Frank Senescall was born in April 1864 at Glanford Brigg, Lincolnshire. His parents were Jonathan and Hannah (nee Drinkall). Frank’s mother died when he was just three. As a young man of 21, he married Elizabeth Jewison Cooper (1860-1935) at Burton-Upon-Stather, Lincolnshire, England. The wedding date was 18 May 1885. Elizabeth was the eldest of 7 and was born in Kirmington, Lincolnshire, England.
Their daughter, Alice Ann was born in December 1885 at Glanford Brigg. Their first son, William, was also born at Glanford Brigg on 08/07/1887. The young family left from London that same year and arrived in Brisbane on 4/2/1888 aboard the “Duke of Argyll”.
Senescall land at Hunchy
Not long after, Frank selected Portion 95V, Mooloolah, a block on the northern side of the Razorback road between Palmwoods and Montville. This area became known as Upper Hunchy with two main selectors – Frank, and his neighbour on the southern side of the Razorback road, Frank Morrison. They were both farmers.
Frank and Elizabeth’s next two children, Henry (28/05/1890) and Clara Ellen (21/02/1892) were born at Palmwoods. Their next child, Frank Alton (1896), was born in Nambour and their youngest child was Cornealia Elizabeth (06/01/1899).
Frank was an early advocate for a school at Montville (Then known as Razorback). Along with other selectors he petitioned from 1893 till the successful enrolment of his children, Alice, William and Henry in October 1896. He and his neighbour Frank Morrison walked the three quarters of a mile up the Razorback track to the school to be the first two families to enrol their children.
Frank died on 13/08/1913 at St Helen’s Hospital, Brisbane. He was 59 years old. His widow remained on the property and her son, Henry helped her run the farm. Her children and their families all remained quite local – at Mapleton, Eudlo, Montville and Palmwoods. Elizabeth Senescall died in 1935.
By Cate Patterson
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