Hannah Hunter née Arbuckle

My great-great-grandmother Margaret Rowland née Arbuckle had a twin sister Hannah. Both were born in 1815 in Strabane, Co Tyrone. I've been told this by Len Swindley from Australia, who has been to Belfast and Strabane to research, but haven't sighted the source material myself.

Hannah and Margaret both emigrated to Australia in 1841 on the Marquis de Bute which arrived in Port Phillip, Melbourne, on 30 November 1841, aged 26. On the passenger list Hannah is in a family group with her husband George Hunter, 28, a Smith; William, her son 6, and Robert, her son, 4. Twin sister, Margaret Arbuckle is on the same ship as a single woman, though she was married and had a son, Robert Barnhill.

Hannah and George Hunter had at least ten children. A few of them died relatively young, but many lived to marry and have numerous children themselves, so Hannah left an abundance of descendants in Australia.

Hannah died on 21 July 1887 at her residence, Carlisle St, Auburn, Hawthorn Victoria, aged 72 yrs and 6 months. In her death notice in the Argus (23 July 1887) it states that she had been a colonist for 46 years, and was the loved wife of George Hunter. She was buried in the Boroondara Cemetery, (Kew), Victoria.

Hannah was buried in a plot with her youngest son, George, in the Church of England section, C1055. The inscription reads: "In memory of George the beloved youngest son of George and Hannah Hunter who died 10 March 1884 aged 27 years Also Hannah Beloved wife of George Hunter Died 21st July 1887, aged 72 years Also George Hunter Husband of the above Died 21st June 1889, aged 77". I am thankful to JKGE who took several photos of the grave for me and uploaded them to the FindAGrave website. 

Probate was granted on 18 August 1887 to William Hunter and RM Gyton. Hannah's real and personal estate was left to her husband during his life. After his death, fifty pounds was left to her grandson George Albert Hunter, and the rest of the estate was left to her children William Hunter, Thomas Hunter, Margaret Murray, Martha Younger, Isabella Ardagh, Elizabeth Dungan and Annie Gyton, in equal shares. 

I haven't so far attempted to 'flesh out' the life of Hannah Hunter. Perhaps some gems lie on the Trove newspaper website, though women tend not to be reported on in the papers of the time. If you are a descendant with some stories of her life, please feel free to leave a comment on this blog.