Sarah Jane (Mitchell) Sonter (1830 - 1878)

Born 30 Sep 1830 in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Wife of Edward (Saunter) Sonter — married 16 Jun 1851 in Parramatta, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 7 Dec 1878 at age 48 in Ballina, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

Sarah was born, on 30 Sep 1830, in Parramatta, New South Wales, to parents Michael Malcolm Morgan Mitchell^[1], an early settler into New South Wales, and his wife Jane Grono. She was christened at St. Johns, Parramatta on 12 June 1831.^[2]

Sarah Mitchell married Edward Sonter, 16 Jun 1851, in Wesleyan Methodist Church, Parramatta, New South Wales^[3]. He was the son to English settlers, David Sonter and his wife Emma Chandler. He was illiterate as illustrated by him making his mark on the marriage register. The marriage book has the signatures of Sarah, Matilda and Ann Mitchell, whereas Edward signed with an x. Another witness was Robert Beavis who also signed his name. The Weslyan Minister was Robert Turner of Parramatta.

Edward and Sarah arrived on the Richmond River with John Eyles and were amongst the early cedar getters.

They were amongst the first "land selectors" selecting, on a block adjoining the Eyles, at what is now called South Ballina. They grew sugar cane and prospected for alluvial gold on the river. Much of the Sonter property was later bought by the Colonial Sugar Refining Co. (CSR) toward the end of the 1800's and only the house on the river and a small potion was kept by the Sonters.

She died, of snakebite, at Ballina on 7 Dec 1878 ^[4]and is remembered at the Ballina Pioneer Cemetery. After her death, Edward married her sister Matilda.

Family and Legacy

Edward and Sarah had nine children:

Emma; b. 06 Jun 1852, West Dundas, NSW; d. 26 Aug 1945, Dunoon, NSW.

James; b. 24 Nov 1853, Parramatta, NSW; d. 15 May 1925, Ballina, NSW.

Matilda; b. 10 Dec 1855, Dundas, NSW; d. 24 Jul 1895, Wardell, NSW; m. RICHARD A TYLER, 1882; b. 1858, NSW.

Martha Jane; b. 18 Jan 1859, Lismore, NSW; d. 15 Jan 1952, Ballina, NSW; m. RICHARD JAMES STONE, 1878, Tamworth, NSW; b. 23 Mar 1856, Kiama, NSW; d. 1931. Note NSW BDM record name as Souter.

Mary Lucy; b. 03 Sep 1860, Lismore, NSW; d. 23 Oct 1932, Ballina, NSW; m. WILLIAM WILTON STONE, 19 Nov 1879, Ballina, NSW; b. 15 Jan 1858, Kiama, NSW; d. 1897. (1860-1932)

Ruth Mary; b. 1864, Ballina, NSW; d. 03 Aug 1933, Randwick, NSW; m. THOMAS JOHN BOURKE, 27 Oct 1882, NSW; b. 1860. Note on Marriage certificate in NSW BDM the names are Souter and Burk

Caroline; b. 1867, Ballina, NSW; d. 12 Jun 1946, Brisbane, QLD.

David Arthur; b. 05 Nov 1869, Ballina, NSW; d. 25 Jun 1960, Te Kopuru, New Zealand.

Winifred; (1876-1955)

This profile is a collaborative work-in-progress. Can you contribute information or sources?

Sources

1. ↑ New South Wales Australia Births: Name: MITCHELL SARAH Registration number: 50/1830 V183050 15 Father's Given name(s): MICHAEL Mother's Given name(s): JANE
2. ↑ "Australia, Births and Baptisms, 1792-1981," index, FamilySearch, Sarah Mitchell, 12 Jun 1831.
3. ↑ New South Wales Marriages: Registration number: 30/1851 V185130 85 Groom's Family Name: SAUNTER Groom's Given Name(s): EDWARD Bride's Family Name(s): MITCHELL Bride's Given Name(s): SARAH J District: IB
4. ↑ New South Wales Australia Deaths: Name: SOUTEN SARAH J Registration number: 8631/1879 Father's Given Name(s): MICHAEL M Mother's Given Name(s): JANE District: LISMORE

• Much of this material is derived from three sources: Rootsweb, a personal web site and the NSW BDM service.

• For research specific to the families descended from the convict Joseph Eyles (Isles) and his wife Elizabeth Smith and their associated families it is best to view the excellent site generated by Marion Purnell as part of your research.

• Link - https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/KFRR-NR4