He may have been born at Durham, and christened at St. Andrews Church, Newcastle on Tyne. Arrived in Australia at about 21 years of age - assisted passage - on the ship "Six Sisters" and landed at Geelong, Victoria on 31/1/1853. He had a contract to work for six years and went to work for Dennis Osborne (Mallop St. Geelong) as an agricultural laborer. Joseph could read and write and was initially paid 50 pounds and 60 shillings. After 6 years he moved to the Western District, where he spent the rest of his life. He took up a large tract of farming land, which he called "Pleasent Hills", which was located on the Branxholme - Sleatbank Road. However, when he developed a Alzheimer/Parkinsons disease, he become a wheelchair patient and as a consequence he was unable to hold the majority of his land. An interesting story passed down through the generations is that his wife and children used to cart him around the farm in a wheel barrow. He died on 10.10.1903. Buried at Branxholme Cemetery. Death certificate No. 10485.
WILL AND PROBATE OF JOSEPH PATTERSON ATKINSON Son of Matthew and Margaret (Rae) Atkinson Died 10th October 1903. In testate. Janet Turner Atkinson swore that he left real estate valued at 980 pounds with personal property of the value of 7 pounds and 10 shillings. A total of 987 pounds and 10 shillings. James Stewart of Berchah, near Hamilton, take oath and say: that the payments of all my just debts and liabilities well and truly worth in real estate and personal property the sum of 987 ponds and 10 shillings. Real estate allotments 6 & 7 section D Parish of Murndal. Being 328 acres 1 rood and 23 perches valued at 1970 pounds. Mortgage of estate being 214 pounds 11 shillings and 9 pence. Balance paid to estate 772 pounds 18 shillings and 9 pence. Ann Atkinson signed statement with an "X" (Unable to write due to physical infirmity)
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