Thomas George ARMSTRONG

1858 - 1925  (66 years)

• Name	Thomas George ARMSTRONG
  Birth	30 Oct 1858	Winter's Flat, Victoria, Australia
  Gender	Male
  Residence	6 Dec 1883	Clydebank, Victoria, Australia
  Residence	11 Jul 1889	Cambrian Hill, Victoria, Australia
  Residence	4 Jan 1890	Clydebank, Victoria, Australia
  Residence	12 Jun 1925	Rifle Butts, Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  Death	12 Jun 1925	Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  Burial	15 Jun 1925	Brighton Cemetery, Brighton, Victoria, Australia
  Person ID	I80	FHC006 - White Tree
  Last Modified	7 Nov 2020

  
  

  Father	Peter ARMSTRONG,   b. Abt 1821, Kirkhaugh, Northumberland, England d. 4 Jan 1890, Cambrian Hill, Victoria, Australia (Age ~ 69 years)
  Mother	Elizabeth STEPHENSON,   b. Abt 1822, New Shield, Alston, Cumberland, England d. 13 Sep 1897, Broomfield, Victoria, Australia (Age ~ 75 years)
  Marriage	3 Jul 1848	Allison's Bank Toll House, Gretna Green, Dumfriesshire, Scotland
  Notes	WESTERN MORNING NEWS, Thursday 28 December 1922 ROMANTIC WEDDINGS. FACTS ABOUT GRETNA GREEN MARRIAGES. The announcement that the once-famous smithy at Gretna Green has been condemned as a danger to motorists, and is to be removed, is, it seems, not altogether accurate. The buildings made historic by the runaway marriages of former times were converted into a curio shop a number of years ago, when the blacksmith removed his residence to a house across the road. It this house, and not the older one, which is now sought to remove. As the scene many hundreds of runaway marriages, among them those of many titled persons and others who late in life, rose to fame, Gretna Green will go down to history as a rather romantic spot. References crop up from time to time. It is only few years ago that a batch of the original marriage certificates of between the years 1825 and 1854 was sold by auction in London. That batch contained some illustrious names, and must have been of high interest to not a few noted families. In the early decades of last century, and no doubt prior to that, runaway marriages seem to have been common enough. The couples always sought the border as the only place where they could be married with some show of legality without the necessity of publication of banns. But all of them did not go to Gretna Green for that purpose. There were obliging “priests” at other places, such Paxton, Lamberton Toll, and Coldstream. It must not be supposed that all these marriages were of a clandestine kind. They were not. The stern Nonconformist type of religion practised for generations in these wild moorland districts made marriage for certain couples impossible at their own parish church. Others disliked publicity given to a local wedding. Many attempts were made by such bodies as the General Assembly to suppress the whole system which made runaway marriages possible, but without success. It was not until 1856, when Lord Brougham (who himself was married at Gretna) carried an Act through Parliament making such marriages illegal unless the persons concerned had resided in Scotland 21 days, that a stop was put the proceedings. At the beginning of last century David Long, "the Gretna blacksmith," was the man to whom fugitive lovers went to be married. He joined hundreds. When the railway was carried to Gretna business in the matrimonial line, seems to have been brisk, and at times fifty marriage ceremonies would be gone through by a single "priest," so-called, whom there were no fewer than four competing for business. They actually had touts at the station. The most famous of the last who held sway until the passing of the Act was John Murray, of Sark Toll Bar. The toll bar is gone, just as the smithy may disappear. Marriages, however, did not take place at the smithy. They did either at the toll bar or at one other of the inns, one of which had for its sign a man and woman clasping hands over an anvil. As to fees, there was, of course, no fixed sum. Those who tied the nuptial knot would take a shilling or less from poor people. A half-crown was accounted a satisfactory sum, and a seven-shilling fee was looked upon as a stroke of luck. But the fees did not cover the whole of the expenditure. The man who performed the ceremony, if it can be so styled, kept an inn, where the newly-wedded couples, when they could afford it, spent a good deal of money in the entertainment of the “company,'' and in the main for the benefit of the landlord.
  Family ID	F873	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Martha Ann DOBSON,   b. 1849, Donegal, Ireland d. 14 May 1938, Cheltenham, Victoria, Australia (Age 89 years)
  Marriage	6 Dec 1883	St Mark’s Church of England, Fitzroy, Victoria, Australia
  Notes	Age, 11 December 1883: Marriages. ARMSTRONG - DOBSON. On the 6th December, at St. Mark’s Church, Fitzroy, by the Rev. Barwell, Thomas George, youngest son of Peter Armstrong, of Cambrian-Hill, to Martha Ann, eldest daughter of Robert Dobson, Acheron.
  Children	1. Zilla Florence ARMSTRONG,   b. 1887, Alexandra, Victoria, Australia d. 9 Oct 1950, Mentone, Victoria, Australia (Age 63 years)   2. Inez ARMSTRONG,   b. 1888, Victoria, Australia d. 1957 (Age 69 years)   3. Ella Blanche Mcauley ARMSTRONG,   b. 1892, Sale, Victoria, Australia d. 2 Jul 1904, Alexandra, Victoria, Australia (Age 12 years)
  Family ID	F737	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	5 Oct 2019

  
  

• Notes

  Elizabeth died intestate but owned land of 20 acres in the Parish of Yarrowee, County of Grant (Allotment 14, Section 6) which was rented out for grazing. 'Land is fenced but otherwise unimproved and there are no buildings or improvements thereon and the same is used for grazing purposes. Land is of very poor quality and is valued at cost of 1 pound 10 shillings per acre. Land is rented at 2 pound a year. Total value 30 pounds.' There was no personal estate. Peter's attests to himself, and John, Joseph and Thomas George Armstrong, Elizabeth's brothers, all farmers at Cambrian Hill, and her sister Hannah Jane Hetherington, also of Cambrian Hill, as her only next of kin surviving. Peter also states that he is the only person entitled to the administration of Elizabeth’s estate. Hannah's husband, John Hetherington, butcher, of Broomfield, stated that he had freehold property at Broomfield consisting of three quarters of an acre to the value of fifty pounds. Peter died on 4 January 1890, presumably before he carried out the administration of his daughter’s estate because on 21 January 1890, brother John, along with brothers Joseph, Thomas George and married sister Jane Hetherington, all of Cambrian Hill, state that they are the only persons lawfully entitled to share in the distribution of the estate. John also seeks to be appointed as the administrator. Age, 21 January 1890: Probate notice. Notice is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen days from the publication hereof, an APPLICATION will be made to the Supreme Court of the colony of Victoria in its Probate Jurisdiction, that administration of the ESTATE of ELIZABETH ANN ARMSTRONG, late of Cambrian Hill, in the said colony, spinster, deceased intestate, be granted to John Armstrong, of Cambrian Hill aforesaid, engine driver, brother and one of the next of kin of the said deceased. Dated this twentieth day of January, 1890. S. F. Mann, Applicant’s Proctor, Ballarat. On 1 February, John Wilkinson Armstrong, Windermere St, Ballarat, mason, signs an affidavit stating that he has property worth 50 pounds, consisting of household furniture and effects. This John is Elizabeth’s uncle, brother of her father Peter Armstrong. John Hetherington also signed another affidavit, this time stating that he has household furniture in Broomfield to the value of fifty pounds. Brother John is granted administrator of Elizabeth’s estate on 14 February 1890. COURT CASE Age (Melbourne, Friday 16 August 1895, page 5 ARREST OF A STATE SCHOOL TEACHER. ALLEGED TAMPERING WITH FEMALE PUPILS. SALE, Thursday. As stated in The Age of yesterday, Thomas G. Armstrong was dismissed by the Education department, consequent upon an inquiry held by the Public Service Board into charges of Indecently assaulting female pupils at the Clydebank State school, of which he was head teacher. Following upon this, on Wednesday night Constable Chandler arrested Armstrong, who denied the charges. Hs was brought before the Sale police court this morn ing — Mr. Johnstone, J.P., presiding — and was formally charged with having assaulted a girl under tho age of 16 years in or about the month of July. The constable deposed that he had been present at the official inquiry, when he heard the evidence given by several girls. Accused was remanded to the 23rd inst., and on his applying for bail Sergeant M'Gann asked that it should be made substantial, as there would be other similar charges laid. Bail was fixed in two sureties of £100 each and accused in £200. He was then removed to gaol. COURT CASE Gippsland Times, Monday 26 August 1895, page 3 SALE POLICE COURT. FRIDAY, AUGUST 23RD. (Before Mr Creswell, P.M.) ALLEGED TAMPERING WITH STATE SCHOOL GIRLS. Thomas G. Armstrong, formerly head teacher at the Clydebank State School, was brought up on remand charged with in decently assaulting May Jenkins and Ada Williams, both under the age of 16 years, some time in July. Sergeant M'Gann conducted the prosecution and Mr Bushe appeared for the accused. The charges were taken separately. The court was cleared. The evidence went to show that accused committed at various times during school hours, or in the schoolroom during the luncheon hour, indecent assaults on the witnesses. According to the witnesses accused had crossly misconducted himself two or three times a week for a long time past, on some occasions in view of many of the scholars. Asked why they had not informed their parents when the first assault took place, or subsequently, the witnesses replied that they were afraid of being beaten by their mothers. The statement of the principal witnesses was that they resolved to tell their mothers shortly before the inquiry ordered by the Education department, be cause one girl said she would, and "take the threshing." Then six of them talked it over during the school dinner hour, and resolved to tell also. At the conclusion of the first charge Mr Bushe submitted there was not sufficient evidence for a commitment. He held there was a considerable divergence in the statements of the witnesses, and that it was im probable the offence should have been committed in a crowded schoolroom. Still if Mr Creswell intimated that it was a case for a jury he would not say anything further. Mr Creswell, P.M., said it was not for him to say what amount of credibility was to be attached to the witnesses. Corroboration was not necessary under the section of the Act. The second charge was then gone into, and accused was committed for trial on both charges to the Sale Supreme Court to be held on December 3rd. Bail was allowed in two sureties of £50 each and second of £100 personal, on each charge. Mr Anderson Dobson, grazier, and Mr Robert Dobson, farmer, both of Alexandra, gave the bail. Two other charges against accused were adjourned till next Friday, Mr Creswell having to leave for Pakenham by the afternoon train. Gippsland Times, Monday 2 September 1895, page 3 SALE POLICE COURT. Friday, August 30th. (Before Mr Creswell, P.M.) ALLEGED TAMPERING( WITH STAT'E SCHOOL GIRLS. Thomas George Armstrong, late head teacher at the CIydebank State school, was brought up on two further charges of in decently assaulting female scholars under the age of 16 years. Sergeant M'Gann con ducted the prosecution, and Mr Bushe appeared for the accused. The evidence of the assault against Ruby Little, aged 11 years, was as in the other cases difficult to follow on account of the children being unable to fix dates. Accord ing to the witnesses the assaults were very frequent and extended over a period of some years. One of the witnesses "couldn't re member," so frequently, that Sergeant M'Gann, put the question whether her father had not gone bail for accused. Mr Bushe objected to the question, and to her examination on her original statement unless she was treated as a hostile witness. Consequently her examination closed abruptly. Emily Nugent, domestic servant to Mr J. T. Little, said that in July 16th, Ruby complained to her of accused's conduct. Mr Bushe objected to the evidence on the ground that Ruby told witness four days after the alleged assault. Mr Creswell, P. M., decided to receive the evidence, noting that Mr Bushe objected to its admission. Witness said that on the afternoon of July 16th, Ruby went to her in the kitchen as soon as she came home from her music lesson and said "I'll tell you something I'm afraid to tell mother." After hearing the account of the assault witness told Ruby to tell her mother, which she did the same day. J. T. Little said that from what he was told on July 16th, he went the same evening to see the accused. Witness told accused what he had been informed about his con duct. Accused replied "I did not." Wit ness told him that he would go into Sale next morning and have him arrested any way. Previous to that evening was on friendly terms with accused. Could not see how accused received the information. It was very dark, and witness met him outside the house. Witness thought he was more excited than accused. Mr Creswell committed accused for trial at the Sale Supreme Court on December 3rd. Bail was accepted, self £50, and two sureties of £25 each, furnished by J. S. H. Hammond and Robert Dobson. The other charge was of assaulting Annie Miller, aged 12 years, some time during the month of June or July last. Mr Creswell committed accused for trial, accepting the same bail. Argus, Monday 25 November 1895, page 6 SALE, Friday. - In August last Thomas George Armstrong, head teacher of the state school at Clydebank was arrested on several charges of tampering with girl pupils He was dismissed the service, and later was committed for trial on several charges at the Sale Supreme Court on December 3. He was allowed out on substantial bail, and ever since has been residing in the house he occupied as head teacher, which is in the school grounds. Several residents objected to send their children to the school while Armstrong was about, and several parents, including one J. Jenkins, whose daughter is a witness against Arm strong, were summoned for non-compliance with the Education Act. The police magistrate (Mr Creswell) did not consider the objection sufficient, and fined them 2s 6d. in each case. Age (Melbourne, Wednesday 4 December 1895, page 6 SALE ASSIZES. JUDGE HODGES ON TRIAL BY JURY. SALE, Tuesday. Thomas George Armstrong, late head teacher of Clyde Bank State school, was charged on four separate counts with indecently assaulting four female pupils under the age of 16 years. He was defended by Mr. Forlonge. On one count, the evidence not being satisfactory, the jury, by direction of his Honor, returned a verdict of not guilty, and after a retirement of an hour and a half they returned a verdict of guilty on two of the other counts, and not guilty on the third. The jury recommended him to mercy on account of the suffering he had endured, and on account of his wife and family. Accused's defence was practically that he had flogged a boy at the school last December, that at an inquiry before the inspector he had been exonerated, and that since then he had been subjected to persecution to which this was the sequel. He was remanded for sentence.