WHITE-GRIFFIN Family Tree
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Ephraim RYLES:
Notes:
Ephraim's start in SA was not auspicious - he was involved in a fruitless dispute with the doctor and captain of the ship Eliza, trying to get possession of a 'caul' which covered the head of his daughter Maria, born during the voyage (see Story "Ephraim and the Caul").
At first, Ephraim and his sons worked as brickmakers in Norwood, until in 1853 he bought land at Sheaoak Log near Freeling for £138, which he worked with sons Joseph, Ephraim jnr. and John. During a drought in the 1860s, the farm faired badly, and in 1866 Ephraim lost the farm when he became insolvent.
After a short term as a carter in Adelaide, Ephraim joined son John at Strathalbyn, where they worked as 'truck-drivers' on the Strathalbyn-Port Elliot horse railway. Ephraim badly damaged his ankle in 1870 when changing the points at Middleton, and eventually returned to Adelaide to live with his widowed daughter Mary Ann. After a slow convalescence, he resumed the trade of carter, and in 1874 he was injured again unloading a coal railway truck, hurting his back.
Ephraim closed down the coal carting business in 1886, selling 5 horses, 12 drays, etc., indicating that he'd set up a relatively successful carting concern.
Children:
- Aaron - See Aaron Ryles.
- Mary Ann m. Aaron Solly 1851, 15 children.
- Margaret Catherine m. William Hamilton 1864, 6 children? Margaret was also involved in a (possibly forced) relationship with a married man earlier in 1856, resulting in a pregnancy and a court-ordered settlement of £100 to her father (see story "Margaret's Liason"). The child was almost certainly Moses Ryles, whose birth was unregistered. and who turned out quite badly. After numerous criminal activities he was sentenced to 18 months hard labour, and died of TB at about the age of 26.
- Joseph m. Sarah Wills 1865 (remarried Hamilton Armstrong 1892), 7 children. Lived in Adelaide, Normanville, Auburn, Adelaide,working as labourer and carter. Died 1882.
- Ephraim jnr m. Matilda Murray 1864 (d. 1879), 8 children.Lived in Pinkerton Plains (near Freeling), Adelaide (from 1869). M. Rachel Elizabeth Tizard (widow) 8 Sep 1880 (no children). From about 1876, Ephraim jnr appears to have been a wheeler-dealer developer/builder, with interests in hotels in Laura, Jamestown, Spalding and Goodwood Park, as well as other properties. The bubble burst in 1879 when he was declared insolvent.
- John Ryles m. Catherine Thomas 1865 (d. 1882), 10 children? Lived in Adelaide, Freeling, Strathalbyn, Spalding. Worked with Ephraim Snr as truck-driver on the Strathalbyn-Port Elliot horse railway. Publican at Spalding in Ephraim Jnr's hotel, going insolvent with Ephraim jnr in 1879. Worked on mail run from Spalding to Burra. Moved to Victoria ~1881.
- Esther Isabella m. Daniel Burrows 1865, 10 children?
- Maria m. William R. Stoakley 1866, 4 children, died 1876.
- Julia Ann m. James Smith 1869, 4 children, died 1878.
- Amy Jane m. Matthew Saunders 1873, 10 children, moved to Victoria ~ 1886.
Ship Eliza, 912 tons, Captain Thomas Pain, from London & Plymouth 11th May 1849, arrived at Port Adelaide, South Australia 23rd August 1849 (South Australian Register Saturday 25th August 1849).
Ephraim 37 Agr. Labourer 1413/3 Durham
Catherine (Thomson) 36
Aaron 17 Agr. Labourer with parents
Mary A. 16 Servant with parents
Margaret 14 Servant with parents
Joseph 11
Ephraim 8
John 4
Esther 2
*** Chronicle Saturday 24 October 1896 Deaths:
RYLES— On the 19th September, in Victoria, Epbriam Ryles, aged 89 years, leaving 2 sons, 4 daughters, 65 grandchildren, and 103 greatgrand children. Arrived in the coiony in the year 1849, in the ship Eliza.
Name, Age: Catherine Ryles, 70
Date: Abt 11 Sep 1882
Where: Carron Down
Burial:
Occupation:
Cause of Death Wife of Ephraim Ryles, Carter.
Usual Address: Carron Down
Birthplace
Informant Undertaker.
Age at Marriage
Total Issue:
Registered: 13 Sep 1882
Ref: 4/287
*** Register Thursday 25 March 1869
Melancholy Case of Drowning at Normanville.— A melancholy accident happened at Normanville on March 23 to one of the most industrious and sober men in the district. Aaron Ryals had been engaged during the loading of the ship David Brown, and went out with the last load of bark, accompanied by the Yankalilla Brass Band and several ladies and children. After remaining on board about two hours and a half, and when returning with the same party, he accidentally fell over the stern of the boat he was steering. Geo. Rhodes, one of the Band, immediately jumped out to save him. The boat was in full sail, and it was a long time before the sail was furled and the oars brought into play. The boat got back to the scene just in time to save Rhodes from drowning, but poor Ryals had sunk to rise no more. He leaves a wife and a numerous family.
*** Chronicle Saturday 27 March 1869
A sad accident occurred at Yankalilla on the 23rd to a man named Byles, in the employ of Messrs. Bean Brothers. He had been engaged with a number of other hands in loading a coaster with bark, and the, work being concluded the men, with their wives and families, were intending to spend the day pleasantly on board. Byles was steering a boat that was taking some of the pleasure-seekers to the vessel when, by some chance, he slipped and fell overboard. One of his companions jumped in after, but failed to rescue him, and he soon disappeared. The deceased had been long a resident in the District, and was much respected, and this melancholy event has cast a gloom over the neighborhood.
*** Register Friday 2 April 1869
The Man Drowned at Normanville.— The body of Mr. Aaron Ryles, the poor fellow who was drowned last week, after leaving the Darid Brown in a boat, has not yet been found.
*** Register Fri 9 April 1869
YANKILILLA. April 7. On Saturday evening a meeting was held in the Court-House, Normanville, to consider the case of Mrs. Ryles, the widow of Mr. Aaron Ryles, who was drowned when returning from the David Brown, and who is left with eight young chidren. Mr. J. Butterworth occupied the chair. It was resolved that the gentlemen present form them- selves into a Committee (with power to add to their number) for the purpose of collecting sub- scriptions, and to report to a future meeting.
*** Register Monday 31 May 1869
The Committee appointed a few weeks ago to collect subscriptions for the widow and family of the late Aaron Ryles, who was drowned a short time ago, have, I understand, got together about £45.
***
Comments on the contents of this page should be addressed to Andrew Gabb. Revised 24 July 2017.