William Gollan (1831 - 1907)

Born 23 Oct 1831 in Boleskin, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Mary (Monaghan) Gollan — married 1851 in Presbyterian, Kiama, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 27 Feb 1907 at age 75 in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

William was born in 1831. He was the son of William Gollan and Janet McBarnett.

"DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM GOLLAN. Mr. William Gollan, J.P., late Woodburn, died early on Saturday after a long illness, He was the first to select land at Woodburn, and was the means of inducing many more, his own family and others, to take up land there. He established a store business, and when sugar growing was entered into erected a sugar mill. In early days he took a prominent part in district politics, but owing to failing health had not been able to do so of late years. He was one of the menwho helped the district on with pocket, heart, and hand. His age must be about 75, and he leaves grown-up family, of whom. Mr. O. H. Gollan, J.P, is one. The funeral took place yesterday at Woodburn, and was very numerously attended." The Northern Star Monday july 20, 1907 Page 3.

"DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM GOLLAN, J.P. A RICHMOND RIVER PIONEER. One by one the old pioneers of the Richmond River are gradually passing away, with the result that to-day but very few remain who can look back and say that for 50, or even 40 years they have fought the good fight of the pioneer, and seen this district emerge from a dense and little known brush into one of the most prosperous and thickly populated parts of all Australia. Much of the success and prosperity so apparent on every hand to-day is doubtless due to the boundless natural resources of the river land, but much is also due to those sturdy pioneers who, after conquering the scrub and the brush, and in spite of floods and other drawbacks succeeded, by sheer force of their indomitable pluck and will, in overcoming all obstacles and winning for themselves and their families homes, and an independence in the land of their adoption. Many unfortunately passed away without reaping the full fruits of their labors. Others again lived to see prosperous towns rise from the primeval bush, and a prosperous and contented yeomanry settled where, in earlier days, the dusky aboriginal was practically monarch of all he surveyed. The late Mr. William Gollan (whose death on Saturday last robs the Richmond of one of her best known and most highly respected and deservedly honored pioneers) was one of the comparatively few who had lived to witness such a transformation scene. The late Mr. Gollan, who was born in Inverness Shire (Scotland) on 23rd October, 1830, landed with his parents in Sydney when only 8 years of age, and within three weeks moved with the family to Shellharbor, on the South Coast. Subsequently the family shifted again, this time to Jamberoo, and then a third, and what was hoped final move was made to the Shoalhaven, where the family engaged in dairying pursuits on the Berry Estate. It was here, in 1851, that Mr. William Gollan married Miss Mary Monaghan, daughter of the late Mr. P. Monaghan, of the Shoalhaven, who still survives him. In 1863 the subject of this sketch proceeded to Brisbane, and for something like 12 months engaged in business there, returning in 1864 to the Shoalhaven. About this time the fame of the Richmond as an agricultural district began to spread abroad, and at a meeting of Shoalhaven farmers, anxious to better their condition, it was decided to send a delegation to spy out the land. Two gentlemen were selected for this purpose, Mr. James Gollan and Mr. Kenneth M'Lean, both of whom have long since crossed the Great Divide, and it is safe to say that the interests of Shoalhaven people could not have been placed in better hands. The names of these two gentlemen are still familiar to every resident on the Richmond. Mr. James Gollan was, of course, brother to the subject of this sketch, while Mr. M'Lean was father to Alderman W. M'Lean, of Coraki, and Mr. George M'Lean, of Lismore, and selected the property on the North Arm, Coraki, known as Cannon Flat. Needless to say it did not take long for the delegation to be impressed with the latent wealth of the Richmond district. They returned with a glowing account of what they had seen, and so satisfied their friends of the possibilities of the new EI Dorado that a party of five or six at once sold out and made their way thither. Included in this party were Messrs. Trustrum, William, George, James and Robert Gollan. Leaving Sydney in the old s.s. Agnes Irving, the new comers landed at Iluka, and in the face of many difficulties made their way by foot across the rough country and struck the Richmond near where Woodburn (then called Rocky Mouth) stands at the present time. In was in April 1865 that the party reached the Richmond, and very shortly afterwards Mr. Trustrum took up land on Tuckombil Creek, while the Gollan Bros, selected under Sir John Robertson's Land Act in tho vicinity of Woodburn. It is worthy of note that the area Mr. William Gollan first took up he retained to the last. It was there that he built his home, reared his family, and pursued his life's work with a vigor characteristic of the man, and with a success familiar to all acquainted with the name. The old gentleman has frequently and not inaptly been called 'the Father of Woodburn.' It was there that his two sons were born and it was there that his chief work for the advancement of the district has been done. Moreover, if not directly responsible for the existence of the present township, he is in a large, measure so, for as far back as the early 70's Mr. Gollan sub-divided the frontage into allotments, which were sold by auction and in a very short space of time the town sprang into existence. More than this, seeing the confusion which arose through having one Rocky Mouth on the Clarence and another on the Richmond, the deceased gentleman was struck with tho desirableness of altering the younger township's name, and tho present designation of Woodburn suggested itself to him while watching the burning off operations that were taking place one night near the site where the butter factory now stands. Hence, quite an historical fact has been unconsciously embodied in the present Woodburn Shire Council's seal, which typifies a blazing pile of timber. This, however, is by the way. A more public-spirited and enterprising citizen than the late G.O.M., of Woodburn, it would be hard to conceive. At every public meeting for years, his face was a familiar figure, and his counsel and advice were at all times eagerly sought for and acted upon. The list of public benefits that has been secured chiefly through his insistence and instrumentality would in itself fill more space than this notice occupies. Brief mention can only be made here of the most important of the reforms which he brought about. In 1865 letters were called for at Rathborne's, Codrington or Ballina, but the deceased gentleman set to work and in a very short time was able to prevail upon the postal authorities to institute a mail service between Iluka and Woodburn. Then it was due to his good offices that grants of land were made for school, church and cemetery purposes in the village now springing into a live and progressive town. Next a school was established, after that came the establishment of a court, the building of a gaol and court house on his own property, and the appointment of a police officer. The deceased was one of the first to mark a road between Woodburn and Chatsworth ; he played a prominent part in the successful agitation for the establishment of the ferry service and later on for the fine steam punt which now does duty between Woodburn and South Woodburn. The deceased also established one of the first sugar mills on the river and erected a fine plant, but with the bursting of the sugar boom he turned his energies into other and more profitable channels. With the advent of dairying he kept abreast of the times and not only imported some of the finest South Coast cattle to the river but erected the second butter factory on the North Coast, and it is standing and working to-day. In 1880 Mr. Gollan was appointed to the Commission of the Peace and connected with this appointment is a circumstance worth relating. When it becamo known that he was leaving the Shoalhaven for the Richmond he was tendered a public farewell, at which close upon 80 representative residents of the district were present and many speeches made testifying to the esteem in which he was held, and the valued services he had rendered the district. Mr. Gollan, in responding, made a capital speech and one that so struck the lata Dr. Grant that he forthwith interested himself in prevailing on the Government of day to appoint Mr. Gollan a Justice of the Peace — an honor then held in much higher regard, and deservedly so too, than it is today — with the result that in the following year the distinction was conferred. And let it be said here that a more worthy or capable holder of the position has probably never occupied a seat on tho honorary bench of this State than the one whose demise the whole district mourns to-day. For many years Mr. Gollan visited the Ballina Court in the early days, and with Mr. Fawcett, P.M., and Mr. Edmund Ross, J.P., as colleagues dispensed justice in the old Court House once a quarter. Subsequently the old gentleman officiated as Deputy Returning Officer at Woodburn, and continued to do so till ill-health compelled a retirement. Of recent years this worthy old pioneer, who had amassed a competency, lived in retirement, surrounded by members of his family, and rejoicing in the genuine friendship and esteem of the whole district. Ten years ago Mr. Gollan had the misfortune to be bitten by a snake, and suffered so severely that, for a time, his life was despaired of. An iron will and a vigorous constitution eventually pulled him through, but those who know him best say he was never the same afterwards. Three years ago a paralytic stroke laid him low, and ever since then he has gradually failed. This, combined with effects of senile decay, brought about his demise, which occurred a little after 2 o'clock on Saturday afternoon. The late Mr. Gollan leaves a widow and family of six — Mrs. B. Towner (Five Dock, Sydney), Mrs. E. Dean (Burwood), Mrs. G. W. Sharp (Clifton, Q.), Miss Jane Gollan (Woodburn), Cr. O. H. Gollan and Mr. A. Gollan, and to these tho sympathy of the entire district goes out in their bereavement. The funeral on Sunday was one of the largest ever seen in the district, friends travelling from all parts of the Richmond River to pay their last tribute of respect to one "whose like they ne'er may look upon again." The solemn service at the graveside was read by the Rev. J. A. R. Perkins." The Richmond river Herald and Northern Districts Advertiser Friday August 02, 1907 Page 10 A lso in the Northern Star Wednesday August 07, 1907 Page 7 Also in the Shoalhaven Telegraph Wednesday August 14, 07 Page 1

He passed away in 1907.

Sources

• Bir:

Chr: Immig: 1839/ "Asia" Mar: V1851343 80 GULLEN WILLIAM to MONAGHAN MARY (PG) (Presbyterian, Kiama) Dea: 9563/1907 GOLLAN WILLIAM (f) WILLIAM (m) JANET LISMORE Bur:

MARRIAGE: https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/lifelink/familyhistory/search/result?17