Photo - Ann Cox as a young woman, which was a great surprise and delight during a visit to Clarendon 2003. It's origin is unknown at this time, but thanks to M.Maddock for a lazer copy. 2. This wonderful photo of Annie as an older woman was painted on a tile and in possession of descendant Robin Hirst of Sydney. 3. George Bostock courtesy of Robin Hirst, who descends from George & Ann's daughter Mary Rachael Bostock who m.1874 William Anderson Adams.

ANN COX & GEORGE BOSTOCK VAN DIEMEN'S LAND TO VICTORIA

ANN COX was just over two years of age when her mother Mary (Connell) Cox died in July 1828. Ann's younger sister Julia was born April 1828 and she died in April 1829. This leaves James Cox with seven young children, while coming to terms with the loss of his wife in 1828 and baby in July 1829. So James Cox married 1.5.1829 to ELIZA (Eddington) COLLINS dau/of Gov.David Collins who died March 1810, while Eliza was a baby. Eliza was born to Gov.Collins and mistress Margaret Eddington who died 1822. Eliza Collins b.17.12.1809 married James Cox in double ceremony with William Archer and Caroline Harrison at St.John's Church, Launceston. The happy occasion was shared with their many friends who joined in the reception at historic "Woolmers" at Longford. The band played as they left for the homestead in James Cox's four-in-hand carriage.

This shows that Eliza became Ann's stepmother, knowing her for most of her life. ANN COX would have lived in the first Clarendon house at ground level, as she was born 12.4.1826 and the home was not completed until 1838. By 1849 ANN COX was married to a young man she would have known most of her life. GEORGE BOSTOCK was b.3.6.1826 (same as Ann) and lived down the 'highway' at "Vaucluse" Cleveland, a distance of about 28 kilometers. However there was some distance between as George left his home and followed Ann's brother John Cox (bond store) and Michael Connolly (whaling, shipping, future bro-in-law) in c.1839 for 'greener' pastures. This was done with his father's blessing, as his father (formerly Royal Navy, slave trader and merchant) saw greater potential for him.

By November 1837 George's mother Rachael Bostock had died, while giving birth to son James 1837. Robert possessed about 8,000 acres in total before he died 10.6.1847. Robert wrote regularly to son George, encouraging him and urging him to do his very best. Mail was carried by vessels going to and fro from Launceston to Port Fairy. GEORGE BOSTOCK worked very hard and with great integrity, becoming concerned for all things in the region around him. As a very young man, George was at first, put in charge of all ships entering the Moyne River. I have a number of old letters from Robert to George in 1840's. He was very enterprising and by 1849 had purchased a lease on "Eumarella West", Macarthur, where he became a pastoralist. With that done, he sailed for Tasmania where he married ANN COX in May 1849.

Issue to George & Ann:- 1. ROBERT BOSTOCK (2) (my grandfather) b.29.1.1850 Eumarella West; 2. MARY RACHAEL BOSTOCK b.1851-W'bool died at Katoomba m.1874 Wm.A.ADAMS; 3. GEORGE ERNEST BOSTOCK 1854/1855; 4. JAMES COX BOSTOCK 1854/1858 (twin with George); 5. EMILY MARGARET BOSTOCK 1856/1938 m.1881 Monkton Davy SYNNOT 1854/1938.

By 1852 George and Ann sold the 'farm' and moved to Warrnambool. He had learned much and was now able to get on with all the things he planned to do for community and himself. He went into partnership with Thomas Manifold, who with two brothers pioneered the Western District and settled "Purrumbete" Camperdown. Thomas was different to his brothers and partnered George in the first Bond Store on Lady Bay, which George managed for the company. Thomas was often absent, as he travelled regularly, but the two men remained great friends until George's decease.

It is important to state here that whatever business, land or finance matter was conducted in those days, between friends and/or relatives, every transaction was sealed with a legal document. I have quite a lot of these great old documents, still in good condition, which are a wonderful link to the history of that era. George and Ann progressed, owning many lots and land and being prominent in all things concerning the local people and the region. He built the first Bond Store "Manifold & Bostock" on Lady Bay and a little later moved to a new store on the site of the present Art Gallery at Warrnambool. George built "The Mill" at Mortlake in 1856, while his family was increasing. This Mill is the symbol of the town of Mortlake in 2003.

Ann gave birth to twins in 1854 - George Ernest Bostock had died young and the second twin James Cox Bostock d.1858 aged 3. George Bostock (father) became ill and fearing his imminent death, went to Tasmania (his birthplace) alone in 1858, where he died one day before his 32nd birthday. Ann had given birth to her last son in March the same year - 1858. So there was sadness in so many ways for all those pioneering families. George's brother Ernest Bostock died 1871, while his wife Lucy Hannah Aitkin, daughter of James Aitkin & Mary Meacock (nee Manifold) "Glen Esk", also lost a child and gave birth to another in a 12 month period.

ANN (Cox) BOSTOCK moved to Melbourne some time after these sad events. She was living at Darling Street, South Yarra, when she died on 4.9.1865 of consumption, predeceasing her father Jamex Cox. Ann was aged 39 years and, left to mourn her death were, Robert (my grandfather) 15yrs; Mary 13yrs; Emily 11 and George James 7. Ann's brother-in-law Claud Farie (hus/of Jane Cox) was witness to her death. Ann was laid to rest in St.Kilda Cemetery. The memorial stone is inscribed with names of 'Mary Adams' who died at Katoomba, Blue Mountains; 'George James Bostock' who d.1861and 'Emily Synnot' who died 1938. It is thought that George's brother Augustus Bostock (1833-1920), the longest survivor in the Bostock family was executor and guardian of the children of George and Ann. The Wills of George and Ann, are wonderful documents to have in possession. Augustus released an inheritance to my grandfather ROBERT BOSTOCK (1850-1921) in November 1872, the year he drove a large herd of cattle etc., to the Cooper Creek region of Central Australia. Robert rode with his friend John Conrick, whose selection Robert also registered at Charleville, Qld., together with his own selection - 'Innamincka'. It was at Innamincka that he 'lost everything' resulting from the third and last alteration to the borders between N.S.W., Queensland and South Australlia. Robert's land was found to be in South Australia.

JAMES COX would have been saddened by the loss of his beautiful daughter Ann (Cox) Bostock, at such a young age. He had been married to Eliza Collins for many years and had an additional large family by this time, but his Will provided 1,078 acres, part of his Clarendon Estate, to the four surviving issue of Ann and George.

This is just a small part of an amazing story of the life of some great pioneers of this vast country. Web space to say more is a problem, but I am happy to communicate with anyone by email.

To be CONTENT - LOOK back on those who POSSESS LESS than yourself and NOT on THOSE who POSSESS MORE. If this does not make you HAPPY...then you don't deserve HAPPINESS.... Ben Franklin