WRAY William Plumptom

It would be difficult to imagine just what was going through the mid of William Plumpton Wray in October of 1891, when he took ownership of a small portion of land in Broomehill and named it "Roundwood."

Just as difficult to imagine, would be the hundred and fifty descendants, neighbours and friends that gathered at Roundwood in 2011, to celebrate 120 years of the initiative and foresight of W. P. Wray.

This is just a brief account of the Wrays from their first settlement in Albany, W. W. in 1953. John and Celia Wray sailed from Southampton, England, in the clipper " Clara" on 1st June 1853, intending to settle in New Zealand.

However, news had reached Western Australia, prior to their arrival at Fremantle in September 1853, that there was trouble with a Maori uprising in the country. This news caused second thoughts for John and Celia and after two weeks at Fremantle, they changed their minds and decided they would move to Albany. They sailed to their destination aboard the "Gold Seeker."
 

Their son, William Plumpton Wray was born at Albany on 19th May 1860. John Wray commenced a tailoring business in Albany, where he set up a comfortable home. His son, William Plumpton, followed his father's trade, but also worked at Mr. Hassell's store.

It was in 1889, that William married Miss Agnes Young. John and Celia reared other children, one daughter married  Tom Norrish, a settler at Broomehill. Their property was named "Sunnyside". William was eventually to lease the property from his Brother-in-law, and was no doubt it was whilst he was there he conceived the idea of owning a property nearby (twenty miles away). He purchased it and named it "Roundwood".

The history of the Wray family now continues from William Plumpton and Agnes Wray, who reared two sons and two daughters, namely William Robert, David John, Mary and Margaret. They were all reared at "Roundwood".

William Robert married Violet Peterson-Palmer, he couple reared seven children, four sons and three daughters, The two brothers, William Robert and David John, farmed together at "Roundwood". Eventually the farm was divided between them, with David remaining on the original homestead. William Robert's sons Mervyn and William  Russell farmed their portion of "Roundwood" until their retirement in 1996.

David John married Sadie Cockram, from that union there were two sons and two daughters, Verna,Janice, Lindsay and Ronald. David's sons Lindsay and Ronald again divided "Roundwood" and both farmed the property. Over the years Lindsay took up a farming venture in West River and with the retirement of Bill and Mervyn, "Roundwood" was again as one parcel with Ronald.

Ron married Isabel in 1962 and had three boys and a girl, Michael, Timothy, Robert and Janet. Ron and Tim farmed together until Ron passed away in 2008. Farming the property was then by Tim and his wife Lori and three children, Christopher, Lachlain and Maddison.

Much more could be written of the hardship and success of William Plumpton Wray, Ages Wray and the generations of Wray families that have lived on "Roundwood".

This is a very brief outline of the farms  beginning and family ownership

ROUNDWOOD TURNS 120 In 2011

It was an overcast but fine day on Saturday the 8th October when 125 adults and near 40 children gathered at Tim and Lori Wray's property 25Km SE of Broomehill to celebrate the properties 120th year. Family, Neighbours and friends travelled several km's, some coming from Melbourne, Geraldton and Albany to name a few.

The celebrations were held in the  "transformed" machinery shed, with pin-up boards covered in photos and the history of the farm lining the walls. The feature being William Plumpton's dairy from 1891 and several other bank books, bible and hymn books dating back 120 years for all to see in a glass display cabinet.

A BBQ lunch and beautiful salads catered for the hungry crowds and were followed with several bus trips around the property to reminisce different locations and events. The kids were kept entertained with "Bluey" a lovely Clydesdale and trailer who came from Gidgegannup and provided fun for the "big" and little people alike

The afternoon saw local shearing contractor Mark Stanton blade shear two sheep to show how  it was done in the "old" days and show the art is stilli alive.

Tim ad Lori's niece Kelly Wray is beginning her career as a photographer and what a way to start with taking family portraits in the old shearing shed as your back drop. This was well received with a lot of people taking the opportunity to gather the family together and record the day.

Collyn Garnett provided a talking point by bringing out one of the Garnett's collectables in the form of a beautiful old Chamberlain Tractor.

A great day was had by all with some 30 families and friends camping overnight to make a weekend of it. One hundred and twenty years is an amazing milestone and the Wray famiiy is very proud that they have been fortunate enough to continue  on the generations of William Wray that is --------"Roundwood".
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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:       BT Times

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Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2024