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The Dore sisters saga - Part 1


LET’S DISH UP SOME HISTORY from The Plough @ Myrniong

My next story will require many threads to explore thoroughly, so I suggest you sit back, relax, and concentrate! It is an intertwined web of fabulous tales and families, and one I am sure you will enjoy.

Without creating too much confusion, I will start by introducing Anne Jane Tyson, however Anne is not related to the “John Tyson” clan from Myrniong’s Plough Inn Hotel, although she did have a brother named “John Tyson” who lived a very successful and prosperous life in and around Melbourne. (Hang in there – I can explain...)

Anne Jane Tyson was the first female of her family to immigrate to the new Australian colony, leaving Southampton on 9 May 1853 aboard Lady Kennaway. (While this ship was regularly used as a convict ship, Anne’s sailing consisted of cargo and 274 emigrants, all of whom arrived in good health however 3 infants died during the voyage.) It docked in Port Phillip Bay in August 1853 where she promptly secured her pre-arranged employment: a 3-month contract as a domestic servant for Mrs Ralston, South Yarra, who subsidised her travel. Anne’s wages included food – benefits of being an assisted immigrant!

Anne’s youngest sister Margaret soon followed in her sister’s footsteps, knowing how keen the Australian colonies were for “marriageable-aged women”. She secured domestic work in South Yarra, and eventually married about 4 years after arriving in Melbourne. The following year, Margaret delivered her new husband a son however she passed away 2 years later, aged 37 years.

Anne’s younger brother John Tyson had left Liverpool for Victoria, Australia before her, in mid-June 1852. Within 2 years he had secured work in Macedon Ranges as a market gardener, and married a girl named Susannah Rintoul who had been in the colony for less than one year herself!

Anne meets 35-year-old William Dunbar in Melbourne around 1855. It appears they adopted a son, William Leal, naming him William Joseph Dunbar who was born around 1856 or 1857. Shortly afterwards, William is fortunate to secure large acreage in “prime Pentland Hills” where he works as a farrier (horse-shoe blacksmith) and sheep farmer. Continuing from last week’s theme of “quarries”, William establishes a freestone quarry at this property. This stone was used to build “Kirk on the Hill” (Presbyterian Church, Pentland Hills) in 1861.

Anne and William married in September 1857 however, sadly, she passed away 4 months later, which was the day after her brother (John Tyson) sadly lost his mother-in-law.

A couple of years later in 1859, William married Margaret Dore, from Limerick, Ireland, at a ceremony in the Pentland Hills Presbyterian Church which he helped to build. They raise five children: Bridget, Mary, Jessie, James & Margaret and in 1875, celebrate the completion of their new brick house, reported to be “furnished in a most comfortable manner”. Sadness hits the family when William’s wife, Margaret, passes away in 1878 at their new Pentland Hills home.

William continues to tend to his farm with his young family until tragedy strikes in mid 1884 when he is thrown from his horse & cart at his front gate. Sadly, it was his oldest son William Joseph who found him in an unconscious state. He passed away within 10 hours. The younger siblings went to live with William Joseph in Ballarat.

William’s estate was sold later the following year to Mr Hearle who went on to own “Dunbar’s Farm” for about 3 years before selling it to a “Widow from Dandenong for 14 pounds per acre”.


Next Week: More Dores, Bigamy and some bad luck!

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