William Low Kidd (1844 - 1909)

Born 1844 in Brechin, Angus, Scotland

Husband of Emily Frances (Ferguson) Kidd — married 1870 in Campbelltown, NSW

Descendants

Died Oct 1909 at about age 65 in Martinsville, New South Wales, Australia

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Biography

• William Low Kidd was christened on the 19 April 1844 at the Brechin Relief Session, Brechin, Angus, Scotland.^[1]

• Williams christening is recorded as 1844 while his immigration places it as 1845 or 1846 as does his obituary. This discrepancy could be due to the fact a lot of people simply didn't keep track accurately and simply lost a few years; or the fare over to Australia could have been cheaper the younger you declared yourself to be; or he may have had an elder brother who passed away and he was named after him. Either way the only sourced date has been 1844.

• At the age of 18 years William immigrated to Australia aboard the ship "Eastern Empire" arriving on the 29 November 1962. His occupation was listed as "Gardener".

• All of William's siblings and their families would make the journey and resettle in New South Wales, Australia. The first, his elder brother John, arrived in 1857 and and the last 3 sisters in 1881.

• He married Emily Frances Ferguson on 2? June 1870 at her parents' home in Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia.^{[2] [3]}

• Together they became the parents of Francis William Kidd, Ronald George Kidd, Elizabeth Flora (Kidd) Innes, Frederick A Kidd, and Evelyn Isabel (Kidd) Lean.

Additional Data

Newcastle's New Mayor.

ALDERMAN W. L. KIDD.

Aldmerman William LOWE KIDD, the now Mayor of Newcastle, who has now spent 28 years of his life carrying on he business of a baker in this district, is a brother to Mr. John Kidd, the ex-Postmaster-General, and uncle to Alderman J. Kidd, of the Wickham municipality. He was born in Brechin, Scotland, in 1846, and is, therefore, now 52 years of age. Before going in for alder manic honours, Alderman Kidd was widely known as one who always took a great interest in friendly societies. He has been a member of the Sons of Temperance order since 1808, being in the Subordinate, Grand, and National Divisions. In the Grand and Subordinate divisions he has occupied the most important offices, being a G.W.P. of the Grand for 12 months. He was a member of the friendly societies committee, which recently carried to a successful issue the Hospital Saturday demonstration. For some time he was the Chief of the local Calcionian Society, and was a member of the committee of the now defunct Friendly Societies' Dispensory for nine years. He was a member of the volunteer force for 21 years, occupying the position of sergeant and colour-sergeant for about 16 years. In his time he was one of the best shots in the Northern district, and, on account of this, he became a member (with Mr. W. Abbott) of the Scottish team which won the International match in Sydney in 1877. He retired from the regiment three years ago, and the occasion was marked by the members of the A company presenting him with an enlarged photo (in uniform) of himself, and another of Mrs. Kidd. He has been now five years an alderman of the Macquarie Ward. When he was first elected he defeated the retiring Mayor (Alderman J. R. Rodgers) by 449 to 402 votes. Two years ago he was returned without opposition, for the ratepayers recognised that he had always faithfully represented them whilst attending to the interests of the municipallty as a whole. At the special meeting of the Newcastle Borough Council, hold on 8th instant, Alderman Kidd tied with Alderman Look for the position of Mayor for the current year, and when the names were ballotted for that of Alderman Kidd was drawn. In the discharge of the social duties of his office the now Mayor is fortunate in having a very amiable lady for his partner in life.

NEWCASTLE MORNING HERALD AND MINERS' ADVOCATE

Monday 14 February 1898

Includes drawing of William Low Kidd

http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/137055871?searchTerm=%22william%20low%20kidd%22&searchLimits=l-state=New+South+Wales

OBITUARY.

William Low Kidd, who died at his residence, Martinsville, after a long illness, aged 63, had resided in Newcastle for over 30 years. He was an alderman for 12 years, and in 1898 occupied the Mayoral chair. He was also closely identified with the Highland society and the Sons of Temperance, and was for over 20 year's a non-commissioned officer of A Company, 4th Regiment. He left a widow, two sons, and two daughters. His remains were interred at Cooranbong.

THE MAITLAND WEEKLY MERCURY

Saturday, 16 October 1909, Page 5.

Sources

1. ↑ Christening record: Scotland Births and Baptisms, 1564-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XYSW-NMK : 8 December 2014), William Low Kidd, ; citing Brechin, Angus, Scotland, reference Fr Ch3/439/15; FHL microfilm 889,483.
2. ↑ "Marriages" Empire (Sydney, NSW), Friday, 1 July 1870, Page 1. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/63108756?searchTerm=kidd%20ferguson
3. ↑ NSW Government: Registry of Births Deaths & Marriages (NSW BDM) Marriage for KIDD William Low & FERGUSON Emily Frances, Registration Number: 2012/1870 , District: Campbelltown https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/lifelink/familyhistory/search/marriages?1

See also:

• NSW death certificate 13268/1909