Margaret Herbert Davies

(14 September 1835 - 25 May 1896)
     Margaret Herbert Davies was born on 14 September 1835 in 'Enmore Cottage', Montego Bay, Jamaica. The family bible reads: September 14th 1835 This morning at five minutes before ten o'clock, was born at Enmore Cottage near Montego Bay, St James, Jamaica, Margaret Herbert, daughter of the Reverend Thomas Davies and Mary his wife.. She was the daughter of Rev Thomas Davies and Mary Reddish. Margaret Herbert Davies was christened on 22 November 1835 in Montego Bay, St James parish, Jamaica. Her father was the curate & master of St James Free School.
For an account of her voyage to Australia see her mother's references. A Mrs Dempster ran the Napier Hotel in Williamstown (1850s - 1919) for some time, but it seems unlikely to be this Mrs Dempster.
     Margaret Herbert Davies and Mary Reddish arrived per "Washington Irving" on 12 December 1852 at Victoria, Australia. They were cabin passengers on the Washington Irving which departed 3 Sep 1852: Mary Davis aged 49, Dorothy Reddish aged 69, Mary Davis aged 23, Maria H Davis aged 13, Felix Geo Davis aged 15. Steerage: Ann Davis, aged 30, domestic, no nationality. The family story was that they were accompanied by a black servant Ann Wills. On the 26 January 1895 the Australasian & The Argus reported the death of: Wilson - On the 20th inst., at her cottage, North Williamstown, in the 75th year of her age Ann Shene Wilson (Wils), for upwards of 30 years a faithful, honoured, and much loved servant in the family of Mrs Hume Black and Mrs William Dempster. The Victorian BDM indexes show that she was aged 77, no parents listed. She was buried at Williamstown 22 Jan 1895 as Ann Wilson

     Her diary: The question as to a home was decided, a skilful physician a kind and friendly surgeon had equally come to the conclusion that the climate of Brighton?? (Barbadoes??) would not suit my mother - what then was to be done? Barbadoes, with the friendly, social people was too warm, Jamaica, Earth's paradise as to natural advantages, was too ... and too degen.., Madeira too expensive for poor people a Catholic country too and ... where a school mistress aught not be ... and while a widow's son might find no opening for his energies no ... for his inde... Australia the modern El Dorado seemed to offer the best prospects even to us so that... ... our dear friend Mr ... this conviction he daily strove to impress upon my mother's friends. When she shrank from accounting/encountering the difficulties of a strange land and? became nervous from the apparition of traversing the torrid zone our ... ... tried early ... in turn to bring her to his opinion which at length she agreed with him, that it would be desirable for me to see the far ... Miss Chisholm, and leave ... for the inc... vessels equipped by the Family Colonisation Society might approach the comforts ... to an... and the ... respectability indispensable for gentlewomen.
     
     The morning the bustle and the ... of the ... was.. s... I was dis... from the Waterloo Station located in a .. ... and .. ...a fine ...to... the end of July ... .. at ... at an insignificant street in Islington at which ... the ... before was had attended with anxious hearts to hear the verdict which this lady prov... upon this prospect and chance of success. I had expected to see a respectable ... son and to be received by our ... ... on her the ... of gentlewoman I was disappointed, a shabby dirty old woman answered my knock and ushered me into a parlour which seemed to have been long ... to any ... in the house maids labours. This was Mrs Chisholm's office. In a s.. ... the lady made her appearance she was dressed in black, and her hair drawn straight back from her forehead showed the whole extent of a heavy Chinese looking face. Pa... she listened to the detail of any ... and wishes or the subject of our acc.. ... and then she began to speak and to smile and the s... was like a sunbeam lightening and beautifying her face _ which before wasto ... To my enquiry whether the plan of the Society's ships admitted of additional space and comfort being had for additional expense Mrs Chisholm said she thought they did and ... ... see to ... sl.. then and fitting at the East India Docks after which she would see me again. To the East India Docks I therefore ... and after up and ... and in and out in every imaginable direction we ...search .. was at that ... to ... the Chalmers lay - crowds of dirty looking people were going in and out of her and unnoticed and unaided my child and I made our way among the throng. And was it in such a den as this that we are to make our home was the question I asked myself as with difficulty we progressed among open hatches and carpenters tools. The question was only to be solved in the negation and the following evening punctual to my appointment, I was at Charlton Crescent just as the clock struck six. and thought the lady will have been put off the Official and be disencumbered of the d..t and shreds by which she was surrounded - vain hopes - the Portress, the little parlour and Mrs Chisholm herself was just as I had seen them before - and after a little ineffectual talk and a direction to see the Ballenglish which was outfitting at Southampton I took my leave of the originator of the Family Colonisation Society. No practicable effort was to be ... which might further the great object we had in view. To Southampton therefore we went and to the Bellenglish which we found very superior in size and accommodation to the Chalmers. My tale was told - accommodation was ... for an invalid lady who had been accustomed to comfort and could not be ...ed as the emigrants generally were. The owner or the agents were all accommodation - such a case had never before come under their notice but they did not think there would be any objection to their meeting our needs. The owner Mr. T with bustling and good natured alacrity led us into two cabins opening into the saloon which he said might be spared we could have these, doubtless there could be no other passengers in that part of the ship, so that we should have the saloon to ourselves except when the officers were at their meals, and if we could be satisfied with the ships fare the expenses could be supposed be moderate.


     The prospect was delightful. I left the Ballenglish full of hope and after one or two days more in London to show my child those great national monuments of Westminster Abbey and St Pauls returned to the sweet and pleasant home in which I had so lately entered and which I was so soon to
leave.

     Oh how disappointing are the hopes of Earths - How is that hope depends which maketh the heart seek sweet though sad had been the ... with which but there I had taken this lovely house it is f... token comfort it that long been my hearts fond ... to ... was ...in the Bristol Vol His letter just ... from the calls of mortality. Got he had left ... ius a legacy the support the ta.. the .. of his three children and the comfort of their dear mother. He had sacrificed every thing to me - was altogether dependant .. the remaining years of his existence - and fondly though painfully were whose remaining bonds to life interwoven with the b... so painfully discovered, which had first found me to this quiet secluded spot. cherished hopes - it remained only to pay bills, to extricate myself from a years engagements for ... to pack up that ought well be taken, to sacrifice what has been ... bought - to plant flowers over the graves so the departed and ... to .. to the stranger land.


     On the 10th of August my mother having p... for ... was under the care of a
valued relative - my children, my faithful servant and myself took our places in the train and after a day gl... and b... a mthe moral ... of our existence found
ourselves at N.. the High Street... friends been expecting us. A nights bed at a good hotel had sufficiently refreshed us so well ...to toil and b. .. - and at
eleven the next day I started accompanied by G to the accommodations we had bespoken aboard the Ballenglish. Had I dreamt before or was I dreaming ... the whole arrangement was entirely changed the accommodation between the chief cabin, and ... quarters was cut off by a Jac... the more.... had been diminished by several berths being taken from it - an at the door of the room which was our sitting and eating as well as our sleeping room a step and ... ladder led down to the passengers decks.


     Our party could hold no communication with the Deck except by going down one steep and .. ladder, and ascending another an arrangement which could ... our visiting it difficult to a fact .. but impossible to my mother. On ....ing to
the agent's and other corrected the injustice done to our party by the change
they admitted that it was not to be justified but seemed to leave no ... to rectify it. They would make application - in London and I should receive an answer at an appointed time, two or three days distant. On the day appointed I returned accompanied by my kind and dear N and by my other clerical cousin Dr N at the office where I saw young Chisholm, from whom I could get no satisfactory answer but on board the Ballenglish I saw many various other gentlemen. The agent Mr Hodd... and the pleasant friendly old Scotch gentleman whom I had before seen and who was owner of the vessel. He looked gruff and displeased on this occasion but I ... my cause was right and felt no way discouraged. I was ushered into the d... cabin whose dimensions ... barely admitted of the central table with seats round it, at which our party were soon arranged and I opened my case in from.. - after a courteous and attentive hearing the justice of my complaint was admitted, and as it seemed that the change had been affected by an authority which was not to be overrided they consented to refund the deposit money £81.0.0 and Mr T Immediately wrote out a draft for the amount on a Southampton House. I then asked by what ... a change had been mad e which entailed upon me so much disappointment and ... less expense, and tow or three voices answered by Mrs Chisholm - Yes said the old Scotch gentleman whose apparent displeasure had quite vanished on my plain statement - it was Mrs Chisholm who came down and herself chalked out all the alteration. It was vexatious that this female philanthropist whose exertions had been employed on so large a ... for the accommodation of the fellow creatures should have ... opposed to ... edly to the arrangements which I had ent... for our comfort -and the s... so us I had full detailed to her my mother's precarious state of health and the necessity ... of ...ing her as much as possible against the inconveniences of an emigrant ship. But vexatious as it might be there was no remedy for it but in seeking some other mode of conveyance and as there was not prospect of another vessel from Southampton for several weeks our . ... seemed to be to proceed to London where there were always to be found vessels of every sort for Australia. A few days longer we remained that my children might enjoy the pleasant sea breeze and some about the ent ... neighbourhood of Southampton.
We spent a happy Sabbath ... attending morning and evening the Primitive Chapel built into the city wall and formerly attended solely by the French Protestants and known as the Maison de Dieu. The midday service is still performed there weekly in French but there is now a faithful English rector over its little ernest congregation. This gentleman was absent on an excursion and had appointed our dear N his deputy - and it was very sweet to us to listen to the precious talks and ... of his God's holy word, from his lips in the primitive and secluded place where the utter simplicity of the building and the devotion of the small body of worshippers who filled it seemed to belong to ... the early ages of Christianity than to our present bustling worldly days and generation. A pleasant afternoon was also spent in visiting N... Abbey - a beautiful and excursion about three miles from Southampton - and about unrivalled in England as specimens of the ancient Monastic edifices - Artists were scattered about taking sketches and adding by their appearance to the picturesque appearance of the ruins they were endeavouring to describe. The soft light of evening was streaming through beautiful ..th.. arches in some places perfect while others broken down and ... by the destroying ... while trees apparently of ancient growth t.. up a ... to the height of the walls, showed how long they had usurped their places as tenants of the roofless apartments. It was a lovely spot on which seemed in sweet accordance with a sorrow stricken spirit - while to the young and joyous it seemed to say - How beautiful is Earth with its records of the past with its joyous anticipations for the future. But we would not linger there for the busy realities of life were demanding my ... and away from Nethey Abbey away from Southampton its pleasant bay.... ooded shores and the busy ... hanging .. away once more into the noisy shrieking train and one more to London. after a fortnight spent in seeking a more eligible conveyance and making preparations for our voyage we embarked on the 3rd September on board the Washington Irving for Melbourne. Even at the place of embarkation the sickening contrast between an emigrant ship and these is which our foreign voyages had been made was forced upon us. We had been told that the ship would leave ... Basin at 4 o'clock we had therefore hastened there at 2 o'clock we had ... on the edge of the dock surrounded by our baggage for about four hours before the vessel appeared insight, gradually the throng around us had thickened ... of baggage had been piled around ours or which we were p .... old by the .... we must keep a watchful eye until our position became anxious .. as distasteful ... At length the ship became stationary just opposite to the spot at which my mother had long been sitting his her cab and then we hoped that some effort would be made to get us on board. But ... the dirty and clamorous ... through the side of that .. there seemed no thought but of themselves and the officials who .. and ... upon her decks then ... no reason ... that ... the party of ladies sho... paid our ... on the faith of finding comfort and consideration occupants of the second saloon. of the l... orders ... to the .... and others who had not c... that claim .... ships ladder along the side of the vessel and it seemed as if we were expected to do likewise - at length a handsome young Scotchman who had been holding ... with my mother and aunt? at the door of the ... into the c... of the vessel ... that he would obtain
alternative for us and after another half hour of ... waiting the ... daily meeting place and since then ... to my mother's comfort. and being lowered from the yard arm my mother, my two daughters and myself .... into the vessel. The chair we .ay sailed to such a .. was th.. was used for any other females who might have .... in their favour while my ... faithful and .... was told to climb up the sides as others had done. On board all was clamour and confusion of the ... two of the three. and we had difficulty in finding the cabin assigned to our party whose weary and disquieted we ... to our beds and did not rise until the ship had left Shadwell basin and was wending her way towards the mouth of the Thames.

     "Thous hast dealt bountifully with thy servant" was the feeling which was to my lips the next morning when . of the breakfast tell S ... the handsome and
spacious saloon a good breakfast had been served up and two or three quite manly looking persons were already seated at it giving a promise of ... table association - and when I .... the prospective comforts of our present situation with those which the Ballenglish offered I felt that I had indeed been guided by a better judgement than my own. As the day proceeded the throng seemed to .. the deck was crowded with dirty looking people whose mere approach and assumption of equality and good fellowship ... our indulging as we ... might a desire to watch the shores of England. Still we made intimate acquaintance with the sea ... of S.... which is rather pretty? these days I am as sick an many others back on shore and .... sundry articles for us. Had we known had barely second cabin passengers in the W. I. were furnished with necessities for comfort and decency our purchases would have been much more e.... After anchoring there for some hours we again weighed anchor and proceeded to Gravesend where we remained for the next tide. There a fresh crowd joined the ship which seemed before over full. Amongst the new arrivals was a rather handsome bold looking woman in a Bloomer ..t who struck me at first as being a Frenchwoman but soon the ... accents of Cockney .. flowed from her tongue in tones most audible as she h... to fro the space between her berth in a cabin adjoining ours at one end of the saloon and a ... cabin occupied by eight gentlemen at the other. Happy woman thought I you have a dear brother, a loved companion and protector in this conc... group and your are naturally anxious to secure his comforts. Alas painfully but steadily grew upon me the conviction that a conviction of a different sort excited ... the parties, and that any association between this
female, and those of my own party would be degrading to us in the highest degree.

     I must ever remember one anchorage off Gravesend with feelings of no ordinary nature. There we lay dulling the long hours of a beautiful Summer's Sabbath. The church bells sounded sweetly in our ears, but their invitation was not for us. There was no accommodation ladder to ascend and descend from the ship and although hundreds of visitors came on board many of them females the ... seemed to me neither safe nor dec.. We heard that a clergyman would come on board for the performance of divine service but no such welcome visitor appeared; in his stead were the officials of ... Marslak > Ed.ridge setting disputed ... and bringing forward unpaid bills of lading. The day was to be in great measure one of pounds, shillings and pence. Gold and silver rattled on the table and God's holy Sabbath was in all ppearances given to Mammon, by those who were about to traverse the might deep to shout one ration of prospect of safety save in the protection of that ar.. power they ... defying. Oh, why should these things be. How is it that ... weekly if not off.. go in professing .. to the Thr.. of Gods - and there declaring his dependence on Him. his protective, and yet when embarking on a situation of danger provoke them to anger by a direct violation of His commands "Remember thou the Sabbath day to keep it holy"


[:TAB:]Monday 6th Sept: On rising I went up to the poop deck and at the top of the
companion ladder, I was accosted by a Frenchman, Francois by name with whom I had had some conversation on religious subjects on the previous days, as follows. Madame, seroit il p... je l'ai ende.. dire qu'il y a quelqu ... de mort. Je Neu ai ... was my answer but I was long to remain in ignorance. What a shocking occurrence, was .. addressed by another passenger who came up to me at the next moment. I looked surprised - have you not heard that the Head .. has hanged himself: It was indeed awfully true - the man who was a tall elderly man with an ... of countenance had it appeared come on board in rather a dejected state, the bustle the confusion of the preceding days had overpowered him, some petty thefts which had occurred for which he had been severely taken to task by the Captain at a late hour of the night had increased his perplexity and unable to bear the discomforts of his present situation, he had rushed to meet the judgements of his offended God. How differently might the day have begun to him if the Sabbath had been properly regarded instead of ... into it more business? than could have been ... performed even in one week day - we had been soothed and tranquillised by its Holy duties - and had spent its closing hours in seeking as a body His holy protection who alone cold enable us to dwell in safety during our journey across the great deep.


     The body of the wretched man was left in its position until we should reach Deal where having been inspected by persons from the shore and a verdict passed upon the ... into canvas, and lowered into the deep. The horror of this whole transaction was ... to us by the fact that the sounds of music singing up from the steerage passengers were no way interrupted by it, and the evening closed in as much apparent merriment as those which had preceded it. Deal is rather a pretty town, and near it is Walmers Castle, a seat of the Duke of Wellington. Some of the young men of the 3rd cabin had gone to shore for a f... visit my Scotch friend Mr Robertson among them and were very nearly left behind. Mr R who had bought us a beautiful nosegay from Gravesend, came into the cabin, came into the saloon with a bunch of England.... it is a stupid place said he, I could get no flowers for you but these. It was a simple attention but long were these last flowers from England cherished and they would doubtly have been just ... by my children as cherished .. had not our matter of fact steward grown weary of seeing them and thrown them when they were quite withered.


     On the following morning (Sept 7) we had last sight of land. The party was now assembled and we could judge what our society was to be. Besides our own family ten gentlemen were to be occupants of the .... saloon, they were the most of them rather prepossessing in appearance and ... ... over singularly handsome and there was nothing apparently ... trouble among them. Besides the female before alluded to - a Scotch woman of very medium appearance had a sleeping place in an adjoining cabin, but wit ... f these were to be in the cabin by day - and we had our female fellow passenger, a young simple Scotch girl. I congratulated myself on the prospect of pleasant society during our long voyage but my anticipations had in store a grievous and unlooked for disappointment. Mean time I found that however comfortable I might be in the saloon there was no chance of enjoyment on the Deck. Delightful it had even been to see without to enjoy the freshness of the sea breeze and to gaze on the majesty of ocean beautiful and sublime its ever varying aspects a something too there is in the .. of one's .. on a sea voyage different to and far more gl.... than the feeling of everyday life on shore. The entire cessation of petty calls and vexations, the rest from rhouging... the absence of daily provedencey of "the meat that perished" all this leaves the mind at rest - while the .. of the land and the friends we have left made dearer by .. sh.. ... with sweet and soothing power. Again the untried future fo the land we are about to visit is never devoid of interest even to the heart weary and heavy laden with the burden of sorrow. Hope now has some cheering whisper of the days to come. But [To be cont.]
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Margaret Herbert Davies married William Dempster, son of Robert Osborn Dempster and Mary Ann Denman, on 1 May 1861 in Holy Trinity Church of England, Williamstown, Victoria, Australia. Margaret Herbert Davies was mentioned in a letter from Louis Fullarton Mackinnon dated 6 January 1878. The Whim, Old Harbour, Jamaica, January 6th 1878
     My dearly beloved cousin
     My very best wishes attend you on your natal day. I am writing at night but all our circle? visited? today at dinner in wishing you health and prosperity, and all sent you their love , i.e. my spouse, Mary and my two girls. In general Jane? & Willie come to us to spend Saturday and Sunday but they were not able to do so this week.
     I have been not a little disappointed at not hearing from you and dear Margaret during the past year, and I should have been in great anxiety but that the post mistress? of our village was found guilty of stealing three hundred letters for which wickedness she is now in prison. There was no letter of yours found amongst the lot discovered, but it is supposed that she must have destroyed some although she was so "left to herself" as the Scotch say, as to keep enough to prove her guilty. I hope that a letter of yours or Margaret's was amongst them else what has caused your silence. I was delighted at receiving a long and most interesting letter from dear Margaret in the middle of 1876. I replied to it on her birthday the 14th Sept 76. I then wrote to you on the 6th Jan 77 just a year ago, but I have not had the happiness of a line from any of you. If any evil had befallen you I think one of your daughters or good sons in law would have written to tell me. I am full of fear that dear Margaret has been ill again I hope not. I can only pray for you and yours and that I do daily and each milestone as I reach it reminds me how soon the time is approaching when we shall meet again to part no more. Thanks be unto God for his revealed? word and promises therein to all who .. looking to Christ for salvation. Last year I was much afflicted by the long illness of my dear girl Isabella but she has been quite well again since last August. She was ill a year and two months, a time of great anxiety and trouble to me.
Most providentially a girl came out from England for a change of climate who had had exactly the same illness hysteria and she gave me the address of the medical man who had cured and who is famous for curing that most tormenting disorder. By Miss R's account she had been worse than

2. Isabel and she was perfectly cured. The prescription he sent (Jos ........ to consult him) was a course of ... and it was magical in its effects. She only took it eight months having been ill six months before we got his advice. I ... you this because medical men tell me that it is an illness which was unknown in their younger days - or very rare - and it is now a ... ... as well ... disease. I hope none your dear ones may ever be so tried. All the ... of my ... are flourishing I am thankful to say. Campbell and his family are still in Lima, and Ella had a third child, a fine boy on the 17th Nov. Mackinnon's birthday. The congregation at Lima have
b. Campbell to stay two weeks longer and promised him £50 a year more. I love children dearly and it is now small disappointment that they are so far beyond my read.
The passage from here to the colonies is only three days and the railway across Panama only four hours, from Panama a splendid steamer takes one to Callas in nine days and the railway from Callas to Lima is only 8 miles. This seems ... very difficult to get over to exchange visits and the expenses as Lima are beyond every thing I ever heard of . This little place of .... is quite full and the number of communicants doubled since he went there but as it is a .... bigoted Roman Catholic county the number of Protestants is very small.
We have a new Governor arrived but I have not yet been able to call on Lady Musgrave. I was not very well, and Mackinnon has had a rheumatic knee for some little time and it is not pleasant to go to strangers, as invalids. We sent Louis and Ellen with our cards and hope to go soon ourselves.
This last year was remarkable for a number of deaths from Yellow fever amongst families who reside in the highest mountains. The
I suppose you remember Mr John Ly... His brother 'Frank' is just dead leaving a widow and family very badly off. It grieves me to think of all the troubles you have had through your ... life but your dear bright grandchildren I can well imagine are a great joy and comfort to you. I hope dear Margaret ... not a ... to ... remember for a long time and that she is strong and well. A very large family must be a constant source of anxiety and great trial of strength to a mother who .... them all. My dear Spouse is well thanks be to God. He is ... me to have my photo taken and if it is done I will send you one. I feel and look old but I have yet lost a tooth I rejoice to say. Mary had a little of the fever prevalent but is on the whole well. I am very sure she would send you and yours her best love if she was with me. She often talks of her meeting with your young folks in England. How strange it is that people who love each other dearly are destined to pass the best part of their life in opposite parts of the world. Now when Campbell goes to Lima I shall feel as if he were in Australia, somehow England feels much nearer. We know it is the best place in the world in every sense. Parting with any one to go there seems quite a different think.

Colonial Secretary, Mr Rushworth, with whom we were intimate was one of the victims. His step son, who had come out from England on a few months visit was the first. He had three days illness only - then Mr R....th's daughter and lastly himself. It threw such gloom over society for a long time. Ellen & Willie bec... a very gay garden party at their house about a fortnight before the youth's death and Ellen said it was difficult to think of it as so soon t... into such a sense of woe.
A few weeks ago I met our old friends Mr Mortlock. I should not have known him again although Ellen had told me of the great change in his appearance. When she met him some time before I did... asking that if that was one of the beaux the other time they must have been a sorry set? Although

3. he married a very young girl who had money three or four years ago, he has a most dilapidated look. He reminded me of one of the pictures in the Old Curiosity Shop. He married a Miss Williams, a grand- daughter of Col. Willock. You doubtless remember him, and his son Frank and the girls. I heard last week that Ann Fray that was - Mrs Patterson has removed to Kingston, her daughter having married a merchant there. She was enquiring after us, but we have not met. Mrs Dewar sends her pretty daughter to visit friends in Kingston but we have not met.
I do not remember any one else that it would interest you to hear of. Mrs Land's eldest daughter waited until 38 and then married a rich well looking agreeable man - a Dr Hamilton. I ought to have said Mrs Stewart for Mrs Land married a second time and was most unhappy in her second marriage. She told me once when staying with us at Hal... Hall that unhappiness in married life was always the wife's fault. When I heard of the wretched life she led I often thought of her opinion on this point. Her first marriage was indeed a happy one poor thing...
One of her daughters married Lt Kitchener, but he has left the Army and gone to New Zealand to manage his uncle's property there.
Agnes resides in Kingston again, this place did not agree with her. She is still very delicate in health I am sorry to say. Her good unselfish daughter Janie? is a real treasure to her. I hope your good Anne is alive and well. Remember me to her if she is within your reach. We do hope to go to Milk River Bath next week for the benefit of my dear Spouse's lame knee. It is the place where we met first and we like to revisit it sometimes for the sake of Auld Lang Syne, but we have not been there since 1871. Now that Mackinnon in Manager of the Railway as well as attorney for it, which he only was for some years, we go into Kingston every week and stay some days at the Railway House. Louis resides there which makes it pleasant for us. Mary sends her best love to you and the girls. She often talks of meeting in London with you and your young people. I do so long to hear of you all again. In my heart I revile the post mistress at times, and at other moments I fear that Margaret is ill or George. Why I do not fancy you or Mala ill I cannot think but so it is. I hope that the Church which good Mr D. is ... had such a share in building is flourishing.

3. he married a very young girl she had money three or four years ago, he has amuch delapiidated look. - reminded me of one of the icu

Poor Jamaica was the last place in Christendom to have the church disestablished. The people are so bitterly indifferent to religion that I verily believe a great many would not be sorry to see the Churches shut up and the Dissenters would of course rejoice, not that their places of worship are a little fuller that they used to be. They will have a great deal to answer for I think in having succeeded in getting the church here disestablished. ... of numbers of clergymen have left because they & their families cannot live on the small sum given to them and of which little as it is they cannot be sure for more than a year at once.
I hope you will write me soon my dearest cousin. I pray daily that we may meet in heaven when our sojourn on earth is over. Mackinnon has just come in and he desires me to send to you and yours his love and best wishes. Isabell often talks of her little cousins whom she would like so much to see. The boy and Ellen unite in best love and ever believe me my dearest friend and cousin
Yours most affectionately
L Mackinnon


[Written across page 1]
What joy it must be to you that your son-in-law takes so deep an interest in such matters. - Lewis - Mackinnon and the girls join Mary and myself in best love and very best wishes to you and all your dear ones and I am ever my dearest coz your very affectionately attached friend and cousin,
L Mackinnon
.
She gave her daughter a portrait of 'The Three Cannnings' as part of her gift on her daughter's wedding to A F Hooper..
     Margaret died on 25 May 1896 in Williamstown, Victoria, Australia, aged 60. Obituary: Intimation of the decease of Mrs Dempster, wife of Mr W. Dempster, of the English, Scottish. Bank, Nelson Place, Williamstown, came as a great shock on Monday to both friends of the family and our community. Flags, shutters, and other marks of mourning were at once displayed at all the business places of the town, and the deepest sympathy was manifested. The deceased lady was born at Montego Bay, Jamaica, and was the daughter of' the Rev. Thomas Davis.M.A., Church of England clergyman. Upon the death of her father, Mrs Dempster came to Australia in 1852, with her mother, grandmother, and sister who afterwards married the Hon. M. Hume Black, of Brisbane. The deceased lady came of a good old English family, being a grand-neice of the eminent statesman George Canning, whose monument, with those of his son Lord Canning, Gov ernor General of India, and nephew Vis count Stratford de Redcliffe now stand in Westminster Abbey, the family title now being Lord Garvagh, of Garvagh. The death of her daughter, Mrs Wesley Hall, came as a severe shock to Mrs Dempster,from which it was apparent to her family that she would never fully recover. On Saturday evening last she complained of indisposition, but no serious symptoms appeared until early on Monday morning. Dr. Honman was then called in, and was in constant attendance until death came in the form of a peaceful sleep, shortly after mid day. Mrs Dempster's was one of those kindly natures which went about doing good by stealth, and many a poor home now grieves the removal of one who brought sunshine within the door when distress was keenest. On Wednesday morning, in respect to a wish of the deceased lady, her mortal remains were laid at rest in the picturesque cemetery at Booroondara. The funeral procession moved from her late residence, and was met at the church gate by the Rev. Geo. F. Cross and the Rev. J. McTaggart Evans. On entering the church door the introductory sentences were read by the Vicar and the Rev. J. McTaggart Evans alternately, while'the procession slowly moved up the aisle of the church. After the coffin, which was covered in flowers, had been placed at the Chancel steps, the proper psalms appointed to be used at funerals were read' by the vicar and the. Rev. J. McTaggart Evans, after which the solemn lesson from I Cor. xv. 20 to the end was read by the vicar. The bearers then came forward and lifted the coffin, whilst " The Dead March from Saul" was very touchingly played by Miss Ada Browne. Mr Dempster was accompanied by his son-in-law, Mr. J. Wesley Hall, Colonel Bull and Mr H. C. Harrison, two early and well-known residents of Williamstown and close friends of the deceased lady. A long train of old family friends and local residents fol lowed the cortege to the Kew cemetery where it was met on entering by the Rev. W. G. Hindley, vicar of Kew, the Rev. G. F. Cross, vicar of Holy Trinity Church, Williamstown, and 'the Rev. J. McTaggart Evans of Middle Park, and by them preceded to the grave, where the concluding portions of the beautiful burial service were read by the three officiating clergymen reciting sentences, committal to the earth, and prayers alternately. The coffin was completely covered in delicate floral tributes, amongst which were noticeable one from the staff of the Melbourne head office, and another from the Williamstown branch. She was buried on 27 May 1896 in Boroondara cemetery, grave 67, Kew. The Friends of Mr. William Dempster are respectfully informed that the remains of his late wife will be interred in the Boroondara Cemetery, Kew. Her funeral will leave his residence, the E, S and A bank, Nelson place Williamstown, at, half past 1« and will pass the corner of Swanston and Victoria Street Melbourne, at 2 o'clock en route for the cemetery, tomorrow (Wednesday, the 27th ...) H Lonsdale and Son, Undertakers.

Children of Margaret Herbert Davies and William Dempster

Maria Frederica Hunn Davies

(28 October 1838 - 18 February 1906)
     Maria Frederica Hunn Davies was also known as Malla? in records. She was born on 28 October 1838 in 'Enmore Cottage', Falmouth, Trelawney parish, Jamaica. October 28th 1838 was born Maria Hunn, daughter of the abovesaid Mary & Thos Davies at seven o'clock a.m. ... at Enmore Cottage.. She was the daughter of Rev Thomas Davies and Mary Reddish. Maria Frederica Hunn Davies was christened on 25 December 1838 in Montego Bay, St James parish, Jamaica. Baptised as Maria Hunn, daughter of Revd Thomas Davis & Mary Davis, Master of the Free School & ... curate, of Enmore Cottage..
     Maria immigrated with the family to Victoria, Australia, on 12 December 1852 per "Washington Irving".
Maria Frederica Hunn Davies married Maurice Hume Black on 4 September 1861 in St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne, Victoria. BLACK—DAVIES.—On the 4th inst., at St Paul's Church, Melbourne, by the Rev. S. L. Chase, M. Hume Black, to Maria Frederica Hume, youngest daughter of the late Rev. Thomas Davies, M.A., of Montego Bay, Jamaica.
Mrs and Miss Hume Black left last week by the Buninyong for Melbourne on a visit to Mrs. Dempster, who is a sister of Mrs Black.
     Maria resided at 'Colarmi', New Farm, Brisbane, Queensland, 1896.
     Maria died on 18 February 1906 in Regent Street, South Brisbane, Queensland, aged 67. The many friends of Mrs Hume Black will be very grieved to hear of her death, which took place at her residence, Regent Street, Thompson Estate, South Brisbane, on Sunday last. Mrs Hume-Black was the relict of the late Hon. Hume-Black, well-known in Queensland, having been Minister for Lands in the McIlwraith government. Mr & Mrs Hume-Black lived for many years in Mackay, where they had a sugar plantation, and were very highly thought of in the North. Mrs Hume-Black has lived in Brisbane since her husband's death, which took place in Coolgardie some years ago. Since a bad attack of dengue fever, Mrs Black's health has been very unsatisfactory. Mrs Black was very staunch to her friends, and her many acts of kindness will be long remembered. She was the daughter of the late Rev John Davies, Chaplain to the Fleet in the West Indies, born in Jamaica, but has lived for over forty years in Australia. Mrs Black leaves five daughters and two sons - Mrs J S Wilson, O'Keefe St, Brisbane, her husband having died lately; Mrs E Hart, Edmondstone St, South Brisbane; Miss Helena Hume Black, now living in Melbourne; Mrs L J Cowley, Ingham; Mrs R Jackson, Kalgoorlie; Mr Walter F Black, also of West Australia and Mr M Hume Black of New Zealand, for whom the greatest sympathy is felt. The funeral took place at the South Brisbane cemetery. The Rev E C Ganley performed the last right. Some lovely flowers were placed on her grave.
The Brisbane Courier
on 17 March announced: BLACK -On the 18th March at her residence Rowville, Regent street, South Brisbane, Maria Frederica Hume Black, relict of the late Hon M Hume Black, and beloved mother of Mrs. J G Wilson and Mrs E M Hart and Mrs L J Cowley of this State .

Children of Maria Frederica Hunn Davies and Maurice Hume Black

Rev Thomas Davies

(before March 1803 - 15 March 1852)
     Rev Thomas Davies was born before March 1803.
     Rev Thomas Davies arrived before December 1829 at Jamaica. He was ordained a priest on 20 December 1829 in St Andrew parish, Jamaica. Thomas was an Anglican clergyman at Jamaica from December 30th 1829. On 24 July 1830 he was appointed assistant curate in the parish of St James, co. Cornwall, Jamaica. (Reg. in B.B. Vol.1 p.227).
     At his daughter's baptism in 1835 he was described as curate & master of St James Free School.

In 1838 he was described in the register of St James as stipendiary curate.
     Letter to Rev T Davies, Montego Bay P.O. post marked Kingston Jamaica Ja 2 1845 - Revd & dear Sir, I am desired by the Bishop to inform you that an opportunity now offers of your being employed in pastoral duties in the Diocese & to enquire whether you're willing to avail yourself of it. His Lordship would appoint you to the charge of the District of Lacovia in the parish of St Elizabeth's where you would perform the usual services, except when called upon by the Rev. Dr. Williams to take the duties of the parish church at Black River whenever his duties as parish dean shall call him away. Your stipend would be at the rate of £300 pr an. provided by the Bishop, I am etc. Richd Painton, Exec. Sec.
     He was described as having an M.A. in his daughter's obituary. He was not attached to the Church Missionary Society nor the United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel..
Rev Thomas Davies married Mary Reddish, daughter of Samuel Reddish and Dorothy Ashby, on 30 June 1834 in Montego Bay, St James parish, Jamaica. She states in her family bible: The abovesaid Mary Reddish married to the Revd Thomas Davies June 30th 1834 at the church of Montego Bay in Jamaica.
     Jan 12th 1835? "Extracts from a Barbados paper sent me by S A" Marriages - On the 30th June last, at Montego Bay, Jamaica, by the Revd John McIntyre, Rector, the Revd Thomas Davies, to Mary, only child of the late Samuel Reddish Esq. late comptroller of customs, Falmouth, Jamaica and formerly comptroller of this post.
     We received yesterday a pile of Jamaican papers (the Cornwall Chronicle) of old date by the mail boat via St Thomas. Looking over the births, marriages and deaths we found the above. The accomplished and esteemable lady whose marriage is there announced is a grand-daughter of the late John Lewis Ashby Esq. of this island, and kin of Nathan Ashby Esq. at present Comptroller of Montego Bay Jamaica. The Bride's father Mr Reddish was half-brother of the late Right Hon. George Canning..
Thomas Davies, clergyman, aged 35, of Montego Bay, was initiated into the Friendly Lodge (#539), 13 July 1840, passing in August and raised 3 Dec 1840. He was certified 14 August 1841.
     Rev Thomas Davies was recorded on the 1851 census in 3 High Street, Bristol, St Nicholas, Gloucestershire, England. There was a Mr Davies aged 38, traveller, born London and a Mr Edlin unmarried aged 30, traveller born Bath, both visitors at 3 High St, the home of victualler James Hatherley, in Bristol St Nicholas, but this seems too remote.
     Thomas died on 15 March 1852 in 11 Queens Square, Bristol, Gloucestershire. In the family bible his wife writes: 15th March 1852 at 1/2 past one at night died the Revd Thomas Davies, father of the three last mentioned children at 11 Queens Square, Bristol. He was buried on 20 March 1852 in the General Cemetery, Bristol, Somerset. Thomas Davies, abode: Jamaica in the West Indies but died at Queen Square, Bristol. Aged 59.

Children of Rev Thomas Davies and Mary Reddish

William Davies

     William Davies married Ada Lilian Cocksedge, daughter of Albert Cocksedge and Ada Ellen Moorfield, in 1937 in Victoria.

Ada Catherine Davis

(10 March 1881 - December 1970)
     Ada Catherine Davis was born on 10 March 1881.
     Ada Catherine Davis married Frank Ernest Wafford as his second wife, circa December 1955 in Wokingham, Berkshire.
     Ada died in December 1970 in Reading RD, Berkshire, aged 89.

Alfred James Davis

(1915 - )
     Alfred James Davis was born in 1915 in South Melbourne, Victoria. He was the son of Lillian May Bennett.

Catherine Matilda Davis

(1873 - 1953)
     Catherine Matilda Davis was born in 1873 in Queensland.
Catherine Matilda Davis married George Dunbar in 1897 in Queensland.
     Catherine died in 1953 in Queensland.

Children of Catherine Matilda Davis and George Dunbar

Eliza Lillian Davis

(8 October 1862 - 7 July 1939)
     Eliza Lillian Davis was born on 8 October 1862 in the Court House Hotel, Maryborough, Victoria.
Eliza Lillian Davis married John Robertson Allan, son of Robert Allan and Elisabeth Robertson, on 31 December 1884 in Charlotte Plains, near Maryborough, Victoria.
     Eliza died on 7 July 1939 in Maryborough, Victoria, aged 76.

Children of Eliza Lillian Davis and John Robertson Allan

Eric Henry Davis

( - 12 August 1983)
     Eric Henry Davis was born in Maffra, Victoria.
Eric Henry Davis married Edith Victoria Murphy, daughter of William George Murphy and Edith Mary Fox, on 28 November 1952 in Victoria. They had no issue.
     Eric died on 12 August 1983 in Maffra, Victoria, Australia.

Lt Herbert Stanley Davis

(24 September 1893 - 16 June 1918)
     Lt Herbert Stanley Davis was born on 24 September 1893 in Sandy Bay, Hobart, Tasmania. He was the son of a master mariner James Davis and his wife Violet Ella Davis ( nee Domeney)..
Lt Herbert Stanley Davis married Lillie Myrtle MacKenzie, daughter of Thomas MacKenzie and Elizabeth Ann Thomas, in 1915. A Bill Davis was supposed to be a grandson of 'Turkey' Tom.
     Herbert died on 16 June 1918 in France aged 24. His memorial is at Villers-Bretonneux.

Child of Lt Herbert Stanley Davis and Lillie Myrtle MacKenzie

Ivy Ethel Davis

     Ivy Ethel Davis married Curtis Colbert as his second wife, in 1926 in Wollongong, New South Wales.
     Ivy and Curtis were registered at Forster St, Port Kembla, New South Wales, on the between 1933 and 1937 electoral roll. He was living alone at Wollongong West by 1968.
     Ivy and Curtis were registered at Govt Cottages, The Avenue, Coniston, New South Wales, on the 1943 electoral roll.

John W Davis

(circa 1821 - )
     John W Davis was born circa 1821 in Deptford, Kent.
     John W Davis was recorded on the 1901 census. John W Davis, 77, widower, born Deptford; Annie E Elliis (formerly Martin) 28, grand daughter, widow, housekeeper, Charles T Martin, 22, grandson, labourer, copper wire ... elect., appren, both born at Plumstead.

Child of John W Davis

Madge Davis

     Madge Davis married Robert Ruela Borland, son of Robert Borland and Elizabeth Ely. They had issue..

Maria Ann Davis

     Maria Ann Davis was the daughter of John W Davis.
Maria Ann Davis married Samuel Thomas Martin, son of Robert Duncan Martin and Eliza Frances Ball, in June 1871 in Woolwich RD.

Children of Maria Ann Davis and Samuel Thomas Martin

Mary Davis

(before April 1790 - )
     Mary Davis was born before April 1790.
Mary Davis married Henry Ruby on 26 February 1822 in Rockbeare, Devon.
     Mary Davis and Henry Ruby were recorded on the 1841 census in Quarry, Woodland, Ipplepen, Devon.
     Mary Davis and Henry Ruby were recorded on the 1851 census in the Vicarage, Woodland, Ipplepen, Devon. Henry Ruby, aged 66, farmer of 50 acres, and his wife Mary aged 60, sons Robt Smerdon aged 23, ag lab & Wm Amos aged 11 all born at Ashburton.
It is not clear which Henry & Mary.

Mary Elizabeth Davis

     Mary Elizabeth Davis married Townley Osborne Dobson, son of Godfrey St Aubyn Dobson and Mary Ann Louisa Thomas, in 1951 in Victoria.

Children of Mary Elizabeth Davis and Townley Osborne Dobson

Phyllis Davis

(1915 - )
     Phyllis Davis was born in 1915 in Yarram, Victoria. She was the daughter of Lt Herbert Stanley Davis and Lillie Myrtle MacKenzie.

Sarah Elizabeth Davis

(circa 1834 - )
     Sarah Elizabeth Davis was born circa 1834 in Woolwich, Kent.
The marriage of Sarah Elizabeth Davis and David Watson Ramsey, son of William Ramsey and Isabella Halliday, was registered in Greenwich RD in the June 1863 quarter.
     Sarah Elizabeth Davis and David Watson Ramsey were recorded on the 1871 census in 99 Sandy Hill, Plumstead. David Walter Ramsey, head, 29, labourer, born Plumstead, Sarah wife 24, born Woolwich, Frederick & David A sons, aged 5 and 1, both born at Plumstead.
     Sarah Elizabeth Davis and David Watson Ramsey were recorded on the 1881 census in 6 Dawson St, Plumstead, Kent. David W. Ramsey 39, labourer, Arsenal, born Plumstead; his wfie Sarah E. 34, born Woolwich; children Frederick W. 15, office boy Arsenal, David A. 11, Lily E. 9, Stuart J. 6, Albert E. 3 , Rose F. 1, all scholars born at Plumstead.

Children of Sarah Elizabeth Davis and David Watson Ramsey

Stanley Harold Davis

(7 November 1918 - )
     Stanley Harold Davis was born on 7 November 1918 in South Melbourne, Victoria. He was the son of Lillian May Bennett.
     Stanley resided at 8 Ebdee St, Frankston, Victoria, 1949.
     Stanley resided at 52 Yuille St, Frankston, Victoria, between 1963 and 1980. Stanley Harold, manager & Iris Gertrude Davis.

Susannah Davis

(say 1720 - )
     Susannah Davis was born say 1720.
Susannah Davis married James Metcalf/Midcalf circa 1740.

Children of Susannah Davis and James Metcalf/Midcalf

Thelma May Davis

(1920 - )
     Thelma May Davis was born in 1920 in Carlton, Victoria. She was the daughter of Lillian May Bennett.

Rev Thomas F Davis

( - circa 1871)
     Rev Thomas F Davis married Elizabeth Fleming, daughter of James Fleming and Mary Hooper. Thomas was Bishop at South Carolina, USA, from 1853 to 1871.
     Thomas died circa 1871.

Hilda Davison

(7 January 1883 - )
     Hilda Davison was born on 7 January 1883 in Stanley House, Stoke Newington, Middlesex. She was the daughter of John Usher Davison and Jessie Hooper. Hilda Davison was christened on 4 March 1883 in St Anne, Islington, London. Hilda born 7 Jan 1883, baptised 4 Mar 1883, daughter of John Usher & Jessie Davison, of Stanley House, merchant. Jessie, John, Hilda, Lorna and Ronald were listed as the children of John Usher Davison in the 1891 census in Stoke Newington, Middlesex.

Hugh Davison

(8 July 1881 - )
     Hugh Davison was born on 8 July 1881 in Stanley House, Stoke Newington, Middlesex. He was the son of John Usher Davison and Jessie Hooper. Hugh Davison was christened on 25 September 1881 in St Anne, Islington, London. Hugh born 8 July, baptised 25 Sep 1881, son of John Usher & Jessie Davison, of Stanley House merchant.

Jessie Mary Davison

(18 January 1877 - )
     Jessie Mary Davison was born on 18 January 1877 in Hornsey, Middlesex. She was the daughter of John Usher Davison and Jessie Hooper. Jessie Mary Davison was christened on 18 February 1877 in St Anne, Islington, London. Jessie Mary born 18 Jan, baptised 18 Feb 1877, daughter of John Usher & Jessie Davison, of 26? Marquis Rd, merchant. Jessie, John and Sydney were listed as the children of John Usher Davison in the 1881 census in Seven Sisters Rd, Stanley House, Stoke Newington, St Mary, Middlesex. Jessie, John, Hilda, Lorna and Ronald were listed as the children of John Usher Davison in the 1891 census in Stoke Newington, Middlesex.

John Henry Davison

(4 July 1878 - )
     John Henry Davison was born on 4 July 1878 in 26 Marquis Rd, Hornsey, Middlesex. He was the son of John Usher Davison and Jessie Hooper. John Henry Davison was christened on 4 August 1878 in St Anne, Islington, London. John Henry born 4 July, baptised 4 August 1878, son of John Usher & Jessie Davison, of 26 Marquis Rd, merchant. Jessie, John and Sydney were listed as the children of John Usher Davison in the 1881 census in Seven Sisters Rd, Stanley House, Stoke Newington, St Mary, Middlesex. Jessie, John, Hilda, Lorna and Ronald were listed as the children of John Usher Davison in the 1891 census in Stoke Newington, Middlesex.

John Usher Davison

(21 December 1847 - 23 December 1925)
     John Usher Davison was christened on 21 December 1847 in Holy Trinity, Stepney, Middlesex. Son of John & Mary Ann of 49 Tredegar Square, master mariner.
The marriage of John Usher Davison and Jessie Hooper, daughter of Henry Hooper and Susannah Sanderson, was registered in Camberwell RD, Surrey, in the September 1875 quarter.
     John Usher Davison and Jessie Hooper were recorded on the 1881 census in Seven Sisters Rd, Stanley House, Stoke Newington, St Mary, Middlesex. J U Davison 33 , provision merchant, born Limehouse, Mdx: his wife Jessie Davison 27, born Peckham; children Jessie Davison 4 ,John H Davison 2, Sydney H Davison 1, all born Hornsey, Mdx; Katherine Hooper 25, unmarried, sister in law, born Peckham; and two servants Frances Thurrell 20, Elizabeth A Miller 21.
     John Usher Davison and Jessie Hooper were recorded on the 1891 census in Stoke Newington, Middlesex. John U Davison 43, provision merchant, born Stepney, wife Jessie Davison 37, born Peckham, Jessie M Davison 14, John H Davison 11, both born Hornsey, Hilda Davison, 8 , Lorna Davison 6, Reynold Davison 3, all 3 born Stoke Newington. Elizabeth Scott 34, Annie E Houghton 28, Florence Long 20, servants. John Usher Davison was an executor of Susannah Sanderson's estate on 28 April 1906 in the Principal Probate Registry, London.
     John died on 23 December 1925 in 4 Dorset Square, London, Marylebone RD, Middlesex, aged 78.
     His will was proved on 5 February 1926 at PPR. John Usher Davison of Thornbury, Whyteleaf, Surrey, died 23 Dec 1925, at 4 Dorset Square Middlesex. Probate to Westminster Bank Ltd & Robert Henry Gardner, solicitor. Effects £88,960/1/6.

Children of John Usher Davison and Jessie Hooper

Lorna Davison

(19 July 1884 - )
     Lorna Davison was born on 19 July 1884 in Stanley House, Stoke Newington, Middlesex. She was the daughter of John Usher Davison and Jessie Hooper. Lorna Davison was christened on 17 August 1884 in St Anne, Islington, London. Lorna born 19 July 1884, baptised 17 Aug 1884, daughter of John Usher & Jessie Davison, of Stanley House, merchant. Jessie, John, Hilda, Lorna and Ronald were listed as the children of John Usher Davison in the 1891 census in Stoke Newington, Middlesex.

Robert W H Davison

     Robert W H Davison married Kate E Dempster, daughter of Richard Alfred Dempster and Louisa MacKenzie, in 1890 in Ballina, New South Wales. They had 2 children.

Ronald Davison

(circa 1888 - )
     Ronald Davison was also known as Reynold in records. He was born circa 1888 in Stoke Newington, Middlesex. He was the son of John Usher Davison and Jessie Hooper. Ronald Davison was christened on 15 April 1888 in St Anne, Islington, London. Ronald born 16 Dec 1887, baptised 15 April 1888, son of John Usher & Jessie Davison, of Stanley House, Woodberry Down, Gentleman. Jessie, John, Hilda, Lorna and Ronald were listed as the children of John Usher Davison in the 1891 census in Stoke Newington, Middlesex.