Starting with an Anderson

Extract from "Our Anderson Family" by Eric Anderson Peter's Parents bought "Dirleton" Oaklands on Yorkes Peninsula, on 3rd June 1873. On 26th Nov 1873 Alexander and Peter left Morphett Vale for Yorkes Peninsula with stock and bullock wagon and took about one week to reach the farm. Sarah and the other children travelled by ketch "Edith Alice" from Port Noarlunga and landed at Coobowie. They travelled from there by horse and sulky.

Extract from "Our Anderson Family - Book 2" by Eric Anderson About 1891 Peter John and Beatrice Ellen and baby Les travelled with Mr & Mrs William Mudge from "Dirleton", Yorketown to Dimboola Vic., in a german chuck wagon with five horses, to take up farming on a property named "Lochiel" about 5 km north west of Dimboola, on the Nhill Road. On the wagon were stores and a winower, with an early model wheat stripping machine in tow. The farm where they settled was 600 acres of Mallee scrub country. The ruins of the house where they lived can be seen about 300 metres on the west side of the bridge across the Wimmera River and close to the road. Peter and Beatrice may have stayed at "Lochiel" with Mudges at their second child Roy was born on 30th October 1892 and their third child Gordon was born on 20th April 1894. Gordon's birth certificate shows Lochiel as the place of birth. Peter probably worked for William Mudge or perhaps sharefarmed for about four years until 1895.

Extract from "Our Anderson Family - Book 2" by Eric Anderson In 1895 Peter and family moved to Ellam near Jeparit. Peter then bought 750 acres at "Ellam" near Jeparit Vic. for £150. The first year his name appears in the Jeparit Shire rating records is in the council rating year ending 30 Sep 1897, which covered Mallee Allotment No.13, Section 3 in the Parish of Batyik, with an area of 738 acres. Peter and his family probably did not live on this allotment as his name appears on Allotment No.50 of 711 acres. Three miles east of Ellam in the Parish of Hindmarsh, so they must have moved there to live during late 1895. Their fourth child Edgar was born at Ellam on 6th Mar 1896. The remaining seven children were also born while they lived at Ellam. A rating notice for allotment No.50 near Ellam is dated Rating Year ending 30 Sep 1909. Peter's name and the date 19 Aug 1909 also appear on a map of the Ellam district on a residence block. Allotment 34A, one mile north from the residence on Allotment No.50. The residence on 34A may have been alternate accommodation while Beatrice recuperated from the birth of their youngest child Keith on 19 Sep 1909. This residence was across the road from the school (now demolished) where the Anderson's would have attended, and finished the year 1909 before moving to Gilgandra in 1910. A later school has been converted to a residence and there is no school there now. The road is called School Road. The house where the Andersons lived has also been demolished, but they must have lived there for at least six months before leaving for Gilgandra on 23 Feb 1910. Peter in one of his letters mentions getting out of the place at Ellam for £4,500. Born at Ellam: Edgar 1896, Stuart 1898, Edna 1900, Twins Muriel and Maurice 1902, Ethel 1905, Gladys 1907, Keith 1909.

Extract from "Our Anderson Family - Book 2" by Eric Anderson In 1910 Peter sold Ellam to Frank MacIntosh and moved to "Bearbong" Gilgandra, a (16,308 acre) property. Left Dimboola on 23rd Feb 1910 by train via Melbourne. Letter refers to Les travelling from Peppers Plain (near Ellam) to Bearbong by bike. William V Bartram lived at Peppers Plain in the 1890s, a relative. Letters exist which describe the purchase details and the move. Roy and Min bought property "Lochlevan" in 1917. Roy did not get on with Peter John and left home after dispute. He was going to get the property "Minroy" but this then went to Gordon as "Karingal". Roy and Min lived on Minroy after their marriage until the dispute. A map dated 1924 shows Karingal as GW Anderson and Gara as SJ Anderson, so must have been subdivided at that stage. 1901 map both shown as Bearbung Resumed Area. Peter John was a polo player. Practised by using rabbits as targets. Also keen tennis player. Letters mention going with Stuart to Curban for tennis match. Notes re Railway extension to Tooraweenah from Mendooran. Peter John was one of the witnesses. Mentions the railway in one of his letters. Max remembers meeting someone at the Gilgandra centenary celebrations who had worked at Western Stores and remembered serving Peter John with tennis balls on a number of occasions.

Extract from "Our Anderson Family - Book 2" by Eric Anderson At the Crescent Private Hospital Manly. Had suffered for two years with Pernicious Anemia, best treatment was available there. Cardiac Failure and died after two days. Buried at General Cemetery Manly, Plat No.471, Section Z, unmarked, on 17th March 1925 Les and Elsie and family moved back to Bearbong and managed the property until it was sold in 1930. Bearbung Land transferred to Charles Joseph Miller of Wellington on 17th Feb 1930, from Leslie Anderson, Beatrice Anderson and Roy Anderson. Beatrice Ellen, Muriel and Ethel moved to 25 Chelsea St, Brighton, Vic. Two of her sisters also lived in Chelsea St. Annie Hecht next door and Clarice Berryman at No.1. Obituary mentions that Beatrice lived in good health until about 1950. Also that she flew to Gilgandra for her 80th birthday. Beatrice Ellen Anderson died at Brighton, Vic., on 10th Jan 1952 at the age of 84 years. No trace of the Bearbong house now exists except from of the trees. The shearing shed and some of the sheds still exist.

Peter John, Beatrice and Family 1904 Back Row: Leslie Anderson, Albert Edgar Anderson, Roy Anderson Front Row: Muriel Anderson, Peter John Anderson, Gordon Anderson, Beatrice Ellen Anderson, Stuart Anderson Inscription: "To Jim from his loving brother and sister John and Beatrice"

Back Row Ethal Bartram (nee Anderson), Peter John Anderson, James Anderson, Bert & Hilder Mudge (nee Anderson) Sitting Annie Bartram (nee Anderson), Alex & Sarah Anderson, Sarah Maud Grave (nee Anderson). This photo was taken at Alex & Sarah's 50th wedding anniversary on 17/9/1913, and comprises their family except Marion, George, Margaret & Frank, who had passed away.