John Absolom Stephenson
| First name | John Absolom |
|---|---|
| Last name | Stephenson |
| Country of Origin | England |
| Date of Birth | 30/11/1840 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | c1854 |
| Submitted by | Frazer Stephenson |
Story
Travel to Australia for better employment opportunities. John Absolom Stephenson was born in Liverpool and was the youngest of 19 children to parents Absolom and Maria (nee Wetherley) Stephenson.
John Absolom Stephenson travelled to Australia by the Sailing Ship Oliver Lang in 1854 – a journey that took six months. He arrived in Australia unacompanied by relatives and at the tender age of 16 duly arrived in Wangaratta.
He joined a Government survey party and worked the Beechworth and Bright districts. Later he held the position of Tollkeeper at the Ovens Bridge, but shortly tried his hand at mining in New Zealand. Being unsuccessful, he returned to Wangaratta and began a brick kiln business which he worked for fifty years until his retirement in 1907.
John Absolom Stephenson married Caroline Jane Woodland of Wangaratta on 25/12/1871. Together they had 13 children, four of whom predeceased them. At the time of his death in 1921, John was survived by his wife, three sons and six daughters. His wife Caroline died in 1936 and was at that time survived by 32 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Family names linked to the Stephensons include: Woodland (Whitfield district); George (Warrnambool); William (Shepparton); Leslie (Melbourne); Bell (Wangaratta); Ashby (Seddon); Boykett (Richmond); Wellington (South Africa); Cowan (South Yarra); Batho (England); Oliver (Wangaratta); Leheny; Bailey; Dance; Randall; Olley; Hardie; Douglas; Hill; Ellis; and Birta.
The Stephenson Family Tree continues to grow – were he alive today, John Absolom Stephenson would proudly welcome the newest member Errol Noel Stephenson (anticipated to arrive on 12/12/06), for whom this tribute to his Great Great Great Grandfather is recorded.