John Barter Bennett

M, #7419, b. 1825, d. 19 May 1887
John Barter BENNETT
(1825-1887)
Father*Henry Bennett d. 5 Aug 1828
Mother*Sarah Colburn
Note* Bennett, John Barter. Born 1824? (Cork) - Died 19 May 1887 (London) - Marriage 15 Jan 1852 West Melbourne, Kate McCarthy; 2d.
Career: Arrived Melbourne 1842 and articled to John Duerdin, solicitor; admitted attorney etc. supreme Court NSW, for Port Phillip 1847 and practised in Melbourne; established c1856 firm of Bennett & Taylor which became Bennett, Taylor & Sandford; after its dissolution he practised alone and c1871 formed new partnership, Bennett & Attenborough, later Bennett, Attenborough, Wilks & Nunn with the addition of other partners; retired 1885 and went to England Vice-president Law Institute Vic. 1859, president 1860-1862. Advocate for Melbourne diocese. Pastoral investor but withdrew after losses from drought.
MLC Southern from Nov 1856 to May 1863 (Resigned)
Other seats contested: S. Province 1876.1 
Birth*1825 Cork, Ireland. 
Marriage*15 Jan 1852 Spouse: Kate McCarthy. St James (Church of England), Melbourne, VIC, Australia, #M5814.2
 
Marriage-Notice*16 Jan 1852 On Thursday, the 15th inst, at St James' Church, Melbourne, by the Very Rev. the Dean of Melbourne, John Barter, youngest son of the late Henry Bennett, of Cork, solicitor, to Kate, eldest daughter of the late Francis McCarthy of the same City, barrister-at-law.3 
Notebt 1864 - 1869 John Bennett owned Tandragee, 17-27 Fitzroy Street St Kilda from 1864-1869.4 
Land-UBeac*28 Aug 1877Selection: PAK-161. 19a 2r 20p - Land File 87/49 (1880 map)
Selected by J. B. BENNETT on 16 Apr 1879. Land Sale 5062. Valuation £53.5,6 
Land-UBeac*b 16 Apr 1879 PAK-158. Transfer from Amy Grey Bennett to John Barter Bennett. 19a 0r 30p - Land File 85/49 (1880 map)
Selected by A. G. BENNETT, crown grant to her father J. B. BENNETT on 16 Apr 1879. Land Sale 5062, valuation £54.7,8,9 
Land-UBeac*b 16 Apr 1879 PAK-162. Transfer from Eva Isabel Bennett to John Barter Bennett. 19a 3r 38p - Land File 86/49 (1880 map)
Selected by E. I. BENNETT, crown grant to her father J. B. BENNETT on 16 Apr 1879. Land Sale 5062, valuation £57 10s.10,11 
Land-UBeac*b 16 Apr 1879 PAK-159. Transfer from Charles Cock to John Barter Bennett. 19a 0r 2p - Land File 156/49 (1880 map)
Selected by Chas. COCK, crown grant to J. B. BENNETT on 16 Apr 1879. Land Sale 5062. Valuation £80.12,13 
Land-UBeac*25 Sep 1885 PAK-158.159.161.162. Transfer from John Barter Bennett to John Speechly Gotch. 78a 2p.14 
Death*19 May 1887 28 Stanhope Gardens, South Kensington, London, England.15 
Death-Notice*4 Jul 1887 BENNETT.—On the 19th May, at his residence, Stanhope-gardens, South Kensington, after a short illness, of congestion of the lungs, John Barter Bennett, late of Melbourne, aged 62.16 
Probate (Will)22 Sep 1887 35/217. Solicitor. No Real Estate in UB at time of death. Left his estate to his widow and 2 daughters in England, none to Annie Grey GRAY.17 
Probate (Will)*19 Apr 1888 BENNETT John Barter. 19 April. Administration (with the Will) of the Personal Estate of John Barter Bennett late of 141 Albert-street East Melbourne in the Colony of Victoria Solicitor and of 28 Stanhope - gardens South Kensington in the County of Middlesex who died 19 May 1887 at 28 Stanhope - gardens was granted at the Principal Registry to Kate Bennett of 28 Stanhope-gardens Widow the Relict one of the Residuary Legatees.
Personal Estate £879 12s. 4d.15 

Family

 Kate McCarthy b. 1833, d. 4 Nov 1891
Children 1.Annie Grey Bennett b. 1853, d. 16 Aug 1946
 2.Amy Grey Bennett b. 1854, d. 16 Feb 1913
 3.Eva Isabel Bennett b. 1856, d. 27 May 1918
 4.Lucy Kate Bennett b. 16 Sep 1856, d. 15 May 1859
 5.Harry Francis Bennett b. 1859, d. 12 Aug 1867

Newspaper-Articles

  • 16 Feb 1858: On the 12th inst., at her residence, Tempe, Dandenong-road, Mrs. J. B. Bennett, of a son, stillborn.18
  • 20 Dec 1875: APPELLATE JURISDICTION IN EQUITY. (Before their Honours Mr, Justice Barry, Mr. Justice Fellows, and Mr Justice Stephen )
    BENNETT V BENNETT. This was an appeal by plaintiffs from a decision of Mr Justice Molesworth in this suit. The case was argued last term, and judgment was now given.
    Mr Justice BARRY said this was an appeal by the plaintiffs from a decree of the primary judge in equity, containing a declaration as to the liability of the defendant John Barter Bennett, as follows -"This Court doth declare that the defendant John Barter Bennett is not liable to make good to the trust estate in the bill in this cause mentioned the portion ofthe estate of James Macoboy, deceased, in the said bill also mentioned, received and misappropriated by the defendant Henry Bennett, nor for the amount of the four mortgages of the property at St. Kilda portion of the said trust estate in the said bill mentioned, received and misappropriated by the said defendant Henry Bennett. But this Court doth declare that the said defendant, John Barter Bennett is responsible by his acts, after being informed of the said mortgages in September, 1870 for the sum of £200, which in and by a certain deed in the said bill mentioned, dated the 20th, but there instated to be the 14th day of September, 1870 and made between the said defendant Henry Bennett, of the one part, and the said defendant, John Barter Bennett, of the other part, it is stated that the said defendant, John Barter Bennett, paid as the price of the equity of redemption of the said property, or for the true value of the said property, subject to the said four mortgages if greater than the said sum of £200 "'The object of the appeal is to vary the decree, by making the defendant John Barter Bennett liable for the portion of the estate of James Macoboy misappropriated by the defendant Henry Bennett, and also for the value of the property at St. Kilda mentioned in the decree. There is no dispute about the facts. A settlement, dated the 7th of June 1867, was executed on the occasion of the marriage of the defendants Henry and Mary Rose Bennett. John Barter Bennett, a solicitor, and Michael Francis Macoboy, a county court judge, were named in this settlement as the trustees and the properties in question were expressed to be conveyed to them upon certain trusts for the benefit of the husband and wife and their children, subject to a power of appointment reserved to the wife, to be exercised by deed attested by two credible witnesses. The settlement contained are cital that the sum of £1100, the purchase money of the land, was the money of the defendant Mary Rose Bennett and that the defendant Henry Bennett had purchased the land as a trustee for her. It also recited that Mary Rose Bennett was entitled as one of the next of kin of James Macoboy to a distributive share of his estate, but that the amount or particulars of such share could notthen be clearly ascertained According to Mr. John Barter Bennett's evidence, he and Michael F. Macoboy conversed together at the wedding breakfast on the subject of the settlement, of which they were to be trustees together. Mr Henry Bennett, the husband, was himself a solicitor and asalaried clerk in the office of Mr John Barter Bennett who was his uncle. Henry Bennett acted throughout as the conveyancer in the preparation of the settlement It was executed by John Barter Bennett at the request of Henry Bennett in the month of June, 1867, and John Barter Bennett on the same occasion signed the memorial for registration. He left the settlement so executed and the memorial with Henry Bennett, for the purpose of being executed by Mr Macoboy, and being then registered. It appears that the settlement never was executed by Mr Macoboy, who died in 1871 and it never was registered Henry Bennett having up to the execution of the settlement the legal estate vested in himself, and possession of the title deeds, was able, by concealing the settlement, to mortgage the St Kilda property, and appropriate the proceeds to his own use. He executed four several mortgages of the property. The first, dated June 27, 1868, the last June 15, 1870. According to John Barter Bennett's evidence he first became aware in September, 1870, of Henry Bennett's having mortgaged the property. On the 14th September, 1870, Henry Bennett conveyed the equity of redemption to John Barter Bennett as in consideration of £200, and in the year 1872 the property was sold subject to the first two mortgages for £270, leaving John Barter Bennett according to his statement, out of pocket. In the result the whole of the St. Kilda property was lost to the estate. Henry Bennett absconded in May, 1873. The facts as to the share of James Macoboy's estate are that Mr. Michael Francis Macoboy, as the administrator of his brother, James Macoboy, paid to Henry Bennett a sum of £212 10s, as representing his wife's share in the estate, on the production of a consent signed by her, dated the 25th of March, 1869. It has been argued that Mr. John Barter Bennett became a trustee on the implied condition that Mr. Macoboy should be his cotrustee, and that as the deed was not executed by Mr. Macoboy, no liability attached to Mr. Bennett as a trustee. We concur with Mr. Justice Molesworth in his judgment as to this, and think that the execution of the deed is an unconditional acceptance of the estates conveyed and the trusts, in the absence of any stipulation to the contrary. The question then arise whether Mr. Bennett as trustee was liable for the loss occasioned by the acts of Henry Bennett. John Barter Bennett certainly took no active part which enabled Henry Bennett to appropriate the property, but trustees may be liable for the consequence of acts of omission. The books abound in such cases. In Fenwick v Greenwell cited in argument, trustees were held liable for having omitted to enforce a covenant in the settlement for the transfer into their names of a sum of stock. The Master of the Bolls says at page 422- ' ... (here follows much legal argument...)
    It is said that Mr. Macoboy, from his position and relationship, was a more fitting depositary of the settlement than John Barter Bennett, and the latter might suppose that the former had become so. But was John Barter Bennett, if he thought about it at all, justified in leaving so important a matter in uncertainty. The weakness of his position is that for years he never inquired as to the registration of the settlement, or whether Mr. Macoboy had executed it, or taken upon himself any of the more active duties of the trust. .. It cannot be said on the facts of this case that Bennett suffered his co-trustee to hold the deeds or the settlement ... Bennett was simply indifferent or forgetful, or reckoned with implicit confidence on the honesty and respectability of his nephew. Some reliance was placed in argument upon a deed of appointment signed by Mrs. Bennett purporting to be infavour of her husband, but not attested as required by the settlement, and it was said that the case might be treated as one of a defective execution of a power to be aided inequity. It is unnecessary to consider the evidence bearing upon this part of the case, as it is clear that the court will not aid as a defective execution of a power the signing of an instrument without the prescribed formalities by a married woman in favour of or under the influence of her husband ..., and impressed as we are with the necessity of discountenancing negligence and inaction in a trustee of which no business man would beguilty in the conduct of his own affairs, we feel compelled, however unwillingly, to hold Mr. Bennett liable for the value of the property at St. Kilda, the loss of which would certainly have been prevented by the registration of the settlement or by the proper custody of the title deeds.
    We do not think that Mr. Bennett is liable for the loss of the money paid by Mr. M. F. Macoboy to Henry Bennett. Mr. Macoboy had such notice of the settlement as Mr. John Barter Bennett could have given him. Whether that notice was or was not sufficient to prevent the valid payment of the money to Henry Bennett on the production of the document signed by his wife, it is not a case in which Mr John Barter Bennett, as the executing trustee, is liable. The decree will be varied by an alteration in the declaratory part, declaring that the defendant, John Barter Bennett, is liable for the actual value of the St. Kilda property, with such further alterations in the operative part of the decree as may be necessary in consequence.19
  • 9 May 1879: BENNETT, John B. Pakenham Gazetted      
    9 May 1879 Licenses under Land Act Cancelled or Declared Void20

Citations

  1. [S186] Website Victorian Parliament Find a Member (https://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/members/member-search) "http://www.parliament.vic.gov.au/re-member/details/…
    References: The Times, 21 May 1887; Argus, 23 May 1887
    Initial data source: Thomson, K & Serle, G, 'A Biographical Register of the Victorian Legislature 1851-1900', ANU Press, 1972
    Last update: Array (last date the record was checked and updated)."
  2. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  3. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 16 Jan 1852, p2.
  4. [S50] Miscellaneous Source, http://stkildahistory.org.au/history/people/…
  5. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 5357/P0000/3911
    87/49 JOHN B BENNETT PAKENHAM 161 19--2--20. 1877 - 1879
    John Barter Bennett Solicitor 107 Collins Street Melbourne.
  6. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1120-940 - John Barter Bennett of Melbourne.
  7. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). Land File 85/49 (1880 map).
  8. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 5357/P0000/3911     85/49 AMY GREY BENNETT PAKENHAM 158 19--0--30 * kept together with 86/49 EVA ISABEL BENNETT PAKENHAM 162     1877 - 1879
    Amy Grey Bennett no occupation 107 Collins Street Melbourne.
  9. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1133-512 - John Barter Bennett of Melbourne.
  10. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1120-941 - John Barter Bennett of Melbourne.
  11. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 5357/P0000/3911     85/49 AMY GREY BENNETT PAKENHAM 158 19--0--30 * kept together with 86/49 EVA ISABEL BENNETT PAKENHAM 162     1877 - 1879
    Eva Isabel Bennett no occupation 107 Collins Street Melbourne.
  12. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 5357/P0000/3794
    156/49 CHARLES COOK PAKENHAM 159 19--0--2. 1877 - 1879.
  13. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1120-939 - John Barter Bennett of Melbourne.
  14. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1133-512 (PAK-158) C/T 1120-939 (PAK-159) C/T 1120-940 (PAK-161) C/T 1120-941 - C/T 1744-800 - John Speechley Gotch of Melbourne Gentleman.
  15. [S65] Ancestry - various indices, Ancestry.com. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.
  16. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 4 Jul 1887, p1.
  17. [S35] Probate Records, PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), http://prov.vic.gov.au/search_details
  18. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), Tue 16 Feb 1858, p4.
  19. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 20 Dec 1875.
  20. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 9 May 1879, p./no. 1041.
Last Edited8 Jun 2022

Kate McCarthy

F, #7420, b. 1833, d. 4 Nov 1891
Probate (Will) 47/846. Kate BENNETT. Date of grant: 08 Mar 1892; Date of death: 04 Nov 1891; Occupation: Widow.1 
Married NameBennett.2 
Birth*1833 Cork, Ireland. 
Marriage*15 Jan 1852 Spouse: John Barter Bennett. St James (Church of England), Melbourne, VIC, Australia, #M5814.2
 
Marriage-Notice*16 Jan 1852 On Thursday, the 15th inst, at St James' Church, Melbourne, by the Very Rev. the Dean of Melbourne, John Barter, youngest son of the late Henry Bennett, of Cork, solicitor, to Kate, eldest daughter of the late Francis McCarthy of the same City, barrister-at-law.3 
Widow19 May 1887Kate McCarthy became a widow upon the death of her husband John Barter Bennett.4 
Death*4 Nov 1891 28 Barkston Gardens, Kensington, London, England.5 
Probate (Will)*2 Dec 1891 Kate Bennett. Personal Estate. £2117 0s 9d. 2 December. The Will of Kate Bennett formerly of the City of Melbourne in Victoria and afterwards of 5 Atherstone-terrace Gloucester-road but late of 28 Barkston-gardens both in the County of Middlesex Widow who died 4 November 1891 at 28 Barkston-gardens was proved at the Principal Registry by Any Grey Bennett of 28 Barkston-gardens Spinster the Daughter one of the Executors.5 

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

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
5 Apr 189128 Barkston Gardens, Kensington, London, EnglandHead of Household: Kate Bennett. Age 58 - Widow - born Cork
Member(s) of Household: Amy Grey Bennett.6

Family

 John Barter Bennett b. 1825, d. 19 May 1887
Children 1.Annie Grey Bennett b. 1853, d. 16 Aug 1946
 2.Amy Grey Bennett b. 1854, d. 16 Feb 1913
 3.Eva Isabel Bennett b. 1856, d. 27 May 1918
 4.Lucy Kate Bennett b. 16 Sep 1856, d. 15 May 1859
 5.Harry Francis Bennett b. 1859, d. 12 Aug 1867

Citations

  1. [S35] Probate Records, PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), VPRS 7591/P2 unit 189, item 47/846
    VPRS 28/P0 unit 602, item 47/846
    VPRS 28/P2 unit 329, item 47/846.
  2. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  3. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 16 Jan 1852, p2.
  4. [S65] Ancestry - various indices, Ancestry.com. England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.
  5. [S190] Index to Probate Calendar England, viewed at ancestry.com.au, 1858-1966.
  6. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "Class: RG12; Piece: 33; Folio: 19; Page: 30; GSU roll: 6095143."
Last Edited21 Jun 2017

Annie Grey Bennett

F, #7421, b. 1853, d. 16 Aug 1946
Father*John Barter Bennett b. 1825, d. 19 May 1887
Mother*Kate McCarthy b. 1833, d. 4 Nov 1891
Step-fatherHubert Lenné b. 24 May 1843, d. 14 May 1926
Step-motherCharlotte Elizabeth Downing b. 1840, d. 23 Jul 1905
Married NameGray.1 
Birth*1853 Collingwood, VIC, Australia, #B18173 [par John Barter BENNETT & Kate].2 
Land-UBeac*27 May 1878Selection: GEM-D-4. 5a 3r 1p - Land File 1059/49.4
Crown Grant to A. GRAY on 11 Aug 1884.3,4,5 
Land-Note20 Dec 1880 GEM-D-4. Nature and value of improvements on Annie Bennett's selection referred to in attached papers. Nine chains of post and two rail fence, split stuff @ 18/ per chain = £8-2-0. Annie Bennet resides in Melbourne. I believe she is a bona fide holder.
James Gilfedder S C 2227 Berwick.3 
Land-Note13 Jan 1881 GEM-D-4. Sir I received your notice of Dec 24th in regard of a piece of land of which I hold at Beaconsfield. Part of a rail & Post Fence as been put up a consierable time and have given orders for the other portion to be put up as soon as possible and with necessary improvements according to the act.
Annie Bennet, Foresters Arms Hotel, Clarendon Street, Emerald Hill.3 
Land-Note*17 Oct 1881 Miss Bennett has done her share of fencing viz 11 chain of three rail sapling chop fence worth about 13/- per chain £7/3/. As soon as A. G. Shorthouse finishes a few chain of the dividing fence this land will be all enclosed, Miss Bennett resides with her step-father Hubert Lennie, Hotel Keeper at Emerald Hill, the land referred to and applied for forfeiture by MacKay is not that of Annie Bennett's, but refers to a piece of land held by G. A. Bennett, her brother now in Adelaide and situated next of A. Prior's. Wilson McWilliams, Police Bailiff 17/10/81.6 
Marriage*8 Jun 1885 Spouse: John Thomas Gray. Brown Street, Adelaide, SA, Australia, #M144/74.1,7
 
Marriage-Notice*25 Jul 1885 GRAY—BENNETT. —On the 8th ult., at Brown-street, Adelaide, by the Rev. E. G. Day, John Thomas Gray to Annie Bennett, both of South Melbourne, Victoria.1 
Land-Note7 Jun 1890 GEM-D-4. Samuel John Elam Mason This piece of land did not have any house on it. It was selected with a non-residence condition. The house was built by Samuel Mason c 1890-1891.8 
Land-UBeac*7 Aug 1890 GEM-D-4. Transfer from Annie Grey Bennett to Louisa Mason. 5a 3r 1p.9 
Widow19 Feb 1937Annie Grey Bennett became a widow upon the death of her husband John Thomas Gray.7 
Death*16 Aug 1946 Adelaide, SA, Australia, #D703/3998.7 
Death-Notice*22 Aug 1946 GRAY. —On August 16, at a private hospital, Adelaide Annie, the beloved wife of the late John Thomas Gray, of 6 Royal avenue, Hyde Park. Aged 86 years.10 

Citations

  1. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 25 Jul 1885, p1.
  2. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  3. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 5357/P0000/3911
    1059/49 ANNIE GRAY GEMBROOK 4 D 5--3--1 1878 - 1887.
  4. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). Land Selection Registers, Register of Applications, Melbourne, Section 49 Land Act 1869 (Occupation Branch), VPRS 13163 / P1 / 0002
    states: Application 1059, Annie Bennett of St Kilda. See Application 1164/49.
  5. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1932-201 - Annie Gray of Goodwood Park Adelaide South Australia.
  6. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). 3911 1059/49.
  7. [S63] South Australian Government. BDM Index South Australia.
  8. [S66] Berwick Shire Rates, 1870-1965 1889/90 6 acres, Lot 4 Gembrook NAV 6, paid by S Mason 7 Jun 1890.
  9. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1932-201 - Louisa Mason wife of Samuel Mason of Park Street South Melbourne Upholsterer.
  10. [S14] Newspaper - Chronicle (Adelaide, SA), 22 Aug 1946, p18.
Last Edited13 Oct 2020

Amy Grey Bennett

F, #7422, b. 1854, d. 16 Feb 1913
Father*John Barter Bennett b. 1825, d. 19 May 1887
Mother*Kate McCarthy b. 1833, d. 4 Nov 1891
Birth*1854 Melbourne, VIC, Australia, #B125.1 
Land-UBeac*28 Aug 1877Selection: PAK-158. 19a 0r 30p - Land File 85/49 (1880 map)
Selected by A. G. BENNETT, crown grant to her father J. B. BENNETT on 16 Apr 1879. Land Sale 5062, valuation £54.2 
Land-UBeac*b 16 Apr 1879 PAK-158. Transfer from Amy Grey Bennett to John Barter Bennett. 19a 0r 30p - Land File 85/49 (1880 map)
Selected by A. G. BENNETT, crown grant to her father J. B. BENNETT on 16 Apr 1879. Land Sale 5062, valuation £54.3,2,4 
Death*16 Feb 1913 England. 
Probate (Will)*6 Mar 1913 BENNETT Amy Grey of 28 Nevern-mansions Earls Court Middlesex spinster died 16 February 1913 Probate London 6 March to Eva Isabel Gurner (wife of Henry Edward Gurner). Effects £1122 3s. 2d.5 

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

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
5 Apr 189128 Barkston Gardens, Kensington, London, England(Head of Household) Kate Bennett;
Age 366
2 Apr 1911Charles JEFFRIES, 32+33 Bouverie Square, Folkestone, Kent, England(Head of Household) Eva Isabel Bennett;
Age 557

Newspaper-Articles

  • 9 May 1879: BENNETT, Amy G. Pakenham Gazetted      
    9 May 1879 Licenses under Land Act Cancelled or Declared Void8

Citations

  1. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  2. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 5357/P0000/3911     85/49 AMY GREY BENNETT PAKENHAM 158 19--0--30 * kept together with 86/49 EVA ISABEL BENNETT PAKENHAM 162     1877 - 1879
    Amy Grey Bennett no occupation 107 Collins Street Melbourne.
  3. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). Land File 85/49 (1880 map).
  4. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1133-512 - John Barter Bennett of Melbourne.
  5. [S190] Index to Probate Calendar England, viewed at ancestry.com.au, 1858-1966.
  6. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "Class: RG12; Piece: 33; Folio: 19; Page: 30; GSU roll: 6095143."
  7. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "1911: Class: RG14; Piece: 4631; Schedule Number: 297."
  8. [S194] Newspaper - Victoria Government Gazette 9 May 1879, p./no. 1041.
Last Edited8 Jun 2022

Eva Isabel Bennett

F, #7423, b. 1856, d. 27 May 1918
Father*John Barter Bennett b. 1825, d. 19 May 1887
Mother*Kate McCarthy b. 1833, d. 4 Nov 1891
Married NameGurner. 
Birth*1856 Collingwood, VIC, Australia, #B887.1 
Land-UBeac*28 Aug 1877Selection: PAK-162. 19a 3r 38p - Land File 86/49 (1880 map)
Selected by E. I. BENNETT, crown grant to her father J. B. BENNETT on 16 Apr 1879. Land Sale 5062, valuation £57 10s.2 
Land-UBeac*b 16 Apr 1879 PAK-162. Transfer from Eva Isabel Bennett to John Barter Bennett. 19a 3r 38p - Land File 86/49 (1880 map)
Selected by E. I. BENNETT, crown grant to her father J. B. BENNETT on 16 Apr 1879. Land Sale 5062, valuation £57 10s.3,2 
Marriage*3 Jul 1890 Spouse: Henry Edward Gurner. St Jude's, South Kensington, London, England.4
Marriage-Notice*7 Aug 1890 GURNER-BENNETT - On the 3rd ult, at St Jude's, South Kensington, London, Henry Edward Gurner, barrister at law, eldest son of the late Henry Field Gurner, Crown solicitor, Melbourne, to Eva, younger daughter of the late John Barter Bennett, of Melbourne solicitor.5 
Probate (Will)20 Aug 1915 GURNER Henry Edward of the Middle Temple London and of 36 Barkston-gardens South Kensington Middlesex died 21 July 1915 at 36 Barkston-gardens Probate London 20 August to Eva Isabel Gurner widow. Effects £3217 15s 1d
GURNER Henry Edward of the Middle Temple London and of 36 Barkston-gardens South Kensington Middlesex died 21 July 1915 at 36 Barkston-gardens Administration (with Will limited) London 22 December [1922] to Dorothy Isobel Gurner spinster the attorney of Job Augustus Gurner. Effects £3206 4s 9d. Former grant P.R. August 1915.6 
WidowSep 1915Eva Isabel Bennett became a widow upon the death of her husband Henry Edward Gurner.7 
Death*27 May 1918 Kensington, London, England, Jun Q [Kensington] (Age 63) 1a 131.7 
Probate (Will)*10 Jul 1918 GURNER Eva Isabel of 36 Barkston gardens Earls Court Middlesex widow died 27 May 1918 Administration London 10 July to Dorothy Isabel Gurner spinster. Effects £2,841 5s. 4d.6 

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

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
2 Apr 1911Charles JEFFRIES, 32+33 Bouverie Square, Folkestone, Kent, EnglandAge 55 - married (husband not there) with two children, says married 30 years, also her sister Amy Grey BENNETT8

Citations

  1. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  2. [S81] Land Records & Parish Maps ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria). VPRS 5357/P0000/3911     85/49 AMY GREY BENNETT PAKENHAM 158 19--0--30 * kept together with 86/49 EVA ISABEL BENNETT PAKENHAM 162     1877 - 1879
    Eva Isabel Bennett no occupation 107 Collins Street Melbourne.
  3. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1120-941 - John Barter Bennett of Melbourne.
  4. [S65] Ancestry - various indices, London Marriages.
  5. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 7 Aug 1890, p1.
  6. [S190] Index to Probate Calendar England, viewed at ancestry.com.au, 1858-1966.
  7. [S9] Free BMD. Index. Online @ https://www.freebmd.org.uk/.
  8. [S83] UK census - viewed on Ancestry "1911: Class: RG14; Piece: 4631; Schedule Number: 297."
Last Edited6 Jun 2019

Harry Francis Bennett

M, #7424, b. 1859, d. 12 Aug 1867
Father*John Barter Bennett b. 1825, d. 19 May 1887
Mother*Kate McCarthy b. 1833, d. 4 Nov 1891
Birth*1859 Prahran, VIC, Australia, #B17970.1 
Death*12 Aug 1867 Ravenswood, VIC, Australia, #D8845 (Age 8.)1 
Death-Notice*27 Aug 1867 BENNETT.—On the 12th inst., at Ravenswood, near Sandhurst, Harry Francis, aged eight years, only son of John Barter Bennett, of Melbourne, solicitor.2 

Grave

  • Church of England Section S, Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton, VIC, Australia, Sacred to the memory of Lucy Kate daughter of John Barter and Kate BENNETT who died 15 May 1859, age 2 yrs 3 months also their son Henry Francis who died 12 Aug 1867, age 7 yrs 1 month.3

Citations

  1. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  2. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 27 Aug 1867, p4.
  3. [S45] Index of monumental inscriptions in the Melbourne General Cemetery,
    "via GSV."
Last Edited6 Apr 2022

John Thomas Gray

M, #7425, b. 1851, d. 19 Feb 1937
Birth*1851 
Marriage*8 Jun 1885 Spouse: Annie Grey Bennett. Brown Street, Adelaide, SA, Australia, #M144/74.1,2
 
Marriage-Notice*25 Jul 1885 GRAY—BENNETT. —On the 8th ult., at Brown-street, Adelaide, by the Rev. E. G. Day, John Thomas Gray to Annie Bennett, both of South Melbourne, Victoria.1 
Death-Notice*19 Feb 1937 GRAY.-On February 19, at a private hospital, John Thomas, beloved husband of Allie Gray, of 6 Royal avenue, Hyde Park, in his 86th year.
GRAY.-The Friends of the late Mr. JOHN THOMAS GRAY are respectfully informed that his Funeral will Leave his late Residence, 6 Royal avenue, Hyde Park, on SATURDAY at 11 a.m. for the West Terrace Cemetery.3 
Death*19 Feb 1937 Adelaide, SA, Australia, #D588/639.2 

Citations

  1. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 25 Jul 1885, p1.
  2. [S63] South Australian Government. BDM Index South Australia.
  3. [S14] Newspaper - News (Adelaide, SA), 19 Feb 1937, p8.
Last Edited25 Apr 2016

John Speechly Gotch

M, #7426, b. 4 Dec 1829, d. 23 Sep 1901
John Speechly GOTCH
(1829-1901)
Birth*4 Dec 1829 Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. 
Marriage*Sep 1856 Spouse: Elizabeth Miller Jones. Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, Sep Q [Bedford] 3b 462.1
 
Land-UBeac*27 Jun 1884 PAK-166. Transfer from Amelia Emma Wilks to John Speechly Gotch. 19a 3r 24p.2 
Land-UBeac*27 Jun 1884 PAK-165. Transfer from John Wilks to John Speechly Gotch. 19a 3r 2p.3 
Land-UBeac*25 Sep 1885 PAK-158.159.161.162. Transfer from John Barter Bennett to John Speechly Gotch. 78a 2p.4 
Death*23 Sep 1901 Melbourne East, VIC, Australia, #D10792 (Age 71) [son of John GOTCH & Unknown LeFEVRE].5 
Death-Notice*25 Sep 1901 GOTCH.-On the 23rd September, suddenly, at Albert-street, East Melbourne, John Speechly, the much loved husband of Lizzie Miller Gotch, aged 72 years.
"He was—but words are wanting to tell what; Think what a Christian should be, and he was that."
GOTCH.-On the 23rd September at Albert-street, East Melbourne, J. S. Gotch the beloved father of Nellie, Gordon, Belle, and Eddie.6 
Probate (Will)*2 Apr 1902 82/267. Gent. In his probate he had a large quantity of real estate, including about 120 acres in the Parish of Pakenham (CA158.159.161.162.165.166), vacant and unimproved value £175 10s.7 
Land-Note*6 Jun 1902 Elizabeth Miller Gotch Elizabeth Miller Gotch of Albert Street East Melbourne, Widow, Frederic Elliott Grant of 2 St James Buildings, William Street Melbourne, Solicitor, and Alexander McCalla, of Queen Street, Melbourne, Accountant are registered proprietors of the within-described land as Executrix and Executors to whom probate of the will and two codicils of John Speechly Gotch (who died 23 September 1901) was granted on the 3rd February 1902.8 
Land-UBeac*9 Mar 1906 PAK-158.159.161.162.165.166. Transfer from John Speechly Gotch to Frederick Barclay. 78a 2p + 39a 2r 36p.9 
Note* Our History: The Beginning
John Speechly Gotch was a dentist who was swept up with the inertia of the colonizing age and in September 1849, he left Liverpool, England for Philadelphia, USA. After six months in Philadelphia he transferred to New York to learn about manufacturing artificial teeth.
Here, Gotch learned of the gold in Victoria and in 1853, joined the rush, taking passage on the Baltimore clipper Peytona. The Peytona was shipwrecked off Mauritius and Gotch came safely ashore, penniless and with only his nightshirt on his back.
Gotch set up in Mauritius temporarily as a dentist and established a practice. After eleven weeks, he had saved £35 to complete his passage to Melbourne in the Emma Colvin.
Arriving in Victoria, Gotch made for Fryer Creek, near Castlemaine, where the latest strike had been reported. He found only one small nugget, of thumbnail size, and worth about £3 at the time. He soon ran out of money and provisions and in a final stroke of unluckiness, injured his foot with a pick. He returned to Melbourne penniless in the back of a friendly teamster’s wagon.
Gordon and Gotch
When Gotch arrived in Melbourne, he could barely walk on his bandaged foot and had two-pence halfpenny to his name.
At the Western Markets, he fell into conversation with one of the stall-holders - Alexander Gordon; a tall, kindly Scotsman of sixty-three years, who sold newspapers, and was also an advertising agent for the Melbourne Argus. He had no money, but offered the younger man a job selling papers and running up advertisements, and the offer was accepted.
At night, the two men slept under the counter of their market shack.
Gotch embarked on his new job with enthusiasm. After a few weeks, Gordon made a characteristically cautious offer of a partnership. The offer was based on the proviso that Gotch had to sell as many newspapers on the diggings as Gordon did from his market stand. The challenge was taken up, then duly performed; so the partnership of Gordon and Gotch came into being.
Shortly after they joined forces, there was a suggestion that they should have an agreement drawn up by a lawyer. Gordon commented if we are honest men we do not need a lawyer; and if we are dishonest, no lawyer can make us honest.
Taking Care of Business
Times were propitious for the partners. With Victoria being proclaimed an independent Colony of New South Wales and fresh gold discoveries bringing waves of immigrants, public and private building boomed.
The two principal newspapers published in Melbourne at this time were The Argus and The Age, but the partners’ sales of these journals were not great. The bulk of their business lay in British publications such as The Illustrated London News, The Home News, Lloyd’s, Reynolds Magazines, Dublin"s Weekly Freeman, and the European Mail.
As was to be expected, in a colonial community eager for news from Home, there was strong competition among the various newsagents to offer the issues of latest date, and the arrival of a ship was an event for the whole of Melbourne Town. The first contact with a ship arriving in the Bay was made by the lookout men in the semaphore station. As soon as they could read her signals, a messenger was despatched post haste to the hill still known as the "Flagstaff Gardens" where the flag indicating her Departure Port was hoisted for all to read.
When Gotch saw the red and white flag, indicating the ship was from London, he would rush by hansom cab to Sandridge (Port Melbourne) seize his parcel of papers and magazines and race his rivals back to town.
During 1854 a railway – the first in the Colony – was laid from Melbourne to Sandridge by the Melbourne and Hobson’s Bay Railway Company, and the hansom cab races began to become a memory of days gone past. The partners had achieved a measure of prosperity and in 1856 a move was made to Temple Court, in Collins Street and the growth of Gordon and Gotch began.
Over the next 100 years, Gordon and Gotch survived two world wars, and the Great Depression. The company grew across Australia, The United Kingdom, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and Papua New Guinea.
Today
Today, Gordon and Gotch is part of the PMP Group. (ASX: PMP) As the largest independent distributor and wholesaler of printed media which includes magazines, partworks and books.
Gordon and Gotch distributes in excess of 190 million copies per year. This equates to one Gordon and Gotch product being sold every 5 seconds across Australasia.10 

Grave

  • Church of England Section R, Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton, VIC, Australia, In loving memory of John Speechly GOTCH, born at Kettering 4 Dec 1829 died 23 Sep 1901
    "he was but words are wanting to tell what think what a Christian should be and he was that do justly love mercy and walk humbly with thy God
    In loving memory of
    Elizabeth Miller GOTCH, born at Bedford England 10 Mar 1839 died 17 Feb 1914
    her children arise up and call her blessed.11

Newspaper-Articles

  • 12 Sep 1868: Death of father: GOTCH.—On the 2nd July, at Kettering, Northamptonshire, England, John Gotch, aged seventy-eight years.12
  • 25 Sep 1901: DEATH OF MR. J. S. GOTCH.
    Profound surprise and regret were occasioned in the city yesterday, by the death, wholly unexpected, of Mr. John Speechly Gotch, head of Gordon and Gotch Proprietary Limited, which occurred shortly after midnight at his residence in Albert-street, East Melbourne. Though 72 years of age, Mr. Gotch was in the enjoyment of good health till the previous evening, and he had arranged to leave yesterday for Kyabram, where it was his intention to spend a month with one of his sons. About 9 o'clock on Monday evening he was seized with what was regarded as a slight attack of biliousness, but a violent fit of sickness brought about a rupture of one of the blood-vessels in the head, and he died without regaining consciousness.
    The deceased gentleman was born in Kettering, England, and went at an early age to America. In 1853, when the excitement which followed the gold discoveries was at its height, he arrived in Melbourne from New York, and the following year became associated with the late Mr. Alex. Gordon in the foundation of a business which has since the names of the original partners familiar as household words throughout the empire. Managed on enterprising lines the business flourished rapidly, and branches were established in the Australian cities, London, and elsewhere, until its ramifications may be said to be worldwide. Mr. Gordon has been dead for 30 years, but the late Mr. Gotch, though he retired from active management, continued till his death to take a lively interest in the affairs of the proprietary, of which he was chairman. He was singularly unassuming in regard to public affairs, but a man of most sympathetic temperament, ready at all times to assist those in genuine distress, and he enjoyed universal esteem. The deceased leaves a widow and four grown-up children, three of whom—two daughters and a son—are married. The funeral will take place to-day, at 3 o'clock, at the Melbourne General Cemetery, and the members of the Authorised News Agents' Association of Victoria are asked by advertisement to attend.13
  • 26 Sep 1901: The funeral of the late Mr John Speechly Gotch, of Gordon and Gotch Proprietary Limited, took place yesterday afternoon at the Melbourne General Cemetery. The deceased was buried in the Church of England portion of the cemetery, the service being conducted by the Revs. C. H. Barnes and Cook. About 200 friends of the deceased followed the coffin to the grave, including a large number of employes and ex-employes of Gordon and Gotch, Melbourne, town and suburban news agents, also a number of old colonists. Amongst them were Mr. J. Gordon Gotch and Mr. E. Speechly Gotch, sons of the deceased; Mr. Frank Davies, managing director, Gordon and Gotch Proprietary Limited, Melbourne; Mr. H. C. Dix, assistant manager, Gordon and Gotch, Melbourne, Mr. J. H. Chrystal, Mr. A Grant (solicitor), Mr. J. Brown, Mr. H. P. Ward (representing Gordon and Gotch, Sydney), Mr. H. J. Holmes (representing Gordon and Gotch, Brisbane), Mr. W. Pither, Mr. A. M'Calla, Mr. H. Cuzens, Mr. John Perrin, Mr. F. Parris, Mr. Pegg, Mr. Walter Kirby, and Mr. M. L. Kreitmeyer. The pall bearers were: - Messrs. Frank Davies (Gordon and Gotch, Melbourne), H. P. Ward (Gordon and Gotch, Sydney), H. J. Holmes (Gordon and Gotch, Brisbane), Alex. Grant, John Perrin, J. Brown, Rev. Cook, and Mr. A. M. M'Calla. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. John Allison.14
  • 20 May 1902: PAKENUAM, LAND, 117 A. 2 R. 23P. EXECUTORS' SALE. JOHN BUCHAN and Co. (in conjunction with R GOLDSBOROUGH ROW and CO PROPRIETARY LIMITED) are instructed by the executors of the late J. S. Gotch to sell by public auction, at their rooms 91 Queen-street, on Tuesday, 20th May, at noon ...
    PAKENHAM. Land 117 a. 2 r. 23 p., fronting two Government roads, and being Crown allotments 158, 159, 161, 162, 165 and 166, parish of Pakenham, county of Mornington.15
  • 23 Sep 1903: GOTCH. John Speechly.-In loving memory of my Speechly, and our beloved father, who was so suddenly and unexpectedly called away, September 23, 1901.
    Only a step removed, And that step—into bliss! Our own, our dearly loved, Whom here on earth we miss. Only a step removed! We soon again shall meet Our own; our dearly loved. Around our Saviour's feet.
    -(Lizzie, Nelly, John Gordon, Belle, Edward Speechly, and Carrie.)
    GOTCH.—In remembrance of 15 happy years spent in the home of our beloved and respected Mr. John Speechly Gotch.
    The homes of earth are beautiful, When sanctified by grace; But that one will be brighter still, Before our Father's face. There will be no more crying, No sighing, and no care. No fading of the blooming cheek, [.....lines missing]16
  • 1 Mar 1905: THIS DAY. In the Estate of the late J. S. Gotch. 118 ACRES at BEACONSFIELD, LAND at ALPHINGTON, FOOTSCRAY and NORTH ESSENDON. For Absolute Sale, to Close Accounts. W. F. VALE and Co. have received instructions from the executors of the late J. S. Gotch to sell by public auction, at the rooms; Citizens'-chambers, 285 Collins-street, at half-past 2 o clock— PARISH of PAKENHAM. 118 acres 26 perches, being Crown allotments 158, 159, 161. 162, 165 and 166 of above parish, distant about 2½ miles from Officer railway station.17

Australian Dictionary of Biography

John Speechly Gotch (1829-1901), businessman, was born on 4 December 1829 at Kettering, Northamptonshire, England, son of John Gotch (1791-1869), farmer, and his second wife, née Lefevre (according to one report, Mary Ann Fever). For some months in 1843 he attended school at Tollington Park, London. By February 1844 he was apprenticed to John Meadows, chemist and druggist, of Market Harborough near Leicester. After a five-year apprenticeship and six months as an assistant, Gotch migrated to America. In September 1849 he left Liverpool in the Shenandoah for Philadelphia where he was employed by a dentist without pay for six months; later he became assistant to a dentist in New York.
In February 1853 Gotch sailed for Australia in the Baltimore clipper Peytona but was wrecked off Mauritius. There he practised dentistry until he left Port Louis in the Emma Colvin and reached Melbourne on 24 December. When his gold digging in the Castlemaine district proved fruitless he returned to Melbourne in 1854 and sold newspapers for an elderly Scotsman, Alexander Gordon, who in December 1853 had leased a stall in the western market and become advertising agent for the Argus. They soon became partners as Gordon & Gotch. They recognized the opportunities in the colony's rapid growth and by 1859, when Gordon sold his interest to Gotch and returned to Scotland, the firm was pre-eminent in Melbourne as news and advertising agents and as distributors of newspapers and periodicals from Britain. Gotch introduced his brother William into the business in 1860 and his brother-in-law Alfred Jones in 1861. A branch was opened in Sydney that year, another in London in 1867 and a Brisbane house in 1875, each with a partnership in which Gotch held at least a half share and was directly involved in their management: he even went to London in 1874 to tackle a financial crisis created by a defaulting clerk. The branches were not uniform in their activities which extended from the export and distribution of newspapers and magazines through printing and publishing such works as the Australian Handbook in 1870-1906 to advertising, a press telegraph service and the import of stationery and printing supplies including machinery. Later the London branch engaged in general exports and the Australian offices took over agencies for importing such goods as pianos and sewing machines.
The success of these operations led to fragmentation of the original firm and to the end of Gotch's exclusive ownership of the Melbourne house. In 1885 Gordon & Gotch Ltd came into being, with Gotch holding 165 of the 300 shares of £100 each as well as being chairman of directors and president. In 1897 when the company became a proprietary he held 205 shares; the firm did not expand its share capital till 1907. He disposed of his interests in the London and Sydney branches in 1890-91 and steered the company through the depression of the early 1890s, taking on himself all the losses resulting from the failure of the New Oriental Bank in 1892. After branches were opened in Perth in 1894 and Wellington in 1899 he became less active in business.
Gotch had acquired pastoral interests, mainly in the Western District, but his name remains almost exclusively associated with his firm. For years he was president of the Authorised News Agents' Association of Victoria but, apart from this and his links with the East Melbourne Congregational Church and such charities as the Austin Hospital, the Collingwood Creche and the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, he does not appear to have been active in public affairs.
On 17 September 1856 Gotch married Elizabeth Miller Jones of Bedford; of their nine children four died in infancy and a fifth predeceased her father. He died on 23 September 1901 at his home in East Melbourne and was buried in the Anglican section of the Melbourne general cemetery. He was survived by his wife who died in 1914 and by two sons and two daughters. The sons, John Gordon and Edward Speechly, and a son-in-law, H. Courtney Dix, were long associated with the firm.18

Citations

  1. [S9] Free BMD. Index. Online @ https://www.freebmd.org.uk/.
  2. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1572-309 - John Speechley Gotch of Melbourne Gentleman - C/T 1582-326.
  3. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1572-308 - John Speechley Gotch of Melbourne Gentleman - C/T 1582-326.
  4. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1133-512 (PAK-158) C/T 1120-939 (PAK-159) C/T 1120-940 (PAK-161) C/T 1120-941 - C/T 1744-800 - John Speechley Gotch of Melbourne Gentleman.
  5. [S2] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Federation Index Victoria 1889-1901.
  6. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 25 Sep 1901, p1.
  7. [S35] Probate Records, PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), http://prov.vic.gov.au/search_details
  8. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1744-800 - Elizabeth Miller Gotch of Albert Street East Melbourne, Widow, Frederic Elliott Grant of 2 St James Buildings, William Street Melbourne, Solicitor, and Alexander McCalla, of Queen Street, Melbourne, Accountant are registered proprietors of the within-described land as Executrix and Executors to whom probate of the will and two codicils of John Speechly Gotch (who died 23 September 1901) was granted on the 3rd February 1902.
  9. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1744-800 + C/T 1582-326 - Frederick Barclay of Brookes Street Bowen Hills Brisbane Queensland Presbyterian Minister.
  10. [S50] Miscellaneous Source, http://www.gordongotch.com.au/ggweb/Aboutus/OurHistory/…
  11. [S45] Index of monumental inscriptions in the Melbourne General Cemetery,.
  12. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 12 Sep 1868, p4.
  13. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 25 Sep 1901, p5.
  14. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 26 Sep 1901, p5.
  15. [S16] Newspaper - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), 20 May 1902, p2.
  16. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 23 Sep 1903, p1.
  17. [S16] Newspaper - The Age (Melbourne, Vic.), 1 Mar 1905, p2.
  18. [S55] ADB online, online https://adb.anu.edu.au/, Wallace Kirsop, 'Gotch, John Speechly (1829–1901)', Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/gotch-john-speechly-3644/…, accessed 4 June 2013.
    Select Bibliography:
    A Brief Description of Fifty Years' Progress in the History of Gordon and Gotch (Brisb, 1903)
    R. F. Bell, Gordon & Gotch London: The Story of the G & G Century, 1853-1953 (Lond, 1953)
    Gordon & Gotch (Australasia) Ltd, Centenary 1853-1953 (Melb, 1953)
    Age (Melbourne), 25 Sept 1901, 18 Feb 1914
    Argus (Melbourne), 25, 26 Sept 1901
    Weekly Times (Melbourne), 28 Sept, 5 Oct 1901
    Defunct Trading companies, Gordon & Gotch Ltd papers (Public Record Office Victoria)
    family and business reminiscences (Gordon & Gotch (Australasia) Ltd Archives, Melbourne).
Last Edited18 Mar 2023

Jane Elizabeth Dyer

F, #7427, b. 1840, d. 6 Feb 1898
Married NameWilks. 
Birth*1840 
Marriage*1859 Spouse: John Wilks. VIC, Australia, #D1333.1
 
Widow10 Feb 1889Jane Elizabeth Dyer became a widow upon the death of her husband John Wilks.2 
Death*6 Feb 1898 St Kilda, VIC, Australia, #D4966 (Age 58) [par William DYER & Mary Anne WILKINS].2 
Death-Notice*12 Feb 1898 WILKS.—On the 6th February, at Gunnesbury, Charnwood-crescent, St. Kilda, Jane Elizabeth, widow of the late John Wilks, solicitor.3 

Family

 John Wilks b. 1839, d. 10 Feb 1889
Child 1.Amelia Emma Wilks+ b. 1860, d. 30 Aug 1916

Citations

  1. [S1] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Pioneer Index Victoria 1836-1888.
  2. [S2] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Federation Index Victoria 1889-1901.
  3. [S14] Newspaper - The Australasian (Melbourne, Vic.), Sat 12 Feb 1898, p55.
Last Edited4 Jun 2019

Elizabeth Miller Jones

F, #7428, b. 10 Mar 1839, d. 17 Feb 1914
Married NameGotch. 
Birth*10 Mar 1839 Bedford, Bedfordshire, England. 
Marriage*Sep 1856 Spouse: John Speechly Gotch. Bedford, Bedfordshire, England, Sep Q [Bedford] 3b 462.1
 
Widow23 Sep 1901Elizabeth Miller Jones became a widow upon the death of her husband John Speechly Gotch.2 
Land-Note*6 Jun 1902 John Speechly Gotch Elizabeth Miller Gotch of Albert Street East Melbourne, Widow, Frederic Elliott Grant of 2 St James Buildings, William Street Melbourne, Solicitor, and Alexander McCalla, of Queen Street, Melbourne, Accountant are registered proprietors of the within-described land as Executrix and Executors to whom probate of the will and two codicils of John Speechly Gotch (who died 23 September 1901) was granted on the 3rd February 1902.3 
Death*17 Feb 1914 Melbourne East, VIC, Australia, #D2539 (Age 74) [dau of Edward JONES & Mary MILLER].4 
Death-Notice*19 Feb 1914 GOTCH—On the 17th February, at Albert street, East Melbourne, Elizabeth Miller Gotch, beloved wife of the late John Speeehly Gotch, and dearly loved mother of Nelly, Gordon, Belle, and Eddie, aged 74 years. " Nearer, my God, to Thee. Nearer to Thee.5 " 

Grave

  • Church of England Section R, Melbourne General Cemetery, Carlton, VIC, Australia, In loving memory of John Speechly GOTCH, born at Kettering 4 Dec 1829 died 23 Sep 1901
    "he was but words are wanting to tell what think what a Christian should be and he was that do justly love mercy and walk humbly with thy God
    In loving memory of
    Elizabeth Miller GOTCH, born at Bedford England 10 Mar 1839 died 17 Feb 1914
    her children arise up and call her blessed.6

Citations

  1. [S9] Free BMD. Index. Online @ https://www.freebmd.org.uk/.
  2. [S2] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Federation Index Victoria 1889-1901.
  3. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 1744-800 - Elizabeth Miller Gotch of Albert Street East Melbourne, Widow, Frederic Elliott Grant of 2 St James Buildings, William Street Melbourne, Solicitor, and Alexander McCalla, of Queen Street, Melbourne, Accountant are registered proprietors of the within-described land as Executrix and Executors to whom probate of the will and two codicils of John Speechly Gotch (who died 23 September 1901) was granted on the 3rd February 1902.
  4. [S4] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Great War Index Victoria 1914-1920.
  5. [S14] Newspaper - Yea Chronicle (Vic.), 19 Feb 1914, p2.
  6. [S45] Index of monumental inscriptions in the Melbourne General Cemetery,.
Last Edited18 Oct 2020

Percy Miles

M, #7438
(Transfer to) Land-UBeac30 Jul 1945 GEM-D-3 (part).D-4. Transfer from George Wilson Martin to David MacDonald Percy Miles. 16a 9p 4/10p - The property is sold by mortgagee - not listed which one.1 
Land-UBeac*4 Oct 1945 GEM-D-3 (part).D-4. Transfer from Percy Miles to David MacDonald. Miles' share to MacDonald.2 

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

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
1942Clovelly, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: labourer.3
1949Starling Road, Officer, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: nil.4

Citations

  1. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 6304-763 - Mortgagee to David Macdonald Insurance Officer and Percy Miles Gentleman both of Upper Beaconsfield - proprietors as tenants in common - C/T 6791-166.
  2. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 6791-166 - Macdonald of Upper Beaconsfield is now the proprietor.
  3. [S142] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1942.
  4. [S149] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1949 "change of address 22 May 1950."
Last Edited6 Feb 2016

David MacDonald

M, #7439, b. 17 Sep 1905, d. 6 Mar 1955
Father*Peter MacDonald
Mother*Jessie Candow
Birth*17 Sep 1905 Fraser's Land, Downfield, Strathmartine, Forfarshire, Scotland.1 
(Migrant) Migration/Travel10 May 1913 Sailing with Bessie Gordon Macdonald to Melbourne, VIC, Australia. Ship Mackarini sailing from Tilbury Essex, arriving 19 Jun 1913.2
 
Marriage*12 Oct 1929 Spouse: Ethel Edith Dines. Presbyterian Church, Blackburn, VIC, Australia, #M11635/1929.3
Divorce*Jun 1945David MacDonald and Ethel Edith Dines were divorced in Jun 1945.4 
Land-UBeac*30 Jul 1945 GEM-D-3 (part).D-4. Transfer from George Wilson Martin to David MacDonald Percy Miles. 16a 9p 4/10p - The property is sold by mortgagee - not listed which one.5 
Land-UBeac*4 Oct 1945 GEM-D-3 (part).D-4. Transfer from Percy Miles to David MacDonald. Miles' share to MacDonald.6 
Marriage*27 Oct 1945 Spouse: Ruth Ethel Gardam. Presbyterian Church, Berwick, VIC, Australia, #M15610/1945.3
Land-UBeac*25 Aug 1952 GEM-D-3 (part).D-4. Transfer from David MacDonald to Ronald Lincoln Vincent Emily Vincent. 16a 9p 4/10p.7 
Death*6 Mar 1955 Marlo, VIC, Australia, #D17236/1955 (Age 47) [par Peter MACDONALD & Jessie CANDOR] - died of coronary occlusion.8

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

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
1949Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: council employee. With Ruth Ethel MacDonald.9

Newspaper-Articles

  • 8 Jul 1939: MAIL CONTRACT
    BEACONSFIELD.-Mr. D. McDonald, of Upper Beaconsfield, has taken over the mail contract between Beaconsfield and Upper Beaconsfield, formerly carried on by Mr. H. Page.10

Citations

  1. [S80] Ancestry - Family Tree, Ross Irving originally shared this on 17 Jan 2016.
  2. [S80] Ancestry - Family Tree, Ross Irving.
  3. [S27] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Marriages) (online).
  4. [S80] Ancestry - Family Tree.
  5. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 6304-763 - Mortgagee to David Macdonald Insurance Officer and Percy Miles Gentleman both of Upper Beaconsfield - proprietors as tenants in common - C/T 6791-166.
  6. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 6791-166 - Macdonald of Upper Beaconsfield is now the proprietor.
  7. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 6791-166 - Ronald Lincoln Vincent Manufacturer and Emily Vincent Married Woman both of 117 Victoria Parade Collingwood.
  8. [S28] Victorian Government. BDM Index Victoria (Deaths) (online) "born DUNDEE SCOTLAND."
  9. [S149] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1949.
  10. [S11] Newspaper - The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.), 8 Jul 1939, p10.
Last Edited7 Jul 2019

Geoffrey Charles Heather

M, #7440, b. 26 Aug 1918, d. 18 Oct 2004
Geoffrey Charles HEATHER
(1918-2004)
Birth*26 Aug 1918 Heidelberg, VIC, Australia.1 
Marriage* Spouse: Edna May Smith. Possible marriage? #M9270/1931, Charles George HEATHER & Edna May KEECH.2
 
Land-UBeac*16 Dec 1953 GEM-D-3 (part).D-4.GEM-D-43 (part). Transfer from Ronald Lincoln Vincent Emily Vincent to Geoffrey Charles Heather Edna May Heather. 16a 9p 4/10p + 11a 2r 38 1/2p.3,4 
Land-UBeac*1 Jun 1954 GEM-D-3 (part).D-4.GEM-D-43 (part). Transfer from Geoffrey Charles Heather Edna May Heather to Sidney Roy Francis Frances Coralie Francis. 16a 9p 4/10p + 11a 2r 38 1/2p.5,4 
Land-UBeac*17 Dec 1954 GEM-D-58 (part). Transfer from George Herbert Toogood to Geoffrey Charles Heather Edna May Heather. 36a 2r 26p.6 
Land-UBeac8 Jul 1960 GEM-D-58 (part). Transfer from Geoffrey Charles Heather Edna May Heather to John Laurence A'Vard Gwendoline Olive A'Vard. 36a 2r 26p.7 
Land-UBeac*23 Dec 1960 PAK-60 40/LP1137 now 5/LP44536, 53 Salisbury Road. Transfer from John Laurence A'Vard to Geoffrey Charles Heather Edna May Heather.8 
Land-UBeac15 Sep 1966 PAK-60 40/LP1137 now 4/LP44536, 51 Salisbury Road. Transfer from John Laurence A'Vard to Geoffrey Charles Heather Edna May Heather.9 
WidowerFeb 1979Geoffrey Charles Heather became a widower upon the death of his wife Edna May Smith.2,10 
Land-Note*23 Apr 1979 PAK-60 LP1137 (Lot 40) LP44536 (Lot 4+5). Edna May Heather Geoffrey Charles Heather of Salisbury Road Upper Beaconsfield Storeman is the surviving proprietor.11,12 
Marriage* Spouse: Margaret Constance Turner.1
 
Death*18 Oct 2004 Alexandra Hospital, Alexandra, VIC, Australia.1 
Death-Notice*19 Oct 2004 HEATHER. - Geoffrey Charles. Aug. 26, 1918 - Oct. 18, 2004 At Alexandra Hospital. Loved husband of Margaret (dec.) and Margaret Constance (dec.)13 

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

DateAddressOccupation and other people at same address
194922 Cork Street, Newtown & Chilwell, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: plumber. With Edna May Heather.14
bt 1954 - 1968Burtons Road, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: plumber. With Edna May Heather.15,16,17
bt 1972 - 1977Salisbury Road, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: plumber. With Edna May Heather.18,19
1980Salisbury Road, Upper Beaconsfield, VIC, AustraliaOccupation: plumber. With Margaret Constance Turner.20

Citations

  1. [S80] Ancestry - Family Tree, Gibbney Family Tree - Owner: kgibbney.
  2. [S5] Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Index Victoria 1921-1985.
  3. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 8080-500 - Geoffrey Charles Heather, Farmer and Edna May Heather, Married Woman both of Upper Beaconsfield - joint proprietors.
  4. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 6791-166.
  5. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 8080-500 - Sidney Roy Francis, Farmer and Frances Coralie Francis, Married Woman both of 26 Thompson Street Maidstone - joint proprietors.
  6. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 6877-381 - Geoffrey Charles Heather, Farmer and Edna May Heather, Married Woman both of Burtons Road Upper Beaconsfield - joint proprietors.
  7. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 6877-381 - John Laurence A'Vard, Builder and Gwendoline Olive A'Vard Married Woman both of Engles Road Berwick - joint proprietors.
  8. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 8304-393 - Geoffrey Charles Heather Plumber and Edna May Heather Married Woman both of Burtons Road Upper Beaconsfield - joint proprietors.
  9. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 8644-564 - Geoffrey Charles Heather Plumber and Edna May Heather Married Woman both of Salisbury Road Upper Beaconsfield - joint proprietors.
  10. [S47] Index of burials in the cemetery of Springvale Botanical Cemetery.
    Cremated at Springvale - remains collected. Service 9 Feb 1979.
  11. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 8644-564 - Geoffrey Charles Heather of Salisbury Road Upper Beaconsfield Storeman is the surviving proprietor.
  12. [S185] Property Titles ; PROV (Public Record Office Victoria), C/T 8304-393 - Geoffrey Charles Heather of Salisbury Road Upper Beaconsfield Storeman is the surviving proprietor.
  13. [S13] Newspaper - The Herald-Sun (Melbourne, Vic.), 19 Oct 2004, viewed online.
  14. [S149] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1949.
  15. [S154] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1954.
  16. [S163] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1963.
  17. [S168] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1968.
  18. [S172] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1972.
  19. [S177] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1977.
  20. [S180] Electoral Roll for Australia, 1980.
Last Edited14 Mar 2023
 

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.