McAllister of Ireland
Arthur McAllister was born in Ireland on 19 January 1838. However, recent research suggests that he was actually born on 19 January 1836 and that his parents were John McAllister and Margaret Stewart of Kilrea, Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Margaret McAllister died 25 March 1851 at age 59 and John McAllister died 2 June 1876, aged 84.
If these are Arthur’s parents, he was not orphaned in 1848 when sent to South Australia on board the Orphan emigrant ship 'Roman Emperor'. This ship was one of six ships participating in the Pauper Immigration Scheme initiated by Earl Grey to bring female orphans from the workhouses of Northern Ireland to Australia. Most of the Emigrant orphans on board the 'Roman Emperor' came from the Belfast, Cookstown, Dungannon and Magherafelt Workhouses.
The 'Roman Emperor' arrived in South Australia on 23 October 1848. Arthur McAllister was one of eight male orphans on board; there were 238 female orphans. Most of the orphans were engaged by Colonists as domestic servants within two weeks of their arrival in the Colony. Little is known of what happened to the eight little boys on board.
If these are Arthur’s parents, he was not orphaned in 1848 when sent to South Australia on board the Orphan emigrant ship 'Roman Emperor'. This ship was one of six ships participating in the Pauper Immigration Scheme initiated by Earl Grey to bring female orphans from the workhouses of Northern Ireland to Australia. Most of the Emigrant orphans on board the 'Roman Emperor' came from the Belfast, Cookstown, Dungannon and Magherafelt Workhouses.
The 'Roman Emperor' arrived in South Australia on 23 October 1848. Arthur McAllister was one of eight male orphans on board; there were 238 female orphans. Most of the orphans were engaged by Colonists as domestic servants within two weeks of their arrival in the Colony. Little is known of what happened to the eight little boys on board.
On 22 August 1861, when he was 23-years-old, Arthur McAllister married Ann Smith at Chalmers Free Presbyterian Church, Adelaide. Ann was born on 22 December 1839. Again recent research suggests that her parents were Joseph Smith and Martha Harding and that Ann was born in Middlesex, England. The Smith family arrived in South Australia on 2 December 1849 aboard the Glen Huntley when Ann was about 10 years old.
Arthur and Ann set up home in nearby Brompton and two years later purchased a block of land and built themselves a home. They had a family of six daughters and four sons, all but one child surviving to adulthood. Their eldest daughter, Martha Ann was born a year after their marriage. Eighteen months later another daughter, Margaret Ann was born. Just over a year later, in May 1865, their eldest son, John, was born. The names of these three children follow a naming pattern of being named after their mother’s mother, then their father’s mother and the eldest son being named after their father’s father. |
In March 1867, Annie was born and named after her mother. She was followed two years later by Caroline. She may have been named after her mother’s sister. Their sixth child, Elizabeth, was born in November 1870. Her name doesn’t appear to follow the naming pattern; neither does their seventh child who was named Letitia. Letitia died aged one month.
Arthur Ernest was born in August 1873 and was named for his father and Joseph, who was born in February 1876, would have been named for his mother’s father. Interestingly their tenth child, born two years later, was given the unusual name of William Washington Stewart. It is possible that the Stewart comes from his paternal grandmother’s maiden name.
Brompton was a working class area with a gasworks and brickwork's established nearby. A pughole from where the clay was obtained for the bricks was at the end of Arthur & Ann McAllister's garden. Arthur worked as a labourer in the local area but he was also a bit of a scallywag and was often in trouble with the police for petty theft and drunkenness. Arthur was in and out of Adelaide jail regularly between 1890 and 1899.
Arthur Ernest was born in August 1873 and was named for his father and Joseph, who was born in February 1876, would have been named for his mother’s father. Interestingly their tenth child, born two years later, was given the unusual name of William Washington Stewart. It is possible that the Stewart comes from his paternal grandmother’s maiden name.
Brompton was a working class area with a gasworks and brickwork's established nearby. A pughole from where the clay was obtained for the bricks was at the end of Arthur & Ann McAllister's garden. Arthur worked as a labourer in the local area but he was also a bit of a scallywag and was often in trouble with the police for petty theft and drunkenness. Arthur was in and out of Adelaide jail regularly between 1890 and 1899.
In his later years Arthur suffered from chronic eye disease and on 29 September 1900, he died at the Royal Adelaide Hospital, aged 62 years. He must have been a lovable rogue though, as a year after his death his family inserted a memorial in the Adelaide Advertiser. "In loving memory of Arthur McAllister who died September 29th 1900. Gone, but not forgotten. - Inserted by his loving wife and family. Gone, but hope to meet again."
Ann McAllister continued to live in the stone cottage in Chief Street, Brompton until her death on 4 October 1905 at age 65.
Ann McAllister continued to live in the stone cottage in Chief Street, Brompton until her death on 4 October 1905 at age 65.
THE SOUTH AUSTRALIAN REGISTER
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Transcription |
THE "ROMAN EMPEROR," ORPHAN EMIGRANT SHIP, FROM ENGLAND
This splendid emigrant ship has made a passage of less than three calendar months from England, and brings news to the 24th July. The orphans are Irish girls from the union workhouses of the North of Ireland, and professed Protestants. We have already deprecated the inundating of this colony, at the expense of our labour fund, with Irish orphans, as not only a fraud upon the colonist, but as fraught with the most serious evils to the legitimate emigration scheme and to the social and moral interests of the community. It seems that the friends of the colony at home took the alarm at this first shipment, and at the urgent request of some of them, Mr Divett, MP, visited the Roman Emperor on the eve of her departure. This gentleman’s emphatic words were “They are a rough lot.” So disappointed indeed was he with them, that he felt it his duty to make a strong representation to the Government, the result of which was that he had every reason to believe another shipment of orphan children from Ireland to this colony would not be made until the Colonists had had an opportunity of expressing their opinions. And surely they will not long hesitate to do this. Already importations hither from the ragged schools are talked of; and if this sweeping system of juvenile emigration is not resisted, those who manage so nicely at home will go on from one species of innovation to another until the colony becomes a receptacle for unfledged thieves, juvenile bastards and incipient prostitutes. With the exception referred to, emigration to this colony is progressing most satisfactorily. From one correspondent we learnt that as at the date of his letter (15th July) there were four vessels on the berth for free emigrants, and the Commissioner had chartered another. It was understood that they had funds sufficient in hand to enable them to dispatch two vessels a month to this colony for the eight months following/ Another correspondent writes: “Emigration now progresses here and lots of people are coming out” Shipping Intelligence Arrived …. Monday October 23rd – The Ship Roman Emperor, 792 tons, Champion master from London & Plymouth. Passengers – Mr & Mrs McGuire, Misses H and M McGuire, Master McGuire and Mr Bouchier, in the cabin; and 238 females and 8 male orphans in the steerage. |
Arthur McAllister's Will
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Transcription (including Probate)
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South Australia In the Supreme Court Testamentary Causes Jurisdiction. 8807 This is last Will and Testament of me Arthur McAllister of Chief St Brompton in the Province of South Australia made the seventeen day of September 1900. I revoke all other wills made by me. I appoint John Crutchfield Sharpe Jnr of Prospect South Australia to be my executor and direct that my funeral and testamentary expenses and all my debts shall be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. I give unto my wife Ann McAllister the whole of my property subject to the mortgage to building society, my wife to have full control over the property as long as she remains my widow and at her death the said property to be left to be equally divided between my two sons Joseph McAllister and William Washington Stewart McAllister. The Property above mentioned consists of stone house of four rooms cellar & outhouses & land situated in Chief Street Brompton. In witness where of I the said Arthur McAllister have to this my last will and testament set my hand the seventeen day of September in the year of our Lord One Thousand Nine hundred and oo. Artho McAllister/Arthur McAllister. Signed by the said "Arthur McAllister" the Testator on the day and year aforesaid, in the presence of us present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses – Job Hallet, J C Sharpe. The above Will of Arthur McAllister ~ (otherwise Artho, otherwise Arthur McAllister) late of Chief Street Brompton in the state of South Australia laborer deceased who died at Adelaide Hospital, Adelaide in the said state on the Twenty ninth day of September 1900 was proved in the Supreme Court of South Australia on the seventh day of October 1902 by John Crutchfield Sharpe the younger (formerly of Prospect in the said State) of Glenelg in the said State, Government Railway Employee the sole Executor therein named. Dated this 7th day of October 1902. Aug Stow, Registrar
Estate sworn not to exceed in value £275 Gordon Bright Anderson, Solicitors |
Descendants of Arthur McAllister
Arthur McAllister was born on 19 January 1838 [1836?] in Ireland, the son of John McAllister and [Margaret Stewart?] and died on 29 September 1900 in Adelaide, South Australia at age 62 years. Arthur married Ann Smith daughter of Joseph Smith and [Martha Harding?] on 22 August 1861 in Adelaide, South Australia. Ann was born on 22 December 1839 in [England?] and died on 4 October 1905 in Brompton, South Australia at age 65 years. They had ten children: Martha Ann, Margaret Ann, John, Annie, Caroline, Elizabeth, Letitia, Arthur Ernest, Joseph and William Washington Stewart.
- Martha Ann McAllister was born on 15 June 1862 in Bowden, South Australia and died on 21 May 1940 in Croydon, South Australia at age 77 years. Martha married William Henry Yon on 8 May 1884 in Brompton, South Australia. William Henry Yon was born on 11 June 1862 in Burra, South Australia and died on 4 June 1914 in Hamley Bridge, South Australia at age 51 years. They had nine children: Julia Margaret Emiline, Florence Gusta, Alice Myrtle, Gertrude Mabel, William Percival, Ivy Irene Mildred, Sylvia Violetta, Reginald Herman and Gladys Amelia.
- Margaret Ann McAllister was born on 10 January 1864 in Brompton, South Australia and died on 30 November 1902 in Brompton Park, South Australia at age 38 years. Margaret married Alfred Louis Foureur on 28 December 1889 in Strathalbyn, South Australia. Alfred was born ion 21 December 1868 in Paris, France and died on 8 January 1956 in Prospect, South Australia at age 87 years. They had five children: Henry, Lucy Blanche, Alfred Hippolyte, Leo Henry and Bertha Emma.
- John McAllister was born on 18 May 1865 in Brompton, South Australia and died on 7 January 1922 in Adelaide, South Australia at age 56 years. John married Nellie Wilson on 5 September 1904 in Parkside, South Australia. Nellie was born in about 1865 in Victoria and died on 18 November 1934 in Bowden, South Australia at age 68 years.
- Annie McAllister was born on 30 March 1867 in Brompton, South Australia and died on 14 September 1905 in Port Pirie, South Australia at age 38 years. Annie married William Henry Alderson on 3 February 1886 in Carrondown, South Australia. William was born in December quarter 1863 in Shipley, Yorkshire, England and died on 4 February 1922 in Adelaide, South Australia at age 58 years. They had six children: Jonathan James, William Arthur, Harrold Alfred, Leslie Edwin, Mary Violetta and Lancelot Reginald. Lancelot Reginald Alderson died at Gallipoli on 2 May 1915 at age 19.
- Caroline McAllister was born on 30 January 1869 in Brompton, South Australia and died on 7 November 1959 in Eastwood, South Australia at age 90 years. Caroline was fondly known as Minnie. Caroline married John Crutchfield Sharpe on 13 March 1895 in Terowie, South Australia. John was born in on 3 March 1972 in Kulpara, South Australia and died on 6 December 1932 in Forrestville, South Australia at age 60 years. They had three children: Cyril John Crutchfield, Rupert Erwin and Ronald Maxy.
- Elizabeth McAllister was born on 23 November 1870 in Brompton, South Australia and died on 21 November 1933 at age 62 years. Elizabeth married Edward Granville Fry on 5 November 1890 in Brompton, South Australia. Edward was born on 12 December 1869 in Adelaide, South Australia and died on 29 October 1946 in Brompton, South Australia at age 76 years. They had eight children: Caroline May, Edward Granville, Ivy Ann, Ronald Mirven, Thelma Irene, Frida Mavis, Roster John and Lorna Viletta.
- Letitia McAllister was born on 3 June 1872 in Brompton, South Australia, died on 4 July 1872 in Brompton, South Australia at age 1 month and was buried in Hindmarsh, South Australia.
- Arthur Ernest McAllister was born on 6 August 1873 in Brompton, South Australia and died on 14 June 1913 in Brompton, South Australia at age 39 years. Arthur married Edith Matilda Gettner on 2 March 1899 in North Adelaide, South Australia. Edith was born on 6 March 1878 in Adelaide, South Australia and died on 28 September 1942 in Brompton, South Australia at age 64 years. They may have had six children: Alice Gotleab, Ernest, Lillian Myrtle, Myrtle May, Dorothy Irene and Rieta. There is a mystery about the birth of Ernest McAllister, his date of birth is 19 September 1899, the same date of birth for Alice Gotleab, however there is no record of birth for Ernest McAllister and no record of death of Alice Gotleab McAllister.
- Joseph McAllister was born on 25 February 1876 in Brompton, South Australia and died on 12 December 1951 in Magill, South Australia, Australia at age 75 years. Joseph married Ethel Margaret Mason on 23 February 1903 in West Hindmarsh, South Australia. Ethel was born on 18 March 1881 in Balmain, New South Wales and died on 24 July 1965 in Leabrook, South Australia at age 84 years. They had seven children: Estelle Ellen, Joseph Edward, Violet Ann, Florence May, Harold Leslie, Ethel Margaret and Gordon Henry.
- William Washington Stewart McAllister was born on 23 February 1878 in Brompton, South Australia and died on 4 April 1931 in Adelaide, South Australia at age 53 years. William married Susannah Rhodes Maulthouse Sykes on 5 August 1908 in Lyrup, South Australia. Susannah was born on 27 April 1882 in Brompton, South Australia and died on 4 August 1921 in Bowden, South Australia at age 39 years. They had four children: Jack, Stewart, William Sykes and Jean Betty Ann.
Ronald Maxy Sharpe was born on 11 March 1905 in Goodwood, South Australia to John Crutchfield and Caroline Sharpe (nee McAllister).
Ron Sharpe was an outstanding pitcher who was first selected in the South Australian state team in 1921 at the age of 16. He then went on to represent South Australia for more than eighteen years before retiring in 1946. He was inducted into the Australian Baseball Hall of Fame on 9 December 1986. In commemoration of his achievements in Baseball, the South Australian Baseball League presents The Ron Sharpe Medal to the best player in Division 2. Ron Sharpe died on 24 October 1972 in Fullarton, South Australia at age 67. Goodwood Baseball Club 1922 - 1946 SA Representative 1921 - 1945 News Baseball Writer 1923 - 1953 Australian Baseball Federation Hall of Fame Inductee. Source: adelaidia.sa.gov.au
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Lancelot Reginald Alderson was born at Strathalbyn, South Australia on 3 November 1895 to William Henry and Annie Alderson (nee McAllister).
The family moved to Solomontown, near Port Pirie, South Australia, where Lance was employed as a Cabinet Maker. He also took a keen interest in military matters and qualified as a Sergeant in the Citizen Forces. He retained that position after enlisting in the Australian Imperial Force on 16 September 1914. The 16th Battalion AIF was made up of recruits from Western Australia and South Australia. They embarked from Melbourne on 22 December 1914 bound for Egypt. The Battalion landed at Anzac Cove on the afternoon of 25 April 1915. Lance was seriously wounded on 2 May 1915 at Deadman's Ridge, Gallipoli, Turkey. He was carried to the dressing station and transported to a hospital ship but died of his wounds and was buried at sea. He was 19 yrs 6 months old. Memorial: Lone Pine Cemetery, Turkey
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William Arthur Alderson was born on 24 October 1888 in Strathalbyn, South Australia to William Henry and Annie Alderson (nee McAllister).
William enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on 27 January 1916. He embarked for France with the 10th Battalion on 25 March 1916 just two weeks after his marriage to Stella Gill on 11 March 1916 at Gawler, South Australia.. On 9 April 1917 William Alderson was wounded and then captured by the Germans. He was interred as a Prisoner of War in Germany until 30 December 1918. He returned to Australia on 2 March 1919. William and Stella Alderson had four children: Annie Violet, William Gill, Harrold Keith and Effie Doreen. William Arthur Alderson died on 2 June 1947 in Gawler, South Australia at age 58. Source: National Archives of Australia
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