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