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Of Tragedy and Valor
Alice Rumbelow was the eldest daughter of Malen Rumbelow, was born in Mildenhall, Suffolk, England on 25th May 1833.
She and her family endured the 112 day passage from Southampton UK to Port Adelaide. It is likely Alice had met Cain Jelliff, a sailor, aboard the Pestonjee Bomanjee.
Cain was was born in Sussex, England and was christened on 24 April 1835, the son of Thomas and Lucy Jelliffe. Cain does not appear on the original manuscript list of passengers held by State Records South Australia nor other passenger lists which are based on the original document.
Some 3 moths after arriving, Alice, Cain and the Rumbelow family set out by bullock dray for the whaling settlement of Encounter Bay, a journey that took them a fortnight. Alice Rumbelow married Cain Jelliff on 24th January 1855 at the Tabernacle Chapel at Encounter Bay. Cain taught boating and fishing skills to his brother-in-law, young Malen.
In 1864 Cain Jelliff and Malen Rumbelow, founded a fishing business at Encounter Bay, starting a family tradition that has continued through the generations. Alice would do much of the selling of the fish as well as carting the catches to Adelaide to hawk the fish, carrying much of it through the city with horses and van. When the railway commenced, the fish was sent through to E. Daw's Central fish market.
In 1866 Alice and Cain offered their home for the wedding of Alice's sister Mahalia Rumbelow and Edward Robert Bolger.
On 2 March 1877, 42 years of age, whilst engaged in a fishing expedition, Cain lost his footing in a storm at sea near the Murray mouth, was plunged overboard and drowned. Alice was 44. Alice and Cain had no children.
The Southern Argus described him as quiet and inoffensive and, “in the domestic relations of husband and wife perhaps there was no happier pair amongst us, therefore the grief of the bereaved wife is very great”
Alice Rumbelow (Jelliff)
1833 - 1920
Photo restored by Les Peters
Malen and Alice descendant
In 1879, following the death of her sister Mahalia, Alice married Edward Robert Bolger.
They cared for Mahalia's two children from her first marriage and four young children from her marriage to Edward.
Alice also cared for the orphaned child of her cousin, Benjamin Last although she had no children of her own.
Alice died at the age of 86 on 17th April 1920 and her obituary indicates that she was well liked and respected in the district.
Obituary
Obituary
Observer Newspaper 24th April 1920
Mrs E.R. Bolger - The death occurred at Victor Harbour last Saturday of Mrs E.R. Bolger, sen., one of the oldest inhabitants of the historic Encounter Bay district.
She belonged to the Rumbelow family, well known in the early whaling and recent fishing annals of the locality, and was a native of Sussex (sic) England, where she was born in 1834. She made the voyage to Australia in the ship Pestonjee Bomanzee (704 tons, Capt. Montgomery) and landed at Port Adelaide on October 8, 1854, after a voyage of 112 days.
In 1855 she was married to the late Mr. Cain Jelliff, who was drowned in the River Murray while engaged in a fishing expedition.
In 1880 she married Mr E.R. Bolger who survives. For some years past the aged couple have been a mine of interesting information and anecdotes concerning the pioneer days and early Encounter Bay experiences. The deceased lady was of a happy and engaging disposition, and was held in the highest respect throughout the district.
Cain Jelliff was born in Sussex, England and was christened on 24 April 1835, the son of Thomas and Lucy Jelliffe.
He was a crew member of the barque Pestonjee Bomanjee which arrived in South Australia at Port Adelaide, South Australia on 7th October 1854.
The Encounter Bay Family History Group described him as a sailor from the Pestonjee Bomanjee as Cain does not appear on the original manuscript list of passengers held by State Records South Australia nor other passenger lists which are based on the original document.
Cain Jelliff married Alice Rumbelow on 24th January 1855 at the Tabernacle Chapel at Encounter Bay and were married for 23 years.
Cain taught boating and fishing skills to his brother-in-law, young Malen, who was working at the whaling station. He was a natural boatman and fish and crays were plentiful.
Cain Jelliff and Malen Rumbelow founded a fishing business in 1864 at Encounter Bay, starting a family tradition that would continued through the generations. Alice would help by carting the catches to Adelaide and hawking the fish.
Cain and Malen are credited with organising the first Regatta and Water Sports event held at Victor Harbor on New Year’s Day in 1869. This tradition continued for many years and was held on the Works Jetty near Granite Island until the late 1940s.
On 2 March 1877, 42 years of age, Cain lost his footing in a storm at sea near the Murray mouth, was plunged overboard and drowned. The Southern Argus described him as quiet and inoffensive and, “in the domestic relations of husband and wife perhaps there was no happier pair amongst us, therefore the grief of the bereaved wife is very great”
Cain Jelliff is buried at the Victor Harbor Cemetery with his wife, Alice. Alice and Cain had no children.
The Express and Telegraph
The Express and Telegraph
The body of Mr. Cain Jeliff, who was drowned a few days ago by accidentally falling from a boat into the River Murray, near Goolwa, was picked up just inside the Murray Mouth on Saturday afternoon, March 10.
The remains, which were much decomposed, were removed to Goolwa, and a Justice of the Peace having certified that an inquest was unnecessary they were conveyed to Port Victor by a special truck, and thence to Encounter Bay.
The funeral took place on the following day and was largely attended. The cortege, which included a number of the members of the Loyal Port Victor Lodge of Oddfellows, with which the deceased had been associated, first proceeded to the Newland Memorial Church, Port Victor, where a portion of the burial service was read by the.pastor, the Bev. Charles Hodge.
A start was then made for the Encounter Bay District Cemetery, where the Rev. Mr. Hodge again officiated. The Oddfellows funeral service was read by Mr. F. Drayson. The deceased had resided in Encounter Bay for many years, and was much respected. He leaves a widow, but no family.
Late Mr C.J. Rumbelow
Late Mr C.J. Rumbelow
Victor Harbour Times (SA : 1932 - 1986)
Fri 25 Apr 1952
The late Mr. Cain Jeliff Rumbelow, who died suddenly on Tuesday last, was born at Yilki, Encounter Bay, 74 years ago and had resided there all his life. He was the last surviving son of the late Malen Rumbelow, and a member of the well-known family who had fished in waters along the South Coast for more than a century. Many will remember their well-known boats.
The Rambler and The Ferret - which was wrecked off Waitpinga Beach on Christmas Eve in 1933, when Messrs. David and Walter Rumbelow were drowned - and later The Swallow.
As a young man the late Mr. Rumbelow was a good cricketer, but he will best be remembered in sport by his long association with the Victor Harbour New Year’s Day Sports, in which he successfully competed in sailing races for many years in company with the late Mr. D. M. Rumbelow.
The deceased was a very likeable person and was highly respected by the very many people who were honoured by his friendship. His remains were interred in the local cemetery yesterday when the Rev. S. Parker officiated at the graveside.
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