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William's first known place of employment on arriving in S.A. was with a Mr William Lillecrapp of "Netherhill", Kenton Valley, south of Gumeracha. He owned a big sheep run. Mr William Lillecrapp came to South Australia on June 28, 1837, in the sailing vessel Ratherine. William's duty and job was to care for the horses and stables and do shepherding of the flocks of sheep. It was here at South Gumeracha that William and Mary Ann's first child was born. Her name was Sarah, and hers was the first entry in the family Bible which they brought out from England. William's employment took him and his family closer to Mt Pleasant - possibly still working for Mr Lillecrapp - and it was here they had two more children: Thomas George and Julia. In about 1862 or 1863 William and Mary Ann and their young family moved to Pine Creek, South Rhine, Eden Valley, where William was employed by a Mr John Murray of "Rhine Park" sheep station. Here William worked for some seven or eight years as a stock-holder. South Rhine is about eight miles from Eden Valley where the Merrett family went to worship and the children went to Sunday-school. Transport was horse and dray; the country was hilly, and in places very stony. While here at South Rhine, William and Mary Ann had another five children: William, Arthur, Alfred, Alexander and Mary Jane. It is difficult to trace William's movements, or to work out just what was taking place from 1870-71. I believe that while the family was still living at South Rhine, William and his eldest son Thomas went looking for work and seeking land, they got employment in the Milang district. As Milang was close to the route where travellers moved to cross the River Murray at Wellington, they would have heard of the good country "Tatiara", much spoken about at that time. The word was derived from the tribe of Aborigines named Tyatyalla, who occupied this part of the Province of South Australia. In 1871 William sent Thomas on his pony to have a look at this good country, to seek employment for himself and his father, and perhaps with the view of selecting land. Thomas called at the home of Mr and Mrs August Godfried Frederick Wiese, who I'm sure gave Thomas some good advice and help, and promised the Merretts work when they arrived. Thomas returned to Milang and his father accepted the advice and the report given by his son. CONTINUED ON S.A. PAGE |