First  Previous  Next  Last

Page 2 of 3

In 1881 Alexander, according to the Electoral Roll of New South Wales, was at the small village of Joadja Creek. Joadja Creek is located near Mittagong, and 138 km south-west of Sydney, in an isolated valley.  The village of Joadja was established by the Australian Kerosene Oil and Mineral Company in the late 1870s to facilitate the exploitation of the vast shale deposits in the valley walls.  The miners at Joadja Creek were largely experienced men from Scotland, perhaps enticed by the Scottish mine manager.

William Watson (b 1831), a widower, aged 53 then married Agnes Craig, aged 18 in March 1885 by 'warrant of sheriff substitute' at Falkirk Sterlingshire.  This was often a means by which otherwise illegitimate children became automatically legitimate on their parent's marriage, provided the parents had been free to marry at the time of the child's birth.  Agnes was William’s maid at Kirknowe House.  William and Agnes then had their first child William Jack (Bill) Watson in July 1885.  Only four months after that, in November 1885, James, William’s first son, had his second child, Jane Burt Watson.  Jane was also born on Watson’s Land, Cambusnethan.

James, William's first son, was described as a Spirit Merchant when he married in 1876 but when their second child, Jane was born, James was described as a Coal Miner.

 

It is possible that James may have found it difficult to have a father marrying a wife younger than himself and having babies just as he was, but whatever the reason, James with his wife and two children followed his brother Alexander to Australia.

They departed Liverpool, England on the "Lusitania" in 1886.  Just after arriving in Sydney on 1 July 1886 James obtained a free railway pass to Joadja Creek, New South Wales.  The railway pass entry reads:  Jas Watson, aged 32, married, from Scotland on 5 July 1886 to Joadja Creek, wife, 2 children, could read & write, 4 days in the colony, per "Lusitania".  The passenger list from the "Lusitania" is not in good condition and children are not well recorded but two Watsons are shown. 

According to the NSW Electoral Roll, Alexander had left Joadja Creek before James arrived.  It is not clear whether James ever caught up with Alexander as James put the following note in the "The Queenslander" newspaper, of Brisbane, on Saturday, 1 June, 1889.

 

“MISSING FRIENDS

Should this meet the eye of Alexander WATSON, born Cambusnethan, Scotland, please communicate with your brother James WATSON Joadja Creek, N.S. WALES. Any information regarding him will be thankfully received. Last heard of at Angelila Creek about two years ago.”

 

The reference to Angelila Creek in the Missing Friends message should have read Angellala Creek.  Angellala Creek is about 66kms east of Charleville and 706kms west of Roma in South Western Queensland.  No other clear reference to Alexander has been found.

 

James and Davina then had two more daughters while at Joadja Creek: Bethia in 1889; and Isabella in 1893.  It is also recorded on Davina’ death certificate that they had a fifth child, William Watson born in 1896. Strangely his birth records have not been located in New South Wales but his death registration has been identified that shows his parents as James Watson and Isabella Davina Burt.  After 1900 James, Davina and family moved to the western area of Sydney where James took up farming in an area that has now become the Sydney suburb of Wentworthville.  Davina died in 1920 and James in 1938, both while living at Wentworthville.  Their five children all stayed in Australia and most had families.

 

  William’s Second Family

The 1881 census of Cambusnethan shows, William (b 1831) living only with servants and a boarder at 220 Camnethan St (first floor).  Close by at 186 Camnethan St (first floor) lived the Craig family with three daughters, Agnes aged 13 years, Jane 11 years and Isabella 9 years old.  Agnes Craig later became William’s maid.

Page 2 of 3

    First  Previous  Next  Last