Family histories

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HAMS William "George" & Fanny

Fanny Steggall. daughter of Henry William and Priscilla Steggall (nee Hall), was born at Bakers Springs in South Australia, she married William George Hams known as ‘George’ , son of Edward and Jane Hams (nee Smith), in the Baptist Church Terowie, South Australia on the 17th March 1877, this was the first marriage to be celebrated at that church.
George and Fanny lived in a hut on their farm in Rockvale they eventually settled in the Yongala area which they successfully farmed for 10 years, before selling this property. They then bought a holding at Terowie which they farmed for fifteen years. A series of droughts and dry years dealt a big blow to the family, who felt they could not survive under such circumstances.
They had a family of 10 children:
 Amaelia Emily       1878
Fanny                       1879
George Henry         1880
Andrew Edward      1881
Frederick John        1882
Herbert William      1884
Rachel Alice Mary   1885
Annie Priscilla Jane 1892
Ernest percival Charles   1894
Bertram Edgar         1896
 

WILLIAM "George" HAMS             #1
 

In the late 1890’s Mr. Edward Venning Parnell and Mr. Tom Thredgold came to Western Australia to select land for the drought stricken families, Mr. Threadgold did not stay and returned to South Australia.

In 1898 the Hams family set out for Western Australia to take up land at Toolbrunnup. Mr. Hams with his older sons travelled by wagon, with a cart which held their farming implements.

Mrs. Fanny Hams with her daughters and younger sons travelled by train to Adelaide, where they met up with the other members of the family and boarded the ship ‘Bulimba” bound for Albany.

On the ship they also bought their farming implements, cows, horses and fowls. On arrival at Albany the cows and hens were quarantined because the papers for them had been lost. The hens were eventually refused entry, and had to be left on the ship. Their son George was left in Albany to care for the stock during the quarantine period.

The rest of the family travelled by wagon, buggy and saddle horse and on foot to Toolbrunup. This journey took about two weeks. Night shelter was obtained from the wagon.

When the family arrived at Toolbrunup the ages of the children ranged from eighteen months to nineteen years.

George took up 500 acres of land at Toolbrunup, which he named “Gum Flat” he eventually increased that holding to 2700 acres.

Conditions were very rough, cooking was done by camp oven on an open fire. The boys and their father were given the best food as they had to work very hard, food sources included kangaroo, wild duck, parrot and wild turkey. Bread was made in a brick oven, which the boys had made. There was also a water shortage

In the early days at “Gum Flat” George made 6 monthly trips to Albany to obtain shores whick were purchased from Everett’s store in Stirling Terrace.

Fanny assisted her neighbours at childbirth and with illnesses. No one was ever turned from her door without a meal. She made wonderful bread and bread rools and her butter was renowned. Fanny also made sausages, smoked ham, jams and preserves.

How Fanny managed during the early years is hard to imagine.

George and Fanny Hams retired to Bayswater in 1920. They lived to celebrate their Golden and Diamond Wedding Anniversarys.

There were ten surviving children in this family.

Adapted from the ‘Hams Family’ Book
 

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION OF GEORGE AND FANNY HAMMS
Their daughter Rachael Jorfan (nee Hams) seated on floor on left       #2
 

Every endeavour has been made to accurately record the details however if you would like to provide additional images and/or newer information we are pleased to update the details on this site. Please use CONTACT at the top of this page to email us. We appreciate your involvement in recording the history of our area.

 

References:                 Article:      "Hams Family" Book

                                  Image:     2       Robynne Walsh

 


Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2024