Margaret Johnston was born about 1835 in Airdrie, Scotland, the daughter of Thomas Johnston.
The ship Medina 956 tons, Captain J. Sandford, departed Liverpool 26th June 1852, arriving Port Adelaide, South Australia on 9th October 1852. She carried 410 Government emigrants, among them Margaret Johnstone, 18, a farm servant of Fermanagh.
On 26 January 1854 Margaret Johnston married Henry Calaby in Adelaide, South Australia.
They moved to Homebush, near Avoca, shortly after their marriage. Henry Calaby was a herdsman. They had twelve children between 1855 and 1879.
On 21 January 1884 Margaret Calaby was admitted to Maryborough Hospital. On the admission record it was stated that she was 48 years old and lived at Homebush. She had arrived in Australia on the Medina from Birkenhead. A native of Airdrie, Scotland, she had been in the colony thirty-one years.
On 13 January 1893 Margaret Calaby age 58 of Homebush was again admitted to Maryborough Hospital, where she died five days later. On her admission she was recorded as being forty-one years in the colony, a native of Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
Avoca Mail, Friday 20 January 1893, page 2
Mrs Calaby, of Homebush, died in the Maryborough Hospital on Wednesday, and her remains were brought to her late home by train yesterday. The funeral, which took place at two o'clock to-day, was well attended by friends and acquaintances.
Margaret Calaby was buried at Avoca Cemetery. The burial register records that she died of bronchitis and asthma.
Of Henry Calaby
Born Norkfolk England
Who Died At Homebush On The 19th March 1892
Aged 63 Years
Also Of His Wife Margaret Calaby
Nee Johnstone Born At Airdrie Scotland
Who Died At Maryborough on the 17th January 1893
Aged 58 Years
Also Of Their Children
William James And Sarah
Thy Will Be Done
Where was Margaret nee Johnston from: Airdrie, Scotland, or Fermanagh, Ireland?
In 1893 when Margaret Calaby was admitted to Maryborough Hospital she was recorded as being a native of Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. Nine years earlier, on her admission to hospital then, it was stated that she was a native of Airdrie, Scotland, and had arrived on the Medina. On her gravestone she is said to have been born at Airdrie. On the Medina’s passenger list she was from Fermanagh.
Wikitree: Margaret (Johnston) Calaby (1835-1893)
