By Renee Wood
Almost 200 guests have gathered for a historical family reunion celebrating the Charlton family, one which has strong ties to the Christmas Hills and Kangaroo Ground area.
On Sunday 24 April at the Christmas Hills Hall various guests from across Australia gathered to discuss the family’s legacy, whilst unveiling a new book written by local resident Phil Charlton.
The book named ‘The Charletons/Charltons of Coagh and adjacent areas, Northern Ireland’ focuses on the family history of the Irish Charlton family history, before three brothers from the family moved to Australia.
Two of which were Samuel Charlton and James Charlton who lived in the Christmas Hills area after spending time in the midst of the gold rush in Ballarat.
Mr Charlton’s grandfather was Samuel’s first son James Charlton and said many of the three brothers descendants will be unaware of their ancestors Irish history.
“The book will introduce them to a lot of information they did not know,” Mr Charlton said.
Mr Charlton intends to donate a book to the Andrew Ross Museum in Kangaroo Ground and one to the South Gippsland Historical society, with the family well known in both areas.
James Charlton moved to Christmas Hills in 1876 and was an esteemed elder at the Yarra Glen Church for decades, living in the area all his life until he died in 1907.
One of his daughters, Elizabeth, also married a John Bell who’s family settled the historical Gulf Station in Yarra Glen.
“In the Kangaroo Ground Presbyterian Church, which is still an operating church, there is a plaque dedicated to John Charlton Bell – he was killed in the war, so that’s something of interest for the Bell family and Charlton Family.”
Robert Charlton also lived in the area for a period of time, farming potatoes as a tenant before moving to Steels Creek in South Gippsland in 1896.
Mr Charlton said most of their 11 children also acquired land and the family was instrumental in establishing the local acgriculture scene, mostly in dairy farming.
“At one stage in the early 1900s, if you were to look at a map of Stony Creek, you’ll find that 90 per cent of the name Charlton was on the landholdings.
“They developed the butter factory, they showed their cattle at the Royal Melbourne Show, won prizes and breed cattle.
“George Charlton, another brother of James and Francis, owned a property called Oakwood, which is at Stony Creek and the house has been classified by the National Trust and its still there.”
Mr Charlton said he anticipates the book on Irish history will be volume one, with volume two to discuss the three brothers and their lives in Australia.
“It’s been a labour of love, I’ve always had a passion to write the book,” Mr Charlton said.
