Women’s History Month

March is Women’s History Month , and here is my post about  my great great Grandmother Martha Lloyd.

There is nothing at all famous about Martha. In fact, she would probably just be considered an ordinary member of an ordinary family. But to me, Martha is extraordinary because of her family.

Martha was born on 2 September 1813, in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales and married John Taylor on 25 August, 1839 at the Parish of St. Thomas, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales.

Their first child, James Lloyd was born  on 2nd October 1839 at Mt. Hermon, Haverfordwest.  Second son, John Lloyd was born on 7 September 1840, while still living at Mt. Hermon.

In 1841, as shown on the 1841 Census they were living at City Road Haverfordwest. Sometime after the census the family migrated to Australia. As yet, no immigration record for their voyage has been found, causing me much frustration.

Their third son William Lloyd (my great great Grandfather) was born at Diamond Creek Victoria, Australia on 24 October 1842.

So all that I know so far about their migration is that they left Wales after 6 June 1841 (census date) and arrived in Australia 24 October 1842.

The male children in the family were all given the second name of Lloyd which was Martha’s surname. This name continued in subsequent generations until almost the present day. My father and his siblings carried the Lloyd name also.

Martha and John went on to have a large family of 12 children – 8 boys and 4 girls. One son, and daughter Ellen died as infants, otherwise all other children lived to old age.

The family lived and raised their family in the  Diamond Creek and Whittlesea area.  After the death of her husband in 1881, Martha moved to the Yarrawonga & Bundalong area to be closer to her sons.

When I think of Martha, I think of what it must have been like for her to leave her home in Haverfordwest and travel to the very far-off and little known country of Australia. To face an uncomfortable and often treacherous voyage with two small boys, aged 1 and 2 years old, is unimaginable to me. Did she wonder what was going to become of her and her family in this strange, far off land? I’m sure she would have.

I would love to have heard stories of Martha, but unfortunately the only information I have is what has been found in archives, registers and the newspaper. Also I’m sad to say that as yet I haven’t come across any photo of Martha.

from: Yarrawonga Mercury, October 8, 1891. DEATH AT BUNDALONG: On Thursday last, Mr. John Lloyd Taylor, of Bundalong, suffered bereavement in the loss of his mother, aged 76. The sad event, transpiring at the residence of the deceased’s son. The deceased, who had been ailing for some time, was the relict of the late Mr. John Taylor of Whittlesea, and leaves a grown up family. The funeral took place on Friday, the place of interment being the Yarrawonga Cemetary. The Rev. A. Rivett officiated at the grave. (on hand)