The Grayling Story

Compiled by Frederick Grayling.

(22 March 1894-  )

 

Frederick Grayling's Research

Handwritten notes by Frederick Grayling. More than likely written 1953

Source Ian Grayling (son)

Transcribed by Robert Sherwood. 16 December 2006.

 

Frederick kept a small exercise book in which he recorded notes on the family history. The book is now kept by his son Ian Grayling. Ian kindly let me copy pages from the book. The following is a transcript of the pages in the book.

Page 1 .

General Register Office

Parish of Launceston in church by Banns No. 44. 1837. Reference no. 3809-1837 Richard Grayling Jane Ludden. Jan. 16-1837. Free persons. Witnesses: Sarah Grayling (sister) Ann Grayling (mother)

17 Apr 1839. St Johns Church Launceston.   James Ross 25 free. Merchant. Ann Sophia Grayling. Free (daughter of William and Ann.   Witnesses: William Dickson, Mary Ann Brand. Rev. W.H.Browne.

  Page2

William Major Grayling and wife Ann nee Holten and family arrived Launceston 26 August 1836.   Disembarked 29 th .   Ship Amelia Thompson. Left for Canton 9 th November.Ann died in Melbourne 6 March? 1853. William an agriculturalist farmed at Launceston for 6 years.   The Amelian Thompson left London 28 th April 1836.   Family William 27 years and wife (set up baking) Ann. Richard 23, set up tailor, Sarah 21, George engineer, Anne 15.

William   junior and wife Ann ....? Given on that date each 54 years lived in lodgings till they started farming at East Arm Launceston on the river Tamer until December 1842.   Then to Melbourne.

Page 3

Mrs Jennings of Launceston 1836 maiden name Alicia Legges to whom Jane Ludden went.   Henry Jennings lawyer 1824-1840 Launceston.   Victoria 1849 Bar. Hind 13 tons entered Port Phillip 13 January 1840. George Grayling, Master...Lime Burner Collins Bay between Sorrento and Portsea. Pastoral licence at Port Nepean July 1840 - 43.

Richard Grayling a habit maker late of Jermyme street St. James London.   Was in Little Collins street November 1838. Business taken over by Black & Co. tailors July 1839. Insolvent in December 1843. Again in business Little Bourke 1845.   Between 1839 and June 1840 held a licence at the Victoria Tavern.   Two licences in the name of the Victoria Tavern one Collins street now occupied by Bank of N.S.W. and on one corner of Queen and Little Bourke.   The other held during that period by Byrnong ? continuosly.

Page 4

Thomas Henderson (buried Woorak) husband of Agnes Grayling buried Melbourne.   Thomas Martin (buried NSW) husband of Ann Grayling buried Bleak House 1900. Selected land Woorak 1880.

F.L.G and W.O.G selected Woorak 1880.

Yet only 3 or 4 years older I have seen a photo of Lucy Margaret in a crinolin   age about 16.   She looks sweetly beautiful.   Died in middle age after giving birth to the two Keams and seven McIntoshs.   Buried at Beaufort.   The two Keams took up land Ni Ni East near Woorak. The Mc Intoshs one Woorak, other Jeparit.

  'Aunt Aggie' Agnes Emma Henderson sold their land near Nhill and moved with three unwedded girls to first Brunswick and finally to Masters street Caulfield where she eventually died.

'Aunt Kitty' Sarah Kate McDonald was born and probably married at Doctors Creek.  Had a small shop in Japarit from about 1900-1908.  Shortish, stout, eleven offspring.  Much dark hair, large dark eyes. Her daughters, good measurement, pretty, large dark eyes and much dark hair.   Buried at Coburg.  Country girls were going to Melbourne for work in shops and service.  Little pay and long hours ????

Page5

but there was nothing for them in the country.  The girls all eventually married.  I have never met any of aunt Kit's sons, they farmed Wichiproof way. Our parents never spoke of Mc.Donald. Seems he was a wanderer. About those early Graylings seemed to be the bond of family. When my grandfather Richard moved from what seemed to be a struggling Melbourne ( or a place of struggle to live before the Gold era) there were soup kitchens to Doctors Creek, the Marbino? (aunt Lucy) the Joneses (aunt Susy) Hendersons, Keams all settled there on small farms-40 acres may be. These were the days when one sowed by hand and ploughed the seed in with simple furrows, ploughed and reaped by hand scythe or mower and binded by hand with a few stalks of hay. One threshed with a flail or the travelling thresher, drawn and powered by steam tractor engine. Aples and pears and berries grew abundantly. One didn't have much wheat to sell. Most of this clan possesed themselves of bullocks and wagons and travelled hundreds of miles to cart a load of wool from the sheep stations. When the Wimmera was thrown open settlement 1870, most of this society moved with their bullock teams and selected (320) My father, uncle Will who had married Anne Kelly at Doctors Creek and already had several children. Uncle Jimmy Jones, uncle Tommy Martin, 1880. Uncle Tom 1892 bought also grandma Grayling, nee Jane Ludden and her house from Doctors Creek which he erected near his own place

Page 6

Francis Ludden Grayling born July 6, 1852 Lexton. Died Geelong 1930. Married Lena Barwick at Nhill 1888. Died Geelong August 6 1940. Lena born March 5, 1890. Francis Ludden September 1892. Frederick March 22, 1894. Clair Leslie December 27, 1902. Frederick married Elsie Adelaide Myrtle Argulall? ...

Rich and Will Keam came also about that time and the McIntosh's later.

Uncle Dick (Richard Holten Grayling) also a bullocky remained at Lexton where he acquired perhaps 1000 acres and also ran a grocery business. Many years a Town Councillor. Died In 192-?  leaving estate of £10.000 odd (no family) - one third to my father (F. L. Grayling) at the death of his (Uncle Dick's wife aunt Jenny). As my father died in 1930 and Aunt Jenny about 1934-5 this the 1/3 rd of the estate came direct to us, our father's four children. Much of this money however had been loaned to farmers in small loans and otherwise because of the Depression unluckily invested (some paid no interest for years. However some of the legacy was paid at once and the

Page 7

balance in small sums till it was all eventually paid.  Uncle Dick paid the cost £30 to have Grandma Grayling (Jane Ludden Grayling's body brought by rail from Uncle Tom's place near Nhill to Lexton where she is buried in a family square with her husband and daughters Gertrude Amy,  Matilda Alice and Jane Llewellyn.

 

Page 8

Topsie Harris reports contacting a Miss Eleanor Beals, California,

a grand-daughter of Anne Sophia Ross nee Grayling) - the family   going to the gold diggings in 1 9 the first ship to leave Australia the William Watson.

Reports contacting Holtens of Melbourne. (My great grandmother was Anne Holten before marriage to great grandpa Grayling)   These Holtens have a number of our family names in their families.

Reports a letter from Town Hall, Dover - William Major Grayling,' Stage Coach Proprietor Operating between Dover and London,

Reports having received Sarah Anne Reid's nee Grayling) photo. Also Anne Sophies. ( Ross)   

James Ross died in California 1863, age 49. Anne Sophie died age 80, one month before Topsie Harris was born (1901),

JANE LUDDEN wrote in her latter years ' I left England.. Graves Dock., on Amelia Thompson' April 28 1836. Arrived at Launceston August 28, 1836.

Richard GRAYLING bought 25 head of Cattle for 50 sovereigns (1848) taking them to Doctors Crook where they all died.

Sarah Anne Reid nee Grayling) in P.O. at Williamstown in 1850 - 1860 and then to Coburg as Post Mistress - 26 years.

Henry; George and Elizabeth Grayling have tombstones In Coburg Come George and Elizabeth Grayling's estate - 95 Alma Road just over Chapel Street, The 14 room house demolished In 1912 for flats,

Page 9

2 flats in its place named Grayling and Godfrey - Grayling Avenue and Grayling Crescent, George Grayling mentioned in the book of Pioneers of Prahran.

  William Grayling mentioned In Almanac Directory In Melbourne 1860. His son John Is the baker* They were in business In Lexton, ' William's son John. last address near Pakington Street., Geelong West.

I know a carrier In Geelong In 1923 who claimed he was married to a

Miss Grayling, Could be descendant of John Grayling the baker.

Mrs. J. Garden great grand daughter of Sarah Anne Reid (nee Grayling writes Sarah Anne Reid died 1879 age 79 years. Her grave No, 699 Presbyterian Section, Coburg Cemetery.

Children of Sarah Ann Agnes Galbrath...

Woodcocks of Benalla descendants on female side of Graylings of'', England (ace family tree). J Charles Woodcock spoke warmly of his association with Harry Grayling of Coburg. Charles said there were still Graylings In England. The Woodcocks came out 1846, Sarah Ann

Reid's daughter. Sarah Ann, married her cousin Robert Woodcock. Woodcocks living Benalla 1958.

Page 10.

Topsie Harris learned from old directory

1867 James Reid, Contractor, Sydney Road, Coburg. Sarah Ann Reid, P.M (Post Mistress)

1869 George Martin, Lexton and W. McD. Grayling, bakers, Lexton.

1870 James and Sarah Reid, Also W. mcD. Grayling, bakers, Lexton.

1875 Elizabeth Grayling, Grocer, Sydney Rd. John Mc.Donald.

1880 George Martin, carrier, Ben Mohr (near Lexton) Mrs. Jane Grayling; Richard (Uncle Dick and aunt Jenny)

1880 John Grayling, Packington street, Geelong.

1881 5 excluding Francis

1884 Eliz. Grayling died.

1915 Miss Sarah Grayling 51 Isabekka St. West Geelong.

1915 Harry Grayling 32 Lock St. Coburg.

Sons of George (brother of Richard my grandpa) Harry and George grocers Sydney Rd. Coburg 1880's.

Page 11

Family tree

Page 12

James Ross husband of Anne Sophie Grayling (June 23, 1849), left Melbourne for Cardiff Digging., California on the "William Watson' the first boat to sail to the diggings from Australia. Also on the boat was George Grayling (brother of Richard and William) and wife Elizabeth and two children. Ross did not return to Australia but George and family did.

Richard Grayling and family moved to Lexton March 1848.

Two streets North West corner of Alma Rd. and Chapel St. named Grayling.   George and Elizabeth Grayling lived here.

Richard Grayling born England May 8, 1912, Died Lexton January 28, 1869 (Age 57 years)

F.L.Grayling, born July 10, 1854 died Aug 6 1930.   Lena Grayling nee Barwick born November 13, 1869.   Married July 18 1888, by Alexandra McKay.

Pages 13, 14 and 15.

Extract from Letter from Mrs. Harris.  October 1953. SEE TOPSIE'S WEBPAGE

Page 13

Great grandfather William Major Grayling was born somewhere in Kent 1771 and the following year, just before his daughter Ann as born his father Edward (born 1st January 1752) was lost at sea. Possibly in the cutter 'Surprise' 60 tons. his mother (nee Susan Legget) remarried a Mr. Busset of Dover as there was evidence they lived there in 1820-1824 when Ann or the following generation was born. In the 1850's a letter was received from by Richard Grayling in Melbourne. 'To uncle Dick', written by a school boy cousin from Santa Elena. (James Ross)

Edward Grayling never returned to England.  His ship sank on the way home and we hear no more of him. Sister Sarah Grayling married a Mr. Temple of Sandwich where William Major Grayling apparently lived for a time after his marriage to Ann Holten, though their first children were born in Canterbury. They had four at Sandwich, four at Deal or (3) and one at Dover. It appears he lived the longest at Deal and perhaps his mother was in Dover because he was at Deal when Richard was born (1812) and still there when he went to his trade in 1827. (Consult apprenticeship paper) for it appears William Major Grayling was a successful middle class country gentleman in the county of Kent. Whatever induced William Major Grayling to pull up roots and transfer his family to Launceston we do not read but we know that a party of seven in the family left Graves Dock on the Amelia Thompson bound for Launceston arriving there 29 August 1836. William Major Grayling selected land on the East Arm of the Tamar River at a time of great drought and must have worked hard to overcome the obstacles history records of that period.  After 6 years at the age of 60, he and his wife

Page 14

in December 1842, left the farm and followed their children to Melbourne where in 1848 his wife Ann Holten Grayling died. William Major Grayling eventually returned to England to his eldest son and daughter where he died. Richard's Ann and Gertie Henderson told me how he often had to rise early hours of the night to work at his trade (tailor) as his master needed him.  Richard trained for six years till 1833, then entered business on his own as a mantle maker in Jermyn street, S. Johns, London, the fashion centre (or habit maker )  We wonder what his feelings were as he sold out and accompanied his parents to Australia. His brother William M was a baker.  Both brothers set up business in Launceton, but after two years Richard and his wife Jane Ludden Grayling opened up in Melbourne in 1838. A year later, Richard sold out in Little Collins street and built the Victoria Tavern but soon went back to tailoring in Bourke Lane where part of the G.P.O now stands.  His brothers William and George were also living in Victoria. George took up land at Pt. Nepean in 1840 and the third of William's children was the last to be christened in Launceston. There is a William Major Grayling named as a water carrier in the 1847 Directory but could have been the father in his declining years. Richard and William left for Lexton about 1849. 

Jane Grayling (nee Ludden) born 1 st March 1819, Gibralta, lost her mother at 3 years was reared by Lady darling of Cheltenham. She must have seen her father about 1833, before he went into the army to India but had not heard of him or sister Margaret, married to Llewellyn soldier at Madras for 3 years so she set out in search  of family without approval of Lady Darling on the Amelia Thompson, August 1836, the same ship as the Graylings.

Page 15

After living 5 months with the Jennings in Launceston, married Richard at St. Johns church, his two sisters Ann and Sarah bridesmaids. Jane learnt habit making and put to good account when Richard died 1869. The family were then living at Doctors Creek near Lexton when the family took up carrying probably during the gold rush period. Jone's family bible is now in Nhill (1953) when she died 1894. Buried in Lexton.1894.

Extract form Arthur Mee's 'Somerset' of the Kings, England.

Holten (a town)

In its church yard the old cross has been made new in memory of four men who gave their lives for us in tne Great War 1914-18. It is a pretty place...we found one of its cottages completely wrapped round in Jasmine. The tiny church is 700 years old and has an ancient sundial over the porch. The fount is older than the church, delightful with its tracery. It was long lost and was found again the last years of last century . The church has left the curious painted figures of Sir William Bassett and his wife who have been watching the altar since tne happy days of Charles 1st. She is a stately matron witn trim ruff and cuffs, he with sash and painted belt around his tunic. They are the oldest possession the church has unless we count the man dial on the sunny wall etc.

(Added by F.G) My mother's mother was a Bassett we understand a family of distinction in England. I wonder? The Bassetts claim to be descendants of above.

Page 16

MEMORIAL NO. 380

Date of Instrument. 2nd Aug, 1839. Lease 5 years. names of parties: Richard grayling, Solomon Bengimen. Witness: William Meek.

All that piece and parcel of ground situate and lying in Collins street Melbourne, aforesaid and bounded on the south by Collins St. extending from the shop now in occupation of said Solomon Bengamon twenty-five feet on the Eastward by line at right angles 48 feet on the north by a line at right angles 25 feet and on the westerly by premises occupied by the said Solomon and extending to commencing some 48 feet.

S. Bengamon. Considered of how payed: That the said Solomon Bengamon shall erect a building of the value of 700 on the said land.Edward Leadbeater of Melbourne in the Colony of N.S.W. Clerk. Sworn in Melbourne the 2nd day of January AD. 1840. Commissioner for taking affidavits in Supreme Courts.

Page 17

GEORGE GRAYLING on 17th Jan-1840 the Port Phillip Herald reports arrival of Schooner Hind, 13 tons from Hobart Town.

Master, G. Grayling. July 1840 George Grayling took licence on Pt. Nepean held till Sept 1843. Early Directory reports he held a lime burner's station in Collins Bay between Sorrento and Portsea.

RICHARD GRAYLING. Port Phillip Gazette, 24th Nov 1838 adv.

R. Grayling, Tailor, Habit Maker etc. respectfully acquaints the inhabitants of Melbourne and its vicinity that he has removed from his late residence to Little Collins St. opposite Mr. Ebdenis Store where they can have clothes made in first fashion at the following prices.

Superfine Cloth Surtouts £6.10.0

ditto Dress Coats £5.5.0

Canimere Trousers £2.10.0
Waistcoats from £1.4.0

Moleskin Shooting Coats £3-10-0

Terms Cash. N,B, An apprentice wanted,

Later report

from 23 July 1839, his successors in Little Collins St were to be J. Black & Co. In Dec 1843 be was reported Insolvent. In Kerr's Almanac 1841 not mentioned. 1846 Richard Grayling, tailor, Bourke Lane listed in Port Phillip Almanac. In 1847, William Grayling, Water Carter.

Page 18

No 527

 

Date of Instrument	Nature of	Parties	Witnesses
12 Sept. 1839 How paid yearly rent £35	Leased for 5 yrs commencing from 1st July 1839.	Richard Grayling of Melb. Port Phillip Colony of NSW Publican and Thomas Coombe also of the same place Wheelright of the one part and James Purves of the same place Auctioneer of the other part.	Alexander S. Martin

All that parcel of ground, bounds in the South Collins St on the West by Graylings leased property on the North by Grayling on tne East by Chisholms having frontage to Collins St at 23 ft 6 ins & 49 ft deep.
Sworn in 1839? 10th Jan Thomas Coombe, James Purves

 

 

 

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