Albert Hayes ~ 1868-1936
married 1892
Margaret Jane Cochrane ~ 1869-1933
The Glencoe Family
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: the following story is by Margaret McKenzie and Elizabeth 'Bessie' Wilkinson as published in "Stories of the Hayes Family Volume 2", "The Family of Albert and Maggie Hayes", pages 19-24. Margaret & Bessie collated information and stories from the following relatives: Lorraine Holtschke (nee Heywood); Peter Jacob; Marjory Donaldson and Charlie Thomas: Norman Hayes' daughter: Nell, Jessie, Miriam, Ethel and Dorothy re Glencoe life; Colin Purss.
Edited by Jennie Burt for reproduction in this website.
Edited by Jennie Burt for reproduction in this website.
Albert - Last but not Least!Albert Hayes was born 30 July 1868 to Mark & Maria in their Tooborac home, "Leicester House". When he was born he had seven big brothers to boss him around and one big sister, Mary Ann who was then 23 years old. However, Mary Ann was never his big sister at home as she had married William Donaldson in 1867, the year before Albert was born. Nearly two months after he was born, Mary Ann gave birth to Albert's nephew, John Donaldson. Uncle John and nephew Albert must have grown up more like brothers. At Albert birth, Alfred was only two; David 7; James 8 1/2; Mark Henry 10; Edward 12; William 14 1/2; while George was 22 years old. What a busy household!
Young AlbertAlbert commenced his schooling at the Tooborac Common School (later to become State School No 622) which he attended with some of his older brothers, probably Alfred, David and possibly James.
According to Jack Hayes, Albert went on to attend school in Heathcote with his brother David. Here, either or both may have learnt bookkeeping. Upon leaving school, Albert was apprenticed to Christies Store in Heathcote where he worked in the drapery department for three years. Maggie - Last but OneMaggie was born Margaret Jane Cochrane on the 3 April 1869 in "Smiths Gully" near Heathcote in Victoria. Maggie's parents were Neil & Ann Cochrane. At the time of her birth, Neil was mining for gold.
Neil McEachern Cochrane was born in the village of Clachan in Argyll on the west coast of Scotland, west of Glasgow and facing the Southern Hebridean Isles. Ann Stewart was born in Bowmore on the Island of Islay, also in Argyll but a four hour ferry ride between them. So how did they meet? Wherever it was, they married 20 February 1857 in Govan in Lanarkshire, now a suburb of Glascow. Very soon after their marriage, Neil and Ann immigrated from Scotland board the "Guy Mannering" out of Liverpool on 20 August 1857 arriving three months later in Melbourne 25th November that year. They settled in Heathcote and started a family: Ann 1858; Mary 1859; Janet 1862; Catherine Stewart 1864; Gilbert Neil 1866; Margaret Jane 1869 and finally Duncan John in 1872. Thus, when Maggie was born, she had four big sisters and one big brother. Baby Duncan was very nearly her third birthday present as he arrived the day after her birthday on the 4th April. At the time of Maggie's birth, Neil was mining for gold. Wedding BellsAlbert and Maggie married 13 April 1892 in Tooborac.
Albert's father Mark is known to have assisted all of his sons to purchase farming land as soon as they were able to work their own land - especially before they married. Mark Hayes had struggled hard for some 12 years to acquire some land adjacent to his own from a William Morgan. Less than 3 weeks after acquiring the title to Morgan's 173 acres over sections 28 to 33 and 57, Mark leased the property to Albert. Albert built his house, "Glencoe" on section 33 on the sunny side of the hill. Whether the house was built in time for their marriage is not known, but they were in as soon as possible ready to start their family life together. Six ChildrenAlbert and Maggie were blessed with a family of four daughters and two sons. Ethel Margaret 1893, Annie Celia 1894, Ruby May 1896, Albert Norman McLeod 1898, Mabel Searcy 1900 and David Kingsley 1902. David died at the tender age of twelve weeks.
Family LifeAlbert's married life centred around his family and pastoral pursuits. Wool from sheep was much in demand in England. The sheep were shorn with blade shears. Cows were a necessity with a growing family, as they provided milk, cream and butter. All Albert's daughters had great skills with cream cakes. Horses were needed for transport and pulling basic machinery.
Public LifeAlbert was very interested in public affairs, especially the Methodist Church, the State School and the Committee of the Mechanics Institute. He was certainly Secretary for at least one of these organisations. Margaret and Bessie, Mabel's daughters, remember that there was a paper shortage after the war. They recall how their father David McKenzie was using one of Albert's minute books to record sheep numbers and farm records at Colinroobie in New South Wales.
Love is in the air ...In April 1918 Albert and Maggie's eldest daughter Ethel married William Hendy. Annie married Thomas Thompson six months later in October. The following April of 1919, Ruby married her brother-in-law's brother, Matthew (Mat) Thompson. Yes, three daughters all married within twelve months, and two within the concluding months of the Great War.
Norman continued to assist his father at Glencoe and Mabel her mother after the girls left home. When Norman married the love of his life, Jessie Jackson, in 1925 they took over the running of Glencoe.
Albert purchased a home at 24 Aberfeldie Street in Essendon, where he and Maggie retired to with their daughter Mabel. Albert took up and enjoyed bowls at the Aberfeldie Bowling Club. The family treasure a set of ABC teaspoons that are a testament to his bowling skills. Maggie would retire to her room to immerse herself reading while Mabel attended to the domestic chores. No doubt there was frequent contact with Albert's brother David Hayes and his family who had retired to nearby Pascoe Vale back in 1919. David possibly introduced his brother Albert to playing bowls, as they were both keen bowls players. Their brother Edward moved to Camberwell in 1928 to retire. One wonders how often they saw of each other. Four Year Old JuneAfter Albert, Maggie and Mabel had settled into their new Essendon home for a couple of years, Maggie travelled up to Corobimilla (near Narrandera in New South Wales) to visit her daughter Ethel. Ethel and her husband William Hendy had six children under the age of nine. Maggie discovered what a busy life on the farm involved for her daughter. Between them, they decided that Ruby June at age four would return to Essendon with Maggie.
Ruby was always known by her second name,June. June lived in Essendon for the next nine years, attending the Aberfeldie State School. To attend school, June walked across an open paddock, and some days, even walked home for lunch and then back to school. After she finished State School, June attended the Penleigh Presbyterian Girls School. Unfortunately, during her stay in Essendon, June witnessed the death of both her grandparents. Grandma Maggie had a stroke in church and died at home that night on 14th August 1933. Three years later on 2nd May 1936, Grandpa Albert passed away peacefully in his sleep. Both grandparents were buried in the Heathcote Cemetery. During this trying time, June was a great comfort to Mabel. Albert's LegacyIn Albert's Will he made specific bequests for all his children.
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FIVE CHILDREN
Ethel
Annie Celia
Ruby May
Albert Norman
Mabel Searcy
Mabel married David McKenzie 10 February 1937 in Essendon, nearly a year after her father had died. She sold the house at 24 Aberfeldie Street in Essendon. At this point, Albert's daughters were able to receive their legacies.
Mabel and David had two daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth.
Margaret has remained firmly
Mabel and David had two daughters, Margaret and Elizabeth.
Margaret has remained firmly