Wednesday, 27 February 2008
Oral history is simply that. The truth however may be a little different....
Ward Family
Extract from "The Cyclopedia of Victoria"
Mr. Jonah Ward, Mining Manager, Kingston, near Creswick, was born in Northumberland, England, in 1845, and educated privately. At a very early age he went to work in the Bomart lead mine, in his native county. He arrived in Victoria in 1865, and making his way to the gold diggings, was engaged for a period of five years in mining pursuits in the Durham, then known as the Cambrian Hill mine. After a period spent in search of the previous metal at Stawell, Mr. Ward removed to Creswick, and for some time was engaged in the Richard’s Luck mine, from whence he was appointed manager of the Nelson mine at Glenfield. After filling an engagement as shift boss at Creswick for some months, he was offered and accepted for position of manager of the Australasian mine, which he filled until the mine closed down. Since then Mr. Ward has filled several responsible engagements in connection with well-known mining companies and in 1901 was appointed to his present position.
Lewer Family
An extract from a letter to David Lewer; from Kitty Lewer – 3rd February 1937
"Re the abdication; of course we only know what the papers tell us, and form our own opinion accordingly. Australians in general think well of the ex King for renouncing his throne and power for love, but we English and Scottish people look across 12000 miles of ocean at the honourable constitution and it’s noble and valiant traditions that stand behind the rulers of our beloved home and Empire and feel nothing but contempt for the weakling who for 40 years has basked in the sunlight of his country mens’ approval; lived and travelled in the utmost luxury at their expense, promised the Welsh miners heaven and the slum dwellers paradise metorphoriea and then when the whole world is on the one hand spending millions on the greatest honour they can confer on a human being and on the other hand spending millions on death dealing gear to end our glorious freedom he throws in the sponge to become the third husband to an American!"
Hagan Family
Agnes McMaster (1834) married Robert Hagan in Ireland in 1857. Robert was a ships navigator and together they planned to migrate to Australia. It is assumed that Agnes set sail in 1858 on the "John and Lucy" under her maiden name. Robert on the other hand planned and succeeded in Jumping ship in Melbourne. Agnes may have travelled under her maiden name to ensure that Robert's plan was not detected by the senior officers of the ship. They both headed north and settled in Lamplough near Tooborac in Central Victoria. Agnes and Robert had seven children and lived long lives. Agnes died in 1917 and Robert 1918.
Lewer Family
Edward John Lewer (1792): It was said that Edward John Lewer was the "French Barber of Greenwich" and that as a boy he escaped from the French Revolution terror in an orange box; his parents having been killed (Guillotined). Also that his father had been a Count at Versailles. Edward changed his name to Lewer (from Levere) by paying 20 pounds at Doctors Commons - Thereby obtaining the right to be an Englishman.
Hagan Family
Albert John Hagan was born in 1909 and died in Omeo while on holiday. He died of Rhumatic fever and is buried in the Omeo cemetary (lot number 149 Church of England). He is the son of Robert Hagan and Emmie Masters. Emmie needed a holiday because of the ill health of Frank - her latest son believed to have been recovering from Diptheria; she was exhausted because of Frank's condition...
Pratt Family
Alma Beatrice Pratt (1893-1950): According to Joan Collins (Wife of William Henry Pratt Sr), Alma Beatrice Pratt (Ward) died of a broken heart because of the death of William Henry Pratt (Sr) during the second world war - she didn't get over it. Joan therefore felt abliged to name her first son William Henry Pratt (Jr) in respect. In reality, Alma died of a stoke. William Henry Pratt Sr was found in his plane on the Kakoda Trail in 1961 along with the rest of the crew.