More on Hiding in Tasmania

[TasTyger]

There was a Jno. Vernon and a Mrs John Vernon in the Tasmanian Post Office Directories who lived at 52 High Street, Sandy Bay recorded through 1900-1909 They don't appear to have anything to do with the Vernons from Forcett based on this memorial notice from 1918 - https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/11387775?searchTerm=52%20high%20street%2C%20sandy%20bay

 I can't find any other references to John and Christina Vernon in Tasmania apart from the land documents? So their footprint must have been miniscule in the big scheme of things?

[PatLac]

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10052016#

The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954)  Tue 1 Feb 1910
Page 2
COUNTRY NEWS.

FORCETT.

A somewhat destructive fire has taken
place at Ringwood, the residence of Mr.
Vernon. The stable and adjacent sheds
were burnt to the ground, together with
a quantity of hay contained therein.
Mr. Vernon had been burning off some
scrub, and it is surmised that, the day
being hot and very windy, a piece of
burning bark was blown on to the roof
of a shed, and so started the fire.

[PatLac]

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10053064?searchTerm=%22ringwood%22%20%22forcett%22%20%22vernon%22#


The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954)  Fri 11 Feb 1910
 Page 8
 Advertising


FARM AT FORCETT.
A. G. WEBSTER AND SON
Have received instructions from Mr.
Jno. Vernon to offer by auction, at their
Rooms, Liverpool-street, on above date,
at 12 o'clock, noon,
HIS VERY DESIRABLE FARM,
RINGWOOD, situated at Forcett,
and containing 230 acres, 160 acree of
winch are cultivation, the balance being
good grazing Land.
The property is well fenced, and is one
of the best watered farms in-the district.
The fences are good (many of them Trew),
and the soil is of a good chocolate and
black loam.
The improvements consist of a very
comfortable Stone House, which has
been recently renovated at considerable
expense, ½ acre orchard, and vegetable
garden.
Ringwood is situated 1 mile from For-
cett Post Office and School, 3 miles from
Lewisham wharf, and 5 miles from
Sorell.
The present owner is shortly returning
to England, and intends to SELL.

[PatLac]

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/10054798?searchTerm=%22ringwood%22%20%22forcett%22%20%22mrs.%20vernon%22#


The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954)  Tue 1 Mar 1910
Page 8
Advertising

WEDNESDAY, March 2, 1910.
CLEARING SALE AT FORCETT.
ROBERTS AND CO. LIMITED
Have been instructed by Mrs. J. Vernon
to sell on the property. RINGWOOD,
FORCETT, on WEDNESDAY, March
2, at 12 o'clock,
THE FOLLOWING STOCK, IMPLE-
MEN'S, AND FURNITURE:
75 4 and 6-TOOTH EWES AND
LAMBS
23 Weathers
Cow in milk
Draught horse Clyde 7yrs., by Bet-
ter Times
Draught horse Tom, 3yrs., by Sanlis-
bury Prince
Half-bred draught mare, Jess, 4yrs.
1 Half-bred mare, rising 3yrs., by
Young Charmer. thoroughly
broken to harness
1 Chestnut filly, by Young Charmer
All these horses can be highly recommended.
Quantity of young poultry, including a
turkeys, geese, ducks, and fowls.
Spring dray, spring-tooth harrows,
swingle trees d.f. plough, plough har-
ness, etc., etc. .
Also,
STACK OF HAY, about 8 tons
Quantity of potatoes
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, comprising
the contents of PEA WING and DINING
ROOMS, 4 bedrooms, and kitchen
and scullery. Most of the furniture is
nearly new, and is only being sold owing
to Mrs. Vernon's intended departure for
England.
LUNCHEON PROVIDED.

[Ranolki]

Oh that is amazing, thanks so much for that research! I can't believe that information is there, you must have super-sleuthing skills, both of you! That really does look as if that's them too.  It still makes me think this is really Isaiah and Christiana, incognito.  There is so much there it's going to take me a while to digest but the fire I suspected had been a problem is mentioned and then the offer for sale.  I wonder if it actually ALL sold rather than the 50 acres I can find a contract for?  They certainly weren't returning to England, Isaiah didn't want to show his face there as he had Christiana's ex-husband chasing him for huge divorce settlement...

[Ranolki]

I've had chance to look at this info now.  It's so helpful. But, as usual, one answer leads to another dozen questions!

It's narrowed the timescales right down so I can now look at passenger lists and try to find them heading off to Melbourne, Isaiah just before 2 March 1910 and Christiana just afterwards.  I think I need to really search those land registry archives too, to see what happened to the farm. I think the documents for the 50 acres may be the clue, if they sold those acres for a nominal five shillings then there is every chance the same person bought the rest.   I would imagine that if she was selling up the stock and implements on 2 March then the farm must have sold at the 11 February auction. The sale contract was dated April 1910, which would all fit...

The fire wasn't a huge affair and I don't think that would have made them suddenly decide to sell up, and the time scale between the fire and the auction is probably too tight anyway - it was already being planned. So there's another mystery.  I know they didn't go back to the UK either, despite what the sales info says.

[PatLac]

On your other thread you said that Isaiah went back to his farm in NZ after leaving Tasmania. If that's correct, do you know which alias did he go by?

[Ranolki]

One more comment.  It seems the contract numbered 12/2454 does actually show the disposal of the original 200 acres so at least we have one question answered. The copy quality is really poor for that one but going through it slowly gives the information.

[Ranolki]

PatLac, he used his real surname of Oldbury according to the Electoral Roll/Census info in 1911.  That was the name he had used when he bought the farm, ie before he realised that William I'Anson intended to sue him for damages.  I'm now wondering what spurred them on to leave Tasmania after only being there for a year and investing in a big property. I'm sure it wasn't the fire, that was relatively minor...