The Field Family Newsletter, 5th Edition

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The FIELD Family Newsletter

5th Edition, March 2001, Edited by Dorothy Cefarin
Reprinted here with permission

Babies are Beautiful

CONGRATULATIONS

Benjamin Russell Byron was born in 2000 to Russell and Susan (nee Seville) Byron, Grandson of Douglas and Gwen (nee Heath) Byron of Seven Hills, Great Grandson of Arthur and Daphne Byron of Merrylands.

Sarah Elizabeth McKenzie was born in 2001 to Eliza Jane (nee Byron) and Darren McKenzie, Granddaughter of Douglas and Gwen Byron, Great Granddaughter of Arthur and Daphne Byron of Merrylands.
Daphne (nee Clark) Byron's mother was Emily Grace Field.

Bridey Grace Drake was born in 2000 to Lisa (nee Collins) and Casey Drake sister to Jesse Judah Drake born 1999. Grandchildren of Glenys (nee Allison) and Kevin Collins

A REQUEST FROM
Vanessa Moore

Would anyone have the following certificates or transcripts to copy for me? I will be happy to pay for any costs of copies and postage. Thank you Kindly

Vanessa Moore
16 Stapleton Avenue
Casino NSW 2470

1. Maria Field birth certificate 1st September 1801
2. Edward Field death cert. 21st January 1826
3. Elizabeth Field death cert. 24th June 1837
4. John Randall death cert. 30th Sept 1887 son of John Randall and Susannah Ravenscroft
5. Ann Randall (nee Rope) death cert. 27th July 1886
6. George Innes Randall death cert. 13th May 1826 son of John and Ann Randall
7. Mary Randall (nee Niven) death cert. 11th April 1931, wife of George Innes Randall
8. Susannah Randall (nee Ravenscroft) death 1851 wife of John Randall Senior.

A REQUEST FROM
A FIELD READER

I am in possession of a very old antique photo album, containing about 80 photos, which I think belonged to Emily Adelizer Richards originally. Unfortunately most of the photos are unidentified. So I am keen to identify as many as I can. Even if it is only one, it is one more! There must be people out there who have similar photos to mine who could help. Some of the photos already identified are:

(The dates shown are marked on the photos)
William Thomas 1873
Lachlan Morris 1877
James Jardine 1878
Charles E Morris 1876
Mr & Mrs W Richards Dec. 1873 (nee Sophia Jane Rawsthorne)
Thomas Richards 1870 (my Great Grandfather)
Gravestone of Josiah Strickland 1881
Louisa Catherine Richards
Mr & Mrs Robert Thomas 1874 (nee Mary Elizabeth Richards)
Richards Children 1874: Ernest Albert 8 years
John Higgins 13 years
Roland Wilfred Benjamin 6 years
Mr & Mrs Robert Atkins (nee Sophia Richards)
Eva Elsie Thomas
Sophia Richards 1874
Mollie Messenger (daughter of Ethel Maude Thomas)
Sophia Higgins, Collitts, (nee Field)
Elizabeth Richards (wife of William Richards - my Great Great Grandmother)
Lance ? who married Alice Marvel Innes
K McLeod 1906

I am looking forward to your reply.

Betty Pont
22 Nabiac Avenue,
Gymea. 2227
E-mail: gnpont@netset.net.au
Phone: 02 9524 0233

INFORMATION SENT BY
JOHN DICK

Regarding Thomas Higgins, given to him by Esma Barlow. If anyone has any more information about Thomas let us know.

1. Thomas Higgins, born in Kathkale, Ballengarry, County Limerick
2. He was sentenced on 24th December, 1815
3. The family thought he got 7 years for burning haystacks
4. Had a Squatters Licence on Nanima Station
5. Buried at Milburn, in Coundra Area, on the side of a hill. (This is different to H.J.Ramsey's report, "Only a couple of weeks ago, I discovered in a small station cemetery in the Belabula, near Conowindra, the grave of one of Collits' stockmen, Thomas Higgins, who had gone west with Collits, and been killed by accident". Edition One page 4.)
6. A road built over the old cemetery in 1969
7. He had 5 Inns in Sydney:
   
   • Dog and Duck at Brickfield Hill
   • Daniel O'Connell (beside the above)
   • Robin Hood
   • Cherry Tree
   • Golden Tree

ANY CONNECTION ????? TELL US

Edward Field was born about 1769 in England, and as he came out as a Private on the second trip of the Scarbourah there is no record of where in England he came from. Many free settlers came out as they had relatives here that were convicts and wanted to be near them, this may have been the case of Edward Field as a William Field came out with the First Fleet. Here are the details:

William Field (c1761-1826) was sentenced to death at Winchester, Hampshire, England on 29th July, 1783 for a highway robbery that netted him a metal watch, other goods, and a half quinea. On 2nd September he was reprieved to seven years transportation to America and sent to the Mercury transport from a Thames hulk on 26th March, 1784. Retaken by Helena at Torbay on 13th April after a convict mutiny on Mercury. Field was committed on 16th to Exeter gaol, and on 24th May he was remanded to his former orders by the Special Commission. Sent to the Dunkirk hulk in June, aged 23 years, he was at October, 1786 noted "troublesome at times". On 11th March, 1787 he was embarked on Friendship, where Ralph Clark recorded him as born in Hertfordshire and age 25 with no trade.

William Field's first record at Port Jackson after landing in 1788 was that of his first marriage to Elizabeth Robinson (Lady Juliana, age given as 24 on 1789 embarkation list) on 14th July, 1790 he made his mark, she signed. By 18th July, 1791 William was settled at the Ponds, where Watkin Trench noted on 6th December, 1791 that 2 1/2 acres were cultivated (he made no mention of a wife and she has not been traced in later records). "Many of these acres the settlers found obliged to plant twice nay thrice, on the same land, through the depredation of (a destructive grub)". A grant of 50 acres was registered on 22nd February, 1792. By 1800 he had 6 hogs, 5 acres sown in wheat and 6 ready for planting maize. Field was self supporting, but a woman living with him was rationed publicly. Two years later he was recorded with 9 acres of wheat and 14 ready for maize. He owned 3 hogs and held 2 bushels of wheat and 40 of maize with both himself and a woman off stores, without children.

By 1806 he had left his grant and moved to Mulgrave Place district where he rented 19 acres from William Addy, all sown in grain.

William Field was recorded in following years as landholder at Wilberforce. In 1828 Mary Cawthorne (Britannia 1798) with whom he is recorded as living from at least 1806 (and perhaps 1800) held 18 acres at Wilberforce which she may have inherited from Field. He was almost certainly the William Field who was buried at Wilberforce on 22nd October, 1826 age given as 64. Mary Cawthorne was buried as Mary Field on 14th September, 1846 at Wilberforce age given as 80.

Pan Wilcox notes that:

• 1823, 1824 and 1825 Musters record Mary Cawthorne as wife of William Field.
• William Field born 1771 died 1826 buried Castlereagh Cemetery. Said to be brother of Edward. (As no death recorded at Castlereagh Cemetery, is the aforementioned the brother of Edward?).
• There is a difference of 10 years as age given, but this is the only death recorded in 1826 of a William Field.

Can someone out there tell us the truth?

ED: Some people do not appreciate the time, effort and thrill one gets from doing their family tree and finding out about their ancestors and how they lived.

My daughter and her husband recently went shopping and bought me a nice little cushion.I believe it was my son-in-laws idea, um!!??

OBITUARY
Michael Arthur John Crowe - (1959-2000)

Michael Crowe a member of the Society since 1987 and a testamentary benefactor of the Society, died on 16th March, 2000.

The only son of William Crowe (b 1922) of a Grenfell family, and Eva Mollie Hundy nee Pennell (1915-1979). Michael was born at Coonamble on 23rd may, 1959.

He was educated at the Brigidine Convent School in Coonamble, where he was a School Prefect and obtained his HSC in 1977. When he revisited the school many years later, it was in the process of being dismantled before its removal to the Hunter Valley where it now forms a central part of a resort. The Ionic Cross from the centre of the facade was surplus to the intended secular use of the building and Michael was permitted to salvage it. The Cross passed to the Society on his death and, being outside our collecting policy, we were able to restore it to the Brigidine Congregation as a memorial to those who taught and were taught at the School.

Michael moved to Sydney in 1979, working in turn for the Registrar General's Department, Hudson's Timber & Hardware and the State Bank of NSW. He simultaneously studied for the Associate Diploma in Library Practice and commenced a career in librarianship joining the UTS Library and subsequently the State Library of NSW.

His principal family history interest was his mother's family. His ancestors included James Morris and the Hawkesbury district pioneers William Stubbs, John Lees and Edward Field. The product of Michael's research is a valuable addition to the Society's Primary Records Collection.

Michael was survived by his father and two half-sisters, Janet Head and Bessie Blackett. Mrs Head has indicated that Michael derived much pleasure from his genealogical research and from his use of the Society's collections since 1987.

Michael Crowe benefaction will assist, in a practical manner, the study of family history in which Michael was interested and preserve for the future the findings of his own research. It is an example which is recommended to members within their own circumstances. The Society is most grateful for this benefaction.

Richard d'Apice A.M. President.

This was in the June, 200 edition of Descent, Volume 30 Part 2 of the Society of Australian Genealogist.
Executive Officer: Miss Heather E Garnsey.
120 Kent St. Sydney. 2000. Tel: 02 9247 3953
Fax: 02 9241 4872
Email: info@sag.org.au

ED: Miss Garnsey has told me Michael had donated all his research to them and it is available on request for you to see.
Michael also was of great help to Colin Field in supplying information for the Field Family Tree on the internet.

Thank you to Pan Wilcox for this information.

This is a photo of Janet Priscilla Ann Randall who was born at Lawsons Creek, Mudgee, NSW on 24th July 1868 and died on the 14th May 1921 at "Grafton", Linton Avenue, Ryde, NSW.

Her life story was printed in the 3rd edition of "The Field Family Newsletter" in August 2000.

Photo by curtesy of Vanessa Moore.

Address delivered by G. Bunyan, Esq.,

23rd May 1953

"It gives me much pleasure to be given the honour of presenting to you some of the history of Castlereagh, so named by Gov. Macquarie, Dec 10th 1810. As you know Castlereagh is one of the five towns named by the Governor on this date, and can, with Parramatta and Windsor, truly be called the Cradle of Australia. The first visit of a white man was made when Capt. Finch discovered the river, nearby here.

In 1789, on his return, Gov. Phillip named the river Nepean after Lord Nepean, secretary of State.

Then in 1800, a body of settlers squatted at the place now known as Bird's Eye Corner. These early pioneers included Jacob Russell, Pierce Collett, Randall, Rope, Colless, Frederick, Field, Lees, McCarthy, Lewin, Sherringham, Morris, to mention a few names. Let it be noted that the descendants of some of these pioneers are still living here, or in the district.

An Anglican Church was erected at a very early date and named St. Andrews. This Church was used prior to the foundation stone being laid for St. Matthews, Windsor. This Church was originally intended to be called St. Andrews but on account of the old church at Castlereagh bearing that name, the Windsor Church was re-named St.Matthews, and the Cathedral in Sydney named St. Andrews.

Prior to 1811 burials were allowed anywhere. Gov. Macquarie issued an order in that year that deaths were to be reported to the Police and the person buried in a proper consecrated burial ground, so all the cemeteries at that time were Church of England. A survey of the tomb-stones will disclose names of all denominations interred there. This applies to the old Castlereagh Cemetery, just off Church Lane. The old church known as Fulton Church was situated some 100 yards off Church Lane, on the way to the cemetery.

It was here that Rev. Henry Fulton opened a school in 1814. One of the first to be educated here was Tompson, Australia's first poet. There was a very early school at Bird's Eye Corner conducted by Mrs. Collett. This school was situated on the farm now known as Sheen's.

John Lees, one of the first pioneers, a time-expired soldier, had a grant of land immediately opposite this Public School. He was looked upon as not being the best type of man, but one night he went to get some wood from the heap and was bitten on the wrist by a snake. He was hurried Richmond for treatment, and his recovery appeared to him as a sign from God to mend his ways. A Wesleyan Mission coming to the district, converted John Lees and he gave to the Church one acre of land which he worked for 2 years giving all the proceeds to the Church funds. In 1817 John Lees built the first Wesleyan Church in Australia on the land, but it was destroyed in about 1840 and the present church erected in 1847.

About this time a Denominational School was started by the Wesleyan Church with 2 male teachers, and Mrs. Collett's school closed down. This school carried on until 1878 when the Government built the present school. At these different schools many prominent people received their education, viz:- Tompson, the poet; Toby Ryan, a very early member of Parliament; Alexandria Frazer, Penrith's first Post-master; Dame Mary Gilmore; Michael Long, eight times Mayor of Penrith, etc.

Some early families of Castlereagh were: Singles, Lieut. Purcell, Hadley Childs, Howell, Samuel Terry of Mt. Pleasant, Hugh Beattie who built Terry Lodge, Parkers, Jacksons, Willetts, McCarthy, to mention a few.

All of this information is available at the Penrith City Library.

THE FINAL STORY ABOUT MARY ANN STRICKLAND (nee Higgins) THE GRANDDAUGHTER OF EDWARD AND ELIZABETH FIELD

Forbes Times Friday 4th October, 1918

THE DEATH OF MRS. MARY ANN STRICKLAND THE OLDEST WOMAN ON THE LACHLAN

The death of Mrs. M. A. Strickland, which took place at her home at Bundaburra at about 6pm on Tuesday evening last removes from our midst a lady who for some time had rejoiced in the distinction of being the oldest woman on the Lachlan, as well as the first white woman to venture on to the river about these parts.

Mrs. Strickland celebrated her 93rd birthday on the 15th of last month. She was at that time in a very low state of health, due to an attack of bronchitis, and while she partially recovered from this, the struggle left her in a weakened state, and she passed away peacefully on the evening stated.

The deceased lady was the daughter of the late Mr. Thomas Higgins, who in earlier days owned Nanima Station , near Forbes, of which property Mrs. Strickland first came to live in 1830 - 82 years ago - since then she has continually lived in the district. She was a native of the Nepean River, and at the early age of 16 years married the late Josiah Strickland, also a native of the Nepean. After their marriage at Nanima, Mr. and Mrs. Strickland went to Bundaburra, and the grand lady, who has seen this district pass through many stages in it’s history, had for 77 years lived at the home to which she went as a bride, and where many instances of her good work were accomplished. Naturally, during her long life she was closely associated with many of the stirring events connected with the early days of the district, and being blessed with a most retentative memory, even in her declining years, her reminiscences of the past were most interesting. She saw Forbes in the days when cattle raising was the chief industry here, and when the stations were few and far between; afterwards came the sheep, and later on wheat growing, the staple industry of this district today. Her husband who predeceased her by some 37 years, purchased the Bundaburra and Weelong runs from the late Mr. James Collits for 8,000 pounds, and later on he acquired, for a consideration of 10,000 pounds, the Boyd and Battery Hill runs from Mr. H. Hamilton, the father of Judge Hamilton. When the gold rush came in 1861, Bundaburra was the last camping place on the road to the new Eldorado for those who were crowding in from Murrumbidgee, and hundreds from the 40,000 diggers then on the field could testify to the hospitality of Bundaburra, even in those days. The late Mrs. Strickland was a woman renowned for her hospitality and charitable deeds, and on one occasion it is related that even the notorious bushranger, Ben Hall, was the recipient of her kindly care and attention when he had the misfortune to break his leg there being kicked by as horse. After the digging days, when society began to be original, and the various institutions of the populous town were springing into existence at Forbes, Mr. and Mrs. Strickland took a leading part in many movements for the welfare and advancement of the people in this community. Both interested themselves largely in the building and furnishing of a parsonage some 12 miles down the river, and the locality still bears its name to this day. This was during the pastorate of the Rev. M.R. Brownrigg, then Church of England minister at Forbes. Mrs. Strickland was always a devoted adherent and constant supporter of her church, and it was largely due to her generosity that the present day church at Barenony was established and maintained. The death of this fine old lady, though expected for some time, will be deplored by every man, woman and child in the community, for her affectionate and sympathetic nature endeared her to all. As a mark of respect to her memory the flag on the Town Hall on Wednesday was at half mast. Her funeral yesterday morning, which was preceded by a service at the Church of England, was very largely attended; many life long friends journeying long distances to pay their last sad respects to her memory at the graveside. The service was conducted by the Rector, the Rev. H.H. Mirrington.

The late Mrs. Strickland had a family of five sons and five daughters.

Viewing Headstones on the Internet

Remember in the second edition of The Field Family Newsletter there were a few pages listing graves of our ancestors by David Rawsthorne, (he had photo albums of them at our last reunion) well you can now see them on his website as well as our family tree. The address is: http://www.davidrawsthorne.com/tree/cemeteries.php

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

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

To Ron Field of Penrith: Your mother's maiden name Zara Want has been put onto Colin's "From A Distant Field" Internet Edition. Thank you.

Here is a part of a beautiful letter I received used with permission:

Dear Dorothy,

You will have to make allowances for an old soldier like me. I am 85 so you see I’m getting to be an old fella - and of course a sixth generation Australian and proud of it. Our Great Grand kids are nineth generation. We did meet some time ago at one of the Field gatherings, I am a Rope-Pulley descendant down through Mary Rope and the Irishman John Michael Ryan and of course I am proud of that also. My wife Daphne is a Field descendant, her mother was Emily Grace Field born at Lambridge out from Penrith. I guess you would know all those places, we have a mighty lot of history in and around that area especially Castlereagh. I might add our great grandchildren are nineth generation Aussies and history repeats itself because we have a grandson at Cranebrook and a granddaughter at Londonderry. Daphne's mum went to Cranebrook school many years ago. During the depression in the 30's the family were working on a dairy farm at Castlereagh, they were tough old days but they weathered the storm.

Daphne is 84 and this coming October on the 14th we will have been married 62 years. No wonder I'm looking so haggard (only joking). Time and tide are catching up with us.

Ginger Meggs asked his father, "What is the best thing about getting old?". The old man replied "The time it takes". Fifty years ago I could have jumped over the moon and take the cow with me.

We enjoy reading the Field Newsletter, you certainly are doing a wonderful job. I can well imagine it is a big job and keeps you fully occupied.

Bye for now and all the best,

Arthur and Daphne Byron.

This family gathering of the descendants of Edward and Elizabeth Field (nee Mitchell) is a follow up to our last, which was held two years ago at Melrose hall. Please come along.

Bring along and display your wall charts of family trees, photographs and other memorabilia for us all to see. Also details of your branch of the family too, particularly the later generations. We hope to set up tables around the room for your displays or pin them up on the walls.

Please publicise this gathering through newspapers, genealogical and family history organisations.

This family gathering is being arranged by Dorothy Cefarin and David Rawsthorne.

A donation of $3 per adult will be sought on the day to defray costs.

Note that no RSVP is required, just turn up and have a great Field Day.

Contacts:
Dorothy Cefarin
24 Eggleton St
Blacktown NSW 2148
Phone: 02 9671 2129
doff202@comcen.com.au

David Rawsthorne
PO Box 139
Lithgow NSW 2790
Phone: 02 6353 1843
david@davidrawsthorne.com

More information in future editions of The Field Family Newsletter