William (Hare) Hair (1850 - 1937)

Born 28 Nov 1850 in Barton upon Humber, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Chapman) Hair — married 14 Mar 1871 in Barrow on Humber, Lincolnshire, England

Descendants

Died 29 Jan 1937 at age 86 in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia

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Biography

William was born on 28 November 1850 at Mack's Brickyard, Barton upon Humber, Lincolnshire, the son of Robert Hare, a tile-maker, and Sarah Hare, nee Wilson. The informant of William's birth was his mother Sarah Hare, of the same address. ^[1]

He was baptised on 3 December 1850 at Barton. His father Robert was then recorded as a labourer. ^[2]

In the 1851 census William Hare was living with his parents at Pasture Rd, Barton on Humber. He was aged 4 months. ^[3]

In 1861 the family was living at 3 South Side, High St, Barton on Humber. William Hare, aged 10, was attending school. ^[4]

William Hair, as his surname was then recorded, married Elizabeth Chapman on 14 March 1871 at the Parish Church at Barrow upon Humber, Lincolnshire. Their marriage certificate recorded William was a bachelor aged 21 years and a brickmaker. His father was named as Robert Hair, a brickmaker. Elizabeth was a spinster aged 21 years. Her father was named as John Chapman, a groom. Both gave their address at the time of marriage simply as Barrow on Humber. Their witnesses were John Burgess Codd [name is clearer on parish register] and Mary Stamp. ^[5]

The family thereafter recorded their surname as HAIR.

This couple had four children named Horance Kelburn born 1876, Oscar Jolland born 14 May 1882, Gertrude Sarah born 10 October 1885 and Oswald John born 12 January 1891. Horance was born at Barton upon Humber, Oscar at Pasture Rd, Barton upon Humber, Gertrude at Barrow upon Humber and Oswald was born at Littabella, Queensland, Australia. ^[6]

In the 1871 census William and Elizabeth were living with his parents at Haven Rd, Barrow on Humber. William was aged 20 and Elizabeth 21. William was working as a tile maker. ^[7]

Son Horance Kelburn was baptised on 25 June 1876 at Barton St. Peter. The family's address was recorded in the baptismal register simply as Barton on Humber and William was working as a pan tile maker. [A pantile is a type of fired roof tile, normally made from clay.] ^[8]

In 1881 William and Elizabeth, both aged 30, and son Horence [sic], aged 4, were living with William’s parents at the Jolly Sailor, White Cross St, Barton. William was employed as a coal merchant at this time. ^[9]

Son Oscar Jolland was baptised on 25 June 1882 at Barton St. Mary. The family was then living at Pasture Rd, Barton on Humber and William was a gardener. ^[10]

This couple and their three children immigrated to Australia in 1886, arriving in Maryborough, Queensland aboard the Scottish Knight on 13 October 1886. William’s parents, Robert and Sarah Hair, and brother Ergen and his wife Maria followed them to Queensland the following year. Then in 1888 his brother Ernest also followed them out. They all settled in Queensland. ^[11]

Yandaran Creek School records show Oscar was enrolled there in June 1889. Gertie [sic] was enrolled in either July or September 1889. The family was living in Yandaran and William was a farmer.
In January 1897 Oscar was once again enrolled at Yandaran Creek School. Gertrude was enrolled in July of the same year and Oswald in November. The family was then living at Littabella and William was still a farmer.
The Kolan North State School records Oswald was enrolled there on 29 July 1901. The family was living at Kolan North and William was still a farmer. ^[12]

In the 1903 Electoral Roll for Waterloo William and Sarah were living at Grove Farm. William’s mother Sarah and brother Ernest were living at The Cedars and brother Ergen and his wife Maria were living at Myrtles Farm.
In the 1908 electoral roll William and Elizabeth's address was given as Grove Farm, Littabella and in 1913 as Oak Grove Farm, Littabella. William was a farmer.
Son Horace Kilburne [sic] was also included in the 1913 roll. His address was simply given as Littabella and his occupation as a labourer. In the 1919 roll Horace was married and wife Selina was also included in this roll, living at Littabella. ^[13]

Elizabeth Hair died on 4 May 1921 in Bundaberg General Hospital aged 71 years of burns of abdomen and both thighs and syncope shock. Her parents were named on her death certificate as John Chapman, a groom, and Mary Ann Joland. It further stated she was born in Caster [sic], Lincolnshire and had been resident in Queensland for 36 years. Elizabeth had married William Hair at age 21 at Barron on Humber [sic], Lincolnshire. Living children were named as Horace Kelburne aged 43, Oscar Joland aged 39, Gertrude Sarah aged 33 and Oswald John aged 30 [all names spelt as shown]. The informants were William Hair, husband of Yandaran and M. Wilson, Matron, Bundaberg General Hospital. ^[14]

Elizabeth was buried at Bundaberg General Cemetery on 5 May 1921 [Area A13A, Grave P870]. ^[15]

From Bundaberg Mail, Thurs, 5 May 1921, Pg 2 -
DEATH NOTICE: HAIR - At the General Hospital, Bundaberg, on the 4th May 1921, ELIZABETH, beloved wife of William Hair, Yandaran. Aged 72 years. Deeply regretted.
FUNERAL NOTICE: The friends of Mr William Hair and family are respectfully invited to attend the funeral of their beloved wife and mother, which will move from the General Hospital, THIS DAY, at 2.30pm, for interment in the General Cemetery. F. C. Brown and Co., Funeral Directors, Bourbon Street. ^[16]
DEATH OF MRS. HAIR, SENR. We regret to chronicle the death of Mrs. Elizabeth Hair, wife of Mr. William Hair, esteemed pioneering residents of the Yandaran district, which sad event, following on a burning accident of the Yandaran district, which last evening [sic]. The venerable lady who had attained the age of 72 years, was attending to an open fire at her home on Monday afternoon last, when her clothes ignited, and before the flames were extinguished she received severe burns about her body and legs. She was conveyed to the hospital where everything possible was done for her, but she never rallied and passed away as stated. The news of her demise under such tragic circumstances will be read with regret throughout the district where she was held in the highest esteem by every resident. She is survived by her husband and grown up family of three sons, Messrs. Horance Kelburne (Yandaran), Oscar Jollard (New Zealand), Oswald John (Yandaran) and one daughter, Mrs. W. Rimmington (Brisbane) to mourn their sad loss. The funeral takes place at 2.30 o’clock this afternoon, the arrangements being in the hands of Messrs. F. C. Brown and Co. ^[17]

And from Bundaberg Mail, Sat, 7 May 1921, Pg 4 -
THANKS NOTICE: Mr Wm. Hair and family, Yandaran, wish to tender their sincere thanks to the Matron, Nursing Staff, and Doctor of the Bundaberg General Hospital for their kind attention to their late wife and mother, and also to the many kind friends who sent floral tributes and letters of condolence, and in other ways expressed their sympathy in their recent and sad bereavement. ^[18]

In the 1925 electoral roll William and Elizabeth [despite her death] were recorded living at Oak Grove Farm, Littabella; Horace and wife Selina simply at Littabella and son Oswald John at Yandaran. The latter was a farmer. Oswald's wife Elizabeth Isabella was shown living at Mullet Creek. ^[19]

From the Bundaberg Daily News and Mail dated 25 September 1926 under the heading Notebook of the News and Mail Rural Envoy -
MR.W. HAIR – MAYOR OF YANDARAN. Widely known throughout the district of Yandaran of which he has been a resident for many more years than he can remember, Mr. W. Hair is a popular identity in the locality. To such an extent has his measure of popularity grown that in all ranks he is often familiarly referred to as the “Mayor of Yandaran”. In the year 1885 he arrived in Bundaberg in the “Scottish Knight” in company with several other prominent residents of that city. Since then he has been engaged in various avenues of labour in different parts of the district, and been associated with industries that have since passed out of existence. After serving engagement with Mr. Robert Knight as ploughman at Kolan River, and Mr. J. Knight at Littabella, he set out as a timber getter and teamster. For a number of years he cut and carted timber for Rattray’s Sawmill at Miara. In his carrying days he hauled the bricks for the erection of the Waterloo, Miara and Ironbark [unreadable] for Scott and Walter’s mill on the Burnett River. The latter first served the purpose of a sawmill, but later on was converted into a sugar mill. To him fell the distinction of carting the first load of cane to Waterloo Mill, and the first load of sugar from Waterloo to Yandaran Station, prior to its alternate cessation of [unreadable]. Likewise, a similar distinction was his in connection with the Ipswich Mill. On the North Coast Line as a navvy he worked on the construction of the main North Coast railway being employed on the Bundaberg to Rosedale section, the contractors for which were Messrs. McArdle and Thompson. Then employed for a period of time in which he was engaged as general carrier around Yandaran. About six years ago he retired from active life, and settled in his present abode where at the age of 77 years he still resides all alone. His wife passed to the great beyond about five years ago, and his family of three sons and one daughter are resident of different parts of the adjoining districts. ^[20]

The 1930 and 1936 electoral rolls confirmed William was still living at Oak Grove Farm, Littabella and he was still recorded as a farmer. ^[21]

William Hair, a pensioner, died on 29 January 1937 at Bundaberg General Hospital aged 86 years of chronic nephritis and circulatory failure. His parents were named on his death certificate as Robert Hair, a farmer, and Sarah Wilson. He was born in Barton, Lincolnshire and had been resident in Queensland for 51 years. William had married Elizabeth Chapman at age 20 at Barrow, Lincolnshire. Living children were named as Horance Kilburne aged 61, Oscar Jolland aged 54, Gertrude Sarah aged 51 and Oswald John aged 46 [all names spelt as shown]. The informants were H. K. Hair, son, of Yandaran and N Dunn, Matron at General Hospital, Bundaberg. ^[22]

William was buried on 30 January 1937 at Bundaberg General Cemetery [Area A13A, Grave P870]. ^[23]

From Bundaberg Daily Times dated Sat, 30 Jan 1937, Pg 4 -
DEATH NOTICE: HAIR - At the Bundaberg General Hospital on the 29th January 1937, WILLIAM HAIR, late of Littabella. Aged 86 years. At Rest.
FUNERAL NOTICE: The relatives and friends of the late Mr WILLIAM HAIR are respectfully invited to attend his funeral to move from the Church of England, Maryborough Street, THIS DAY, at 3 pm for interment in the General Cemetery. F C Brown and Company, Funeral Directors.
OBITUARY: MR. WILLIAM HAIR. The death occurred at the Bundaberg General Hospital yesterday of Mr. William Hair, an old resident of the Littabella district. Mr. Hair who was 86 years of age, was a native of Berton [sic], England, and had spent over 50 years in Queensland.
Shortly after coming to Queensland he went to Littabella, where he selected land. He was well known through the North Coast district. His wife predeceased him in 1921 and he is survived by three sons - Messrs. Horace, Oscar and Oswell [sic] Hair - and one daughter, [no name given] all of whom reside in the Yandaran district. The funeral will take places this afternoon, leaving Christ Church, Maryborough Street, at 3 o'clock for the Bundaberg General Cemetery. The arrangements are in the hands of Messrs. F. C. Brown and Co.

And from The Bundaberg Daily Times, dated Mon, 1 Feb 1937, Pg 4 -
Mr. William Hair. Mr. William Hair (86), who died on Friday, was interred in the Bundaberg Cemetery on Saturday afternoon. The funeral left Christ Church, Rev. A. H. Osborne conducting the church service and reading obsequies at the graveside. F. C. Brown and Co. were in charge of funeral arrangements.
And -
LAID TO REST. Mr. William Hair. The funeral of Mr. William Hair moved from Christ Church to the General Cemetery on Saturday afternoon and was well attended by Yandaran residents. Relatives acted as pall bearers and the Rector (Rev. A. H. Osborn) officiated both at the church and graveside. A nice collection of floral tributes was placed on the grave. Messrs. F. C. Brown and Co. conducted the obsequies. ^[24]

After his death it was found William had borrowed against his property with several different mortgagees. His estate was not wrapped up until 1966 when a small inheritance was paid out to surviving family. ^[25]

Sources

1. ↑ Birth certificate from GRO
   https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content/certificates/indexes_search.asp
   GRO Birth Index
   HARE, WILLIAM Mother's maiden name WILSON
   GRO Reference: 1850 D Quarter in GLANFORD BRIGG Volume 14 Page 376
2. ↑ Find My Past - Lincolnshire Baptisms
3. ↑ 1851 census HO107/2118 293 Pg 17 & 294 Pg 18
4. ↑ 1861 census RG9/2404 61 Pg 39
5. ↑ Marriage certificate from GRO
   GRO Marriage Index - Mar Qtr 1871/Glanford Brigg 7a 832
   Parish Marriage Register can also be viewed at Find My Past - Lincolnshire Marriages And Banns
6. ↑ Birth Indices and birth certificates for Oscar, Gertrude and Oswald
7. ↑ 1871 census RG10/3436 75 Pg 5
8. ↑ Find My Past - Lincolnshire Baptisms
9. ↑ 1881 census RG11/3290 100 Pg 24
10. ↑ Find My Past - Lincolnshire Baptisms
11. ↑ Queensland State Archives - Assisted Immigration 1848-1912 H
    https://data.qld.gov.au/en/dataset/assisted-immigration-1848-to-1912/resource/3bdb84f0-52f9-4fbd-81fc-cc3a6faf6ae5
12. ↑ Transcribed School Admission Registers held at Bundaberg Genealogical Association - visited in person
13. ↑ Ancestry.com. Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
14. ↑ Death certificate from Queensland BMD [Reference 1921 C1209]
15. ↑ https://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/search-cemeteries
16. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article215567709
17. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article215567738
18. ↑ http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article215560645
19. ↑ Ancestry.com. Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
20. ↑ Bundaberg Genealogical Association - visited in person
21. ↑ Electoral rolls can be viewed at Ancestry.com. Australia, Electoral Rolls, 1903-1980 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010.
    Original data: Australian Electoral Commission, Canberra, Australia; Electoral Rolls
22. ↑ Death certificate from Queensland BMD [Reference 1937 C74 ]
23. ↑ https://www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au/search-cemeteries
24. ↑ Bundaberg Library - Papers available on film
25. ↑ Family knowledge