This ivy covered memorial in the Victorian portion of York cemetery is inscribed on both sides, this image is of the back of the stone. It gives a brief glimpse into the lives of a well travelled family who were spread across the globe. Sadly 3 of their their sons died at a relatively young age in Australia, within just few years of one another.
Taking part in Taphophile Tragics
I am surprised they all died so young, would have thought Australia by them was more healthy than here.
ReplyDeleteIt is very helpful to have a genealogical story on the headstone.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to find such a history engraved on the back of a gravestone.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful monument. The ivy adds to it.
ReplyDeleteHerding Cats
http://seathreepeeo.blogspot.com
Nice double angels. And as mentioned, interesting to have so much history on the gravestone.
ReplyDeleteA lovely headstone!
ReplyDeleteVery important name in Australia's early history here, Deb. I have been tracking it down for a while this afternoon. The most important name on the plinth is that of S.C. Henty, the father of Richmond and thereby the grandfather of the three young dead men.
ReplyDeleteThere was a Thomas Henty of Tarring, West Sussex, who had 7 sons. He also had a flock of Spanish Merino sheep bred from George III's holding of sheep. Despairing of farming, Thomas sent 3 of his sons to Australia to take up free land around Perth in 1829. They stuffed this and took their goods and chattels to Tasmania, but by then the land was no longer free. Some stayed in Tassie and others of the family, they were nearly all out here by then, settled in Portland in western Victoria in 1834 just as Melbourne was being settled by Batman.
The family was heavily into merino sheep (Merino Downs is a farm still in family hands), but also dabbled in investment banking and politics. And society. Stephen George (1811-1872) was the 4th son of Thomas and the Australian Dictionary of Biography puts him as the prime mover of the second generation of the family. He is buried near Hamilton in western Victoria. He had 10 children, one of whom was Richmond.
I have enjoyed this immensely, Deb. I recognised the name the instant I saw it but did not know any details.
Welcome to Taphophile Tragics. I have seen some of your comments as I travel around. I thank you for your visit to my own blog, and to that of others. I hope to read another wonderful journey into history next week.
A beautiful and quite intricate grave marker.
ReplyDeleteWow Julie - you have been busy. I wondered if someone would recognise the family name of Henty over in your corner of the world. Thank you for all the research and the information you have provided, it is great to hear the story behind the family who provided such a striking memorial. I will indeed be posting another 'tragic' post next Tuesday.
ReplyDeleteGene - I love the expression 'double angels', not heard it before and that is exactly what they are!
A really beautiful memorial...ITS so cool to find a stone that provides this much historical info...a real bonus!!
ReplyDeleteAs you can probably tell by now, I do this out of sheer pleasure, so you are most welcome.
ReplyDelete