Isabella Byres and Joseph Scott

Isabella Byres (1823-1905)
(From an original framed print
- photo by Gwenda Oxley)

Isabella Byres was born on 1 January 1823 and baptised 12 January 1823 in Kirknewton, Edinburgh, Scotland, the second child and daughter of William Byers and Margaret Wilson.

Kirknewton 1st January 1823. This day William Byers Labourer Karins and Margaret Wilson his spouse had a daughter born and baptised the 12th Jan by the Rev'd Alex. Lockhart Simpson, Minister of this Parish before the Congregation, named Isabell. 1

Isabella married Joseph Scott on 14 April 1844 in Ecclesmachan, West Lothian, Scotland. 2
There is more about Joseph's origins later. Isabella and Joseph had the following children.

• Mungo Scott was born on 26 February 1845 in Ecclesmachan, West Lothian, Scotland. 3
• Margaret Louisa Scott was born on 16 March 1846 in Ecclesmachan, West Lothian, Scotland. 4
• William Scott was born about 1848 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland. 5
• James Byers Scott was born on 17 July 1850 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. 6
• Joseph Scott jnr was born about 1852 in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland. 7

By the end of March 1851, when the census was taken, Joseph, a farm labourer, and Isabella, both aged 27, and their children, Mungo aged 6; Margaret aged 5; William aged 2 and infant James aged 8 months, are shown as living at "Templehouse" in the district of Currie. Sharing Templehouse with the Scott's were the family of Alexander Williamson, another farm labourer aged 27; his wife Mary aged 26 and their children, John aged 5; Janet aged 3; Kenneth aged 1; an unnamed infant son aged 2 months and a married visitor named Janet Watson aged 28. 8

Temple House - About 1 7/8 Mile S.E. by S. [South East by South] from Kirknewton - This name applies to what was some years ago, a farm house but now occupied [by] farm laborers and the land formerly attached to it has been annexe[d] to Buteland farm. 9

Joseph Scott has previously been reported as having died around 1853 in Scotland after falling from a horse although there is no confirmation of that information. According to those same reports he was buried in Bannockburn, Stirling, Scotland. 10
A Joseph Scott died on 13 August 1852 in Currie, near Ecclesmachan, aged 32 years, but the cause of death is not recorded. 11
Gwenda Oxley believes this to be Isabella's husband and has been cited as the source for the following information about Joseph's origins:

Joseph, the twin son of Mungo Scott and Sarah Nicholson, was born in 1823 at Temple Sowerby, Cambria and baptised at Castle Sowerby, Cambria on 20 July 1823. His twin brother was named William (baptised the same day) and he also had an older brother, William born in 1818 and baptised 8 April 1818 in Castle Sowerby. This first child named William, obviously died prior to 1823 as one of the twins was also named William. 12

Isabella Scott, nee Byers, married for a second time to Peter Campbell on 2 September 1854 in Uphall, West Lothian, Scotland. 13
See their family details here.

By the late 1870s the Scott children had grown old enough to be starting families of their own.

James Byers Scott (20) married Eliza Pegg (18) on 23 November 1869 in Jericho, Tasmania.14
Eliza was born on 23 June 1851 in the Oatlands district, Tasmania, the daughter of Henry Pegg and Eliza Capewell. 15
The couple had no children however as just fourteen months later Eliza Scott, nee Pegg, died on 29 January 1871 in Jericho in the Oatlands district, Tasmania. 16

The following year Mungo Scott (27) married Mary Salter (19) on 3 September 1872 in the Oatlands district, Tasmania. 17
Mary was born on 23 April 1853 in Tasmania, the daughter of George Salter and Martha Ford Higgins. 18
Mungo and Mary had 12 children.

Margaret Louisa Scott (26) married Henry Arthur Fisher (32) on 31 December 1873 in the Oatlands district. 19
Henry was born on 14 June 1841 in Hobart, Tasmania, the son of Joseph Fisher and Rosanna Stanfield. 20
Margaret and Henry would have 4 children.

FISHER-SCOTT. - On the 31st December, by special license, by Rev. L. Campbell, at the residence of the bridegroom's father, Woodbine, Oatlands, Henry Arthur, eldest son of Mr. Joseph Fisher, to Margaret only daughter of the late Mr. Joseph Scott, Temple House, Brockburn, Edinburgh. 21

James Byers Scott (24) married for a second time to Amelia Minnie Salter (19) on 24 September 1874 in the Oatlands district, Tasmania. 22
Amelia was born on 9 April 1855 in the Hamilton district, Tasmania, the daughter of George Salter and Martha Ford Higgins. 23
James and Amelia had 13 children.

William Scott (24) married Sarah Jane Bailey (23) on 24 May 1875 in the Oatlands district, Tasmania.24
Sarah was born on 23 November 1850 in the Oatlands district, the daughter of John Bailey and Dorothy (Ann) Woodhead. 25
William and Sarah had 8 children.

Scott-Bailey - On the 24th May, at Oatlands, by the Rev Mr. Campbell, William Scott, of Tunnack, to Sarah, eldest daughter of Mr. John Bailey. 26

Isabella's parents William and Margaret Byers, died in October and November 1875 respectively.27

Joseph Scott Jnr. (27) married Amelia Palmer (25) on 20 October 1881 in the Oatlands district, Tasmania.28
Amelia was born about 1855 or 1856. 29
Joseph and Amelia had 3 children.

Mary Scott, nee Salter, the wife of Mungo Scott, died on 2 April 1892 in Tunnack in the Oatlands district, Tasmania. The cause of death was recorded as "Exhaustion after childbirth." Mary was described as the "wife of a farmer", age 38. The informant was Charles Kingston, police superintendent. 30

Henry Arthur Fisher, the husband of Margaret Louisa Scott, died on 8 September 1893 in Tunnack in the Oatlands district, Tasmania. The cause of death was recorded as "cancer". Henry was described as a farmer, age 56 years. The informant was N. A. White, bootmaker, Oatlands. 31

Peter Campbell snr., passed away peacefully at his "Fern Tree Farm", Tunnack on 20 March 1900. 32

Mungo Scott married for a second time to Mary Ann Clayton on 3 December 1902 at 12 St. George's Terrace, Hobart. 33
Mary Scott, nee Clayton, died on 19 November 1904 in Tunnack, Tasmania.34

Isabella Campbell, formerly Scott and nee Byers, the matriarch of the Scott dynasty, died on 10 January 1905 in Tunnack, Tasmania. 35
Isabella was buried on 13 January 1905 in Tunnack, Tasmania.

CAMPBELL— Entered into rest on January 10, at Fern Tree Farm, Tunnack, Isabella Campbell, aged 83 years. Funeral will leave her late residence, for Tunnack cemetery, on Friday, January 13, at 3 o'clock. 36

Mungo Scott married for a third time to Sarah Jane Clayton on 16 March 1906 in Hobart, Tasmania.37

SCOTT-CLAYTON.- On March 16, 1908, by the Rev. Isaac H. Palfreyman, Mungo Scott, son of Joseph and Isabella Scott, of Tunnack, late of Scotland, to Sarah Jane Clayton, daughter of Joseph Selina Clayton, of Hobart, late of Dover, by license, at the residence of the officiating clergyman, Arthur and Andrew streets.38

William Scott died on 10 August 1908 in Tunnack, Tasmania.39
William was buried on 13 August 1908 in Oatlands, Tasmania

SCOTT.— On August 10, at Pleasant Place, Tunnack, William Scott, aged 60 years. Funeral will leave his late residence at 9.30 on Thursday, for Oatlands Presbyterian Cemetery.40

Mungo Scott died on 3 August 1912 in the Oatlands district, Tasmania.41
Mungo was buried on 5 August 1912.

SCOTT.— Mungo Scott passed peacefully away, after a long illness, at his late residence, Gettington, Tunnack, aged 67. Funeral This Day, at 2 o'clock. 42

An obituary was published in the Mercury in the week after the funeral.

PERSONAL - Our Tunnack correspondent writes: "The sad news of the death of that well known farmer, Mr. Mungo Scott, which took place at his residence, was spread through the district on Saturday afternoon The deceased was only in his 67th year. When about ten years of age he left Scotland for Tasmania His residence here runs back for 50 years, and his life during that period clearly depicts the man. He began life on a small selection of 53 acres in the virgin forest, where now stands the home inFifty-six years ago Mr. and Mrs. Scott took up their residence on Kent- dale farm, at the northern extremity of what is now known as the Woods- dale district, then unnamed. Mr. Scott's selection was virgin forest, in the subjugation of which he joined that heroic band of hardy, peerless pioneers to whom Tasmania owes so much. which he died. At the time of his death he owned nearly 2,000 acres, all well stocked, and a general store. He had prospered on the land. His daughters are all married. The sons, three young men and one only five years of age, together with Mrs. Scott, will carry on the estate. The large concourse of people who followed his remains to the grave on Monday fully testified to the esteem in which he was held."43

Joseph Scott Jnr. died on 9 May 1926 in Whitefoord, Tasmania.44
Joseph was buried on 12 May 1926 in Tunnack, Tasmania.

SCOTT.- On. May 10, 1926 at his residence (suddenly), Joseph, the dearly beloved husband of Amelia Scott and father of Mrs. C. A Wiggins, Woodsdale, in his 75th year. The funeral will move from his late residence on Wednesday, May 12, at 2 o'clock, arriving at Tunnack Cemetery at 3.30 p.m., when friends are respectfully invited to attend.45

Margaret Louisa Fisher, nee Scott, died on 28 April 1929 in Tunnack, Tasmania.46
Margaret was buried on 1 May 1929.

FISHER. - On April 28, 1929, at her residence, Tunnack, Margaret, the beloved widow of the late Henry Fisher, of Tunnack, aged 83 years.
FISHER. - Funeral of the late Mrs. Margaret Fisher will move from her residence, Tunnack, on Wednesday, May 1, at 2.15 p.m., for cemetery, arriving there at 2.30 p.m. Friends respectfully invited to attend.47

Sarah Scott, nee Bailey, the wife of William Bailey, died on 3 October 1932 in Tunnack, Tasmania. Sarah was buried on 5 October 1932 in Oatlands, Tasmania.

SCOTT.- On October 3, 1932, at Pleasant Place, Tunnack, Sarah, relict of the late William Scott, in her 83rd year.
SCOTT.-The Funeral of the late Mrs. Sarah Scott will move from her late residence, Pleasant Place, Tunnack, at 1 o'clock, arriving at Oatlands Presbyterian Cemetery at 2 o'clock on Wednesday, October 5.48

Amelia Scott, nee Salter, the wife of James Byers Scott, died on 20 September 1934 in Whitefoord, Tasmania. Amelia was buried on 22 September 1934 in Oatlands, Tasmania.

SCOTT.- On September 20, 1934, at her residence, Kentdale, Whitefoord, Amelia (Minnie), beloved wife of James B. Scott, and loving mother of J. W., J. G., J. E., W. A.; R. L.; S. R., and R. C. Scott, Mrs. G. Hyland and Mrs. W. Porthouse (New Town), and Mrs. G. Wiggins (Woodsdale). Funeral will leave Kentdale at 1 p.m. on Saturday (to-morrow) for the Presbyterian Cemetery, Oatlands.49

In a sad irony, on the day of Amelia's passing the following celebration of James and Amelia's golden wedding anniversary was published in the Mercury:

DIAMOND WEDDING - MR. AND MRS. J. B. SCOTT'S ANNIVERSARY. MIDLANDS PIONEERS.
(By Our Travelling Correspondent.)
Mr. and Mrs. James Byers Scott, of Kentdale, Woodsdale, will on Monday celebrate the 60th anniversary of their marriage, which took place on September 24, 1874. Mr. Scott was born in Scotland on July 17, 1850, and came to Tasmania when four years of age. He was nine years old when he went to Tunnack with his parents to reside, and in 1878 he began farming at Woodsdale. Mrs. Scott, whose Christian name is Amelia, was the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Salter, formerly of Tunnack, and was born on July 9, 1855. Fifty-six years ago Mr. and Mrs. Scott took up their residence on Kentdale farm, at the northern extremity of what is now known as the Woodsdale district, then unnamed. Mr. Scott's selection was virgin forest, in the subjugation of which he joined that heroic band of hardy, peerless pioneers to whom Tasmania owes so much. 50

James Byers Scott was the subject of a newspaper report in July 1935 when he celebrated his 80th birthday.

WOODSDALE OCTOGENARIAN
EARLY HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT
MR. JAMES B. SCOTT
Our travelling correspondent writes: Mr. James B. Scott, of Kentdale, Woodsdale, celebrated his 80th birthday last week, having been born in Scotland on July 17, 1850. When four years of age he came to Tasmania, and five years later went to reside at Tunnack with his parents, and in 1878 at Woodsdale.
On September 24, 1874. he married the second daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Salter, formerly of Tunnack, Miss Amelia Salter, who was born on July 9, 1855. Fifty-two years ago, in 1878, Mr. and Mrs. Scott, took up their residence on Kentdale farm, at the northern extremity of what is now known as the Woodsdale district, then unnamed. Mr. Scott's selection was virgin forest, in the subjugation, of which he joined that heroic band of hardy,. peerless., pioneers to whom Tasmania owes so much.
In April of 1875 the late Mr. John Brooks was the first to settle In Woodsdale, followed by the late. Mr. John Rowlands in June, and the late Mr. August Gerlach on August 23, of the same year. Others to join in this great pioneering work were the late Messrs. Phillip C. Wagner, J.P., Daniel Kenna, William J. Johnson, George Page, Jas, Smith. George Byers, John and George Palmer, John Hayers, William Crawford, George Roberts, Thomas A. Wiggins, Joseph Scott and Richard and Ellas Howard, and Messrs. Richard, Peter, William and Samuel Palmer, Frank. Kline; John and William Powell, and Arthur Wagner. To-day the district stands as a fitting testimonial to the indomitable perseverance and Industrious spirit of these early settlers, aided by the present generation. In transforming it into one of the best mixed farming areas In the Midlands of Tasmania.
Woodsdale was so called after the late Mr. N. A. Woods, Inspector of Roads, who laid out the road to the district. In 1881 the late Messrs. Philip C. Wagner and John Helmer. the latter of whom was Chief Inspector at Roads at the time and died on January 10, 1912, were responsible for thus naming it. The State school was established there on August 4, 1884; the local post-office at Mr. J. B. Scott's residence in the.early 80's, until the late Mr. George Page took charge in a more central position on February 1, 1887, with a yearly allowance of £.5, and Mr. Chas. A. Wiggins thus fulfilled the duties of the office, to which have been attached telephone and money order and savings bank branches since January 15, 1907. The public hall was opened on November 23, 1905, and St. Matthias's Anglican Church was dedicated on March 12, 1911. As a further illustration of Woodsdale's 55, years of progress. I may add that there are now some 40 resident holdings, with a population of some 200 souls.
When Mr. Scott first settled in Woodsdale it was then a wilderness, a veritable labyrinth of dense scrub and heavy timber. Roads, there were none-the beaten tracks of wild animals alone trailed the unbroken forest. To-day, Mrs. Scott's well-improved mixed farm on which he specialises in potato-growing, is a striking tribute to the industry of himself and family.
At the golden wedding celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Scott, six years ago over 100 friends and relatives assembled, and handsome presentations were made to them, as suitable tokens of the respect and esteem in which they are held. Of their large family of 12, eleven survive - James, Sydney, Kenneth, William and Raymond (Woodsdale). Joseph W. (Hobart), Jack (Moonah). Elizabeth (Mrs. George H. Rowlands, Levendale), May (Mrs. Wm. Porthouse. New Town). Esther (Mrs. George A. Hyland, New Town), and Kate (Mrs. George Wiggins, Woodsdale). 51

James Byers Scott died on 5 October 1937 in Whitefoord, Tasmania. James was buried on 7 October 1937 in Oatlands, Tasmania.

SCOTT.— On October 5, 1937, at his residence, Whitefoord, James Byers Scott, husband of the late Ameline Scott, aged 87 years. SCOTT.—The funeral of the late Mr. James Byers Scott will move from his residence, Whitefoord, at 1.45 p.m. Thursday (This Day), arriving at the Presbyterian Cemetery, Oatlands, at p.m.52

• 1GROS OPR Birth Registration 690/00 0040 0023 Kirknewton and East Calder - for "Karins" read "Kaimes"
• 2GROS OPR Marriage Registration 666/00 0020 0083 Ecclesmachan
• 3GROS OPR Birth Registration 666/00 0020 0058 Ecclesmachan
• 4GROS OPR Birth Registration 666/00 0020 0058 Ecclesmachan
• 5Date calculated from his age stated upon arrival in Van Diemen's Land. William stated he was 24 in 1875 when he married making his birth year about 1851. The earlier calculation is considered the most likely.
• 6Date reported in later newspaper articles about James Scott, event cannot be located on Scotland's People
• 7Date calculated from his age stated upon arrival in Van Diemen's Land. Joseph stated he was 27 in 1881 when he married making his birth year about 1854. The earlier calculation is considered the most likely.
• 8GROS: 1851 Census 682/00 010/00 pages 3 & 4 - Currie
• 9Scotland's Places - Entry for Templehouse, Currie and NLS Map
• 10Wilson FGS, Rackham, Margaret, (Privately Published) and Rootsweb Midlothian-L Archives; http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/MIDLOTHIAN/2005-03/111042….
• 11GROS OPR Death Registration 666/00 0020 0104 Ecclesmachan
• 12Ancestry.com: Midlothian (Edinburgh) General Message Board; https://boards.ancestry.com.au/localities.britisles.scotland.mln.genera…
• 13GROS: OPR Marriage Registration 672/00 0030 0226 Uphall or Strathbrock
• 14AOT Marriage Registration RGD 1869/562
• 15AOT Birth Registration RGD 1851/475
• 16AOT Death Registration RGD 1871/366
• 17AOT Marriage Registration RGD 1872/532
• 18AOT Birth Registration RGD 1853/XXXX
• 19AOT Marriage Registration RGD 1873/568
• 20AOT Birth Registration RGD 1841/1336
• 21"Family Notices." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 15 Jan 1874: 1. Web. 9 Nov 2013; http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article8927635.
• 22AOT Marriage Registration RGD 1874/610
• 23AOT Birth Registration RGD 1855/XXXX
• 24AOT Marriage Registration RGD 1875/586
• 25AOT Birth Registration RGD 1851/456 as an un-named female
• 26Family Notices - The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 26 May 1875: p1
• 27AOT Death Registration RGD 1875/707 and 1875/711
• 28AOT Marriage Registration RGD 1881/803
• 29Date of birth calculated from age stated at marriage, 25 in 1881
• 30AOT Death Registration RGD 1892/514
• 31AOT Death Registration RGD 1893/518
• 32AOT: Death registration - RGD 1900/1000 - Tunnack
• 33TFI Marriage Registration RGD 1902/544
• 34TFI Death Registration RGD 1905/1150
• 35TFI: Death Registration - RGD 1905/1153
• 36Family Notices - The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 12 Jan 1905, page 1
• 37TFI Marriage Registration RGD 1906/566
• 38"Family Notices." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 13 Apr 1906: 1. Web. 11 Oct 2014; http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12816577.
• 39TFI Death Registration RGD 1908/651
• 40"Family Notices." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 12 Aug 1908: 1. Web. 11 Oct 2014; http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article12665901.
• 41TFI Death Registration RGD 1912/773 as Hungo Scott
• 42"Family Notices." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 5 Aug 1912: 1. Web. 11 Oct 2014; http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10239207.
• 43"PERSONAL." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 8 Aug 1912: 5. Web. 11 Oct 2014; http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article10239908.
• 44TFI Death Registration RGD 1926/938
• 45"Family Notices." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 11 May 1926: 1. Web. 11 Oct 2014; http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article29443939.
• 46TFI Death Registration RGD 1929/1104
• 47"Family Notices." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 30 Apr 1929: 1. Web. 11 Oct 2014; http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24261659.
• 48"Family Notices." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 4 Oct 1932: 1. Web. 11 Oct 2014; http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24705768.
• 49"Family Notices." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 21 Sep 1934: 1. Web. 11 Oct 2014; http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24965741.
• 50"DIAMOND WEDDING MR. AND MRS. J. B. SCOTT'S ANNIVERSARY." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 20 Sep 1934: 10. Web. 11 Oct 2014; http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article24965582.
• 51"WOODSDALE OCTOGENARIAN." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 23 Jul 1930: 12. Web. 12 Oct 2014; http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article29806458.
• 52"Family Notices." The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) 7 Oct 1937: 1. Web. 11 Oct 2014 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article29806458