Ellen
I am relieved that you replied to my message!!! Issacher was my great grandfather on my father's maternal side. He married Isabella Palmer and my grandmother Beatrice Grace was one of their children.
I too don't know why he migrated to Australia but I have found out by carrying out research for my husband's family in North America that when a son wasn't the first born (they get all the family lands usually) they migrated to either another country or, less drastic, migrated to a different part of the country that was opening up new lands.
My parents have undertaken a lot of research and Dad has created a family story that he calls the Saga. Of course the problem is that many people don't think to talk to their elders and record what they have to say until it is too late. I love the family stories. It is great to have at our disposal official records but the family stories put the meat on the bones.
What I can tell you is from this document.
Issacher migrated to Australia in 1879 arriving in Brisbane, Queensland on 20 June. He went from there to Stanthorpe, Queensland to assist Reverend Joseph Beale who was a minister in the Methodist faith. It appears that Issacher corresponded with the Rev. Beale prior to migrating and intended to assist is the church's activities. Apparently, Joseph and Betsey were followers of John Wesley's teachings. His mother passed away in 1877 when he was attending Bible Class and this made deep impression on his life. Eva's pleading with him to dedicate his life to Christian works eventually made him do so.
There is some conflict with his date of birth and Dad says it has been convincingly established he was a twin with Eva. However, others have him born in 1855. If you can find any official records that state when his actual birth date is it would be wonderful.
Two years after arriving in Stanthorpe he moved to Armidale, New South Wales and began working for William Palmer, owner of a brickworks at Brickville, West Armidale, New South Wales. In later life he was described as Tom Trudgeon, brickmaker and miner . . .a native of St Austell, Cornweall. He was on 5' 2" and hence the nickname of Tom from Tom Thumb given to him by his fellow workers.
He married William's daughter Isabellain St Peters Church of England Cathedral, Armidale. Isabella was 19 years old at time and was given permission to marry by her father (Marriage Certificate 8087-1850 - 5 October 1882.). He remained aligned to the Methodist Church despite being married in a Church of England Church. He once said that given the opportunity and eduction he would have entered the ministry in the church of his choice. On 23 July 1893 a new Methodist Church was dedicated in Armidale and Issacher's name was the first entered on the new membership roll. He was tireless in his efforts to strengthen the Christian conscience and performed yeoman service as a lay preacher both the the Bible Class and the church.
Declining health meant Issacher was forced to leave his job at the brickworks (date unknown) and he moved into Armidale town to open up a general store in Beardy Street and a green grocery store in Jesse Street. His death certificate states his occupation as Fruiterer. He died on 25 November 1918 at Armidale and was buried in the Methodist section of the Armidale Cemetery.
Isabella carried on the business for several years and then decided to move to Cessnock, New South Wales to be closer to her daughter Alma and son Normal. Isabella opened a boarding house in Cessnock. She died in Cessnock on 19 May 1954 but was buried in Armidale Cemetery.
Isabella and Issacher had nine children: William Joseph (1884), Beatrice Grace (my grandmother) (1885), Issacher James (1887), Albert Henry 1891), Clarinda Emily (1890), Cecil Knight (the Knight name has been included in every generation to my own) (1893), Alma Eva (1898), Alfred Norman (1903) and Raymond George (1904).
I hope this has whetted your appetite. If I can help with other Australian family member information, please let me know.
Warm regards
Carolyn
