Key Dates

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1852 January

Amelia Hall leaves London for Sydney with her nephew Ted and niece Amy

1853 January              

Death of Ellen Theodosia in Melbourne

1853                             

The Bracher family move to Sandhurst (Bendigo)

1853 November 15

Birth of Emma Amelia Bracher in Sandhurst

1857 October 7      

Birth of George Henry Bracher in Sandhurst

1858 February          

Death of Sarah Theodosia Hall in Western Australia

1859 February 12

Birth of Ada Louisa Bracher in Sandhurst

1859 April                

Death of Henry Edward Hall in Mandurah, W.A.

1859 April         

The Bracher family relocates from Sandhurst to Axe Creek, and until 1853 they live at Axe Creek, Raywood and Kangaroo Flat.

1860                               

Bushranger Edward Frank Hall wanted and captured in Western Australia

1861                               

William Shakespeare Hall joins the Gregory exploration party to explore north western W.A.

1861                               

14 year old Sarah Fanny Bracher leaves Victoria to live with her great aunt Amelia in Sydney

1864 November  

George Bracher placed under sequestration in the Supreme Court of Victoria

1866 January   

Sarah Fanny Bracher returns from Sydney to Sandhurst

 

 

Upon arrival in Melbourne, George and family found themselves accommodation in a wooden house located in the Herald Office Lane, off the western end of Little Collins Street. Their first months in Victoria were met with tragedy. Nine month old Ellen Theodosia died in January 1853 - four months after their arrival in Melbourne. She was buried in the old Melbourne General Cemetery, which, from the 1880s, became the site of the Queen Victoria Market.

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The early death of children was commonplace in that era, but the pain of loss must still have been strong. However, a third child. Emma Amelia Bracher, was born in Sandhurst on November 15th, 1853, ten months after Ellen’s death. Emma’s birth in Sandhurst means that sometime during 1853 George, Sarah and Sarah Fanny had left Melbourne for the fabled gold town, which later became known as Bendigo.

 

The entire country was then gripped with gold fever. William Shakespeare Hall and his brother James Anderton Hall had left W.A. in 1852 for the Victorian diggings. Anderton didn’t stay long, but William Shakespeare remained for eight seemingly fruitless years. They were later joined by their eldest brother, Henry Hastings, who was mining at Cathcart Hills (Ararat) in 1858, while William Shakespeare was located at Pleasant Creek.

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Henry Hastings Hall wrote a few letters for publication to Perth’s Inquirer newspaper, telling of life on the Victorian goldfields. In January 1853 he wrote:

 

“ …Two days in Melbourne sufficed to prepare for the trip up to the Diggings and having chased a packhorse at half past 2pm, August 25th we started, but owing to the wretched state of the roads and the nag being heavily laden we did not reach Bendigo before the afternoon of the 1st September, the distance about 120 miles. The country near the whole distance we travelled is delightful at this season, being covered with a beautiful grass sward, except where cut up by the immense traffic. The roads in many places present the appearance of newly ploughed fields.”

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and then in the Perth Gazette Dec 1853..

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“…my youngest brother will soon leave us, but the other members of my party are determined to remain until they do get something worth returning with. One of my brothers, F Hester and Symmons, who went to Ballarat, did no good there, the former came back a few days since, but S preferred remaining…Affairs are going on here smoothly enough except that some of the diggers seemed determined to oppose the operations of the new “Bill for the Goldfields”…After wandering about and exchanging partners occasionally during our residence here, we now find ourselves at the end of eighteen months, resolved into our original party, only a short distance from where we first camped and to all appearance as far from the possession of the object of our visit to Victoria as we were on the memorable afternoon when the diggings first presented to our sight. But I am far from despairing, for the present we shall follow some occupation such as splitting or something that promises a certain remuneration…”

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Despite his proximity to Bendigo and Ballarat, George does not appear to have joined his wife’s brothers, nor tried his own luck on the fields. This is surprising, as he was less than 40 years of age and was certainly in need of income. However, an advertisement placed by George in the September 26th edition of the Bendigo Advertiser for the sale of a third share in a quartz lease "with first rate prospects" hints that he may have been dabbling in small scale surface mining for a time. By December 1855 he was advertising roach and quicklime, and a January and October 1856 advertisements in the Advertiser for 'Loading to the Goulburn and Ovens diggings indicates that he had turned his hand to cartage for a living. Sarah Bracher began advertising for boarders and a female servant in June 1857.

 

In June 1855 William Merry sold Lot 5 to George for 34 pounds, 13 shillings. During 1856 he was paying rates on a house in Rowan Street valued at 65 pounds. By 1857 George was listed as ‘owner Occupier’ and the house and land had a rateable value of 80 pounds. In 1858 he was listed as the ‘Owner Occupier’ of a shop and house valued at 60 pounds. The house known as 'Belgravia' comprised eight rooms, which were well floored, lined and papered throughout, and detached outhouses, located in "the past part of Rowan Street".

 

George Henry Bracher was born to George and Sarah on October 7th, 1857. On the birth certificate George’s occupation was recorded as ‘carrier’, but it is likely that he tried his hand at a number of jobs throughout the 1850s. This was a character trait that stuck with him for the rest of his life. In fact, admonishment and despair at his son’s lack of success were regular features of the letters George received from his retired father in Wiltshire:

 

“…I learn from Sarah’s letter that you are at present somewhat at a loss how to proceed in your business matters and I do fear you lost sight of sound trading duties when you contracted a loan at such a high rate of interest..I hope the lesson will not be lost upon you in the future although you have had abundant experience before upon the same subject…now dear George I can only say that had I to begin again in life my past course should be the height (??) of my future in respect of never exceeding my means in trading operations, far better that the most simplest of food be obtained with a tranquil mind than all the luxuries on earth without them….” (December 1858)

 

By February 1859 Sarah was also growing tired of hardship. She wrote to her brother, William Shakespeare Hall, that “…one by one all are leaving Bendigo that I care for. I should like to leave it too if we could better ourselves.”  She hints that George may have invested in a local mining company 'Cambridge'. "They are 100 feet down and no reef, we can ill afford what it costs us...".

 

Sarah’s mother’s death at their Western Australian farm ‘Wongong’ in February 1858 affected her deeply. Her mood may have lifted with the birth of Ada Louisa at Sandhurst on February 12th, 1859, but by April 1859 her father, Henry Edward Hall, had also died, of throat cancer, at Mandurah. The 1850s were a succession of family births, deaths and hardship for George and Sarah.

 

In March 1859 George and Sarah sold their house and land with 33 feet frontage to Rowan Street in Sandhurst, plus a rear allotment of land with a 30 foot frontage to a right-of-way. Also sold was a butchers shop and fittings. Between 1859 and 1863 the Brachers moved to the rural districts of Axe Creek - 15km south east - to Raywood - 30km north-west - before settling at Kangaroo Flat, just south of Bendigo.

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A letter written by Sarah Louisa from Axe Creek to her brother in April 1859 indicates that they were trying to farm at a location 17 miles from Bendigo and it would appear that they were living in a tent. The desperation in Sarah’s letter is obvious:

 

“…I have but little news for you, as we are quite in the Bush and I must say at present I do not like the change – and we have no milk, tho’ we have 12 cows, some of them to calve in 6 or 7 weeks. George has to supply the house entirely from Bendigo and I fear it will almost swamp us before any returns are realised. I have been, and still am, very much grieved that George would sell the house and I fear it will be long before we shall be as snug again…..What a life of toil and anxiety seems to be the lot of most of us. I begin to feel quite weary of it for so many years now to be in the bush. No school for the children is worse than all. George has 10 acres of land ready for the  plough, but as it is in the 108 acre paddock there is some fencing to be done. George means to do as little as possible to leave behind us for Tolhurst’s benefit. We are 17 miles from Bendigo, from Bogles – Homebush I am about 9 miles, ¾ of a mile from the junction of the ??? from the Campaspe”.

 

George was perhaps a little more optimistic than his wife. In a letter he wrote to in May 1860 to his brother in-law, Shakespeare Hall, he reports that they are still in Kangaroo Flat, camped on 'government ground'.

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" I am now trying my old game of carting once more, when the cows calve we intend selling the milk, so that bye and bye, what with the Milk and an odd job or two at carting I think we shall manage to knock out a crust, the old trade comes quite natural..."

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" ...I am obliged to turn out every morning at half past five, light the fire and get Breakfast ready by six because we have a boarder that always breakfasts at that time and sometimes for fear I should be five minutes late Sarah turns me out at 2-3 & 4 o'clock which is not so pleasant."

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Concern for the plight of George, Sarah and family among other family members is also obvious from some of the letters. Aunt Amelia Hall in Sydney wrote to Sarah in August 1859:

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“…He (ie Mr Bracher, Salisbury) mentioned George having written to him for a piano for Fanny and that as the child appeared to have a taste for music he (ie Mr Bracher) had much inclination to send one – but his illness had prevented his attending to the shipping of it. He seemed to have received a subsequent letter from you saying it was probable you would leave Sandhurst for the purpose of farming and that Fanny had been taken from school – he did not regret young ones being made useful, on the contrary thought it best that both body and mind should be exercised, but felt sorry that circumstances should require you to take such a step and he said that the piano had become a vexing question to him – in the first place – drawing off Fanny’s attention from matters where circumstances rendered more important and then the expense of getting a piano from Melbourne and also having such a cumbersome piece of furniture to move about – however he said as soon as he was well he should consider all circumstances and decided upon what was best to be done….I do wish my dear Sarah that if it is necessary for you to live in the country that the life may become increasingly pleasant to you. If you are not too much occupied with domestic concerns I think you will teach your children far better than half the people who are keeping schools…”

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Letters from Sarah’s father-in-law in England would not have eased her concerns. They were often full of home spun advice and not so subtle admonitions of her husband:

 

“…I am grieved to find that you do not succeed in your business operation, at the same time I feel somewhat satisfied at your having at length chosen a course of life which I think must prove more adapted to George’s habits and disposition. No doubt his former (????) appeared to offer at times much greater prospects for pecuniary advantage, but it is evident by the results that George had not the power of mind or body to reap fruits from the same. I must at best admit that I feel little competence to judge of the vast difference there may be in dealing with matters in a new colony in comparison with an old nation like ours, but still I feel there are general principles in conducting our affairs which will conduce more or less to the same results and I believe that were the mind to limit its (???) By the means it already (???) the results would generally be of a (????) character. ..your remarks my dear upon my not sending you the piano are founded upon a wrong data as to my views on the subject. I do not object at all to the very poorest being recipients of musical exercises, but I think it is unwise for any persons to spend their time upon learning music while they lack that time for providing the necessary comforts of life..had your circumstances been such as to have satisfied my mind that your children would have been benefited by a piano you should have had one with all my heart, and so you may if you determine as by the next mail I intend to remit an order for 50 pounds which I wish you should apply entirely to your own satisfaction. It may prove useful for your (????)  (????) of the farm……”

 

The following month, October 1859, George’s father sent a letter of credit on the Sandhurst bank for fifty pounds. Henry Hastings Hall had returned from England to Western Australia by August 1859 to clear-up his father’s estate. During 1860 he managed to sell ‘Wongong’ for 1050 pounds, of which a portion was forwarded to Sarah Louisa.

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Nevertheless, George’s continuing entreaties to his father for extra money was eliciting some heated response, as this letter from George Senior to Sarah Louisa in 1860 would suggest:

 

“…It would be my extreme regret that George should have so lost the balance of good feeling, as thus to have (capreped???) himself as he did.  I am perfectly conscious of having done dear Fanny any wrong by not sending a Pianoforte to her and I thought her father would not (propibly ??) have so misread my conduct upon the matter. However I must leave him to his own feelings upon the subject and (??) him that his  (??) from a year’s correspondence with me in anger on account of the Pianoforte not being sent is a sad token of indwelling bitterness of spirit which a (???) Christian should shrink from and I hardly know how he is to expect from his own children the love of their hearts by such an example which he has exposed to view by his own manifestation.  Happily for us there is a far higher example than earthly (????) for us to refer to in all doings with others….here I cannot but confess my wounded feelings that your children have been lead to understand me as unkind towards them. Surely George was left to appropriate the 80 pounds as he pleased for the children or himself as their parents…”

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George Bracher Senior's career and personal wealth seems to have grown steadily throughout the past two decades - 1840 to 1860. He, Elizabeth and children Emma, Sophia, Nathan, Jethro and servant/s had lived for all that time in Guilder Lane, Salisbury, a street in the central city area, which still features a group of 16th-century timber-framed cottages. The substantial home featured a dining room, two parlours, bedrooms, dressing rooms, a kitchen, wash house and underground cellars, a yard stable and outbuildings. The large productive garden was located across the road and it featured a greenhouse. In July 1855 the house and its garden opposite was listed for auction, with the newspaper advertisement mentioning that it was tenanted on a yearly basis to George Bracher. Elizabeth's death on May 18th 1854 may have precipitated the move. George seems to have relinquished the role as Secretary to the Wilts & Dorset Banking Company some time during the early 1850s, but he remained on the bank's list of shareholders until very late in life.  On Census Night 1861, George was still listed as a 'widower' but also as a 'landed proprietor' of Guilder Lane Salisbury. Either George had bought the freehold of the property when it went to auction in 1855, or he had purchased one of the adjoining freehold tenements also listed in the auction notice. George was listed as living with a housekeeper and a servant, so his apparent good fortune must have been of increasing interest to the beleaguered George Junior in Australia.

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George jnr's continuing failures at most things make amusing reading 150 years later, but they were obviously infuriating for family members. In May 1860 he wrote to his brother-in-law, Shakespeare Hall, who was mining at Inglewood, lamenting problems with his latest farming project, though he ever remained the optimist about the next possible venture:

 

“..We are still at Kangaroo Flat where we intend to winter if all is well. We are not doing much at present, the cows are all dry and the calves will only fetch from 30/- to 40/- each. I tried to sell two of the old cows with heifer calves and a yearling heifer with them last Saturday at auction and the most I was offered for the lot there was 5 pounds five shillings. I was afterwards offered on my way home with them by a Kyneton farmer 7 pounds, 10 shillings, but I refused to sell under 8 pounds. I have had a great deal of trouble with them since I have been here. I first hired a man to tail them and in a few days he lost 4 cows and calves for 3 weeks. I then got a boy and he twice lost the whole lot so I finished up with him by giving him a down right good horsewhipping; so now I have turned them all adrift in the bush to look after themselves, before my whole time was taken up in looking after those that were lost, there are two forward in calf, one will calve in 2 or 3 weeks. I am now trying my old game at carting once more, when the cows calve we intend selling the milk, so that bye and bye, what with the milk and an odd job or tow at carting, I think we shall manage to knock out a crust, the old trade comes quite natural. We are camped on Government ground but if we succeed this winter we are thinking of buying a town lot just opposite to us from the Crown.

 

Fanny is very anxious when her money comes down for me to buy her an allotment.

 

Sarah says when you next come to Bendigo you are to pitch your tent by the side of us for 2 or 3 days previous to your departure. We are all now in pretty good health. I am obliged to turn out every morning at ½ past 5, light the fire and get breakfast ready by 6 because we have a boarder that always breakfasts at that time and sometimes I fear I should be 5 minutes late Sarah turns me out at 2-3 and 4 o’clock which is not so pleasant. Such is life like a Ship on the ocean always on the move. Sarah and the children desire to be kindly remembered to you.”

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Aunt Amelia Hall in Sydney comments on George’s latest venture – dairying - and expressed her concern about the quality of their lifestyle in August 1860:

 

“ Milk selling is a good business if you are but fortunate with your cows. Still, they should be selected; cows vary so much as to being good milkers. Ted says the pasturage is much better on the Melbourne side than about Sydney. Dear Shake (ie Shakespeare Hall) will have left you I fear before this reaches you…I am truly glad to hear through you of dear Henry. I hope he will be prosperous for indeed he deserves to be so. Are Shake and he thinking of squatting together, I cannot help thinking it would be for their comfort. I do hope my dear Sarah you manage to keep yourself and the dear children warm this cold weather. Tents I know can be made very comfortable by having the floor boarded, with a brick chimney and the tent well imbanked outside…..I wrote to Mr Bracher (ie. Snr in England) to ask him to send Fanny the Illustrated News regularly. I thought it would be such a nice thing for the children…With kind love to yourself, George and Fanny, and kisses to the little ones. I am my dear Sarah very affectionately yours – Amelia Hall”.

 

The Halls of Western Australia were also having a run of poor fortune. The death of Sarah Theodosia and Henry Edward Hall within 14 months had thrown a pall over the family, who had struggled for many years with the challenges of farming the local soil. Sarah Theodosia had been buried at ‘Wongong’ and when Henry Hastings sold the property, he chose to dig-up his mother’s casket so that she could be re-interred next to his father in Perth cemetery. Henry exumed the casket and transported it himself to Perth.

 

Another bout of Hall misfortune struck the family in 1860, but, in doing so, added another colourful chapter to the family annals. Sarah Louisa’s youngest brother, Edward Frank Hall, was wanted for cattle stealing in the Vasse and Blackwood districts of south-west Western Australia. A 100 pound reward was placed on his head for capture.

 

After capture and imprisonment at Busselton, Hall escaped and the hunt for the bushranger became the talk of W.A., especially given Frank’s remarkable knowledge of the local countryside, having grown up in close contact with local aborigines.

 

Hall eventually gave himself up to authorities and was sentenced to 15 years prison in Fremantle Jail. He was pardoned in 1871 and he moved to the Geraldton District. From there he moved to the Gascoyne, and then on to Shark Bay, where he became a pastoralist and pearler. He married Anne Carpenter in 1882 and died in Northhampton in 1886.

 

Shakespeare Hall moved frequently from one mining area to another, probably as a result of the easiest gold having been mined-out many years before. There is never any indication that any of the Hall brothers made significant earnings from their prospecting and by 1860 Shakespeare had returned to Western Australia. His path to success and achievement started in 1861 when he joined the Gregory party, which had been exploring Western Australia’s far north-west. The expedition discovered pearl oysters up north and Shakespeare brought some back, selling them to the Crown Solicitor for 10 pounds. It is said by some that Shakespeare Hall was the first to realise the potential of the north Western Australian pearling industry.

 

Only Aunt Amelia in Sydney appears to have settled comfortably into the Antipodean way of life, after arriving in Australia in 1852 with her niece and nephew. Amelia Hall was born in 1811 as the youngest of Henry Edward Hall (Snr). After the sale of the Shackerstone Estate she lived in a cottage on the estate with her father. She is recorded as still being there with her father in 1841, but in the 1851 census she is recorded as being a ‘school mistress’ living in the fairly affluent London suburb of St Johns Wood.

 

Amelia left London for Australia in January 1852, accompanied by her nephew Ted and neice Amy, whom she had adopted at the death of her brother Thomas Octavia Hall. By 1859 in Sydney she had returned to her career as a school teacher and by the 1860s was on the road to some prosperity through opening her own private school for boys. Unlike other members of her family, her path was strategic and calculated:

 

“…Why, dear Sarah, I have taken to teaching again and came into this neighbourhood to attend what I had reason to believe would be a very nice family – at present all is “couleur de rose” but my habit is to wait a while before giving an opinion. Many triffling difficulties are in my way, which a little time will remedy. The hours are from 9 o’clock in the Mong until 4pm and till 12 on Saturday. There is a special spread at 1’o’clock which you know aunty does not occupy herself over much about. The salary is 100 pounds per annum but I value the connection more. I have for some time wished to begin a school, but to ensure success connexion is even more than money that I felt I needed if I continue for some time with this family I shall have it…”

 

By the early 1860s Aunt Amelia had achieved her ambition of opening her own school at 47 McLeay Street, Sydney.  Within a few years she had moved the school into one of Sydney’s grander houses, Waverly House, on Old South Head Road, which had been built by Barnett Levy in 1827. The Sands Directory of Sydney records her as being at Waverly House from 1863 to 1883. The municipality of Waverly in Sydney takes its name from Waverly House. Amelia Hall loaned the fledgling council 1,000 pounds to help get it established.

 

The ‘History of Waverly Municipality’ contains an item about ‘Miss Amelia Hall’s School at Waverly House’

 

“ One of the early private schools with distinctive features was opened in the old Waverley House (now demolished) by Mss Amelia Hall in 1866. In the school she was ably assisted by her nephew, the late T.E. Hall. It was one of the most exclusive boys’ preparatory schools at that period. Miss Hall was an English woman who arrived in Sydney in 1852. She conducted the school for about 20 years and ran it on English school lines – the boys wearing Eton uniforms and silk hats. Boys who were later to become leaders in State and Federal spheres were amongst the pupils, such as the late Sir Philip Street, Chief Justice and Lieutenant Governor, Sir Adrian Knox, Chief Justice of Australia, the Stephen Family and the Dr Barkers of medical fame. In a private letter written by Mrs Eleanor Robyns of ‘Elmwood’ 31 Penkivil Street, Bondi, December 20th 1928 to the late Captain Johnston of Waverley, she stated…” It was my privilege to be on the teaching staff of ‘Waverley House’ fifty four years ago (1874)…Waverley House was the principal preparatory school in the colony at the time. We had boys from all parts of Australia and Fiji.”

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Aunt Amelia’s concern for the lamentable situation of her niece Sarah Louisa and family in Victoria must have prompted Amelia to offer a better educational opportunity for her grand niece, Sarah Fanny Bracher.

 

“ My Dear Sarah,

I hope at whatever inconvenience it may be you will send off Fanny immediately. I will tell you why at some better opportunity. If she is to come at all let it be without any delay. The difficulties will only increase and the opportunities may be lost…..it does vex me sadly that I cannot send you the whole for Fanny but herewith is enclosed the other half of the 5 pounds which was dispatched per English mail last Saturday. If you feel inclined give Fanny a hint that it is not worthwhile mentioning our name on board the steamer – it is on Fanny’s account. I have nice introductions for her here and I do not want her recognised until she can be seen to advantage – a week or two of the smooth town life makes such a difference in mere appearance. Mind dear Sarah I am not thinking of myself and Fanny is perfectly free to do just as she likes – the second class passage has I assure you nothing to do with it. Aunty cares about no trifles for after all they are senseless.”

 

The 14 year old Sarah Fanny left Bendigo for Sydney in 1861 and for five years enjoyed the tutelage and mentoring of Aunt Amelia. There is no doubt that her Great Aunt’s intervention significantly altered the course of her life, providing her with a grounding that the modest and erratic income of her father could never have provided. Both George and Sarah were extremely grateful for Aunt Amelia’s generosity. Aunt Amelia set about rectifying many of the inadequacies she felt missing in Sarah Fanny’s upbringing, though she conceded that the opportunity for a musical education may have passed. In August 1861 she wrote to George Henry about his daughter:

 

“ …Now, for dear Fanny – I hope and believe that she is really happy with us, I love her and only desire her real good. When I talked seriously to her I found she did not wish to attend a Ladies School, the preferred studying here and as I hope she is spending her time profitably I am satisfied, As for music, I am anxious that she should do all that is possible and she may render it a service of both pleasure and utility, but as for giving fanny a musical education now is impossible. She is six or eight years too old and has the disadvantage of having a set stiffness about her fingers…..as for the sums, cousin Ted has great patience – and he needs it !……the simple facts is that Fanny does not care at times to use her head and as I often laughingly tell her she will have to – it is one of Auntie’s duties to make young people use their faculties. The French goes on infinitely better than the sums.

 

Aunt Amelia must also have been tiring of George’s carping about his father’s lack of understanding and generosity….

 

“ You must excuse the remark dear George but you have been many years separated from your Father and possibly he is a very different man now to what he was when you left home – of one thing I feel certain that he is not attached to money for its own sake, but would willingly spend it wherever he thought it would do good. I hope yet you will both live to meet and mutually understand each other.”

 

George’s father had also become attached to Sarah Fanny and concerned for her education. His letter to Sarah Louisa of October 1861 indicates that he had made the offer of Fanny travelling to England, but that his son had blocked the move. The level of ill feeling between father and son is also obvious:

 

“…I find that George does not entertain the idea of dear Fanny coming to England at present and therefore trust that the subject will rest where it is. I have no doubt of his motive being for the child’s good and I confess that although my mind has……..towards the child, the idea of being instrumental of separating her from you all would be too much for my feelings to reconcile….I find that George has quite resigned all communication with me. Can he dispassionately (?) tell himself that it is good to be this estranged. If so I am not selfish enough to complain, neither do I wish him to gratify me with an answer.”

 

Despite being separated from her family at a young age, it seems that Sarah Fanny enjoyed her time under Aunt Amelia’s tutelage in Sydney, appreciated the opportunity she was receiving and formed an attachment to her older cousins, Amy and Ted. She wrote lovingly to her seven year old brother, George Henry, in 1863:

 

“ My pet brother, I want you to tell me how all the flowers are growing. I know you cannot write yet but you can ask mamma to tell me. Cousin Amy gave me a pretty little bird a little grey parrot with a little bit of orange colored head and a crest. It is such a pet you shall see it some day…There are such nice little boys here I often wish you were with them just as old as you are. We had a nice little calf but aunt has given it away now”.

 

In May 1864 she writes charmingly to her sister Amelia about her Sydney social debut:

 

“…I went (to a party) a few weeks ago, it was given by some friends of ours who are very rich and could afford to have everything in the finest style. I wore a white muslin dress and very broad pink silk sash ½ a yard wide each end. Aunt said I should look simple but very nice as it was my first ball. I wore pink as it suits me so much…..there were 145 persons there from 7 year olds to 70, but most of them between 15 and 20. I had 9 different partners the first part of the evening. For the first hour I only looked at the (??) but after that a great many found me (??) but of course I could only dance with one at a time…it is the fashion now to have mixed parties instead of two, one for juveniles and one for old folks and so now I have come out…Last year I was invited to two much grander affairs than even this, but could not go because I was not old enough to come out. ”

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By 1863, the financial hardship being suffered by George, Sarah and their family was very serious. It appears from comments in a number of family letters that George had come unstuck over a loan arrangement he had entered into. Having given up on the continuing indulgence of George’s father, they tried seeking help from Aunt Amelia:

 

“ Your last letter is one which I cannot let lie by me without telling you how truly it grieves me to find your having such a hard battle to fight with circumstances – if we could but help you it would be such a pleasure, but a school is at best but a fluctuating affair and so far the requisite additions to household stuff, especially bedding (which is very expensive) has prevented our feeling any benefit as yet….write and let me know how you are getting on for I shall feel very anxious for the next few months…”

 

However, in September 1863 George’s father agreed to assist them again, though could not resist the opportunity to deliver another sermon on fortitude and rectitude. His letter also throws light on his son’s financial start in life:

 

“ My former letter was in answer to yours of June last, and I now reply to yours of July, and as I see your circumstances to be pressing hard upon you, I shall although at an inconvenience to me send a letter of credit for 25 pounds, five shillings to you and as I notice remarks in your letter which convey to my mind that you have impressions respecting me which do not correspond to my real position and

circumstances in life. I shall refer to the subject and as you wish to prevent my communicating your present position to your brothers or sister I shall refrain from doing so, although I do not think such should be regarded as our lives and conduct must be the test (of?) what we have been.

 

“ Your brothers and sister of course are aware of how you started in life and with what means you had to help you on in the duties which laid before you and they are also aware how they have been situated in the same way.  You possessed your mother’s property when you became of age and they severally possessed the property their grandfather left to them when he died and which amounted very near the same sum for each, and the very trifling sums which I received from your dear mother or theirs was about equal in amount to each other of them.

 

“ I commenced in life with small property and as you are aware had in the whole a large family and through severe bodily affliction in several members of my families I had large expenses continually to meet, but they were always met in due course And so I worked on until I felt resolved to retire with the means I possessed in such a position that may afford me the opportunity of really considering whether the rest for the soul could not be found if I ceased to pursue the hard task of the conventional world. I did retire for peace sake and simplicity of life and here I am in a most healthful and quiet position surrounded with nature’s garden. My dwelling place is of a more inexpensive kind than I at all wished, but that is easily met by the simplicity of my habits and retirement from company, not having received a body of my relatives or friends since my retirement, but as you will see on the envelope of my last letter I expect a party of relatives tomorrow…..I commend you to not to fear others thoughts or sayings respecting your position, but rather inquire within what your body and soul requires for true health. You say you are all healthy in body and now I beseech you to live in love with all other beings and God will dwell with you and the beautiful world that He has made will be your inheritance..… …but I sincerely hope that you may be led to deeply reflect upon the past and although you may not gather from it a satisfactory conclusion that you have wisely pursued your course and lived under the influence of watchfulness sufficient to rightly guide your steps as well as forbearance to others yet you may see by reflection that God is faithful to the law which he has established upon the earth and that those who do not obey its teachings must suffer the consequences. ….You appear to think and say that I am in affluent circumstances, but let me tell you that the affluence which rests upon me is made such only by the simplicity of my requirements or desires to possess, and not in my actual possessions and I am thankful for the knowledge that God has afforded me to apprehend my real wants. With my sincere love to you, also, send (25-5-0) your affectionate father “.

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“ …you will observe that the letter of credit is drawn for 25 pounds, five shillings, the 5/- being added as a kind of premium now adopted I understand by the bank generally in these transactions. I hope to hear of the safe arrival of the enclosed letter of credit and that you will obtain your property from the government at the 12 pounds, 10 shillings and that the other sum will enable you to meet the money you borrowed and that after all the experience you have gone through that you will see the importance of attending more to the best wants of yourself and family than any application of your mind to other things. Not that I doubt your industry but I fear your meddling with matters and persons which beguiled you into errors and hopes besides creating personal prejudices from parties who may otherwise be friendly with you…and I would in true love and affection advise you to deeply reflect how far you are correct in applying any of your hopes to providential workings rather than a want of regard on your part to a due application of your mind to the circumstances which have surrounded you…..And now I close these lines with the deepest and sincerest desire for the happiness of yourself, wife and your dear children……Since writing and posting my letter on the 18th I have received a letter from dear Miss Hall and I am gratified to find she is well and that her school, as well as dear Fanny, is progressing satisfactorily”

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Not satisfied with his previous missive, the following month George’s father fired-off an even more sanctimonious diatribe:

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“…as your last letter gave me a definitive statement what the Government required for the fee of your present residence and as you appear to have been obliged to borrow a sum a money for your cattle (??) I sent you a letter of credit for 25 pounds, 5 shillings and hope it will reach you safely…I hope now to satisfy myself with a few remarks upon the natural laws and constitution of things, as I fear by your letters that you do not accept the order of men and things as they are to thinking minds constituted by the eternal creator…I fear by your haste (???) that you discomfort your own feelings and make enemies of those who have powers to assist you when it is their pleasure to do so. Every reflection upon the past of my life gives me an (???) that it is good for peace sake to ensure the reflection of others rather than give occasion for the stirring up of strife…”

 

By July the following year, his father had calmed himself and his letter reflected a more sanguine approach to the situation:

 

“…I will hope for you that there are brighter days in store. Your life in Australia has been one of confusion and hard labours. Mine has been in past 40 years close application of my mental powers to business and now I seek only the calm of life with the most simple bodily habits and my reflection now these me how little man understands the basis of a true life with God…”

 

However, despite the assistance rendered by his father, on November 21st, 1864 the estate of George Bracher, carrier of Kangaroo Flat was placed under sequestration in the Supreme Court of Victoria. The cause of insolvency was listed as: pressure of creditors, being sued in the Sandhurst County Court, sickness of self and wife, continuing ill health and depression in business. His liabilities were listed as 116 pounds, eight shillings, assets at 33 pounds, leaving a debt of 83 pounds, eight shillings. He was not discharged from his debts until 8 September, 1871, presumably using part of his inheritance upon the death of his father in June of that year..

 

Early in 1865 Henry Hastings Hall had replied to his sister’s request for financial assistance, but due to his own dire situation was unable to help:

 

“…I was very much grieved on receipt of your last letter, and if it had been in my power to assist you….individually I have never been so short of money as during this past 12 months…I sincerely hope poor George is better, to be in poverty and sickness at once is bad indeed….you seemed very anxious to get Fanny back, surely in your present adversity the dear girl is better a thousand times where she is, you must not let maternal feelings get the better of judgement; would that they were all as well housed…”

 

By the mid 1860s Sarah Louisa had used her education in England to begin a small commercial tuition service to augment their meagre existence. George’s insolvency would have precluded him from any further business ventures, and he had taken to ad-hoc gold prospecting. The insolvency and hardship took a physical and mental toll on George. Sarah Louisa wrote to Fanny in Sydney in May 1865:

 

“ Papa is not very well today, but digging all day and no gold. Very, very low spirited I am sorry to see him. Times have never been so hard for us as during the last few weeks. I must not enter too (???)m into these matters or I shall grieve you….your father who is compelled to try digging has not had any more than a speck of gold for more than 3 weeks. He looks very poorly, such very hard work does not suit him, and then no return for it for weeks together makes him very low spirited, and no wonder.  Sometimes he seems sadly tired of this world and is striving to be ready for a better. I believe he is very desirous to obtain some employment, but has not been successful yet. I am continuing school until something more profitable turns up, 6/6 this week besides teaching our own and attending to all domestic matters is better than nothing….The children have just come in from a singing class at chapel…Amelia belongs to the choir and George is asked to go in next Sunday. They say he has a good alto voice, he can pitch several nice tunes, 7 yrs old 7th of Oct last….your dear father completed his 49th year on the 26th of April, 65 and says he can hardly believe it himself……”

 

By this stage Aunt Amelia had organised what would seem to be a teaching assistant role for Sarah Fanny in Sydney. Sarah Fanny reported to her father:

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“….I like being at Mrs Symons very much. I do not think I could be doing myself more good anywhere and with regards to the little ones under my care she is perfectly satisfied and says they never got on better with anyone…..How strange it is that circumstances prove so unfavourable still. I had been hoping that it was only for a little season but ‘bad times’ last so long when things once go wrong…”

 

In January 1866 Sarah Fanny’s early education was considered complete and, after five years, she returned to Bendigo, not only much better educated, but much more worldly. Quick to capitalise on their daughter’s new found abilities, Sarah Fanny immediately began assisting her mother in their small school.

 

“ I am very glad you had such a pleasant day in Melbourne tho tired indeed you must have been for I do not suppose you could sleep well on board the steamer – I am very sorry your father is looking so unwell, but I think your return will cheer him much as well as lighten your mama’s cares. I do believe dear Fanny that if you will exert yourself in the school you may prove a great assistance and comfort to the family. Apropos of the school, do not forget what I said to you about school furniture etc. Perhaps having had so much difficulty in procuring what was necessary for myself, may make me appear officious as to the Bendigo school. However of one thing feel assured dear Fanny both now and at any future time if a few pounds can be of any use in carrying out any plans your mama may form do not be afraid of letting me know. I will always help most willingly….…tell your mama to write to me soon for when you all get busy in the school I expect you will not have much spare time for me. Be sure dear Fanny to let me know if you want anything or if I can do anything to increase home comfort in any way – I shall always feel interested in your welfare.”(letter to Sarah Fanny from Aunt Amelia, Sydney)

 

It is not clear where the school was located, if it was not run from their home. The July 1866 Marong Shire rate records shows that George was paying rates on a very modest brick hut and garden in Kangaroo Flat, with a gross annual value of just 12 pounds. This would seem to have been hardly enough space to accommodate a classroom.

 

George’s father’s letters did not let him forget his ineptitude, although his rapidly ageing father’s attitude appears to have softened slightly. Referring to a letter he had received from Sarah Fanny, he told his son in a September 1867 letter:

 

“… however I readily enough see that the dear child does not discover that you are as a family making much if any progress towards a more comfortable position. It is a very painful thought to me that such should be the case, but as I cannot realise to myself the intrinsic cause I will not attempt any remark which may impute any blame to you. I feel conscious myself that my days of labour are past and I am truly thankful that my health has been so far sufficient to give me an opportunity of realizing a tranquil life at my present age and I do that you may yet have some favourable turn in your affairs so that yourself and family may soon sufficiently prosper to enjoy all needful blessings….I am living two miles from Salisbury and I have a lease with 18 months…”

 

The following month his father sent a present of 25 pounds for distribution among the children at the discretion of the parents, according to their ages and needs. George Snr’s interest in, and concern for his grandchildren was a theme conveyed in most of his correspondence. Unfortunately, a few months later, Sarah Louisa had to apologise to her daughter for not being able to provide her with any of her money…..” the truth is Pa speculated with it and he could not make it up again “

 

During the following ten years, George’s immediate family became increasingly angry at their father’s incompetence and his seeming total inability to handle money. His biggest opportunity, and his subsequent biggest financial loss, was yet to come.