Summary

Photograph of the Amery family in front of the newly-built homestead at Homewood Farm, Boweya, near Wangaratta, northern Victoria in 1895.

Eliza and Joseph were to have two more children, though one daughter, Agnes, died in infancy in 1900. Although life on an isolated rural property with so many children to bring up would certainly have been difficult for Eliza, the new, large and beautifully built house suggests that the family was doing well financially. The photo of the homestead surrounded by expansive paddocks, indicating that they extensive farming land; the related photos show the family well dressed in their Sunday best.

Homewood Farm was the home of the Amery family. The home was later the site of war-time tragedy: Eliza and Joseph Amery lost a son in World War I (Alexander Stevensen Amery, probably the child at the centre of log in the photograph, then aged two); Joseph died; and Eliza was admitted to a psychiatric facility, Royal Park Receiving House, in a delisional state, during the time her son was serving overseas. She died at Homewood Farm on 8 July 1918, very soon after being released from Yarra Bend. Her death notice describes Eliza as the 'dearly loved mother of Lilian, Frederick, George, John, Annie, Percy, late Pte. Alexander, Christopher and Margaret.'

Description of Content

The Amery family in front of their newly built house on 'Homewood' farm. The homestead is weatherboard with return verandas. The family are dressed in their Sunday best and there are eight children.

More Information