ARMSTRONG-JARDINE-RAE FAMILY (in Victoria, Australia) by Diane Cummings ,

Motto: Invictus Maneo
"I remain unvanquished"
Badge: a strong right arm.
The ARMSTRONGS,
a Scottish Border clan who inhabited the border lands between England and Scotland.
Traditionally the Armstrongs claim descent from Fairbairn, the armour bearer to a Scottish king.
LEGEND has it that Fairbairn hoisted his monarch onto his own horse in the midst of battle
when the king's horse had been killed under him during the Battle of the Standard in 1138 at Northallerton in Yorkshire.
For his bravery and strength, he was called ARM-STRONG.

From this deed the family came to be known as "Armstrong" and received a gift of lands in Liddesdale.
The first chief was Alexander Armstrand, Laird of Mangerton in the late 13th century.
Gilbert Armstrong, Steward of the Household to King David II was Scotland's ambassador to England.

Johnie Armstrong of Gilnockie and Langholm Castle, second son of the chief, lived near Canonbie.
By 1530 he had grown too rich and powerful for the liking of the young James V of Scotland,
and so James ordered Johnie Armstrong north to meet him.
The Laird of Gilnockie and about thirty of his men were foully betrayed
- ambushed and captured in the wilds of Moss Paul,
then hanged in a graveyard at Carlenrigg.




ARMSTRONG
PHOTO ALBUM

DESCENDANTS OF
DAVID ARMSTRONG

David's parents were John ARMSTRONG and Jean nee TELFORD
John worked as a Lime burner in a mine
in Meadowclough (Southdean Parish), on the English/Scottish border.
He died there on May 17, 1842.
Researching this family has been very difficult,
and we know we have gaps.
This family is related to the RAE, JARDINE, BEATTIE
and PORTEOUS families of Scotland.


David ARMSTRONG was born November 1st, 1816 Prestalee, Lancashire, England
and baptised on January 12, 1817 (source: Canonbie Register)
(some references indicate he was born c.1813)
David ARMSTRONG married Mary POLKEY on April 24th, 1837
at Prestalee, Lancashire. His Marriage Certificate indicates he was a labourer.
Mary POLKEY was born 28 Jul 1814, All Saints, Loughborough, Leicester, England
to John POLKEY and Mary nee FREEMAN (IGI Batch No.C061891)
(some references indicate she was born Jan 12, 1817)
Mary POLKEY stitched a SAMPLER in 1822 when she was 9 years old.
This is held by Marion Porteous nee Jardine, daughter of Thomas Hugh Jardine)

Their Children: Mary (1838-39), Mary Jane (1839-1917 Janet (1843-1922),
John (1845-) and David (1847-1849)

They went to America c.1848.
David's wife Mary died in childbirth on March 18, 1849 aged 33 in Illinois, America
My wife Mary Armstrong died in Kandel, County Lisbon (56 miles from Chicago)
in the State of Illinois, America.
Died in the year of Our Lord 1849 - March 18th (from Armstrong Bible)
The family left New York on board the BURLINGTON bound for Liverpool,
arriving there on July 3, 1849.
On the voyage Mary Jane ARMSTRONG was given a book on the BURLINGTON
called "A Call to the Unconverted, to Turn and Live"
by Rev. Richard Baxter who died in 1691 (just a little light reading for a 9 year old)
This book now held by Kath Christie's aunt.
Mary Jane stitched a SAMPLER in memory of her mother
Mary nee Polkey who died in 1849.

The 1851 Dumfries Census lists: Household No: 3/47

CLICK HERE to see a larger
image of Margaret Beattie
Margaret BEATTIE, Address: Elizabeth Street(839): Parish: Langholm,
Relationship: head of household, married Age: 58
Born: Canonbie Dms (Dumfries ?)

Thomas TELFORD, Address: Elizabeth Street(839):Parish: Langholm
Relationship: son of Margaret Beattie
Marital Status: unmarried
Occupation: LABOURER agricultural
Age: 32 Born: Langholm Dms
Mary Jane ARMSTRONG, Address: Elizabeth Street(839): Parish: Langholm
Relationship: lodger in household of Margaret Beattie
Occupation: Scholar Age: 11 Born: England,
Janet ARMSTRONG, Address: Elizabeth Street(839): Parish: Langholm,
Relationship: lodger in household of Margaret Beattie
Occupation: Scholar Age: 9 Born: England
John ARMSTRONG, Address: Elizabeth Street(839): Parish: Langholm,
Relationship: lodger in household of Margaret Beattie,
Occupation: Scholar, Age: 5 Born: England
These are definitely our Armstrong children, so who then was Margaret Beattie?
Then we learnt that David Armstrong's mother was Jean Telford, and Margaret Beattie had previously been Mrs Telford.
Then we wondered - where was David on the night the Census was taken ?
Possibly David was working away from home.

We then discovered the following on the 1851 Dumfries Census, and wonder if this is "our" David,
especially as Canonbie and Langholm nearby to each other, and his age and birth location match
The 1851 Dumfries Census lists: Household No: 7/55
David ARMSTRONG, Address: Townhead(820): Parish: Dryfesdale
Relationship: head of Household Marital Status: married
Occupation: RAILWAY POLICEMAN Age: 35 Born: Canonbie Dms
Mary ARMSTRONG, Address: Townhead(820): Parish: Dryfesdale
Relationship: wife of David Armstrong Marital Status: married
Age: 33 Born: born Dryfesdale Dms
Samuel BECK, Address: Townhead(820): Parish: Dryfesdale
Relationship: stepson of David Armstrong Occupation: SCHOLAR
Age: 9 Born: born Dryfesdale Dms


Question - where were the Armstrongs between the 1851 Census
and when they arrived Melbourne in 1864.
In January 1861 Mary Jane ARMSTRONG received another book,
presented to her by the St Mary's Sunday School at Birkenhead
(confirming the family were also there for the 1861 Census).
This is still being researched.

We understand Margaret Beattie came to Melbourne in 1853 on board the EDMOND.
The 1853 EDMOND Passenger Records list a MARY BATEY (40) - B.031/004.
It seems likely that this lady was Margaret (maybe the name and age is incorrect).
The list also includes Thomas TELFORD (listed as TILFORD).
This was our Margaret Beattie's son.
Margaret Hewitson-Telford-Beattie died in 1881 aged 94 at Bung Bong V.9640

It seems more likely that Margaret Beattie corresponded with David Armstrong in Scotland,
and persuaded him and the family to come to Australia.
David ARMSTRONG came to Melbourne in 1862
on board the MARCO POLO
with his daughters Mary Jane and Janet and son John.
DAVID ARMSTRONG taught at a small school
at Wareek for a number of years.


This Headstone at Wareek-BungBong Cemetery
bearing his name is a memorial to him.
Click this headstone to see a larger image.
DAVID ARMSTRONG was about 62 when he was admitted
to the Ararat Asylum (Victoria, Australia) on July 3rd 1872.
He died at the Ararat Asylum of 'softening of the brain'
on Febuary 1st 1874 aged 64 (V.64),
and was buried at the Ararat Cemetery.
This seems to indicate he was born in 1810.

David was buried at the Ararat Cemetery.
We have a photo of this Asylum
and shall upload it shortly.
Probate was awarded to his daughter Mary Jardine.

"After the expiration of 14 days from publication here of, application will be made
to the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria in its Probate jurisdiction,
the ADMINISTRATION OF THE ESTATE OF DAVID ARMSTRONG late of Rathscar,
in the Colony of Victoria, farmer deceased intestate,
may be granted to MARY JANE JARDING,
the wife of DAVID JARDINE of Rathscar aforesaid, farmer,
eldest daughter and one of the next of kin of deceased."
Dated this 29 day of July, 1874.
Signed RICHARD MATTHEWS, TALBOT,
Proctor for the said MARY JANE JARDINE.

We understand David Armstrong's Will was contested.
Hopefully, when we receive a copy of this Will, we might work out what happened.

The Children of David ARMSTRONG and Mary POLKEY
Mary (1838-39), Mary Jane (1839-1917), Janet (1843-1922),
John (1845-) and David (1847-1849)

CLICK HERE FOR THEIR STORY


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