About Ruth Family
Arrived in Feb 1867 age given as 28 with sister Esther on the `Morning Light`. 
According to Emily Kealy`s `The History of Bringalbert South`, he worked on 
Bringalbert Station (marriage certificate lists occupation as gardener) where he met 
Maria Ann, a maid there. They moved from Bringalbert to their selection `Rosebank` 
(which was next to her father Peter Fox`s, which they eventually bought) whenMary 
Ellen was a baby, with 100 pounds in savings. `... he built a comfortable little 
poise dwelling for his family, which they occupied until the large family was grown 
up. Then, with his own labourand very little assistance, he built a good, substantial 
homestead and fenced in a large garden. While he was at home he turned it into the 
most beautiful garden on Bringalbert South, and when, for several years, he competed 
for a 5 pound prize given for the best flower and vegetable garden within a certain 
radius of Apsley, the `Rosebank` garden won the prize.` He worked on Newlands, 
Beneyeo andLemon Springs [stations?], and had `the first and only white stone chimney 
on Bringalbert South, he got the stone from Mt Gambier.` She also says `He was a very 
handy and hard-working man, and honestto a degree. He was the first on Bringalbert 
South to get 1 shilling a pound for his wool all round; before that 9 pence and 10 
pence were the usual prices. He was so trustworthy that he often had torefuse work. 
He had regular work on Newlands, and Mr Laidlaw Snr thought a lot of him, as did also 
his family.....the choicest dainties and the best of wines were always sent to him 
from Newlands, with a message that he was not to go short of anything.... after a 
hard day`s work elsewhere the ring of his axe would be heard until 12 o`clock on a 
moonlit night`, and `they were a clever, brainy family, and were all educated at 
Bringalbert South State School, some of them attaining high educational positions`. 
She says that `When he came on the land in 1870 [must have been a few years later if 
they already had one baby], he bought a mare and foal out of Edenhope Pound, and the 
breed is still on the place.`

Terese Hamilton`s `A Squatting Saga: a Scottish pioneering family in the West Wimmera 
in Victoria` notes the following - that Peter began working on Ozencadnuck Station in 
June 1867, later on Bringalbert Station; selected land in 1874 on in what is now 
called Bringalbert South, 116 acres adjoining the eastern side of father-in-law Peter 
Fox`s selection; left the employ of the Station in 1875; bought 15 sheep 20th 
February 1875 (from Bringalbert Station?); after his father-in-law`s years of trouble 
with his land selection Bringalbert 63, the lease was transferred to Peter on the 
21st Oct 1881,he applied for the Crown Grant of the allotment 3rd Dec 1887 paying the 
final balance, didn`t receive the receipt until two years later on the 10th Dec 1889, 
the title was finally issued on the 25th March 1890. He later obtained the title of 
Bringalbert 64 on 6th Feb 1901.

The Smith Family
On 23 June 1848 arrived at Geelong, Victoria on board the “Anna Maria” as an Exile.
(Exiles were granted a conditional pardon or “ticket of leave” on their arrival in 
Australia after serving part of their sentence in England and being of good behaviour)
Between his arrival in Victoria, in 1848 and his marriage in 1855 George Unwin 
changed his surname to Smith. Interesting to note that the Master of the “Anna Maria” 
was Edward Smith. Maybe that is why he chose the name smith and named his first son 
Edward.But the true reason may have been because he left a wife and children back in 
England. It appears that he went by the name “George Unwin Smith” as shown on the 
death certificate of Frances Unwin Smith who died on 21 March 1918.


The Mills Family
On 15 January 1849 the “Mills” family arrived at Port Phillip, Victoria on 
the “Duchess of Northumberland” as assisted immigrants, possibly for Robert’s skills 
as a carpenter.

If anyone can assist with further ancestors or descendants please contact me 
ruthancestors@gmail.com.