The eldest daughter of James Symington (1789-1862) and Catherine Menzies, Ann was born at Wanlockhead [1]  on 16 August 1821 [2]

She married William Russell (1817-1859) at Sanquhar on 9 January 1846. [3]

William Russell, son of William Russell, shepherd, and Mary Gibson, was born on 8 July, 1817. 

The birth of Ann Symington was entered in the Cambuslang Registry only after 1855, along with the birth entries of her own children with William Russel (sic), joiner: [4] 

CATHERINE born Sanquhar 27 February 1845

JANE born Dalmellington 19 October 1848

WILLIAM born Coatbridge 7 November 1851

AGNES born Govan 5 October 1854

In 1856 she emigrated, at the age of 34. The family sailed as assisted immigrants on the Earl Grey, departing Southampton 31st January 1856 and arriving at Geelong on 7th June. Their children were Catherine 10, Jane 7, William 4 and Agnes 1. 

William Russell was a carpenter and was engaged at Chilwell.

On the same voyage was Ellen Symington, housemaid, aged 22, who was recorded as an alleged native of Middlesex. She was engaged by C. Wyatt of Fyansford.

Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer Tuesday 10 June 1856 page 2

This morning the immigrants per Earl Grey will land, and be open for hire to-morrow at ten o’clock. This vessel brought on 45 married couples, 47 single women, 67 single men and 65 children under 14 years of age.

William Russell died at Geelong on 4 August 1859 aged 48.

Ann Russell died on 18 November 1889 at Brookside, Buckland Road, Lower Buckland. She was buried in Bright Cemetery on 20 November 1889. [5]

In Loving Memory Of Our DEAR MOTHER ANNE RELICT OF THE LATE WILLIAM RUSSELL

Died 18th November 1889 Aged 71 years [6]

Thy Will Be Done

[1] 1851 Scotland Census

[2] GROS O.P.R. Births 627/00 0020 0150 Registered at Parish of Cambuslang, along with her children, Catherine, Jane, William and Agnes Russell

[3] GROS 848/00 2

[4] GROS OPR Cambuslang 627/00 0020 0150

[5] Bright Cemetery Register Presbyterian Section 1 Block F Lot 63

[6] Note she was born in 1821

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS

Ovens and Murray Advertiser, Saturday 6 June 1874, page 5

Painful Accident. — We regret to hear that Mrs Russell, of Bridge-street, Newtown, met with a painful accident on Thursday night in a very simple manner. Missing her footing in stepping off her verandah, she fell with such violence as to break one thigh. She is, however, doing pretty well under the circumstances.

Ovens and Murray Advertiser Saturday 23 November 1889 page 6

We regret to learn of the death, at Bright on Monday, of Mrs Russell a former resident of Newtown, Beechworth, and mother of Miss Russell, teacher of the Brookside State-school, and of the late Mr Wm. Russell, who, for many years filled the post of overseer in this office. The funeral took place on Tuesday, and was attended by many friends and acquaintances.      

Ovens and Murray Advertiser Saturday 30 November 1889 page 12

DEATHS. Russell.—On the 18th inst., at Brookside, Ann Russell (late of Newtown, Beechworth), widow of the late William Russell, of Geelong, aged 71 years. Deeply regretted by her sorrowing family.

An insight into the life and times of Ann Symington at Beechworth and Buckland may be gleaned from reading “A Woman on the Goldfields, Recollections of Emily Skinner 1854-1878.” [1]

Emily Skinner emigrated to Melbourne in 1854. Her husband was a miner on the Ovens goldfields: they lived at Spring Creek (Beechworth), Woolshed and at Buckland. Her memoir reveals aspects of life on the goldfields which would have been familiar to Ann Russell. Her account of early transport and house construction is of particular relevance. 

[1] MUP 1995, Edited by Edward Duyker

WILLIAM RUSSELL 1817-1859

Husband of Ann Symington. Born at Penpont, Dumfries 8 July, 1817.

His parents: William Russell, shepherd, and Mary Gibson

Occupation: joiner; carpenter; his occupation is recorded as wheel-wright in the death certificate of his daughter Agnes Dunphy.

He died on 4 August 1859 (Reg. No. 6141) at Swanston Street, Geelong, aged 48 years and was buried on 5 August 1859 in Geelong cemetery. The site of his grave is unrecorded.

THE CHILDREN OF ANN SYMINGTON AND WILLIAM RUSSELL

CATHERINE “Katie” born at Sanquhar [1] 27th February 1845; died 30 November 1904 at Beechworth, aged 58

JANE “Janie” born at Dalmellington [2] 19th October 1848; died 2 July 1918 at Beechworth aged 69

WILLIAM born at Coatbridge 7th November 1851 died 5 August 1884 [3] in the Ovens Valley Hospital aged 32. Compositor, Single

AGNES born 5th October 1854 at Govan; died 6 May1920 at Beechworth aged 65. Married at Bright to Joseph Patrick Dunphy

[1] 1851 Scotland Census

[2] 1851 Scotland Census

[3] The Ovens and Murray Advertiser 7 August 1884 page 2

1841 SCOTLAND CENSUS

Address Blawearie, Sanquhar (with Jean Russell age 58)

Note the parents of Ann Symington were also at Blawearie in 1841

1851 SCOTLAND CENSUS

Address 12 Waterside Village, Waterside, Ayrshire

Bailliere’s Victorian Directories list:

1868 Russell, William, Stonecutter, Beechworth

1869 ditto and Russell, Mrs. Ann, Beechworth

1870, 1871 ditto for both

1875 no entry

 CATHERINE RUSSELL 1845-1904 

Catherine “Katie” born at Sanquhar [1] 27 February; 1845 she died on 30 November 1904 at Beechworth aged 58. At the time of her death she was living in Loch Street Beechworth [2] She was buried in Beechworth Cemetery Presbyterian B, grave 118: IN LOVING MEMORY OF CATHERINE RUSSELL DIED NOVEMBER 30TH 1904 AGED 58 YEARS Peace Perfect PEACE

The North Eastern Ensign (Benalla) Friday 9 December 1904 page 4

A painfully sudden death occurred Last week, at Beechworth. Miss Catherine Russell, aged 58, living with her uncle, Mr James Symington, a retired grazier, was found by him lying on the floor in state of collapse. Mr Stewart lifted her on to the bed, but when medical assistance arrived life was extinct. The cause of death was heart failure. Deceased had been suffering lately from neuralgic pains.

In her will dated 22nd August 1904, her sole executor was her uncle, James Symington of Loch Street, Beechworth, who was also the beneficiary of two thirds of her estate; the other third was divided between her sisters Jane Russell and Agnes Dunphy. [3] [4]

[1] 1851 Scotland Census and Agnes Dunphy obituary 11 May 1920

[2] VPRS7591/P2/369 Wills

[3] Will PROV VPRS 7591/P2/369 item 93/001

[4] PROV VPRS 28/P0/1204 item 93/001

JANE RUSSELL 1848-1918

Jane “Janie” [1] born at Dalmellington [2] 19 October 1848; she died suddenly on 2.7.1918 at Finch Street, Beechworth aged 69. In her will, dated 25th August 1908, she bequeathed all her estate to her sister Agnes Dunphy. [3]

Her real estate comprised allotment 7, section 26 of the Town and Parish of Beechworth, on which was erected a five-roomed weatherboard, iron-roofed dwelling in which she lived. [4]

Ovens and Murray Advertiser Wednesday 3 July 1918 page 2

Personal Notices

On Monday last Miss Jane Russell, who resided with her sister, Mrs. Dunphy, in Finch Street, Beechworth, was taken suddenly ill during the temporary absence of her sister and, lapsing into an unconscious state, died on Tuesday. The announcement of Miss Russell’s   death came as a great shock to her numerous friends. The funeral will take place this (Wednesday) afternoon.

She died in the Ovens District Hospital, Beechworth from cerebral haemorrhage on May 6, 1920 and is buried in the Beechworth cemetery with her sisters Jane and Catherine Russell. [5]

Her will instructed that her grave was to be “hipped grey grey Scotch ledger fixed on two sets of best hard bluestone kerbing with good iron railing and letters cut and double gilded over my grave. Not to exceed the sum of £60.”

[1] "Janie" in obituary of her sister Agnes Dunphy The Argus 11 May 1920

[2] 1851 Scotland Census

[3] Will PROV VPRS 7591/P2/585 item 158/487

[4] Probate PROV VPRS 28/P3/835 item 158/487

[5] Beechworth Cemetery Presbyterian Section compartment B grave 117

WILLIAM RUSSELL 1852-1884

The son of Ann Symington (1821-1889) and William Russell

Born 7 November 1851 at Coatbridge [1]

Arrived at Geelong on the Earl Grey on 7 June 1856.

Occupation: stone cutter, then compositor.

Bailliere’s Victorian Directories 1868 and 1869 have Russell, William, Stonecutter, Beechworth

He was single.

He had three sisters, Catherine and Jane Russell, spinsters and Agnes, wife of Joseph Patrick Dunphy.

He died in the Ovens Valley Hospital on 5 August 1884 from “congestion of the brain”. [2]

He died intestate. He owned an old dilapidated four-roomed weatherboard house in New Town, Beechworth (part Town allotment 7, Section 6A). Probate Jurisdiction on his estate revealed a cash deposit in the Bank of Australasia Beechworth, which amounted to the considerable sum of £427.1.6. [3]

Ovens and Murray Advertiser Thursday 7 August 1884 page 2

Death of a Late Pressman. — It is with regret that we have to record the death in the Ovens District Hospital on Tuesday last, from congestion of the brain, of Mr William Russell, who was formerly engaged as foreman of the composing staff of this office, which position he resigned about six years ago, and had since been living a retired life at Newtown. When admitted to the hospital on Saturday last his case was considered a hopeless one, and he lingered on in an unconscious state until Tuesday morning, when he died. The funeral took place at the Beechworth Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon; the Rev. J. G. Mackie reading the burial service of the Presbyterian Church at the grave.

[1] SRO Cambuslang Register of Births Before 1855

[2] Death notice The Ovens and Murray Advertiser 7 August 1884 page 2

[3] PROV Probate Administration Files VPRS/P2/172

AGNES DUNPHY (1855-1920)

Daughter of William Russell (c.1818-1859), carpenter, and Ann Symington (1821-1899)

She was born in Scotland. Her parents emigrated to Australia in 1856. They sailed as assisted immigrants in the Earl Grey, departing Southampton 31st January 1856 and arriving at Geelong on 7th June.

She married Joseph Patrick Dunphy at Bright in 1881 (ref 2998). Dunphy was a miner in the Buckland valley. A Joseph Dunphy was charged with assault in 1871. Her husband outlived her but is not mentioned in her will.

Occupation state school teacher.

Annie Catherine Dunphy, the daughter of Joseph Patrick Dunphy and Agnes Russell, was born in 1882 but died at the age of four months. She is buried in the Buckland Pioneer cemetery without a headstone.

Beechworth address (Rate books for 1899-1900 and 1900-1901) 35 Finch Street. Property owned by her uncle James Symington. Her sister Jane lived there with her.

She died in the Ovens District Hospital, Beechworth from cerebral haemorrhage on May 6, 1920 and is buried in the Beechworth cemetery. A death notice was inserted in the Ovens and Murray Advertiser dated May 12, 1920:

DUNPHY-On 6th May at Beechworth, Agnes Dunphy, aged 65. Daughter of the late Mrs. Russell of Newtown, Beechworth and sister of the late Catherine and Janie Russell.

Ovens & Murray Advertiser 8 May 1920

DEATH OF MRS AGNES DUNPHY

The paralytic stroke suffered by Mrs Dunphy of Beechworth about a fortnight ago resulted in her death on Thursday last at the age of 65 years. In her earlier years she was a school teacher and many former Beechworth residents will remember her as Miss Russell, who taught in Scots school; later in the State School. Mrs Dunphy was a very well informed Christian lady, held in the highest esteem by all who knew her. After a service at her late home, her last mortal remains were laid to rest in the Beechworth cemetery. Rev. R. R. McCleod conducted the Funeral service. Mr W. J. Edwards was the undertaker.

ESTATE

Real Estate:

Allotment 7, Section 26 Town lot Beechworth, 1 rood of land with a 5 room iron roofed weatherboard dwelling valued at £340 (PROV VPRS 28/3/1052)

Agnes Dunphy bequeathed her assets in equal parts to the Ovens District Hospital, The Ovens Benevolent Asylum and the Beechworth Presbyterian Church. [1]

Her bequest to the church is recognised in a memorial plaque on the South wall of the church (see below)

The Argus Thursday 20 April 1922 page 10 H

On Sunday one of the principal events was the unveiling and dedication of a memorial tablet to the memory of Mrs. Agnes Dunphy, who made a magnificent bequest to the Beechworth Presbyterian Church. Mrs. R. C. Darton, a relative, unveiled the tablet. Mrs. Dunphy was one of the oldest residents.    

[1] PROV Probate and Administration file number 172/244; VPRS 25/P3/105

Argus (Melbourne), Thursday 20 April 1922, page 10

“BACK TO BEECHWORTH.” Pioneers Entertained.

BEECHWORTH, Wednesday. - The “Back to Beechworth” carnival week, which commenced on Thursday, has been continued in fine weather. Beechworth has been en fete day and night. On Sunday one of the principal events was the unveiling and dedication of a memorial tablet to the memory of Mrs. Agnes Dunphy, who made a magnificent bequest to the Beechworth Presbyterian Church Mrs. R. C. Darton, a relative, unveiled the tablet. Mrs. Dunphy was one of the oldest residents.

Grave of Ann Symington at Bright Cemetery