William Willis Snr and Celia Mitchell
William Willis (1816-1897) was born in Trowbridge, a town located in the County of Wiltshire, England.
Although the passing of time has unfortunately obscured many of the details regarding William’s early life and his family in England, what is known is that his mother's name was Mary (as indicated on his 1897 death record). While the name of William's father is not known (again, as indicated on William's 1897 death record) it is possible he was called George (in line with the naming conventions of the time). The use of child labour was common in early 19th century Britain so it is not surprising to find that from a young age William was employed as a Carter’s boy. A Carter was someone who carried or conveyed goods in a horse-drawn cart or wagon. As a Carter’s boy William would have assisted his employer with loading and unloading the cart and caring for the horses. It is also known that William was able to read, although he could not write. Perhaps he acquired the ability to read as a result of attending a local Sunday school. At that time these institutions not only provided religious instruction, they also taught literacy skills to children from poor backgrounds.
Importantly, the circumstances are known as to when and why William came to Australia. In March 1832, while in his early- to mid-teens (between 14 and 16 years), William committed a property-related offence (theft of bacon, cheese and other items from a local shop owner) for which it was decided he should be transported to New South Wales for seven years. After being sentenced at New Sarum (Salisbury) in Wiltshire on 3 March 1832 William was initially detained in the local Fisherton County Gaol until 22 March 1832 when he was transferred to the Prison hulk Euryalus. This vessel, which was moored east of London at Chatham, was used to confine juvenile offenders and was well known for its strict regimen and the stern discipline meted out to inmates. During his time on the Euryalus William's behaviour was reported as "good". On 27 November 1832 he was relocated to the sailing ship Mangles to await transportation to New South Wales. Not only would young William not see England again, he also faced the uncertainties and challenges of having to start a new life in a distant, unfamiliar land.
At this point it is important to explain a little of the context of the times in which William lived. He grew up during the Industrial Revolution (c.1760-c.1840), a period in England of momentous economic and societal change and dislocation. The political and social elites of the day benefited greatly from the changes that occurred during this time. In contrast, living conditions for those from the "lower orders"
were very difficult with no government assistance or welfare support available for people experiencing financial hardship or destitution. The increasing squalor of city life and greatly diminished work opportunities due to the fundamental changes that occurred in agricultural practices led to unrest and riots in the countryside, including in William's home County of Wiltshire. In this climate it was not uncommon for some to steal food and goods in order to support themselves and their struggling families. Indeed, of all the convicts transported to Australia, three-quarters were sent for non-violent property offences. For juveniles in particular, the impact of the societal and familial disruption arising from the Industrial Revolution was especially damaging and contributed to the antisocial behaviour of many.
From the late 18th century until when it ceased being used as a sentencing option transportation to New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) (either for seven or fourteen years or for life) was applied to a range of offences for which death had previously been the penalty including the offence for which William had been convicted. While many former convicts remained in the country after completing their sentences because they could not afford to pay the cost of the return journey to England, a few went on to do quite well for themselves. William would become one of those who experienced success in their new homeland.
With more than 200 passengers on board, the Mangles finally set sail from England on 14 December 1832. Previous voyages by the ship to New South Wales were comparatively fast, but on this occasion, it encountered some very heavy weather in the English Channel which delayed its journey:
… Sailing from London ... [the Mangles] struck a winter gale in the Channel and was forced to seek shelter at the Scilly Isles. She did not sail from there until January 1. Thus, although she was 126 days out from London when she arrived at Port Jackson, the Mangles made the passage from St. Marys’ Sound, in the Scillies, to Port Jackson in 100 days (as noted by Bateson, C. 2004, The Convict Ships 1787-1868, Library of Australian History, Sydney, pp. 237-238).
The Mangles arrived in Port Jackson (Sydney) on 19 April 1833. Although William needed to seek treatment from the ship's doctor on 12 December 1832 after suffering from a bout of obstipation (a severe form of constipation often experienced by ship-borne convicts), newspaper reports from the time commented on how the new arrivals were mostly "… in a healthy state, which is generally the case when the vessel is kept clean and dry" (The Sydney Monitor, 27 April 1833, p. 2). Another newspaper report from the time commented:
Among the prisoners per Mangles are a considerable number of useful mechanics. The whole of the prisoners who have arrived by that vessel, are in the most perfect state of health, which says much for the judicious treatment of the parties under whose management they have been placed (The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, 30 April 1833, p. 2).
(The term “mechanic” was used in relation to those convicts who had particular skills [e.g., blacksmith, painter, baker]).
On 6 May 1833 the convicts from the Mangles were brought ashore and taken to the Hyde Park Barracks in Sydney. Generally, it was from here that newly disembarked convicts were sent to work either for the Government or for private individuals. In the case of William and others from the Mangles
who were under the age of 17, they were then conveyed to the nearby Carters' Barracks for Boys in order to await allocation.
An official Government notice dated 2 May 1833 (and published in the New South Wales Government Gazette on 15 May 1833) – while not naming any individual convict or the persons to whom they were assigned – indicates that the majority of those from the Mangles were allocated to “private service”.
William was among those from the Mangles so assigned. Indeed, from official records such as the NSW Settler and Convict lists (1787-1834) and the Carters' Barracks' records (1833-1834) it is evident that soon after disembarking he was sent to work for George Harper (c.1802-1841), a well-known "public servant, natural history collector and settler", who owned a property called Abbotsford at Stonequarry, later called Picton.
An earlier Government directive issued on 18 March 1833 had stipulated that from this date any newly arrived convicts under the age of 17 years were to be assigned to employers who lived at least 20 miles outside of Sydney. Under this directive employers of “convict boys” were required to provide their charges:
… with food and clothing, according to the regulations of Government in the case of adult male convicts; to afford them religious instruction, and, where practicable, to have them taught to read and write; and further, to accustom them to some kind of labour, whereby they may be enabled to earn an honest livelihood on attaining to freedom or manhood.
Official Carters' Barracks' records for the period 1833-1834 indicate that William's assignment to
Mr Harper was made in accordance with the Government directive of 18 March 1833.
As an assignee, William would have been involved in activities such as land clearing, building construction, growing and harvesting crops, and raising stock. In keeping with the Government directive of 18 March 1833 Mr Harper would have been responsible for providing William with accommodation, food and clothing. Also in line with this directive it is probable that during this time William gained some important farming, land and stock management skills which continued to be of use to him over the following years. Indeed, William went on to hold a variety of occupations with each having strong ties to the land including labourer, farmer, stock keeper, and grazier. By the end of his life, William was acknowledged as a “leading farmer” and “pastoralist”.
During the period of William’s assignment, Mr Harper was a property holder in several districts including in the ruggedly beautiful country of the Burragorang Valley west of Sydney. Although the Burragorang had been well known to its original Indigenous inhabitants for thousands of years, the first visit by Europeans to the valley only occurred in 1798 followed by the establishment of the first township in 1833. It is possible that William became familiar with the Burragorang from working for Mr Harper on his various properties. Based on records such as the Convict Muster of December 1837 and the Picton Court Bench Book of 2 March 1839 it appears that William was assigned to Mr Harper at least until the time he applied for his Certificate of Freedom (i.e., on 2 March 1839).
On 14 October 1839 William finally received his Certificate of Freedom after having completed his seven-year sentence. In the period that followed, William likely worked for different landholders in the local area using the skills he had developed and honed during the time he was assigned to Mr Harper. Perhaps he continued to work for Mr Harper up until the time of Harper's death in 1841. Another local landholder for whom William could have worked was Mr John Benton Wild of the Vanderville station, a 2000 acre property situated where The Oaks would later be established. Indeed, this is suggested from the New South Wales "Register of Leases" for December 1843 which records a "William Williss of
Vanderville" applying to buy a licence to occupy 640 acres of land near the confluence of Jourland's Creek with the Wollondilly River in the Upper Burragorang Valley. The records show that William did in fact go on to acquire this particular land and subsequently, other property in the Burragorang and nearby districts. During the years William lived in the valley he ran cattle, logged timber, and farmed crops such as corn and pumpkins. Nowadays, William's Burragorang property lies within the catchment for the Warragamba Dam, the main water supply for the city of Sydney.
While the Burragorang Valley was famed for its exceptional natural beauty, it was isolated and very difficult to access which made it extremely challenging for early settlers like William. The early settlers of the valley also faced the constant threat posed by local bushrangers in the area. In addition, living along the Wollondilly River meant William would have seen major floods as well as times of bushfire and drought. There is no doubt of such events affecting his livelihood as a farmer and the quality of life for his family. Furthermore, during the 1840s Australia underwent the first of three economic depressions that have occurred over the course of its history, with the second occurring in the 1890s and the third in the 1930s. The depression of the 1840s saw thousands of individuals, businesses and tradespeople consigned to unemployment and bankruptcy. Like many others, William would have been affected by the severe economic conditions of that time. Any economic difficulties William experienced during this period were initially compounded when he found himself accused of receiving stolen property, although he was subsequently cleared of the charge by the local court. Despite the challenges and setbacks, William showed resilience and strength of character by persevering and becoming a well-known and highly regarded member of the community.
William’s wife, Celia Mitchell (1830-1909), was born in Mereworth in the County of Kent, England. As a young child Celia joined her parents, James (1792-1857) and Hannah (nee Fairhall) (1787-1870), and surviving siblings, Jane (1818-1916), Emma (1821-1883), James (Junior) (1822-1857), William (1824-1854), Richard (1826-1906), and George (1828-1897) in leaving Gravesend (located on the Thames River near London) England to travel to New South Wales as free settlers ("assisted immigrants") aboard the Lady Nugent. They arrived in Sydney on 27 November 1838. Also on board this voyage was the woman after whom the famous "Granny Smith" apple was reputedly named, Maria Ann (nee Sherwood) Smith. The Mitchells initially settled at Bringelly (near Camden) with James working for a person called Mr King. Later, the family relocated to the vicinity of The Oaks before eventually moving to Bargo where James died in 1857. Hannah died some years after James, in 1870, at Gunning, New South Wales.
It is not known how William and Celia came to meet. William was some fifteen years older than Celia.
Perhaps there were occasions when he performed labouring work for her father which, in turn, could have provided an opportunity for them to become acquainted. While the particular circumstances are now unknown, what is certain is that they were married on 7 July 1849 in the newly-constructed and consecrated St John's Church of England at Camden after which they went back to live in the Burragorang Valley. Over the next 25 years William and Celia had twelve children: Mary (1850-1934), Harriet (1852-1886), George (1854-1941), John (1857-1934), Matilda (1859-1943), William (Junior) (1861-1941), James (1863-1889), Samuel (1866-1949), Celia (1868-1947), an infant daughter who died soon after birth (1870-1870), Hannah (1871-1950), and Arthur (1876-1938). All were born in the Burragorang, most likely at home, except Arthur who was born after the family had moved to The Oaks.
Sadly, three of William and Celia’s children predeceased them: their infant daughter (only two hours old) born and died on 30 January 1870 (cause of death: "weakness"), Harriet of typhoid fever in 1886, and James of Phthisis (tuberculosis) in 1889. At the time of her death, Harriet was the mother of four children aged five and under (William 5, Harriet 4, Amy 3, and Celia 11 months), while James had one child (a six-month-old daughter named Irene) when he died at the age of 26 years.
Perhaps sensing an opportunity to improve their circumstances, the early 1870s saw William and Celia - while keeping some of their land in the Burragorang Valley - relocate to another property not too far away, a few kilometres south of The Oaks, on the way to Picton, which they named Long Acre. The Long Acre property, which would eventually comprise some 630 acres, was situated on both sides of what was then called The Oaks Road, now known as Montpelier Drive.
William and Celia went on to prosper at their Long Acre property. One record, the 1885 Return of New South Wales Land and Stock Owners, notes how at that point William owned 500 acres of land,
11 horses, 80 head of cattle, and 16 pigs. Many years later, when Long Acre was put up for sale after William and Celia had both passed away, the property was described as follows:
590¼ Acres Rich Agricultural and Grazing Land, highly improved, abundantly grassed, subdivided into seven farms, in areas 40 to 204¾ acres, securely fenced, permanently watered by creeks and dams. Timber killed many years. Within six miles Picton Station. Main road frontage. Comfortable house, stables, sheds, dairy, cow bails, sheds, and yards. Cultivation paddocks, etc. This property is adjacent to that rich dairying property, "Abbotsford," and is similar land. It has an abundance of grass on it at the present time, and has for many years been occupied by the deceased and his family as a dairy farm, with great success ... (The Daily Telegraph, Sydney, 9 April 1910, p. 4).
William and Celia continued to live at Long Acre for the rest of their lives.
William is an acknowledged and respected pioneer of the local area. As noted by the author of one local historical publication about the early settlers of the district: "Another well-known family name is that of Willis, William Willis of Long Acre being the founder" (Sonja den Hertog, 1987, The History of The Oaks from the Records, The Oaks Historical Society, p. 20). The indications are that William was active in the life of his community. For example, several newspaper reports from the time recount him entering and winning prizes for competing in the Picton Agricultural Show, including for cheese making.
William was also known to have recognised and highly valued the importance of education. Consequently, it is not surprising to learn that in 1872 William allowed the Werriberri Provisional School to be constructed on his property at The Oaks, and in his Will bequeathed money specifically for the education of his granddaughter, Irene Willis (1888-1966) and grandsons, William Harris (1879-1947) and John Harris (1880-1960). Even while living in the isolated Burragorang Valley, William took steps to ensure several of his older children (George, John and William Junior) could attend school and benefit from the opportunities it afforded.
In nearby Oakdale there is a Willis Park and a Willis Street which are said to have been named after William. However, it appears these locations were more likely named in recognition of another Willis family who were not related to William.
On 23 June 1897 William died at the George Inn at Picton where he had been staying for medical treatment. The following obituary for William was published in the Camden News on 8 July 1897:
WILLIAM. WILLIS.
Aetat. 87.
The late Mr. Willis, of The Oaks road, was an identity of identities, a pioneer who witnessed the growth of The Oaks and Burragorang from almost the earliest times. Born in the County of Wilshire, England, before the battle of Waterloo, he arrived in this colony about the year 1830. After living with Mr. Harper at Stonequarry, he settled in Burragorang, where he remained for 30 years, following the cattle industry, and amassing money. Some 20 years ago, when the Church and School lands on The Oaks road were offered for sale, he purchased the large farm on which he resided until his death. Banking being almost unavailable in the early days, Mr. Willis kept his money, in the shape of gold, in his own possession, and his payment in cash for the farm included a number of the old spade guineas. The deceased gentleman was a good farmer and pastoralist, with a thorough knowledge of his vocation. A shrewd, far-seeing, inscrutable man, he kept his business to himself, and succeeded in life, winning by his integrity, uprightness and industry, the respect of the whole community. Mr. Willis, who was married to a sister of the late Mr. George Mitchell, leaves a large and reputable family of sons and daughters.
Another newspaper article from the time reporting William's death (The Sydney Evening News, 24 June 1897) described him as “... one of the pioneer residents of the district, and a leading farmer”. Earlier, in the 1 July 1897 edition of the Camden News it was reported that even though it had been a wet day there was a large number of attendees at William's funeral.
The following year, at a farewell for William’s son John on his transfer as a Police Sergeant from the Yass district to Queanbeyan, one of the speakers (Mr E W Booty, a well-known local figure) still fondly recalled William describing him as “a worthy father” and John, “a worthy son” (as reported in The Yass Courier, 10 June 1898, p. 2).
By the time William died, he and Celia had been married for almost 50 years. The life of the early settlers was undoubtedly hard and challenging. William and Celia would have worked together for the benefit of themselves and their family while also contributing to their local community. It is touching how William referred to Celia in his Will as “my dear wife”. His care for her may also be seen when a seemingly simple “Winter Buggy Rug” belonging to Celia was lost on the road somewhere between their property and Camden and William advertised a reward for its safe return (Camden News, 17 September 1896, p. 5).
For her part Celia likely contributed greatly to William’s success in life, business and family. Most certainly she would have shared with him the dangers, hardships and privations commonly experienced by the early settlers. Without her support, especially as family matriarch, he would not have been able to achieve what he did. Celia’s determination was such that even after William’s death she continued as a residential landholder/grazier at The Oaks.
Like William, Celia made provision in her Will for various members of her family. She bequeathed money to her son, Arthur and daughters, Celia and Hannah. She also bequeathed to Hannah the pictures of herself and late husband William, together with those of her late son James and late daughter Harriet. Celia directed that all other effects be sold with the proceeds kept in trust for her grandchildren, Cecil Wheeler (1894-1927), Irene Wheeler (1897-1974), and Vera Wheeler (1899-1996).
Celia died at Picton on 6 November 1909. In acknowledging Celia after her passing one local newspaper described her as “... an old and respected resident of the district, having lived in it for the last 69 years. She leaves a family of five sons and four daughters” (Sydney Daily Telegraph, 9 November 1909, p. 4).
William and Celia rest together at the St Matthew’s Anglican Church Cemetery, The Oaks, Wollondilly Shire, New South Wales.
The Long Acre property was finally sold in 1910, in line with the directions William left in his Will.
Although the passing of time has unfortunately obscured many of the details regarding William’s early life and his family in England, what is known is that his mother's name was Mary (as indicated on his 1897 death record). While the name of William's father is not known (again, as indicated on William's 1897 death record) it is possible he was called George (in line with the naming conventions of the time). The use of child labour was common in early 19th century Britain so it is not surprising to find that from a young age William was employed as a Carter’s boy. A Carter was someone who carried or conveyed goods in a horse-drawn cart or wagon. As a Carter’s boy William would have assisted his employer with loading and unloading the cart and caring for the horses. It is also known that William was able to read, although he could not write. Perhaps he acquired the ability to read as a result of attending a local Sunday school. At that time these institutions not only provided religious instruction, they also taught literacy skills to children from poor backgrounds.
Importantly, the circumstances are known as to when and why William came to Australia. In March 1832, while in his early- to mid-teens (between 14 and 16 years), William committed a property-related offence (theft of bacon, cheese and other items from a local shop owner) for which it was decided he should be transported to New South Wales for seven years. After being sentenced at New Sarum (Salisbury) in Wiltshire on 3 March 1832 William was initially detained in the local Fisherton County Gaol until 22 March 1832 when he was transferred to the Prison hulk Euryalus. This vessel, which was moored east of London at Chatham, was used to confine juvenile offenders and was well known for its strict regimen and the stern discipline meted out to inmates. During his time on the Euryalus William's behaviour was reported as "good". On 27 November 1832 he was relocated to the sailing ship Mangles to await transportation to New South Wales. Not only would young William not see England again, he also faced the uncertainties and challenges of having to start a new life in a distant, unfamiliar land.
At this point it is important to explain a little of the context of the times in which William lived. He grew up during the Industrial Revolution (c.1760-c.1840), a period in England of momentous economic and societal change and dislocation. The political and social elites of the day benefited greatly from the changes that occurred during this time. In contrast, living conditions for those from the "lower orders"
were very difficult with no government assistance or welfare support available for people experiencing financial hardship or destitution. The increasing squalor of city life and greatly diminished work opportunities due to the fundamental changes that occurred in agricultural practices led to unrest and riots in the countryside, including in William's home County of Wiltshire. In this climate it was not uncommon for some to steal food and goods in order to support themselves and their struggling families. Indeed, of all the convicts transported to Australia, three-quarters were sent for non-violent property offences. For juveniles in particular, the impact of the societal and familial disruption arising from the Industrial Revolution was especially damaging and contributed to the antisocial behaviour of many.
From the late 18th century until when it ceased being used as a sentencing option transportation to New South Wales and Van Diemen’s Land (Tasmania) (either for seven or fourteen years or for life) was applied to a range of offences for which death had previously been the penalty including the offence for which William had been convicted. While many former convicts remained in the country after completing their sentences because they could not afford to pay the cost of the return journey to England, a few went on to do quite well for themselves. William would become one of those who experienced success in their new homeland.
With more than 200 passengers on board, the Mangles finally set sail from England on 14 December 1832. Previous voyages by the ship to New South Wales were comparatively fast, but on this occasion, it encountered some very heavy weather in the English Channel which delayed its journey:
… Sailing from London ... [the Mangles] struck a winter gale in the Channel and was forced to seek shelter at the Scilly Isles. She did not sail from there until January 1. Thus, although she was 126 days out from London when she arrived at Port Jackson, the Mangles made the passage from St. Marys’ Sound, in the Scillies, to Port Jackson in 100 days (as noted by Bateson, C. 2004, The Convict Ships 1787-1868, Library of Australian History, Sydney, pp. 237-238).
The Mangles arrived in Port Jackson (Sydney) on 19 April 1833. Although William needed to seek treatment from the ship's doctor on 12 December 1832 after suffering from a bout of obstipation (a severe form of constipation often experienced by ship-borne convicts), newspaper reports from the time commented on how the new arrivals were mostly "… in a healthy state, which is generally the case when the vessel is kept clean and dry" (The Sydney Monitor, 27 April 1833, p. 2). Another newspaper report from the time commented:
Among the prisoners per Mangles are a considerable number of useful mechanics. The whole of the prisoners who have arrived by that vessel, are in the most perfect state of health, which says much for the judicious treatment of the parties under whose management they have been placed (The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser, 30 April 1833, p. 2).
(The term “mechanic” was used in relation to those convicts who had particular skills [e.g., blacksmith, painter, baker]).
On 6 May 1833 the convicts from the Mangles were brought ashore and taken to the Hyde Park Barracks in Sydney. Generally, it was from here that newly disembarked convicts were sent to work either for the Government or for private individuals. In the case of William and others from the Mangles
who were under the age of 17, they were then conveyed to the nearby Carters' Barracks for Boys in order to await allocation.
An official Government notice dated 2 May 1833 (and published in the New South Wales Government Gazette on 15 May 1833) – while not naming any individual convict or the persons to whom they were assigned – indicates that the majority of those from the Mangles were allocated to “private service”.
William was among those from the Mangles so assigned. Indeed, from official records such as the NSW Settler and Convict lists (1787-1834) and the Carters' Barracks' records (1833-1834) it is evident that soon after disembarking he was sent to work for George Harper (c.1802-1841), a well-known "public servant, natural history collector and settler", who owned a property called Abbotsford at Stonequarry, later called Picton.
An earlier Government directive issued on 18 March 1833 had stipulated that from this date any newly arrived convicts under the age of 17 years were to be assigned to employers who lived at least 20 miles outside of Sydney. Under this directive employers of “convict boys” were required to provide their charges:
… with food and clothing, according to the regulations of Government in the case of adult male convicts; to afford them religious instruction, and, where practicable, to have them taught to read and write; and further, to accustom them to some kind of labour, whereby they may be enabled to earn an honest livelihood on attaining to freedom or manhood.
Official Carters' Barracks' records for the period 1833-1834 indicate that William's assignment to
Mr Harper was made in accordance with the Government directive of 18 March 1833.
As an assignee, William would have been involved in activities such as land clearing, building construction, growing and harvesting crops, and raising stock. In keeping with the Government directive of 18 March 1833 Mr Harper would have been responsible for providing William with accommodation, food and clothing. Also in line with this directive it is probable that during this time William gained some important farming, land and stock management skills which continued to be of use to him over the following years. Indeed, William went on to hold a variety of occupations with each having strong ties to the land including labourer, farmer, stock keeper, and grazier. By the end of his life, William was acknowledged as a “leading farmer” and “pastoralist”.
During the period of William’s assignment, Mr Harper was a property holder in several districts including in the ruggedly beautiful country of the Burragorang Valley west of Sydney. Although the Burragorang had been well known to its original Indigenous inhabitants for thousands of years, the first visit by Europeans to the valley only occurred in 1798 followed by the establishment of the first township in 1833. It is possible that William became familiar with the Burragorang from working for Mr Harper on his various properties. Based on records such as the Convict Muster of December 1837 and the Picton Court Bench Book of 2 March 1839 it appears that William was assigned to Mr Harper at least until the time he applied for his Certificate of Freedom (i.e., on 2 March 1839).
On 14 October 1839 William finally received his Certificate of Freedom after having completed his seven-year sentence. In the period that followed, William likely worked for different landholders in the local area using the skills he had developed and honed during the time he was assigned to Mr Harper. Perhaps he continued to work for Mr Harper up until the time of Harper's death in 1841. Another local landholder for whom William could have worked was Mr John Benton Wild of the Vanderville station, a 2000 acre property situated where The Oaks would later be established. Indeed, this is suggested from the New South Wales "Register of Leases" for December 1843 which records a "William Williss of
Vanderville" applying to buy a licence to occupy 640 acres of land near the confluence of Jourland's Creek with the Wollondilly River in the Upper Burragorang Valley. The records show that William did in fact go on to acquire this particular land and subsequently, other property in the Burragorang and nearby districts. During the years William lived in the valley he ran cattle, logged timber, and farmed crops such as corn and pumpkins. Nowadays, William's Burragorang property lies within the catchment for the Warragamba Dam, the main water supply for the city of Sydney.
While the Burragorang Valley was famed for its exceptional natural beauty, it was isolated and very difficult to access which made it extremely challenging for early settlers like William. The early settlers of the valley also faced the constant threat posed by local bushrangers in the area. In addition, living along the Wollondilly River meant William would have seen major floods as well as times of bushfire and drought. There is no doubt of such events affecting his livelihood as a farmer and the quality of life for his family. Furthermore, during the 1840s Australia underwent the first of three economic depressions that have occurred over the course of its history, with the second occurring in the 1890s and the third in the 1930s. The depression of the 1840s saw thousands of individuals, businesses and tradespeople consigned to unemployment and bankruptcy. Like many others, William would have been affected by the severe economic conditions of that time. Any economic difficulties William experienced during this period were initially compounded when he found himself accused of receiving stolen property, although he was subsequently cleared of the charge by the local court. Despite the challenges and setbacks, William showed resilience and strength of character by persevering and becoming a well-known and highly regarded member of the community.
William’s wife, Celia Mitchell (1830-1909), was born in Mereworth in the County of Kent, England. As a young child Celia joined her parents, James (1792-1857) and Hannah (nee Fairhall) (1787-1870), and surviving siblings, Jane (1818-1916), Emma (1821-1883), James (Junior) (1822-1857), William (1824-1854), Richard (1826-1906), and George (1828-1897) in leaving Gravesend (located on the Thames River near London) England to travel to New South Wales as free settlers ("assisted immigrants") aboard the Lady Nugent. They arrived in Sydney on 27 November 1838. Also on board this voyage was the woman after whom the famous "Granny Smith" apple was reputedly named, Maria Ann (nee Sherwood) Smith. The Mitchells initially settled at Bringelly (near Camden) with James working for a person called Mr King. Later, the family relocated to the vicinity of The Oaks before eventually moving to Bargo where James died in 1857. Hannah died some years after James, in 1870, at Gunning, New South Wales.
It is not known how William and Celia came to meet. William was some fifteen years older than Celia.
Perhaps there were occasions when he performed labouring work for her father which, in turn, could have provided an opportunity for them to become acquainted. While the particular circumstances are now unknown, what is certain is that they were married on 7 July 1849 in the newly-constructed and consecrated St John's Church of England at Camden after which they went back to live in the Burragorang Valley. Over the next 25 years William and Celia had twelve children: Mary (1850-1934), Harriet (1852-1886), George (1854-1941), John (1857-1934), Matilda (1859-1943), William (Junior) (1861-1941), James (1863-1889), Samuel (1866-1949), Celia (1868-1947), an infant daughter who died soon after birth (1870-1870), Hannah (1871-1950), and Arthur (1876-1938). All were born in the Burragorang, most likely at home, except Arthur who was born after the family had moved to The Oaks.
Sadly, three of William and Celia’s children predeceased them: their infant daughter (only two hours old) born and died on 30 January 1870 (cause of death: "weakness"), Harriet of typhoid fever in 1886, and James of Phthisis (tuberculosis) in 1889. At the time of her death, Harriet was the mother of four children aged five and under (William 5, Harriet 4, Amy 3, and Celia 11 months), while James had one child (a six-month-old daughter named Irene) when he died at the age of 26 years.
Perhaps sensing an opportunity to improve their circumstances, the early 1870s saw William and Celia - while keeping some of their land in the Burragorang Valley - relocate to another property not too far away, a few kilometres south of The Oaks, on the way to Picton, which they named Long Acre. The Long Acre property, which would eventually comprise some 630 acres, was situated on both sides of what was then called The Oaks Road, now known as Montpelier Drive.
William and Celia went on to prosper at their Long Acre property. One record, the 1885 Return of New South Wales Land and Stock Owners, notes how at that point William owned 500 acres of land,
11 horses, 80 head of cattle, and 16 pigs. Many years later, when Long Acre was put up for sale after William and Celia had both passed away, the property was described as follows:
590¼ Acres Rich Agricultural and Grazing Land, highly improved, abundantly grassed, subdivided into seven farms, in areas 40 to 204¾ acres, securely fenced, permanently watered by creeks and dams. Timber killed many years. Within six miles Picton Station. Main road frontage. Comfortable house, stables, sheds, dairy, cow bails, sheds, and yards. Cultivation paddocks, etc. This property is adjacent to that rich dairying property, "Abbotsford," and is similar land. It has an abundance of grass on it at the present time, and has for many years been occupied by the deceased and his family as a dairy farm, with great success ... (The Daily Telegraph, Sydney, 9 April 1910, p. 4).
William and Celia continued to live at Long Acre for the rest of their lives.
William is an acknowledged and respected pioneer of the local area. As noted by the author of one local historical publication about the early settlers of the district: "Another well-known family name is that of Willis, William Willis of Long Acre being the founder" (Sonja den Hertog, 1987, The History of The Oaks from the Records, The Oaks Historical Society, p. 20). The indications are that William was active in the life of his community. For example, several newspaper reports from the time recount him entering and winning prizes for competing in the Picton Agricultural Show, including for cheese making.
William was also known to have recognised and highly valued the importance of education. Consequently, it is not surprising to learn that in 1872 William allowed the Werriberri Provisional School to be constructed on his property at The Oaks, and in his Will bequeathed money specifically for the education of his granddaughter, Irene Willis (1888-1966) and grandsons, William Harris (1879-1947) and John Harris (1880-1960). Even while living in the isolated Burragorang Valley, William took steps to ensure several of his older children (George, John and William Junior) could attend school and benefit from the opportunities it afforded.
In nearby Oakdale there is a Willis Park and a Willis Street which are said to have been named after William. However, it appears these locations were more likely named in recognition of another Willis family who were not related to William.
On 23 June 1897 William died at the George Inn at Picton where he had been staying for medical treatment. The following obituary for William was published in the Camden News on 8 July 1897:
WILLIAM. WILLIS.
Aetat. 87.
The late Mr. Willis, of The Oaks road, was an identity of identities, a pioneer who witnessed the growth of The Oaks and Burragorang from almost the earliest times. Born in the County of Wilshire, England, before the battle of Waterloo, he arrived in this colony about the year 1830. After living with Mr. Harper at Stonequarry, he settled in Burragorang, where he remained for 30 years, following the cattle industry, and amassing money. Some 20 years ago, when the Church and School lands on The Oaks road were offered for sale, he purchased the large farm on which he resided until his death. Banking being almost unavailable in the early days, Mr. Willis kept his money, in the shape of gold, in his own possession, and his payment in cash for the farm included a number of the old spade guineas. The deceased gentleman was a good farmer and pastoralist, with a thorough knowledge of his vocation. A shrewd, far-seeing, inscrutable man, he kept his business to himself, and succeeded in life, winning by his integrity, uprightness and industry, the respect of the whole community. Mr. Willis, who was married to a sister of the late Mr. George Mitchell, leaves a large and reputable family of sons and daughters.
Another newspaper article from the time reporting William's death (The Sydney Evening News, 24 June 1897) described him as “... one of the pioneer residents of the district, and a leading farmer”. Earlier, in the 1 July 1897 edition of the Camden News it was reported that even though it had been a wet day there was a large number of attendees at William's funeral.
The following year, at a farewell for William’s son John on his transfer as a Police Sergeant from the Yass district to Queanbeyan, one of the speakers (Mr E W Booty, a well-known local figure) still fondly recalled William describing him as “a worthy father” and John, “a worthy son” (as reported in The Yass Courier, 10 June 1898, p. 2).
By the time William died, he and Celia had been married for almost 50 years. The life of the early settlers was undoubtedly hard and challenging. William and Celia would have worked together for the benefit of themselves and their family while also contributing to their local community. It is touching how William referred to Celia in his Will as “my dear wife”. His care for her may also be seen when a seemingly simple “Winter Buggy Rug” belonging to Celia was lost on the road somewhere between their property and Camden and William advertised a reward for its safe return (Camden News, 17 September 1896, p. 5).
For her part Celia likely contributed greatly to William’s success in life, business and family. Most certainly she would have shared with him the dangers, hardships and privations commonly experienced by the early settlers. Without her support, especially as family matriarch, he would not have been able to achieve what he did. Celia’s determination was such that even after William’s death she continued as a residential landholder/grazier at The Oaks.
Like William, Celia made provision in her Will for various members of her family. She bequeathed money to her son, Arthur and daughters, Celia and Hannah. She also bequeathed to Hannah the pictures of herself and late husband William, together with those of her late son James and late daughter Harriet. Celia directed that all other effects be sold with the proceeds kept in trust for her grandchildren, Cecil Wheeler (1894-1927), Irene Wheeler (1897-1974), and Vera Wheeler (1899-1996).
Celia died at Picton on 6 November 1909. In acknowledging Celia after her passing one local newspaper described her as “... an old and respected resident of the district, having lived in it for the last 69 years. She leaves a family of five sons and four daughters” (Sydney Daily Telegraph, 9 November 1909, p. 4).
William and Celia rest together at the St Matthew’s Anglican Church Cemetery, The Oaks, Wollondilly Shire, New South Wales.
The Long Acre property was finally sold in 1910, in line with the directions William left in his Will.
William WILLIS JNr and Margaret Mulholland
William (Junior) was William and Celia's third son. William married Margaret Mulholland (1860-1935) at the St Barnabas Church of England, on what was then called George Street West (now known as Broadway), Sydney on 9 January 1890.
Margaret was born to Moses (c.1824-1896) and Catherine (c.1822-1860) (nee McMinn) Mulholland in the town of Dungannon in County Tyrone in what is now Northern Ireland. Following the death of her mother, Margaret’s father and several older siblings [Letitia (1851-1914), Mary (1853-1924), John (1855-1908), Moses (Junior) (1855-1903) - John and Moses (Junior) were twins - and James (1858-1934)] travelled to New South Wales aboard the Ocean Empress, arriving in Sydney on 28 September 1862.
Moses took up a farming lease on the Abbotsford property, which had been owned at an earlier time by George Harper, the person to whom William was assigned upon his arrival from England.
Abbotsford was not too far from where the Willis property of Long Acre would later be settled.
It appears that Moses' decision to emigrate with his children was influenced by the favourable reports of the Australian countryside he had received from his brother Thomas who had previously arrived in New South Wales with his wife Jane and their family aboard the Eliza on 18 September 1855. Indeed, Thomas was the sponsor for Moses and his family to also travel to New South Wales. Moses, Thomas and their families had lived through the deprivations and miseries of the infamous Irish Potato Famine and the hard years that followed, which was possibly the catalyst for them to seek better lives and opportunities in Australia.
Because she was only two years old, Margaret remained in Ireland until some years later when she, together with her older sister Annie (1856-1938), travelled to Australia. Annie and Margaret arrived in Melbourne on 6 May 1870 aboard the Crusader. They then proceeded to Sydney via the steamship City of Adelaide, departing Melbourne on 14 May 1870 and arriving in Sydney on 16 May 1870. After disembarking they may have been met by family members or friends who then accompanied them to Abbotsford. Despite immigrating to Australia at the relatively young age of ten, Margaret spoke with a distinct Irish accent even in later life.
A newspaper report from the time of his death described Moses as a "... highly respected resident of Picton" (Sydney Morning Herald, 28 February 1896, p. 5). Another newspaper report from the time similarly described him as “... one of the oldest and most respected residents of the district” and that his funeral was “largely attended” (Sydney Evening News, 29 February 1896, p. 7). The road that begins near to the place where Moses lived was aptly named Mulhollands Road.
In 1895, Margaret’s brother, Moses Mulholland (Junior), was elected as one of the first councillors on the newly formed Picton Shire Council (Liz Vincent, 1996, A Brief History of Picton, p. 22).
Moses rests together with his son Moses Jnr at the Picton Anglican Cemetery, Wollondilly Shire, New South Wales.
After their marriage, William and Margaret lived and farmed on the neighbouring property to Abbotsford called Jarvisfield. William and Margaret had six children: William Louis (Will), James Vivian (Jim), Catherine Celia (Cate), John Harold (Johnny), Helena Mildred (Millie) and Edward (Teddy). As was the custom of the time, Margaret returned to her family’s home at Abbotsford to have each of her children.
In early 1903 William and Margaret's daughter Catie (aged 7) and youngest sons Johnny (aged 6) and Teddy (aged 3) contracted diphtheria. It appears that Johnny and Teddy may have been particularly affected by this illness. Many years later Will could still recall how he had to run to Picton, at night and through rain, to fetch the doctor to urgently attend to his younger siblings. While Catie recovered from the illness, Johnny and Teddy sadly succumbed within a day of each other. They were buried together in the cemetery of St Mark’s Church of England at Picton.
The loss of the boys greatly distressed their parents, especially Margaret. It was one of the reasons why, in 1906, they decided to leave Picton with their family and travel overland by bullock dray to the Darling Downs in Queensland and make a fresh start on a dairy property called Erin Vale, located just outside Meringandan.
Meringandan was a good area for William and Margaret to settle in as it was known to be a “progressive little township” with the surrounding district containing “some of the richest black soil on the Downs” and a thriving dairy farming industry. The following news report from the Brisbane Telegraph on 18 May 1906, around the time that William and Margaret moved to Meringandan, exemplifies the optimism and confidence in the opportunities that living in the area afforded:
MERINGANDAN — Except for a few thunderstorms at the commencement of the month, when about 3½ inches of rain fell, the weather has been fine and cold. Grass and water are plentiful, and stock are healthy. All the crops look well, and the maize is now being marketed. Many of the farmers are pulling the maize while green, giving the stalks to the cows and feeding the pigs with the cobs. All are taking advantage of the fine weather, and are busy preparing the land for wheat and lucerne. Dairying is steadily advancing, and the herds are being steadily improved by the introduction of good bulls— Ayrshires appearing to be the favourites. Dairy buildings also show great improvement. The demand for all classes of stock continues. Fats sell up to £7, springers to £7 10s., two-year-old to four-year-old steers to £6. About 2,300 head passed through the Dalby yards during the month. Pigs sell readily,
especially stores. Fat pigs are a little more plentiful than they were, and are worth from 35s. to 42s. 6d. A great number of intending selectors are inspecting the Crown lands around Bell, which will be readily taken up, as soon as it is available. The opening for traffic of the Dalby-Bell railway has given a great impetus to dairying, and many settlers can now get their cream to the factory in eight hours where previously it sometimes took six days.
Also coming to Queensland in early 1906 was William’s younger brother Samuel together with his wife Joan (nee Halliday) (1873-1949) and their children Arthur (1898-1992), Nellie (1901-1992) and Dulcie (1905-2000) (with youngest daughter Ethel [1910-1995] subsequently joining them). Then in 1909 eldest brother George, his wife Elizabeth Selina (nee Hanger) (1852-1938) and several of their family moved from their property at Glenquarry near Bowral, NSW to a property in the Meringandan district, at Cooby Creek. As noted above, William and Margaret’s property was called Erin Vale (Meringandan electoral rolls for 1903, 1905 and 1906 indicate that the property was known by this name under the previous owners, the Considine family) whereas Samuel and Joan’s was called Bannockburn and the Cooby Creek property on which George and Elizabeth settled – which was owned by the Buckley family – was called Innisfail. (Fortuitously or by design, the names of William’s and Samuel’s properties appear to reflect the Irish and Scottish heritages of their wives Margaret and Joan.) All three were neighbouring properties and the road on which they were situated was, and still is, known as Willis Road. While William and Samuel purchased Erin Vale and Bannockburn and proceeded to put down roots in their new local community, George and Elizabeth’s time at Innisfail was relatively short since by 1910/1911 they had returned to Glenquarry. The decision of the Cooby Creek property owner, Daniel Buckley, to put the property up for sale in early 1910 could have been a factor in George and Elizabeth's departure. Then sometime around 1917, Cyril and Charlie Raftery bought Innisfail and worked the property as the Raftery Bros. Also in 1917, Cyril married William and Margaret’s daughter, Cate. Later, around 1952, the Peters family bought Innisfail and renamed it Ripplevale. Although George and Elizabeth did not stay long at the Cooby Creek property before returning to NSW, several of their children, either at the time or later, went on to make Queensland (in particular, the area around Toowoomba) their home. This included sons George (Junior) and Claude who married local sisters Amelia Henrietta Lucht (married by George in 1912) and Edith Matilda Lucht (married by Claude in 1918), and daughters Hannah and her husband Frederick Delamont and family, and Alice and her husband William Ford and family. In 1912 another son, Samuel had married a cousin of Amelia and Edith, Henrietta Matilda Lucht although by 1914 they relocated to the Bowral district in NSW.
At various times other Willis family members from the area around Picton and The Oaks also came to live in Queensland. Two such family members were James Willis’s widow Annie (nee Johnstone) (1861-1946) and their young daughter Irene who moved to Queensland in the early 1890s. Annie remarried to Henry Lude (1843-1923) at Croydon, North Queensland on 29 May 1893 while Irene went on to marry John Cockburn Alexander Terris (or Terriss) (1880-1940) at Mount Morgan on 4 July 1906. Annie and Henry subsequently had several children as did Irene and John including John James Terris who was born on 10 February 1915 and William Coburn Terriss who was born on 23 September 1917.
William and Margaret rest together, along with their infant granddaughter Beryl, at the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery, Queensland.
The following obituary for William appeared in the Toowoomba Chronicle on 17 September 1941 (page 2):
Obituary
Mr William Willis
GOOMBUNGEE. Tuesday – A highly respected resident of the Meringandan district, Mr William Willis, passed away at his home on Tuesday last. Born at Burragorang Valley, New South Wales, on February 8, 1861, he settled on the land at Picton, New South Wales, for a number of years. He married Miss Margaret Mulholland of Picton. Early in 1905 Mr and Mrs Willis came to Queensland with their family and they settled on “Erin Vale”, a large holding on the banks of Cooby Creek, in the Meringandan district. Mr and Mrs Willis and the family were noted for their kindness and hospitality. Mr Willis’s parents came to Australia in the early days of settlement and took up land in New South Wales at Burragorang and The Oaks. They could relate many interesting experiences of the early days. Mr Willis’s father was once offered a piece of land extending from opposite the Sydney Town Hall and including the site which is now Anthony Hordern’s store, for a keg of rum. He refused the offer, saying that he thought the land would never be any good. Mr Willis is survived by two sons – Messrs William Willis (Woombye) and James Willis (Meringandan) – two daughters – Mesdames Cyril Raftery (Meringandan) and J Reid (Oakey) – and 22 grandchildren – also two brothers – Messrs S Willis (Harlaxton) and George Willis (Sydney). His wife died five years ago. The funeral, which was largely attended, moved from the late Mr Willis’s home to the Toowoomba cemetery. The Rev Canon J T Perry officiated at the graveside.
Margaret was born to Moses (c.1824-1896) and Catherine (c.1822-1860) (nee McMinn) Mulholland in the town of Dungannon in County Tyrone in what is now Northern Ireland. Following the death of her mother, Margaret’s father and several older siblings [Letitia (1851-1914), Mary (1853-1924), John (1855-1908), Moses (Junior) (1855-1903) - John and Moses (Junior) were twins - and James (1858-1934)] travelled to New South Wales aboard the Ocean Empress, arriving in Sydney on 28 September 1862.
Moses took up a farming lease on the Abbotsford property, which had been owned at an earlier time by George Harper, the person to whom William was assigned upon his arrival from England.
Abbotsford was not too far from where the Willis property of Long Acre would later be settled.
It appears that Moses' decision to emigrate with his children was influenced by the favourable reports of the Australian countryside he had received from his brother Thomas who had previously arrived in New South Wales with his wife Jane and their family aboard the Eliza on 18 September 1855. Indeed, Thomas was the sponsor for Moses and his family to also travel to New South Wales. Moses, Thomas and their families had lived through the deprivations and miseries of the infamous Irish Potato Famine and the hard years that followed, which was possibly the catalyst for them to seek better lives and opportunities in Australia.
Because she was only two years old, Margaret remained in Ireland until some years later when she, together with her older sister Annie (1856-1938), travelled to Australia. Annie and Margaret arrived in Melbourne on 6 May 1870 aboard the Crusader. They then proceeded to Sydney via the steamship City of Adelaide, departing Melbourne on 14 May 1870 and arriving in Sydney on 16 May 1870. After disembarking they may have been met by family members or friends who then accompanied them to Abbotsford. Despite immigrating to Australia at the relatively young age of ten, Margaret spoke with a distinct Irish accent even in later life.
A newspaper report from the time of his death described Moses as a "... highly respected resident of Picton" (Sydney Morning Herald, 28 February 1896, p. 5). Another newspaper report from the time similarly described him as “... one of the oldest and most respected residents of the district” and that his funeral was “largely attended” (Sydney Evening News, 29 February 1896, p. 7). The road that begins near to the place where Moses lived was aptly named Mulhollands Road.
In 1895, Margaret’s brother, Moses Mulholland (Junior), was elected as one of the first councillors on the newly formed Picton Shire Council (Liz Vincent, 1996, A Brief History of Picton, p. 22).
Moses rests together with his son Moses Jnr at the Picton Anglican Cemetery, Wollondilly Shire, New South Wales.
After their marriage, William and Margaret lived and farmed on the neighbouring property to Abbotsford called Jarvisfield. William and Margaret had six children: William Louis (Will), James Vivian (Jim), Catherine Celia (Cate), John Harold (Johnny), Helena Mildred (Millie) and Edward (Teddy). As was the custom of the time, Margaret returned to her family’s home at Abbotsford to have each of her children.
In early 1903 William and Margaret's daughter Catie (aged 7) and youngest sons Johnny (aged 6) and Teddy (aged 3) contracted diphtheria. It appears that Johnny and Teddy may have been particularly affected by this illness. Many years later Will could still recall how he had to run to Picton, at night and through rain, to fetch the doctor to urgently attend to his younger siblings. While Catie recovered from the illness, Johnny and Teddy sadly succumbed within a day of each other. They were buried together in the cemetery of St Mark’s Church of England at Picton.
The loss of the boys greatly distressed their parents, especially Margaret. It was one of the reasons why, in 1906, they decided to leave Picton with their family and travel overland by bullock dray to the Darling Downs in Queensland and make a fresh start on a dairy property called Erin Vale, located just outside Meringandan.
Meringandan was a good area for William and Margaret to settle in as it was known to be a “progressive little township” with the surrounding district containing “some of the richest black soil on the Downs” and a thriving dairy farming industry. The following news report from the Brisbane Telegraph on 18 May 1906, around the time that William and Margaret moved to Meringandan, exemplifies the optimism and confidence in the opportunities that living in the area afforded:
MERINGANDAN — Except for a few thunderstorms at the commencement of the month, when about 3½ inches of rain fell, the weather has been fine and cold. Grass and water are plentiful, and stock are healthy. All the crops look well, and the maize is now being marketed. Many of the farmers are pulling the maize while green, giving the stalks to the cows and feeding the pigs with the cobs. All are taking advantage of the fine weather, and are busy preparing the land for wheat and lucerne. Dairying is steadily advancing, and the herds are being steadily improved by the introduction of good bulls— Ayrshires appearing to be the favourites. Dairy buildings also show great improvement. The demand for all classes of stock continues. Fats sell up to £7, springers to £7 10s., two-year-old to four-year-old steers to £6. About 2,300 head passed through the Dalby yards during the month. Pigs sell readily,
especially stores. Fat pigs are a little more plentiful than they were, and are worth from 35s. to 42s. 6d. A great number of intending selectors are inspecting the Crown lands around Bell, which will be readily taken up, as soon as it is available. The opening for traffic of the Dalby-Bell railway has given a great impetus to dairying, and many settlers can now get their cream to the factory in eight hours where previously it sometimes took six days.
Also coming to Queensland in early 1906 was William’s younger brother Samuel together with his wife Joan (nee Halliday) (1873-1949) and their children Arthur (1898-1992), Nellie (1901-1992) and Dulcie (1905-2000) (with youngest daughter Ethel [1910-1995] subsequently joining them). Then in 1909 eldest brother George, his wife Elizabeth Selina (nee Hanger) (1852-1938) and several of their family moved from their property at Glenquarry near Bowral, NSW to a property in the Meringandan district, at Cooby Creek. As noted above, William and Margaret’s property was called Erin Vale (Meringandan electoral rolls for 1903, 1905 and 1906 indicate that the property was known by this name under the previous owners, the Considine family) whereas Samuel and Joan’s was called Bannockburn and the Cooby Creek property on which George and Elizabeth settled – which was owned by the Buckley family – was called Innisfail. (Fortuitously or by design, the names of William’s and Samuel’s properties appear to reflect the Irish and Scottish heritages of their wives Margaret and Joan.) All three were neighbouring properties and the road on which they were situated was, and still is, known as Willis Road. While William and Samuel purchased Erin Vale and Bannockburn and proceeded to put down roots in their new local community, George and Elizabeth’s time at Innisfail was relatively short since by 1910/1911 they had returned to Glenquarry. The decision of the Cooby Creek property owner, Daniel Buckley, to put the property up for sale in early 1910 could have been a factor in George and Elizabeth's departure. Then sometime around 1917, Cyril and Charlie Raftery bought Innisfail and worked the property as the Raftery Bros. Also in 1917, Cyril married William and Margaret’s daughter, Cate. Later, around 1952, the Peters family bought Innisfail and renamed it Ripplevale. Although George and Elizabeth did not stay long at the Cooby Creek property before returning to NSW, several of their children, either at the time or later, went on to make Queensland (in particular, the area around Toowoomba) their home. This included sons George (Junior) and Claude who married local sisters Amelia Henrietta Lucht (married by George in 1912) and Edith Matilda Lucht (married by Claude in 1918), and daughters Hannah and her husband Frederick Delamont and family, and Alice and her husband William Ford and family. In 1912 another son, Samuel had married a cousin of Amelia and Edith, Henrietta Matilda Lucht although by 1914 they relocated to the Bowral district in NSW.
At various times other Willis family members from the area around Picton and The Oaks also came to live in Queensland. Two such family members were James Willis’s widow Annie (nee Johnstone) (1861-1946) and their young daughter Irene who moved to Queensland in the early 1890s. Annie remarried to Henry Lude (1843-1923) at Croydon, North Queensland on 29 May 1893 while Irene went on to marry John Cockburn Alexander Terris (or Terriss) (1880-1940) at Mount Morgan on 4 July 1906. Annie and Henry subsequently had several children as did Irene and John including John James Terris who was born on 10 February 1915 and William Coburn Terriss who was born on 23 September 1917.
William and Margaret rest together, along with their infant granddaughter Beryl, at the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery, Queensland.
The following obituary for William appeared in the Toowoomba Chronicle on 17 September 1941 (page 2):
Obituary
Mr William Willis
GOOMBUNGEE. Tuesday – A highly respected resident of the Meringandan district, Mr William Willis, passed away at his home on Tuesday last. Born at Burragorang Valley, New South Wales, on February 8, 1861, he settled on the land at Picton, New South Wales, for a number of years. He married Miss Margaret Mulholland of Picton. Early in 1905 Mr and Mrs Willis came to Queensland with their family and they settled on “Erin Vale”, a large holding on the banks of Cooby Creek, in the Meringandan district. Mr and Mrs Willis and the family were noted for their kindness and hospitality. Mr Willis’s parents came to Australia in the early days of settlement and took up land in New South Wales at Burragorang and The Oaks. They could relate many interesting experiences of the early days. Mr Willis’s father was once offered a piece of land extending from opposite the Sydney Town Hall and including the site which is now Anthony Hordern’s store, for a keg of rum. He refused the offer, saying that he thought the land would never be any good. Mr Willis is survived by two sons – Messrs William Willis (Woombye) and James Willis (Meringandan) – two daughters – Mesdames Cyril Raftery (Meringandan) and J Reid (Oakey) – and 22 grandchildren – also two brothers – Messrs S Willis (Harlaxton) and George Willis (Sydney). His wife died five years ago. The funeral, which was largely attended, moved from the late Mr Willis’s home to the Toowoomba cemetery. The Rev Canon J T Perry officiated at the graveside.
The Willis FAMILY
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The Willis children (at Picton) – Will, Teddy (the lady
holding him is unknown), Jimmy, Johnny, Catie
and Millie (c.1901)
holding him is unknown), Jimmy, Johnny, Catie
and Millie (c.1901)
William Louis WILLIS (Will)
10/10/1890 - 27/12/1966
Will married Mary Hilary Cornell (1890-1960) at Meringandan near Toowoomba, Queensland, on 29 September 1915. They had five children: Ralph William (26/08/1916 - 30/06/2006); Howard Arthur (30/10/1920 - 20/08/2010); Roy Edward (24/04/1922 - 17/07/2015); Nancy Margaret (15/09/1923 - 31/05/2004); and Ailsa Mildred (9/11/1924 - 24/09/1975).
Will (c.1918)
Will and Hilary rest together at the Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens in Brisbane. See: <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206670304/william-louis-willis>; <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/211916614/william-louis-willis>;
<https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/211916622/mary-hilary-willis>; and
<https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206670344/mary-hilary-willis>.
Will married Mary Hilary Cornell (1890-1960) at Meringandan near Toowoomba, Queensland, on 29 September 1915. They had five children: Ralph William (26/08/1916 - 30/06/2006); Howard Arthur (30/10/1920 - 20/08/2010); Roy Edward (24/04/1922 - 17/07/2015); Nancy Margaret (15/09/1923 - 31/05/2004); and Ailsa Mildred (9/11/1924 - 24/09/1975).
Will (c.1918)
Will and Hilary rest together at the Mt Thompson Memorial Gardens in Brisbane. See: <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206670304/william-louis-willis>; <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/211916614/william-louis-willis>;
<https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/211916622/mary-hilary-willis>; and
<https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/206670344/mary-hilary-willis>.
James Vivian WILLIS (Jim)
13/07/1893 - 19/02/1982
Jim married Edith Marshall (1893-1982) in Toowoomba on 9 January 1918. They had six children: Beryl Margaret (27/08/1918 - 27/08/1918); Jean Margery (01/02/1921 - 26/05/2016); Muriel Edith (04/04/1923 - 15/04/2004); Valerie May (10/11/1926 - ); Noela Evelyn (07/01/1931 - ); and Myra Joyce (27/11/1934 - ).
Jim (1918)
The following report of Jim and Edith's wedding appeared in the Darling Downs Gazette on Saturday
12 January 1918:
A quiet wedding was celebrated in St James Church, Toowoomba on Wednesday last by
Rev S Atherton, of Crow's Nest, when James V, second son of Mr Willis, of Meringandan, was married to Edith, second daughter of Mrs Marshall, of Geham. The bride, carrying a beautiful white shower bouquet (the work of Miss Johnstone, Russell street), looked charming in her dainty white frock and veil, the bridesmaids, Miss Nellie Marshall and Miss Mildred Willis also wearing white and carrying pink bouquets. Mr F Marshall acted as best man, while the bride was given away by her mother. An excellently appointed luncheon was served at the Royal Hotel, to which the party proceeded at the conclusion of the ceremony. Mr and Mrs Willis left later by the mail train for Brisbane, and the Tweed, where the honeymoon will be spent.
(Source: <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171757057>)
A similar report of Jim and Edith's wedding was published in the Toowoomba Chronicle on Saturday 12 January 1918 (see: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/252789312>).
The following obituary for Jim appeared in the Toowoomba Chronicle on 11 March 1982 (page 22):
A chapter in the book of the history of Meringandan and Cooby Creek was closed recently with the death of one of the grand old men of the grazing industry, Mr J V Willis, at the age of 88. Mr Willis arrived from his birthplace, Picton (NSW) with his parents, sisters and brother in 1904 to settle on the property "Erin Vale", Cooby Creek where he spent most of his entire life. In 1918 he married Miss Edith Marshall, of Geham, and only four years ago they celebrated their diamond wedding, surrounded by their family - Miss Jean Willis, Toowoomba, Mrs G Evans (Muriel), Toowoomba, Mrs A Jarvis (Valerie), Kelvinhaugh, Mrs N Luck (Noela), Meringandan, Mrs S Abraham (Myra), Oakey, sons-in-law, six grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. In his earlier years Mr Willis satisfied his great love of horses by breeding Clydesdales and Arabians in particular, and in his home were displayed the many trophies of his success. Throughout his entire life and even up to the final weeks he also maintained a keen interest in the cattle industry. He was a staunch supporter of the Goombungee-Haden Show Society and for his financial assistance over many years was honoured with a life membership. He is survived by his widow, Edith, aged 88, of Charles Street, Toowoomba.
A news article from 1934 that relayed Jim's interest and involvement in breeding Arabian horses is here: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/35631172>.
Also see: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/151999995>; and <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253120289>.
Jim and Edith rest together in the Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance. See: <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179999266/james-vivian-willis>; and <ttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179999260/edith-willis>.
Jim married Edith Marshall (1893-1982) in Toowoomba on 9 January 1918. They had six children: Beryl Margaret (27/08/1918 - 27/08/1918); Jean Margery (01/02/1921 - 26/05/2016); Muriel Edith (04/04/1923 - 15/04/2004); Valerie May (10/11/1926 - ); Noela Evelyn (07/01/1931 - ); and Myra Joyce (27/11/1934 - ).
Jim (1918)
The following report of Jim and Edith's wedding appeared in the Darling Downs Gazette on Saturday
12 January 1918:
A quiet wedding was celebrated in St James Church, Toowoomba on Wednesday last by
Rev S Atherton, of Crow's Nest, when James V, second son of Mr Willis, of Meringandan, was married to Edith, second daughter of Mrs Marshall, of Geham. The bride, carrying a beautiful white shower bouquet (the work of Miss Johnstone, Russell street), looked charming in her dainty white frock and veil, the bridesmaids, Miss Nellie Marshall and Miss Mildred Willis also wearing white and carrying pink bouquets. Mr F Marshall acted as best man, while the bride was given away by her mother. An excellently appointed luncheon was served at the Royal Hotel, to which the party proceeded at the conclusion of the ceremony. Mr and Mrs Willis left later by the mail train for Brisbane, and the Tweed, where the honeymoon will be spent.
(Source: <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article171757057>)
A similar report of Jim and Edith's wedding was published in the Toowoomba Chronicle on Saturday 12 January 1918 (see: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/252789312>).
The following obituary for Jim appeared in the Toowoomba Chronicle on 11 March 1982 (page 22):
A chapter in the book of the history of Meringandan and Cooby Creek was closed recently with the death of one of the grand old men of the grazing industry, Mr J V Willis, at the age of 88. Mr Willis arrived from his birthplace, Picton (NSW) with his parents, sisters and brother in 1904 to settle on the property "Erin Vale", Cooby Creek where he spent most of his entire life. In 1918 he married Miss Edith Marshall, of Geham, and only four years ago they celebrated their diamond wedding, surrounded by their family - Miss Jean Willis, Toowoomba, Mrs G Evans (Muriel), Toowoomba, Mrs A Jarvis (Valerie), Kelvinhaugh, Mrs N Luck (Noela), Meringandan, Mrs S Abraham (Myra), Oakey, sons-in-law, six grandchildren, and eight great grandchildren. In his earlier years Mr Willis satisfied his great love of horses by breeding Clydesdales and Arabians in particular, and in his home were displayed the many trophies of his success. Throughout his entire life and even up to the final weeks he also maintained a keen interest in the cattle industry. He was a staunch supporter of the Goombungee-Haden Show Society and for his financial assistance over many years was honoured with a life membership. He is survived by his widow, Edith, aged 88, of Charles Street, Toowoomba.
A news article from 1934 that relayed Jim's interest and involvement in breeding Arabian horses is here: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/35631172>.
Also see: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/151999995>; and <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253120289>.
Jim and Edith rest together in the Toowoomba Garden of Remembrance. See: <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179999266/james-vivian-willis>; and <ttps://www.findagrave.com/memorial/179999260/edith-willis>.
Catherine Celia Willis (Cate)
13/10/1895 - 31/07/1983
Cate married Cyril Bede Raftery (1882-1954) in Toowoomba on
30 May 1917. They had 10 children: Monica Noel (25/12/1918 - 19/02/2014); William Patrick (15/11/1920 - 25/12/1990); Eileen Dulcie (08/10/1921 - 18/11/2007); Brian Cyril (08/03/1924 - 29/10/2002);
Francis Mary (16/07/1925 - 23/10/2020); Dorothy Nowell (25/12/1926 - 14/02/2013); Terence Stanley (04/04/1928 - ); James Vincent (18/05/1932 - 22/06/2017); Florence (23/04/1937 - 23/04/1937); and Mary (23/04/1937 - 23/04/1937).
Cate (c.1915)
The following report of Cate and Cyril's wedding appeared in the Darling Downs Gazette on Friday
1 June 1917:
A pretty wedding was celebrated on Tuesday last in St Patrick's Church, when Miss Catherine Willis, daughter of Mr and Mrs Wm Willis, of Meringandan, was married to Mr Cyril Raftery, son of Mr and Mrs Raftery, of New South Wales. The Rev Dean Fonhy officiated. The bride who was given away by her father, wore a coat and skirt of cream gabardine and small close fitting hat of white tagel. She carried an ivory bound prayer book (gift of the bridegroom) instead of flowers. One bridesmaid was in attendance, Miss Milly Willis, and she had a soft gown of white cloth and carried a bouquet of pink flowers tied with satin streamers. Mr Charles Raftery acted in the capacity of best man. After the ceremony the bridal party motored to the Bain Studio and later to Lamb's café where dainty wedding breakfast was served. Mr and Mrs Raftery subsequently left for Brisbane and Tweed Heads. The bride's present to the bridegroom was a gold watch and chain and the bridesmaid received a gold brooch.
(Source: <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article187518787>)
Prior to her wedding Cate received a gift from the local Red Cross branch to celebrate her upcoming nuptials and to thank her for her work with the organisation. See: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/252863647>; and <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/187516415>.
The following obituary for Cyril appeared in the Toowoomba Chronicle on 14 May 1954 (page 4):
Obituary
Mr Cyril B Raftery
GOOMBUNGEE. Saturday - After an illness of three days, one of the Cooby Creek pioneers,
Mr Cyril Bede Raftery, of Toowoomba, passed away at the age of 71 years. News of his death was received with regret by his many friends in Toowoomba, Cooby Creek and Goombungee where he was well known and highly respected. Mr Raftery was born at Albion Park, New South Wales. He came to Queensland as a young man with his brothers, Messrs John and Charles Raftery, and acquired a grazing and farming property at Cooby Creek, where he and his wife, formerly Miss Catherine Celia Willis, daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Willis, of Cooby Creek, lived until about eight years ago, when Mr Raftery sold his property and went to live in retirement in Toowoomba. The Cooby Creek Dam was built on Mr Raftery's property. Of a retiring disposition Mr Raftery was well liked by everyone who knew him. He was a good neighbour and always ready to assist anyone who needed help. He was a devout Catholic and contributed generously to his Church or to any movement for the welfare of the district. Mr Raftery is survived by his wife, four sons Messrs Patrick (Oakey), Brian and Vincent (Toowoomba) and Terence Raftery (Royal Navy), and by four daughters, Mesdames F Lau (Goombungee), V Dempsey (Gatton), T O'Rourke (Greenmount) and C H Jones (Chinchilla). The funeral, which was largely attended, moved from St Patrick's Cathedral to the Toowoomba Cemetery. The parish priest, assisted by Fathers M G Murphy and L Hayes, conducted the service in the Cathedral and at the graveside.
Cate and Cyril rest together at the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery. See: <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/251345321/catherine-raftery>; and <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/251369453/cyril-raftery>.
Cate married Cyril Bede Raftery (1882-1954) in Toowoomba on
30 May 1917. They had 10 children: Monica Noel (25/12/1918 - 19/02/2014); William Patrick (15/11/1920 - 25/12/1990); Eileen Dulcie (08/10/1921 - 18/11/2007); Brian Cyril (08/03/1924 - 29/10/2002);
Francis Mary (16/07/1925 - 23/10/2020); Dorothy Nowell (25/12/1926 - 14/02/2013); Terence Stanley (04/04/1928 - ); James Vincent (18/05/1932 - 22/06/2017); Florence (23/04/1937 - 23/04/1937); and Mary (23/04/1937 - 23/04/1937).
Cate (c.1915)
The following report of Cate and Cyril's wedding appeared in the Darling Downs Gazette on Friday
1 June 1917:
A pretty wedding was celebrated on Tuesday last in St Patrick's Church, when Miss Catherine Willis, daughter of Mr and Mrs Wm Willis, of Meringandan, was married to Mr Cyril Raftery, son of Mr and Mrs Raftery, of New South Wales. The Rev Dean Fonhy officiated. The bride who was given away by her father, wore a coat and skirt of cream gabardine and small close fitting hat of white tagel. She carried an ivory bound prayer book (gift of the bridegroom) instead of flowers. One bridesmaid was in attendance, Miss Milly Willis, and she had a soft gown of white cloth and carried a bouquet of pink flowers tied with satin streamers. Mr Charles Raftery acted in the capacity of best man. After the ceremony the bridal party motored to the Bain Studio and later to Lamb's café where dainty wedding breakfast was served. Mr and Mrs Raftery subsequently left for Brisbane and Tweed Heads. The bride's present to the bridegroom was a gold watch and chain and the bridesmaid received a gold brooch.
(Source: <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article187518787>)
Prior to her wedding Cate received a gift from the local Red Cross branch to celebrate her upcoming nuptials and to thank her for her work with the organisation. See: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/252863647>; and <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/187516415>.
The following obituary for Cyril appeared in the Toowoomba Chronicle on 14 May 1954 (page 4):
Obituary
Mr Cyril B Raftery
GOOMBUNGEE. Saturday - After an illness of three days, one of the Cooby Creek pioneers,
Mr Cyril Bede Raftery, of Toowoomba, passed away at the age of 71 years. News of his death was received with regret by his many friends in Toowoomba, Cooby Creek and Goombungee where he was well known and highly respected. Mr Raftery was born at Albion Park, New South Wales. He came to Queensland as a young man with his brothers, Messrs John and Charles Raftery, and acquired a grazing and farming property at Cooby Creek, where he and his wife, formerly Miss Catherine Celia Willis, daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Willis, of Cooby Creek, lived until about eight years ago, when Mr Raftery sold his property and went to live in retirement in Toowoomba. The Cooby Creek Dam was built on Mr Raftery's property. Of a retiring disposition Mr Raftery was well liked by everyone who knew him. He was a good neighbour and always ready to assist anyone who needed help. He was a devout Catholic and contributed generously to his Church or to any movement for the welfare of the district. Mr Raftery is survived by his wife, four sons Messrs Patrick (Oakey), Brian and Vincent (Toowoomba) and Terence Raftery (Royal Navy), and by four daughters, Mesdames F Lau (Goombungee), V Dempsey (Gatton), T O'Rourke (Greenmount) and C H Jones (Chinchilla). The funeral, which was largely attended, moved from St Patrick's Cathedral to the Toowoomba Cemetery. The parish priest, assisted by Fathers M G Murphy and L Hayes, conducted the service in the Cathedral and at the graveside.
Cate and Cyril rest together at the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery. See: <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/251345321/catherine-raftery>; and <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/251369453/cyril-raftery>.
John Harold WILLIS (JOHNNY)
14/11/1896 - 31/01/1903
Johnny died from diphtheria on 31 January 1903. He was six years old. Johnny rests with his younger brother Teddy in the cemetery of
St Mark’s Church of England at Picton. See: <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/162558770/john-harold-willis>.
The following newspaper account relating to this tragic episode appeared in the Picton Post and Advocate on 4 February 1903:
Death of two children
Quite a gloom was casted over the town when it became known that Mr & Mrs William Willis had lost two of their children – both boys. The stroke came with awful swiftness for the little fellows who on Wednesday, were in their wonted health, were laid to rest in St Mark’s Churchyard on Sunday afternoon. The children who were age six and three years were victims of croup. The eldest boy died on Saturday and the youngest one on Sunday morning. The spectacle of two little coffins being lowered into the one grave was indeed a pathetic one. Deep sympathy is felt for the parents in their great sorrow.
(Notice provided courtesy of Marlane Fairfax, Secretary, Picton & District Historical and Family History Society Inc.)
Note: Prior to the advent of vaccination, croup was frequently caused by diphtheria and was often fatal (see: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croup#:~:text=Croup%20is%20usually%20deemed%20to,tracheitis%2C%20laryngotracheobronchitis%2C%20and%20laryngotracheobronchopneumonitis>). The diphtheria vaccine was finally developed in 1923 (<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphtheria_vaccine>).
Johnny died from diphtheria on 31 January 1903. He was six years old. Johnny rests with his younger brother Teddy in the cemetery of
St Mark’s Church of England at Picton. See: <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/162558770/john-harold-willis>.
The following newspaper account relating to this tragic episode appeared in the Picton Post and Advocate on 4 February 1903:
Death of two children
Quite a gloom was casted over the town when it became known that Mr & Mrs William Willis had lost two of their children – both boys. The stroke came with awful swiftness for the little fellows who on Wednesday, were in their wonted health, were laid to rest in St Mark’s Churchyard on Sunday afternoon. The children who were age six and three years were victims of croup. The eldest boy died on Saturday and the youngest one on Sunday morning. The spectacle of two little coffins being lowered into the one grave was indeed a pathetic one. Deep sympathy is felt for the parents in their great sorrow.
(Notice provided courtesy of Marlane Fairfax, Secretary, Picton & District Historical and Family History Society Inc.)
Note: Prior to the advent of vaccination, croup was frequently caused by diphtheria and was often fatal (see: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croup#:~:text=Croup%20is%20usually%20deemed%20to,tracheitis%2C%20laryngotracheobronchitis%2C%20and%20laryngotracheobronchopneumonitis>). The diphtheria vaccine was finally developed in 1923 (<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphtheria_vaccine>).
Helena Mildred WILLIS (Millie)
03/09/1898 - 22/06/1965
Millie married John Reid (1884-1974) in Toowoomba on 25 August 1926. They had three children: William John (31/07/1927 - ); Evelyn Margaret (19/10/1929 - 22/09/2016); and Cecil James (28/04/1933 - ).
When she was 15 years old Millie fell from her horse while she was riding at home and suffered a serious head fracture. The local newspaper at the time reported that one of the horse's hooves had got stuck in a hole, which brought the animal down and caused it to fall on top of Millie (Source: <http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/186864456>).
Millie (1917)
Later, after she had recovered, Millie went to work for her sister Cate and brother-in-law Cyril on their farm. She also helped with caring for Cate and Cyril's children. It was during this time that Millie met her future husband John, who happened to also be working on the farm for Cyril.
In 1917, when a student at the Glennie School for Girls in Toowoomba, Millie displayed athleticism in sports including by winning the senior long jump championship for that year. See: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/252791464>;
<https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20163571>; and
<https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186878914>.
On 25 August 1926 Millie and John were married. Soon afterwards, on Monday 13 September 1926,
The Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette published the following report on the happy occasion:
Another of our ladies, Miss Millie Willis, youngest daughter of Mr. W. Willis of Cooby Creek, was married
last week to Mr. Reid of Toowoomba, and has gone to the city to reside. She was tendered a kitchen tea on the eve of her marriage by old schoolmates and friends. The big roll up, and the many gifts, useful
and ornamental, showed unmistakably the esteem in which the young lady is held. Dancing was carried
on to music supplied by local artists, and an enjoyable evening was spent.
(Source: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253931300>)
Millie rests at the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery (<https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149512433/mildred-helena-reid>) and John at the Mt Gravatt Cemetery in Brisbane (<https://gw.geneanet.org/ckenny?n=reid&oc=&p=john>).
Millie married John Reid (1884-1974) in Toowoomba on 25 August 1926. They had three children: William John (31/07/1927 - ); Evelyn Margaret (19/10/1929 - 22/09/2016); and Cecil James (28/04/1933 - ).
When she was 15 years old Millie fell from her horse while she was riding at home and suffered a serious head fracture. The local newspaper at the time reported that one of the horse's hooves had got stuck in a hole, which brought the animal down and caused it to fall on top of Millie (Source: <http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/186864456>).
Millie (1917)
Later, after she had recovered, Millie went to work for her sister Cate and brother-in-law Cyril on their farm. She also helped with caring for Cate and Cyril's children. It was during this time that Millie met her future husband John, who happened to also be working on the farm for Cyril.
In 1917, when a student at the Glennie School for Girls in Toowoomba, Millie displayed athleticism in sports including by winning the senior long jump championship for that year. See: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/252791464>;
<https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/20163571>; and
<https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/186878914>.
On 25 August 1926 Millie and John were married. Soon afterwards, on Monday 13 September 1926,
The Toowoomba Chronicle and Darling Downs Gazette published the following report on the happy occasion:
Another of our ladies, Miss Millie Willis, youngest daughter of Mr. W. Willis of Cooby Creek, was married
last week to Mr. Reid of Toowoomba, and has gone to the city to reside. She was tendered a kitchen tea on the eve of her marriage by old schoolmates and friends. The big roll up, and the many gifts, useful
and ornamental, showed unmistakably the esteem in which the young lady is held. Dancing was carried
on to music supplied by local artists, and an enjoyable evening was spent.
(Source: <https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/253931300>)
Millie rests at the Drayton and Toowoomba Cemetery (<https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/149512433/mildred-helena-reid>) and John at the Mt Gravatt Cemetery in Brisbane (<https://gw.geneanet.org/ckenny?n=reid&oc=&p=john>).
Edward WILLIS (TEDDY)
22/01/1900 - 01/02/1903
Teddy died from diphtheria on 1 February 1903. He was three years old. Teddy rests with his older brother Johnny in the cemetery of
St Mark’s Church of England at Picton. See: <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/162558771/edward-willis>.
The following newspaper account relating to this tragic episode appeared in the Picton Post and Advocate on 4 February 1903:
Death of two children
Quite a gloom was casted over the town when it became known that Mr & Mrs William Willis had lost two of their children – both boys. The stroke came with awful swiftness for the little fellows who on Wednesday, were in their wonted health, were laid to rest in St Mark’s Churchyard on Sunday afternoon. The children who were age six and three years were victims of croup. The eldest boy died on Saturday and the youngest one on Sunday morning. The spectacle of two little coffins being lowered into the one grave was indeed a pathetic one. Deep sympathy is felt for the parents in their great sorrow.
(Notice provided courtesy of Marlane Fairfax, Secretary, Picton & District Historical and Family History Society Inc.)
Note: Prior to the advent of vaccination, croup was frequently caused by diphtheria and was often fatal (see: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croup#:~:text=Croup%20is%20usually%20deemed%20to,tracheitis%2C%20laryngotracheobronchitis%2C%20and%20laryngotracheobronchopneumonitis>). The diphtheria vaccine was finally developed in 1923 (<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphtheria_vaccine>).
Teddy died from diphtheria on 1 February 1903. He was three years old. Teddy rests with his older brother Johnny in the cemetery of
St Mark’s Church of England at Picton. See: <https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/162558771/edward-willis>.
The following newspaper account relating to this tragic episode appeared in the Picton Post and Advocate on 4 February 1903:
Death of two children
Quite a gloom was casted over the town when it became known that Mr & Mrs William Willis had lost two of their children – both boys. The stroke came with awful swiftness for the little fellows who on Wednesday, were in their wonted health, were laid to rest in St Mark’s Churchyard on Sunday afternoon. The children who were age six and three years were victims of croup. The eldest boy died on Saturday and the youngest one on Sunday morning. The spectacle of two little coffins being lowered into the one grave was indeed a pathetic one. Deep sympathy is felt for the parents in their great sorrow.
(Notice provided courtesy of Marlane Fairfax, Secretary, Picton & District Historical and Family History Society Inc.)
Note: Prior to the advent of vaccination, croup was frequently caused by diphtheria and was often fatal (see: <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croup#:~:text=Croup%20is%20usually%20deemed%20to,tracheitis%2C%20laryngotracheobronchitis%2C%20and%20laryngotracheobronchopneumonitis>). The diphtheria vaccine was finally developed in 1923 (<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diphtheria_vaccine>).
DESCENDANT CHARTS AND REPORTS
Family members are invited to contact the website administrators via the form on the website home page for the latest descendant charts and reports. If you have any edits to make, or you wish to advise of updates regarding births, deaths and marriages, please contact us via the form on the website home page.