John Fletcher

Census in 1851. Address: Ardtun, Forubus.

John Fletcher head of house, married, aged 53, lobster fisherman, born in Kilninian.

Lachlan Fletcher his son, aged 20, born in Kilfinichen.

Dugald Fletcher his son, aged 17, born in Kilfinichen.

Ann Fletcher his daughter, aged 12, born in Kilfinichen.

Donald Fletcher his son, aged 10, scholar, born in Kilfinichen.

Jessy Fletcher his daughter, aged 7, scholar, born in Kilfinichen.

Donald (sic) his son, aged 5, born in Kilfinichen.

Marion Fletcher his wife aged 47, married, born in Kilfinichen.

The family believes John may have been older than listed. Also there are two Donalds listed but no Charles (the second Donald should read Charles and his aged should read as two years not five as in the Archive records.

John Fletcher paid for his family to travel to Australia at a cost of 13 pounds & 17 shillings each (no mention of cheaper rates for children)

Master of ship Captain Hamilton Oliver

On arrival in Australia the Fletchers lived in Broadmeadows, now known as Essendon, for four years, with the exception of the two eldest sons Lachlan & Dugald, who went to the goldfields in Bendigo. There is still a Fletcher St in Essendon, running east-west between Pascoe Vale Road & Mt Alexander Road, named after the family.

Lachlan & Duglad walked for four days to get to Bendigo, and after two years there continued on to Ballaarat (as it was spelt then). They were involved in the Eureka Stockade but when the soldiers attacked they dropped down a mineshaft and escaped unhurt. Mr & Mrs John Fletcher moved to Ararat where they purchased land and began farming. Lachlan & Dugald joined them after spending six years in New Zealand. It was in Ararat that James Lang met Janet Fletcher.

On March 19th 1870 John Fletcher died of a strokeand was buried in Ararat Cemetery. An unpolished granite headstone still stands.