In Search of a New Life in Victoria, Australia

 by Roberta McGee

James Neilson, a cartwright/joiner and his wife Jean McGuffie lived in Wigtownshire, Scotland and had a large family of at least nine children all born in Wigtownshire. Three of these children, John Gifford Neilson, Peter Neilson and Nicholas Neilson (who was female) all had close links with Old Cumnock and seemed to have adopted Cumnock as their home town. 

John Gifford Neilson was born in 1829 in Penninghame, Dumfries & Galloway, Wigtownshire. On the 1851 census we find him working as a farm labourer at Auchincross Farm, New Cumnock. We also find on the 1851 census for Whitehill Farm, New Cumnock, 17 years old house servant Margaret McMillan. Margaret was the daughter of an agricultural labourer John McMillan from Pathhead, New Cumnock. Auchincross and Whitehill were close to each other and this would be when John and Margaret would most likely meet each other. 

                                                          National Library of Scotland

They were both young and adventurous and 23rd December 1851 finds John and Margaret being married in South Shields, Durham, England, where John's brother Peter was living at that time. The following year, on 4th October 1852, they sailed into Geelong in Victoria, Australia on the emigrant ship 'Araminto' with the addition of their baby son James who had been born on board ship.

It was a nightmare journey for the passengers on the 'Araminto' . It had 365 emigrants on board, mostly Highlanders, when it left Liverpool for Geelong. Of these 365 passengers 27, including 2 babies, died of measles, dehydration or dysentry during the 103 day voyage. 

Gore’s Liverpool General Adviser 27/5/1852

Why would they choose to emigrate to Victoria, Australia? The date they sailed is significant. In July 1851 the Colony of Victoria was established with its own government within the British Empire. In that year too gold was discovered in Ballarat, Bendigo, Castlemaine and Buninyong and this sparked off Victoria's famous gold rush with thousands of prospectors arriving each week from all over the world to seek their fortunes. In an attempt to discourage the huge influx of gold miners a thirty shilling per month licence fee was imposed which was quite a hefty sum. Over the space of one year Bendigo was transformed from a sheep station into a bustling town of 40,000 people.

 John was an agricultural worker while in New Cumnock and in 1852 Victoria was desperate for experienced farm hands. Many farmers, or squatters as they were known, and farmhands had left their stations (a station was a ranch or farm) for the diggings so farming jobs were plentiful. On arrival steamers took prospective employers out to the ship and they would negotiate a reasonable wage. John was hired at £85 per annum to work at Woady Yallock, Cressy.  This was well above the going rate for farm workers. (Source: Victoria & Australia, Assisted & Unassisted Passenger Lists , 1839-1923)

 

With so many people converging on the area more food and provisions were required and stations diversified by changing over from sheep to cattle to feed the growing population. Later John secured employment at the Yarima Sheep Station, Cressy, eventually becoming manager and worked there for 50 years.  He died at Yarima on 3rd November 1906 about six weeks after his brother Peter who also lived near Cressy.

Trove - also Cumnock Connections - 1904 - 'Came to Yarima from Cumnock, Scotland'

Eleven months after John's death, on the owner Thomas Russell's instructions, there was a subdivisional sale by public auction of 7800 acres of the richest portions of the Yarima Sheep and Cattle Station 'comprising rich fattening land, extra choice dairy farm, superior wool-growing country and most perfect wheat areas now surveyed and sub-divided into lots to suit buyers of all classes.'

Yarima Station, Cressy - Image Western Families

                 John and Margaret had six sons and three daughters and MANY descendants

John Gifford Neilson and his extended family at Yarima in 1902
Image - Trove 

On 30th December 1856 John's brother Peter Neilson, accompanied by his wife Isabella and daughter Jane Ann, arrived in Australia. On the 1851 census for Westhoe, South Shields, England, Peter, a widower, and his five years old daughter Jane were lodging with mariner's widow Isabella Smith and her two daughters. He seems to have married Isabella Richardson sometime between 1851 and 1856, the year they emigrated. The family settled near Cressy and, like his brother John, he worked chiefly in farming and grazing. Peter died at his home there on 20th August 1906. Although Peter was born in Wigtown, Scotland, his obituary, like his brother, records that he was a native of Old Cumnock, Ayrshire.

Image Cumnock Connections - no source

Thomas Nelson was the third brother to emigrate to Victoria. Born in Wigtown he became a sailor and decided to settle in Cressy in 1865 where he married Eliza Ann Perkins in 1869. He was a stone dyker in Cressy and district including at Yarima where his brother John was manager and where Thomas worked for four years. He then grew barley at Mia Mia near Poomeet which he carted to Ballarat. He moved to Donald, an agricultural region known for its wheat, barley and lamb production. Drought forced the family to move back to Cressy where Thomas began working on the roads. Thomas died in Colac, Victoria in 1918, leaving widow Eliza, five sons, four daughters and thirty three grandchildren. He is buried in Cressy Cemetery. ( Source: Western Distict Families, Victoria, Australia.)

Back in Cumnock John, Peter and Thomas had a sister, Nicholas Neilson, who was born in Wigtown in 1826. She married Nicholas Dorrance in 1845 in Wigtown and they moved to Old Cumnock. It must have been confusing when both had the Christian name of Nicholas. Husband Nicholas was a labourer at times but mostly a pedlar. In 1851 they lived at Little Dykes, Old Cumnock, then they moved to Benston Lime Kilns, Old Cumnock and finally settled in Townhead Street, Cumnock. 

Robert Dorrance was their oldest son. He was a ploughman at Barshare farm in Cumnock and married Jane Gilmour in 1872 in Ochiltree. Their daughter Elizabeth was born in April 1874 at Townhead, Cumnock but sadly, three weeks later in May 1874, died of smallpox. Robert's sister Jane's one year old child Jane Dorrance, who also lived in Townhead, had died of the same virus, described on her death certificate as 'variola', on 2nd April one month previously. Tragedy struck Robert again when his wife Jane died on 4th June 1874. She had had phthisis (TB) for six weeks and was only 22 years old. 

Understandably Robert decided to leave Cumnock behind him and emigrate to Victoria, Australia where his three uncles had made new lives for themselves. He soon found employment on farms in the Ballarat area. He returned to Cumnock in 1925 to visit his sister Mary Breckney who lived in Pottery Row, Cumnock. Robert returned to Australia and died in 1929 at Lismorl, Victoria. He doesn't appear to have married again.  

Cumnock Chronicle 1925

Image Victoria Maps & Facts - World Atlas

James Muir family: from Cumnock Manse to Alexandria, Virginia

Rev James Muir

The Reverend James Muir, would go from was being one of at least 6 children born in the Manse of the Old Cumnock Parish Church to the Rev George Muir and Isabel (Tibbie) Muir, to become a well-known minister in Virginia in the United States, associated with several key figures in US history, including George Washington.

The Rev George Muir, James' father, was born in the village of Spott, in East Lothian, in 1724.  He had intended to enter into the legal profession, but after attending the famous revival in the Cambusland region in the summer of 1742, he felt a call to the ministry. He became ordained on the 30th of November 1752, becoming the minister for the Cumnock Parish church (now called the Old Church).  On 12 September 1753, George married Isabel (Tibbie) Wardlaw, who was born in Dunfermline. 

George served for 14 years in Cumnock before accepting a call to serve the High Church in Paisley. He passed away while serving in Paisley. He had an accident that injured his foot, which led to an infection, eventually he became unable to walk and was carried into the church on a sedan chair and would preach from a specially made elevated seat. After suffering for a time, his doctor felt that the best choice was to amputate, the operation appeared to be a success, but the following night as he slept an artery burst and he passed away on 20 July 1771. 

To quote from the Cumnock Chronicles article about him, "Of the work of Muir in Cumnock and the spirit he showed in carrying it on, we happen to know more than of the work and spirit of any other of this time. The session records testify that after his settlement, new life came into the Church and new methods were adopted for the progress of religion in the parish. The sin of drunkenness begins now to be frequently referred to, and the ordinary discipline of the Church, apparently long in desuetude for this sin, revived. But the sessional discipline was only part of the effort of the Church to redeem guilty persons from insobriety. The private dealing of the minister, of which we can read between the lines of the formal minutes, would go far to win offenders back, and would be a work into which Mr Muir would throw himself with all the earnestness of his faithful spirit."

Grave of James Muir

Of the children of George and Isabel, the most famous, or at least most written about, was the Rev James Muir. He was born in the manse in Cumnock on the 12th of April, 1757. Just like his father he had planned to go into law, but (to quote from his biographer William Buel Sprague) "under the preaching of his excellent father, his mind became deeply impressed with the importance of eternal things." And so "his thoughts, which had previously been directed to the profession of the Law, were now fixed upon the Christian ministry."

After studying in Glasgow and Edinburgh, he traveled to London to further study under his cousin Rev Henry Hunter, where it is possible he also began preaching in one of Lady Glenorchie's chapels. 

Sometime around 1781 he was ordained as an evangelist to Bermuda. While in Bermuda he became the principal of an academy, and became the acting pastor for Christ Church in Warwick, Bermuda. In Warwick he met Elizabeth Wellman, who was from "one of (Bermuda's) most respectable families." They were married on 29 February, 1783.  After serving for eight years in Bermuda, the Muir family intended to move back to Scotland, but due to bad weather their ship had to sail for the United States instead, where they would end up settling.

In 1789, James accepted a call to serve as minister at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria, Virginia, where he would serve for 31 years until his death in 1820. To quote from an Old Presbyterian Meeting House site "Rev. Muir’s influence extended far beyond the confines of the pulpit. As a leader in his community, he demonstrated compassion by spearheading Alexandria’s Poor Relief Committee, ensuring the welfare of those in need. Muir held the role of Chaplain at Lodge No. 22, the very lodge (George) Washington belonged to." And "recognizing the transformative power of education, Rev. Muir took on the role of the president of the Alexandria Academy [founded in 1785 with an enodowment from George Washington]. This commitment to nurturing young minds and advancing knowledge underscored his dedication to progress and intellectual growth. His influence in shaping the minds of future generations continues to echo through time, reminding us of the enduring impact of dedicated educators."

As for his preaching, many wrote he was a powerful preacher, however apparently his Scottish accent was so strong that it was felt he would never be an overly popular one. But he was certainly respected for what he did say. I like the quote of one United States Senator, who after having listened to one of Muir's sermons, remarked that he was "a short man, of short sermons, of short sentences."

A close family friend was Rev John Witherspoon, president of the College of New Jersey (later to become Princeton University) and a signer of the Declaration of Indepence. It was probably in part due to Witherspoon's backing that Muir was awarded an honorary degree of Doctorate of Divinity from Yale University in 1791.

As for children, Sprague records: "They had had seven children ; but, at the time of his death, only four were living, —one son and three daughters. The son Samuel was, for some years, a post surgeon in the United States army, stationed on the South-western frontier. He had, however, resigned his commission, and, having married a daughter of one of the chiefs of the Sacs or Fox tribe of Indians [now called the Sauk and the Meskwaki tribes], was, for several years, regarded as one of the greatest men of the nation. About three years before his death, he had settled in an extensive medical practice at Galena,  and, during, the Black Hawk war, when the cholera broke out in our army under General Scott, with such terrible violence, he boldly went out, as a volunteer, to endeavour to stay its ravages. But, after saving the lives of many in the army, he was attacked by the disease himself, and in twentyfour hours was numbered among its victims. He was educated at Edinburgh, was a highly accomplished man, and a skilful physician."

His daughters, are listed on this linked site as Jane, Mary, and Elizabeth, and are thought to have remained unmarried, devoting themselves to teaching in the Sunday school set up by their father. 

The Ayr Bank Crash

 by Roberta McGee

Douglas, Heron & Company was a Scottish Bank with its Head Offices in Ayr. Also known as the Ayr Bank it had a small branch in Glaisnock Street, Old Cumnock. The bank opened in 1769 and folded in 1772, reopening briefly between September 1772 and August 1773, but on 12th August 1773 it was dissolved. 

The 1760s in Scotland brought many improvements to agriculture and manufacturing. More investment was required and credit was becoming harder to get. The two main Scottish banks. the Bank of Scotland and the Royal Bank of Scotland, were unwilling to make large advances so Douglas, Heron & Company stepped into the void to increase the supply of credit. 

Many of the 131 original partners were substantial landowners based in the south-west of Scotland. This made the Company seem very secure because the deposits were backed by the partners' lands as collateral. However, there were problems from the start. When the Ayr Bank was formed the nominal capital of the Company was £159,000 of which £96,000 was immediately subscribed. However, no more that 80% of the capital was ever subscribed. In addition, there was a lack of central control with each Branch acting independently of Head Office and having their own Board of Directors. 

None of the partners had much practical banking experience nor were they protected by limited liability. They had a rather cavalier attitude to lending and loans were handed out in abundance. Six months later they discovered that a great deal of money had flowed out and very little had been taken in. The Bank had granted many loans to favoured customers and issued bank notes to cover its position. It became akin to an Old Boys' Club. By June 1772 it had issued £1.2 million through advances and bills of exchange accounting for two thirds of Scotland's currency. The Bank relied on credit from the London bank Neal, James, Fordyce and Down which collapsed during the crisis of 1772. 

Heavily in debt and unable to meet demands for cash on its banknotes, the Ayr Bank closed on 25th June 1772. The Bank briefly reopened for a year but was eventually dissolved permanently. It took at least twenty years to be wound up. The collapse had a significant impact on Scottish landowning families, some of whom were forced to sell their lands to cover their debts. Those who could not cover their debts faced prison.

'The essential errors of the Ayr Bank were trading beyond their means; divided control by permitting branches to act independently; forcing the circulation of their notes; giving credit too easily; ignorance of the principles of business; and carelessness or iniquity of officers.

(Source: History of Banking in Scotland - William Kerr)

After its failure one of the observations during the inquest was that 'much of this credit was diverted into foreign trade, speculation in West Indian land, and expensive houses in Edinburgh rather than being invested in agriculture, manufactures etc.'

(Source: Precipitation and Fall of Messrs. Douglas, Heron & Co. Report, 1778)

Two local men who were forced into bankruptcy because of the failure of the Ayr Bank were John Mitchell of Sunnyside of Wallacetoun, who was sequestrated on 9th March 1774 and Alexander Mitchell of Hallglenmuir, who was named as Factor in John Mitchell's sequestration notice. Whether John Mitchell and Alexander Mitchell were related is uncertain.

The London Gazette 12/3/1774 

A few years later Alexander Mitchell himself suffered bankruptcy. His relative, Robert Boswell, Writer to the Signet, attempted to borrow money to aid Hallglenmuir. 

'Mr Robert Boswell to try if £1000 can be borrowed by me to relieve Hallglenmuir. (Alexander Mitchell of Hallglenmuir, a kinsman, was ruined in the failure of the Douglas, Heron Bank)'

Source: Catalogue of the Papers of James Boswell at Yale University - Vol. 2

'Alexander Mitchell (died between 1780 & 1795) was owner of the Estate of Hallglenmuir in Auchinleck Parish. The lands were sold to Hugh Logan of Logan c1775-1779 and Mitchell went abroad to escape his creditors in 1780. On a letter from Mitchell dated 18/5/1780 and written aboard the ship on which he was fleeing the country James Boswell wrote N.B. - he died abroad"

Source: The General Correspondence of James Boswell 1766-1769

Hugh Logan of Logan was also a victim of the Ayr Bank crash and had to sell off property including Logan House.

So where did Alexander Mitchell abscond to?

His parent were John Mitchell and Elizabeth Boswell, sister of John of Knockroon. One of Elizabeth's brothers was Charles Boswell. Charles emigrated to Jamaica about 1745 and was the resident attorney to the very wealthy Dawkins family of sugar planters. He was also attorney for the Worcester and Roundhill Plantations of William Hall from 1775 to 1793.

Perhaps Alexander Mitchell joined his uncle in Jamaica.

Charles, who was married, died in 1796 at St James, Montego Bay, Jamaica. He was 77 years old and had lived in Jamaica for fifty years.

An interesting entry in Cumnock Kirk Sessions

Cumnock History Group

Dr Patrick Douglas of Garrallan was another investor in Douglas, Heron & Co. and he faced potential ruin when it collapsed. He managed to hold on to both his Ayrshire and Jamaican properties through the expertise of the banker John Ballantine who helped him avoid financial ruin.

Patrick had extensive trading links with Virginia and Jamaica. His younger brother William Douglas had emigrated to Virginia about 1750 and owned the plantations of Garrallan, which lay along the Potomac River, and Montressor, both in Loudoun County, Virginia. These were probably tobacco plantations relying heavily on enslaved labour. When the British colonists arrived in Virginia they divided the land into large areas suitable for farming. The land was often taken from the Indians through cancelled treaties or violence. In 1782 William Douglas died a very wealthy man in Virginia. In his Will he left "the Negro wench Molly" her freedom. 

When the American War of Independence (1775-1783) interrupted his business in Virginia Patrick expanded his interests in Jamaica.

Another young brother, Charles Douglas, had left Scotland as a young man to become the resident manager of their Jamaican estates a few miles inland of Port Antonio. Between 1777 and 1799 they had several properties. The main property was Ayr Mount, a sugar plantation, whose mansion house was Springbank, a smaller one for animals called Nightingale Grove and Finches, which was 160 acres. Charles was also attorney to other plantations. 

1786 was Robert Burns's annus horribilis. He was short of money because Mossgiel farm was so unproductive and he and his brother Gilbert were barely scraping a living. His girlfriend Jean Armour was pregnant and her angry father, who was opposed to his daughter marrying a poor farmer, was looking for a financial settlement. So his way of dealing with his troubles was to embark on an affair with Highland Mary Campbell and to make his escape to Jamaica. 

John Ballantine was a patron of Rabbie's and was also a good friend of Patrick Douglas. He asked Patrick if his brother Charles in Jamaica might have a position for Rabbie. He did - as a book-keeper. However, a book-keeper on the plantation did not work with a pen and ink, he worked with a whip and dogs. Rabbie's job would have been to oversee the slaves. Whether he was aware of this or not is uncertain. Three times he was booked to sail to Jamaica but could not raise the nine guineas to pay for the fare so Gavin Hamilton suggested he try and sell his poems to raise the money. Rabbie took his advice and his book "Poems, Briefly in the Scottish Dialect", commonly known as the Kilmarnock Edition, became an overnight success. 

Jean Armour gave birth to their twins in September 1786 and they decided to remain together. Rabbie's plans to go to Jamaica were abandoned and an orphan boy, known to the Douglas family, went in his place.

When Charles Douglas died at Springbank, Ayr Mount, Port Antonio, Jamaica in 1815 he left his Jamaican properties to his brother Patrick's daughter, his niece, Jean Douglas who had married Hamilton Boswell in 1807. Hamilton's father was John Boswell of Knockroon who sold his property to James Boswell of Auchinleck on the failure of Douglas, Heron & Co. When Jean and Hamilton married it was written into their marriage contract that he must take the name 'Douglas' so he became Hamilton Douglas Boswell.