George James Davidson & Frances Ann Jolly ...
George James Davidson, the seventh child of Robert and Margaret, was born in the winter of 1873 at the Doch and Doris Hotel, Mt Egerton. Along with his siblings, his schooling was undertaken in Mt. Egerton.
George James Davidson
Sketch map showing George James Davidson's land in Mt. Egerton
In 1899, George married Frances Ann Jolly at the Church of Christ in Ballarat. George and Frances had 7 children, the first, a son named Campbell, only lived for one day before sadly dying. Their surviving children were Gladys Ada, Elsie Doris, Iris Irene, Frances Enis, George Maxwell, and Frank McIntosh.
In 1914, George obtained land within the township of Mt. Egerton, on which he built a five-bedroomed weatherboard house.
George was a State Government Battery Manager and was responsible for the setting up of cyanide plants at four different locations down the course of the Bungal Creek. He moved throughout Victoria in the course of his work, travelling mostly by train. However, when he went to Walhalla and Glen Wills in Gippsland, he went by horseback.
Letter to Secretary of Mines recommending George James Davidson for promotion
Certificate recording George James Davidson's election and installation as
Worshipful Master of Lodge No. 168, 1916-1917 (click on image to enlarge)
George was, by trade, a gunsmith, and over the years was very involved with the local Rifle Club. He was also a Mason, and in 1917 was sworn in as District Grand Master of the M.U.I.O.O.F. Lodge.
On an April day in 1924, George was helping to load some machinery when it fell on him and strained his heart. He never recovered from the injury, dying within a day at the young age of only 50. After his death, Frances remained at Egerton for a while before moving to Bendigo, where she passed away in 1946 at the age of 70. George and Frances are buried together at Mt. Egerton Cemetery.
L-R George Maxwell Davidson, Susan Harriet Davidson,
unknown child and George James Davidson
Grave of George James Davidson & Frances Ann Jolly
Please note: More detailed information on the children and their families of George and Frances Davidson will be added at a later date.
To view the full Descendant Chart for George James Davidson and Frances Ann Jolly, please click here.
Sources:
The Egertonian: Kith and Kin of our Clan Davidson - written by Gail Chambers and Lydia Davidson 1995 (edited by Gail Erwood 2021)