Historical information

Jessie Imogene [Gene] Chatham ( nee Furness 1901 - 1980) was the grand-daughter of Rosanna McFadden and Alexander Poynton, the 13th child of their eldest daughter Mary Jane Poynton. Philip Chatham was her second eldest child.

Rosanna married Liverpool-born Alexander Poynton in the Free Church of Victoria in 1852. According to family legend, Alexander was attracted to Rosanna’s beautiful singing voice, however his proposal was conditional: he would marry her provided the first twelve children were raised as Protestants. Rosanna and Alexander had 14 children. The thirteenth and last surviving child was brought up Catholic.

Alexander is reported to have been involved in the Eureka Rebellion, placing Rosanna at Ballarat in late 1854. The family moved about the Victorian Goldfields during the 1850s and early 1860s, before selecting a 240 acre property at Illabarook which they named “The Wattles”.
[ https://www.facebook.com/GreatIrishFamineMemorial/photos/a.319845464760508/504144869663899/?type=3&mibextid=WC7FNe&rdid=g7RgSaaGEYbHPsAb&share_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fshare%2F16nh8HnJ71%2F%3Fmibextid%3DWC7FNe sited 22 May 2025]

Several of the children were born at Port Campbell, Vic. Jessie Imogene Chatham ( nee Furniss) was born at Illabarook, Golden Plains Shire, Victoria, Australia. [Jane Dyer ( nee Chatham) 2025]

Rosanna’s first child Alexander, was a State and Federal Politican, holding the role of Treasurer in Billy Hughes government. He was awarded an OBE in 1920 for his work on WW1 repatriation issues. Fifth child Rosanna, married the Mayor of Brunswick and their son Sir Alexander George Wales was Lord Mayor of Melbourne between 1934 – 37. Finally, eleventh son John Joseph was Lord Mayor of Perth.

Alexander died in 1896 at the age of 64, while Rosanna lived on to the age of 87, dying on March 9th, 1920.