George Prescot Ditchfield

George Prescot Ditchfield was a grocer in Redan, <1869-1902.

History
George Prescot Ditchfield was on 20 March 1835 in Warrington, Lancashire, the son of John Ditchfield and Hannah May Priestman.

George ran Ditchfield's grocery store store on the corner of Drummond and Skipton streets.

George was married Jane White in Stretton on Dunsmore, Warwickshire, in 1864.

In June 1865, George was listed as insolvent at the Geelong Insolvency Court.

Their son, John Prescott Ditchfield was born on 8 April 1869: "DITCHFIELD—On the 8th April, at Skipton street, Ballarat, the wife of Mr Ditchfield, of a son."

In October 1879, Ditchfield was a potential witness for an alleged rape on the publican of the Redan Club Hotel. Eugenie Ansaldi claimed she had been raped by a customer at the hotel in the early morning of 9 October 1879. She said that she had spoken about it to Ditchfield, and shown him the marks on her body. He had advised her to report it to the police. However Constable Timothy Riordan "...spoke to Mr Ditchfield, who stated that Mrs Ansaldi had not mentioned anything to him of the outrage committed upon her; consequently he had not brought him as a witness. Constable Boyle deposed that he first heard of the affair from Mr Ditchfield shortly after two o'clock."

His mother had remarried William Newson Burcham in 1869 and was living in Raywood, Victoria. She died in Raywood on 13 August 1895. . George purchased her farm at Mount Cole in September 1895: "Nearly 113 acres of land situated at Mount Cole, in the estate of the late Mrs Burcham, was disposed of at public auction on Saturday, at the Golden Age hotel, Beaufort, by Mr W. Edward Nickels, at 32s per acre, the purchaser being Mr G. Ditchfield, of Ballarat."

In October 1895 he was appointed the executor of his mother's estate: "NOTIOE is hereby given, that after the expiration of 14 days from the publication hereof application will be made to the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria, in its Probate jurisdiction, that PROBATE of the WILL of HANNAH BURCHAM, late of Raglan, in the said colony, widow, deceased, may he granted to George Prescot Ditchfield, of Ballarat, in the said colony, merchant, the executor thereby appointed Dated the 8th day of October, 1895. PEARSON and MANN. Ballarat, proctors for the applicant."

His daughter, Emily, died on 23 May 1896 "DITCHFIELD.—On the 23rd May, at the residence of her parents, 168 Drummond street south, Emily, the beloved daughter of George and Jane Ditchfield. Deeply regretted." "The funeral of the late Miss Emily Ditchfield, daughter of Mr G. Ditchfield, grocer, of Drummond street, took place yesterday, and was largely attended. The remains were interred in the Ballarat Old Cemetery. Members of the Girls’ Friendly Society of All Saints’ marched in front of the hearse. A beautiful collection of floral tributes were sent by sympathising friends. The pall-bearers were Messrs J. Mobberly. A. Forrester, J. Williams, R. Weldon, W. Curnow, C. Olney, J. Harris, and E. Sturley, and the coffin bearers Messrs W. and T. Thursfield, C. Fitzgerald, and W. Redden. The Rev. G. Netherway conducted very impressive services at the house and grave. Messrs Jordan and Tippett conducted the funeral arrangements." "DITCHFIELD. - Mr Ditchfield and family desire to return sincere thanks to their many kind friends for letters, telegrams, and floral tributes received during their late sad bereavement, 168 Drummond street south."

George died on 2 December 1902 after a road accident near Raglan: "IN A CRITICAL STATE. A man named George Ditchfield, farmer, of Mount Cole, was found yesterday (Wednesday) by some sheep drovers, lying in an unconscious state on the road leading from Raglan to Glenlogie. Ditchfield's trap was found near where the man was lying, and the horse, had broken loose. He is supposed to have been lying there since Monday last. The sheep drovers informed Mrs Wilkinson, who told Mr C. E. Richards, who brought Ditchfield into Beaufort for medical attention. Ditchfield is still unconscious, and Dr Jackson diagnoses it as concussion of the brain. Ditchfield is too weak to be sent to the hospital."

"DITCHFIELD—The friends of the late Mr George Ditchfield, grocer, are respectfully invited to follow his remains to the place of interment, the Ballarat Old Cemetery. The funeral cortege is appointed to leave his late residence, Drummond street south, This Day (Saturday), at 11 o'clock. No flowers, by request. JORDAN and TIPPETT, Undertakers, Armstrong street south, near City Hall, 23 Eyre street, and 14 Grant street. Telephone 79."

He left his estate to his wife and two sons. After his death, his son John took over the grocery business.