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Chart 10003
David Brownlee in Blackburn, Scotland

Earlier reports relating to the Torfoot Family give details of land transfers between fathers and eldest sons and very sketchy information is available about daughters and younger sons, who were called cadets.

In the 1500's most Parish Records were non-existent and big gaps occur in records of other than the heirs to property. This is the situation as it relates to the Torfoot descendants. Some of the information about American Brownlees still gives a reasonably acceptable version of descent from Torfoot cadets, but even this is debatable as to dates.  There does not appear to be any accurate records of descent from the John and William Brownlie who were the first mentioned in this name in the first Feudal Charter, dated 2 July 1547.

 

1. David Brownlee (of whom we treat) was baptised 22 January 1744[1], and married Henrietta Black on 30 May 1789.

They had Issue:

1. James Brownlee, born 5 August 1792 in Blackburn and baptised 12 August 1794.

James married Christian Cunningham at Blackburn.

They had Issue:

1. David Brownlee, born at Blackburn in the Parish of Livingstone, Linlithgowshire on 17 September 1819 and baptised 10 October 1819[2]. David Brownlee married Eliza Roger Preston, daughter of John and Janet Preston, at Dundee on 28 July 1848 and came to Australia on S.S. "Flore" in 1852. They landed at Geelong where David established a manufacturing industry at Marnockvale, which he named after the village Marnock in Scotland. David died in Geelong, Victoria in 1898.

They had Issue:

1. Sarah Brownlee born 1849 in Scotland was married to J. Blyth who was born (?) and died 27 September 1874.  No Issue.

2. Jessie Brownlee, born Scotland 1850, died 28 October 1859 at Geelong, Victoria.

3. Margaret Brownlee, born Scotland 1852. Married John Harding at Geelong, Victoria, 20 July 1869.

They had Issue:

1. William Harding.

2. John Harding.

3. David Harding.

4. Evelyn Harding married Percy Nixon of Orbost, Victoria.

5. Eliza Harding married David de Coite.

They had Issue:

1. David de Coite (died aged 58).  Married Doris Milledge (died aged 100).

They had Issue:

1. Suzanne Estelle de Coite.

 

Eliza Harding and David de Coite also had:

2. Lillian de Coite married Lex (Charles) Payne.

They had Issue:

1. Charles Jeffrey Payne married Margaret O'Toole.

They had Issue:

1. John Campbell Payne

2. Jennifer Jean Payne

3. Margaret Evelyn Payne

 

Eliza Harding and David de Coite also had:

3. Eugene de Coite.  Married George Evans.

4. Dorothy de Coite, deceased.

5. Claudie Caroline de Coite.  Married J. Campbell of Gisborne and had Issue (no details).

6. Muriel Harding de Coite, dec.

 

Margaret Brownlee and John Harding also had:

6. Dorothy Harding deceased.

7. Lillian Harding.  Married (?) Cameron.

8. Jessie Harding

9. Isobel Harding

10. Bertrice Harding married T Kennedy.

11. Myrtle Harding married (?) Bowie.

 

David Brownlee and Eliza Roger Preston also had:

4. Christina Brownlee, born 22 June 1855, aged 10 weeks.

5. Isobella Brownlee was born in 1856 and married Albert Law of Mt. Moriac.

They had issue:

1. Harold Law.  Married Sarah Arnold.  No Issue.

2. Hector Law, d.s.p.

3. Arthur Law.  Married Jean Ferguson.

They had Issue:

1. Hector Law was born 27 April 1923 and married Amy (?) born 27 October 1926.

They had Issue:

1. Patricia Ann Law was born 6 March 1949.

2. Ian Gordon Law was born 2 December 1951.

3. Peter Colin Law was born 29 January 1956.

 

Arthur Law and Jean Ferguson also had:

2. John Watson Law

 

Isobella Brownlee and Albert Law also had:

2. Ernest Law married Pearl Findlay.

They had issue:

1. Maxwell Law.

 

Isobella Brownlee and Albert Law also had:

3. Bertha Law, born 13 June 1882. Married John Ambrose Ruddell, born 24 April 1881.

They had Issue:

1. Albert Ambrose Ruddell, born 11 January 1908.

2. Keith John Ruddell, born 1 May 1913.

3. Lindsay Gordon Ruddell

4. Jack Watson Ruddell, born 24 April 1917

5. Dorothy Isobell Ruddell, born 21 September 1919.

6. Hector James Ruddell, born January 1923.

 

Isobella Brownlee and Albert Law also had:

4. Jessie Law.  Married Leo Hardy.

They had issue:

Gwendoline Law.

 

6. James Watson Brownlee (First son of David Brownlee of Blackburn) was born Geelong 3 June 1859 and married Isabella McKenzie of Mt Moriac.

They had Issue:

1. James Gordon McKenzie Brownlee was born in Geelong on 19 January 1898. He was the Captain of the Munster Fusileers (1st World War) M.I.D., later Traffic officer of Mines, Namtu Mining Company, Burma. James married Phyllis Audrey Green, born 27 February 1891, daughter of Rev. Fredrick William Green, M.A. and Florence Agnes Coles at East Budleigh, Devon, England.

They had Issue:

1. Bruce Christopher Gordon Brownlee, born 14 September 1921 at Namtu Federated Shan States. Bruce married Constance Lavender Fleming, born 18 August 1922 in Hobart, Tasmania.

They had Issue:

1. Angela Audrey Brownlee, born 18 August 1952.

2. Guy Edward Gordon Brownlee was born 11 May 1954.

 

James Gordon McKenzie Brownlee and Phyllis Audrey Green also had:

2. John Gordon Brownlee (first born twin) was born 21 January 1928 at Exmouth, England.

3. Patrick Gordon Brownlee (second twin), born 21 January 1928 - 1st Nobleman, educated at Royal Melbourne Institute of Tech. Patrick married 1953 Dorothy Mary Ida, daughter of the late Ronald Hugh MacDonald of Mildura, Victoria.

They had Issue:

1. Elisabeth Patricia Brownlee, born 1954. Elisabeth married David Lauer of Warrandyte, born Doncaster 1947, A.A.S.A. Senior Dip. Business Accounting, Graduate Dip. Business Accounting.

They had Issue:

1. Nicholas David Brownlee, born 29 January 1984.

 

James Watson Brownlee and Isabella McKenzie also had:

2. John Donald McKenzie Brownlee, (second son of James Watson Brownlee) born Geelong, Victoria 1899. John Brownlee was the Principal baritone of the Metropolitan Opera Company of New York in USA. He was also President of the Manhattan School of Music. John died 10 January 1961 at New York. He had been married in Paris to Donna Carla Oddone di Feletto, 3rd daughter of Count di Feletto of Torino, Italy, and Isobel.

They had Issue:

1. Delphina Isabel Nellie[3] Brownlee, born 19 July 1930. Delphina was married firstly to Dan Eriksen of New York City, U.S.A.

They had Issue:

1. Lynne Michelle.

 

Delphina was married secondly Theodore Bashkow.

 

John Donald McKenzie Brownlee and Donna Carla Oddone di Feletto also had:

2. Donald John Watson Brownlee was born in Paris on 16 March 1934 and who married Elizabeth (?) at Rotterdam in June 1968. 

They had Issue:

1. Douglas Brownlee.

 

John Donald McKenzie Brownlee and Donna Carla Oddone di Feletto also had:

3. Gordon Douglas Phillip Brownlee, born Paris 16 May 1935.  Captain U.S. Marine Corp. B.Sc. University of Pennsylvania. Gordon was married in Sydney Australia, to Annabel Francesca Haynes, born Portmore, Simla, Inda, the second daughter of Doctor Byran Haynes and Isabel Gregor Cottas of Pt. Piper, Sydney.

They had Issue:

1. John Gordon Brownlee was born in London UK on 19 January 1968.

 

James Watson Brownlee and Isabella McKenzie also had:

3. Jessie Finlay McKenzie Brownlee, died unmarried.

4. Isabella Brownlee married Alec Wallace.

They had Issue:

1. McKenzie Wallace.

2. Margaret Wallace.

 

James Watson Brownlee and Isabella McKenzie also had:

5. Christine McKenzie Brownlee died unmarried.

6. Dulcie Annabel McKenzie Brownlee, born Geelong. Dulcie married James Bain Brunton of Geelong.

They had Issue:

1. Janeene Bain Brunton, born 24 April 1937 and married Barry Colin Tinker-Casson.

They had Issue:

1. Andrew James Tinker-Casson, born 12 November 1968.

 

Dulcie Annabel McKenzie Brownlee and James Bain Brunton also had:

2. Cheryl Bain Brunton, born 17 July 1944.

 

David Brownlee and Eliza Roger Preston also had:

7. David Preston Brownlee was born Geelong on 14 November 1864. He was a Warrant Officer (R.S.M.) with the Geelong Garrison Artillery, died Melbourne 1922. Married at Clunes, Victoria 1900 Harriett Tatnall Arnold, S.R.N., V.C.N. (No. 1 Certificate Geelong Hospital), eldest daughter of Harry Warman Arnold and Sarah Rachel Susannah Tattnall. Harriett was born 9 November 1874 at Richmond and died 14 July 1952 at Melbourne.

They had Issue:

1. May Alexandra Arnold Brownlee, born 1 May 1901 at Geelong, died 1970.  Married Wilford Wheatland R.A.N. 1st World War, Flight Lieutenant R.A.A.F., 2nd World War, of Geelong, Victoria.

They had Issue:

1. Wilford Charles Arnold Wheatland, B.Arch. F.R.A.I.A., member of Port Philip Pioneers No. 347. Wilford was married firstly to Pamela Galbraith at Melbourne.

They had Issue:

1. Michael Wilford Wheatland, born 1955.

2. Julie Ingred Wheatland, born 11 August 1959.

3. Joanne Pamela Wheatland, born 18 May 1962.

 

Wilford Charles Arnold Wheatland married secondly Christine Lethbridge.

They had Issue:

4. Samantha Louise Wheatland, born 23 June 1971.

5. Natasha Christine Wheatland, born 17 August 1972.

 

May Alexandra Arnold Brownlee and Wilford Wheatland also had:

2. Wilma Ford Wheatland, born 1 July 1928, deceased. Married Noel Anthony Adrian Smith.

They had Issue:

1. Angela Mary Adrian Smith, born 15 January 1957.

2. Anthony Charles Adrian Smith, born 10 February 1960.

 

May Alexandra Arnold Brownlee and Wilford Wheatland also had:

3. Barbara May Wheatland, S.R.N., born 21 June 1932 at Geelong, Victoria and married firstly William Quentin Cain, B. ARch., died 7 August 1963.

They had Issue:

1. Felicity Cain B.Sc., Dip. Audiology, born on Melbourne on 30 March 1957 and married Derek William Stott B. Chem. Eng., born 17 February 1956,

2. Prudence Alexandra Cain, born Melbourne 16 March 1959, S.R.N.

3. Melinda Sarah Cain was born Melbourne 11 January 1961.

 

Barbara May Wheatland was married secondly on 19 August 1967 at Brighton, Victoria, to Dr. Trevor Lawrence Reed, M.B.B.S., M.R.C.P. (London), M.R.C.P. (Edinburgh), D.C.H.B., was born 6 January 1931.

They had Issue:

4. Rebecca Wilma Reed was born 16 September 1968 Melbourne.

5. Nicholas Charles Trevor Reed, born 30 October 1973, Melbourne.

 

David Preston Brownlee and Harriett Tatnall Arnold also had:

2. David Preston Arnold Brownlee 1st Nobleman was born on 4 March 1905. He attended Central School, Geelong Victoria, Australia and was a Member of Port Philip Pioneers Group No. 282. He married Irene Florence Hughes, daughter of the late Eleazer Hughes, born 10 July 1905, deceased, and Lydia Fiesly.

They had Issue:

1. David Preston Brownlee, born 8 March 1927, educated Melbourne High School.  Married 23 November 1963.  Patricia Joy Robertson, Dip, Radiology.

They had Issue:

1. Gregor David Brownlee, born 16 March 1967, educated at Scotch College, Melbourne, non-commissioned officer School Cadets, colours for swimming, basketball and tennis. Gregor was also Captain of the skiing club.

(i) Katrina Joanne Brownlee was born 2 October 1968.

(ii) Jennifer Lynne Brownlee was born 6 October 1973.

 

David Preston Arnold Brownlee and Irene Florence Hughes also had:

2. Alisa Camille Brownlie, born 10 April 1933, educated University of Melbourne, B.A.  Married Ian Walter Good, M.A., B.Ed., Litt.B., M.A.C.E.

They had issue:

1. Kristen Joanne Good B.A. (Melbourne Uni), born 3 November 1959.

2. Stephen James Good, B.Ec. (A.N.U.), was born 21 March 1961 and was educated at Geelong Grammar School. He represented his University in Football. Received the Australia Japan Foundation Grant in 1981, the Japanese Monbusho Government Scholarship 1984/5.

 

David Preston Brownlee and Harriett Tatnall Arnold also had:

3. Harriett Roger Arnold Brownlee was born 13 October 1907 Geelong, Victoria.  Harriett was a Member and Secretary of the Port Philip Pioneers Group No. 96.  Married 29 August 1929 at St Clements, Elsternwick, to Rupert Perry Croxford.

They had Issue:

1. Elisabeth Adrian Brownlee Croxford, born East St Kilda, Victoria, 16 September 1933, S.R.N. Elisabeth was married on 11 February 1956 to Lachlan McGregor, B. Com. (Hons.) Melbourne, M.A., North Western. Lachlan was Associate Professor of Economics, at Monash University.

They had Issue:

1. Warren Lachlan McGregor was born 9 January 1960 at Evanston, Illinois, U.S.A., B.Econ. (Hons.) Monash University.

2. Russell James McGregor, born 1 June 1962 at Oxford, England.

3. Grant Nicholas McGregor, born 10 October 1965 at Melbourne.

 

Harriett Brownlee and Rupert Croxford also had:

2. Lois Harriett Brownlee Croxford, born East St Kilda 20 August 1938, S.R.N. (Tutor Sister). Married firstly John Anderson (no issue).  Married secondly Joseph Elton (no issue). Married thirdly to Robert Jarlath Gorman Dip.Forestry, was born at Creswick.

They had Issue:

1. Kate Harriett Clare Gorma, born 31 July 1976.

 

David Preston Brownlee and Harriett Tatnall Arnold also had:

4. Elva Watson Arnold Brownlee, born 16 June 1909 Geelong, Victoria, S.R.N., R.V.C.N., Member of Port Philip Pioneers Group No. 91.   Married firstly C.R.S. Hill (no Issue).  Married secondly Richard Hallam, Captain 2nd A.I.F., M.I.D., 2nd World War (no Issue).

 

David Preston Brownlee, and Harriett Tatnall Arnold also had:

5. Allan Lindsay Arnold Brownlee[4], 1st Nobleman, Justice of the Peace in the State of Victoria, F.G.A.A., F.G.S.V., born 17 July 1913, died 25 March 1985.  Educated Dookie Agricultural College, Victoria. Former General Secretary Australian Flour Miller's Council, Secretary Australian Flour Exports Promotion Committee, Manager Flour Exports Australia Ltd.  Served Pacific War as Squadron Leader R.A.A.F., commanding units in South West Pacific area 1941-46. Allan was a Member of the Port Philip Pioneers Group No.89. He was married firstly in 1939 to Zelma Bernstein, daughter of the late Frederick Bernstein. Their marriage was dissolved in 1952. Allan was married secondly in 1956 to Betty Bishop Pilley, daughter of Herbert W. Pilley of Geelong and Edith May Bishop of Weymouth, England.

They had Issue:

1. Robert Gordon Brownlee was born 10 September 1940 in Sydney. He was a member of the Port Philip Pioneers Group No.160. He was married firstly in 1962 to Judy Shaeffer. Their married was dissolved in 1970. He was then married secondly to Ann Eaton Stubbings, daughter of Edward Feldon Stubbings. Robert lives at Baldovan Park, Strathbogie in Victoria.

They had Issue:

1. Kim Michelle Brownlee, born 16 May 1963. Kim is a member of the Port Philip Pioneers Group, No. 161.

They had Issue:

1. Sean James Brownlee, born 19 November 1982.

Robert Gordon Brownlee and Ann Eaton Stubbings had Issue:

1. Natalie Ann Brownlee, born 18 March 1973. Natalie married William Hunter Deague[5].

They had issue:

1. Hugo William Deague born 9 November 2007[6].

2. Sibella Hunter Deague born 8 April 2009[7].

Allan Lindsay Arnold Brownlee and Zelma Bernstein also had:

2. John Nigel Brownlee (surname changed to John Nigel-brownlee) M.B.A., B.Com N.S.W., A.A.S.A., A.C.I.S., A.F.A.I.M., 1st Nobleman, born Sydney 13 May 1942, and married Annette Cleveland[8], born 4 October 1948 in Sydney. John and Annette were divorced in 1986.

They had Issue:

1. Kirri Louise Brownlee (surname changed to Cleveland), born Sydney 17 July 1971. Kirri married Bruce Campbell[9].

They had issue:

1. Zibby Kirri Ann Cleveland born 31 August 1990[10].

John Nigel Brownlee and Annette Cleveland also had:

2. Tieran James Brownlee, born 29 September 1973, Montreal, Canada. Tieran married Rhonda (?) and are now divorced. Tieran has a new partner, Angela Sellars[11].

They had issue:

1. Casuarina Angela Brownlee, born 2 June 2010[12].

John Nigel Brownlee and Annette Cleveland also had:

3. David Graeme Brownlee, (first born twin) born 29 December 1975, Princeton, New Jersey[13]. David married Yisselda Dean[14].

They had issue:

1. Taj Scott Brownlee born 18 August 2006[15].

John Nigel Brownlee and Annette Cleveland also had:

4. Scott Michael Brownlee, (second born twin) born 29 December 1975, Princeton, New Jersey[16]. Scott married Angela Mavin[17].

They had issue:

1. Chaase J'Ann Brownlee born 16 July, 1998[18].

2. Tyla Brownlee born 26 July, 2001[19].

John Nigel-brownlee remarried Juthathith and moved to Muang Khon Kaen, Thailand in April 1994. He operates his company, Lexens (Thailand) Co., Ltd in the Financial Services industry and Asean Affairs[20].

 

Allan Lindsay Arnold Brownlee, and Zelma Bernstein also had:

3. Michael Anthony Brownlee B.Sc. (Hons.), M.A.Ps., M.M.R.S., Psychologist, Nobleman, born in Sydney on 28 July 1946. Michael was educated at Sydney High School and University of New South Wales. He is Managing Director of his company, Creative Dialogue Pty Ltd and lives on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland (2010).

 

David Preston Brownlee and Harriett Tatnall Arnold also had:

6. Beryl Sarah Arnold Brownlee, born 8 June 1915 Geelong, Victoria, S.R.N., R.V.C.N., R.A.A.F. Nursing Service 2nd World War, Member Port Philip Pioneers Group No. 121.  Married Squadron Leader Keith Steedman, R.A.A.F., 2nd World War, F.C.I.S., F.A.S.A. 

They had Issue:

1. Roger Keith Watson Steedman, born 27 March 1942, Dip. C.E. Grad. (Aust.) T.T.T.C.  Married Elizabeth Ann Freeman.

They had Issue:

1. Roger Keith Watson Steedman was born 15 September 1966.

2. Brian Malcolm Steedman was (first twin) born on 15 September 1967.

3. Raymond John Steedman was (second twin) born on 15 September 1967.

 

David Brownlee and Eliza Roger Preston also had:

8. John Brownlee died in infancy.

 

James Brownlee and Christian Cunningham also had:

2. John Brownlee, born at Blackburn on 16 March 1821. John was baptised on 22 April 1821. His birth and baptism was Recorded in the Parish Register Livingstone, Linlithgow.  John married Margaret Reid of Leith at Leith, Scotland in 1846 and had Issue there. John migrated to Australia in 1856 (name of vessel unknown) and his wife Margaret who came to Geelong on the S.S. Arabian in 1857 followed John. Margaret, along with her young children, was recorded in the shipping records as: "gone to husband in tent near Junction Hotel, St Kilda".  Later the family moved to Bendigo, the newly developed goldfield. John died in 1885.

They had Issue:

1. Ellen Brownlee, born 1846.

2. Thomas John Brownlee, born 1852.  Died unmarried.

3. Jessie Brownlee, born 1854.

4. David James Brownlee was born 1856 and married Emma Ford Snook.

They had Issue:

1. Herbert Hopetown Brownlee married Ada Gavine Garside.

They had Issue:

1. John Hopetown Brownlee, born 28 August 1922.  Married Bettina Wearne.

They had Issue:

1. Christine Helen Brownlee, born 31 July 1949.

2. Colin John Brownlee, born 21 February 1953.

3. Ian Frederick Brownlee, born 14 February 1957.

 

Herbert Hopetown Brownlee and Ada Gavine Garside also had:

2. Dorothy Melinda Brownlee, born 23 October (19??)  Married (?) Jackman.

They had Issue:

1. Cheryl Jackman born 3 April 1953.

2. Neil Jackman born 8 September 1957.

 

Herbert Hopetown Brownlee and Ada Gavine Garside also had:

3. Ruth Brownlee.  Married John Connelly.

They had Issue:

1. Rodney Connelly, born 1948.

2. Graham Connelly.

3. Jennifer Connelly.

 

David James Brownlee and Emma Ford Snook also had:

2. Victoria Regina Brownlee married (?) Pook.

3. Ella Brownlee.  Married Arthur S. Loam (deceased).

4. Olive Brownlee.  Married (?) Leggo.

5. Dorothy Brownlee.  Married (?) Price.

 

John Brownlee and Margaret Reid also had:

5. Christina Brownlee, born 1861.

6. Frederick Brownlee, born 1863.

7. Margaret Brownlee, born 1866.  Married Edward Miles.

 

David Brownlee and Henrietta Black also had:

2. Agnes Brownlee, born 23 January 1794 in Blackburn and baptised 30 January 1794.

 

David Brownlee and Eliza Roger Preston also had:

7. John Brownlee who died in infancy

 

Chart updated 20 September 2010



[1] According to the Livingstone Parish Register Linlithgowshire

[2] Recorded in the Parish Register as Brownlie

[3] Named after Dame Nellie Melba

[4] Author of The Brownlee Family published in 1986 by Brownlee Printing in Australia

[5] Email Natalie Deague to Ian Brownlee 20/8/2010

[6] Email Natalie Deague to Ian Brownlee 20/8/2010

[7] Email Natalie Deague to Ian Brownlee 20/8/2010

[8] Email Annette Cleveland to Ian Brownlee 20 September 2010

[9] Email Annette Cleveland to Ian Brownlee 31 May 2010

[10] Email Annette Cleveland to Ian Brownlee 7 June 2010

[11] Email Annette Cleveland to Ian Brownlee 20 September 2010

[12] Email Annette Cleveland to Ian Brownlee 20 September 2010

[13] Email Annette Cleveland to Ian Brownlee 7 June 2010

[14] Email Annette Cleveland to Ian Brownlee 20 September 2010

[15] Email Annette Cleveland to Ian Brownlee 7 June 2010

[16] Email Annette Cleveland to Ian Brownlee 7 June 2010

[17] Email Annette Cleveland to Ian Brownlee 20 September 2010

[18] Email Annette Cleveland to Ian Brownlee 7 June 2010

[19] Email Annette Cleveland to Ian Brownlee 7 June 2010

[20] th.linkedin.com