William Henry Seeney (abt. 1847 - 1938)

Born about 27 Apr 1847 in Middleton, Northamptonshire, England

Husband of Mary Jane (Nixon) Seeney — married 14 Aug 1872 in Dalby, Queensland, Australia

Descendants

Died 18 Dec 1938 at about age 91 in Bundaberg, Queensland, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Mike Larsen [send private message]

Biography

William Seeney was born in 1847.^[1]

William married Mary Jane Nixon in 1872 in Queensland, Australia.

In 1906 William & Mary Jane are living at Orange Grove Farm (as per 1906 Electoral Roll for Queensland / Wide Bay / Gayndah). He is described as a 'farmer'. They were living with their daughter Mary Jane, and her new husband John Clark.

Death of William Seeney - Pioneer of Burnett District

(This article appeared in the Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser Tue 20 Dec 1938 page 11 link)

At the age of 91 years, Mr. William Seeney, pioneering resident of the Burnett, died on Sunday at the Bundaberg General Hospital. The late Mr. Seeney was a native of Middleton, Oxford, England, where he was born on April 27,1847. and came out to Australia in 1865 in the 'Southern Ocean.' From Brisbane he went to Ipswich, where he was engaged in farming pursuits, and then he became a driver of bullock teams which operated between Ipswich to Bunners' Knob, now Taroom, Mclntyre's Creek (now Goondiwindi) and Leyburn (then a goldfield).

On August 14, 1872 Mr. Seeney married Miss Mary Jane Nixon at Dalby, where they lived for some time. They also resided at Roma before leaving for Gayndah about 60 years ago. Mr. Seeney was then employed as a road ganger under Land Commissioner Bragg. This was before Premier McIllwraith constituted the present system of local government. Later Mr. Seeney worked for the Rawbelle Shire Council and also the Eidsvold Shire Council, the then divisional board. He cleared the streets and built bridges in the town of Eidsvold.

FARMING AT GAYNDAH. Mr. Seeney subsequently took up land, and made a success of farming in the Gayndah district. He was also a successful citrus fruit grower. His products won several prizes at the Maryborough Show, and later he won honours at the Brisbane Exhibition with fine exhibits which also helped to make the Wide Bay exhibit. He was the first to introduce dairy cattle to the Gayndah district, and the first to install a cream separator. He also owned the first motor car in Gayndah. This was the buggy type of car. He was a member of the Gayndah local authority for many years, and Mayor of Gayndah for four terms. About 12 years ago Mr. and Mrs. Seeney made their home at Pialba, and frequently visited relatives at North Bundaberg. It was on one of these visits that he took ill, and recently he entered the Bundaberg Hospital. He was one of the best-known residents in the Gayndah and Burnett districts and his passing at the advanced age of 91 years will be regretted by friends scattered far and wide.

The late Mr. Seeney is survived by his widow, who still enjoys comparatively good health, despite her age of 88 years, and a family of sons and daughters who have all done well for themselves. Sons are Messr. J. Seeney (Brisbane), J. B. Seeney (Dalby), C. T. Seeney and R. V. Seeney (Monto), and four daughters — Mesdames M. Kennedy, J. P. Kitchen, W. H. Baker (North Bundaberg) and H. Chapman (Monto). There are more than 60 grandchildren and upwards of 20 great-grandchildren. In July, 1932, Mr. and Mrs. Seeney celebrated their diamond jubilee, and until Sunday they were probably the longest married couple in the State. Mr. Seeney was a foundation member of the Oddfellows Lodge at Dalby, and probably the oldest lodge member in Queensland. The funeral took place yesterday.

Sources

1. ↑ England & Wales General Register Office, GRO Online Index - Birth (https://www.gro.gov.uk/gro/content) : accessed 27 November 2020, database entry for SEENEY, WILLIAM ; GRO Reference: 1847 June Quarter in BANBURY UNION Volume 16 Page 8 ; Mother's maiden name: OLD

• "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:SGXV-YZR : 24 October 2017), William Seeney in household of John Seeney, Middleton Cheney, Oxfordshire, England; citing Middleton Cheney, Oxfordshire, England, p. 34, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.
• Birth record as per GRO: SEENEY, WILLIAM OLD GRO Reference: 1847 J Quarter in BANBURY UNION Volume 16 Page 8

• Marriage Registration Index, The State of Queensland, Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages; index entry for William Seeney and Mary Jane Nixon, Marriage date: 14 Aug 1872 Registration Number: 1872/C/61; Link to Record : accessed 18 Jan 2024

• 50th Wedding Anniversary The Bundaberg Mail 31 Aug 1922 pg6

• 60th Wedding Anniversary Maryborough Chronicle 16 Aug 1932 pg7

• Death Registration Index, The State of Queensland, Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages; index entry for William Seeney, Death date: 18 Dec 1938, Father: John, Mother: Rachel Old, Registration Number: 1938/C/4044; Link to Record : accessed 18 Jan 2024

See Also

• FindAGrave: database and images, memorial page for William Henry Seeney; Born: 27 Apr 1847 Middleton, Corby Borough, Northamptonshire, England; Died: 18 Dec 1938 Bundaberg, Queensland; Cemetery: Bundaberg General Cemetery, Bundaberg, Queensland; Find A Grave: Memorial #112231613; created by: Kay Youngberry; accessed: 18 Jan 2024
• FamilySearch Person: LWZ8-64R