8 January 1815

Christened at Farnhurst, Sussex, England – parents William Morley and Ann Stillwell

25 July 1835

Married Hannah Courtenage at Farnhurst, Sussex, England

3 January 1836

Son James christened at Easebourne, Sussex, England

1837

Letter dated 10 January 1837 (appears to be addressed to Mr Jesse Morley, Farnhurst, Sussex) received from Hannah’s brother (William and his wife Ann) who had migrated to Canada in 1832. This letter refers to receiving a letter from brothers and sisters in England in December 1836 – expresses sorrow at the news of the death of his mother [Sarah – maiden name Enticknap died June 1836] and goes on to extol the virtues of migrating to Canada. To read this letter, click here to open a new window showing the Courtnage website - then follow the link "Letters from 1837" on the left hand side. Close the window to return to this page.

6 May 1838

Daughter Jane christened at Farnhurst, Sussex, England

3 January 1841

Son George christened at Farnhurst, Sussex, England

1841

Recorded as living in the village of Fernhurst-Farnhurst, Sussex, England for the 1841 Census (together with Hannah age 25, James age 5, Jane age 3 and George age 6 months).

3 June 1843

Son Jesse born at Easebourne, Sussex, England (Birth Certificate lists Jesse senior’s occupation as Laborer) The informant for the birth registration is listed as Edwin Aylwin, Occupier, Easebourne Workhouse. From the census records, Edwin Aylwin was the manager of the workhouse, so it would appear that at least Hannah, and probably the children, were resident in the workhouse at the time of Jesse’s birth.   Agricultural labourers around 1840 were the lowest paid of all workers in England, and those in the south earned only between seven and ten shillings a week, forty per cent below farm wages in the north. They generally paid their own board and lodging and, as many were employed only as casual labourers, were often without work. … The daily diet for most agricultural labourers was bread, potatoes, dripping, milk and perhaps cheese. Sugar, vegetables and meat were a treat at Christmas and harvest festivals. Their houses were similarly impoverished wattle and daub cottages that looked picturesque from a distance but were often cold and dilapidated, sometimes squalid, and generally overcrowded. The Victorians: Arriving Richard Broome, 1984, Fairfax, Syme & Weldon Associates p 41.

29 November 1843

Sailed on the barque “Sea Queen” from London with wife Hannah and four children to sail for Port Phillip (via Cork).

4 January 1844

Finally depart Cork, Ireland with wife Hannah and four children on barque “Sea Queen” for Australia – (extract from the "Port Phillip Gazette" 17 April 1844 – “…A mutiny broke out on board the SEA QUEEN amongst the crew, when on the eve of leaving Ireland, which compelled her to put back to the Cove of Cork, where the chief mate was sentenced to six weeks imprisonment and hard labour, and the remainder of the crew to fourteen days imprisonment with the forfeiture of their wages. She was also compelled to put back four times from stress of weather…”

15 April 1844

Arrive at Port Phillip, Australia on “Sea Queen” with wife and four children- occupation on shipping list given as labourer.

April 1844

Employed by James Sympson - who also provided ‘a good house to live in Rent free and a plenty of fuel and vegetables and the wages I am receiving is 15s. per week… My Master has between 30 and 40 acres of Garden ground we have fruit of all kinds …”

7 May 1844

Sent letter to brother William in England

25 November 1845

Son William born

28 December 1845

Son William baptised (Baptism Register states Jesse and Hannah living at Collingwood and Jesse’s occupation as labourer).   "In February 1846 ... The following month Police Magistrate James Simpson complained that blacks had twice 'plundered' his vegetable garden at Yarra Grange, near Richmond." From Who Killed the Kooris by Michael Cannon William Heineman Australia 1990 Ch. 5 p. 71 Assumption - these are the gardens referred to in Jesse's letter home, and probably where he was working.

18 August 1846

Purchased ten acres of land in the Brighton Estate (south-east corner of North Road and Wheatley’s Road) from NicholasWere, James Simpson, Thomas Wills and Archibald McLachlan for £3-5-0 sterling.

1847

Listed in the Port Phillip Directory as: Morley, Jesse, Farm labourer, Albert Terrace, Collingwood.

7 March1848

Daughter Mary Ann born at Brighton, Victoria, Australia

6 June 1848

Sold ten acres of land (south-east corner of North Road and Wheatley’s Road) to Thomas Hallam for £30-0-0

29 June 1850

Daughter Hannah born at Brighton, Victoria, Australia

1 November 1850

Purchased 30 acres in Brighton (from Nicholas Were) for £97-0-0   All that piece or parcel of Land containing thirty acres situate in the Parish of Moorabbin and County of Bourke in the District of Port Phillip and Colony of New South Wales being part of Allotments Numbers thirty three and thirty four on the original plan of the subdivision of the Brighton Estate commencing at the junction of Arthur Seat and South Road bounded on the South by South Road bearing East twelve chains seventy links. – On the East by a line at right angles with South Road bearing north nineteen chains. On the North by a line bearing West sixteen chains ten links On the West by a line bearing South fifteen chains sixty links And on the South West by Arthur Seat Road bearing South East to the commencing point Four (??) chains eighty links And which said piece or parcel of land is part of a certain piece or parcel of land marked No 27 (??) on the Map or Plan annexed to a certain Indenture of Release bearing date the Eighteenth day of April in the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty six and made between James Simpson Thomas Wiles and Archibald McLachlan of the first part Jonathon Burns Were and George Were of the second part and the said Nicholas Were of the third part.

1851

Listed in the Port Phillip Directory of 1851 (page 51) as: Morely (sic), Jesse, Farmer, Brighton

1851

Listed on Electoral Roll for District of South Brighton, Evelyn and Mornington: Morley, Jesse, Freehold, Brighton

24 April 1851

Daughter Hannah baptised at St Andrews Church of England, Brighton. (Jesse’s occupation listed as carrier).

27 August 1852

Daughter Hannah died at Brighton, Victoria, Australia

30 August 1852

Daughter Hannah buried in St Andrews Graveyard, Brighton. (Church burial records list Jesse’s occupation as carrier).   A two acre graveyard was consecrated in 1843 at St Andrews Church, Brighton (the Brighton cemetery was not opened until 1855). There were approximately 300 graves in this graveyard, although few had tombstones. The graveyard continued in use until 1858 when burials ceased due to health concerns. The graveyard has been maintained (June 2004) – and now has a memorial garden adjacent. From St Andrews Brighton 1842 - 1992 by Weston Bate p. 6

1853

Signed petition requesting the establishment of a post office in Moorabbin. (along with 113 others).   This petition, although successful only after three years of discussions, was signed by practically every pioneer in the Cities of Moorabbin, Sandringham and Mordialloc. The names form something of a comprehensive pioneers’ register covering those who took up residence here within two years of Victoria gaining severence (sic) from New South Wales, and many of them are known today merely as street names. From 1998 City of Kingston Historical Web Site

5 April 1854

Daughter Harriet born at Brighton, Victoria, Australia (Certificate states Jesse’s occupation as farmer)

23 July 1854

Daughter Harriet baptised at St Andrews Church of England, Brighton.

6 March 1855

Application for a licence for the ‘Plough and Harrow’ at Brighton granted to Jesse Morley (Reported in the Argus Wednesday 7 March 1855 as “Mr. Jessee Morley, the Plough and Harrow Hotel, Arthur’s Seat-road, South-east Brighton. The application was supported by Mr. Read, and granted.”

1856

Listed on Electoral Roll for District of South Brighton, Evelyn and Mornington: Morley, Jesse, Freehold, Brighton (Publican)

11 April 1856

Wife Hannah died at Brighton, Victoria, Australia

12 April 1856

Inquest into wife Hannah’s death held at The Plough and Harrow. Evidence given by Jesse (described as Landlord) and daughter Jane – Hannah had been ill for some months with ‘disease of the heart’ - she died peacefully about 8 o’clock.

13 April 1856

Wife Hannah interred at 5 o’clock at Brighton Cemetery (Brighton Cemetery Records indicate burial # 35 in the Church of England section, Hannah Morley age 42 of Brighton, Innkeeper, died of affection of the heart, ceremony conducted by Rev. S. Taylor, interred in Grave #45 – graves 44, 45 and 46 purchased together).

15 April 1856

From ‘The Argus’ Tuesday 15 April 1856:   DIED On the 11th inst., suddenly, the beloved wife of Mr. Jesse Morley, of the Plough and Harrow Inn, Brighton, aged 42 years, leaving four sons and three daughters to lament her loss. Mrs. Morley was a native of Sussex, England.

17 June 1858

Son James marries Mary Elizabeth Aylwin at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia (Marriage certificate lists Jesse’s occupation as Licensed Victualler)

26 June 1858

Daughter Jane marries John Collins at St Andrews Church, Brighton, Victoria, Australia

24 August 1858

Marries Ann Nolan at St Andrews Church, Brighton, Victoria, Australia (Marriage certificate has occupation as publican and address Brighton – Jesse signed, Ann made her mark).

7 February 1959

Mortgaged a total holding of 43 acres to Henry Notley Hull “in consideration of the sum of One thousand and fifty pounds sterling paid by the said Henry Notley Hull to the said Jesse Morley” to be repaid on 20th January 1862 together with interest in meantime.

24 June 1859

Daughter Sarah Ann born at Brighton, Victoria (Birth certificate states Jesse’s occupation as Inn Keeper).

1859

Daughter Sarah Ann baptised at St Andrews Church of England, Brighton

10 February 1859

Municipality of Brighton Rates assessed on property owned by Jesse Morley:   8 acres of land in Arthur Seat Road, occupied by Jesse Morley, valued at £20, and annual rate of £1. Weatherboard house in Arthur Seat Road, occupied by Edward Wallis, valued at £35, and annual rate of £1.10.0. Weatherboard house in Arthur Seat Road, occupied by William Gaskill, valued at £35, and annual rate of £1.10.0.

10 February 1860

Municipality of Brighton Rates assessed on property owned by Jesse Morley:   Two cottages and a forge in Arthur Seat Road, occupied by William Gaskill, valued at £60, and annual rate of £2.15.0. Eight acres of land in Arthur Seat Road, occupied by Jesse Morley, valued at £20, and annual rate of £1.

10 February 1861

Municipality of Brighton Rates assessed on property owned by Jesse Morley:   Two cottages and a forge in Arthur Seat Road, occupied by William Gaskill, valued at £55, and annual rate of £2.6.9. Eight acres of land in Arthur Seat Road, occupied by Jesse Morley, valued at £17, and annual rate of 17s.

22 March 1861

Daughter Ellen Elizabeth born at Brighton, Victoria, Australia (Birth Certificate states Jesse’s occupation as Inn Keeper and address as South Brighton)

1861

Daughter Ellen Elizabeth baptised at St Andrews Church of England, Brighton.

10 February 1862

Municipality of Brighton Rates assessed on property owned by Jesse Morley:   Eight acres of land on South and Arthur Seat Road, unoccupied, valued at £16, and annual rate of 16s. Two cottages and a blacksmith shop in Arthur Seat Road, occupied by William Gaskill, valued at £40, and annual rate of £2.

16 June 1862

Moorabbin rates commenced – the first entry is for Jesse Morley - owner and occupier of the “Plough and Harrow” – a weatherboard hotel on Point Nepean Road with a Rate Valuation of £90-0-0.

16 June 1862

Inaugural meeting of the Moorabbin Roads Board held at Jesse Morley’s “Plough and Harrow” Hotel.

7 July 1862

Jesse Morley offered two rooms at his hotel for meetings of the Moorabbin Roads Board free of charge – “with considerable spirit of independence, the Board resolved to accept the offer only if it paid Mr Morley £5 a year”.

10 December 1862

Reported two bay mares and a bay colt stolen from a paddock near Brighton on the night of 9 December 1862. (Reported in the Victoria Police Gazette 18 December 1862 page 440 “… taken from a paddock at Brighton, on night of the 9th instant owner Jessy Morley, Plough and Harrow, Brighton.”)

10 February 1863

Municipality of Brighton Rates assessed on property owned by Jesse Morley:   Eight acres of land on South Road, unoccupied, valued at £12, and annual rate of 12s. Two cottages and a blacksmith shop in Arthur Seat Road, vacant, valued at £32, and annual rate of £1.12.0.

16 June 1863

Moorabbin rates assessed on property owned by Jesse Morley – Hotel on Point Nepean Road, nett annual value £80.

1 June 1864

9 acres of land sold to Isaac Heming   All that piece or parcel of land containing nine acres situate in the Parish of Moorabbin and County of Bourke being a portion of North West thirty six in the Conveyance to one Nicholas Were and a part of Allotment thirty four on the original plan of the subdivision of the Brighton Estate commencing at the junction of the Arthur Seat and South Roads bounded on the South by South Road bearing West fourteen chains and ten links on the west by a line at right angles with South Road aforesaid eleven chains and ten links on the North West by other portion of said allotment Number thirty four sold by one Joseph Smyth to one Charles Tuck being a line running North Easterly four chains to the Arthur Seat Road aforesaid and on the North East by the Arthur Seat Road aforesaid being a line running South Easterly sixteen chains home to the commencement point. Together with all buildings &c.

3 October 1864

Wife Ann died at Melbourne Hospital, Victoria, Australia

6 October 1864

Wife Ann interred at Brighton Cemetery (Brighton Cemetery Records indicate burial # 598 in the Church of England section, Ann Morley age 40 of South Brighton, wife, died of dropsy, born County Carlow Ireland, ceremony conducted by Rev. S. Taylor, interred in Grave #45 – second interment – graves 44, 45 and 46 purchased together). There is no record of there ever having been a headstone on this grave, and it is currently unmarked. Graves 44 and 46 were resumed by the cemetery trust as the Right of Burial was not exercised within the prescribed period.

26 Jan 1865

Thirty four acres of land (including “Plough and Harrow” Hotel) transferred to Henry Notley Hull “in pursuance of an agreement and in consideration of a sum exceeding in amount Nine hundred pounds owing by the said Jesse Morley to the said Henry Notley Hull”   In The Argus of Wednesday 8 February 1865 p. 3, the following advertisement appeared: Tenders required for bricklayers, carpenters and painters work to be done at the Plough and Harrow Inn, Brighton, for Mr Hugh Hunt. John M. Barry, architect, 83 Swanston-street. Hugh Hunt was the subsequent licensee of the Plough and Harrow. Perhaps the financial hardships being experienced by Jesse were also manifested in the hotel – repairs, renovations and/or facelift needed?

1865

Moorabbin Rates Book for the “Plough and Harrow” Hotel on Point Nepean Road indicate owner and occupier is Hugh Hunt.

23 June 1866

Daughter Mary Ann married James Thomas Gray at Dandenong, Victoria, Australia – (Certificate states Jesse’s occupation as farmer) Jane Morley signed the marriage certificate for Mary Ann Morley – giving approval for marriage of her minor sister).

1868

Listed in Bailliere’s Victorian Directory as: Jesse Morley Gardener Fernshawe

30 May 1868

Unclaimed letter advertised in the Alexandria Times “list of letters lying at the Post Office Alexandra for the week ending Saturday, May 30”

26 June 1868

Daughters Sarah Ann and Ellen committed at Brighton Court to institute for neglected children (sent to the Industrial School at Princes Bridge).

27 June 1868

From The Herald Saturday 27 June 1868 page 3 column 6 “Suburban Courts Brighton – (Before Messrs. Templeton, O’Neill, and Lintott) – A poor widow named Margaret Donovan, applied to have two children, aged respectively eight and nine years, sent to the Industrial School, as she was unable to support them any longer. About four years ago they had been entrusted to her care by their father, Jesse Morley, who was then proprietor and licencee of the Plough and Harrow hotel, South Brighton. He was to pay her 5s. per week for the maintenance of each child; but some time ago had gone to Woods Point, and no funds had been since received by the applicant. A warrant had been issued for his apprehension, but he had not yet been found; and the applicant’s husband having died lately, she was no longer in a position to support the children, (sic) They were both sent to the Industrial School for seven years.

29 June 1868

From The Argus Monday 29 June 1868 page 6 column 3: “Brighton. – On Friday (before Messrs. Templeton, O’Neill and Lintott), a woman named Margaret Donovan, widow, made an application to the Bench, that two children left in her charge by their father four years ago should be sent to the Industrial Schools. The applicant stated that the children were of the ages of about eight and nine years respectively; and their father was formerly proprietor of the Plough and Harrow Hotel, Cheltenham, but that having been reduced he left the children in her care, promising to remit 5s. per week towards their support and then left Wood’s Point (sic). He had not latterly paid any money, and witness was unable longer to support them. The children were sent to the Industrial Schools for the term of seven years.

30 June 1868

Unclaimed letter advertised in the Alexandra Times

30 June 1868

Charged on warrant with deserting family on 1st May. From the Victoria Police Gazette 2 July 1868 “The offender is English, 5 feet 11 inches high, very stout build, grey hair, grey whiskers on the sides of the face, clean shaved in other respects, long features, full face. He was last heard of at Alexandra, Upper Goulburn district.”

16 August 1868

Son George married Mary Brennan at Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia

1869

Listed in Bailliere’s Victorian Directory as: Jesse Morley Gardener Fernshawe

28 May 1869

Son Jesse marries Sally Dove at Sale, Victoria, Australia (Jesse senior’s occupation described as farmer)

1870

Listed in Bailliere’s Victorian Directory as: Jesse Morley Gardener Fernshawe

24 February 1872

Applies for land grant (40 acres) at Mangalore, Victoria, Australia (in application occupation given as gardener and address Seymour)

13 May 1872

Licence (Number 72/16955) for 40 acres (Allotment 69 Parish of Mangalore) granted.

9 March 1873

Son George died at Wangaratta Hospital, Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia

1 January 1874

Son William marries Ellen Jane Smith at Rosedale, Victoria, Australia (Marriage Certificate states Jesse’s occupation as farmer)

1874

Daughter Harriet marries Ezekiel Harbrow at Brighton, Victoria (Certificate states Jesse’s occupation as farmer)

28 December 1874

Daughter Sarah Ann marries Lars Petter Wallin at Emerald Hill, Victoria, Australia

19 May 1875

Applied to lease the 40 acres at Mangalore (Allottment 68 Parish of Mangalore) for which the licence had been granted having improved the land by £46.8.0. – this included fencing, cultivating 6 acres (1 acre garden 1 acre fruit trees), erecting a 2 room bark hut (20’ by 12’ in which he lived) and excavating a 60’ by 60’ by 10’ deep dam.

26 June 1875

Daughter Ellen recommitted to institute for neglected children (note on recommittal states “Father Jessie Morley, deserted; last heard of at Alexandria on 26 June 1868 …)

1 October 1878

Completed purchase of land grant at Mangalore

17 August 1882

Daughter Ellen marries George McLean at Seymour, Victoria, Australia

11 June 1883

From The Seymour Express 15 June 1883 RUNAWAY. - On Monday afternoon while a Seymour resident named Jesse Morley was getting into his spring cart outside Perron's Hotel, the horse ran away and performed a series of bucks and pig-jumps while tearing down towards the Post-office. Morley managed to keep a seat on the shaft until passing the Prince of Wales Hotel, when the horse made for the footpath. Just as he reached the kerbing, the back-band gave way and Morley was safely deposited on his feet. He then managed to secure the restive animal, and thanked his stars for what looked very like a narrow escape from a serious accident.   The Canadian Hotel (built circa 1930-40) is now on the site of the Perron's Hotel. This was in Emily Street which is also the Hume Highway. The Hume Freeway now detours around Seymour. The Prince of Wales Hotel was closer and was not very far away from the Morley and Wallin farms, about 5 mins. by car. This used to be the main shopping centre of the town, but because of constant flooding the town centre moved to Station Street facing the railway line and station.

29 February 1884

Jesse Morley transfers licence for 21 acres of land at Mangalore to son-in-law Lars Petter Wallin

21 July 1890

Son James died (Death certificate indicated Jesse’s occupation as Gardener)

23 April 1891

Admitted to the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum – the following information was recorded on admission – Profession: Gardener; Birthplace: Sussex, England; Age: 77; Father: William Morley, farmer; Mother: Ellen Stilwell; Marital status: widower; Issue: 2 girls; Arrived in colony: 1843; Religion: C of E; Grounds of admission: Old age and debility; Recommender: A. C. Sturrock; Remarks: Dau (ghter) Mrs Ellen McLellan, Surrey Place, Rathdowne Street, Carlton.   Nothing is known of A.C. Sturrock – other than he appears in the admission book as a recommender fairly frequently. People doing the recommending were usually someone of standing in the community – JPs, substantial businessmen, professionals – who might only be distantly acquainted with the patient.     In Jesse's admission details to the Melbourne Benevolent Asylum, his daughter Ellen's address is given as Surrey Place, Rathdowne Street, Carlton. This was the home of Johann and Margaret Friedrichs (Margaret was Ellen's aunt - her mother Ann's sister). Surrey Place was almost at the corner of Victoria and Rathdown Street, and has now been incorporated into 27 Rathdown Street. In early 2001 this property was being renovated, including the excavation of a cellar at the rear - there was no evidence of prior buildings, and it is assumed that the accomodation in the 1890s was probably earthen floored.

31 March 1892

Dies at Melbourne Benevolent Asylum, Hotham, Victoria, Australia (Death Certificate indicates he was a gardener).

2 April 1892

Interred Melbourne General Cemetery – Church of England Section CC grave number 1271. There is no record of there ever having been a headstone on this grave, and it is currently unmarked. There are in fact three interments (three generations of Morley) in this grave – Jesse’s son William interred 12 August 1886, Jesse interred 2 April 1892, and Jesse’s grandson (William’s son) George Edwin interred 15 August 1893.   In August 2000 Irene and Noel Creedon planted some iris on this grave – the plants coming from the cemeteries at Rutherglen and Gormandale – with some additional iris (“Jesse’s Song” – white with purple fringes - purchased at Alexandra) planted later in 2000. Perhaps gardener Jesse was helping with good vibes as (in July 2004) there is some healthy vegetation in this rather barren and neglected section of the cemetery.