Linton stories

The Linton Cemetery Trust is eager to hear your interesting stories celebrating the lives of the people buried at Linton Cemetery.

The stories may be shared on this website along with photos to promote the Cemetery and it’s long and varied history supporting the people of Linton and its surrounds.

If you have a story regarding your ancestors that you think may be of interest to others, please email it to the Secretary.

JOHN & ELIZABETH WILLIAMS

This grave/monument has always fascinated me, from a child wandering through the Cemetery putting flowers on graves that looked forgotten and lonely to today, quite some years later.

So, I finally did some research to satisfy my curiosity.

This grave, located in the peaceful, bush setting of the Linton Cemetery, Church of England Section 8, grave 121, belongs to John and Elizabeth Williams of Happy Valley.

John and Elizabeth lived at the “Waverley Paddock”, Happy Valley.

John was a miner, working at the Hedley Freehold Gold Mine, Linton, when he was involved in an accident that took his life. He died on the 1st May 1878 from injuries received in the accident, and was buried at the Linton Cemetery on the afternoon of Friday 3rd May 1878, the Undertaker being R.S. Nelson, Linton. His funeral was largely attended, including men from the adjoining claim.

There is no record of Elizabeth Sarah Williams being buried in the Linton Cemetery, just this inscription on the grave. It is still very possible that she is buried in with her husband.

John Williams was born in England in 1821. 

His father was James Williams, and  his mother was Sarah Williams

(nee Berry).

John married Elizabeth Sarah Knight in 1869 in Melbourne, Victoria.

They had been married for 8 years when he died, having no children from the marriage.

Their property was located at: Allotment 19, Parish of Argyle, County of Grenville, consisting of 68 acres, known as “Waverley Paddock”, Happy Valley.

On their property they had a wooden cottage consisting of three rooms. Their property was fenced with wooden posts and rails and divided into three convenient paddocks and a garden.

At the time of his death John had:

·      40 shares in the Morey Freehold Company.

·      1/13th Share in Hedley Goldmining Company, Linton.

·      Cash in the bank of 164 pounds,

·      13 head of cattle

·      11 sheep

·      2 dozen poultry

·      2 pigs

·      No debts due or owing.

His wife Elizabeth Sarah Williams was the Administratrix, granted administration of John’s Estate and effects, this was witnessed by Thomas Kennedy.

Elizabeth Williams stayed on at Waverley Paddock until at least 1881, when she advertised the property for was for sale in the Ballarat Courier on Tuesday 1st July 1881.