Mitiamo c. 1900
Mary McLeoran 1838 - 1888
1856 Arrival of Mary McLearin (McLeoran) aboard the Nugget
1856 Mary McLearin (18) bound for Mrs Vivian's employment, Queenscliffe, Geelong
(It is possible Mrs Vivian was the wife of postmaster, SC Vivian )
(It is possible Mrs Vivian was the wife of postmaster, SC Vivian )
Mary McLeoran 1838 - 1888
Mary (18) emigrated to Geelong, Victoria in Nov 1856 with her oldest brother Donald, her occupation on arrival listed as "housemaid". Her immediate destination / employer was listed as "Mrs Vivien, Queenscliffe".
In 1859 Mary married fellow Scot, Ayrshireman Matthew Pollock, who had arrived in Victoria in 1852. Between 1861 and 1879 Mary and Matthew had 11 children - see family tree. Mary named some of her children after McLeoran relations:
The Pollock family eventually settled in Mitamo in the Terrick Terrick area west of Echuca and led an agricultural life. Matthew acquired farms over the years, judged exhibitions at country shows, and together they were stalwarts of the Bible Christian Church.
Mary had a weak heart and sadly passed away at the age of 51. She was survived by 10 of her children, many of whom lived long lives. For example, her final child Donald Pollock:
Mary and Matthew eventually had at least 20 grandchildren. Mary's Argyll roots were not forgotten, one grandchild, Roy McLaren Whitfield 1900 - 1943, was honoured with the Anglicised version of her Southend family name.
Daughter Jane Pollock married John Herman Hannasky in 1890 and together they had 12 children over 21 years. Many of their descendants live in the Echuca area today.
Mary (18) emigrated to Geelong, Victoria in Nov 1856 with her oldest brother Donald, her occupation on arrival listed as "housemaid". Her immediate destination / employer was listed as "Mrs Vivien, Queenscliffe".
In 1859 Mary married fellow Scot, Ayrshireman Matthew Pollock, who had arrived in Victoria in 1852. Between 1861 and 1879 Mary and Matthew had 11 children - see family tree. Mary named some of her children after McLeoran relations:
- Isabella - her recently deceased sister;
- Margaret (twice) - her grandmother she never met;
- Archibald - her father;
- Donald - her brother and cousin in Queensland.
The Pollock family eventually settled in Mitamo in the Terrick Terrick area west of Echuca and led an agricultural life. Matthew acquired farms over the years, judged exhibitions at country shows, and together they were stalwarts of the Bible Christian Church.
Mary had a weak heart and sadly passed away at the age of 51. She was survived by 10 of her children, many of whom lived long lives. For example, her final child Donald Pollock:
- Donald was born on 8 August 1879 when Mary was 41 years of age;
- He married Charlotte Haw on 25 January 1906, in Mitiamo;
- Donald fathered at least 1 son and 1 daughter;
- He died on 7 August 1970 and was buried in Bendigo.
Mary and Matthew eventually had at least 20 grandchildren. Mary's Argyll roots were not forgotten, one grandchild, Roy McLaren Whitfield 1900 - 1943, was honoured with the Anglicised version of her Southend family name.
Daughter Jane Pollock married John Herman Hannasky in 1890 and together they had 12 children over 21 years. Many of their descendants live in the Echuca area today.
c. 1885 Mary McLeoran and husband Matthew Pollock
Comments on photo of Mary McLaren and Matthew Pollock.
This photo of Mary and the one of Donald McLaran of Dalby are the only photos of the 15 grandchildren of Malcolm McLeoran and Margaret McVicar to have surfaced to date.
Mary's left eye, severely damaged in the photo on line, has been "corrected" by duplication of her right eye. It is a small improvement.
This photo of Mary and the one of Donald McLaran of Dalby are the only photos of the 15 grandchildren of Malcolm McLeoran and Margaret McVicar to have surfaced to date.
Mary's left eye, severely damaged in the photo on line, has been "corrected" by duplication of her right eye. It is a small improvement.
1888 Report of Mary McLeoran's passing
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Mary McLeoran's descendants from Mitiamo in World War 1
At least three grandsons of Mary McLeoran served in WW1:
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Terrick South State School World War 1 Honour Board
Pyramid Hill Cemetery - Refurbished Pollock grave
Mary Pollock Martin married 1901 and died 1903
Mary Pollock Martin married 1901 and died 1903
1950s Six of Mary McLeoran's and Matthew Pollock's descendants - Gundry and Pollock surnames - played for the Gunbower Football Club
2003 Pollock Family Reunion - a small number of the descendants of Mary and Matthew
Sadly, no mention of the McLeoran / McLaren family name
Note: Bruce Pollock from Gunbower Football photo
Sadly, no mention of the McLeoran / McLaren family name
Note: Bruce Pollock from Gunbower Football photo
Comments - Mary McLeoran
Mary married soon after her arrival in Victoria, produced 12 children over 18 years, and died aged 51, a relatively early death for a McLeoran female. Her heart condition may have been similar to that of her sister, Isabella, who died at the age of 21.
The Pollocks initially lived at Portarlington on the Bellarine Peninsula, then Mt Pleasant, and finally in the Mitiamo area where they succeeded in their agricultural endeavours. Today, their numerous descendants live around Echuca and no doubt elsewhere throughout Victoria, Australia and the world.
The 2006 refurbishment of the family grave at Pyramid Hill - more than 100 years after the deaths of Matthew Pollock and Mary McLeoran - demonstrates today's family has a strong ongoing interest in their family founders.
Mary married soon after her arrival in Victoria, produced 12 children over 18 years, and died aged 51, a relatively early death for a McLeoran female. Her heart condition may have been similar to that of her sister, Isabella, who died at the age of 21.
The Pollocks initially lived at Portarlington on the Bellarine Peninsula, then Mt Pleasant, and finally in the Mitiamo area where they succeeded in their agricultural endeavours. Today, their numerous descendants live around Echuca and no doubt elsewhere throughout Victoria, Australia and the world.
The 2006 refurbishment of the family grave at Pyramid Hill - more than 100 years after the deaths of Matthew Pollock and Mary McLeoran - demonstrates today's family has a strong ongoing interest in their family founders.