By Martin Davies

In the 1861 census Ann Maria Davies is listed. Her age is recorded as being one year on April 7th when the census was taken but it may have been rounded down and could match her actual birth in 1859. Mary is listed as being born in Tipton but John Davies’ birthplace is recorded as Worcester, Brindley Hill(?) rather than Dudley as expected. The surname is also Davis rather than Davies although this could be an error on the Enumerator’s part. [54]

Ann Maria Davies married James Plant in the UK on 23rd December, 1882 at the St Martin’s Registry Office (Pepper Box) in Tipton. They initially had two children:

—Mary Ellen (b 1884)
—James Henry (b 1886)

They then came to Australia. This was the first appearance of a Davies in the antipodes, some time before William James Davies arrived.

In 1888 their son John Thomas was born at Darlimurla, Victoria near Mirboo North in Gippsland. It is a mystery why you would come to Australia about 1887 and finish up at Darlimurla, of which the only reminder is a long-disused railway siding on the Grand Ridge Rail Trail.

The couple had further three children (six in total):

—Ruth (1890-1892)
—Fred (b and d 1892) both around Footscray so they were not in Darlimurla very long.
—Martha (b1895) In 1895 their daughter Martha was born in Bendigo and the family stayed in Bendigo.

So far we have found Mary Ellen Plant (1884-1974) married John Charles Potter in 1906 and had children John James (1907) and Lilian (1908)

James Henry Plant (1886-30 Oct 1964) married Christian Jane Evans in 1913 and had children Reta, Stanley, Ruth, John, Violet and Edwin.

John Thomas Plant (1888 Darlimurla died Bendigo 1957) married 1913 Hilda Potter and had children Edna, Hilda and John.

Martha Jane (b1895) died Bendigo 1977. She did not marry.

Ann M Davies
England and Wales Census, 1881
Name
Ann M Davies
Age (Original)
21
Gender
Female
Birth Year
1860
Birthplace
Tipton, Staffordshire, England
Relationship to Head of Household
Daughter
Marital Status
Single
Occupation
Drapers Assistant
Address
84 Dudley Port
Event Place
Tipton, Staffordshire, England
Record Type
Household
Affiliate Publication Number
RG11
Piece/Folio
2865 / 15
Page Number
23