Skipton Hotel built 1859
Isabella McLeoran 1840 - 1861
1840 Birth record of Isabella McLeoran (McLaren)
Southend, Scotland 7 Jul 1840
Southend, Scotland 7 Jul 1840
1860 Arrival of Isabella McLaren (McLeoran) aboard the Prince of the Seas
1860 Isabella (19) was heading for the Pollocks at Portarlington
Isabella McLeoran 1840 - 1861
The Prince of the Seas departed Liverpool UK on 24 Nov 1859, arriving at Melbourne on 21 Feb 1860. Isabella was aboard with her parents and younger brothers, Malcolm and Edward. She travelled separately from the rest of the family, gave her name as "McLaren" and her occupation as "dairy maid", and offered "Matthew Pollock, Portarlington" as her sponsor.
Around May 1861, Isabella commenced work as a domestic servant with farmers, Archibald and Jessie Stewart (siblings) at Skipton, 100 km WNW of Geelong and SW of Ballarat. On the night of 21 Aug 1861, immediately after dinner, Isabella left the kitchen and went outside to the garden. Several minutes later Jessie Stewart found her found lifeless on the ground. At the inquest into her death held two days later at the Skipton Hotel, a doctor declared simply that "from the appearance of the body and the evidence given the deceased had died of apoplexy".
Isabella was buried at the Skipton Cemetery.
The Prince of the Seas departed Liverpool UK on 24 Nov 1859, arriving at Melbourne on 21 Feb 1860. Isabella was aboard with her parents and younger brothers, Malcolm and Edward. She travelled separately from the rest of the family, gave her name as "McLaren" and her occupation as "dairy maid", and offered "Matthew Pollock, Portarlington" as her sponsor.
Around May 1861, Isabella commenced work as a domestic servant with farmers, Archibald and Jessie Stewart (siblings) at Skipton, 100 km WNW of Geelong and SW of Ballarat. On the night of 21 Aug 1861, immediately after dinner, Isabella left the kitchen and went outside to the garden. Several minutes later Jessie Stewart found her found lifeless on the ground. At the inquest into her death held two days later at the Skipton Hotel, a doctor declared simply that "from the appearance of the body and the evidence given the deceased had died of apoplexy".
Isabella was buried at the Skipton Cemetery.
1861 Isabella McLeoran inquest - part Jessie Stewart's deposition
1861 Isabella McLaren (McLeoran) death certificate
Skipton Cemetery - resting place of 21 years old Isabella McLeoran
Comments - Isabella McLeoran
Death at the age of 21 of apoplexy (stroke) is out of keeping with the general rude health and longevity displayed by every other female McLeoran - McVicar descendant born in Southend. However, Isabella's older sister Mary did die at age 51 of heart disease - but after 12 children!
A modern day inquest and a police investigation may arrive at a very different conclusion.
Employer Archibald Stewart passed away 46 years later in 1897. His property was called "Wongan" indicating it may have been near Lake Wongan. At his service, the minister praised Archibald for his unflinching industry and frugality, and his adoration of Robbie Burns as the prophet of not only Scotland, but of all humanity.
Death at the age of 21 of apoplexy (stroke) is out of keeping with the general rude health and longevity displayed by every other female McLeoran - McVicar descendant born in Southend. However, Isabella's older sister Mary did die at age 51 of heart disease - but after 12 children!
A modern day inquest and a police investigation may arrive at a very different conclusion.
Employer Archibald Stewart passed away 46 years later in 1897. His property was called "Wongan" indicating it may have been near Lake Wongan. At his service, the minister praised Archibald for his unflinching industry and frugality, and his adoration of Robbie Burns as the prophet of not only Scotland, but of all humanity.