John William Brass

M, b. December 1873, d. 1950
  • John William Brass's birth was registered in the Sunderland, Durham Registration District in the December 1873 Quarter.
  • He was the son of John Brass and Rebecca Lemmon.
  • John William Brass immigrated on 7 February 1877 to Queensland with John Brass and Rebecca Lemmon. John 28, and Rebecca 25, travelled on the
    Galmis with their two children John 3 and Sarah A aged 4.
  • At the age of 25 years, John William Brass married Sarah Ann Lacey, daughter of William Lacey and Sarah Ann McCullogh, in 1899 in Crow's Nest, Queensland.
  • On 24 March 1900 John was granted a certificate for 80 acres of land at Crow's Nest.
  • He was a member of the first Crow's Nest Band in 1902; Band members were Raymond White, Frederick Williams, Alf Colthrup, James Gleeson, Walter George Benton, Norman White, John William Brass, Thomas Askin, Alfred William Blinco, Tim Gleeson, Anthony Lavery, James Connolly, James Nathanial Cole and HENDY.
  • John William Brass and Sarah Ann Lacey appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1903 living at Crow's Nest. John was a farmer.
  • John William Brass enrolled his children Leonard John Brass and Doris Ethel Brass in Pinelands State School on 1 March 1909. He was a farmer at Pinelands at the time. All of the Brass chidren commenced school at Pinelands
    ; Leonard was 8 years, 9 months and Doris 6 years, 11 months old. Their father was a farmer at Pinelands.
  • Jack Brass, Norman White and his brother Ray White were foundation members of the Crow's Nest Brass Band. Here Jack is with Ray White and Ms Littleton.
    Jack Brass with Ray White and Ms Littleton. Photo thanks to Mary Brass
  • John William Brass and Sarah Ann Lacey appeared on the Electoral Roll between 1925 and 1930 living at "Durham Brae", Crow's Nest. John was a farmer and their son Eric a labourer/farmer.
  • John William Brass died in 1950 in Brisbane, Queensland.
  • The Methodist Church in Crow's Nest erected memorial plaques to early Crow's Nest Pioneers on the Church fence. John's name was amongst them.
    Memorial Plaque to John Brass- Crow's Nest Methodist Church

Children of John William Brass and Sarah Ann Lacey

Kenneth Herbert Brass

M, b. 16 February 1911, d. 1950
  • Kenneth Herbert Brass was born on 16 February 1911 in Queensland.
  • He was the son of John William Brass and Sarah Ann Lacey.
  • Kenneth Herbert Brass commenced school at Pinelands State School on 22 July 1923.
  • Kenneth Herbert Brass died in 1950 in Brisbane, Queensland.

Leonard John Brass

M, b. 1900, d. 1970
  • Leonard John Brass was born in 1900 in Queensland.
  • He was the son of John William Brass and Sarah Ann Lacey.
  • Leonard John Brass commenced school at Pinelands State School on 1 March 1909.
  • Leonard John Brass died in 1970 in Queensland.

Margaret Jane Brass

F, b. 1877, d. 1878
  • Margaret Jane Brass was born in 1877 in Queensland.
  • She was the daughter of John Brass and Rebecca Lemmon.
  • Margaret Jane Brass died in 1878 in Queensland.

Margaret Lemmon Brass

F, b. 1879, d. 18 November 1879
  • Margaret Lemmon Brass was born in 1879 in Queensland.
  • She was the daughter of John Brass and Rebecca Lemmon.
  • Margaret Lemmon Brass died on 18 November 1879 in Queensland. She was 8 months old.
  • Margaret was buried on 19 November 1879 in Drayton & Toowoomba Cemetery.

Myra Florence Brass

F, b. 15 July 1907
  • Myra Florence Brass was born on 15 July 1907 in Queensland.
  • She was the daughter of John William Brass and Sarah Ann Lacey.
  • Myra Florence Brass commenced school at Pinelands State School on 7 August 1915.
  • At the age of 24 years, Myra Florence Brass married Dudley Servern Fisher Thomas in 1932 in Queensland.

Sarah Elizabeth Brass

F, b. March 1872, d. 16 April 1965
  • Sarah Elizabeth Brass's birth was registered in the Sunderland, Durham Registration District in the March 1872 Quarter.
  • She was the daughter of John Brass and Rebecca Lemmon.
  • At the age of 29 years, Sarah Elizabeth Brass married Alexander Andrew, son of William Andrew and Louise Morley, in 1902.
  • Sarah Elizabeth Brass appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1903 living at Anduramba, Crow's Nest. She carried out home duties. Her husband Alexander was not registered. Her brother in law Alfred Sydney was also living at Anduramba at the time.
  • She and Alexander Andrew appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1903 living at Anduramba, Crow's Nest. Alexander was a farmer.
  • Sarah Elizabeth Brass and Alexander Andrew appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1930 living at Glen Glamis, Pinelands. Alexander was a grazier.
  • Sarah Elizabeth Brass and Alexander Andrew appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1936 living at Glen Glamis, Pinelands. Alexander was a grazier of "Glen Glamis" while Sarah was shown as living at Pinelands. Their daughter Rebe also lived at "Glen Glamis."
  • Sarah Elizabeth Brass died on 16 April 1965 at age 93.
  • Sarah was buried on 17 April 1965 in Drayton & Toowoomba Cemetery.

Children of Sarah Elizabeth Brass and Alexander Andrew

Edward Charles Brauer

M, b. 1909, d. 9 April 1992
  • Edward Charles Brauer was born in 1909 in Queensland.
  • He was the son of William Frederick Brauer and Annie Malwine Heuer.
  • Edward Charles Brauer died on 9 April 1992 in Queensland.
  • Edward was buried on 11 April 1992 in Drayton & Toowoomba Cemetery.

Frederick Wilhelm Brauer

M, b. 1890, d. 1975

Henry August Brauer

M, b. 1892, d. 1937
  • Henry August Brauer was born in 1892 in Queensland.
  • He was the son of William Frederick Brauer and Annie Malwine Heuer.
  • Henry August Brauer appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1921 living at Ravensbourne. He was a grazier.
  • Henry August Brauer died in 1937 in Queensland.

Katherine May Brauer

F, b. 1901, d. 1963

Leslie Brauer

M, b. circa 1917, d. 1981

Lily Jane Brauer

F, b. 27 December 1904, d. 29 July 1994

Children of Lily Jane Brauer and Johann (Fred)erick Zropf

Minnie Elizabeth Brauer

F, b. 1895, d. 1984
  • Minnie Elizabeth Brauer was born in 1895 in Queensland.
  • She was the daughter of William Frederick Brauer and Annie Malwine Heuer.
  • At the age of 20 years, Minnie Elizabeth Brauer married Charles McLauchlan, son of John McLauchlan and Hannah Robson, in 1915 in Queensland.
  • Minnie Elizabeth Brauer was listed as the next of kin of Charles McLauchlan when he enlisted in the Australian Army on 14 April 1943 in Eight Mile Plains. He was living at Eight Mile Plains at the time he enlisted and gave his next of kin as Minnie McLaughlan. He was discharged from the 4th Battalion Defence Corps on 21 Oct 1945 with the rank of Private.
  • In 1961,her husband, Charles McLauchlan died in Brisbane, Queensland.
  • Minnie Elizabeth Brauer died in 1984 in Queensland.

Ruth Mabel Brauer

F, b. 1903

Sarah Ann Brauer

F, b. 1896, d. 1973

William Frank Brauer

M, b. 1899, d. 1972

William Frederick Brauer

M, b. 1867, d. 1941
  • William Frederick Brauer was born in 1867 in Brisbane, Queensland. He was the son of Fredericke Brauer.
  • At the age of 22 years, William Frederick Brauer married Annie Malwine Heuer, daughter of Wilhelm Johann Heuer and Fredericke Bredow, in 1889 in Queensland.
  • William Frederick Brauer appeared on the Electoral Roll in 1903 living at Palinby. William was a farmer.
  • He and Annie Malwine Heuer appeared on the Electoral Roll between 1913 and 1925 living at Ravensbourne. William was a farmer.
  • William Frederick Brauer died in 1941 in Queensland.

Children of William Frederick Brauer and Annie Malwine Heuer

Alexander Bray

M, b. 24 April 1867, d. 4 September 1867

Alexander Duncan Bray

M, b. 1 June 1873, d. 1916

Amy Bray

F, b. 1886, d. 13 January 1959

Andrew Colin Bray

M, b. 1875

Arthur Henry Bray

M, b. 1890, d. 25 December 1952

Bessie James Bray

F, b. 15 December 1872, d. 11 January 1956
  • Bessie James Bray was born on 15 December 1872 in Penzance, Cornwall, England.
  • She was the daughter of Digory Hamlyn Bray and Grace Maddern.
  • Bessie James Bray immigrated on 1 January 1873 to Ellis Island, New York, New York, with Grace Maddern. Grace travelled on the City of Richmond with her two daughters Honor aged 6 and Bessie aged 1.
  • Bessie's birth was registered in the Penzance, Cornwall Registration District in the March 1873 Quarter. However, the birth date given on the Californian death records, 1940-1947, is 15 Dec 1874.
  • She immigrated to California, USA, between 1874 and 1876.
  • Her death record shows Bessie James Bray was born on 15 December 1874 in Cornwall, England, however, this date appears to be two years out, Bessie having been born at the end of 1872 or early 1873.
  • She appeared as a member of the household of Digory Hamlyn Bray and Grace Maddern in 1880 in Nortonville, Contra Costa, California; Digory is shown as a 38 year old miner born England, parents born England, living with Grace, 38, born England, parents born England, Jane 12, born England, a scholar, Bessie 7, born England, a scholar, and Hettie 4, born California & Gracie 2 born California.
  • On 17 November 1883 The Contra Costa Gazette published and article on the Sunday School concert held at Nortinville. Miss Bessie Brey recited "Christmas Eve."
  • Bessie James Bray married Henry August Hetzer, son of August Hetzer and Catherine Unknown, in 1894 in California. According to the 1930 census, she was 21 years old when she married..
  • Bessie James Bray died on 11 January 1956 in San Francisco, California, USA, at age 83.

Children of Bessie James Bray and Henry August Hetzer

David Bray

M, b. 23 October 1877, d. 19 May 1897
  • David Bray was born on 23 October 1877 in Eaglehawk, Victoria.
  • He was the son of John Bray and Catherine Hamilton Innes.
  • David Bray died on 19 May 1897 in Eaglehawk, Victoria, at age 19.

Digory Hamlyn Bray

M, b. September 1841, d. 12 July 1884
  • Digory Hamlyn Bray was known as Richard by the members of his family.
  • He's birth was registered in the Penzance, Cornwall Registration District in the September 1841 Quarter.
  • He was the son of John Bellow Bray and Honor Williams.
  • At the time of the 30 March 1851 census, Digory Hamlyn Bray was living in the household of Honor Williams and John Bellow Bray in Jamaca Place, Madron. John senior was shown as a 52 year old basket maker born Breage, living with his 42 year old wife Honor also a basket maker born Breage, and sons John 14, born Penzance, Digory 10, Peter 5, and Sampson P aged 1, all born Madron.

  • At the age of 25 years and 9 months, Digory Hamlyn Bray married Grace Maddern, daughter of Thomas Maddern and Priscilla Lower, on 22 June 1867 in Penzance, Cornwall, England. They were married by Banns. Digory Hambling Bray was of full age, a labourer of Tredavoe (Father: John Bellow Bray, Basket Maker). Grace Maddern was also of full age of Tredavoe (Father: Thomas Maddern, Farmer). Witnesses were Thomas Maddern, Thomas Maddern Jr.
  • Digory Hamlyn Bray witnessed the marriage of Sampson Rodda Bray and Mary Jane Richards on 9 December 1871 in Paul Parish Church; Sampson Rodda is show as a full age bachelor, residence Faugan, father John Blue ? Bray, basketmaker. Mary Jane was a full age spinster, father William Richards a farmer of Faugan. Samson signed with his mark and Mary Jane signed her name. They were married by banns. Witnesses to the marriage were Digory Bray and Richard Richards.
  • Digory Hamlyn Bray immigrated between 1874 and 1876to California. He came with Grace and their two daughters Honor (Jane) and Bessie. There seems to be conflicting data as to when the family came to California. Both Honor and Bessie were born in Cornwall before the end of 1873, and Hettie was born in California in March 1876. Jennie (Honor) stated on the 1930 census that she immigrated in 1867, which would have been just after her birth, her sister Bessie stated she immigrated in 1876.
  • He was naturalised on 8 August 1877 in Contra Costa County, California.
  • He and Grace Maddern appeared on the census of 1880 in Nortonville, Contra Costa, California. Digory is shown as a 38 year old miner born England, parents born England, living with Grace, 38, born England, parents born England, Jane 12, born England, a scholar, Bessie 7, born England, a scholar, and Hettie 4, born California & Gracie 2 born California.
    This abandoned town near Rose Hill Cemetery is either Nortonville or Somerville Contra Costa, California (photo courtesy of Jennifer - Graveyard Rabbits of Contra Costa website) - Digory and Grace Bray (nee Maddern) lived in Nortonville 1880-1884 while he worked as a miner.
  • Digory Hamlyn Bray died on 12 July 1884 in Nortonville, Contra Costa, California, at age 42. A notice was placed in the Contra Costa gazette on the 26 July 1884, announcing his death. In the same issue was this report on the inquest into his death. "On Saturday the 12th inst., as Digory Bray was being hoisted from the shaft of the Black Diamond Mine at Nortonville in company with two other miners, he fell upon the cage and the timbers. His head was crushed, killing him instantly. A lump of coal had fallen on Bray's foot during the day, and the presumption is that on the way up from the shaft he fainted from pain. He was a member of the Black Diamond Lodge, No. 29, K. of P., and of Mt. Diablo Lodge, No. 128, I.O.O.F. His funeral took place under the auspices of both Lodges. An inquest was held by Coroner Guy and the following jurors: W.B. Witherow, C. Evans, J. Borboageleta, Thomas J. Griffith, James Hunt, W.J. Griffith, Hugh Evans, and Joseph D. Davis. The facts of the case were testified to by Jacob Roper, H.J. Thomas, James H. Hunter and W.P. Morgans, and the jury found that the death of the deceased was caused by an unavoidable accident."
  • Digory was buried on 14 July 1884 in Rose Hill Cemetery. Rose Hill Cemetery served the mining towns of Nortonville and Somerville until they were abandoned.
    Rose Hill Cemetery - Nortonville Contra Costa, California (photo courtesy of Jennifer - Graveyard Rabbits of Contra Costa website) - Digory Bray is thought to be buried here.
    Rose Hill Cemetery - Nortonville Contra Costa, California (photo courtesy of Jennifer - Graveyard Rabbits of Contra Costa website) - Digory Bray is thought to be buried here.
  • On 15 July 1884 Katie Hughes wrote this letter to her father David, Hughes. David was the minister of the Welsh church in Nortonville, but was away on a trip, so his daughter wrote him about happenings in Nortonville:
    "...Saturday at four oclock as they were coming up from work Mr. Bray and two other men were comming in the cage and they were talking when all at once Mr. Bray (on school house hill) fell back they do not know whether he had a fit or fainted but before they could jerk his head in the cage it caught in the timber and took the top of his head right above his eyes off and they say that the blood just poured out of his head just as if you were pouring it out of a pail and his brains were scattered all over the cage. Mr. Morgans said it was a terable sight. Mr. Moses Williams was here Sunday so they had him to stay until the funeral it was Monday at three oclock so he dident go home until today it was a very large funeral it reached from the grave-yard to the top of the hill..." [errors as originally written]

Children of Digory Hamlyn Bray and Grace Maddern

Edith May Bray

F, b. 7 September 1883, d. 27 May 1957
  • Edith May Bray was born on 7 September 1883 in Eaglehawk, Victoria.
  • She was the daughter of John Bray and Catherine Hamilton Innes.
  • Edith May Bray died on 27 May 1957 in Griffith, NSW, at age 73.

Elizabeth Honor Bray

F, b. 31 August 1876, d. 7 January 1877
  • Elizabeth Honor Bray was born on 31 August 1876 in Victoria.
  • She was the daughter of John Bray and Catherine Hamilton Innes.
  • Elizabeth Honor Bray died on 7 January 1877.

Emily Bray

F, b. 1 August 1877
  • Emily Bray was born on 1 August 1877.
  • She was the daughter of Peter White Bray and Priscilla Randall.
  • Emily Bray was baptized on 28 October 1877 in Perranuthnoe, Cornwall. At the time of her baptism her father Peter was a gardener of Treveane.

Ethel May Bray

F, b. 1887