds of
a strange land., particularly the birds. The most unusual would be the
kookaburra with its hearty laugh, but magpies would remind them of Yorkshire.
The land and the sky, with the southern cross would all be new, strange and different. They would see signs of aborigines
who still lived in the area and were not always friendly to the white invaders.
The heat of the day would be much more than anything they had ever experienced
before and the terrible insects and flies. They would have been dirty and
weary, the women in their long skirts sweeping the ground when they rested at
Winchelsea. Then on to Colac where they must have stayed sometime looking for
land.
For whatever reason they ended up at Birragurra and selected
land. Their first task was to build a house which they did made of earth, grass and water. They must then have planted crops and
collected animals, in particular sheep. Sometime later, perhaps a year or two,
they built a small house of timber with a tin roof. They called it
"Hawthorne" from the hawthorn they had planted on arrival. Hawthorn
stills grows there.
"Hawthorne", Birragurra, "The Garden of Eden"
1850s and 1860s
As the years passed the farm grew.
William Martin would take their produce to Ballarat and Geelong and buy
provisions; a long cross country journey lasting many
days. Cows and pigs were added and the farm buildings
extended in size until it resembled a Yorkshire farm house.
The Colac
Herald, 18 October 1963 published an article: BIRREGURRA – THE CRADLE
OF METHODISM IN VICTORIA. Birregurra, which this month celebrates a centenary
of methodism in the district, can claim to be the cradle of Methodism in
Victoria. Birregurra and its immediate neighbourhood will long recall memories of
the early Methodist Church in this state. Methodism was first introduced there
by the Wesleyan Missionary Society in London at the request of the Reverend
John Orton, when the Reverend Francis Tuckfield who arrived at Port Philip in
July 1838, took charge of the first mission to the aborigines in Victoria. He
established the headquarters of the Wesleyan Society in Port Phillip district
at Buntingdale and it was
from here that he, with the assistance of the Reverend Benjamin Hurst, who
arrived in February 1839, worked his huge circuit which extended to the Yarra until 1840... It is also interesting to note that Mr
Haskins who was familiarly known as the “Old Bishop” conducted services In Mr
Kettle’s barn prior to the erection of the Wesleyan Chapel and that his son,
John Haskins junior, opened the first government school in Birregurra district
during 1854. Among other staunch supporters of methodism in the circuit, who
were also residents of Birregurra and district in the early days were Mr and
Mrs M Farndale and Mr and Mrs Bramley would. Mr Farndale was one of the
usual leaders at the prayer meetings conducted by Mr Usher at Colac from
1856 onward. These meetings were held at the presbytery and place of worship or
a Methodist Church with erected there...
In another article
of January 1956: HISTORIC OCCASION AT WARNCOORT. PIONEERS OF THE
METHODIST CHURCH HONOURED. MEMORIAL CAIRN IN OLD CHURCH GROUNDS. It is nearly
100 years – in 1858 – since the picturesque church at Warncoort
was built, a period which has been most remarkable for the development which
has occurred in the district. In that century, the countryside has been
completely transformed and the wide almost unpopulated area has become a
closely settled place supporting thousands of people … The unveiling ceremony …
Mr Strickland expressed his pleasure at renewing acquaintances with so many of
the friends he had made during his term in the Colac district and at being
given the opportunity of participating in that historic ceremony. He was glad
to see the present descendants of those of the original trustees, the
late Messrs Alexander Dennis, Matthew Farndale, and Thomas Butcher …
In another article:
HE WAS NOT TOO OLD.
In these days when so much emphasis is
being placed on the importance of youth in business and national affairs, it is
interesting to quote an example from the early history of this district
of a man whose enterprise, courage and energy had not become
extinguished at an age when people now regard them as worn out. This man was the
late Matthew Farndale one of the very first trustees of the Warncoort Methodist Church referred to in the recent
ceremony at Warncoort.
From the Dales of Yorkshire where his
ancestors had been on the land for centuries, Mr Farndale made up his mind to
come to this distinct southern land, then in its infancy. And so, more than a
century ago accompanied by his two daughters, his wife
and a son-in-law, he sailed 12,000 miles in three months to make a new home.
The son-in-law married one of the daughters at the last minute when he decided
also to take part in the great adventure. Mr Farndale was buried in the Warncoort cemetery in 1882. He was aged 90 when he died. He
left England when he was 62 years of age. At Warncoort
on Sunday a descendant placed a wreath on the grave of a great grand father she had never seen.
1853
Mathew’s daughter Mary Ann and her
husband William Martin had their first child born on 19 December 1853 -
Elizabeth Clarissa Teresa Martin. Marion Amelia Susanna Martin followed in 1856
and Anna Maria Martin in 1858. Their first son John Matthew Martin was born in
1860 and Alfred Miro Vitericus Martin in 1863. Ada
Melinda Martin was born in 1864, Mary Matilda Martin in 1867 and Martin Edgar Martin , the youngest in 1869. John and Alfred took up
farming in the Booma Noomanah area.
See the Martin Family.
1857
The Age,
Wednesday 20 May 1857: TO A RUTHERFORD Esq MP. Sir, We the
undersigned electors of the district of Colac, having through our local
committee now repeatedly requested you will meet the electors, and you having
declined attending their meetings, and refused to acknowledge their rights to
demand your attendance, and having ignored the committee appointed by the
almost unanimous voice of the people; and, further, having absented yourself
from the legislative assembly at this most critical time, without consulting
your constituents, we, therefore the underside undersigned electors of the
district of Colac, call upon you to resign your seat in the legislative
assembly…. Electors... Matthew Farndale...
1859
Old Matthew was to see his second
daughter Elizabeth marry William Darby in 1859 and several of his daughter Mary
Ann's family also married before his death making him a great grandfather.
1877
In 1870 the railway reached Colac and
Birregurra in 1877. The Age, 12 August 1874:
A deputation, representing the inhabitants of Birregurra, was introduced to
the Commissioner for the Railways yesterday by Mr Connor, MLA. They came to
express their apprehension that the black line, according to the survey now in
progress, would not come nearer to Birregurra than four miles, and they felt
sure that the line as originally surveyed, to run through the township, would
be much more advantageous to the inhabitants generally …”. The Age, 30 January 1877: The railway line to Colac
is now laid down nearly four miles beyond Birregurra …” The Age, 26 October 1878: This morning’s train from
Colac broke down soon after leaving Birregurra, one of the valves of the engine
bursting …
1878
The Geelong
Advertiser, 15 July 1878:
THE GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
The following notices appear in the Gazette :-
Mr Edward Darling, Clerk of Courts at Steiglitz, has been appointed a
Commissioner of the Supreme Court.
The following have been appointed trustees :-Mr John Bell, for land temporarily
reserved as a site for a cemetery at Bambra, in the room of Mr J. Dennithorne,
who has left the colony; Messrs Alex. and Richard Dennis, Samuel Gilbert,
Samuel Talbot, and Matthew Farndale, for land temporarily reserved as a site
for Wesleyan Church purposes at Birregurra; Messrs Francis Orinon and Chas.
Shannon, for land reserved as a site for a Presbyterian place of worship and
minister's dwelling in the town of Geelong.
Matthew Farndale helped to establish the Birregurra Methodist
Church.
1884
Matthew Farndale died at the age of 90 at Birregurra, Australia on 8 August 1884.
The Colac
Herald, 12 August 1884: We regret to record the death of Mr. Matthew
Farndale, a very old and respected resident of this district, which took place
on Friday last at his residence, Birregurra. Mr. Farndale, who had reached the
great old age of 90 years, was a wonderfully robust and sound constitutioned man, but, of course, during late years a
general breaking up of the system was taking place, and his death was not
unexpected. His remains were interred in the Irrewarra
cemetery yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large
number of friends and acquaintances of the family.
The grave of Matthew and Hannah at Warncoort cemetery, Australia reads:
In Memory
MATTHEW FARNDALE
Who died August 8th 1884
Aged 90 years
Blessed are the
dead
Who die in the Lord
Also of
HANNAH
Relict of the late Matthew F
Who departed this life at
HAWTHORNE, BIRREGURRA
On Friday 9 December 1892
Aged 85 years
For so he giveth is beloved sleep
His death is also memorialised on the
tombstone of his twin brother William at Brotton,
North Yorkshire:
"Memorial of William, son of
William and Mary Farndale died 21 October 1831 aged 33 and also to Mathew
Farndale twin brother of the above of Birregurra, Australia who died 8 August
1884 aged 90 years. Also Hannah his widow who died Dec
9 1892 aged 85 years."
1892
Hannah Farndale died at the age of 84 at Birregurra, Australia on 9
December 1892.
1901
Sadly the whole property at Birregurra was
destroyed by a bush fire in 1901 when all Western Victoria was set alight.