John WILSON [1321] ^2069,2322

  General Notes:

Langley is a village and civil parish in the English county of Essex, seven miles west-south-west of Saffron Walden. The Parish of Langley consists of two parts, Langley Upper Green and Langley Lower Green which are linked by roads and footpaths.

John Wilson and Martha Burgess had 7 known children, William b. 1827 m. Rosamond Godber had 9 children, Elizabeth b. 1830 m. William Herbert, had 8 children, John Burgess b. 1833 m. Christina McPherson & Had 10 children, Martha b. 1835 m. Robert Godber, Joseph, b. 1837 m. Sarah Whatmough & had 8 children, James b. 1839, and David b. 1843 m. Elizabeth McPherson & had 11 children..

John and Martha boarded a ship called Burhampooter in October 1843. The ship sailed from the London docks with 94 emigrants on board to proceed to Cork but bad weather caused the captain to hove to in the Margate Roads and anchored but the ship was driven from her anchorage and was hurled on to the chalk rocks of Foreness Rock about half a mile from Margate between Clifton Baths and Kingston. Everyone was saved from the ship and they were put up at public houses. Despite the loss of all their possessions the Wilson's went back to London and a week later they boarded the " Royal Consort " and arrived after 98 days at Melbourne on 18th Feb 1844.

Extract from "Chronicle" 18 October 1843. Page 147 Westminster Library, London.

"Fearful Storm at Sea and Shipwreck
Throughout yesterday and today a most awful storm raged along the Eastern coast causing a tremendous sea. The loss of life and property was truly distressing. Among the many casualties that occurred was the total loss of the British built Ship "Burhampooter" C.G. Cowley, Commander, which took place about 6am on the rocks off the south east portion of the town of Margate. The unfortunate ship, which was a very fine vessel of 55 tons, had been chartered by Carter and Bonus, the Emigrant Agents of Leadenhall Street, for the conveyance of emigrants on the part of the Government of Port Phillip. Owing to her size and construction, she was well adapted for that line of traffic, every accommodation being made that could give comfort to the passengers during their tedious voyage.

On Monday last, she sailed from the London Docks, having on board 94 emigrants beside the crew. They consisted of twenty one women, forty four children and the rest men. The voyage to the sea was as favourable as could be desired and it was the intention of the Captain to proceed to Cork for the purpose of receiving the remainder of the emigrants, but bad weather threatening, she hove to last night in the Margate Roads and anchored, orders being given to make her as snug as possible. She wore the gale gallantly and hopes were entertained that she would ride it out when a fearful blast drove her from the anchorage and she was instantly hurled on to the chalk rocks of Foreness Rock about half a mile distant from Margate Town between Clifton baths and Kingston. The sea at the time was breaking over her decks. All was confusion on board and the shock being so great as to carry away her rudder, she instantly filled. The decks were now crowded with the unfortunate emigrants and a scene of the most heart-rending character presented itself, everyone expecting every moment to be swept into the sea and either be dashed to pieces or drowned. Captain Cowley entreated of them to be tranquil and fortunately they obeyed, and after a short lapse of time, several Margate luggers came out and succeeded in taking every soul off the ill-fated ship and landing them safely. The poor emigrants were in a most deplorable state, being completely drenched. Carts having been secured, they were without loss of time, conveyed on to Margate where they were billeted at the several public houses and received in a very hospitable manner.

"Loss of the Burhampatoor" The Illustrated London News October 1843
Among the many distressing casualties that have occurred at sea, within these few days we regret to record the total loss of the British-built ship Burhampooter, Captain C. G. Cowley, commander. About six o'clock on the morning of the 18th, she was driven from her anchor during the storm, on the rocks off the south-east portion of the town of Margate. The ship was 550 tons burthen, and stood in the class A1 at Lloyd's. She was the property of Captain Arthur, and was chartered by Carter and Bonus, the emigrant agents of Leaslenhall-street, for the conveyance of emigrants on the part of government to Port Phillip.

On the previous Monday she sailed from the London Docks, having on board ninety-four emigrants, besides the crew. They consisted of twenty-one women, forty-four children, and the rest men, chiefly belonging to the labouring class. The voyage to sea was as favourable as could be desired, and it was the intention of the captain to proceed on to Cork, for the purpose of receiving the remainder of the emigrants; but, bad weather threatening, she hove to on Tuesday night in the Margate Roads, and anchored, orders being given to make her as snug as possible. The ship rode the gale gallantly, and hopes were entertained that she would ride it out, when a fearful blast drove her from her anchorage, and she was instantly hurled by the currents on the chalk rocks, about half a mile distant from Margate town, between Clifton Baths and Kingston, the sea at the same time breaking over her decks.

All was confusion on board, and the shock being so great as to carry away her rudder, she was bilged, and as instantly filled. The decks were now crowded by the affrighted emigrants. The captain entreated them to place themselves under his command, when he would most assuredly promise them that they would all be saved. Fortunately, they obeyed his wish, and, in a short time, several Margate luggers came off and succeeded in taking every soul from off the ill-fated ship, and landing them safely. The poor emigrants were in a most deplorable state, being completely drenched, and in their night-clothes, the catastrophe having occurred after they had retired to rest. Carts having been procured, they were, without loss of time, conveyed to Margate, where they were billeted at the several public-houses. The above facts have been confirmed by letters from the captain to Carter and Bonus, who, immediately on knowing the fact, caused a messenger to be dispatched to Margate in order to conduct the emigrants back to London, where suitable accommodation has been provided them until the sailing of the next packet (the Royal Consul) on the 1st of November next.

The vessel lay about a quarter of a mile from the land, and some hopes were felt during Wednesday that she would be got off, being in an upright position; but the gale continuing during the whole of the night, on Thursday morning she was found on her beam ends. At low water, she was high and dry, full a quarter of a mile from the sea; and there was not a doubt among the pilots and other nautical men at Margate, that if she had not been a strong built ship, nothing could have saved her from going to pieces at the moment of striking, when all on board must have been lost. She was built at Sunderland in 1841. We regret to add that on Saturday she became a total wreck, and very little of her stores have been saved. Her loss and stores are estimated at £12,000; but she was insured.

The poor emigrants are the greatest sufferers, for they have lost nearly every article they possessed; but the contractors, Messrs. Carter and Bonus, have humanely undertaken to supply them at their own expense with bedding, and also things sufficient for their voyage in another ship. A subscription has also been opened for further supplying them with clothes and the necessary tools for their trades; without which aid they would most probably be landed in a distant country in comparative destitution. We perceive that these sufferers have been (?) from the funds of the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners' Benevolent Society an institution worthy of especial support from those who can enjoy "the luxury of doing good".

John opened a butcher shop in Stephen Street, now Exhibition Street, Melbourne and lived there for 6 years. More of the history of John Wilson can be found in the "The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H Edward and "Before You Came: by John Ryan.

From the Book The Diamond Valley Story by Dianne H Edwards 1979
page 23
Henry Foley also had a run on the Diamond Creek in closer proximity to Arthur's Creek in 1841, employing three men as stockmen. In 1845 he sold this run to John Wilson, founder of the notable pioneering family in the Valley. Wilson, his wife and seven children came from Langley in the County of Essex, England, on the Royal Consort in 1843 as bounty immigrants. He established a butcher's shop in Exhibition Street (then known as Stephen's Street) in the city; the business prospered and between 1843 and 1845 he held a small pastoral lease on the Plenty, grazing cattle, sheep and pigs on the property known as Nillumbik. In 1846 he moved to Diamond Creek and purchased Foley's lease, but resold to Alexander Falconer in 1847, establishing a carrying business between Melbourne and the homestations in the Diamond Valley.

Above the Nillumbik Lagoon, Wilson built a three roomed wattle and daub hut and a long causeway across the creek which was for more than a decade the winter crossing place between Melbourne and the stations farther east. John and his sons cleared the land, planted an orchard and crops, grazed cattle and pigs for the shop in Exhibition Street, established a slaughter yard and were later to open a butcher's shop in Diamond Creek. His grandson Charles Wilson recalls him talking of 'grubbing' the land (except for two red gum trees) and cropping it by growing oats. Wilson is listed in the 1852 return of livestock as having three hundred and fifty head of cattle and three hundred and sixty sheep. In 1851 Thomas Murray transferred his right and title in the station of Woodlands to John Wilson. Around the Wilson family grew up the township of Diamond Creek.

Page 116
In 1858 the Greensborough Road District was gazetted, but the Road Board did not become esbalished until 1863. This was the first attempt at local Goverment in this particular area and it's purpose was to guied and discipline contractors who repaired the roads, pursue defaulting ratepayers, enforce a few minor by-laws and act as a mouthpiece for the district. For eleven years Greensborough was the seat for the local municipal authority, which covered the Yarramat, Plenty, Diamond Creek and Greensborough are. The Board consisted of William Wilson (Chairman), Robert Whatmough and Jonah Britnell and they struggled to meet the urgent need for roads. Their activities were few, always restricted by lack of revenue and in 1874 a deputation from the Board requested annexation to the Shire of Heidelberg and the proposed annexation took place in January 1875. Greensborough and its environs would not realise for some time what their loss of independence as a local municipality would mean.

Greensborough was a township of artisans, small business and small farmers. They were freeholders and Methodists or Anglicans; humble men of small substance who had worked hard to establish their sense of identity with the district.

Diamond Creek
From the late 1840's, the settlement in Diamond Creek area was generally known as Wilson's, but subsequently it became Nillumbik. The latter name was recorded by Henry Arthur and passed by him to the first survey of the parish. The Government's temporary proclamation of the township in 1866 sanctioned the white man's name of Diamond Creek, which was then in popular use, and the official survey of the township named the streets to commemorate the pomp and ceremony of the state visit of His Royal Highness Prince Albert, Duge of Edinburgh, in November 1867.

page 116-118
The establishment of school and church preceded the Government subdivision catering to the goldfields' population. Methodism was strong in the area and church was first held in Phillip Cummings barn. A service was established by the Reverend H Hethershaw who was in charge of the Heidelberg Mission. Two early preachers who would not work their horses on Sunday, walked from Eltham to Nillumbik and on to Arthur's Creek The Anglican members of the community were periodically visited by the Reverend Francis Hales stationed at St John's Church, Heidelberg, who went on long bush journeys to the Upper Plenty, Kangaroo Ground and scattered holdings along the Diamond Creek. In 1856 worshippers travelled from Little Eltham, Kangaroo Ground and Diamond Creek by carriage or cart to heidelberg. In 1860, the area came under the jurisdiction of the Parish of Eltham and services were held in William Wilson's barn. The Angican church, which was constructed at Diamond Creek in 1870, had a church bell brought out from England and presented by Charles Orme.

further information is also available at
https://www.nillumbikhistory.org.au/pioneer-families-of-diamond-creek-district-wilson/

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) View title info Sat 6 Mar 1875 Page 8
Advertising
PROBATE of the LAST WILL and TESTAMENT of JOHN WILSON, late of Diamond Creek, in the colony
of Victorla, farmer, deceased, may be granted to his two sons, William Wilson, of Diamond Creek aforesaid, general storekeeper, and John Burgess Wilson, of Yarra-flats, in the said colony, dairyman, the executors named in and appointed by the said will Dated this fifth day of March 1875
MALLESON ENGLAND, and STEWART, 24 Queen street, Melbourne, proctors for the said William Wilson and John Burgess Wilson. ²³²⁴

John married Martha BURGESS [1322] [MRIN: 409], daughter of John BURGESS [1341] and Mary [—?—] [1340], on 13 Apr 1825 in Langley, Essex, England ²³²⁰.^,2321 (Martha BURGESS [1322] was born in 1800 in Furneax Pelham, Hertfordshire, England, christened on 11 Nov 1800 in Furneax Pelham, Hertfordshire, England, died on 26 Jan 1864 in Diamond Creek, Vic, Australia ²³²⁵ and was buried on 28 Jan 1864 in Nillumbik, Vic, Australia.)