Meek, Elizabeth (b. 4 May 1896, d. 24 Aug 1956)

Given Name: Elizabeth

Change: Date: 16 Mar 2005

Given Name: Frederick

Change: Date: 11 Apr 2004

Given Name: Harriot Anne

Change: Date: 11 Apr 2004

Given Name: Edward

Change: Date: 11 Apr 2004

Given Name: Rebecca

Change: Date: 11 Apr 2004

Note: "George Johnston Knight left home with his elder brother Charles when he was 17 years of age [1842] to migrate to South Australia. They left the Downs [off Deal, Kent] on 3 October 1842 in the 'Arab', 269 tons, Captain Joseph Delgarno. Port
Adelaide was reached on 23 January 1843, a passage of 112 days and a much quicker journey than was usual in those days. There was much trouble on board, the Captain being accused of ill treatment of both crew and passengers and the Knight
brothers were amongst those making public complaint in an Adelaide newspaper on arrival.



"George was of a lively disposition and fond of practical jokes, contrasting with Charles' more staid disposition. George and Charles [later of 'Mulgundawar'] went to join their maternal uncle, John Stewart Johnston at his property 'Turkunga',
at Green Hills, now better known as Bull's Creek, where he had established himself three years earlier and was already a successful pastoralist. Later the brothers went with their uncle to the sheep property that he purchased at Wellington on
the Murray River. The land that George and Charles successfully farmed in partnership until 1856 was situated between Strathalbyn and Hampden Estate.



"On 15 July 1852 George married Jane [Jeannie] Gemmell Brown [nee Paterson], a widow four years his senior. The wedding took place at 'Wattlebank Farm', near Strathalbyn and is thought to have been left to Jeannie by her first husband.



"South Australian directories show George Knight as farming at 'Wattlebank' until 1871. In that year the family moved to Cooks Plains and the new property was named 'Perkindoo'. George and his wife remained there until their respective deaths
in 1902 and 1900, George surviving his wife by two years.



"Obituaries for both of them appeared in Adelaide newspapers. George's appeared in the Observer on 6 September 1902 and said "On Saturday last [30 August 1902] Mr George Johnston Knight, one of our earliest pioneers, passed away. He had lately
been in ill health and an accident a few months ago, when he fell and broke two ribs, assisted towards a general breakdown. For many years Mr Johnston lived at 'Wattlebank', near Strathalbyn. He then sold his property and went to live at Cookes
Plains where he died. The funeral on Monday at Strathalbyn was largely attended and was representative of all the surrounding district."

Given Name: George Johnston

Change: Date: 17 Jun 2018
Time: 09:04

Note: "Jane Gemmell Brown [nee Paterson] was a widow when she married George Johnston Knight on 15 July 1852 at Wattlebank Farm, near Strathalbyn which was believed to have been left to her by her first husband, Samuel Brown. [Searches show that Jane
Paterson aged 24 years married Samuel Brown aged 25 Years at Strathalbyn on 1 July 1844. Samuel Brown died at Strathalbyn on 17 June 1851 aged 33 years].



"Jane was born at Old Cumnock, Ayrshire, Scotland, second daughter of Hugh Paterson and his wife who was a Miss Rankine whose parents were James and Jane Gemmell Rankine of Dalblair, Ayrshire. Hugh Paterson died when his family of six were
still young children and the three eldest were taken into the care of their Uncle Doctor John Rankine and his wife Mary [nee Watson] who had no family of their own.



"When the Rankines decided in 1838 to emigrate to South Australia the three Paterson children accompanied them. Their ship the "Fairfield", 434 tons, Captain Robert Abbott, left Liverpool on 9 November 1838 and reached Glenelg on 30 April 1939.
The passenger list shows a large family party - Dr. Rankine and his wife, his elder brother James Rankine a bachelor, his younger brother William and his wife and their six children James, Matthew, Janet, Susan, John and William. With them
were John Paterson aged 22,Elizabeth Paterson aged 18 and Jane Paterson aged 16. [The Patersons are shown in the P section of the records].



"There were other passengers from Scotland who with the Rankine families were to form a nucleus of the town of Strathalbyn. In 1839 the site was untouched bush. The Rankine brothers and a few other settlers took up most of the special survey in
that area and named it Strath Albyn. That fertile country was eventually to become one of the most prosperous farming areas in the state. Dr. Rankine chose a site covered thickly with blackwood trees and with the River Angus flowing through and
named his property 'Blackwood Park'. Here Jane [Jennie] Paterson lived with the Doctor and his wife for years until her first marriage about 1845 to a Mr Samuel Brown [searches show that Jane Paterson aged 24 years married Samuel Brown aged 25
years at Strathalbyn on 1 July 1844. Samuel Brown died on 17 June 1851 at Strathalbyn]. A son Alexander Bertram Brown was born [no record found] and there appears to be no record of Alexander after Jane's marriage to George Knight in 1852; the
child did not live with his mother and it is unknown if he survived or not.



"South Australian directories show George Knight as farming at 'Wattlebank' until 1871. In that year the family moved to Cooke Plains and the new property was named 'Perkindoo'. George and his wife remained there until their respective deaths
in 1902 and 1900. Obituaries for both of them appeared in The Southern Argus. The first, for Jane, is dated 11 October 1900 and states -



"One of the very oldest settlers in the Strathalbyn district, Mrs George Knight, who as Miss Paterson arrived in the colony on the ship 'Fairfield' on30 April 1839 with her Uncle Dr John Rankine, coming to Blackwood [Blackwood Park] in the
following year, died at her residence, Cooke Plains, on Sunday last in her 81st year, leaving a very large circle of friends to mourne their loss, as well as a husband, three sons and nineteen grandchildren.

Mrs Knight resided at Blackwood Park for about six years then moved to 'Wattlebank' where she married Mr Knight some 48 years ago, continuing to reside there until 1871 when they moved to Cooke Plains, which was thrown open to selection. She
lived there until her death.

Mrs Knight was, in her old age as well as in her youth, very popular and her death is deeply lamented. She was buried on Tuesday in the Strathalbyn cemetery where lay a large number of family connections. Gathered around the grave when the
coffin was lowered to its earthy bed were representatives of most of the old residents of the district as well as younger generations who knew and respected the deceased lady. The Rev G.C.Love DD conducted the funeral rites.

Mrs Knight's death makes one more reduction to the fast thinning list of pioneers of the district. Of the 6 or 7 families who came to the colony by the 'Fairfield' Mr W.Rankine, Mr David Kennedy and Mrs Hooper are all that remain in this
neighbourhood."

Given Name: Jane [Jeannie] Gemmell

Change: Date: 3 Nov 2017
Time: 11:47

Note: Family History Notes trace brewery operations by the Knights. First was David 1, then his son Robert, then his son David 2. The latter died in 1813 and the business was carried on by his son John who was the last of the family to operate the
brewery on the original site. Sale documents dated 26 May 1836 show the signatures of John Knight and his wife Hannah. The family then opened a new brewery in Helen Street where they lived until they migrated to South Australia in 1850.



Other information in the Family History Notes is -



"The articles of roup [?], the whole being offered in 4 lots.

Lot 1, the brewery bought by George Barry, brewer.[now electrical business owned by David Adam and Coy.

Lot 2 was the mansion house and garden in James Street, now called Maule Street, bought by George Gibson, tanner, who named it 'Mauslebank' , now owned by George Smith.

Lots 3 and 4 were bought by John Lyndsay who was already residing in Almerieclose and probably included a whole street of small dwelling houses which the Knight family were known to have owned, probably for brewery workers."



John and Hannah Knight and their 9 children left Scotland in 1850 and arrived in South Australia on the "Hydaspes" in 1851. Notes concerning 4 sons and 4 daughters and their spouses etc are extensive; nothing is recorded about daughter Mary 2
except her birth and death dates and places; a son David 4, a daughter Isabella and Unnamed twins had died in Scotland before the family migrated.

Given Name: John

Change: Date: 15 Jun 2018
Time: 16:49

Note: The Family History has interesting information about the Johnstons.



"Hannah's father John Johnston was a tenant of the farm of "Crudie" on the Panmuir Estate at Arbroath. His third wife was Isabella Spink, the daughter of John Spink, wood merchant and ship owner.



"Hannah married John Knight and had a large family - Knights, Flemings, Stephensons. Her Great Great Grandfather was a well-to-do farmer on the Estate of "Ethie", belonging to the Earl of North Esk. He had two sons George and John. George
became a soldier in foreign service and died with the rank of Captain. John married and had three children - George, Agnes and John. The latter was the Grandfather of Hannah's children.



"The Johnstons lived at Jock's Lodge, Gowan Street, Arbroath and was similar to Almericlose House.



"This information is from old records kept by Mrs J.J.Knight of Taulbridge, Portadown, Ireland."

Given Name: Hannah

Change: Date: 17 Jun 2018
Time: 08:24

Note: The Family History notes show David Knight 4 as the first child born to John and Hannah.



Born and died 1822.

Given Name: David

Change: Date: 3 Nov 2017
Time: 11:48

Note: "Two other [?] sons were born to Charles and Sarah.[searches have found 8 children in all]. They were Arthur who died aged 2 years on 8 June 1860 at 'Mulgundawar' [records show Lake Alexandrina, Strathalbyn] and William Lindsay who died aged 4
years at his grandfather's residence near Strathalbyn [records show Lake Plains] on 9 June 1860, one day apart. Both boys died of pneumonia. Also born and died in early childhood were James F.Knight, born December 1870, lived 10 weeks
[actually born 26 April 1870 and died 2 March 1871] and Margaret Stewart Knight, born 8 January 1872, lived 4 months [actually born 8 December 1871 and died 10 April 1872].





"One has to go back almost to the beginning of colonization of South Australia to establish the undoubted claim of Charles Johnston Knight for inclusion in the gallery of pastoral pioneers.......illegible......arrived in Australia in the
'Arab', a vessel of 184 tons commanded by Captain George Nickles.[this does not comply with the information about the arrival of George Johnston Knight].



"'Arab' was described as 'a fast sailing brig' but the voyage from Liverpool occupied 123 days [again, different information]. It was announced that her cargo consisted of goods specially worthy of attention to people in the bush.



"Charles appears to have identified himself with the pastoral industry from the time of his earliest contact with the province despite the fact that when he landed sheep were in the neighbourhood of boiling-down values. If he read the following
paragraph which appeared in the Press a few days after he landed from Scotland he was not discouraged by it - 'Mr H.Dutton is about to move into town a flock of 500 ewes with a view to boiling them down as the first wholesale experiment on
the subject of colonial tallow making'.



"Charles's first experience in sheep farming was at Green Hills, east of the Meadows in the Mount Lofty Ranges where his uncle Mr J.S.Johnston had established himself at least 3 years before, believed to be 1840, calling his place 'Turkunga'.
In the 1844 record Mr Johnston is credited with possession of 3500 ewes, 1200 wethers and 500 lambs, this holding making him one of the big breeders of his day.



"Family traditions would mean that Charles and his brother George would not have been paid for work for their uncle. Mr Johnston's pioneering story has, alas, gone down to the grave with him after his death. His Green Hills country was
described as 'embracing the magnificient and soft verdure of a park, the eye surveys a scene worthy in wild luxurience, to rank with the princely domains of this country'. Among his neighbours were John McHard and Samuel Reynell. All else that
is known about him is that he left the Mount Lofty Ranges and bought a run near Wellington. It is believed he died in NSW.



"Charles Johnston Knight followed his uncle to the Wellington property and there gained much valuable experience to help him when the time came to launch out for himself. He next entered the employ of Mr Francis Grote who was sheep farming at
Guichen Bay in the South East. Subsequently he and his brother George acquired some land between Hampden [near Mt Barker] and Strathalbyn, which they farmed with varying success. The partnership was ended in 1856 in which year Charles Knight
took up land from the Government between Langhornes Creek and Wellington. The native name for the district was Mulgundawar, meaning a backwater, and he adopted it for his estate. George, his brother, probably went to Cooke Plains about this
time 1869/72. In 1875 Charles visited Scotland on a holiday.



"Until 1884 Charles combined sheep breeding with cereal production and dairy farming. He was proud of the fact that he grew some Cape barley which was malted and used by Mr Lewis of Maclesfield in maturing beer that won a Gold Medal in
Adelaide. In 1884 he started a small merino stud with purchases from Wellington and Nalpa. Soon after he introduced some Tasmanian blood [this apparently lowered the quality of the wool clip as reference made to [ram no good].



"'Mulgundawar' where cattle were also raised is situated about 12 miles from Langhornes Creek and consists, like most of the country around Lake Alexandria, of low lying flats interspersed with a few hillocks. The ample timber of the early days
is represented now by only scattered sheoaks. The soil is of a light sandy description which, combined with a good rainfall, produces an abundance of food. Most of the paddocks have a frontage to the lake.



"With increasing years Mr Knight gave up the management of the property to his two sons Joseph and John. The old pioneer died on 29 June 1915 at the age of 92.5 years and he has the distinction of being the longest lived of all men dealt with
in these articles. 'Mulgundawar' now belongs to his second son John S.Knight. This article would have been written some time in the 1920s.



"At the time of Charles Knight's death the writer who conducted the very interesting 'Jottings' column in The Southern Argus under the penname of JWE [possibly Mr J.W.Elliot], published the following -

In earlier days Charles and George Knight were very active members of the southern community and consequently were widely known, the last-named perhaps more than the first. I have told many stories of George Knight, his versatile experiences
furnishing text for an almost unlimited fund of anecdote, his love of practical jokes alone accounting for more amusement than 20 average Scotchmen would provide for their fellow men.

I am afraid the lively George was a bit of a trial for the more staid Charles, but that did not affect George who used to laugh heartily at the fears his elder brother sometimes expressed that he would come to some serious accident if he
continued to be so reckless. Dear old George! He died peacefully in bed, loved to the end and keeping his genial nature in tact until the spirit winged its way.

In late years the aged pastoralist Charles had lived almost a hermit's life on the lakeside estate, but though he had not much seen of men, he kept his interest of the affairs of them. The last time I saw him he fairly staggered me by the
questions he asked me, the variety of subjects he touched on , showing how widely his acquaintence with the events of the day extended.

Some years ago Mr Knight wanted Mr Caldwell [Strathalbyn undertaker] to make up a coffin for him so that it 'might be ready when wanted'. The order was given several times but Mr Caldwell tactfully postponed the execution of it. Mr Knight also
wanted to arrange for the wording of the joint headstone for himself and his wife who had died in the early seventies. Mr E.Potts Senior of Langhornes Creek had his coffin ready for several years."

Given Name: Charles Johnston

Change: Date: 17 Jun 2018
Time: 14:49

Note: Only birth and death years at Arbroath, Scotland, are mentioned in the Family History notes.

Given Name: Isabella

Change: Date: 15 Jun 2018
Time: 16:52

Given Name: Unnamed Twins

Change: Date: 12 Apr 2004

Note: Only birth year and death date and place are mentioned in the Family History notes.

Given Name: Mary

Change: Date: 17 Jun 2018
Time: 09:22

Note: Margaret would have been about 21 years of age when she arrived at Adelaide with her parents and siblings on the 'Hydaspes' in 1851. She married Alexander Bowman in 1865, the Reverend John Anderson of Strathalbyn conducting the service.



Margaret was Alexander's second wife; this union had no children but there were five children to his first marriage. Searching has not been undertaken.



Margaret lived at Alexander's house "Cawdor", half way between Middleton and Port Elliot, with her step daughter Christina May McKutchen Bowman, until her death in 1905. Christina died there on 24 April 1925 aged 65 years.

Given Name: Margaret

Change: Date: 15 Jun 2018
Time: 16:54

Note: "After marrying John Nicholson, Elizabeth went to his estate "Taulbridge" in Northern Ireland. She was joined at the estate by her brother John Johnston Knight after the loss of his wife Rhoda and children in South Australia.



"Elizabeth lived the rest of her life at "Taulbridge", remaining childless, and died at 90 years of age in 1922."

Given Name: Elizabeth

Change: Date: 17 Jun 2018
Time: 09:24

Note: "Agnes, who never married, died on the eve of her 100th birthday at a nursing home at 21 East Parkway, Reade Park SA. She had a keen memory of her past including events in early childhood. She clearly remembered being taken to Dundee to see
Queen Victoria visiting there. Agnes had a boil which chose to burst at the exact time that the Queen was passing so the four year old failed to see the Queen in her carriage.



"Agnes was 17 when she reached South Australia [ on the 'Hydaspes' in 1851]. During the voyage she made friends with the First Mate Mr Reid. She begged him to accompany her to the hold to get an article of heavy luggage stored there. "Yons ma
kist" she cried on spying her own box. This so amused Mr Reid that he would tease her by thumping his chest and saying "Yons ma kist".





"Agnes lived in Strathalbyn with her parents and after their deaths with different relatives including her neice Mrs Jock Leitch and the Whisson family. The occasion of her 99th birthday was mistakenly printed as her 100th in an Adelaide
newspaper. Their report was -

'Woman 100 years today, arrived 82 years ago. A trip to Strathalbyn in a bullock wagon. Vivid memories being taken to Dundee when Queen Victoria visited after ascention to the throne by Miss Agnes Knight, Reade Park, who celebrated her 100th
anniversary of her birth today. Queen Victoria ascended to the throne on Miss Knight's 5th [actually her 4th] birthday. Although she didn't see the Queen that day she recollects many incidents of the Queen's career including her marriage to
'that wee bit German Laddie'. And the Queen's severity towards the Prince of Wales.

'The children attending the school did not wear sleeves in their frocks in the schoolroom but had false sleeves that were worn when the children went outside.

'The famous comedian Harry Lauder attended this academy in Arbroath. The Lord of the Manor only lived in Arbroath for two months each year said Miss Knight, but during that time he gave two big dances, a long night at the end of the first month
and a break-up ball before departing. At night our only lamp was an oil one with a wick which was hung on the mantlepiece.

'Miss Knight arrived in Adelaide with her father in 1851. After a few days in Adelaide they settled at Strathalbyn, the trip there being made by bullock wagon. 'Blacks were plentiful for a long time' said Miss Knight 'I remember one who used to
walk around wearing a widow's bonnet and a white collar, and there was old King, one of the nicest blacks it was possible to meet. He wore an overcoat and nothing else. Old King's grandson Bonaparte was always very good to me.

'It was an old custom in Scotland to make a chest of linen for the first granddaughter. Miss Knight's mother received a marvellous collection of hand made linen goods this way and although they are more than 200 years old some are still in
possession of Miss Knight's relatives in Adelaide.

'Although Miss Knight's sight has gone and she is becoming increasingly hard of hearing her memory remains keen. She was given a birthday party today at the home of Mr W.H.Stevenson of Seacliff. It was attended by 15 relatives.'



"A good photograph was with this account showing Agnes Knight in a closely fitting bonnet and nursing a young baby. As mentioned formerly she did not actually reach 100 years but died the day before on 27 June 1934"

Given Name: Agnes

Change: Date: 17 Jun 2018
Time: 09:34

Note: "Arrived at Adelaide with his family on the 'Hydaspes' in 1851 at the age of 15 years and went with them to Strathalbyn.



"Later he became a storekeeper at George Street, Thebarton.



"When he was a little boy living at 'Maule Cottage', Arbroath, he did not get on well with his younger sister Charlotte. One day she fell from the attic window but was not injured. In reporting to his mother wee James said "Charlottie ha'
fallen oot the windie; I could hae stoppit her but I didn'a want tae".

Given Name: James Johnston

Change: Date: 15 Jun 2018
Time: 16:56

Note: "Charlotte was 12 years of age when she reached South Australia in 1851 on the 'Hydaspes' and was 26 at her marriage to James Fleming at Strathalbyn in 1865." James Fleming's obituary was published in The Southern Argus of March 20 1913.
"There was laid to rest in the Strathalbyn cemetery on Tuesday the Rev G.C.Love conducting the burial service, one, who came to Strathalbyn in its early days and who for over 30 years was a prominent townsman Mr James Fleming who died on Sunday at age of 88 years. Mr Fleming was born in January 1824 and arrived in the "Forfarshire" on August 3rd 1848. On the same day he started to walk to Strathalbyn and spent his first night in South Australia within a mile from where he died at Mt Lofty.
On arriving at Strathalbyn be began business with the late Mr James Walker, brother of Doctor John Walker, a pioneer of the district who married Susan Rankine., daughter of William Rankine. The firm of Walker and Fleming built their store in High Street, Strathalbyn, and until recently it was used by David Bell and Co as a grocery store.
During his residence here Mr Fleming was closely identified with all that stood for progress, and the Presbyterian Church had in him a staunch supporter. He married in May 1865 Miss Charlotte Knight , a sister of Charles Johnston Knight of Mulgundawa who still lives there and celebrated his 90th birthday in September last. Three sons and four daughters survive.
Mr Fleming retained his faculties to the last and until recently kept up a diary which he started as a boy and regularly posted in without a break during his ;long life."

James Fleming left the Strathalbyn District about 1878 and thereafter lived at Glenelg, Adelaide and Port Adelaide and by 1894 was at Mile End, not far from the city. After his retirement from the Customs Department , where he was employed after leaving Strathalbyn, he and his wife made their home at Mt Lofty until their respective deaths. Their daughter Mary Fleming was still living in that district in 1966.

The site of Flemings store in Strathalbyn after changing hands a number of times is now The Returned Soldiers Club rooms and are recognised as the best in this State.

Given Name: Charlotte

Change: Date: 17 Jun 2018
Time: 14:28

Note: "John arrived in Australia at 9 years of age on the 'Hydaspes' in 1851 and spent his boyhood in Strathalbyn. After 'Rhoda' and his children died he went to his sister Elizabeth and her husband John Nicholson in Northern Ireland and stayed to
manage their estate - "Taulbridge", Annaghmore, Portadown, Armagh. There he remarried his Scottish employee Ada McKenzie, many years his junior, and fathered two children.



He died at this estate at the age of 90 years. "

Given Name: John Johnston

Change: Date: 16 Jun 2018
Time: 12:24