3. Jessie E Nicholson + JLS

~ Inspector of Stock and Customs Officer, Grazier ~

If the records below regarding a public service career are correctly assigned, then James may also have been known as Jassy Lancelot Gordyce (Fordyce) Stormont, and may have been born either in 1836 and not 12 years earlier or in 1843 - as referenced on 4 May 1893 in a newspaper report ^(iv) of a Court hearing (see outlined below). The Judges summary suggests JLS may have been 80 years, and the newspaper reference to an age of 50 May either be a mis-print or references how long he was then in Australia. He may also have been known as Jassy Lancelot Gordyce (Fordyce) Stormont.

Could the person who arrived in Hobart as James Stormont Junior, be related ? He was born in 1836, Forfarshire, Scotland.

Jassy Lancelot Stormont

James Lancelot Stormont, known at this time, as Jassy (1823-1903), was recorded as born in "India" on his death certificate. - This may be correct, however, it was assumed he had arrived in Australia from Belfast stating it as his "origin" in passenger lists of 1843/44. In the mystery of men with this distinctive name, it is not proven that this was the same person as one arriving on the ship "Dale Park".

James Lancelot Stormont has many references in series of Govenment Gazette and Victoria's newspaper and these possibly show us various career moves and mistakes that he made.

There are some researchers who claim he was awarded the Victoria Cross in the Indian Mutiny.

• • Wikipedia: The Victoria Cross (VC) was awarded to 182 members of the British Armed Forces, British Indian Army and civilians under their command, during the Indian Mutiny (also known as the Indian Rebellion of 1857. )

  • I have not found any reference to a military commendation nor any clear evidence of his arrival in Australia other than linked to the James Lancelot Stormont, who arrived via the Dale Park in 1844.

  • Reference: his death certificate, suggests his birth was in India

  • Could he have enlisted n Australia for service with British regiments around 1856.

It is possible that James married 3 times, twice in Belfast, Ireland and once in Australia. Whether or not it is the same person of that name discussed in other pages of this online report is not clear.

The latter part of his life and career is the period when Jassy L Stormont was married Jessie Elizabeth Nicholson (1859-1927) in Cathcart, New South Wales, when James was an employee with the Dept. of Agriculture (Victorian Civil Service) which began about 1877.

Jessie Elizabeth Nicholson

Jessie Eliza Nicholson was born in 1859, Aston near Bombala, New South Wales, a daughter of Edward James Nicholson and Elizabeth McKechie.

Edward James Nicholson (14 April 1834 - 7 July 1889)

Son of John Robert Nicholson, Captain, R.N.and Eliza Ann Nicholson, free "Lord Melville" 1817 and was Brother of John Renton Nicholson; William Henry Nicholson; Eliza Ann Nicholson; James Frederick Nicholson; Durham Nicholson, C. L. Nicholson, J.P. of Sutton Forest and others?. He was for many years a resident bf Monaro.

Edward James Nicholson married Elizabeth McKeachie, daughter of John McKeachie and Janet (Jessie) Dougan, on 1 April 1857, Church of England, Delegate, NSW.1 Edward James Nicholson died aged 55 in 1889.

Occupation

1 April 1857, Little Plain, Bombala, New South Wales, Australia - a Gentleman

27 June 1858, Delegate, New South Wales, Australia - a Farmer

2 June 1861, Little Plain, Bombala, New South Wales, Australia - a Superintendant

Family:

• • Elizabeth McKeachie

  • Alexander Edward Nicholson2 b. 18 May 1858 (Alexander Edward Nicholson)

  • Jessie Eliza Nicholson; (1859-1927),

  • John Nicholson3 b. 25 Apr 1861; (John Nicholson;)

  • Emily Annie Nicholson;

  • Arthur Nicholson and other.

Children of Jassy and Jessie

1. 1881 - Fulke Greville Le Poer Stormont was born 1881 and killed in action on 21 May 1917 in Bullecourt, France and buried under Church of England gravesite. Killed in action 21/05/17 Aged 36 I. G. .

   1. 1. 1. Burial: Queant Road Cemetery, Buissy, France

         2. Unit: 55th Bn. Australian Infantry, A.I.F.

         3. (Rank: Private; Official Number: 2503)

         4. Force: Army. Nationality: Australian

            1. • Son of James Lancelot Gordyce Stormont and Jessie Eliza Stormont;

               • husband of Daisy F Stormont, of Livingstone St., Orbast, Victoria.

               • Born: Delegate, New South Wales.

               • Married 1908, Canterbury, NSW (BDM 10555/1908

• 1. The 1903 Electoral Rolls record a Jessie Elizabeth Stormont and (Fulke Greville) Le Poer Stormont, a grazier in Bendoc, Gippsland, Victoria.

     1. It seems probable that the surname "Greville and Le Poer" were echoes of stories told by the family of Jessie Nicholson and possibly her illustrious grandfather.

2. 1885 - George Lancelot Stormont died an infant 1885.

3. Bendoc is the location recorded for registering the death of Jassa L Stormont, aged 80 in 1903, and his death certificate confirms he was the father of - Fulke Greville Le Poer Stormont.

Comments:

There may be two persons of the JLS name who worked at both Bendigo and Delegate as inspectors at the border crossings to Victoria, and this is raised by reference to age in Government gazettes and the court proceedings in 1890s.

Timeline:

• 1877 - The Argus Monday, February 2, 1885 - The Victorian Public Service Board Return for 1884 (reads) - Stormont J.L. a public servants aged 48 (last birthday/^{implies JLS was born about 1836}) was first appointed on the 27 Aug. 1877 and assigned to the Department of Agriculture, Victoria.

  • 1877 - Mr. James Lancelot Stormont resident at Delegate was appointed a Commissioner of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria for taking affidavits as inspector of stock in Victoria and New South Wales, until he ceases to hold office.

• 1880 - Jassa at age 57 years married Jessie Elizabeth Nicholson at Cathcart, children:

• 1881 - Fulke Greville Le Poer STORMONT b: 1881 in Delegate, NSW

• 1885 - George Le Poer STORMONT b: 1885 in Bombala, New South Wales and he died an infant 1885

• 1886 - Trustees.—Mr. James Lancelot Stormont has been elected a trustee of the Delegate Common for the unexpired period of three years from January, 1886.

  • 1886 - Mr. James Lancelot Stormont appointed Inspector for the central board of Health

• 1892 - James was relieved of duty as the Inspector of Stock for Victoria and NSW stationed at Delegate.

• 1903 - James Lancelot Gordyce Stormont aka Jassa and John, died aged 80 years on 4 May 1903 in Haydens Bog near Orbost, Victoria (Registered at Bendoc, Victoria). Inquest cause of death given was senile decay. Burial: 6 May 1903. Burial: Delegate Cemetery, New South Wales ¹ .

The 1903 Electoral Rolls and inquest record place a Jessie Elizabeth Stormont and (Fulke Greville) Le Poer Stormont, as graziers in Bendoc, Gippsland, Victoria.

Record extract:

Proceedings of Inquiry ~ Jassa Lancelot Stormont

Inquest into the death of Jassa Lancelot Stormont At Hayden’s Bog

Received at the Crown Law Offices 14-5-1903

This despondent Jessie Eliza (Nicholson) Stormont on her oath saith. “I am a widow residing at Hayden Bog. The deceased was my husband. I don’t know his exact age. I believe he was about 80 years of age. He was a very healthy man and never had been ailing. A fortnight before his death he appeared to be taking a severe cold. He took to his bed, four days after he appeared to get better of the cold, and became prostrated. He said there was a slight pain in the right side under the ribs. I put hot flannels to his side; the pain left him. Next day there was a swelling in the abdomen; it seemed to get larger until his death. He died on the 4th. instant. I gave him no medicine.

On the 29th .... I said to deceased I don’t like your appearance. I will send for the doctor. He said “No”. “ If you want to send me crazy send for the doctor. There is nothing ailing me only old age. I know better than any doctor can tell me.”

He seemed to be in no pain. He appeared to be uncomfortable from the swelling in the abdomen. He kept saying there was nothing wrong with him. He appeared t get weaker during the night of Sunday 3rd instans. I sent for Doctor Schalip of Delegate, after daylight on Monday of 4th ... When he arrived about 9 o’clock deceased was dead. His name was Jassa Lancelot Stormont.

Signed: Jessie E. Stormont

This deponent Le Poer Stormont on his oath saith. " I am a grazier residing in Hayden Bog. Deceased was my father. He was ailing during the past fortnight. On Monday morning last 4th Inst.I went for Dr. Schalit of Delegate to come to the deceased; when he arrived deceased was dead.

Signed: Le Poer Stormont

- widow Jessie Eliza Stormont died in 1927, Bombala, New South Wales. see NSW BDM# 22704/1927;

STORMONT JESSIE E - parents:- EDWARD J Nicholson and ELIZABETH. Bombala

Record extract:

Court Records

James Lancelot Stormont,was resident in Delegate in 1886, a border town located in the south east corner of New South Wales and near where live stock were inspected at a border crossings with Victoria.

As the role of stock inspector is taken by either James or John / Jassy, one of whom was resident of Bendigo district in March 1893.

Refer: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.: 1848 - 1956) Monday 14 August 1893.

1892 - James was relieved of duty as the Inspector of Stock for Victoria and NSW stationed at Delegate,

1892 - EVASION OF THE STOCK TAX - A HEAVY FINE IMPOSED. BENDOC, Aug. 5. 1892.

BENDOC, Aug. 5. 1892. Proceeding against both James and Jessie for introducing 130 head of cattle into Victoria about May 18, 1890, without payment of border duties. At the time Johnson's and Mrs. Stormond's cattle were brought across the border Stormont was stock inspector and Customs officer. The case against J. L. Stormont was dismissed. In the case of Mrs. Stormont the chairman of the Bench stated that the evidence for the defence was of a very contradictory nature. The onus of the proof lay with the defendant, and she had failed, to prove that the cattle were under six months when they were passed into Victoria. The Bench was of opinion that the cattle were not passed through the Customs, and they therefore fined Mrs. Stormont £100, in default six mouths' imprisonment.

refer newspapers

• Leader - (Melbourne) Sat. 6 May 1893

Record extract:

At the Melbourne Criminal Court, on Friday last, before Justice Hodges, James Lancelot Stormont, a man 50 years of age, who had acted is inspector of stock and Customs officer at the Delegate crossing on the border between New South Wales and Victoria was arraigned on three counts, charging him with embezzling a sum of £171 10s. It appeared from the evidence offered for the prosecution that it was his duty to give permits, receive duty in connection with the crossings of stock, and transmit the money to the receiver of revenue at Bairnedale. He was in the habit of paying the moneys into his own account at the local bank, and afterwards transmitting them to the receiver.

A Customs embezzlement case from Bendoc was tried at the Criminal Court on 28^th. ult., before Justice Hodges and a jury of 12….

…The prisoner was a very deaf and infirm old man named James Lancelot Stormont. He stated he was 56 years of age (i.e born 1837), and had been 16 years in the employ of the Government (i.e. 1877-1893).

The prisoner acted as Inspector of Stock at the Delegate crossing, and as customs officer assessed duty, which he received as revenue officer and transmitted to Bairnsdale. He was charged on three counts with embezzling the amount of nine cheques paid for duty, amounting to 171 Pounds.

Comments:

Note: This newspaper record refers to one person James Lancelot Stormont, inspector of stock, aged 50 years suggesting he was born in 1843.

The judgement later refers to his old age as reason for his actions, so the newspaper article may have been intended to refer to the period he was in Australia and not his age.— possibly a typographical error -

Newspaper - preceding reports:

1893 - The Argus Friday 10 March 1893 - James Lancelot Stormont, stock inspector in the Bendigo district, has been comitted for trial at the Bairnsdale Supreme court, to be held on the 6^th April, on the charge of embezzling moneys paid to him as taxes for cattle coming across the border. (Reported also in the following [iii])

"James Lancelot Stormont, late inspector of Stock and Customs Officer of Victoria, charged with embezzling cheques for £ 25^.0.0, £ 13^.12.0 and £ 26^.0.0 the property of her Majesty has been arrested by senior constable Evans and Constable Keating of Delegate Police.

Remanded to Victoria and committed for trial at Bairnsdale Quarter Sessions"(^1v).

refer: Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle (Vic. : 1882 - 1918) 4 May 1893 and NSW Police Gazette 15 Mar 1893.

BENDOC, Aug. 5. 1893 newspaper record

At the local court today, before Mr. Holmes, P.M., and Messrs. Hensley and Grenville, J.P.'s, John L. Stormont, an ex stock inspector and Customs officer, and his wife, Jessie Eliza Stormont, were proceeded against by the Commissioner of Customs for introducing 130 head of cattle into Victoria about May 18, 1880, without payment of border duties. Senior-constable Clarke, of Orbost, prosecuted, and the defendants were unrepresented by counsel. The case of J. L. Stormont was first heard.

1. The allegation for the prosecution, "which was conducted by Mr J. T. T. Smith, was that nine cheques, amounting to the sum stated, had been misappropriated. Mr Purves,Q C., and Mr Coldham (instructed by Mesesre Ellison and Simpson) appeared for the defence, which was that the apparent defalcations were due to mere errors in the accused's accounts, which were loosely kept. On two counts the prisoner was acquitted, and on the third he was found guilty with a recommendation to mercy. His Honour said he supposed the recommendation was given because the jury thought that the prisoner's mental faculties were not so clear as when he was a younger man, and that he consequently did not distinguish his obligations and duties so well as he should have done. He did not think that he could do the prisoner any good by confining him, or that it would be any caution to others. The prisoner would therefore simply be called upon to enter into a recognisance of £50 to come up for sentence when called upon.

2. 1895 - Bairnsdale Supreme Court 31^st January - Smith vs Stormont - On the application of Mr. J Armstrong who appeared for plaintiff, William Smith, chairman of directors of the Australian Alliance Assurance Company, it was ordered that execution should be issued against defendant James Lancelot Stormont, on a memorial of a judgement signed in Victoria for the sum of £ 287 . 7s . 1d

Notes:-

1. JASSY (Rom. Iasi), city in N.E. Romania, capital of the former principality of Moldavia from 1565. The community of Jassy was the oldest in Moldavia. Jews first settled there in the second half of the 15th century because of its position on the commercial route between Poland and Bessarabia and to the Danube port of Galati (Galatz).

2. James Lancelot Gordyce STORMONT; Given Name.: Jassy

3. Sex: M. Birth: 1823 in India. Death: 4 May 1903 in Haydens Bog near Bendoc, VIC of Senile decay; Burial: 6 May 1903 Delegate Cemetery, NSW 1 Note: Given name show as Jassy on the marriage index and Jassa on the death registration. (Rootsweb ID: I138767); Ancestry Hints for Jassy -

4. Matches on Ancestry.com. / Match On Ancestry.com: Marriage 1 James Lancelot Gordyce STORMONT b: 1823 in India - Married: 1880 in Cathcart, NSW 4

   1. I48602 - Australia Marriage 1 - Jessie Eliza NICHOLSON

Married: 1880 in Cathcart, NSW

Birth: 1859 in Aston near Bombala, NSW 1

Death: 1927 in Bombala, NSW 2 3

Father: Edward James NICHOLSON b: 14 Apr 1834 in Sydney, NSW

Mother: Elizabeth MCKEACHIE b: 31 Jul 1834

Children

1. Fulke Greville ^(v le Poer STORMONT b: 1881 in Delegate, NSW

2. George Lancelot E. STORMONT b: 1885 in Bombala, NSW

   1. David St Clair STORMONT

Sources:

• 1. Title: Eden Monaro Pioneers Database: Text: The information in this record has come from the Eden Monaro Pioneers Database as a result of contributions from the many generous supporters of the Monaro Pioneers project. This can be copied for personal or non-commercial purposes only. Any reproduction of this information should recognise that the information has come from the Eden Monaro Pioneers Database. Title: NSW BDM Index / Page: 3201/1880

• For The case of 1893, refer: platypuscountry.org.

  • Refer Platypus website.

• Refer: The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.: 1848 - 1956) Monday 14 August 1893

Citations

^[i] Victorian Pioneers Index set #3 - Public Records of Vic (PROV) office in North Melbourne - lists Jemima Bloomfield Stormont (Boyd), James Lancelot Stormont and their son Robert aged 1 year arrived on the vessel.

[ii] There is also a James Lancelot Stormont married a Kathleen or Catherine Russell about 1855 and they had children.

[iii] Traralgon Record (Traralgon, Vic. : 1886 - 1932) Friday 10 March 1893 Edition: MORNING. p 2 Article

^(iv) Bairnsdale Advertiser and Tambo and Omeo Chronicle (Vic. : 1882 - 1918) 4 May 1893 and NSW Police Gazette 15 Mar 1893.

^(V)... Fulke Greville, first Lord Brooke (1554–1628)

Citations

[S2] TURNBULL, S.J. (deceased) , NB9-87.

[S2] TURNBULL, S.J. (deceased) , NB9-660.

[S2] TURNBULL, S.J. (deceased) , NB9-784