John Ellis, son of George Ellis, was born on 12 December 1817 at Elstead, Surrey, England. He signed his name with a cross which suggests that he was illiterate. On 28 March 1842 he married Sarah, daughter of Henry and Wilhelmina (née Hollingworth) Turpin. Sarah was christened on 30 January 1820 at St Martin's in the Field, London. They had six children born at Elstead before migrating to Australia on the British Empire arriving in January 1855: Robert — born 21 April 1842, died 22 December 1916 at Mount Duneed, married Elizabeth Catherine Danger at Mount Duneed. Thomas — born 24 September 1843, married Ellen Bickers on 12 January 1870 at Connewarre, died Jul 1923 Frederick — born 1845, married Sarah Ann Newton, died 26 December 1914 at Gardenvale, Melbourne Wilhelmina — born 19 August 1847, married Carl Erickson, died 9 April 1934 at South Melbourne Josiah — born 1849, died 19 February 1855 aged 5 years at Connewarre, buried in the Church of England section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery. Josiah had followed his brother, Frederick, who had been sent down to the river a kettle of water. His hat blew off his head into the water. In attempting to reach it he fell into the river and drowned. Rosetta — born 1852. died 20 February 1855 at Connewarre, buried at Mount Duneed buried on 21 February on the same day as Rosetta Four more children were born in Victoria: Jane — born 15 March 1855 at Chilwell, Married George Sedgwick, died 1942 Sandringham, Melbourne Catherine — born 1858 at Chilwell, married Joseph Lockwood, died 1925 Fitzroy, Melbourne. Sarah — born 1860 at Mount Duneed, married Hector Alexander McLean on 15 December 1886, died 24 December 1947 at Mirboo North, Victoria John Henry George — born 7 November 1861 at Mount Duneed, married Sidney Elizabeth Preston, died 2 September 1937 Sarah died on 23 August 1903 and was buried in the Church of England section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery. John died on 8 August 1900 and is buried with her. Sarah's brother Josiah Turpin is buried beside them. |
Josiah Turpin was a younger brother of Sarah, born on 22 October 1825. According to shipping records he arrived in the Colony of Victoria on the James Baines in February 1855 at the age of 28. He died intestate on 7 July 1894 at the age of 67 according to cemetery records. He was unmarried. Sarah was administrator and beneficiary of his estate of £340 which consisted of a small house on about 35½ acres, 2 horses and bank savings. His land was east of Lings Road, south of Barwon Heads Road and north of Murtnaghurt Lagoon. He was buried in the Church of England section of the Mount Duneed Cemetery. |