John Ferguson of Victoria

The Ferguson family is linked with the Clement family of Geelong.

The relationship of this family and the family of Donald Ferguson - if any - is not yet known.

By 1834 - Ronald/Ranald McInnes marries Flora Robertson

According to her death record (in 1905, aged 64, Vic BDM Ref 5444), Mary McInnes was the daughter of Ronald McInnes and Flora Robertson. Ronald McInnes married Flora Robertson in Strath on 20 February 1834 (Scotland's People reference 119 10/56). They had the following children:

1852 - John Ferguson and Donald Ferguson arrive in Victoria

Two men, John Ferguson (aged 24, born 1828) and Donald Ferguson (aged 22, born 1830) departed England on 18 May 1852 on board the Emigrant and arrived in Port Philip in August 1852. Both (and several other young men also) were recorded as clerks in the passenger manifest (see image below). The two men may have been seeking gold as John ended up as a miner in the Alexandra area of Victoria (see below). (Source: BDM (see below); Assisted passenger records, PROV)

Passenger record for the Emigrant showing John and Donald Ferguson.

John and Donald were probably not brothers but may have been related somehow. John's death record states that he was the eldest son of Mr Donald Ferguson of 'Whitefield, Stratherrick' (a location that appears to be a house/farm on the east side of Loch Ness) and 11 Hill Street, Inverness (perhaps his retirement location). Based on this information, research on the Scotland's People website seems to indicate that John's father could have been Donald Ferguson who married Mary McVicar on 18 April 1826 in North Uist (Ref 113/10/93). Donald Ferguson, aged 38 was recorded in the 1841 census in East Balshear, North Uist (Ref 113/4/3). Others at this address were:

The newspaper Empire (Sydney) of 16 December 1851 ran an article 'English Extracts' that referred to the destitution of many of the north western Scottish islands, in particular Skye, Mull, Lewis, Harris, South Uist and Barra, Tyree and Coll, and North Uist. It noted that '... All the various attempts that have been made, in so many parishes, to extricate the working classes from the difficulties against them which they are unsuccessfully contending, having not only failed to accommplish that object, but have failed even to arrest the deterioration in their circumstance and condition that has been in progress for the last four years'. In relation to North Uist, South Uist, Barra the article states that '... the impression conveyed (in reports) generally of the state of the population in June is more unfavourable than of Skye, Lewis or Harris'. This appears to confirm the reasons why, if John Ferguson was the 13 year old boy recorded in the 1841 census, he left North Uist with his parents.

Also in the 1841 census, we see another 35 year old Donald Ferguson, an agriculturalist, at Dores, Inverness, not far from Whitefield (Ref 096/A3/1), but the family group does not include a John.

The names above almost seem to be the same people at Blackfold (below) in 1851, but Donald's wife was not Margaret.

In the 1851 census, we see a 46 year old Donald Ferguson at Blackfold on the west side of Loch Ness (Ref 098/5/22) along with the following people. It is not impossible to think that Donald and Mary moved from North Uist to this farming area by 1851. However, while Donald, Mary and John match the people in North Uist in 1841 in terms of ages, none of the other children do, so it is unclear if this is the same family.

It has not yet been possible to confirm Donald Ferguson's location in either Whitefield or Inverness from original census records, but it is possible that Donald ended up living in Hill Street, Inverness sometime after 1881 (when he is not recorded there in the census before his son John's death in Australia in 1889.

There is as yet no details about Donald Ferguson's life in Australia.

1856 - McInnes women arrive on the Almora

Details of the McInnes women who arrived on the Almora in 1856

It seems that Mary, Margaret and Flora, and several other McInnes women (who may be somehow related, or just happen to have the same surname), all from Argyle, arrived as housemaids on the Almora in September 1856. The women who arrived were as follows:

September 1859 - James Marshall sells his property at Dryburgh Street

The Argus of 3 September 1859 carried a notice for the auction of James Marshall's property at Dryburgh Street, 'on which is erected a substantial house with 14 apartments at the west of Queensberry Street'. A month later, on 6 October 1859, a notice appeared in the same newspaper stating that the Dryburgh property owned by the defendant James Marshall would be sold by the Sheriff. This sale may have had some bearing on why Mary McInnes left Melbourne and ended up in Costerfield.

James Marshall died on 17 August 1870 in Melbourne. According to his obituary in The Argus of 19 August 1870, he had lived in the Colony for 16 years.

1863 - John Ferguson marries Mary McInnes

It is not known how they met but the 35 year old John Ferguson married Mary McInnes (born 1840) in 1863 (Vic BDM Ref 2954), possibly in or near Costerfield, Victoria. Mary was the daughter of Ronald McInnes (son of Malcolm McInnes; Ronald died in 1881 aged 81 (Vic BDM Ref 10526)) and Flora Robertson, and was likely born in the UK. John worked as a miner around Alexandra and Spring Creek, Victoria.

John and Mary Ferguson had the following children:

1889 - Death of John Ferguson

John Ferguson, the wife of Mary Ferguson, died on 16 October 1889 at his residence, Spring Creek, in Alexandra Shire (Vic BDM Ref 14763, surname Fergusson, aged 59, parents 'unknown'). He was 61. His death notice, carried in the Alexandra and Yea Standard, Gobur, Thornton and Acheron Express of 15 November 1889 stated that he was the eldest son of Mr Donald Ferguson of Whitefield, Stratherrick and 11 Hill Street, Inverness. His death has not yet been found in the Victorian BDM records.

1897 - Helena Ferguson marries Donald McGregor

Helena Ferguson (born 1867) married Donald McGregor on 15 December 1897 at the her mother's residence at Alexandra (Vic BDM Ref 6900). Donald was a blacksmith living in Alexandra. They had five children:

1905 - Death of Mary Ferguson nee McInnes

Mary Ferguson (nee McInnes), the wife of John Ferguson, died in Geelong on 20 May 1905. She was 64. Her death notice stated that she died at 9 Virginia Street, Newtown, Geelong, and was the relict of John Ferguson of Fawcett. According to a notice in The Age of 22 May 1905, Mary '... resided in Virginia Street, Newtown, with her daughters (probably Jean/Jane who was unmarried at the time, Flora (see below) or Jessie) and sister (Flora McInnis) and fell into a swoon when retiring to rest on Saturday evening. Dr Barrett, who lives close by, was called in, but the old lady died before anything could be done to revive her. The doctor, in reporting the case to the police, gave it as his opinion that death was due to heart failure from natural causes and the coroner therefore did not deem an inquiry necessary'. (Vic BDM Ref 5444, the Geelong Advertiser and The Age of 22 May 1905).

1906 - Death of Flora McDonald Ferguson

Flora McDonald Ferguson, the daughter of John and Mary Ferguson, died in Alexandra in 1906. The local newspaper (TBC) ran the following article under the title of 'Death of Miss Ferguson':

Miss Ferguson, who so faithfully attended to and waited upon the late Rev. TB Swift, succumbed at the Manse, on Tuesday last, after a painful and lingering illness, extended over several months. Some time ago Miss Ferguson sought a change and left for Geelong, her sister taking her place at the Manse. While away, the Rev Mr Swift became seriously ill, and at this gentleman's request she returned and resumed her duties, still suffering acutely from that dread disease consumption. With wonderful fortitude she did her best to alleviate the sufferings of her charge, and was at the rev. gentleman's side to the last. From this until her death the poor young lady gradually sank until death ended her sufferings.

Up till his death Miss Ferguson had been in the service of Mr Swift for 16 years. During the term she proved herself a noble woman and no doubt the care bestowed by her on the late venerable pastor (who, be it said, was 84 years of age at his death) was the main feature of the longevity attained. The late Miss Ferguson had a host of admirers and her early death has cast a gloom over a wide circle of friends. The deceased was attended during her sickness by her aunt (Miss McGinnis [sic]) and sisters (Misses M and Mary Ferguson). The late Miss Ferguson was of a kindly disposition, and always took a lively interest in church work, lending valuable aid to the late pastor in his ministrations. The Sunday school received a deal of her time and her last request was that the pupils should follow her remains to the grave.

Miss Ferguson was the third daughter of the late John and Mary Ferguson, and was a native of Home Creek. The late Mr Ferguson was one of the earliest settlers of the district, he having resided at Home Creek before Alexandra was selected. The funeral took place on Wednesday, a large number of Sunday school teachers and scholars being present.

1910 - Jessie Ronald Ferguson marries Les Clement

Richard Norman Leslie Clement married Jessie Ronald Ferguson (born 1882 - 1 July 1931, the daughter of John Ferguson and Mary McInnes, in Geelong West (Vic BDM Ref 9506)) in 1910. They were Baptists and attended the Aberdeen Street church near to the family home in Spring Street. Click the link to learn more about the Clement family.

Les and Jessie's wedding photograph in 1910. Les' niece Dorothy Aikman (later Robertson) is the flower girl on the left hand side.

Another photograph taken on the same day. This photo likely shows Jessie's sisters (and 5 of their children) and possibly also her aunt Flora McInnes (rear row, standing in the middle). The woman sitting to Jessie's left hand side is Belle Strong who had married Bill Strong (sitting to Belle's left) in November 1909.

Jessie's other siblings who may have been present at this wedding were Helena McGregor (born 1867 who married Donald McGregor in 1897), Margaret (born 1870), Mary Ferguson (born 1877), and Jane/Jean Ferguson (born 1882). Four of the children seated at the front of the photograph may be Helena and Donald's four children Arden (born 1898), Lorna (born 1902), Vida (born 1904) and Donald (born 1908).

1917 - Death of Flora McInnes

Flora McInnes, the unmarried sister of Mary Ferguson (nee McInnes), died at her residence in Virginia Street, Newtown, Geelong, on 12 October 1917. The Age of 17 December 1917 carried a notice asking anyone to come forward if they had any claim on her assets.

1918 - Margaret Ferguson marries Arthur Beard

The 48-year old Margaret 'Maggie' Ferguson (born 1870), married Arthur Drummond Beard in 1918. Arthur was the son of George and Annie Beard, in 1918 (Vic BDM Ref 2491). Arthur was married previously to Mary Irwin in 1882 (Vic BDM Ref 1842) and had six children born from 1884 to 1895.

Margaret and Arthur did not have any children. Unfortunately for Margaret, Arthur died at Warragul on 1 September 1918 at his residence, Victoria Street, Warragul, aged 58 (Vic BDM Ref 11118). Arthur's probate notice, which noted that he was a 'retired farmer', stated that his real estate was left to his widow and children. Margaret (Mrs Beard) was noted in the death notice for her sister Jessie in 1931. She died in 1938.

1923 - Jane McKenzie Ferguson marries James McDonald

Jane/Jean Mckenzie Ferguson (born 1882) married James Travis/Travers McDonald in 1923 (Vic BDM Ref 2389). James was possibly born 1874 in Footscray to Alexander McDonald and Mary nee Travers (Vic BDM Ref 15931). James was previously married to Emmaline Cunningham in 1904 (Vic BDM Ref 4568) and had one son, Alexander Joseph McDonald (born 1905 (Vic BDM Ref 29209). James farmed at St Arnaud. He was already retired when he died at St Arnaud on 28 January 1936. (Vic BDM Ref 14311, second name spelt 'Travis', also his mother Mary Travis. The Argus 22 April 1936).

Jane McDonald (nee Ferguson) died in 1952.

1928 and beyond - the missionary work of Lorna McGregor

As noted above, Lorna McGregor (born 1902) was the daughter of Helena Ferguson (1867 - 1933) and Donald McGregor. It is yet to be confirmed, but various Trove references appear to indicate that Lorna moved to Geelong, possibly to live with her sister Valerie in the 1920s. She attended the Geelong Aberdeen Street Baptist Church where she gave a reading in 1923.

According to the Lilydale Express of 21 July 1939, Lorna McGregor, 'a member of the Aberdeen Street Baptist Church, Geelong', went to India in 1928 where she set out to 'evangelise the Saros' ([sic, possibly 'Garos', see below]. The Argus (Melbourne) of 10 October 1928 noted that Lorna McGregor would leave for Bengal in October 1928. Lorna was noted as a 'new worker'.

The area of India that Lorna McGregor conducted her missionary work was in the Garo Hills, part of the Garo-Khasi range in the present Meghalaya state of north-eastern India directly above present day Bangladesh (which did not exist at the time). According to Wikipedia pages on the Garo people and Meghalaya:

The Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser of 22 June 1933 carried an article titled 'Noted Missioner - Miss Lorna McGregor'. The article, which included a (unclear) photograph of Lorna, had the following content:

'From childhood I felt the call of thee mission field, and resolved that when I grew up I should be a missionary.' This was the reply that Miss Lorna McGregor gave to the question as to how she became a foreign missionary. Then she told of training in one the large hospitals in one of the southern capital cities, and of Biblical studies at the Melbourne Bible Institute. Then the great day came when she sailed for India as a member of the staff of the Australian Baptist Foreign Missionary Society, which society had just completed 50 years of missionary activity in India. After studying the language Miss McGregor served in various stations and is now in Australia on furlough visiting the important cities of the Eastern States. Last weekend she spent in Rockhampton and district, and she leaves Maryborough on Monday morning for an extensive tour of Southern Queensland and Victoria. At the Easter camp organised by the Senior Girls' Missionary Union of the Queensland Baptist Churches held at Redcliffe, Miss McGregor was the chief speaker and she won her way into the hearts of the girls by her interesting talks on Indian life and conditions. Miss McGregor will address a series of meetings to he held in the Baptist Churches of this district during the next few days.'

The Healesville and Yarra Glen Guardian of 11 March 1939 ran an article under the title 'Church News - Presbyterian', stating that Lorna McGregor related her experiences among 'a tribe of wild men near the Himalayan mountains', stated to be one of the 'primitive races of India'.

The article in the Lilydale Express of 21 July 1939 also stated that 'her work among the Saro [sic] women requires long and arduous tours among the villages.' She was said to prefer to tour on horseback 'with komlas (bearers) going on before with camping equipment, supplies and a magic lantern'. The same newspaper of 28 July 1939 stated that 'the missionaries working there scarcely ever see fresh meat with the exception of goats' flesh. They live for the most part on fowls and are very small and thin'. The article noted that Lorna would return to India in October 1939.

Lorna may have remained in India for most of the second world war. The Morning Bulletin (Rockhampton) of 24 May 1946 stated that Lorna McGregor would be providing a lecture on India, including through the use of 'moving pictures' that evening. The article noted that Lorna had just returned after a number of years' residence in Bengal and service to the 'natives of the Garo Hills'.

Lorna appears to have returned to India as the Warwick Daily News of 29 October 1952 ran a short noticed under the title 'Baptist Women's Union' that referred to the receipt of a missionary letter from Miss Lorna McGregor of India.

Lorna returned from India in early 1954. Under the heading 'Finance Hard for Missions', The Age (Melbourne) of 4 September 1954 ran an article noting that financing mission work in Pakistan had become 'an almost impossible task for Australian societies'. It noted that '... few missionaries had done so valiant a task among the village folk of Garoland as had Miss Lorna McGregor, with more than 25 years of service in India and Pakistan. She will not be returning to the field'. One may assume that Lorna then returned to Australia and likely then moved to Geelong. Lorna was noted in the Advocate (Burnie) giving a speech to the Burnie (Tasmania) Baptist church on 20 June 1954.

1929 - Death of Norman Dugald Ferguson

Norman Dugald Ferguson died on 1 June 1929 at Armadale. His obituary was carried in the Kilmore Free Press of 6 June 1929, which noted that death Norman died at his residence, 'Vernon' in Armadale. It added that 'The deceased gentleman was of a retiring disposition, a fine type of Australian native, and one who was deservedly trusted and highly esteemed by all who had opportunity of estimating his admirable qualities. His remains were interred in the Fawkner cemetery'.

1931 - Death of Jessie Clement (nee Ferguson)

Jessie Ronald Clement (nee Ferguson) died on 1 July 1931 at the family home 'Mossgrey', in Gertrude St, West Geelong, aged 50. The newspaper notice stated that she was the 'dearly beloved wife of R. L. Clement, and loving mother of Don, Ian and Robin, also beloved sister of Will Ferguson (Queensland), Don (West Australia), Helena (Mrs. McGregor), Maggie (Mrs. Beard), Mary, and Jean (Mrs. McDonald), aged 50 years. At rest in the Palace of the King'. (The Age, 2 July 1931)

Note that there is no reference to her sister Flora who died in 1906.

After the death of Jessie, Les re-married on 16 April 1932 to Edna Gladys West (born 1900, Bright (Vic BDM Ref 1135)).

1935 - Arden Beecher McGregor marries Frances Dudgeon

According to an article in the Cootamundra Herald of 13 February 1935, Arden Beecher McGregor (born 1898) was 'on the telephone staff of the Cootamundra Post Office'. This was almost certainly how he met Frances Mary Dudgeon who he married in 1935 (NSW BDM Ref 4363) at St John's Gundagai. Frances was the second daughter of Mrs M Dudgeon of the Family Hotel, Cootamundra; Arden was recorded as the son of Donald McGregor of Geelong. The bride was attended by her sister Nellie. The couple then travelled to Sydney for their honeymoon and 'where the couple will make their future home' as (according to the article, Arden had received notice of transfer to the city (Sydney).

Frances McGregor (nee Dudgeon) died at Lane Cove, NSW, on 23 July 1962 (Source: Probate notices on 30 November 1962). Arden retired from the Postmaster-General's Department where he had worked as a Supervising Technician, Grade 4, on 14 October 1963. He died on 17 March 1967 in Chatswood, NSW (NSW BDM Ref 11587).

October 1945 - Death of William Forbes Ferguson

William Forbes Ferguson (born 1865, Costerfield died on 24 October 1945. His death notice in The Argus of 25 October 1945 stated that he was the eldest son of the late John and Mary Ferguson, of Spring Creek, and loving brother of Helena (Mrs. McGregor, deceased), Margaret (Mrs. Beard, deceased) Flora (deceased). Donald (W.A.), Mary (deceased), Jessie (Mrs. Clement, deceased), and Jean (Mrs. McDonald), aged 80 years. His obituary in the Dandenong Journal of 31 October 1945 read as follows:

MR. W. F. FERGUSON. MR. WILLIAM FORBES FERGUSON, of 'Tralee', 153 Melbourne Rd., Dandenong. died at the grand age of 80 years at the Dandenong and District Hospital on October 24th. Deceased was born at Costerfield (Vic.), but spent much of his life in Queensland. He was a well known identity in Dandenong. having resided with Mr. and Mrs. Vern Fleming for some years. Mrs. Fleming’s father and deceased were old friends of many years standing. Deceased is survived by one brother (Donald, W.A.), and one sister. Jean (Mrs. McDonald). On Thursday, after a graveside service by the Rev. T. C. L. Goble, the remains were interred in the Presbyterian portion of the Spring Vale Cemetery. W. J. Garnar and Son directed the funeral.

1952 - Death of Jane Mckenzie McDonald (nee Ferguson)

Jane ('Jean') Mckenzie McDonald (born 1882, Alexandra, Victoria) died in 1952 in Newtown, Geelong (Vic BDM Ref 19379).

Page created 19 July 2024 from a previous 2012 page, separating the details from the family of Donald Ferguson, last updated 17 October 2024. Copyright © Andrew Warland. (andrewwarland(at)gmail.com)