http://norfolkislandfirstfleetersandfamilies.blogspot.com.au
When Ann Brooks nee Lavender (1762-1813) was convicted on 12 December 1787, she had a very young son William Brooks (born early 1787). His father was William Brooks who was convicted for a crime and transported to Africa, never to be heard of again. Young William accompanied his mother on "Lady Juliana" at the age of 2 years, arrived at Port Jackson on 3 June 1790 and transferred to Norfolk Island on "Surprize" on 1 August 1790.
William was brought up by James and Ann Morrisby but I am yet to discover what happened to him. He did not leave Norfolk Island with his mother in 1807. There has been some suggestion that he went to sea on "Lady Nelson" in 1801 at the age of 14 years.
Ann Brooks nee Lavender got pregnant to a seaman Richard Larsom from the "Lady Juliana" while in Port Jackson. Ann gave birth to Richard Larsom on 25 April 1791 on Norfolk Island. James and Ann Morrisby brought Richard up as one of their own.
Richard Larsom was born 25 April 1791 on Norfolk Island and died 13 July 1849 in Ralphs Bay, Tasmania. Richard Larsom married Ann Whiting Kidner who was born 1 October 1798 and died 18 January 1854 in Clarence Plains, Tasmania on 24 February 1812 in Hobart, Tasmania. Ann's parents were convicts, Thomas Kidner (1759-?) and Jane Whiting (1775-1826). Ann had an older brother, Thomas Kidner born 1795.
Richard and Ann Larsom had 8 children including Jemima Larsom (1818-1891) who married George Bellett (1812-1885), son of Jacob Bellett and Ann Harper, both convicts.
Another daughter, Sarah Larsom died in 1874, her husband Samuel Joseph married Susanna Langford Smith the great grand daughter of James Morrisby.
James and Ann Morrisby and family
William was brought up by James and Ann Morrisby but I am yet to discover what happened to him. He did not leave Norfolk Island with his mother in 1807. There has been some suggestion that he went to sea on "Lady Nelson" in 1801 at the age of 14 years.
Ann Brooks nee Lavender got pregnant to a seaman Richard Larsom from the "Lady Juliana" while in Port Jackson. Ann gave birth to Richard Larsom on 25 April 1791 on Norfolk Island. James and Ann Morrisby brought Richard up as one of their own.
Richard Larsom was born 25 April 1791 on Norfolk Island and died 13 July 1849 in Ralphs Bay, Tasmania. Richard Larsom married Ann Whiting Kidner who was born 1 October 1798 and died 18 January 1854 in Clarence Plains, Tasmania on 24 February 1812 in Hobart, Tasmania. Ann's parents were convicts, Thomas Kidner (1759-?) and Jane Whiting (1775-1826). Ann had an older brother, Thomas Kidner born 1795.
Richard and Ann Larsom had 8 children including Jemima Larsom (1818-1891) who married George Bellett (1812-1885), son of Jacob Bellett and Ann Harper, both convicts.
Another daughter, Sarah Larsom died in 1874, her husband Samuel Joseph married Susanna Langford Smith the great grand daughter of James Morrisby.
James & Ann Morrisby had 5 children: George, Grace, Dinah, Henry, and John.
1. George.
George James Morrisby was born 25 November 1793 on Norfolk Island and died as the result of an accident on 14 November 1826.
James Morrisby’s son George James Morrisby was given 75 acres Parcel No.22 and 75 acres Parcel No.23 at Gloucester, Tasmania when the family were relocated from Norfolk Island.
George James Morrisby (14 November 1826)
Accident – on Tuesday evening, a young man named George Morrisby while returning from town to his farm at Clarence Plains with a cart and four bullocks, met with a most fatal accident. It appears that there was another cart ahead of him and while attempting to overtake it, both driving furiously at the time, Morrisby’s cart was upset and killed him on the spot, the tail of it having fallen on his neck. It should however be understood, that this unfortunate man was quite intoxicated; and we ourselves lamented to see him and several other persons leave town and cross the ferry in such an irresponsible state. An inquest was held yesterday at the Golden Fleece, Kangaroo Point on the body. Verdict – Accidental Death.
2. Grace.
Grace Morrisby was born 28 January 1797 on Norfolk Island and died 31 July 1827 in Hobart, Tasmania. Grace married George August Smith, born in 1778 in Solihull, Warwickshire, England and he died 5 January 1858 in Hobart, Town Tasmania. Grace and George married 19 November 1810 in Hobart. Grace Morrisby was only 13 when she married George Smith in 1810, but died at 31 years after having had 7 children.
Together they had 7 children:
1. Grace Smith born 1812, died 1897 and married William Peter Stanfield in 1828 .
2. William Smith born 1814 in Hobart.
3. George Smith born 1816 in Hobart.
4. James Smith born 1819 in Hobart.
5. Richard Smith born 1821 in Hobart.
6. Henry Smith born 1823, died 1910 and married Henrietta Letitia Smith in 1854.
7. Ann Smith born 1825 in Clarence Plains, Tasmania.
Together they had 7 children:
1. Grace Smith born 1812, died 1897 and married William Peter Stanfield in 1828 .
2. William Smith born 1814 in Hobart.
3. George Smith born 1816 in Hobart.
4. James Smith born 1819 in Hobart.
5. Richard Smith born 1821 in Hobart.
6. Henry Smith born 1823, died 1910 and married Henrietta Letitia Smith in 1854.
7. Ann Smith born 1825 in Clarence Plains, Tasmania.
Grace Morrisby (1797-1827) was only 30 when she died with 7 children, so her eldest child Grace Morrisby (1812-1897) looked after her 6 siblings who were born 1814-1825. Grace Smith (1812-1897) was 16 when she married William Stanfield (1795-1838) and they 6 children from 1830-1838.
Grace Stanfield married James Staples in 1842 and had another 6 children from 1843-1852.
Grace Smith & William Stanfield.
The second child of Grace & George Smith was Grace Smith who was born 21 June 1812 in Clarence Plains, Tasmania and died 3 April 1897 in Hobart. Grace married William Peter Stanfield who was born 25 January 1795 on Norfolk Island, the son of Daniel Stanfield (1766-1826) & Alice Mansfield (1754-1836). They had 6 children. (Refer to Daniel Stanfield & Alice Harmsworth Blog).
Daniel Stanfield was a Marine on the First Fleet. Alice's 1st husband Thomas Harmsworth was also a Marine. They arrived on the First Fleet with 2 children and a third child born at sea enroute. Thomas Harmsworth and his son Thomas both died soon after arriving at Port Jackson. Daniel Stanfield and Alice Harmsworth married in Sydney in 1791 before going to Norfolk Island where they had 6 children, including William Peter Stanfield (1795-?) who married Grace Smith (1812-1897), and Daniel Harmsworth Stanfield (1790-1856), who in 1808 married Maria Kimberly (1792-1851). Maria’s father Edward Kimberly (1762-1829) was a First Fleeter Convict on “Scarborough” and her mother Mary Cavenaugh (1773-1851) was a Convict on “Lady Juliana”.
(Refer to Edward Kimberley & Mary Cavenaugh Blog, also Daniel Stanfield & Alice Harmsworth Blog).
Daniel Stanfield was a Marine on the First Fleet. Alice's 1st husband Thomas Harmsworth was also a Marine. They arrived on the First Fleet with 2 children and a third child born at sea enroute. Thomas Harmsworth and his son Thomas both died soon after arriving at Port Jackson. Daniel Stanfield and Alice Harmsworth married in Sydney in 1791 before going to Norfolk Island where they had 6 children, including William Peter Stanfield (1795-?) who married Grace Smith (1812-1897), and Daniel Harmsworth Stanfield (1790-1856), who in 1808 married Maria Kimberly (1792-1851). Maria’s father Edward Kimberly (1762-1829) was a First Fleeter Convict on “Scarborough” and her mother Mary Cavenaugh (1773-1851) was a Convict on “Lady Juliana”.
(Refer to Edward Kimberley & Mary Cavenaugh Blog, also Daniel Stanfield & Alice Harmsworth Blog).
Henry Smith & Henrietta Smith.
The seventh child of Grace & George Smith was Henry Smith who was born 17 May 1823 in Tasmania and died 7 January 1910 in Christchurch, New Zealand. Henry Smith married Henrietta Letita Smith who was born 1832 in Chelsea, Middlesex, England and died 2 February 1898 in Christchurch, New Zealand in 1854. They had 9 children.
Henrietta became a “Ward” to a wealthy family in England after her Mother died in 1841 at the age of 9 and her father Henry Laporte Smith (1792-1877) was convicted in Guernsey Royal Court, Channel Islands for Forgery (Forging & uttering bills of exchange for 530 pounds to defraud Bank of Ireland, Messrs Kinahan of Dublin and the Guernsey Commercial Bank. (Laymen’s terms - Henry was charged with writing a cheque with the expectation of receiving his wife’s Langford inheritance). He was given 7 years and transported on “Candahar” on 2 April 1842 to Tasmania and received a Conditional Pardon on 23 November 1847. He died in Launceston on 1 May 1877. I wonder if he ever knew his daughter Henrietta (1832-1898) came to Australia & married here?
Henry Smith and Henrietta Smith were the parents of Matilda Smith (1857-1898) who went on to marry Arthur Glasson (1856-1892) in 1880 and Clement Moss (1870-1933) in 1894. Generations that followed were Doris Moss who married Arthur Olney, Keith Olney who married Marjorie Wallis, and Peter Olney who married Joy Petfield - me!
Henrietta became a “Ward” to a wealthy family in England after her Mother died in 1841 at the age of 9 and her father Henry Laporte Smith (1792-1877) was convicted in Guernsey Royal Court, Channel Islands for Forgery (Forging & uttering bills of exchange for 530 pounds to defraud Bank of Ireland, Messrs Kinahan of Dublin and the Guernsey Commercial Bank. (Laymen’s terms - Henry was charged with writing a cheque with the expectation of receiving his wife’s Langford inheritance). He was given 7 years and transported on “Candahar” on 2 April 1842 to Tasmania and received a Conditional Pardon on 23 November 1847. He died in Launceston on 1 May 1877. I wonder if he ever knew his daughter Henrietta (1832-1898) came to Australia & married here?
Henry Smith and Henrietta Smith were the parents of Matilda Smith (1857-1898) who went on to marry Arthur Glasson (1856-1892) in 1880 and Clement Moss (1870-1933) in 1894. Generations that followed were Doris Moss who married Arthur Olney, Keith Olney who married Marjorie Wallis, and Peter Olney who married Joy Petfield - me!
3. Dinah.
Dinah Morrisby was born 4 February 1799 on Norfolk Island and died 27 September 1876 in Hobart, Tasmania. Dinah married Thomas Risby who was born 1792 on Norfolk Island and died 1873 in Hobart, on 6 February 1815 in Hobart, Tasmania. (Refer to Edward Risby & Ann Gibson blog).Together they had 6 children:
1. Thomas Risby born 1817 and died 16 March 1859 in Collingwood. Thomas married Hannah and had 1 child, Lavinia Rosa Risby.
2. William Risby born 28 August 1818 in Hobart and died 15 December 1886 in Kyneton, Victoria. William married Susannah Stacey born 7 March 1823 in Sorell. They married 24 October 1840 and had 4 children.
3. Mary Ann Risby born 7 October 1821 and married John Kemp.
4. Eliza Risby born October 1823 in Hobart and married John William Humble on 30 April 1855 in Colloingwood, Victoria.
5. Joseph Edward Risby born 21 August 1826 in Hobart and died 30 October 1889 in Battery Point, Hobart. Joseph married Isabella Wilson born 1834 in Hobart and died 12 August 1865. They had 14 children. The Risby Clock was made for Joseph Risby in 1860s. Joseph and his older brother Thomas established The Risby Timber Company in mid 1840s.
6. Henry Edmund Risby born 9 December 1829 in Hobart, Tasmania.
Dinah Morrisby's husband Thomas Risby (1792-1873) was a son to Edward Risby and Ann Gibson, both Convicts. Edward was born 21 February 1755 in Uley, Gloucestershire, England and died 6 February 1823 in Tasmania. Ann Gibson was born 1768 in London and died 1822 in Hobart, Tasmania. Edward and Ann married 1791 on Norfolk Island.
Edward & Ann Risby were resettled on Van Diemen's Land, Tasmania on "City of Edinburgh" on 3 September 1808, with 5 of their 7 children, Benjamin, Charles, Joseph, Susannah and Thomas, who married Dinah Morrisby
4. Henry.
Henry Morrisby, was born 11 May 1803 on Norfolk Island and died 25 March 1856 in Rokeby, Tasmania. Henry married No.1 Elizabeth Mary Mack who was born 23 August 1808 in Hobart and died 19 October 1830 in Hobart Town. Elizabeth's mother Mary Mack died just 2 months after giving birth to Elizabeth. Elizabeth was the orphan Ward of Rev. Robert Knopwood, Tasmania's first Chaplain and died in childbirth herself on 19 October 1830.Henry and Elizabeth Morrisby had 2 children:
Robert Henry Morrisby, born 15 October 1825 in Hobart and died at sea.
and Elizabeth Sarah Betsy Morrisby who was born 19 October 1830 and died 12 December 1909.
Daughter Elizabeth Morrisby married Daniel Stanfield who was born 13 March 1829 in Clarence, Tasmania and died 27 July 1902 in Rokeby, Tasmania. Daniel was the son of Daniel Stanfield (1790-1856) & Maria Kimberly (1792-1851). Maria’s parents Edward Kimberly (1762-1829) & Mary Cavenaugh (1773-1851), were both convicts on Norfolk Island. Edward was transported on “Scarborough” and Maria on “Lady Juliana”. (Refer to Edward Kimberly & Mary Cavenaugh Blog).
Henry Morrisby married No.2 Christina
Smith (1805-1885), the daughter of Robert & Catherine Smith. Christina Smith was born 1805 in Scotland and died 4 April 1885 in Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania. Christina Smith & Henry Morrisby married on 15 June 1831 after Henry's 1st wife Elizabeth Mary Mack died on 19 October 1830 in Hobart. They bought their children up on "Woodland Green". (Refer to Henry & Christina Morrisby Blog).
Henry Morrisby & Christina Smith had 12 children:
1. John William James Morrisby born 23 March 1832 in Hobart and died 2 March 1859.
2. Ann Gibson Morrisby born 1833 and died 11 April 1908.
3. Charles Brown Morrisby born 21 August 1834 in Clarence Plains and died 22 February 1873 in Muddy Plains, Tasmania. Charles married Anne Hagon on 1 December 1857 in Hobart.
4. Henry Morrisby born 15 November 1836 and died 2 March 1877. Henry married Frances Blenman Featherstone born 1838 and died 22 February 1888 on 23 May 1861. They had 2 children, Fredericka born 1870 who married at 13 and Harry born 1877 also married at 13.
5. Catherine Morrisby born 1 August 1838 in Clarence and died 1 May 1911 in Sandy Bay, Hobart. Catherine married William Thomas Calvert, born 18 April 1840 in Geelong, Victoria and died 6 August 1935 in South Arm, Tasmania. Catherine Morrisby and William Calvert had 9 children including William Henry Fairfax Calvert (1872-1942) who in 1925 married Gwenneth Lenore Macdougall (1892-1982), sister of Leslie Macdougall (1877-1948), my Grandfather. (Refer to Calvert & Macdougall families blog).
6. Christina Morrisby, born 18 July 1841 in Clarence Plains, Tasmania.
7. George Smith Morrisby, born August 1842 in Tasmania and died 15 October 1843 in Tasmania.
8. Jessie Robena Morrisby, born 24 February 1846 in Clarence Plains and died 26 July 1858 in Clarence Plains.
9. Mary Morrisby, born 1847 and died 11 January 1925.
10. Isabella Morrisby, born 1849 and died 15 July 1911.
11. Eliza Walker Morrisby, born 8 January 1851 in Muddy Plains and died 6 January 1935 in Sandford, Tasmania. Eliza married David Calvert, born 23 July 1848 in Cambridge, Tasmania and died 18 November 1936 in Sandford, on 18 December 1880. David's sister was Annie Calvert (1855-1922) who married Eliza Morrisby’s brother Orlando Morrisby (1854-1931), the son of John and Emmaline Morrisby.
William, David & Annie Calvert’s father Christopher Calvert (1809-1876) was the brother to Sarah Calvert (1815-1870) who married Archibald C Macdougall (1815-1870) the Grandparents of Gwenneth Lenore Macdougall. (Refer to Calvert & Macdougall families Blog).
12. John Lavender Morrisby, born 25 November 1852 in Clarence Plains and died 3 February 1859 in Clarence Plains, Tasmania.
5. John.
John Morrisby was born 9 December 1805 on Norfolk Island and died 25 October 1852 in Williamstown, Melbourne, Victoria. John Morrisby married Emmaline Sophia Carter Alomes who was born 29 October 1810 and died 3 July 1898, on 9 September 1828 in Port Sorell, Tasmania.
Together they had 13 children:
1. George James Morrisby, born 16 June 1829 in Clarence Plains and died 1 October 1917 in Sandford.
George married No.1 Sarah Wood born 20 December 1829 and died 30 March 1876. They had 8 children including Orlando Morrisby
(1854-1931) who married Annie Calvert
(1855-1922).
Annie Calvert’s parents Christopher Calvert (1809-1876) and Hannah Watson (1820-1911) had 11 children.
Christopher Calvert's sister Sarah Calvert (1815-1882) married Archibald Macdougall (1815-1870) and had
10 children including William A
Macdougall (1849-1930) who married Sarah Ann
Allason (1850-1941). They had 6
children including Gwenneth Macdougall
(1892-1982) who married William Henry
Fairfax Calvert (1872-1942) and Leslie
Stuart Macdougall (1877–1948) who married Beatrice Helen Louise Wells (1888–1983). They had 3 daughters including Winsome Macdougall (1913-1999) who married Allan Petfield (1912-1977) and had 2 daughters including Joy Petfield - me! (Refer to Intrigues of family relationships blog).
George Morrisby (1829-1917)
married No.2 Hannah Winspear (1850-1912) and they had 9 children.
2. Emmaline Morrisby born May 1830 in Clarence Plains and died 25 February 1837 in Tasmania.
3. John Robert Morrisby born 22 March 1832 in Clarence Plains and died 27 September 1923 in "Waterloo", Sandford, Tasmania. John married Amelia Rumney, born 1843 and died 11 April 1913. They had 6 children.
4. Charles Brown Morrisby, born 17 January 1834 in Clarence Plains and died 4 January 1849 in Tasmania.
5. Sophia Morrisby born 1 June 1836 in Clarence Plains and died 2 February 1867 in Clarence Plains. Sophia married John Chipman, born 4 April 1840 in Clarence and died 22 September 1921 in Bellerive, Hobart. John married Sophia's younger sister Angelina Rosina Lavender Morrisby after Sophia died in 1867.
6. William Edward Morrisby, born 8 September 1838 in Clarence Plains and died 11 January 1917 in Tasmania.
7. Edwin Morrisby, born 8 August 1840 in Clarence Plains and died 1901 in Lithgow, Sydney, Aust.
8. Alfred Henry Morrisby, born 25 September 1842 in Clarence Plains and died 15 October 1902 while travelling between London and New Zealand. Buried at sea. Tablet inside St Matthew's Church. Alfred married Isabel Josephine McArdell 24 May 1881 in New Zealand.
9. Tasman Morrisby, born 3 January 1845 in Rokeby and died 2 December 1932 in Hobart. Tasman married Rosetta Victoria Belbin, born 24 May 1847 and died 24 August 1928, on 9 September 1868. They had 7 children.
10. Orlando Morrisby, born and died 14 December 1846 in Clarence Plains, Tasmania.
11. Arthur Morrisby, born 29 December 1847 in Clarence Plains and died 16 May 1925 in Adamsfield, Tasmania. Arthur married Isabella Snowden, born 1852 and died 8 August 1880.
12. Alfred Rowland Morrisby, born 6 May 1849 in Ralphs Bay, Tasmania and died 13 March 1907.
13. Angelina Rosina Lavender Morrisby, born 8 July 1851 in Clarence Plains and died 22 September 1934 in Bellerive, Hobart. Angelina married John Chipman on 10 May 1869, 2 years after her sister Sophia died.
2. Emmaline Morrisby born May 1830 in Clarence Plains and died 25 February 1837 in Tasmania.
3. John Robert Morrisby born 22 March 1832 in Clarence Plains and died 27 September 1923 in "Waterloo", Sandford, Tasmania. John married Amelia Rumney, born 1843 and died 11 April 1913. They had 6 children.
4. Charles Brown Morrisby, born 17 January 1834 in Clarence Plains and died 4 January 1849 in Tasmania.
5. Sophia Morrisby born 1 June 1836 in Clarence Plains and died 2 February 1867 in Clarence Plains. Sophia married John Chipman, born 4 April 1840 in Clarence and died 22 September 1921 in Bellerive, Hobart. John married Sophia's younger sister Angelina Rosina Lavender Morrisby after Sophia died in 1867.
6. William Edward Morrisby, born 8 September 1838 in Clarence Plains and died 11 January 1917 in Tasmania.
7. Edwin Morrisby, born 8 August 1840 in Clarence Plains and died 1901 in Lithgow, Sydney, Aust.
8. Alfred Henry Morrisby, born 25 September 1842 in Clarence Plains and died 15 October 1902 while travelling between London and New Zealand. Buried at sea. Tablet inside St Matthew's Church. Alfred married Isabel Josephine McArdell 24 May 1881 in New Zealand.
9. Tasman Morrisby, born 3 January 1845 in Rokeby and died 2 December 1932 in Hobart. Tasman married Rosetta Victoria Belbin, born 24 May 1847 and died 24 August 1928, on 9 September 1868. They had 7 children.
10. Orlando Morrisby, born and died 14 December 1846 in Clarence Plains, Tasmania.
11. Arthur Morrisby, born 29 December 1847 in Clarence Plains and died 16 May 1925 in Adamsfield, Tasmania. Arthur married Isabella Snowden, born 1852 and died 8 August 1880.
12. Alfred Rowland Morrisby, born 6 May 1849 in Ralphs Bay, Tasmania and died 13 March 1907.
13. Angelina Rosina Lavender Morrisby, born 8 July 1851 in Clarence Plains and died 22 September 1934 in Bellerive, Hobart. Angelina married John Chipman on 10 May 1869, 2 years after her sister Sophia died.
Exiled Three Times Over: Profiles of Norfolk Islanders exiled in Van Diemen’s Land 1807 – 1813
by Irene Schaffer & Thelma McKay (1992).
Extracts from pages 100 - 107
……..James Morrisby left Norfolk Island on the “Porpoise” in December 1807 for Van Diemen’s Land, leaving his 26’ x 12’
shingled house, plus 2 barns and 1 outhouse, valued at 90 Pounds. The land holdings he had to leave consisted
of 14 acres in grain, 10 acres pasture and the rest in fallow, 7 hogs and 200
bushels of maize in hand. After 18 years
of extremely hard work he was forced to give it all up and accept the
Governor’s offer of exchange for 80 acres of virgin land in Van Diemen’s Land.
When the evacuation plans were
finally a reality, it became urgent that those who had outstanding debts repay
them before they left the island. A
large number owed money on notes that they had drawn from the Surgeon, Thomas
Jamieson, who had arrived on the First Fleet aboard “Sirius”, as Surgeon’s
Mate. He had become known at Port
Jackson as one of the most ruthless operators in commerce there. Jamieson attempted to retrieve the debts
owning to him through his agent, the one- time Irish rebel Michael Hayes.
Letters that passed between
Jamieson and Hayes have survived and the lists show the names of some of the
Norfolk Islanders who were in his debt. James Morrisby’s debt amounted to 25
Pounds 13 shillings 6 pence. This he
claimed by an affidavit to have paid.
Hayes books showed that there was no document to prove this, as James’
note was not in the book. The Civil
Court on Norfolk Island ended as soon as the evacuation was put into effect and
Jamieson feared that once the settlers left for Van Diemen’s Land he would
never be able to recover his money.
When James Morrisby arrived in
Hobart Town, he immediately began to establish his farm on his land at Clarence Plains. Two years later his eldest daughter Grace Morrisby married a Marine who
came with Lieutenant-Governor Collins.
About this time Ann Brook’s son Richard Brooks/Larson arrived in Van Diemen’s Land to join his
mother. Ann Morrisby died 2 February 1813.
On 18 November 1816 James Morrisby married Eleanor (Alice) Murphy, an
Irish convict woman who had arrived at Port Jackson on the “Catherine” in May 1814
and was later transferred to the “Kangaroo” and sent to Van Diemen’s Land. Eleanor
died in February 1821 and buried in St David’s Cemetery. There were no children to this union.
The 80 acre grant of land proved
to be good soil and James Morrisby continued
to show the farming ability had had shown on Norfolk Island. He was soon producing good beef and grain for
the Government. In Hobart in 1819, he
advertised best quality salt for sale in Collins Street for 5 pence a
pound. His activities as a Constable
were also noted in the newspaper when in 1817 he assisted Sergeant McCarthy in
capturing some bush rangers. The papers
noted “that the Governor acknowleged the good disposition and spirit which he
would not fail to bear in mind, of the example of settlers in general, in these
matters”.
At some stage between 1807 and
1828 James obtained a house in Hobart
Town. It was valued at 400
Pounds. In a petition written to
Governor Arthur in 1828 requesting extra land, James stated that all his
children were married and as he was not so young any more, he wished to spend
the rest of his days at Clarence Plains where he now resided on his 80 acres
lot. His holding on his property
consisted of 6 working bullocks, 1 plough, 2 harrows and 1 bullock cart,
bringing his assets to 500 Pounds. He
told the Governor he had arrived on the “Scarborough” and was of good character
having never been charged with improper conduct, and that his family now
numbered 50. The petition was not
satisfactory to the Governor, but as he had checked the history and the
circumstances of James’ good character and good behaviour over many years, he
granted his 320 acres at Clarence Plains.
Living at Clarence Plains, James’
path was to cross that of the Rev Knopwood on many occasions during those early
years. One example was noted in
Knopwood’s diary “Old Mr Morrisby called and I told him about the litter being
thrown on the roadside, and that I had it removed”. Later in 1831 “when Mr Morrisby’s son called
on me and said I had affronted Mrs Risby” (Diana, James’ daughter), the
Reverend’s response was “a parcel of nonsense”.
Old Mr Morrisby it seems did not enjoy the same social standards as did
his son Henry, who had married the Rev Knopwood’s ward, Elizabeth Mack.
Mr. John Robertson and his
brother William applied for the 320 acres of land belonging to James Morrisby
in 1832. This land was occupied by William and Joseph Maud who intended to buy
it and that they had made considerable improvement at a cost of 200 to 300
Pounds. This was signed by James
Morrisby and witnessed by his son-in-law George Smith.
William Brooks arrived with his mother aboard “Lady Juliana” in 1790. Ann Brooks was one of the 5 women who
were accompanied on the voyage by their children. She had been tried at Middlesex on 12
December 1787 and sentenced to seven years transportation. Ann was 25 years. No age was given for the children, so it is
not known how old William was when he arrived in 1790. “Lady Juliana” left Plymouth on 29 July 1789
with 226 female convicts and 5 children, 2 girls and 3 boys. William went to Norfolk Island with his
mother in August 1790. There were three
references to him, his name was on the 1794 and 1796 victualling lists and the
1805 muster. There is no indication as
to how and when he left Norfolk Island.
Richard Brooks was born on
Norfolk Island on 25 April 1791. It
is possible that Ann Brooks, his mother became pregnant before she left Port
Jackson the previous August. She did not
live with James Morrisby until July 1791. Richard was often recorded (as were
the other children of Ann Brooks) under the name of Lavender. The reason has
never been found, but it would appear to have come from somewhere in Ann’s
family, often appearing as a second name in following generations.
Richard was listed on 1805
Norfolk Island muster. There is no
record as to how he left the island.
Neither he nor William went with James and Ann when they left for Van
Diemen’s Land in 1807. It is possible that William may have signed on a ship or
went to Port Jackson.
When Richard arrived in Van Diemen’s Land to join his mother, he came
under the name of Larson. In 1812
he married Ann Kidner, the daughter of Thomas Kidner. Richard’s mother Ann died the following year.
In 1817 Richard Larson cautioned the inhabitants of Hobart about taking a note
of hand for the sum of 9 Pounds which he had lost. He offered a handsome reward to anyone who
would bring it to him. The following
year he was made a Constable at Pittwater.
He had also been granted 40 acres of land. A letter for Richard Larson received at the
Post Office in February 1818 was still not collected in December 1818. (Lists
such as these often appeared in the early Hobart Town Gazette). It was quite
some time before it was known that Richard Brooks/Lavender from Norfolk Island
and the Richard Larson at Hobart Town were the same man.
Norma Cunningham of Sydney
discovered it from reading the diary of Rev Knopwood in which he wrote of the
accidental death of George Morrisby on Thursday 17 December 1826. “Mr & Mrs
Morrisby (Henry and Christina), Mrs Smith (Grace nee Morrisby), Mrs Larsone
(Ann nee Kider), Mrs Risby (Diana nee Morrisby) etc. breakfasted with me. At half past 12 the relatives of George
W.(George Morrisby) left my home to attend the funeral”. Mrs Larsone would not have been mentioned if
she was not of the immediate family.
(Our thanks to Norma for passing this valuable information on to us).
Richard and Ann Larson had 8 children, 7 girls and 1 boy. Rev
Knopwood visited Richard at his home, once in 1833 and again in 1838 when
Richard was sick. Richard died on 15 July 1849.
Ann died on 18 January 1854.
Both are buried at St Matthew’s Anglican, Rokeby.
George James Morrisby, 1st
son of James and Ann Morrisby was born
on Norfolk Island on 25 November 1793. While still a child he was granted
16 acres of land there, registered as belonging to a convict’s child. At the
age of 15 George arrived in Van Diemen’s Land with his mother, father, brothers
and sisters aboard the “Porpoise” in 1808.
In January 1817 George was convicted in Hobart Town for profaning the
Sabbath Day by driving a cart and bullocks loaded with sawn timber through the
streets of Hobart Town and fined 20 shillings.
Between January 1818 and June 1819 George tended to the Government over
1650lb of fresh meat, Governor Macquarie having on 14 February 1828 granted him
his 75 acres of land. On the 1829 muster
he had 22 acres of wheat, 2 acres of barley, ½ acre of potatoes under
cultivation, 50 acres under pasture, plus 9 cattle and 95 sheep. He was a
single man without a family. On the 1822
muster George is listed as having 3 children with him. He never married and it
is not whose children they were.
George James Morrisby was accidently killed on 14 November 1826. He had a female friend who worked at the
hospital, he had visited the Rev Knopwood in the afternoon, and George later
dined with him, leaving the Minister’s house at 5 o’clock, to return home by
way of the Derwent. He had then
collected his cart which later was upset killing him on the spot. His body was later brought to Kangaroo
Point. An inquest was held and it was
found that George had fallen from his cart while in a state of intoxication
when the wheel had passed over his head and killed him instantly.
Grace Morrisby was the
eldest of the 2 daughters of James and Ann Morrisby. She was born on Norfolk Island on 28 January 1797.
At the age of 13 she married George Smith in Van Diemen’s Land on 19 November 1810. George Smith had arrived in Van Diemen’s Land
as a Private in the Royal Marines with Lieutenant-General Collins in 1804,
along with 40 other marines who had been sent out to the Colony with the
convicts on the “Calcutta”.
Shortly after he arrived, Private Smith was arrested for behaving
with disrespect and contempt to his Superior Officer. He was sent to Post Jackson for sentence
before a General Court Martial. On his
arrival at Port Jackson it was found that Governor King doubted that he held
the authority to try a member of the Royal Marines. Private
Smith was then returned to Hobart Town in 1807 and it would appear that the
Governor decided to forget the whole matter, as there were no references to
this episode in any correspondence.
Smith continued to remain on full pay, as he had done at Port Jackson,
until his discharge. He also received
his grant of 120 acres at Herdsman’s Cove near Bridgewater.
It seems that George Smith did not attempt to farm
this land. He sold it to his
father-in-law in 1817.
During this period he had 120
acres of land at Clarence Plains which he was farming before 1816 when he
appears to have got into difficulties.
The land was auctioned by the Order of the Provost Marshall on 3 August
1816. It was not sold and by the 1819
muster George Smith was still the occupier.
George and Grace Smith had 7 children, 5 sons and 2 daughters. The eldest daughter Grace married into the
Stanfield family and one of their sons married the grand-daughter of Thomas
Kidner. Grace gave birth to her daughter in 1825 and died 2 years later when
she was only 31 years old. George survived her by nearly 20 years and died in
1843.
After Grace’s death the family
seemed to split up, daughter Grace marrying, William and James went to sea and
became well known whaling captains, George and Richard went on the land, George
owning the property at Sorell called “Corn Hill”, Henry and Ann were found to
be with their sister at Broadmarsh years later (Manuscript to be published at a
later date on the Smith family history by the author).
Diana Morrisby was born on
Norfolk Island on 4 February 1799 and baptised there on 19 April 1802. At the age of 10 she sailed with her family
to Van Diemen’s Land. Seven years later
when only 16 she married Thomas Risby on
6 February 1815.
Thomas Risby was the eldest son of Edward Risby who had arrived on 1st
Fleet in 1788. Thomas was also born
on Norfolk Island and had arrived in Van Diemen’s Land on “City of Edinburgh” in 1806, aged 16 with his parents. He later
became a master boat builder. In 1824
his shipyards were situated in Collins Street next to the Ship Hotel. The land immediately adjacent to his was
occupied by John Eddington, McDonald & Barclay. Thomas
leased this 24 perches for 14 years from Lieutenant-Governor Sorell. In 1839 Thomas applied for a grant to cover
this land and stated that the land near him was now occupied by James
Addington, Jones, Thomas Kidner and John Lester.
Diana and Thomas Risby had 7
children. Their 5th child, Joseph
Edward Risby was born in 1826 and at age of 18 established his own timber
business. He named his factory The
Franklin Wharf Steam Saw and Bark Mill. This business commenced in 1844 on the
site where later the Hydro Electric Building was erected. The Risby’s family home was where Gibson’s
Grain Merchant Store now stands, it is known as “Franklin House”.
On 20 October 1824 Rev Knopwood’s
Ward Elizabeth Mack married Henry
Morrisby, brother of Diana Risby. Close ties were established between the 2
families and when Elizabeth died in 1830
giving birth to a daughter, Diana took
the child into her home and raised her with her own growing family. The child, Elizabeth Sarah, was taken on
regular visits to see Rev Knopwood.
Diana and Thomas Risby both lived well into the 1870s. On 9
February 1871 when they celebrated
their 56th wedding
anniversary, the following story appeared in the Mercury. “One Tuesday, in
circumstances unparalleled in Tasmania and that seldom known in history of the
human family took place. An aged couple
in Hobart Town on that day celebrated the 50th anniversary of their
marriage. In the month of January 1808,
2 ships arrived in the Derwent, the one belonging among its passengers a young
man, the other a young girl and being natives of the same place, the acquaintanceship
was maintained till February 6 1815. On that day the couple Thomas Risby
subsequently a well-known Boat Builder and Diana Morrisby, the parents of our
worthy fellow Alderman Risby with whom they now live, were married and from
that day to this they have with the exception of two visits to Melbourne, never
been out of Hobart Town. Seven children
blessed the union, of whom four are still alive. The aged couple, who have thus kept company a
length of time that falls to the lot of few indeed, are still in the enjoyment
of excellent health and retain their mental facalities. The old man is now in his 80th
year and the partner of his joys and sorrows has reached her 77th year. Five
and twenty years ago Mr Risby retired from business and he and Mrs Risby have
during the whole quarter of a century, resided in the same house in Battery
Point”.
Thomas Risby died on 10 January 1873, followed by Diana on 27 September
1873. Their life may not have begun
as a romantic story where boy meets girl and they live happily ever after, as
the paper’s reporter would have us believe.
Their early years on arrival in Van Diemen’s Land would have been one of
hardship and want.
Henry Morrisby was born on
Norfolk Island on 11 May 1803, he was only 5 years old when he arrived in
Van Diemen’s Land in 1808. By the time
he was 16 he owned 140 sheep with no land of his own. In 1820 he wrote to the Governor stating that
he was 20 years old and wished to apply for a town allotment on which to build
a house for himself.
On 20 October 1824 Henry married Elizabeth Mary Mack, the 16 year old
Ward of Rev Knopwood. Elizabeth was the
daughter of Mary Mack, she was born in
Hobart on 23 August 1808, father unknown.
Unfortunately the entries for the Rev Knopwood/s diary from 17 July 1808
to 1 January 1814 are missing and it is not until 20 October 1824 that his
diary tells of how he bought Elizabeth up when she was only 8-9 months
old. Her mother died and her father left
the Colony. This entry was written on
Elizabeth’s wedding day in 1824.
Mary Mack, Elizabeth’s mother was
only 27 years old when she died on 16 October 1808, two and a half months after
Elizabeth was born. Who she was or where she came from and when remains a
mystery. She is not listed as arriving
as a convict either in Van Diemen’s Land or New South Wales. Nor did she arrive on the “Calcutta” in 1804. There is nobody of the name arriving from
Norfolk Island on any of the ships before 23 August 1808 (although there are a
few stray Marys). Was she one of the
thirty convict women who arrived on the “Sophia” in 1805 from Sydney? Who was the father? Again there is no answer to those most
intriguing questions.
Henry Morrisby in a letter to His Excellency Governor Arthur on 1
November 1824, stated that he was born on Norfolk Island and had recently
married an orphan, who had been in the settlement. He went on to say that he possessed 32 head of
cattle, 4 working oxen and 270 sheep and had not received any land from the
Governor. He was desirous to extend into
agricultural pursuits. This report for
land was recommended by A.W.H.Humphries, the Rev Knopwood and W.Bedford.
James Morrisby with his sons Henry and John wrote to Governor Arthur
from Muddy Plains (Sandford) on 6 August 1829 to inform him that the land at
Prosser Plains, which had been pledged to them by Mr Dumarong as having first
choice, had in fact been given to Mr Olding and Mr Gatehouse. His Excellency replied that they should have
stated that they had already been granted land at East Bay Neck. The country at Prosser Plains was quite
unknown to Mr Dumerong and he had not been able to locate them there.
Between 1826 and 1828 James, Henry and John Morrisby were noted in
the Gazette as having 740 acres between them at Prosser Plains but in light of
the above correspondence it seems doubtful that they stayed in either of these
areas for very long.
In 1829 Henry applied for a grant of land without purchase. He informed his Excellency that he now
possessed 100 acres, plus 200 acres gained by marrying Elizabeth Mary Mack
(this land had been granted to Elizabeth by the Governor in July 1826). He had cleared 40 acres and owned 40 head of
cattle, 400 sheep and 4 horses. His house
measured 26’ x 12’ and his barn 46’ x 14’.
He had fenced 1 mile and 500 yards and during that year had maintained 1
convict servant.
Bushrangers were causing a great
deal of trouble through-out Van Diemen’s Land at that time and many of the
established settlers and their sons took their place in the police force.
Henry became a Petty
Constable in 1826 in the York District (Rokeby). He was also made a Special Constable in April
1830.
On 15 October 1825 a son, Robert
Henry, was born to Elizabeth and Henry Morrisby in Hobart Town. Elizabeth had been sick for some time and had
stayed at “Cottage Green” with Rev Knopwood for 5 months prior to the
birth. Robert was baptised in November 1825 and the
family returned to their farm at Muddy Plains.
Over the next 2 years there were many visits to the Minister by the
family, visitors often spending the night with Rev Knopwood, especially on the
occasions of his birthdays, In September
1827 Elizabeth came alone with her son; it appeared that there was some discord
between the old gentleman and Henry.
This was soon cleared up when Henry came from his farm to make
friends. There were later mentions in
Rev Knopwood’s diary of his displeasure with the way Henry was treating his
wife and things became even more strained when he had taken Elizabeth’s
part. Henry would not let her stay for
the Minister’s 67th birthday on 2 June 1829. During this time Elizabeth was pregnant and
again was very unwell. The child, a girl, was born 19 October
1830. She was called Elizabeth Sarah
Morrisby. The child survived but the
mother died that evening.
Rev Knopwood was greatly affected
by the death of his dear adopted Betty, as were many of his friends who had
known Elizabeth since early childhood. The
baby girl was taken and looked after by Henry’s sister Diana Risby, while Robert spent most of his earlier life
with his father and the Minister. Two months after Elizabeth’s death Henry
called on Rev Knopwood, his diary states that everything was finally sorted
with Miss Smith (10 November). Had Henry
approached the Minister about marrying her (Miss Smith) and did the “10
November” mean that he agreed to marry them the following year? From 6 April 1831 to 4 June, Henry visited
Rev Knopwood 10 times, the last occasion on 14 June when he reported that the
Minister would marry him and Miss Smith the next day. This request was refused.
Henry Morrisby and Christina Smith were married the following day
by Mr Bedford and it was some time before Rev Knopwood would receive Henry and his
new wife. In time the rift was mended
and Henry and Christina became regular visitors at the cottage as they went to
and from their farm to Hobart Town. The
couple had 10 children and when Henry
died in 1856 he left Christina in sole control of his estate while leaving
his 4 sons certain sections of his land to be divided up equally when his
youngest son, John Lavender Morrisby became of age. His 5 daughters received 100 Pounds.
When Rev Knopwood died in 1838 he left the whole of his estate to Robert
and Elizabeth Morrisby, children of his Ward.
Robert Morrisby died while still a young man, on a whaling voyage
and Elizabeth married Daniel Stanfield Jnr. And was considered well provided
for, Henry bequeathed her “a father’s blessing”.
Christina Morrisby nee Smith died 4 April 1885, survived Henry by 29
years. They are both buried in St
Matthew’s Cemetery, Rokeby.
Elizabeth Sarah Stanfield nee Morrisby died on 12 December 1909,
widow of the late Daniel Stanfield.
John Morrisby, the youngest
son of James and Ann Morrisby was born on Norfolk Island on 9 December 1805. He
married Emmalina Alomes on 2 September 1828. Emmaline was the eldest daughter of Robert
Alomes and Elizabeth Belette. Her father
had arrived with Lieutenant-Governor Collins in 1804 as a Sergeant in the Royal
Marines. He married the daughter of
Jacob Bellette who had arrived on the First Fleet and later came from Norfolk
Island when the island was evacuated.
The Rev Knopwood mentioned John’s visits in his diary, not as often as
his brother Henry, although he did baptise 3 of his children. He also buried their daughter Emmaline who died in 1837 at the age of 6
years. The Currier & His Beam
Inn was leased to a Jacob Belette (possibly Junior) in 1834. It was leased to John Morrisby in 1835-36m
with his brother Henry having it in 1857-59.
Seven years later John went over
to Williams Town (Hobson’s Bay) in Victoria where he died in 1852. His death was reported to the Colonial Times
on 2 November 1852. “At Williams Town on 25 instant after a short illness, Mr
J.Morrisby of Muddy Plains Van Diemen’s Land aged ? who had left a widow with
10 children and a large circle of friends to lament his loss. He was one of the oldest natives in the Colony,
a kind husband and good father and well respected by all classes of
society. His friends intend bringing his
remains enclosed in lead and having them interred in the family vault at
Clarence Plains”.
Emmaline Morrisby died
at her son’s residence at Bellerive on 3
July 1898, aged 88. She is buried
with her husband at St Matthew’s Cemetery, Rokeby.
Arthur Morrisby, one of their sons, who was born December 1847 became a well-known identity. He was a Commanding Officer in the Boer War
and was decorated. On his return from
South Africa he went to live in Zeehan. Arthur became a mining speculator. He died at Adams River on 16 September 1925.
James Morrisby died on 29 May 1839, aged 83 years. He was buried at St Matthew’s Cemetery at
Clarence Plains where his headstone still stands along with those belonging to
other members of the family.
Descendants of those who arrived with the First Fleet in 1788 with Captain Arthur Phillip - First Fleet Fellowship Victoria Inc.
JUNE 10, 2014 BY CHERYL TIMBURY
James Morrisby was sentenced to seven years transportation at the
Old Bailey on 7 July 1784 for theft of a ten pound iron bar, value 10d, and for
wrenching it from the house. He was a
blacksmith and said to have served for ten years in the guards. On 6 September 1784 he was received on the
Censor hulk and three years later sent by wagon for embarkation on the
Scarborough. Following the Fleets
arrival James was sent by Sirius to Norfolk Island and took up farming. In June 1794 he was living with Ann Brooks
(Lady Juliana) and they had four children.
In December 1807, with his wife and five children he left for VDL by
Porpoise, and later took up land at Clarence Plains. Ann Morrisby was buried on 2 February 1813
and later James married Eleanor Murphy (Catherine 1814). She was buried on 14 February 1821 and James
Morrisby was buried at Clarence Plains on 29 May 1839.
Eucalyptus Morrisbyi (1939),
commonly known as ‘Morrisby’s Gum’, is a threatened eucalypt species, and is
endemic to south-eastern Tasmania. The common name and botanical name
commemorate Arthur Morrisby (grandson of James Morrisby) on whose property the
species was first collected.
Gum leaves were sent to Nurses
and Soldiers at the front as a remembrance of home Honouring their WW1
Descendants.
First European settlers in Clarence Plains - Morrisbys
Land was first granted to Sgt.
James McCauley and his wife Maria. He was a non-commissioned officer who
arrived with Lt Col. Collins in 1804.
The first reference to him in regard to his land at Clarence Plains was
the 1819 muster where it was noted that he had:- 400 acres - 46 acres in wheat,
1 acre in barley, 2 acres in beans and 4 acres in potatoes, 100 bushels of
grain in hand, and 347 acres in pasture.
Sheep were his main stock, of which he had 356 plus 28 cattle. He and
his wife were on Government stores, as were his 3 servants. During this time he was also a Constable in
the district.
The survey map of the District of
York 1844 shows a large section had been granted to Elias Grimsey including
most of Calvert's Hill to where it
joined to the property of Elizabeth Mack. Elizabeth was the adopted daughter of Rev. Robert. Knopwood who had helped
secure a land grant for her in the area.
Elizabeth and her husband Henry,
established a farm called Woodland Green but in 1830, Elizabeth died in
childbirth with her second child at the age of only 22 years. Eight months
later Henry married her friend Christiana Smith - they had a large family and
prospered at Woodland Green. Today many
descendants of Elizabeth, Henry and Christiana Morrisby still live in the area.
Waterloo Farm: One of the first homesteads to be built in
the area was owned by ex-army Captain Busby who married and moved to the
district on the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and consequently named
his farm ‘Waterloo'.
John Robert Morrisby purchased
‘Waterloo' from widow Mary Busby in 1898 and worked the 50 acres beside
Pipe Clay Lagoon in orchards. This was
reported as "where once it was a wilderness of fern and scrub now produced
apples, pears, apricots, cherries and in between the trees, rows of peas and
root crops. The soil was enriched by
seaweed and by alluvial deposits carried down from volcanic hills
nearby". John Morrisby built a
large apple shed near the lagoon and transported the fruit cases by tractor to
a jetty and then onto a trolley to the ship's sides for delivery to the Hobart
markets. At the peak of the districts
rural development 4 jetties existed in the lagoon.
After the First World War the
property ‘Waterloo' was divided between
two Morrisby sons, Alfred and Allan, and the half nearest the beach was
called Cremorne after Alfred wife's
former home in Sydney. The homestead,
‘Cremorne House' was built about 1909 and still stands on a knoll overlooking
the village.
One of the rarest of all
eucalypts, ‘Eucalyptus Morrisbyi' is
endemic to the Cremorne area and has been named in recognition of this family's
long association with the district.
Alfred Morrisby sold the estate
of Cremorne in 1943, and it was subsequently subdivided and put on the market
in stages from 1946 by Hobart real estate agents, Shaw and Tregear. There were 201 blocks along the waterfront,
along the lagoon and some inland and by 1949, 121 had been sold and 48
dwellings built, virtually all weekenders.
There was also a reserve, giving public access to the beach. The new township was naturally called
Cremorne.
First European settlers in Clarence Plains - Morrisbys
Land was first granted to Sgt.
James McCauley and his wife Maria. He was a non-commissioned officer who
arrived with Lt Col. Collins in 1804.
The first reference to him in regard to his land at Clarence Plains was
the 1819 muster where it was noted that he had:- 400 acres - 46 acres in wheat,
1 acre in barley, 2 acres in beans and 4 acres in potatoes, 100 bushels of
grain in hand, and 347 acres in pasture.
Sheep were his main stock, of which he had 356 plus 28 cattle. He and
his wife were on Government stores, as were his 3 servants. During this time he was also a Constable in
the district.
The survey map of the District of
York 1844 shows a large section had been granted to Elias Grimsey including
most of Calvert's Hill to where it
joined to the property of Elizabeth Mack. Elizabeth was the adopted daughter of Rev. Robert. Knopwood who had helped
secure a land grant for her in the area.
Elizabeth and her husband Henry,
established a farm called Woodland Green but in 1830, Elizabeth died in
childbirth with her second child at the age of only 22 years. Eight months
later Henry married her friend Christiana Smith - they had a large family and
prospered at Woodland Green. Today many
descendants of Elizabeth, Henry and Christiana Morrisby still live in the area.
Waterloo Farm: One of the first homesteads to be built in
the area was owned by ex-army Captain Busby who married and moved to the
district on the anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo and consequently named
his farm ‘Waterloo'.
John Robert Morrisby purchased
‘Waterloo' from widow Mary Busby in 1898 and worked the 50 acres beside
Pipe Clay Lagoon in orchards. This was
reported as "where once it was a wilderness of fern and scrub now produced
apples, pears, apricots, cherries and in between the trees, rows of peas and
root crops. The soil was enriched by
seaweed and by alluvial deposits carried down from volcanic hills
nearby". John Morrisby built a
large apple shed near the lagoon and transported the fruit cases by tractor to
a jetty and then onto a trolley to the ship's sides for delivery to the Hobart
markets. At the peak of the districts
rural development 4 jetties existed in the lagoon.
After the First World War the
property ‘Waterloo' was divided between
two Morrisby sons, Alfred and Allan, and the half nearest the beach was
called Cremorne after Alfred wife's
former home in Sydney. The homestead,
‘Cremorne House' was built about 1909 and still stands on a knoll overlooking
the village.
One of the rarest of all
eucalypts, ‘Eucalyptus Morrisbyi' is
endemic to the Cremorne area and has been named in recognition of this family's
long association with the district.
Alfred Morrisby sold the estate
of Cremorne in 1943, and it was subsequently subdivided and put on the market
in stages from 1946 by Hobart real estate agents, Shaw and Tregear. There were 201 blocks along the waterfront,
along the lagoon and some inland and by 1949, 121 had been sold and 48
dwellings built, virtually all weekenders.
There was also a reserve, giving public access to the beach. The new township was naturally called
Cremorne.
St David's Park, Hobart
 |
| In St Davids Park, Hobart - Memorial to The First Fleeters and Norfolk Islanders who came to Van Diemen's Land 1807-1813. One of the Sponsors - J.L. Risby. |
 |
| Joy found the Morrisby family - James Morrisby, wife Ann (Lavender) Brooks with children George, Grace, Dinah, Henry and John Morrisby. |
 |
| James Morrisby, wife Ann (Lavender) Brooks with children - George, Grace, Dinah, Henry & John. They left Norfolk Island on "Porpoise" on 25 December 1807 to be resettled on Van Diemen's Land, arriving 17 January 1808. |
 |
| Richard Larsom (Ann Brook's son) is noted as one who was resettled on Van Diemen's Land. |
St. Matthew's Cemetery, Rokeby, Tasmania.
 |
| Tombstone for James Morrisby (1756-1839), his son Henry Morrisby (1803-1856), wife Christina Smith (1810-1885) and their son George Smith Morrisby (1842-1843) in St Matthew's Cemetery, Rokeby, Tasmania. |
 |
| John Morrisby (1805-1852) and his wife Emmaline Sophia Carter Alomes (1810-1898) in St Matthew's Cemetery, Rokeby. |
 |
| Richard Larsom (1791-1849) and wife Ann Whiting Kidner (1798-1854). |
If you have any comments, corrections or additions to make, please contact the author of this blog, Joy Olney via email - joyolney@gmail.com
