Note: Born on the 14th August 1849 in the village of Belleek, on the River Erne in Northern Ireland. She had two older sisters and a brother two years her senior. It was to her brother she seemed to cling to as she grew. She was rather delicate child and although she was sent to the villages school, she often had days at home, when she would "beg leave" to visit her mother's sister, Aunt Anderson. It was she who taught Fannie how to sew. With her beloved brother and three sisters she lived and played near the River Erne until she was fourteen. At this age it was decided that she and her older sister Minnie (and a servant) in company with a number of her relatives, should leave for Australia - the land of promise. Their parents would stay behind and sell their property, following them later. In 1864 the two girls boarded the 'Red Jacket' and sailed for Australia. The passage took ninety days as they were becalmed, however the young people enjoyed the freedom and the passage. Fannie was unfortunate enough to contract typhoid fever, however recovered completely. With their aunt and cousins arrived in Adelaide. A few months later their mother died. Her father, upset by the loss of his wife changed his plans and sent money for Fannie and her sister to return to Ireland. Minnie was enjoying her freedom, brought tickets to Melbourne where she and Fannie stayed with their elder sister, who had married a Mr Mawhinny. Here they were to make their home when an unfortunate accident destroyed the house and killed their sister. Finally they returned to Adelaide were Fannie was employed by John Martin's Department Store as his head milliner and dressmaker. About this time she was introduced to a young Scotchman - John Foggo Whillas. At first she thought him to be a comical young man, and was introduced to him three times before she would recognise him. On the 13th September 1871 they were married. The marriage produced eight children, however John died at an early age of fifty years leaving her and the children. She lived to the age of eighty six, beloved by all who knew her. She died on the 10th July 1936 in Adelaide, South Australia.