THANK YOU

I apologise for not updating this blog for a long time, and for not responding to comments.
I've been caught up with researching my own family history, and doing other blogs, Mawbey Family Australia and Evitt Family Australia.
I still have lots more information to add to this one and I'll try to do it soon.
Thank you for reading and appreciating all the work I have done on St David's Cemetery at Kurrajong Heights.

CONVICT CONNECTIONS

CONVICT CONNECTIONS TO BURIALS AT ST DAVID'S CEMETERY, KURRAJONG HEIGHTS

YEAR ARRIVED; NAME OF CONVICT; SHIP & DATE OF ARRIVAL; WHERE CONVICTED; SENTENCE; RELATIONSHIP TO BURIALS

1788; John Matthew EVERINGHAM; Scarborough 26/1/1788 (First Fleet); London Gaol Delivery; 7 yrs; Great grandfather of Alice EVERINGHAM, wife of Alwyn PECK

1803; John SHERWOOD/SHEARWOOD; Glatton 11/3/1803; Bedford Assizes on 16 July 1801; Life; father of Mary GREEN and father-in-law of Edward WILSON.
1808; Ann LANE; Speke 15/11/1808; Surrey Quarter Sessions; 7 years; mother of Mary GREEN and mother- in-law of Edward WILSON.

1808; James Charles MOSTYN (alias BUTLER); Admiral Gambier 22/12/1808; Life; Father of Fairlie Frances PITMAN and grandfather of Charles PITMAN and Frederick William PITMAN

1810; John BARWICK/BERWICK; Anne 27/2/1810; Essex Assizes on 7 March 1808; Life; Grandfather of Mary PECK

1812; Job WILSON; Guildford 1812; Essex Assies on 13 March 1811; Life; Father of Edward WILSON, grand- father of Roland WILSON, grand-father-in-law of Susannah WILSON, great grandfather of Amelia WILSON

1814; John Matthew PITMAN; Surry 27/7/1814; Somerset Assizes; Life; father of Charles Albert PITMAN, grandfather of Clement PITMAN and Charles, Minnie Gertrude and Frederick William PITMAN

1815; Joseph DOUGLASS; Baring 8/9/1815; Dumfries Court of Justiciary; 7 years; husband of Mary Orr BURGESS

1818; Samuel HURST; Ocean 10/1/1818; Warwick Assizes; Life; father of Mary PECK

1819; Alfred BROWN; Malabar 30/10/1819; Sussex Assizes; Life; grandfather of Henry BROWN, the husband of Emily Caroline BROWN

THE TELLING FAMILY

In Loving Memory

Of
┼
FRANK TELLING
DIED 5TH JUNE 1964
AGED 75 YEARS

And
GERTRUDE MAY TELLING
DIED 13TH APRIL 1966
AGED 78 YEARS

LOVED PARENTS OF
NORMAN & AGNES TELLING
& LES & ALICE BROWN

At Rest

Windsor and Richmond Gazette, Wednesday, 10 June 1964
One of the most affectionately, and widely known residents of Kurrajong, Mr Frank Telling, died at hospital on June 5 at the age of 75 years. Of him it has been said that nothing too kind could be written, for he was a most good-natured, willing, kindly, and hard-working, handyman-friend for all. He came from England about 52 years ago, and his lived most of his life since then at Kurrajong Heights, celebrating on April 2 with his wife, Gertrude May, who survives him, their golden wedding anniversary. He was a regular attendant at church, and lived up faithfully to his Christian ideals. His grandson, Bruce, played the organ at the funeral service. Surviving him are his son Norman and daughter-in-law, Agnes, of Carlton, and daughter, Alice, of Kurrajong Heights. To all of these, and to other relatives, a host of friends extend deep sympathy in their loss. The Rev. J. Hale (Riverstone), assisted by the Rev. L. Daniels, conducted the service in the Presbyterian Cemetery, on June 8, before burial took place in the church cemetery.

EMILY CAROLINE BROWN

In Loving Memory of
EMILY CAROLINE BROWN
WHO DIED 27th JANUARY 1910
…

IN HER 35TH YEAR
In the midst of life … in death

EMILY CAROLINE BROWN (nee JOHN) was the daughter of THOMAS J and CHARLOTTE JOHN. She was one of seven children, five boys and two girls.
When EMILY died, after childbirth, she had eight children, five sons and three daughters. The eldest was a boy 15 and the youngest, a baby girl three days old.
EMILY was born in 1874 and married HENRY A BROWN in Richmond in 1894.

HENRY was a grandson of convict ALFRED BROWN who had arrived in Sydney Town on the Malabar in 1819.
EMILY and HENRY BROWN had eight children: Arthur E (1894), Alfred G (1896), Darcy W (1897), Hilda C (1901), Clarence J (1900), Carlton J (1905) and the baby girl.

Windsor and Richmond Gazette, Saturday, 5 February, 1910
Quite a gloom was case over the Kurrajong on Friday of last week when it became known that Mrs. H. A. Brown had died suddenly on the previous evening. The deceased, who was 34 years of age, was a robust, healthy looking lady, and one who was loved and respected by all who knew her. She leaves a family of five sons and three daughters, the eldest, a boy of 15 and the youngest, a baby three days old; also a sorrowing husband and several brothers and one sister. Her father is Mr Thomas John, a much respected resident of Comleroy Road, and the brothers are William, Thomas, Henry (of West Australia,) Clarrie and Victor; and Mrs John Scott is the sister. The remains were interred in the Presbyterian burial ground at Kurrajong Heights on Saturday, the burial service being conducted by the Rev. W.R. Milne. The duties of undertaker were carried out by Mr A. Price, of Richmond.

Windsor and Richmond Gazette, 28 January 1911
IN MEMORIUM. BROWN. In sad but loving memory of my dear wife, Emily Caroline, who departed this life, January 27, 1910.

There seems a shadow on the day,
Her smile no longer cheers;
A dimness on the stars at night,
Like eyes that look through tears.

Fold her, O Father! In Thine arms,
And let her henceforth be
A messenger of love between
Our human hearts and Thee.

Inserted by her loving husband and family, H.A. Brown.

WHERE THEY LIVED
The name BROWN appears on the map of the earliest land grands in the area. It was at the bottom of Bellbird Hill, near what is now Hermitage Road, Kurrajong Hills.

MARY ELLEN McLEOD

Sacred to the Memory of
MARY ELLEN McLEOD
DIED 24th MAY 1906
AGED 70 YEARS
[At rest] … with the Lord

MARY ELLEN McLEOD was born in 1836 according to information given on her tombstone, and was a contemporary of HENRY and MARY PECK. Her married name suggests her husband was a Scot.
In 1885 a DONALD McCLOUD is recorded as owning two horses and two cows in Kurrajong, but not any land. He may have been a tenant farmer.

His contemporaries were Stephen MYERS (father of Elizabeth Eunice MYERS who married a son of HENRY and MARY PECK), Charles PITMAN, John SHEPPARD and Edward WILSON Snr, and convicts Joseph DOUGLASS and Samuel HURST Snr.

Up on the Heights, his fellow farmers would have been convict Alfred BROWN, JOHN LUDICH (LEIDICH), HENRY PECK and the Rev. JAMES CAMERON.
The only other clues to this couple are some advertisements in the local paper.

Windsor and Richmond Gazette, Saturday, 16 June 1906
KURRAJONG. A clearing out sale of stock, implements, furniture, etc. Takes place at the residence of Mr. D. McLeod’s on Wed, June 27. Mr. Guest will sell, and full particulars will be found on page 11.

Windsor and Richmond Gazette, Saturday 16 June 1906
FOR ABSOLUTE SALE. SALE BY AUCTION. C S GUEST has received instructions from Mr. D. McLEOD, Kurrajong, to sell by auction at his residence on Wed, 27th June at 1.p.m. Chaffcutter, corn cracker, ploughs, harrows, and roller, planet Junior, Hoes, and Tools, etc; Village cart; set strong light Harness; Good Iron Tank and tubs; Dairy Utensils; Furniture; stove and cooking utensils, milking cows; 2 Springing Heifers; 1 calf; 3 head Horses. Terms at Sale. PRELIMINARY NOTICE. Clearing out Sale.

Windsor and Richmond Gazette, 23 June 1906
On Wednesday next Mr Guest will conduct a clearing-out sale at the residence of Mr. D. McLeod. Read particulars in business columns.

THE WILSON FAMILY

The original forebear of the FOUR members of the WILSON family who are buried in St David’s cemetery was convict, JOB WILSON.

He was born in Cambridgeshire, England in 1784 or 88 and was given a life sentence, arriving in the colony of New South Wales around the same time as fellow felon, JOHN MATTHEW PITMAN.
JOB WILSON arrived in Sydney Cove on 18 January 1812 on the Guildford. The following year, on 19 November 1813?, he married ELIZABETH ANN ROGERS at St John’s Church of England, Parramatta. She was just 13, and he was either 12 or 16 years older than her.
JOB was given a conditional pardon on 1 January 1816 by Governor LACHLAN MACQUARIE. As of the 1828 Census his occupation was a farmer and he had 50 acres of land. This was ‘Rocklands’, prime real estate with good soil, clean air and excellent views.

It was located on the other side of what is now Bell’s Line of Road from today's North Kurrajong Public School.
JOB and ELIZABETH WILSON had 15? Children. The eldest, EDWARD, born in 1815, died in infancy, and the next child, another son born the following year, was given the same name.

In Loving Memory

of
EDWARD WILSON
WHO DIED
30TH MAY 1902
AGED 86 YEARS.

Lost to sight but not to memory.

The EDWARD WILSON buried at St David’s was born at Castlereagh, one of the five Macquarie towns, on 15 December 1818. He married twice. Firstly, in 1838 when he was 20 to ANN SHEARWOOD, and again in 1847, when he was 29, to SUSANNAH RILEY.
His first wife appears to have borne him no children and disappears mysteriously off the scene. The second, the daughter of an Irishman, bore him 10 children.
EDWARD WILSON was very proud of his large family as his obituary published in the local newspaper shows after he died of pleurisy at age 86.

Windsor and Richmond Gazette, 14 June 1902
Mr. Edward Wilson, who died on the 30th instant, at the ripe old age of 86, may be referred to as the patriarch of the Kurrajong. He was the man who spent the whole of his days in the shadow of his house, so to speak, for he was born at North Kurrajong and never strayed away from the place. No name is better known among the hills of the Kurrajong than the name of Wilson, for the descendents of the deceased still living in the locality are numerous. He reared a family of 11 children, and they had descendents of grand-children and great-grand-children. The late Mr. Wilson always attended the Presbyterian Church at the Heights.
A good story is told of the old fellow, which is worth retelling. One day, Mr. Comrie of “Northfields”, met him at the church and introduced him to a distinguished visitor, a friend of Mr Comrie’s, as the patriarch of the hills, and the chief of a numerous clan. 'Yes,' replied the old veteran with conscious pride, ‘and there are 20 of them in the church today.’
About 20 years ago he had an arm amputated through cancer, which he endured for over 20 years. His remains were interred in the Presbyterian Cemetery, Kurrajong Heights, the last sad rites being performed by Rev. J.J.F.L. Fergusson, M.A. Immediately after the burial, Rev. Mr. Fergusson preached a funeral sermon, the dead man in his last days having requested the minister to do this. The text chosen was from Job 5, 12: “Thou shall come to thy grave in a full age, like a shock of corn in his season.” The preacher paid tribute to the sterling worth of the old man, and to his integrity and uprightness throughout his long life. The funeral was very largely attended, and Mr. A. Price carried out the funeral obsequies.

In Loving Memory

of
SUSANNAH WILSON
DIED 23 JUNE 1905
AGED 77 YEARS
AT REST
…Wilson

SUSANNAH WILSON (nee RILEY), wife of EDWARD WILSON, died at the age of 77 following a bout of influenza.

Windsor and Richmond Gazette,
The sudden death of Mrs. Susannah Wilson, relict of the late Edward Wilson, of Kurrajong, which took place at her late residence, caused widespread sympathy throughout the Kurrajong. About seven o’clock on the morning of her death, Mr. Alfred Wilson, who resides with his mother, was alarmed by a peculiar guttural sound proceeding from her room, and on entering found the old lady in a state of collapse. He immediately aroused the attention of the neighbours, but in a few minutes she passed away.
At a magisterial enquiry held by the district coroner (Mr. J. B. Johnston, J.P.) on Monday, it was agreed that the death was due to the effects of influenza, from which she had been suffering and to old age and heart failure. The late Mrs. Wilson was 77 years of age, and had reared a family of six children, viz., Messrs John Ambrose, Edward, James, Mrs. Shepherd, Mrs. Merrick, and Mrs Paterson, all of whom survive their mother.
The funeral took place on Tuesday and was largely attended, four fifths of those who composed the cortege being relatives of the deceased. The internment took place at the Presbyterian Cemetery, Kurrajong Heights. Rev. Dr. Cameron officiated at the grave, and Mr. Price, of Richmond, was the undertaker.

Windsor and Richmond Gazette, 23 June 1906
IN MEMORIUM. WILSON. In loving memory of my dear mother who died suddenly at her residence, Kurrajong, June 25, 1905. Dead but not forgotten.

Just twelve months have passed away,
But with sorrow still I think
Of you, dear mother, my dearest friend,
In your long and peaceful sleep.
Friends may think I have forgot you,
When at times they see me smile;
But they little know what an aching heart
That smile hides all the while.

Inserted by her loving daughter, Diana Shepherd.

In Loving Memory of
ROLAND EDWARD WILSON
DIED 26 AUGUST 1895
AGED 35 YEARS

Bade be not forgotten.

ROLAND EDWARD WILSON, son of Edward and Susannah WILSON, died of influenza in 1895 at age 35. He had married Ellen M RILEY in Sydney 10 years earlier in 1885 and they had three children – Grace (1886), Gladys O (1888) and George A (1890). The youngest was only five when his father died.

In Loving

Memory of

MAUDE AMELIA
BELOVED DAUGHTER OF
E. R. AND J. WILSON,

AGED 14 YEARS

AND 11 MONTHS

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN.

AMELIA MAUD WILSON, a daughter of EDWARD and SUSANNAH WILSON and a sister of ROLAND EDWARD WILSON, AMELIA MAUD died of tuberculosis two months before her 15th birthday.

Windsor and Richmond Gazette
A particularly sad death at Kurrajong has to be chronicled this week. Amelia Maud Wilson, aged 14 years and 10 months, daughter of Mrs and Mrs Edward R. Wilson, died on Tuesday night from acute pulmonary tuberculosis, after an illness of 5 or 6 weeks. Very great sympathy is expressed for the parents and family in the loss of a bright and promising daughter. Dr Helsham attended the deceased during her illness. The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon, the remains being interred in the Presbyterian Cemetery at Kurrajong Heights. Rev. J. J. F. L. Fergusson, M. A. was the officiating clergyman, and Mr A. Price, the undertaker.

JOB and ELIZABETH WILSON, the grandparents of AMELIA and ROLAND, are buried at St Peters Church of England cemetery at Richmond.

ARTHUR'S MEMORIES OF KURRAJONG HEIGHTS

MEMORIES OF THE PECK FAMILY
by
Arthur Poole
Great Grandson of Henry Peck
& Grandson of Ted Peck

‘My grandfather [Ted Peck] was a speculator. [When he died, my grandmother] was left with all this schmozl, as was common in those days. He drank a lot more than water. Rum was a pretty widely used beverage in those days. He was addicted to that, and so were some of the boys, but not Ernest. Fortunately the girls stuck with grandmother. The boys did too in a sense.
H E Peck & Sons [Ted Peck] had a big orchard stretching from the present CWA site [next door to St David’s cemetery] down to the Church of England. It was called Uplands after the stone house in Queen Street. He built that. When his father died, grandmother was left with properties dotted all over the place, including Mt Tomah.
He took over Uplands, 27 acres, joined Cherry Park on top of the hill. He helped grandmother no end. Took that off her hands. A good worker. Pretty heavy drinker. Liked whiskey. My father and he were good friends. My father was not an educated man. He came from Mt Tomah to work with Ted on Uplands. He married Ted’s sister, Clara.
Ted made a lot of money dealing in property. From Tomah Street to behind the hotel, all that land, and on the left side to Warks Road, except for five acres. He had all that under orchard. I’ve heard said he had 80 acres of orchard at one time here.
My father told me there was very little between Kurrajong and North Richmond that didn’t pass through Ted Peck’s hands. He would buy unimproved land, put orchards on it and sell it. My father worked for Ted Peck for 50 years.
I wanted to work for him too. When I left school, I worked for him for one week in about 1930-31. It was a pretty tough time. Mum said, “I don’t think so. You’ve got Dad, Cyril and Maurice working for him. I don’t think you should.” That burst my bubble. I was very disappointed.
The other five acres, near Tomah Street, were owned by Mrs Daniels, the wife of Rev. Lennon Daniels, an Anglican minister based at Wilcannia. This land was rented out to the Peck’s and used for growing fodder for dairy cattle. It became my first business venture. I grew crops, peas and beans, a few passionfruit and turnips. Sold them at Sydney Markets. I kept the land until 1939 when I bought Woodside.
I cleared land by hand and ended up with 20 acres. Don’t know how I did it now. My wife’s father would come for a week, work like a nigger, then thank me for having him!
When Mrs Daniels died, I dug her grave at the Anglican church at Kurrajong Heights.
I drew up a plan of the cemetery [St David’s]. There hadn’t been a plan ever. Headstones make upkeep of the cemetery very hard. These days, the only thing approved for this cemetery is cremations.’

From interview conducted with Arthur Poole by Pamela Mawbey
October 2000