James David Blair (1858 - 1939)

Born 1858 in Geelong, Victoria, Australia

Ancestors

Husband of Sophia Sarah (Agg) Blair — married about 1881 in Victoria, Australia

Died 31 Mar 1939 at about age 81 in Kew, Victoria, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Janette Agg [send private message]

Biography

James was born about 1858, the son of Janet Leggatt and Robert Ian Blair. ^[1] James died on 31 March 1939, Victoria, Australia.^[2]

The following death notice has an error showing middle name of Daniel instead of David, and date of interment of 1938 instead of 1939. Violet Smith is the niece of his wife:

“BLAIR.—On the 31st March at Melbourne James Daniel beloved husband of the late Sophia Sarah loving brother of Margaret (Mrs Quinsee), loved foster father of Violet, aged 81 years -At rest (Privately interred at Melbourne Cemetery 1st April 1938.”^[3][4]

Worked as a plumber, as stated in the 1909 Probate notice after his wife's death. Seemed to have been in business with Thomas Mosley Agg.

“... An estimate had been prepared and tendered by Messrs. Blair and Agg which provided for supplying the township ...^[5]

“Broadford Courier (Broadford, Vic. : 1891 - 1893), Friday 18 November 1892, page 1 ... BUTTER FACTORY.-The tender of Messrs. Blair and Agg was accepted for the erection of a cooling plant.”^[6]

“ Business Notices. PLUMBERS & TINSMITHS Blair and Agg, HIGH-ST, BROADFORD, CREAMERIES & PRIVATE DAIRIES Fitted up with TANKS, MILK & CHEESE VATS, &e. Milk and Cream Cans at reduced prices.”^[7]

From Trove: "NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen days from the publicatlon hereof application will be made to the Supreme Court of Victoria, in its Probate jurisdictlon, that LETTERS of ADMINISTRATION of the estate of SOPHIA SARAH BLAIR late of No 165 Mitchell street Brunswick, married woman, deceased, intestate, may be granted to me the undersigned, James David Blair, of No. 165 Mitchell street, Brunswick, plumber, being the husband and one of the next of kin of the said deceased.

Dated this 13th day of February, 1909.

JAMES DAVID BLAIR"

The following notice indicates Probate on the will of James BLAIR in 1939. The will was written in 1927. The witnesses are likely to be James Blair's nephew-in-law from James's wife Sophia Sarah Blair (nee Agg) whose niece Violet was married to William Angus McConnell (first marriage). Ellen Emma Piper (nee SMITH) is likely to be another relative - as Sophia Sarah Blair (nee AGG) had a sister Clara SMITH (nee AGG) - though no connection has been found as yet. Note: witness Ellen Piper lived at 18 Overend Street, and may have just been a neighbour. See Piper Death Notice.^[8]

"AFTER the expiration of fourteen days from the publication hereof application will be made to the Supreme Court of Victoria in the Probate Jurisdiction that PROBATE of the WILL (dated the 11th day of June, 1927) of JAMES BLAIR, late of 22 Overend street, East Brunswick in the said State, retired plumber, deceased, may be granted to William Angus McConnell, of 363 Glenhuntly road, Glenhuntly, in the said State chiropodist, and Ellen Emma Piper, of 22 Overend street, East Brunswick aforesaid, widow, the executors appointed by the said will.

Dated the 8th day of April 1939”

“...Late of 22 Overend St, East Brunswick ...”^[9]

PROV Index 303/319 James BLAIR Date of grant: 24 Apr 1939; Date of death: 31 Mar 1939; Occupation: X Plumber; Residence: East Brunswick PHYSICAL ITEM Not yet digitised DATE:1939 SERIES:Wills AGENCY:Master of the Supreme Court CITATION:VPRS 7591/ P2 unit 1068, item 303/319

Sources

1. ↑ Victorian Births Index 2632/1858
2. ↑ Victorian Deaths Index 9121/1939.
3. ↑ Family Notices (1939, April 3). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 8. Retrieved July 9, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12113898
4. ↑ Family Notices (1939, April 3). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 1. Retrieved July 9, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article205975493
5. ↑ Water Trust Meeting. (1893, February 17). The Broadford Courier (Broadford, Vic. : 1891 - 1893), p. 1. Retrieved July 7, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58576750
6. ↑ Local and General News. (1892, November 18). The Broadford Courier (Broadford, Vic. : 1891 - 1893), p. 1. Retrieved July 7, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58576157
7. ↑ Advertising (1892, October 21). The Broadford Courier (Broadford, Vic. : 1891 - 1893), p. 1. Retrieved June 21, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58575991
8. ↑ Family Notices (1953, December 29). The Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), p. 7. Retrieved April 15, 2021, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article206913758
9. ↑ Advertising (1939, May 17). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 10. Retrieved July 7, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12129070

• Victorian Births, Deaths and Marriages, 1881, Marriages, Reg. No. 5857. Note, this is indexed as marriage to James David BLAINE in the index, but it is believed to be BLAIR.
• Advertising (1909, February 15). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 5. Retrieved May 11, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10715392
• Advertising (1939, April 5). The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 19. Retrieved June 2, 2017, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12114530