James Trangmar, a brief history.

James Trangmar is described in Burkes Colonial Gentry as "Trangmar of Burswood". We learn that he was born at Brighton, in Sussex, on the 10th March 1820; and that his first marriage was at Longford, Tasmania to Mary Ann Coulston, on the 17th July, 1849. The children of this marriage were James William, Henry Watson, George Charles, and Ann. Mary Ann died on the 6th. July 1861. He then married Catherine McKery and they had one son, Ernest Albert. His rural interests included land at Burswood, Portland; Bochara, River Wannon, Violet Creek, on Violet Creek, Hamilton and Morgiana also at Wannon and also Cape Nelson, Trewalla.

He set up a general merchants business with George. G Crouch (his brother-law) in Portland, Victoria in 1846, but was in England from 1848-1849. In 1850 he was elected to the Portland Shire Council. In 1853 he dissolved the partnership with Crouch. He handed over his merchandising concerns to Charles Marshall in 1862, and took up pastoral pursuits. He was appointed Captain with the Portland Detachment of the western Artillery on the first day of June 1871 and was promoted to Major in 1879 and retired as Colonel in 1883. He was Justice of the Peace for the Western Bailiwick, and Returning Officer for Portland.

He became chairman of the municipality of Portland in 1860-61, and was the Mayor of Portland 1875-78 and again in 1882. He passed away on the 16th. December, 1888. His family has a long history, originally coming from Normandy, settling both in Portslade, Sussex and another branch in York, England with a family crest- "A dexter arm embowed to armour holding in the hand, a sword."

As early as the 16th century, the family were associated with shipbuilding, the family name then being known as Trankmore. A book, published in 1683, with the title "Mr. James Janiway's Legacy to his Friends ( Containing Twenty Seven Famous Instances of God's Providence in and About Sea dangers and Deliverances; with the names of several that were eyewitnesses to many of them"), mentions Captain John Trankmore who had been thrown overboard and somehow was rescued by another ship.

These notes were supplied by Peter Trangmar, a descendant.

Chapters: Contents • Introduction • The ship JAVA • Migration to South Australia • JAVA leaves London • Crossing the line • Arrival in South Australia • Medical board of enquiry • Other ships had great loss of children's lives • JAVA after 1840 • Appendices • Timeline