John Foggo Whillas (1846–1897)

Dick's paternal grandfather and the founder of the Australian Whillas line.

Key facts

• Born: 21 May 1846, Edinburgh, Scotland
• Died: March 1897 (age 50), Blackwood, South Australia
• Emigrated: Left London for Adelaide on the sailing vessel St Vincent, Sep 1868; arrived Port Adelaide 1 Dec 1868
• Married: Frances "Fannie" Johnston, 13 Sep 1871, Norwood, SA
• Children: 8 — see below

Life

John Foggo Whillas emigrated from Scotland as a young man, sailing on the St Vincent and arriving at Port Adelaide on 1 December 1868. He kept a diary of the voyage, which survives in the family (held by Janet Wilkin) — see John Foggo Whillas voyage diary.

He married Frances Johnston in Norwood in 1871 — see the marriage. The couple's children were born in Melbourne and Adelaide before the family settled in South Australia.

Family

• Wife: Frances Johnston (1849–1936)
• Brothers who also emigrated / visited:
  • Charles Bailie Whillas (b. 1848) — teacher and school inspector
  • Thomas Foggo Whillas (b. 1848) — Free Church minister, Motherwell
  • James Andrew Whillas — arrived Adelaide 1878
• Children:
  1. Charles Johnston Whillas (1872–1944) — Dick's father
  2. Helen Mary "Nell" Whillas (1876–1939)
  3. John David Whillas (1878–1948)
  4. Frances Anne Whillas (1880–1959)
  5. James Mawhinney Whillas (b. 1881)
  6. Lily Johnston Whillas (1882–1949)
  7. Thomas (Tom) Foggo Whillas (1884–1972)
  8. Minnie Constance Whillas (1889–1971)

Sources

• Whillas–McLeod family history spreadsheet (Rev 4), 1860s, 1870s and 1890s sheets.
• Voyage diary of the St Vincent (family collection, held by Janet Wilkin).