The Field Family Newsletter, 4th Edition

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The FIELD Family Newsletter

4th Edition, December 2000, Edited by Dorothy Cefarin
Reprinted here with permission.

Welcome to another edition of your favourite Field Family Newsletter.

A big THANK YOU to:
Vanessa Moore for her story on Janet Pricilla Randall.
Pan Wilcox for her many interesting little stories on the births and deaths of our ancestors also the story on Thomas Higgins that married Sophia Field.
Judith Strickland for the story about The Ghost of The Woman In Black by Julliete Palmer-Frederick
Mildred Churchill for the latest stories on Mary Ann Strickland (daughter of Thomas Higgins and Sophia Field) and her husband Josiah Strickland.

Keep them coming in .....

More stories are needed desperately for this paper to continue so PLEASE send them in.

You may have a query or want to know something about your ancestors, dates, graves, where they lived etc. Someone out there may know the answer so please send your question in so that it can be printed and then answered.

Births, deaths and marriage details are also needed so that anyone keeping records may update them.

1. Edward Field, 2. Maria Rope, 3.Elizabeth Rope, 4. Robert William Rope, 5. Mildred May Rogers. See the "Seeking Descendants" in this paper, this is how the generations come down. Information regarding the great-grandchildren of Elizabeth Rope is needed to update our records.

Someone also asked about the Honeysetts and the later generations. There has hardly been any update on this family and their descendants since those born between 1900 and 1930. If your parents or grandparents were born during this period would you please send your family details to:

David Rawsthorne
PO Box 139,
Lithgow. NSW, 2790, Australia
E-mail: david@davidrawsthorne.com

Colin Field
PO Box 51
Rivett ACT 2611
Fax (02) 6287 4106
E-mail: cfield@pcug.org.au

David and Colin are both keeping computer records on the Fields, and have put much of it on the internet, they have over 13,000 entries so far and would like to make it 20,000. They are relying on us to keep them informed and up to date.

If you do not have access to the internet you can still send your stories, letters, queries, answers etc. To:

Dorothy Cefarin
24 Eggleton Street
Blacktown 2148
Phone: (02) 9671-2129
E-mail: doff202@comcen.com.au

Preparing for our next gathering of "A Distant Field Family"

The last gathering of "the Distant Field family", the descendants of the New South Wales pioneers EDWARD and ELIZABETH FIELD, was at Emu Plains on 16th October 1999. It was held in Melrose Hall and was attended by getting on towards 150 people. It was a successful gathering.

The consensus that was reached at the gathering was that further gatherings should be held at 18 month to 2 year intervals. A working group was established and a chairman of the group appointed with the expectation that the next gathering would be held in April 2001. It was recognised that the challenge was to ensure that "the younger generation" was attracted to future gatherings so as to stimulate growing interest in "the family". Unfortunately, the intended chairperson of the working party has advised that his group has not functioned as he expected and that he has been forced to withdraw. This means there will not be a gathering as planned during the first half of 2001.

There are some of us who believe that we should not abandon these gatherings, and that it may be possible to hold the next gathering sometime in October 2001. To achieve this we will need a small group of people who are prepared to both plan and organise the gathering. We are looking for volunteers who see this as a worthwhile exercise.

The positives that we have are that:

• We have some experience of arranging these gatherings (though we recognise the need to innovate)
• We have quite a large collection of names and contact details
• We have a very large, identified, "customer base"
• We have the From a Distant Field, the Living Edition on the Internet website as a means of advertising to web surfing family members
• We have, between us, access to many avenues for spreading the word.
• It seems that indoors at Melrose Hall Emu Plains (in New South Wales, just across the Nepean River from Penrith) is a suitable venue, though another venue should nor be ruled out. It seems that sometime in October 2001 is a suitable date. It is important to ensure that any gathering facilitates the sort of interchange that those attending want, and that the "younger generation" find enough to interest them.

SO

Do you want another family gathering to take place? Do you have any good ideas to contribute? Are you interested enough to put a little effort into assisting in arranging it? If you are, then let Colin know and he'll ensure you are put in contact with someone who can attempt to use your assistance.

Two things to recognise. The first is that if there is to be a family gathering in October 2001, it is necessary to firm up on the venue and date by April 2001 in order to get publicity under way. So there is some urgency. The second is that if no one is interested enough, we may well have had our last gathering of "the Distant Field Family".
Colin Field.

Colin's address is show further up the page.

Ed: Colin has mentioned "the younger generation" and asks how we can entertain them during our reunion, suggestions would be most appreciated. Face painting has been suggested... What else??? A Jumping Castle has been suggested but with the cost and insurance it's rather expensive. Does anyone know of someone that has something we may use at no or little cost.. Ideas please....

I love reunions and meeting people or "cousins", my daughter says I just love talking. Well.......

MRS. MARY ANN STRICKLAND

As published in the Forbes Times 15/9/1916

91 Years Old Today

First living white woman on the Lachlan

Mrs. Mary Ann Strickland of Bundaburra Station, the first living white woman to come to this part of the Lachlan is 91 years of age today.

When Forbes was recently threatened by flood, Mrs. Mary Ann Strickland was in somewhat indifferent health at her home in Bundaburra and was removed to Forbes Hospital owing to the fear of flood waters cutting off communication with her medical attendants here should she become worse. Mrs. Strickland is still in the institution but her many friends - who extend beyond the length and breadth of the district - will be pleased to hear that her condition has so far improved as to make it practical for her to be removed any day now. There was quite a family gathering at the hospital today as well as many friends to wish her "Many Happy Returns on her Birthday".

We have said that Mrs. Strickland was the first living white woman to come to this part of the Lachlan. The distinction of being the first white woman to venture into the district belonged to the late Mrs. W.H.B.Onions, whose death at Goulburn we reported in the beginning of last July. Mrs.Onions was 98 years of age and she came to Geeron Station, now held by Messrs. Morgan Bros., three months before Mrs. Strickland who was then a single woman, took up her responsibilities with her father at Nanima Station. Mrs. Strickland was born on the Nepean River and she came to the Forbes district in 1836 - just 80 years ago. Her marriage to the late Josiah Strickland, who was also a native of the Nepean, took place at Nanima and she went as a bride to Bundaburra Station 75 years ago, since she has continuously lived there. Her husband predeceased her by a great many years, having died on 3rd January 1881. The issue of their marriage was 5 sons and 5 daughters, all are living with the exception of two daughters - the oldest and youngest. The sons are - Messrs. Phillip (Forbes) Edward (Bundaburra) Josiah John (Bareenong) Thomas (Bundaburra) and Joseph (Forbes) while the living daughters are Mrs. Morrow (Sydney) Mrs. Dr. McQueen (Sydney) and Mrs E. Thomas (Grenfell). There are a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

The subject of our sketch is one of the most benevolent and Christian women God ever created, and in the old days many a traveller found rest and comfort under the hospitable roof of Bundaburra. The lamented death of her late husband prompted the school teacher in the district to dedicate some lines to his memory, and the following extract is equally true of his widow as otherwise of himself:

FORBES & PARKES GAZETTE, LACHLAN & BOGAN ADVERTISER, FRIDAY 7TH JANUARY, 1881

IN MEMORIAM

Early on Monday morning the good old Squire of Bundaburra passed from this world into the illimitable unknown and all the district when it heard the news mourned the death of kindly, hospitable large-hearted Josiah Strickland, a man who was loved revered and respected by all who knew him. Most people of the district were familiar with his venerable form, and although of late years he but seldom visited the town, still his well known face and figure will be greatly missed, not only by his own more immediately relatives and friends, whose name was legion, but by hundreds who have shared his hospitality, or partaken of his large hearted charity. Of him it should be truly said "He was everybody's friend", and we earnestly trust that those he left behind will tread in his footsteps, uphold that which was ever freely and spontaneously bestowed upon him. Mr. Strickland for the past five or six years had been suffering from diabetes and has often times been a great sufferer, frequently being laid up. Eleven months ago he was taken seriously ill and sent to Sydney for the benefit of his health and whilst there consulted Dr. Atherton. He received no perceptible benefit and returned home again to Bundaburra. In September last he was taken alarmingly worse, and for some time fears were entertained of his recovery, indeed as seriously did Drs. McQueen and Sandford regard his case, that has demise was daily expected. Through suffering great agony he rallied again, though from that time he had been confined to bed, his sufferings were terrible, being borne with exemplary patience and Christian resignation. He had several dangerous relapses, and to keep him alive had to have morphia constantly injected into his system. The recent hot weather tried the old gentleman greatly, and at last nature yielded, and he died in peace on Monday morning last. It is at least some consolation for has relatives and friends to know that during his last hours, that he was attended by has sons and daughters, he was comparatively free from pain. He lingered longer than many expected, but it was evident that life’s taper was fast dying out, and at length, after a quiet unobtrusive usefulness, the silver cord was loosened and the golden bowl broken, and the spirit of the old Squire of Bundaburra was called home to its God, leaving behind a fragrant cherished memory, which, in the hearts of many will ever remain green.

Mr. Strickland was born on the Nepean River on 28th January, 1813 and therefore was in his 68th year at the time of his death. When about 20 years of age he went to Tasmania, where he remained for a few years engaged in pastoral pursuits. In 1837 he returned to New South Wales, and the following year came to the Lachlan as Superintendent to Mr. James Collitts, the then proprietor of Bundaburra. (It is somewhat singular fact that Mr. Collitts died only a week before). He was always hard working and thrifty, though at the same time openhearted and generous, and managed in a few years to save a little money. Has first real rise occurred somewhat singularly. Mr. Howe of Glenn Lee, was then the owner of Cambidgewa, Walla Walla and Warroo Stations. A year of terrible drought occurred, and in many places feed was getting very scarce. Mr. Howe, wishful to save his stock, sent up his overseer on the Murrumbidgee to muster his Lachlan cattle and remove them, but owing to the state of the country, only a portion were collected. The horses of the musterers unused to the weather and the want of grass, and the overseer, fighting with Mr. Strickland, who, at the time had a store on the station, had some fat horses, bargained with him to part with them, the consideration being that he should have the remaining cattle and the Lachlan brand. By this means Mr. Strickland became possessed of some 500 head of cattle.

About 28 years ago he was enabled to purchase Bundaburra Station, of which he has since been the owner. In 1839 he married Miss Mary Ann Higgins, (ED: Some data shows they married 26-4-1841 at Hassans Walls) step-daughter of Mr. James Collitts (who still survives) and by her he had ten children, 5 sons, three of whom - Phillip, Josiah and Edward are married, and 5 daughters, four of whom are respectfully married to Mr. Staunton, Mr. F. Morrow of the Commercial Bank, Forbes, Mr. J. L. Waugh of Mortray and Dr. MacQueen.

Josiah Strickland was a successful pastoralist, particularly in the breeding and rearing of stock, and his name has long been a household word throughout the whole of the Lachlan River. He was an impartial clear-headed magistrate, whose demeanour on the bench gained him many friends - clear-headed, strictly impartial and quick to see the merits of a case, his decisions were rarely cavilled at. He took a great interest in all local public matters, but never came prominently before the public, his ambition lying in another direction. As a man he was genial, kind-hearted, ever ready to help those who needed it, literal, and his hospitality was proverbial, and it is no exaggeration to say that he deservedly won the goodwill and esteem of all who came in contact with him. A good man has gone - another void created - and we do not believe there is a man or woman in the Lachlan who does not mourn Josiah Strickland.

The funeral took place on Tuesday afternoon and was one of the largest ever seen in Forbes, the remains being followed to their last resting place, in the Forbes Cemetery by 51 buggies and about 80 horsemen. The corpse was brought from Bundaburra and conveyed to the Church of England where a most impressive service was conducted by the Rev. E. Dunstan, who throughout his illness constantly attended to his spiritual wants. The coffin was borne into the church by the deceased's four sons, Phillip, Josiah, Thomas and Joseph - the second son Edward being laid up with measles - and on the coffin lid were placed two beautiful wreaths. Rev. E. Dunstan read the Psalms and the glorious burial chapters from the 1st Corinthians, and all present bowed their heads and sorrowingly felt its grand beauty. The choir under Miss Lewis sang Pope's "Dying Christian", and the 466th hymn from Mercer's collection, and whilst the mournful procession left the church the organ pealed forth Handel's glorious "Dead March in Saul". At the grave the service was particularly impressive, and few who were present will not soon forget the touching eloquent address so feelingly delivered by Rev. E. Dunstan. So passed away, full of years and honour, all that was mortal of Josiah Strickland.

Lines suggested by the death of Josiah Strickland, Esq., J.P. of Bundaburra, by request of his living sister Mrs. Lydia Brown (nee Field). This poem according to records was written by the local school teacher.

Time with swift wings is flying past,
   eternity draws nigh
The good, the brave, the beautiful,
   are passing to the sky,
Footprints, they leave behind them
   deep down in the sands of time
The impressions of true greatness
   that made their lives sublime.
Australia mourns a patriot gone,
   one of her noble band
A pioneer has passed away,
   gone up at God's command.
For three score years and almost ten,
   he journeyed here below
His willing heart and open hand relieved
   the pain of woe.
His genial deeds and warmth of heart,
   shall never be forgot,
His praise resounds at every hearth,
   in every Lachlan cot,
And travellers as the night comes on,
   around their lonely fires
Rehearse with tearful memory,
   the deeds of the good squire.
The poor were never turned away,
   though frequent were their calls
The poor man’s blessing always dwelt
   on Bundaburra's Halls
His goodness and his charity,
   sought not the world's applause,
For his life and conversation were based
   on Scripture laws.
And like a soldier of the Cross,
   he bore his banners true
The blessings that his left hand spread,
   his right hand never knew
Imperial wisdom marked his rule
   when in the Justice Hall
The Majesty of British Law was
   metered out to all.
He held the balance equally
   for rich as well as poor.
The squatter with his wide domain,
   or swagman on the moor
The New Year scarce had ushered in
   when he was called away
Away from scenes of dying time,
   to live in endless day.
His work was done, the summons came,
   he entered into rest
We know that he is well above,
   the good are always blest.
His many kinsmen deep in grief,
   their mighty loss deplore
With bated breath in silence mourn
   their chieftain now no more
But mercy opens its portals wide,
   to grief this balm is given
Christ doth for His, a place provide,
   a Mansion up in Heaven.

St. Johns Church of England at Forbes was built on land given by Josiah Strickland, who also donated $1000 (today's money). Construction commenced 1874 and three months later the contractor left, and a new builder secured. The first service was held in January, 1877. The shingle roof was replaced with tiles in 1933. It was placed under the National Trust in 1975.

Two stained glass memorial windows and plaque erected as follows:
1. A thanks offering erected by Josiah Strickland in 1876.
2. Erected by his wife and family in memory of Josiah Strickland died 1881 and his daughter Maria 1884.
Plaque: Erected by his employees as a token of esteem and gratitude for his kindness. Aged 68 years.
In memory of Josiah Strickland of Bundaburra who departed this life 3/1/1881 aged 68 years.

Forbes Advocate - Friday 30th July 1820.

Early Forbes - Old Time Reminiscences - Back in the 1870's. By Mr. Stephen Freeman, C.P.S. of Crown Land Agent, Forbes 1873-1880.

Mr. Strickland leased a principality of the finest land on God's earth from 1839 and should have been a millionaire if his heart had been harder, or if money-making had been his chief aim in life; but to his honour be it said (and no one knows better than the writer) the call of charity, and the urgent trouble in tried times of others in want of grass; kept his funds low and his paddocks rather bare for his own needs. In the Roaring Seventies, when men were crazy for free selection, not once but twenty times at least, land hungry men have said to me: "I can't find anything near Forbes as good as Bundaburra country, but I'll go without rather than select on Si Strickland". Later on strangers had no scruples, and the bulk of Bundaburra went; Boyd, Bundaburra, Glen Yarra and Weelong were some of Mr. Strickland's blocks.

Forbes Advocate Friday 23rd September, 1921.

Early Days of Forbes - First fences on the Lachlan. By Mr. Edward Taylor of "Woodbine" Forbes.

"Bundaburra was the first station on the Lachlan to be fenced and it was the only secure paddock available at the time of the rush to Forbes. Mr. Strickland paddocked some hundreds of horses there, their owners being satisfied that they would be well looked after. I remember the time that a man of Knowledge came to Forbes from Victoria. He was an Englishman and was engaged by Mr. Strickland to keep a book of the brands and marks of the horses, and the dates they went into a paddock, but after a time he drifted back to Forbes. However, he was clever enough to get three years in Bathurst gaol for forgery. While in "retirement" he wrote a book of verses about the bushrangers, giving the history of their doings from Gardiner and Peasley right to the end. I got one of the books and learned to recite verses from end to end. I can recite a number of them today."

This story is about Josiah's son Joseph

Some Historical Matches.

I recollect on one occasion when there was three days of racing at Wowingragong. The bushranger came to the course one morning before the crowd arrived. There were a dozen or more booths on the ground. The bushrangers - Hall, Gilbert, O'Maley and Dunn - came to one of the booths and had drinks. They met Mr. Joseph Strickland, an old time handicapper of Forbes and found out that he was racing a horse called Inkerman. Gilbert and Dunn wanted to take the horse, but when Ben Hall found out who owned him, he would not allow the horse to be interfered with.

SEEKING DESCENDANTS

I'm trying to locate my grandmothers children to seek further family history. Mildred May Rope married George William Rogers (George also had a nickname of Doy) in 1923, Sydney. They had four children, they are;

George R. Rogers b.1924
Trevor Warren Rogers b. 1926
Mavis Rogers b. 1928
Bessie Rogers b. 1931

When my grandmother Mildred died in 1947 the family was living in Newtown NSW. I wonder if anyone knows of them or can shed some light on this family. Mildred was the daughter of William Robert Rope and Bridget Kenney

Contact Carlyn: gpkowalski@ozemail.com.au

Tom Wynn may have some of the answers

If you are looking for information or need help with the following "convicts" and "free settlers" please contact Tom (see e-mail address below)

Con: Anthony Rope (First Fleeter b: ca. 1762 Chelmsford d: 20.4.1843 Castlereagh) arrived on the Alexander 26.1.1788

Con: Eizabeth Pulley (First Fleeter b: ca. 1761 Thetford Norfolk d: 9.8.1832 Castlereagh) arrived on the Friendship (all women convicts were not allowed off until one week after the men were landed)

Free: John London d: 27.3.1810 buried at St. Phillips C of E Sydney. Arrived on Anne 27.2.1810, John's brother in law was a convict.

Con. Maurice Hallighan who sent for John London & Sarah (nee Hallighan) to work for him at Appin after being granted his ticket of leave.

Con. George Turner (b: ca. 1790 Kent d: 19.11.1872 Richmond) arrived on Earl Spencer 2.6.1813

Con. Susannah Riley alias: Nairn/Talbot/Naon. (b: ca. 1762 Shoreditch St. Leonards d: 25.3.1814) arrived on Kitty 18.11.1792

Con. Catherine Letterman alias: Latimore (b: ca. 1790 d: ca 1863) arrived on Wanstead 9.1.1814

Con. Samuel Hurst (b: ca. 1797 Silverstone Northamptonshire d: 24.9.1886 Kurrajong) arrived on Ocean 10.1.1818

Con. John Rodgers (b: ca. 1777 County Antrim Ireland d: 1806 Parramatta) arrived on Britannia 27.5.1798

Con. Elizabeth Celery aka: Cetty/Celly/Ceely/ Allen/Kewer (b: 1768 Somerset d: ca 1875) arrived on Britannia 18.7.1789

Con. Elizabeth Vickery (convict mother of Elizabeth)

Con. John Barwick aka: Berwick/Barrick (b: 1792 Sudbury Suffolk d: 1858 Kurrajong) arrived on Anne 26.2.1810

Con. James Overton (b: ca. 1796 d: 1876 Richmond) arrived on Recovery 18.12.1819

Con. James Lord (b: ca. 1788 d: 1864 Kurrajong) arrived on Lord Eldon 30.9.1816

Con. William Bidgood/Badgood (I have no information on him but he is mentioned in the Hawkesbury Pioneer Register)

Con. Maria Coverly (b: 1792 Cripplegate d: 1.1.1864) arrived on Wanstead 9.1.1814

Con. Edward Mitchell (b: ca. 1792 Norfolk UK d: 9.1.1859) arrived on John Barry 26.9.1819

Con. John Barwell (b: ca. 1798 d: 1865) arrived on Baring 26.6.1819

Free: Private Thomas Stack who worked on the Coromandel

Free: Honeysett descendants arrived 1839, including associated families of Weston, Hyland, Hancock, Duffy, Tester, Lloyd, Horder.

Free: Hunter Valley Wynn, Evans, White, Aherns and associated families.

If you need help contact Tom Wynn at:
wynne@mpx.com.au

Here is someone willing to help those searching for information on the early ancestors. If you do not have e-mail contact me and I will pass on the information.

Subscriptions to the Field Family Newsletter are now due for the year 2001
Cost being $5-00 due by the 1st March.
Send to:

Dorothy Cefarin
24 Eggleton Street
Blacktown 2148 NSW