Family Histories
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Reseach by Gordon Freegard 2018 The very first people to settle and take up land in our area were generally former workers from Mason & Bird Sawmill. Just before and after it closed, areas of land were taken up and clearing commenced to start their new life as orchardists and growers in the district. Some of the earliest recorded settlers were the following; Henry & Anna Mottram who settled in Carmel 1874, Richard & Mary Weston who settled in Pickering Brook 1875, John & Emma Wallis who settled in Walliston 1880, Arthur & Annie Gibbs who settled in Bickley 1891. These are the stories of those early pioneering families.
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ARTHUR LACEY GIBBS was born on 15th August 1867 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. On Wednesday
morning, the 15th July 1891, Miss Annie Burton, second daughter of William
Henry Burton and Catherine Shepherd of Woodloes Park, was married to Mr. Arthur Lacey Gibbs, only son of Mr.
Edward Gibbs and Mary Jane Pearce, of the Canning, late of Rugby, England. The
ceremony was performed at Cannington Hall, the Rev. E. Tremayne Dunstan
officiating. Miss Lilly and Miss Daisy Burton were the bridesmaids, the father
gave the bride away, and Mr. Holmes acted as best man. She was born on 27th August
1874 in Wellington, New Zealand. She died on 13th August 1952 in Kellerberrin,
Western Australia, Australia. The ceremony was over at
11o'clock, after which the wedding party (which numbered between 30 and 40),
drove to Woodloes Park to breakfast, which was of a very sumptuous character.
The usual toasts having been proposed and responded to, the happy pair drove
off to Perth, en route to York, to spend the honeymoon, amidst showers of rice.
A most enjoyable evening followed at Woodloes, both in concert and dance. They settled on a property in the Bickley Valley, they called “Anniedale” at Lot 8, 550 Canning Road Carmel, not far from the Mason & Bird Sawmill, where they built a comfortable four roomed house. The Gibbs family had a house on Lot 323 (confirmed by Geoff Barritt 2022) and the Mottram family lived on Lot 81 (confirmed by Geoff Barritt 2022).
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ARTHUR GIBBS' FATHER EDWARD GIBBS #5
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EARLY
MAP SHOWING LOCATIONS #1
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On Sunday 4th
March 1894 Arthur Gibbs had just engaged a new gardener, Francis Bortelsmeier,
a recent arrival from the eastern colonies. He seemed to be a quiet,
inoffensive young fellow, of about thirty years old. Earlier that day the
family including their only child, 2 year old Myrtle, had been on a visit to
some friends at the Lower Canning. After the evening meal, between six and
seven, Arthur showed Francis Bortelsmeier where his quarters were for him to
sleep, which was about 100 yards from their house. They felt somewhat tired
they retired to rest, shortly after eight O’clock. Up to this time they had
noticed nothing of an extraordinary character in the demeanour of the newly
engaged gardener, but immediately the light had been extinguished in their
bedroom, they were aroused by Bortelsmeier’s screams and yells. He sounded
almost mad. On opening the door Arthur saw him coming towards the house so he
stepped back inside and locked the door. Bortelsmeier started kicking and
thumping on the door asking to be let in and to give him a drink. The family
became alarmed as he then smashed the window of the bedroom in which they were. They
fled to another room but were fearful of the loaded rifle they knew was in the quarters
of the gardener. Then a second window was smashed. The threats of the man and
the hysterical condition of his heavily pregnant wife, so un-nerved Arthur
Gibbs that he decided to flee the house and obtain assistance of a neighbour
named Mottram, who lived about a quarter of a mile away. Wearing nothing but night
clothes, they rushed from their home towards the Mottram’s, where they found
everything in darkness, and their neighbours away from the home. In a terribly
frightened state, fearing Bortelsmeier was in pursuit of them with the loaded
gun, they journeyed towards another neighbour, the Wallis’ who were two mile
further away. Here the
weary travellers were hospitably cared for, and after relating their mournful
tale they were advised to remain with their friends for the night. Next morning
at about 6 O’clock Arthur Gibbs accompanied by Wallis and Mottram returned to
his house. There he found the house and contents had been burnt to the ground.
Everything was burnt including a nearly new piano they had only recently
purchased for 75 pounds and a fine collection of garden seeds that Arthur had
carefully gathered together. They found Bortelsmeier seated near the debris
with a blanket wrapped around him. On interrogating him he explained he had
caught a chill and had to burn the house down in order to keep himself warm. Arthur Gibbs
then communicated with the police, who were quickly on the scene and arrested
Bortelsmeier. He was trialled and declared insane and to be kept in the
Government’s Asylum at Her Majesty’s pleasure.
ARTHUR LACEY GIBBS & ANNIE BURTON
had the following children: MYRTLE MURIEL GRACE GIBBS was born on 4th April 1892 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 9th March 1977 in East Coolgardie, Western Australia, Australia. DAISY GIBBS was born on 28th June 1893 in Lot 8, 550 Canning Mills, Carmel, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 30th June 1893 in Lot 8, 550 Canning Mills, Carmel, Western Australia, Australia (Cause of Death - Convulsions). MAY GIBBS was born on 7th April 1894 in Lot 8, 550 Canning Mills, Carmel, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 7th Apri 1894 in Lot 8, 550 Canning Mills, Carmel, Western Australia, Australia. AMELIA GIBBS was born on 9th April 1895 in Lot 8, 550 Canning Mills, Carmel, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 10th April 1895 in Lot 8, 550 Canning Mills, Carmel, Western Australia, Australia. VIOLET RUBY GIBBS was born on 10th April 1896 in Canning, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 12th November 1962 in Collaroy, New South Wales, Australia. Her funeral service was on 13th November 1962 in Mona Vale Cemetery, New South Wales, Australia. ARTHURENA (ENA) GIBBS was born on 12th January 1898 in Canning, Western Australia, Australia. She was baptised on 31th October 1898 in Victoria Park, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 22nd November 1971 in Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia The deeased children were buried between two fig trees at Lot 8, 550 Canning
Road, Carmel. The location of the graves was marked
for many years by the two large trees on a slope near the former homestead.
These trees have been removed but the site is still known by local residents
although there is now no evidence of the graves. The property is now the Carmel Rose Farm (2010), Masonmill Reception
Centre (2018). |
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Arthur ran the "Forest Inn" at Canning Mills for his uncle, Stephen Gibbs, for some time. However he died a month after the birth of his sixth daughter on the 2nd February 1898 aged 30 years. He is buried at the Kenwick Pioneer Cemetery next to his father Edward Gibbs. After Arthur died, Annie and her three surviving daughters – Myrtle (Muriel), Violet and Arthurena (later known as Ena) moved to Cannington where she became postmistress.
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HEADSTONE OF ARTHUR LACEY GIBBS’ GRAVE #2
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“FOREST INN”
AT CANNING MILLS #3 |
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MYRTLE MURIEL GRACE GIBBS On the 11th February 1928 the eldest daughter, Myrtle Muriel Grace Gibbs married Charles Kruse, son of the late A. Kruse of Fremantle at St. George’s Cathedral, Perth by the Rev. Elphick. CHARLES KRUSE & MYRTLE GIBBS had one child: IONE CATHERINE KRUSE was born on 7th December 1931 in Nurse Jones's Private Hospital, Victoria Park, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 18th August 1985 in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia. Cause of death – Kiebsiella pneumonia, Adenocarcinoma, unknown primary (1 month). She married Stanley John Burton on 16th January 1953 in Bunbury, Western Australia, Australia. He was born on 31st January 1926 in Collie, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 14th March 1991 in Mandurah, Western Australia, Australia.
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VIOLET RUBY GIBBS At a fund raising function in April 1917, ran by
the Ugly Men’s Association where voting was conducted for the ugliest man and
the prettiest lady. Violet Gibbs won the prettiest lady section with 6692
votes. A wedding of interest to Cannington folk was
celebrated on Saturday 13th September 1919, the groom being Mr. Otho L. Yandell (late 9th Light
Horse, A.I.F.), second son of Mrs. E. Yandell, Hawksburn, Victoria, and the
bride Miss Violet Ruby Gibbs, second daughter of Mrs. A. Gibbs, of Cannington. The ceremony took place at 7 p.m., at St.
Michael's Church. The bride, given away by her cousin, Mr. G. Carlisle, of the
Agricultural Bank, wore a charming dress of white crepe de chine, lace and
silver, the train of georgette being lined with pale pink satin. Her veil was
arranged gracefully with a coronet of orange blossom, and her bouquet of lovely
white flowers was tied with streamers of white satin and tulle. Her maid, Miss Ena Gibbs, wore a pretty frock of pink crepe and georgette, and a large white picture hat, and carried a bouquet of sweet peas. |
VIOLET RUBY GIBBS April 1917
#4 |
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Miss Queenie Sly, who acted as train bearer, was also in pink crepe de chine, her pink tulle veil, being caught on the head with a wreath of daisies. The groom's gift to Miss Gibbs was a pendant,
and to Miss Queenie Sly a pretty bracelet. Mr. E. Yandell (of Military
Headquarters, Melbourne), and Mr. E. Ogden were best man and groomsman. The lovely, bouquets carried by the bridal party
were the design and gift of Mrs. Duff, of Cannington, and the girl friends of
the bride had decorated the church for the occasion, masses of violets being
used in compliment to the bride. After the ceremony the guests were received at
the Town Hall, where a reception was held, and breakfast served. The bride's mother wore champagne crepe de chine
and black hat. The groom's mother was in black, and a pretty floral toque. After the usual toasts had been honored and a
pleasant time spent, Mr. and Mrs. Yandell left on their wedding trip, the bride
travelling in a smart creme coat and skirt, furs, and white hat. Many beautiful and costly gifts were received.
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OTHO YANDELL & VIOLET GIBBS WEDDING 1919
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OTHO & VIOLET WITH THEIR CHILDREN YVONNE & PAULINE
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OTHO LIONEL YANDELL & VIOLET RUBY GIBBS had the following children: YVONNE JUDITH YANDELL was born on 4th April 1921 in Nurse Harvey's Private Hospital, Perth, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 10th May 1944 in Terrigal, New South Wales, Australia. PAULINE LENORE YANDELL was born on 16th December 1922 in Westham Private Hospital, Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia. She died on 18th February 1988 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. She married Leslie Gordon Hayes. MARY ERNESTINE YANDELL was born on 3rd May 1929 in Narrandera, New South Wales, Australia. She died on 13th May 1969 in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. She married Paul Reginald Jones. He was born in 1917 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He died on 11th April 1984 in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia. WILLIAM OTHO YANDELL was born on 4th September 1931 in Hay, New South Wales, Australia. He married Kim Bronwyn Lewis in 1966 in Burwood, New South Wales, Australia. LEONE VIOLET YANDELL. ELIZABETH ANNITA YANDELL. She married Donald Gordon Campbell in 1949 in Cooma, New South Wales, Australia. Information on the children supplied by Greg Gibbs 2022
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ARTHURENA (ENA) GIBBS ARTHURENA (ENA) GIBBS was born on 12th January 1898 in Canning, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 22nd November 1971 in Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia, Australia. She married Edward Walter Robinson, son of Walter James Robinson and Annie Wyer, on 7th April 1920 in Canning, Western Australia, Australia. He was born on 20th November 1897 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 12th February 1987 in Bullcreek, Western Australia, Australia.
ARTHURENA GIBBS
#8 |
ARTHURENA GIBBS
#9 |
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ARTHURENA & EDWARD ROBINSON had the following children: DOROTHY LILLIAN ROBINSON was born in 1920 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 29th May 2009 in Nazareth House Nursing Home, Bluff Point, Western Australia, Australia. She married Francis Norman Slater, so of Robert Angus Slater and Jane Craig, on 9th March 1946 in St Peter's Presbyterian Church, Narrogin, Western Australia, Australia. He was born on 26th December 1908 in “Monoyoung Farm”, Narrogin, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 28th October 1996 in Maida Vale, Western Australia, Australia. WALTER GIBBS ROBINSON was born on 7th October 1922 in Mount Margaret, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 11th June 2011 in Bentley, Western Australia, Australia. He married Norma Lewis Jury, the daughter of William Campbell Jury and Clara Maud Sincock, on 22nd February 1947 in Methodist Church, Narrogin, Western Australia, Australia. She was born on 11th September 1920 in Kellerberrin, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 27th December 1991 in Wagin, Western Australia, Australia KATHLEEN JOAN ROBINSON was born on 9th May 1926 in Leonora, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 8th Septembr 1984 in Narrogin, Western Australia, Australia. She married Richard Vincent Hoskin, son of Charles Edward Hoskin and Janie Vincent, on 24th May 1947 in Methodist Church, Narrogin, Western Australia, Australia. He was born on 6th August 1924 in Narrogin, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 12th April 2010 in Narrogin, Western Australia, Australia. ROBENA JOY (BOBBY) ROBINSON was born on 1st September 1928 in Mount Margaret, Western Australia, Australia. She died on 7th January 2004 in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia. She married David Howard Smith, son of George Howard Smith and Sophie Sarah Sounness, on 25th November 1950 in St. Mary's Church, West Perth, Western Australia, Australia. He was born on 30th April 1925 in Mount Barker, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 27th January 2017 in Greenwood, Western Australia, Australia. ARTHUR EDWARD ROBINSON was born on 14th April 1931 in St Vincent's Hospital, Nicholson-road, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia. He died on 9th August 2011 in Bayswater, Western Australia, Australia. He married Rita Florence Bright in 1954 in Swan, Western Australia, Australia. HERBERT CHARLES ROBINSON was born on 19th August 1933
in Centennial Hospital, Koorda, Western
Australia, Australia.
He married Daphne June Priddis in 1959 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Information on the children supplied by Greg Gibbs 2022 |
EDWARD WALTER ROBINSON #10
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ANNIE BURTON In April 1934 pleasant gathering was held at the Post Office, Cannington, to congratulate Mrs. Annie Gibbs on her completion of 30 years as postmistress in the district. The evening, which was arranged by her daughter Myrtle, was in the nature of a surprise. To mark the occasion all the guests autographed a linen supper cloth. Bridge was followed by a supper, during which the toast of the evening was given by Mr. Wm. Nicholson, who voiced the sincere regards of the company. Those present included Mr. Wm. Nicholson. Mr. N. Walsh, Mrs. E. Mears, Mrs. F. Blythe, Mr. and Mrs. A, McIntosh, Mr. and Mrs, J. Crago, Mr. and Mrs. Macfarlane, Mr. and Mrs. A. Skinner, Mr. and Mrs. E. Horan, Mr. and Mrs. E Stevens, Mrs. Sarah Wilson. Mrs. L. Lewis, Mrs. Kruse and daughter Iona, Mrs. A. Gibbs and Miss Macfarlane. Eight years later there was a representative gathering of Cannington residents in the Agricultural Hall in May 1942 when the occasion was a send-off and social evening in honor of Mrs. Gibbs, who has been postmistress at Cannington for the past 38 years. Esteem in which Mrs. Gibbs was regarded was evident from the re marks of the speakers and the presentation which was made to her. Mrs. Gibbs proposes visiting Victoria for a holiday before returning to the district she has served for so long. She later became the Kellerberrin Postmistress and died on the 13th August 1952 aged 78 years and is buried in the Karrakatta Cemetery.
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ANNIE GIBBS (nee BURTON)
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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: Gordon Freegard Images: 1 Internet
Copyright : Gordon Freegard 2008-2022
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