SKELTON
Jane Skelton is the daughter of Edward Skelton and Harriett Dickens.
Edward was born in 1810 in Yorkshire, son of Henry and Jane Skelton. He met Harriet whilst he was a first mate of the crew of the barque "Arab" during her voyage from Tasmania to Victoria arriving in 1839. The married in Melbourne in January 1840.

Harriett was born in 1818 in Buckinghamshire, the daughter of Henry and Mary Dickens. She initially emigrated as a companion to a Miss Ley on her voyage from Britain to Launceston in Tasmania.
Harriett
Edward and Harriett had 9 children:

Mary Ann - 1841 - 1918 - Married John Boswell Clark
Henry William  - 1844 - Married Hannah Bennett
Jane Ann - 1847 - Married John Francis Watts
William - 1849 - 1927 - Married Mary Maria Morce
Elizabeth - 1852 - 1931 - Married James Jack Newton
Edward - 1953 - 1900 - Married Mary Theresa Heywood
Harriett - 1855 - Married Joseph Craig
James - 1859 - Married Annie Louisa Dark
Mary Ann Skelton
During their early married life, Edward, Harriet and Mary Ann lived at Shelley beach in a bullock hide tent whilst Edward built his first lime kiln in the cliff overlooking the beach. Edward did built Harriett a "real" house made from wattle and daub eventually and they went on to raise their large family.

Edward also left Harriett in charge during the gold rush years of the 1850'sand went off so seek his fortune - unfortunately he did not find it
Jane Skelton and eldest child Henry Watts
Edward died 4 months before the birth of their last child. He is buried at the cemetery located at the Point Nepean Quarantine Station.
After Edward's death, Harriet continued to live in the cottage they had built together until her children were "all grown up". She then moved into a cottage behind that of her eldest daughter Mary Ann and husband John Clark.

Harriet was renowned for her nursing skills and for being handy in any crisis.

Harriet passed away in 1888 aged 70. At the time of her passing she had 55 grandchildren and had formed the basis of a dynasty of her own
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