NameRoss, JosephPlace of ResidenceTerry's MeadowsBiographyJoseph Ross was born 1814 Kings County Ireland. He was tried at Antrim Ireland for burglary and was transported for life per the 'Captain Cook' in 1832, to the employ of Edward Weston at Johnston's Meadows Albion Park. This was his fifth offence.
He obtained his Certificate of Freedom 1 March 1848.
Joseph married Belinda Daley 31 October 1843 St Francis Xavier Roman Catholic Church at Wollongong.
Joseph purchased lots 47 and 48 (230 acres) of the Terry’s Meadows estate lots from W Billiard, the solicitor handling the auction of the estate as farm lots in 1860. The site of lots 47 and 48 on the Jamberoo Mountain Road at Mt Terry is the area of the Mt Terry School today.
Joseph and Belinda's daughter Mary Ann was born at Johnston's Meadows 23 December 1848. She married John Gillis of Balgownie 12 July 1871 at Wollongong.
John and Mary Ann left Balgownie for Queensland with their children Florence 1872 and Joseph 1875. They settled at Goomboorian between Gympie and Tin Can Bay where John Gillis had taken up 640 acres of land for timber getting and dairying. Here he built a slab hut for his family.
Joseph and Belinda Ross and their son John had already settled at Cooatharaba, Queensland travelling overland by bullock and dray with all their possessions; having left Albion Park and taken up land adjacent to the Gillis family lots. They called their property 'Rossville' and together the Ross and Gillis family pioneered the region. Mount Gillis, Mount Ross and Gillis Creek were named after the families.
Joseph Ross died 16 January 1898 and is buried at a private cemetery at Goomboorian. Belinda Ross died 12 May 1901 at her home 'Rossville' and was buried with Joseph. Their daughter Mary Ann Gillis died 26 April 1940 aged 92 years and is buried Gympie Cemetery with her husband John Gillis who died 28
September 1938.
