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Colin McPherson, wife Catherine, and 8 of their children arrived in Hobart on 28th July 1855. They had left Liverpool three months earlier on the White Star.

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McPherson Family

Colin McPherson (Jr) and Jessie Melville

The Name McPherson

The name McPherson, meaning "son of the parson" is very common in Scotland. It is a Highland name, and the McPherson Clan was centred in the Badenoch area of the Grampians; in the middle of the Highlands. While Badenoch and the Spey River valley is considered the "heartland" of the McPhersons, the name was long been used in various parts of highland Scotland. The town of Kingussie (Newtonmore) in the Spey valley has a McPherson Clan museum. The McPhersons in our line were at the start of the 1800s located in the Breadalbane (pronounced Bred-all-bn) area around Loch Tay, some 70miles south of the Badenoch region.

The McPhersons in Scotland: Colin and Catherine

Colin McPherson (Snr)

Colin McPherson and wife Catherine (Cameron) arrived in Tasmania in 1855 accompanied by 8 of their children.

According to the International Genealogical Index (IGI) Colin McPherson was born in Killin parish, Perthshire on 12 March 1810. There is some evidence that he may have been born in July 1804 in Killin and that the former is actually a baptism date. The town of Killin is at the southern end of Loch Tay but the family may have lived elsewhere in the parish. His parents were

• Donald McPherson
and
• Christian (Christina) McPherson.
.

Donald McPherson was born in Perthshire in 1758 (3066;368) and Christian McPherson (also nee McPherson) on 23 June 1765 (3077;369) in Killin parish. They were married 18 December 1790 in Killin parish. Donald died in Killin 13 September 1837

Colin was the fourth of their five sons:

• John McPherson, baptised 1 Jan 1792 in Killin (3086;370). He is thought to have married Janet McLaren (4285) on 6 January 1830 in Killin.
• Duncan McPherson, baptised 15 Nov 1793 in Killin (3098;371)
• Alexander McPherson, baptised 1 July 1804 in Killin (3120;373)
• Colin McPherson, born 12 March 1810 in Killin (3131;374)
• Ronald McPherson, baptised 18 Nov 1813 Killin (3142;375)

Colin married Catherine Cameron on 25 January 1830. In the IGI there are identical records which give both Killin and nearby Kenmore as the place of marriage. [NB. Catherine's death certificate indicates Alva, Stirlingshire as the location of marriage]. They soon after moved to the industrial town of Alva in the lowlands.

Catherine Cameron

Catherine Cameron was baptised 2 May 1812 in the village of Auchertyre (3947;969) located in Strathfillan (i.e. valley of the Fillan river) some 16 miles west of Killin town. It is thought that she was born in 1810. Her parents were John Cameron, born about 1771 (3945;379) and Margaret McNicol, born about 1786(3946;968). Catherine's parents still lived at Auchtertyre at the 1841 census - John an agricultural labourer aged 70, and Margaret aged 55.

An older sister, Margaret Cameron was baptised in 1810.

The Children of Colin McPherson and Catherine Cameron

It seems that Catherine had 13 or 14 children as follows:

1. Donald McPherson, born 13 March 1831 at Alva, Stirlingshire (3175;378)
2. John McPherson, born 22 July 1832 at Alva (3186;380)
3. Margaret McPherson, details unknown, died early
4. Alexander McPherson, born 17 October 1834 at Alva (3197;380)
5. Mary McPherson, details unknown, died early
6. Alexander (II) McPherson, born 6 October 1836 in Edinburgh (3209;381)
7. Duncan McPherson, born 12 October 1837 at or Alva (3231;383)
8. Catherine McPherson, born 4 May 1840 at Alva (3242;384)
9. Colin McPherson [twin], born 18 January 1842 at Alva (3253;385)
10. Annie McPherson [twin], born 18 January 1842 at Alva (3275;387)
11. Hugh McPherson, details unknown, died early.
12. Christina (Christian) McPherson, born 28 April 1846 at Alva
13. James McPherson [twin], born 8 May 1849 at Alva (3286;388)
14. Ronald McPherson [twin], born 8 May 1849 at Alva (3297;389)

The dates is some cases may be incorrect. Also some aspects of the order are a little uncertain; e.g. the time between the births of John and Duncan would indicate 6 births in less than 7 years.
The only evidence of some of the children (Margaret, Mary and Hugh) comes from their parent's death certificates.
Also a second Alexander was not mentioned on either parent's death certificates.
The IGI gives Annie's birth date as 28 April 1846, which is clearly incorrect - as this meant she would have married at 13. While no birth records have been found for Christine there are records which declare she is Annie's twin, and other records which indicate that Colin was Annie's twin.

Scottish Census of 1851

At the census the following were living at 35 Ark Lane, Alva

• Colin McPherson, aged 48, woolen handloom weaver
• Catherine, 41
• Duncan,12
• Colin,7
• Anne, 4
• Christian (female), 4
• James, 1
• Ronald, 1

It is probable that Margaret, the first Alexander, Mary and Hugh had died by 1851; and that the elder sons Donald, John and Alexander were living away from home. It seems that the child Catherine, aged 11, was also living away from home. Other convincing evidence (e.g. parents death certificates) indicates that Colin and Annie were twins, rather than the census assertion that Annie and Christian (Christina) were twins.

Notes on Some Scottish Places and Events

Killin

Killin parish covers a large area and it is possible that both the McPhersons and Camerons lived in or near the village of Auchtertyre some 16 miles west of the town of Killin. This area in the western section of Perthshire is considered by some commentators as an idyllic Highlands locale. The Breadalbane range is the backdrop to the valley of the Fillan River (Strathfillan). Killin town is on the shores of Loch Tay

Alva

In contrast Alva was a town "made" by the industrial revolution. Situated in central Lowland Scotland, at the base of the steeply rising Ochil Hills, the rapidly flowing streams (burns) of the area were perfect sources of energy to power woollen mills. Located close to both the sheep-producing areas of Scotland and shipping facilities in the Firth of Forth, Alva could take advantage of the mechanisation of woollen manufacturing and the expansion in world trade.

Although Alva had long been known as a source of quality tartan, the nineteenth century saw its rise from a small village to a town. The introduction of finer wools, especially from Australia, facilitated shawl manufacture. This became the major industry for a time. In 1845 out of a population of about 1,500 some 565 people laboured at 80 looms in their own houses. This appeared to be the case with the McPhersons and others in Ark Lane at the 1851 census.

Living conditions in Alva, and particularly "The Ark" were undoubtedly poor. In the 1870s "the parochial board touched the fringe of the housing problem by investigating overcrowding in an area appropriately known as The Ark". Cholera was a problem of the age, and Alva was hit particularly in 1832 and 1853. Its spread was fostered by the incredibly crowded housing conditions as by "middens, ashpits, cesspools and small backyards full of livestock".

Highland Clearances

While the McPhersons and Camerons could look back with pride on their membership of particularly powerful clans, by the nineteenth century this feudalistic system was all but destroyed. The basis of the demise of the clans was simply that the market economy began to replace subsistence agriculture and intra-clan loyalty and dependency. The farming methods of the Scottish peasantry were seen as particularly backward. The new emphasis was on improved farming techniques which reduced the demand for agricultural labour, and on the introduction of sheep. The land owners (lairds) saw that great profits could be generated by running sheep, while crofters and tenants were an impediment to their economic aspirations. The chiefs, the lairds and their factors were attracted to the salons of London and Edinburgh and the world of money and property.

After the defeat of the clans at the Battle of Culloden (1746) emigration from the Highlands started to become a way of life. Initially most emigration was to Canada, the United States, or to the industrial towns of the Lowlands. However from 1840 Australia and New Zealand became popular. Most people voluntarily left to seek a brighter future, some went only to escape starvation, and a few had their houses destroyed by their lairds in order to ensure their removal and their replacement by sheep.

It is particularly ironic that the McPhersons were probably replaced by sheep, then went to the slums of industrial Scotland weaving wool, then came to Australia and farmed wool. My grandfather, James McPherson was a shearer

The McPhersons Arrive in Tasmania

Colin McPherson, wife Catherine, and 8 of their children arrived in Hobart on 28th July 1855. They had left Liverpool three months earlier on the "White Star". The White Star docked in Melbourne where 425 passengers disembarked. 91went on to Hobart in the "City of Hobart". The ship's record reads:

1. Colin McPherson, aged 44, native of Perthshire, religion Church of Scotland, able to read and write
2. Catherine, aged 43
,
3. Alexander, aged 19 from Stirlingshire, farm servant, can read and write
4. Duncan, aged 17 from Stirlingshire, farm servant, can read and write.
5. Catherine, aged 15 from Clackmannanshire, farm servant
6. Colin, aged 13
7. Ann, aged 13
8. Christine, aged 9
9. Ronald, aged 6
10. James, aged 6

[N.B. The age for Colin (Sr) above conflicts with other records. It may have been falsified to support an assisted settler application.]

It is thought that the family stayed in Tasmania for up to 6 years. This is the time in Tasmania recorded on Catherine's death certificate. Some of the children stayed longer. During (at least) the years 1857 to 1859 the McPhersons lived at Falmouth on the eastern coast. Falmouth was an early Tasmanian settlement. While today it is of historic interest, with very few residents, in the nineteenth century it became a prominent whaling station.

They worked on a farm owned by Michael Steel. The following mention is from the book "Thanks to Providence: a history of Falmouth and its people", by Tim McManus:

"It must be remembered that many of the tenants were married with children; the McPhersons - Colin and Catherine - brought eight offspring out with them. They arrived in the month, July (but not on the same ship) as the German immigrants in 1855 [NB The majority of Steel's tenants were German]. Alex was the eldest at 19,then came Duncan, 17, Catherine Jr., 15, twins Colin Jr. and Ann, 13, Christina, 9 and finally, poor woman, another set of twins, Ronald and James, the aged 6. When these and all the others were added to the as yet unattached labourers on the property...it amounted to a small army of approximately 100 people dependant on Michael Steel and "Thompson Vale" for their livelihood".

Two daughters, Catherine and Anne, married during this time at Falmouth. Tragically James was killed at Cluny near Falmouth on the 7th October 1858 aged 10 "by the accidental upsetting of a bullock dray". While it is thought that some of the family moved by Victoria in 1861, and possible went directly to Ballarat, Catherine and probably Duncan stayed in Tasmania. Annie was in Ballarat by 1864.

The McPhersons In Ballarat

According to Baillere's 1865 directory of Ballarat, Colin McPherson (sr) was the proprieter of a store in Macarthur Street, Ballarat. The store was on the north side of the street, the sixth building from the western end. It was only a few lots away from Ballarat cemetery. The shop was the only one in this residential area, then on the outskirts of the city. Most householders in the Macarthur Street area were miners, tradesmen or labourers.

Colin McPherson (sr) died 19th June 1866 aged 64. He is buried in the cemetery in Macarthur Street. It is thought that his son Alexander took over the store upon his death.

Catherine McPherson (nee Cameron) died 10th September 1887 when living at Chisholm Street, Ballarat. [The death certificate gives her age as 87, I believe it should read 77 - as otherwise she would have had children from ages 30 to 49 rather than more probable 20-39]. There is no headstone remaining in the "Old" Ballarat Cemetery. Their plots are located at C-12-27R1.

The Children of Colin McPherson (sr) and Catherine Cameron

Children Who Died Prior to Emigration

It is most probable that Margaret, Mary and Hugh died in infancy. They were all deceased by 1866.

Donald McPherson (1831- ?)

Currently nothing is known. It is highly likely that Donald and John stayed in Scotland - especially as on his mother's death certificate Donald is rendered as Daniel - indicating he had been almost forgotten by siblings.

John McPherson (1832- ?)

Currently nothing is known.

Alexander McPherson (1836-1920)

Born in Edinburgh, Alexander was not living with his parents at the 1851 Scottish census. It is believed that the following census entry refers to him: living at "Head of Green", Alva, Alexander McPherson, tailor's apprentice aged 14, born Edinburgh.

When he arrived in Australia he was listed as a farm servant. He lived at Ballarat after leaving Tasmania and married Marcella Grant (also called Marjory) in St. Peter's School house, Ballarat on 23rd April 1863. [Although both were Presbyterians they were married under Church of England rites. Indications are that Marjory was pregnant at the time of marriage]. Marcella Grant came from Ross-shire; her parents being James Grant and Mary Mc(Crae?). Both the Grants and Alexander McPherson were at the time farmers in the district of Miner's Rest a few miles northwest of Ballarat. It is probable they farmed in the locality of Burrembeet near Miner's Rest. The following children were born:

• Colin McPherson, born 1863 in Carlton, Melbourne (3314;393). He married Irene Broadhead and lived at Leongatha. They had at least 9 children - all born at Leongatha:
  • Margaret Lucy, born 1899 Korrumburra
  • Alexander, 1902
  • Colin, 1903
  • Neil Albert, 1904
  • Phoebe Lucy, 1907
  • James, ca1908-1958. He died, aged 48 at Bairnsdale (dc20071)
  • Irene Marcella, 1910
  • Alfred Alex, 1912
  • Allan Samuel, 1913-1972. He died at Nathalia in 1972(dc17756)
  • Olive Edith, ca1921, died aged 17 in 19838 (dc18470).

  Colin died in 1946 at Leongatha (21207).

• James Grant McPherson, born August 1864 in Burragurra (3316;395)
  He married Phoebe Lucy Shillington in 1899 and. They also lived at Leongatha. The following children were all born at Leongatha:
• Laurence Neil, 1900
• Percy James,1901?
• Stanley Thomas, 1902
• Dorothy Jessie, 1903
• Marcella Margaret, 1904. She died as Marcella Margaret Stubbs at Inverloch (near Leongatha) aged 78, in 1983 (dc9788).
• Leslie John, 1906
• James Grant, 1908
• Ray Blanchard, 1911
• Ethel Lily, 1912

James died in Melbourne in 1938 aged 74.

• Mary Anne McPherson, born 1868 at Beaufort, she died at Yullabo? in 1872
• Neil McPherson, born 1871 at Beaufort (3312;391)

There was in 1899 a Neil McPherson - a baker - in Leongatha. No further details.
• Margaret McPherson, date and place unknown

In 1866 Alexander was given as the informant on his father's death certificate, with his occupation noted as storekeeper. If he was a storekeeper he definitely moved back to farming. The family moved to the West Gippsland area where they farmed near Leongatha. In 1899 Alexander was listed as a contractor. He died in Wonthaggi hospital 31 July 1920 and is buried in Leongatha cemetery.

Duncan McPherson (1837-?)

Being aged seventeen upon arrival in Tasmania. It is likely that Duncan didn't accompany his younger siblings and parents in the move to Victoria. The given names of McPhersons dying in a diptheria epidemic at Ulverstone in 1877 indicate (according to the inherited Scottish given name structure) that this could be 'our' Duncan's family:

• Christina McPherson, sister of Alexander, daughter of Duncan McPherson, farmer of Castra Rd., died Aug 1877.
• Flora Jessie Stewart a cousin of J.C. McPherson died in July 1877 aged 14.
• John Coll. (Colin?) McPherson died 21 December 1877, aged 20, brother of Donald. The informant was his cousin John Stewart.
• Donald McPherson aged 8 died 3 December 1877, the informant was Alex Stewart of Castra Rd.

However Duncan McPherson's death details of being aged about 67 in 1896 indicate that this may be another person [Crete No 754/35]

Catherine Ryan (nee McPherson) (1839/40-?).

Catherine married Owen Ryan at Falmouth, Tasmania 7th December 1857 in the Catholic church. This was the first (and rare) Presbyterian/Catholic union. He was a police constable of Falmouth aged 28, she was described as an 18 year old servant. Owen Ryan was born 1929 and was transported from County Tipperary in 1843. Picture of her & Owen Ryan. They had the following children:

1. Catherine, born 1858 in Falmouth (352).
2. Jeremiah, born 25 Jul 1860 Falmouth (1011). He died 20 May 1948 in St Marys, Tasmania. He married Marion Dunn (born 1873) on 8 Nov 1899. She died on 17 Nov 1954 in Scarmander, Tasmania. Their eldest daughter was Rebecca Frances Ryan. They had a daughter Christine Doreen Ryan born on 6 Jun 1912. She died on 28 Feb 1966. See also http://www.reardon-family.org/pafg19.htm#470
3. Nancy, 2 May 1861 (456)
4. Colin, 23 June 1863 in Falmouth
5. Daniel, 11 June 1865 in Falmouth (479)
6. Eugene, 12 August 1867 in Mangana (437)
7. Mary Anne, 22 August 1869 in Georges Bay (409)
8. Jemina Christina, 24 June 1871 in Fingal (417)
9. John, 10 November 1873 in Falmouth (471)
10. Norah (Dorah?), 17 December 1876 in Falmouth

By 1866 Owen Ryan had left the police force and began farming at Mangana in Tasmania.

Annie Niel/Reid/Lochhead (nee McPherson) (1842-1878)

Annie married Benjamin Niel (or Neil) at Falmouth on 15 December 1859, he aged 30 and she listed as 18. Benjamin Niel was a shoemaker. Witnesses at the wedding included her sister Catherine and brother Alexander. Annie gave birth to a daughter, Jessie, on 17 September 1860 at Falmouth. [NB. There is a marriage of a Jessie Neil to James Heart in Tasmania 1877 (3736)]

According to the book "Thanks to Providence: a history of Falmouth and its people", by Tim McManus, Benjamin Neil ran the post office from a little wooden cottage in Hammond Street Falmouth. He absconded with the takings after only three months in March 1860. He seems to have died soon after the marriage, or perhaps it was annulled, as Annie re-married to Alexander Reid (or Read) on 15 April 1862.

Annie's second wedding was held in the house of Robert Wardlaw at the "Chains of Lagoons" under special licence (as she was still under 21) under Church of Scotland rites. Alexander Reid was a carpenter. She gave birth to a son, Alexander, on 20 August 1862

Between 1862 and 1864 it appears as though she moved to Ballarat where she had another daughter, Catherine Read, born 1864, The baby died in October 1866 and is buried in the same grave as her grandparents, Colin and Catherine McPherson at Ballarat. Two other children, Ronald 1866, and Elizabeth Annie 1869 were also born in Ballarat.

Annie married a third time aged 31, to James Henry Lochhead (also spelt Lockhead; who was born in Stirling, Scotland), in 1873 at Emerald Hill (later named South Melbourne). This suburb has also the home of her younger brother Ronald. Annie gave birth to a daughter Mary Christina at Collingwood 1n 1877. This infant died the same year. Mother Annie died in Melbourne Hospital in 1878 from phthises and is buried in Melbourne New Cemetery. (9136).

Colin McPherson (1842-1926) (Jr)

Colin went to Ballarat from Tasmania with his parents. On 13 August 1870 he married Jessie Melville at St. John's Manse, Ballarat. The certificate claims he was aged 26 and she 20. See Melville file for more information on Jessie Melville. There children were:

1. Colin (III), born 25 November 1870 at Ballarat
2. John, 11 December 1872 at Ballarat
3. Jessie, 10 October 1874 at Ballarat
4. Duncan, 13 October 1876 at Buangor
5. Margaret, 19 April 1878 at Buangor
6. James, 26 March 1880 at Buangor
7. Mary, 19 March 1882 at Shirley
8. Flora, 1 December 1883 at Shirley
9. Louisa Jane, 28 November 1885 at Shirley
10. Alexander, 3 December 1887 at Beaufort
11. Thomas William, 8 January 1889 at Beaufort
12. Norman, 13 May 1892 at Beaufort
13. Mabel Olive, 8 October 1893 at Beaufort
14. Malcolm, 3 January 1897 at Beaufort

Colin and Jessie lived at Ballarat until 1875 when they went to Middle Creek near Buangor. He worked on the railway as a fettler (from 6 July 1875) and she as a "keeper of the gate" (from 4 April 1875). They also established a farm at Buangor itself. The house "Rosedale" was just a few hundred yards northwest of the Buangor school. The moved a second house on to this farm. This may have come from Middle Creek. They farmed for more than 35 years before retiring back to Ballarat..

According to Adeline McPherson Colin invested successfully in a mine at Leonora in Western Australia during the 1896 rush there. In about 1910 Colin and Jessie retired and moved with their daughters Louisa Jane and Flora back to Ballarat. They lived initially at 406 Talbot Street and later at 702B Dana Street. Picture of the house

Jessie McPherson (nee Melville) died 20 June 1924 at Dana Street, aged 74. She left behind 31 grandchildren and a great grand-daughter. Colin died 18 July 1926 at Dana Street, aged 84. By the standards of the day he died a quite wealthy man with a will of over 6,000 pounds. They are buried together (with son Norman) at Buangor cemetery. The Grave

The farm "Rosedale" was worked by son Colin until the late 1920s and in the 1990s was owned by Mervyn White.

On 11 September 1928, according to the book "Coaches Called Here: a history of Buangor and Surrounding Districts", a memorial chair was unveiled for Colin and Jessie in the Buangor Presbyterian church. After its closure in 1971 the church was sold for removal and the furnishings donated to other Presbyterian churches.

Christina Gregory (nee McPherson) (1846-1910)

She married George Gregory in 1865. They lived at 6 Dawson Street, Ballarat. She died in 1910 in Melbourne. Their children were:

• George Wellington Gregory, 1865-1907. He died at East Melbourne
• Christina, who died the same year as her mother's death

James McPherson (1849-1859)

He died in 1859, aged 10 in a bullock dray accident in Tasmania

Ronald McPherson (1849-1904?)

Ronald, James' twin brother, married Isabella Bennett in 1875. Their children included:

1. Sarah, born 1876 in Emerald Hill, Melbourne
2. Ronald, 1880 in Port Melbourne. He died aged 17 days
3. Colin, 1881 in Port Melbourne. He died at Bright in 1965
4. Caroline, 1882 in Port Melbourne. She died as Caroline Craven at Moorabbin in 1973 aged 91 (dc20133).
5. Malcolm Bennett, 1886 in Port Melbourne. He died in 1954 at Caulfield.
6. Ronald Alexander, 1887 in Port Melbourne. He died in 1956 at Caulfield.
7. Bertha Alma Eveline, 1889 in Port Melbourne. She died aged 10 months
8. Ruby May Isabella, 1891 in Port Melbourne. Like her elder sister Caoline Ruby May married a Craven. She died in 1956 at Hawthorn, aged 64 (dc8951).
9. Myrtle Victoria, 1893 in Port Melbourne

Ronald was a gas stoker living at 13 Spring Street, South Melbourne in 1904. This was the probable year of his death.

The Children of Colin McPherson and Jessie Melville

1. Colin McPherson (III) (1870-1932)
   He was a farmer at Buangor in 1912 ( taking over the farm at "Rosedale"). He married Annie Elizabeth Fisher (called Ivy?). Annie Fisher was born in 1889 at Ballarat. It is thought they had five daughters and a son. His eldest daughter was called Joyce. Another daughter, Mabel Clarice was born at Raglan near Beaufort in 1913. In 1921 three McPherson children attended Buangor school - Joyce, Mabel and Mary. Colin [later lived at Geelong ? - doubtful] died at Ararat, aged 61 (dc8016). He was buried at Buangor cemetery 9 July 1932. His wife Annie lived until 1969 and died at Ballarat.

The following reminiscence of Colin McPherson from the 1920s comes from Reg White in the book "Coaches Called Here"


He was a very wild man, he was very cruel on the horses. His language was awful and it would have been very easy to walk out on him.

2. John (Jack) McPherson (1872-1950?)
   Born in 1872, he was an inspector on the Victorian railways. His children include two daughters. John McPherson (labourer of Ballarat) buried at Buangor cemetery 11 May 1950 aged 77 is probably the above.
3. Jessie Erwin (nee McPherson)(1874-?)
   She married John Albert Erwin in 1900.
   Children included:
   • Mabel Melville, born Ballarat 1900
   • Viola Margery, born Ballarat 1902
   • Graham Colin, born Ballarat 1904
   • Lexie Madeline, born Ballarat 1910
   • Mabel Melville, born Ballarat 1900
   They left Victoria and settled in the Coffs Harbour/Grafton area. Jessie Erwin was deceased by the time her mother (Jessie McPherson) died in 1924.
4. Duncan McPherson (1876-1953)
   He was a farm labourer at Buangor in 1908. By 1912 he had moved to Carranballac, about 40km south of Buangor. He died in 1953 at Ballarat (dc16222).
5. Margaret Welsh/Ellis (nee McPherson) (1878-1950)
   She married Robert Welsh in 1905. He died in a tragic sulky accident in 1907 when at Old Pitfield Hill near Ballarat when he was "shifting a load of furniture from Pitfield to Waterloo. Margaret had three daughters.

6. James McPherson (1880-1949)
   He married Maud Meier at St. Andrews Kirk, Ballarat on 29th October 1912. For details on Maud Meier see the Meier File. They were both living at Buangor at the time of their marriage. James later had a "Sunshine" machinery dealership at Piambil} near Swan Hill. He went broke in the 1914 drought. After this it is thought that he farmed at Wilaura (25km south of Ararat) and lived at Lilydale, outside Melbourne, before they moved to West Wyalong} between 1919 and 1922. James became a shearer. A picture of James in the 1940s. He died at Coonamble in 1949 and is buried there.
   Their children .
7. Mary Scarlett (nee McPherson) (1882-1957)
   She married George Scarlett in 1904. They are recorded as living at 9 Yarrowee Street, Ballarat East in 1907 and 1912. George' occupation was listed as a brass finisher. They also lived at 13 Nelson Street, East Ballarat later. Children included Fred, Jack and Dorothy (later Mrs: Palmer of Bondi). Jack Scarlett lived at Norlane, Geelong in 1985. Mary Scarlett died 23 April 1956 and is buried at Buangor.
8. Flora McPherson (1883-1973)
   Flora is listed as living in Buangor in 1908 and with her parents in Ballarat in 1912. Her occupation was given as dressmaker. She married William Buckingham and gave birth to a son Eric Jonathon at Ballarat - also in 1912. Eric died early in life. She had two other children: Florence Emily Buckingham & Norman William Keith Buckingham. Flora died in Brunswick in 1973, aged 89 (dc14011). She was predeceased by her daughter Florence, 1956.
9. Louisa Jane McPherson (1884-1965)
   She looked after her parents and was a major benefactor of her father's will. Louisa had a "turned eye", the result of falling from her pram. In 1913 she started an unsuccessful marriage to an Albert George Peel(mc10549). She later married Charles Michael May in 1928 (mc9156). According to Stewart Masters Louisa Jane "kept house" for the her sister Flora's family until 1962. Louisa Jane May died in Thornbury, aged 79 in 1965 (dc19587).
10. Alexander McPherson (1887-1969)
    He started an electrical appliance store in Ballarat in the early days of radio. His sons Malcolm and Duncan managed the HomeCraft store in Ballarat near Myers. He also had a daughter Velma. Alexander died (in Melbourne?) in 1969 (dc6932)
11. Thomas William McPherson (1889-1908)
    He died in Ballarat on 14 July 1908 aged 18 from appendicitis and is buried at Buangor. His Grave
12. Norman McPherson (1892/3-1927)
    He went to the first World War. He was a blacksmith among the mounted soldiers. He was kicked by a horse and also "buried alive" for two days, but survived. He farmed at Buangor after the war. He bought a car and, with some friends, went to the Murray River for a few days. Although a good swimmer he drowned in the river, possibly from cramp. He was buried at Buangor cemetery 20 Jan 1927, aged 35, a farmer of "Katya" (perhaps a misreading of Katyll, near Dimboola).
13. Mabel Olive McPherson (1895-1896)
    She died at 6 months and was buried at 31 Jan 1896 Buangor. Her Grave
14. Malcolm McPherson (1897-1960)
    He married Janey Myrtle? He became an accountant and at his father's death in 1926 lived at 307 Eyre Street. When he died on 3 March 1960 (dc20197) he was listed as a manager living at 106 Cardigan Street, Ballarat. His wife died aged 78 in 1974. According to Jack Scarlett his two sons Malcolm and Lloyd were respectively in the motor world and in the electrical field.

The Children of James McPherson (1880-1949) and Maud(e) Meier (1882-1954)

Picture of the six children 1927

Adelaide Charlotte (Adeline) McPherson (1913-1993)

Born 29 August 1913 at Swan Hill. Picture as child. She married Ken Cavanagh, a policeman at West Wyalong. Their children were Lesley and De-arn:

• Lesley Cavanagh, born 1943, is a school teacher. She married Milan Carnagursky in Canada. Now separated she lives in British Columbia. She often teaches in Australia and has a son, Kent, born in 1979
• De-arn Hampel (nee Cavanagh) married Gerry Hampel. They have two daughters, Chelsea (born 1977) and Gina (born 1978). They live in Shellcove Road, Barrack Point, south of Wollongong. Diane is a registered nurse and Gerry is an electrician.

After leaving West Wyalong Adeline lived at Jerilderie, Singleton, Tighes Hill in Newcastle, Bourke, Drummoyne and West Ryde. Adeline died in June 1993 when living at 1181 Victoria Rd., West Ryde.

Adeline gave her body to science, but shares a plaque on her mother's grave at Pakenham Cemetery

Colin James McPherson (1916-1966)

Born 23 July 1916 at Ararat. He married Jean Chambers 4th April 1940 at Young. He served in WWII and after the war he worked for the local council and opened the Park corner store between the caravan park and the public school. They had a daughter Lynette. Lynette married Ronald Wall. In 2002 they lived in Wollomi near the Hunter Valley. Lynette has worked in publicity and conference convenor, and was a champion triathelete. Ron has long been involved in the computer industry. They have two children Kiaja and Cameron.

Colin passed away 26 January 1966 at Queanbeyan.

Norman Duncan McPherson (1919-1987)

Born 25th June 1919 at Buangor, Norm served in the war and married Gladys Cornwall [born 12 July 1923 at Pakenham] at Pakenham on 8 April 1950. They had three daughters:

• Collette Gayle, born 1 May 1951 at Pakenham. She married Jan Parniak on 12 January 1974 at Pakenham. They have two children Michelle (born 1979) and Andrew (born 1983). They live in Moe.
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• Gloria Yvonne, born 16 June 1952 at Pakenham. She married Alan Mitchell at Pakenham 24 June 1972. They have four children, twins Scott and Kylie (1973), Donna (1976), and Tara (1978).
• Sharyn Kaye,, born ll May 1956 at Pakenham. She married Alan Anderton. They live at Bargo, near Sydney with their daughter Jacqueline (1988) son Christopher (about 1992).

Norm worked on the railways and at General Motors, Dandenong and later was a quarryman. He died 3 April 1987 and is buried at Pakenham. Gladys lives in Moe (2008).

Jean May Wyatt (nee McPherson) (1922-1987)

Born 1 September 1922 at West Wyalong. She moved to Melbourne and later Pakenham. She married Reginald Wyatt aged 30, and she 20, on 21 November 1942 in a Presbyterian ceremony at Jean's home at 32 Essex Road Surrey Hills (in Melbourne). They had a dairy farm on the Gembrook Road for many years before moving into Pakenham town. Jean's seven children are:

• Frank(lin).
  He married Wendy Small. Frank was an accomplished Australian Rules footballer who long worked for Telecom. He has long been involved, with the Rythdale-Officer Australian Football Club. They have three daughters, Samantha, Tracy and Rani, and live at North Dandenong.
• Doug(las).
  Doug worked at Pakenham for many years and then with heavy earthmoving equipment in northern Australia. He later had a dairy farm at Cobram, and while he has sold the farm still resides at Yarroweyah just outside Cobram with his wife Marissa. Their children are Nicole, Joshua and Jean.
• Jon(athon)
  Jon lives in Carlton.
• Winston
  Winnie was married to Kaylene Blake. They have three children, Reginald, Elizabeth and Benjamin. In 2008 Winston was living at Yarroweyah.
• Dallas
  Dallas and Judy have a dairy farm at Koyuga near Kyabram. They have three daughters and a son.
• Janine
  Janine was a school teacher. She married Nicholas Power and they live at Ultima near Swan Hill. They have five children Lauren Rose, Garth, Dustin, Patrick and Louise Jean.
• Suzanne
  She married Peter Lewis. Her children include Chad (1983), Matt (1988), Linda (1990) and Anne. In 2008 they were living at the old family house on Gembrook Road at Packenham.

Jean passed away in May 1987, her husband Reg in Feb 2008. They are buried at Packenham.

Heather Melville Pollock (nee McPherson) (1925-)

Born 16 January 1925 at West Wyalong. Photo when aged two She nursed before marrying Ted Pollock at West Wyalong on 18 July 1947. They farmed at Clear Ridge, at Wyalong, and since 1962, at Caragabal. They have two sons: Anthony John (Tony) a farmer of Caragabal and Neil (the compiler of this information). Tony married Lindy Rumble and they have three children, Natalie (1975), Mitchell (1979) and Karla (1982). Neil lives in Earlwood, Sydney. He married Michelle Vogel in 1980. They have a daughter, Nina (1984).

Donald McPherson (1926-1998)

Born 12 December 1926 at West Wyalong, he married Valerie Armstrong from Young on 21 November 1953. He worked at the Young Mercy Hospital. Their children are Rose-Ann and Leone. Rose-Ann married Robert Quinlivan at Young. Her children are sons Todd, Brad, Dane and daughter Laryn. Leone married Patrick Schiller. She has two sons, Deane and Brett.

Gordon Malcolm

Born 14th December 1927. He lived just one week.

Thanks

To all who have included information for the above: including my late Auntie Ad (Adelaide Cavanagh nee McPherson), Fran and Bruce Stewart, Jon Wyatt, Ann Edwards, Joycelyn Richter, Stewart Masters, Jimmy Macpherson. Note that this is always a work in progress. There will be errors. Any assistance in increasing our understanding is always appreciated