Two sisters, Phoebe and Annie were also born in Port Albert, but by 1854, the family had followed the gold trail to the diggings at Castlemaine, a town which experienced a massive population explosion in the early 1850's, mostly of miners and their families. Chasing good fortune, the Dixons were in for a very hard time. The conditions around Castlemaine were very tough- most likely the young family were living in a tent, or a shanty hut made from canvas or bark. It was overcrowded, and contagious diseases spread quickly. Young Charles died aged 9 in 1854, then little Annie. In 1857 first Ann, then their baby daughter Susannah Maria died of 'debility', caused most probably by the disease and malnutrition so prevalent in these environs.
By the time Bessie is 8 years old, she has lost her brother, two sisters and her mother. Her grandmother, Frances appears to be with them at the time of Ann's death, and it is likely that she stayed with the family to help Charles raise the two girls. We know nothing of Bessie's childhood after her mother's death, but certainly, she and her father stayed on in Castlemaine, where she met and married a local blacksmith, Frederick Kempson and raised her own family. Bessie's remaining sister, Phoebe moved to East Gippsland with Frances, who lived in Rosedale for many years. Unfortunately Phoebe died in Sale in 1890, aged 43, just two years after her father.
Bessie and Fred appear to have had a good marriage, and raised 6 of their 8 children to adulthood. Sadly, two daughters, aged 2 and 18 years passed away and much later in 1916, a son Frederick was killed in France. I wonder if those early experiences of death made it easier to deal with the death of her children? The family are regularly mentioned in the local accounts of sporting competitions and regional festivities, and so they must have been well enmeshed in community life. After Fred's sudden death in 1905, Bessie moved with her girls to Coburg in Melbourne. She lived a very long life, dying at age 90.
Bessie Jane must have been a strong woman in our family, and most certainly a survivor. The daughter and granddaughter of convicts, she learnt how to survive in tough times, and make the most of difficult circumstances. I suspect that this is where her daughter, Eleanor got her "just get on with it and do what needs doing" attitude. I wish that I did know more about Bessie. Nana must have known her quite well, as they lived not far away for several years before Bessie's death, but she didn't speak of her to me.I wonder also if she knew much about her parent's early life, especially her father's convict years, and his youth in London. When he died in 1892, Fred acted as informant on Charles' death registration, but he wasn't able to provide any detail about his parents or birthplace. Perhaps, then, this is where the 'stain' began to be hidden, and Charles didn't speak of his past to Bessie. We can only guess.
Before I finish off, I want to include a small piece I found on Trove which is perhaps testament to Bessie Jane's spirit of resilience!
A Plucky Woman
Castlemaine, 30 December
Mrs Kempson, who resides at North Castlemaine, had an exciting and dangerous experience yesterday. When crossing the small paddock in which stands the Lutheran Church she was attacked by an untethered cow. With much pluck and determination, she seized the cow by the horns, and although pulled about violently, she managed to retain her hold until assistance arrived, when she was rescued from her perilous position much exhausted and bruised.
Bendigo Advertiser
Monday, January 1st 1906.
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