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Chapter 11
Melbourne Again.
1856-1864
M
argery was still in quite a state of shock at the happenings
of the previous week or so, when she arrived back at
James’ house.
any curiosity that might arise from his constant enquiries as to her
welfare. Permission was also given for James to be told, because, on
most occasions, the state of Margery’s wellbeing had to come from
him. Knowing how women could not keep a secret, their wives were
left in the dark. George did not want Margery to be upset by his
continued interest in her, if all was going well with her marriage..
When Margery had been with James for about 6 weeks and she
was beginning to feel better, a letter arrived for her from George,
which begged her to let him come to see her.
Upon reading his letter, all of the hurt and upset over the break-
up with Edmund, vanished and she felt herself blushing, just at the
thought of George. Fortunately she was in her bedroom alone, while
she was reading and she allowed herself to think of George again and
to re-live those stolen moments on the ship. She had not dared to
think of him, over the past months, as surely he must have found
another woman and married, in the time since he had been in the
Colony…even though he had said he would wait for her for 2 years.
This might have just been shipboard talk! She knew from Edith that
William was still in contact with him, but she had refrained from
asking too many questions regarding his personal status, because, as
she realised now, she did not want to find out that he may have
married.
Of course, George Davis was invited to come and visit and the
rest, as they say, is history!
Her main concern was for his acceptance of Alfred, but she was
assured that he would love the boy and care for him as if he was his
own child. She told him of Edmund’s wishes and her agreement of
same. This presented no problems either. Alfred would always be
known as a ‘Blakey’ and would be told of his origins when he turned
21.
The fact that she was still legally married to Edmund would not
worry George either. Divorces were so messy and very, very
expensive. No one would need to know. Of course he would have
loved to be her legal husband, he was quick to tell her, but it was
not possible, so it made no difference to the way they felt about each
other. It was quite acceptable, these days and no-one talked about it.
Especially in Melbourne as husbands left their wives to seek the gold
and never returned. Each partner in most cases, starting life anew
with another, who was more suited to the new lifestyle.
It was late winter in 1856 and the Melbourne which she had
seen just over 18 months ago, after landing, was expanding at an
incredible pace. Between 1851 and 1856 the population had
increased fourfold and the city was beginning to look like a city, with
most of its new buildings along the two main streets, standing 4
stories high! The wealth created from the gold strikes had made the
difference and Melbourne never looked back. Old ‘humpies’ from the
early days of settlement were gradually being replaced by well
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The locos, which George had an interest in, had finally arrived
just a few weeks before his arrival, in 1855 and the consequent
settling in to his new job. By the time he was setting up house with
Margery, the Company was working on the construction of the railway
to St. Kilda. His house in Park St, South Yarra, was very convenient to
his work and this new railway line was opened with great
celebrations in 1857.
Late 1800’s
Margery and George and the 2 small boys loved this time in
Williamstown. Their house was close to the bay and while George
was at work, she would take young 2 year old Alfred and baby,
George, for long walks, to gaze at the many ships which came into the
bay regularly. Looking at these many ships would let her feel a lot
closer to home. She would think of her mother and Alex and the
children and wonder how they were going. It always took forever to
get news through the mail! It was a very busy time in that area of
Victoria.
little girl, was ‘special’. However, little Sarah did not enjoy the
best of health. She was always a great worry with her weak
chest and towards the end of 1862, at the age of 21 months,
she lost her battle to live. The family of course was devastated.
Alfred and George Junior thought it was all good fun but
dealing with the extreme heat of outback Australia in January,
Margery was not so sure and with an 18 months old baby, the
first doubts appeared as to whether she would be able cope.
.
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