Richard Serpell
Richard Serpell. One-time owner and long-standing supporter of the tramway. Studio portrait. He arrived in Victoria with his parents and brothers and sister about 1851. About 1856 his family purchased land in King Street East Doncaster and about 1869 Richard selected about 80 acres of crown land at the south-west corner of Blackburn and Reynolds Roads. In the early 1880s he sold the 80 acres and purchased a property at the north-east corner of Doncaster and Williamsons Roads, part of which is now occupied by Westfield Doncaster Shoppingtown and Doncaster Primary School. Richard Serpell was an entrenpreneur and among his endeavours was the building of the well remembered red brick emporium at the intersection of the last mentioned roads, a major shareholding in the Box Hill and Doncaster Tramway Company, a fruit canning operation, in addition to being an astute property owner and fruitgrower. He died in 1918. Photographer, The Glen Studios, Glenferrie. Written beneath the photo are the words "Richard Serpell our father". DP0307
Jane Serpell (nee Moon) 1812-1901
Jane Serpell established one of the first orchards in Doncaster while living in a rough bush tent, caring for five children.
Jane Moon was born in 1812 and grew up in a small village in Cornwall. She married Richard Serpell when she was 21. They had five children and in 1851 moved to Australia, following Jane’s sister Selina. They settled briefly in Glenferrie. But then Richard was killed.
Mrs Richard Serpell Senior, nee Jane Moon, born 1812. Married 1833. Died 1901
As her two eldest sons, Thomas and Alfred, were old enough to work, Jane moved her family to the place that is now Doncaster where they purchased land. They lived in a tent while they cleared the land and, within three years, had built a house.
Jane worked alongside her sons; they were one of the first families to plant fruit trees in the district. In a single day they planted nearly 350 trees and vines. When Selina was also widowed she joined them with her young daughter.
The farm flourished and life became more comfortable. The boys soon established their own thriving businesses.
Jane died in her sleep in 1901 at the age of 90.
Source: Kay Mack writing on DTHS Facebook page, April 2017
No comments:
Post a Comment