Living married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• AKA: Les

Notes:

Birth:
Yale Road

Buried:
KC00122105

Died:
Cottage Hospice

Leslie married Ada Rebecca SWETMAN on 17 Oct 1942 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Ada was born between Apr and Jun 1915 in St Saviour Southwark, London, England; died on 29 Jan 2011 in Midland Junction, Western Australia, Australia; was buried in 2011 in Cemetery, Karrakatta, Western Australia, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth Record: Between Apr and Jun 1915, St Saviour Southwark, London, England; #V1d-P74
• Immigration: Arr.: 1923, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia; Per "Ballarat"

Notes:

Buried:
KC00181100

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Poultry Farmer
• Newspaper Article: 4 Jun 1954; http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/52946695

Notes:

According to Jill Bickmore (nee Cockram) in an Email dated 10 June 1999.
"Herbert moved to Canning Vale around 1901 according to Unice. And wasn't married until 1906 I don't know if this means he lived there first as a single man or not. I will re check Unice's notes on (t)his one.
This is what she wrote:
Herbert was in partnership with his brother Walter Eugene Cockram for a time in a dairy but Walter was often sick and in the end the partnership was dissolved. Herbert moved to Canning Vale about 1901."
According to his granddaughter, Eula Hunt (nee Cockram), Herbert was unable to drive and relied on Ada, his wife, to drive him wherever he needed to go.

Buried:
KC00008609

Herbert married Ada Rose SPENCER on 17 Jan 1906 in Cannington, Western Australia, Australia. Ada (daughter of William Edward SPENCER and Annie BRIGGS) was born on 15 Jun 1889 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia; died on 6 Feb 1973 in Canning, Western Australia, Australia; was buried in 1973 in Cemetery, Karrakatta, Western Australia, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: Poultry Farmer
• Residence: 17 Jan 1906, Cannington, Western Australia, Australia

Notes:

Compiled from an interview with Mrs Ada Rebeccah Swetman, 1 June, 1995.
Married at 16 yrs old by arranged marriage.
Had six children (Clarice reared her brothers and sisters).
Preferred the outdoors. More of a farmer than a farmer's wife.
Had little homemaking skills when first married.
Herbert used to pick her up out of bed and dump her at the kitchen table expecting his breakfast to be made.
Lesley Edwin Spencer (son of Ada Rose) married Ada Rebeccah Swetman.

According to Eula Hunt, Ada's grandaughter, Ada Spencer attended St Michael's of All Angels Anglican Church regularly and for most of her life.
Ada Rose drove her husband Herbert around as he was unable to drive.

The following transcript is from receipt, found by Jill Bickmore (nee Cockram), in an old dresser which belonged to her grandmother Ada Rose. The receipt was found many years after Ada's death.

The receipt: A standard form in lovely cursive writing, printed by E.S. Wigg & Son Limited, Printers, Sydney, Hay Street, Perth. It bears the State emblem (or similar) centred with scrolling leaves to the left of the form. It bears three Western Australian Duty Stamps of one shilling, one penny and two pence value. There are two rubber ink stamps across the duty stamps but these are not legible.
The wording:
(?The) West Australian Trustee, Executor & Agency
Company Limited
AD
Barrack Street, Perth 7 May 1920
Received from Mrs A R Cockram
by cheque & cash
the sum of Four hundred and eighty five pounds
seventeen shillings six pence
being (?) purchase price Lot 2 Cottesloe (Pounds)475
refund pptn of rates (?) (pounds) 3 10 and Titles Office fees (pounds) 7 7 6
Exd by (?) (pounds) 485-17-6 (Signed) Cashier


Buried:
KC00041636

Notes:

Married:
St Michael's All Angels

Other Events and Attributes:

• Occupation: 17 Jan 1906; Gardener

Notes:

Jill Bickmore (nee Cockram) has a map, which she has received originally from her parents shows Canning Location 19 divided into Lots 4 and 5.
Lot 4 is marked as owned by G.W. Spencer, Crown Grant C.T. 828/169. Also marked on Lot 4 are the words L.T.O. Diagram No C125.
Lot 5 is marked as owned by W.E. Spencer, Crown Grant 476/120
Location 19 is bounded on the North East boundary by the Canning River including the Rapids (? Yule Rapids), on the south east boundary by a rd (? name)
It is interesting to note that there is a small area between Lot 4 and 5, boundered on opposite sides by ?Wilfred Road and the Canning River and crossed by Harris Street which shows a deviation of Harris Street and perhaps(?) a relocation of a small portion of land to A.S. Cameron, Grown Grant C.T. 828/168.

In the "Western Mail" (WM) Newspaper 24.2.12 (assumed 1912)
"18th J'kot (Jandakot) Ag Soc show. Premier and no of MP's present...
In WA, growing necessity for the dev(elopment) of dairying industry.
Speakers decry the presence of the Chinese and wanting "White-grown veges."
Premier: `It was most difficult to obtain veges unless they were grown by Chinese." He had strong objections to Chinese grown produce, and he considered it a pity that the J'kot area was not nearer to the metropolis......"it would be a splendid move to have markets from which the Chinese would be excluded so that only veges grown and sold by Europeans might be procured there.
A voice: `Good idea too!' ' W. E. Spencer (W.J'kot) 1st prize for beetroot."

In the "Western Mail" (WM) Newspaper 30.5.91(assumed 1891)
"Opening of the new hall at Jandakot (Cooper note: in AA lot 170, reserved GG 20.11.90) Wm Nicholson in the chair. Present Manning, Meelor, Culmore, Bush, Briggs, Spencer, Walker etc.
Building to be used as a school - the first public building erected in Jandakot, on a block of land recently granted to the Presbyterian Church. Nicholson's speech: `it marked a distinct line on the progress of the district and a distinct line so far as the Presby Chch was concerned.' "
(note: Probably William Edward Spencer, see WM 2.2.95 below)
In the "Western Mail" (WM) Newspaper 2.2.95 (assumed 1895)
"Cannington CC v Headingley Hill, at F. Stirks's homestead "Heidelberg" (Kalamunda). Visitors lost by 1 run. Edwin Cockram snr 29; Wm Spencer (John's son and a Jandakot AA settler) 7."

In the "Western Mail" (WM) Newspaper 28.2.95 (assumed 1895)
"First jandakot Ag Soc show, at Bibra lake. Mr Spencer the most successful exhibitor. (Joshua or William?)
Cooper note: Bibra Lake area has the better Spearwood type sands, in contrast to the sands and swamps of the eastern part of the AA)
In the "Western Mail" (WM) Newspaper 7.2.96 (assumed 1896)
"2nd Jandakot Ag Soc show at Mission Hall, Bibra Lake. W. Spencer - prizes for veges, cape gooseberries, poultry; Mrs W. Spencer for bread and scones."

In the "Western Mail" (WM) Newspaper 18.3.98 (assumed 1898)
"Jandakot Rds Bd Mar 10. promise from the Minister that `Govt would place a sum of money on the next estimates for a new bridge' (nicholson Rd).
Tenders to be called for metalling Nicholson Rd between bridge and culvert near Burt Rd `that being a particularly rotten and boggy piece of ground in winter.'
Plans for an interchange of rds through the Riverview Estate (Conigrave, attorney for W. G. Brookman, present) `it was resolved that if Mr Spencer's consent to the alteration could be obtained in writing, the bd would do all they could to expedite the matter.'
WABI: Brookman a mining speculator - became very wealthy - Mayor of perth - MLC. Built many fine houses around Perth. Broke 1901, returned to England."
(note: Uncertain as to which Mr Spencer)

MR JOHN SPENCER Orbituary Western Mail 4/6/1910
"The funeral of another very old colonist in the person of the late Mr. John Spencer took place on Tuesday of last week. it was attended by a large gathering of old Western Australians. The deceased was born at sea in the ship Calista in the year 1829, when his parents were coming out to Western Australia, and he spent his whole life in the colony, being one of the pioneer and successful settlers on the land. His farming career commenced on the Canning, where he brought up a family of ten children of whom 2 sons and 2 daughters are still living in the district, and he rmained there till the time of his death at the age of 80 years and 10 month
The cortege moved from his latre residence, Canning, and proceeded to the junction of Albany and Nicholson Roads, where it was met by a very large circle of friendsfrom Cannington, fremantle and elsewhere. The procession then proceeded to the Anglican Cemetery, Cnnington, where the remains were interred in the family grave.
The Reverend E.O. Phillips of Perth, conducting the first portion of the burial ceremony at the house, and concluding at the graveside. The pall bearers were Messrs T. Wade, A. McIntosh, W. Callam, F. Mason and C. Harris. The chief mourners were the widow (Mrs J. Spencer) Messrs. William and Wilfred Spencer (sons), Mrs A. Butterley and Mrs R. Sneddon (dtrs), Mr Thomas Willey, (brother-in-law), Mr W. Gibbs (son-in-law), Mrs W. Spencer and Mrs G. W. Spencer (dtrs-in-law), Messrs. Charles and James Gallop (nephews), Mr Forrest Spencer, Mr. M. Butterley, W. Robertson and Lionel Gibbs (Grandsons), Misses Ivy Gibbs, Ivy Butterley and Mrs W. Robertson (grand-daughters).
Many Handsome wreaths were received and also letters and telegrams of sympathy. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Bowra and Odea, undertakers, 195 Pier Street, Perth.
Copied from the Battye Library records 24/6/77"
(notes: Mrs A. Butterley is Sarah (nee Spencer), married to Arnold Butterley
Mrs R. Sneddon is uncertain identity
Mrs W. Spencer (dtr-in-law) is possibly Annie (nee Briggs) married to William Edward Spencer,
perhaps wife of Wilfred Spencer, perhaps wife of George Wilfred Spencer.
Mrs G. W. Spencer is the wife of George Wilfred Spencer
W. Robertson (grandson) is uncertain identity
Mrs W. Robertson (grand-daughter) is uncertain identity)

This invitation was issued by the Chairman of the Gosnells Road Board to Mrs W. R. Dennis
"Dear Sir/Madam,
Maddington Centenary.
It is proposed not to let the occassion of the first centenary of Maddington pass without suitable recognition. It has, therefore, been decided to commemorate the occasion on Saturday December 3rd, 1932.
Your name has been handed to the Committee as one who has been associated with the Maddington District in its very early stages. We extend to you a cordial invitation to be present on that occassion. We would welcome any information concerning the early histroy of the District you could give us and also the names of any pioneers you can think of so that we can communicate with them.
Full details will be forwarded to you at a later date.
Thanking you in anticipation of your co-operation.
Yours faithfully,
CHAIRMAN.

Copy of a letter received from Mrs W. R. Dennis of 42 ?Caulirbury Tce, Victoria Park, in response to the above invitation.
"Dear Sir
Re Maddington Centenary. I shall be very pleased to attend. At the same time I can give very little information as to the pioneers or anything concerning the early history of the district. I left the district in 1888 after the death of my husband Mr J. K. Harris and have not been in a position in know very much in the intervening years, and all old friends are mostly dead or moved from the old homes. My two sons are both dead and my daughter lives in Kalgoorlie. My eldest brother lives at Jandakot (William Edward Spencer) and the youngest brother is at Marvel Lock, in the Gold Fields G. W. Spencer. The Harris Brothers can tell you as they know them both.
Thanking you for opportunity to renew old associations ?
Yours sincerely
Mrs W. R. Dennis
This piece of correspondance is from the Maddington Centenary File of 1932. It has been written in response to an invitation."
(note: invitation detailed above, uncertain whom Mrs W. R. Dennis is. William Edward Spencer had four younger sisters, Sarah, Ellen, Alice Rose and Elizabeth Jane whom we know was deceased at the time this letter was written.)

Buried:
#786 - MON ANGLICAN A3 - B12684

William married Annie BRIGGS on 5 Jan 1888 in Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia. Annie (daughter of Robert BRIGGS and Jessey LEWINGTON) was born on 16 Jun 1863 in Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia; died on 24 Feb 1943 in East Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: Aft 1937, Jandakot, Western Australia, Australia

Notes:

Extracted from the Biographical File for Spencer, Gosnells Public Library, July, 1996. Source 24-1.
In the "Western Mail" (WM) Newspaper 7.2.96 (assumed 1896)
"2nd Jandakot Ag Soc show at Mission Hall, Bibra Lake. W. Spencer - prizes for veges, cape gooseberries, poultry; Mrs W. Spencer for bread and scones."

Notes:

According to Jeff Spencer in a letter to Jill Bickmore (nee Cockram) dated 3 September 1999:
Wesley was mainly brought up on the Spencer's Jandakot property and when William Spencer died, the Jandakot property was willed to Wesley and Basil in virtual equal shares but with a type of life tenacy to their mother Annie.

The testament required that Annie be paid one pound per week and I believe it was a struggle in those depressed days to make the payment. The property was split into two sections, 50 acres for Basil and 50 acres for Wesley. During that time Annie Spencer remained in the old house on Wesley's portion of the property and Wesley and Stella lived nearby in a timber and iron house constructed by a family friend Mr Bob Semple.

When Annie Spencer passed away, Wesley and Stella moved into her old family residence, which was constructed of a timber frame, Jarrah floors, brick fireplace, corrugated iron walls and roof and pine/Oregon lining.

Your comment that Wesley found the old sea chest in the back of his shed is accurate according to our information and it was sent to Woodloes cottage. We hope to check whether it is still in that cottage. Apparently it was there at the time of the family reunion at Gosnells.

The old Jandakot residence of William and Annie (followed by Wesley and Stella) was recently demolished to make way for development of a Catholic High School (under construction) and to be known as Beeliar College. The old residence had reached a severe state of decay with negligible restoration potential. We examined the building for possible salvage of old timbers but most were rotten or white ant eaten. It had been used as a sub standard barn since Wesley Spencer sold the property in the 1970's.

Elsie Spencer was born in the old house on October 9, 1900. I am trying to find a photo of it for you.

A possibly one hundred year old mulberry tree which was next to the house has been retained by Beeliar College. We are pleased to see it's retention because these particular mulberries (black) fruit for a much longer period than the other mulberry trees grown by the Spencer family on Basil's former section of property. The tree was planted by William and Annie.

Are you aware that Annie Spencer was a mid-wife in the Jandakot district and delivered numerous babies throughout the area over many years."
(Note: I am not sure that Annie was a qualified mid-wife, rather a trusted `mid-wife' by experience and reputation)

Married:
CofE

Richard married Elizabeth BUCKINGHAM on 3 Apr 1834 in Molland Parish, South Molton, Devon, England. Elizabeth was born in 1810 in Twitchen, Devon, England; died on 4 Nov 1888 in Canning, Western Australia, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• AKA: Betsy

Notes:

Birth:
At Sea - Onboard "Calista"

John married Jane Hanna WILLEY on 18 Jan 1858 in Perth, Western Australia, Australia. Jane (daughter of Thomas John WILLEY and Susannah BARKER) was born on 3 Sep 1839 in Swan River Colony, Western Australia, Australia; died on 10 Jun 1915 in Cannington, Western Australia, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Crime: 1856; Convicted Bradford - Shop Break - 8yrs
• Convict Number: 1858; #4737
• Immigration: Arr.: 1 Jan 1858, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia; Per "Nile"
• Ticket of Leave: 5 May 1860
• Pardon: 14 Apr 1864; Conditional
• Occupation: 1865; Blacksmith
• Pardon: 25 Mar 1865; Full Pardon
• Crime: 4 Dec 1872, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; #10094 - Reconvicted Perth WA - House Breaking - 8yrs
• Ticket of Leave: 23 Jan 1877
• Pardon: 4 Dec 1880; Full Pardon
• Death Record: 1892, Western Australia, Australia; #40

Robert married Jessey LEWINGTON on 30 May 1862 in White Gum Valley, Western Australia, Australia. Jessey (daughter of William Henry LEWINGTON and Susannah MAYDWELL) was born on 16 Aug 1843 in Western Australia, Australia; died on 8 Apr 1874 in Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Birth Record: 1843, Western Australia, Australia; #251