From Ware Copeland to Us
Ware married Ann Wilson in May, 1861 and they arrived in Melbourne on the "Lightning" out of Liverpool in August, probably joining Joseph in Ballarat. From their children's birth records and the published directories it is possible to follow their progress. Their first child, William Dobinson was born on 8 March, 1862 at Ballarat, but died 15 March, 1863 at York Farm. George Wilson was born 19 July, 1863 at York Farm, as was Margaret Elizabeth in 1865. Thomas Edward was born at 133 Eyre Street, Ballarat on 24 August, 1867, followed by Jane Hannah, 20 April, 1869 and Frederick, 20 February, 1871. While living at 17 Ligar Street, Ballarat, they had Annie Wilson, born 20 January, 1873 and Samual Ware, 8 December, 1874. Their youngest child, Richard Baxter, was born at 4 Ligar Street on 18 July, 1877.
Until 1869 Ware described himself as a miner, but the 1875 Ballarat Directory lists him as sharebroker. The 1899 Electoral Roll for the Federal Referendum gives his address as 14 Clarendon Street, Ballarat and his occupation as investor. Wise's directory lists him as a mining agent in 1904 and a mining investor in 1905. He is also described as mine owner, Percydale.
14 Clarendon Street is Ware's last known address. His wife Ann died on 18 August, 1902 at Ballarat, aged 67. I think Ware went to be with family in Tasmania.
Ware was obviously successful in the mining business, although possibly not as much as Joseph. The Public Record Office in Ballarat has an index of applications for mining leases in the area, several of which were applied for by Ware Copeland. In 1876 he was given a mining lease over 20 acres of land near Broom Hill State School. It was to be mined by the Andrew Marvel GM Co. with a capital of 8000 pounds. The mine must have been a failure as the lease was declared void in 1879. In 1900 and 1901 he applied for leases on the Leigh River at Greville.
The articles of association of the New Federation Co., No Liability show Ware as holding 1000 shares out of 26000. The company was formed in 1895 to mine at Brown's Creek, Dark River.
Ware must have become very proficient in the techniques of mining as he was called to give evidence in 1889 to the Royal Commission on Gold Mining headed by A. J. Peacock. M.P. The information he gave mainly concerned methods of extracting gold from different qualities of ore, given in writing. However the following is the verbal testimony as given in the official report of the commission: Commission: You are an old resident of Ballarat? Ware: Yes, very old. C: And you are pretty well experienced in mining matters? W: I have done nothing but mine ever since I came to the colony over 28 years ago. C: Have you given any written replies to the questions of the Commission? W. I have written my replies out in full. (The written replies follow in the Report) C: You have given the matter of gold saving particular attention? W: The particular line of questions here today is about mixed ores lead, gold, and so on, mixed up. One part of my answer is with relation to a claim here at Piggoreet of which I had the lease. C. This was a refactory ore? W: Yes. C: You do not wish to add anything to this paper? W. No. C: Are you a scientist? W: I am simply a mining investor. I have worked my way to what knowledge I possess by careful investigations, and through having sons in the Ballarat School of Mines. C. Sodium is the most valuable element in amalgamation? W: I go for ores with which sodium has nothing to do. I have given an account of the latest process at home, which is not in use in this colony. I have had some stuff done by my sons by that process, and it was equal to fire assay; it is the Cunningham process, and there is a paper there which gives you the exact process. (End of testimony)
It is interesting to note that Ware uses the expression "at home" when presumably referring to England.
Several of Ware and Anns' children appear on the 1899 Victorian Electoral Roll for the Federal Referendum.
Frederick Copeland is an assayer living at 2 Clarendon Street, Ballarat.
George W. Copeland is a clerk living at 56 Lyons Street, Ballarat.
Richard and Samuel are orchardists at Ardmona.
In 1901 Samuel Ware Copeland married Isabella Cottier Boyd.
Annie Wilson Copeland married Francis(?) Menzies in 1904. He was the brother of the father of Sir Robert Menzies, and Annie and Francis were the parents of Sir Douglas Menzies.
Richard Baxter Copeland, known as Rick, died in the First World War.
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