William Gerrand

1819 - about 1860  (40 years)

• Name	William Gerrand
  Birth	8 December 1819	Kells , Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland   [1, 2, 3]
  Christening	28 December 1819	Old Glenlee   [4]
  Gender	Male
  Burial	May 1860	Newbridge, Victoria, Australia
  Death	about 7 May 1860	Loddon River, Newbridge, Victoria, Australia   [5]
  Notes	1851 Scotland census: http://www.dumgal.gov.uk/historicalindexes/census.aspx Name: GERRAND , William Address: Crofts Mansion House(874) Parish: Kirkpatrick Durham Relationship: household of Thomas McQueen Marital Status: unmarried Occupation: SERVANT general Age: 30 Born: born Kells Kbt Household No: 5/29 Name: GRIERSON , James Address: Crofts Mansion House(874) Parish: Kirkpatrick Durham Relationship: household of Thomas McQueen Marital Status: unmarried Occupation: LABOURER farm Age: 19 Born: born Mouswald Dms Household No: 5/29 Name: McQUEEN , Agnes Address: Crofts Mansion House(874) Parish: Kirkpatrick Durham Relationship: daughter of Thomas McQueen Marital Status: Occupation: SCHOLAR Age: 11 Born: born Dalry Kbt Household No: 5/29 Name: McQUEEN , Catherine Address: Crofts Mansion House(874) Parish: Kirkpatrick Durham Relationship: daughter of Thomas McQueen Marital Status: Occupation: SCHOLAR Age: 6 Born: born Dalry Kbt Household No: 5/29 Name: McQUEEN , James Address: Crofts Mansion House(874) Parish: Kirkpatrick Durham Relationship: son of Thomas McQueen Marital Status: Occupation: SCHOLAR Age: 4 Born: born Dalry Kbt Household No: 5/29 Name: McQUEEN , Jane Address: Crofts Mansion House(874) Parish: Kirkpatrick Durham Relationship: daughter of Thomas McQueen Marital Status: Occupation: SCHOLAR Age: 14 Born: born Dalry Kbt Household No: 5/29 Name: McQUEEN , John Address: Crofts Mansion House(874) Parish: Kirkpatrick Durham Relationship: son of Thomas McQueen Marital Status: Occupation: Age: 1 Born: born Dalry Kbt Household No: 5/29 Name: McQUEEN , Mary Address: Crofts Mansion House(874) Parish: Kirkpatrick Durham Relationship: wife of Thomas McQueen Marital Status: married Occupation: Age: 38 Born: born Dalry Kbt Household No: 5/29 Name: McQUEEN , Mary Address: Crofts Mansion House(874) Parish: Kirkpatrick Durham Relationship: daughter of Thomas McQueen Marital Status: Occupation: SCHOLAR Age: 9 Born: born Dalry Kbt Household No: 5/29 Name: McQUEEN , Thomas Address: Crofts Mansion House(874) Parish: Kirkpatrick Durham Relationship: head of household Marital Status: married Occupation: LANDED PROPRIETOR farming 1000 arable 10000 moor emp 40 labs Age: 50 Born: born Dunscore Dms Household No: 5/29 Name: MUNRO , Lillias Address: Crofts Mansion House(874) Parish: Kirkpatrick Durham Relationship: household of Thomas McQueen Marital Status: unmarried Occupation: MAID nursery Age: 28 Born: born Kells Kbt Household No: 5/29 Name: ROBSON , Janet Address: Crofts Mansion House(874) Parish: Kirkpatrick Durham Relationship: household of Thomas McQueen Marital Status: unmarried Occupation: MAID dairy Age: 25 Born: born Glencairn Dms Household No: 5/29 Name: TAIT , Agnes Address: Crofts Mansion House(874) Parish: Kirkpatrick Durham Relationship: household of Thomas McQueen Marital Status: unmarried Occupation: MAID house Age: 33 Born: born Balmaclellan Kb Household No: 5/29 Acknowledgement: Information on the Gerrand family obtained December 2006 from Jessie May Treloar ====================================================================== William (b: 1819), his wife, Jane/Jean RODDAN, their four eldest children and Mary RODDAN emigrated together on the "Queen of the East", arriving at Melbourne February 1858. William's parents (William and Margaret) then seem to have arrived in 1860, as their death certificates state the number of years resident in Australia. Their fifth child, Robert, who had emigrated in 1852, married Mary RODDAN in April 1860, so I wonder if the parents arrived just prior to the marriage. [Gerrand family history from Jessie May Treloar (2007): Robert arrived in Australia in 1852 and initially worked on sheep stations, shearing sheep. As soon as he had earned enough money he purchased gold mining equipment and made his way (with his brother, John) to the goldfields. After some time mining for gold they appear to have decided that there was better money to be made carting supplies to the goldfields and transporting gold to Melbourne. In 1858 Robert's older brother, William and his wife, Jane Roddan came to Australia, along with their children and Jane's sister, Mary. In about 1860 Robert's father and mother also came to Australia. The rest of Robert's brothers and sisters also seem to have moved to Australia, except perhaps for one sister, who may have died before William and Margaret emigrated. It seems that probably shortly after William and Margaret arrived Robert married Mary Roddan and established himself as a farmer. Robert and Mary had nine children.] Unfortunately William (b: 1819) met with a sad end shortly after the marriage of his brother. The 1851 Census for Kirkpatrick Durham, Kirkcudbright, says a William GERRAND, aged 20, born at Kells, Kirkcudbright, was employed as a general servant at "Crofts Mansion House," household of Thomas McQueen 50, Head, landed prospector and farmer of 1000 acres, employing 40 shepherds and labourers. William, Jane and the four eldest children, accompanied Mary Roddan (future wife of William's brother, Robert) on the ship, "Queen of the East", arriving in Australia on the 8th February 1858. Sadly, William was drowned in the Loddon River at Newbridge, Victoria, just over two years later. It would appear he may have drowned about four weeks after attending the marriage of his brother, Robert and Mary Roddan, as one of the marriage witnesses is William Gerrand. A search at the Public Record Office of Victoria (PROV) produced a report of a Coroner's Inquest, held on 15 May 1860, into William's death. Depositions were taken from three witnesses - two miners and a doctor and the hearing was held before twelve jurors. The finding was as follows: "We find the deceased William Gerrard (sic) was found drowned in the river Loddon near Newbridge on the 14th day of May 1860 death was caused by asphyxia but we have no evidence to prove how caused." I believe it was usual, at that time, to hold an Inquest within a day or two of the death but one wonders how a thorough investigation could have been carried out in such a short period of time. In this instance it would seem very little investigation was done, apart from taking statements from (1) the person employed to drag the river to locate William's body, (2) the person who last saw William alive and (3) the doctor who examined the body. The statements are as follows (deciphered to the best of my ability): (1) Charles John Patterson:- I am a miner and reside at Inglewood. I was employed by deceased's brother to drag the river Loddon to recover the body of William Gerrard. After three days I found the body near Cotters sheepwash. The body was in the middle of the river on the bottom. I then towed the body ashore and sent one of the men with me to inform deceased's brother. There was about twenty feet of water where the body was found. (2) George Plummer:- I am a miner and reside at Inglewood. I remember Monday the 7th of May - I was at Inglewood. I was in company with the deceased William Gerrard. We were both riding proceeding to Newbridge from Inglewood as I had a cow to release from Newbridge pound. We left Inglewood between 7 and 8PM. I came as far as Sandy Creek washing place and he turned into the bush. I did not see deceased again alive after that deceased was under the influence of drink. I followed him into the bush but could not find him deceased rode very hard and I requested him to ride slowly. I then returned to Inglewood as I did not know the road to Newbridge. (3) Spiridion Candiollis (maybe Candiotis):- I am a legally qualified medical practioner (sic) residing at Inglewood. I have examined the body of the deceased William Garrard there is no external marks of violence. I have made a postmortem examination. I found the lungs highly congested, a great quantity of water in the chest and stomach, the right ventricle of the heart was full with blood, the stomach contained a small quantity of undigested food, the cause of death was an asphyxia caused by submersion in water. The casing membrane of the stomach was natural and I could not detect any spirits in the fluid contained therein. A report from a Detective Slattery further states that an amount of £100 was found on William when his body was taken from the river. The detective also says William was seen to cross the Loddon a little down from where the body was recovered. The horse tracks were followed up and traced to the bank within a few yards of where the body was found and from where the horse was seen to come. Even though the detective was aware of these facts he didn't think there had been any foul play. There seems to be a number of inconsistencies in the statements and reports. Firstly, the Inquest initially seems to have been held the day after the drowning, judging by the dates quoted. However, the statement by George Plummer says the day of the drowning was the 7th May. Secondly, William "was seen to cross the Loddon a little down from where the body was found." It would seem strange that the body was then found upstream. To add to the above, a search of the "Gisborne Express" newspapers provided the following two articles: Tuesday, May 15th, 1860 LOCAL INTELLIGENCE DISTRESSING OCCURRENCE - It is our painful duty to chronicle the following melanchola event, which has plunged a large family circle in the deepest sorrow. It appears that Mr Gerrand, a highly respected farmer, residing near Gisborne, was out on horseback collecting debts. Nothing was heard of him for some days, when a telegram was received by his friends, stating that his horse was found drowned in the Loddon river. Diligent search was instituted for the rider, but no trace of him could be discovered, and it is supposed that he must have been drowned at the same time. The fact of the horse being found saddled, but without the bridle, would seem to favour this conclusion, as the drowning man would instinctively cling to it with a death-grip, and tear it by sheer force from the horse's head. But faint hopes are now entertained of finding the unfortunate gentleman; and what renders the occurrence still more distressing, he has left a wife and young family to mourn his loss. Tuesday, May 22nd, 1860 LOCAL INTELLIGENCE DEATH OF MR GERRAND - We are now enabled to lay before our readers the full particulars relative to the melancholy end of Mr Gerrand. It appears that on Monday the 7th inst. he went to Inglewood on horseback, transacted his business, and started to return to Newbridge, where he resided, at half past seven in the evening. It was a beautiful moonlight night, but by mistake he took the road to Sandy Creek. He was seen by the men at the washing-place, where the pumping engine is erected, and was warned off the dam by the miners. It is reported that he came again and attempted to swim his horse across. He was next seen coming at full gallop out of the bush to the bank of the river, when the horse 'propped' on the bank and would not carry him in. He then attempted to cross a few hundred yards further down the stream, at a very rough place, but was told to go further down. He went further down and succeeded in crossing at a rocky but shallow place , without holes. While on the Inglewood side of the river he would speak to no one, but when he crossed and was clear of everybody, he called out 'Good bye.' About ten o'clock the same night, as the men at the pumping engine were about to retire to rest, they heard a horse plunging and snorting in the river. They went out and saw the horse, but without a rider. They attempted to get the horse out, and for that purpose tied his fore feet together, when he slipped from them and swam to the other side, where they secured him. Two boats and a number of men were employed to drag the river, but it was not until the afternoon of Monday the 14th inst. that the body of the unfortunate man was found. His money was found on his person, so that there can be no suspicion of foul play; but why he should attempt to re-cross the Loddon will for ever remain a mystery. An inquest was held on the body by Dr Quinlan, and a post mortem examination was made by Dr Candiotis, when a verdict of 'Found drowned' was returned. He leaves a wife and four young children to mourn his loss. The statement, above, that William was residing near Gisborne would not appear to be correct, as Gisborne is probably about 150 kilometres from Newbridge. However, it would seem that, at the time, his brothers, Robert and John were living at Gisborne and possibly another brother, James. The real facts of William's drowning will never be known but, in the light of the gold fever era and the variety of "characters", including ex-convicts, moving around the district, it's not hard to imagine foul play may have contributed to his death. ======================================================================
  Person ID	I3113	Houliston Family Tree
  Last Modified	10 December 2006

  
  

  Father	William Gerrand,   b. 14 January 1796, Barr by Girvan, Ayrshire, Scotland d. 12 April 1866, Spring Hill, Nr Creswick, Victoria, Australia (Age 70 years)
  Mother	Margaret Ferguson,   b. 8 July 1794, New Galloway, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland d. 28 September 1876, Girgarre East, Victoria, Australia (Age 82 years)
  Marriage	11 February 1819	New Galloway, Kells, Kirkcudbright, Scotland   [6]
  Family ID	F1315	Family Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family/Spouse	Jane (Jean) Roddan,   b. 25 January 1829, Urr , Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland d. 6 June 1909, "Norfolk", Newbridge, Victoria, Australia (Age 80 years)
  Marriage	11 April 1851	Kirklebride, Kirkpatrick, Kirkcudbright, Scotland   [2, 7]
  Notes	1851 census was on evening of 30 March 1851 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WILLIAM GERRAND Male Family -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Event(s): Birth: Christening: Death: Burial: -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Marriages: Spouse: JANE RODDAN Family Marriage: 11 APR 1851 Kirklebride,Kirkpatrick, , Kirkcudbright, Scotland -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Messages: Form submitted by a member of the LDS Church. The form lists the submitter's name and address and may include source information. The address may be outdated. Details vary. To find the form, you must know the batch and sheet number. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Source Information: Batch Number: 8411031 Sheet: 29 Source Call No.: 1395767 Type: Film --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Children	+ 1. Mary Gerrand,   b. 5 January 1852, Nethertown, Dunscore, Dumfriesshire, Scotland d. 1 June 1932, Sydney, NSW, Australia (Age 80 years)   2. William Gerrand,   b. 22 November 1853, Nethertown, Dunscore, Dumfries, Scotland d. 15 April 1901, Tarnagulla, Victoria, Australia (Age 47 years)   3. David Roddan Gerrand,   b. 30 August 1855, Dunscore, Dumfries, Scotland d. 15 October 1891, Bridgewater, Victoria, Australia (Age 36 years)   4. Margaret Gerrand,   b. 23 June 1857, Nethertown, Dunscore, Dumfriesshire, Scotland d. 11 November 1900, Kaikoura, New Zealand (Age 43 years)   5. Janet Gerrand,   b. 12 July 1859, Newbridge, Victoria, Australia d. 20 January 1860, Newbridge, Victoria, Australia (Age 0 years)   6. Hamilton Grace Jane Gerrand,   b. 5 January 1861, Newbridge, Victoria, Australia d. 2 January 1938 (Age 76 years)
  Family ID	F987	Family Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Sources

  [S2] VicGold Genealogy Database. [S3] Gerrand, Errol, Gerrand, Errol. [S4] Elizabeth Maxwell, Dumfries & Galloway Family History Society. [S5] Gerrand, Ken (New Zealand), Gerrand, Ken New Zealand. [S6] Death Inquest, Copy of Inquest into the death of William Gerrand by drowning. [S125] Certified copy of Marriage Record, OPR Register, Parish of Kells, Kirkcudbright, Scotland. [S24] Rackham, Margaret.