Julia Augusta Francisco

(1826-1921)

Julia Augusta Francisco travelled to Fremantle at the age of 27 to care for five children from her husband Alexander Francisco’s previous marriage, and four of her own children. She participated in all the activities expected of her as the wife of the Postmaster of Fremantle and although widowed at 52, this grand Fremantle Matriarch lived until she was 95.

Julia Augusta Mullen was born 15 April 1826, at Turnham Green, Hammersmith, England.

Her granddaughter Gillian Nicholas believe she may have been illegitimate;

“Julia Augusta Mullen and her sister Helen Sophia Mullen and were half-sisters and both illegitimate. They had the same mother, Sophia Augusta Mullen but different fathers. The father of the first born Helen Sophia Mullen was Nathaniel Peach Wathen and that of Julia Augusta Mullen was George Lowes”

Helen Sophia married Samuel Watkins in 1849 and Julia lived with them.

Julia married Alexander Francisco in London on 9 June 1853, the marriage certificate just saying they were ’of full age’. She was 27 and he was 37. Their first daughter Helen ‘Nellie’ Augusta was born 8 May 1854, in Camden UK.

In January 1855 Julia and Alexander, Nellie (1) and two daughters from Alexander’s previous marriage; Lucy (16) and Catherine (7) travelled to WA on the Aerolite. (reference)

Alexander Francisco (1816-1878) was born in England; his father Bras Francisco, a tailor from Portugal, married Scottish Catherine Agnes Arnot, in London in 1815. Alexander first arrived in WA in 1840 with his wife Charlotte Coleman (1812-1851) and first child Lucy Corona. Francisco first worked as the publican for the Crown & Thistle in High St (1841-1850) and as a Director of the Western Australian Bank from its formation in 1841 until his death in 1878. He was also a member of the first Fremantle Town Trust in 1848, and again from 1857-63, and 1865-66.

In 1852, after the death of Charlotte, Alex took his five children: Lucy Corona (1839-1897), David Bras (1841-1888), Alexander Jnr (1843-1876), George (1845-1867), and Catherine (1848-1874) back to England.

After remarrying and returning to WA with Julia, Alexander Francisco operated a General Store and Post Office from buildings on the corner of Mouat and High Sts., where he became Fremantle’s second Postmaster, taking over from Walter Bateman in 1861. He continued as Postmaster until 1868, and after a voyage away resumed from 1873- until his death in 1878.

The family lived onsite, where three more children were born, all of whom, heartrendingly, died young. One son Edward Mullen died before he was one year old in 1856, the second son Charles Douglas (1857-1866) died of heat stroke when he was ten. A second daughter Ada Susan also died within a year, in 1859. Helen Augusta was also sent back for some time to join her elder step-brothers in the UK for her education.

 In 1860 Alexanders first born daughter Lucy married Edward James (Snr 1831-1878) and went on to have a very interesting life:

Her first union was with the late Mr. Edward James, who held a responsible position in the Western Australian Bank, which he resigned for the purpose of taking charge of the Freemasons' Hotel, on the site upon which now stands Mr. de Baun's Palace Hotel. Mr. James died in 1873, leaving three sons and a daughter… Mrs. James continued in the management of the Freemason's Hotel for several years after the death of her husband, and until her marriage with Mr. George Randell, about 16 years ago. As a musician, the late Mrs. Randell held a very prominent position in this colony, and she was always ready to assist in any project having for its aim the advancement of the church or the help of the poor and distressed. She inherited in a marked degree the kindly disposition of the Francisco family, and had a large circle of friends among all classes of the community. In the early 70's she visited India, and during the voyage back to this colony in the R.M.S. Rangoon she was ship-wrecked, and rescued, by a passing vessel. (reference)

Lucy’s second son Walter Hartwell James (1863-1943) became the fifth Premier of Western Australia and an ardent supporter of the federation movement. Walter James had success with his Early Closing Act (1898) requiring shops to close at 6 p.m. and was proud that WA was the first state to enforce this. He was also successful in promoting female suffrage as parliamentary spokesman for feminist groups in 1897-99. (reference) Walter married Lady Eleanor Hearder (1869-1938) who was prominent in feminist causes through the Karrakatta Club and the Women's Service Guild and had been a president of the National Council of Women (WA).

The Francisco family at this time consisted of three sons and three daughters. They were prominent in Fremantle's musical circles, and often entertained visitors in their home. The building, as well as being the Post Office, was also used for various business purposes. In the 1860’s Alexander Francisco’s sons controlled an extensive fish preserving industry upon the premises at Mouat St- and regularly exported large shipments of sandalwood, gum (Acacia gum), and horses to Singapore and elsewhere. They also managed the Fremantle Post Office (with Richard Hardman as telegraph operator). (reference)

In January 1865 tragedy befell the family when Alex’s youngest son George (aged 20) was a passenger on board Walter Padbury's ill-fated schooner Emma, which was lost at sea between Cossack and Geraldton, and never to be heard of again. (reference)

1868 Eldest son David Bras Francisco, one of Fremantle's leading auctioneers, married Ellen Hillman, the eldest daughter of Alfred Hillman, Sheriff of Western Australia, (reference) David was a member of the first elected Fremantle Council, elected in 1871. He died in 1888, aged only 47. His son George Hillman Francisco was killed in the Dardanelles in 1915. (reference)

1873 Alexander’s daughter Catherine (1848-1874) known as ‘Kitty’, married Henry Hetherington who worked as a timber merchant for the timber firm of Mason, Bird and Co. (and known as a talented billiard player). During the birth of her son in Sept 1874 Kitty died. Hetherington never recovered from his wife’s death and died ten years later in 1884. Their son Henry ‘Major’ Francisco Hetherington (1874-1950) was brought up by the Dempster family. Henry’s grandfather Alexander Francisco bequeathed him the Palmyra Estate (called the Valley). When he turned 21, Henry sold the Palmyra Estate to Joseph Charles.

1874 Despite the grief of losing her step daughter Julia, like many women of her class, was an untiring fundraiser, and gave generously to the Church of England. (reference)

22 Nov 1875 The Francisco’s led the exciting celebrations for the Fremantle Reception in honour of explorer Ernest Giles and his party, which included a camel train:

All places of business were closed soon after midday… Then came the Triumphal-arch at the entrance to High Street mounted with flags and an inscription "Fremantle tenders Mr. Giles and his party a hearty welcome." Showers of bouquets greeted Mr. Giles commencing at Mrs. Francisco's, and taken up by the ladies at Mrs. Congdon's, Mrs. Thomas's, Mrs. Marmion’s, Mrs. Maroney's, Mrs. Harwoods, Mrs. A. Francisco's, and Mrs. W. S. Pearse; thus our ladies strewed the path of the explorers with flowers they had carefully reared and then gathered to offer as a mark of their admiration of the courage and perseverance of the gallant party of brave men. (reference)

 Australia Twice Traversed, by Ernest Giles:

A public reception also awaited us at Fremantle, on the coast. On our arrival at the long, high, wooden structure that spans the broad mouth of the river at Fremantle, we were again met by eager crowds. Mr. Forrest rode near me on this occasion also. When entering Perth, I had a great deal of trouble to induce my riding-camel, Reechy, to lead, but when entering Fremantle she fairly jibbed, and I had to walk and lead her, so that I was hidden in the crowd, and Mr. Tietkens, coming next to me, appeared to be the leader, as his camel went all right. The balconies and verandahs here were also thronged with ladies, who showered down heaps of garlands while they cheered. I was completely hidden, and they threw all the flowers down on Tietkens, so that he got all the honour from the ladies. (reference)

In 1876 Alexanders second son Alexander Francisco Junior, (aged 33) died after a very short illness, and was buried in the family vault at the new Fremantle Cemetery.

“Mr. Alexander Francisco, who having bestowed a very liberal education on the deceased, qualified him for the highest position in the colony, but his aspirations, arising from a retiring disposition, did not induce him to strive to reach them. His delight seems to have been in his family circle, where his loss is greatly deplored, and where alone his many excellent qualities are known, and can be adequately appreciated…” (reference) 

Jan 1877 The annual examination and attribution of prizes at the Fremantle Government Girl's School, took place… The school-room, notwithstanding its defects, was tastefully decorated with evergreens, flags, mottoes, &c., and a fair number of the ladies of Fremantle were present, among whom I noticed Mrs. Newman, Mrs. Johnston, Mrs. Sutherland and Mrs. Francisco, also the Misses Francisco, Higham, Glyde, Pearse… (reference)

 1877 On Tuesday night last, a collision occurred on the Perth-Fremantle road, between one of Mr. Letch's traps, and a carriage containing three ladies, driven by Mr. B. C. Wood. Mr. Wood had, that evening, taken part in a concert at Perth, and was on his way home, having with him Mrs. A. Francisco, Miss Francisco, and Miss Newman. (reference)

Julia’s husband Alexander Francisco died, aged 62, on Christmas day, 1878.

Although the silver cord has been loosed the colonists shall long regard with reverence the memory of kind and open-hearted ALEXANDER FRANCISCO. (reference)

Alexander was originally buried at Alma St Cemetery, but then exhumed to Fremantle Cemetery in 1915. His will left his possessions to Julia Augusta and Lucy James (executrixs) . (reference)

When Alex Francisco died in 1878 the Post Office was moved to a Government building at the corner of Cliff and Marine Terrace. After probate in 1880, the family home on the corner Mouat and High st, where she had lived for 35 years, was sold by Julia, to the Bank of Western Australia:

1880 “With Mrs Francisco for the purchase of her premises in High St, Fremantle for our Fremantle Branch. It is a good site -she wants 2,000 pounds for it, it includes a large warehouse and stables at the back”. The bank paid Mrs Francisco 2,000 pounds for her property (Fri 29 Oct 1880) (Ref: The Hillman Diaries 1877-1884).

In July 1880 Alex and Julia’s daughter Helen ‘Nellie’ married Edgar Sendey (1854-1902). They had two children- Florence Edith (1881-1974) and Daisy Kate Augusta (1883-1940).  Twins born in 1882 seem not to have lived (reference)

“Edgar Sendey was a wastrel and left Helen with two small children and headed for Hong Kong and spent any money there. He "came home" to die and was cared for in the shed of Quarry Cottage. This would have brought immense shame to Helen as well as terrible financial stress…There is a letter I have from the doctor telling Helen Sendey she has nothing to blame herself for.” ( Gillian Nicholas 2022)

Death-On September 5, 1902, at 155 Cantonment-rd., Fremantle, of pneumonia, Edgar Sendey; aged 48 years. (reference)

In 1911 Daisy Kate Augusta Sendey married John Wesley Bateman (1879-1947) (see photo) From 1917 they lived at ‘Lockerley’, 32 Preston Point Road, East Fremantle (pre 1939 the address was no 56). Daisy died there in April 1940 but the family lived there until 1956 when the house was bought by the Congregational Church, as a home for the aged and named Pilgrim House. It was demolished and a new building built in 1976, now known as Juniper 'Pilgrim' residential care home.

Daisy Bateman became a foundation member of the Fremantle Orchestral Society, a member of St Pauls Church of England in Beaconsfield, President of the Fremantle Women’s Service Guild and Red Cross Society. She left two sons and two daughters. (reference)

Her sister Florence Edith never married.

“My mother said Auntie Florrie was fond of a man who worked "up north" but as he drank that was the end of it. Her life was extremely constrained in my view as she looked after both her grandmother, Julia and her mother, Helen Augusta Sendey until their deaths. My mother did not like Auntie Florrie as I understand she was cold and unbending to the children of Daisy. I guess there was jealousy there with her sister marrying a wealthy man and then having a loving family and living in a beautiful house.” (Gillian Nicholas 2022)

‘Aunt Florrie’ lived at 37 Gill Street, Mosman Park until she died in 1974, aged 92 and was buried in Fremantle Cemetery.

Julia Augusta Francisco lived at 155 Victoria Road, the home of her daughter Helen ‘Nellie’ Sendey until her death. By May 1921 Julia was one of the oldest residents of the State;

The genial and urbane Alexander Francisco was the Port's Postmaster at the time of the inauguration of municipal government. Mr. Francisco was the guide philosopher and friend of all sections of the community, among whom he had resided since the early thirties. Mr. Francisco's widow, now in her 95th year, is the distinguished looking lady on whom the tram conductors delight to bestow their individual attention, as she takes her place in their cars when passing through Queen Victoria-street to and from her home. (reference)

Julia died 28 July 1921, aged 95 at her daughters home.(reference) Her funeral was a grand affair: The pallbearers were Messrs. F.G. and J. H. Payne, W. E. B. Solomon, E. F. Duffield, J. J. Higham, J. J. Broomhall, and E. Mayhew. (reference)  

1947 The Friends of the late Mrs. Helen Augusta Sendey, of 37 Gill Street, Mosman Park, widow of the late Edgar Sendey, are respectfully informed that her remains will be interred In the Church of England portion of the Fremantle Cemetery… (reference)

Researched and written by Jo Darbyshire with help from Gillian Nicholas, who’s mother Thora Helen Jacobs (nee Bateman) was born in Lockerley in 1917.

Photo of Bateman family at Lockerley- 19 September 1920.: from left: Daisy Kate Augusta Bateman (nee Sendey); Florence Bateman; John Wesley Bateman; Helen Augusta Sendey. Front row: Thora Helen Bateman; Ian Armstrong Bateman; Alex Bateman.