On the 12th of March 1891 documents show Ann Myer’s application for a dairy. A small addition to the front right side of the house can be seen in the photo of Ann and her two sons. The dairy remained until the house was demolished in 1969. Mary Dowling’s sisters Ann and Eliza appear on the shipping list to Australia arriving in Melbourne as assisted immigrants on the ‘Hotspur’ on the 25th June 1855. Their ages were recorded as 19 and 20 years. Ann Dowling’s records contains receipts for the rent of land in the parish of Kororoit in 1865. In 1867 Ann married Henry Miers at St Patricks Cathedral on the 28th May at age 26 years. Other spelling of the family name have been spelt, Miers, Myres, Mears and eventually became Myers. Henri came from Prussia but little information about his life before he married Ann. Ann and Henri had a small house built c1860 near Ryans Creek also known a Myers Gully. Henry was a labourer. According to notes in Edna’s research the original house consisted of two rooms and was built by Russell, and more rooms were added later built by Paddy Burns, the grandfather of Nick Burns. Additions were made to extend the south veranda and north further skillion rooms were added.Ann and Henri had four sons, Henry born in 1870, Thomas in 1872, George in 1874 and Frederick in 1877. By the December of 1886 tragedy struck again when father Henry fell from the top of a hay wagon at Darlingsford when the driver Ralph Parkinson failed to warn him the horses where about to move. Henry asked to be taken home where he died the next day. Henri Miers was aged 51 years at his death. The Parkinson family paid compensation for causing the death of Henry. Ralph Parkinson died shortly after. The Myers boys received their education at Melton State School. Their handwriting is testament to the benefit of receiving an education to grade 8. Frederick the youngest son gained his Merit Certificate on the 10th of October 1889. They also received books inscribed by the Head Teacher. Ann was illiterate and was aged about 15 years when she arrived in Australia and was dependent on youngest son Frederick. Although at a disadvantage she managed her legal affairs. Frederick Myers married Martha Watson in 1908. Thomas Myers died in November 1909 Ann Dowling Myers died in October 1924. She lived in the family home with Martha Fred, grandson Fred and granddaughters Marjorie and Edna who was aged six at her death. Her son Henry died in 1950 followed by George in 1954 and Frederick in 1963.

Ann with two of her children and turkeys at the front of their house

pioneer families, local identities