Sydney James Payne

   Another name for Sydney was James.

  General Notes:

James as he was known, arrived in Fremantle and went to Southern Cross. Wi th three young children (Mary age four, Jane age two and Sydney a ba by in arms) Margaret journeyed by ship from Melbourne to Fremantle and lan ded on the 13 Mar 1896 and then went to Southern Cross. Sometime later th ey went to Parkers Range and Margaret and another lady were the only wom en there-theyused to bake bread for all the miners, in a mud oven. Water w as a great luxury and 2/6d for a kerosene tin full of water. It was a ve ry hard life for her. After some time at Parkers Range the family came ba ck to Southern Cross and Margaret took some miners to board. Water h ad to be carted for them from a dam, 10/- for 100 gallons. There were no a musements in those days, but in sickness women folk helped each other a nd made lasting friendships. The remaining years of her life were happy on es-as life was made a little easier after many years of hardship.
===========================================================