James Heeps

Finds On Facebook – James Heeps

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I was browsing through Facebook today and came across this picture in a genealogy group I’m part of.  Thanks to Karen for posting the photo.

Farmers Union of Victoria, Delegates At The First Conference, October 1879.

Farmers Union of Victoria, Delegates At The First Conference, October 1879, http://trove.nla.gov.au/work/177407164

This piqued my interest as a number of my ancestors moved from South Australia to Victoria, Australia and sure enough my 3x great grandfather James Heeps is in the picture.

 

James Heeps 1879

James Heeps 1879

James was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England circa 1834 and came to South Australia with his parents and siblings in 1847.  He married Tamar Bodger on 11 May 1854 and stayed in South Australia until about 1860 when he moved his family to Victoria settling in the Tylden area.  Between 1876 and 1879 James moved to the Rochester/Elmore area in Victoria.  He farmed and opened a grain merchant business in Elmore.  It doesn’t surprise me that James was involved in the early days of the Farmer’s Union as he was very active in public service.  In 1887 he was made a magistrate, in 1890 he was part of the founding of the Elmore Progress Association and stood for the Victorian General Election in 1892.  He died in 1902 and is buried in Elmore cemetery with his wife Tamar.

Here is my profile for him on Ancestry.com http://person.ancestry.com.au/tree/6037348/person/-1352220757/facts

This is the only photo we have of James.  For me it is worth being on Facebook not just for the family fun and friends but for genealogy too.

The Murder of Corky Jack – Trove Tuesday

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Probably the most sensational happening Elmore has ever experienced was the murder of John Duggan………  You will have heard of John Duggan as he was commonly known as “Corky Jack”.  He was murdered during the winter of 1888.  He got his nickname by wearing pieces of string with corks attached on his hat to keep away the flies.

He was known as a quiet, thrifty, inoffensive man who came to the district each summer to obtain work on the harvest.  In 1888 he was camped in Robinson’s shepherds hut…………

Excerpt from Andrew Scott’s memoirs – reprinted in the book Garnie’s Corner by Mr Garnet James Lonsdale, Elmore, Victoria, Australia.

This murder took place in the home town of my 3x great grandparents James and Tamar Heeps.  James was heavily involved in the Elmore community through not only his grain business but also the Elmore Progress Association and as a local Justice of the Peace and magistrate.  I am sure James would have followed the trial very closely from a personal and professional view point.  James’ mention in the newspaper article below is as the employer of William Sylvester a witness.

WilliamSylvester

1888 ‘THE ELMORE TRAGEDY.’, Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 – 1918), 9 August, p. 3, viewed 18 February, 2014, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article88552835

This together with a bank draft found in Bendigo for several hundred pounds which had been taken from Corky Jack and traced to Harrison, was the last link in the chain.  William Harrison was found guilty of the murder and was hanged in Bendigo on March 17th 1889……………

Excerpt from Andrew Scott’s memoirs – reprinted in the book Garnie’s Corner by Mr Garnet James Lonsdale, Elmore, Victoria, Australia.

There is much more about the trials on Trove if you’re interested in reading more.  Search for “Corky Jack”.