Thomas Newing (1835 - 1927)

Born 1835 in Kent, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Maria (Bailey) Newing — married 18 Apr 1860 (to 1867) in Kiama, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 22 Aug 1927 at about age 92 in Kiama, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

Thomas Newing was born in Kent, England, in 1835.

He migrated to New South Wales on board the ship Anna Maria, which arrived in 1857.^[1]

He married Maria Bailey at her father's home at Kiama, New South Wales, on 18 April 1860.^[2][3]

Maria died in 1867, and he did not remarry.

He died in 1927, and was buried in the Kiama Cemetery.^[4]

Obituary

A Veteran Passes. THOMAS NEWING---93 Years.^[1]

To his rest and a simple hearted Christian's reward went a district veteran in Thomas Newing this week for he slipped painlessly and quietly away from earthly things on Monday morning at 6 o'clock. For over 70 years he built memorials in stone, in the picturesque stone walls that are such a distinctive feature in the landscape of this district. He was recognised as the only expert left in the wall building for many years, for with the clearing of the land, the old type of fence went out of vogue, and the wooden rails made an appearance instead. With intention on the farms the old stone walls are disappearing in the harborage they give to rabbits, and with the passing of the years the memorials will vanish of the fine old man who built them and fitted the stones in one by one. One is likely to remain, in that surrounding "Yoon Coo" which Mr. Newing, when over 80, built with pride and pleasure to surround that beautiful home. A quaint philosophy was his. "Stones are like people," he told us once, "some are good to work with, they fit in any where, but," shaking his head, "others are cranky, you've got to humour 'em. Leave them to one side a bit and you'll get a place for them alright." He was very proud of his wonderful sight, for he read quite well without glasses. His vivid blue eyes, clear and calm as a child's looked out on life with happiness and content until the end. He was sur-rounded by care and kindness in the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cook, of Eddy street, did his gardening and any odd jobs he took it into his head to do. Last year he raised quite a lot of strawberries and a few week's back walked round the town, cheery and chatty as usual. His passing is a loss to the community as a sturdy tree cut at its roots would be. His first stone wall was built in Foxground, some 70 years ago. He was shown how to do the first yard and after that, to use his own words, he could build better than the man who showed him how.

The late Mr. Newing came from Kent, the county of hops and apples, where he was born in 1835, leaving for Australian in the sailing ship "Annie Maria" in 1857. After landing he came to Illawarra, opening up as dairying and agricultural district, and his first employment was with the late Mr. W. Cooke, of Longbrush, Kiama, In 1860 he married Miss Maria Bailey, daughter of the late Wm. Bailey, one of the pioneer farmers of Saddle Back Mountain. A happy married life was his for some seven years until he lost his wife, who left a young family for him to care for and bring up and he never married again. His daughter in loving care, has repaid that care of early years, and good sons of whom he was proud, added to the old man's happiness.

Until Wednesday last, three days before he passed away, he was up and about, taking an interest in every thing but the chill of that and the succeeding day, gave him a cold which rapidly turned to pneumonia and brought the end. His daughter, Mrs. Cook, had been very ill with congestion of the lungs and was still in bed when her father died, but his grand-daughters gave the kindest nursing and care. Beside his daughter, Mrs. Cook, Mr. Wm. Newing (of Merrylands, Sydney) and Mr. Thomas Newing (of Jasper's Brush, Shoalhaven) his sons, survive him.

The late Mr. Newing was a very religious man and for many years took a prominent part in Salvation Army work. He was an earnest Christian - a God fearing man with a simple straightforward creed. The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon. The Rev. F. R. Todd,. Methodist, prior to the funeral, held a short service at the house, and officiated at the graveside. Mr. Kendall con-ducted the funeral arrangements.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} A Veteran Passes. (1927, August 24). The Kiama Reporter and Illawarra Journal (NSW : 1899 - 1947), p. 2. Retrieved August 13, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article103268963
2. ↑ Marriage Index (NSW Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages : accessed 13 Aug 2023), Index entry for THOMAS NEWING and MARIA BAILEY; District: KIAMA; Registration Number: 1798/1860
3. ↑ Family Notices (1860, April 21). Examiner (Kiama, NSW : 1859 - 1862), p. 3. Retrieved August 13, 2023, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article102519256
   On the 18th April, by special licence, at the residence of the bride's father, by the Rev. Walter James Davis, of Kiama, Thomas Newing, to Maria Bailey, the youngest daughter of William Bailey.
4. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (www.findagrave.com/memorial/48914670/thomas-newing: accessed 13 August 2023), memorial page for Thomas Newing (1835–22 Aug 1927), Find A Grave: Memorial #48914670, citing Kiama Cemetery, Kiama, Kiama Municipality, New South Wales, Australia; Maintained by Wooday2 (contributor 49066939).