SEARLE Nancy Ann  NEW

Compiled by Gordon Freegard based on research by Merilyn Stewart

Nancy was the  Daughter of Robert & Eliza Gamble. She was born at the Hassell property “Jarramungup” in 1844, where her father was overseer.
Nancy met her future husband William Searl (sometime spelt Searle) an ex convict, whilst he was working as a Shepherd for the Hassell Family at both the Jerramungup & Kendenup properties.
Nancy & William married in Albany in 1858 when she was just 14 years of age. She had her first child at the age of 15, then went on to have 9 more children with the majority being born at Jerramungup.

  
NANCY ANN SEARLE (nee Gamble)            #1
 

       WILLIAM SEARLE      #2

Children of Nancy & William were Mary (married Richard R. Burridge), Sarah, William (married Margaret Maher), Emma Jane (married Charles Armstrong), Ann Elizabeth, Susannah, Robert John, John Thomas, Harriet Eliza (married George Gaylor), Henry James (married Ethel Florence Richards

William & Nancy arrived in the Gnowangerup district in 1880 when William along with his son-in-law Richard Burridge started clearing & farming “Clear Hills”. William & Nancy took over the ownership of this property on his own in 1887.

         WILLIAM (Junior) & MARGARET SEARLE    #3

        EMMA JANE SEARLE     #4

William forfeited this property to another son-in-law Charles Armstrong who sold “Clear Hills” in 1900 to Uriah Herbert.
After forfeiting “Clear Hills” William & Nancy ventured out Sandalwood cutting in the Goldfields of Western Australia.
Unfortunately there was a Black Flu outbreak in Southern Cross while Nancy was there helping out in the make shift hospital, while her husband was out Sandalwood cutting when she succumbed to the flu & passed away.

Nancy is buried in the Pioneer Cemetery at Southern Cross.

      HARRIET ELIZA SEARLE       #5

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.