The writings that follow are the reminiscences of Robitt Jon Clow, born at Seaton in 1877. His mother was Frances Edwards, who married William Clow. Their children were: Fanny Susannah; 1862; Stratford William Peter; 1864; Sale Isabella Ann; 1866; Heyfield James Edward; abt 1868; ????? [Not found] Henry Morrison; 1871; Sale Margaret Morrison; 1874; Heyfield After William Clow's death in 1874, Frances married an Armstrong (who became known as Clow, and was the father of Robitt Jon Clow.) William Clow appears to be related to Rev. James Clow, an early Victorian Scottish Presbyterian minister who may have also had early money-lending dealings with some Gippsland squatters. Frances Edwards was the daughter of Susannah Owen and William Edwards. Frances was the youngest of a family of eleven, born in May 1838 - on her father's sixty first birthday. This extract, and those that follow, are copyright, and reproduction rights are retained by Robert Clow of Balwyn, Victoria. For further details, please contact me. The assistance of Trevor James of England, who brought these to my attention, is most appreciated. He has also edited the narrative, and his additions can be found in the square [ ] brackets. Some non-Gippsland material has been edited out in the section dealing with Frances' life before arrival in Australia. If anyone can assist with any further details of this family, or the location of them or any other Seaton people mentioned, it would be most appreciated. Linda Barraclough Briagolong List Owner: AUS-VIC-GIPPSLAND email: kapana@netspace.net.au http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~surreal/AVG/ ============================================================ Unfortunately William Edwards who was likely the best scholar of those here mentioned left no writings behind him. In childhood he was seized by a push gang at school and taken away to sea. He became a great traveller and visited many lands of which he frequently conversed with his children. As a Navy Man all that I know with certainty is that he visited Botany Bay when Sydney was just beginning - that he was somewhere shipwrecked and had to finish his trip homewards in very small craft. He fought in thirteen battles under Lord Nelsson and after twenty years service he retired from the Navy in 1806. All these matters were much talked of by the younger generation of relatives. Daniel Hugh Evans [Wangaratta,VIC]- who was his nephew related them to me. But to give an accurate account of his life would be very difficult: because about his time there were so many men of the name of Edwards in the Navy, and his life's story has been too long neglected for it ever be compiled now. He had two medals from the Navy. After his death many wanted these - his little daughter Frances did for one: so to settle all disputes his eldest daughter Ann suggested that they be placed in the coffin along with the man who won them. As the medals were never seen after his burial I think Ann carried her idea into effect. His wife though twenty years his junior died two years before him. His mother-in-law, Ann Jones, was at his funeral and said: "Poor William - he was quite a young man". He was 76, however. Regarding these matters I have written a good deal in my book "Among The Chief Colonials" - What I said in that volume I need not repeat here. The day before he died he appeared to be in his usual health. He was engaged sowing turnips in the field but I think he took a chill. His death left Frances who was then thirteen to shift for herself in the world. She went to Manchester and took situations as a domestic servant - At places where it was impossible for her to do the work. Often working from six o'clock in the morning till eleven at night for eighteen pence a week, and when she got knocked up. Hire a room for a few days rest, and then begin again. When Frances returned to Wales [from Manchester] she had some time in which to acquaint herself afresh with the friends of her childhood. As the Frenchman would say: "Things were just the same only different." Her eldest brother Owen Edwards was in occupation of Tyddynucha, and when Frances saw his family all seated around the old family table she told me "I felt that I ought to be amongst them." But there was no welcome in the old home. Her brother loved her but his wife was a very jealous woman. After Frances had left she heard whispers abroad that she had been "intruding" at the farm. These were remarks by Owen's wife. When Frances was about to emigrate to Australia she called again at the old home before taking her final leave of Wales. Fanny had a good supply of clothes she had bought out of her wages as a domestic servant - This was required by the Government before a passage could be secured; but the passage fare was defrayed by the Government. Apart from her clothes Frances had nothing. When she finished her conversation at the old home and was about to go her brother Owen followed her to the end of the house, and taking a shilling from his purse he was just in the act of handing it to Frances when his wife came out and speaking in Welsh she said: "Come thee in Owen - Thou begone Fanny." I guess she would have been more cautious had she realised there was a recording angel looking on. This is the only incident in this woman's life that is known today. I think Frances broke into the shilling to obtain a stamp. She brought the balance of the shilling with her to Australia. She only had a few coppers in her pocket when she landed at Port Albert Gippsland and she met a few children playing in the street and Frances gave the coppers that she had to them - To make friends with the children. One of the children ran towards another child and said: "Look that lady gave me some black money." Coppers were little used in Victoria at that time and the children not being acquainted with it wist not what it was. Frances immediately entered the service of Webb the lawyer at Sale and there she remained until she was married. Frances arrived at Port Albert November 8th 1860 and was married on May 7th 1861. As money was scarce in Victoria in those days it was common to pay in stock and cattle. The seven months that Frances was in the employ of Mr. Webb was settled by him giving her a grant of cattle for her wages. Perhaps the truth of this is he could not otherwise sell the cattle. Cattle are good providing you have a paddock to run them in, but what could a domestic servant do with a mob of cattle. However, Angus McMillen, - the pioneer squatter of Gippsland - befriended Clow and he allowed the cattle belonging to Frances to graze on his station at Bushey Park free of charge, and allowed him also the natural increase of the mob. After spending a short time mining Clow worked for McMillen for two years as stockman. The cattle were likely still on their hands and left on the station for the time being: for after leaving Bushey Park Clow was Town-Herdsman for two years at Sale: for which he received a wage of £100 per annum. This as far as I know was the best job he ever had. After this he was six months stockman for Mr. Smith. - Smith was little known in that district; I thinnk he had something to do with the "Times" newspaper. At this time Clow rented a farm at "Aleck's Down Fall" at[?all] the cattle belonging to Frances and there [sic] increase was[sic] shifted to this farm. This place got its name through a man named Aleck being drown[sic] in the McAlister near by. That name is long since forgotten but it was situated about two miles to the west of Newry. It was on the northern bank of the river. Taking a walk over the hill from Hayfield [sic] to the Tinamba Flat as soon as the level is reached at the foot of the hill Aleck's Down Fall would be about due north - the over side of the river. Almost opposite where Aladyce once lived. Here two whole years was spent and the family moved to Heyfield. One of the cows Frances received from Webb she gave to Denny O'Brien of Coorwarr[?] - The descendants of this man are well known in that district - for the cow he exchanged a block of ground near the Heyfield bridge. The block was no size and of very little value; but it was well situated. Speaking from recollection I think it would be about 50 feet x 60 or 80 deep - no more. The sale of the balance of Frances' cattle realised sufficient to erect a bark house for which a wine licence was granted. As Clow was not too steady at any time entering this business was a misfortune: for in it he did not improve. But what was Frances to do - she had a young family that was steadily increasing and Clow was able to make no provision for them.