Charles KEIRL

Notes:

Monumental inscription at Buninyong Cemetery:
Erected by the family circle.
Sacred
to
the memory of
SUSAN,
dearly beloved wife of
BENJAMIN KEIRL,
died 3rd May 1887, aged 60 years.
Through deep suffering and great tribulation
She entered the Kingdom.
Also their second youngest son
CHARLES
Died 3rd October 1877, aged 21 years.
"Not lost to memory or to love
But come to the Father's home above"
And
FRANCES CHARLOTTE
Died 8th Dec. 1867, aged 7 months.
"Taken from the evil to come"
Also her husband
BENJAMIN
Died 19th Feb. 1898, aged 82 years.
Also GEORGE,
beloved husband of
JEMIMA KEIRL,
Died 26th July 1923, aged 73 years.
Lead Kindly Light.
Drop the anchor! Furl the sail!
We are safe within the veil!

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 14 Feb 1816, Othery, Somerset, England
• Census: 30 Mar 1851, Village, Othery, Somerset, England
• Immigration: 13 Sep 1851, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Notes:

Their first Australian born child was Mary, born in South Geelong in August 1854. The next four children were born in Magpie and Ballarat, between 1856 and 1864. In 1867 when his daughter Frances was born, he was working as a carter on the goldfields. Frances was born at Cobblers Gully in 1867,a goldfield near Sebastopol, Ballarat.

Benjamin became a carter and then a trooper on the goldfields around Ballarat. The main function of the troopers was to maintain and order and to ensure that the goldminers held a miner's licence, which had been introduced by the Victorian Government. The miner's licences were the main reason for the rebellion at the Eureka Stockade. [Kathryn Keirl]

"The Golden Chain: a History of Sebastopol" by Evan Jenkins & Arthur Jenkins:
On one licence hunting excursion through the bush, the troopers came on several parties of diggers in a narrow shallow valley. They must have been in a good frame of mind because one trooper named Benjamin Keirl, observing the number of magpies flying about, idly remarked that this gully should be called Magpie, and the name stuck to the district.

"Early History of Magpie State School", 1922 [film at State Library of Victoria - Collection of Histories of State Schools]:
Magpie is one of the oldest districts in the state of Victoria. It is situated on the Yarrowee Creek, 4 miles south of Ballarat and one mile south of Sebastopol.
In 1851, gold was first discovered 2 miles south east of Magpie by a Mr Hiscock, and the place is marked by a blue stone obelisk with an inscription on it.
The discovery of gold led to a rush of prospectors, but as a greater discovery opened at Clunes, the miners rushed there.
The name Magpie is said to have originated in the following manner:- when the Commissioner of Police visited a certain gully demanding to seetheLicences of the miners, he asked "what is the name of this place?". A Mr Benjamin Keirl is said to have replied, "Oh call it "Magpie". The name was suggested by the great number of magpies found along the creek at that time.

Sebastopol Old Boys Reunion, Souvenir and Official Programme, 21st reunion, Easter 1930. Digitised by State Library of Victoria:
Cobblers’ Hill
The late Benjamin Keirl kept on elf the first dairies, and is said to have carried milk to Ballarat with a wooden yoke on his shoulders.
There is no indication of the date. !860s perhaps.

Government Gazette:
Bradworthy Sluicing and Gold Mining Co.
I, the undersigned William Ham, hereby make application to register the Bradworthy Sluicing and Gold Mining Co.
The place of operations is at Ross' Creek.
The nominal capital of this company is 750 pounds, in 250 shares at 3 pounds each.
The office of the company is at Cobbler's.
The name of the manager is William Ham.
The names and residences of the shareholders, and the number of shares held by each at this date, is as follows:-
Henry M. Ham, Geelong, 4
Charlotte Ham, Geelong, 3
Mercy Grace Ham, Geelong, 2
Samuel Ham, Geelong, 10
William Ham, Cobbler's, 15
Susan Keirl, Cobbler's, 2
George Keirl, Cobbler's, 2
Sydney Keirl, Cobbler's, 2
Government Gazette, 31 July 1868:
Licences forfeited for non-payment of licence fees during quarter ended 31 March 1868.
Smythesdale.
Keirl, Benjamin, Parish of Yarrowee, 40 acres

Event Memos from GEDCOM Import...

Note
Their first Australian born child was Mary, born in South Geelong in August 1854. The next four children were born in Magpie and Ballarat, between1856 and 1864. In 1867 when his daughter Frances was born, he was working as a carter on the goldfields. Frances was born at Cobblers Gully in 1867,a goldfield near Sebastopol, Ballarat.

Benjamin became a carter and then a trooper on the goldfields around Ballarat. The main function of the troopers was to maintain and order and toensure that the goldminers held a miner's licence, which had been introduced by the Victorian Government. The miner's licences were the main reasonfor the rebellion at the Eureka Stockade. [Kathryn Keirl]

"The Golden Chain: a History of Sebastopol" by Evan Jenkins & Arthur Jenkins:
On one licence hunting excursion through the bush, the troopers came on several parties of diggers in a narrow shallow valley. They must have beenin a good frame of mind because one trooper named Benjamin Keirl, observing the number of magpies flying about, idly remarked that this gully shouldbe called Magpie, and the name stuck to the district.

"Early History of Magpie State School", 1922 [film at State Library of Victoria - Collection of Histories of State Schools]:
Magpie is one of the oldest districts in the state of Victoria. It is situated on the Yarrowee Creek, 4 miles south of Ballarat and one mile southof Sebastopol.
In 1851, gold was first discovered 2 miles south east of magpie by a Mr Hiscock, and the place is marked by a blue stone obelisk with an inscriptionon it.
The discovery of gold led to a rush of prospectors, but as a greater discovery opened at Clunes, the miners rushed there.
The name Magpie is said to have originated in the following manner:- when the Commisioner of Police visited a certain gully demanding to see theLicences of the miners, he asked "what is the name of this place?". A Mr Benjamin Keirl is said to have replied, "Oh call it "Magpie". The name wassuggested by the great number of magpies found along the creek at that time.
Government Gazette:
Bradworthy Sluicing and Gold Mining Co.
I, the undersigned William Ham, hereby make application to register the Bradworthy Sluicing and Gold Mining Co.
The place of operations is at Ross' Creek.
The nominal capital of this company is 750 pounds, in 250 shares at 3 pounds each.
The office of the company is at Cobbler's.
The name of the manager is William Ham.
The names and residences of the shareholders, and the number of shares held by each at this date, is as follows:-
Henry M. Ham, Geelong, 4
Charlotte Ham, Geelong, 3
Mercy Grace Ham, Geelong, 2
Samuel Ham, Geelong, 10
William Ham, Cobbler's, 15
Susan Keirl, Cobbler's, 2
George Keirl, Cobbler's, 2
Sydney Keirl, Cobbler's, 2
Government Gazette, 31 July 1868:
Licences forfeited for non-payment of licence fees during quarter ended 31 March 1868.
Smythesdale.
Keirl, Benjamin, Parish of Yarrowee, 40 acres

Benjamin married Susanna HAM on 29 Apr 1848 in Sion Chapel, Bridgwater, Somerset, England. Susanna (daughter of Nathaniel HAM and Susanna PETHICK) was born about 1824 in Launcells, Cornwall, England; died on 3 May 1887 in Albert St, Sebastopol, Victoria, Australia; was buried on 4 May 1887 in Buninyong Cemetery, Buninyong, Victoria, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 4 Jul 1824, Launcells, Cornwall, England
• Census: 6 Jun 1841, Butsbeer, Launcells, Cornwall, England
• Census: 30 Mar 1851, Village, Othery, Somerset, England
• Immigration: 13 Sep 1851, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

Notes:

were married in the Sion Chapel in Bridgwater, Somerset, in 1848. They were both resident in Othery at the time. Susan gives her fatherNathaniel'soccupation as 'shoemaker".

1851 Census, Othery Village, Somerset:
Benjamin, age 35, farmer's servant, born Othery
Susan, wife, age 26, born Lancells [sic]
Guy, son, age 2, born Othery
Lydia, daughter, age 5 months, born Othery
[Guy and Lydia have obviously been recorded or transcribed wrongly as the children's names were George and Sydney - a son not a daughter. TheCensuswas taken on March 30th so the ages fit the children when they emigrated to Adelaide only a few months later].

Susan was aged 42 when she gave birth to her eighth and last child Frances. Benjamin was aged 50.

Susanna (Susan) died from paralysis of the brain which she had for 2 years before her death.

Ballarat Courier, May 5th 1887:
KEIRL - On the 3rd May, at Sebastopol, Susan, dearly beloved wife of benjamin Keirl; aged sixty-one years. Deeply mourned.

Ballarat Courier, May 4th 1887:
The friends of Mr. Benjamin Keirl are respectfully invited to follow the remains of his late dearly beloved WIFE to their last resting-place,theBuninyong Cemetery. The funeral cortege is appointed to move from his residence, Albert street south, Sebastopol, this day (Wednesday, the 4thMay),at half-past two o'clock p.m.

Monumental inscription at Buninyong Cemetery:
Erected by the family circle.
Sacred
to
the memory of
SUSAN,
dearly beloved wife of
BENJAMIN KEIRL,
died 3rd May 1887, aged 60 years.
Through deep suffering and great tribulation
She entered the Kingdom.
Also their second youngest son
CHARLES
Died 3rd October 1877, aged 21 years.
"Not lost to memory or to love
But come to the Father's home above"
And
FRANCES CHARLOTTE
Died 8th Dec. 1867, aged 7 months.
"Taken from the evil to come"
Also her husband
BENJAMIN
Died 19th Feb. 1898, aged 82 years.
Also GEORGE,
beloved husband of
JEMIMA KEIRL,
Died 26th July 1923, aged 73 years.
Lead Kindly Light.
Drop the anchor! Furl the sail!
We are safe within the veil!
Government Gazette, 10 April 1866:
Bradworthy Sluicing and Gold Mining Co.
I, the undersigned William Ham, hereby make application to register the Bradworthy Sluicing and Gold Mining Co.
The place of operations is at Ross' Creek.
The nominal capital of this company is 750 pounds, in 250 shares at 3 pounds each.
The office of the company is at Cobbler's.
The name of the manager is William Ham.
The names and residences of the shareholders, and the number of shares held by each at this date, is as follows:-
Henry M. Ham, Geelong, 4
Charlotte Ham, Geelong, 3
Mercy Grace Ham, Geelong, 2
Samuel Ham, Geelong, 10
William Ham, Cobbler's, 15
Susan Keirl, Cobbler's, 2
George Keirl, Cobbler's, 2
Sydney Keirl, Cobbler's, 2

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 3 Jun 1785, Othery, Somerset, England
• Census: 30 Mar 1851, Burrow Wall?, Othery, Somerset, England

John married Elizabeth WESTLAKE on 31 Dec 1814 in Othery, Somerset, England. Elizabeth was born about 1794 in Crediton, Devon, England; died before 1828. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 20 Apr 1794, Crediton, Devon, England

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 28 Apr 1774, Launcells, Cornwall, England
• Census: 6 Jun 1841, Butsbeer, Launcells, Cornwall, England
• Census: 30 Mar 1851, Hams, Launcells, Cornwall, England

Notes:

Nathaniel and Susan were living in Marhamchurch Village 1809 to1818 and their first five children were baptised there, then they moved toLauncellswhere the next two children were baptised, then David was baptised in the Holsworthy Methodist Circuit.

Nathaniel is mentioned in his father's will of 1822:
"To give unto his son Nathaniel Ham that parcel of land called or known by the name of Gardenpark or the field adjoining his own house as long ashelives." *
* This does not accord with the family records that state that Nathaniel was disinherited by his father because of his Methodism.

INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF SAMUEL HAM
William Berriman

When Samuel was two years old his parents removed into Launcells, where he was brought up. My parents [Nathaniel and Susan], he says, attendedtheparish church, and were considered as good as most people. When the Methodists came to the neighbourhood Nathaniel Ham went to hear this newsectthat had suddenly made their appearance in their midst. The preacher William O'Brian spoke from the Bible, a good work commenced, and Mr Hamwasamong the first who yielded to the Holy Spirit's pleading. These Methodists, or Ranters, met with much disfavour. No kindly door invited themin,and they were obliged to select a square in which to proclaim. It was rarely that the Methodist preacher was invited to eat or drink, for theparsonof the parish church had warned the people not to entertain the Methodist preacher or to encourage in any way. The Methodists sufferedpersecutionat the hands of a crowd organised and led by the parson of the parish church. All who held with the Ranters were scorned. JohnLittlejohn, PhillipMoore and Nathaniel Ham went to Bridgerule intending to preach in the Market Square, but the parson had Littlejohn and Moorearrested and sent toBodmin Gaol, but after he had imprisoned them, he released them. Though Nathaniel Ham was not arrested, yet he was called uponto suffer for theWord's sake. The parson informed Nathaniel Ham's father that his son had turned Methodist and started preaching, and hadfurthermore taken thepreacher in and given him liberty to preach in his house. This was too much for his father, who hated the Methodists, andbecause his son Nathanielhad joined this new sect, he altered his will, reducing his portion to an almost nominal amount. He also lost hissituations [employment], thesethings necessitating the young lad Samuel leaving his father's home at the early age of seven years.

METHODISM IN KILKHAMPTON
R. M. Heard
A record book of the Holsworthy Circuit shows a list of members in July 1818 at Kilkhampton. The surnames are as follows: Adams, Allin,Berryman,Cleverton, Grigg, HAM, Haynes, Jewell, John, Kinsman, Mountjoy, Watts and Yeo.

HAM FAMILY RECORD
as presented to Mercy Grace in 1880 by her uncle and aunt, David and Mary Ham.

Nathaniel Herefoot was born at Butsbeer Estate in 1775, educated for a surveyor.
He married Susanna Pethick in 1810.
Became connected with the Wesleyan Church about 1815, was a local preacher.
On this account he suffered much persecution in the loss of a large school "connected with the Church of England" of which he was the principal.
His father, on account of his dissenting from the Church, disinherited him. [Not true - see will above]
He struggled hard with a family of 6 children.
Samuel, Francis, Susanna and David came to Victoria about 1850. Thomas and Maria remained in England. He lived a blameless life, beloved byallclasses. His wife was a true Christian and helpmate, cheered him in the hour of trial. They continued members of the Wesleyan Church, and bothdiedin the Lord, October 1853.
In the 1843 Tithes of Cornwall, Nathaniel had a house and garden of 3 roods on which he had to pay two shillings and nine pence. The landwasactually owned by Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Bart. but the Ham family would have had a three-lives lease.

Event Memos from GEDCOM Import...

Note
Nathaniel and Susan were living in Marhamchurch Village 1809 to1818 and their first five children were baptised there, then they moved to Launcellswhere the next two children were baptised, then David was baptised in the Holsworthy Methodist Circuit.

Nathaniel is mentioned in his father's will of 1822:
"To give unto his son Nathaniel Ham that parcel of land called or known by the name of Gardenpark or the field adjoining his own house as long as helives." *
* This does not accord with the family records that state that Nathaniel was disinherited by his father because of his Methodism.

INCIDENTS IN THE LIFE OF SAMUEL HAM
William Berriman

When Samuel was two years old his parents removed into Launcells, where he was brought up. My parents [Nathaniel and Susan], he says, attended theparish church, and were considered as good as most people. When the Methodists came to the neighbourhood Nathaniel Ham went to hear this new sectthat had suddenly made their appearance in their midst. The preacher William O'Brian spoke from the Bible, a good work commenced, and Mr Ham wasamong the first who yielded to the Holy Spirit's pleading. These Methodists, or Ranters, met with much disfavour. No kindly door invited them in,and they were obliged to select a square in which to proclaim. It was rarely that the Methodist preacher was invited to eat or drink, for the parsonof the parish church had warned the people not to entertain the Methodist preacher or to encourage in any way. The Methodists suffered persecutionat the hands of a crowd organised and led by the parson of the parish church. All who held with the Ranters were scorned. John Littlejohn, PhillipMoore and Nathaniel Ham went to Bridgerule intending to preach in the Market Square, but the parson had Littlejohn and Moore arrested and sent toBodmin Gaol, but after he had imprisoned them, he released them. Though Nathaniel Ham was not arrested, yet he was called upon to suffer for theWord's sake. The parson informed Nathaniel Ham's father that his son had turned Methodist and started preaching, and had furthermore taken thepreacher in and given him liberty to preach in his house. This was too much for his father, who hated the Methodists, and because his son Nathanielhad joined this new sect, he altered his will, reducing his portion to an almost nominal amount. He also lost his situations [employment], thesethings necessitating the young lad Samuel leaving his father's home at the early age of seven years.

METHODISM IN KILKHAMPTON
R. M. Heard
A record book of the Holsworthy Circuit shows a list of members in July 1818 at Kilkhampton. The surnames are as follows: Adams, Allin, Berryman,Cleverton, Grigg, HAM, Haynes, Jewell, John, Kinsman, Mountjoy, Watts and Yeo.

HAM FAMILY RECORD
as presented to Mercy Grace in 1880 by her uncle and aunt, David and Mary Ham.

Nathaniel Herefoot was born at Butsbeer Estate in 1775, educated for a surveyor.
He married Susanna Pethick in 1810.
Became connected with the Wesleyan Church about 1815, was a local preacher.
On this account he suffered much persecution in the loss of a large school "connected with the Church of England" of which he was the principal.
His father, on account of his dissenting from the Church, disinherited him. [Not true - see will above]
He struggled hard with a family of 6 children.
Samuel, Francis, Susanna and David came to Victoria about 1850. Thomas and Maria remained in England. He lived a blameless life, beloved by allclasses. His wife was a true Christian and helpmate, cheered him in the hour of trial. They continued members of the Wesleyan Church, and both diedin the Lord, October 1853.
In the 1843 Tithes of Cornwall, Nathaniel had a house and garden of 3 roods on which he had to pay two shillings and nine pence. The land wasactually owned by Sir Thomas Dyke Acland, Bart. but the Ham family would have had a three-lives lease.

Nathaniel married Susanna PETHICK on 11 Jul 1808 in Marhamchurch, Cornwall, England. Susanna (daughter of John PETHICK and Elizabeth CORY) was born about 1784 in Stratton, Cornwall, England; died on 13 Oct 1851 in Butsbeer, Launcells, Cornwall, England; was buried on 14 Oct 1851 in Launcells, Cornwall, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 26 Dec 1784, Stratton, Cornwall, England
• Census: 6 Jun 1841, Butsbeer, Launcells, Cornwall, England
• Census: 30 Mar 1851, Hams, Launcells, Cornwall, England

Notes:

Susanna is mentioned in her father's will of 1839.
3rd - I give unto my Daughters Mary Sangwin, Susanna Ham, Joanna Pethick, Thomazin Collacott, Armanella Woodley & Fanny Pethick - the sum oftwopounds to each of them, to be paid by my Executor one pound each, one year after my decease, and the remaining one pound each at the end ofthesecond year after my decease.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: Abt 10 Sep 1739, Marhamchurch, Cornwall, England

Notes:

John was baptised in September 1740, after his father died in April of the same year.

John's grandfather Nathaniel Harefoot's will of 1748 leaves to:
*Grandson John Ham my estate in Launcells called Buttsbeer, except the two cow meadows, after the death of my wife."

John's grandmother Catherine Harefoot's will of 18 August 1752:
Granddaughter Prudence Ham my hanging press and ten pounds when she reaches one and twenty years. Also all my wearing apparel both woollen andlinenand also my bed sheets and all other linen belonging to my house and also my gold ring.
All other goods and chattels in trust until they reach the age of one and twenty for my grandson John Ham and granddaughter Prudence Ham tobeequally divided between them.

John is mentioned in his aunt Margaret Ham's will of 1763 , a spinster, left one shilling.

"History of Launcells Church"

The tower of the Launcells church is 64 feet high and houses six bells that are famous for their fine tone.
These were the bells commemorated by the Rev. Robert Stephen Hawker, the Vicar of Morwenstow, the Cornish poet, in 1836.
On hearing that the Launcell's ringers had rung at the accession of George III, and the same again at his jubilee, that three of them had lived to ring in George IV and that two had survived to celebrate the coronation of William IV, he dedicated his poem to their memory.

"Parochial History of Cornwall" by David Gilbert, 1838.
Volume 4, page 18:
An instance of longevity has been given in the parish of Stratton, and an occurrence has been stated to the Editor, which proves that Launcells participates in the general healthiness of that district.
It seems the identical six men who rang the bells in Launcells tower on the Coronation of King George the Third, rang them also on the day of his jubilee, having continued in the parish ringers during all that time.
Their names are recorded in the parish, and may therefore be inserted here,
John Lyle, Henry Cadd, Richard Venning, John Ham, John Allin, Richard Hayman.
And of these, John Lyle rang at the accession of King George the Fourth, and of his present Majesty King William the Fourth, then being in his ninety-sixth year: but all are now gathered to their fathers.

Dates:
George III accession17606 ringers
George III jubilee1810same 6 ringers
George IV accession18203 of same ringers
William IV coronation 1830 2 surviving

John Lyle and John Ham
John Lyle baptised 1736, buried 1832 [therefore 96 in 1830]
John Ham baptised 1740, buried 1823 [therefore could have rung the bells 3 times]

Frederick Smallfield painted a famous painting called "The Ringers of Launcells Tower" in 1878 after being inspired by Hawker's poem. The painting is housed in the Royal Cornwall Museum in Truro.

Launcells Monumental Inscription:
Sacred
to
the memory of JOHN HAM,
late of Butsbeer in this Parish, who
departed this life the 10th day of
March in the year of our Lord
1825 in the 84th year of his age.
Also in memory of ANN his
wife. Who departed this life
the 1st day of January in the year
of our Lord 1834. Aged 95 years.
"If fourscore years and ten we stay,
Tis but a shadow past away,
There nothing is that can prevent
The stroke of death when time is spent."

[His date of death is incorrect on the gravestone. It should be 1823. Ann's is also incorrect and should be 1832, aged 96 - according to the Launcells Burial Register]

John wrote a deed of gifts to his son William on February 22, 1822.
John's probate was passed on March 29, 1823. Probate was granted to his son William and he received a sum of two hundred pounds. The estate was called Mavyns Butsbeer in the Parish of Launcells.
William was to give to his mother "meat, drink, washing and firing what is needful for her maintenance, together with her living in the dwellinghouse, and to have the use of all the furniture belonging to the house, with the milk of a cow together with two pounds a year and every year as long as she shall live a widow."
And also giving and paying to Catherine Marshall and Mary Brock, his daughters, the sum of ten pounds to be paid two years after my decease.
To give unto his son Nathaniel Ham that parcel of land called or known by the name of Gardenpark or the field adjoining his own house as long as he lives.
To give unto his son Thomas Ham the sum of fifteen pounds to be paid as follows: five pounds in twelve months, five pounds in two years, and five pounds at the end of three years all after my decease.
To give unto his son Richard Ham the sum of twenty shillings per year and every year as long as he shall live.
To give unto his son John's widow and five children the sum of one shilling each to be paid immediately after my decease. The same for his daughter Prudence Togwill's children and his son James' widow and seven children."

HAM FAMILY RECORD
as presented to Mercy Grace in 1880 by her uncle and aunt, David and Mary Ham.

John Ham was born about the year 1730.
Was supposed to have come into England, from Holland, about the year 1755.
He purchased several estates of land in the County of Cornwall; and was married to Grace Lyle.
Had three sons and one daughter, William, Richard, Nathaniel Herefoot and Flora.
He died at Butsbeer Estate in 1824.
Two of William's sons came to the Colony of Victoria in 1852.
Richard's son John, left Cornwall for Birmingham, came to Victoria about 1842, was a Baptist Minister in Melbourne - much beloved - died in NSWabout1852.
Nathaniel Herefoot was born at Batsbeer Estate in 1775, educated for a surveyor.
He married Susanna Pethick in 1810.
Became connected with the Wesleyan Church about 1815, was a local preacher.
On this account he suffered much persecution in the loss of a large school "connected with the Church of England" of which he was the principal.
His father, on account of his dissenting from the Church, disinherited him.
He struggled hard with a family of 6 children.
Samuel, Francis, Susanna and David came to Victoria about 1850. Thomas and Maria remained in England. He lived a blameless life, beloved by all classes. His wife was a true Christian and helpmate, cheered him in the hour of trial. They continued members of the Wesleyan Church, and both died in the Lord, October 1853.
David, the youngest, was born at Batsbeer, November 4, 1830, left England in 1849 and was one of the first on the Ballarat goldfields in 1851. He married Mary Ann Howell in 1853, had the misfortune to lose his beloved wife the same year. He again married in 1856, Mary Jones.
Elizabeth Jane, daughter, was born in Geelong, 1857. He left Geelong for Smythesdale, where David John, Maria, William Thomas, NathanielBurnett,Frederick Albert, were born.
In 1868 the family left for Ballarat, where Hedley Herefoot, Walter Somerville, Ethel Mary, were born.
He occupied a seat on the committees of the various charities and Free Libraries. Received a Commission of the Peace, and fulfilled its functions to the satisfaction of all classes.
Elizabeth, daughter, was married to J. J. Kingsbury, on 4th November 1879.
From a record kept of the Ham family since, 1730, it is specially mentioned that no member was ever convicted or charged with any criminal offence; and it is recorded that none of them ever became insolvent, nor compromised with their creditors; and it is enjoined on the various members of the family that, seeking divine assistance and help from God, they will maintain and preserve an unsullied reputation handed down to them by a noble ancestry.
[There are many mistakes, misspellings and inconsistencies in David's family history]

Event Memos from GEDCOM Import...

Note
"History of Launcells Church"

The tower of the Launcells church is 64 feet high and houses six bells that are famous for their fine tone.
These were the bells commemorated by the Rev. Robert Stephen Hawker, the Vicar of Morwenstow, the Cornish poet, in 1836.
On hearing that the Launcell's ringers had rung at the accession of George III, and the same again at his jubilee, that three of them had lived toring in George IV and that two had survived to celebrate the coronation of William IV, he dedicated his poem to their memory.

"Parochial History of Cornwall" by David Gilbert, 1838.
Volume 4, page 18:
An instance of longevity has been given in the parish of Stratton, and an occurrence has been stated to the Editor, which proves that Launcellsparticipates in the general healthiness of that district.
It seems the identical six men who rang the bells in Launcells tower on the Coronation of King George the Third, rang them also on the day of hisjubilee, having continued in the parish ringers during all that time.
Their names are recorded in the parish, and may therefore be inserted here,
John Lyle, Henry Cadd, Richard Venning, John Ham, John Allin, Richard Hayman.
And of these, John Lyle rang at the accession of King George the Fourth, and of his present Majesty King William the Fourth, then being in hisninety-sixth year: but all are now gathered to their fathers.

Dates:
George III accession17606 ringers
George III jubilee1810same 6 ringers
George IV accession18203 of same ringers
William IV coronation 1830 2 surviving

John Lyle and John Ham
John Lyle baptised 1736, buried 1832 [therefore 96 in 1830]
John Ham baptised 1740, buried 1823 [therefore could have rung the bells 3 times]

Frederick Smallfield painted a famous painting called "The Ringers of Launcells Tower" in 1878 after being inspired by Hawker's poem. The paintingis housed in the Museum in Truro.

Launcells Monumental Inscription:
Sacred
to
the memory of JOHN HAM,
late of Butsbeer in this Parish, who
departed this life the 10th day of
March in the year of our Lord
1825 in the 84th year of his age.
Also in memory of ANN his
wife. Who departed this life
the 1st day of January in the year
of our Lord 1834. Aged 95 years.
"If fourscore years and ten we stay,
Tis but a shadow past away,
There nothing is that can prevent
The stroke of death when time is spent."

[His date of death is incorrect on the gravestone. It should be 1823. Ann's is also incorrect and should be 1832, aged 96 - according to theLauncells Burial Register]

John wrote a deed of gifts to his son William on February 22, 1822.
John's probate was passed on March 29, 1823. Probate was granted to his son William and he received a sum of two hundred pounds. The estate wascalled Mavyns Butsbeer in the Parish of Launcells.
William was to give to his mother "meat, drink, washing and firing what is needful for her maintenance, together with her living in the dwellinghouse, and to have the use of all the furniture belonging to the house, with the milk of a cow together with two pounds a year and every year aslong as she shall live a widow."
And also giving and paying to Catherine Marshall and Mary Brock, his daughters, the sum of ten pounds to be paid two years after my decease.
To give unto his son Nathaniel Ham that parcel of land called or known by the name of Gardenpark or the field adjoining his own house as long as helives.
To give unto his son Thomas Ham the sum of fifteen pounds to be paid as follows: five pounds in twelve months, five pounds in two years, and fivepounds at the end of three years all after my decease.
To give unto his son Richard Ham the sum of twenty shillings per year and every year as long as he shall live.
To give unto his son John's widow and five children the sum of one shilling each to be paid immediately after my decease. The same for his daughterPrudence Togwill's children and his son James' widow and seven children."

HAM FAMILY RECORD
as presented to Mercy Grace in 1880 by her uncle and aunt, David and Mary Ham.

John Ham was born about the year 1730.
Was supposed to have come into England, from Holland, about the year 1755.
He purchased several estates of land in the County of Cornwall; and was married to Grace Lyle.
Had three sons and one daughter, William, Richard, Nathaniel Herefoot and Flora.
He died at Butsbeer Estate in 1824.
Two of William's sons came to the Colony of Victoria in 1852.
Richard's son John, left Cornwall for Birmingham, came to Victoria about 1842, was a Baptist Minister in Melbourne - much beloved - died in NSWabout 1852.
Nathaniel Herefoot was born at Batsbeer Estate in 1775, educated for a surveyor.
He married Susanna Pethick in 1810.
Became connected with the Wesleyan Church about 1815, was a local preacher.
On this account he suffered much persecution in the loss of a large school "connected with the Church of England" of which he was the principal.
His father, on account of his dissenting from the Church, disinherited him.
He struggled hard with a family of 6 children.
Samuel, Francis, Susanna and David came to Victoria about 1850. Thomas and Maria remained in England. He lived a blameless life, beloved by allclasses. His wife was a true Christian and helpmate, cheered him in the hour of trial. They continued members of the Wesleyan Church, and both diedin the Lord, October 1853.
David, the youngest, was born at Batsbeer, November 4, 1830, left England in 1849 and was one of the first on the Ballarat goldfields in 1851. Hemarried Mary Ann Howell in 1853, had the misfortune to lose his beloved wife the same year. He again married in 1856, Mary Jones.
Elizabeth Jane, daughter, was born in Geelong, 1857. He left Geelong for Smythesdale, where David John, Maria, William Thomas, Nathaniel Burnett,Frederick Albert, were born.
In 1868 the family left for Ballarat, where Hedley Herefoot, Walter Somerville, Ethel Mary, were born.
He occupied a seat on the committees of the various charities and Free Libraries. Received a Commission of the Peace, and fulfilled its functions tothe satisfaction of all classes.
Elizabeth, daughter, was married to J. J. Kingsbury, on 4th November 1879.
From a record kept of the Ham family since, 1730, it is specially mentioned that no member was ever convicted or charged with any criminal offence;and it is recorded that none of them ever became insolvent, nor compromised with their creditors; and it is enjoined on the various members of thefamily that, seeking divine assistance and help from God, they will maintain and preserve an unsullied reputation handed down to them by a nobleancestry.
[There are many mistakes and inconsistencies in David's family history]

John married Anna Maria LYLE on 21 Apr 1761 in Launcells, Cornwall, England. Anna (daughter of Richard LYLE and Ann MAY) was born before 10 Jan 1738 in Launcells, Cornwall, England; died on 1 Jan 1833 in Treyeo, Launcells, Cornwall, England; was buried on 3 Jan 1833 in Launcells, Cornwall, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: Abt 10 Jan 1738, Launcells, Cornwall, England

Notes:

Launcells Monumental Inscriptions:
Sacred
to
the memory of JOHN HAM,
late of Butsbeer in this Parish, who
departed this life the 10th day of
March in the year of our Lord
1825 in the 84th year of his age.
Also in memory of ANN his
wife. Who departed this life
the 1st day of January in the year
of our Lord 1834. Aged 95 years.
"If fourscore years and ten we stay,
Tis but a shadow past away,
There nothing is that can prevent
The stroke of death when time is spent."
[His date of death is incorrect on the gravestone. It should be 1823. Also Ann's is incorrect and should be 1833, aged 96 - according totheLauncells Burial Register]

Anna Maria's abode at the time of her burial was Treyeo, so she must have been living there with her son William.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 4 May 1760, Week St Mary, Cornwall, England

Notes:

Blanchminster Charity Book - Parish of Stratton (Bude Library)
Memorandum of Agreement, 20 April 1762.
Between the major part of the Eight Men of the parish of Stratton and William Colmer of Poughill, for a lease determinable of three lives tobechosen and named by the lessee of and in "our part of HEAL MILLS", together with the wastes and plots adjoining, and woodland and housesthereuntobelonging, for a term of 99 years, if the lives shall so long endure, paying for consideration one guinea.
Counterpart, 31 October 1763.
Hugh Payne, Edward Hallett, and others, feoffees [those to whom land is given in the feudal system], for and in consideration of the re-erectionorre-building of the mills and mill-houses, commonly called HELE MILLS, together with the dwelling house and outhouses thereunto belonging, whicharenow ruinous and decayed, as well as for £2.2s. demise and grant to JOSEPH PETHEICK and his assigns all that their part, parcel and portion, thatisto say, one third part, of those mills, mill-houses, dwelling house and outhouses called HELE MILLS, and watercourse to the said millsbelonging,also the commons without the said mills and plot of wood or woodland ground thereto adjoining, all which premises were sometime in thetenure ofBenjamin Gayer, and now of JOSEPH PETHEICK, of Week St Mary, millwright; for 99 years, if JOHN PETHEICK, son of the said Joseph, aged 4years orthereabouts, JOSEPH another son of the same, aged 15 weeks or thereabouts, and ELIZABETH, daughter of the said Joseph, aged about 2 years,or any ofthem, shall so long happen to live. Yearly rent 10s. 4d.; also a heriot or farleu after the death of each tenant.
[heriot or farleu - a customary tribute of goods or chattels to the lord of the fee on the decease of the owner]
Counterpart, 27 August 1862 [99 hundred years later].
Assigned to John Box.
Footnote: in 1816, John Petherick paid 10s. 4d. rent and 10s. 8d. land tax. Subsequently these two items are merged into one payment of rent, £1. 1s.

John was the executor of his father's will of 1781 and he was the main beneficiary.
"I give and bequeath unto my well-beloved son John my Mills, known by the name of Hale Mills with the Estate belonging to the same, as also allmyGoods both quick and dead, as also my working tools and other Implements to me belonging, Household Furniture, within or without.

John's first wife Elizabeth died, possibly in childbirth or not long after, as she was buried on the same day as her baby Frances was baptised.Johnwas left with several small children. The baby died four months later. He remarried 6 years later to Mary Trick and they had four childrentogether.

Event Memos from GEDCOM Import...

Note
Blanchminster Charity Book - Parish of Stratton (Bude Library)
Memorandum of Agreement, 20 April 1762.
Between the major part of the Eight Men of the parish of Stratton and William Colmer of Poughill, for a lease determinable of three lives to bechosen and named by the lessee of and in "our part of HEAL MILLS", together with the wastes and plots adjoining, and woodland and houses thereuntobelonging, for a term of 99 years, if the lives shall so long endure, paying for consideration one guinea.
Counterpart, 31 October 1763.
Hugh Payne, Edward Hallett, and others, feoffees [those to whom land is given in the feudal system], for and in consideration of the re-erection orre-building of the mills and mill-houses, commonly called HELE MILLS, together with the dwelling house and outhouses thereunto belonging, which arenow ruinous and decayed, as well as for £2.2s. demise and grant to JOSEPH PETHEICK and his assigns all that their part, parcel and portion, that isto say, one third part, of those mills, mill-houses, dwelling house and outhouses called HELE MILLS, and watercourse to the said mills belonging,also the commons without the said mills and plot of wood or woodland ground thereto adjoining, all which premises were sometime in the tenure ofBenjamin Gayer, and now of JOSEPH PETHEICK, of Week St Mary, millwright; for 99 years, if JOHN PETHEICK, son of the said Joseph, aged 4 years orthereabouts, JOSEPH another son of the same, aged 15 weeks or thereabouts, and ELIZABETH, daughter of the said Joseph, aged about 2 years, or any ofthem, shall so long happen to live. Yearly rent 10s. 4d.; also a heriot or farleu after the death of each tenant.
[heriot or farleu - a customary tribute of goods or chattels to the lord of the fee on the decease of the owner]
Counterpart, 27 August 1862 [99 hundred years later].
Assigned to John Box.
Footnote: in 1816, John Petherick paid 10s. 4d. rent and 10s. 8d. land tax. Subsequently these two items are merged into one payment of rent, £1. 1s.

John was the executor of his father's will of 1781 and he was the main beneficiary.
"I give and bequeath unto my well-beloved son John my Mills, known by the name of Hale Mills with the Estate belonging to the same, as also all myGoods both quick and dead, as also my working tools and other Implements to me belonging, Household Furniture, within or without.

John's first wife Elizabeth died, possibly in childbirth or not long after, as she was buried on the same day as her baby Frances was baptised. Johnwas left with several small children. The baby died four months later. He remarried 6 years later to Mary Trick and they had four children together.

John married Elizabeth CORY on 9 Apr 1781 in Week St Mary, Cornwall, England. Elizabeth (daughter of William CORY and Unknown UNKNOWN) was born about 1760 in Week St Mary, Cornwall, England; died in 1800 in Stratton, Cornwall, England; was buried on 25 Oct 1800 in Stratton, Cornwall, England. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Baptism: 10 Aug 1760, Week St Mary, Cornwall, England
• Burial: 20 Feb 1801, Stratton, Cornwall, England