Chapter5

OUR WRIGHT AND PRICE FAMILIES TO AUSTRALIA

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MARRIAGE ALEXANDER WRIGHT TO ANN PRICE

After approximately ten years in Victoria, Alexander married Ann PRICE on July 4, 1859 at St Paul's Church Geelong. Ann is the daughter of James PRICE, brickmaker, and Ann PRICE (nee GOUGH), residents of Geelong. The marriage certificate stated that Alexander was aged 27 years and Ann 17 years (correct age was 16 years). His profession was given as quarryman and residence at Batesford (a town 10 kilometres from Geelong and on the Geelong - Ballarat Road). Alexander's parents particulars were supplied on the certificate and those details discussed elsewhere. Both of Ann's parents, were present at the marriage ceremony.

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE ALEXANDER WRIGHT AND ANN PRICE 1859

Alexander was recorded on the marriage certificate as a member of '"the Church of Scotland" and Ann a member of "the Church of England". Both lived their married life as Wesleyans (Methodists) and strict ones at that. The marriage was witnessed by a James HILL and James PRICE (Ann's father). James signed the certificate but he printed the letter “S” back to front.

On January 27, 1864 their first son, John WRIGHT, was born at Blue Hills Victoria, followed by their second son, Alexander James WRIGHT, born on October 7, 1866 at Bendigo Victoria.

ANN (KNOWN AS ANNIE) WRIGHT (NEE PRICE) C1867

This very special and early photograph of Annie was taken at Ballarat Victoria. She moved to Ballarat with her husband Alexander and two sons in 1867, from Bendigo. She was aged 24 years. Photograph is courtesy Pat HEATHCOTE (nee GIRDLESTONE).

The East Ballarat Postal Directory for 1867 lists Alex WRIGHT, gardener of Clyde Street, Soldiers Hill.

The 1868 Post Office Directory for Ballarat lists James PRICE, miner, of Ripon Street.

On March 23, 1868 third son, Walter William WRIGHT was born at Durham Victoria (between Bendigo and Swan Hill). The family returns to Ballarat and on May 22, 1869 third son, Walter William died, aged 14 months. Six months later, on November 15, 1869 at Ballarat, fourth son, George Burbon WRIGHT was born. Fifth son, Joshua Salvado WRIGHT was born at Ballarat East on December 23, 1871 followed by first daughter, Frances Jane WRIGHT on August 16, 1873, also at Ballarat East. Alexander's occupation was nominated as miner and address as Clayton Street.

Then early in 1875 tragedy struck the family. Following is an account of the tragedy as related to me in 1986 by my Grandmother:

Grandma Wright also told me about the Diphtheria epidemic that was raging at the time when her familywas young. Everyone was quarantined in their homes. One Friday Grandma lost one of her sons, the next Friday another son died and the following Friday Aunty Agnes was born. Two deaths and a birth all in 14 days. The doctor had also given my mother up with diphtheria. Grandma saw the Salvation Army man going past and she asked him to get some brandy and to leave it on the post. He agreed and she gave him some money. With the brandy she soaked a flannel as mum's throat was completely closed up. Grandma rolled the flannel around mum's throat and eventually the swelling went down. Mum was seriously ill for three months. Whenever my children had a bad throat I always sprinkled brandy around. Mum was born at Ballarat and Aunt Agnes in Zeehan. (Note: Last comment is incorrect. Aunt Agnes was born at Ballarat).

This account is confirmed by death/burial and birth records, which list,

(a) George Burbon WRIGHT died Humffrey St Ballarat Feb 23, 1875 (a Friday). Buried Ballarat Cemetery, aged 5 years.

(b) Joshua Salvado WRIGHT died Ballarat Mar 3, 1875 ( the next Friday). Buried Ballarat Cemetery, aged 3 years.

This terrible tragedy in 1875 was forever in Annie WRIGHT's mind and she related the story to her grand daughter forty years later. It in turn was related to me a further seventy years later. The loss of two sons in the two weeks preceding the birth of her last child, with her eldest daughter (aged only 18 months), also on 'deaths bed', is a situation we cannot even commence to imagine.

THE BALLARAT HOME OF THE WRIGHT FAMILY 1875

ANNIE WRIGHT (NEE PRICE) NURSING BABY AGNES ANN WRIGHT (LATER WILSON) AND 2 YEAR OLD FRANCES JANE WRIGHT (LATER BROADHURST) STANDING. MINNIE THE DOG ALSO IN THE PHOTO

This historical photograph was a rare find indeed. Baby Agnes appears to be approximately three months old which would date the photograph to June 1875. Frances would then be nearly two and Annie thirty two years old. Annie has just lost two of her sons three months earlier. Her surviving sons, John, eleven years and Alexander, eight years may have been taken away during the epidemic. Another son, Walter had died six years earlier. Photograph courtesy Joan ANDERSON (nee CRESSWELL).

The following year Annie WRIGHT lost her father, James PRICE. Death certificate and burial records record the following information:

James PRICE, 64 years, miner, died 20/12/1876, of Humffray Street Ballarat East. James father’s name was given as James and that his mother was unknown. His birthplace was shown as Croydon, England.

DEATH CERTIFICATE JAMES PRICE BALLARAT 1876

The certificate also stated that James had resided in Australia for 46 years, made up of 20 years in Tasmania and 26 years Victoria. James was buried at Ballarat Cemetery on December 22nd 1876. The death certificate listed his children as: Charlotte 36 yrs, Ann 34 yrs, Alice 32 years, James 28 yrs, William 26 yrs, Frances 23 yrs, Mary Ann 21 yrs, George 20 yrs and John 18 yrs. The informant was his eldest son, James, of Blackwood.