Charles Mustey

  General Notes:

In 1849 Charles Mustey aged 16 came to Australia with his brother William and his family. After 8 years of carting goods to the goldfields the brothers had made enough money for William and Charles to buy land at Rochford and for Charles to open a butchers shop in North Lancefield in 1860.
In 1862 the Burke and Wills expedition, on their way north, camped at the Deep Creek crossing opposite the Mustey home and shop (The camping spot is marked with a memorial stone placed there by the local Historical Society in 1987). The party bought their meat from Charles Mustey but moved off without paying so Charles had to chase them for some distance to get his money! Charles married Mary Dixon in 1861 and their ten children were born in Lancefield. They were Sarah 1862, Thomas Armstrong, Jane 1865, Margaret 1867, Mary 1868, Charles Harris 1871, George Job 1875, Martha 1877 and William Thomas 1879.
Charles Mustey was a witness to a bank robbery and this is the story which came from the case heard at the Lancefield Courthouse:
"At the Lancefield branch of the Commercial Bank of Australia at 10 am on Friday August 15 1879, the bank teller Mr Arthur Morrison opened the front door of the branch without a care in the world. He moved round behind his counter and relaxed for exactly 15 minutes until a tall thin man and a short chap with scanty ginger whiskers, presented themselves before him. Mr. Morrison said, "Good morning gentlemen" and the short fellow with the ginger whiskers whipped out a pistol and answered: "We are the Kelly gang. Put up your hands. We have secured the police."
The teller was amazed. He, with the rest of Victoria, had believed the Kelly gang to be holed up in North-eastern Victoria and here they were just a few miles outside of Melbourne itself. Phew!
"Lofty" nipped round the counter and tied the teller's hands with rope. Then he applied a cloth gag.
The bandits opened the cash drawer and extracted 756 pounds 9 shillings and 4 pence plus an envelope. "Shorty" peeped inside the envelope and announced that he could see a pound note. Teller Morrison let out a cry through his gag: "That's my own personal money and I can't afford to lose it." The bandit returned the envelope intact to the drawer - a very nice gesture indeed. The hold-up men peeped into an open safe and found 100 pounds ready to hand.
They pocketed this amount. (To this moment exactly five minutes had passed since the bandits entered the banking chamber). "Lofty" and "Shorty" were preparing to depart when who should come busily into the chamber but Mr Charles Mustey, the Lancefield butcher, with 271 pounds 11 shillings to deposit. The bandits took the deposit into their own wicked pockets and taking Mr Mustey into the manager's office at the rear of the premises, locked him in there. (This story was included in Charles Mustey's obituary in the Lancefield Mercury, and it says he hid his money beneath the hearth-rug in the office where it lay undiscovered when the robbers returned to search him. The story seems to be changed each time it is told and it has been told may times) You may be interested to know, by the way, where the manager was all this time. Well Mr Zalmona Carlisle - for that was the good man's name - was out in the back yard of the bank innocently watching some workman digging a hole. He never did get into this story in time to be of any interest. The bandits finally strolled out in Lancefield's main street bearing a total of One thousand, one hundred and twenty eight pound and four pence and disappeared smartly. Two minutes after the hold-up team had gone out the door, Teller Morrison broke free of his bonds, removed his gag and rushed into the street shouting, "The Kelly gang has been here". The whole town came running and someone rushed into the police station to spread the amazing intelligence. Unfortunately one of the towns two policemen had gone down to Melbourne for the day and the other was out bright and early delivering summons. Although unhappy about the robbery, Lancefield folk felt quite proud that the dreaded Kelly gang had included them in their raid schedule for it meant that the town would get mentioned in history. As no local police were around, a wire was sent to police headquarters in Melbourne saying proudly: "The Kelly gang has struck Lancefield" or word to that effect. A train load of police was rushed to the point of attack. With it went six black trackers who had been specially imported from Queensland to work on the Kelly case. Meanwhile what were "Lofty" and "Shorty" doing? Immediately they had left the bank they had set out across the country on foot with their loot. After covering six miles they reached the Drovers Arms Hotel at Mollison's Creek. They brought some bread, tobacco and a large bottle of brandy. Then away across the fields again.
By the next evening, Saturday night, the scamps were in Bendigo. They entered the New Lead drapery store and created something of a furore by ordering the best suits available, two carpet bags, two boxes of paper collars and some hankies. With much flashing of bank notes and sovereigns they paid for their goods and marched happily into the night. The shop assistants in the drapery store had heard all about the bank robbery in Lancefield and knew that a tall chap and a short chap with ginger whiskers were wanted for the job. One of the attendants ducked out of the store after the wealthy customers and started playing shadow. He saw his quarries go into the chemist's shop and buy some hair dye. Back to the store he went with this intelligence and after conference with his fellow assistants, spoke a word with the local police. "Lofty" and "Shorty" stayed under cover throughout Sunday. On Monday the latter went abroad and one Constable Cox sighted him on the road leading to the local gas works. The policeman asked "Shorty" where he was going and, very rudely, "Shorty" said he would go just where he liked because the road was as free to him as to anyone else. Constable Cox laid his arm on "Shorty" at this juncture and found that he was carrying two overcoats, 450 pounds, a lemonade bottle full of rum, a carpet bag and a box of paper collars. "Shorty" said he got the money from the sale of land but no one believed him. When sober "Shorty" told what he thought was a pitiable story. He said he was only 19 years old, his name was Christopher Bray and he was a brick-layer. While looking for honest work in Melbourne, he said he met Charlie Lowe in a boarding house. Charlie had posed as a farmer, see, and had told the youngster he could lead him to a good job in country Heathcote. The job turned out to be armed robbery in Lancefield. Charlie had threatened to shoot him when he sought to refrain from law breaking, he insisted. Other police discovered that "Lofty" was residing at the Golden Fleece Hotel. They crashed through his bedroom door anticipating a duel to the death and found their quarry in a most curious state. Apparently the fellow was drunk and had tried to cover himself with coins and banknotes as though a blanket. When the police questioned Lowe he said Bray was a liar and insisted that Bray had plotted all the details in a Melbourne boarding house and they had gone together to buy the hold-up pistol. Their plan had been to rob the bank at Heathcote but they got lost and by chance found Lancefield. The Kelly angle was that it was thought that people handed over their gold more quickly to the Kelly gang than anyone else.
"Lofty" Lowe got 7 years for his crimes and "Shorty" Bray got 5 years hard labour." So ends the tale of the Lancefield hold-up (Lancefield Mercury)

The Lancefield Mercury, Friday, December 17, 1915.
Death of Mr Charles Mustey.
Even in these days of wholesale slaughter on the battlefield the death of an old resident is accompanied with deep feelings of regret, and sympathy for those whom the departed one was more closely associated. Such an atmosphere prevailed in Lancefield on Saturday evening when the news quickly became circulated that Mr Charles Mustey senr, one of the oldest of Australian pioneers, had passed away. He was seated at tea when the event took place, suddenly ceasing conversation with his wife and falling face downward upon the table. Dr Finiss who had been attending at regular intervals during the passed weeks was immediately summoned and proclaimed life extinct, death being due to heart failure. Mrs Mustey received a severe shock, and not until the following day was she able to realise what happened. Since then she has gradually become weaker and at the time of going to press yesterday there was no noticeable improvement in her condition. Mr Mustey celebrated his 82nd birthday on Friday, and he then expressed the hope that he would once more see his grandson, Lance-Corporal Harry Hunt, to whom he was deeply devoted. On Sunday special reference was made in all the local churches to the death of Mr Mustey, and when the news became known in other parts of the State, through the medium of the daily press, telegrams began to arrive from old friends of the deceased and his wife. But one of the greatest old friends remained silent. It is his lot as a provision of nature, not to comprehend, not to realise the departure of his master. Faithful of Robin, this is - the horse which Mr Mustey dearly loved. They were indeed true friends, and seemed to understand each other in a language entirely their own. When Robin was driven out to take his place behind the mourning coach he attracted much attention, in fact the spectacle had quite a pathetic touch about it. Sympathy is expressed on all sides for the members of the late Mr Mustey’s family. particularly his wife, who is in her 75th year. There are three daughters and three sons, viz., Mrs Williamson, Mrs Robt Kirkwood, Mrs Johnston Hemphill and Messrs Charles, George and William Mustey. Grandchildren number 15, and there is one great grandchild. The funeral on Monday to the Lancefield cemetery was one of the most largely attended in the district for some years, the arrangements for which were carried out with perfect order and dignity by Mr C. J. Williams. The funeral was delayed for some short time, in the hope that Mr. G. H. Mustey, of Yarrawonga, would be present. An urgent wire despatched on Saturday evening was not received by him until 8.30 on Monday morning. Within half-an-hour he had commenced the journey in his motor car, but bad roads greatly retarded his progress, and he found it impossible to reach here until about 6 o’clock. The Very Rev. Dean MacCullagh an old friend of the deceased, was to have read the burial service, but wired on Monday to the effect that just as he was about to leave Bendigo he became ill, and much to his sorrow, could not make the journey. The Rev. R. A. Green, who was to have assisted, conducted the service in an impressive manner. The coffin-bearers were Messrs A. Hunt, T. Dixon, G. Mustey, W. Mustey, Johnstone Hemphill and R. Kirkwood, the Messrs T. Mustey, W. Speers, W. Stribbles and J. Armstrong officiating as pall-bearers.
Yes, still another of the good old pioneers has passed away - the men who have laid the foundation stone in one of the most prosperous and productive countries in the world. Surprisingly it is how little thought is given by the present generation to the task which those grand of veterans have accomplished. They faced Australia in its native state with primitive implements and methods of labour which long since have been abandoned. The majority of them landed here in the year 1851. But Mr Mustey at that time was “quite an old resident”, having arrived here in 1847, just before Melbourne was created a city. Like “Dad” in “On our selection” he “knew Melbourne before there was a Melbourne”. We remember him, at his golden wedding over four years ago, referring to the separation of Port Phillip from New South Wales in 1850, when it was made a separate colony under the name of Victoria. How many are there of the early settlers alive today who can speak of events so far back as that. Very few, we venture to say. As already stated, Mr Mustey came to Victoria 68 years ago, then aged 14 years of age. He travelled in company with his brother William, in the ship “Hope” having a rather unpleasant experience during the voyage. Falling overboard, he was in the water for nearly an hour before being rescued. Still there was no bad omen attached to this adventure, for he “struck oil” soon after reaching these shores, and since then never had occasion to look back. With his first few pounds he purchased a team of bullocks and a wagon, and was well established as a carrier when the gold-rush commenced. Unlike many in the same line of business, he did not dispose of his teams (plural by this time) to join in the search for the precious metal. With the late Messrs Charlie and Henry Gullett as companions, he conveyed provisions to the goldfields at Bendigo, making big money, and he was the first to enter Ballarat with a load of stores. As competition became keener, however, he put his savings to a profitable use, purchasing property at Rochford (eight years after his arrival, or about 60 years ago), the farm now being known as Robb’s. It was not long before he had cleared sufficient of the densely timbered land to follow farming pursuits, and, as with his original means of livelihood, his efforts were rewarded with success. During that time he not altogether abandoned carting operations, his services with the teams often being availed of by neighbours. A few years later he sold to advantage and opened a butcher’s shop on the Bendigo track at North Lancefield, the building at present being occupied by his son. Mr Mustey married in 1861, and, after thirty years of his butchering business, retired to enjoy with his wife the hard-earned fortune which he had accumulated. But a life of ease was not meant for him - he was of an enterprising and restless spirit - and he associated himself with many forms of business of a less strenuous nature. Eventually he set up again as a butcher in the premises now occupied by Messrs Akam and Son, going into partnership with Mr Alf Hunt. This he conducted, after the retirement of Mr Hunt, for some years, and again retired (his last time in business), the establishment passing into the hands of his sons Charles and George. The late gentleman had many interesting experiences in the early days of his residence in Australia. Even at a later period he was connected with notable events, one in particular being the Lancefield Commercial Bank robbery at the time of the Kelly Gang. Two men named Bray and Lowe, bailed up the clerk (Mr Morrison) - Mr Carlise, the manager was out - bound and gagged him, and removed a large sum of money from the strong-room, Mr Mustey who was in the bank when they entered, was locked in the managers room while the booty was being collected. During those few minutes 200 pounds, which he had in his possession, he carefully concealed under the hearth rug, the amount not being discovered by the robbers when they returned to search him. Connected with the robbery is an interesting story. The culprits were believed to be members of the Kelly Gang, and a few hours after the occurrence was reported, mounted police (including the local constable Mr Mann, with a rusty old muzzle loader - his breeches continually working up over his knees, as he rode at a safe distance behind the party) and black trackers galore were on the trail. The district was in a state of confusion until the mystery was solved, both Bray and Lowe confessing to the act while on a drinking bout at Bendigo a fortnight or so later. Of further interest is the fact that Mr Mustey, in the year 1862, served provisions to Burke and Wills on their ill-fated expedition. They camped on the Deep Creek within a stone’s throw of his residence.

Left Plymouth England accompanied by his elder brother William, William's wife Priscilla and their 4 year old daughter Emma on 6.3.1849 aboard the "Hope" and arrived in Port Phillip on the 2.7.1849. (136 days)
He had fallen overboard during this passage and was in the water for about 1 hour before being luckily rescued! They were assisted passengers which meant they had to work for a period of time to pay for their passages. They were assigned to Mr William Coghill, a farmer who had a freehold of 1000 acres at Gellibrands Hill 2 miles NW of Broadmeadow's.

Will No. 113242.
This is the last Will and Testament of Charles Mustey of Lancefield Gentleman. I appoint the Union Trustee Company of Australia Limited Collins Street Melbourne to be the Executor and Trustee of this my will I give devise and bequeath the whole of my real and personal propery to my said Trustee Upon Trust to pay the proceeds of my Life Assurance Policy in the National Mutual Life Assurance Company and all bonuses theron to my grandson Charles Alfred Henry Hunt; to transfer to my wife Mary Mustey for her sole use and benefit absolutely all my household furniture and effects whatsoever, my horse buggy and harness and any ready money which I may have at my death including any money which I may have at deposit or otherwise after payment of my personal debts; as to my land at Seven roads containing One hundred and sixty acres or thereabouts to transfer the same to my to my daughter Martha Hemphill subject to the payment by my said daughter Martha Hemphill to my daughter Mary Kirkwood of the sum of two hundred pounds within six months of my death; as to my land known as Casey’s containing about ten acres to transfer the same to my Grandson Charles Alfred Henry Hunt; as to my Melbourne Hill farm containing about One hundred and ninety six acres being allotments 12. 13 and part of 14 of the Parish of Lancefield to hold the same and from the rents profits and income thereof to pay to my said wife Mary an annuity of Fifty pounds per annum during her life and to pay the balance of the rent profits and income from my said farm containing about One hundred and ninety six acres, and after the death of my said wife the said rents profits and income to my son William Thomas Mustey during his life, and after the death of my said son William Thomas Mustey to sell my said farm containing One hundred and ninety six acres and divide the proceeds equally between the children of my said son William Thomas Mustey; as to my farm at North Lancefield containing abour seven hundred acres now occupied by my son George Job Mustey to hold the same and out of the rents profits and income thereof to pay to my said wife Mary and annuity of Fifty pounds per annum during her life and to pay the balance of the rents profits and income from my said farm containing about Seven hundred acres and after the death of my said wife the whole of the said rents profits and income to my son George Job Mustey during his life and after the death of my said son George Job Mustey to sell my said farm containing about seven hundred acres and divide the proceeds equally between the children of my said son George Job Mustey. I direct that the whole of the rest and residue of my real and personal estate shall be transferred and handed over to my said wife Mary for her sole use and benefit absolutely. I direct that my funeral and testamentary expenses and Probate duty shall be borne by the whole of my estate real and personal according to the Probate Valuers thereof and the same shall be a charge theron And lastly ??? any other will by me at any time heretofore made I declare this to be my last will and testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this second day of March One thousand nine hundred and fourteen.
Charles Mustey
Signed by the said testator and by him decalred to be his last will and testament in the presence of us both present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have herinto subscribed our names as witnesses
Rowhardt Raher, Bank Manager, Lancefield
The other name is impossible to work out.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: Butcher.

• source. & Leanne May (nee Mustey)

• connection. My connection to Charles Mustey (1833) who is the brother of William Mustey who is the great-great grandfather of Leanne May (nee Mustey) is:

Charles Mustey (1833) married Mary Dixon (1840)
Her father was Christopher Dixon (1812) & he also had Janet Dixon (1853) who married Harry Hiscock (c1846)
They had Frank Hiscock (1873) who married Emily Wallis (1875)
Her father was William Wallis (1849) who married Victorine Groube (1851)
Her father was Rev Horatio Groube (1814) & he also had George Groube (1847)
He had Edith Groube (1880) who married Percy Howe (1866)
His father was Robert Howe (1833)
His father was Frederick Howe (1805)
His father was James Howe (1777)
His father was George Howe (1741) & he also had Sarah Howe (1775)
She had Alexander Moss (1811)
She had James Moss (1846)
He had Laura Kershaw Waldock or Moss (1864)
She had Winthrop Larkinson (1889)
He had Dulcie Larkinson (1926) who married Colin Davies (1925)
She had me- Robyn Bray (nee Davies) (1950)

Charles married Mary Dixon, daughter of Christopher Dixon and Jane (Jeanie) Armstrong, on 3 Jul 1861 in Essendon, Melbourne, Victoria Australia. (Mary Dixon was born on 20 Oct 1840, died on 5 Jun 1917 in Lancefield, Victoria Australia and was buried on 6 Jun 1917 in Lancefield Cemetery, Victoria Australia.)