Friday, October 30, 2015

John Wells & Jane

http://wellsfamilyarchives.blogspot.com.au


Our Wells family has been researched back to 1625, thanks to Andrew Wells.

John Wells (born 1625) married Jane (born 1629).  They had 2 children - Ann born 1657 and John born 1655 and died 1700.  John Wells married Elizabeth Pepper (born 1659), in 1680.

John Wells and Elizabeth Pepper had 2 children - John Wells (born 1681) and Edward Wells (1685-1767). More about John to follow, but meanwhile some detail about Edward Wells and his Will. 

Edward Wells died 1767 in Wardley, Rutland. He married Joan who died 9 April 1756 and buried 12 April 1756. 

The Will of Edward Wells, a Cooper, dated 1760 (proved 1768), distributes what amounts to a decent estate between John and his brothers, Miles, Thomas and Benjamin and his sisters Elizabeth and Catherine.
John received the house he was occupying in Dingley (from which estate Elizabeth received 40 Pounds for 2 years, and Miles, a tallow chandler in London, received 10 Pounds for a year.
Thomas received land in the parish of Stoke Albany (from which estate Catherine got 10 Pound for a year) and all the household goods, chattels, and any other property.
Benjamin got some other land in Dingley (which was to revert back to the heirs of Edward in the event Benjamin had no heirs).

John Wells (1681) married Elizabeth (born 1684) and they had 6 children - Miles, Thomas, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Catherine and John Wells (1716 - 1790) who married Alice Parker (1719-1793) in 1743 in Oxendon, Northamptonshire.

John Wells and Alice Parker had 5 children - Alice (1744), Elizabeth (1744-1755), Jane (1750-1767), Catherine (1755-?), John Wells (1746-1815).

John Wells (1746-1815) married Ann Kirby (1761-1841) in 1786.  They had 7 children - John (1788), Thomas (1790), Edward (1795-1822), Ann (1798), Mary (1801), Miles (1799) who married Lyndia Smith in 1823, and William (1792-1875) who married Ann York (1793-1870). 

John Wells (1716-1790) and his son John Wells (1746-1815) had a well-documented history. John Wells Snr. trained as a Cooper and married a widow, Alice Parker at Oxendon in 1743.
When John Wells Jnr. was 15, he took up an apprendiceship indenture in his father's trade in Northampton in 1761. He returned to Dingley and married Ann Kirby of Stoke Albany in Dingley in 1786 by licence. They relocated to Market Harborough later that year, where they moved into the School Master's house on the Square.  John Wells Jnr. was paying rates on this property until the mid 1790s, so he managed to sustain his small family in Market Harborough.  In January 1793 the "Northampton Mercury" reported a patriotic meeting which took place in the Square in Market Harborough on Boxing Day, 26 December 1792.  John was there, as was most male inhabitants of Harborough, and he signed a resolution stating that the best form of government for Britain was Kings, Lords and Commons, and that he would join in the fight against the French and radicalism if called upon.  Such patiotic meetings took place throughout the length and breadth of the country in those winter months of 1792-3, as the French Revolution took a radical turn with the abolition of the monachy and the trial of Louis XV1. France was already at war with Austria and Prussia, and the execution of Louis pretty much inevitable from the time it was decided that he would stand trial, was an affront to monarchies everywhere.
While John Wells Jnr. was living in Harborough his father died in Dingley.  John Wells Snr. was a Church Warden in the Parish of Dingley. The original bells dated from the early seventeenth century and were due to be recast. Edward Arnold of Leicester was charged with the task of making the new set of bells, with the following cast on it "E.Arnold Fecit, E.Griffin Rector, J.Wells Churchwarden". They remain in the belfry of the Church to this day.

John Wells and Ann Kirby's son, William Wells born 1792 at Dingley near Market Harborough, Northamptonshire and died April 1875. William married Ann York (1793-August 1870) of Rothwell, near Kettering on 16 October1823 at Cransley, Northamptonshire.

Together they had 6 children:
Elizabeth Wells baptised 22 November 1826 in Great Oxendon and died 1895. Elizabeth married Charles Henry White on 7 January 1862 (no issue).
John Wells baptised 26 July 1829 in Great Oxendon and died 1907. John married Harriet (1822-1890). (no issue).
Thomas Wells baptised 18 February 1832 in Great Oxendon and died 2 January 1908. Thomas married Eliza Ann Bootheway (1831-18 December 1910) on 2 November 1853.  They had 8 children - George, Herbert, Harry, Sarah, Charles, Arthur, Ellen and Mary.
Ann Wells born 1833 & baptised 5 October1834 in Great Oxendon and died 1916.  Ann married Joseph Isaacs (b1843) on 9 March 1872.
Mary Wells baptised 4 June 1837 in Great Oxendon and died 1914.  Mary never married.
Alice Wells born 22 December 1839 & baptised 31 May 1840 in Great Oxendo and died 1871. Alice married Harry Tarny in 1859 They had 2 children Fanny Elizabeth and Ernest John Tarny.
Thomas Wells born 18 February 1832 in Oxendon - son of William & Ann (Kirby) Wells


In loving memory of John Wells died February 18th 1907 aged 77 years.  Also of Harriet his wife died April 1st 1890 aged 68 years.  "Just as I am without one plea"


John & Harriet Wells' tombstone standing in St Helen's Great Oxendon graveyard. Photo taken 2007.


If you have anything to add or comments on please contact the author Joy Olney via email: joyolney@gmail.com

You might like to take a look at Saunders Family Archives blog as Harry Wells married Elizabeth Saunders.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Thomas & Eliza A.(Bootheway) Wells

http://wellsfamilyarchives.blogspot.com.au

Thomas Wells born 1832 and died 2 January 1908.  Thomas married Eliza Ann Bootheway (born 1831 and died 18 December 1910) November 1853 at East Langton, Market Harborough. 

Together they had 9 children:
George Ambrose Wells (born 19 August 1854).
Herbert Thomas Wells (born 19 September 1856 and died July 1935) married Susan Scott at Market Harborough, Leicestershire, England.  They had 9 children - Arthur, Gertrude, Amy, Len, Mary, Mabel, Ernest, Edith and Charlotte.
Harry Edward Wells (born 25 November 1858 and died 22 November 1935) married Elizabeth Saunders (born 16 June 1862 and died 19 October 1950) on 8 November 1887 in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. 
Sarah Ann Wells (born 23 March 1862).
Charles William Wells (born 8 April 1864) married Lizzie Maria Dodson (1865-3 July 1946) on 22 January 1891.
Arthur Edmund Wells (born 12 July 1868 and died 26 February 1869).
Ellen Elizabeth Wells (born 13 July 1869) married Ernest George Barker on 13 September 1893.  They had 3 sons - Sydney George Barker (1897-1978), Kenneth Charles (1906-1932) and Percy Barker.
Mary Jane Wells born 7 February 1871-1881.
Jeanne May Jane Wells (1872-1945) married Edward Thomas Bell.


Harry & Elizabeth Wells

Harry Edward Wells born 25 November 1858 in Oxendon, Northamptonshire, England married Elizabeth Saunders, born 16 June 1862 in Simpson, Buckinghamshire, England on 8 November 1887 at St Johns Church of England in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia.


Harry Wells & Elizabeth Saunders married at St Johns Launceston, Tasmania on 8 November 1887.

Harry & Elizabeth Wells wiith Beatrice 17 January 1889


Together they had 3 children:
Beatrice Helen Louise Wells born 9 September 1888 in Formby, Tasmania, Australia and died 8 November 1983 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Beatrice married Leslie Stuart Macdougall.
Winifred Alice Wells born 20 September 1890 in Ulverstone, Tasmania, Australia and died 20 November 1969 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Winifred married Arthur Melville Tregear.
Gladstone Gordon Thomas Wells born 2 December 1896 in St Marys, Tasmania and died 3 December 1982 in England. Gladstone married Dorothy Mary Cook.


Beatrice, Winifred & Gladstone Wells in 1898
 
Harry & Elizabeth Wells celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary on 8 November 1912

Harry Wells 25 November 1858 - 22 November 1935 and Elizabeth Wells 16 June 1862 - 19 October 1950. Buried at Cornelian Bay Cemetery, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia


 

Charles & Lizzie Wells

Charles William Wells born 8 April 1864 in Oxendon, Northamptonshire, England married Lizzie Maria Dodson (1865-1946) on 22 January 1891.  Charles died 1948.

Together they had 3 children:
Winifred Clara Wells married Ernest Charles Hayler 25 February 1922 and had a son, John Hayler.
Lillian Dora Mary Wells (born 18 March 1894) married Gilbert Henstock on 9 December 1918 and had 2 children, Charles Frederick & Winifred Mary Henstock.
Herbert Charles Wells (21 January 1900-1973) married Violet Nunn (born 1898) on 31 July 1926 and had 4 children - 
Jean Elizabeth Wells (1927-2003) married Lester Frank Goodman on 26 June 1954, Herbert John Wells  (1929-2014) married Margaret Webb on 22 August 1953, Albert Charles Wells (1932-2016) married Shiela Marsh on 12 October 1957, and  Zena Margaret Wells (1933-1999) married Roy Alistair Wall on 26 June 1954.

Headstone for Charles & Lizzie Wells at Great Oxendon. Photo take 2007.


Extracts from Beatrice Macdougall’s 1958 diary, when she travelled to England with her sister Wyn Tregear.


27 June – 7 July 1958 – East Levant.
Entrained for Chichester, arriving at 12 noon.  Our cousin Wyn Hayler was at the station to meet us and we took a taxi for her home at East Levant.  It was strange to meet our first cousin - the daughter of our Father’s brother Charlie Wells for the first time.  We met Ernest Hayler the master of the house – a quiet man.  There was much chatter.
The house is very old, about 300 years.
Jack, the only son of Wyn and Ernest, wife Peggy and adopted baby son Peter came and tea was served.
Went to son John Hayler’s house for tea.

28 July 1958 – Northampton
We prepared for our visit to Northampton. We made history today because we met my Father’s only surviving member of his family – Aunt Ellen Barker of 84 Balmoral Road, Northampton.  Aunt is now 89 years of age and has a very alert brain.  Her only surviving son Sydney was at the house on holiday.  We had many reminders of our Father and his family in the course of conversation and over afternoon tea prepared by Sydney.  I presented Auntie with some pink primrose talc powder by Goya.  She is a dear old lady and was pleased to see us.  Glad and Dorothy Wells accompanied us. 

2 – 5 August 1958 – Oxendon.
A memorable day in that we left for the station to entrain for Market Harborough. We called at the Freemasons Arms along St.Mary’s Road for accommodation but they were full up and directed us across the road to No.106 where we found we could stay the night and have breakfast. Went to West’s CafĂ© for dinner, and then took a taxi to the village of Oxendon.  This village was of special interest to us as our Father was born here in 1858.  We walked up the road and saw first of all the house that was the home of our Uncle Charlie (father’s brother) and where the 3 children Win, Dora and Bert were born.  We saw the date of 1712 on the house and it appeared in fair order.
We walked along the road to where Win Hayler said Misses Coleman lived.  We found these 2 charming English Gentlewomen and they pointed out to us the house – to the rear of their own home – where the Wells’ our Grandparents lived and probably where Father was born.
We walked across to the Church – the picture of which I have at home and where Father used to chime the bells each Sunday.  We found the graves of the Wells in the Church yard with their gravestones, that of Great grandfather William (1790) and his wife Ann, also that of Uncle Charlie and wife Lizzie.  Bert Wells had clipped the grass round these graves – the remainder of the churchyard was knee high in grass.  A neglected cemetery is a sorry sight and we have seen plenty of them.  The Church is in good order and we spent some time there.
We later left and wended our way along the newly formed road to Market Harborough about 2 ½ miles.  After going about half the distance we met Bert Wells who recognized Dorothy (Wells) who was with us and he hailed a bus and we 3 took it to Harborough.  Bert cycled to the bus station and met us there.
We walked to Bert and Violet Wells as pre-arranged.  Bert met us in the street and we were made very welcome.  They have a very nice home.  Son Chas and young wife Sheila were there from near Oxford for the long weekend.  Other members of the family came during the afternoon and for tea.  There were daughters Jean and Zena and son John.  Jean and Zena’s husbands Lester and Roy and the latter’s baby Michael (15 months).
Bert presented us with some oak candlesticks and vase which he had made from timber from the Oxendon Church.  These we will treasure for old times sake.

8 - 18 August 1958 – Ripon.
Gilbert was at the Ripon Station to meet us and we took a taxi to the home of our cousin Dora and Gilbert Henstock at 95 Kirkby Road, Ripon. Gilbert is a very jovial fellow.
Looked at family photos and snaps.
Dora and Gilbert have lost both their children – Winnie aged 16 and Charles lost as war was ended.
Attended Methodist Church and returned to “Oxendon” (home at Ripon, also my parents home in Tasmania).
Walked around the garden before dinner of roast lamb, peas, potatoes and Yorkshire pudding.  We later walked down the road which Cromwell tramped on years ago.
Gilbert took us to see the Cathedral which was badly damaged during Oliver Cromwell’s time.  We also went to Harrogate and saw the most beautiful gardens.
Dora accompanied us in the taxi to visit the show place of Ripon - Fountain’s Abbey.
Heard the horn blower at the Market Place.  This is a tradition of many years standing and the horn is blown at each corner of the centre square (one long blast 55 seconds).
Visited Gilbert’s sister Bertha Mason.
Played “Motor” (a card game).
Dora gave us each a cream crocheted doyley.
Sadly said goodbye to our good friends.

  Joy & Peter Olney visited Great Oxendon in 2007

It was a thrill to visit the little village of Great Oxendon, the village where Thomas & Eliza Wells brought up their family, including Harry Wells, my great grandfather.

We went to St Helen's Church in Great Oxendon. Harry Wells & Elizabeth Saunders met at St.Helen's.

St Helen's Church, Great Oxendon where the Wells family worshipped.


Tombstones at St Helen's Great Oxendon -
John & Harriet Wells standing, Charles & Lizzie Wells lying.

Interior of St.Helen's Great Oxendon.
  
Interior of St.Helen's Great Oxendon.

Baptismal font in St.Helen's where all Wells children were baptised.

Interior St Helen's Great Oxendon.

Where Harry Wells rang the bells at St Helen's. Ladder to Tower.

The dates 1652, 1683 & 1707 etched in doorway at St Helen's Great Oxendon.

"Plum Cottage", the home of Charles and Lizzie Wells. Built in 1712.

We saw the big house "Oxendon Hall" where Elizabeth Saunders worked when she came to Great Oxendon.  Lizzie Wells also worked there.

Another discovery was where Elizabeth Saunders lived while she worked in Great Oxendon.

We met George & Irene Mills who gave us three photos taken in 1925. He was a neighbour of Charles and Lizzie Wells.

George & Irene Mills with their daughter in Great Oxendon.
  
Lizzie & Charles Wells having a picnic in the big field
with Herbert Wells,
Winnie Hayler with son John, Charlie and Winnie with their mother Dora Henstock,  


Harvesting during WW11 with evacuees on the cart. Joe Mills, Wally Robinson, Charles Wells, Jim Reynolds.


"Plum Cottage" the home of Charles & Lizzie Wells in Great Oxendon.

We were priviliged to meet a cousin, John Wells who lived nearby. He showed Joy & Peter a copy of a "The Genealogies and Histories of the Wells Family 1625 - 1994". - a book his grandson Andrew Wells had put together as a school project.  I have now had the privilege to receive a copy which has been most helpful.  Thank you Andrew. 

Peter & Joy Olney with (Herbert) John Wells, son of Herbert and Violet Wells.

If you have any comments or corrections to the information provided please email the author Joy Olney on joyolney@gmail.com

You might like to take a look at Saunders Family Archives as Harry Wells married Elizabeth Saunders.


Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Harry E.& Elizabeth (Saunders) Wells

http://wellsfamilyarchives.blogspot.com.au


Harry Edward Wells was born 25 November 1858 in Oxendon, North Hamptonshire, England and died 22 November 1935 in St.Helens Private Hospital, Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tasmania. Harry Wells married Elizabeth Saunders on 8 November 1887  in St.John's Church, Launceston, Tasmania.

Harry Edward Wells was one of 8 children born to Thomas Wells (1832-1908) & Eliza Ann (Bootheway) Wells (1831-1910) who married in November 1853. George Ambrose Wells born 19 August 1854, Herbert Thomas Wells born 19 September 1856 and died July 1935, Sarah Ann Wells born 23 March 1862, Charles William Wells born 8 April 1864, Arthur Edward Wells born 12 July 1868 and died 26 February 1869, Ellen Elizabeth Wells born 13 July 1869, Mary Jane Wells born 7 February 1871.

Harry Wells (25 November 1858-22 November 1935) and Elizabeth (Saunders) Wells (16 June 1862- 19 October 1950) had 3 children: Beatrice Helen Louise Wells (9 September 1888 - 8 November 1983), Winifred Alice Wells (20 September 1890 - 20 November 1969) and Gladstone Gordon Thomas Wells (2 December 1896 - 3 December 1982).

Beatrice Helen Louise Wells was born 9 September 1888 in Formby (now Devonport) in the District of Mercy, Tasmania, Australia. Beatrice married Leslie Stuart Macdougall (1877-1949) on 9 September 1912 at "Railway Reserve", Hobart, Tasmania. Beatrice died 8 November 1983 in "Trewint" Nursing Home, Noble Park, Melbourne, Victoria.

Winifred Alice Wells (known as Wyn) was born 20 September 1890 in Leith/Ulverstone, Tasmania. Wyn married Arthur Melville Tregear (1880-1949) on 8 November 1911 at "Station House", Zeehan, Tasmania. Wyn died 20 November 1969 in Melbourne, Victoria.

Gladstone Gordon Thomas Wells (known as Glad) was born 2 December 1896 in St Marys, Tasmania.  Gladstone married his cousin Dorothy Mary Cook (1898-1983) on 25 December 1919 at "Railway Reserve", Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. Glad died 3 December 1982 in Woburn Sands, England.

Elizabeth & Harry Wells with their first born Beatrice in 1888

Beatrice (10), Winifred (8)  & Gladstone (2) Wells in 1898

Harry & Elizabeth Wells celebrate their 25th wedding anniversay with Beatrice & Leslie Macdougall, Gladstone, Winifred & Arthur Tregear on 8 November 1912

How Harry met Elizabeth and life thereafter

Information gained from "My Grandmother - Elizabeth" by Enid Dennis, written 1987.

Elizabeth  Saunders, aged 25 years, was working as a Cook in the "Big House" in Oxendon and went along to the village Church. Harry introduced himself with a bunch of red roses. He was 29 and had spent all his adult life in the service of the British Railways. He enjoyed his work but dreamed of  far away places. Letters came from his cousins in Melbourne, Australia.
One day Harry broached the subject of marriage with Elizabeth, laced also with an exciting adventure.  He had accepted his distant cousin's proposal to enter their Melbourne millinery factory as a third partner. It meant a seven year term overseas and could only bring success financially.  Elizabeth accepted, at first with some trepidation, to a marriage in Australia when her enthusiastic suitor settled into new employment and accomodation.
 
Harry followed his dream and sailed on Barque "Clyde" for Australia, arriving in Melbourne 8 May 1887. The promise of work in Melbourne did not eventuate, so Harry went to Tasmania and got employment in the Tasmanian Railways. 

Harry Wells sailed on Barque Clyde 1887

Elizabeth followed six months after the departure of her man, travelling in the new steamship "Liguria", incredibly small by present day standards. The voyage took two months, sailing through the Suez, and Elizabeth experienced violent storms and days spent in the agony of seasickness.


Elizabeth Saunders sailed on SS "Liguria" leaving England on 18 August 1887 and arriving Williamstown on 30 September 1887.

I have the journal Elizabeth's sister Alice compiled from letters sent home.  A couple of quotes from that journal:
24 September 1887 ".....We first saw the land of Australia at Cape Leeuwin like rocks dimly seen in the far distance on the port side ...."
25 September 1887 ".....I could have enjoyed another week or two on board for I have this week felt well.  I had more than four weeks of seasickness like many more. The moon was shining brightly, the air was cold...."

Adelaide was the first port of call following the long Indian Ocean span.  Here a letter was delivered to Elizabeth by the Purser and she read it incredulity. The prosperous millinery firm it seemed was little more than a myth and the business faced insolvency.  In desperation Harry had sought and found employment with a field which he knew so well.  The Tasmanian railways were being developed through the Emu Bay Company to the north and west from Launceston along the Bass Strait coastline.

"It could be hard, dear Lizzie" Harry wrote "Nothing of it will be like the comforts we knew back home, but I will never fail you. Sometime, when things get easier for us again, we will return.  I promise that, if it is your wish.  I am a Signalman at a place called Formby (now Devonport).  It's very small but beautiful.. I have rooms with a pleasant landlady who will help you I know.  We will live close to the Mersey River and I cross it every day by rowboat to reach the Railway yards.  I am so sorry that you must wait three weeks in Melbourne, for there is an epidemic of small pox in North Tasmania.  My cousin Mary, will meet you at the Port of Williamstown and you must stay with her until I send for you".

The young love which had brought these two people together across the world and now somewhat in adversity culminated in their marriage at St.John's Anglican Church, Launceston on 8 November 1887.  That afternoon Harry took his bride proudly back to Formby.  Theirs was a true affection which grew stronger with the years.  It weathered many hardships in strange places.  Challenge is the essence of good workmanship in whatever field it is found; it was wide open for the young Wells couple.


St John's Anglican Church, Launceston where Harry & Elizabeth Wells married on 8 November 1887


Elizabeth cooked and kept house as nearly as she had been accustomed to doing, but with the rude implements at hand, an open hob-fire, camp oven, kerosene cans, oil lamps and candles.  Later, as two little girls joined the family, she sewed and mended with all the joy of motherhood, using a Wertheim hand machine which had accompanied her on the voyage.  In their nineth year of marriage a son was born.  There had already been three moves - to Leith, Campbell Town and St Marys, each a promotion.  Harry was now Stationmaster at this north east mountain township of St Marys, with a railway house provided.  The Station House was somewhat isolated from the rest of the homes.  Quite often swagmen and women of gypsy lifestyle would free ride on the country goods trains, only to be discovered at this terminus. Harry frequently sent these rejects of humanity to the Station House for a meal before hustling them on their way.  The two little girls would watch in wide-eyed wonderment from the safety of the kitchen doorway.


St Marys Railway Station, Tasmania in 2005 (built in 1866 and about to be restored)


There was no longer talk of the seven year promise.  Both husband and wife were far too aware of the precious security of employment. They were a happy unit, an Australian family.

As noisy rejoicing and fireworks heralded the Boer War's relief of Mafeking in May 1900, the Wells family were busy moving again.  This time to the Bass Strait seaside town of Ulverstone.  Another home, another school and friends, another Church in which to worship.  Every year, at Christmas, there  were special treats, something extra to care for and treasure all the coming year.  Every Christmas season also, gifts of money were sent to the ageing Grandparents at Simpson and Oxendon to share their bounty and to show that God had seen fit to prosper the family well.  Over the years many hundreds of letters were exchanged.

The Wells family at "Station House" in Ulverstone, Tasmania 1904

"Station House" at 62 Victoria St, Ulverstone, Tasmania in 2012


In 1905 Harry Wells was appointed Station Master at Zeehan, the third largest town in the island and at the height of the great mining boom of the West Coast.  The area was rich in silver, lead and tin.  The town of 10,000 inhabitants was entirely involved in some way with the prosperity of the mines or supporting those who did.  With vast deposits of gold and copper also at Queenstown there was a continuous movement of rolling stock, passengers and freighters to and from the many mines in the mountains.  Zeehan Station House stood on a rise overlooking Peasoup Creek with a wide vista of the town and valley.  It is still there today, in good condition, weathering the lashings of rain forest storms.  The busy mother taught her now grown daughter to cook and sew as she had done.  They had lessons in piano, violin and painting. The boy was progressing well at school.


Zeehan Railway Staff  - Harry Wells appointed Station Master in 1905 (seated centre)

 "Station House" at Zeehan, Tasmania in 1906

"Station House" in Zeehan, Tasmania in 2005


A final move came in 1912 with a promotion to the top, Station Master at Hobart. This included a lovely attic style house in an old world garden, promise of a lengthy stay, superannuation, and maybe on retirement, a holiday overseas to meet once again the loved ones who for almost forty years had been linked only by sea mail.


Harry Wells retired as Station Master at Hobart, Tasmania in 1924

"Railway Reserve" Hobart, home for Elizabeth & Harry Wells 1912-1924

Harry Wells was Station Master at Hobart Railway Station, now home of ABC. Photo taken 2005

With their family married, Elizabeth and Harry turned to extensive reading, lectures at the nearby University and their beloved gardening.  Harry's retirement came in 1924 at sixty five years.  Harry and Elizabeth had purchased two new travel bags, suitable clothing and every weekend they visited the great ships in the port, a search for good value travelwise.  At last a choice was made, it would be the next trip around.  Then Elizabeth, wise in the ways of home economy, began to doubt.  It would mean returning to a rented house and possible illness in old age.  Was this right when a small freehold home could be purchased immediately, their very own portion of Australia?  Also the loved parents in England had all died.  Once again security and its privileges won and the holiday voyage was cancelled.

On the outskirts of the city of Glenorchy, with fine views of the magnificent mountains and Derwent River, the couple bought a neat bungalow home with sufficient depth of land to start the market garden they both lived to love and enjoy. 

It proved to be a clear and prudent choice.  By the late 1920s and early 1930s vast changes were springing into life.  There was continuous talk of frightening price rises, rumours of economic failures and unemployment, a depressant gloom unknown before in our good, green land.  It was even more so in Britain, Europe and America.

Macdougall family visit Harry & Elizabeth in Glenorchy, Tasmania in 1926


Harry & Elizabeth loved gardening in their retirement.


Wells retirement home at 8 Grove Road, Glenorchy, Tasmania in 2005

Strictly honest and generous Harry Wells lived to reach his seventy-sixth year.  Elizabeth, still shy, still clinging all her life to the sombre black gowns and white high-laced collars of the past, went to live with her younger daughter, also in Hobart, until her own gentle death in 1950 at the age of eighty-eight years.  Before Glaucoma claimed her eyesight, she returned to a fascinating interest of her girlhood.  She sent to England a request for a set of wooden bobbins, patterns and cottons and made herself a hand straw-stuffer pillow.  On this she wove many many yards (metres) of fine handkershief lace, gifts now held by her descendants with pride.



Harry & Elizabeth Wells at home in Glenorchy

Elizabeth Wells doing her pillow lace work -12 May 1940




Elizabeth Wells at home in Glenorchy
Elizabeth Wells at "Penrhyn"






Elizabeth Wells was not one of the many Australians who will go down in history as a memorable public figure, a Caroline Chisholm, Mary Reibey, Daisy Bates or Lady Cilento.  She was a very private, upright, gentle woman who stayed to play her fine Christian part in our Australian heritage and who loved this great land and became one of us.


Harry Edward Wells 25 November 1858 - 22 November 1935 and Elizabeth Wells 16 June 1862 - 19 October 1950. Buried in Cornelian Bay Cemetery, Hobart, Tasmania.

Beatrice & Leslie Macdougall

 

Beatrice Helen Louise Wells born 9 September 1888 married Leslie Stuart Macdougall born 4 March 1877 on 9 September 1912 in Hobart.  Beatrice & Leslie 3 daughters: Winsome Lorne Macdougall born 22 July 1913 in Hobart, Dorothy Glaed Macdougall born 18 August 1918 in Hobart and Margaret Elizabeth Patricia Macdougall born 17 March 1920 in Hobart.

Leslie was in the Methodist ministry, which necessitated the family moving from location to location in Tasmania and Victoria.

Beatrice Macdougall 18 January 1924

Leslie & Beatrice Macdougall with Winsome, Dorothy & Margaret 15 January 1923
Macdougall family 1 January 1937
Macdougall family February 1942

Winifred & Arthur Tregear

 

Winifred Alice Wells born 20 September 1890 married Arthur Melville Tregear born 27 June 1880 on 8 November 1911 in Zeehan.  Rev.Leslie Macdougall officiated at the marriage and Beatrice was a Bridesmaid.   Arthur & Winifred had two children: Enid Margaret Tregear born 2 December 1915 in Hobart and Kenneth Melville Tregear born 5 October 1918 in Hobart.

Arthur and Leslie were friends and it was Arthur who introduced Leslie to Beatrice on a train from Zeehan to Burnie.

Winifred Tregear

Arthur & Winifred Tregear with Enid & Ken





Enid & Walter Dennis with John, Olwyn, Suzanne & Rae

Ken & Maurine Tregear with Denise, Yvonne & Lynette

Gladstone & Dorothy Wells

 

Gladstone Gordon Thomas Wells born 2 December 1896 married Dorothy Mary Cook born 6 June 1898 in England on 25 December 1919 in Hobart. Glad met his cousin Dorothy in England while there on active service in WW1. Beatrice and Enid were flowergirls. They did not have any children.

In 1926 Glad was appointed to Pacific Mandated Territories in Rabaul New Guinea. He worked in New Guinea until he retired in 1956. Glad and Dorothy retired in England, living in Rugby near family and later in Woburn Sands.
Gladstone Wells was in the Australian Army February 1916 - July 1919

Gladstone Wells enlisted in WW1 for Service Abroad on 23 November 1917
Dorothy & Glad Wells in April 1950

Joy & Peter Olney and family visit Glad & Dorothy Wells in Woburn Sands in 1978

Beatrice and Winifred and their young families

 


Grandma Wells, Beatrice with Winsome, Dorothy & Margaret. Winifred with Enid & Ken at Penguin on 5 March 1921

Beatrice & Winifred and children at Hampton 12 March 1925

Dennis & Tregear children

Elizabeth Wells with her Great Grand Children


Four generations - Elizabeth Wells, Beatrice Macdougall, Winsome Petfield, Joy Petfield 4 November 1946

Great Grandma Wells with great grand children Joy, Ross, Dawn & Anne 25 October 1947

Four generations - Elizabeth Wells, Winifred Tregear, Enid Dennis & baby John born 24 December 1941

Four generations - Elizabeth Wells, Winifred Tregear,  Ken Tregear & baby Denise born 16 February 1943

You might like to take a look at Saunders Family Archives to learn more about Elizabeth Wells and her family. The Macdougall blogs will also be of interest.

If you see anything that needs correction, or have something to add or comment on, please contact the author Joy Olney by email - joyolney@gmail.com