Courtesy Anne Doburn
William Stirling (1806-1865) and Janet Johnston (1815-1904) were married
in Glasgow on 20 July 1840.
William’s older brother James Stirling and his wife Ann (Fergie)
and seven children had arrived at Port Phillip on 26 January 1842
on the vessel Robert Benn (809 tons):
James Stirling 39 Kitchen/Gardener Stirlingshire
Ann Stirling 38 Housekeeper Stirlingshire
William Stirling 15 Son Stirlingshire
Peter Stirling 13 Son Stirlingshire
Thomas Stirling 6 Son Stirlingshire
Elizabeth Stirling 9 Daughter Stirlingshire
Margaret Stirling 1 ¼ Daughter Stirlingshire
Unmarried Males
James Stirling 18 Labourer Glasgow
Unmarried Females
Anne Stirling 15 House servant Glasgow
Jane Stirling 19 House servant Glasgow
Janet (Johnston) Stirling and children* sailed on the Admiral Boxer
(1150 tons) from Liverpool on 3 December 1856, arriving in Geelong on
9 March 1857. Janet’s mother Annie (Martin) Johnston came to Australia
on the same ship as Janet and family.
When Janet arrived, the remarks against Janet’s name say “Gone
with husband, William Stirling, Little Scotland” (Little Scotland
was a small area in Geelong).
It is thought that William may have come on the same ship as crew (See Death Notice below of Mrs T Orchard who states that she came to Victoria with her parents Mr and Mrs William Stirling on the Admiral Boxer)
William and Janet’s family
*John b 27 April 1841
Anne (died young)
*Robert Johnston b 1844 (?)
William (died young)
*Elizabeth Wilson Johnston b 1849
Annie Martin b 1850
*Margaret Johnston b 1852
Jessie Johnston b 1854
*James Thomas b 1858 Winchelsea (the only one born in Australia)
The story in the family is that, as she grew older, she added 10 years to her age. Told everyone she was 99 years old, when she was 89 years!
