Thomas Harris

M, #15002, b. 26 March 1840, d. 31 December 1885
Last Edited23 Dec 2012
Birth*Thomas Harris was born on 26 March 1840 at Bedworth, Warwickshire, England.1 
Marriage*He married Ann Chamberlain, daughter of Thomas Chamberlain and Martha Randle, on 18 October 1860 at Bedworth, Warwickshire, England.1 
Death*Thomas Harris died on 31 December 1885 at Pinjarra, Western AustraliaG, at age 45. 
Burial*He was buried at Pinjarra, Western AustraliaG.2 

Family

Ann Chamberlain b. 31 Oct 1843
Immigration*Thomas Harris immigrated on 24 June 1862 on the ship Mary Harrison.. 

Citations

  1. [S309] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, Butterworth Family Tree - Barry Butterworth.
  2. [S76] South West Cemeteries - Lorraine Larment, online unknown url.

Ann Chamberlain

F, #15003, b. 31 October 1843
Father*Thomas Chamberlain1 b. 11 Jun 1815, d. 26 Apr 1871
Mother*Martha Randle1 b. 12 Nov 1811, d. 3 Jan 1852
Last Edited18 May 2014
Birth*Ann Chamberlain was born on 31 October 1843 at Bedworth, Warwickshire, England.1 
She was the daughter of Thomas Chamberlain and Martha Randle.1 
Marriage*Ann Chamberlain married Thomas Harris on 18 October 1860 at Bedworth, Warwickshire, England.1 
Marriage*Ann Chamberlain married John Kynil McAtee on 15 June 1887 at Western Australia.2 

Family 1

Thomas Harris b. 26 Mar 1840, d. 31 Dec 1885

Family 2

John Kynil McAtee b. 29 Sep 1829, d. 28 Jul 1916
Immigration*Ann Chamberlain immigrated on 24 June 1862 on the ship Mary Harrison..2 

Citations

  1. [S309] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, Butterworth Family Tree - Barry Butterworth.
  2. [S55] Rica Ericson, Bic Dic Vols 1-4.

James Screaigh

M, #15006, b. 1833, d. 31 January 1899
Last Edited24 Feb 2022
Birth*James Screaigh was born in 1833 at Devon, EnglandG.1,2 
Marriage*He married Eliza Hayden, daughter of James Hayden and Mary Gresson, on 24 December 1857 at York, Western AustraliaG.2,3 
Death*James Screaigh died on 31 January 1899 at York, Western AustraliaG.4 

Family

Eliza Hayden b. 1 Jul 1842, d. 12 Aug 1933
Child
Convicted*James Screaigh was Convicted of larcony on 4 January 1848 at Exeter, Devon, England, and was sentenced to 7 yrs.5 
Name Variation James Screaigh was also known as James Screech.4 
Ticket of Leave*His Ticket of Leave was granted on 28 June 1851 at Perth, Western Australia.5 
Immigration*He immigrated on 28 June 1851 to Fremantle, Western Australia, on the ship Pyrenees. He was assigned Convict No. 614.4,5 
Expired*His sentence expired on 3 January 1856 at York, Western Australia.5 
Census_1859York*He and Eliza Hayden appeared on the 1859 York WA census of 31 December 1859 at York, Western AustraliaG,Issue with birth date of William being after the census?2 
Story*There are detailed links to web records concerning the life of James Screaigh on the FHWA Convict Website.6 
ConvictsConvicts
CensusYork Census 1859

Citations

  1. [S201] WA BDMs, online http://www.bdm.dotag.wa.gov.au
  2. [S345] Bradly family Tree in WA, online www.bradlyfamilytree.org, York Census.
  3. [S309] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, robsplace6.
  4. [S55] Rica Ericson, Bic Dic Vols 1-4.
  5. [S27] Rica Erickson and Gillian O'Mara, Convicts in WA 1850-1887 Dictionary of Western Australians Volume IX.
  6. [S667] WA Convicts, online waconvicts.fhwa.org.au.
  7. [S309] Ancestry.com, online www.ancestry.com, Russell Screaigh.

John Joyce

M, #15012, b. 1804, d. 26 January 1881
Last Edited11 Mar 2023
Birth*John Joyce was born in 1804 at Wiltshire, EnglandG.1 
Death*He died on 26 January 1881 at Perth, Western AustraliaG; reg: 10810.2,3 

Family

Child
Immigration*John Joyce immigrated on 14 May 1830 to Fremantle, Western AustraliaG, on the ship Rockingham..4 
Census*He appeared on the census of 1 July 1832 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; #995, 20, single, England, Wiltshire, Labourer, Rockingham, Levey.5 
Note*Indentured to Levey. Mentioned in the 1837 Census as a shepherd. His children John and Betsy arrived on the 'Success' in 1843. John died in 1881.1 
CensusWA Cenus 1832

Citations

  1. [S199] WA Family History, First Families.
  2. [S201] WA BDMs, online http://www.bdm.dotag.wa.gov.au
  3. [S436] East Perth Cemeteries, online eastpertcemeteries.com.au.
  4. [S55] Rica Ericson, Bic Dic Vols 1-4.
  5. [S127] Ian Berryman, A Colony Detailed.

Jane Read

F, #15013, b. 31 May 1831, d. 18 April 1861
Father*James Read b. c 1800, d. 26 Feb 1878
Mother*Ruth Hopkins b. c 1801, d. 15 Jul 1873
Last Edited11 Mar 2023
Birth*Jane Read was born on 31 May 1831 at Clarence, Western AustraliaG.1 
She was the daughter of James Read and Ruth Hopkins
Marriage*Jane Read married John Joyce, son of John Joyce, in 1857 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG
Death*Jane Read died on 18 April 1861 at Toodyay, Western AustraliaG, at age 29; Measles.2 
Burial*She was buried at Toodyay, Western AustraliaG.2 

Family

John Joyce b. 1827, d. 24 Oct 1883
Child
Census*Jane Read appeared on the census of 1 July 1832 at Fremantle, Western AustraliaG; #994, 2, single, West Australia, Clarence.3 
CensusWA Cenus 1832

Citations

  1. [S199] WA Family History, First Families.
  2. [S65] Burial Records, Cemeteries 2000.
  3. [S127] Ian Berryman, A Colony Detailed.

Sir James George Lee-Steere

M, #15024, b. 4 July 1830, d. 1 December 1903
Lee-Steeer JG
Last Edited8 Nov 2020
Birth*Sir James George Lee-Steere was born on 4 July 1830 at Surrey, England
Marriage*He married Catherine Ann Leake on 16 June 1859 at London, London, EnglandG
Death*Sir James George Lee-Steere died on 1 December 1903 at Perth, Western AustraliaG, at age 73; reg; 2416/1903.1,2 

Family

Catherine Ann Leake b. 6 Jul 1834, d. 6 Nov 1922
Child
Immigration*Sir James George Lee-Steere immigrated on 21 April 1860 on the ship Oryx.. 
Fame*He achieved Fame as MLC, MLA. First speaker of the WA Legislative Assembly..
Note*In England the Speaker is the first Commoner" in the land, so in an Australian colony the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly has, comparatively, equal official recognition. The representatives of the people chosen for this high office are generally men of importance, who possess the confidence of every party and section of the House. They worthily uphold the traditional dignity of ,first Commoner." For colonial Assemblies are more or less based on the principle of that noble pioneer of all parliaments, the House of Commons of the motherland. In Australia the Speaker sits in his official robes presiding over the deliberations of the legislature of a country which may some day be a nation. The members are sowing the seed of what all hope shall develop a Tree whose branches shall scatter in many climes. They do not always recognise how privileged is their position in tending and guiding the growth of an incipient nation. The first to hold this honourable office in the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia was the Hon. Sir James George Lee-Steere, li.B., J.P., whose name will be found prominent in our history as working energetically in the colony's interests. Although not a native of Western Australia, Sir James Lee-Steere has spent nearly the whole of his manhood in this colony, and his good works helped very materially in the development of its early political history. Sir James, almost since the day he first landed on these shores, has laboured untiringly for the small community of which he is a member, and his career will ever be niarked as prominent and honourable. James George Lee-Steere comes of a much-respected and well connected family in Surrey, England. He is the third son of the late Lee Steere, J.P., 1).L., and M.P., and was born in 1830, at Hale House, Ockley, Surrey.

His father was a leading magnate in Surrey and a large landed proprietor, a Justice of the Peace for both Surrey and Sussex, and in 1848 occupied the important office of Deputy Lieutenant and High Sheriff in his county. From 1870 to 1880 he represented West Surrey in the House of Commons. The groundings of Sir James Lee-Steere's education were imparted at a private school at Thames Ditton, of which Mr. Styles was principal. From thence lie went to the Clapham Grammar School, and it was the intention of his father to give him a University career. But the buy, like so many of his countrymen, desired to go to sea, and allowing him to have his own way, his parents procured him a position as midshipman on a vessel named the Sea Park, trading in the merchant service. He remained at sea for fifteen years, and during that period voyaged to many parts of the globe and acquired a wide experience in the various countries lie visited. The last four years of this portion of his career were passed as commander of the Devonshire, a well-known East Indianian, owned by the firm of Money Wigram and Co. In 1859 lie married Catherine Anne, the only daughter of the late Luke Leake, of Perth, and sister of Sir Luke Samuel Leake, M.L.C., of this colony. Early in 1860 Sir Janie-, and Lady Lee-Steere left England for Western Australia. They landed in April of that year, and then began that useful career which has since been so beneficial to this made valuable improvements on colony. Sir James first acquired a lease of 100,000 acres of land on the Blackwood River, in the southern ,part of the colony. Giving to it the name of Jayes Station, after his father's estate at home, lie there went to reside.

Then followed fairly quiet years spent in pastoral pursuits, with variable results. It was a strange transformation in life-from the adventurous nature of his preceding career and of his home on the old estate in Surrey. Too much stress cannot be placed on the value which the colonies have received from the settling here of men of such stamina and knowledge as Sir James Lee-Steere. Their earlier experiences are bound to prove of inestimable advantage to the young colonies, and with this and their capital they help very substantially in developing the latent resources of soil and woodland ; in short, all the resources the continent possesses. Sir James proved an enterprising settler, and his station . On the station were large numbers of blacks, and it was necessary to exercise tact and judgment to live among them peacefully, and secure their support in the working of the property. Every colonial experience was put to some use ; and by carefully acquiring a grasp of public affairs, lie was soon in a position to help in local government. The Governor and Executive Council of the day early paid him a compliment, for in the year of his taking up his residencei n Western Australiat hey conferred on him the dignity of Justice of the Peace. This office lie filled with conscientious dignity. Not one public movement was inaugurated but Sir James knew of it, and lie made a special study of the methods of government under the Crown colony regime. He thus became closely acquainted with the trend of public affairs,and it did not take him long to observe the objectionable features in the somewhat cumbersome and decidedly autocratic government. As the resources of the colony were better known by means of the several exploration parties which went into the interior in advance of settlers, he considered that a bright prosperity must soon dawn. But that era did not begin, perhaps, so early as he and his contemporaries anticipated, and it took many years for the outside world to discover what magnificent advantages for their enterprise were here offered.

This was what might be termed the preparative period of Sir James' colonial life, and lie was drifting towards politics. Firstly, he knew that agriculture must be encouraged to the utmost, and lie founded the first agricultural society established in his portion of the colony. He filled the position of honorary secretary of this body, and instilled into it that spirit which was so necessary to make it of
real value to the community. Then 1867 arrived, the year in which the Imperial Government had granted permission to colonists to nominate six members to the Legislative Council. These were in reality semi-elective nieuibers. Sir Janies was asked to stand for the Southern constituency, in which his estate was situated, and lie was duly chosen by a large majority. He entered the Legislative half, and took a very active part in the debates Luring the next two years lie was to the fore in all movements of a progressive nature which came before the Council. At the end of that period, in 1870, the constitution of the Legislative Council was recast, and provided for the election of two-thirds of the, members, one-third to be nominated by the Crown. The Council was dissolved, and
Sir James stood, and was elected, for the A`' ellingtou district, which embraced a portion of the old Southern district. On the first meeting of the Legislative Council lie was unanimously chosen leader of the elected members, which position lie held until elected Speaker. He worked ardently for the colony. His views had by this time become firmly established, and his large experience gave him all extended insight into local requirements. He gave much useful advice, and his speeches were listened to with respect.

Meanwhile lie watched over the interests of his large estate, which he vastly improved. His home, surrounded by his hundred thousand broad acres leased from the Crown, was, though secluded, an attractive one, and he became more and more West Australian at heart. Associations began to cling more closely to his life in Australia. It is so in nearly every ease. The young Britishers come to these lands intending to make only a temporary stay, but as they gradually drift into the peculiarities of Australian life and freedom, untrammelled by old world usages, encompasses them, the wish to return again to their native land becomes less and less marked, until at last, probably, it disappears altogether. This was the experience of Sir James although he still cherished sweet memories of his old home in England, and felt that while living in Australia lie was as much English as before. In 1880, when a fresh election took place for Sir James' constituency, after a stout and close contest his opponent, Mr. Venn, was elected by one vote. But the Governor and the Executive Council of the colony did not wish that lie should retire into private life, for they esteemed liis services as too valuable for that. He was almost immediately awarded a nominee seat in the Legislative Council, and matters went on very much as they did before. In 1884 lie had risen so much in public estimation that lie was appointed a member of the Executive Council.

In 1886 Sir Luke S. Leake, the Speaker of the Legislative Council, died while in England, and Sir James Lee_Steere was chosen to fill that honourable position. Previously in the same year lie was delegated by the Governor with the approval of the Secretary of State, representative for Western Australia at the Federal Council of Australasia. He attended the session of the Council in January and February of 1886, and other sessions in 1888 and 1889. In 1888 he had the dignity of Knight Bachelor conferred on hill) by Her Majesty. Continuing to take a great interest in all political matters, but precluded by his position of Speaker from entering the more active turmoil beneath the chair, the days arrived when agitation for Responsible Government became louder. Sir James' experience made hint give his adherence to this further constitutional change, as what follows will show. Some time previous to being chosen Speaker lie was the recognised leader of the elective members, and introduced several measures to the Legislative Council which were quashed by the power of veto, held by the Governor of the day, Sir William Robinson. Thus lie introduced into the Council, and succeeded in carrying, the Audit Act, which provided for the annual audit of public accounts by meii appointed by Government, and designed to prevent expenditure not authorised by Parliament. Sir William Robinson vetoed the bill, but shortly afterwards received instructions from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to have it reintroduced. This was done in the succeeding session, and the measure became law. Sir James introduced and carried all Abolition of Pensions Bill, which was also vetoed by the Governor, and has never since been reinstated. Taking the eastern colonies as an example, this last is apparently unfortunate. Then Sir James introduced a bill providing for the registration of dogs. He fought energetically for the measure and carried it through the Chamber, with the usual result-it was vetoed.

Next came a Fencing Bill, to compel, among other things, adjoining owners of land to each pay half the cost of dividing fences. This measure was uniform with Acts in force in other colonies. After Sir James carried it through the Council it was shelved by the Governor's veto. Mr. Throssel introduced a similar measure in the recent (1896) session of Parliament All these measures would have been of undoubted value to West Australia, yet Sir William Robinson was so autocratic that lie prevented them becoming law. It is no wonder then that Sir James Lee-Steere became an advocate for Responsible Government. In March, 1889, Sir James was again elected Speaker of the Legislative Council, and continued to hold the position until the final dissolution of that body, prior to the inauguration of the new Constitution. When lie resigned his position as a member of the Executive Council, in common with Sir John Forrest and Sir Malcolm Fraser, lie received permission from the Queen to retain the prefix Honourable to his name, and with them, also, was allowed to retain the uniform attached to his office. This permission gives these gentlemen precedence in all State functions next to the Executive of the day. Another high position which Sir James Lee-Steere most worthily held for some time was what is termed the Dormant Commission, by which, in the absence of the Governor or Acting Governor, he would have administered the government of the colony.

In 1890 the first elections under Responsible Government took place, and Sir James Lee-Steere offered himself to the suffrages of the Nelson electors. He was elected without opposition ; and at the second elections, in 1894, lie was again returned unopposed. When the new House of Assembly held their first meeting Sir James received the great compliment of being unanimously appointed to the position of first Speaker. This important and dignified office lie holds to this day-a conspicuous recognition of his public services and the respect in which he is held by the whole colony. As Speaker it can confidently be asserted that no more dignified and satisfactory gentleman could have been found. He presides over the deliberations of the Assembly with great tact, and shows favour to no man and no party. He is a master of parliamentary procedure, and therefore pilots the Assembly through every difficulty. Of the historic Federation Convention, held in Sydney in 1891, Sir James Lee-Steere was one of the delegates from Western Australia. Among the other positions which lie has held is that of governor of the High School. He is chairman of Trustees of the Public Library and Museum, and is a member of the Diocesan Council. He was for some years chairman of the Roads Boards at Nelson, and interested himself in all local affairs.

In 1889 Sir James and Lady Lee-Steere took up their residence in Perth. We have sought to show how, gradually, Sir James Lee-Steere rose in the political world of Western Australia. He thoroughly studied his environments, was observant and contemplative , and thus drifted into the political arena where lie felt he might be of some service to the country. That his career has been a successful one every reader will allow, and he may be reckoned among the leading men of Australia. A man of vigorous personality and determination , Sir James Lee-Steere has proved efficient in every walk of life he has entered . In 1897 Sir James was re-elected for Nelson . He attended the Adelaide Federation Convention.

"History of Western Australia 1897" in 1897. 
NotedPoliticians

Citations

  1. [S201] WA BDMs, online http://www.bdm.dotag.wa.gov.au
  2. [S389] Trove, online trove.nla.gov.au, APA citationTELEGRAMS WESTERN AUSTRALIA. (1903, December 5). Mount Magnet Miner and Lennonville Leader (WA : 1896 - 1926), p. 2. Retrieved February 18, 2016, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155853168
  3. [S35] Alison & Dinee Muir (1982), Forrest Family Pioneers of Western Australia 1842-1982.

Catherine Ann Leake

F, #15025, b. 6 July 1834, d. 6 November 1922
Last Edited23 Dec 2012
Birth*Catherine Ann Leake was born on 6 July 1834. 
Marriage*She married Sir James George Lee-Steere on 16 June 1859 at London, London, EnglandG
Death*Catherine Ann Leake died on 6 November 1922 at Perth, Western AustraliaG, at age 88.1 

Family

Sir James George Lee-Steere b. 4 Jul 1830, d. 1 Dec 1903
Child
Immigration*Catherine Ann Leake immigrated on 21 April 1860 on the ship Oryx..2 

Citations

  1. [S62] MCB, online mcb.wa.gov.au, Karrakatta.
  2. [S55] Rica Ericson, Bic Dic Vols 1-4.
  3. [S35] Alison & Dinee Muir (1982), Forrest Family Pioneers of Western Australia 1842-1982.

William Forrest

M, #15027, b. 5 November 1842, d. 12 April 1899
Father*William Forrest b. 19 Feb 1819, d. 7 Jun 1899
Mother*Margaret Guthrie Hill b. 1823, d. 15 Feb 1895
Last Edited6 Sep 2014
Birth*William Forrest was born on 5 November 1842 at At Sea; on the "Trusty." 
He was the son of William Forrest and Margaret Guthrie Hill
Marriage*William Forrest married Mary Ann Charlotte Fowler, daughter of John Fowler and Elizabeth Dicey, on 15 November 1864 at Bunbury, Western AustraliaG
Death*William Forrest died on 12 April 1899 at Dwalganup, Western Australia, at age 56. 
Burial*He was buried at Picton, Western Australia

Family

Mary Ann Charlotte Fowler b. 9 Nov 1843, d. 30 Jul 1929
Children
Immigration*William Forrest immigrated on 6 December 1842 on the ship Trusty..1 

Citations

  1. [S55] Rica Ericson, Bic Dic Vols 1-4.
  2. [S35] Alison & Dinee Muir (1982), Forrest Family Pioneers of Western Australia 1842-1982.

Mary Ann Charlotte Fowler

F, #15028, b. 9 November 1843, d. 30 July 1929
Father*John Fowler1 b. c 1816, d. 13 Feb 1902
Mother*Elizabeth Dicey1 b. c 1820, d. 2 Apr 1912
Last Edited6 Sep 2014
Birth*Mary Ann Charlotte Fowler was born on 9 November 1843 at Preston Park, Western Australia
She was the daughter of John Fowler and Elizabeth Dicey.1 
Marriage*Mary Ann Charlotte Fowler married William Forrest, son of William Forrest and Margaret Guthrie Hill, on 15 November 1864 at Bunbury, Western AustraliaG
Death*Mary Ann Charlotte Fowler died on 30 July 1929 at Dwalganup, Western Australia, at age 85. 
Burial*She was buried at Boyup Brook, Western Australia

Family

William Forrest b. 5 Nov 1842, d. 12 Apr 1899
Children

Citations

  1. [S55] Rica Ericson, Bic Dic Vols 1-4.
  2. [S35] Alison & Dinee Muir (1982), Forrest Family Pioneers of Western Australia 1842-1982.