Andrew Farquharson and Jean Glass, together with their children John (16), Henry (15), Andrew (9), Charlotte (13) and Jane (11) emigrated to Australia. Also travelling with them were Andrew's nephew William and niece Harriet (children of his brother Hary). The journey to Sydney was an arduous one, their ship "Mathesis" left Dundee on the 2nd Jun 1841 and did not arrive in Sydney until 30th January 1842 - a journey of 242 days.
Andrew died 3 weeks out of Sydney. This left Jane and her children in the Colony by themselves. Further information on this family is available on the Glass page.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Harriett provided the following information on her immigration papers:
Harriett Farquharson (brought out by James F Beattie)
Under the protection of her brother, Native of Tarland Aberdeenshire, occupation house servant aged 20.
Person certifying Registry of Baptism: Rob. Neil, Sessions Clerk, Tarland
Character and person certifying the same: Good: Alexr Ross, John Cromar both Glenbervie.
State of bodily health, strength and probably usefulness: very good
Religion: Presbyterian
Can read and write – no complaints
Certified and approved by: J R Forrest Agent May 30 1841
Engaged by Archibald Mosman Esq residing St Le[o]nards North Shore for a period of 6 – 12 months wages £15 pa
Harriett went on to marry Archibald Mosman at St Andrews Scots Church in Sydney in 1847.
 |
 |
 |
|
In memory of HARRIETT MOSMAN died in London Aug 24th 1883 aged 63 years buried with her husband and child at her special request |
Grave of Archibald Mosman and his wife Harriett Farquharson St Jude's cemetery Randwick NSW |
In memory of ARCHIBALD MOSMAN who died January 29th 1863 aged 64 years |
| "The Council of the Municipality of Mosman has undertaken the permanent care of this grave to honour the memory of ARCHIBALD MOSMAN the founder in 1830 of the suburb bearing his name" | ||
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
William's immigration papers have the following information:
William Farquharson (brought out by J F Beattie), Native of Abernethy Perthshire, Parents: Henry and Mary alive, occupation: farm servant aged 23, can read and write. (has under his protection his sister Harriett)
William Farquharson and Wm Jaffray, both with wages of £60 pa, were employed by Robinson and Hopkins
(Personal comment: The papers state that William is a "native of Abernethy, Perthshire". From what I have located [see above] the parish is recorded wrongly here - it should read Abernethy & Kincardine in the County of Inverness)
William married Sophie Fairhall. The Fairhall family tree has been researched extensively and can be found here.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Why did Andrew and his family, together with his nephew and niece decide to come to Australia?
Andrew's older brother William had arrived in Sydney on the 26th September 1839. The "Hero" had sailed from Leith 142 days previously - 7th May 1839. Since no Farquharson from this family has been found emigrating prior to this date, one can assume that William was the pioneer of the family.
Immigration papers for the "Hero" give the following information:
William Farquharson aged 42 a native of Cromar Aberdeenshire son of Henry same place and Jane is wife, his calling was a farmer and his health was very good. He could read and write and his religion was Presbyterian. With him was his wife Jane Farquharson, native of Coldstone Aberdeenshire, daughter of James Hay carpenter of said place and Isabella Webster his wife there. No children are listed. William was employed by a Mr J Barnett in Sydney for 2/- per week without rations.
William Farquharson married Jean Hay in Tarland. The register entry is recorded on 1st July 1831. William Farquharson Indego and Jean Hay both in the parish of Tarland were proclaimed and married.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
On the 25th August 1853, the “David McIver” sailed through the heads of Sydney Harbour carrying the widowed mother of Harriet and step-mother of William Farquharson. With Jessie were four of Harriett’s siblings, Robert aged 34, Flora 27, Charlotte 17 and George 16. The ship docked at the Quarantine Station at North Head and
on the 1st September 1853 the passengers were released. This may have been purely precautionary because there was no mention of illness on board.
Jessie is given as a widow, matron and housekeeper, (this would now narrow the death of her husband, Hary to between 1851 – 1853) She is given as a native of West Side Aberdeenshire and the daughter of Robert and Henrietta Littlejohn, both dead. She was Church of Scotland, could read and write and was in good health. Her relative named in Australia was Mrs Mossman, daughter at New England. Her passage was £11.
A search of the Leochel Cushnie Parish Registers will probably reveal that Jessie Littlejohn was born at the farm of "West Side" in Leochel Cushnie. There are still Littlejohn's living there on later census.
Robert 34, is given as a farm labourer born Tarland son of Henry and Jessie (his mother is on board), Church of Scotland, in good health and can read and write. Again his sister “Mrs Mossman” is mentioned in Armidale New England. His passage was £2. Charlotte 27 and Flora 17 had much the same information except their passage was £1. It appears that George 16 came for free.
Flora must have been in Australia for a very short period of time. A birth of a son William was registered in the Parish of Auchindoir and Kearn on the 11 April 1855 to William Coutts and Flora Farquharson. This certificate gives the marriage date as 1854 at Millton, Auchindoir. A further son Peter was born in 1857. Flora aged 36 is listed on the 1861 census for Auchindoir residing at Milton as the spouse of William Coutts born Strathdon aged 52.
Jessie too returned to her native homeland. It is not known yet when, but she is given with the family of William Coutts and Flora Farquharson residing at Millton Auchindoir in 1881. She cannot be located on the 1861 or 1871 census.
Jessie died on the 11 May 1889 (Auchindoir & Kearn #15) aged 92 years. She is remembered on the family stone of William Coutts in Auchindoir kirkyard.
Auchindoir kirkyard
FS (Flat stone) ISABELLA FRAZER d. Silverford 17th April 1844 aged 71 years, husband PETER COUTTS d. Milltown of Auchindoir 20th April 1857 aged 87 years. JESSIE LITTLEJOHN d. Milltown 9th May 1889 aged 92 years (husband HARRY FARQUHARSON, late Eastown), son WILLIAM COUTTS 66 years farmer Milltown of Auchindoir died there 16th August 1895 aged 85 years (son WILLIAM COUTTS died Milltown, Auchindoir, 13th March 1898 aged 42 years.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *