Frances-Johnston-Whillas-B1849

# Frances "Fannie" Johnston Whillas (1849–1936)

Dick's paternal grandmother; an Irish-born milliner who emigrated to South Australia.

## Key facts

- **Born:** 14 Aug 1849, [Belleek](/places/belleek-northern-ireland), Northern Ireland
- **Died:** July 1936 (age 86), Blackwood, South Australia
- **Emigrated:** Left the UK for [Adelaide](/places/adelaide-south-australia) with her sister Minnie, Sep 1864 (exact date unknown)
- **Married:** [John Foggo Whillas](/people/john-foggo-whillas-b1846), 13 Sep 1871, Norwood, SA
- **Occupation:** Head milliner and dressmaker at the John Martin department store, Adelaide

## Life

Frances Johnston (known as Fannie) travelled from Ireland to South Australia with her sister Minnie in 1864, well before her future husband arrived. She worked as head milliner and dressmaker at John Martin's, one of Adelaide's major department stores. She married [John Foggo Whillas](/people/john-foggo-whillas-b1846) in 1871 (see [the marriage](/events/marriage-john-foggo-whillas-to-frances-johnston-1871)) and together they raised eight children.

She outlived John by nearly 40 years, dying at Blackwood in July 1936. Photographs of her survive in the family collection.

## Family

- **Husband:** [John Foggo Whillas](/people/john-foggo-whillas-b1846)
- **Children:** see [John Foggo Whillas](/people/john-foggo-whillas-b1846) for the full list of eight.

## Sources

- Whillas–McLeod family history spreadsheet (Rev 4), *1860s*, *1870s* and *1930s* sheets.