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The FIELD Family Newsletter

6th Edition, June 2001, Edited by Dorothy Cefarin
Reprinted here with permission

WELCOME to another edition, with a walk through a field of memories, of your favourite newsletter.....

YES we are going to have another Field Family Gathering ... the hall is booked, the day is going to be great, and we look forward to seeing you there... see back page for more info...

Keep those stories, birth and death notices, plus any questions you would like answered coming in, as I need them to keep this newsletter alive.

ED: There has been some confusion as to where Thomas Higgins was actually buried. I have received more information regarding this and I hope it will answer any questions. I have a photocopy of the original letter sent by E.B. Wilcox to Mr. Rumsey which has been indexed by the Australian Genealogical Society. Please find a transcript of his letter below. Anyone wishing a copy of the original please contact me.

GOODWILL,
Forbes Road,
Grenfell,
17/6/1932
Mr. Rumsey,
Dear sir,

I received your letter in which you mention, Mr. Thomas Higgins I gather from your letter that you think Mr. Higgins is buried in a cemetery at Nanimi, that is not so, his grave and tomb stone is in a very old cemetery near Mr. George Grant's Senior's property or it may be on his property on the Mandurama Road between Canowindra and Mandurama. It was my sister who visited the old cemetery, she lived with my mother and as my mother was not well enough to travel to the cemetery my sister went for her. The stone was very much over grown with moss and my sister copied it but not correctly as it was so covered with moss and it did not correspond with the dates Mr. Reeves has secured them since that time my mother asked Mr. George Grant to go to the cemetery for her and get it again. and Mr. Grant took a brush and scrubbed the stone and copied the inscription correctly and sent it to my mother who showed it to me just one month before her death. Since my mother passed away my sister and I were wondering if she had sent it along. The last she had collected, it was really the last hobby of her life she took a great interest in it. But as you are still asking about Mr. Higgins I conclude that she has not sent it. We have not found it amongst her papers so far, as soon as we do find it we will send it on to Mr. Reeves as my mother went to a good deal of trouble to get the inscription from what I can remember her telling me it was the same as Mr. Reeves had.

As to the cemetery at Nanimi my mother said she did not know about any at Nanimi all the same there may be as it was a station at one time. It is now owned by Mr. W. Wright on the Eugowra side of the Lachlan River and Mr. Paul Weny on the Goolagong side of the river, therefore you would take the Forbes Goolagong road it is about 10 miles from Goolagong there may be some graves at Nanimi, the owner's could tell you but if it is the place where Mr. Higgins is you will find it between Canowindra and Mandurama at Mr. Grant's it is one of the oldest cemetery in the locality.

I will always be pleased to forward any information but I am not old enough to know much of the old days. I hope I have made the position clear and that You will not have any difficulty in finding the cemetery.

I am yours faithfully,
E.B. WILCOX

Information from the Genealogical Society

On the Belubula River about 4 1/2 miles east of Canowindra on the Mandurama Road there was a grave yard on John Grants property.

It still existed in 1932 when the inscription from Thomas Higgins tombstone was copied by Herbert J. Rumsey (President of the Australian Genealogical Society) when he found all the stones lying on the ground inscriptions face up.

Sacred to the Memory of Thomas Higgins
Who died January 26th 1839
A husband kind and father dear
A faithful friend lies buried here
Our loss is great which here we sustain
But trust in heaven to meet again.

The Canowindra Historical Society says that the graveyard no longer exists, and has been ploughed over. 1990

OBITUARY

Barry John Morris

20/4/1935 - 19/5/2001

One of the largest gatherings seen in almost 10 years occurred recently at the funeral of Barry Morris at Hartley's historic St. Bernards Church. Barry, a well known local resident, had previously served two terms as Member for the Blue Mountains in NSW Parliament, but in his last few years he had withdrawn from the public view.

Most of the 700 strong crowd gathered outside the small church, listening to the service on loudspeakers set up for the occasion. Barry's nephew Wayne Morris, and his close friend for many years Richard "Dick" Austin gave moving eulogies during the 80 minute service.

The many reporters in attendance kept their distance, and did not bother the service, or later interment in Hartley Cemetery. The sole exception was a helicopter that circled the church for some time, drowning out the service for those outside.

Barry was the Great, Great, Great grandson of Pierce Collits & Mary Hardwick, Edward Field & Elizabeth Mitchell, James Wilson & Elizabeth Mitchell, and James Morris and Jane Turner.

OBITUARY

EDNA SYLVIA JOHNSON

19/9/1904 - 9/1/2001

Our sympathy is extended to Norma Holman, her husband Arthur and all of her family on the loss of her mother Edna Sylvia Johnson who passed away on the 9th January 2001, aged 96 years, at the Blacktown Nursing Home.

Edna's father was Thomas Albert Field and her mother was Lucy Ette Maud Field (nee Buckley).

Edna was born in Penrith and married Norman Johnson in 1926 in Penrith.

Edna's linage through the Fields were:
1 Edward,
2 George,
3 Thomas,
4 Thomas (her father).

Safe in the arms of Jesus

Interview With Condobolin's First Mayoress

Residents of Condobolin and district, particularly the older ones, will be most interested to read this interview with Mrs. Maria Jane Grey Innes, whose husband was the first Mayor of Condobolin, and who herself lived here for many years.

Mr. Humphrey William Grey Innes was thrown from his horse and killed; he died on 12th April 1899. Mrs. Grey Innes, who will be 100 years old next month, was a regular reader of the Lachlander until recent months when failing eyesight forced her to discontinue as a subscriber.

Mrs. Grey Innes was interviewed by a reporter from The Orange Central Western Daily, whose account follows:
"Yesterday afternoon I sat at the bedside of a very grand old lady. Her name is Mrs. Maria Jane Grey Innes. She will be 100 years old in five weeks time on August 18th.

Mrs. Grey Innes had asked to be included in the 103 candidates who were confirmed at Holy Trinity Church of England last Tuesday, July 10th. Bishop D'Arcy Collins, Bishop Coadjutor of Bathurst, administered the sacrament of confirmation to Mrs. Grey Innes, at a service held at her bedside at 5-30 Tuesday.

I felt that this request of Mrs. Grey Innes' must surely be most unique in the history of the Anglican worship, and wondered at her reasons.

The serenity that comes with the years is hers; she has had ample time to think and weigh and accept life and living, but she is a woman who wished to complete a cycle of worship according to the rites of her church.

"I was baptised in the Church of England, I was married in the Church of England".

CONDOBOLIN

Mrs. Grey Innes has lived much of her life in Condobolin and far western towns, where services of a bishop were not available.

"I was just never confirmed and when Rev. Joyner, the curate, suggested it to me, it made me very happy."

As a girl she was one of a large family. "We worked from daylight till dark, but always had prayers at the end of the day."

"On Sunday nights we all gathered round the table with the Bible and Prayer Book, and always read two chapters from the Old Testament and two from the New. We would read two verses each."

Frail, tiny, with a mass of snow-white hair, a smile is never far away. The spirit which has kept her going through the years is apparent.

"Proud of living to 100? I can't see any reason to fuss about. I've lived a sensible life, and worked hard when I was young, that's why I've always had good health, I think."

She sighed when she compared her childhood with that enjoyed by the girl of today.

"Young people now don't know what happiness is. Life has been made too easy for them, and there is too much envy."

She spoke of her parents. Her father 'looked after' a small farm near Sydney. His wages then were 12 pounds a year and double rations!

Her mother and father were married in Sydney, and went down the Lachlan pioneering. "They were wild days." She laughed. "It was too hard for my mother so they bought a small hotel in Bathurst, and my father started a carrying agency. I was born in Bathurst in 1856."

She worries about her memory.

"I can remember so well the things that happened 50 years ago, but I can't remember the names of people I met yesterday!"

I felt that flashback memory was one of the saving graces of her age!

CONDO FARM

It was shortly after she was born that her father bought a small farm at Condobolin.

"In those days we had no minister, no doctor or nurse closer than Bathurst, I remember there was a minister at Forbes - Archdeacon Dunstan was his name - he rode over on horseback to marry us."

"My husband, who died 50 years ago, was a Tasmanian. He was Humphrey William Grey Innes."

A sufferer from asthma, he was brought to Australia by his father, a former Premier of Tasmania, who bought a farm in the Condobolin district.

After her marriage Mrs. Grey Innes and her husband went out to Nymagee, a great copper mining centre in those days.

"My husband bought a small store, and owned the Nymagee-Cobar Star, the only newspaper for miles around. The copper mines closed down, and after that we went back to Condobolin to live. He bought the Condobolin Herald but later sold it. They call it the 'Lachlander' now. He was the first resident magistrate at Condobolin."

FATHER OF TOWN

"My husband was the finest and most generous of men - they used to call him the "father of Condobolin". We have no family, but I am the last of a family of 13 children; seven sisters and six brothers. They've all gone except me."

Her mother, Elizabeth was her name, was "Such a lovely girl. Although she had no training, she was a nurse and midwife to the people of the district. Do you know she had the first sewing machine and the first piano in the district? She was 95 when she died. I think she might have reached the century, too, but she slipped on a polished floor and broke her hip. She died a few years afterwards."

Mrs. Grey Innes broke her thigh over 12 months ago. She says she will walk before she's 100! One of the nurses at the hospital said if determination counted for anything she'd make it.

For many years she has been living with the daughter of one of her nieces at Parkes. "After she died, I have been passed around the family," she laughed. "They have been good to me."

Her final word? "Thank you for coming, I've enjoyed chatting with you a lot. But I'm going to walk before I reach the century - you must come down and see me."

ED: The ancestors of Maria Jane are:
Edward Field,
Sophia Higgins,
Elizabeth Richards, then
Maria Jane Innes.

SHE'S 100 TODAY

Party at hospital

Mrs. Maria Jane Innes of Orange, is 100 years old today.

She will celebrate her birthday in the Orange Base Hospital, where she has been a patient for the last 14 months.

At three o'clock this afternoon her relatives will give her a small party at the hospital. Matron Kerr and Sister Field will be present, and are co-operating in arrangements for the activities. Mr. W.S. Maloney, chairman of the Base Hospital Board, will also attend.

Mrs. Innes will be taken to the solarium, where afternoon tea will be served. There will be a birthday cake, brought from Sydney by nieces of Mrs. Innes, who arrived last night.

Mrs. Innes said yesterday she didn't know why everyone was so excited.

"I can't see anything very special in being 100 years old, although I suppose there aren't that many that live that long," she said.

The sisters at the hospital, however, say she is taking a lot of interest in the fuss which is being made of her, asking them each day what the date is.

MANY TELEGRAMS

During the last month she has received letters and telegrams from all over the State.

Dame Mary Gilmore wrote her a long, chatty letter, and congratulatory telegrams were arriving yesterday.

Mrs. Innes' request to be confirmed as a member of the Church of England last month created much interest at the time. She was confirmed by the Bishop D'Arcy Collins on July 10th at a small service held at her bedside in the hospital.

Thank you Betty Pont for these stories that were taken from the CONDOBOLIN LACHLANDER

ED: Elizabeth Richards (nee Higgins) had 13 children one of them being Louisa Catherine who married Warburton Grey Innes at Condobolin (seems two sisters married two brothers). Louisa had a daughter named Margaret (born at Condobolin in 1896) who married Abraham Brown. I knew Margaret Brown, she was in the Blacktown Nursing Home for some years until her death around 1997, she lived to over 100 years. Seems longevity runs in the family, Margaret was 100/101 years, her mother Louisa 94 years, her grandmother Elizabeth 96 years, her aunty Maria Jane 100 years.

She informed me Innes Street in Condobolin was named after her uncle Humphrey William Grey Innes. Margaret and her husband Abraham lived in the Picton area for many years. I thought the photo of Maria Jane was of Margaret Brown, identical.

See next edition for information on Elizabeth's husband William Richards and his son Thomas Richards.

Next you find a photo of Louisa Catherine Richards Born 23rd March 1859 who married on the 5th February 1887 Warburton Grey Innes being the younger sister of Maria Jane as mentioned above. Louise was a pioneer of Condobolin who was born at Euglo Station which belonged to her father. She reared six children. One son died during the war.

Mrs. Innes has seen the famous bushranger, Ben Hall. That was when she was living for a time with an aunt at Eundaburra. Hall had hurt his leg and was nursed to health by Mrs. Innes' aunt. Mr and Mrs Innes had their own station about seven miles out on the Trundle Road.

Louisa Catherine Grey Innes (nee Richards)

Aged 82 years

Mrs. Warburton Grey Innes' grandfather of her mother's side was Thomas Higgins, and on her fathers side her grandfather was James Richards. After Thomas' death his wife Sophia (nee Field) married James Collits whose father was Pierce Collits who owned the famous Collits Inn at one time.

Photo courtesy Judy Theodore (nee Lorking) via Betty Pont. Betty also says "I remember my Grandmother (Elizabeth Reardon nee Richards) talking about an 'Aunt Dick' - I guess there is a connection! Maybe John Dick will be able to help with my photos." See Edition 5, page 2 for list.

Eveline Australia Field eldest child of Pierce and Sarah Field (see last page of edition 3).

Born 23rd November 1859
Married: Edward James Owen on 12th April 1880, at Forbes.
Died 25th December 1925 at Condobolin and buried 26th December 1925 Condobolin Cemetery.

Biographical data

The following extract appeared in the Condobolin Lachlander on Wednesday 6th January, 1926.

Death of Mrs. Owens

Mrs. E. J. Owens, a highly respected resident of Condobolin for many years peacefully passed away on Christmas night.

Deceased who was 65 years of age had been in poor health for some time and a few months ago underwent an operation for appendicitis. This was successfully performed in the local hospital and she was able to leave the institution with hopes of better health for the future. But her condition was not strong and when seized with the last illness there was no reserve to fight it. She was buried next day, the Rev. Father O'Brien officiating. A bereaved husband and one son (Ted) and one daughter (Mrs.Woods) are left to mourn their loss. Deep sympathy, in which we join, is felt for the bereaved ones.

Probate Office of NSW - No 141232

Owens, Eveline Australia late of Condobolin, married woman.

7/12/1926. On this date letters of Administration of the Estate of the abovenamed deceased were granted to Edward James Owens of Condobolin, Station Manager, a son of the deceased. Intestate died on 25th December, 1825. Estate sworn at 199.0.0 pounds net. Bond in the amount of 200.0.00 pounds Sureties:- Charles William Brewer of Condobolin, Grazier and Arthur Hatfield Gravel of Condobolin, Grazier.

Eveline's daughter Sarah Ann married Frederick Joseph Woods in 1913 at Condobolin, and their daughter Mary Josephine married Thomas Lawler in 1943 at Condobolin. No further generations have been noted. Sarah died 10th March, 1966.
Edward married Henrietta Griffin in 1919 at Manly. They had three children, Muriel, Ronald and Paul. Edward died 6th August 1962.

Eveline's line was:

Edward,

Edward,

Eliza,

Eveline (herself)

Thank you to Pan Wilcox for this information.

Forbes Advocate Friday 26th April 1940

Forbes Octogenarian

Mr. Joseph Redway Strickland - 80th Birthday next Sunday...

Next Sunday a native of Forbes Mr. J. R. Strickland will attain his 80th birthday and will sure to be the recipient of hearty congratulations from a wide circle of friends throughout this and the Western district.

Son of the late Mr. Josiah and Mary Ann Strickland, who for many years lived at the historic "Bundaburra" homestead; he was born on that property on 28th April, 1860, a year before the gold rush to the Forbes field set in and was responsible for between 30,000 and 40,000 miners making their way to the town. Of a family of 10, he and Mrs.Thomas (Virginia) of Grenfell, who is in her 84th year, are the sole surviving members.

The subject of this sketch, lived for a great many years at "Bundaburra", his father purchased from the late Mr. James Collits in 1837, and the property remained in the family till 1927, when it was sold by Mr. Shaw Strickland, and a son of Mr. J.R.Strickland, to Mr. P.M. McGirr. Mr. Strickland in his younger days was an energetic worker for the Forbes District Hospital, the P.A. and H. Association and Forbes Jockey Club, and on one occasion, when the Jockey Club was in straitened circumstances, membership of 2.2.0 pounds fee then being reduced to about 50 in number, he agreed to take action as Hon. Secretary for a term if the was reduced to 1.1.0 pounds. In twelve months membership increased to 250. On another occasion when the Jockey Club decided on abandoning a meeting owing to the prospects of a loss being shown, he took it upon himself to put on a 60 pound meeting in aid of the Forbes District Hospital and with the assistance of the late Mr. Joe Hudson as secretary, had the satisfaction of seeing it return a profit of 20 pounds. He also served as an alderman for one term.

Mr. Strickland, while at "Bundaburra" bred and raced a number of horses in his own name. One of the best performers was Clytie, who as a two year old won the Sockem Cup and the Sires Produce Stakes at Condobolin. In the following year Clytie won the Town Plate at the same meeting, and later had a double at Parkes. He also owned Last King who won the big handicap at Parkes and then came on to Forbes the following week and accounted for the principal event there. That was about the year 1888. Many other good winners bred by Mr. Strickland were Pathfinder, who broke his maiden service at Parkes; April Rose and Redway, the later being afterwards sold to Mr, George Chong a Chinese storekeeper in Rankin Street, where Mr.W.J.Barton's fruit and vegetable mart is at present conducted.; and Pine Park, who was afterwards raced by his son Shaw and ended his days when he fell in a hurdle race in Sydney. Besides Mr. Shaw Strickland of Forbes there is one living daughter Mrs. Cobcroft (Muriel) of Point Piper, and this octogenarian, whose mother was among one of the oldest and most lovable personalities of the district, having reached the great age of 94 years at the time of her death.

Mr. J.R.Strickland's wife died about 43 years ago, when the family were then living in Spring Street. About 15 years ago, Mr. Strickland went to Sydney to reside, but he returned here last June, and has since lived amongst us, his health remaining robust and his general appearance belying the years he carries with such ease on his shoulders. That he will be spared for many more years is a wish that will be generally extended to him on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of his birth on Sunday.

Joseph Redway Strickland 9th child of Josiah and Mary Strickland.
Born 28/4/1860
Married 14/11/1883 to Ellen Agnes Shaw
Died 22/2/1951

Forbes Times - 22nd May 1912

Letter to the Editor

Dear Sir,

A man and woman were discussing me during the buck-jumping contest at the Showground on Wednesday, 15th inst. The man remarked "I wonder whether J.R.Strickland feels the days are long or short, he never does anything?" The woman replied, "Not when he was at Bundaburra he used to drive in and out, and never did anything". I think it very unkind Mr. Editor, because I have always done what it seems others cannot do, viz. Mind my own business.

Yours Faithfully,
J.R.Strickland.

Thank you Pan Wilcox for this story

OK.. GET TO IT...
FIND ALL THAT MEMORABILIA..
PHOTOS..
CHARTS..
OLD LETTERS..
OF YOUR FAMILY TREE..
IT IS GOING TO BE A GREAT DAY..
BRING SOME THROAT SOOTHERS, YOU MAY TALK A LOT..

TELL EVERYONE OUR GATHERING IS ON.. ADVERTISE EVERYWHERE.. ANYWHERE
TELL EVERYONE ABOUT OUR FAMILY NEWSLETTER ONLY $5 PER YEAR
CONTACT: DOROTHY CEFARIN
24 EGGLETON STREET, BLACKTOWN, 2148

FIELD FAMILY GATHERING

ON SATURDAY 13th October 2001
MELROSE HALL
Corner of The Great Western Highway
and Park Street EMU PLAINS

The family gathering of the descendants of Edward and Elizabeth Field (nee Mitchell)

Bring along all your wall charts of family trees, letters, photographs, and anything else for us all to see, discuss and find out more about our ancestors.
Put your displays out on tables or pin them up on the wall

Bring a picnic lunch.. Tea, coffee and cordial provided at a small cost

The "Block and Tackle" Band will delight us with old ballads and we hope a sing-a-long get-together.

We have face painting for the younger generations

Wine and goodies to be raffled.

Family Tree information will be available to those wishing to purchase

We hope to have Joy Murrin a Transcription Agent with us to give a talk on how to save money on B.D.& M. Certificates.
No RSVP is required, just turn up after 9am and have a great Field Day.
A donation of $3 per adult is sought on the day to defray costs.

Organised by:
Dorothy Cefarin
24 Eggleton St.
Blacktown 2148
Phone 02 9671-2129
doff202@comcen.com.au

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