William Arthur Callander A'Beckett

M, #2851, b. 7 Jul 1833, d. 16 Dec 1901
William Arthur Callander A'BECKETT
(1833-1901)
Father*Sir William A'Beckett b. 28 Jul 1806, d. 27 Jun 1869
Mother*Emily Haley b. 2 Mar 1810, d. 1 Jun 1841
ChartsDescendants of William A'BECKETT
Birth*7 Jul 1833 Kensington, London, England. 
Marriage*17 Sep 1855 Spouse: Emma Mills. VIC, Australia, #M1984.1
 
Marriage-Notice*18 Sep 1855 On the 17th inst., by the Rev. E B. Dickenson, William Arthur Callander A'Beckett, Esq., to Miss Emma Mills.2 
Land-UBeac*25 Aug 1884 PAK-71. Transfer from Simon Paternoster to William Arthur Callander A'Beckett. 18a 3r 39p.3 
Land-UBeac*6 Sep 1884 PAK-71. Transfer from William Arthur Callander A'Beckett to Emma A'Beckett. 18a 3r 39p.4 
Death*16 Dec 1901 Brighton, VIC, Australia, #D12733 (Age 68) reg St Kilda.5 
Inquest17 Dec 1901Inquest held 1901/1455. William Arthur Callender A'BECKETT Cause of death: Suffocation; Location of inquest: Middle Brighton; Date of inquest: 17 Dec 1901
On the 16th day of December 1901 at Saint Kilda in Victoria he died from suffocation from spasm of a diseased larynx, while under the influence of chloroform and about to undergo an operation for tumor of the bladder. The chloroform was in our opinion properly administered. We do not think there is any blame attachable to anyone concerned.6 
Death-Notice*18 Dec 1901 A'BECKETT. —On the 16th December, at Myrnong Private Hospital, Redan-street, St. Kilda, William Arthur Callander, husband of Emma A'Beckett, of Wilton, Brighton, aged 68.7 
Probate (Will)*15 May 1902 82/792. Barrister. Brighton.8 
Civil Case*1906 1906/695 The Trustees Executors and Agency Company estate of William Arthur Callander aBeckett Emma aBeckett v William Gilbert aBeckett Arthur Heywood aBeckett Emily aBeckett Backhouse Emma Minnie Boyd Constance Matilda Brett Ethel Beatrice Ysobel Chomley.9 

Family

 Emma Mills b. 10 Jan 1838, d. 26 Feb 1906
Children 1.Emily A'Beckett+ b. 20 Jun 1857, d. 20 Oct 1923
 2.Emma Minnie A'Beckett+ b. 23 Nov 1858, d. 13 Sep 1936
 3.Contance Matilda A'Beckett b. 1860, d. 1944
 4.William Gilbert A'Beckett+ b. 1864, d. 2 Mar 1941
 5.Ethel Beatrice Ysobel A'Beckett+ b. 4 Sep 1866, d. 24 Dec 1940
 6.Arthur Hayward St Thomas A'Beckett b. Jun 1868, d. 9 Apr 1939

Newspaper-Articles

  • 19 Dec 1901: Men and Matters.
    The Hon. W. A. C. A'Beckett, whose death took place this week will be greatly missed by a large number of relatives and friends. He was a very old colonist of Victoria, arriving here when a boy with his father, Sir William A'Beckett, first Chief Justice of the colony. For some years in the seventies he was a member of the Legislative Council and held office without a portfolio in the Berry and other administrations. Though his Parliamentary career was short, he always took the keenest interest in public affairs, was a patriotic and liberal minded advocate of Australian interests, and had a better acquaintance witli the history of Victoria than most old colonists now living. A member of the Victorian and the English Bar he had not practised for many years, and he cared little for society. Yet nearly everybody knew him and both in the country, near his property at Berwick, and in Melbourne to many less well-to-do than himself he was a good friend in time of need, who will be keenly missed and affectionately remembered.
    He was the oldest member of the A'Beckett family in Australia, a brother of Mr. Edward A'Beckett, late registrar of Melbourne University, and of Mr. Malwyn A'Beckett, of the Titles Office. Since his return from England, where he resided for some years on an old family property purchased from a relative, Mr. A'Beckett had lived in Brighton. He was only 68 when he died under an operation for an internal disorder, and he leaves behind him a widow, two sons, Mr. W. G. A'Beckett and Captain A. H. A'Beckett, and four married daughters. [Illustrated]10

Australian Dictionary of Biography

À BECKETT, WILLIAM ARTHUR CALLANDER (1833-1901), barrister, was born on 7 July 1833 at Kensington, London, eldest son of Sir William à Beckett and his wife Emily, née Hayley. He went with his family to Sydney in May 1837 and to Port Phillip in February 1846. He attended schools in Sydney and Melbourne and at 18 began reading law under his father's direction. In January 1852 he was appointed associate to his father, then chief justice. In February 1853 he left with his family for England. There he studied applied sciences at King's College, London. He returned to Melbourne in December 1854 and was reappointed associate to his father. His brother Edward FitzHayley succeeded to the associateship in September 1855.
In February 1855 à Beckett was appointed second lieutenant in the Melbourne Volunteer Rifle Corps. On 17 September he married Emma (1838-1906), only child and heiress of John Mills, who had bought land in the first Melbourne sales. In March 1857 he took her to London, where their first daughter Emily was born in June. They returned to Melbourne in October 1858.
His political career began in January 1868 when as a Constitutionalist candidate for Mornington he opposed James McCulloch. Though defeated à Beckett showed well in the poll and in September was elected to the Legislative Council for the Southern Province. He was a minister without office under (Sir) Charles Gavan Duffy from June 1871 to June 1872 and in Berry's ministry from 7 August to 20 October 1875. As a parliamentarian he showed great diligence and spoke on every subject under discussion. He unsuccessfully sought representation for St Kilda in the elections of May 1877.
à Beckett was appointed a territorial magistrate in 1861, magistrate for Melbourne General Sessions in 1869, and called to the Victorian Bar in September 1875. He went to London in 1886 and next year was admitted to the Inner Temple. He returned to Melbourne in 1892 and died in a private hospital at St Kilda on 16 December 1901, survived by his wife, two sons and four daughters. One son, William Gilbert, went to Cambridge (LL.B., 1892) and became a barrister at Inner Temple; the other, Arthur Heywood, served in Gallipoli and Egypt. A daughter, Emma Minnie, was an artist and married the artist Arthur Boyd.
à Beckett won notice for his individualism and whimsical wit. He was an original member and governor of the Old Colonists' Association in 1869, and a member of the Eclectic Association of Melbourne and of the Yorick Club, to which he presented some engravings. He held no particular religious belief, but subscribed to the Unitarian Christian Church building fund in 1864. He took a keen interest in horse-racing and studied heraldry. He had great pride in his ancestry, and by royal licence of 18 April 1888 he and his issue were authorized to use the surname and to bear the arms of à Beckett with proper distinctions.11

Citations

  1. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  2. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 18 Sep 1855, p4.
  3. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1405-909 - Simon Paternoster to William Arthur Callander A'Beckett - C/T 1600-991 The Honorable William Arthur Callander A'Beckett of High Street Prahran Barrister-at-Law.
  4. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1600-991 - William Arthur Callander A'Beckett to Emma A'Beckett - C/T 1607-348.
  5. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online).
  6. [S24] PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), VPRS 24/ P0 unit 742, item 1901/1455.
  7. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 18 Dec 1901, p1.
  8. [S35] Probate Records, PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), http://prov.vic.gov.au/search_details
  9. [S34] PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), VPRS 267/ P7 unit 1395, item 1906/695.
  10. [S14] Newspaper - The Arena (Melbourne, Vic.), Thu 19 Dec 1901, p4
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/255792115
  11. [S55] ADB online, online https://adb.anu.edu.au/, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/…
    Select Bibliography: I. Selby, History of Melbourne (Melb, 1924); Berwick (Victoria) Shire Council, From Bullock Track to Bitumen (Berwick, 1962); M. Boyd, Day of My Delight (Melb, 1965); Age (Melbourne), Aug-Sept 1868, 4 Oct 1876; Argus (Melbourne), 27 Feb 1906; J. E. Parnaby, The Economic and Political Development of Victoria 1877-81 (Ph.D. thesis, University of Melbourne, 1951).
    Print Publication Details: Kathleen Thomson, 'à Beckett, William Arthur Callander (1833 - 1901)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 3, Melbourne University Press, 1969, pp 11-12.
Last Edited10 Aug 2021

Sir William A'Beckett

M, #2852, b. 28 Jul 1806, d. 27 Jun 1869
Father*William A'Beckett b. 1777, d. 23 Feb 1855
Mother*Sarah Abbott b. 1770, d. 1817
ChartsDescendants of William A'BECKETT
Birth*28 Jul 1806 London, England. 
Marriage*1 Oct 1832 Spouse: Emily Haley. St Pancras, London, England, Emily HALEY and William A'BECKETT are 1st cousins.1
 
Widower1 Jun 1841Sir William A'Beckett became a widower upon the death of his wife Emily Haley.2 
Marriage*30 Sep 1849 Spouse: Matilda Hayley. Melbourne, VIC, Australia, Matilda HALEY and William A'BECKETT were first cousins, she was the sister of his first wife.
 
Marriage-Notice*31 Oct 1849 MARRIED. On Tuesday, the 30th ultimo, by the Rev. D. Newham, Minister of St. Peter's, Melbourne, His Honor Mr. Justice a'Beckett, to Miss Matilda Hayley.3 
(Witness) Death-Notice27 Jan 1853 On the 26th instant, at the residence of her son-in-law, the Chief Justice, Mrs. Ann Hayley, in her 75th year.4 
Death*27 Jun 1869 Upper Norwood, Surrey, England, Sep Q 1869 William A'Beckett (Croydon) 2a 93 (Age 62.)5,6 
Death-Notice*3 Sep 1869 A'BECKETT.—At his residence, Upper Norwood, Surrey, in the sixty-third year of his age, Sir William A'Beckett, late Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of this colony, father of Hon. W. A. C. A'Beckett, M.L.C., and brother of Hon. T. T. A'Beckett, M.L.C.7 

Family

 Emily Haley b. 2 Mar 1810, d. 1 Jun 1841
Children 1.William Arthur Callander A'Beckett+ b. 7 Jul 1833, d. 16 Dec 1901
 2.Malwyn A'Beckett+ b. 24 Oct 1834, d. 25 Jun 1906
 3.Edward Fitzhaley A'Beckett+ b. 16 Apr 1836, d. 25 Mar 1922
 4.Sarah A'Beckett13 b. 31 May 1839, d. 31 May 1839
 5.Reginald Broadhurst A'Beckett+ b. 1 May 1840, d. 15 Aug 1900

Newspaper-Articles

  • 17 May 1855: Death of father: On the 23rd February, at the Grange, Hampstead, England, William A'Beckett, Esquire, in the 78th year of his age. Thomas Turner A'Beckett8
  • 2 Jul 1869: Sir William A Beckett, late Chief Justice of the colony of Victoria, is dead, aged 63. He was knighted in 1852.9
  • 3 Jul 1869: Sir William A'Beckett, late Chief Justice of the colony of Victoria, died at his residence, Church-road, Upper Norwood, on Sunday last, after a long and severe illness in his 63rd year. He was educated at Westminster, and was called to the Bar, at Lincoln's-inn, in 1829. He was afterwards Solicitor and Attorney-General of New South Wales, and resident Judge of Port Philip, and was Chief Justice of Victoria and Judge of the Admiralty Court there.10
  • 31 Aug 1869: OBITUARY. (From the Peerage.)
    A'BECKETT, Knight Bachel. Created 1852. Sir William A'Beckett, eldest son of William A'Beckett, Esq. (the descendant of an ancient Wiltshire family), and brother of the late Gilbert Abbot A'Beckett, Esq. Born in London, 1806 ; married 1st, 1833, his cousin Emily (she died 1842); 2ndly, 1849, daughter of ---- Haley, Esq., of Melbourne, Port Phillip. Educated at Westminster school ; was called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn, 1829 ; appointed successively Solicitor-General of New South Wales, Attorney-General there, resident Judge at Port Phillip, and Chief Justice of Victoria when that colony received a separate organisation ; was knighted by patent on becoming Chief Justice; is author of " Universal Biography," and of a considerable portion of the " Georgian Era."11

Australian Dictionary of Biography

Sir William à Beckett (1806-1869), chief justice, was born on 28 July 1806 in London, eldest son of William à Beckett, solicitor, and his wife Sarah, née Abbott. He was educated at Westminster School and entered his father's office. Called to the Bar at Lincoln's Inn in 1829 he supported himself for some years by writing. He contributed biographical articles to The Georgian Era (1832-34), produced A Universal Biography (1835) based on published works, and with his brothers Thomas Turner and Gilbert of London Punch published the Censor and the Literary Beacon. On 1 October 1832 at St Pancras, London, he married Emily, daughter of Edward Hayley.
Possibly because of lack of success at the Bar à Beckett migrated with his wife and two sons, his mother-in-law and two more of her daughters, and in May 1837 in the City of Edinburgh arrived at Sydney. There his progress at the Bar was so rapid that in March 1841 he was appointed acting solicitor-general with a salary of £800 and the right of private practice. Although by the date of his call to the Bar he was second in standing in the Supreme Court of New South Wales his appointment was not confirmed by the Colonial Office until March 1843. Next year, when Sir William Burton moved to Madras, à Beckett was commissioned an acting judge of the Supreme Court in July; the permanent judge appointed in England had not arrived in September when the death of the chief justice, Sir James Dowling, created another vacancy, so à Beckett remained on the bench. In 1845 the Colonial Office overruled his appointment and suggested his transfer to Port Phillip as resident judge, a provisional appointment pending decision by the Privy Council on the petition of Judge John Willis that he had been wrongly removed from office. In February 1846 à Beckett accepted his transfer to Melbourne. Although in June the Privy Council advised against Willis's amoval and the Queen revoked his appointment in September, in October à Beckett's position was made permanent.
Emily à Beckett had died in Sydney on 1 June 1841, survived by four sons. They went to Port Phillip with their father and Emily's mother and sisters. On 30 October 1849 à Beckett married Matilda Hayley, the youngest of the family. This marriage to a deceased wife's sister would have been void in England under Lord Lyndhurst's Act of 1835, but Acts of the British parliament passed after 1828 did not apply in New South Wales and the marriage was therefore 'voidable only by sentence of an Ecclesiastical Court'.
à Beckett remained as resident judge until the Supreme Court of Victoria was created by an Act of the Legislative Council on 6 January 1852. On 24 January he was appointed the first chief justice of the new court. The Queen signified her approval and on 24 November conferred a knighthood on him. In that year he published in Melbourne The Magistrates' Manual for the Colony of Victoria and, as 'Colonus', a pamphlet deploring the moral and social effects which the pursuit of gold was producing.
In conducting the business of his court à Beckett won the admiration of the legal profession. His reported judgments show a sound grasp of principle and a capacity to adapt the doctrines of English law to the novel conditions of the colony. The judgments are written in an admirably clear style and most of them, whether delivered in Sydney or Melbourne, survive in printed form. Although no reports were published in Victoria between December 1851 and October 1856, the weekly Victorian Law Times and Legal Observer, which then appeared, included reports of current decisions and some cases decided in 1853-55.
From 1843 à Beckett suffered from some form of paralysis in the legs, reputedly derived from an injury while playing cricket at Lord's. The affliction worsened and in February 1853 he was granted two years leave. With his wife and sons he went to England, where he consulted physicians but found no relief from his condition. However, the family managed to travel on the Continent, à Beckett being lifted into and out of the carriage by his sons. Notes of their tour through Switzerland and Italy were published as Out of Harness (London, 1854).
On his return à Beckett built a substantial two-storied house in Clarendon Street, East Melbourne. In February 1855 he presided over the trial of two of the miners charged with high treason arising out of the rioting at Ballarat, now known as the Eureka Stockade. His charge to the jury favoured a conviction, but popular feeling had more effect with the jury who brought in a verdict of not guilty. In ill health à Beckett retired in February 1857 on a pension of £1500. He lived in Melbourne until 1863 when he moved to England. He lived at Surbiton near Hampton Court Palace and later at Upper Norwood, Surrey, where he died on 27 June 1869.
Throughout his life in Australia à Beckett had continued to write in prose and verse. In Sydney for six months from 12 August 1837 he edited the weekly Literary News and in 1839 he published his Lectures on the Poets and Poetry of Great Britain. While judge he did not think it proper to write under his own name but often contributed to the Port Phillip Herald as 'Malwyn' until the Argus exposed his identity; he then ceased to write for the press. His poem celebrating the safe return of the explorer Ludwig Leichhardt was published in a supplement to the Port Phillip Herald, 2 June 1846, and reprinted in Garryowen, The Chronicles of Early Melbourne. Perusal suggests that à Beckett was no poet, whatever his own opinion may have been. As early as 1824 he had published The Siege of Dunbarton Castle: and Other Poems; it was a failure but he consoled himself with the reflection that a similar experience had not prevented Byron's genius from being later recognized. In England in 1863 he published The Earl's Choice, a long tale in verse, sentimental, priggish and rather boring. à Beckett was also a music lover and a keen patron of the theatre. In 1855 he wrote the prologue declaimed by Gustavus Brooke at the opening of George Coppin's 'Iron Pot' at the Olympic Theatre in Melbourne. He strove nobly to develop cultural life in the young colony, was ever ready to speak at Mechanics' Institutes, and was a staunch supporter of George Rusden in his campaign for the National system of education. A close friend of Bishop Charles Perry he regularly attended divine service, though he was said to have Unitarian leanings. In Melbourne he supported the Total Abstinence League and later in England became vice-president of the United Kingdom Alliance 'to procure the total and immediate legislative suppression of the traffic of Intoxicating Liquors as Beverages'.
A portrait by Henry Moseley, presented by John Dennistoun Wood in 1867, is in the Supreme Court Library, Melbourne.12

Citations

  1. [S55] ADB online, online https://adb.anu.edu.au/
  2. [S7] Registry of NSW Births Deaths and Marriages.
  3. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Wed 31 Oct 1849, p4
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4772298
  4. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 27 Jan 1853, p4.
  5. [S80] Ancestry - Family Tree, "Pastoralists, Politicians and Professionals" pvcow.
  6. [S9] Free BMD. Index. Online @ https://www.freebmd.org.uk/ "Death Sep 1869 William A'Beckett (Croydon) 2a 93 (Age 62)."
  7. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 3 Sep 1869, p4.
  8. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Thu 17 May 1855, p4
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4808209
  9. [S333] Newspaper (England) - Sheffield Daily Telegraph, 2 Jul 1869, p2.
  10. [S333] Newspaper (England) - Oxford University and City Herald, 3 Jul 1869, p14.
  11. [S17] Newspaper - The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW), 31 Aug 1869, p3.
  12. [S55] ADB online, online https://adb.anu.edu.au/, Coppel, E. G., 'à Beckett, Sir William (1806–1869)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/a-beckett-sir-william-2862, accessed 30 June 2012.
  13. [S14] Newspaper - The Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser (NSW), Mon 3 Jun 1839, p3
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/32164319
Last Edited10 Aug 2021

Emily Haley

F, #2853, b. 2 Mar 1810, d. 1 Jun 1841
Father*Edward Hayley b. 4 Dec 1779, d. Jun 1820
Mother*Ann Abbott b. 1779, d. 26 Jan 1853
ChartsDescendants of William A'BECKETT
Married NameA'Beckett. 
Birth*2 Mar 1810 Saint Martin in the Fields, Westminster, London, England, baptism 7 Dec 1810 (C03721-3.)1 
Marriage*1 Oct 1832 Spouse: Sir William A'Beckett. St Pancras, London, England, Emily HALEY and William A'BECKETT are 1st cousins.2
 
Death*1 Jun 1841 Newtown, NSW, Australia, #D1533/1841 V18411533 25B.3 
Death-Notice*4 Jun 1841 At the Grange, Newtown, on Tuesday the 1st June, aged 31 years, EMILY, wife of W. A'BECKETT, Esq., Solicitor-General of New South Wales.4 

Family

 Sir William A'Beckett b. 28 Jul 1806, d. 27 Jun 1869
Children 1.William Arthur Callander A'Beckett+ b. 7 Jul 1833, d. 16 Dec 1901
 2.Malwyn A'Beckett+ b. 24 Oct 1834, d. 25 Jun 1906
 3.Edward Fitzhaley A'Beckett+ b. 16 Apr 1836, d. 25 Mar 1922
 4.Sarah A'Beckett5 b. 31 May 1839, d. 31 May 1839
 5.Reginald Broadhurst A'Beckett+ b. 1 May 1840, d. 15 Aug 1900

Citations

  1. [S31] IGI.
  2. [S55] ADB online, online https://adb.anu.edu.au/
  3. [S7] Registry of NSW Births Deaths and Marriages.
  4. [S14] Newspaper - The Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser (NSW), Fri 4 Jun 1841, p3
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/32189417
  5. [S14] Newspaper - The Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser (NSW), Mon 3 Jun 1839, p3
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/32164319
Last Edited10 Aug 2021

Emma Mills

F, #2854, b. 10 Jan 1838, d. 26 Feb 1906
Emma A'BECKETT (nee MILLS)
(1838-1906)
Father*John Mills b. 1810, d. 24 Aug 1841
Mother*Hannah Hale b. 9 Sep 1821, d. 25 Jun 1911
ChartsDescendants of William A'BECKETT
Married NameA'Beckett. 
Note* Annie Langford. Annie Langford was close to her cousin Emma A'Beckett.1 
Birth*10 Jan 1838 Melbourne, VIC, Australia. [par John MILLS]2 
Marriage*17 Sep 1855 Spouse: William Arthur Callander A'Beckett. VIC, Australia, #M1984.3
 
Marriage-Notice*18 Sep 1855 On the 17th inst., by the Rev. E B. Dickenson, William Arthur Callander A'Beckett, Esq., to Miss Emma Mills.4 
Land-UBeac*6 Sep 1884 PAK-71. Transfer from William Arthur Callander A'Beckett to Emma A'Beckett. 18a 3r 39p.5 
Widow16 Dec 1901She became a widow upon the death of her husband William Arthur Callander A'Beckett.6 
Civil Case*1906 1906/695 The Trustees Executors and Agency Company estate of William Arthur Callander aBeckett Emma aBeckett v William Gilbert aBeckett Arthur Heywood aBeckett Emily aBeckett Backhouse Emma Minnie Boyd Constance Matilda Brett Ethel Beatrice Ysobel Chomley.7 
Death*26 Feb 1906 Brighton, VIC, Australia, #D637 (Age 68) [par John MILLS & Hannah HALL].8 
Death-Notice*27 Feb 1906 A'BECKETT.—On the 26th February, at Wilton, Church-street, Brighton, Emma A'Beckett, widow of the late Hon. W. A. C. A'Beckett.
A'BECKETT.—The Friends of the late Mrs. W. A. C. A'BECKETT are informed that her remains will be interred in the Melbourne Cemetery.
The funeral is appointed to move from her late residence, "Wilton," Church-street, Brighton, THIS DAY (Tuesday, the 27th), at a quarter to 2 o'clock, and proceed to St. Andrew's Church of England, where portion of the burial service will be read, and thence to the cemetery, arriving about -- o'clock.9 
Probate (Will)*9 Apr 1906 Emma A'Beckett. Widow. Brighton. 26 Feb 1906. 98/982. At the time of her death owned Allotment 71, Parish of Pakenham (18 acres) as well as various other small properties.10 
Land-Note*9 Apr 1906 PAK-71. William Gilbert A'Beckett Probate - see citation.11 
Land-UBeac*12 Jun 1907 PAK-71. Transfer from Emma A'Beckett to Adolphe Frederick Seelenmeyer. 18a 3r 39p.12 

Family

 William Arthur Callander A'Beckett b. 7 Jul 1833, d. 16 Dec 1901
Children 1.Emily A'Beckett+ b. 20 Jun 1857, d. 20 Oct 1923
 2.Emma Minnie A'Beckett+ b. 23 Nov 1858, d. 13 Sep 1936
 3.Contance Matilda A'Beckett b. 1860, d. 1944
 4.William Gilbert A'Beckett+ b. 1864, d. 2 Mar 1941
 5.Ethel Beatrice Ysobel A'Beckett+ b. 4 Sep 1866, d. 24 Dec 1940
 6.Arthur Hayward St Thomas A'Beckett b. Jun 1868, d. 9 Apr 1939

Newspaper-Articles

  • 13 Feb 1897: Mrs. W. A. C. A'Beckett, of the Grange, Narre Warren, held a drawingroom meeting on Monday, February 1, for the purpose of discussing woman suffrage. Over thirty guests were present. To suit their convenience they were invited to the Rechabite hall, Berwick. The speakers were Mrs. Bear Crawford, Miss Lister, Mrs. Lowe, and Mrs. A. M. Boyd. Afternoon tea was then served. Among those present were Mrs. and Miss Elmes, Mrs. and Miss Barrows, Mrs. and the Misses Walter, the Misses A'Beckett (Walwyn), Miss Mackie, Miss Jennings, Mrs. Brown, Mrs, Ponder, Miss Higgins, and others. Frances Fitzgerald Elmes, Emma Minnie A'Beckett, Sarah Bamford Elmes, Anna Christiana Walter, Winifred Helen Walter, Ella Clarice Walter13

Citations

  1. [S356] Brenda Niall, The Boyds.
  2. [S80] Ancestry - Family Tree, B8223.
  3. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  4. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 18 Sep 1855, p4.
  5. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1600-991 - William Arthur Callander A'Beckett to Emma A'Beckett - C/T 1607-348.
  6. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online).
  7. [S34] PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), VPRS 267/ P7 unit 1395, item 1906/695.
  8. [S3] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Edwardian Index Victoria 1902-1913.
  9. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 27 Feb 1906, p1.
  10. [S35] Probate Records, PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), VPRS 28/P0, unit 1285; VPRS 28/P2, unit 765; VPRS 7591/P2, unit 391.
  11. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1607-348 Memo 36737 - William Gilbert A'Beckett of "Lansdown," Dandenong Road East St Kilda Barrister-at-Law, and Emma Minnie Boyd of Sandringham Married Woman are registered as proprietors as executors to whom probate of Emma A'Beckett was granted 9 Apr 1906.
  12. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1607-348 - William Gilbert A'Beckett and Emma Minnie Boyd to Adolphe Frederic Seelenmeyer of "Rosecraddock" Hawthorn Road Caulfield Medical Practitioner.
  13. [S14] Newspaper - The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.), Sat 13 Feb 1897, p39
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/139737973
Last Edited13 Jun 2020

Contance Matilda A'Beckett

F, #2855, b. 1860, d. 1944
Father*William Arthur Callander A'Beckett b. 7 Jul 1833, d. 16 Dec 1901
Mother*Emma Mills b. 10 Jan 1838, d. 26 Feb 1906
ChartsDescendants of William A'BECKETT
Married NameBrett.1 
Birth*1860 Prahran, VIC, Australia, #B7287 (as Unnamed Female.)2 
(Witness) Marriage16 Feb 1884 Witness to marriage of: Benjamin Talworth Paine Backhouse and Emily A'Beckett; Christ Church (Church of England), Berwick, VIC, Australia.3
Marriage*1888 Spouse: Frank Pilkington Brett. VIC, Australia, #M4733.1
 
(Witness) Civil Case1906 1906/695 The Trustees Executors and Agency Company estate of William Arthur Callander aBeckett Emma aBeckett v William Gilbert aBeckett Arthur Heywood aBeckett Emily aBeckett Backhouse Emma Minnie Boyd Constance Matilda Brett Ethel Beatrice Ysobel Chomley.4 
Widow1938Contance Matilda A'Beckett became a widow upon the death of her husband Frank Pilkington Brett.1 
Death*1944 South Yarra, VIC, Australia, #D11882 (age 84) - as BRETT.5 

Citations

  1. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online).
  2. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  3. [S27] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Marriages) (online) "#M35/1884, Benjamin Talworth Paine BACKHOUSE & Emily Abeckett ABECKETT."
  4. [S34] PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), VPRS 267/ P7 unit 1395, item 1906/695.
  5. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
Last Edited20 Jul 2018

William Gilbert A'Beckett

M, #2856, b. 1864, d. 2 Mar 1941
Father*William Arthur Callander A'Beckett b. 7 Jul 1833, d. 16 Dec 1901
Mother*Emma Mills b. 10 Jan 1838, d. 26 Feb 1906
ChartsDescendants of William A'BECKETT
Birth*1864 Brighton, VIC, Australia, #B13545.1 
Land-Berwick*9 Jan 1896 BER-Subn-23. Transfer from Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd to William Gilbert A'Beckett. Together with BER-24 (part) - containing 58a 1r 14p.2 
Land-Berwick9 Jan 1896 BER-Subn-23(pt).24(pt). Transfer from Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd to William Gilbert A'Beckett. 58a 1r 14p.3 
Land-Berwick9 Jan 1896 BER-Subn-24 (part). Transfer from Commercial Bank of Australia Ltd to William Gilbert A'Beckett. Together with BER-23 - containing 58a 1r 14p.2 
(Witness) Civil Case1906 1906/695 The Trustees Executors and Agency Company estate of William Arthur Callander aBeckett Emma aBeckett v William Gilbert aBeckett Arthur Heywood aBeckett Emily aBeckett Backhouse Emma Minnie Boyd Constance Matilda Brett Ethel Beatrice Ysobel Chomley.4 
Land-Note*9 Apr 1906 PAK-71. Emma Mills Probate - see citation.5 
Marriage*2 Feb 1907 Spouse: Gertrude Walstab. St Andrew's, Brighton, VIC, Australia, #79.6
 
Marriage-Notice*11 May 1907 A'BECKETT—WALSTAB.--On the 2nd February, at St. Andrew's, Brighton, by the Rev. E. C. Thomson, (brother-in-law of bride), assisted by the Rev. E. A. Crawford, William Gilbert, eldest son of late W. A. C. A'Beckett, to Gertrude, youngest daughter of Mrs. Arthur Walstab, Brighton.7 
Land-Berwick30 Oct 1907 BER-Subn-24 (part). Transfer from William Gilbert A'Beckett to Charles Alexander Stone. Together with BER-23 - containing 58a 1r 14p.8 
Land-Berwick30 Oct 1907 BER-Subn-23. Transfer from William Gilbert A'Beckett to Charles Alexander Stone. Together with BER-24 (part) - containing 58a 1r 14p.8 
Land-UBeac*30 Apr 1908 PAK-130. Transfer from The Union Bank of Australia Limited to William Gilbert A'Beckett. 19a 0r 15p.9 
Death*2 Mar 1941 Toorak, VIC, Australia, #D1790 (Age 76.)10 
Death-Notice*4 Mar 1941 A'BECKETT-On March 2, at 14 Tintern avenue, Toorak, William Gilbert (formerly of The Grange, Berwick), elder son of the late W. A. C. a'Beckett, aged 76 years.
A'BECKETT.- The Friends of the late WILLIAM GILBERT a'BECKETT, J.P., are informed that a service will be conducted by Rev. Ernest Thomson at Christ Church, Berwick, at 3.30 p.m., THIS DAY (Tuesday, 4th March) after which the cortege will proceed to the Berwick Cemetery.11 
Land-Note*28 Mar 1942 PAK-130. William Gilbert a'Beckett died on 2nd March 1941. Probate of his will has been granted to Gertrude a'Beckett Widow Joan Minson Married Woman and William Auncell Keysey a'Beckett Accountant all of 14 Tintern Avenue Toorak.12 
Land-UBeac*26 Oct 1951 PAK-130. Transfer from William Gilbert A'Beckett to Kenneth Boulton Hudson. 19a 0r 15p.13 

Grave

  • 4-001-A+B, Berwick Cemetery, Berwick, VIC, Australia14

Family

 Gertrude Walstab b. 1880, d. Oct 1962
Children 1.Emma Gertrude Joyce A'Beckett b. 1908, d. 2002
 2.William A'Beckett b. 31 May 1909, d. 29 Sep 1909
 3.Joan A'Beckett b. 24 Jul 1910, d. 2009
 4.William Auncell Keycey A'Beckett b. 7 Mar 1912, d. 31 Oct 1987
 5.Arthur Richard Walstab A'Beckett b. 16 Aug 1914, d. 2004

Newspaper-Articles

  • 16 Jan 1907: Then, of engagements, which generally precede marriages, a few announced are interesting:-Mr. William Gilbert A'Beckett, M.A., L.L.M., "Lansdowne," Windsor, eldest son of the late Hon. W. A. C. A'Beckett, and Miss Gertrude Walstab, youngest daughter of the late Mr. Arthur Walstab, of Middle Brighton. Gertrude Walstab15
  • 6 Sep 1909: UNDERVALUATION OF SHIRE LANDS. PAKENHAM. Sunday.
    At the Berwick shire monthly meeting yesterday Cr. a'Beckett moved for the appointment of a valuer to make an equitable valuation of the Berwick riding. He said that land worth £30 to £35 per acre was valued at £10 per acre and less, and pointed out that it was unfair to other ratepayers.
    Cr. Wilson pointed out that this meeting was the first at which Cr. a'Beckett had sat. If Cr. a'Beckett had announced his intention of raising the valuations during his recent election campaign, he would not have occupied a seat at the table.
    Cr. a Beckett persisted in his motion, which was defeated by 7 votes to 4. Cr. Pearson, the other new councillor, voted with the minority.16
  • 8 Dec 1909: TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Will you kindly allow me to correct a false impression that might be conveyed by the report of the discussion at last council meeting on Cr. Beaumont's notice of motion to appoint a permanent valuer for the Berwick riding at a salary of £10 per annum? I refused, in Cr. Beaumont's absence, to adopt the motion, because no competent man would undertake to make a thorough inspection and field valuation of all the properties in the riding for £10. He would justly demand something like £40; and the fact that a permanent appointment was offered would not tempt him—he would have to hold it for five years before he was properly paid for his first year's work. What I advocate is a thorough overhaul of the valuations by a competent, independent man, and then the present system of annual corrections might work satisfactorily for a number of years. I had no intention of saddling the ratepayers with an annual charge of £40.—Yours, etc,
    W. G. A'BECKETT. "The Grange,"
    Berwick, Dec. 7, 1909.17
  • 24 Nov 1910: The Berwick Riding Valuation. -o- Crs. Henty and Martin Hit Out. A Serious Allegation.
    At the Berwick Council Meeting on Saturday, a representative deputation of ratepayers from the Berwick Riding appeared in regard to the new valuation.
    They were appointed at a meeting held at Berwick on Saturday week.
    The standing orders were suspended early in the meeting in order that they could be heard. Among the deputation ists were Cr. Carroll, of Malvern, and ex-Cr. Barr, who were both accommodated with seats at the council table.
    Mr. W. Wilson was the first speaker, and he read the resolution passed at the public meeting in opposition to the new valuation. He understood that the new valuation would remove the existing anomalies, but it contained twenty times as many anomalies as the old one. In township properties there had been an increase of from 200 to 500 per cent above what properties had been actually sold at. Very few of the better class of residential places or farm lands had been valued fairly; they were 40, 50 and 100 per cent above the actual selling price.
    They desired to have the valuation thrown out and the matter placed on a better footing. He did not appose a new valuation, but the valuer had gone to extremes.
    One block that had been sold for £30 was valued at £130. He further pointed out the inconsistency in placing McGinty's and Barker's places as the same valuation.
    Mr. Warmbruhn said that seven years ago he bought a block of land for £50, which was the best offer the then owner could get for it. He spent 30/ on it, and it was now valued at £300. He would be willing to take £100 for it. Its rental value was put down at £15 per year. The thing was exorbitant.
    Mr. O'Niell said he rented the paddock known as Dean's for 17 years at £50 per year and had bought it at £8 per acre. The new valuation made it worth £150 per year.
    Mr Lyons said he was raised from £20 to £40. One of the poorest people in Harkaway was formerly rated at £8, but this had been raised to £18. Land near the post office there had been raised from £6 to £20.
    Mr Sheriff said he had been increased from £10 to £22; it was not a fair thing. Mr Carroll said that no doubt the council had acted in a legal way in making the new valuation, but they could make some compromise to get out of the trouble, or they would have innumerable appeals. Whoever won would lose, for the council would be fighting with the ratepayers' money. A compromise could be arranged without any loss of dignity to any of the parties. The valuation had had the effect of waking the ratepayers up from their slumbers, and although they were now smarting under the injustice done them, some good would result from their deputation.
    Mr. McLennan said his land at Narre Warren carried £3 2/6 rates last year, but the new valuation made it nearly £10. This was a tremendous jump, and put a damper on a new-comer to the district.
    He had not seen the valuer at his place at any time. Mr. Hanley said that land he had bought from Mr. Grice had been raised from £7 10/ to about £10. Another property was risen from £75 to £125, and another from £25 to £35. Naturally he was "bucking" at it. Other land had been raised over 100 per cent. Mr Pearson quoted an increase of from 200 to 400 per cent. He was valued at £20 per acre.
    Cr. a'Beckett—Will you take £20 per acre for it?
    Mr Pearson—That is not a fair question.
    Ex-Cr Barr said no sane man could call the new valuation a fair thing. The valuer had never looked at some of the properties.
    Cr a'Beckett—The valuation would cost £1000 if the valuer had to wait and catch every man at home.
    Ex-Cr Barr—He hurried round to get his money as easily as he could.
    Cr. T. Bourke—That is most unfair.
    Ex-Cr Barr said he did not want to tread on anybody's corns. A property adjoining Cr. a'Beckett's place, without a house on it, was valued at £40; the next place, with an orchard, an 8 or 9-roomed house and sheds, was only a few pounds higher.
    Dr Langmore said he had not met a man who supported the new valuation. Some valuations were most iniquitous.
    Cr Beaumont said the Council should not let the deputation depart without giving them what redress they could. It appeared that they could not cast the new valuation aside, so they should take the next best step, and appoint a committee, comprising the Berwick Riding members and one councillor from each of the other ridings, with Mr. John Brown, the ex-valuer, to go into the matter. The Council had to safeguard the revenue, and they would be faced with a large number of appeals that they would lose. The new valuation was iniquitous and incongruous.
    The suggestion was agreed to, being seconded by the President, who said he felt sure that some mistake had been made. The course suggested was the only way out of the difficulty.
    C r. a'Beckett rose to make a personal explanation. He had been blamed for the new valvation, which was considered to be an injustice. His name had been mentioned a good deal, and it was brought before a meeting of ratepayers held at Berwick, and he had been told that if he now went before the retepayers he would be cast from his seat as a councillor. The valuation was not satisfactory, and would have to be remedied. When he first entered the Council it was the general opinion that a new valuation was wanted.
    There had not been a valuation for 10 years, and this state of affairs was not complying with the spirit of the Local Government Act. The collection of rates was the basis of all business of the Council. They knew that some places were over-rated and that some were undervalued, and they should try and remedy this state of things. More revenue was needed, as in the Bcrwick Riding they only had £100 to spend. Land values had gone up in 19 years. Cr Riley had come into the Council on a wave of reform and supported him (Cr. a'Beckett) for that reason——
    Cr Riley—That is not so. I acted on my own convictions.
    Cr a'Beckett said he had spoken to Mr Brown about a valuation, and he found that Mr Brown's view was that a property right along side a railway station was not worth more than a similar property some distance from the line.
    Cr Beaumont—That's a mistake. No one would say such a thing.
    Cr a'Beckett—I got that idea from Mr Brown's conversation. Speaking to Mr Mulcahy, he found that that gentleman had wholesome views on the question of valuing, and he supported his appointment. He must admit that he was disappointed with the result. He did not want any startling valuation; he was not a kite flier. He wanted a reasonable modification of the old valuation. In the new valuation some people in the township were very much overrvalued, and they had his sympathy, but he thought the larger properties around the town needed to be raised in their valuation. The mistakes in the new valuation were not so glaring in the out side places. Mr Mulcahy fell in because he wanted to do what was right, but he took on too much, and should have modified his views on hearing the views of other people.
    Cr Riley—He is not an independent man then.
    The President—We are arriving at nothing.
    Cr a'Beckett said this was a serious matter. The valuer was entitled to get all the information he could. It had been stated that there was no need to raise more rates in the Berwick Riding, but, for one thing, money was needed to improve the roads at Narre Warren.
    The President—Confine yourself to the valuation.
    Cr a'Beckett—I want to make my actions clear on this matter. They should not blame him for what the valuer had done.
    The President—No councillor blames you.
    Mr W. Wilson said that two valuations had been altered in pencil since the valuation was put in.
    Mr Wilson went and got the valuation book, and said it was a well known fact that Cr a'Beckett's valuation was brought down to £75. It was a very serious thing.
    Cr a'Beckett—That is not a fact. Mine is raised to £85.
    Cr Martin—This is not the time to introduce a matter of that sort. If an alteration had been made it should be reported and properly investigated.
    Cr Henty said he would like to say a few words to justify the action of the Council in regard to the new valuation. It was not correct, as Mr W. Wilson was reported in the Berwick paper to have said, that Crs Beaumont and Riley were not responsible for the appointment of Mr. Mulcahy. Neither was Cr Riley correct in saying, "We opposed the appointment and could do no more." Those and other statements made were absolutely wrong. The motion for the appointment of the valuer was by Crs a'Beckett and Riley, and it was carried. If there had been any great opposition to the motion the Council would not have carried it. It was the general practice, when two members for a riding were in favor of a certain course, to vote with the majority. There would have been no new valuation if Crs Beaumont and Riley had been against it. Mr Wilson had said that Cr Beaumont had opposed the appointment of Mr Mulcahy, but as a matter of fact the Berwick Riding members had the opportunity of appointing whoever they pleased, but they reduced the number of applicants for the position to three, and then asked the other councillors to vote with them for one of the three. Mr Mulcahy got the greatest number of votes. It was capable for the Berwick Riding members to have struck Mr Mulcahy's name out of the list of candidates if they had so wished. The appointment of Mr Mulcahy was moved by Cr aBeckett and seconded by Cr Beaumont. It was in the minutes and anybody could see it.
    Mr Wilson (to Cr Henty)—My reference at the meeting was to the time the valuation was first mooted. I laid great stress on that fact.
    Cr Thos Bourke supported the remarks of Cr Henry as to the statements reported in the Berwick paper. When the appointment of the valuer was referred to the other councillors they did the best they could, and he for one would vote in the same way again. Mr. Mulcahy was honest, spright and just. He might make mistakes the same as any other man. They had come to the best conclusion they could in endeavoring to settle the matter. It was clear from the important deputation that something was wrong. If put to the vote he would have to vote to reject the valuation. If the anomalies could be rectified, well and good.
    Mr. W. Wilson—I don't impute any dishonesty, and give the valuer credit for doing his best. I would not wish that to be thought of me for one single minute.
    Cr. Martin said he always held the opinion that a new valuation was necessary for the Berwick Riding. It was unfortunate that the valuer was appointed at a time when the values of land were high and when there was going to be depreciation in the value of property. He was sorry to think there was occasion to call so many away from their work to attend the Council meeting. All valuations had their imperfections, but the deputation should not go away with the idea that there would be a much reduced valuation.
    Cr Carroll had spoken of dignity in connection with this matter, but a rich riding like Berwick Riding should be in funds. That day they owned £200 to their banker. They should not live on the other ridings. If there was one riding in the Shire that adopted a cheese-paring policy it was the Berwick Riding. Only a short time ago the members of that riding went to the Public Works Department for money. (To the Deputation—You men that own some of the finest land in the State.) They asked for money to enable them to carry out necessary works. Every one knew that low valuation of land was a mistake. It was better to have a fair one. They would have by the new valuation, £286 to spend for the next twelve months. They could spend a quarter of that on the boundaty road between Berwick and Beaconsfield. It was a disgrace.
    He contradicted the statement made at the public tmeeting that he seconded the motion for the new valuation.
    Mr Wilson he referred to 12 months ago.
    Cr Martin said he might have done so then. As far as Mr Mulcahy was concerned, they seemed to want to shift the onus off the Berwick riding members.
    John Mulcahy was known as "Honest John," and to-day he was an honest man. He would like that fact to go forth. He would not like anything to go out that would place a slur on Mr Mulcahy as a valuer. The Council could not reduce the new valuation to the extent some of them thought if the public works necessary for the riding were to be carried out.
    Cr Riley—Part of the discussion has developed into an election meeting——
    Cr a'Beckett (sharply, to Cr. Riley) Are you alluding to me ?
    Cr RIiley—No. I made a mistake in what Mr Wilson said at the meeting. He (the speaker) wanted a proper and equitable valuation, one in which the man on each side of the fence slould pay the same. He objected to the valuation, as it deserved to be objected to. He knew that Mr Mulcahy was honest in his convictions.
    Cr a'Beckett—I would like the secretary to read out what my new valuation is.
    The secretary (reading from the valuation book)—£85.
    Mr. W. Wilson—Cr a'Beckett is not right. This is too glaring altogether. (He picked up the book and slammed it on the table). I need not say any more about it.
    A motion for the appointment of the committee suggested was then put and carried.
    Mr Wilson thanked the Council for the attentive hearing the deputation had received, and they then withdrew.
    Further reference was made to this matter at a later stage of the meeting.
    Cr Martin said it would be necessary to send a notice to each ratepayer in the Berwick Riding, informing him on what days the committee would sit. He thought that any appeals would be confined to the Court of Petty Sessions. He moved to that effect.
    The motion was seconded by Cr James. It was only a fair thing to do.
    Cr a'Beckett said they should decide on the procedure to be followed at the inquiry.
    Cr. T. Bourke—It is in the hands of the committee.
    Cr Beaumont—Can't this remain in abeyance. The committee can deal with appeals.
    Cr Martin explained the procedure adopted by the Melbourne City Council.
    The Council agreed to reduce the valuation in certain cases, and there was no need for ratepayers thus dealt with to appear in Court. The Court initialled the reductions agreed to and the thing was all over.
    The motion suggested was, after some further discussion carried in the names of Crs Beaumont and a'Beckett.
    The reference to pencil marks in the valuation book, having a decidedly sinister meaning, led our representative to speak to Mr. Mulcahy, the valuer, on the subject. In reply to a question, Mr. Mulcahy said that an alteration was made by him in Cr. a'Beckett's valuation several days prior to the October meeting of the Berwick Council, and it was done in ink, the valuation being raised a little. He intended, prior to that Council meeting, to re-adjust Cr. Riley's valuation, intending to reduce it on account of low lying land in the property, and he waited until the morning of the meeting referred to in order to find out the exact area of the low portion. Having found this out from Cr. Riley he proceeded to make the alteration, and went into the library of the Pakenham Hall to do so. Cr. Carney was with him at the time. He asked that councillor for a pen, but he could only get him an indelible pencil, and it was with this that the alteration was made.
    Cr. Riley was in the room while it was done. Concluding, Mr. Mulcahy said, "When the alterations I mention were made the valuation book was in my possession, and I had every right to amend it in any way I thought fit before I handed it over to the Council." Thomas Jefferson Riley, George Wilson Martin18
  • 11 Feb 1914: TELEPHONE SERVICE. To the Editor. Sir, — All those who are interested in the extension of the telephone system in this district will be pleased to learn (as reported in your last issue) that further facilities are about to be accorded to Upper and Lower Beaconsfield-that the former is connected by a metallic circuit with the Berwick post office and that the latter is also to be linked on. I am not, however, so clear that the two Beaconsfields will gain anything by cutting into the main line direct instead of through the Berwick exchange. I believe it is generally recognised that Berwick users of the telephone get through to the city with excellent dispatch, and so Beaconsfield subscribers will fare no better than at present as the competition will not be any less. I fear, however, that the creation of exchanges at Lower and Upper Beaconsfield, instead of subscribers in those districts being connected direct with the Berwick exchange, may postpone for many years to come the establishment of a "continuous" (all day and night) service for the district generally. This would be a great disappointment to those people living at a distance from the doctor who have been looking forward to the feeling of security (not only for them selves and families, but for their neighbors also, whom they are glad to accommodate) given by a day and night service. But if a number of small exchanges are established, an officer at each would be necessary, and this would increase the cost of the service to such an extent that it would take a great number of subscribers to make it possible. I hope that the progressive residents of the two Beaconsfields will see this in its true light, and realise that by coming on the Berwick exchange they will be best serving their own interests and hastening the day when the whole district will have a day and night service. Yours faithfully, W. G. A'BECKETT. Feb. 10, 1914.19
  • 4 Mar 1941: Obituary - MR. W. G. a'BECKETT
    Mr. William Gilbert a'Beckett died at his home, 14 Tintern av., Toorak, on Sunday night at the age of 76 years. The late Mr. a'Beckett, who was elder son of the late Mr. W. A. C. a'Beckett, and grandson of the late Sir William a'Beckett (first Chief Justice), was born at Brighton in 1864. He was educated at the Melbourne Grammar School, obtained his M.A. degree at Jesus College, Cambridge, and his degree of LL.M. at Trinity College, Melbourne.
    During his residence of 30 years at The Grange, Berwick, he was a member of the Shire council for 18 years, and also justice of the peace. He was one of the oldest members of the Melbourne Club, V.R.C., and Royal Melbourne Golf Club. He devoted much time and energy to patriotic and public movements, including the Returned Soldiers' Association, and schools, and was a lay reader of the Church of England, and a member of Synod for Christ Church, Berwick.
    He is survived by his widow, daughter of the late Mr. Arthur Walstab, and four children, Mr. W. A. K. a'Beckett, Lieutenant A. R. a'Beckett (A.I.F.), Mrs. Norman Barrett, and Mrs. Wilfrid Minson.
    The funeral will take place at Berwick Cemetery to-day after a service at Christ Church, Berwick, at 3.30 p.m., conducted by Rev. Ernest Thomson.
    Arrangements in the hands of A. A. Sleight Pty. Ltd.20

Citations

  1. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  2. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1697-227 - William Gilbert A'Beckett of Narre Worran Barrister at Law - see C/T 2607-213.
  3. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1697-227 - William Gilbert a'Beckett of Narre Worran Barrister at law - title cancelled C/T 2607-213.
  4. [S34] PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), VPRS 267/ P7 unit 1395, item 1906/695.
  5. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1607-348 Memo 36737 - William Gilbert A'Beckett of "Lansdown," Dandenong Road East St Kilda Barrister-at-Law, and Emma Minnie Boyd of Sandringham Married Woman are registered as proprietors as executors to whom probate of Emma A'Beckett was granted 9 Apr 1906.
  6. [S3] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Edwardian Index Victoria 1902-1913.
  7. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 11 May 1907, p13.
  8. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2607-213 - Charles Alexander Stone of Woodstock West farmer.
  9. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2407-229 - William Gilbert A'Beckett of Narre Warren Barrister at law.
  10. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
  11. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 4 Mar 1941, p4.
  12. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2407-229 - William Gilbert a'Beckett died on 2nd March 1941. Probate of his will has been granted to Gertrude a'Beckett Widow Joan Minson Married Woman and William Auncell Keysey a'Beckett Accountant all of 14 Tintern Avenue Toorak.
  13. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2407-229 - Kenneth Boulton Hudson of Beaconsfield Motor Engineer.
  14. [S44] Index of burials in the cemetery of Berwick,.
  15. [S14] Newspaper - Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW), 16 Jan 1907, p40.
  16. [S16] Newspaper - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), Mon 6 Sep 1909, p8
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/198470687
  17. [S12] Newspaper - South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic.), Wed 8 Dec 1909, p3
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66201062
  18. [S12] Newspaper - South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic.), Thu 24 Nov 1910, p3
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/66202747
  19. [S19] Newspaper - Berwick Shire News and Pakenham and Cranbourne Gazette (Berwick, Vic.), 11 Feb 1914, p2.
  20. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 4 Mar 1941, p5.
Last Edited5 Apr 2022

Ethel Beatrice Ysobel A'Beckett

F, #2857, b. 4 Sep 1866, d. 24 Dec 1940
Father*William Arthur Callander A'Beckett b. 7 Jul 1833, d. 16 Dec 1901
Mother*Emma Mills b. 10 Jan 1838, d. 26 Feb 1906
ChartsDescendants of William A'BECKETT (#1)
Descendants of William A'BECKETT (#2)
Married NameChomley. 
Note* Frances Fitzgerald Elmes. Ethel Beatrice Ysobel Chomley and Frances Fitzgerald Elmes were close friends. 
Birth*4 Sep 1866 Berwick, VIC, Australia, #B19798.1 
Birth-Notice*6 Sep 1866 A'BECKETT.—On the 4th inst., at Berwick, the wife of W. A. C. A'Beckett, Esq., of a daughter.2 
Marriage*16 Jun 1891 Spouse: Charles Henry Chomley. All Saints' Church, St Kilda, VIC, Australia, #M2699 (they were 2nd cousins as well as 3rd cousins.)3
 
Marriage-Notice*29 Jun 1891 CHOMLEY—A'BECKETT.—On the 16th inst., at All Saints', St. Kilda, by the Rev. Canon Gregory, Charles Henry Chomley, barrister-at-law, elder son of H. B. Chomley, Warrnambool, to Ethel Beatrice Ysobel, youngest daughter of the Hon. W. A. C. A'Beckett, of Penleigh-house, Wilts, England, and The Grange, Berwick, Victoria, and granddaughter of the late Sir William A'Beckett, first Chief Justice of Victoria.4,5 
Note*3 Sep 1901 Winifred Helen Walter. Mrs C H Chomley was a guest at the wedding. 
(Witness) Civil Case1906 1906/695 The Trustees Executors and Agency Company estate of William Arthur Callander aBeckett Emma aBeckett v William Gilbert aBeckett Arthur Heywood aBeckett Emily aBeckett Backhouse Emma Minnie Boyd Constance Matilda Brett Ethel Beatrice Ysobel Chomley.6 
Death*24 Dec 1940 5 Ladbroke Gardens, Kensington, London, England. 
Death-Notice27 Dec 1940 CHOMLEY.—On Christmas Eve, 1940, suddenly, at 5, Ladbroke Gardens, W.11, ETHEL BEATRICE YSOBEL, dearly loved wife of C. H. CHOMLEY, formerly of Melbourne, aged 74. Service to-morrow (Saturday) at Golders Green Crematorium, at 10.30 a.m.7 
Death-Notice*17 Jan 1941 CHOMLEY.—Suddenly, on Christmas Eve, at 5 Ladbroke Gardens, London, England, Ethel, wife of Charles Henry Chomley, of "The British Australian and New Zealander" newspaper, London, and formerly of Melbourne.8 

Electoral Rolls (Australia) and Census (UK/IRL)

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
2 Apr 191171 Kingston Lane, Teddington, London, England(Head of Household) Charles Henry Chomley;
Age 44 - married 19 years, 4 children living
Member(s) of Household: Isla A'Beckett Chomley, Ethel Frances A'Beckett Chomley, Arthur Charles A'Beckett Chomley, Betty A'Beckett Chomley9
1939Old Rectory Llanhennock, Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales(Head of Household) Geoffrey Ford Rainforth;
born 4 Sep 1866 - incapacitated
Member(s) of Household: Ethel Sara Fawkner Janet Frances Knight10

Family

 Charles Henry Chomley b. 28 Apr 1868, d. 21 Oct 1942
Children 1.Isla A'Beckett Chomley b. 1892
 2.Ethel Frances A'Beckett Chomley+ b. 29 May 1893
 3.Arthur Charles A'Beckett Chomley+ b. 27 Jul 1895, d. 1961
 4.Betty A'Beckett Chomley b. 1900

Newspaper-Articles

  • 19 Jun 1891: CHOMLEY—A'BECKETT.—The marriage of Miss Ethel B. Y. a'Beckett, youngest daughter of the Hon. W. A. C. a'Beckett, "Penleigh House," Wiltshire, and "The Grange," Victoria, grand-daughter to the late Sir William a'Beckett, first Chief Justice of Victoria, to Mr. C. H. Chomley, eldest son of Mr. H. B. Chomley, of Warrnambool, and grandson of the Hon. T. T. a'Beckett, of Brighton, was solemnised at All Saints' Church, St. Kilda, on Tuesday, June 16. The marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev. Canon Gregory. The bride's gown was composed of ivory duchesse brocade, trimmed with point d'Aleneon. She wore a topaz brooch set with rare pearls, an heirloom, the gift of the bridegroom, and carried a beautiful bouquet. The bridesmaids were the Misses Alice, Edith and Emily a'Beckett, Miss Elms, and the Misses Nellie Beecher and Isabel Backhouse, who wore pretty frocks of cream cashmere, garnished with feather trimming, and gold passementerie, felt hat trimmed with feathers. They each wore gold bar brooches, the gift of the bridegroom. About 100 guests were present, chiefly members of the family and connections. The bride has a very handsome and complete trousseau from Paris. The presents were numerous and costly, the following being a complete list :
    Mrs. W. A. C. A'Beckett, Limoge dinner service, French china tea, English china dessert services, pair of terra cotta figures and house linen. Mr. W. A. C. a'Beckett, upright grand piano. Hon. T. T. a'Beckett, cheque. Mrs. T. T. A'Beckett, cheque, Mr. and Mrs. D. M. Chomley, silver serviette rings. Mrs. Weigall, dining-room clock. Mr. Justice and Mrs. A'Beckett, chest of plate. Mr. and Mrs. Theyre A'B. Weigall, case of carvers. Dr. and Mrs. Weigall, Royal Devon jardineres. Mr. and Mrs. F. R. Godfrey, crystal and silver fruit stand. Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Higgins, vase of Doulton ware. Mr. Edward a'Beckett, silver egg boiler. Mr. T. a' Beckett, Hungarian fruit basket. Miss Palmer, rose fairy lamps. Miss V. Loveling, silver fish slice and fork (old French). Madame Moussempes, chocolate cups and saucers, The Misses a'Beckett, cheese and butter stand, Mrs. S. Backhouse, occasional table. Mr. E. W. Outtwaite, egg boiler. Dr. and Mrs. Springthorpe, egg stand. Mrs. and Miss Boyd, urns and spirit stand. Mr. and Mrs. Bowes Kelly, oak and silver tray. Mrs. H. Robinson, Japanese bowl. Mr. S. P. Thompson, bronze ornament. Dr. and Mrs. Inglis, case of carvers. Mr. and Mrs. H. Jennings, cake and flower basket. Miss Blanche Beecher, card receiver. Miss J. S. McKessar, silver table lamp. Messrs. W. L. and G. Weigall, silver salt cellars. Mrs. M. a'Beckett' shaded candlestick. Mr. and Mrs. John Inglis, pair of bronze urns. Mr. W. D. Chomley, vase of Doulton ware. Mr. and Mrs. Talbot Hamilton, silver tea tray. Dr. and Mrs. Kenny, sugar and cream stand. Mrs. Reginald a'Beckett, glove and handkerchief sachets. Masters G. G. a'Beckett, photo frame. Mrs. H. F. Chomley, preserve stand. Mr. H. A. Chomley, engraving. Mr. E. L. Millar, breakfast cruet. Mr. Albert a'Beckett, parasol with gold mount. Miss Morris, case of serviette rings. Mr. and Miss Robinson, butter dish. Mr. C. H. Beecher, Bonares ash trays. Miss Hawley, jacket, Miss Pitcairn, flower basket. Miss Alice Yencken, Indian table cloth. Mrs. T. Burder Backhouse, ruby salt cellars. Miss Isabel Backhouse, ruby jugs. Charles Henry Chomley11

Citations

  1. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  2. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 6 Sep 1866, p4.
  3. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online).
  4. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 29 Jun 1891, p1.
  5. [S333] Newspaper (England) - Home News for India, China and the Colonies (London), 26 Jun 1891, p29.
  6. [S34] PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), VPRS 267/ P7 unit 1395, item 1906/695.
  7. [S333] Newspaper (England) - England, Andrews Newspaper Index Cards, 1790-1976, 27 Dec 1940.
  8. [S14] Newspaper - Kalgoorlie Miner (WA), Fri 17 Jan 1941, p4.
  9. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "Class: RG14; Piece: 3571; Schedule Number: 412."
  10. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "The National Archives; Kew, London, England; 1939 Register; Reference: RG 101/7480L."
  11. [S14] Newspaper - Table Talk (Melbourne, Vic.), Fri 19 Jun 1891, p8
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/147285070
Last Edited12 Nov 2022

Arthur Hayward St Thomas A'Beckett

M, #2858, b. Jun 1868, d. 9 Apr 1939
Father*William Arthur Callander A'Beckett b. 7 Jul 1833, d. 16 Dec 1901
Mother*Emma Mills b. 10 Jan 1838, d. 26 Feb 1906
ChartsDescendants of William A'BECKETT
Birth*Jun 1868 Berwick, VIC, Australia, #B21682.1 
Marriage*1898 Spouse: Beatrice Isobel Windsor. VIC, Australia, #M4050.2
 
(Witness) Civil Case1906 1906/695 The Trustees Executors and Agency Company estate of William Arthur Callander aBeckett Emma aBeckett v William Gilbert aBeckett Arthur Heywood aBeckett Emily aBeckett Backhouse Emma Minnie Boyd Constance Matilda Brett Ethel Beatrice Ysobel Chomley.3 
Widower24 Dec 1938Arthur Hayward St Thomas A'Beckett became a widower upon the death of his wife Beatrice Isobel Windsor.4 
Death*9 Apr 1939 Bunyip, VIC, Australia, #D14284 (age 71.)5 
Death-Notice*10 Apr 1939 A'BECKETT.—On the 9th April, at his residence, Ballintrae, Bunyip, Arthur Heywood, younger son of the late Hon. W. A. C. a'Beckett, aged 71 years.6 

Newspaper-Articles

  • 10 Apr 1939: Obituary MAJOR A. H. a'BECKETT
    Major Arthur Hayward a'Beckett, of Ballintrae, Bunyip, who died yesterday at the age of 71 years, was the younger son of the late Hon. William Arthur Calander a'Beckett. He was born at Narre Warren.
    Mrs. a'Beckett died in December last. In England Major a'Beckett was a captain in the Antrim Artillery. He came to Australia before the war and enlisted with the A.I.F., and was at the landing at Gallipoli. He left Australia as a lieutenant and returned as a major in 1919.
    The remains will be cremated at the Springvale Crematorium to-morrow afternoon. The cortege will leave Sleight's chapel, St. Kilda road, at 2.15 p.m. A service will be conducted by the Bishop of Gippsland (Dr. Cranswick) and the Rural Dean of Warragul (the Rev. C. Woodhouse) at the crematorium chapel at 3 p.m.7
  • 24 Nov 1939: Alleged Testamentary Incapacity. Melbourne Thursday. Alleging that her uncle, Arthur A'Beckett, aged 71, of Bunyip, did not possess testamentary capacity, Miss Ellen Backhouse, of East Melbourne, to-day in the Supreme Court challenged his last will in which he left his £51,362 estate equally to the Children's Hospital, Austin Hospital and the Anglicen Deaconesses Home, after providing £130 to relatives.
    The hearing was adjourned.8
  • 29 Nov 1939: MENTAL FAILURE ALLEGED. Dispute Over Will.
    Allegations that during the last year of his life Arthur Heywood a'Beckett, late of Ballentrae, Bunyip, suffered a complete mental failure were made in the Banco Court yesterday.
    Mr. a'Beckett's niece, Miss Ellen Yolande Backhouse, of Paxton street, East Malvern, is opposing the grant of probate of his will on the ground that he lacked testamentary capacity when the will was made.
    Mr. a'Beckett died on April 9, aged 71 years, and left assets valued at about £41,000. Apart from small legacies to two cousins and a nephew, he left his estate to the Austin Hospital, the Children's Hospital, and the Church of England Deaconesses' Home at Sale.
    Dr. E G. Coppel, senior counsel for Miss Bckhouse, said that he would call evidence that Mr. a'Beckett had suffered, almost a complete loss of memory of recent events. An old friend would say that during the last year of Mr. a'Beckett's life there was a complete mental failure.
    A nurse who attended Mr. a'Beckett during his illness in February, would describe his condition of melancholia. Miss Florence a'Beckett, who had looked after him for a number of years, and who had had 30 years' nursing experience, would say that during 1938 his mind broke down.
    Other relatives would speak of his mental failure.
    It was conceded that, at the time the will was made, Mr a'Beckett might have appeared to be acting like a normal man, added Dr Coppel. It was plain, how ever, that when he gave instructions to a bank manager for the will he was obvious incapable, and the bank manager had finally admitted that.
    The hearing will be continued to-day.
    Mr Ham K.C. and Mr T.W. Smith (instructed by Messrd Malleson, Stewart, Stawell, and Nankivell) are appearing for the propounders of the will and Dr Coppel and Mr P D Phillips (by Messrs Snowden Neave and Demain as agent for Mr S B Backhouse of Oakleigh) for Miss Backhouse.9
  • 30 Nov 1939: "WEPT ALL DAY". Will Case Evidence
    Evidence that after his wife's death, Arthur Heywood a'Beckett, late of Ballantrae, Bunyip, "did nothing but remain on the homestead and weep all day" was given before Mr. Justice Lowe in the Banco Court yesterday.
    The witness was James Cantlin, who said that he managed Ballintrae for a'Beckett.
    a'Beckett's last will which was made in March, is being challenged by his niece, Miss Ellen Yolande Backhouse, of Paxton street, East Malvern, mainly on the ground of lack of testamentary capacity.
    a'Beckett died in April, and, apart from three small legacies, he left his £41,000 estate to three charitable institutions.
    Cantlin said that from January, 1938, to August 1938, a'Beckett's mentality definitely weakened, and he took little interest in the estate. His condition became worse after his wife's death at the end of the year. On one occasion when crying, a'Beckett told witness that he did not know how he was going to pay the medical and funeral expenses of his wife.
    Witness said that a'Beckett did not seem "too good" the day he made his last will, and had not been well for a long time.
    Mrs. Georgina Beveridge, a trained nurse of 14 years' experience, said that she nursed a'Beckett for a fortnight in February last. As his heart condition improved his mental condition grew rapidly worse.
    The hearing will be continued to-day.10
  • 1 Dec 1939: "NOT PROMISED ANYTHING". Woman and Will
    A sister-in-law of Arthur Heywood a'Beckett, late of Ballintrae, Bunyip, denied in the Banco Court yesterday that she had been promised something if a'Beckett's last will were upset.
    The witness, Mrs. Violet Wilkinson, of Stanhope street, Malvern, gave evidence in support of the case for Miss Ellen Yolande Backhouse, of Paxton street, East Malvern, a'Beckett s niece who has lodged a caveat against the grant of probate of the will principally on the ground of testamentary incapacity.
    a'Beckett died in April, and by his will, which was made in March, he left his £41,000 estate to three charitable institutions, apart from three small legacies.
    Mrs. Wilkinson, cross-examined by Mr. Ham, K.C. (leading counsel for the propounders of the will) said that she would not say that a'Beckett was insane early this year, but he was mentally affected.
    When she heard that the will was to be opposed she offered to give evidence and say what she knew. She had been told
    that she was a beneficiary under a previous will, but she did not know that when she made her statement.
    Mr. Ham.—Were you promised anything if the will were upset?
    Mrs. Wilkinson.—No.
    Witness said that a'Beckett's manager had told her that a'Beckett was going to provide for her in his will, and she was disappointed when she found that he had not.
    Mr. Ham.—If he had left you well provided for you would have thought that the will was perfectly proper?
    Mrs. Wilkinson.—No, not in my own mind.
    But you would have taken the money?
    —Yes, and so would you.
    The hearing will be continued to-day.11
  • 13 Dec 1939: WILL CASE WITNESS TOLD LIE. Admission In Court
    Recalled by the propounders for the £40,000 will of Arthur Heywood a'Beckett, 71, late of "Ballintrae," Bunyip, which is, being contested by his spinster niece, a witness for the caveatrix in the Banco Court today admitted to Mr Justice Lowe that he had told a lie when in the witness box earlier.
    Miss Ellen Yolandc Backhouse, of Paxton Street. East Malvern, is challenging the will on four grounds, one of which alleges testamentary incapacity. All of the estate, with the exception of £150, was left to charity.
    The testator, who died on April 9 this year after having drawn his will on March 16, was a grandson of the first Chief Justice of Victoria (Sir William a'Beckett). The propounders are Messrs Edward John Hamilton and Alfred Gordon Allard, of Melbourne.
    When hearing of the case, which began several weeks ago, was resumed today, James Cantlin, manager, of "Ballintrae," was asked whether a man named Ted Brown, who worked for Mr a'Beckett, was his son, and what he (Cantlin) had done with cheques for cream sent to Longwarry Butter Factory from 'Ballintrae."
    QUESTIONS ALLOWED
    Doctor E. G. Coppel (for the caveatrix) objected on the ground of irrelevancy, but after argument, His Honor allowed the questions, and added that the cross-examination would probably go to the credibility or otherwise of the witness.
    His Honor said that as he recalled earlier evidence, Cantlin had said Ted Brown was not his son.
    To Mr T. W. Smith (for the propounders), Cantlin said he was married in 1907, and had a son of that marriage, Edwin James, who was born in 1908 at Euroa.
    You registered him as your son? —
    Yes.
    You were asked when in the box earlier in the case about the person named Ted Brown, and you said he was not your son. Is he not, in fact, the Edwin James you registered as your son? — Yes.
    Asked by His Honor why he said earlier he was not his son, Cantlin replied: "He adopted the name 'Ted Brown' two or three years ago, and I did not want to do him an injury by saying he was not Ted Brown. He might not be able to get a job again in the district."
    CHEQUES FOR CREAM
    After Cantlin had told His Honor that the statement he made previously was a lie, he told Mr Smith that he recollected telling Mr Ham he had no cows of his own. That statement was correct. He did not have any cattle of his own in July or August this year and the cream he sent to the Longwarry butter factory in August came from the cows on "Ballintrae."
    He received cheques for the cream but did not give the cheques to the executors of the estate. The cheques were made out in his name.
    His Honor: What have you done with the cheques for the cream? —
    I cashed them and the money is there. Mr Smith: The cream was sent in your name, J. Cantlin, and you received the cheques and cashed them. —Yes.
    Dr. Coppel: Have you any claims for expenses against the estate since Mr a'Beckett died? — Only my wages. In reply to further questions, Cantlin said he had been paid pretty regularly and that he received about 30/ a week for the cream since some time in August up to now. He put the money from the cream into his own account at the bank and it was still there. There had been no other in come from the farm apart from the cream.
    He had not settled any cream accounts with the executors, who did not know he was paying the money into his own account. He did not think he had been asked for cream or other accounts at any time.
    EVIDENCE COMPLETED
    Witness said he had nothing to do directly with his son obtaining employment at "Ballintrae." He did not see him until he had got the job under the name of Ted Brown.
    Counsels addresses then began.
    Messrs Wilbur Ham, K.C.. And T. W. Smith (instructed by Matleson, Stewart, Stawell and Nankivell) appeared for the propounders, and Dr. E. G. Coppel with Mr P. D. Phillips (by Snowden, Heave and Domain, as agents for Mr S. Backhouse, Oakleigh) for the caveatrix.12
  • 23 Dec 1939: WILL VALID. Probate Granted
    Finding that, at the time he made his will, Arthur Heywood a'Beckett had the necessary testamentary capa city, Mr. Justice Lowe, in a reserved judgment in the Banco Court yesterday, made absolute an order nisi for
    the removal of the caveat and granted probate of the will. The late Mr. a'Beckett, who resided at Ballintrae, Bunyip, was 71 years old when he died on April 19. He left an estate of approximately £41,000 net, and by a will executed about a month before his death, he made pro vision for small legacies to two cousins and a nephew, and directed that the residue of his estate should be divided into three equal parts, one-third to go to the Children's Hospital, one-third to the Austin Hospital, and the re maining third to the Church of England Deaconesses' Home at Sale. Against the grant of probate a ca veat was lodged by Miss Ellen Yol-lande Backhouse, a niece of testator, chiefly on the ground that testator lacked testamentary capacity. The hearing extended over a long period and involved the calling of very many witnesses. In his judgment yesterday, his Honor reviewed the history of the case. He said that shortly before his death tes tator had suffered from the effects of thrombosis, which probably led to cerebral haemorrhage, and thereby caused his death. He did not leave any children, and had as his next of kin four sisters and one brother. A brother and three sisters survived him. The evidence showed that for many years a'Beckett had been estranged from his sisters. There was evidence that testator considered that his bro ther and his brother's family had ne glected him for some time and also during the illness of his wife. The provisions of the will were not unrea sonable in themselves. Testator had provided legacies for three relatives, and the proceeds of the residue of his property were left substantially in three equal parts for three charities. In the last will testator made a substantial departure from the provisions of his previous testamentary dispositions.
    Testamentary Capacity The real objection to the will, continued his Honor, and the one upon which the whole fight had proceeded, was want of testamentary capacity. Testator was affected for some years with arterio schlerosis, and un doubtedly that condition became worse as time went on, and had resulted in periods of mental confusion. The propounders of the will led an impressive body of evidence to show that testator at the time he made his last will was of sound mind, memory, and under standing, and that he had knowledge and appreciation of the nature and ex tent of his property, and of the claims of those who might reasonably expect to be the objects of his bounty, and to show thnt he had the capacity to weigh their claims and discriminate in his judgment between them. His Honor said he found himself impressed at the end of the propounders' case with the weight of testimony that had been produced to show testator's tes tamentary capacity. After hearing the evidence put for ward for the caveatrix, he had come to the conclusion that the evidence given for the propounders remained as it stood at the end of the pro pounders' case. There were some instances spoken of in the case for the caveatrix which should be mentioned. He was convinced by the body of evi dence that the periods of confusion of mind due to the arterio schlerosis condition were intermittent, and that at the time he had to determine the capacity of the testator, his capacity did accord with the standards that the court had laid down. Referring to a remark that testator was said to have made regarding the number of lambs his ewes had dropped his Honor said he felt that this was not the first instance where an unap preciated joke of a sick elderly man had led to allegations in these courts of testamentary incapacity. It perhaps gave truth to the adage that it was dangerous for a man up in years, and in bad health, to indulge in a joke. On the question of costs, his Honor said he thought there was in testator's conduct sufficient to give reasonable grounds to the caveatrix for question ing his capacity, and although the at tack on the will had failed, testator's conduct and mode of life were such as to make it proper to allow the caveatrix her costs out of the estate. Mr. T. W. Smith (for the propounders) said that if the will had been upset the caveatrix, at most, would have been entitled to one twenty-fifth of the estate, and to get even that it would have been necessary for her to have upset a number of previous wills made over a long period. She had no substantial in terest in the estate, and it was obvious that she was fighting the will, not for herself, but on behalf of others, par ticularly testator's brother and his children, who were vitally interested in the will of 1937. His Honor said that was irrelevant on the question of costs, but it might have been relevant on an early appli cation that the caveat should be set aside because caveatrix was not an interested party. Mr. Smith contended that the only reasonable inference that could be drawn was that the caveatrix was a litigant, so that if anything went wrong no costs would have to be paid. Caveatrix was a mere nominee to avoid any effective order for costs. His Honor said that nothing he had heard had altered his view. He thought the conduct of the testator was such as to give reasonable ground to the caveatrix for testing his testamentary capacity. She would have her costs out of the estate. Mr. Ham, K.C., and Mr. T. W. Smith (instructed by Messrs. Malleson. Stewart, Stawell and Nankivell) ap peared for the propounders of the will; Dr. E. G. Coppell and Mr. P. D. Phil lips (by Messrs. Snowdon, Neave and Demaine as agents for Mr. S. B. Back house of Oakleigh) for the caveatrix.13

Citations

  1. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  2. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online).
  3. [S34] PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), VPRS 267/ P7 unit 1395, item 1906/695.
  4. [S22] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (online) "Place of birth TOORAK VICTORIA."
  5. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
  6. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Mon 10 Apr 1939, p8
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12115865
  7. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Mon 10 Apr 1939, p3
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/12116048
  8. [S14] Newspaper - The Horsham Times (Vic.), Fri 24 Nov 1939, p2
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/73143692
  9. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Wed 29 Nov 1939, p9
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11283158
  10. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Thu 30 Nov 1939, p9
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11284575
  11. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Fri 1 Dec 1939, p5
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11269539
  12. [S14] Newspaper - The Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Wed 13 Dec 1939, p7
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/243345701
  13. [S16] Newspaper - Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), 23 Dec 1939, p16.
Last Edited8 Oct 2018

Theyre Weigall

M, #2859, b. 1831, d. 20 Nov 1911
ChartsDescendants of William A'BECKETT
Birth*1831 London, England.1 
Marriage*Apr 1859 Spouse: Marian A'Beckett. VIC, Australia, #M1463.2
 
Marriage-Notice*27 Apr 1859 On the 26th inst., at St. Peter's Church, Eastern-hill, by the very Rev. the Dean of Melbourne, Theyre Weigall, Esq., to Marian, eldest daughter of the Hon. Thomas Turner A'Beckett, M.L.C.3 
Death*20 Nov 1911 Elsternwick, VIC, Australia, #D12849 (Age 80) [par Henry WEIGALL & Selina SMITH].4 

Grave

  • Brighton Cemetery, Caulfield South, VIC, Australia5

Family

 Marian A'Beckett b. Dec 1840, d. 5 Jan 1919
Children 1.Marian Eliza Weigall+ b. 23 Jul 1861, d. 28 Jul 1943
 2.Gerald Carl Weigall7 b. 1872, d. 22 Feb 1950
 3.William Frederick Weigall b. 20 Jul 1874, d. 1959

Newspaper-Articles

  • 25 Nov 1911: Obituary.—MR. THEYRE WEIGALL
    The death of Mr. Theyre Weigall occurred at his residence at Martin-street, Elsternwick, on Monday last. He had been in ill-health for about three months, and his death was not unexpected.
    The late Mr. Weigall was born in England in 1831. He arrived in Melbourne in 1854, and it was not long before he obtained a position in the Attorney-General's Department. He afterwards became an officer in the Treasury, where he remained until 1869, when he was appointed curator of the estates of deceased persons for Victoria. He retained that position until 1895, when he retired on a pension. Since 1895, except during a year's visit to England, he resided quietly at Elsternwick, where he had since 1858 lived in the house which was the home of his wife and himself throughout the whole of their married life of 53 years. At one time he was an active member of the council of the Melbourne Church of England Grammar School, and until a few weeks ago he was one of the committee of the Blind Asylum.
    Mr. Weigall married in April, 1859, a daughter of the late Mr. T. T. A'Beckett, a sister of the present Mr. Justice A 'Beckett. He is survived by his widow, his daughter (the wife of the Rev. A. Pelham Chase), two sons who are practising lawyers in Melbourne (Messrs. Theyre A'B. Weigall, K.C., and W. F. Weigall), and three sons in the medical profession, also practising in Melbourne (Drs. Reginald, Gerald, and Albert Weigall). The funeral took place on Tuesday morning, when the remains were interred privately in the Brighton Cemetery.
    The pall-bearers were Mr. Justice A'Beckett, Mr. Edwin A'Beckett, Dr. W. A'Beckett, and the Mayor of Brighton (Cr. Francis). The service at the grave was conducted by Rev. A. Pelham Chase of St. Stephen's, Elstenwick, and Rev. A. E. Crawford, of St. Andrew's. The mortuary arrangements were carried out by Mr. Monkhouse, of Brighton.6

Citations

  1. [S80] Ancestry - Family Tree, Thorogood (Rickardthorogood) - Owner: Anne Thorogood.
  2. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  3. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 27 Apr 1859, p4.
  4. [S80] Ancestry - Family Tree, Thorogood (Rickardthorogood)
    Owner: Anne Thorogood.
  5. [S38] Index of burials in the cemetery of Brighton Cemetery Gravestone - Billion Graves,.
  6. [S14] Newspaper - Brighton Southern Cross (Vic.), 25 Nov 1911, p5.
  7. [S26] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Births) (online).
Last Edited18 May 2021

Marian A'Beckett

F, #2860, b. Dec 1840, d. 5 Jan 1919
Father*Thomas Turner A'Beckett b. 1809, d. 1 Jul 1892
Mother*Eliza Stuckey b. 1813, d. 21 Apr 1854
ChartsDescendants of William A'BECKETT
Married NameWeigall. 
Birth*Dec 1840 St Pancras, London, England, Dec Q [St Pancras] 1 260.1 
Marriage*Apr 1859 Spouse: Theyre Weigall. VIC, Australia, #M1463.2
 
Marriage-Notice*27 Apr 1859 On the 26th inst., at St. Peter's Church, Eastern-hill, by the very Rev. the Dean of Melbourne, Theyre Weigall, Esq., to Marian, eldest daughter of the Hon. Thomas Turner A'Beckett, M.L.C.3 
Widow20 Nov 1911Marian A'Beckett became a widow upon the death of her husband Theyre Weigall.4 
Death*5 Jan 1919 Armadale, VIC, Australia, #D50 (Age 78) [par Thos Turner A'Beckett & Eliza STUCKEY].5 

Grave

  • Brighton Cemetery, Caulfield South, VIC, Australia6

Family

 Theyre Weigall b. 1831, d. 20 Nov 1911
Children 1.Marian Eliza Weigall+ b. 23 Jul 1861, d. 28 Jul 1943
 2.Gerald Carl Weigall7 b. 1872, d. 22 Feb 1950
 3.William Frederick Weigall b. 20 Jul 1874, d. 1959

Citations

  1. [S332] UK - General Register Office Indexes "mother STUCKEY."
  2. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  3. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 27 Apr 1859, p4.
  4. [S80] Ancestry - Family Tree, Thorogood (Rickardthorogood)
    Owner: Anne Thorogood.
  5. [S4] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Great War Index Victoria 1914-1920.
  6. [S38] Index of burials in the cemetery of Brighton Cemetery Gravestone - Billion Graves,.
  7. [S26] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Births) (online).
Last Edited18 May 2021

Edith Susan Gerard Anderson

F, #2861, b. 16 Feb 1880, d. 1961
ChartsDescendants of William A'BECKETT
Married NameBoyd. 
Birth*16 Feb 1880 Brisbane, QLD, Australia. 
Marriage-Notice*31 Aug 1912 The "British Australasian" of 25th July announces the engagement of Miss Edith S. G. Anderson, daughter of the late Mr. J. G. Anderson, M. A., formerly Under Secretary for Education, Queensland, to Mr. T. Penleigh Boyd, a well known Victorian artist, now residing in London.1 
Marriage*15 Oct 1912 Spouse: Theodore Penleigh Boyd. Paris, France.
 
Widow28 Nov 1923Edith Susan Gerard Anderson became a widow upon the death of her husband Theodore Penleigh Boyd.2 
Death*1961 

Australian Dictionary of Biography

Theodore Penleigh was born on 15 August 1890 at Penleigh House, Wiltshire, and was educated at Haileybury College and The Hutchins School, Hobart. He studied at the Melbourne National Gallery School (1905-09) and in his final year exhibited at the Victorian Artists' Society. He arrived in London in 1911 and his 'Springtime' was soon hung at the Royal Academy. He occupied studios at Chelsea, Amersham and St Ives, but for a time made Paris his headquarters. There his studio adjoined that of Phillips Fox who brought him into contact with the French modern school and through whom he met Edith Susan Gerard Anderson; they were married in Paris on 15 October 1912.
After touring France and Italy, the couple returned to Melbourne. In 1913 Boyd held an exhibition and won second prize in the Federal capital site competition; he also won the Wynne Prize for landscape in 1914. In October he exhibited at the Athenaeum Hall paintings of Venice, Paris, Sydney, Tasmania and Victoria, including some of Warrandyte, where he had built The Robins, a charming attic house set in bushland.
In 1915 Boyd joined the Australian Imperial Force, becoming a sergeant in the Electrical and Mechanical Mining Company, but was badly gassed at Ypres and invalided to England. In 1918 in London he published Salvage, for which he wrote a racy text illustrated with twenty vigorous black and white ink-sketches of army scenes. Later that year he returned to Melbourne and in November held an exhibition at the Victorian Artists' Society's gallery. Although he suffered from the effects of gas, he held one-man shows in 1920, 1921 and 1922; his work, both water-colours and oils, sold quickly. In September 1922 he visited England to choose a collection of contemporary European art for a government-sponsored exhibition to Australia.
On 28 November 1923 Penleigh Boyd was killed instantly when the car he was driving to Sydney overturned near Warragul; he was buried in Brighton cemetery. Next March, Decoration Co. auctioned most of his remaining work, including some of his finest paintings, without reserve.
In his short career Penleigh Boyd was recognized as one of Australia's finest landscape painters, with a strong sense of colour controlled by smooth and subtle tones. 'Wattle Blossoms', hung at the Royal Academy in 1923, was much admired. He loved colour, having been influenced early by study of Turner and the example of McCubbin.
His wife Edith Susan (1880-1961), was born on 16 February 1880 in Brisbane, daughter of John Gerard Anderson, head of the Department of Public Instruction, and his wife Edith Sarah, née Wood. She studied at the Slade School, London, and in Paris with Phillips Fox. After her marriage she continued to paint and excelled in drawing. In later years she wrote several dramas, staged by repertory companies, and radio plays for the Australian Broadcasting Commission in which she took part. She died at East Burwood on 31 March 1961, survived by her two sons, of whom Robin Gerard Penleigh (1919-1971) was a distinguished architect and writer. She may be recognized as the beautiful red-haired woman in several of Phillips Fox's paintings; three of his portraits of her are held by the family.3

Citations

  1. [S14] Newspaper - The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld.), Sat 31 Aug 1912, p14
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/178643370
  2. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
  3. [S55] ADB online, online https://adb.anu.edu.au/, Marjorie J. Tipping, 'Boyd, Theodore Penleigh (1890–1923)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/…, published first in hardcopy 1979, accessed online 18 March 2023.
Last Edited18 Mar 2023

Doris Lucy Eleanor Bloomfield Gough

F, #2863
ChartsDescendants of William A'BECKETT
Married NameBoyd. 
Marriage*12 Oct 1915 Spouse: William Merric Boyd.
 
Last Edited20 Jul 2018

Theodore Fielding Boyd

M, #2866, b. 12 Oct 1860, d. 10 Sep 1942
Father*John Theodore Thomas Boyd b. 14 Nov 1825, d. 8 Mar 1891
Mother*Lucy Charlotte Martin b. 19 Mar 1835, d. 16 Oct 1908
Birth*12 Oct 1860 Opoho, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand, #B12072/1860.1 
Death*10 Sep 1942 Brisbane, QLD, Australia.2 
Death-Notice11 Sep 1942 BOYD.—The Funeral of the late Theodore Fielding Boyd, formerly of Roma, will leave the Funeral Parlour, 45 Adelaide Street, City, This (Friday) Afternoon, at 3 o'clock, for the Toowong Cemetery. CANNON & CRIPPS, LTD. Funeral Directors.3 

Newspaper-Articles

  • 11 Sep 1942: OBITUARY. "The Telegraph," in announcing the following deaths, expresses sincere sympathy with the bereaved relatives and friends:—BOYD, Mr Theodore Fielding (formerly of Roma), Brisbane.4

Citations

  1. [S10] New Zealand Government Birth, Death & Marriage Indexes.
  2. [S80] Ancestry - Family Tree, irianb.
  3. [S14] Newspaper - The Courier-Mail (Brisbane, Qld.), Fri 11 Sep 1942, p8
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/50153034
  4. [S14] Newspaper - The Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld.), Fri 11 Sep 1942, p8
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/172608735
Last Edited1 Sep 2018

William George Lucas Spowers

M, #2868, b. 3 Jan 1856, d. 2 Jul 1932
William George Lucas SPOWERS
(1856-1932)
Birth*3 Jan 1856 Lyttelton, New Zealand, Christened on 29 Jan 1856 in Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Lyttleton, NZ.1,2 
Marriage*2 Jun 1888 Spouse: Annie Christina Westgarth. St Paul's, Westgarth Grove, London, England.3
 
Marriage-Notice*10 Jul 1888 SPOWERS—WESTGARTH.—On the 2nd ult., at St. Paul's, Westbourne Grove, London, by the Rev. Dr. Morrison, William G. L. Spowers, of Melbourne, Victoria, to Chrissie, second daughter of William Westgarth, Esq., 10 Bolton-gardens, London.3 
Land-UBeac*27 Jun 1903 GEM-C-40.41.44. Transfer from Eleanor Jane MacMicking to William George Lucas Spowers. 58a 0r 12p.4 
Land-UBeac*4 Aug 1903 GEM-C-45. Transfer from Gertrude Kitchen to William George Lucas Spowers. 19a 2r 26p.5 
Land-UBeac*10 Sep 1903 GEM-C-39. Transfer from Emily Edith Graham to William George Lucas Spowers. 19a 2r 17p.6 
Land-UBeac*22 Mar 1927 GEM-C-39.40.41.44.45. Transfer from William George Lucas Spowers to Charles Alexander Berglund. 97a 1r 15p (later added a small part of C-36 1a 2r 25p) making the property 99a 0r 0p.7 
Death*2 Jul 1932 Toorak, VIC, Australia, #D173 (age 76) [par James SPOWERS & Fanny Clendon HOWARD].8 
Death-Notice*4 Jul 1932 DEATH OF MR. W. G. L. SPOWERS. "THE ARGUS" PARTNERSHIP. MEMBER FOR 42 YEARS.
We deeply regret having to record the death in his seventy seventh year of Mr William George Lucas Spowers, formerly one of the proprietors of “The Argus” and “The Australasian,’’ which occurred on Saturday at his home, Toorak House, St George’s road, Toorak.
Mr. Spowers was a nephew of Mr Allan Spowers, who joined the firm of Wilson and Mackinnon in the fifties, and on the death of his father, Mr. James Spowers in 1879, he inherited Mr Allan Spowers’s interest. Born in Melbourne on January 3, 1856, Mr. William Spowers was educated at the Church of England Grammar School under Dr. Bromby. In 1872 he entered the service of the London Chartered Bank, and after a few years he came into this office to prepare for the position upon the proprietary which, in due course under his uncle’s will, he was to assume. When the time arrived for this he brought to the responsibility of part-ownership a practical knowledge of the activities of the establishment and a personal and valuable friendship with all the members of the staff which through all the chances of the years he retained in full measure. On several occasions he occupied the chair of the general manager during the absence of Sir Lachlan Mackinnon and when he had, as is often the case in a newspaper office, to meet by quick decision situations involving important consequences he always brought a clear mind and accurate judgment to the duty. He had a true instinct for the principles which should always guide a journal if it is to be the trusted leader of opinion, and was never discouraged by the reserves which from time to time were certain to occur in the political field when the voice of reason was overborne by the clamour of the demagogue.
In 1921 Mr Spowers disposed of his interest to his son, Mr Allan Spowers, and retired from the proprietary. He devoted himself to the enjoyment of his taste in literature and art, which he had cultivated all his life, and with Mrs Spowers made two trips to England and the Continent, where he found, as on his previous visits, so much to interest him in the galleries, libraries, cathedrals, and churches. Unhappily his health began to show signs of waning, and on his return from his last trip only this year he found himself unable to re-enter into the interests which before had received his eager attention. Within the last few weeks his strength failed perceptively, and his passing away on Saturday was not unexpected.
Mr Spowers married in 1888 Miss Christian Westgarth, daughter of Mr William Westgarth, who was one of the leading merchants of Melbourne. Their only son is Mr Allan Spowers, and their daughters are Mrs Roy Parbury, Mrs John Keats, Miss Ethel Spowers, and Miss Rosa Spowers. Their eldest daughter, Ellison, died recently.
The funeral will be private.1 

Electoral Rolls (Australia) and Census (UK/IRL)

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
1914St Georges Road, Toorak, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: journalist. With Annie Christina Spowers. With Allan Spowers, Ethel Louise Spowers, Fanny Ellison Spowers.9
1924St Georges Road, Toorak, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: journalist. With Annie Christina Spowers. With Ethel Louise Spowers, Fanny Ellison Spowers, Rosalind Spowers, Myra Spowers.10

Newspaper-Articles

  • 30 May 1879: Death of Father: DEATH OF MR. SPOWERS. It is with very treat sorrow that we announce the almost sudden death yesterday of Mr James Spowers, the general manager of this journal Mr. Spowers, who had been apparently in his usual health was on his way to town by an early tram when he was seized with what appeared to be paralysis. He was taken home but unconsciousness ensued and by 8 o'clock in the evening the end had come. This melancholy and entirely unexpected event will come with a shock upon the many friends to whom Mr. Spowers had endeared himself by his amiability and goodness of heart, and in this office the blow will be felt with a keenness which it would be impossible to describe in words. Although Mr Spowers did not become an actual proprietor of the paper until the death of Mr. Allan Spowers in 1877 and did not assume the general managership until the beginning of 1878 he had acted as his brother's represenative for many years. During his connexion with the paper he had gamed, not merely the respect and esteem, but the affection of every one in the establishment, who one and all feel that they have lost a more than friend.11
  • 28 Oct 1903: Last Saturday Mr. Somers, of "The Towers," Beaconsfield, had the staff of the" Argus" on a visit to his residence. The party after travelling by rail were met at the station by a four-in-hand drag, which was driven from town to meet and convey them up the hills. The rather light horses, which were driven at a great pace through the heavy roads, knocked up on reaching the post office. Most of the party alighted, and after several delays were driven to their destination in local vehicles, the tired horses following. They had much time to rest, the whole party starting away again to catch the 4.30 train to town. The "staff" were rather disappointed, but will be wiser next time and provide suitable drivers and vehicles.12
  • 31 Oct 1903: A MOUNTAIN GARDEN
    Amongst the heights of the Beaconsfield ranges one would hardly expect to find any thing very special in the way of plants or trees, but at the Tower-house, the country residence of Mr. W. G. L. Spowers, is to be found an excellent collection of evergreen and deciduous plants, many of them surpassing in health and luxuriance anything to be found near to the metropolis.
    Standing out prominently are some really superb rhododendrons, the majority of them just in their full splendour; a few kinds are over, and some have still to expand their buds. Many scores of these plants are here, ranging from 3ft. up to 8ft. in height. They are fully exposed to all weathers, and we were informed receive no attention in watering. Both climate and soil must suit the rhododendron. They are all worked plants, but unfortunately they are not named. However, some are easily re cognised. John Waterer is one of the best dark crimsons. Broughtoniana has immense trusses of rosy-rod flowers. Old Port is one of the best darks. Mrs. John Waterer is bright rose, spotted. One of the best whites is Mrs. John Clutton. Joseph Whiteworth is a dark purple lake, spotted. These are half a dozen ot the best of the numerous varieties to be seen here. The rhododendron is a slow-growing plant; many of these are probably twenty years old.
    The English holly, in many varieties, seems as much at home here as anywhere in England; most of them are crowded with flowers, and some are still covered with last season's berries. In striking contrast to the scarlet-fruited holly is the Lilli Pilli or America; some fine bushes on the top terrace are laden with berries, once a snowy white, now a little tarnished with age.
    A considerable number of camellias are here, many of-good size and thoroughly healthy; a few others have suffered from dryness, but a mulch and a pruning will soon bring them round.
    One of the features of this picturesque place is the terraces in front of the house. These are edged with very broad rosemary hedges, and also with Pittosporum eugenoiaes plants grown very dif ferently to those usually seen. They are trimmed quite flat on the top, and must, be three or four feet in width. A lovely hedge is formed with Eugenia Ventenatti the pink and crimson tips of the young shoots being very striking at this season. We never saw this shrub used for hedge making before but it is most effective.
    A few specimens of conifers are not very happy in this garden, but the majority are doing well - a Wellingtonia, clothed to the grass, must be 50ft. in height. The red-wood of California (Tayodium semper virens), the silver cedar of the Atlas Mountains, Lawson's and Lambert's cypresses are simply revelling in this granite soil. -A remarkably fine specimen of Pinus sabiniana, can be distinguished a long distant by its silvery, glaucous appearance. Himalayan, the Balm of Gilead, and Oriental spruces are as much at home as in their native countries.
    A magnificent view is to be had from the tower of the house. Away to the south can be discerned Arthur's Seat and approaches to Port Phillip Heads. To the east Koo-wee-rup Swamp can be seen, with part of the Western Port Bay, and the northern portion of French Island, while through another break in the ranges Phillip Island is visible. Immediately beneath and to the right is pure Victorian bush; to the left is scenery which may be taken for a bit of old England. At the foot of the 800ft level of which we stand may be discerned portions of one of the finest apple orchards in Australia, that of Mr. Grant, Tumuc Creek.13
  • 7 Apr 1909: From C. T. Berglund, Upper Beaconsfield asking that repairs be made to the road below Mr Spooner's. Also asking the price of wire netting. Charles Alexander Berglund14
  • 14 Mar 1914: BUSH FIRES. THE BEACONSFIELD HILLS. WOMEN FIRE-FIGHTERS.
    UPPER BEACONSFIELD, Thursday.—Two alarming fires occurred in the last two days. A fire burning in the gully near the township, on Wednesday, fanned by the northerly wind, broke away and threatened to cause serious damage. The fire swept up the hill, along the side of Mr. Kirkwood's orchard. It jumped the chain-wide lane dividing the properties, and tore up the rise. With difficulty it was checked before it reached the cottage on the crown of the hill.
    While the fire-fighters were busy at Fassifern another outbreak occurred two miles further east. This fire began in some dense forest country lying between the properties of Mr W G L Spowers, Mrs Anderson and Mr John Knox. The northerly wind took the fire along the range at a great pace. There were fears that it might run down into the Tumuc Valley, towards Pakenham, where there is one of the largest and most prosperous apple orchards in the State. However, with the setting sun the breeze dropned and, though the fire burned fiercely in the dry timber and undergrowth, it did not spread.
    During the onrush of the flames on Wednesday afternoon and evening, Mr and Mrs Austin, acting as caretakers for Mr J. Knox, who with his wife and family are in Tasmania, were deeply concerned for the safety of the homestead. On Thursday, while Mr Austin was down in the gully trying to turn back the flames the homestead was again threathened. The fire took a hedge of blackberry briars in its stride, and tore through the orchard as though nothing would stop it. Mr Austin checked it at one corner of the orchard with buckets of water, but it broke through at another point. Mrs Austin, single-handed, was fighting hard but seemed powerless. Just at this stage, however, Miss Christy, a lady gardener, who had arrived to do some pruning work came on the scene. By this time the fire was within 20ft of the house. It had already caught an outbuilding, over which were some dry honeysuckle and other creepers; but the two women got the hose to work, and the water beat the fire. Then other help arrived and, as if a reward for the plucky women who had done their work so well, the wind changed and the fire turning away up the gully, the homestead was saved. , Arthur Vincent Kirkwood George Hodges Knox15
  • 21 Jan 1915: From W. S. Spowers, Upper Beaconsfield, seeking permission to erect a temporary gate across the road which passes his house. He proposed to leave an opening for foot traffic. On the motion of Crs Sharp and Close, to be left in the hands of Beaconsfield riding member.16
  • 25 May 1916: From W Spowers, Melbourne, asking that the road be attended to near Dr Bevan's property, Upper Beaconsfield. Attended to. , Rev Dr Llewelyn David Bevan17
  • 21 Dec 1916: From W. G. Spowers, " Argus" office, re state of road near his property at Beaconsfield, and offering to contribute towards cost of same.-Received.18
  • 8 Nov 1917: From W. Spowers, complaining of state of road near his place.-To be attended to.19
  • 8 Feb 1926: AT BEACONSFIELD UPPER - Orchards and Fencing Suffer
    Extensive damage was done on Saturday and Sunday by a fire which swept the hills around Beaconsfield Upper, denuding them in parts of trees and foliage. No houses were burnt, but severe damage was caused to orchards, fencing and the outbuildings.
    Commencing early on Saturday morning, the fire rapidly extended, and by Sunday morning eight houses were in danger. The fire-fighters then numbered 150, having been drawn from Beaconsfield, Beaconsfield Upper and Berwick. A fire break one mile long was burned but despite the break the fire obtained a hold in a weekend cottage near the township, and the fire-fighters had to burst open the doors to quell the flames. Many outbuildings of houses in the fire zone were burnt, but the strenuous efforts of the fighters saved the houses. The fire had such a strong hold around the property of Mr W G L Spowers at Upper Beaconsfield that hope of saving the house was abandoned, and the furniture was removed to a place of safety. The flames, however, were extinguished at this spot after only the verandahs and outbuildings had been burnt.
    Late on Sunday afternoon the fire was burning strongly on a frontage of about two miles, while Beaconsfield and Berwick district were overhung by a thick pall of smoke. The fire was still burning last night.20
  • 1 Jan 1931: Mr. and Mrs W. G. L. Spowers, St George's road, Toorak, will leave for a visit to Europe on January 6. They will be accompanied by the Misses Ethel and Rosa Spowers. Annie Christina Spowers, Ethel Louise Spowers Rosalind Spowers21

Citations

  1. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 4 Jul 1932, p6.
  2. [S80] Ancestry - Family Tree, Clough tree for Gene Site - Owner: oclough63.
  3. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 10 Jul 1888, p1.
  4. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1877-366 - William George Lucas Spowers of Toorak Road South Yarra Esquire- C/T 2936-037 - title cancelled see C/T 2943-589 - Title cancelled see C/T 2949-796.
  5. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2725-897 - William George Lucas Spowers of Toorak Road South Yarra Esquire - C/T 2943-589 - title cancelled see C/T 2949-796.
  6. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1098-408 - William George Lucas Spowers of Toorak Road South Yarra Gentleman - C/T 2949-796.
  7. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2949-796 - Charles Alexander Berglund of Upper Beaconsfield Estate Agent.
  8. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
  9. [S114] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1914.
  10. [S124] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1924.
  11. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 30 May 1879, p5.
  12. [S12] Newspaper - South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic.), 28 Oct 1903, p2.
  13. [S14] Newspaper - The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.), Sat 31 Oct 1903, p12.
  14. [S12] Newspaper - South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic.), 7 Apr 1909, p3.
  15. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 14 Mar 1914, p20.
  16. [S12] Newspaper - South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic.), 21 Jan 1915, p3.
  17. [S12] Newspaper - South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic.), 25 May 1916, p3.
  18. [S12] Newspaper - South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic.), 21 Dec 1916, p3.
  19. [S12] Newspaper - South Bourke and Mornington Journal (Richmond, Vic.), 8 Nov 1917, p3.
  20. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 8 Feb 1926, p12.
  21. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 1 Jan 1931, p2.
Last Edited21 Mar 2023

Noel Harold Peel

M, #2876, b. 1912, d. 22 Dec 1973
Birth*1912 Bendigo, VIC, Australia, #B26578.1 
Marriage*19 Apr 1934 Spouse: Marie Hilda (Bo) Davis. St Augustine Church, Neutral Bay, NSW, Australia, NSW#M7476.2
Military11 Jun 1940Enlisted for military service: Caulfield, VIC, Australia, Australian Army - VX24283 - Discharge 1 Aug 1940 - Private H Q 1 AUST CORPS.3 
Military*14 Aug 1940Enlisted for military service: Caulfield, VIC, Australia, Australian Army - V1776 - Discharge 19 Mar 1944 - Lieutenant (AUSTRALIAN ARMY ORDNANCE CORPS.)4 
Land-UBeac*1 Nov 1946 GEM-C-43.47.50.51.52.73 (part). Transfer from Charles Alexander Berglund to Noel Harold Peel.5 
Land-UBeac1 Nov 1946 GEM-C-49. Transfer from Charles Alexander Berglund to Noel Harold Peel. 19a 2r 32p.6 
Land-UBeac1 Nov 1946 GEM-C-48. Transfer from Charles Alexander Berglund to Noel Harold Peel. 23a 0r 4p.7 
Marriage*1949 Spouse: Joyce Isabel Millar. VIC, Australia, #M5051/1949.8
 
Land-UBeac31 Jul 1951 GEM-C-48, 48 Berglund Road. Transfer from Noel Harold Peel to Dalkeith George Noel Chambers. 23a 0r 4p.9 
Land-UBeac31 Jul 1951 GEM-C-49. Transfer from Noel Harold Peel to Dalkeith George Noel Chambers. 19a 2r 32p.10 
Land-UBeac*31 Jul 1951 GEM-C-43.47.50.51.52.73 (part). Transfer from Noel Harold Peel to Dalkeith George Noel Chambers.11 
Death*22 Dec 1973 Prince Henry Hospital, Melbourne South, VIC, Australia, #D370/1974 (Age 61) [par Harold Roy PEEL & Nellie Violet HEARD].12 
Death-Notice*24 Dec 1973 PEEL.—On December 22, at Prince Henry Hospital, Noel Harold, of 453 Ebden Street, Albury, beloved eldest son of Nellie, loved brother of Edward, Wallace and Harold. Rest in peace.
PEEL.—The Funeral of the late Mr NOEL HAROLD PEEL, of 453 Ebden Street, Albury, will leave Nelson Bros.' chapel, 43 Douglas Parade, Williamstown, on Thursday (27th December) after a service commencing at 3 p.m. for the Memorial Park Crematorium, North Altona.13 
Death-Notice27 Dec 1973 PEEL, Noel Harold.—Passed away (suddenly), December 22nd, beloved brother of Harold, brother-in-law of Joan and uncle of John. Rest in peace.14 

Electoral Rolls (Australia) and Census (UK/IRL)

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
1937380 or 382 Carlisle Street, St Kilda, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: exhibitor. With Marie Hilda (Bo) Peel.15
194272 Balaclava Road, Caulfield West, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: soldier. With Marie Hilda (Bo) Peel.15
194972 Balaclava Road, Caulfield West, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: soldier.16
195411 Edro Avenue, Brighton, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: managing director. With Joyce Isabel Peel.17
195858a Sisley Street, St Lucia, QLD, AustraliaOccupation: director. With Joyce Isabel Peel.18
1963Crest View Key, Miami Keys, Broadbeach, QLD, AustraliaOccupation: company director. With Joyce Isabel Peel.19
bt 1967 - 196817/36 Cromwell Road, South Yarra, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: consultant. With Joyce Isabel Peel.20,21

Grave

  • Rock Pool, Garden Bed 6, Section GN, Position 140, Altona Memorial Park, Altona, VIC, Australia22

Newspaper-Articles

  • 20 Feb 1946: ABRIDGED PROSPECTUS of issue of 100,000 Ordinary Shares of £1 each at par by FREIGHTERS LIMITED. AUTHORISED CAPITAL £250,000 in 250,000 Ordinary Shares of £1 each
    MANAGING DIRECTOR. NOEL HAROLD PEEL. ESQ., of 23 Blanch Street, Brighton East.23
  • 25 May 1946: BEACONSFIELD Upper.-For Sale, 200 Acs., house, buildings, suitable orchard, poultry, grazing. Fine view. Vacant possession. Apply C. A. Berglund. Sarah Kate Berglund Charles Alexander Berglund24
  • 6 Jul 1953: NEW GATES AT BRISBANE
    BRISBANE, Mon. — Mr Noel Peel, managing director of Freighters Ltd., of Melbourne, who had made the Peel starting gates, met the chairman of the Queensland Turf Club, the Brisbane Amateur Turf Club, and the Ipswich Jockey Club at a conference late today.
    The three Queensland clubs are very interested in the Peel starting gates, and it is likely that they will be installed here before the end of the year. — "CARDIGAN"25
  • 5 Jul 1954: Owner to Transfer
    Well-known Melbourne owner Mr. Noel Peel, has decided to transfer all his horses, with the exception of the colt Star of Stars, to Adelaide.
    Mr. Peel and his brothers, who, control Freighters Ltd., recently acquired wide, business interests in South Australia.
    Mr. Peel will shortly leave on a business trip to America and, on his return, will make his new home in Adelaide.
    Jack Plews, who is a leading trainer in South Australia will have charge of Mr. Peel's horses.
    Present plans are to leave Star of Stars with trainer F. W. Hoysted, because Hoysted is hoping the colt will develop into a crack Derby prospect.—HEROIC.26
  • 29 Jun 1956: Freighters named for shock probe
    AN investigation into the affairs of Freighters Limited has been ordered by the Governor in Council. The inquiry has been ordered under the Companies (Special Investigations) Act. The proclamation in the Government Gazette stated that the Attorney-General had satisfied himself that the affairs of the company should be investigated to protect the public shareholders, and creditors.
    'Surprise'
    The proclamation was a complete surprise, Mr. J. J. Brown, chairman of Freighters Ltd., said yesterday. He said shareholders' funds were more than fully covered by the excess of assets over liabilities. Trading figures so far available since the 7½% interim was declared last March showed "no falling off." Freighters Ltd. was formed in February, 1946, when its assets totalled £165,000, and net profit was £ 17,812. Accounts 10 years later showed total assets of £2,733,891 and profit of £159,842. In recent years the company has grown rapidly. Present directors are: J. J. Brown, chairman, T. H. King, N. H. Peel, managing director, T. J. Collins, T. M. Mardling, F. M. Moore, and E. G. Lawton.27

Citations

  1. [S3] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Edwardian Index Victoria 1902-1913.
  2. [S7] Registry of NSW Births Deaths and Marriages "reg North Sydney."
  3. [S30] World War Two Nominal Roll https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/
    birth date given as 30 Sep 1912.
  4. [S30] World War Two Nominal Roll https://nominal-rolls.dva.gov.au/
    birth date given as 31 Oct 1912.
  5. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1139-622 + C/T 1154-716 + C/T 3324-719 + C/T 1139-624 + C/T 1154-715 + C/T 1139-623 - Noel Harold Peel of Berglund Road Upper Beaconsfield Manager.
  6. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2618-460 - Noel Harold Peel of Berglund Road Upper Beaconsfield Manager.
  7. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2079-606 - Noel Harold Peel of Berglund Road Upper Beaconsfield Manager.
  8. [S27] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Marriages) (online).
  9. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2079-606 - Dalkeith George Noel Chambers of 59 Power Street Hawthorn Gentleman - C/T 8596-016.
  10. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 2618-460 - Dalkeith George Noel Chambers of 59 Power Street Hawthorn Gentleman.
  11. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1139-622 + C/T 1154-716 + C/T 3324-719 + C/T 1139-624 + C/T 1154-715 + C/T 1139-623 - Dalkeith George Noel Chambers of 59 Power Street Hawthorn Gentleman.
  12. [S28] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Deaths) (online) "#D370/1974 - born Bendigo
    Listing indicates that death occurred in 1973, but death registered in 1974."
  13. [S16] Newspaper - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.) 24 Dec 1973, p11.
  14. [S16] Newspaper - The Age 27 Dec 1973, p10.
  15. [S101] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1903 - 1980.
  16. [S149] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1949.
  17. [S154] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1954.
  18. [S158] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1958.
  19. [S163] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1963.
  20. [S167] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1967.
  21. [S168] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1968.
  22. [S38] Index of burials in the cemetery of https://www.gmct.com.au/deceased/1098688,.
  23. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 20 Feb 1946, p10.
  24. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 25 May 1946, p26.
  25. [S14] Newspaper - The Herald (Melbourne, Vic.), Mon 6 Jul 1953, p12
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/249256873
  26. [S16] Newspaper - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), 5 July 1954, Page 16, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/205691769
  27. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 29 June 1956, Page 5
    https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71811843
Last Edited16 May 2021

Harry James Goodricke Cattanach

M, #2878, b. 1834, d. 29 Jun 1911
Father*James Cattanach b. 1800
Mother*Christian McIntosh b. 1812
Birth*1834 Scotland.1 
Marriage*15 Sep 1863 Spouse: Sarah Smith. Broadmeadows, Mosquito Plains, #M55/104 (Robe.)2,3
 
Marriage-Notice*18 Sep 1863 At Broadmeadows, Mosquito Plains, on the 15th instant, by the Rev. D. McCalman, Mr H. Cattanach, Surveyor, to Sarah, eldest daughter of Adam Smith, Esq., Broadmeadows.2 
Land-UBeac*14 Nov 1877Selection: GEM-C-38. 19a 3r 13p - Crown Grant to H. J. G. CATTANACH on 7 Mar 1879.4,5 
(Creditor) Probate (Will)31 May 1883Harry James Goodricke Cattanach had an interest in the estate of James Hasler Horner. James Hasler Horner borrowed £2,487.11.1 from H J G Cattanach and gave him a £1,000 life assurance policy in the Australian Alliance Assurance Company Melbourne as security. As Horner's estate showed a deficiency, he would only have been partially paid back.6 
Land-Note*14 Apr 1887 GEM-C-38: Mortgagee: The Mercantile Finance Guarantee and Agency Company of Australia Ltd. Mortgage No 81229 - foreclosed. Mortgagor was Harry James Goodricke Cattanach.7 
Land-Note*14 Apr 1887 GEM-C-38: Mortgagee: Mortgagee Mark Moss - no discharge noted (may have been a second mortgage). Mortgagor was Harry James Goodricke Cattanach.8 
Land-UBeac*b 1900 GEM-C-38. Transfer from Harry James Goodricke Cattanach to The Mercantile Finance Trustees and Agency Company of Australia Ltd. 19a 3r 13p.9 
Death*29 Jun 1911 Melbourne East, VIC, Australia, #D6006 (age 77) [par James CATTANACH & Christian McINTOSH].1 
Death-Notice*30 Jun 1911 CATTANACH. On the 29th June, at his residence, in Gipps-street, East Melbourne. Harry James Goodricke Cattanach, aged 77 years.10 

Electoral Rolls (Australia) and Census (UK/IRL)

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
30 Mar 1851Laggan Farm, Laggan, Invernessshire, Scotland(Head of Household) James Cattanach;
Age 17 - Farmers Son
Member(s) of Household: Christian Cattanach Alexander Cattanach11

Grave

  • Presbyterian, Compartment C, Grave 275, St Kilda Cemetery, St Kilda, VIC, Australia12

Newspaper-Articles

  • 25 Apr 1879: License 170/49 cancelled because land sold13
  • 12 Sep 1889: LIQUIDATION BY ARRANGEMENT
    The following debtors statement by Mr Harry James Goodricke Cattanach, of Elsternwick, stock agent, with referente to his estate which has been placed in liquidation, has been filed in the Insolvent Court by Mr Cattanach -Liabilities, £22,437 3s. 6d; assets £783 4s; deficiency, £21,653 19s. 6d. The principal secured creditor is the Mercantile Finance, Trustees and Agency Co., £1,550, money lent. The principal unsecured creditors are Messrs. W Smith und Co., sheep farmers, Hynam Station, Narracoorte, South Australia £14,743 3s., due for £10,000 paid to the National Bank of Australasia, Narracoorte, the amount of the debtor's over draft in the said bank, the late Mr Adam Smith, of Hynam, having gone security for the same, and for interest thereon ; National Bank, Melbourne, £1,265 16s. 4d., guarantee given by debtor on account of the late J. H. Horner, deceased ; Richard Ross Cameron, at present in New Zealand, £1,061 11s. 1d., money lent. The debts owing to secured creditors amount to £2,300, and those to unsecured creditors to £20,137 3s. 6d. Messrs Robert E. Whiting and Charles Rennick are trustees of the estate.14
  • 5 Aug 1899: THURSDAY, 10th AUGUST. At 12 o'Clock. At Rooms. CLEARING SALE. WITHOUT RESERVE. By Order of the Liquidators of the Mercantile Finance, Trustee and Agency Co. of Australasia Limited. SUBURBAN and RURAL FREEHOLDS. C. J. and T. HAM are instructed by the liquidators of the Mercantile Finance, Trustees and Agency Co. of Australia Ltd. (in liquidation) to sell by public auction, for purpose of CLOSING COMPANY'S ACCOUNTS. The following FREEHOLD PROPERTIES:— TWENTY ACRES, GEMBROOK. Land, containing 19 a. 3 r. 13 p., being allotment 38 of section C, Gembrook, county Mornington, compact block, in a good district.15

Citations

  1. [S3] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Edwardian Index Victoria 1902-1913.
  2. [S14] Newspaper - Border Watch (Mount Gambier, SA), 18 Sep 1863, p2.
  3. [S63] South Australian Government. BDM Index South Australia.
  4. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 5357/P0000/3794     
    170/49 HENRY JG CATTANACH PAKENHAM 38 C 19--3--13. 1877 - 1879.
  5. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), 1114-607 - Harry James Goodricke Cattanach of Malvern.
  6. [S35] Probate Records, PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), VPRS 28/P0, unit 300; VPRS 28/P2, unit 147; VPRS 7591/P2, unit 81
    At the time of Horner's death he owned freehold property at Beaconsfield containing 111 acres 1 rood 15 perches enclosed with post and rail fence, no other improvements, valued at £487.10.0
    Liabilities: H. Kelson money lent and secured by Mortgage over Beaconsfield property with interest to date of death £487.10.0
    H J G Cattenach money lent and secured by assignment, deposit of Policy for £1000 - for a debt of £2487.11.1.
    Horner's probate showed a deficiency of £1413.11.6.
  7. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), 1114-607 - Harry James Goodricke Cattanach to The Mercantile Finance Guarantee and Agency Company of Australia Ltd -
    NOTE: in a later transaction it is called The Mercantile Finance Trustees and Agency Company of Australia Ltd, they may have had two names?
  8. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), 1114-607 - Harry James Goodricke Cattanach to Mark Moss Mortgage No 81231.
  9. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), 1114-607 -.
  10. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 30 Jun 1911, p1.
  11. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "1851 census: Parish: Laggan; ED: 5; Page: 6; Line: 15; Roll: CSSCT1851_24; Year: 1851."
  12. [S48] Index of burials in the cemetery of St Kilda,.
  13. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 25 Apr 1879, p919.
  14. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 12 Sep 1889, p8.
  15. [S16] Newspaper - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), 5 Aug 1899, p2.
Last Edited18 Aug 2020

Alexander Cattanach

M, #2880, b. 1847, d. 20 Jun 1893
Father*James Cattanach b. 1800
Mother*Christian McIntosh b. 1812
Birth*1847 Laggan, Invernessshire, Scotland.1 
Land-UBeac*14 Nov 1877Selection: GEM-C-49. 19a 2r 32p - No Land File - Selected by A. CATTANACH Crown grant issued on 7 Mar 1879.2,3 
Death*20 Jun 1893 Apsley, VIC, Australia, #D4403 (Age 43] [par James CATTANACH & Christina].1 
Inquest29 Jun 1893Inquest held 1893/717 - digital file online.4 
Probate (Will)*26 Feb 1894 53/981. Station Manager. Admin. Land at Gembrook was sold for £30 10s. in 1893 (no details given.)5 
Land-Note*14 Jan 1895 GEM-C-49. The Union Trustee Company of Australia Ltd Memo No 16034 - The Union Trustee Company of Australia Limited of No 463 Collins Street Melbourne is registered as proprietor of the within described land as Administrator to whom Administration of the estate of Alexander Cattanach who died on the 20th June 1893 was granted on the 20th December 1893.6 
Land-UBeac*a 14 Jan 1895 GEM-C-49. Transfer from Alexander Cattanach to The Union Trustee Company of Australia Ltd. 19a 2r 32p.7 

Electoral Rolls (Australia) and Census (UK/IRL)

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
30 Mar 1851Laggan Farm, Laggan, Invernessshire, Scotland(Head of Household) James Cattanach;
Age 4 - Scholar
Member(s) of Household: Christian Cattanach Harry James Goodricke Cattanach8
7 Apr 1861William & Elizabeth KENNEDY, Edinburgh St Mary, Invernessshire, Scotland(Head of Household) Christian Cattanach;
Age 14 - Scholar - Brother-in-Law - Visitor9

Newspaper-Articles

  • 25 Apr 1879: License 171/49 cancelled because land sold10
  • 22 Jun 1893: A STATION MANAGER COMMITS SUICIDE. HE CUTS HIS THROAT. Narracoorte, June 21.
    News was received here this afternoon of the tragic death of Mr. Alexander Cattanach, the manager of Mr. Park Laurie's Tallageira station, just over the Victorian border, and near Frances. Only a few particulars as yet have been received. It appears that Mr. Cattanach left the station yesterday, and not returning this morning a search for him was made. He was found dead about a mile from the station with his throat cut. It is supposed to be a case of suicide. The deceased was well known and much liked. A brother of the deceased (Mr. H. J. G. Cattanach) was the former owner of the station. Much regret is expressed by his numerous friends here.11
  • 30 Jun 1893: SUICIDE OF A STATION MANAGER.
    APSLEY, JUNE 20. Last week Mr Jeebart, J P, held an inquest on the dead body of Alexander Cattanach, manager of Tallageira Station (about 20 miles from here), which was found not far from the house where he lived with his throat cut, and a penknife covered with blood in one of his hands. After hearing the evidence concerning the finding of the body, a verdict of "Suicide during a state of temporary insanity" was returned. The manner of the deceased for a few days previous to the deed had been noticed as peculiar and eccentric. For many years the deceased had been of a melancholic and unsocial turn of mind, and leading the solitary sort of life he did tended to strengthen the peculiarities of his character.12

Citations

  1. [S2] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Federation Index Victoria 1889-1901.
  2. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 5357/P0000/3794 171/49 ALEXANDER CATTANACH PAKENHAM 49 19--2--32. 1878 - 1879.
  3. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1114-608 - Alexander Cattanach of Tallageira.
  4. [S24] PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), digital file online at PROV: VPRS 24/P0000/613.
  5. [S35] Probate Records, PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), http://prov.vic.gov.au/search_details
  6. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1114-608 - Memo No 16034 - The Union Trustee Company of Australia Limited of No 463 Collins Street Melbourne is registered as proprietor of the within described land as Administrator to whom Administration of the estate of Alexander Cattanach who died on the 20th June 1893 was granted on the 20th December 1893.
  7. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1114-608 - The Union Trustee Company of Australia Limited of No 463 Collins Street Melbourne.
  8. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "1851 census: Parish: Laggan; ED: 5; Page: 6; Line: 15; Roll: CSSCT1851_24; Year: 1851."
  9. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "1861 census: Parish: Edinburgh St Mary; ED: 41; Page: 7; Line: 6; Roll: CSSCT1861_126."
  10. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 25 Apr 1879, p919.
  11. [S14] Newspaper - The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA), 22 Jun 1893, p6.
  12. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 30 Jun 1893, p7.
Last Edited18 Aug 2020
 

NOTE

Some family sections show only the children who were associated with Upper Beaconsfield.

Some individuals may be featured because members of their family were associated with the Upper Beaconsfield area, even though they themselves never lived here.