Moxons Down Under A Newsletter for Moxons living in Australia & New Zealand
December 2013
Editorial break from their busy sched- ules every now and then to Contents spend some time getting to Editorial 1 I’d like to wish everyone a very know each other, and to share Joshua Moxon Muster 2 merry Christmas – or the com- experiences. Moxon Gathering 3 pliments of whatever festive Moxon Down Under Re- season you might be celebrat- The fires (as well as other dis- port 6 ing. asters like cyclones, floods and John Moxon’s Award 6 break-ins) should cause us all Family Trees update 6 And may 2014 be full of fun, to think about our valuable About this Newsletter 6 love and prosperity. goods, and how safe they might be in the case of a disas- I hope that any of our members ter. who live in bush fire prone sur- vived the recent fires and are “Valuable goods” will probably safe and well. include your family photos, your genealogical research and The editor’s cousin, Dr Wendy- any stories you have written or Louise Walker, lives in the Blue collected. Mountains near Sydney and she moved to temporary ac- Let’s hope you think about commodation when the fires making digital copies of every- were at their worst – fortunate- thing and storing the copies in ly, all is now well. some other location – e.g. on a second portable hard drive Wendy was possibly the first which you leave at a friend’s researcher of Moxon genealo- place (i.e. not the one you use gy in Australia. In the early for your usual backups, which 1980s she spent many hours in probably sits next to the PC), libraries and registries viewing or even on the cloud, using original documents and micro- something like DropBox, fiche readers, writing letters to Google Drive or MS Sky Drive. all sorts of possible sources, and finally writing it all down That way they’ll be there for and sending it her family. you and your loved ones after the disaster. Those of us who belong to the Joshua Middleton Moxon And while you’re sorting New Members branch owe Wendy much grati- through all your family history, A big welcome to the following tude. how about writing a short story about an ancestor and sending new members of the Moxon As you will read elsewhere in it to me for inclusion in the Society who live Down Under: this newsletter and in the Mox- newsletter? Lyal Moxon, Dickey Beach, on Magazine, Wendy was one QLD MX26 of the 27 Moxons who gath- Regards for now. Major Frank Moxon, Port Mac- ered in Parramatta to meet and John Bruce Moxon quarie NSW MX26 celebrate Joshua’s (and his Editor wife, Louisa’s) life and [email protected] And re-joining: achievements. Dr Wendy Louise Walker, Leura NSW MX26 Family is important and it is worthwhile for families to take a
Moxons Down Under December 2013 Page 1 People brought their photos and Louisa’s children and Joshua & Louisa and research, and there was grandchildren. Moxon Muster great interest in the material that was shared. To celebrate the lives and achievements of Joshua Middleton Moxon and his wife Louisa Mary (nee Wil- kinson), 27 of their de- scendants gathered in Par- Mortuary Station at Haslem ramatta on 6 October 2013 Creek Necropolis (now Rookwood Cemetry). Joshua did
Parramatta was chosen as much of the stone carving. Below, is the same building re- the venue for this muster A short film was shown erected in Canberra, with the bell because it has a rich history which included photos of tower on other side, and used as and was the site of the sec- some of the places where All Saints church. ond white settlement after Joshua and Louisa had lived Sydney Cove. (Dodworth, Silkstone and Grenoside for Joshua, and Hailey and Hoddesdon for Louisa.
Eight of Joshua and Louisa’s An extremely enjoyable High 14 children married and had Tea was served, while peo- children. They were: ple mingled and met cousins George Joshua, they’d never met before. Henry Percy, One of three inns in Grenoside, where Joshua was born in 1840. Herbert Middleton, His father, Isaac, was an inn- Edith Emma Chiffins, keeper. Was he born here? Mortuary station at Redfern (be- William Thorpe, low) which still stands – Joshua Arthur Frederick, It also included a photo of also did much of the stone carv- Alfred John, and the church in London in ing on this beautiful building. Mary Susan. which they were married, and the street in Balmain, Four of these families were Sydney where they lived in represented at the Muster; 1868-71, as well as the those of: George, Henry, Ar- house in Newtown that we thur, and Alfred. believe Joshua was living in when he died in 1894.
In addition, we saw photos of some of Joshua’s stone All born with Moxon as a surname. carving and build- Back row: ing works in Syd- John Allan, Rebecca, Ray, Sarah, Lyal, Shirley, ney. Alana, Bruce, Frank, Danielle. A separate slide Front row: The house in Newtown where Arthur, Roslyn, John Bruce, May, Lachlan. show had photos Joshua died in 1894.
of some of Joshua
Moxons Down Under December 2013 Page 2 The following article is an I walked into the room where Before the AGM ended, I edited version – the full ver- the AGM was being held presented little mementoes sion is posted on the UK and and meet all my WONDER- of Australia to all those pre- International Moxon Society FUL RELLIES!!! The first sent at the Gathering. Facebook Group – Ed. person I spoke to was Tre- vor Jordon – Editor of the Scott Hults-Moxon present- Moxon Magazine, and had ed to the secretary a bag of The Moxon Gathering: the most interesting conver- ‘Moxon’ Coat-of-Arms badg- Lynne Raskow sation with him. es, as a contribution to the How do I start to describe AGM. I have 35 badges to such a wonderful event in I purchased two books, bring back to Australia! A my life? which I want to share with tremendous vote of thanks everyone back home (ha- to Scott! Leaving London in the early ven’t worked out how yet!). morning, before we realized, The first book was Don Brian and I sat with Doris an announcement was being Moxon’s facsimile of Eliza- Moxon and her daughter made that we would shortly beth Moxon’s 1741 English Marlene and son-in-law Da- be arriving in Llandudno in Housewifry (which of course vid Hamilton and Scott North Wales. I got signed personally by Hults-Moxon for dinner. Don) and the other What a wonderful evening, We arrived at this amazing was Index to the first fifty is- having a scrumptious 3 old-fashioned Queens Hotel, sues of the Moxon Magazine course meal, with a choice right out of the 1940s! As I compiled by Chris Moxon, of 3 entrées, main and des- approached the front desk to and I think that I shall prob- sert. announce that we had ar- ably use this book quite a lot rived for the Moxon Gather- to access back issues of the After a refreshing night’s ing, I felt a tap on my shoul- magazine. sleep it was time for break- der, and who should be be- fast. Lo and behold, due to hind me but my 5th Cousin, Before the AGM started I John Moxon (John de Wight) Ken Moxon. met Scott and Vivien Hults- deciding to collect all the Moxon from Birmingham, name badges at breakfast, Alabama, and gave them Brian and I were left in the both a big Aussie hug! dark a bit when it came to names at breakfast! But we Then our meeting com- muddled through. menced! It was a very in- formative meeting and Breakfast was another won- wasn’t a bit dry or boring. derful gastronomical delight.
I felt proud when Margaret I had my traditional breakky Tucker Moxon was of porridge and toast with I went for a walk with mem- acknowledged in the AGM VEGEMITE!!! I took my jar bers Judy (Moxon) Huggett for all her efforts with the down to breakfast, an- and Birget Moxon around Website and everyone was nounced to everyone, the delightful town of very appreciative of how should they like to try some Llundudno, finding a little easy it is to use and move Vegemite, I had some to market, passed the Method- around the website now. share; Don Moxon (I think) ist Church, built of local Again I felt proud when Mar- was game enough to take a stone and lots of stained garet & John were acknowl- serving and Scott also took glass windows, and many edged for their efforts in join- a serving. I’m sorry to say unique and interesting little ing up so many new mem- that there were no other tak- shops, all with many hidden bers in Australia. ers treasures inside.
Moxons Down Under December 2013 Page 3 At 9.00am we met outside town, and hopefully a quick on the front steps to take the look at Caernarfon Castle. ‘2013 Gathering’ photo, and Unfortunately, time was at 9.30am we hopped constrained, and I was only aboard our comfy coach to able to view the Castle’s start our wonderful day of walls on the outside, and sightseeing around the north contribute very quickly to the of Wales. Unfortunately, all good economy of Caernarfon. things much come to an end, and so did our train ride Back at the hotel. Brian and – I could have easily spent I decided to take in the another hour on the train, peaceful and spectacular taking in the views and the views from the terrace with a smell that you can only as- drink prior to heading to the sociate with a steam train! Dining Room for more delec-
At Blaneau Ffestiniog we all table food. boarded the train, which was At Porthmadog our coach an absolutely delightful little took us to Caernarfon for Because this was our last steam engine with ‘Thomas lunch at The Black Boy Inn. dinner together, there were the Tank Engine’ type car- lots of lively conversations riages attached. Brian going on over tea and coffee looked but couldn’t find the but in the end Brian and I Fat Controller! And I kid you excused ourselves and not, it really was that type of headed to bed. surroundings and setting! Before nodding off to sleep, The train trip lasted about Brian said to me “your rellies are not bad”, which, coming two hours and wound Ken told us that from the th from Brian, was a great through the most spectacu- early 16 Century the Black compliment to me and the lar views of the landscape Boy Inn was always referred Moxon Family! that can only be described to as The Black Boy Inn but as Wales! We travelled in the 60/70’s it became po- With that thought going through small tunnels, past litically incorrect to have the through my head I dropped waterfalls, saw the magnifi- name of ‘black boy’, and so off to sleep. Another ad- cent landscape of slate val- to keep the history going, vantage of the Queens Ho- leys, wonderful little the owners changed the tel, is that it is situated in a glens/gullies of forest ferns name to read ‘The Black very quiet part of the town, (where I’m sure fairies live!). Buoy Inn’. Thankfully, there no speeding cars, no drunk- is only one sign now that en people swaggering In all it was a magical train says ‘black buoy’ and all the home, etc. Just beautiful ride! Brian and I were able to old signs have re-emerged’ purchase a book giving the and hold their original places ringing Church bells waking history of the Ffestiniog on the Inn. us up … divine! Railway. What a delightful (have I Breakfast was our last meal The carriages were tiny but used that word be- together at the 2013 Gather- comfortable, with a light ser- fore? Sorry, but it describes ing. This time there were ex- vice of snacks and drinks of- so many wonderful sights) tra pots of tea and coffee or- dered, as I think no one real- fered. I had a Welsh Cider historical inn. which was very nice but it ly wanted the weekend to came in such a large bottle. I decided that I would forgo end! Luckily I was able to talk tea and coffee and have a Ken into sharing with me! very quick look around the
Moxons Down Under December 2013 Page 4 Many wonderful and heart- have a tax file number and through social media, the felt hugs and kisses were in an ABN. The account is website or through Ancestry. abundance and perhaps a reasonably healthy, and cur- I have made sure to publi- bit of a sad time for me, as I rently able to pay expenses, cise the Society on genealo- don’t know if I will be given including all current website gy lists and on social media. the opportunity to attend an- expenses for the Moxon So- It has been very rewarding other Gathering – Maybe ciety. to chat and comment to oth- God will Bless me and give er members around the me another opportunity. Not all membership fees world on our Facebook come to us, some are paid group. I was able to give my heart- directly to the Society felt thanks to Ken and Joan through an English bank ac- John (Bruce) Moxon is now for such a wonderful venue count or more often via the newsletter editor. The and weekend, said goodbye PayPal. first of these has been dis- to Scott and Vivien and tributed by hardcopy to all wished them a wonderful Sadly, one member, Mrs M. Australian/New Zealand tour of Scotland, exchanged Johnston of Brisbane members and has been up- contact details with Judy and passed away earlier this loaded to the website. Just Doris (Moxon). I feel a little year, but her son Alan has type “Down Under” into the sad, but with a wonderful taken over her membership. search box and it will be feeling of belonging to such Otherwise all members ex- listed. a big and loving family! cept one renewed their membership, and we have Our branch of the Moxon (Thanks to John Moxon of attracted 10 new members. Society is holding a Moxon Southampton, John Earnshaw, Some of these are newly Muster in Parramatta, NSW and Scott Hults-Moxon for the found cousins of John’s, but on Sunday October 6. photos – Ed.) others are people who have Numbers are not yet final- discovered the Society ised, but we expect 25-30. Moxons Down Under INCOME 2012-13 report 2012-13 From Brisbane account $ 182.70 (This report was sent to the UK for the AGM – it is re- Membership fees $ 355.00 Income and Expenditure printed here for the infor- Statement 2012-13 mation of Down Under Total income $ 537.70 members – Ed.)
In December 2012, the EXPENSES 2012-13 Moxons Down Under group Bank fees $ 30.00 within the Society was Postage $ 131.15 handed over to my husband Webhosting $ 17.50 John and me by Margaret and Simon Moxon of Bris- Domain $ 108.00 bane. We live in Sydney, Website plugin $ 25.00 and have been members of the Moxon Society since Total expenses $ 311.65 $281.65 reimbursed to ME& JB Moxon - 9/7/2013 2005.
We arranged an account Surplus $ 226.05 with our Building Society in Parramatta and deposited NOTE: A number of Australian and New Zealand members paid directly to The Moxon Society (UK) the transferred funds, amounting to $182.70. We via Paypal or UK standing order/cheque via UK bank accounts Account No: 200665536 BSB 641800 Moxons Down Under: Moxon Society Moxons Down Under December 2013 Page 5 One of our members, Lynne John has served for over 35 John had designed his own (Moxon) Rascow is attend- years in a voluntary capacity family tree program in the late ing the Wales Gathering this on a number of local, state, 1990s, and it is not longer year with her husband Brian. and national organisations. He compatible with Windows or We expect a full report! has been president of a num- Mac OS. ber of these organisations, in-
cluding the Australian Quadri- Our new membership secre- Margaret & John Moxon plegic Association (now SCIA), tary, Chris Moxon and Marga- Co-ordinators, Moxons Physical Disability Council Of ret Tucker Moxon, did a stock- Down Under: The Moxon Australia (now PDA), Physical take to determine which family Society Disability Council of NSW, and trees had no gedcom files. Northmead, NSW Active Job Services. With the help of Ken Moxon, All of these roles were in addi- John Earnshaw and others, we Award for John Bruce tion to his full time paid em- are busily creating these files ployment both in the NSW so that they can be uploaded to Moxon Public Service, and while run- Ancestry or opened in any oth- ning his own business for the er family tree program. Your editor, John Moxon, has 10 years prior to retirement in been honoured with an award 2008. The adequacy of this method during the recent National Dis- of sharing trees is being tested. ability Awards. More information will be shared The award ceremony was held soon. in the Great Hall of Parliament House, Canberra and was at- Margaret would appreciate tended by many people who your updated family tree infor- work in the disability field, all mation so that the Society’s endeavouring to improve the records can be kept up to date. lives of people with disabilities by improving their access to Finalists for the nine awards, before the dinner and ceremo- education, housing, support ny. (Realm Hotel, Canberra) services, employment, trans- Please contribute a story about port, and equipment. John feels very honoured to your family. have had his efforts recognised by being presented with the “Lesley Hall Lifetime Achieve- ment in Disability Award”. And have a great Christmas and New Year.
Moxons Down Under Newsletter is produced for the benefit of the members of the Moxon Society who live in Australia and New Zealand.
John with Assistant Minister for Contributions are very welcome. Disability, Sen. Mitch Fifield. 26 November 2013 The Editor is John Bruce Moxon [email protected] John and Margaret Moxon. Family Trees Our Co-ordinator is Margaret You won’t see John in a suit When the late John Moxon Hill very often. Tucker Moxon. passed away in 2010, his com- [email protected] puter files and hard copy doc-
uments were handed over to Post to:
the Society. 21/6 Amicitia Cct
Northmead 2152 NSW
Moxons Down Under December 2013 Page 6