This is a description of the lives of the children as printed in the book Nathaniel and Olivia. Some other information has been added.

Child 1

Ann Lucas

Born 2nd March 1789. By James Donohoe

She was the first European female to be born on Norfolk Island, and was recorded as Ann Gaskins, she was the eldest of thirteen children. Her birthplace would have been in the vicinity of the present town of Kingston, behind the convict era administrative area.

Ann was raised on Norfolk Island and lived there until she was 16 years of age. In March 1805 she moved to Sydney, New South Wales, with her parents and brothers and sisters on HMS “Investigator”, which earlier had been in the command of Matthew Flinders for his cartographic and scientific voyages.

Ann was recorded still illiterate at the age of eighteen

On the 2nd December, 1807, Ann married Charles William's a fellow Norfolk Islander, at St. Philip's Church, Sydney, N.S.W. The Rev. Harry Fulton, who was also a convict on Norfolk Island celebrated the marriage. The witness to the marriage was Arthur Devlin, the famed Irish rebel who later married Ann’s brother's sister-in-law, Priscilla Squire. Arthur and Priscilla settled in Kingston, Tasmania near former Marine, Thomas Lucas.

She gave birth to four children in Sydney and another six were born in Launceston, VDL. She had moved to Launceston in 1817 with her mother and some of her brothers and sisters. In her own right she acquired a grant of land on the southern bank of the River Tamar north of the settlement. It was adjacent to the grants made to some of her brothers and sisters.

When her mother obtained her own grant she entered into an arrangement with Ann [probably because she was the eldest] as tenant-in-common, and on Olivia’s death in 1830, Olivia’s land passed to her. Ann sold the land in 1836 and it appears she distributed the proceeds amongst the family.

Around 1835 Ann’s husband disappeared in “mysterious circumstances” {believed to have been murdered on the Pyrmont Bridge in Sydney} and in 1837 she gave birth to an “illegitimate” child whose name was registered in 1838 as Frances Faro, the father being a Thomas Faro, a baker who was also the licensee of the Half Moon Hotel in Tamar St., Launceston.

The couple married in April 1840 and then travelled to Melbourne where they lived for a brief time before setting in the Portland Bay area where Thomas was employed by William Learmouth to run his Dairy.

During the 1860’s Ann, now widowed, travelled to Dunedin, New Zealand with her youngest daughter Frances, her son-in-law Edward Manson and her grandchildren. In 1864 on 15th July, Ann Faro, formerly Williams, nee Gascoyne [also spelt Gaskin and Gascoigne died in the Dunedin Hospital aged 75 years.

Children of Ann Lucas and Charles Williams.

A. Charles	F. Sarah
B. William	G. Mary Ann
C. George	E. Nathaniel
D. Ann	F. Maria
E. Olivia	G. Thomas

Child 2 and Child 3. The Twins.

Mary and Sarah Lucas. Born 17th August, 1790. By Betty Taber

Mary and Sarah Lucas were born on Norfolk Island on the 17th August, 1790. The twins were the second and third children of Nathaniel Lucas and Olivia Gascoigne. Mary was number 44 and Sarah was number 45 on the Norfolk Island Victualling Book.

Unfortunately, on the 2nd February, 1792, when the two little girls were only just 18 month old, they were killed by a falling tree. Their father, Nathaniel, was clearing ground around the house and set fire to two pine trees. He hoped they would fall clear of the house, however, one fell on the house and killed the twins.

Olivia was nursing William in her arms, he was just seven month old at the time. Olivia was badly bruised and had several broken bones ( the reports from the island state a broken arm, but it is said Olivia walked with a limp right up until her death). William the baby was unhurt, obviously protected by his mother.

The letter stated:- “I had the unspeakable misfortune to lose 2 twins, girls, by an accident which could it be represented in a proper manner would awaken the most tender feelings and melt the hardest heart into sympathy.

It was by the fall of a Pine Tree which stood near my house, which buried my lovely infants in the ruins, and almost my worthy partner who nearly escaped with her life, for she was dragged out in a situation in which her life was despaired of. Oh Father I am not able to express the poignant grief I felt on this very shocking scene without dwelling long upon this displeasing subject.”

The house was smashed to pieces, which would have been a terrible blow to any young family without the horrific agony, of losing precious twin daughters.

The grief of the couple can be sensed in the letter home to Nathaniel’s father in 1796, four years after the terrible event. (The letter is now believed to have been written by Olivia).

It is these precious, dear little girls that we will celebrate the lives of when we return to Norfolk Island, March, 2002 and place a plaque in the Cemetery, at Kingston close to where they died.

There will also be a tree planted in their honour, so future family members will be able to visit and watch the tree grow.

As a mother of twins it is easy for me to paint a picture of these two little ones in their cots, perhaps sleeping or playing happily as my twins so often did. In the case of most twins there is a special bond, a closeness, perhaps due to the fact they shared the womb. They came into this world together, and they departed this life together, harsh as this may be it is reality, and it is up to us to celebrate the short time they passed this way.

Child 4. William Lucas Born 7th January, 1792. By James Donohoe.

William Lucas was born on the 7th January, 1792, the son of Nathaniel Lucas and Olivia Gascoigne, at Sydney, Norfolk Island. William was officially recorded by the Administration as William Gaskins, along with his elder sisters. His name reverted to William (Nathaniel) Lucas administratively on his transfer to Sydney in 1805.

As no trace can be made of his actual transport to Sydney nor to other locations where his presence was noted, it seems that he travelled as a crew member on the ship. Evidence of an interest in boats exists and this activity is seen as contributing to his early death.

William was illiterate. In 1824 William gave evidence to a judicial inquiry into an incident at New Norfolk, V.D.L., in which a number of bush rangers raided the homestead of the McCarthy family, whom William had known on Norfolk Island and had been visiting at the time. An “X” marked his Statement.

This is consistent too with his marriage registration. However he was a skilled tradesman.

In particular, he was recorded as a boat builder in his early years. It appears that his father taught him the art of carpentry along with his brothers and included boat building in skills passed on.

On the 1st May, 1812, William married Sarah Squire, the daughter of James Squire, a brewer and businessman of Kissing Point and Elizabeth Mason, at St. Philip’s Church of England, Sydney.

William entered business in 1812 as a Publican, operating the Trafalgar Square Hotel in Princes Street, now the site of the toll-gates on the Sydney Harbour Bridge. His first son George was born there. Probably his eldest daughter Sarah was born there too.

On the 16th November, 1816, William went to Launceston seeking building contracts. He was followed by his brother Nathaniel, then brother John. In 1817, his mother and her remaining children joined them. The boys secured a contract including the Goal there and a Chapel.

The family took a particular interest in hop, barley and wheat farming and it appears that Olivia took the family to Launceston to develop a supply of wheat which would synchronize with the family windmill operations at Liverpool still being run by Nathaniel. John also built a windmill at Liverpool called Brisbane Watermill which augmented production.

William purchased 900 acres of land from Robert Campbell and secured a further grant of 100 acres fronting the South Esk River at it's junction with the Meander River, south of Launceston, where the family grew wheat and some barley for the Squire Brewery.

Originally, the family shipped the grain to New South Wales on ships owned by their former neighbours in Sydney, John Palmer and Robert Campbell. Some family members returned to Sydney with their cargo from time to time.

William’s father Nathaniel died in April 1818 causing the family to return to New South Wales in July, 1818 to pay their respects and to tidy his affairs. His father at the time was heavily in debt. A Mr. John Terry took over the Administration of the estate.

The loss of the Liverpool operation changed the perspective of the family business and vested in William a greater responsibility for the various family's financial affairs, a role for which he was poorly equipped. The land at Launceston was later alienated to Youl estate.

However, his mother, sought and obtained a further grant of 100 acres in her own right. This allowed the wheat growing side of the business to continue.

William and Sarah had another three children while living in Launceston, William (1819), James Bradford (1820), and Martha (1822).

In due course, their building business and wheat farming activities failed. William then returned to Sydney aboard the cutter “Governor Arthur” in July 1826. Olivia followed about a week later, alone.

William and John recommenced business in Liverpool as builders and won a contract to build the Court House there in early 1827. Not long after commencing construction their business failed again.

Meanwhile, Sarah and her four surviving children returned to Liverpool, travelling to Sydney aboard the “Hetty”. When the business failed William got a job as a storekeeper. In September 1827, William and Sarah had another son, Nathaniel.

William’s business failures persisted throughout the first half of 1828. In the Sydney Gazette of the 30th May 1828, Richard Guise published a notice which mentioned that William had surreptitiously obtained notes from him and cautioned the public against negotiating them. He repeated the notice in the edition of the 4th June.

In July 1828 William was aboard a ship on Sydney Harbour. He was either knocked out or fell overboard while the ship passed Parsley Bay. His body was not recovered. There were suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. No records of an inquest have been found.

William’s poor business sense and early death rendered his family destitute. By the end of 1828 his son George had been left to his own resources (he stayed with his grandmother Olivia Lucas)., whilst his daughter Martha, and another son James were placed in the Orphanage at Cabramatta. Sarah was to survive only with the help of an assigned convict Charles Turtle.

William’s brother John was declared insolvent in September, 1828 and pursued by the Audit Office of the British Government until as late as 1844 for the advance for the Liverpool Court House construction. The Sheriff sold up Nathaniel’s land grant at Minto on the 24th March, 1829, forcing Olivia to return to Launceston permanently.

Children of William Lucas and Sarah Squire.

A. George	E. Martha
B. Sarah	F. John
C. William	G. Nathaniel Bradford
D. James

Child 5 Nathaniel Lucas Born 1st August 1793. By Betty Taber

Nathaniel Lucas the second was born at Norfolk Island on the 1st August, 1793. He was the fifth child of Nathaniel Lucas and Olivia Gascoigne and was No. 206 in the Norfolk Island Victualling Book. I have not been able to find his baptismal date, however, it may have been the Rev. Bain who baptized him. Bain was the first chaplain appointed to the Island and was officiating from January, 1792 to 22 march, 1794.

Nathaniel the second grew up at Norfolk Island. He left the Island, with his parents, and moved to the Colony of N.S.W. on the “Investigator” arriving at Sydney Cove on the 11th March, 1805. He was 11 ½ years old and worked with his father as a carpenter at Sydney and Liverpool.

On the 30th June, 1814 he married Sarah Stone at St. Philip’s, Sydney. He advertised in the Sydney Gazette that he was leaving for Port Dalrymple on the 13th January, 1816, and he also advertised his house for sale. Young Nathaniel was a traveller and commuted to Sydney frequently. He arrived in Sydney to accompany his mother Olivia and all the younger children of Nathaniel and Olivia to Launceston in September, 1818. This was after the death of his father.

Nathaniel Jnr and his elder brother William erected a mill and this was reported in the Hobart Town Gazette on the 29th March, 1817. They also entered into a contract on the 28th December, 1820 to enlarge and refit an old building at Launceston for a church for 124 pounds or build a new one for 200 pounds. They also built the goal in Launceston commencing December, 1821.

On the 27th September, 1819, young Nathaniel was granted a license for grazing Black Hill, Port Dalyrymple District, from 29th September, 1819 for 12 months. He was still active in the building trade because in 1826 he built a windmill for Robert Towner. The hill on which the mill was built is called Wind Mill Hill. However, the mill did not last long because of competition.

The Lucas Brothers, probably Charles with Nathaniel, laid down the schooner “Olivia” to ply between Launceston and Sydney for the wheat trade. The “Olivia” bound for Sydney from Launceston loaded with wheat, coffee and potatoes was totally wrecked to the south of Two Fold Bay on the 29th November, 1827. She was driven ashore during a gale. Her owner, John Lucas and seven others succeeded in reaching shore on a raft, but it was 10 days before they arrived at the station at Batemans Bay.

Nathaniel Jnr. appeared as a witness in a court case on the 7th July, 1829. Sarah Lucas, Nathaniel’s wife, was buried at St. John’s, Launceston, on the 26th August, 1836, No. 610.

Nathaniel Jnr. Died at Burjers, Port Sorell on the 6th August, 1875, aged 82 years. He had cancer of the face.

Children of Nathaniel Lucas and Sarah Stone.

Unknown (hopefully new book will include more information.)

Child 6. Olivia Lucas. Born 18th April, 1795. By Tricia Hacker.

Olivia Lucas was born on the 18th April, 1795 on Norfolk Island, the sixth child of Nathaniel and Olivia Lucas. She married John Hodgetts on the 8th April, 1811 at St. Philip’s C.E. Church, Sydney.

Olivia and John had thirteen children, three of whom were born in New South Wales prior to their departure for V.D.L. in 1816. They settled in the Launceston area and worked a substantial farm of 460 acres (though there is some thought that this may have been the combined acreage of the Lucas family), growing wheat and potatoes, and stocking cattle and swine.

It is believed they had one government servant. Olivia’s mother, Olivia Gascoigne/ Lucas, and most of her brothers and sisters also settled in the vicinity of Launceston.

Olivia died on the 22nd June, 1851, twenty years earlier than her husband John, who died on the 13th August, 1871. She was buried at Christ Church, Longford, V.D.L., on the 26th June, 1851.

Children of Olivia Lucas and John Hodgetts.

A. Hannah	H. Jane
B. Thomas	I. Elizabeth
C. Nathaniel	J. Sarah
D. James	K. Henrietta
E. Mary Ann Maria	L. Hester
F. John	M. Charles G. Richard
G. Richard

Child 7 John Lucas Born 21st December, 1796. By Betty Taber.

John Lucas was born on Norfolk Island on the 21st December, 1796. This made him one of the new breed, born in the Colony, called “Currency Lads “. Although he was the seventh child of Nathaniel Lucas and Olivia Gascoigne (Gaskins) to be born there, he was the first to be entered into the Norfolk Island Victualling Book as Lucas instead of Gaskins. His mother also started to call herself Olivia Lucas about then. This was not because Nathaniel and Olivia had a temporary or de facto marriage but the custom of the Marine Corps was to register all the children under the name of their mother.

This practice was emphasized in a letter written by Andrew Miller, Commissary of stores and Provisions, to Lieutenant Gidley King in May, 1789 --- “The Children of Convicts who are born here, I call after the Mother's names (they give them what Christian name they please) otherwise it would be impossible to know, hereafter, who was the Mother of a Child, should it be necessary.” “The convicts who are married here, I never alter their names. There would be no end to it. The names they were convicted by in England are the names they should go by here.”

John was not baptized until 18th April, 1802 at Norfolk Island. Although his baptismal certificate does not mention who officiated at the ceremony it was Re. Henry Fulton who had been appointed Chaplain to Norfolk Island on 21st August, 1801.

John spent his childhood at Norfolk Island. He moved to New South Wales, with his parents, on the “Investigator” arriving on the 11th March, 1805 at the age of eight years. This was the commencement of the Island’s first evacuation. It appears the family resided at Pitt’s Row. Then in 1806, Nathaniel had the base, for 14 years of Lot 93 Church Hill near St Philip’s Church, Sydney. On the 5th April, 1807 John Lucas advertised in the Sydney Gazette for “presentation of claims requested” as he was leaving the Colony. This was a trip in the "Santa Anna" to Van Dieman’s Land. Children of the Colony had to take on responsibilities at an early age in those days, John being just over 10 years old at the time.

John’s father, Nathaniel Lucas, had established himself as a carpenter, joiner and businessman. In the "Sydney Gazette" dated 26th February, 1809he advertised that he had boats to be viewed by prospective buyers. He advertised the auction of his post mill (now the site of Shakespeare’s Memorial in front of the Mitchell Library, State Library of N.S.W.) in the "Sydney Gazette" on the 23rd July, 1811 “a decree in the court of Jurisdiction in the cause of Nathaniel Lucas against Henry Cable and James Underwood of Sydney”. He was also paid from the Police fund for erecting a Toll-house and Watch-houses on the 2nd April, 1811 and a fence for the Police on the 26th October, 1811. Nathaniel was granted a Wine and Spirit License on the 26th February, 1809.

In the Wentworth Papers there is an autographed receipt for two hundred pounds as a part payment of his contract for erecting the parsonage at Liverpool dated the 19th October, 1815. During this time John worked with his father at Sydney and Liverpool. The Liverpool headquarters being the lease land granted to Nathaniel of 500 acres in the District of Minto on the 1st January, 1811.

John married Mary Rowley at St. Philip’s Church, Sydney on the 10th March, 1817 by Banns. The officiating clergyman was William Cowper and the witnesses were Richard Shaw and Eliza Rowley. Mary’s sister Eliza, only made her mark x and was about 14 years of age. Captain Thomas Rowley of the Marine Corps was the father of the two girls.

John and Mary Lucas had 10 (or 12) children. John and Mary Ann No 1, the two eldest, were born at Kingston (Thomas Rowley’s home near Annandale next to Camperdown) and baptized at St. Philip’s, Sydney. The next four were born at Liverpool and the second (or third) youngest were born at Burwood.

In 1822 John Lucas built his first flour mill at Harris Creek and his second mill at Woronora in 1825. This gave him the name of John the Miller. John wrote a memorial to Governor Brisbane in 1825 requesting land in addition to his 150 acres at Harris Creek. He wanted to build his second mill and found the land at Harris Creek unsuitable. This request was denied because he already had 650 acres. However, 500 acres of this was not John’s land but had been his father Nathaniel’s.

John again applied for the grant and this was accompanied by a reference from William Moore. This time the land was granted. John promised to have the mill working in six months after receiving the land. After he built the water mill he requested Governor Brisbane to call the mill after him as it was the first mill to be erected after Brisbane’s arrival in the Colony. Brisbane allowed the mill to be called after him.

This second grant had permanent water because it was on the upper reaches of (an unnamed river) now the Woronora River at the head of the tidal waters. This site was adjacent to the old ford. John stated that there was sufficient water to grind one thousand bushels weekly.

In 1826 Surveyor Dixon was instructed by Governor Macquarie to survey and mark the boundaries of the grant. Wheat was being grown by this time, at the Five Islands and with the Lucas Mill operational, shallow draft boats were able to sail into Botany Bay and up the Woronora River to the new mill.Here the wheat was ground into flour without custom or wharfage charges which were levied at Sydney Cove. Unfortunately the mill was burnt down in the late 1830’s and to discourage Lucas from rebuilding, a Customs Officer was stationed at Botany Bay to intercept any further boats. Therefore it became uneconomical to rebuild and pay duties. The Mill estate was offered for sale by auction on the 14th March, 1843 but failed to arouse interest and was abandoned. Lucas Heights in named after John and his mill.

On the 13th July, 1821 John signed an autographed welcome to Governor Macquarie on his return to Sydney from Van Diemans Land.

By 1818 all the Lucas family except John and Nathaniel (Senior) were in Van Diemen's Land in the vicinity of what is now new Launceston. Olivia took George, Sarah, Mary, Charles, Thomas accompanied by Nathaniel Junior on the “John Palmer”, a schooner, sailing for Port Dalrymple in September, 1818. Nathaniel Senior had died in April, 1818 so Olivia took the youngest members of the family and settled.

James and Nathaniel Junior had already been in Van Diemen's Land and Olivia and Ann, two married daughters and William also joined them within the next four years. Several members of the family, including Olivia, received land grants as a reward to all who had left Norfolk Island. John was a regular commuter between Sydney and Launceston.

On the 22nd of December, 1821 John was assigned servants and paid an amount of money to the Colonial Secretary. In February of the same year he was granted a license for “The Black Swan”, Sydney. He also applied for a Spirit License and this was granted in 1822

John issued Isaac Nichols a challenge, that his horse would beat Mr. Nichol’s horse. Mr. Nichols had one of the finest horses in the Colony and won easily. This was the 25th April, 1825.

John and Mary were living at Liverpool with five of their children at the time of the 1828 Census. They had nine servants mentioned in the Census at John’s flour mill and two of them were mentioned in the Inn at Botany. Olivia was visiting them at the time and was also listed.

John and William Lucas entered into a contract for erecting a Court House at Liverpool in 1827 and obtained an advance of 500 pounds. There seems to be problem regarding the Court House.

William drowned at Parsley Bay, Sydney in July, 1828. John advertised that he was missing from his home for several days on the 30th July, 1828. He was not found so that left John with the Court House. On the 30th April 1844, Gipps wrote to Lord Stanley that he was enclosing Queries fro the Commissioners of Audit on the accounts of New South Wales for the year 1833, but having reference to a transaction in the year 1827, “by which the sum of three hundred and fifty pounds was lost to local government. A contract was entered into by Messes. John and William Lucas for the Court House at Liverpool, but, after obtaining an advance from the Government of 500 pounds, the contractors failed to complete their agreement, and became Insolvent. A verdict was obtained against them for the balance of 350 pounds, due to the government, but no portion of it was ever recovered”

When Mary Lucas's father, Thomas Rowley, died on the 29th May 1806 Major George Johnston and John Harris were made executors of Rowley’s estate as his children were still minors. Johnston went to England for his trial for the mutiny against Governor Bligh and Harris went as witness. In their absence Governor Macquarie appointed Thomas Moore “to manage the estate and the effects of the late Thomas Rowley during the further absence of George Johnston and John Harris Esquires and to be guardian of the Rowley children.

He was not to sell or dispose of any of the real estate without application to the Judges of His Majesty’s Court of Civil Jurisdiction. However, the Burwood Estate was sold, by auction on the 31st August, 1812, and purchased for 520 pounds by Alexander Riley. He built a substantial cottage on it and called it “Burwood Villa”. He lived there until 1817 when he departed for England. Several others rented from Riley.

In February, 1830 Surgeon Harris instituted legal proceedings to have Burwood Farm, which it was claimed Moore should not have sold, restored to the children of Thomas Rowley and Elizabeth Selwyn their mother. Isabella having died on the 16th October, 1808, her claim lapsed. There were two sons Thomas Jnr. And John. The entitlements of the other daughters, Mary and Eliza, were passed to their husbands, John Lucas and Henry Sparrow Briggs. The Court found in favour of the family on the 24th November, 1832 and ordered Riley’s ejectment.

John Lucas received 213 acres of land in 1834 subdivided it with a view to sell. John retained 100 acres himself and proceeded to sell the remaining subdivided blocks ranging between 4 to 19 ½ acres and auctioned them on the 24th November, 1834. This was the beginning of closer settlement for the suburb now known as Croydon but is still in the Burwood Municipality.

In making the subdivision Lucas Road marked a part of the boundary. This road gave access to the two main highways of the Colony and is still known as Lucas Road, Burwood. Other roads named after the Lucas family are at Richmond, Moorebank, Five Dock, Camperdown, Emu Plains, Panania, Lalor Park and Cronulla.

Many of John and Mary Lucas’s descendants have Burwood as their middle names including my great grandfather George Burwood Lucas who was John and Mary’s son and the first to have the name.

Advertising the sale of John Lucas’s land the "Sydney Morning Herald" described it as so well timbered that “firewood alone would amply renumerate purchaser for their outlay” and it went on to appeal directly to the market gardeners and nurserymen because of “the facility with which produce can be sent to market”. As for the larger blocks: “they are particularly adapted for Settlers bringing cattle for sale for the interior, as they might be left upon these allotments until disposed of, which is much preferable to driving them into town at once by which the Settler is frequently compelled to sell at a sacrifice”.

Mrs. Carole Tasovac, the Chief Librarian for Burwood-Drummoyne Public Library, States in a letter to me “I can find no evidence that John Lucas Senior lived in the Burwood area although he owned land here”. However, his two youngest children George Burwood and Edwin Charles were born there in 1836 and 1838.

A family exodus to Cundaroo seems to have taken place in the early 1850’s. I state this period because Nathaniel Thomas, the fourth child of John and Mary Lucas was married at Brisbane Waters on the 1st November, 1842, Nathaniel’s three elder children were born at Paramatta and Ashfield but Louisa, his fourth child at Namina. He was also a sawyer there in the 1850’s. George Burwood Lucas was married at Yass 1856 as was Edwin in 1860. The four boys, Nathaniel, William Henry, George Burwood, and Edwin Charles settled in the district and many of their children married in the area.

Mary Rowley died at Namina on the 4th May, 1869 and was buried at Gundaroo Cemetery. John Lucas died at Murrumbateman on the 5th June, 1875 and was buried at Gounyan Cemetery.

Children of John and Mary Lucas.

A. John	G. Caroline Isabella
B. Mary Ann	H. Charles
C. William Henry	I. Mary Anne
D. Nathaniel Thomas	J. George Burwood
E. Eliza Jane	K. Edwin Charles
F. Charlotrte

Child 8 James Lucas Born 23rd October, 1798 By Paul Daniel Lucas.

James Lucas was the eighth child of Nathaniel Lucas and Olivia Gascoigne. he was born on Norfolk Island on the 23rd of October, 1798, and was baptized on the island on the 29th August, 1802, by Rev. Henry Fulton. As a small boy he grew up with his brothers and sisters on Norfolk Island, living on the farm with his parents. By the late 1700's, Nathaniel, his father, was a very successful farmer with a large family to support. They raised pigs, grew a wide variety of vegetables and possibly some grain crops. In the letter written to his father, dated 20th October, 1796, Nathaniel mentions that Norfolk Island produces two crops in the one year, "one of wheat and one of Indian Corn".

Until the age of six and a half young James lived a quiet and interesting life in the midst of a successful farming family. The climate of Norfolk Island is mild and sub-tropical. The daily minimum temperatures vary between 11 and 23 degrees Celsius, the maximum temperature rarely exceeding 26 degrees. although not large, measuring about 8 km by 5km, the island's population by 1804 had grown to 1,100 people. However, it was a long sea voyage of 1,676 km to Sydney away to the southwest and this isolation and the expense of upkeep of the settlement, led to it being abandoned in 1814.

Nathaniel, his wife Olivia and their family left well before this. Nathaniel had visited Sydney on private business in 1804 and in 1805 he had brought his entire family to Sydney. There he was appointed Superintendent of the Government Timber Mill and thus the young James with his brothers and sisters grew in the early years of Sydney town. Governor Bligh's map of Sydney in 1807 shows the Lucas house in Church Street, on a corner block adjoining the church land and looking out over Cockle Bay. It was half-way between Barrack Row and Fort Phillip, and was not far from the lumber yard which was in High Street.

James Lucas was nine years of age in 1807, and as he grew up, so Sydney town grew up with him. From details on the inquest of his death in Victoria in 1869, we learn that he was a very sociable person, always ready with a joke and very much at home in the company of others. It is quite probable that he had learned these qualities in the small-town atmosphere of Sydney between 1805-1818. His death certificate gives his occupation as carpenter and again it is quite probable that he learned this trade from his father. We have no accurate information on this but it seems most likely that as a teenager, James assisted his father in various building jobs he undertook around Sydney. Of course, living in the heart of Sydney, we can be sure that James, the bright young teenager, knew the dusty unpaved streets and the dockyard areas around the town very well.

Following the death of his father in 1818, the young James, together with his mother Olivia and other members of the family, left Sydney to settle along the River Tamar near Launceston, Tasmania, while at least some of the older children decided to stay in Sydney. In 1818 James Lucas was 20 years old. In 1819 at St. John's Church in Launceston, James married 17-year-old Elizabeth Murray, born on the 6th March, 1802, she was the second child of Kennedy Murray 1 and Ann White. Like her husband, Elizabeth was born on Norfolk Island.

Her father Kennedy Murray 1 was convicted in Lanarkshire, Glasgow, on the 21st September, 1786 and came out with the first group of Scottish convicts on the sailing ship "Pitt", arriving in Sydney on the 14th February, 1792. It is likely that the Murray family knew the Lucas family on Norfolk Island in the years before 1805, and renewed the acquaintanceship when the Lucas family, with their mother, arrived in Launceston in 1818. Elizabeth's mother, Ann White, had remarried Richard Sydes, an overseer of Blacksmiths, and by then 1819,Elizabeth had a four-year-old half-sister, Margaret Sydes, who in 1830 was also to marry into the Lucas family. Her husband-to-be was Thomas, the youngest of the Lucas family, who was 12 years of age by November 1819.

The young bride Elizabeth Murray brings an interesting heritage to the James Lucas branch of the family. Family historians of the Kennedy Murray 1 family say that Elizabeth was a descendant of John Murray, the first Duke of Atholl. In any case, the marriage of James Lucas and Elizabeth Murray was a very successful one. They had 50 years of married life together. The book, "Flotsam and Jetsam" by Henry Button, lists all the first settlers along the River Tamar, Launceston. Among them is the farm later to be called "Cormiston". This is most likely the property which James and Elizabeth farmed for many years and where some of their family grew up.

Their first son, James Junior, was born on the 2nd of July, 1820. It was a large family, fourteen of them surviving to adulthood. From the varying birthplaces of their children, it would appear that James and Elizabeth moved several times during their stay in V.D.L. From 1820 to 1825, they were in or near Launceston. From 1826 to 1838, they were in the Longford area. From 1839 to 1846, they were in the Evandale area and probably here, south of Launceston, until leaving for Victoria in 1854. The parents and grown children seem to have remained one large family unit until at least 1842, when the first of the girls began to marry. Between 1842 and 1847, four of the girls, Olivia, Mary Ann, Anne and Sarah, all married into families near Launceston, respectively being the Reed, Wise, Hammant, and Arch families.

On Monday, 23rd March, 1840, a 45-ton schooner "Perseverance" with Captain Cowell in command, arrived in Port Phillip Bay, Melbourne, having left Launceston, V.D.L., on the previous Thursday, the 19th March, 1840. An article in the Port Phillip Herald for Tuesday, 24th March, 1840, describes the ship's arrival and lists the passengers, amongst these is Mr. J. Lucas. This is almost certainly James Junior, who had followed his uncle, Thomas Lucas (1807-1888) and family, who had arrived in Melbourne the previous year, 1839. It is not known why the 19-year-old James had left Launceston. However, it is known that shortly after arrival, his uncle and family had moved to Geelong, and it is reasonably certain that James, joined them there.

At any rate, the young James was certainly in Geelong nine years later when on the 27th February, 1849, he married Hannah Tainton. Her bridesmaid was Margaret Lucas, and although James did have a younger sister Margaret, who was 15 years old in 1849, this bridesmaid was most probably his cousin Margaret who was 17 years old in February 1849 and the eldest child of his Uncle Thomas.

James and Hannah had nine children.

The gold rush to Ballarat began, and although we do not know their exact movements, it is reasonably certain that James, Hannah, and their young family moved to the Ballarat district in the early 1850's. Huge amounts of gold were being discovered around Ballarat in the first years of the gold rush, and the prospects were so good that James Senior, his wife Elizabeth, and the younger children of their family were enticed to leave V.D.L., and come to Victoria. Details from their death certificates would indicate that they came over in 1854. It is thought they first lived in Ballarat but after 1857, moved to Carngham, some 22 km's to the South-West on the Beaufort Road, good payable gold having been discovered in the Carngham-Snake Valley area in September, 1857. For both James Senior and Elizabeth Murray, Carngham was to be their last resting place.

Children of James Lucas and Elizabeth Murray.

A. James	I. Thomas
B. Elizabeth	J. John
C. Olivia	K. Charles
D. Mary Ann	L. Martha E. Anne
E. Anne	M. Caroline
F. Sarah	N. Emma
G. William	O. Nathaniel
H. Margaret	P. George

Martha and Caroline were twins, Martha died age (approx. 3 months)

Child 9 George Lucas Born 8th May, 1800. By Richard Hodgetts, Tasmania.

George Lucas was the ninth child of Nathaniel and Olivia Lucas. He was born on the 8th May, 1800 on Norfolk Island, and his baptism was registered at the Church of St. Philip, Church Hill, Sydney, New South Wales. On the 24th February, 1823 he married Elizabeth Hodgetts at the Church of St. John, Launceston, Van Diemen's Land. George and Elizabeth had known each other from childhood, having grown up together on Norfolk Island and later New South Wales.

The two families remained close, George's sister Olivia having married Elizabeth's brother, John. Two other Lucas children, William and Mary Ann Lucas married Sarah Squire and Samuel Cox, from other families connected to the Hodgetts. For the first years of their marriage George Lucas worked as a carpenter as had most of his brothers. He was granted 260 acres on the Longford to Cressy main road and here he and Elizabeth built their first home, a small weather board house. Their first child, Elizabeth, was born here and a string of sons soon followed.

In 1831, land near the Lucas grant became vacant and following regulations, George submitted a formal application for land as follows: Sir, I request you will be pleased to submit to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, through the proper channel, this my application for an additional grant of land without purchase. I am in possession of 260 acres by grant of which 75 are under cultivation. I posses 21 head of cattle, no sheep, 2 horses. I have erected a weather boarded house of 3 rooms and a weather boarded kitchen. I employ one convict servant.

List of George Lucas's effects.

17 milch cows with calves working bullocks mare and foal 450 bushels of wheat 200 bushels of oats Dwelling house and kitchen Two miles of three railed fencing 54 rods of paling fencing around house and garden 36 rods of paling fence around stock yard Cart, plough and harrows 35 0 0 post and rails for fencing 60 0 0 Cash on hand

42 10 0 4 30 0 0 1 80 0 0 90 0 0 35 0 0 110 0 0 114 0 0 20 0 0 15 0 0 3000 100 0 0

He also supplied the following testimonials.

We the undersigned do hereby testify that Mr. George Lucas is of respectable character and we have with every reason to believe the statement in this letter to the Surveyor General of his stock and effects, the value of improvements made on the land he holds and the quantity of fencing completed thereon, is true and correct.

James Hortle and Wm. Brumby April 23rd, 1831

I have the honour to certify for the information of his Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, that the applicant George Lucas is a married man of sober and industrious habits and altogether a most deserving character.

Malcolm Smith. Police Magistrate

A report from the Lands Board on his application:

Mr. George Lucas who attended the Board is a native of Norfolk Island, received from Governor Macquarie a grant of 260 acres situated at Norfolk Plains of which 75 acres are under tillage, the whole of which will be fenced in the course of ten days. He has erected a weather boarded house and made other improvements as stated in his letter of application. Is married and has four children. The township (Longford) adjoins his present land and he believes there is some vacant land near him.

The Board assenting to the excellent character of the applicant and in consideration of the improvements which he has effected upon his grant, and his being a native of these colonies, recommends that the land be granted to him on the usual conditions of such location.

Lands Board Office, 30th May, 1831.

Elizabeth and George Lucas received their grant of further land and immediately began to excavate the site for a new brick house, starting with a deep underground cellar. Elizabeth and George worked very hard throughout the following years, completing their new house, establishing a first class farm and all the while, adding to their family.

The census of December 31st, 1842, showed that they were proprietors of a fine brick house, had 8 children living with them and were employing 4 ticket-of-leave men. The name of the house and the property was and is still known as "Kelton". "Kelton" was built of locally made bricks (the pit can still be seen), hand-made nails, cedar doors and window frames, banisters and skirting's. It had a Georgian front with a cedar door and fan light, a long brick kitchen with a bread oven and colonial fire place.

There was an outside door leading down to the extensive cellar which had wide shelves around and which was used as a dairy. Two deep wells and windmills supplied the homestead with water.

On the 2nd July, 1845, "Kelton" was robbed by the bush ranger, Priest. He had waited until the men had left the house and then managed to hide himself in the cellar. When night came he pushed open a trapdoor which led into the storehouse. He replenished his food supply and without notice he slipped away to continue his life of crime. In fact it was said of Priest that there were no acts of violence attributed to him and that he only begged at farms. He had been at large for three years and three months and not long after robbing "Kelton", he was journeying over rough country in the Longford district when his gun went off, its contents lodging in one of his feet. He crawled for three miles into Longford and surrended to the police. He was sentenced to death, but, as the result of petitions, this was commuted to transportation for life, ten years to be past on Norfolk Island.

George and Elizabeth Lucas at this time had just completed their large family of 11 children, 10 still alive.

Social life was restricted to visiting close family and neighbours, with so few people living in the district. Many of George and Elizabeth's children married their first cousins because of this social restriction. George and Elizabeth Lucas were respected as great pioneers of the Longford district and they survived the terrors of bush rangers, droughts, depression and sickness.

It is said that a sister of George Lucas was murdered by the Aborigines and her twin babies taken by them, being reared unsuccessfully on dissolved brown sugar. This sister was most likely Sarah Lucas who had married James Hortle

George and Elizabeth Lucas remained at "Kelton for the rest of their days where George died on the 23rd of July, 1868, and Elizabeth died on the 23rd November, 1887. The property passed to their son Edward who continued to farm it successfully until shortly before his death. "Kelton" was sold to the Walker family in 1901 and it remains in their possession to this day.

The original weather board house fell down in the 1920's. The brick Georgian house has been added to, over the years and its original front has been covered over, however, the house still retains a character that is easily identifiable with the pioneering family that built and lived in it.

The sale of "Kelton" saw the last of the Lucas family in Longford, however, "Kelton" remains as a tribute to a hard working and enterprising pioneer family. George and Elizabeth Lucas arrived in Longford when it contained a few small cottages and an inn, surrounded by a handful of settlers trying to scratch out a living on their small grants of land.

When George and Elizabeth died, Longford had grown to be one of the main centres for agriculture in the north of the State. The Lucas family was one of many that helped Longford develop from a hostile environment to be one of civilized development and prosperity.

Children of George and Elizabeth Lucas.

A. Elizabeth	G. Charles
B. George	H. Adelaide
C. Thomas	I. Edward
D. John	J. Emily
E. William	K. Albert George
F. Daniel

Child 10 Charles Lucas Born 18th December, 1801.

Compiled by Gayle Thomsett from material supplied by Miriam Marshall.

Charles Lucas was born at Norfolk Island on the 18th December, 1801, the tenth child and sixth son of Nathaniel and Olivia Lucas. In April, 1805 he sailed with his family on the "Investigator" to Sydney, where he lived until shortly after his father's death in 1818.

There is evidence of Charles' older brothers, William and Nathaniel, being in Launceston in 1817. It is probable that after the death of Nathaniel Senior his son Nathaniel returned to Sydney to escort his mother and younger brothers and sisters to Tasmania. In September, 1818, Olivia, Nathaniel Junior, George, Charles, Sarah, Mary and Thomas were passengers on the schooner "John Palmer", bound for Port Dalrymple.

At the age of 18 years, Charles married the 17-year-old Ellenor [or Ellen] Murphy, who was born in Sydney, the daughter of Michael Murphy [Marine] and Hannah [nee Williams]. The ceremony took place at St. John's, Launceston on the 27th January, 1820 and was performed by John Youl, Chaplain, in the presence of Nathaniel Lucas and Timothy Daly. On the same day, Charles' sister Sarah married James Hortle.

As was the case with so many early settlers, Charles appears to have been willing to turn his hand to a variety of occupations. Throughout his life he seems to have combined carpentry [the family "trade"] and farming with variable success.

Charles was a wheat farmer as a young man in Launceston, where he and Ellenor lived until 1834. Ten children were born to them during these years, but one, James, lived only nine days. In 1834, in a boat he reputedly built himself, Charles set off for Sydney with a cargo of wheat. The schooner ran aground at Twofold Bay and had to be abandoned. Crew and passengers eventually reached Sydney after a gruelling overland trip of about 300 miles. It is not clear whether Charles took the whole family with him on this voyage, or whether he sent for them later, but from 1836 Ellenor Lucas and their growing family lived in the Queanbeyan district of New South Wales.

In November, 1845 the family, by now including six sons and eight daughters, set off in a party of twenty-one for the greener pastures of Gippsland. They took with them three dray loads of provisions, and after a journey of four months arrived at what is now known as Bairnsdale.

Charles Lucas carted wool from here to Port Albert, a difficult undertaking to say the least. At the ford on the Latrobe River (about 1/2 mile below the present Swing Bridge at Sale) the bales had to be unloaded, the bullocks swum across, and the dray finally pulled through. The boggy nature of the river bank caused the dray to sink after it had been reloaded on the other side, and crossing this morass involved unloading and rolling the bales, pulling out the dray, and reloading yet again.

Having only a permit to occupy Crown Lands issued by the Police Magistrate in Queanbeyan, Charles returned to find that Archibald Macleod had applied for and received title to the land which Lucas occupied on the Mitchell River. Macleod named this run Bernisdale, later spelt Bairnsdale.

The Lucas family moved on to another run which they named "Cascade" after Cascade on Norfolk Island where Charles and several of his brothers and sisters had been born. They lost many head of cattle here in attacks by aborigines, and becoming disheartened, sold out to Bodman, who renamed the property "Trenton Valley".

From here, in October 1845, Charles Lucas moved to Woodside, and another "Cascade". At this time he must have been querying the wisdom of the move from New South Wales. However, things improved, and he later bought out Buntine from a run higher up Bruthen Creek, and subsequently also occupied "Lowlands" on Lake Wellington. In 1856, "Lowlands" is recorded as being stocked with 6 Horses, 300 cattle, and 5,000 sheep.

Undoubtedly Charles was assisted at different times on his various properties by several of his sons. (In 1852, in an action against William O'Rourke, John Lucas is recorded as being in charge of "Cascade" for his father Charles.) This has given rise to some problems for present-day researchers, as Charles (Thomas) and many of the records of happenings in the early days of Gippsland do not distinguish between Charles Senior and Charles Junior.

Charles Junior died in 1918, aged 96. He was a well-known identity and something of an oracle in the district. However it is said that he was not above embellishing the many colourful tales he told. Charles Junior did not marry until 1856, and is known to have moved around considerably, particularly during the gold rushes. Charles Senior remained at Bruthen Creek with his wife and the younger members of his family.

Charles Lucas Senior lived a full and varied life, though not an easy one. He died on 20 February, 1862 "of general prostration". Ellenor died at Woodside in 1881.

Children of Charles and Ellen Lucas

A. Ellen Lucas	I. Caroline Lucas
B. Charles Thomas Lucas	J. Elizabeth Lucas
C. Nathaniel Lucas	K. William Lucas
D. John Lucas	L. Joseph Lucas
E. Jane Lucas	M. Mary Ann Lucas
F. George Lucas	N. Sarah Lucas
G. James Lucas	O. Emma Olivia Lucas
H. Susannah Lucas	P. Robert Samuel Lucas

Child 11 Sarah Lucas Born on 7th December, 1803

Compiled by Betty Taber from Material supplied by Russel Barton and Brian Hortle.

Sarah Lucas was born on the 7th December, 1803 on Norfolk Island and was the eleventh child of Nathaniel and Olivia Lucas. Sarah was baptized at Norfolk Island on 28th February, 1805 just before leaving the Island. The officiating clergyman being Henry Fulton. She was the second daughter to be called Sarah, the first being one of the twins that was killed by a falling tree when Nathaniel was clearing ground near their home and a burning tree fell on the house. Many families in those days used the name again if the first child, with that name died.

Sarah moved with her parents from Norfolk Island, in the first evacuation, arriving in Sydney on 11th March, 1805 on the "Investigator". She lived with her parents at Sydney and Liverpool until 1817 when he mother, Olivia took all the younger children with her to Launceston, Sarah remained in Van Diemans Land for the rest of her life.

On 27th January, 1820 she married James Hortle by Banns and license at St. John's Church, Launceston. James, the son of James (Senior) and Ann Hortle, was born at Sydney on 1st November, 1799. James and Ann with their family, had arrived on Van Diemans Land in 1804 with Lieutenant Governor Paterson and was one of the founders of Port Dalrymple. He was given a tract of land west of the Tamar where he was speared four years later.

In 1814 James Junior received a grant of 50 acres on the Lake River, Norfolk Plains. In 1816 he received a further 200 acres, and in 1821, 350 acres; in 1820 he leased pasture land from the Government. James joined the Police Force early and became Division Constable for Norfolk Plains - both East and West - his Lake River grant being in the East, and later grants, West.

During the early "twenties" he lived with his family on Quamby's Brook (west), and up to 1829, when he was appointed Chief District Constable with headquarters in the eastern and more populous part. In 1830 he exchanged his western farm for "Inglewood", near Longford, where he lived apparently, until his death. He held office as Inspector of Stock in 1836 in addition to his police duties.

It will be seen by this short history that Sarah and James were becoming more affluent and had a busy life. Sarah and James had 7 children during the 19 years they were married. They were mostly born in the vicinity of Norfolk Plains, now Longford. Sarah died on 26th June, 1839 at the age of 35 years. She was buried at Christ Church, Longford on 29th June, 1839.

James married Ann Brumby (nee Mansfield) on 24th September, 1854 at Christ Church, Longford, but there were no children from this marriage.

Children Of Sarah and James Hortle

A. Thomas Hortle	E. Henry Hortle
B. John Hortle	F. William Hortle
C. Ann Hortle	G. Charles Hortle
D. James Hortle

Child 12 Mary Ann Lucas Born on 23rd December, 1805

By: Betty Taber Mary

Ann Lucas was born on 23rd December, 1805 in Sydney. She was the twelfth of thirteen children born to Nathaniel and Olivia Lucas. As with her sister Sarah, she was called Mary after one of the twins who had been killed by a falling tree on Norfolk Island.

Nathaniel and Olivia and their nine children, who were still living, were evacuated from Norfolk Island arriving in Sydney on 11th March, 1805. Only the last two of their family were born in Sydney. Mary Ann was baptized at St. Philip's Church, Sydney on 25th December, 1813. She lived in Sydney, with her parents, until the family moved to Liverpool.

Olivia took all the younger children to Van Diemen's Land on the "Sinbad" in 1817, including Mary Ann, and settled at Launceston.

Mary Ann married Samuel Cox, another Norfolk Islander, on 24th July, 1822 at Longford. They had twelve children all born Norfolk Plains. The five eldest children were baptized at St. John's, Launceston and the seven youngest were baptized at Christ Church, Longford after that church was built. Mary Ann and Samuel lived in the vicinity of Norfolk Plains all their lives.

Mary died on the 24th July, 1853 at Longford and was buried at Christ Church, Longford. She only outlived her husband, Samuel by five months. He died February, 1853

Children of Mary Ann and Samuel Cox

A. John Cox	H. Charles Cox
B. George Cox	I. Philip Cox
C. Samuel Cox	J. Nathaniel Cox
D. Mary Ann Cox	K. Francis Cox
E. William Cox	L. Alfred James Cox
F. Samuel Cox	M. Olivia Ambrosine Cox
G. Sarah Cox

Child 13 Thomas Lucas Born 17th November, 1807.

The last-born child of Nathaniel and Olivia, Thomas, moved from his birthplace in Sydney with his mother, brothers and sisters to Port Dalrymple in van Diemen's Land [Tasmania] some months after Nathaniel's death.

In 1830 he married Margaret Sydes, at St. John's Church of England, Launceston.

Family background of Thomas' wife Margaret Sydes.

Blacksmith Richard Sydes had been transported for 14 years on the "Ganges", arriving in Sydney in 1797. Margaret's mother, Ann White, had been transported to Sydney for theft of a bolt of cotton, arriving in 1791 on the "Neptune". Ann White is thought to have born a child [which died in infancy] to a sailor named Scott. Sent to Norfolk Island by 1799, Ann in the next few years gave birth to children of Kennedy Murray. By 1804 she was living with Richard Sydes and bore more children.

In 1813 the Sydes family moved to Port Dalrymple, where Richard took the Government post of Superintendent of Blacksmiths at 50 pounds per year. In 1814 Richard and Ann were legally married, and Margaret Sydes was born in 1815. Her mother Ann died in 1820.

Thomas and Margaret Lucas seemed to lead an unsettled life, moving from area to area, Perth, Evandale, Norfolk Plains [Longford]. The promise of a better life took them across to newly-founded Melbourne between 1839 and 1841. Their fifth child was baptized in Van Diemen's Land and their sixth in Victoria. In approximately 1843 the family moved and settled in Candover Street, Ashby [Geelong West]. The population of Geelong was 800 when they moved there, and within 8 years had grown tenfold. Two of Thomas and Margaret's children died in infancy, and their eldest daughter Margaret died in childbirth, her infant son living only a few days.

Thomas and Margaret's eldest son Richard became bankrupt in 1855 after unwise speculation in land; Following the many anomalies in his testimony he spent 24 days in Geelong Goal. The family of Thomas and Margaret Lucas then moved to Camperdown, Victoria, 70 miles west of Geelong between 1855 and 1859.

Thomas Lucas is said to have built several small houses in Camperdown, most of which no longer exist, although his place of abode still stands in use. Richard's death, and lived at the Candover Street residence. Their youngest daughter died after childbirth in Camperdown in 1884.

Following Margaret's death in 1887, Thomas lived with his daughter and son-in-law [Mary-Ann and John Walls] at Weller Street, parallel to Candover Street, on the next block in Ashby. He died in 1888 and is buried with his wife in an unmarked plot at the Geelong Eastern Cemetery.

Children of Thomas and Margaret Lucas.

A. Margaret Lucas	H. Henry Lucas
B. Richard Lucas	I. Nathaniel Lucas
C. Elizabeth Lucas	J. Amelia Lucas
D. William Lucas	K. John Wether Lucas
E. Olivia Lucas	L. Mary Ann Lucas
F. Thomas Abraham Lucas	M. Charles Edward Lucas
G. George Lucas	N. Alice Ada Lucas