Our Wise Family, in all, now numbering over 2,500, had a huge gathering in Wangaratta on the 19th of July 2008 to celebrate my great great grandfather and great great grandmother’s arrival at Port Phillip, on the 19th of July 1848, some 160 years ago.
Joseph Wise and his wife Matilda settled for 10 years in the Yan Yean District before moving on to live in the Wangaratta District around 1863.
Joseph Wise married Matilda Flint (Hattan), 12th of October, 1846.
They had quite a few children, namely, Eliza, Ellen, James, Emma, George, Elizabeth, Baby Wise, Ann, John and Matilda.
Eliza was born 1847 in Twyford, Buckinghamshire, England and died at sea, 1848 on route to Australia.
James, born August, 1850 in Yan Yean, died 16th December, 1868 in Black Dog Creek, Wahgunyah, age 18. James was christened in a local church. No records found as yet for the other children.
Emma, born 1852, Melbourne, died, 24th May, 1866 in Beechworth, age 14. (No birth record found)
Ellen, born 20th May, 1849 in Yan Yean, died 14th April in Oxley Flats, age 70.
George Joseph, born 22nd November, 1853 in Merriang, died 12th May, 1929 in Cranbourne, age 76
Elizabeth Ann, born 4th November, 1845 in Yan Yean, died 26th October, 1945 Wangaratta age 89.
The records show there was a female baby, born 22nd October, 1856 in Yan Yean but nothing else was shown.
Ann Elizabeth, born 5th July, 1857 in Barbers Creek, Yan Yean, died 30th September, 1939, Melbourne age 82.
John, born 19th October, 1858 in Barbers Creek, died 5th May, 1946 Sydney age 87.
William (my grandfather), born 19th April, 1861 in Morang, died 29th January, 1952 in Beechworth, age 93.
Matilda (born and died 1863 Wangaratta district)
Joseph died in Wangaratta on the 17th of July 1910 and was buried on the 19th of July 1910. The dedication of a headstone took place on the 19th of July 2008 at the Wangaratta Cemetery. It was an incredible day, with over 200 attending to remember our early beginnings in Australia, commencing with morning tea and launch of a family history DVD at the Wangaratta library, then lunch (we took over the huge room at a local hotel) and finishing at the cemetery.
I have tried in vain to find out exactly where the Wise family farm was, to no avail.
Verna October 2008
Added by Verna’s cousin Su… We are looking to find out where the family lived in Yan Yean. We know that Joseph worked on the Dr Ronald Station on the Plenty River. One would assume that the children may have attended school in the Yan Yean area. Joseph Wise it would seem had land in the Yan Yean area as he was on the Electoral roll in 1856. Joseph with a bullock team and cart between Yan Yean (Melbourne) and Beechworth.
Any information on the Wise Family and their connection with Yan Yean would be greatly appreciated by family members.
Su October 2008, updated October 2013 challenger-hello@hotmail.com
