Hannah Emily (Morrell) Leeder (1843 - 1920)

Born 8 Sep 1843 in Woodley, Western Australia, Australia

Ancestors

Wife of William George Leeder — married 22 Nov 1866 in Northam, Western Australia, Australia

Descendants

Died 18 Nov 1920 at age 77 in Northam, Western Australia, Australia

Biography

Hannah was born in 1843 in Woodley, Western Australia.^[1][2] She was the daughter of Frederick Morrell and Harriet Davey.

She married William George Leeder on 22 November 1866 in Northam.^[2]

Toodyay Herald (WA : 1912 - 1954), Saturday 27 November 1920, page 4
As recorded in our last issue, the death of a very highly respected, and very old resident of Toodyay, in the person of Mrs. Hannah Leeder, took place at her late residence Stirling Terrace, Toodyay, at 8.30 p.m on Thursday of last week. Widespread and genuine regret was expressed when the sad news became known throughout the District. The de-ceased lady had been ill for about 3 months, and despite all medical treat-ment passed peacefully away as stat-ed. The late Mrs. Leeder was the eldest daughter of the late Frederick Morrell, and was the first white female born in Northam, being born at "Morbey Farm," Northam, in Sep-tember 1843. At the age of 23 years she was married to the late Mr. W. G. Leeder, in Northam, and after living at Mokine for four years they took up their residence in Toodyay, and thus she had been a resident of Toodyay for over 50 years. She possessed a very pleasant and kindly dis-position and vas held in high esteem by all with whom she came into contact, and was well-known by both the old and young generation, being

loved and highly respected by all. Throughout her life she had always taken great interest in the Anglican Church work, and only missed service when her health would not per-mit of her attending, and reference was made by the Rector (Rev. Mas-on) during the burial service, of the great church women the late Mrs. Leeder had been. For very many years this good lady had taken an interest in Orphanage work, and not one spare moment was lost that she was not sewing—making some kind of garment for the parentless children at the orphanages, and this good work was carried on until a short time of her demise.

The late Mrs Leeder was the kindest of kind ladies —always giving—and very many charitable actions will be long re-membered. The deceased lady was an accomplished maker of ointment, eyewater, and medicines, and which were freely given away to those re-quiring same. The ointment, is con-sidered in Toodyay second to none, whilst the eyewater and medicines made by this grand lady relieved the suffering of very many on hundreds of occasions. For many years the deceased lady was Mayoress of New-castle (now Toodyay) and laid the foundation stone of the then Council Chambers, and to-day the Roads Board Chambers, and when in this position together with her husband as Mayor, done much to advance Toodyay. Her husband predeceased her 14 years ago, and of the eight children (seven boys and one girl) of the marriage, three survive, they being Henry, David, and Olive (Mrs. Aubrey Sinclair).

The funeral took place on Friday of last week, the cortege leaving deceased's late residence at 1.30 p m. and thence to St. Stephen's Church where part of the burial service was held and where a large number of sorrowing relatives and friends were present to pay a last tribute to a kind mother, a good Christian, and a sincere friend. During the service the Rector paid a tribute to the splendid life that the departed friend had led, and stated that the Church honored faithful sons and daughters, and it owed a deep debt of gratitude to one in whose life St. Stephen's Church had played so large a part, and they were about to lay at rest the body of one who did what she could. During the service two of deceased's favorite hymns were sang—"Rock of Ages," and "Thy Will be Done."

After the service her remains were taken by road to Northam, and were laid at rest beside those of her husband, in the Anglican portion of the Northam Cemetery. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. J. Mason. The chief mourners were:— Henry and David (sons), J. A. J. Sinclair (son-in-law), John and David Morrell (brothers). The pall-bearers were:—Messrs. W. A. and J. A. Wroth, W. A. Demasson, C. J. Lloyd, T. James, and G. S. Giles. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Mr. I. J. Doust. Wreaths, etc. were sent by the following:— David, May, and family; Henry, Olive, and Aubrey; ........(list continues at length)^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ WA Birth Index 1843/307
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} The Bicentennial dictionary of Western Australians, pre-1829-1888. [compiled by Rica Erickson], https://www.friendsofbattyelibrary.org.au/bicentennial-dictionary
3. ↑ https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/148914101