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Researching CHRISTIE family from Inveravon, Banffshire, Scotland

Query by peachtree

I am researching the CHRISTIE family who came to Australia per the James in 1834. They were Jane and Charles CHRISTIE and their blended family: Charles jnr, Robina, Francis, Archina, and my gg grandmother Charlotte Deacon CHRISTIE. Jane was married to Charles' brother, James Grant Christie who died in 1822. I am interested to find Jane's origins, she was born Jane Whittle born circa 1800 possibly in the Azores, Portugal. Any help would be most appreciated.

Surnames: CHRISTIE WHITTLE
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by peachtree Profile | Research | Contact | Subscribe | Block this user
on 2012-11-03 05:03:34

peachtree , from australia , has been a Family Tree Circles member since Nov 2012.

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Comments

by tonkin on 2013-03-25 17:30:51

There was a William HASTINGS married to Ann TOBIN in Victoria in 1858.
They had four children named James, Eliza, William and John.

I'm wondering if this is the same William and Ann HASTINGS.

by peachtree on 2013-03-25 19:30:07

Hi,

Yes this is the William Hastings who was executed 1877 for the murder of Ann nee Tobin in 1876. They had been married for sixteen years and had moved to Mt Eliza about the time of their marriage possibly from Richmond where Ann's brother Richard lived. I am not aware of James, but their children absolutely included the other three children you mentioned. All three children gave evidence at the trial. It was the most heinous crime. I have lots more to share but prefer to do this privately. I believe Thomas Moseley lived next door to the Hastings hut at Mt Eliza in 1876. I am related to William Hastings via my ggg grandmother, Jane - William's mother. Regards, Jan

by tonkin on 2013-03-25 21:24:01

Thank for the confirmation Jan.

These are the four children located for William HASTINGS and Ann TOBIN married in Victoria in 1858.

Name: James HASTINGS.
Born: 1859 Frankston, Victoria.
Father: William HASTINGS.
Mother: Ann TOBIN.
Ref: VBI #18722.

Name: Eliza May HASTINGS.
Born: 1861 Snapper Point, Victoria.
Father: William HASTINGS.
Mother: Ann TOBIN.
Ref: VBI #19770.

Name: William HASTINGS.
Born: 1863 Mount Eliza, Victoria.
Father: William HASTINGS.
Mother: Ann TOBIN.
Ref: VBI #17331.

Name: John HASTINGS.
Born: 1866 Snapper Point, Victoria.
Father: William HASTINGS.
Mother: Ann TOBIN.
Ref: VBI #24003.

I'm still digging for a few more details for you.

by tonkin on 2013-03-25 22:32:58

This appears to be the death of William and Ann's first child James. This may explain why you have not come across the name James.

Name: James HASTINGS.
Died: 1861.
Place of death: Not recorded. *
Age: 02 years.
Father: William HASTINGS.
Mother: Ann Unknown. **
Ref: VDI #6971.


* Places of death were not recorded in Victoria in 1861.
** I expect the informant did not know Ann's maiden name.

by peachtree on 2013-03-25 22:36:45

Hi Again,

Fantastic! Wonder what happened to him, well at least he was spared the events of 1876-7! I will look and see if he appears in the historical indices in NSW - thanks, J

by tonkin on 2013-03-26 00:02:16

A few more details I picked up in the Victorian Inquests.


Victorian Inquest #394.

Name: Ann HASTINGS.
Died: 1876.
Place: Mornington, Victoria.
Age: Not recorded.
Cause of Death: Not recorded.
Depositions with Crown Solicitor.

Victorian Inquest #225.

Name: William HASTINGS.
Died: 1877.
Place: Melbourne, Victoria.
Age: 41 years.
Cause of Death: Judicial hanged.

It's always good to have records to fall back on if needed. Inquests can be obtained online for a fee from the Victorian Public Record Office in North Melbourne.

I expect the newspapers would have mentioned Ann's murder, including the Inquests for Ann and William, and possibly William's trial. You can always search the papers online if you have the time.

There may be a member willing to assist you with newspaper searches. I get lost when searching the newspapers online.

Now we need to try and find out what happened to William and Ann's other three children. I will do some more record searches tomorrow.

Hope this helps for now.

user steve74 deactivated
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by janilye on 2013-03-26 03:50:06

There were 3 children living at the time of the trial. Eliza, William and John.
All gave evidence at the trial.

by tonkin on 2013-03-26 05:13:36

The following comes from the Sydney Morning Herald,
Wednesday, 13 December 1876. Page 5.

MELBOURNE. TUESDAY.

The body of Ann Hastings, the wife of a labourer, who mysteriously disappeared from Frankston, and has been missing since the 1st instant, was found this morning, in a paddock at Mount Eliza, about two miles from her home. It was discovered by some children, who were attracted to the spot by a bad smell. The body was covered with bruises. Her head had been battered in both at the back and front, and a piece of hat has been knocked into the flesh, as if with a hammer. An Axe, stained with blood, and on the blade of wich human hair was found attached, has been found near Hastings house. Hastings is now in custody on suspiction of being the murderer of his wife. An inquest will be held tomorrow.

We now have a date to work with for more newspaper searches.

by janilye on 2013-03-26 05:58:22

Henry Monro whom you mention, he was a squatter out at Hotspur on the Crawford River. He took over 'Bassett's Run' after Christopher Bassett was killed by the aborigines. His wife Jane, whom you mention had died the year before. There was another daughter whom you don't mention called Maria Agnes Monro, and she married an Irishman called Dr. Grier around 1853. She was Henry's stepdaughter I presume she was a Christie, could be wrong. Dr. Grier had a practice in Portland (about 40 miles from Hotspur) After about 10 years Dr. Grier moved to Melbourne and I think about 3 or 4 years later left the colony. He and wife had about 5 or 6 children.
I came across the story a while back when I was doing some historic research for the 'Crawford Inn' Sorry I can't give you exact dates &c.
If you think I'm on the right track let me know and I'll look into it.

by janilye on 2013-03-26 06:00:40

I think Jane Christie's maiden name was Whittle.

by tonkin on 2013-03-26 06:18:20

This may be the GRIER and MONRO mentioned by Janilye.

Groom: Charles GRIER.
Bride: Maria Agnes MONRO.
Year married: 1854.
Place: Victoria.
Ref: VMI #824.

Charles and Maria had five children in Victoria that I know of.

by tonkin on 2013-03-27 03:18:37

Never found much today but I did come across the Deaths for William and Eliza as mentioned by Steve74 above.

Name: William HASTINGS.
Died: 1942 Warburton, Victoria.
Age: 78 years.
Father: William HASTINGS.
Mother: Ann TOBIN.
Ref: VDI #26088.

Name: Eliza HASTINGS.
Died: 1944 Lilydale, Victoria.
Age: 83 years.
Father: Unknown.
Mother: Unknown.
Ref: VDI #22875.

It's possible this is the correct Eliza.

No luck finding John.

by janilye on 2013-03-27 04:38:36

John was described as only 10yrs. old during the trial; it's possible he went into care.

by peachtree on 2013-03-27 05:35:31

Hi again,

Thanks for all the work being done, seems like Eliza may not have married, I guess John could have gone into care but in those days it probably was not formal. However, William was only 13 years and I am aware the children spent time at the police station after Hastings was arrested. It is possible I guess the Davey's were looking after the kids or there was family available. There was family living in Bairnsdale and Portland. But grandmother Jane was long gone (1842 and Mary Jane had also died by then. Certainly, Eliza's employer Mrs Davey was concerned for the safety of Eliza at the time. I am surprised Eliza kept the name of Hastings, but perhaps she was just buried under her legal name. Regards, Jan

by janilye on 2013-03-27 07:33:06

according to the electoral rolls William and Eliza Hastings were living together at Warburton from 1919 up to 1942 in 1943 Eliza was living there alone William gave his occupation as Clerk Eliza, home duties.

by janilye on 2013-03-27 08:16:01

This is a very long shot but really all I can find that may be John ,if he remained in Victoria and did not change his name. I think that if he had been living, he probably would have been with his brother and sister or married. I searched the married ones and did not find a likely candidate.
The Argus Saturday 21 December 1895
NEWLYN. FRIDAY?A sad fatal accident happened this morning to John Hastings, an employee of Michael and Dunning, of the steam chaffcutting works Mr Michael and
he had been packing a pump, which is placed some 30ft. down a well. They both ascended, and his employer lefft Hastings to cover up the well and start the machinery. Noticing about 10 minutes after that the machinery was still standing, Mr. Michael went to acertain the reason and search being made, the deceased was found at the bottom of the well, some 60ft deep. Medical aid was at once in attendance, but a cut on the head must have caused instantaneous death.deceased was a single man, and about 30 years of age.
Australia Cemetery Index, 1808-2007
about John Hastings
Name: John Hastings
Death Age: 27
Birth Date: abt 1868
Death Date: 20 Dec 1895
Cemetery: Creswick
Cemetery Location: Creswick, Victoria
Remarks: additional information available from AIGS

user steve74 deactivated
by tonkin on 2013-03-27 17:22:26

I took note of that death.

Name: John HASTINGS.
Died: 1895 Kingston, Victoria.
Age: 26 years.
Father: William HASTINGS.
Mother: Elizabeth HOPE.
Ref: VDI #13842.

There was also an Inqust held for John's death but the cause of death was not mentioned. Inquest #1525.

If the informant was correct and John's mother was Elizabeth HOPE we can rule him out.

user steve74 deactivated
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by peachtree on 2013-03-27 23:39:27

Hi,
I do not think that Henry Hastings you mention is the brother of William. As far as I know there were only two Hastings children, William and his sister who was born circa 1838, these children migrated with their mother to Australia circa 1840. Their mother was Mary Jane Christie, not Jane Christie. You are correct about the Rohans and brother Michael from Richmond and I guess they were probably supportive of Ann and the children.
In relation to John who died at Newlyn can you advise why you think he could not be John Hastings, son of William and Ann? Is there something in the will? Kind regards, Jan

by peachtree on 2013-03-28 00:01:40

Hi Steve, I just have just realised you wrote brother Michael came from Fitzroy, is that near Richmond? J

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by janilye on 2013-03-28 04:38:17

Australia Death Index, 1787-1985
about Jane Monro
Name: Jane Monro
Death Place: Collingwood, Victoria
Age: 42
Registration Year: 1842
Registration Place: Victoria
Registration number: 3785
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1800

by peachtree on 2013-03-28 07:00:50

Thank you Janilye for the death information for Jane. I would love to know where she was buried. Her funeral went from St James C of E in Melbourne and I am supposing the pioneer park (Flagstaff hill?? I think it is called) would be a probable site. She was some woman this ggg mother of mine! The age at death does indicate she was born in 1800 which means she first married at 14 years of age. But her age at immigration indicates she was born 1798 so would have been 16 when she married. Thanks, again. Jan

by janilye on 2013-03-28 08:39:25

St.James had their own cemetery, in 1842 there were 152 burials there.

by janilye on 2013-03-28 09:01:13
by janilye on 2013-03-28 09:10:37

St.James would have her marriage, death and burial registered there. You could email them. For a price they will send you copies.

by janilye on 2013-03-28 09:13:03

Australia Marriage Index, 1788-1950
about Jane Christie
Name: Jane Christie
Spouse Name: Henry Monro
Marriage Place: Victoria
Registration Place: Victoria
Registration Year: 1841
Registration number: 4323

by janilye on 2013-03-28 09:55:48

I got the following record from nsw.bd&m which is a church record of death.
V18421477 26B/1842 MONRO JANE AGE 42
NSW administered Victoria at that time so they have all the copies of the church records. Thought you might need this number for your search.

by peachtree on 2013-03-28 21:05:16

Thank you so much janilye for your assistance. I went to St James awhile back after I became aware of the removal of the church stone by numbered stone to the present location. When Jane and Henry married it would have been in the original wood structure at Port Melbourne 1841, but because it was replaced by a bluestone structure and ready for worship in 1842 Port Melbourne is also where her funeral occurred so I guess she would have been buried in Port Melbourne at the old site. I have not read anything about the moving of graves/gravestones to the present location. I think I will email the church, thanks again for the info. Jan

by janilye on 2013-03-28 21:50:26

Yes I was thinking the Old Melbourne Cemetery, which the Queen Victoria Market is built over. Every time they extend the markets more graves turn up. Bodies hinder the revamp

by janilye on 2013-03-28 21:56:13
by peachtree on 2013-03-30 05:28:36

Hi Janilye,

Thanks for the sites re Old Melbourne Cemetery. When I went to St James Church and Flagstaff gardens I did not realise the Queen Vic Markets was the site of the Old Melbourne cemetery or there were remains under the markets. Hope the Easter Bunny is kind to you. J

by janilye on 2013-03-30 07:47:15

Henry Monro wasn't a poor man. I would think she would have had a stone marker, which means she would have been identified and moved. It might pay to contact the other cemeteries. I've always found the office staff very helpful. (Except on Saturday, maybe they are too busy)
Melbourne General Cemetery
OFFICE HOURS
9am to 4 pm Mon, Wed, Thu & Fri
10am to 4pm Tue
9.30am to 4pm Sat
Closed Sunday
P: (03) 9349 3014
F: (03) 9349 2340
Postal Address
PO Box 7, Parkville VIC 3052

by peachtree on 2013-04-01 20:21:03

Hi Janilye, Thanks again. Yes, Henry was a man of considerable land holdings and the member of a very wealthy, professional,and well connected family. I agree about the likelihood of a stone marker. I have contacted a couple of the cemeteries already and will do the same for the Melbourne General. I would like to think there is a memorial for Jane. She led a very interesting life. J

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