Money Family History

In the Beginning

In 1874, John William and Elizabeth Sarah Money, with two children immigrated to Queensland, Australia, from their home in London. They were extraordinary people who faced adversities, often extreme, that we might enjoy the comforts we do today.

The earliest Money ancestor we have on record in our family is Thomas Money (1809-1854). In 1836, Thomas Money and Ann Donovan were married in the Parish of St Giles Cripplegate, London. Two of their children died early in life. In 1854, tragedy struck their family when Ann died in March, Thomas at sea in June, leaving three children, 15–year–old Mary Ann, 12–year–old John William (1841–1891) and three–year–old Ellen. Little is known about Mary and Ellen. George Whybrow, a Primitive Methodist with strong Christian convictions, became John’s guardian, and gave him work and security.

In 1866, John William Money married Elizabeth Sarah Sumner. Two sons died in infancy. In 1874, John and Elizabeth, with two sons, immigrated to Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia. Their home was blessed with four more sons and a daughter, Lydia. In 1879, John took up a selection of poor quality land near Bundaberg.

On 26 December 1891, tragedy struck the family again when John and Lydia were drowned in a coastal creek, now known as Moneys Creek.

Between 1903 and 1906, Elizabeth, the matriarch of the family, and her six sons migrated to New Zealand.

One can only speculate what Thomas and John would have achieved had they been given the opportunities of scholarship that were denied them, for their children and grandchildren achieved excellence in many fields. There is much to celebrate in the lives of these pioneers and their descendants. Their stories are told here, together with short biographies of many of John and Elizabeth’s sons and grandchildren, for nearly all of this number have now completed their journey through life.

The recording of this family history has proved an exciting challenge. The truth we do know is but a fragment of our history, for there is much to be revealed. There are two legends, which have excited our imagination. Though not yet proven the evidence for the truth of the Jermy legend seems convincing. The Money legend, while tantalizing, is as yet far from proven.

We are fortunate that a wealth of historical material has been preserved. We here thank: Elizabeth Sarah Money for keeping letters and papers from the 19th century she deemed precious, and John Money for his diligence in ensuring the preservation of these valuable documents; Edna Money, for her research into shipping records pertaining to Thomas Money, and the Red Jacket, the clipper on which Thomas died at sea in 1854; Philip Parkin, a consultant neurologist, for his enthusiastic analysis of the autopsy report on Thomas Money, a remarkable slice of medical history; Harry and Selena Money, for their family album, now held in the Morrin Historical Museum in Morrinsville, and Mike Gribble of the Museum, who scanned many of these photos; Eleanor Bodger for her persistent searching for the truth about the Jermy legend and Money family origins; John Millman in London, who, of his own volition, chose to labour hard on our behalf to trace our Jermy ancestry; and Hugh Smith, who has added considerably to our knowledge of the extended Money family and the Whybrow connection.

This history is just a beginning. The challenge now is for John and Elizabeth’s great-grandchildren to ensure that their family stories are recorded, to be enjoyed by those that follow.

We acknowledge and thank all who have so willingly contributed to the writing of family and personal histories, and those who have shared photographs and other memorabilia for our pleasure, for without their help this history could not have been produced: Olive Money, Lucy Money, Edna Money, Meredith Money, John Money, Don Money, Mary Money, Elisabeth Money, Bruce Money, Joy Hopkins, Herbert Money, Jan Baker, Eleanor Bodger, Neroli Williams, Philippa Gordon, Sally Hopkins, Jenny Luxton, Jill Margetts, John H Money, Ev Moorhead, Viva Rainey, Pauline Richardson, Jocelyn Stevenson, Sue Sammut, Lesley Toufexis and Geoff Trew, assisted by family members.

In November 2003, the Money family gathered in Christchurch to celebrate the centenary of the family arriving in New Zealand. We’re in the Money, a record of the Money family, was published to mark the occasion. Neroli Williams made it possible for us to read and enjoy this lovely presentation of Money family history. In July 2004, a second reunion was held in Bundaberg, when a plaque was placed on the grave of John and Lydia Money.

Herbert Bramwell Cook
Great-great-grandson of Thomas Money

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