The Merrett's aquire land in Sth Australia.
CONTINUED FROM AUSTRALIAN SETTLEMENT PAGE
1871-72
At this time also, the Government decided on farming a settlement in the Tatiara district. Some 20,000 acres were serveyed to form the hundred of Tatiara West, and the area was thrown open to farmers in 1872.
William applied for land and was successful. The following details were recorded:
'Granted unto the said William Merrett on 24-4-1872 at 25/- (shillings) an acre sections 194 and 195 of 268 acres situated in the hundred of Tatiara'
(bought probably under the time-payment scheme in operation at that time). Then on June 5, 1878,
'paid by William Merrett of Eden Valley stockholder 335pounds'
to the Lands Department. This would have made the property freehold.
An example of the agreement that early settlers had to sign to obtain their land selection.
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Map of selection 194 & 195, Hundred of Tatiara.
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Photo showing the well dug by William and his sons. The locality of the Merrett home was between the old straw shed and the well [nearer the straw shed]. Section 194.
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William and his wife Mary Ann and their eight children set off from Eden Valley with horse and dray, plus a cow tethered to the back of the dray to supply milk for the young family on their journey. How all their belongings - eight children (one just born) and two adults, plus fodder for horse and cow, could ever fit on a dray is beyond one's imagination, and what a grand old horse to pull that load through the desert!
The Merrett's arrived in the Tatiara in 1872 and settled on their selection. Their closest neighbours were Mr and Mrs August Godfried Frederick Wiese, some two miles closer to Bordertown. (Now known as Clayton Farm!)
William and his eldest sons set about establishing themselves and clearing their selection. William farmed his property and also got employment with his neighbours from time to time. He sank a well on his property not far from their home. The story was told by many of the Merrett's neighbours, that one of the Merrett boys fell down the well while drawing water (there were no windmills in those days).
This property was kept and farmed even once the Merrett's went to live in Victoria and then later it was leased out:
Sections 194 and 195, Hundred of Tatiara.
Lease - from W.Merrett to John Hooper for 5 years from March 25, 1885.
Lease - from W. Merrett to J.Y. Bell. Term 5 years from March 25, 1885.
Transfer - W. Merrett to Robert William Lawson, Padthaway, Nov 24, 1890.
Mr Lawson died on August 2, 1909.
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The first wedding to take place in William and May Ann's family was that of their eldest child, Sarah. She was married in their home at Bordertown in 1873. Their youngest children, twins Alice Rosetta and John James, were born in 1874 while the family was still living at Bordertown.
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William & Mary Ann Merrett with their twins, John James and Alice Rosetta, born June 20, 1874, at Bordertown.
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PROCEED TO VICTORIAN SETTLEMENT
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