Obituaries and Will
 Charles Martin's home page
  1. OBITUARIES.
        1. The "AGE" - 3rd August, 1908.
        2. The ARGUS.
        3. The Ballarat Star.
        4. The Courier??
        5. The Courier.??
        6. The Australian "Christian".
      2. Charles Will.
        1. Charles Will Full Text.

OBITUARIES.

The following obituaries were published regarding Charles.

The "AGE" - 3rd August, 1908.

    Charles Martin left London in 1852. Shortly after his arrival he was employed as a reporter on the Melbourne Press. He afterwards opened a school at Point Nepean from whence he removed to Pascoe Vale, and thence to Ballarat, opening the first National School there in 1857 in the building now known as the Continuation School and State School No 33, where he taught for nineteen years. Some of our present day politicians and many prominent citizens received their early education at his hands. In 1876 he was promoted to the Training Institute, Melbourne, where he had charge of the Teachers' Training Class. He subsequently had charge of the Port Fairy and Casterton schools. In 1886 he retired from the service, and took a trip to the old country, and on his return went to Ballarat where he resided to the time of his death - July 29th, 1908 - in his 80th year.

The ARGUS.

    The death of Mr Charles Martin of Ballarat, which occurred some days ago, removes an early colonist. He left London in July 1852, and shortly after his arrival here was employed as a reporter on the "Argus". Later he opened a school at Point Nepean, whence he removed to Pascoe Vale, and afterwards to Ballarat, opening the first National school there on February 2nd, 1857, in the building now known as the Continuation School. He was twice married, and he leaves a widow and a grown up family.

The Ballarat Star.

    In the person of Mr Chas Martin, whose decease occurred at his residence, Dana St, on Wednesday, another of the old identities of Ballarat has passed away. He was born in London on 23rd December, 1827, and came to Ballarat from Point Nepean, where he had a school, to take charge of the first National School in Ballarat, in the building now used for the Continuation School (State School No. 33. Dana Street), Mr James Oddie being one of the school committee at the time. In 1876 he was promoted to the Model School, Melbourne, where he had charge of the teacher training class, and shortly afterwards his wife died. Subsequently he had charge of the Port Fairy, and later the Casterton State Schools. After being 7 years a widower, e married Mrs Anderson, a well-known and esteemed widow, who survives her husband. In 1886 he retired from the government service, and in company with his wife made an extended trip to the old country. On his return he again took up his residence in Ballarat in the house where he died. He did not take part in any Municipal or Parliamentary matters, but devoted his life to the religious world in connection with the Disciples of Christ (Dawson Street) congregation, of which church he had been a member since 1882. He was one of the trustees and a co-pastor with Mr Chas Morris, J.P., for the last 20 years. He leaves a family of 5 sons and 2 daughters, all of whom are married, the best known being Dr A.E.Martin, now of Perth W.A. His youngest daughter, Mrs E.Barrett is in Pretoria, while 2 sons and eldest daughter are living in Melbourne, and 2 sons in Apollo Bay, Mr Fred Martin being the manager of the butter factory, and Mr Len Martin the local Justice of the Peace. The funeral will take place today, in the Old Cemetery, at noon

The Courier??

    The death of Mr Charles Martin, of Ballarat, removes an early colonist, who, as one of its first school masters left an impress on its early history. He left London in July, 1852, and shortly after his arrival here was employed as a reporter on the Melbourne press. He afterwards opened a school at Point Nepean from whence he removed to Pascoe Vale, and thence to Ballarat, opening the first national School there on 2nd February 1857, in the building now known as the Continuation School and State School No 33, where he taught for nineteen years. Some of our present day politicians and many prominent citizens received their early education at his hands. In 1876 he was promoted to the Training Institute, Melbourne, where he had charge of the Teachers' Training Class. He subsequently had charge of the Port Fairy and later on the Casterton schools. In 1886 he retired from the service, and took a trip to the old country, and on his return went to Ballarat where he resided to the time of his death, on the 29th ult., in his 80th year.

The Courier.??

    The announcement was made yesterday of the death of Mr Charles Henry Martin, a pioneer in the teaching of the young in Ballarat and other parts of the state. The deceased, who had reached the ripe age of 80 years and 7 months, had been ailing for some few weeks and his death was not unexpected. He was a native of London, and came out to Victoria when a young man. He at once took up teaching, firstly at Point Nepean, and later on in 1857 established a school in Ballarat. He subsequently became the head-teacher of the the first National School in Ballarat, on the site now occupied by the Continuation School in Dana St. Afterwards he studied at the Model Training School in Melbourne, and then transferred to Casterton. Then he retired from the service of the department on a pension and, returning to Ballarat, settled here. He was one of the earliest members of the Disciples of Christ Church, Dawson Street, and on settling into private life became co-pastor with Mr Chas Morris. He leaves a widow, whom he married within a few months of 25 years ago. His first wife died some years before, and while she was living his five sons and two daughters were born, namely Dr A. E. Martin of Perth, and Messrs F. W. of Pascoe Vale, F. G. of Apollo Bay, C. H., inspector of sewerage works, Melbourne, and Leonard Martin, and Mesdames M. Barrett, Pretoria, South Africa and Barnacle of Melbourne.

The Australian "Christian".

    Chas Martin of Ballarat closed his earthly pilgrimage on Wednesday, July 29th, 1908. He was born in Islington, London, December 23rd, 1827. Soon after reaching this state in the year 1852 he obtained a position of reporter for the "AGE" newspaper, and afterwards was appointed to a school at Point Nepean. In 1857 he came to Ballarat and took charge of the first National School, now known as State School 33. The Continuation School is now held in the original building. He was at that time a close communion Baptist. In 1859, Bro and Sister Divers, members of the Church of Christ, commenced a meeting for the breaking of bread in their own house. Shortly after Bren. Neish, Collins, Rankine, (father of A. C. Rankine of Norwood, S.A.), Lyle, Mr and Mrs Bush, of the Prahran church, joined the church, and in 1862 C. Martin and his wife and two others of the close communion Baptists united with these, and soon afterwards the meetings were transferred to the Temperance Hall, Humffray Street. In August, 1862, the church was organised, H. G. Picton being appointed pastor, and Bren. Divers, Martin and Neish as deacons. On Lord's Day, Oct 18th, 1863, Bro Martin was by ballot appointed co-pastor with Bro Picton. With one or two breaks, during which he was away from Ballarat, Bro. Martin held that position until his decease, retaining the Scriptural qualification unto the end. One after another his children united with the church until they were all baptised and are now filling honorable positions in life - five sons and two daughters (Mrs John Barnacle of Kew; and Mrs E. Barrett, of Pretoria, South Africa) all married. In 1876, Mrs Martin, the mother of his children, died in Melbourne and after being a widower for seven years Bro. Martin married again, choosing for his second partner in life Mrs Anderson, a widow, a much esteemed sister of the Dawson Street church, and who survives her husband. In his position of pastor, Bro. Martin was a tower of strength, slow to advance a new truth, and always sure of his ground before doing so. He loved the church before all earthly societies, and gave his time and money freely to prosper her interest. He died well respected by "those without", and closed a useful and happy life without a stain, and "the memory of the just is blessed".
                                                                                                                                                                Charles Morris, Ballarat.

Charles Morris also paid him this tribute
      "He has been more to me than a father, I owe to him, to his faithful teaching and consistent Christian character more than words are able to express".

Charles Will.

    It appears to me that Charles had quite a business acumen, and at the time of his death had accumulated a reasonable amount of this world's goods.
    To his wife Hannah he left his residence at Dana St, Ballarat, as long as she should live or should continue to be his widow. Upon her death or remarriage it was to become part of the residue of his estate, to be divided amongst his children.
    Hannah was also to receive the interest from his investments as long as she lived or remained his widow.
    She was also to receive £100 from a Mrs Gillingham of Bendigo, to whom Charles had apparently lent money to purchase a property known as Lavenham, and if the money was repaid or the property sold, Hannah was to get £100 and the remainder was to go into the revenue.
    To his eldest son Charles he left two blocks of land at Macedon, (valued at 160) which remained as part of that family for many years. He also left him lifetime occupancy of land and buildings in Graham Street, Port Melbourne, one of which was a residence and the other of which was a shop rented out in 1908 for 12/- a week. The total value of these was £958. These were used by Charles (jnr) for all his life, and when his wife died in 1938, -they were sold and the proceeds were distributed to his children, as specified in this will in 1904.
    His son Frederick was to be given the land called Krambruk at Apollo Bay, although for some reason this was not able to take place until after Hann­ah died or re-married. This was valued at £500.
    The "ultimate" revenue was to be divided into 8 shares - Leonard was to get one, Francis one and a half, Fred one, Albert one, Charlotte one and a half, and Mary two. At the time of his death, this "revenue" amounted to about £800, which meant that Leonard, Fred, and Albert each received £100, Francis and Charlotte £150, and Mary £200, It appears that the moneys were to be held as investments during the life of Hannah, and she was to have the interest therefrom, the ultimate sale not being able to take place until after her death or re-marriage.
    Any debts due to him by his children were to be cancelled.
On the surface of all this Leonard and Albert seem to be the big losers and Charles and Fred the big winners - although perhaps there was some other arrangement of which we are not aware which would have made it more equitable.

Charles Will Full Text.

    "This is the last will and testament of me, Charles Henry Martin, of No. 165 Dana St., Ballarat, in Victoria, retired teacher. I appoint my wife, Hannah Martin, and my sons Leonard Martin and Albert Edward Martin, trustees, executrix and executors of this my will.
     I devise unto, and to the use of, my son Charles Henry Martin, and his heirs and assigns forever, my block of land at Macedon, and being Lots 10 and 11 of Egan's subdivision, one hundred and thirty two feet by one hundred and eighty seven feet eight inches.
     As to the rest, residue and remainder of my real estate and the whole of my personal estate, I give, devise and bequeath the same unto and to the use of my said trustees, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns upon the trust, and subject to the declaration hereinafter declared and contained concerning the same, that is to say, upon trust,
     to permit and allow my wife Hannah Martin to have the use, occupation and enjoyment of the dwelling house in which I now reside, Number 165 Dana St, Ballarat aforesaid, together with all the household furniture, plate, linen, ornaments and other articles (except money or securities for money) which shall be in or about the said dwelling, house at the time of my decease, for, and during the term of her life, if she shall so long continue my widow, but without impeachment for waste and upon further trust, that my said trustee shall, during the life of my said wife if she shall so long continue my widow, receive the rents and profits of, and manage my residuary real estate and every part thereof, as they may think proper, with power to lease the same either from year to year, or for a term of years not exceeding five years in possession at the most approved rent, without fine or premium, and to manage all the affairs thereof as regards letting, occupation, repairs, insurances against fire, receipt of rent, indulgences, and allowances to tenants, and all other matters, including the payment of all rates, taxes, insurance and repairs to the house and furniture at number 165 Dana St, Ballarat, aforesaid, with all other powers expedient or desirable for the due management thereof, and upon further trust to pay the net rents and profits of my residuary to my said wife during her life if she shall so long continue my widow and upon further trust to sell, call in and convert into money the residue of my personal estate and to stand possessed of the same and any ready money I may be possessed of at my decease. Upon trust thereout in the first place to pay or retain all the expenses incident to the execution of the preceding trusts and powers and my debts and funeral and testamentary expenses and any probate duty payable upon my estate, and upon further trust to invest the ultimate surplus of the said moneys in the names of my said trustees upon the class of securities provided by the trusts acts of 1890 and 1896, or by depositing the same at interest in any banking company. And upon further trust to pay the annual income arising therefrom to my said wife during her life, if she shall so long continue my widow provided always
    and I hereby declare and direct that in the event of the property at Bendigo known as Lavenham being sold during the widowhood of my said wife or the amount owing to me thereon by Mrs N. L. Gillingham being repaid during my wife's widowhood my said trustees are out of the proceeds received therefrom to pay to my said wife the sum of One Hundred Pounds and to hold and invest the balance on the same trusts as is herein before declared as to my residuary personal estate
     and from and immediately after the decease or future marriage of my. said wife upon further trust to hold and stand possessed of my farm at Krambruk (Apollo Bay) containing about ninety six acres and formerly owned by Reuben Mansell in trust for my son Frederick George Martin his heirs and assigns absolutely and forever
     and upon further trust to hold and stand possessed of the land and buildings owned by me in Graham St Port Melbourne Upon trust to permit and allow my son Charles Henry Martin and his wife and the survivors of them subject to the payment by them and the survivor of them of all rates insurance against fire and repairs to buildings on the said property and on the death of both of them the said Charles Henry Martin and his wife upon further trust to sell and convert into money the said land and buildings and to stand possessed of the moneys arising from such sale in trust for all children of the said Charles Henry Martin in equal shares share and share alike provided always and I hereby declare that my said trustees are not to be liable for any loss of depreciation to the said property nor to any default of the tenant for life in insuring paying rates or repairing the buildings on the said property
     and upon further trust to permit and allow my children to divide amongst themselves in such manner and proportion as they may agree upon without any of them being sold my library pictures and family relics and upon further trust to release my said children from all debts due by them to me for cash advanced by me to them in my lifetime which I hereby direct and desire my said trustees to cancel
     and upon further trust to sell and convert into money my residence number 165 Dana St, Ballarat together with all the household furniture plate linen ornaments and other articles which shall then be in or about the same with the exception of my library pictures and family relics (herinbefore directed to be divided amongst my children) and also to sell and convert into money the ultimate residue or remainder of my said real and personal estates of such parts as shall be of a saleable nature and to get in the other parts thereof and as to the moneys to arise from the sale of my said residence and furnishings and of all other my residuary real and personal estates to divide the same into eight equal shares or portions and to hold one of such shares or portions in trust for my son Leonard to hold another of such shares and one half of a share in trust for my son Francis William to hold another of such shares in trust for my son Frederick George to hold another of such shares in trust for my son Albert Edward to hold another of such shares and one half of a share in trust for my daughter Charlotte Elizabeth and to hold the remaining two shares in trust for my daughter Mary Louisa
     Provided always and I hereby declare that in the event of any of my children predeceasing me without leaving any issue him or her surviving, the share to which he or she would be entitled if living at my decease shall go to and be divided amongst the survivors in equal snares. In witness whereof I have to this my last will and testament contained on this and the two (2) preceding sheets of paper set my hand this twenty seventh day of May One Thousand Nine Hundred and Four.
    This is a codicil to the last will and testament of Charles Martin which will bears date the twenty seventh day of May, One Thousand Nine Hundred and Four. I revoke the appointment in my said will contained of my son Albert Edward Martin as one- of the trustees and executors thereof and I appoint my son Francis William Martin to be one of the trustees and executor

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