My ancestors were from Bedfordshire and I enjoyed reading your letter. Are there more? My ancestors were also in Kyneton at the same time and I’m sure everyone knew each other in those days perhaps. I also had ancestors in Rochester. I too hope he turned his life around. Living in a tent in winter in Kyneton would have been horrendous!
That’s coincidental Carol. Let me know your names. You just never know if there is a connection. Was it your Bedfordshire ancestors who were in Kyneton and Rochester? We were at the cemetery in Kyneton, last winter and the cold and wind were unbearable. There are a few more letters. There will be another one published tomorrow.
Hi Jennifer, The Dunham, Hall & Symons families are all related by marriage. One of my ancestors Joseph Symons who was in Kyneton in the mid to late 1850s, was a Stonemason from Devon! He probably knew your GG Grandfather. Joseph & Ann Hall from Cumberland/Cumbria, England were the main long term Kyneton pioneers who owned several properties there from the 1850s. Their daughter Jane Hall (my 2nd great grandmother) married Joseph Symons Jnr in 1854. Joseph Hall built the Windmill Farm and the windmill on that property in 1855. The Windmill still stands on the property! I did visit in 2023 and the weather was lovely! Their daughter Jane and son-in-law Joseph Symons lived at that property. Jane & Joseph Symon’s daughter Emily Ann Symons (was my great grandmother) and in 1881, she married William Dunham, whose parents John & Mary Ann Dunham were from Haynes, Bedfordshire. Haynes is about 20km from your GG Grandfather in Dunton. John Dunham was a carpenter and they had a large grain and hay store in Chapel Street, Prahran. The three shops being the second built by the Dunhams, are still standing today. My relatives that lived in Rochester were the McDonald family. Charlotte Head (my great aunt) married Thomas Francis McDonald. Charlotte Head is related to the Dunhams (another story!). I hope that all makes sense!
That is so interesting Carole. Thanks for letting me know. I’m sure our families would have known each other. The Dales from Kyneton are from my other family line. He was well known for his haberdashery store.
This was so sad to read. I know nothing about Australian history and had no idea of the struggles so many had. Still, what a treasure to have these letters--to understand how your family was feeling.
What a hard life it must have been for poor Thomas and his family, at times that was a heartbreaking read. We often read stories of people that emigrate and their life is almost picture perfect, we seldom hear of the other side of the coin of how much of a daily struggle it was to survive. The part where he lost his child was so difficult to read. One hopes that life did pick up for him and his wife and employment opportunities improved and they were at least able to find themselves a proper roof over their heads.
Paul the first time I read these letters I was devastated. I agree with you about the romanticised version of our pioneer families. Life does pick up but it was always a hardworking life. There are more letters to come
What a detailed account of a hard life! He’s right, at every turn he found misfortune. I’d love to know of things turned around for him - I hope so! Thanks for sharing this touching piece of your family history with us!
My ancestors were from Bedfordshire and I enjoyed reading your letter. Are there more? My ancestors were also in Kyneton at the same time and I’m sure everyone knew each other in those days perhaps. I also had ancestors in Rochester. I too hope he turned his life around. Living in a tent in winter in Kyneton would have been horrendous!
That’s coincidental Carol. Let me know your names. You just never know if there is a connection. Was it your Bedfordshire ancestors who were in Kyneton and Rochester? We were at the cemetery in Kyneton, last winter and the cold and wind were unbearable. There are a few more letters. There will be another one published tomorrow.
Hi Jennifer, The Dunham, Hall & Symons families are all related by marriage. One of my ancestors Joseph Symons who was in Kyneton in the mid to late 1850s, was a Stonemason from Devon! He probably knew your GG Grandfather. Joseph & Ann Hall from Cumberland/Cumbria, England were the main long term Kyneton pioneers who owned several properties there from the 1850s. Their daughter Jane Hall (my 2nd great grandmother) married Joseph Symons Jnr in 1854. Joseph Hall built the Windmill Farm and the windmill on that property in 1855. The Windmill still stands on the property! I did visit in 2023 and the weather was lovely! Their daughter Jane and son-in-law Joseph Symons lived at that property. Jane & Joseph Symon’s daughter Emily Ann Symons (was my great grandmother) and in 1881, she married William Dunham, whose parents John & Mary Ann Dunham were from Haynes, Bedfordshire. Haynes is about 20km from your GG Grandfather in Dunton. John Dunham was a carpenter and they had a large grain and hay store in Chapel Street, Prahran. The three shops being the second built by the Dunhams, are still standing today. My relatives that lived in Rochester were the McDonald family. Charlotte Head (my great aunt) married Thomas Francis McDonald. Charlotte Head is related to the Dunhams (another story!). I hope that all makes sense!
That is so interesting Carole. Thanks for letting me know. I’m sure our families would have known each other. The Dales from Kyneton are from my other family line. He was well known for his haberdashery store.
This was so sad to read. I know nothing about Australian history and had no idea of the struggles so many had. Still, what a treasure to have these letters--to understand how your family was feeling.
This was quite a normal experience for our pioneers. We owe them everything for the struggles they endured. Yes, the letters are a treasure.
What a hard life it must have been for poor Thomas and his family, at times that was a heartbreaking read. We often read stories of people that emigrate and their life is almost picture perfect, we seldom hear of the other side of the coin of how much of a daily struggle it was to survive. The part where he lost his child was so difficult to read. One hopes that life did pick up for him and his wife and employment opportunities improved and they were at least able to find themselves a proper roof over their heads.
Paul the first time I read these letters I was devastated. I agree with you about the romanticised version of our pioneer families. Life does pick up but it was always a hardworking life. There are more letters to come
Looking forward to reading some more of these letters Jennifer they give us a real glimpse of the harsh realities of pioneering families
What a detailed account of a hard life! He’s right, at every turn he found misfortune. I’d love to know of things turned around for him - I hope so! Thanks for sharing this touching piece of your family history with us!
Life did pick up Lori but was always hard work. There are more letters to come