Alfred Scales

Alfred Scales was the eldest son of Rev. Thomas Scales of Leeds. Like his father and maternal grandfather, he became an independent minister. He met his future wife, Sarah Angus Dickinson, while studying at college where her uncle Walter Scott was principal. The letters he wrote to her at this time have survived. They were married at Alston in 1843.

In 1852, with five children, and insufficient means to educate them as they hoped, they decided to emigrate to goldrush Victoria. Unfortunately, three of the children did not survive the journey. They settled in Geelong where five more children were born.