Wesley Anderson Family Tree
From Philadelphia to the Australian frontier – tracing the legacy of Wesley Anderson and his descendants since 1821.
Welcome to the Wesley Anderson Family Project
In 1839, a young man named Wesley Anderson left the shores of America and landed in New South Wales, Australia. Born around 1821 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – the son of Zebedee Anderson and Mary Parmelia Billingsley – Wesley carried with him an extraordinary story of courage and reinvention. He married Sarah Jane Clark in Sydney in 1840, and together they carved out a life on the Australian frontier, eventually settling in the Surf Coast region of Victoria near Lorne, Bambra, and Wormbete.
A Legacy That Lives On
Though Wesley’s life was cut short in 1859, his legacy lives on through generations of descendants scattered across Australia and beyond. This site is dedicated to documenting, preserving, and growing the Wesley Anderson family tree – a story that spans continents, cultures, and nearly two centuries of history.
Explore the family tree, learn about the branches, and get in touch. This is your family story too.
What We Do
We support the family with access to relevant information on the Wesley Anderson History. In the coming months we will be introducing some new features to create greater connections between family members.
I
Matthew & Mary Elizabeth Anderson
Great Grandparents
Matthew Anderson Sr. was born on 6 December 1745, in Hanover, Virginia, British Colonial America. Mary Elizabeth Dabney was a direct descendant of Sir Henry Anderson 1470–1535 from England.
II
Zebedee & Mary (Billingsley) Anderson
Wesley’s Parents
Zebedee Anderson was born about 1792, in Tennessee. He registered for military service in 1812. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 2 daughters.
III
Wesley & Sarah Jane Anderson
The Australian Pioneers
Wesley married Sarah Jane Clark on 25 April 1840, in Sydney. They were the parents of at least 5 sons and 1 daughter, settling in the Surf Coast region of Victoria.
We Need Your Help
If you are a descendant of Wesley and Sarah Jane Anderson, or if you hold family documents, photographs, letters, or stories connected to any branch of the Anderson family tree, we invite you to share them with us. Every piece of the puzzle helps bring our shared history into sharper focus.
We need your input in updating the great work completed by Gwen Wiseman. Simply send any updates for your family to have it included. Our aim is to introduce the unique history of the journey of Wesley Anderson from the US to Australia mixed with history on Wesley’s ancestors.
From the Family Archives
Glimpses of the Past
Charles Wesley Anderson
Albert & Olive Plant Anderson
Disclaimer: This family tree is based on available records and may not be complete or entirely accurate – recommended for research purposes only.