William Henry Bullock

M, b. 1880, d. 1956
Family Explorer
  • William Henry Bullock was born in 1880 in Queensland.
  • He was the son of Michael William Bullock and Ellen Littleton.
  • William Henry Bullock appeared on the Electoral Roll with Michael William Bullock and Ellen Littleton in 1903 in Glencoe. Michael was a farmer. Their sons Percy, a labourer; Frank, a teacher; Reginald, a farmer; and William, a teacher also lived at Glencoe.
  • William Henry Bullock died in 1956 in Queensland.

Rebecca Bulman

F, b. circa 1875

Beatrice Bunce

F, b. 1872, d. 6 February 1944
Family Explorer
  • Beatrice Bunce was born in 1872. She was the daughter of Robert Bunce and Harriet.
  • Her marriage, at 30 years, to Richard Middleton, son of Thomas Middleton and Elizabeth Unknown, was registered in the June 1902 Quarter in Stockport, Cheshire Registration District.
  • Beatrice Bunce and Richard Middleton appeared on the Electoral Roll between 1925 and 1943 living at Pinelands. Richard was a farmer and Beatrice carried out home duties.
  • Beatrice Bunce died on 6 February 1944 in Queensland.
  • Beatrice was buried on 7 February 1944 in Crow's Nest Cemetery.

Children of Beatrice Bunce and Richard Middleton

Elizabeth Bunt

F, b. 1840
Family Explorer

James Bunt

M, b. circa 1800
Family Explorer
  • James Bunt was born circa 1800.
  • James Bunt married Jenefer Chivell, daughter of Robert Chivell and Mary Burt Davey, on 10 December 1829 in Lanreath, Cornwall.
  • James Bunt and Jenefer Chivell appeared on the census of 30 March 1851 in St Veep, Cornwall. Jenefer was a 43 year old born St Winnow living with her husband James, 44 born St Veep and their children Susan 9, William 3 and Mary Ann 5 all born St Veep.

Children of James Bunt and Jenefer Chivell

James Bunt

M, b. 1847
Family Explorer

Mary Ann Bunt

F, b. 1846
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Richard Bunt

M, b. 1835
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Robert Bunt

M, b. 1833
Family Explorer

Susan Bunt

F, b. 1842
Family Explorer

Thomas Bunt

M, b. 1831, d. 1884
Family Explorer
  • Thomas Bunt was born in 1831.
  • He was the son of James Bunt and Jenefer Chivell.
  • Thomas Bunt appeared on the census of 7 June 1841 in St Cadis, St Veep, Cornwall. Thomas, aged 10, was living with William and Jane Hill, most likely as a servant.
  • He appeared on the census of 30 March 1851 in St Sampsons. Thomas 20, born St Veep, was a servant in the household of John Trevenen.

  • Thomas Bunt died in 1884.

William Bunt

M, b. 1848
Family Explorer

Matilda Millicent Jane Burge

F, b. 1904, d. 1971
  • Matilda Millicent Jane Burge was born in 1904 in Snake Valley. She was the daughter of Florence Mildred Hunt and George Burge.
  • At the age of 20 years, Matilda Millicent Jane Burge married Alexander Thomas Wilson, son of John Wilson and Agnes Jane Bridgeman, in 1924 in Victoria.
  • Matilda Millicent Jane Burge died in 1971 in Ballarat, Victoria.

Albert Burgess

M, b. 2 September 1873, d. 1935
Family Explorer
  • Albert Burgess was also known as Jack.
  • He was born on 2 September 1873 in Deloraine, Tasmania.
  • He was the son of George Burgess and Mary Ann Smith.
  • Albert was bitten by a snake. The incident was reported, incorrectly using the name of Alfred instead of Albert, in the "Launceston Examiner"1 on 23 March 1891 The article read-
    "A Case of snake-bite is reported by our Deloraine correspondent. A young man named Alfred Burgess, 18 years of age, son of Mr George Burgess, of Whitefoord Hills, was bitten by a snake on Monday. He chopped off the bitten portion of his finger, and was afterwards attended by Drs. Morris and Cole. He is now in a fair way of recovery."
  • At the age of 22 years, 7 months and 4 days, Albert Burgess married Ellen Sheehan on 6 April 1896 in Elizabeth Town, Tasmania.
  • Albert Burgess died in 1935.
  • Albert was buried in Lunawanna, Bruny Island.

Children of Albert Burgess and Ellen Sheehan

Albert Charles Burgess

M, b. 30 January 1883
Family Explorer

Aleada Mary Burgess

F, b. 13 June 1896, d. 24 May 1971
Family Explorer
  • Aleada Mary Burgess was born on 13 June 1896 in Flowerdale, Emu Bay, Tasmania.
  • She was the daughter of Edwin Burgess and Harriet Ramskill.
  • At the age of 24 years and 4 months, Aleada Mary Burgess married Byron Jabez (Jabe) Watts on 13 October 1920 in Launceston, Tasmania.
  • On 15 September 1937,her husband, Byron Jabez (Jabe) Watts died in Spencer Hospital, Wynyard, Tasmania, at age 43. The Advocate reported:- "WATTS.-On Wednesday, September 15, at the Spencer Hospital, Wynyard, Byron Jabe, dearly beloved husband of Aleada Watts, Wynyard, aged 43 years. (Late 12th Battalion, A.I.F.) Rest at last."
  • Aleada Mary Burgess died on 24 May 1971 in Wynard, Tasmania, at age 74.
  • Aleada was buried on 26 May 1971 in Wynyard Cemetery.

Children of Aleada Mary Burgess and Byron Jabez (Jabe) Watts

Alfred Burgess

M, b. 26 October 1881, d. 9 May 1952
Family Explorer
  • Alfred Burgess was born on 26 October 1881 in Queensland.
  • He was the son of James Burgess and Ellen (Helen) Gillis Bridgeman.
  • Alfred Burgess's name was added to the list of children likely to attend the proposed new Mossview School that was to be established on land donated by Frank Gillies at Emu Creek by his father, James Burgess on 28 September 1892; James added the names of his children Mary Ann 13, Alice 11 and Alfred 10 to the list of children likely to attend the proposed new Mossview School that was to be established on land donated by Frank Gillies at Emu Creek. He lived on Portion 35 about a mile from the site. The children had previously attended Crow's Nest School.
  • Alfred Burgess selected land - Portion 44v, Parish of Emu Creek, a block of 295 acres adjoining his father's selection
    in 1898.
  • In 1901 his name appeared in the Queensland Post Office Directory. He was a farmer living at Thornville.
  • He appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1903 living at Djuan. He was a farmer as was his father James, who also lived at Djuan.
  • He appeared on the Electoral Roll with James Burgess and Ellen (Helen) Gillis Bridgeman in 1908 in Woodvale, Bum Bum Creek. James was a farmer. The son Alfred, a farmer and daughter Alice also lived at Woodvale (by now she was married but had not changed her name on the roll.)
  • At the age of 26 years, 10 months and 7 days, Alfred Burgess married Catherine Janet Bailey, daughter of Thomas Bailey and Jessie Black, on 2 September 1908 in Queensland.
  • Alfred Burgess and Catherine Janet Bailey appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1912 living at Pinelands. He was a farmer.
  • On 28 February 1913,his wife, Catherine Janet Bailey died in Queensland at age 27.
  • At the age of 36 years, 9 months and 29 days, Alfred Burgess married Margaret Ann (Peggy) McGreevy, daughter of Edward McGreevy and Margaret McKee, on 24 August 1918 in St Agatha's Church, Toogoolawah, Queensland.
  • Alfred Burgess and Margaret Ann (Peggy) McGreevy appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1927 living at Crow's Nest. Alf was a farmer.
  • Alfred Burgess enrolled his son Mervyn Alfred Burgess in school at Pinelands State School on 31 January 1927.
  • Alfred Burgess and Margaret Ann (Peggy) McGreevy appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1930 living at Crow's Nest. Af was a farmer.
  • Alfred Burgess enrolled his son Clement Marcus Burgess in school at Pinelands State School in 1930.
  • Alfred Burgess enrolled his son Ivan Malcolm Burgess in school at Pinelands State School in 1932.
  • Alfred Burgess and Margaret Ann (Peggy) McGreevy appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1943 living at Crow's Nest. Alfred was a farmer and Margaret carried out domestic duties. Their son Mervyn was a farmer at Pinelands and daughter Elsie was a dressmaker of Crow's Nest.
  • Alfred Burgess died on 9 May 1952 in Toowoomba General Hospital, Queensland, at age 70. He died of Hypostatic pneumonia,Congestiv Cardiac Failure, Fractured Femur.
  • Alfred was buried in Crow's Nest Cemetery. His Gravestone reads -
    In memory of
    Alfred Burgess
    died on 9 May 1952
    Catherine J Burgess
    died 28 Feb 1914
    Margaret Burgess
    28 Aug 1962
    AT REST    .

Children of Alfred Burgess and Catherine Janet Bailey

Children of Alfred Burgess and Margaret Ann (Peggy) McGreevy

Alfred Gordon Burgess

M, b. 11 July 1899
Family Explorer

Alice Burgess

F, b. 11 August 1880, d. 7 April 1929
Family Explorer
  • Alice Burgess was born on 11 August 1880 in Queensland.
  • She was the daughter of James Burgess and Ellen (Helen) Gillis Bridgeman.
  • Alice Burgess's name was added to the list of children likely to attend the proposed new Mossview School that was to be established on land donated by Frank Gillies at Emu Creek by her father, James Burgess on 28 September 1892; James added the names of his children Mary Ann 13, Alice 11 and Alfred 10 to the list of children likely to attend the proposed new Mossview School that was to be established on land donated by Frank Gillies at Emu Creek. He lived on Portion 35 about a mile from the site. The children had previously attended Crow's Nest School.
  • Alice Burgess appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1903 living at Djuan. She was living with her parents Helen and James and her brother Alfred.
  • At the age of 22 years, 10 months and 12 days, Alice Burgess married Edward Brown, son of Edward (Ned) Brown and Margaret Boden, on 23 June 1903 in Queensland.
  • Alice Burgess and Edward Brown appeared on the Electoral Roll between 1905 and 1908 living at Thornville. Edward was a farmer.
  • Alice Burgess appeared on the Electoral Roll with James Burgess and Ellen (Helen) Gillis Bridgeman in 1908 in Woodvale, Bum Bum Creek. James was a farmer. The son Alfred, a farmer and daughter Alice also lived at Woodvale (by now she was married but had not changed her name on the roll.)
  • Alice Burgess appeared on the Electoral Roll between 1912 and 1925 living at Pinelands. Edward was a farmer.
  • Alice Burgess died on 7 April 1929 in Queensland at age 48.
  • Alice was buried on 7 April 1929 in Cabarlah Cemetery. CE1-00B-0018.

Children of Alice Burgess and Edward Brown

Alice (Violet) Burgess

F, b. 30 August 1916, d. 8 July 2001
Family Explorer
  • Alice (Violet) Burgess was born on 30 August 1916 in Latrobe, Tasmania. She married William Henry Smith.
  • She was the daughter of Frank Burgess and Sophia Jackson.
  • Alice (Violet) Burgess died on 8 July 2001 at age 84.
  • Alice was buried on 11 July 2001 in Carr Villa Cemetery. She was buried with William who died on 24 April 1999.

Alice Ann Burgess

F, b. 30 October 1879, d. 21 October 1968
Family Explorer
  • Alice Ann Burgess was born on 30 October 1879 in Deloraine, Tasmania.
  • She was the daughter of William Burgess and Rebecca Pickett.
  • At the age of 20 years, 3 months and 22 days, Alice Ann Burgess married Michael Malony on 24 February 1900 in St Patrick's Church, Latrobe, Tasmania.
  • Alice Ann Burgess died on 21 October 1968 in Sheffield at age 88.
  • Alice was buried in Sheffield General Cemetery.

Child of Alice Ann Burgess and Michael Malony

Allan George Burgess

M, b. 14 April 1840, d. 25 June 1884
Family Explorer
  • Allan George Burgess was born on 14 April 1840 in Clavering, Essex.
  • He was the son of Phillip Burgess and Lydia Jackson.
  • Allan George Burgess's birth was registered in the Essex, an unknown place Registration District in the June 1840 Quarter.
  • He and James Burgess immigrated to Moreton Bay on 1 February 1862. The Jessie Munn sailed from Plymouth in Nov 1861 and arrived 1 Feb 1862. Allan aged 21 and James aged 18, were on board.With them were their relations the Wayatts and Jacksons.
  • Allan George Burgess and James Burgess made an application to select land. James applied for 50 acres (Portion 384)and on 28 July applied for another 40 acres (Portion 389) while Allan applied for 80 acres (Portion 383)
    on 14 July 1870.
  • In 1873 he was Farmer.
  • On 18 February 1873 the following article appeared in the Brisbane Courier Mail :-
    TOOWOOMBA LAND COURT.
    The ordinary monthly court was held on the 10th Instant, when the following selections were conditionally approved:-
    FIRST CLASS PASTORAL.
    Allen Burgess, 100 acres, parish of Meringandan.
    James Burgess, 100 acres, Portion 384, Parish of Meringandan.
    William Gillis, 100 acres, parish of Meringandan.
    Another application put in by Mr Gillis was rejected on the ground that he had already obtained three selections - DD Gazette
    James and Allen's selections were adjacent to each other and they helped one another clear their blocks and establish a home.
  • At the age of 32 years, 10 months and 5 days, Allan George Burgess married Catherine Gillis, daughter of William Gillis and Jane Eyles, on 19 February 1873 in St James Church, Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. This was a double wedding with her sister Helen Gillis & James Burgess, the brother of Allan Burgess. Allen was shown as a 33 year old bachelor farmer, born Clavering Essex and Catherine a 21 year old spinster born Brisbane with no occupation. Both listed their residence as Meringandan. Allan's parents were Philip Burgess, a bricklayer and Lydia Jackson; Catherines parents William Gillis a farmer and Jane Hiles (Eyles). Witnesses to the marriage were George F Bennett and C T Edwards.
  • Allan George Burgess died on 25 June 1884 in Queensland at age 44.

Children of Allan George Burgess and Catherine Gillis

Allan George Burgess

M, b. 1 February 1884, d. 1 February 1966
Family Explorer

Children of Allan George Burgess and Anna Louise Wrembeck

Allan George Burgess

M, b. 3 July 1904, d. 8 March 1981
Family Explorer

Allan Samuel Burgess

M, b. 12 September 1907, d. 30 November 1935
Family Explorer
  • Allan Samuel Burgess was born on 12 September 1907 in Elizabeth Town, Tasmania.
  • He was the son of Samuel Burgess and Ada Johnson.
  • In November 1931 a motor cyle was stolen from Allans garage in Elizabeth Town. On 28 November 1931, the Mercury reported - COUNTRY ROBBERIES Three Garages Entered Motor-Cycle Stolen
    It has been reported to the police at Launceston that between midnight on November 20 and the following morning a shed on the property of Mr Alan Samuel Burgess, of Elizabeth Town, was broken into, and a motor cycle valued at £50 stolen. No - trace has been found of tho cycle, the registration number of which is stated to be 2A139 and the engine number 38919.
  • Allan Samuel Burgess died on 30 November 1935 in Devon Public Hospital, Latrobe, Tasmania, at age 28. He died as the result of an accident.
  • An inquest was held into Allan Samuel Burgess's death on 2 December 1935 in Latrobe District Court. The Launceston Examiner reported:- "
    ROAD FATALITY Motor Cyclist Killed BROTHER INJURED In an accident at Tarleton, near Latrobe, on Saturday evening, Alan Samuel Burgess (24), of Elizabeth Town, the rider of a motor cycle, which collided with a motor car driven by Ro bert Henry Smith, of Devonport, lost his life. The victim received a fracture of the skull and other injuries. His brother, Samuel George Burgess (15), who was riding on the pillion seat, received severe abdominal and internal injuries and a fractured leg, and is in a serious condition. The dri ver of the car escaped injury. The two men were conveyed to the Devon hos pital on the advice of Dr. G. A. Wal pole. Both the car and cycle were considerably damaged. An inquest into the death of Bur gess was opened yesterday at the Devon Hosplital by the Coroner (Col onel J. P. Clark), and after evidence of identification had been given it was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

    On 10 January the newspapers reported the findings of the inquest-
    ACCIDENTAL DEATH Inquest into Latrobe Motor Cycle Crash The adjourned inquest into the death of Allen Samuel Burgess, of Elizabeth Town, who died from injuries received on November 30 when he was a pillion rider on a motor cycle, driven by his brother, Samuel George Burgess, whioh collided with a motor-car driven by Robert Henry Smith, of Devonport, on the Latrobe-Devonport road, was continued before the coroner (Col. J. P. Clark) at Latrobe yesterday. A verdict of accidental death was returned. Inspector E. C. Flude (Devonport) and Sergeant W. G. Woodorth (Latrobe) watched proceedings on behalf of the police. Samuel George Burgess, who was driving the motor-cycle, and who is still being treated at the Devon Hospital, stated that he remembered leaving Preston with his brother on the pillion seat of the motor-cycle. He could not remember anything that happened after passing Ulverstone. His next recollection was of being in the Devon Hospital. Robert Henry Smith, of Devonport, stated that he was driving towards Devonport on the day in question. He was travelling about 25 miles per hour when the cycle appeared, travelling on the wrong side of the road. It crashed into the bumper bars of the car and the car ran off the road. The cyclists were thrown on to the roadway. Witness said he had had trouble with the front brakes of the car for some time, but it was a four-wheel brake vehicle. Frank Stanley Boatwright, of Devonport, said the motor-cycle was travelling on the wrong side. He considered that the driver of the cycle did not see the car approaching until he suddenly endeavoured to get on to his correct side.

    PILLION RIDER'S DEATH ACCIDENTAL, FINDS CORONER.
    Before the Coroner (Colonel J. P.Clark), at the Latrobe Court House yesterday, the inquest into the death of Allen Samuel Burgess, of Elizabeth Town, was concluded. Burgess was riding on the pillion seat of a motor cycle driven by his brother, Samuel George Burgess, on November 30,-when the cycle collided, with a motor car driven by Robert Henry Smith, of Devonport, on the Latrobe-Devonport Road. Samuel George Burgess ls still receiving treatment at the Devon Hospital.
    The Coroner recorded, a finding of accidental death."

Aman Hedley Burgess

M, b. 15 February 1915, d. December 1986
Family Explorer
  • Aman Hedley Burgess was born on 15 February 1915 in Smithton, Tasmania.
  • He was the son of Arthur Burgess and Sarah Elizabeth McPhee.
  • Aman Hedley Burgess married Daphne Caroline Stokes circa 1940.
  • Aman Hedley Burgess died in December 1986 at age 71.
  • Aman was buried in Burnie General Lawn Cemetery.

Ambrose Burgess

M, b. 28 November 1875, d. 11 July 1953
Family Explorer
  • Ambrose Burgess was also known as Brownie.
  • He was born on 28 November 1875 in Deloraine, Tasmania.
  • He was the son of George Burgess and Mary Ann Smith.
  • At the age of 29 years, Ambrose Burgess married Florence Elizabeth Butler in 1905.
  • On 12 April 1916,his wife, Florence Elizabeth Butler died in North Motton, Tasmania, at age 39.
  • Ambrose Burgess died on 11 July 1953 in Ulverstone, Tasmania, at age 77.

Children of Ambrose Burgess and Florence Elizabeth Butler

Amelia Burgess

F, b. 18 September 1869, d. 18 June 1950
Family Explorer
  • Amelia Burgess was born on 18 September 1869 in Deloraine, Tasmania.
  • She was the daughter of George Burgess and Mary Ann Smith.
  • At the age of 22 years, 2 months and 7 days, Amelia Burgess married Emmanuel (James) Broomhall on 25 November 1891 in Deloraine, Tasmania.
  • Amelia Burgess died on 18 June 1950 in Parkham, Tasmania, at age 80.
  • Amelia was buried in Deloraine General Cemetery.

Children of Amelia Burgess and Emmanuel (James) Broomhall

Amy Adeline Burgess

F, b. 27 July 1896
Family Explorer

Ann Burgess

F, b. October 1829, d. 4 September 1915
Family Explorer

Ann Hooper (nee Burgess). Taken on her 84th Birthday in 1914

  • Ann Burgess was born in October 1829 in Chiselborough, Somerset, England.
  • She was the daughter of Samuel Burgess and Ann Crocker.
  • Ann Burgess was baptized on 18 October 1829 in Chiselborough, Somerset, England.
  • At the time of the 7 June 1841 census, Ann Burgess was living in the household of Samuel Burgess and Ann Crocker in East Street, Chiselborough, Somerset. Samuel was shown as an agricultural labourer, aged 55. Ann is 55. Their children Ann 10, John 20, and Samuel 15 are also living with them as well as 35 year old Sarah Burgess.

  • Ann Burgess appeared on the census of 30 March 1851 in 5 Cat Street, Chiselborough, Somerset. She was a glove maker and lodged with a widow called Harriett Randall, aged 63, a needlewoman, her niece Harriett Stower, a dressmaker. An Elizabeth Burgess aged 19 also lodged with them. Both Ann and Elizabeth were living in Chiselborough.

  • By 1855 Ann had a brother in Sydney, Samuel, and brother George in Tasmania, and cousins Henry and Jane had immigrated to Sydney also. Ann was very keen to come to Australia and she is mentioned in a letter from her mother to her brother Samuel in Golbourn NSW. The letter was written on 9 May 1844 and reads: "now about sister Ann would have come out but she cant manage to do it there is a pound to pay entrance besides and sertain quantity of clothing besides going to the port where the vessel sails from she gave in her name but cant get the money so we dont think she will come out this time she is a fine young woman and would make a good servant" and in another part of the letter " your sister Ann will be sure to come to you if you send the five pound as you promised I hope you will be able to do it."
  • At the age of 25 years and 8 months, Ann Burgess married John Hooper, son of Thomas Hooper and Elizabeth (Betsy) Hockey, on 4 June 1855 in Chiselborough, Somerset, England.
  • The following is an extract from the book "Hoopers".
    "Shortly after John and Ann arrived in Queensland late in 1855 they went to Maroon Station. It was a leasehold station held by James Carden Collins who at that time was the only white man on the station. The station buildings consisted of only a hut or two.
    The aborigines were greatly concerned about he arrival a o white woman. On the morning following their arrival at Maroon Station, Ann set about making a fire to cook breakfast. Looking up, after bending over the fire, she was confronted by about a dozen aborigines in all their pristine nudity. They stood as though affixed to the earth and gazed at her with the curious bewilderment of startled cattle. It was the first time she had seen a group of aborigines at close view. Naturally, she was terror stricken and the aborigines were apparently just as frightened. Not a word was spoken on either side, The natives turned and bolted for the bush. Then Mrs Collins, wife of the station owner, arrived at the station, and the natives took a curious interest in the movements of the women.
    John's job was to transport provisions and equipment by bullock dray from Ipswich to Maroon and also to Unumbar Station at the head of the Richmond River. A few of the aboriginal women became friendly with Ann and would stay with her for company as John was very often awy for long periods at a time.
    In those days bullock drays had no breaks and when John would come to a steep part on the rough and privative track that had been cut through the scrubs and mountains, he would have to hitch a tree on the back of the dray to serve as a brake. Peak Mountain Station, Dugandan Station and Coochin-Coochin Station were then the only settled places on the Ipswich- Maroon journey. Transportation of supplies was a slow and hazardous undertaking, but it was regularly done by John during the nine years he was employed at Maroon. He would be accompanied on the journey's by two aborigines, named Johnnie and Joey, who would help him to chain the bullocks to trees overnight, otherwise the animals would have taken to the bush. Johnnie was later taken by the police to be a tracker in Roma, but he escaped and died as an old man in New South Wales. Joey lived to an old age too and died at Beaudesert.
    John and Ann's daughters, Elizabeth Ann and Eliza (“Liza) were born at Maroon in June 1857 and August 1858.
    In 1858, John took up 36 acres of land at Purga, called “Nine Mile”, but he continued to work for Collins at Maroon Station.
    Their first son, John Thomas (“Johnny”) was born at Maroon in August 1860 and another daughter Ellen, in September 1861.
    In 1862 John was joined in Australia by his younger brother, James Thomas, who also began working for Collins at Maroon.
    During the time aborigines were giving trouble at Maroon, Ann was taken to Coochin-Coochin Station (the lease of which had been taken up by Carden Collins and a partner, Saunders in 1861. The homestead was then at Bunjurgen where there was another woman, Mrs Lister. During this time at Coochin-Coochin Mary (“Polly”) war born in January 1864.
    After nine years at Maroon, in 1864, John and Ann moved onto their block at Nine Mile, Purga and he began to grow cotton, maize and potatoes. He was also doing extra work as a bullock driver, as well, because at that time of the birth of George James (“Jimmy”) in May 1865, he noted his occupation as bullock driver and signed with his X mark. Other children were born at Purga: William in May 1869 and Oliver in November 1871 and the last, a daughter, Sarah Jane (“Janey”) at Ipswich in 1876.
    In 1877 James stepped out a block of land at and persuaded John to apply for it. He was successful and under the Crown Lands alienation Act of 1875, application for Lease No 7623 was granted at 2.30 pm on May 1st 1877 to John Hooper, to lease before survey, 330 acres @ 6d per acre for 5 years, for which a down payment of £16.10.0, plus £7 survey fee was paid. The land was described as “undulating forest land”. The records show that the land was occupied from June 1877. The Act provided that to ensure ultimate title to the land, the occupant had to make required improvements. The block took in the area from what is now Boonah Hill to McCourt's hill ie from Dugandan Hotel to the cemetery. The area down from the cemetery became known locally as Hooper's flat.
    John began to clear and cultivate the alluvial flats but mobs of marsupials would come down from the surrounding scrub and ridges at dusk and forage in his crops. Paling fences were erected to keep out the wallabies. John was on the verge of despair when the Government proclaimed a scalping fee for each marsupial destroyed.
    The bailiff's report of his inspection of John Hooper's selection , dated October 7th 1881 gives some indication of how the site was improved by hand (and hard) labour in four years. “A dwelling of two rooms, slab walls and floors, wooden shingle roof, occupied by the applicant, valued at £15; 14 acres cleared @ £1.10.0 per acre; cultivation 40 acres ring barked @ 3/- per acre; 2½ miles split paling and wired fence valued at £44 per mile; 48 rods of tenoned and mortised and split rail fence @ 4/6 per rod. Crops – cotton, corn, and pumpkins”
    With no sawmill all the timber for the cottages had been split by hand – an probably the only outlay of money was the cost of the nails. John brought Ann and the family to this slab building – the first home in Boonah, which he had built on the higher ground at Boonah Hill, preferring it to the former town area of Dugandan, which was very wet.
    The lease hold tenure of the land was later convertible to freehold on payment of 10/- per acre. For this expense John my have had some financial assistance from relatives in America.
    On the flats John continued to grow cotton, a little maize (corn) and potatoes. From 1866 John's son, William, worked for him on and off at Boonah until Willie went back to droving. John also employed three aboriginal labourers to assist him.
    John continued to use his bullock team for ploughing and with his bullock dray he used to carry farmer's maize to Ipswich and later Peak Crossing, after the railway was built to Harrisville. When the line was built to Boonah, then Dugandan he didn't use the bullock team. Willie then used the team for clearing timber off his block at Allen Creek. With the coming of the railway to Dugandan in 1887, the country opened up and Boonah grew rapidly.
    John Hooper could be call the “Father of Boonah” as the site of his land became a thriving township, to his good fortune. When the sons, Jimmy and Willie came back to Boonah from Christmas Creek, the balance of John's land ws cut up into building blocks. The streets of Boonah bear the names of the Hooper family. Some of the land became the Boonah Show Grounds and much later in the 1980's a Golf course was developed.
    John Hooper built his home at 20 Church Street, as their circumstances improved. The furniture for the house was made from cedar taken off the block.
    John Hooper gave land for the Anglican Church in 1890. and was himself a Church Warden of the Boonah area of the Harrisville-Boonah parish. The family enjoyed the company of John and Ann and visiting children were always given half a crown – later 2/6. They were looked back on as very happy days. Strict rules applied in the home however and never a pack of cards was allowed in the house.
    After Ann and John's death Willie moved back to Boonah again, after 19 years absence, as he was trustee of the Estate, having attended to John's financial affairs since leaving school at the age of 11, because John was illiterate. At Willies insistence th home in Church Street was left to Eliza because she had cared for John and Ann. The house was subsequently sold by her husband, John Bosako. Also mentioned in John's Will was Jane, wife of Percy Arthy, and daughter of their eldest child, Elizabeth (“Lizzie”) who had died in childbirth in 1889”.
  • Ann Burgess and John Hooper immigrated to Moreton Bay, Australia, on the "Conrad" which set sail from Plymouth on August 4, 1855,with her Ann and John as assisted passengers. Ann was on her way to Australia at last, but her life was far from that imagined by her mother who saw an as "making a good maid". Also on board the "Conrad" was Ann's brother John Burgess, his wife Susan and their four children.
  • John and Ann's first four children - Elizabeth, Eliza, John Thomas and Ellen was born between 1857 and 1861 at Maroon Station.
  • Ann Burgess and John Hooper appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1903 living at Church Street, Boonah. John's occupation was given as farmer. Their son Oliver was also farming in the district while son John Thomas was a timber getter.
  • Ann Burgess died on 4 September 1915 in Boonah, Queensland, at age 85.
  • Ann was buried on 4 September 1915 in Boonah General Cemetery, Queensland. The inscription reads:
    IN MEMORY OF ANN HOOPER WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE 4TH SEPTEMBER 1915
    ALSO OF JOHN HOOPER WHO DEPARTED THIS LIFE 22ND MARCH 1917.
    THEY ARE GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
    NEVER SHALL THEIR MEMORY FADE
    SWEETEST THOUGHTS SHALL EVER LINGER
    ROUND THE "SPOT" WHERE THEY ARE LAID.
    Gravestone of John and Ann Hooper. Boonah General Cemetery. The small stone to the right of the grave belongs to their son George James Hooper.

Children of Ann Burgess and John Hooper