James Gorman

BIRTH & BAPTISM Born 12 May 1852, at 12 Court, 43, Naylor St, Liverpool. Eleanor Gorman, nee Cahill, registered the birth of son James Gorman on 20th May 1852, father James Gorman, labourer. Ellen was illiterate and made her mark X. See docs

First name(s) JAMES
Last name GORMAN
Birth year 1852
Birth quarter 2
Registration month -
Mother's maiden name Cahill
District Liverpool County
Lancashire Country England Volume 8B Page 69

Birth records (x4) re James Gorman born Liverpool in 1852, Vol 8b, Page 69. Vol 8b, Page 3. Vol 8b, Page 93. Vol 8b, Page 172. Only one of them is our James. This one was born in the Work House: First name(s) James Last name Gorman Birth year 1852 Birth date 12 Dec 1852 Baptism year - Baptism place Liverpool Board of Guardians Workhouse Denomination Church of England Diocese Liverpool Residence Ireland Father's first name(s) Jas Mother's first name(s) Sarah County Lancashire Country England

BAPTISM
Name: James Gorman
Age: 0 Birth
Date: 12 May 1852
Baptism Date: 23 May 1852
Baptism Place: St Joseph's, Liverpool, Lancashire, England
Father: James Gorman
Mother: Ellen Carroll (Cahill) [The name is pronounced 'Cayle' so it is easy to see how it could be misheard]

Baptised 23 May 1852 at St Joseph's church, Liverpool. Father's name, James; Mothers name, Ellen Carroll (Cahill); Sponsors, James Gorman and Ann McKeon. See docs The register says "Nomina Patrinorum" and it means sponsors/god parents, not parents of the father, so we can now eliminate the possibility that these were the parents of James Gorman Snr. They were not married to each other, and Ann McKeon might have been a friend or relative of the Cahills. I haven't, so far, found the James Gorman who was James Jnr's sponsor at the baptism. [John Gorman of Kilmakevoge, married Catherine McKeon at Waterford 1865. His father Michael Gorman, her father Laurence McKeon. Possible? Kilmakevoge is on the R Barrow, and they had a bunch of children born in or near Kilmakevoge and Kilmurry - Honoria, Ellen, Catherine, Patrick, Mary, Michael]

EARLY LIFE James was born at 12 Court, 43 Naylor St., Liverpool in 1852. His mother died in September 1854 in the huge cholera epidemic, when James was two years old. He was born in the dock area slum rookeries of Liverpool where Irish emigrants building the first navigation canals and railways, and who were 70% of dock workers, settled on arrival.

1855: In 1855 when his youngest sister, Catherine died aged 6 months, the family was living at 3 Court Naylor Street, so have already abandoned the house where Mary, Ellen, Catherine and John all died. The move to Bute Street bef.1861 must have happened after 1855. This might be the time when Ellen and James went to live with aunt Bridget Flynn.

1861 census records him at age 8yrs, living with his father, a widowed dock porter, at No. 6 Bute St., Everton (Liverpool) and with George and Mary Wilson and their daughter Elizabeth. There were five families living in the Bute Street house, so probably Mary Wilson or the other women took care of young James while his father continued working. James Snr continued living with the Wilsons until his death in 1874.

The marriage certificate records his father as a labourer, and James's birth certificate says he was a porter. Most census returns describe him as a corn (grains) porter. Porters worked on the Liverpool docks carrying goods from dock to warehouse. They were labouring jobs. A "lumper" carried goods off the ship. (see Sources)

By 1861 James had already had two sisters called Catherine who died in infancy at Naylor Street, as well as Mary who died in her teens, and John, also an infant, probably from one of the diseases of poor sanitation in the court houses. Ellen Jnr was living with her aunt, Bridget Flynn, Michael had been in the merchant navy since 1853, and Daniel was getting married to Catherine. James's father died January 1874 at West Derby and is buried at Ford Roman Catholic Cemetery.

WHERE WAS JAMES AFTER 1861, WHAT WAS HE DOING? The census records are patchy for 1871. A possible explanation, since he joined the mounted militia in Australia, is that he served a 10 year hitch in the army.

1871 census, shows James Gorman, 18 yrs as a boarder with a stevedore at 29 Smithfield Street in St Pauls Liverpool, occupation, weigher (probably, it is very hard to read). There is some chance this is our James, since his brother, Daniel was a corn weigher in 1871, as were uncles John Gorman and James Flynn. Smithfield Street is very close to Naylor Street where James lived for many years with his family. Can't be certain, though. I have added a couple of pics of the sorts of housing James was likely living in while he was in Liverpool. Later documents show that James was probably better educated than the average dock worker, and it is possible that he was at school from 1861. No new evidence yet.

James Gorman England and Wales Census, 1871 Name: James Gorman Event Type: Census Event Date: 1871 Event Place: Liverpool, Lancashire, England, United Kingdom Sub-District: Dale Street Enumeration District: 19k Gender: Male Age: 18 Marital Status: Unknown Occupation: Mason Relationship to Head of Household: Boarder Birth Year (Estimated): 1853 Birthplace: Liverpool, Lancashire Affiliate Image Identifier: GBC/1871/3772/0183 Household Role Sex Age Birthplace Robert Williams Head Male 46 Caernarvonshire Ellen Williams Wife Female 47 Anglesea, Wales Robert Williams Son Male 19 Liverpool, Lancashire Elizabeth Williams Daughter Female 17 Liverpool, Lancashire Rowland Williams Son Male 15 Liverpool, Lancashire James Gorman Boarder Male 18 Liverpool, Lancashire Henry Peterson Boarder Male 30 Aberdeen, Scotland

In 1871 census, JG was a prisoner at Liverpool Borough Prison, Walton on the Hill, West Derby, Lancashire. His DoB was 1850, so probably not our James Gorman. There is another JG born 1850, one born 1851, two born 1853, and another two born 1854. Nothing to suggest our James was ever imprisoned, but one never knows! There are dozens of 1871 census records for Liverpool and its surrounds with no identifying information at all.

In 1871, 19 year old James Gorman (b.1852) was in Manchester prison for stealing a cart. and
In 1874, James Gorman, steward on the ship "Liberia" of the British and African Line, was lost at sea when the ship foundered and sank in a storm off the Scilly Isles. Obviously not our man.

WAS JAMES in the BRITISH ARMY or ROYAL NAVY? Realistically most of these were from Ireland, but Liverpool was a great recruiting ground for the sons of impoverished Irish migrants - just like James.

James Gorman of the 4th Regt of Foot was Court Martialed at Dover on 5 March 1869.

Name: Private James Gorman Discharge Year: 1875 Regiment: 66 REGT. OF Foot Regimental Number: 839 (37/2 (18th Foot/3720)
Name: James Gorman Discharge Date: 25 Jan 1875 Regiment: 66th Regiment Rank: Pte

Name: Private James Gorman Discharge Year: 1875 Regiment: Royal Reg Of Dragoons Regimental Number: 840
Name: James Gorman Discharge Date: 25 May 1875 Regiment: 1st Regiment of Dragoons Rank: Pte

Name: Private James Gorman Discharge Year: 1874 Regiment: 2 Battn 14th REG. OF Infantry Regimental Number: 336

Name: Private James Gorman Discharge Year: 1873 Regiment: 1 Batt 14 REGT. OF Foot Regimental Number: 3541

Name: James Gorman Discharge Date: 24 Dec 1877 Regiment: 60th Rifles Regiment Rank: Pte

Name: James Gorman Gender: Male First Service Date: 12 May 1862 First Ship Served On: Sans Pareil [Signed up as a 'boy' and would be discharged after 10 years, ie 1872]

Name: James Gorman Gender: Male First Service Date: 29 Sep 1863 First Ship Served On: Fisgard [Signed up as a 'boy' for 10 years]

Name: James Gorman Gender: Male First Ship Served On: Donegal [Joined as a 'boy' in 1871, for 10 years. Must have deserted to be our James in Australia in 1877]

James might have served 10 years in either a regiment where he rode horses, or the Royal Artillery where he had charge of horses. It is unlikely he learned to ride and shoot in Liverpool, and the military offered the main avenue for young men from poor families. He could join from age 10yrs as a drummer boy or ('boy' in the navy). If he was discharged in 1874 or 1875 he would have enlisted 1864 aged 12 yrs. Just why Tuebrook was important to him is unknowable. I did wonder if he worked on a farm there, but there is no census or similar evidence to support that idea. Given the career of his brother Michael, I think it more likely that James sailed with Michael from 1862 when Michael got his Mates certificate ubtil 1871 when Michael was in Liverpool sitting his exams for masters certificate. He probably lived at Michael's house in Upper Duke Street.
In 1862 Michael became elligible as a watch keeping officer in the merchant marine to have a personal servant. Most officers employed a youngster from their own family and very probably this was how young James was able to travel widely but was not (so far as we know) a sailor. James would have run messages, cared for Michael's clothes and gear, fetched food, cleaned his cabin etc. As he grew up he would take on administrative duties, writing reports, maintaining records etc depending on Michael's role from time to time. There would also usually be a couple of other youngsters on board for companionship.

FAMILY STORY FROM JEAN GORMAN (grand daughter of James) as told by PADDY GORMAN. James was brought up by his aunt and went to Canada aged 9 years. He spoke about "frozen ground". James was in Canada studying to be a teacher but failed his exams because he sat up all the night before reading Uncle Tom's Cabin. Later he worked in a tannery. Aged 19yrs (1871) he returned to England from Canada or America to visit his niece Cissie (Margaret Morgan) daughter of James' sister Ellen. Also Dan Gorman, his brother. Michael is not mentioned. He d.1874 and had been at sea for over 20 years so perhaps not well remembered..

James' sister, Ellen Gorman married Tom Morgan who was a ship's captain and died approximately 1903. Uncle Paddy (Henry Evered) Gorman was aged about 5 or 6 yrs. However, Paddy was able to meet other family members while on leave from the Western Front in WW1, esp. Ellen Gorman/Morgan's daughter Cissie. He must have heard stories about James from his cousins.

Finding evidence to support this story has been impossible, however: James' sister Ellen Morgan died 1904 when Uncle Paddy would have been 7yrs old. James could easily have lived with his aunt Bridget who took in young Ellen after the death of their mother in 1854. The only evidence we have is the 1861 census where James is with his father in Bute Street. He might have been there for a short time only.There are no inconsistencies between this story and the available evidence, unlike the one I had heard about James in the RCMP which has no supporting evidence. James certainly had an education and learning to ride and shoot was more likely in Canada than Liverpool. However, there is exactly no EVIDENCE that he was ever in Canada. If he was, as I believe, part of a ship's crew with Michael he would not show up in any migration records, and evidence depends on confirming that Michael was actually in a ship sailing to Canada.

Since two branches of the family have stories re James going to Canada, perhaps we should accept them as broadly likely even though details might be astray. Uncle Paddy as a witness is pretty persuasive. There could well be evidence in Canada that I don't have access to.

FROM JIM TILGNER 1976:
I now have a copy of Jim's local history of the Narracan/Thorpdale district with a small section on Childers.

"It was here (the hayloft of Jabez & Sampson Diver's farm) that the newly arrived and widely travelled Jim Gorman recounted his experiences of the cyclones in the China Seas, producing minstrel shows from the American scene, plays from Europe, and his discourses on the Irish troubles, must surely have raised the blood pressure of the die-hard loyalists."

It is a great pity that the early Gormans did not talk more about James 'Jim' Gorman and his stories, but it seems more probable than not that he sailed with his brother, Michael for several years, and was likely the servant Michael became entitled to in 1862 when he was certified Mate ie a watch keeping officer in a ship on international routes.

The few family stories we have about James are preserved by his grandchildren, Maurice Gorman, Jim Tilgner, Len Gorman and Jean Gorman, all of whom were born long after James died. They agree that James was in Canada, that he was a vigorous advocate for Irish independence, and was in the VMR. Newspaper reports confirm that he sang, wrote and produced plays, and presumably performed in them, that he was an active member of the football and cricket clubs, and Victorian Mounted Rifles.

MIGRATION
I wonder why James came to Australia when it seems most of his relatives were in Canada or the US, or Lancashire. The most likely explanation is that James sailed with Michael as his personal servant, and that voyages to Melbourne, especially in the 1860s and 1870s were common and frequent. We know that Michael sailed around "The Far East" then down the east coast of Australia from at least 1871 and very probably before. Oh, how I wish the oldsters knew more about their father and grandfather!

Nine non convict English and Irish James Gormans migrated to Victoria from 1839 and before 1877, so its a bit of a challenge to keep our James sorted from the rest, especially when some of them were also in Gippsland.

James was in Victoria in 1877 at age 25ish (Death Certificate) and Childers by age 1885/6 when he is a member of the Victorian Mounted Rifles (Sources). At age 38yrs he married Rose Hannah Diver (also Rosehannah) in 1890, in her father's lounge room at Childers. (Sources) His farm was called 'Tuebrook', possibly after Tue Brook House near Liverpool. (I have added a couple of pictures of Tue Brook House and Cottages, and the Tew Brook after which they are named) His Death Certificate records him to have been in Victoria 34 yrs at his death which tells us he arrived age 25 yrs in 1877. In October 1877, a James Gorman left an English port as an Unassisted Passenger, on the "Thomas Stephens" with only 36 passengers on board. This is most likely to be him. There is an amazing number of James Gormans who came to the colonies, many of them as convicts. However, none match the dates we have evidence for, except this one. This is 3 years after James' father died, and 16 years since we have reliable evidence for where he was and what he was doing.

First name(s) James
Last name Gorman
Nationality Irish James still had an Irish accent? or saw himself as Irish?
Departure port Liverpool
Arrival year 1877
Arrival month Oct
Arrival port Melbourne
Ship name Thomas Stephens
State Victoria

First name(s) James
Last name Gorman
Age Adult
Departure port British
Arrival year 1877

Arrival month	

Oct Arrival port -
Ship name Thomas Stephens
State Victoria
Record set Victoria Inward Passenger Lists 1839-1923

Sources - "Thomas Stephens" arrived from Liverpool in October 1877 after a 77 day or 11 weeks voyage (very fast). She carried 27 passengers and 30 crew, and no-one died on the trip.

Trove, Mon 29 Oct 1877:
QUEENSCLIFF. Saturday Arrived - Flora, German barque, Frederickstadt; Vicker, Norwegian barque, from New York; Aviemore, ship, from London; Thomas Stephens, ship, from London.

Bendigo Advertiser, Tue 30 Oct 1877
SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE Arrived Hobsons Bay October 27th. -- Thomas Stephens, ship, 1,506 tons, R Richards, from Liverpool August 11.

From PROV passenger lists, unassisted passengers. Adult 355(fiche) OCT THOMAS STEPHENS 1877 GORMAN, JAMES From Ancestry Name: James Gorman Estimated Birth Year: abt 1847 Age: 30 Arrival date: 27 Oct 1877 Arrival Port: Melbourne, Australia Departure Port: Liverpool Ship: Thomas Stephens Nationality: Irish

Thomas Stephens sailed Aug 12th - Oct 27th from Tuskar, an island off the south coast of Ireland from which voyages to Australia were timed, taking 76 days - a really fast trip. Thomas Stephens home port was Liverpool.

There were 36 passengers in total, and none of the names seem connected to James Gorman's story, so if he travelled with a friend, there is no further evidence for it. There was only 1 cabin passenger on this voyage, Harry Tallerman - and 6 stowaways. The rest of the passengers are reported as labourers, mostly from Scotland. The actual passenger list (see docs) shows James as 30 yrs, born 1847, and Scottish, so there is some chance it is not our man, although routine box ticking by a busy purser could easily make these mistakes, especially since he is reported as both Irish and Scottish - all the official records clearly identify him as James Gorman, Irish, 25yrs, etc.

[One of the ships owned by T. Stephens and Sons, London This image (see media) is from the A.D. Edwardes Collection of about 8,000 photographs, mostly of sailing ships from around the world, taken between about 1865 and 1920. Mounted in 91 albums, the photographs are arranged by country of ownership, with some special volumes such as 'Shipping at Port Adelaide' and 'South Australian outports'. Additional information, giving the history of the ships where known, has been provided by maritime historian, Ron Parsons The steel ship 'Thomas Stephens', 1528 tons, in an unidentified port [steel? ship, 1559 gross tons. ON63199, 263.0 x 38.2 x 23.1. Built 1869 (7) WH Potter and Co., Liverpool. Owners: TW and WA Stephens , registered London. 1896 sold to Portugese Government for naval training ship, and renamed 'Pero d'Alemguer' and eventually hulked. During WW1 re-rigged and went 'missing' when crossing the Atlantic in January 1916. Said to have been intended for the Black Ball Line this ship did not sail for that flag but was employed for many years as a unit of the London Line of Australian Packets, chartered by Bethell and Co., and frequently was in Sydney and Melbourne. Also made at least one trip to New Zealand. Was considered to be a very handsome ship and often called a clipper. A favourite passenger ship for many years. See 'White Wings' and 'Colonial Clippers']

THE MISSING YEARS 1877 - 1886
I believe I may have solved the problem of where James was and what he was doing in this period. Jean Gorman was researching the Gorman family for many years, and collected surviving photos and stories from James' children. Before she died, I spent some time with Jean hearing the stories she knew. Recently, while clearing my desk, (New Years Eve 2020/21) I came across the notes I made in one of those conversations and the clues were right there all the time. As well as the lost years, there has also been the puzzle of where did James and Rose find the names for their children. Walter James is pretty straight forward, Maurice Edwin (Edwin was also Rose's brother and James partner) is also in an Irish tradition, so is Daniel (James' uncle), Grace was the name of Rose's mother and Ellen the name of James' mother, but Henry Evered? Athel Leonard? Jean was told by Aunty Nell (Tilgner) that James had two very good friends - Athel Pitchforth and someone named Evered. Things like this can't be found in official records or newspapers, so I have finally investigated.

Athol Wilfred Pitchforth born 1886 was the son of Charles Husband Pitchforth and his wife Florence Grace (Evered) Pitchforth, and Florence was the daughter of Henry Evered. Bingo! We immediately have Paddy's name, and also Athel's. But who are these people and why did James rate them so highly. I can only hypothesise, but this is what it looks like.

HENRY EVERED
There is now a pic of Henry Evered in James' media.
Henry Evered was born 1826 at Chevington Suffolk, an agricultural labourer, and migrated to Australia with his wife Elizabeth after the 1851 census, to settle in Prahran. Over time he became a contractor, building streets and lanes for the Prahran and neighbouring councils, buying up properties to rent out, and accumulating wealth. He left over 6,000 pounds at his death. Charles Husband Pitchforth was born 1858 at Ripon, Yorkshire to a well off woolen draper/merchant. He also migrated to settle in Prahran as a photographer, where he married Henry's daughter Florence Grace Evered in 1885. Their son, Athol Wilfred was born the following year. My thinking is that Henry Evered took James under his wing as a new colonist, giving him work on the roads he was building, and possibly renting him one of the many old cottages he owned. James could have learned many of the skills he would later use as a contractor on the roads around Childers. It is also very likely he met the Diver family in Prahran at this time since they had a busy bootmaking business on the High Street. From 1876 to 1879 Sampson and his family are living in High St Prahran with Jabez. The Divers moved to Childers circa 1878/9 where Jabez died in 1879. What is more likely than James befriending the Divers, especially Rose and her brother, should save some money and follow them to Childers where he and Edwin J Diver would work together on contracts for the Shire council. J. Gorman is winning road-making contracts with Narracan Shire Council for work in and near Childers from 1880, so James might well have gone there with the Divers in 1879. James would therefore have been working in Prahran for Henry Evered for about 3 years. The relationship with Henry Evered, and possibly Florence Evered/Pitchforth must have been very significant for him to name sons born many several later in their honour. Perhaps he had a crush on Florence, since it would be another ten years before he married Rose. He obviously stayed in touch with her since her son was born 6 years after James went to Childers. [I will sort out the information I have re Henry Evered and the Pitchforths and add it to docs]

Prharan Telegraph 19 Feb 1890
DEATH OF AN OLD PRAHRAN IDENTITY
The Late Mr Henry Evered.
We have to record the demise of another very old Prahran identity in the person of the late Mr. Henry Evered, the well-known contractor, whose death took place on Sunday last very suddenly, and under peculiarly
painful circumstances. The deceased had climbed a fig tree, and was picking some of the fruit, when he fell head foremost to the ground, causing concussion of the brain. He was at once carried into his house at
No. 7 Wattle-street, and all that medical aid could do was tried, but without avail, death taking place a few hours later, the deceased never recovering consciousness. He was in his sixty-third year, and had resided in Prahran nearly forty years. An unusually lengthy cortege followed the remains to the St. Kilda cemetery yesterday afternoon.

Australian Star (Sydney) 18 Feb 1890
INSTANTANEOUS DEATH.
Fall From a Figtree.
Melbourne, Monday.
Henry Evered, aged 67, resident, of Prahran, climbed a figtree yesterday for figs and fell heavily on his head and broke his neck. Death was instantaneous.

Argus 22 Nov 1886
Henry Evered's daughter died very young. Her son was named Athol.
PITCHFORTH.—On the 21st inst., at the residence of her parents, The Grove, Wattle-street, Prahran,
Florence Grace, the dearly beloved wife of Charles H. Pitchforth, and second daughter of Henry and
Elizabeth Evered, aged 22 years.

From a descendant
Henry Evered was born in Chedburgh, near Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk in 1826 and christened on 9/12/1826 in Chevington. He worked as an agricultural labourer before marrying and emigrating to Melbourne, Australia in 1855. His religion on the shipping record is Church of England. Both Henry and his wife could read and write.

They arrived in Melbourne in December, 1855 on the 'Calliance' (assisted passage).

Henry first worked as a labourer for Charles Wedge, Dandenong (for £60 for 12 months) but later established his own contracting business in Prahran . He acquired a significant amount of land in that suburb.

He donated the land for the Church of Christ in 32-40 High St., Prahran (now at 220 High St.) which was built in 1883. There is a stained-glass window in the church in gratitude to Henry and Elizabeth.

Henry joined the Church of Christ (adult baptism) in 1868. Other members were:
Elizabeth (1862)
Harriet (1875)
Henry George (1878)
Florence (1880)
Annie Macartney (1883).

Henry is said to have been very generous to those in need.

He also owned a quarry in Chapel Street. Much of the land between Prahran and the Yarra River was clay, suitable for brick making (now the suburb of South Yarra).

Henry and his family lived at 'The Grove', a large house on the corner of Wattle Street and Cato Street, Prahran.

Henry died from concussion in 1890 at the age of 64 after falling from a fig tree while picking fruit at his home. His nephew George Clapcott was visiting from New Zealand and witnessed the accident.

I can now confirm that James Gorman was in St Kilda and Prahran for 3 years from 1877 to c1880 when he was in Childers.

SELECTOR
1877
May 1877: The first land selections are available at Childers and Thorpdale. Sampson Diver was there in 1880, J Gorman was contracting for the council from at least 1880, and our James Gorman was definitely there in 1886 when he is first mentioned in the Victorian Mounted Rifles. He was there earlier but I have not found a definite selection for him, and he might have lived with the Divers since there are records of him road making around Childers from 1880. Sampson Diver transferred a piece of land to Rosehanna in 1893, possibly her inheritance from Jabez Diver. PROV have a record, in their land selection and correspondence file for ALLAMBEE EAST 57D, 1893 to 1916, in the name of Walter James Gorman. I can only imagine it is James and Rose's selection granted 1893, and transferred to Walter after James died. I have now added a set of 6 images including two maps and 4 lists of occupiers for Allambee east. (See docs) Jabez Edwin Diver had a selection YARRAGON 31D, but the absence of evidence suggests that Sampson bought privately rather than a selection, which as a business man with money was easier for him. It looks as though James worked as a contractor from at least 1880 before selecting land to settle on. The picture is looking more and more as though James and the Divers went to Childers at about the same time. James at first worked for the Shire Council sometimes with Sam, his father in law, and later with Jabez Edwin (Edwin) his brother-in-law. Probably Rose and the boys did most of the farming and James' main income was from road making, timber clearing and brush cutting until about 1909 when he is only taking home a few shillings a week as his heart begins to fail. In 1910 he was blamed for not maintaining his fences, so something was not right. It is clear from the map images that the name Childers only applied to the village as surveyed, while the surrounding bush had different names in each direction towards Moe, Yarragon and Mirboo, eg Allambee East, Buln Buln, etc around the edges of Childers village settlement.

It is very possible that James never had a selection in his own name, and that Tuebrook was Rosehannah's inheritance from her grandfather Jabez Diver. In law at the time, what a woman owned belonged to the husband so he could have treated it as his own. Very unlikely that James' busy life as a contractor and leading light of local affairs actually left him much time for farming. As a city boy he had no experience to make him a farmer, and Rose and the children most probably developed the property.

1878
Gippsland Times 12 July 1878 LAND ACT 1869 RE-HEARING-SEC. 19. 17. Henry Wicks, 99a 3r 21p, Yinnar, south of the selection of P. A. Wicks. 18. M. A. Nelson, 82a Or l7p, Yinnar, south of the selection of J. U. Heesom. S9. Peter Hunter, 97a 2r 36p, Tanjil, north of the selection of J. Murie. 20. J. Stewart, 320a, Traralgon, north of the selection of D. Smith. 21. William Murcutt, 50a Or Ip, Maryvale, opposite the old Morwell lHotel. 22. Isabella Lindsay, 200a, Mlaryvale, land forfeited by Michael Dunn. 23. Emily B. Derbam, 200a, Maryvale, land forfeited by Michael Dunn. 24. James Gorman, 200a Or 30p, Maryvale, south of and adjoining R. Gorman's selection. [Is this the first of James and Rosehannah's selctions? before their marriage? Possible but doesn't seem likely. I suspect it is meaning James O'Gorman who took up land at Maryvale. Yes, not our man.]

1879
1879: Trove has a mention of a lease approved at Darnum for James Gorman and James Ellis. There are 2 or 3 James Gormans on the loose in Gippsland around this time, mainly further east (one is a policeman at Morwell and Warragul), but not, so far as I know, in the Warragul to Darnum area - except possibly our bloke. Is this our James? I have added the notice from The Gazette just in case it is him. The policeman was stationed at also Warragul so it is probably his plot, and there was at least one other Gorman family in that area.

1880
DITTO 29 Jan 1880

James Gorman, 1st payment contract No. 10, £12.

DITTO 23 Dec 1880

''Clearing road from McDonald's Track towards Mirboo ... J. Gorman 36 2 0

1881
Warragul Guardian and Buln Buln and Narracan Advocate 15 Dec 1881 [James Gorman contract] Contract No 1311 side cutting at Childers. Gorman, £14 9s 6d.

1882
Warragul Guardian and Buln Buln and Narracan Shire Advocate 30 March 1882 From Shire Council Minutes/Correspondence From James Gorman, as follows: "Understanding that it is your intention to consider favorably the claim of Price & Co. for payment for works performed on Farley's Track, I venture to request that you will defer payment thereof until they first pay me for the performance of said work. I have, at considerable expense and loss of time, made several applications for a settlement since I completed the work (now over four months ago) without success."-Received. [Not sure if it is our James or not, but it seems likely]

There are several references for James Gorman being granted leases as a selector in the townships around Narracan and further east. Not sure if they could all relate to our James, but I will add them to documents if anyone wants to do further research on his land holding.

1889
Morwell Advertiser 20 Jul 1889 MILLER CUP COMPETITION RETURN MATCHES. TO THE EDITOR OF TIlE MORWELL ADVERTISER. 'Slr.--A there appears to be a great deal of misunderstanding respecting when or where the return matches due to my club, in the above competition are to be played, perhaps you will kindly insert these few linesby way of notice to the clubs interested. I have received letters from the secretaries of the Morwell and Traralgon Football clubs, the former wishing to know if we were going to visit Morwell for the return match, and the latter, if my club had disbanded. As I did not receive either of those letters in time to reply, I will answer them here. It was well understood that, in the event of our ground being inconvenient or unsuitable for return matches, they were to be played on the Moe, ground, and we are so far from being disbanded , that we had a full team at the station readl to journey to Moe to meet 'I'raralgon, when we received word that the latter had not arrived. As there appears to be so much misapprehension and reluctance on the part of clubs to meet us out of their own strongholds. we are willing to meet Morwell, Traralgon, and Warragul on their own grounds on condition that they will pay railway expenses of our team, and arrange to start play at such and such an hour as will enable us to return home the same night. The ??? will meet on any of the grounds above mentioned, our preference being Morwell (if we can obtain the use of the ground with same arrangement as to hour of starting, and each team to pay its own expenses). This, I think, is fair and explicit enough, and will thank the secretaries interested for an early opinion on the matter. Thanking you In anticipation for the Insertion of this, I am, Sir, yours faithfully, JAS. GORMAN. Hon. Secretary, Thorpdale Football Club.

1890
MARRIAGE First name(s) James Last name Gorman Sex Male Marriage year 1890 Spouse's first name(s) Rosehannah Spouse's last name Diver State Victoria Country Australia Record set Victoria Marriages 1836-1942 Registration number 5192

He was 38 yrs and working as a contractor in 1890 when he married at Childers. He seemed to work with Jabez Diver, who might be RoseHannah's grandfather (unlikely, he was a shoemaker), Sampson Jabez (her father), or Jabez Edwin. (There are now many sources showing him contracting with his brother-in-law Jabez Edwin Diver and by himself).

CHILDERS I note that there is an O'Gorman family in Allambee East circa 1910, and our Gormans were sometimes reported as O'Gorman. The local paper sometimes reported Walter and James as O'Gorman. A large family of O'Gormans was at Morwell/Traralgon, and P O'Gorman at Allambee East from about 1910 when new areas were opened for settlement. The journalist probably got the names mixed up from time to time.

There are dozens of articles re James singing, reciting, working for the shire council, in deputations, in the cricket club and football club, and other community activities including road making, bush clearing, and play writing and production in the Childers Dramatic Club. Here is a sample.

The 1890s has numerous examples of J Gorman, Jas Gorman and James Gorman making roads, corduroying roads, and maintaining roads for Narracan Shire Council from McDonalds Track, to Childers, Mirboo, Coalville, Tarwin Lower etc. They are all our James and begin circa 1880, although there are no newspapers before then, so might have begun earlier. Most probably he was using the knowledge and skills learned in Prahran with Henry Evered. James also joins in community activities. he seems to be secretary of the Thorpdale cricket and football clubs in 1889, and is noted singing and reciting at social evenings. See docs. Family also have a collection of plays written by James - not very good, they say - and he was noted around the bush as a stump speaker for Irish independence.

1891
DITTO 3 March 1891

J. Gorman, removing timber Childer's road, £110s;

Great Southern Advocate 23 Jan 1891
Shire council approves payment for: Jas. Gorman, corduroying Childer's-road, E.R Jas. Gorman, corduroying Childer's-road, W.B.

Narracan Shire Advocate 14 Feb 1891
Moe played cricket against Coalville, D. Gorman was a bowler for Moe and took 2 wickets and 1 catch in the Coalville first innings (Horsnell for a duck) and 3 wickets for 3 runs in the Coalville second innings. He made 9 runs in Moe first innings. Not one of our Gormans. Uncle Dan was not born then.

1893
Narracan Shire Advocate 21 Jan 1893
List of Shire of Narracan Contracts for F/Y to Sept 1893 J. Gorman, scrub cutting, Childers to Riding Boundary to be paid 8 guineas (L8/8/-)

DITTO 5 August 1893
James was awarded the Mail Contract for 1893/4 to carry mail 3 times a week to and from Thorpdale and Childers, for which he was paid 39pounds.

DITTO 29 July 1893
CHILDERS. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) The ordinary meeting of the Childers Mutual Improvement Association was held here last Saturday night, 22nd inst. A departure was made from the usual routine by introducing a " trial by jury," the subject being a breach of promise suit. From the number of visitors, and the interest taken through the trial, it was very evident the departure was a wise step, and if the association continues to introduce such subjects, there is not the slightest doubt that they will not only strengthen their society, but make their meetings more interesting to the public. The different characters in the trial were as follows : —Win. Davies, judge ; A. Bryan, usher ; J. Gorman, defence counsel ; E. J. Diver, plaintiff counsel; E. Ewers, S. Dickinson, G. Proctor, Wm. Diver, W. Crisp, and A. Davies, witnesses. After the trial was over a discussion was invited by the president (Mr. S. Dickinson), which proved to be of a friendly and complimentary character. [Several family members in this one. Possibly based on an example from Rose's early life in Ballarat]

Ditto 18 Nov 1893 CHILDERS. Nov. 14. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT) Since my last we have had a log-rolling bee on the creamery site, which Was a great success. Before the bee the piece of ground secured for creamery purposes was strewn with logs, but now where are they? Last Saturday morning a gang of men turned up at the appointed hour with axes on their shoulders, and at intervals their number soon became augmented by fresh comers, who made the scene a busy as well as a noisy one. On each log several men were engaged, and the incessant ring of the axes, resounding si they did on all sides, showed that the work was going on in earnest, and by dinner time most of the chopping had been done. On resuming work the men were divided into three parties, Mr. Dickinson having charge of one, Mr. Jas. Gorman another, and Mr. E. J. Diver a third. The logs were then handled, and with such fashion that before the hour appointed for knocking off, not only the site itself was cleared but the approaches on Macdonald'sTrack were stacked ready for burning. The success of the affair is mainly due to our village settlers, who turned up almost to a man. The hearty thanks of the Childers people, therefore, are won by these men for their cordial and ready assistance towards our movement.

In 1893 James is paying rates to the Shire for 80 acres
DITTO 4 Nov 1893 SHIRE RATES West Riding Gorman, Jas., 80a, Allambee East 10 Diver, W. J., 240a, Albunbee East 30 Diver, E. J., 160a, „ 20

COMMUNITY
Narracan Shire Advocate 30 Dec 1893
CHILDERS. Last Saturday Night our Mutual Improvement Association held their usual meeting. Being the last night in the quarter, nominations were accepted for the different offices for the ensuing six months. " Has the timber traffic been detrimental to the welfare of Childers was the evening's debate. Mr. E. J. Diver took the affirmative; Mr. Win. Ewers the negative. Much was expected from the above debate, bnt the subject became rather flat, partly from a scanty house and because it had been discussed before. The annual picnic was held here on Boxing Day, which, as well as the concert that followed, was a great success. The weather in the afternoon and evening was all that could be desired, but rain in the morning made the ground rather damp. The picnic was so like all other picnics that comment is unnecessary, the only difference being that the Thorpdale brass band was present, and played several selections during the afternoon, which enlivened things considerably. A chopping match, too, elicited a lot of interest. Five good men and true stood by their 43inch log awaiting the signal to start. The following are the names of the performers and their performances :— R. Blackshaw, 1st, 2 minutes; H. Mayo, 2nd, 2 min. 10s.; W.Crisp, 3rd, 3 min. 5s. A. Arndt, and Wm. Diver. The concert, as I have already said, was a success in every way. The hall was crowded to its utmost capacity; even the stage had to accommodate a row of boys on the front step. Impromptu seats of boxes and rails were rigged up in all available space, and even the ante-room was pressed into service. Following is the programme: Overture, Miss Hill; "Hark, the lark," Thorpdale Glee Club; recitation, "Jim," Mr. J. Gorman ; song, "The old countree," Mr. F. Dickinson; Trial from Pickwick: Dialogue: Counsel— Plaintiff, Mr. Wm. Diver ; defendant, Mr. D. Grigg; Mrs. duppins, Miss J. Diver; , Mr. E. Ewers; Sam Weller, Mr. G. Proctor; Judge, Mr. Wm. Davies. Song, " The grass widow, 1 * Mr. Jeffrey; Tyrolese folksong Thorpdale Glee Club: recitation, "Der oak and der vine," Mr. W. Davies ; song, *' London newsboy," Master W. Furneaux; quartette, "Profundo basso," Mr. and Mrs. Dickinson and Mr. and Mrs. C. Crisp; recitation, Thecollegian, 1 ' Mr. J. Gorman; song, " Loved ones far away," Mrs. C. Crisp; recitation, *• OBrannigan s urili," 3£r. W. Davies; song, " My boy's birthday," Mr. Jeffrey; song, " Little hero," Mr. Wm. Gray : recitation, "Thinning of the Thatch," Mr. E. Ewers; solo, "Listening," Mrs. Dickinson; " Awake ! AEolian Lyre" Thorpdale Glee Club. Mr. Jeffrey appeared as Squibs. Where all did so well it would be unfair to mention any as deserving special praise. Several encores were insisted on and responded to. Mr. Proctor moved a hearty vote of thanks to all those who had assisted through the evening, which was carried by acclamation. The National Anthem closed the entertainment, after which the hall was cleared for those who wished to trip the light fantastic toe.

1894
Traralgon Record 23 Jan 1894 GAZETTE NOTICES Permit to Occupy. -- Jas. Gorman, Allambee East

1895
Narracan Shire Advocate 6 July 1895
WEST RIDING.
PUBLIC MEETING AT CHILDERS.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
A meeting of ratepayers was held in the Mechanics Institute on Saturday evening last. There was a good attendance, and Mr Proctor was unanimously elected chairman.
The Chairman said that the meeting had been called for the purpose of taking into consideration the desirability of bringing out a candidate for the forthcoming municipal election. In his opinion the present opportunity was the best that would be likely to occur for some years to come. After some discussion, Mr Bromfield moved, and Mr Gorman seconded— " That we take steps to bring out a candidate for the forthcoming election which was carried unanimously. Mr Thomas Davies moved, and Mr Hall moved—" That Mr Gorman be selected."
Mr Gorman hoped to see some reasonable prospect of success.
Mr J. Ewers would like to hear some expression of opinion from the candidate as to his views before the meeting pledged itself.
Mr Davies had full confidence in Mr Gorman without requiring a pledge. Mr Gorman said he would agitate
primarily for as fair a proportion of the funds to be spent in his own locality as possible. Secondarily, if a shire like this can borrow a fair amount at a reasonable rate of interest he would be in favour of it. As to retrenchment, he would make other people suffer as he had been made to suffer himself. He had no intention of canvassing by blackguarding his opponents.
The previous motion not having been put to the meeting, Mr Davies moved and Mr Greig seconded—-*" That Mr Gorman, is a fit and proper person to represent this riding, and that this meeting pledges itself to use its best
efforts to ensure his return at the forthcoming election in August.—Carried.
Proposed by Mr Davies,.seconded by Mr T. S. Dickenson, and carried—
" That this meeting form itself into a committee, with power to add to its number, to ensure his return.
Mr Bromfield was elected secretary of the committee. A requisition Is being signed by Mr Gorman's supporters, and will be published shortly.

Narracan Shire Advocate 13 July 1895
THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.
As the time draws near, the interest taken in the municipal elections increases. In the West Riding, Mr
James Gorman, of Childers, is so far the only candidate announced, but we have good authority for saying that he will not be allowed a walk over.

DITTO 20 July 1895
CHILDERS.
(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
The M.I.A. held an ordinary meeting on, Saturday July 6th. First of all the election of officers for the current halfyear was held, which resulted as follows : President, Mr W. Crisp ; vice-president, Mr H. Mayo; secretary. Mr E. E. Stranger; treasurer, Mr G Proctor ; editor, Mr J. Gorman. The acting editor then read the following magazine articles :—" About roads," Mr W. Ewers ; " Anent the wisdom of wives," Cinderella ; " The art of dancing," Mr W. J. Diver ; "A cbat with the man in the moon," Mr G. Proctor; " The new woman," Mr H. Hall; "The Swagman in his own defence' Mr R.Walker. The wet weather militated somewhat against the attendance, but those who braved the elements thought tfae meeting a very interesting one, there being three good debaters present, Messrs Bromfield, J. Gorman and J. Proctor. .
Election matters are very quiet. The Hallston candidate has retired in favor of Mr Gorman, who is arranging for a personal canvass of the riding.

Narracan Shire Advocate 10 Aug1895
WEST RIDING.
In this riding, excitement runs high over the election, and a very close run may be safely expected. Mr James
Gorman of Childers has retired, owing to unforeseen circumstances occurring, and the contest has thus been narrowed down to a dual one, Mr J. P. Mahony of Yarragon, and Mr J. Miller, of Trafalgar South, being the candidates. etc etc

1897
Narracan Shire Advocate 12 June 1897
CHILDERS
...............After the meeting, an extra meeting was held to consider the advisability of forming a detachment of the Mounted Rifles here. It was decided that Mr Gorman should get some enrolment forms, and if enough could be induced to sign, the necessary steps were to be taken.
Mr Diver has on view a few large potatoes grown in the district, the smallest being 4|lbs, and the largest
7lbs weight.

1901
1901 Government Gazette shows James approved for 80acres at Allambee East on 1/1/1900, having built fencing valued at 75L5s, and other improvements worth 90 pounds for a total of 161L5s. It is his residence. Must be the Childers place that cousin Len Gorman showed me, so perhaps Allambee East actually is Childers. House now demolished. This seems to be the second lease for James.

DITTO 22 April 1899 Childers Road. DEPUTATION TO THE COUNCIL A deputation of 10 ratepayers from Childers was introduced by Cr Auchterlonie at the last meeting of the Narracan Shire Council. Mr Gorman was the first speaker on behalf of the deputationists, and he referred to the very had condition of the road, causing them to go a considerable distance out of their way. The deputation would like to know if any rates were available from the East and West Riding to make the road passable. The President said as a representative of the West Riding he was perfectly willing that any monies due to the road should be spent on it. The council had applied for £200 out of the special grant but it was not granted, for what reason he did not know. Mr Gorman—If only the holes in the road where the corduroy had been destroyed, could be filled up it would be something.

1900
Narracan Shire Advocate 8 Dec 1900
CHILDERS.
(FROM OUROWN CORRESPONDENT.)
Last week we had a visit from Mr Seamer with his lantern views on Home Missions. . This proved a very pleasant evening for the young folks. This week we had one of the most successful concerts ever held here in aid of the Cbilders Cricket Club,Mr. Proctor acted efficiently as chairman. He had his arm in a sling from an accident which he had when riding a horse last week. The horse tramped on his hand and arm, but he is now much better. The programme was as follows :—Song, "Hurrah for tbe Land of the Free," Mr. C. Crisp; Song, 'Star of Bethlehem," Miss Scott ; Selections,Graphophone ; Song, "The Black Watch,' Mr. M'Callagh (encore). Island Some of an Englishman', Song, Bonnie Bonnie Scotland' Mrs C, Crisp; Song, 'Gladiators/ Mr. F. Dickinson; Comic song, 'Special Bobby/(Encored), Mr. Crowe; Recitation, 'Aye,' Mr. J. Gorman; Song, "Close to the Threshold' Mr. McCullagh ; Song. 'Britannia the Pride of the Ocean' Song, 'You'll remember • me' (encored), Mr. Lyons; Song, The better Land' (Encore Cuckoo); Glee, 'The Foot Taiveller* Mr. and Mrs Arndt and Mr and Mrs. Crisp; Song, The village Blacksmith Mr. McCallagh; Song, 'Motherland' Mr. Crowe; Song. The Arrow and the Song' Mr.E Nichols; Selections Graphophone; Recitation, 'French flea Powder *Mr. Gorman ; Song, The Heroes of Mafeking/ Miss Crisp; Song, 'When the Heart is young" Mrs. Gregory; song, comic, 'I really can't keep stili' Mr. Crowe. A vote of thanks was carried by acclamation to the performers for their contributions, special mention was made In favour of our old favourite Mr McCullagh, also Mr and Mrs Dickinson, who came all the way from Melbourne to assist.

Narracan Shire Advocate 16 June 1900 CHILDERS FAREWELL TO MR AND MRS T. S. DICKENSON. The cricketers' social and farewell to Mr and Mrs T. S. Dickinson on Saturday evening last passed off very successfully. Mr J. Proctor occupied the chair. There was a short programme, followed by the distribntion of the cricketers' trophies and the presentation of a handsome silver coffee set and egg stand to Mr and Mrs Dickenson from their friends in the district. The programme was as follows :— Song, " On the ocean wave," Mr C. Crisp ; recitation, " A voice from the West," Mr Gorman ; song, *Lay down your life for the truth," Mr Gray ; recitation, ** Perplexed life," Miss Bertram ; song, " Who is that tapping at the garden gate," Miss M. Mayo ; recitation, " Women of Britain," Miss L. Brown ; song, " Rorey O'Moore," Mrs C. Crisp ; song, " Happy Moments," Mr Nurse ; song, " Hiily Hoiiy, Ho," Mr A. E. Nicholls ; song, " Sleeping Camp," Mr F. Dickinson ; song, " With my bundle on my shoulder," Mr Hugard ; duet, ( The minute gun at Sea," Mr and Mrs C. Crisp ; recitation, •* Bobs," Mr Gorman ; song, " Let me iike a soldier fall," Mr A. Nicholis ; song, " True to the iast," Mr F. Dickinson ; song, " Hearts of Oak," Mr Hugard. The chairman then presented the cricket trophies as follows :—Mr Nurse, bat (gift of Mr J. Proctor), for highest individual score in a match, 107 not out, and highest batting average 21.3 ; Mr C. Mayo, silver butter dish, (gift. of Mr T. S Dickenson, best bowling average 0.3 runs per wicket ; Mr G Proctor, bat, by the vote of the club for best all-round play during the season ; Mr J. Wells, Waterbury watch (gift of Mr G. Proctor) for best junior batting average 7.92 runs per innings , Messrs W. Wells, J. Wells and S. Davies, neckties gift of Mr Hall, for scoring over 20 runs in the season. Their totals were—W. Wells 111 runs, J. Wells 103 runs, S. Deivies 27 runs. Coffee, cakes and pastry of many kinds were then provided In abundance for all present Mr Gorman then presented to Mr and Mrs T. S. Dickenson the coffee set and egg stand as an acknowledgement of the great appreciation in which they were held by the residents of the district. From a long acquaintance he had the greatest respect and esteem for Mr and Mrs Dickenson. In the cricket or football field he had found him straight, fair and manly, and if a *good "working horse" were required on a committee at any time Mr Dickenson was the man. Messrs Hugard, Norse and E. J Diver also expressed their appreciation of Mr and Mrs Dickenson, and their regret that they were leaving the district. Mr Dickenson then thanked the donors for the splendid present they had given himself and his wife and for all the good wishes they had expressed towards them. The rest of the evening was pleasantly spent in playing parlor games. Our correspondent adds that Mr Dickenson has been for many years secretary to the Childers Mechanics Institute and in many other ways he had done his best to advance Ohitders.

1901
West Gippsland Gazette 12 Nov 1901 DISTRICT NEWS. [From our own Correspondents.] THORPDALE. The annual sports in connection with the Thorpdale and Narracan Rifle Club, was held on Wednesday afternoon last. The weather was all that could be desired and the attendance good. A varied number of sports were gone through, the most amusing being "Cutting a Roosters head off with a sword." In the evening a concert and ball was held. The concert procured a crowded house, and the audience were in a thoroughly appreciative frame of mind, judging from the encores called for, which were well merited, the performers being in good voice. Cr. Auchterlonie (president of the club) made a proficient chairman. The overture was well played by Miss Crowe, after which Mr. Trood captivated the audience by numerous sleight of hand tricks. The musical part of the programme was as follows :Miss Ashton, singing "Barney O'Hea," and "An old Love Dream," recitation, " The Midnight Charge," Mr. Gorman, song, Miss Sharp, " The Swallows," encore "The Carnival," song, Mr. Crowe, "Laughing Song," encore "Absent-minded Man," song, Mr. Gamble, "Home Boys," and a character song " Hello Riley," song, Miss Crothers, Flight of Ages," encore, "What a litttle bird said," song, Mr. Woolcock, " Anchored," song, Miss Crisp "The Old Lock," and "Maggie the Cows are in the Clover," encore last verse, duet, Mrs Gregory'and Mr. Woolcock, " Larbord Watch," cornet solo, Mr. Forbes, - song, Mr. Crowe, "I went with him," encore " I really cant keep still," song, Miss Crothers, " Breaking the Ice." The accompanists were Mr. E. Nicholls, Miss Crowe and Miss Weir. At a late hour the National Anthem was sung, and a most successful entertainment was brought to a close. [Plenty of familiar names here from both sides of the family. Jean Gorman told me in a conversation before her death, that James was a long standing member of the Rifle Club.]

Narracan Shire Advocate 21 Dec 1901 Childers. FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. For the cricketers concert held last month the chief performers were from Thorpdale and district. Mr Gorman occupied the chair. The following was the programme: Overture, Miss Crowe ; song, " The Market Clock," Mrs Crisp ; song, Autumn Winds," Mrs Gregory ; song, " Steady and True," Mr Leslie; song. "Twas You Sir, " Mr Crowe, (encore) What a little bird said"; song, - Tit for Tat," Miss Carruthers ; reading, " Jennie and the Owl," Mr Gorman; song, " Queen of the Earth," Mr Crowe (encored) ; song, " My mother," Mr Dewsbury ; song, " Boys of the Navy," Mr F. Crowe ; song, " The Old Country," Mrs Gregory; farce, " Handy Andy" Messrs G. Proctor and W. Waddeil; duet, " The Mandolin," Mesdames Gregory and Dickinson ; song, " I really can't keep still," Mr Crowe, (encore) "A Laughing Song"; recitation, " Wolsey s Speech to Cromwell, Mr J. Brown; song, " Duncan Gray" Mrs Gray; quartette, "Profundo Basso", Mr and Mrs Dickinson, Mrs Gregory and Mrs Crisp ; song, " Out on the Deep " Mr Leslie; song, "British Navy," Mr Crowe (encored); duet, " Love and Pride," Mr Dickinson and Carruthers; duet, " Life's Dream O'er," Misses Carruthers and Crowe. Mrs F. Dickinson officiated at the organ.

1903
DITTO 10 March 1903 J. Gorman and W. J. Diver-—I have inspected the Mirboo road, and I find that the road has been deliberately blocked by parties falling timber. I also find that both Mr Gorman and Mr Diver are to blame for this. The road is also fenced off'with fences and slip panels. I have to strongly recommend that all parties concerned—Messrs Gorman, Diver and Frankcomb— be given 30 days' notice to remove the timber and obstructions. If not done, the council will prosecute.—Adopted.

Ditto 6 Oct 1903
DISTRICT NEWS.
Thorpdale.
A social was held in the Childers Mechanics Institute on Friday evening last, when a large number assembled to bid farewell to Mr and Mrs Proctor and family, who came to this district about 25 years ago, and now are leaving for Dandenong. Mr Proctor was recognised as one of tbe pioneers of this part. At the close of a very enjoyable evening, the chairman (Mr Gorman), on behalf of the residents, presented Mr Proctor with a handsome marble clock, and Mr Geoffrey Wells, of the Bible Class, presented him with a dressing case. A musical programme, interspersed with games, was provided. The entertainment was brought to a close with a coffee supper.

DITTO 29 Jan 1907 James responding to an application for licensed premises near Thorpdale MrGorman: I am a farmer residing at Childers ; the Thorpdale district is spoken of as mountainous; the Strezlecki Range is about little over a mile away; the country is very broken; I travel the roads very frequently, and I consider a licensed house is badly needed. [Not sure that Rose would have agreed on this one.]

James left an exercise book containing a handwritten play of his own creation, named "The Quack Doctor". It's dialogue is imitating American 'Negro' speech as used in white theatrical performances, and includes blackface. It could not get performed nowadays but was not uncommon at the turn of the 20th century, and he probably wrote the play for local performance. At the back of the book is a page of accounts for "Childers Minstrel Troupe" Cr. to Jas. Gorman By Entrance fees /6d 8/- [ie. 16 people paid sixpence each] Special subscription to Tambourine 11/-

                                                                       19/- Per Contra 

              Tambourine                                         8/6d

          Carriage on same                                   2/-

          postage 4d  postaal note  3d                   -/7d

I assume the reference to a tambourine means purchase and transport of the percussion instrument associated with Africa American bands. Income for the performance totalled 19/-, and expenses (per contra), were 11/1d, for a profit of 7/11d. See docs

Was James the director as well as author? a performer? the producer? No further information to date. However, the script does show that James was well literate with a good vocabulary and understanding of language and its uses. The play and performance aren't dated but must be between 1877 when he arrived at Childers, and 1911 when he died - probably later in the period rather than earlier. According to Jim Tigner in 1976, James was the leading light in minstrel shows and amateur dramatics from his arrical in Childers.

I will add the plays to docs - page by page unfortunately.

Narracan Shire Advocate 4 Sept 1906
Shire Council Mtg From J. Frankcom, Chllders, stating that three trees had been blown down and were across the Mirboo road near James Gorman's.—Already dealt with.

MILITARY
Narracan Shire Advocate 8 Dec 1909 The young men of the district evidently believed in defending their country, and a detachment of the Victorian Mounted Rifles was formed at Thorpdale and has continued to hold its own ever since. Among those who took an active part in the detachment in the early days were— Messrs J. Sampson, B. H. Miller, H. Murray.- J. Mortimer, F.-Dickinson, and J.Gorman. Messrs Sampson and Mills are still members of the detachment, which is known as the Thorpdale Detachment, 10th Australian Light Horse.

Formed in 1885, Victorian Mounted Rifles companies were recruited in rural centres. Members of country rifle clubs formed a significant component. They were semi-professional: only a small allowance was paid to members. Mounted Riflemen were required to provide their own mount. Not to be confused with similarly named contingents to the Boer War. Part of the Victorian Colonial Military Forces - the umbrella term for organized Victorian (non-British) pre-colonial military activity.

According to Andrew Kilsby of "Military History and Heritage Victoria", James Gorman Pte., served in the Victorian Mounted Rifles and received a Signalling Certificate (Flags) from the Victorian School of Military Instruction at an exam on 16 March 1888 at Victoria Barracks, Melbourne. (See Sources) I have found a newspaper article about the mustering of the local C and D Detachments of the Victorian Mounted Rifles, and the holding of the signalling 'inspection' in Melbourne that James clearly attended and passed. A nice little link. See docs. The probability is that James was a member of Thorpdale Detachment, D Company, Victorian Mounted Rifles based around Moe/Drouin, for which no records survive. James granddaughter, Jean Gorman, believed he was also a member of a rifle club before that. A reference from OC "D" Company VMR dated 1891 confirms Cpl James Gorman had been a member since at least 1886, and was mobilised for 7 weeks to the Great Maritime Strike of 1890. (see sources) Fortunately they weren't required. The Victorian Light Horse website has a partial reconstructed record which unfortunately doesn't include James. I have passed on the information available. I notice that the Thorpdale Detachment also has Lance CG Horley, a farmer of Coalville, age 18 yrs who joined 3/3/1903; Arnold O Mills, a farmer of Thorpdale, age 17 yrs, who made his oath on 18/8/1900; and William C Mills, farmer of Thorpdale, age 19 yrs, joined 6/7/1896.

Warragul Guardian and Buln Buln and Narracan Shire Advocate 14 Aug 1891 [James is promoted to corporal] THE VICTORIAN MOUNTED RIFLES. "D" COMPANY. INSPECTION AT WARRAGUL. RESULT OF NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS' EXAMINATIONS. On Tuesday last Major Hoad visited Warragul to inspect the Warragul and Drouin detachments of "D" Company, Mounted Rifles. The former were well represented, but the Drouin men made a very poor display, there being only three members on parade. The men were examined and put through various movements, after which they were inspected by Major Hoad. At the conclusion he addressed the men, and commented strongly upon the small attendance of the Drouin detachment, which he considered was anything but creditable. The drill was executed with a steadiness, and the men were to be complimented upon the neatness of their turnout. He might, however, point out that there were several dirty stirrup irons on parade, and he was somewhat surprised at this, as he thought the days for this sort of thing in the Mounted Rifles had gone past. The following promotions in the "D" company were handed to our representative by Major Hoad : To be Sergeants - Lance-Sergts. Ogilvy, Stephens, Knott, Pope, and Benn. To be Corporals - Privates Fowler, Crutchfield, Moncur, and Gorman.

I have added a number of local paper articles and notices re D Detachment VMR that give some idea of what James might have been doing. A bit of an absent father I suspect. Young Maurice followed him in these pursuits and ended up in the Light Horse and at Gallipoli in WW1.

Narrocan Shire Advocate 14 July 1909
Hooper's Road IN THE CHILDERS DISTRICT. MATTER AGAIN BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
At the last meeting of the Narracan Shire Council, a letter (supported by the presence of the writer) from Mr Gorman, of Childers (on behalf of the residents on the Mirboo road) was read, contained in which was a request that the council would have the new boundary road made available as soon a possible. The writer pointed oat that all the expenditure on Hooper's road was practically wasted till the southern portion of the road was made practicable for wheel-traffic. Cr Dickinson thereupon pointed out that the East Biding had done its part in connection with giving settlers on this road an outlet—it had spent £250 on Hoopers Road — and it was now the place of the West Biding to defray the cost of that work its representatives had agreed to have carried out'. A sum of £50, he thought, had been promised. Cr Davies said the £250 mentioned by Cr Dickinson as having been spent on this particular road was Govt, grant. So far as he knew, the West Riding representatives had never agreed to expend £50 here, but a sum of £20 had been fixed upon as the amount to be spent. Cr Dickinson: The East agreed to bring the road up to the boundary, and the West Riding representatives agreed to continue it. In reply to a query by the President, Mr Gorman said he was one who had interested himself a good deal in this matter, and the present was not the first occasion upon which he had waited upon the council in connection with same. He understood that the West Riding representatives including Crs Mahony and Davies) had decided to contribute £50 towards the cost of the work. The estimated cost of the work now asked to be done would be about £13. The Engineer (Mr Moore) said the piece of work requested—for a few chains — was in steep country (about 1 to 4|). However, as the work would be a benefit to these concerned for a time, and the amount involved not a large one, he would suggest "that it be carried out. What was really required was a deviation, but, pending arrangements for such it would, in his opinion, be advisable to do the work requested. Cr Mahony supported the statement of Cr Davies, that the West Riding representatives had never agreed to spend £50 (as stated by Cr Dickinson and Mr Gorman), but £20. He was perfectly certain about that. Cr Campbell here stated that this occurred to him to be one of those cases in which they might " stretch a point." If only a matter of L13 he would agree to the expenditure. On the motion of Cr Davies, seconded by Cr Campbell, it was then decided that the engineer call tenders for earthwork and side cutting on the boundary road (as requested by Mr Gorman) cost not to exceed £13, and tenders to be returnable at the next meeting.

Despite being very active in the community James only briefly stood for the Shire Council. As a councillor he would have been unable to tender for Shire work and it seems that contracting work from the Shire was his main source of income. Rose and their children almost certainly did all or most of the farming.

DEATH & BURIAL
First name(s) James
Last name Gorman
Age 59
Sex Male
Birth year 1852
Death year 1911
Father's name Gorman James
Mother's name Ellen Cahill
Death place Trafalgar
State Victoria
Registration number 11200

Narracan Shire Advocate 2 Aug 1911
An old and respected resident of Childers, Mr James Gorman, died on Wednesday night from heart failure, at the age of 59. His funeral, on Saturday, was largely attended.

West Gippsland Gazette 8 Aug 1911
Death has again been amongst us. Mr J. O'Gorman, one of the oldest residents of Childers fell a victim to pneumonia. He will be much missed at Childers where he filled a prominent place in public matters.

When James died of heart failure in 1911, he left Rose with 7 children aged from 20 yrs (Walter) to Dan at 9yrs of age. I have been unable to establish exactly how many selections James had, and where (there is another James Gorman active at the time, and the Mounted Policeman is also a James Gorman), but it is clear from public notices that at least one and possibly two at Allambee East, were in Rose's name. Walter lived at "Tuebrook" with Rose after James died, and Elizabeth Minnie moved in, at or before their marriage. There are now sources supporting all these details. James' will left everything to Walter conditional upon him supporting his mother, and the younger children. The official record for probate office says James died 26 July 1911, rather than 13 July, and it was first reported in the local papers on 2 August. Not sure what to make of this but the 26th July seems more likely.

I have added all the probate docs for James, including the inventory. See docs.

James Death certificate is No. 11200. I have also added burial records from Childers Cemetery where Len [now deceased] and Marlene Gorman are trustees. Just discovered Jabez Diver (our other GGGrandfather) was appointed trustee in the 19th century. (Sources) There are several family graves at Childers/Thorpdale Cemetery.

I have added a copy of James' will, written shortly before he died. See documents

James Gorman Australia, Victoria, Index to Probate Registers, 1841-1989 Name: James Gorman Occupation: Farmer Death Date: 26 Jul 1911 Event Place: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia Residence City: Childers Event Date: 10 Sep 1912

Record set Victoria Wills & Probate First name(s) James Sex Male Last name Gorman Grant year 1912 Death year 1911 Occupation Farmer Residence Childers State Victoria Country Australia Nature of grant P Death date 26 Jul 1911 Grant date 10 Sep 1912

THE MISSING YEARS Jean Gorman [now deceased] has heard stories that James ran away to sea age abt12 years. He was, at that time not living with his parents, but with an aunt in Liverpool, where he was unhappy. Was this Bridget Flynn or another aunt? His brother-in-law, Thomas Morgan was a sea captain. Perhaps they were at sea together, and that's how Thomas met Ellen. James's nephew, Richard Morgan also went to sea and was lost in the sinking of Laurentic in 1917.  In 1878 James Gorman 26yrs (B 1852) is a bakery mate in the ship City of Montreal. Our James was in Victoria by 1877, so not him. In 1871, James Gorman A.B. is in the ship "Princess" out of Liverpool. Possible. In 1873, James Gorman was boatswain in "European" out of Liverpool. A lot of James Gormans fought in the American Civil War. Could our James have ended up there? Or in the English army in India or one of the other colonies? He must have learned to ride and shoot somewhere because it wouldn't be usual for a boy from the Liverpool slums, and if he was working on the docks and in warehouses in 1871, not sure how all this happened. He might just have left his aunt's house and got himself a job with help from his father, uncles or family friends. Another possibility is that for some of the missing years he was at school or in an orphanage for Catholic boys, and getting the education that made him an amateur playwright with some Latin. He also sang, recited and organised village social affairs and was an officer of the cricket and football clubs. The Jesuits and Irish Christian brothers both had boys schools in Liverpool.

There are sixteen years between the last definite sighting of James in the 1861 census, and his reappearance in Victoria in 1877. In that time James learned to ride and shoot well enough for the VMR, and the skills necessary for farming in a new country, a very long way from the Liverpool docks. I would love to know where he was and what he did in those years. I suspect dock work and seamanship weren't among the possibilities.

That he named his farm Tuebrook might be a clue, but I cannot find a connection to James.

There was a family story that James was sent to Canada with a sister, to live with an aunt, was unhappy and ran away to join the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, deserted, and went to the California gold rush before coming to Victoria. There is only one James Gorman who joined the RCMP; Register No. 667; DoB 3/4/1862, England. He could have lied about his age, but this man deserted in 1882, long after our James was in Victoria. "James Gorman from Galt, Ontario, served in the RCMP at Calgary for 168 days and then deserted his post, 4/9/1882. No record appears since that date." Nor is James in the 1871 census for Canada. I think that is the end of that tale. Much more likely is that James and Ellen were sent to live with their aunt Bridget Flynn in Liverpool.

I have added pictures of Tue Brook House, Liverpool, the likely source of Tuebrook for the name of his farm.

Lots more information in his parents' profiles.

NOTES
1. On James baptism record at St Joseph's Catholic Church Liverpool, his mother's name is recorded as Ellen Carroll not Cahill. Anyone searching should consider others might have made the same recording error. Father John O'Flynn of St Josephs did the baptism. [Same mistake made with baptism of John in 1845] St Joseph's church was demolished for access roads when Liverpool built tunnels under the Mersey so the "ferry 'cross the Mersey" became redundant. 2. Tuebrook is now a suburb of Liverpool. It is not clear why he would name the farm Tuebrook, but it may have to do with what he was doing in the 15 years between the 1861 census and 1877 when he left Liverpool for Victoria. [The Tue Brook or Tew Brook is a small river or stream in Liverpool. It flows through the suburb of West Derby and is the main tributary of the River Alt. The brook is now almost entirely culverted and runs underground, but is remembered in the name of Tuebrook ward. The Tue Brook at West Derby Road Although it is sometimes said to be derived from the name of the god Tiw, the name "Tue Brook", recorded as "Tubrucke" in the 16th century, may be derived from an Old English phrase meaning "meeting place by a brook". The watercourse formed the natural drainage of the districts of Walton and Club Moor, flowing north eastwards to the Alt. Over time, as the suburbs of Liverpool grew, the brook came to receive much of the sewage of the township of West Derby, with the result that it became highly polluted. The Tue Brook was, as a result, the subject of a court case in 1872, when an owner of land through which it ran was successful in obtaining an injunction in Chancery against polluters.

Much of the brook was still open as late as the earlier 20th century, but urban development along its course has resulted in the upper Tue Brook being mostly diverted underground, and the lower brook being similarly treated with the exception of some longer open stretches near Long Lane. Despite this, the brook is still locally reputed to feed the pond in Larkhill Gardens, Clubmoor, and has been identified as a significant source of historic flooding, as the culverts are of inadequate size and in poor condition.]

3. The Thorpdale district, known at first as the Narracan district, was settled in the 1870s. The first settlers arrived from the old Melbourne – Sale Road via McDonalds Track – a former stock route that had been surveyed in 1862 through the hills from Lang Lang to Morwell Bridge, but which shortly became disused and very much overgrown. Land selection began at Narracan (near the eastern end of the track) in 1873. The main selection front progressed steadily along the track, reaching Narracan West in 1876. The Post Office opened on 1 October 1879 as Narracan West and was renamed Thorpdale in 1884 and Thorpdale South in 1888 closing in 1968. A new Thorpdale Post Office opened in 1888 near the railway station. The present town of Thorpdale (situated about 2 km north of the old town) was founded in 1888 following construction of a branch railway line from Moe. At the height of its time it was a business centre for all the farming activity that surrounded it. Much of the old town was destroyed during the large Red Tuesday (20 January 1898) bushfire that ravaged Gippsland and the Otway Ranges.

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A note from Aunty Nell (Tilgner) passed on by Jean Gorman: Friends of James were Athel Pitchforth (son Athel named after him); and a man named Everard (Paddy has Everard as his second name).

This seems to be a critical record since Charles Pitchforth's son is named Athol and the maiden name of his wife is Evered First name(s) Athol Wilfred Last name Pitchforth Sex Male Birth year 1886 Birth place Prahran Father's name Charles Husband Mother's name Florence Grace Mother's last name Evered Registration number 13049 State Victoria Country Australia

The most obvious guess at how this strong friendship came about is that James was befriended by and worked for Henry Everard in his contracting business making the roads and lanes of Prahran, after he first arrived on 1877. We could also make a reasonable guess that James first met Rosehannah in Prahran where the Divers had their bootmakers shop on High Street. It might not be a coincidence then, that James named his son Athel after a baby born Athol Pitchforth at the time James was moving to Childers. And, just maybe he went there because the Divers were already there or planning to move.

James chose to name his sons after Henry Evered and Athol Pitchforth (Evered's grandson) long after he arrived in Childers, so the relationships must have been pretty important, and perhaps continuing. James was in Melbourne for the dock strikes, so might well have renewed the connection. He was also pretty literate and might have written letters.

About Allambee East
The district of Allambee encompasses steep and rugged country at the head of the Tarwin West River in Gippsland’s Strzelecki Ranges, about 10 km south of Yarragon and 122 km east of Melbourne. The parish was designated Allambee when surveyed in the 1870s and the land was selected in 1877 and 1878. According to Bunce's Language of the Aborigines of the Colony of Victoria (1859) Allambee is an Aboriginal word meaning to sit or to remain a while. Conditions were hard for the white settlers, contending with steep land, heavy forest and isolation. Many blocks in the eastern part of the district were soon abandoned and some were declared a timber reserve. The rugged terrain made road construction difficult and expensive, so selectors campaigned over many years for a tramway to Yarragon but were not successful. The first school in the district commenced in 1888.

Under pressure from settlers, the timber reserve was thrown open for selection in 1893. Thirty families settled in the area, which was known as Allambee Reserve. Inadequate roads remained a problem, but the farms were generally successful. A public hall was erected in 1905 and a school commenced classes in this building.

I believe that James and Rosehannah got their block, 57D, in the 1893 selections. The O'Gorman family probably arrived when a new group of allotments was opened for selection in 1910.

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AN EXCITING NEW TRAIL TO FOLLOW.
Boston Pilot Newspaper Information Wanted Ads
First name(s) James
Last name Gorman
Sex m
Year 1866
Poorlaw Kilkenny
Barony Gowran
Townland Paulstown
Parish Paulstown / Kilmacahill / Shankill
County Kilkenny
Publication date 03 Feb 1866
Seek first name Margaret Seek surname Ryan (Gorman) Seek sex f Seek relative si Seek location SC, 10 Magazine St., Charlestown Arrival date 1852 Description Also sought: si. = Anastatia Buggy (Gorman) Location 1 NY, Rockland Co. (1857) Multilist y Country United States, Ireland Record set Boston Pilot Newspaper Information Wanted Ads