DEASON - January 2021 - Person Sheet
DEASON - January 2021 - Person Sheet
NameJohn Albert (Albert) VAGUE , M
Birth2 November 1878, Camp Hill, Creswick, Victoria, Australia
Death5 July 1944, Western Australia, Australia
BurialKarrakatta Cemetery, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
FatherJohn VAGUE , M (1850-1919)
MotherMargaret Rutter (Margaretta) BENNETTS , F (1856-1903)
Spouses
1Esther Amelia DEASON , GGG Granddaughter, F
Birth20 February 1881, Burke’s Flat, Victoria, Australia, (6301)
BurialKarrakatta Cemetery, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Death27 September 1950, Western Australia, Australia
FatherThomas DEASON , M (1859-1928)
MotherEsther Eddy POLLARD , F (1856-1910)
Marriage24 April 1907, Agricultural Hall, Kellerberrin, Western Australia, Australia, (17)
ChildrenEsther (Twin), F (1908-1908)
 Margueretta (Twin), F (1908-1908)
 Ida (Twin), F (1910-1910)
 Beatrice Ethel (Twin), F (1910-1910)
 John (Jack) , M (1911-1999)
 Myrtle Jean (Jean) (Jeanie) , F (1913-1997)
 Clara Josephine , F (1916-1916)
 Harold Thomas James (Harry) , M (1918-1947)
 Alaric Stanley (Larry) , M (1921-2002)
Notes for Esther Amelia (Spouse 1)
They were married at Kellerberrin (registered Northam), WA.3

Marriage registration: 1907/17/Northam.5

Esther was born in 1881 at Burke’s Flat a gold mining town approximately 12 kilometres North-west of Moliagul on the Burke’s Flat-Wehla Rd. Note: registration is recorded as “Wehl” – an abbreviation for Wehla another nearby gold mining town. Little remains today of both Burke’s Flat and Wehla.

Esther trained as a teacher in Melbourne. She began her long teaching career as a school monitor and during this time won a gold medal in elocution at the Ballarat South Street Eisteddfod. By 1903 her family had moved to the gold mining town of Creswick. The 1903 Commonwealth Electoral Roll noted Esther’s occupation as: teacher and residence: Clunes Road [North Creswick]. Note: same residence as parents. At Creswick she taught for four years at Central State School No 122 and on leaving the school in 1907 a formal presentation was made to her:
Central State School No 122 …
A very pleasing function was held at the Central State School No 122 on Wednesday afternoon, when Miss E Deason, one of the teachers, was entertained by the staff prior to her departure for Western Australia, where she is to be married to Mr A Vague, who is known very well in this part of the district. …

Mr Black, in a well-worded speech, explained that Miss Deason was about to shortly sever her connections with the school for the purpose of journeying to the Cinderella State, where she would “take unto herself a husband”. While deeply regretting the loss of Miss Deason, they hoped that she would enjoy long life and prosperity. (Applause). When it was known that Miss Deason had decided to leave the school in which she had labored for over four years, it was felt by both her fellow teachers and the pupils that they could not allow her to go away without showing in some practical [way] their appreciation of her work. With this end in view, therefore, they had asked him to make Miss Deason a presentation. It gave him great pleasure to perform this duty. Their comrade would shortly go to another State and enter the “United State”, thus making some “poor man” happy. (Laughter and applause). He had not the slightest doubt that Miss Deason would make an admirable wife, seeing that she was kind, faithful and true. (Applause). Mr Black then – amidst loud applause – presented Miss Deason with a handsome silver cake dish, and also costly silver mounted cake fork.

Miss Deason, who was greatly moved at the nice remarks made by Mr Black, said that she would never forget the proceedings of that day. She listened to the words used by Mr Black, and, though perhaps they might have been a little over estimated, she, nevertheless, deeply appreciated them. (Applause). It was now about four years since she took up her duties at the Central School, and during that period she had spent many happy hours. She took a deep interest in training the young, and was pleased to know how her labours in that direction had not been in vain. From the teaching staff she had received nothing but kind courtesy, and though now on the eve of her marriage, she still regretted, in a way, her retirement from the school. The presentation that had been made that evening would be the means of keeping many happy recollections before her mind, and she would tell them that though she was going to a place where many miles separated them, she would still think kindly of them. (Applause). Miss Deason then resumed her seat amidst loud cheers by the children. …

When the children had been dismissed Miss Deason, who is the grand-daughter of Mr John Deason, the finder of the historic “Welcome Stranger” nugget at Moliagul, and Mr Black were entertained at afternoon tea by the teaching staff. …

Note: the silver cake dish is still held and used by family descendants of Esther Vague (nee Deason).

It was probably during her time in Creswick that Esther met the Vague family. She probably left Victoria in early 1907 to join her future husband, John Albert Vague, who was already in Western Australia. They married in 1907 at Kellerberrin, Western Australia,. Some of John’s relatives were already in Western Australia. Their wedding was recorded and gives an insight into the fashions and gifts of the day:
Social Notes Vague-Deason Wedding
On the 24th April the Agricultural Hall, Killerberrin [sic], West Australia, was crowded, to witness the marriage of Mr Albert Vague, son of Mr Jno Vague, of Creswick, with Miss Esther Deason, daughter of Mrs Thomas Deason of North Creswick, the Rev H Gay, of the Methodist mission officiating. The bride was attended by Mrs J Veitch (sister of the bride-groom), and was given away by Mr J Veitch, Mr S Vague acting as best man. The bride wore a handsome Eton costume of brown Amazon cloth, with front of crème ivory satin and lace, and strappings of velvet finished with silk buttons, belt of brown glacie silk. The hat was of crème lace, with brown rucked chiffon crown, trimmed with brown velvet ribbon foliage, and brown and cream tinted feathers. … After the ceremony Mrs Fishwick played the “Wedding March”, and as the happy couple left the hall, they were the recipients of many congratulations and showers of rice and confetti from their many friends.

After a pleasant drive an adjournment was made to Mr Brennan’s (formerly of Ballarat), where an excellent breakfast was served. The usual toasts were honored and a most enjoyable evening was spent. Later on, Mr and Mrs Vague took their departure for Perth, where the honeymoon was spent, prior to their journey home to Greenbushes, in the South-west.

The presents were – Father of the bride, cheque; mother of the bride, house linen, travelling trunk, and breakfast cruet; Misses Deason (sisters of the bride), set of fancy work, tray and glasses and ornaments; Mr J Vague (father of the bride-groom), table linen; Miss G Vague, cosy and pincushion; Mr J Deason, grandfather of the bride, cheque; From Central S school No 122, and fellow teachers of the bride, costly silver cake stand and server; Miss Calistro, silver and cut glass ink stand; Miss Lavers, tray cloth; Miss Barclay, table centre; Miss E Dennis, tray cloth; Mrs Dennis, salid [sic] bowl; Mr F Dennis, hymn book and bible; Misses R and M Dennis, fancy work and kettle holders; Miss A Thomas, tray cloth and duchess of fancy work; Miss L Bennett, Daylesford, salid [sic] bowl and cake dishes; Misses M and E Bowley, water jug and glasses; Mrs E McArdie, silver sugar scuttle; Mr and Mrs W E Allen, silver-mounted biscuit barrel; Mrs R Liddicoat, tea set; Miss J Liddicoat, set of fancy work; Mrs W Pollard (Ballarat), silver butter dish; Misses Pollard, oil paintings; Mrs G Hicks, sideboard covers and butter knife; Misses S and M Hicks, vases; Mrs Peacock, afternoon tea set; Mrs Hancock, pictures; Miss S Brooks, set of silver spoons; Mrs Wood, d’Oyleys and handkerchiefs; Mrs J Brennan, jam dishes; Mr and Mrs J Veitch, dinner set; Messrs S F and H Vague, portrait album; Mr and Mrs Robertson, silver cruet.

John Albert Vague was born in 1878 in the gold mining town of Creswick where his father and grandfather worked as miners. At the time of his birth his father, John, was noted as a “miner”. John was born in the South Australian copper mining town of Kapunda in 1850; his parents, William and Ann Vague, had arrived in South Australia in 1849 from Cornwall and later moved to Creswick, Victoria where they were later buried: William, died 30 August 1901, age: 77 years; and Ann, died 5 September 1886, age: 65 years. The 1903 Commonwealth Electoral Roll noted John Albert’s occupation as: “miner” and residence: Hains St, Creswick.

After their honeymoon Esther and John moved to Greenbushes where they were later joined by Esther’s brother, Tom, who married in Greenbushes (1913) and sister, Trix, in 1917, after the death of her husband. Greenbushes was a tin mining and timber mill town located on the South Western Highway near Bridgetown, WA. John’s brother Frederick (Fred) may have also moved to Greenbushes about this time. John probably came to work at the old Cornwall Mine of Greenbushes Tin NL while Esther was the timber mill’s school teacher. Esther and John initially lived in a home provided by the company at the timber mill.

At the time of the death of daughters Esther and Margueretta in 1908, John was noted as a “miner” from Greenbushes, WA,.

At the time of the birth of daughters Ida and Beatrice in 1910, John was noted as a “miner” from Tourmaline St, Greenbushes, WA,.

At the time of the death of daughter Ida in 1910, John was noted as a “miner” from Greenbushes, WA.

At the time of the death of daughter Beatrice in 1910, John was noted as a “miner” from Jephson St, Greenbushes, WA.

In 1913, John’s brother, Frederick (Fred), had bought one of the two bakeries in the main street of Greenbushes.

The 1916 Commonwealth Electoral Roll noted John’s occupation as: “miner”; Esther’s as simply: “married” and their residence: Greenbushes.

At the time of the death of daughter Clara in 1916, father, John was noted as a “miner” from Greenbushes, WA.

At the time of the birth of son Alaric in 1921, father, John was noted as a “miner” from Greenbushes, WA.

The 1925 Commonwealth Electoral Roll noted John’s occupation as: “timber worker”; Esther’s: “school teacher” and their residence: Greenbushes.

About 1926 Esther and John moved into their own home in Greenbushes township

About 1928 the family moved to Perth where Esther operated a mixed business, at the corner of Lord and Moore Streets, East Perth, selling, groceries, cigarettes and newspapers. By this stage John was ‘profoundly deaf’, probably as a result of working in the mine, and his work options were limited. Later the family moved to a smaller mixed business at 90 Grosvenor Rd, Highgate and soon after to a delicatessen near the corner of Axon and Hay Streets, Subiaco. However, this later business failed in 1932 at the height of the Depression and the family moved to a rented home at 19 Pangbourne St, Wembley. The 1931 Commonwealth Electoral Roll noted no occupation for John; Esther’s: teacher and their residence: 19 Pangbourne St, Wembley Park.

In 1932 Esther accepted a position of ‘supply teacher’ in the gold mining town of Wiluna (central WA) and was later joined there by daughter, Myrtle, who obtained work at Wiluna and there met her future husband, Albert Farrant. Esther could only return home to her husband and the boys in Perth during the summer school holidays.

At the end of 1934 Esther was posted to a one-teacher school at North Kukerin situated some 200 kilometres south-west of Perth.

The 1936 Commonwealth Electoral Roll still noted no occupation for John; Esther’s: “teacher”, and their residence: 19 Panghourne St, Wembley Park. The 1937 Commonwealth Electoral Roll still noted no occupation for John and his residence: 19 Panghourne St, Wembley Park. Note: there was no mention of Esther: possibly she was away teaching in the country and did not enrol. And the 1943 Commonwealth Electoral Roll still noted no occupation for John; Esther’s: “teacher”, and their residence: 60 Panghourne St, Wembley Park.
Acknowledgements:
• Rick Smith, Launceston Tasmania, Australia
• Bev & James Harte, Toongabbie, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
• Mavis Coghlan, Upper Swan, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
• Joyce Tuohey, Quambatook, Victoria, Australia
• Richard (Dick) Deason, Moliagul, Victoria, Australia
• Billy Warburton, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
• Jean Harvey, Floreat, Perth, Western Australia
• Greg Vague, Perth, Western Australia, Australia

References:
Births, baptisms, marriages, deaths & burials (Aust):
• Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Vic), 2001, Historical Index (1855-1920), extract for Deason (ref – D_Doc_#106)
• Alaric Vague, 19??, Original Greenbushes Cemetery (photo of commemorative plaque) (ref – D_Doc_#113)
• Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (Vic), 1878, Birth certificate, John Albert Vague (ref – D_Doc_#114)
• Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (WA), 1908, Death certificate, Esther Vague (ref – D_Doc_#115)
• Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (WA), 1908, Death certificate, Margueretta Vague (ref – D_Doc_#116)
• Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (WA), 1910, Birth certificate, Ida Vague (ref – D_Doc_#117)
• Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (WA), 1910, Death certificate, Ida Vague (ref – D_Doc_#118)
• Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (WA), 1910, Birth certificate, Beatrice Ethel Vague (ref – D_Doc_#119)
• Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (WA), 1916, Death certificate, Clara Josephine Vague (ref – D_Doc_#120)
• Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (WA), 1910, Death certificate, Beatrice Ethel Vague (ref – D_Doc_#121)
• Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (WA), 1921, Birth certificate, Alaric Stanley Vague (ref – D_Doc_#122)
• Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages (WA), 1948, Marriage certificate, Alaric Stanley Vague & Gwenyth Fernie (ref – D_Doc_#123)
• Western Australia – Marriage indexes 1906-1965
• Western Australian (newspapers) marriage indexes – 1897-1920
• West Australian (newspaper), death & burial indexes – 1906-1911
• Newspaper unknown, 1907, Social Notes - Vague-Deason Wedding (ref – D_Doc_#653)
Family trees & history:
• Billy Warburton, 1969, Deason Family Tree (ref – D_Doc_#014 & 015)
• probably Venus Free (nee Deason), c1967, Deason Family Tree (ref – D_Doc_#016)
• Venus Free (nee Deason), c1940, Deason Family Tree (ref – D_Doc_#017)
• Bev Harte, c2002, Home Page – Alaric Stanley Vague (ref – D_Doc_#124)
• Ian McGown, 1987, A Short History of the Vague Family, addendum Creswick Vagues (family tree) (ref – D_Doc_#126)
• Rick Smith, 2005, Deason Family Tree (ref – D_Doc_#136)
• Rick Smith, 2011, Deason Family Tree (ref – D_Doc_#408)
• Jean Farrant, Floreat Park, Perth, 2006, Correspondence on Farrant family
• Jean Farrant, Floreat Park, Perth, 2006, Correspondence on Vague family
• Greg Vague, 2012, Vague Family tree
• Bev & James Harte, 2006 & 2012, Correspondence on Vague & Harte family trees/history
Other information:
• Launa Blakeney, 1979, Memories of Greenbushes, published in Greenbushes ??? (newspaper) 1979 (ref – D_Doc_#125)
• Commonwealth Electoral Office, 1903, Electoral Roll for North Creswick, Vic (ref – D_Doc_#290)
• Commonwealth Electoral Office, 1903, Electoral Roll for Creswick, Vic, 1916, Nelson, WA, 1925, Forrest, WA, 1931 & 1936, West Subiaco, WA, 1937 & 1943, Fremantle, WA (ref – D_Doc_#518)
• Newspaper unknown, 1907, Central State School No 122 (ref – D_Doc_#653)
• Western Australian Shipping Arrivals, 1898-1925
Last Modified 24 May 2006Created 3 January 2021 using Reunion for Macintosh
Created on 3 January 2021.
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