Mary Ann (Shaw) Austin (1828 - 1919)

Born 25 Aug 1828 in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom

Wife of Isaac Faulkner — married 7 Nov 1847 (to 1862) in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom

Wife of Charles Grant — married 1863 (to 1882) in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia

Wife of James W. MacGregor — married about 1882 (to about 1898) in Uralla, New South Wales, Australia

Wife of John Austin — married 1902 in Armidale, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 28 Apr 1919 at age 90 in Uralla, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

Mary Ann SHAW was born on 25 August 1828 in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom, ^{[1] [2]} died on 28 April 1919 in Uralla, New South Wales, Australia ^{[3] [4]} at age 90, and was buried on 29 April 1919 in Old Cemetery, Uralla, New South Wales, Australia. The cause of her death was from heart failure, due to old age.

On 7th November 1847, in the Anglican Church, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, she married 20-year-old Isaac Faulkner, of Hilly Lane, the son of John Faulkner. Mary was 18, living Church street, the daughter of John Shaw. ^[5]

On 9 April 1849, arrived in Sydney, New South Wales, from England, with husband Isaac Faulkner and son Thomas, aboard the ship "Tory".

First widowed in 1862, the widow went on to marry three more times, only her final husband outliving her. ^[6]

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW) Wednesday 2 July 1862 p 5

ROCKY RIVER

FATAL ACCIDENT. - The Rocky River correspondent of the Armidale Express, writing under date of 23rd ultimo, reports that an accident happened on Saturday evening to Mr. Faulkner, who, owing to the darkness of the night, fell into a shaft about 25 feet in depth, and had to remain there till assistance arrived on Sunday morning. Owing to the concussion and the cold, his lower extremities were completely paralysed. The accident resulted fatally on Tuesday evening. The immediate cause of death was a severe injury to the spine. He has left a widow and eight children to mourn their bereavement.^[7]

Marriage 2 1863 Armidale to Mr Charles Grant, ^[8] two sons - Charles & William ^[9]

Marriage 3 1882 Uralla to Mr James McGregor ^[10]

Marriage 4 1902 Armidale to Mr John Austin ^[11]

When she was 88 years old, an article appeared in the local paper proclaiming her as the oldest resident in Uralla. ^[12]

Singleton Argus (NSW) Saturday, 3 May 1919, p 1

GLEANINGS

Mrs Austin, a pioneer of the Uralla district, has died at the age of 91 years. She arrived in Australia in 1848. Her first husband, the late Mr Isaac Faulkner, discovered the old Rocky Gold Diggings. ^[13]

Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW) Thursday 8 May 1919 p 13

Personal Notes

Another link with the pioneers of the days' gone by has been called from our midst, in the person of "Granny" Austin, of Uralla, at the age of 91 years. The deceased lady was a native of Leicestershire, England. Despite her years, the deceased retained her mental faculties right up to the last, and only recently her familiar form was seen coming into the town of Uralla. She was married three times. With her first husband, Mr. Faulkner, the deceased lady went to Uralla seventy years ago. Of the union there are six sons and three daughters, and a large number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The Rev. Father McGrath officiated at the graveside. ^[14]

Sources

1. ↑ The Tamworth Daily Observer (NSW) Thu, 31 Aug 1916, Page 1
   URALLA.
   Granny Austin, the oldest resident of Uralla district, celebrated her 88th birthday on the 25th inst. Her first husband, Isaac Faulkner was the discoverer of gold on Rocky River, and the field shortly afterwards gave employment to thousands of men. Granny Austin has been a resident of the district for about 67 years. She has had eleven children, and there are 120 grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.
2. ↑ The Uralla Times (NSW) Thu, 6 Sep 1923, Page 2
   DEATH OF MR T. FAULKNER.
   Mr. Thos Faulkner, one of the oldest residents of the district, died on Friday last, from an internal disease, at the age of 75 years. The deceased was a native of Leicestershire (Eng.), and came to the Rocky at the age of 18 months, having resided here ever since, following the occupation of miner. Young Tom celebrated his first birthday on board the boat coming out, and while in the Bay of Biscay. His parents were Mr and Mrs Isaac Faulkner, and they were among the first arrivals on the old Rocky goldfield. Mrs Faulkner was one of the first white women to brave the perils and hardships of those far-off days. Evidently the pioneering life did not affect her physically, for she died only a few years back, at over 90 years of age. After the death of her first husband, she married Mr Donald Grant, and after his death became a McGregor, buried him and married John Austin. The brothers of Mr Thos Faulkner are: Isaac (Uralla), James (Glen Innes), William (Uralla) and John (Yarrowyck), while Mrs W. A. Jones snr. is a sister. The late Mr Faulkner married Miss Ann Billington 53 years ago, and of the union a family of fifteen was born. One son and two daughters predeceased their parents, and the surviving members of the family are: John (Kurri Kurri), Herbert (Pokataroo), Joseph (Bondi), Robert, and George (Uralla), Mrs Jack Carpenter, Mrs T. Luxford, Mrs Alf Schuman (all of Tingha), Mrs J. Squires (Toowoomba), Mrs J. Watches (Crookwell). Mrs A. Hudson (Tamworth), and Mrs I. Townsend (Uralla). The burial took place in the Church of England cemetery on Sunday last. Rev F. St John conducted the last sad rites, and Mr C. G. Cooper had charge of the arrangements.
3. ↑ NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, 1788-1990
   Death: Name, Reg. Number/Year, Father's Name, Mother's Name, District
   AUSTIN MARY - 8327/1919 - JOHN / _ - URALLA.
4. ↑ The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW) Fri, 2 May 1919, Page 6
   Death of Uralla's Oldest Resident "GRANNY" AUSTIN. Passes Away Aged Ninety-one. Four Times Wedded.
   Another link with the pioneers of the days gone by has been called from our midst in the person of "Granny" Austin, writes our Uralla correspondent.
   The deceased lady, who was a native of Leicestershire, England, had reached the ripe old age of 91 years. Death, which took place at 10 o'clock on Monday night, was due to heart failure, the result, of old age. Despite her years the old lady retained her mental faculties right up to the end, and it is only a short while ago that her familiar figure was to be seen coming into town. Her marriage was celebrated in England to Mr. Isaac Faulkner, and some time afterwards the couple set-out for Australia, the oldest son, Thomas, being born on the way out. The couple resided at Muswellbrook for a time, and then came to Uralla, nearly 70 years ago. Mr. Faulkner was one of the first men to discover gold on the Rocky, and followed mining right through the "Roaring Fifties" till death claimed him, the result of accidentally falling down a shaft. Of the union there were six sons and three daughters. The sons are Thomas, William, and Isaac, of Uralla, James, of Glen Innes, and John, of Yarrowyck. One son, George, passed away some time ago. The only living daughter is Mrs. W. A. Jones, of Woodville, the others, Mrs. J. Vickers and Mrs. Williams, having predeceased their mother. There are a large number of grand, great-grand, and great-great grandchildren. Some time after the death of Mr. Faulkner, the marriage was celebrated to Mr. Charles Grant, and of the union two sons were born Charles, of Glen Innes, and William, of Cobar. On the death of Mr. Grant the marriage was celebrated to Mr. James McGregor, and on his death the widow was married to Mr. John Austin, who survives. There were no children of the last two marriages. The interment took place on Tuesday afternoon in the old cemetery, the last sad rites at the graveside being read by the Rev. Father McGrath, the funeral arrangements being in the hands of Mr. J. P. Henry, jun.
5. ↑ England, Leicestershire Parish Registers, 1533-1991, database, FamilySearch
   Isaac Faulkner and Mary Shaw, 7 Nov 1847; records extracted by findmypast, images digitized by FamilySearch; citing Marriage, Lutterworth, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom, page 72, citing the Record Office of Leicestershire, Leicester, and Rutland, Wigston, UK.
   Marriage: Event Type: Marriage - Name: Isaac Faulkner - Sex: Male - Age: 20 - Residence Place: Hilly Lane - Religion: Anglican - Father's Name: John Faulkner - Spouse's Name: Mary Shaw - Spouse's Age: 18 - Spouse's Residence Place: Church St - Spouse's Father's Name: John Shaw - Marriage Date: 7 Nov 1847 - Marriage Place: Lutterworth, Leicestershire, England, United Kingdom - Marriage Place (Original): Leicestershire, England, Lutterworth - Record Number: GBPRS/LEICS/MAR/00111365/1 - Page Number: 72
   Affiliate Name: Record Office for Leicestershire, Leicester & Rutland - Digital Folder Number: 102144153 - Image Number: 00083.
6. ↑ The Catholic Press (Sydney, NSW : 1895 - 1942), 8 May, p. 33., 'Armidale Diocese.'
7. ↑ The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954), 2 July 1862, p. 5., 'ROCKY RIVER.'
8. ↑ NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, 1788-1970
   Marriage: Registration Number/Year, Groom's name, Bride's name, District
   1304/1863 - GRANT CHARLES / FAULKNER MARY ANNE - ARMIDALE.
9. ↑ NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, 1788-1921
   Birth: Name, Reg. Number/Year, Father's Name, Mother's Name, District
   GRANT CHARLES W - 4633/1864 - CHARLES W / MARY A - ARMIDALE
   GRANT - NORMAN A - 4892/1866 - CHARLES / MARY A - ARMIDALE
10. ↑ NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, 1788-1970
    Marriage: Registration Number/Year, Groom's name, Bride's name, District
    6127/1882 - MACGREGOR JAMES W / GRANT MARY ANN - URALLA
    6127/1882 - MCGREGOR JAMES W / GRANT MARY ANN - URALLA.
11. ↑ NSW Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages, 1788-1970
    Marriage: Registration Number/Year, Groom's name, Bride's name, District
    3382/1902 - AUSTIN JOHN / MACGREGOR MARY A E - ARMIDALE
    3382/1902 - AUSTIN JOHN / MCGREGOR MARY A E - ARMIDALE.
12. ↑ The Uralla Times and District Advocate (NSW : 1915 - 1923), 26 August 1916, p. 2. 'The Oldest Resident of Uralla.', viewed 14 Mar 2020
13. ↑ Singleton Argus (NSW) Saturday, 3 May 1919, p 1, 'GLEANINGS'
14. ↑ Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932), 8 May 1919, p. 13. 'Personal Notes.', viewed 14 Mar 2020

See also:

• The Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser (NSW) Tue, 26 Mar 1912, Page 8
  Uralla & District, (FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)
  Uralla, Sunday.
  Death of an old Resident.—On Friday morning last there passed away (surrounded by her children and grandmother), at the ripe age of 89 years, Mrs. George Griffiths. Mrs. Griffiths, or Mrs. Fox as she then was, arrived in Sydney in 1848 or 1849, about years ago, in the good ship "Fory" being one of over 300 immigrants, and can consequently lay claim to being one of Australia's early pioneers. A few days after arrival in Sydney, accompanied by her husband and two children, the long journey from Morpeth to Uralla, in a bullock dray, was undertaken.
  The late Mrs. Griffiths, on her journey, had as her travelling companions Mrs. Faulkner, now Mrs. Austin, more familiarly known as "Grannie Austin," who still survives her, and is now in her 84th year. The ups and downs and tremendous hardships born by European women at this early stage of Australian settlement those of a generation or two later will find it hard to comprehend ; damper and beef, with tea, was the never-varying diet from year's end to year's end. Society consisted of aboriginals, not always too well inclined, and the Government men, often a more dangerous class to meet than the blacks. Under such circumstances none but the strongest and most fearless could survive, whose progeny to-day are forming a race that for pluck and self-reliance have never yet been beaten. Mrs. Griffiths was laid to rest in the old cemetery beside her husband, many beautiful floral tributes almost hiding the coffin from view. Mrs. Griffiths is survived by her two sons, Messrs. J. and A. Fox, and one daughter, Mrs. F. Smith, of Abington. Two daughters predeceased their mother. One, who at the early age of 17 years, was lost in the bush, and never again heard of. About 80 years ago the other daughter was burnt to death in her 19th year. The service was conducted at the graveside by the Curate, in the unavoidable absence of the Vicar. The funeral obsequies was in the capable hands of Mr. C. G. Cooper.

• The Uralla Times and District Advocate (NSW) Sat, 26 May 1917, Page 2
  DEATH OF MR JAMES McCROSSIN
  There passed peacefully away at Armidale Hospital on Thursday evening one of the oldest natives of Uralla district in the person of Mr James McCrossin. The cause of death was diabetes, from which he had suffered for some months past. The late James McCrossin was the second son of the late Mr & Mrs Samuel McCrossin, who were among the first white residents to arrive in this district. The latter and Granny Austin (still in the land of the living) were actually the first white women to come here.
  James McCrossin was one of a family of four sons and a daughter, of whom survives but one son— Mr William S. McCrossin, at present residing with his daughter at Hillgrove. The deceased's brothers are Messrs George and John, and the sister was the first wife of the late Mr Richard Vickers of Goldsworth. James McCrossin was born on the 20th February 1849, a few years before the Rocky diggings broke out, and had lived practically his whole life in the district. At the time of his birth his parents were living in a house which stood near the site at present occupied by Mr L. Murray's residence, but soon afterwards they moved into the building which stood for over forty years on the block at the corner of Hill and Queen streets, and carried on as a hotel by them for many years. That was the main portion of the town in those early days, it being the Royal mail coach centre, and of course on the direct route to the old Rocky.
  The blacks were very numerous when his parents came to the district, and even in his days as a child he remembered a big fight taking place between the local tribe and the Macleay River tribe. The contest was fought somewhere near the site of the new cemetery, and he told us that it was a very grim and wordy affair. The women of the respective tribes all sat in a long line skirting the scene of the battle beating a sort of tom-tom and making weird noises, while the bucks threw spears and nullas and dodged offending missiles and weapons with great agility. The legs always seemed to be the spot aimed for, the upper part of the body being protected by a wooden shield. There were several dead left on both sides before the warriors called enough. He could tell many other stories of the early history of the place, and was always an interesting companion. He was highly respected throughout Uralla and adjoining districts, where he was well known, and the news of his death will be received with regret. He is survived by a daughter, Mrs Barton, wife of Dr Barton of Liverpool, England. As Miss Pearl McCrossin she toured Australia with her concert party, and afterwards had much success in England, where she met her husband.
  The funeral is timed to leave 'The Gunyah,' Hill-street, at 2 o'clock this Saturday afternoon.

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