Anna Caroline Williams (Larsen), c. 1906
Image: Laurie & Lorraine Phillips
FatherLaust Larsen b. 13 Jan 1843, d. 23 Jan 1917
MotherAnna Margaretha Naugardt b. 26 Jun 1848, d. 24 Sep 1904
Pedigree

Birth, Death, Marriage

Anna Caroline Larsen was born on 4 November 1871 in New Years Flat, Vaughan, Victoria.1,2 
She married Richard Cornelius Williams, son of John Williams and Mary Ann Crapp, on 1 October 1896 in Congupna, Victoria.3,4,5 
She died on 28 September 1954 in Oakleigh, Victoria, at age 82.6,7 

Family

Richard Cornelius Williams b. 29 Apr 1871, d. 30 Mar 1932
Children
ChartsLarsen, Laust, descendant chart
Williams, John, descendant chart
Williams, Roy, pedigree chart

Story

Anna Carolina was born at New Years Flat in Vaughan on 4 November 1871. She was the oldest child of Anna Margaretha and Laust and the oldest to reach adulthood. She is also Anna Carolina on her baptism certificate. On her marriage registration, she calls herself Anna Caroline, but eight years later, husband Richard calls her Anna Carolina.8,2,5,9
 
Born on the Victorian Goldfields
The three eldest children, Anna, Lars and Andrew, were born on the Victorian goldfields. They were born in the family home in New Years Flat, about 1.5 km from the township of Vaughan.1,10,11
From Goldfields to Farmland
In the summer of 1876-77, the Larsen and Riedell families travelled by wagon from Fryers Creek to Congupna. Laust and Anna Margaretha had two children, Anna Caroline and Andrew. Magnus and Catherina had six children, Magnus jnr., Wilhelmina, Peter, Charles, Annie and five month old Matilda. As well as twelve people, the wagons were loaded with all the posessions of two families plus supplies for the approximately 180 km journey.12
 
All the Larsen children attended the Congupna township school.13
 
Marriage and Family
Anna Caroline Larsen and Richard Cornelius Williams were married at Mr Larsen's house in Congupna on 1 October 1896. They had seven children between 1897 and 1913.

The Shepparton News described the occasion under the title 'Tallygaroopna'.

A very pleasant ceremony took place last Thursday, the occasion being the marriage of Miss Annie Caroline, eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Larsen of 'Fairfield', Congupna, to Mr Richard C Williams, youngest son of Mr and Mrs J Williams of Tallygaroopna.

The Rev R Brown of Shepparton officiated; the bridesmaids were Miss K Larsen and Miss A Reidell, sister and cousin of the bride; whilst Mr P Learmonth and Mr P Reidell supported the bridegroom.

The bride, who was given away by her father, was charmingly gowned in white lustre, trimmed with lace and ribbon and customary wreath and veil; the bridesmaids being elegantly dressed in cream crepon trimmed with chiffon and ribbon to match.

After the knot had been securely tied and a plentiful supply of rice indulged in, a happy gathering of about thirty friends sat down to a sumptuous breakfast provided by the host and hostess. After the good things had been partaken of, the health of 'The Bride and Bridegroom', 'The Bridesmaids', proposed by Mr G Bitcon, replied to by Mr P Learmonth; 'The Bride and Bridegroom's Parents', proposed by Mr C Denker, responded to by Mr H McKenzie. The bride was the recipient of many valuable and beautiful presents. After a time the rooms were cleared for dancing, the first item being danced by the bridal party, and it was only when the coming day warned them the night had fled, that the revellers departed to their respective homes.14,5

 
Witnesses to the marriage were Annie's sister, Karen Larsen (also a bridesmaid), her cousin Annie Riedell (also a bridesmaid), and Peter Learmonth (also a groomsman). The other groomsman was Peter Riedell, another of Anna's cousins.5,14
 
A notice in the Argus, commemorates their 25th anniversary:
Williams-Larsen (Silver Wedding): On the 1st October, 1896, at 'Fairfield', Congupna, by the Rev JJ Brown, Richard Cornelius, youngest son of the late Mr and Mrs J Williams, Tallygaroopna, to Anna Caroline, eldest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs L Larsen, Congupna. (Present address, 'Royston', Marionvale.)15

 
Anna and Richard Williams had seven children, two boys and five girls, between 1897 and 1913. The four eldest, known as Roy, Freda, Lila and Thelma, were born in Tallygaroopna. May was born in Shepparton, and Frank and Rita were born in Numurkah.
Richard, Thelma, Lila (Carnie), Freda (front), Roy (Cecil Roy), May (front) & Anna Caroline Williams (Larsen), c. 1906
Image: Laurie & Lorraine Phillips
Tallygaroopna and Marionvale Family Homes
Richard built a house on his father's Tallygaroopna property around either 1892 or 1897.16,17
 
In 1914, Richard and Anna moved with their now complete family of seven children to a property named 'Royston' at Marionvale.

Seven years later, the house was described as a 6-roomed weatherboard house with all conveniences within one mile of the State School.

In 1922, the family moved to Mooroopna.18,19,20,15
 
Death of Anna Margaretha 
Anna Margaretha suffered for several years from tuberculosis, known at the time as consumption or phthisis.

Anna Margaretha Larsen died of tuberculosis in Congupna on the morning of Saturday 24th November 1904, aged 56. She was buried at the Shepparton cemetery on 26 November.21,9,22
 
Most of the family was still in the family homestead; only the married Anna Carolina had moved out. Meta was the youngest at 13 years old. Eldest remaining daughter, Carnie became house-keeper and carer for her father and the younger family members.23
 
Laust, Denmark Visit 1906
In 1906, two years after mother Anna Margaretha died, father Laust returned to visit family in Denmark.24,21
 
Two family photos were taken beforehand to take to Denmark. One was a family portrait of Laust with his nine children. The other was taken in front of his 'Fairfield' homestead and included spouses and grandchildren.21,24
Bill (William Magnus), Mary, Deas (Andreas), Carnie (Karen), Bert (Albert), Mag (Margaret Elizabeth), Annie (Anna Caroline), The Pater (Laust), Dora, Meta (in front) Larsen, 'Fairfield', Congupna, 1906
Image: Margaret Pell, Laurie & Lorraine Phillips
Margaret Elizabeth Larsen, Dora Larsen, Annie Thelma Williams, Laust Larsen, Dora May Williams, Anna Caroline Williams (Larsen), Albert Frederick Larsen, Meta Alvina Larsen, Richard Cornelius Williams, Karen Larsen on horse, Andreas Laust Larsen, Mary Larsen, Cecil Roy Williams on Kit, 'Fairfield' homestead, Congupna, 1906
Image: Margaret Pell
Williams Family: Back: May, Freda, Richard, Anna, Roy, Thelma, Lila; Front: Rita & Frank, probably Marionvale, c. 1916
Image: Sue Mountney
Back: Annie (Anna Caroline) Williams (Larsen), Margaret Berry (Larsen), Leura Larsen (Kerr), Meta Hannan (Larsen), Allan Larsen (child), Matthew Hannan, Jack (John) Larsen (child), William Larsen; front: George Berry, Karen 'Carnie' Larsen, Richard Williams, Congupna, c. 1919
Image: Sue Mountney
Back: Annie (Anna Caroline) Williams (Larsen), Margaret Berry (Larsen), Leura Larsen (Kerr), Meta Hannan (Larsen), Allan Larsen (child), Matthew Hannan, Jack (John) Larsen (child), William Larsen; front: George Berry, Karen 'Carnie' Larsen, Richard Williams, Congupna, c. 1919
Image: Sue Mountney
Marionvale State School
Most of the Williams children went to Marionvale state school at some stage. Only eldest Roy might have left school before the family moved to Marionvale.25
Marionvale State school no. 2515 was a weatherboard one room school situated on Jubilee Road, Parish of Congupna; it opened Jun 1882
Image: Katandra & District History Group
A 1917 article describes a successful fete in which the Williams family was well represented. Thirteen year old Thelma and 14 yo May had a total of thirteen placements in the events. Events included the Girls' potato race (May 1st, Thelma 3rd), Small boys' race, no. 2 (6 yo Frank 1st), Girls' Siamese race (May and partner 1st, Thelma and partner 2nd), Small girls' race, no. 2 (4 yo Rita 1st), Girls' egg and spoon race (Thelma 1st, May 3rd), Small boys' race no. 3 (Frank 2nd), Skipping (May 1st, Thelma 2nd), Girls' foot race (Thelma 1st), Small boys' race (Frank 3rd), Needle race (Thelma and partner 1st, May and partner 2nd), and Girls' foot race, no. 2 (May 2nd, Thelma 3rd).

The children's favourite Rooster race was won by sixteen year old Lila; here's the newspaper description:
The principal item of the day, from the children's point of view, then took place, viz., the picnic, when racing, skipping, and other games were indulged in, including a single young ladies race after a live rooster. This event caused a great amount of merriment. 10 ladies started, the winner being Miss Lila Williams, the prize being the rooster himself (minus a few feathers obtained by several competitors in their desperate attempt to capture the prize).

The parents took part too with their forty-six year old father Richard claiming the Married gent's race:
Mr R Williams proved the best in the old buffers' race.


Richard also did well the following Friday night at a euchre party and dance fundraiser for the British Red Cross funds when he was the gents winner. At the same event, a cake given and raffled by 17 year old Freda raised 18 shillings (equivalent to about $85 a century later).25
 
Mooroopna Family Home
In June 1922, the family moved from Marionvale to Mooroopna. The Echuca Road house was close to Richard's newly purchased butchery business. They purchased 'Roseview', consisting of a residence and 20 acres of land, from James T Norton.26,27,28
Richard Williams, Eddy Hawkins, Mabel Downie; front: Bill Hehir
Image: Sue Mountney
Lorraine (obscured), Richard Cornelius, Cecil Roy & Thelma Williams, rear of Echuca Rd house, c. 1929
Image: Val Williams
Frank & Anna Caroline (Larsen) Williams, George & Margaret (Larsen) Berry, unknown, Richard Williams
Image: Sue Mountney
Grandchildren describe 'Roseview' as being a large homestead house. The 1968 address of the house was 27 Echuca Rd.29,30,31,32
 
Land Leased
In the Shepparton rates for 1922, Anna Caroline Williams is shown as leasing lot 10 of 321 acres on Congupna Rd in Congupna. There are no other family connections to this block of land.16
 
Photos of Anna Williams
Below are some photos of Anna Williams.
 
Lorraine Anna, Anna Caroline (Larsen) & (Cecil) Roy Williams, 1927
Image: Val Williams
Mervyn Norton, May Norton (Williams), Anna Caroline Williams (Larsen), Carnie (Karen) Larsen, Lorraine Williams & Bill the dog, 1929
Image: Laurie & Lorraine Phillips
Auntie Annie (Anna) Williams (Larsen), Freda Williams, Auntie Carnie (Karen) Larsen, 1929
Image: Margaret Pell
Anna Williams (Larsen) with her five daughters, Freda Hehir, Thelma Jamieson, Lila Hehir, Rita Johnson & May Norton
Image: Val Williams
Anna Williams (Larsen) with her five daughters, Freda Hehir, Thelma Jamieson, Lila Hehir, Rita Johnson & May Norton
Image: Sue Mountney
Anna Williams (Larsen) & Karen 'Carnie' Larsen
Image: Sue Mountney
Later Years
Richard died when Anna was about sixty years old. She remained in the family home for another twenty years. Son Dick and new wife Bub lived in the house from 1933 for about seven years until they separated. In 1949, Dick married Norma and remained in the Echuca Rd house.
 
Anna Caroline Williams died of acute pulmonary oedema at Sorrento private hospital in Oakleigh on 28 September 1954, aged 82. She had been ill for at least the previous twelve months with congestive heart failure and arteriosclerosis. She was buried at Mooroopna cemetery on 29 September 1954.6
Mooroopna cemetery
Image: BillionGraves
WILLIAMS:- At private hospital, Melbourne, Anna Caroline, wife of late Richard C Williams, Mooroopna, loving mother of Roy (Mooroopna), Freda (Mrs Hehir, NSW), Lila (Mrs Hehir, Shepparton), Thelma (Mrs Jamieson, Adelaide), May (Mrs Norton, Mooroopna), Frank (Mooroopna), and Rita (Mrs Johnson, Melbourne), aged 83 years.33
 
Mrs AC Williams
As briefly mentioned in a previous issue, the death occurred in Melbourne, on September 29, of Mrs Anna Caroline Williams, of Echuca Rd, Mooroopna. She had been in failing health for the past twelve months.

Her remains were brought to Shepparton by Messrs Kittle Bros, and the funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon from St Augustine's Church of England, Shepparton, where the burial office was read by Rev Canon R North, who performed the committal to the grave in Mooroopna cemetery in the presence of a large number of sympathisers. The casket was borne by Messrs Jack Norton, Keith Johnson, Wm Hehir and Laurie Phillips, while the pall bearers were Messrs Graeme Williams, Leon Williams, Wallace Bicknell, Peter Fry, Trevor Wright and Bill Larsen.

Born at Fryers Creek almost 83 years ago, she was the eldest of the family of the late Laust and Margaretta Larsen, who were early settlers at Congupna in 1877.

Married in her home 58 years ago to Mr Richard Cornelius Williams, the couple made their home on the Numurkah road to the south of Tallygaroopna. They farmed in the district for a number of years, her husband subsequently taking up a butchering business in Tallygaroopna. Thirty years ago he opened in Mooroopna in partnership with his son, Ray [sic: Roy], the business being sold eight years ago. Mrs Williams was of a quiet, retiring nature and did not take part in public affairs, but her fine neighborly characteristics were much appreciated by friends. Her husband predeceased her over 20 years ago.

She is survived by her family of seven - Cecil Roy (Mooroopna), Freda (Mrs Bamfield [sic: Banfield], Wagga), Carnie Lilias (Mrs WH Hehir, Shepparton), Thelma Annie (Mrs Jamieson, South Australia), Dora May (Mrs Jack Norton, Mooroopna), Frank Larsen (Mooroopna), and Rita (Mrs Johnson, Melbourne). She was a sister of Karen (Tallygaroopna), Mary (Mrs Wright, Narrandera), Dora (deceased), Andreas (deceased), William (Finley), Margaret (Mrs G Berry, Shepparton), and Meta (Mrs Hannan, Oaklands).34
 
Larsen St in Mooroopna near the recreation reserve is named after 'Mrs Caroline Williams (nee Larsen)'.35
 
Will and Probate 
Anna made a will on 9 October 1946. To daughter Rita she leaves £100 and a presentation teapot of Richard's. To daughter-in-law Annie Williams she leaves £20. To son Frank she leaves the Echuca Rd house and property. An advance of £50 to daughter Lila is deemed paid. The balance of the estate is to be distributed to the five daughters.36
 
Probate was granted to Roy and Frank 30 November 1954.

The real estate is described as lot 5 plan of subdivision 3112, part of Crown allotment 6 with an area of 18½ acres and a six roomed weatherboard house. It was valued at £2220.

Personal and household effects were valued at £65.

There was also £721/13/9 in a State Savings Bank account, £60 in Commonwealth bonds and £50 in a debt due from daughter Carney [sic] Lilias Hehir.

The total value of Anna's estate was £3116/13/9.37
 

Citations

  1. [S480] Anna Carolina Larsen, birth registration no. 26913, 4 November 1871.
  2. [S91] Anna Carolina Larsen, baptism certificate (in German), 4 November 1871.
  3. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, 'Richd Corneluis' Williams and 'Anna Carol' Larsen entry, marriage registration no. 6123, 1896.
  4. [S21] Lorraine Phillips, personal communication.
  5. [S240] Richard Cornelius Williams and Anna Caroline Larsen, marriage registration no. 6123, 1 October 1896.
  6. [S407] Anna Caroline Williams, death registration no. 11216, 28 September 1954.
  7. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, Anna Caroline Williams entry, death registration no. 11216, 1954.
  8. [S270] Victorian Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages, registry and index, 'Anna Carolina' Larsen entry, birth registration no. 26913, 1871.
  9. [S116] Anna Margaretha Larsen, death registration no. 10704, 24 September 1904.
  10. [S479] Lars Peter Larsen, death registration no. 8485, 22 August 1873.
  11. [S478] Laus Andrew Larsen, birth registration no. 26431, 14 June 1874.
  12. [S89] The Riedell Family, letter, 1975.
  13. [S79] 'The early days of the Larsen family: Congupna', The Centenary of Congupna Schools and District 1884-1984, Congupna Centenary Committee, 1984, p. 19, story by Ursula Reynolds.
  14. [S18] 'Tallygaroopna', Shepparton News, 1877-, newspaper, Roy McPherson, 9 October 1896, Williams-Larsen wedding.
  15. [S220] 'Marriages: Williams-Larsen', The Argus, 1848-1957, newspaper, Argus Office, 1 October 1921, p. 11, viewed 4 December 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/4645637
  16. [S233] Shepparton Shire & Town Rates Index, 1885-1939/1941, computer file, Shepparton Family History Group, Williams entries.
  17. [S1] While Shepparton Shire rates never show John as paying rates on any premises, they show Richard did from 1892 to 1899 (on two houses in 1897). Given Mary Ann also owned premises there in 1898 and 1899, there must have been two houses at least between 1897 and 1899. It is also possible that Richard built his house in 1892 (when he started paying rates), and that John was somehow exempt.
  18. [S233] Shepparton Shire & Town Rates Index, 1885-1939/1941, computer file, Shepparton Family History Group, Richard Williams entries.
  19. [S425] 'Extensive land & stock transactions', Numurkah Leader, 1895-1948, newspaper, 22 May 1914, p. 2, 320a at Congupna, acc T McMahon to RC Williams, viewed 9 September 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/132750036
  20. [S260] 'Auction sale of land', Goulburn Valley Stock and Property Journal, 1910-1963, newspaper, Horan & Simpson, 3 May 1922, p. 2, viewed 9 September 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215272454
  21. [S284] Laust Larsen detailed ancestor table, computer file, ancestor table, unpublished, 2010.
  22. [S18] '[Death Notice: Mrs Laust Larsen]', Shepparton News, 1877-, newspaper, Roy McPherson, 27 September 1904.
  23. [S17] Tallygaroopna and District Times and Tales: Published to mark the occasion of the centenary of Tallygaroopna primary school 3067, 1890-1990, Tallygaroopna school council, 1991, pp. 118-119.
  24. [S213] Geoff Larsen, personal communication, 12 March 2010.
  25. [S260] 'Marionvale', Goulburn Valley Stock and Property Journal, 1910-1963, newspaper, Horan & Simpson, 11 July 1917, p. 3, viewed 6 December 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/219831427
  26. [S201] 'Mooroopna', Shepparton Advertiser, 1914-1953, newspaper, Thomas Pettit and William Callender, 19 June 1922, p. 5, viewed 31 August 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/179182450
  27. [S260] 'Commercial news', Goulburn Valley Stock and Property Journal, 1910-1963, newspaper, Horan & Simpson, 30 August 1922, p. 2, viewed 1 September 2017, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215272210
  28. [S260] 'Commercial news', Goulburn Valley Stock and Property Journal, 1910-1963, newspaper, Horan & Simpson, 30 August 1922, p. 2, article has two entries: one for house and land, and one for butchering business, viewed 1 September 2017, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/215272210
  29. [S59] Val Williams, personal communication, 28 September 1996.
  30. [S172] Leon Williams, personal communication, 2 September 2012.
  31. [S21] Lorraine Phillips, personal communication, 28 August 2012.
  32. [S392] Australia, Electoral Rolls 1903-1980, online, Victorian division of Murray, subdivision of Shepparton, 1968.
  33. [S220] 'Family notices: Williams', The Argus, 1848-1957, newspaper, Argus Office, 2 October 1954, p. 21, viewed 5 September 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article23445827
  34. [S18] 'Obituary: Mrs AC William', Shepparton News, 1877-, newspaper, Roy McPherson, 4 October 1954, p. 4, viewed 16 June 2015.
  35. [S164] Mooroopna to 1988, 1989, p. 254.
  36. [S493] 'Anna Caroline Williams', VPRS 7591 Wills, 484/687, will, 9 October 1946.
  37. [S494] 'Anna Caroline Williams', VPRS 28 Probate and Administration Files, 484/687, probate, 30 November 1954.