The Field Family Newsletter, Edition 26

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The FIELD Family Newsletter

26th Edition, May 2006, Edited by Dorothy Cefarin
Reproduced here with permission

Babies are Beautiful

CONGRATULATIONS

To Michael and Renaye Knight (nee Stratton) on the birth of their twins Riley and Cooper who were born in 2006.

Great grandsons of Alfred (dec) and Monica Hutchinson (nee Strickland).

Riley and Cooper are descended from Maria Collits/Strickland/Field.

Also to Mark and Lee Summers (nee Strickland) on the birth of their daughter, Bella Rose, born in 2006.

Granddaughter of Neil and Christine Strickland (nee Hart). Bella Rose is descended from Maria Collits/ Strickland/Field.

To Kellie and David Dixon on the birth of their son Thomas David Dixon in 2005.

First grandchild to David and Ann Schofield and great grandson of Grace Schofield.

Congratulations to all.

HAPPY WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

TO Margaret and Kenneth Knowland on this special occasion.

In January, 2006, family and friends travelled to Inglewood Qld. to celebrate the 60th Wedding Anniversary of Margaret and Kenneth. Their children Robert, Lynette and Leon and their family’s hosted a party of around eighty guests at the Inglewood Sports Club. They while they both were still in the Air Force. They married on the 26th January, 1946 at Warwick, Qld. and set up home at Inglewood. For many years Ken and Margaret became prominent business people in the garage and Holden dealership in Inglewood. Ken and his sons are keen restorers of old cars and motor bikes. Robert drove them to the party in one of the old cars.

Many greetings were read including ones from the Qld. Premier, Mr. Peter Beaty, the Prime Minister, Mr. John Howard, and Queen Elizabeth and an email from grandson Jason working in China.

A presentation of a gold ‘Matrimonial 60 Year Endurance’ medal was presented to Ken and Margaret by Ken’s oldest niece, Grace Schofield, amidst much applause and laughter. Margaret’s brother and Ken’s 91 year-old sister, Adell, were among the guests as were many nieces and nephews. A wonderful day for two wonderful people was had by all. Ken and Margaret now live in retirement in their home at Inglewood. Leon lives just across the road, while Robert and Margaret live at the Gold Coast and Lynette and her family live at Townsville.

Ken is a descendant of Sarah Mitchell through the Morris and Williams family line.

OBITUARY

Gordon Neil Rawsthorne
29/12/1916- 11/3/2006

Gordon Neil Rawsthorne was born on 29th December, 1916 in Forbes NSW. he lived for almost 65 years in Rabaul Street Lithgow, and entered hospital in January 2006 after a nasty fall in his home. In February 2006 he entered Three Tree Lodge, Lithgow, where he passed away in the early hours of 11th March – his son’s 70th birthday. He was intered in the Lawn section of Lithgow Cemetery on 14th March.

He has 2 sons, Colin and Ron, 3 grandchildren David, Belinda and Darran, and 2 great-grandchildren Jacob and Juanita. The day before Gordon passed away he was told that his only granddaughter, Belinda, was 4 months pregnant, she told him weeks before she told her parents.

Here is an edited version of Gordon Neil Rawsthorne's Eulogy (My grandfather) as written and spoken by me at his funeral..... David Rawsthorne:

Gordon Neil Rawsthorne, Neil to his friends and relatives, was born on 29 December 1916 in Forbes to Thomas Rawsthorne, and Agnes Rawsthorne, nee Collits.

Neil was raised in the Eugowra area along with his brothers and sisters. During his childhood years, the family was heavily involved in the local area, working on the land, helping neighbours and relatives, and playing sports such as tennis and cricket. Neil met his future wife, Alba Moss, while working for the same employer, and they married in 1935. In 1936 they had their first child Ron, my father, in Eugowra, and 4 years later they moved to Lithgow where Neil began work in the Small Arms Factory. In 1946 they were graced with their second child, Colin.

In about 1960 Neil was promoted to Foreman of the transport section, and at a later time he was given the added responsibility of the outdoor works section, which included the vast gardens and exterior of the Small Arms Factory. His early gardening talent can still be seen today, with many of the now established trees and gardens in the factory being planted under his watchful eye. Neil enjoyed caravanning and also fishing and camping, going on many fishing trips with his son Colin and grandson Darran, where all of the family enjoyed tales of their adventures upon their return.

Neil had a unique gift of leaving a memorable impression on all whom he met, through his friendliness and approachable nature. He had a keen interest in people and enjoyed conversation. He always invested his time in people that he met. Neil particularly loved family occasions where there was an opportunity to reminisce about times gone by, and catch up with both family and friends.

Frequent visits from his two Great Grandchildren Jacob and Juanita were always a highlight for him, and he always seemed to discover some coke and chocolate biscuits in the fridge for them.

The life of all his family and friends has been made richer by the man that he was, and still is in our hearts.

OBITUARY

Mervyn Thomas Rawsthorne
1915 – 28/3/2006

Mervyn was born in Forbes NSW in 1915, and passed away on 28th March 2006 in Canowindra Hospital, NSW after a short illness. He was buried in Eugowra, NSW along with his wife Beryl, who previously passed away in late 2001. They have two sons, Kevin and Lawrence and 4 grand children.

He was the brother of Gordon Neil Rawsthorne above. These brothers died within two weeks of each other.

This is about Edward Field and his life.

Edward Field arrived in the Colony with the Second Fleet aboard the ‘Scarborough’ in 1790. He was a private in the NSW Corps, 102 Regiment and after his arrival was stationed at Parramatta where he received the first of many grants, 25 acres at Iron Cove Creek in December, 1794. In February, 1795 he married Elizabeth Mitchell, a convict, who arrived aboard the “Mary Ann” in 1791. Four children, Mary Ann, Edward, Maria and George were born at Parramatta before his marriage and four more children were born after his marriage. They were William, Sophia, Thomas and John.

Edward was discharged from the NSW Corps in 1801 and he applied for a land grant which he received from Governor King in 1803. The grant was for 100 acres at Castlereagh. In the 1805/06 Musters he was recorded as holding 80 acres; the balance of 20 acres was leased in 1805 to James Morris. Of the 80 acres Edward held 20 ½ acres were in wheat, 7 in maize, ½ an acre in potatoes, one acre of garden and 40 ½ acres were pasture. Within 3 years he was fully supporting his family of 7 and a convict which was not a bad effort after only 3 years. Like many other Nepean settlers he suffered losses in the 1806 flood but seems to have recovered well.

In May, 1809 Edward Field received another 100 acre grant at Castlereagh, portion 85. In 1810 a conditional sale of 57 acres to Charles Pickering for 80 pounds, this may have been from the new grant. In 1806 he signed the “Hawkesbury Settlers Address” welcoming Governor Bligh. In 1814, he subscribed to a school and a bridge at Castlereagh. In the same year during the construction of the road across the Blue Mountains he supplied Cox with several iron axes made at his blacksmith’s shop.
For awhile Edward experienced financial difficulties and had to sell some of his land. Sometime before 1817 Edward sold 23 acres (at the North-East corner of his grant) to John Grant, a total of 73 acres were sold as ‘Kerry Lodge’ by Purcell to George Chartres and remained together until it was sold to Quarries Ltd. in 1970.

By the 1822 Muster, Edward’s acreage had dropped to 40 acres which still provided a modest level of prosperity. All 40 acres were cleared with 20 acres sown with wheat, 5 with maize, ½ an acre with beans, 1 acre with potatoes and one acre for an orchard. His stock included 2 cattle and 25 hogs.

In January 1826, Edward died and was buried at the Castlereagh cemetery. His wife, Elizabeth died in June1837 and is buried alongside her husband. Edward left his estate to his son William and in 1847 William sold 30 acres, the North-West corner of Edward’s 100 acre grant, to Joseph Collet who held it for 20 years before selling it to John Jackson. In 1865 Joseph Collits, as executor of Edward Field, sold the southern Moiety of 50 acres to John Jackson. After John’s death in 1917 the property passed to his youngest daughter Nena May who held the 2 properties until 1948 when she sold them to Quarries Pty. Ltd.

On 31st October, 1876 an application for the establishment of a Public School at Upper Castlereagh was received and approved by the Council of Education. In 1877, two acres in the South-East corner of Field’s grant was sold for 50 pounds by John Jackson to the Council of Education to allow for the erection of the Public School house and schoolmaster’s residence. The residence and Gothic style schoolhouse were completed in 1879 by James Evans, a builder from Castlereagh, under the direction of G.A. Mansfield, the then Education Council Architect. 40 perches were added to the north boundary of the school in 1879 by Sarah Gorman.

The design of the school was typical of the State Schools being built in that period and was similar to the Penrith Infants School rather than the schools at Regentville and Emu Plains. A World War 1 war memorial within the grounds of the school honours students from Upper Castlereagh who served and in some cases died, on active service. The roll contains the names from many well known farming families like the Field, Purcell, Lance and Carter families. members of the Wright, Parker and Willet families are also known to have attended the school. The school was in use until at least 1949 but is believed to have closed in 1975.

Of Edward’s 8 children Mary Ann married Thomas Perry in 1812 and died in November, 1865 at Forbes. Edward (Jnr) married Maria Strickland in 1817 and died in 1846, Maria married John Rope in 1817 and died in 1842. George married Elizabeth Colless and died in 1872. William married Mary McMahon and died in 1846. Sophia married Thomas Higgins in 1824 and died in 1871. Thomas married Rachel Howard in 1835 and died in 1860 and finally John died at childbirth.

Through marriage Edward’s family had connections with most of the early settler families including the Collitt’s, Rope’s, Colless’s, and Jackson family.

Continued from last Edition:

NOTES RE – JAMES McLELLAND’S BOOK NO.5

The Nepean River Valley, It’s History, It’s Floods, It’s people..

1837

Rope Elizabeth, b.1857 died 9/8/1837. Buried Anglican Cranebrook cemetery.

1938

Provision for Catholics to worship provided by opening of Catholic Church Parish Penrith covering Mulgoa, Luddenham, Wallacia, Mulgoa Forest Mountain.

1839

First school conducted at St. Marys by Abraham Liddiatt with 29 pupils.

July 16th 1839 St. Stephens C. of E. Penrith opened.

Peacock, Mary Ann, 8 years of age, died 5/2/1839, buried Anglican Cranebrook Cemetery.

1840

16/11/1840 – Rev Dr. Fulton died.

Perry James, Pioneer family of Penrith, died 8/1/1840 aged 69 yrs. Buried St. Stephens C. of E. cemetery Penrith.

1841

Howard Thomas, Pioneer Penrith died 3/10/1841 aged 65 yrs. Buried Anglican Cranebrook cemetery.

1845

Emu Plains ceased to be a Penal Settlement. Last convicts released. At its peak it contained 1,000 convicts.

1846

Field, Edward. Aged 49 years died 7/12/1846. Pioneer. B.A.C.C.

1848

Population of Penrith 291 and number of houses 63.
Public education began in the Colony when Gov. Fitzroy set up National Board of Education. It faced bitter opposition from Anglican and Catholic churches. Average annual wage for teachers was $145.

Gorman family: known pioneer family Castlereagh 1848. Mrs. Gorman was daughter of John Lees who donated land for the first Methodist Church at Castlereagh in 1817.

Lees, John, born 1807, died 22/12/1848. Name of wife Ann. Buried Methodist Church cemetery Upper Castlereagh.

1851

Gorman, Henry, known Pioneer Penrith District, born 1805, died 27/9/1851. B.M.C.C.U.C.

1855

Rope Margaret, b. 1834 died 2/9/1855. A pioneer woman, infant son died 22/11/1855 age 5 months. Buried St. John Cemetery, Regentville.

Lees Sarah, b. 1838 died 26/5/1855. Buried Methodist Church Cemetery, Upper Castlereagh.

1856

First bridge built across Nepean at Penrith, completed at a cost of $15,000. The bridge was a toll bridge operated by a private company.

1857

24/7/1857 . One of the most disastrous floods ever struck the colony on this date and washed away the new bridge. Damage along the Nepean and Hawkesbury was a major disaster even by todays standards. Ferries had to resume carrying passengers, stock and goods across the Nepean until 1867.

The rain commenced on Sunday and by Thursday passengers were paying 2/6d per head to cross the river and then at very great hazard. As much as 1 pound was charged for horses. It was impossible for drays to cross. The two punts were sold by Government , one for 36 pounds and the other for 12 pounds.

1860

Rutledge Mary Ellen, daughter of James Rutledge died 9/9/1860 age 1 year and 11 months. Buried St. Johns Church Regentville.
Population of Penrith now 4,804.

April 1860 another big flood on Nepean. Historic “Ravenswood” farmhouse had to be evacuated.

Kellet, William Henry a pioneer saddler of Penrith. Died 4/4/1860 aged 33 years.

Coffey Michael, b. 1830 died 10/9/1860. A pioneer. Buried St. Johns Cemetery Regentville.

1862

Bank of N.S.W. opened for business in Penrith.

7/7/1862 – railway line construction reached Penrith.

The Police Force as we know it today came into being with the passing of a new Police Act.

Court House built at Blayney NSW.

Mail & Gold Escort Robbery – 1,000 pounds reward.

Whereas it has been represented to the Government that on the afternoon of 16/7/1862 the Gold Escort from the Lachlan was attacked on the road between Forbes and Orange by a band of armed men, said to be 10 in number and described as dressed in red shirts, red caps and with their faces blackened, who fired on and wounded the Police forming the escort. They opened the mailbags and letters and carried off a large amount of gold dust and money. A reward of 100 pounds each will be paid within 6 months for the apprehension of any of the guilty party.

Charles Cooper, Col. Sec. officer 17/6/1862.

1863

Three years of drought again hit colony.

1864

11/6/1864 – again great flooding.

Stanton, Elle b. 1824, died 14/12/1864. A pioneer B.S.J.C.R.

1865

Bushranger Ben hall shot dead by Police.

1866

Henry Parkes introduced Public School Act which made payment of fees for teaching of children by parents no longer necessary.

1867

Watkins, John b. 1813 died 10/2/1867. buried Emu Plains General cemetery.

1871

Stanton, Thomas, b. 1806 d. 16/11/1871. A pioneer. B.S.J.C.R.

1876

Construction of Western railway reached Blayney NSW

Dukes, William b.1795 d. 11/10/1879 E.P.G.C.

1882

First issue of “Nepean Times”

1884

Stanton, Joseph, b. 1803 d.19/11/1884 E.P.G.C.

1898

Kellett, Charles Henry. A pioneer Post master of Penrith. d. 7/7/1898 aged 61 years.

1900’s continued next issue...

David Rawthorne’s CD on our Family Tree is now available.

On the internet site David has taken off the birth, deaths and marriage dates before 1930, some people were upset about this being made public knowledge on their private lives. They could take legal action if necessary so they have been deleted. The CD that is available has all this information as it is for private use only.

David has more than 1505 individual pictures of headstones in more than 1015 photographs taken from more than 54 cemeteries across NSW. This has been increased as David has recently spent more time touring the various cemeteries taking photos. Check them out on :- http://www.davidrawsthorne.com

There are 32848 individual names and 10939 families representing 4636 surnames on file and he has put ALL of the photos and names on a CD for you to see for yourself. David has stated his line which includes the Collits etc. and many more. No need to go on the internet, just slip in the disc.

Here is your chance to get a copy... Don’t miss out, for only $20 which includes postage and handling, you can have it all.. Just send the $20 to:
David Rawsthorne
PO Box 139
Lithgow NSW 2790
For more information phone:
02 6353 1843
Email: daviddth@iinet.net.au

NOTE: This CD is no longer available.

Thank you to Judy Strickland, Pan Wilcox, David Rawsthorne, Grace Schofield for their stories and to Merlene Edwards for sending me Len’s new address. If you know of someone that has changed their address or have not received their newsletter please let me know.

Taken from “As It Was In The Beginning” by
Joy Pickette and Mervyn Campbell.

Charles Purcell had taken up a run which he called Girriwilli. We know it as Garrawilla. The creek runs through it still retains the old spelling.

Charles had arrived in Australia aboard the “Ann” at the age of three. He had been born at Gibralter while his father had been stationed there as an officer with the 6th Regiment – which the new Governor, Lachlan Macquarie, brought with him to replace the old, corrupt NSW Corps. The Purcell family settled at Castlereagh, near Penrith. In 1828 John was a Senior Constable there.

In 1827, at the age of 20, Charles wrote a most eloquent letter to Governor Brisbane. He wanted a grant of land. Already he had the stock to run on it. The grant was forthcoming. The following year on 9/2/1828 Charles married Phoebe Morris (daughter of James Morris and Sarah Morris, nee Mitchell). They lived at Castlereagh and raised a family of six.

By the time squatting became legal, the Garrawilla run was already well established. Purcell was one of the first to obtain a license. His was No. 26. In 1838 the family of Charles and Phoebe came to an abrupt stop. Phoebe was still only 28. Could it be possible that Charles was spending a good deal; of his time at Garrawilla (*not right)

There were 12 people living on the run by 1845, 2 of them women. William Perry was the superintendent. Stock numbers were high, 2,550 cattle, 2,340 sheep, and 20 horses. It was the only station as having any cultivation at all. The 3 acres probably helped feed the 12 people on the run.

Charles died as a result of an accident in 1851. He is buried at Castlereagh. Garrawilla eventually passed to George Henry Cox, a son of George who held Nombi. Later it was sold to Ebenezer Orr.

Please keep those stories coming in..
Dorothy Cefarin
24 Eggleton Street
Blacktown 2148 NSW
Phone: 02-9671-2129
E-mail: doff202@unwired.com.au