A new Passing of the Pioneers post is long overdue. So getting 2024 started, I bring you January Passing of the Pioneers, the obituaries of early Western Victorians who died during the month of January. The men and women in the post come from the Camperdown district, Port Fairy, Coleraine, Carpendeit, and Hamilton. Don’t forget to click on the names to read the newspaper obituary of each person, and click on other links throughout for further information. You can find previous obituaries on the link-Obituary Index

EWING, James-Died 9 January 1892 at Hamilton. James Ewing was born in Peterhead, Scotland, in 1809. He and his wife, Jane Pirie, arrived in Victoria in the early 1850s and in Hamilton by 1860. James was a plasterer by trade. He was initially in business with John Thomas, then later went out on his own.

James worked on the construction of several large homes in Hamilton, such as Roxburgh House, built for Doctor Wylie in 1873 (below),

Also, Hamilton’s first Wesleyan Methodist Manse, and the Hamilton and Western District College (below)

James died in 1892 and was buried at the Hamilton Cemetery. His wife Jane died ten years later.

HAMMETT, Richard-Died 10 January 1911 at Hamilton. Richard Hammett was born in Devonshire, England around 1849. He arrived in Portland and started work as a butcher for William Lewis in that town and nearby Heywood.

When he first arrived in Hamilton, Richard worked for the well-known Hamilton butcher, Thomas Brown. He soon went into partnership with Mr Willett, before operating on his own, which he did for many years.

In 1891, Richard, with the help of his wife Bridget, operated the refreshment rooms at the Hamilton Railway Station, something they did for several years.

Twice married, Richard lived in Goldsmith Street. He was fond of horse racing and also terrier coursing for which had some success.

HENRY, Eliza Jane-Died 14 January 1911 at Hamilton. Eliza Henry was born in Monaghan, Ireland, and arrived in Victoria in 1844 aboard the Wallace. She headed for Pleasant Creek (Stawell West), then part of the Concongella run, where she married butcher Daniel Bourke in 1845.¹ Daniel, Eliza, and their family arrived in Hamilton in the 1860s and settled in Digby Road. In October 1888, Daniel died of strychnine poisoning.

SILVESTER, Eugene-Died January 1912 at Malvern. Eugene Silvester was born at Balmoral around 1858 and educated at Hamilton College. Known as “Sunny Face” at school, his popularity as a child continued into adult life. He was successful academically and in sports. His academic achievements saw him eyeing a career in law and after his studies, he spent a year as an articles clerk for Anglelo Palmer, a Hamilton solicitor.

The death of Coleraine solicitor Arthur Wade in March 1881 left an opening for a solicitor in the town and in 1882 Eugene opened his own practice in the town, keeping the name of his predecessor in the business name Wade and Silvester.

The same year, Eugene married Ethel Archer.² They had three sons, Grenville, Eric, and Clive.

Eugene’s talent as a solicitor soon shone through and, as well as gaining many private clients, four nearby shires appointed him as their legal advisor. He later opened an office in Casterton, which his son Grenville took over when he finished his studies. The firm became known as Silvester and Silvester.

Away from work, Eugene was a vestryman of the Holy Trinity Church at Coleraine (below) and then a Church Warden.

Eugene was a Wannon Shire councillor, representing the Balmoral Riding and then the Coleraine Riding. He was the first president of the Coleraine Progress Association, the trustee of the Coleraine Showgrounds, a director of the Coleraine Butter Factory, a freemason, a member of the Mechanics’ Institute, and a member of the Hamilton College Old Boys Association. He also continued his love of sport. He was a champion tennis player and once captained the Hamilton Football team in a game in Ballarat. He also played golf and cricket. His sporting ability saw him called “Pocket Hercules”.

In 1911, heart troubles began for Eugene. After falling ill on a trip to Melbourne for business, he fell he was admitted to Dr. Murray’s Private Hospital. His condition gradually deteriorated, until the sad news reached Coleraine that Eugene Silvester was dead aged 54.

At Hamilton, the flag flew at half mast at the Hamilton & Western District College and in October 1913, the school unveiled a tablet in his honour. In 1916, when the Coleraine Recreation Reserve opened, it received the name “Silvester Oval” in honour of the town’s popular resident. That name remains today.

ANSON, Mary-Died 4 January 1914 at Carpendeit. Mary Anson was born in England around 1841 and arrived in Victoria as a girl with her parents. The Anson family settled at Birregurra, east of Colac. It was there Mary met Robert Scouller and they married. Robert operated a flour mill at Birregurra in partnership with his brother John until 1866.

Within a few years, Robert and Mary moved to Carpendeit, between Colac and Cobden. Robert moved from a flour miller to a saw miller.

Although Mary had some illness in the years before her death, her passing came relatively suddenly while sitting at the breakfast table at her son’s home. She left nine children at the time of her death. Mary was buried at the Warrncoort cemetery on 6 January 1914.

PRIOR, Margaret-Died 5 January 1918 at Port Fairy. Margaret Prior was born in Cashel, Ireland around 1831. She married James Prior in Ireland and arrived in 1859 on board the Sarah Dixon. They settled in Port Fairy and remained there for the rest of their lives. James was a curator of the Port Fairy Botanic Gardens for 37 years.

James died in 1911and after a long illness, during which her family cared for her, Margaret died in 1918. Two sons and three daughters survived her. Margaret’s obituary described her as “…a woman of upright principles and the possessor of a very charitable disposition. She was a most entertaining and interesting personality.”

GELLIE, James Wilson-Died 10 January 1938 at Camperdown. James Gellie spent his 91 years in the Camperdown district. He was born around 1847 at Chocolyn estate on the banks of Lake Colangulac, just north of Camperdown, and died in 1938 in Camperdown. 

On arrival in Victoria, James’ father William secured work at Chocolyn and he and his wife Hannah moved to the district after spending some time in Melbourne. William Gellie selected land after a trip to the diggings in the 1850s, including a property on what is now Gellie Street, between the town and the racecourse.

James first worked for his father, but in 1870, he purchased a team of bullocks. He traversed the district carting with his bullocks. He also went to South Australia, droving cattle and horses. In 1874, James married Margaret McKenzie at Belmont. The couple settled first at Lake View near Camperdown, a property of William Gellie. Later, they moved into town and James ran a livery stable in Manifold Street. 

His interest in horses extended to racing and James himself trained several horses, with Rigmarole and Postboy among the best. James attended the Melbourne Cup each year and was a member of the Camperdown Racing Club. He was also a member of the Camperdown Pastoral and Agricultural Society. James was buried at the Camperdown Cemetery.

In 1932, James shared memories of his life with the Camperdown Chronicle. He recalled a visit to Mount Gambier on one of his droving trips in the 1870s. It was significant for James as he was a fan of the poet Adam Lindsay Gordon. Even in his mid-eighties, James could recite Gordon’s poem “The Sick Stockrider”,

For good undone and gifts misspent, and resolutions vain,
Tis somewhat late to trouble. This I know-
I should live the same life over, if I had to live again;
And the chances are I go where most men go.
From ‘Bush Ballads and Galloping Rhymes’ (1870).

LUCAS, William Horace-Died 12 January 1943 at Stonyford. William Lucas was born at Marida Yallock in 1866 to Richard Lucas and Harriet Prestage.³ Harriet died just two years later in 1868 and William went to live with his grandparents in Camperdown while his father continued working and later settled at Pomborneit. Richard Lucas had a carting contract with the Colac Rabbit Factory and William, while still a lad, would help his father.

When William was older, he worked as a dairy farmer at Stonyford, southeast of Pomborneit. He married Ann Scouller in 1897.⁴ Ann gave birth to six children, but three died as infants. William and Ann are pictured below with Ila and Horace c1906.

William was a foundation member of the South Purrumbete Debating Society and was often called on to chair meetings. He also played competitive draughts locally and in Melbourne.

William died in 1943. His funeral was large, with many floral wreaths. He left his widow Ann, two sons and one daughter, also two grandchildren who carried a wreath to his grave.

Additional Sources

1. Victorian Marriage Index, Department of Justice, Victoria, Eliza Henry, 1845, Reg. No.: 4953/1845
2. Victorian Marriage Index, Department of Justice, Victoria, Eugene Silvester, 1882, Reg. No. 4964/1882
3. Victorian Birth Index, Department of Justice, William Horace Lucas, 1866, Reg. No. 20048/1866
4. Victorian Marriage Index, Department of Justice, Victoria, William Horace Lucas, 1897, Reg. No. 3346/1897