Refer to this link for details of the McMartin and Robertson families in Scotland before 1849.
Archibald McMartin was baptised in Balquhidder in 1803 to Archibald McMartin (possibly born 1778) and Katherine McEwan who married in 1789 in Killin, Scotland. Archibald senior was the younger brother of Christian McMartin who married Colin Robertson in 1826 (see above). Archibald junior had four older siblings.
Archibald McMartin married Jean Black in Kilmadock on 15 January 1829 (Ref 362/50/274, 'Archibald MacMartin'). Archibald and Jean McMartin had the following children.
Archibald McMartin decided to migrate with his family (less Isabella, who may have remained in Scotland) to Victoria, Australia in 1848, along with the eldest son of his sister Christian Robertson John Robertson. The McMartin family and John Robertson (aged 22) departed for Australia on the (relatively new, 635 ton ship) Frances Ridley on 9 November 1848, arriving at Port Philip (Melbourne) on 12 February 1849.
The assisted passenger list records Archibald McMartin (a labourer) and wife 'Jane' along with their children as well as John Robertson in the 'Single Males, not being members of families', as a 'wheelwright' from Drumvaitch, Perthshire. Archibald McMartin was to be employed by Harvey and Patterson in Westernport while his eldest sons Archibald (19), William (17) and Hugh (15) were all to be employed as shepherds or hut keepers for 12 months with James Malcolm of Melbourne. John Robertson was to be employed as a carpenter by J W Murdoch of Melbourne for 1 month.
Note that another McMartin family from Scotland also migrated to Australia. This family appears to have consisted of Malcham McMartin and his wife Janet (nee Carmichael) from 'Stamanan' Scotland. Their son Peter Carmichael McMartin died in Nhill, Victoria, in 1944 (Vic BDM Ref 21210). It is not yet known if or how this family may be related to the McMartin family on this page.
No information has yet been found about the McMartin family in Victoria from the date of their arrival until 1864.
The map above shows the area where the McMartins lived - Yea, Thornton, Alexandra
As noted below, William McMartin (born about 1832) married Ellenor/Eleanor Barnwall in 1864. The following details about the Barnewall family appeared in the Kilmore Free Press on 24 April 1930, the Australasian of 26 April 1930, the the Alexandra and Yea Standard and Yarck, Gobur, Thornton and Acheron Express of 25 September 1936 (after the death of Sir John Barnewall).
The origin of the Barnewall family goes back hundreds of years. They were of French extraction and came over to Ireland in 1172, where they settled under the banner of Strongbow, Earl of Pembroke. The baronetcy was created in 1623. Sir John Barnewall's father came out from Ireland in 1839 or 1840, and at that time there appeared but a very remote prospect of him ever succeeding to the title. They landed in Sydney, and later took up land on the Upper Goulburn.
The Barnewells settled in the Yea district in 1841 and in 1847 the family left Yea and settled on the Big River near Darlingford. moved to the Upper Thornton district of Victoria by around 1850.
William McMartin (born about 1832) married Ellenor/Eleanor Barnwall in 1864 in the Yea area of Victoria. Eleanor, who was born in 1847 at Murrindindi, Muddy Creek (Vic BDM Ref 39838) or at Yea in 1845 (according to her death notice in The Argus on 5 December 1938) was the daughter of Sir John Barnewall senior and Eleanor/Ellen Saunders and the sister of Sir John Barnewell whose birth location in Australia has not yet been identified. The Barnewall surname is also recorded in different ways in the BDM records as shown below.
William and Ellenor had the following children:
Jean McMartin (nee Black) died at Craigie Hall, Deep Creek on 11 December 1861 (Vic BDM Ref 8912, The Argus 13 December 1861 (funeral notice), The Argus 24 December 1861).
Catherine McMartin (born 1840), the daughter of Archibald McMartin, married William Alexander Dods (born 1846) the 'youngest son of William Dods Esq, Brunswick', at the residence of her father on 12 October 1866. No children have yet been identified. William Alexander Dods died at Woodstock 'after a protracted and painful illness' on 21 August 1874. Probate was granted to Catherine, Stewart Keightley and Allan Staley (both 'gentlemen'). After his death, Catherine appears to have lived in Brunswick for the rest of her life and died there in 1918.
Robert Buchanan McMartin (born 1845, the youngest son of Archibald and Jean McMartin (nee Black), married Harriette Mackintosh on 6 April 1875 (Vic BDM Ref 2215, The Australasian (Melbourne) 24 April 1875. The Australasian noted that Harriette was 'the only surviving daughter of Robert Macintosh, late of Kew'. Her death record states her mother was Harriette Greenway. Robert and Harriette had the following children in NSW:
Robert and Harriette McMartin moved to Dalby in Queensland. See Robert's obituary in 1923 below for details of his life.
Archibald McMartin died at his daughter Catherine's home (Mrs W A Dodds) in Woodstock on 26 March 1885, aged 80 (Vic BDM Ref 3868, The Argus 27 March 1885).
Eleanor Jane (or Eleanor Mary 'Nellie' in her marriage notice) McMartin (born 1865 died 1945) was the daughter of William McMartin (born about 1832) and Ellenor/Eleanor Barnwall who married in 1864.
Eleanor married James C Gloster on 12 April 1893 (Vic BDM Ref 2461, The Age 20 May 1893). James was the 'youngest son of the late James Gloster of Kyneton'. James Gloster pre-deceased Eleanor. They had the following children:
Catherine McMartin (born 1877, died 1966) was the daughter of William McMartin (born about 1832) and Ellenor/Eleanor Barnwall who married in 1864. Cath McMartin married John Joseph Hoban in 1911 (Vic BDM Ref 1355). They had at least two children:
John McMartin (born 1874, died 1954), the son of William and Eleanor McMartin, married Helene Jessie Mossman in 1911 (Vic BDM Ref 10282). They had the following children and lived at 'Glencoe' in Thornton:
Robert Buchanan McMartin (born 1845, the youngest son of Archibald and Jean McMartin (nee Black)) died on 19 June 1923 (QLD BDM Ref 1438). His obituary was carried in the Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette on 21 June 1923:
MR. ROBERT BUCHANAN McMARTIN. Many people in Dalby and district will learn with regret of the death early on Monday morning of Mr, Robert Buchanan McMartin, of 'Kennington', Range's Bridge, and late of Kaimkillenbun. For the past ten years or so he had been in ill health, and this long period of suffering was borne with a patience and fortitude characteristic of the deceased. The late Mr. McMartin, who was 75 years of age. was a native of Scotland, and came to Australia when a young man, and engaged in sheep work in New South Wales. For a number of years he was station manager for the late Sir William Lyne, and was regarded as an expert in the breeding of merino sheep, and his services as a judge in this section at agricultural shows were frequently in demand. Later be purchased a station property for himself, but the drought adversity of 1902 compelled him to relinquish it. He then purchased a property on the Hunter River, and in 1908 sold this to come to Queensland, where he selected the fine property at Kaimkillenbun known as 'Alva', the farm being named after his birthplace in Scotland. He continued to reside there with his wife and family until about 18 months ago, when he disposed of the place, and for six or eight months resided in town. His son, Charles, then purchased 'Kennington', family removed there, and it was there that the end finally came. All who knew the late Mr. McMartin will regret the passing of one who was highly esteemed for many fine characteristics. His high sense of honour, and his unquestionable integrity in all matters won for him the highest regard of all with whom he came in contact, while his quiet but keen humour, and his warmhearted Scottish hospitality gained him many friends. Deceased was married in New South Wales and is survived by his widow, three sons (Robert Archibald. Hugh McIntosh, and Charles Balfour) and two daughters (Amy and Helen). The youngest son (Gordon) was killed in Palestine whilst serving his country with the AIF. Two of his surviving sons, Hugh and Charles, were also abroad with the AIF. To the surviving widow and family, the sympathy of a wide circle of friends will be extended.
Archibald McMartin (born 1867) was the son of William McMartin and Ellenor/Eleanor Barnwall who married in 1864. His probate notice in The Age of 22 December 1930 refers to a widow only (possibly Janet nee Sawers). Archibald's obituary was carried in the Alexandra and Yea Standard and Yarck, Gobur, Thornton, Taggerty and Acheron Express of 14 February 1930, which stated the following:
Death of Mr. A. McMartin. The wide circle of friends of Mr. Archibald McMartin, of Thornton, were grieved to hear of his death on Tuesday last. For some. years he has not enjoyed rohust health, and a few weeks ago he had a bad turn. His condition slightly improved, but on Tuesday morning he went out on to the verandah at his home, and passed away suddenly. He was identified all his life with the district and was a supporter of all movements making for the benefit and advancement of the Alexandra district. For a term, he occupied a seat at the Council table. He was 62 years of age ... The ordinary monthly meeting of the Shire Council was adjourned for two hours, in order to permit of councillors attending the funeral, and the President referred to the loss the district had sustained by Mr. McMartin's death and the high esteem he was held in by the community generally ... it was resolved to convey the Council's deepest sympathy to Mrs. McMartin. Mr. McMartin was the eldest son of Mrs. and the late Mr. Wiliam McMartin. His wife and two brothers and five sisters, together with the aged mother, are left to mourn their great loss.
Jean Black McMartin (born 1842) died in Kilmore on 30 January 1935. The Kilmore Free Press of 7 February 1935 carried her obituary.
Miss J. B. McMartin The district lost one of its very old residents on 30th January in the demise of Miss J. Black McMartin. Deceased was daughter of the late Archibald and Jane McMartin, of Alva, Stirlingshire, Scotland, where she was born in 1842. With her parents she arrived in Australia in February, 1849, when seven years of age, in the sailing ship Francis Ridley, after a slow voyage of about four months. At that period there was no Victoria, this part of the continent being controlled from Sydney. From Port Phillip settlement (now Melbourne) there was dense bush and the McMartin family travelled some miles through the bush, camping at an open and likely looking spot, where they finally settled, the place now being known as Campbellfield. Notwithstanding the sparse population, there was resident of the village a Presbyterian minister, Rev. Gunn, to attend to the spiritual requirements of the handful of people. Later on the McMartin family transferred residence to Deep Creek, settling upon the property known as Craigie Hill, where they remained for many years. As the family grew up there were the usual separations. Miss J. B. McMartin located herself at Pine Lodge, near Shepparton, remaining there for a number of years, eventually retracing her way back to Beverage and Deep Creek regions. On the death, many years ago, of the wife of Mr. Donald McBain, of Beveridge, Miss McMartin took up the position of ousekeeper in the home, and practically reared Mr. McBain's children, in which she exercised a motherly care and attention. She remained with the McBain family from thence to the time of her death. Mr McBain passed away in the meanwhile, and in her grand old age Miss McMartin received the reciprocity from Miss McBain of the kindness bestowed upon the family in bygone years. Deceased thus spent about 80? years in and around Beveridge, and was always looked upon as a most lovable woman. The remains were interred in Wallan cemetery on Friday last, Rev. J. Lee, Presbyterian minister at Wallan, reading the burial service. Mr. Graham Diggle directed funeral and interment arrangements in his usual dignified and sympathetic style. Coffin bearers were Messrs H. Franklin, J. Robertson, J. Lewis, J. McBain, Pall bearers: Messrs J. Woods, F. Smith, A. Cameron, F. Franklin, Tolmie and J. Jowett.
Ellenor/Eleanor McMartin (nee Barnwall), the wife of William McMartin (born about 1832), died in Windsor (Victoria) in 1938 (Vic BDM Ref 11057).
Robert McMartin's wife Harriette (nee Mackintosh) died on 19 May 1939 (QLD BDM Ref 1587). Her obituary was carried in the Dalby Herald of 23 May 1939.
Mrs. H. McMartin. Mrs. Harriette McMartin, whose death occurred at her home in Patrick street, on Friday at the age of 84 years, was a native of Liverpool, England, and came to Australia when about four years of age with her parents. The family settled in Melbourne, where Mrs. McMartin was educated at St. James Girls School. She lived in that city until she married in 1875, and then she went to the Monaro district where her husband was interested in pastoral pursuits. At various times they owned properties in New South Wales, mostly in the Monaro and western districts of that State. Shortly after they were married Mr. McMartin was engaged in managing pastoral properties in the district now recognised as the Federal Capital Territory. They came to Queensland in 1908, and were amongst the original selectors of properties at Kaimkillenbun made available by the subdivision of Jimbour. They lived at Kaimkillenbun until 1921, at which time they disposed of their interests there and acquired 'Kennington', Range's Bridge. Mr. McMartin died there in 1923, and a few years later Mrs. McMartin retired to town to live. Three of her sons enlisted with the A.I.F., Hugh, who left Australia with the 2nd Light Horse, was engaged on the Gallipoli Peninsula, and was invalided home after a few months abroad. Charles fought with the artillery in France. He was wounded, and when he left hospital was transferred to the 2nd Light Horse and sent to Palestine and the Jordan Valley. He returned home at the end of the war. Gordon, who enlisted in December, 1915, also saw service on Gallipoli and in Palestine with the 2nd Light Horse. He was killed in action at Beersheba on Oc tober 30th, 1918. Mrs. McMartin is survived by three sons, Archibald ('Coombing Park', near Carcoar, New South Wales), Hugh (Pullen Vale, near Brisbane), Charles (Patrick street, Dalby), and two daughters, Mrs. S. Stevens (Dalby), and Miss Helen McMartin (Patrick street). The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, moving from the residence in Patrick street to the Dalby cemetery, where Rev. James Blake officiated at the graveside.
John McMartin (born 1874), the son of William and Eleanor McMartin, died in April 1954 (Vic BDM Ref 17731). A death notice appeared in the Alexandra Standard and Yarck, Gobur, Thornton, Taggerty and Acheron Express on 16 April 1954, noting that John was 'a grand old gentleman' and 'well known and highly respected throughout Alexandra and the Thornton district'.
Page created 3 May 2023, updated 5 May 2023. Copyright © Andrew Warland. (andrewwarland(at)gmail.com)