Historical information

Charles Partington married Ellen Whatmough; they and their children, Robert and James, came to Australia in 1857 because Ellen's brother, Robert Whatmough, had come here in 1841. Whatmough was Melbourne's first lamplighter while also working in John Batman's Spencer Street orchard; he moved in 1842 to establish an orchard in Greensborough. Both Partington boys died soon after the family arrived at Greensborough but later two daughters were born, Prudina and Maria, and five sons, including William . On arrival Charles Partington began work for Mr Flintoff at Black Hills and was later toll keeper on what is now Watsonia Road. He was later a successful orchardist. William Partington married Annie-May Medhurst, daughter of David Medhurst and Martha Ruston, daughter of Peter Ruston who had settled in Greensborough in the 1850s after working for Mr Hooper in Darebin Creek, then moved to Panton Hill in 1866 working as a carrier. The Rustons had six children, including Martha and James. Martha married David Medhurst in 1882 who was the son of David Medhurst and Charity Jane Pink. After David's death, Charity Jane married George Wescott. David and Martha Medhurst had eight children, including Annie May. They bought land in Main Street, Greensborough and set up as a greengrocer. William and Annie-May Partington's family home, Willis Vale, purchased from Mr Meagher by William's father, Charles; it was built by Meagher in 1839 but destroyed by vandals in 1966 after being compulsory purchased for parkland now called Partington's Flat. Their children were Eva, Grace, Alan, Jessie, and Jack. They attended Greensborough Primary School. Alan married Wyn.

Contents
Newspaper article: "Link with the past", Diamond Valley News, 21 February 1984. Alan Partington's research on Robert Whatmough, early settler in Greensborough, and his brother-in-law Charles Partington.
Newspaper article: "How early families linked up", Diamond Valley News, 28 February 1984. Alan Partington's research into the Ruston and Medhurst families.
Newspaper article: "Old days recalled", Diamond Valley News, 13 March 1984. Alan Partington's research in the Partington family.

Physical description

Newspaper clippings, A4 photocopies, etc