Great Yarmouth in the 19th century
Martha Goss 1839 - 1916
ON THIS PAGE - Major events in Martha Goss's life in chronological order.
Links to other events and persons are included in the story below.
Links to other events and persons are included in the story below.
1862 Amos and Martha Slight listed on the Jessie Munn passenger list
1862 Amos and Martha Slight emigrated to Queensland
Martha Goss (22) arrived in Moreton Bay on the Jessie Munn on 28 Jan 1862 alongside her Fensman husband, Amos Slight (21). Martha was born in March 1839 at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and Amos at Gedney Drove End in Lincolnshire. They married at Lincoln in May 1861.
After their arrival, Amos and Martha travelled west to Tartha, where Amos worked as a shepherd for William Dockrill for perhaps 2 or 3 years.
Clara Eversden attested in 1916 that she had known Martha for 52 years, confirming that Amos and Martha Slight were at Tartha in 1864, the year the Eversdens arrived.
Martha Goss (22) arrived in Moreton Bay on the Jessie Munn on 28 Jan 1862 alongside her Fensman husband, Amos Slight (21). Martha was born in March 1839 at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, and Amos at Gedney Drove End in Lincolnshire. They married at Lincoln in May 1861.
After their arrival, Amos and Martha travelled west to Tartha, where Amos worked as a shepherd for William Dockrill for perhaps 2 or 3 years.
Clara Eversden attested in 1916 that she had known Martha for 52 years, confirming that Amos and Martha Slight were at Tartha in 1864, the year the Eversdens arrived.
1866 Death of Amos Slight; Martha's marriage to William Dockrill
In July 1866, Amos and Martha Slight moved from Tartha to land they had purchased in 1865 at Bulimba on the south side of the Brisbane River. It was here in September 1866 that Amos met his death in a freak tree-felling accident. He was working alone.
Within 2 months of Amos's death, William Dockrill (36) travelled to Brisbane and married Martha (27). Men outnumbered women in the Dalby area in those days, so a man needed to move swiftly to acquire a wife. William Dockrill was always decisive in his actions. Around that time, Dockrill was arranging the purchase of Tartha, so he would have been regarded by Martha as a prime "catch", despite the remote location of the property.
In July 1866, Amos and Martha Slight moved from Tartha to land they had purchased in 1865 at Bulimba on the south side of the Brisbane River. It was here in September 1866 that Amos met his death in a freak tree-felling accident. He was working alone.
Within 2 months of Amos's death, William Dockrill (36) travelled to Brisbane and married Martha (27). Men outnumbered women in the Dalby area in those days, so a man needed to move swiftly to acquire a wife. William Dockrill was always decisive in his actions. Around that time, Dockrill was arranging the purchase of Tartha, so he would have been regarded by Martha as a prime "catch", despite the remote location of the property.
1862 - 1899 Family Members living at Tartha with Martha Goss
It appears that Martha Goss lived at Tartha between 1862 - 1864 with first husband Amos Slight. She returned in 1866 as William Dockrill's wife and continued to live there until 1899. She spent in total 36 years at this remote location where all the buildings had earthen floors .
Here is a list of family members who lived at Tartha alongside Martha:
* Perhaps Susan & Isabella remained in Brisbane or in Ipswich with Ivett relatives and it is also likely that Isabella lived in Warwick. It is highly unlikely that either of Jane's two older sons, Thomas (24) and James (18), relocated to Tartha with their mother in 1880.
It appears that Martha Goss lived at Tartha between 1862 - 1864 with first husband Amos Slight. She returned in 1866 as William Dockrill's wife and continued to live there until 1899. She spent in total 36 years at this remote location where all the buildings had earthen floors .
Here is a list of family members who lived at Tartha alongside Martha:
- William Dockrill 1852 - 1899 (47 years)
- Lewis James Eversden 1864 - 1886 (22 years)
- Clara Sophia Eversden 1864 - 1879 (15 years)
- Edwin James Gransden 1873 - 1898 approximately (25 years)
- Jane Rider 1880 - 1886 (six years)
- William Joseph Brown 1880 - 1886 (6 years)
- Catherine Wright (Edwin Gransden's wife) 1893 - 1898 approximately (five years)
- Possibly* Susan Alice Brown 1880 - 1884 (maximum four years)
- Possibly* Isabella Jane Brown 1880 - 1883 (maximum three years)
* Perhaps Susan & Isabella remained in Brisbane or in Ipswich with Ivett relatives and it is also likely that Isabella lived in Warwick. It is highly unlikely that either of Jane's two older sons, Thomas (24) and James (18), relocated to Tartha with their mother in 1880.
Comment
The list of family members and their stays at Tartha reveals the following:
The list of family members and their stays at Tartha reveals the following:
- A minimum of 160 person-years were spent at Tartha. It is surprising that despite the remote location and tough living conditions - it was several days' ride to medical assistance - that no members of the family group died there or suffered a crippling accident. This is a testament to their very strong constitutions. William lived to the age of 83, Martha 77, Lewis Eversden 89, Clara 99, Gransden 74, and Jane Rider 79.
- Martha and Clara were the only women in the Tartha homestead between 1866 and 1879, when Clara was aged between 10 and 23. (There would have been itinerant workers' wives on the property, as Dockrill employed shepherds and other farm workers.)
- Martha and William abandoned hope of a child in 1873, when Martha was only 33 years of age. Early that year William travelled to Brisbane to adopt Edwin Gransden.
- For seven years, between 1886 (the departure of the Eversdens) and 1893 (the arrival of Catherine Wright) Martha would have been without female companionship.
- It would not come as a surprise if the childless Martha, after spending 36 years of her life at Tartha, including at least seven years without female companionship, became somewhat bitter and twisted, perhaps anti-social, perhaps over-dependent on William.
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1899 - 1916 Retirement in Southport
After a continuous and no doubt testing and repetitive 36 years at Tartha, Martha moved with William to Southport. They were reunited with the Eversdens again after 13 years apart. Their house, Heron Cottage, was in Nerang Street, about 100 m west along Nerang Street from the Eversdens' residence, Belle-View. See the property map with the homes marked below. By 1899, the Eversdens (who had relocated from Tartha in 1886) were well established in Southport society. Both Jane and Lewis were heavily involved in the Congregational Church, Lewis had his floral and his community interests, which included council, library, legal and committee work, and their son William Joseph Brown was married with a son. On 20 Nov 1908, both the Dockrills and the Eversdens attended Southport High School's annual sports day, along with many other Southport dignitaries. This may have been an effort by the Eversdens to involve the Dockrills in Southport community life. There is no further record in Trove of the Dockrills attending similar events. Martha was buried to the rites of the Church of England, indicating that she and William probably did not attend the Congregational Church with the Eversdens. |
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1916 Death of Martha Goss
25 Jul 1916 Martha passed away at Southport. A local carpenter and widower, George Daw, her new-found "dear" friend, was her sole beneficiary. In a document associated with her estate, Clara McLaran made corrections that spelled out that she considered she was William Dockrill’s niece and NOT a niece of Martha’s. 1916 Probate on Martha's Will 19 August 1916 The Brisbane Courier IN THE SUPREME COURT OF QUEENSLAND In the WILL OF MARTHA DOCKRILL, late of Heron Cottage, Nerang Street, Southport, in the State of Queensland Widow, Deceased. Notice is hereby given that, after the expiration of fourteen days from the date of the publication hereof, application will be made to this Honourable Court that PROBATE of the WILL of the abovenamed Martha Dockrill deceased, may be granted to GEORGE DAW, of Nerang street, Southport, in the said State, Carpenter, the sole Executor named in the said WILL. |
1916 Settlement of Martha's Estate.
Clara Eversden declared she was Matha's husband niece - not Martha's niece - and she had known Martha for 52 years. |
1916 Part of Martha Goss's death certificate
Points to note:
Points to note:
- her age was recorded as 76 years 4 months (we expected 77 years 4 months, but this information would have been obtained from Clara Eversden and it is likely to be correct as they did spend many years together);
- Martha's father was a tailor;
- her identity was certified by Clara Eversden;
- Church of England burial service.
1915 Martha bequeathed everything she owned to George Daw, her "dear friend".
1916 Martha Goss - List of Creditors
Martha owed money to:
Comment
One wonders if either George Daw or Lewis Eversden had offered or provided any financial support for Martha. It appears that at the end of her life, Martha was very short of cash and was living on credit. And perhaps she was running short of friends as well?
Martha owed money to:
- Mr Melrose (butcher)
- Harper Bros (milk vendors)
- Mr Hope (grocer)
- Mr Sowden (baker)
- Mr Savage (storekeeper)
- Southport Pharmacy Ltd
- Mr Monkhouse (occupation unknown - a lawn bowler who often teamed with Dr Sapsford; he may have lent her money)
- her niece, Clara McLaran who resided in Dalby and could reasonably have expected to inherit from Martha
- Mrs Housego (a neighbour whose son was fighting in France),
- Dr Pelham Sapsford
Comment
One wonders if either George Daw or Lewis Eversden had offered or provided any financial support for Martha. It appears that at the end of her life, Martha was very short of cash and was living on credit. And perhaps she was running short of friends as well?
1916 Martha Goss - Inventory of property (other than real estate)
Note: George Daw's flamboyant signature
Note: George Daw's flamboyant signature
1917 Martha Goss - real estate inherited by George Daw
Early Property Map of Southport
Note:
Note:
- The Dockrills' Heron Cottage (2 x 1 acre lots) was located within 100 metres of Belle-vue, the Eversden residence
- Mrs Housego lived in High Street
- Cambridge House was on the northern corner of Nerang Street and Marine Parade.
- This map is pre-railway.
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Questions and (possible) Answers:
Q1. Who was George Daw, the sole beneficiary of Martha's will? A1. George Daw was a recent immigrant from England, residing in Southport between 1913 and his death in August 1927. He lived in Nerang Street as did Martha. George was a widower and had four sons, two of whom lived in New South Wales and two in Canada at the time of his death. He may have been a very kind person or he may have been one who was adept at becoming the beneficiary of the wills of unrelated persons - he certainly worked his way into Martha's heart after William's death in 1913. George, who died after a long illness, aged 70 in 1927, was 56 years of age when he chanced upon the gullible Martha in need of assistance. When he died, he left a sizeable real estate portfolio of around 30 land allotments in the Southport area. Several of the allotments were adjacent to Martha's allotments in Nerang Street. |
Southport Cemetery George Daw headstone
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Q2. Why did Martha not leave her estate to her husband's niece, Clara Eversden, or her adopted son, Edwin Gransden?
A2. Clara certified in writing Martha's identity for her death certificate. She supplied reasonably accurate details about Martha that one would expect from a daughter or very close relative. Clara was preferred as a source of information to Edwin Gransden, but neither benefitted from Martha's will. Perhaps Martha was showing signs of senility when she made her will in favour of Daw in 1915. She obviously did not seek advice from Jane Rider (who was probably suffering from senility at the time) or Lewis Eversden who lived close by. Martha probably relied upon her new "dear friend", George Daw (the same age as the son she never had) for constant emotional support in the trying three years after William had passed on. She would have become increasingly frail over these years. She may have had hostile feelings towards both Clara and Edwin (they lived in Dalby and Brisbane respectively) who were unable to offer assistance. Perhaps the words "dear friend" sent a deliberate message from the grave to Clara and Edwin that she was not fond of either of them or she felt they had let her down or abandoned her.
Q3. Did George Daw inherit a sizeable estate?
A3. Yes. Martha's personal items and cash amounted to around £86 but she had debts of around £100, including a debt of around £10 to Clara Eversden, but the bulk of her estate would have comprised her home, "Heron Cottage", on Lots 8 and 9 of Section 10 in Nerang St, Southport. Daw testified that the real estate was not valued at more than £438. While properties in the area were selling for more at that time, it is difficult to make a comparison. It is probable that Daw inherited much more than £450 overall, a sizeable sum in 1916 for a newly arrived carpenter. When Daw died, his estate - see Q1. - was worth in excess of £2100 - much more than he could ever have earned as a humble carpenter. The proceeds from 60 years of hard work by the Dockrills at Tartha had set him up very nicely indeed.
Q4. Why did Clara Eversden refute that she was Martha's niece?
A4. There are several answers:
Q5. Why was Martha short of cash when she passed on?
A5. She and William probably had little income and had lived on their (dwindling) capital since 1899. It is possible that Martha may have been "financing" her "dear friend", George Daw, in his real estate ventures. If he had lent her any money it would have been included in Martha's debts. It is always one way traffic when dealing with a confidence trickster.
Q6. Would Lewis and Jane Eversden have helped out Martha?
A5. Less than a year later, Jane died of senile dementia and heart failure and Lewis Eversden was suffering from failing eyesight. It is doubtful they were in a position to offer much assistance to Martha and were probably appreciative of George Daw's actions. It is surprising and a little disappointing that Martha, in her hour of need, fell back upon her neighbour, Mrs Housrego, and her doctor's bowling friend, Mr Monkhouse, instead of the deep pockets of the long-standing Deacon of the Southport Congregational Church, her brother-in-law, Lewis Eversden.
A2. Clara certified in writing Martha's identity for her death certificate. She supplied reasonably accurate details about Martha that one would expect from a daughter or very close relative. Clara was preferred as a source of information to Edwin Gransden, but neither benefitted from Martha's will. Perhaps Martha was showing signs of senility when she made her will in favour of Daw in 1915. She obviously did not seek advice from Jane Rider (who was probably suffering from senility at the time) or Lewis Eversden who lived close by. Martha probably relied upon her new "dear friend", George Daw (the same age as the son she never had) for constant emotional support in the trying three years after William had passed on. She would have become increasingly frail over these years. She may have had hostile feelings towards both Clara and Edwin (they lived in Dalby and Brisbane respectively) who were unable to offer assistance. Perhaps the words "dear friend" sent a deliberate message from the grave to Clara and Edwin that she was not fond of either of them or she felt they had let her down or abandoned her.
Q3. Did George Daw inherit a sizeable estate?
A3. Yes. Martha's personal items and cash amounted to around £86 but she had debts of around £100, including a debt of around £10 to Clara Eversden, but the bulk of her estate would have comprised her home, "Heron Cottage", on Lots 8 and 9 of Section 10 in Nerang St, Southport. Daw testified that the real estate was not valued at more than £438. While properties in the area were selling for more at that time, it is difficult to make a comparison. It is probable that Daw inherited much more than £450 overall, a sizeable sum in 1916 for a newly arrived carpenter. When Daw died, his estate - see Q1. - was worth in excess of £2100 - much more than he could ever have earned as a humble carpenter. The proceeds from 60 years of hard work by the Dockrills at Tartha had set him up very nicely indeed.
Q4. Why did Clara Eversden refute that she was Martha's niece?
A4. There are several answers:
- she disliked Martha intensely;
- she was upset at being left out of Martha's will;
- she did not consider it was appropriate that Martha should leave her (and her Dockrill uncle's) wealth to a carpenter who she had known for less than two years, particularly after she had spent 13 of her formative years in Martha's company in remote Tartha;
- Clara had provided financial support for Martha in her hour of need;
- Clara may have considered William Dockrill as a living connection to the mother she had lost on the Flying Cloud. She may have resented Martha marrying William and coming between uncle and niece. We will never know for certain.
- Five months earlier, 1 Feb 1916, Clara lost her daughter Laura Annie McLaran, 27, to Typhoid. She was probably in no position to assist Martha in her final days and thought her financial assistance was the best she could offer.
Q5. Why was Martha short of cash when she passed on?
A5. She and William probably had little income and had lived on their (dwindling) capital since 1899. It is possible that Martha may have been "financing" her "dear friend", George Daw, in his real estate ventures. If he had lent her any money it would have been included in Martha's debts. It is always one way traffic when dealing with a confidence trickster.
Q6. Would Lewis and Jane Eversden have helped out Martha?
A5. Less than a year later, Jane died of senile dementia and heart failure and Lewis Eversden was suffering from failing eyesight. It is doubtful they were in a position to offer much assistance to Martha and were probably appreciative of George Daw's actions. It is surprising and a little disappointing that Martha, in her hour of need, fell back upon her neighbour, Mrs Housrego, and her doctor's bowling friend, Mr Monkhouse, instead of the deep pockets of the long-standing Deacon of the Southport Congregational Church, her brother-in-law, Lewis Eversden.
Comment
Martha failed to conceive during four years of marriage to Amos and thereafter with her second husband William Dockrill. This suggests that most likely Martha was barren.
Martha failed to conceive during four years of marriage to Amos and thereafter with her second husband William Dockrill. This suggests that most likely Martha was barren.