Charles Henry Packham was born on 14 September 1842 in Toongabbie, New South Wales, Australia, the son of Henry Packham and Ann Unicomb and the brother of Sarah Ann (Peckham) Chandler, Hannah Packham, George (Peckham) Packham, Harriet (Peckham) Packham, Mary Ellen (Packham) Bradley, Samuel Packham and Elizabeth Jane (Packham) Stevens.
He married Mary Robards on 23 November 1863 in Orange New South Wales, Australia. For some reason the Birth Certificate is found in 1867 but recorded as in being in 1863 [1]. They were the parents of Henry Thomas Packham, James Packham, William Packham, Sarah (Packham) Neville, Emma (Packham) Piddington, Mary (Packham) Neville, Samuel Wesley, Alice J (Packham) Young, Anne (Annie) Louisa Packham and Alice Jane (Packham) Young.
Charles owned land at Garra where he produced cereal, sheep, and fruit. He was especially successful in fruit culture and became well known for his production of Pears. The "Packham's Triumph," named by Mr. Allen of the Agricultural Department, was claimed to be the finest pear in the world, was produced by Charles Packham as well as other Pear varieties. He had a large orchard of 80 acres, mostly set aside for apple and pear growing, and which took most of his time. [2]
Charles died 20 March 1909 in Garra, New South Wales, Australia [3] and was buried in the Garra Cemetery, Garra, New South Wales, Australia
Obituary: We regret to have to record the death of an old and respected resident of the Molong district in the person of Mr. Charles Henry Packham, who passed away "to that bourne from whence no traveller returneth," on Saturday morning at 9 o'clock, at his residence, "Clifton," Garra, in the presence of his wife and family. The deceased gentleman had enjoyed good health, with the exception of a passing indisposition now and again, during his fairly long life, he having reached within four years—66—of the allotted span. Some three weeks prior to his demise, he was attacked, however, with acute dysentry, and at first, neither he nor the members of his family who resided with him thought it very serious, and the usual home remedies were applied, but they failed to give any relief, and as the sufferer was gradually growing weaker Dr. Veech was called in, and found that internal complications of an alarming nature had developed. Everything that medical skill could devise and careful nursing could avail was done, but although his sufferings were relieved, he gradually grew weaker and weaker from the dire complaint, and eventu- ally breathed his last in peace and with resignation, at the hour and on the day above mentioned. The late Mr. Packham, who was the eldest son of the late Mr. Henry Packham, of " Quickbourne," Molong, was born at Toongabbie, near Parramatta, in the year 1842. he came to this district, whither his parents migrated in 1849, when only seven years of age. He married a daughter, who survives him, of the late Mr. James Robards, formerly of Orange, but latterly of Garra, in 1864. The issue of the marriage was four sons and five daughters, viz., Henry (Marrickviile), James (Cherry Hill, Garra), William (Garra), Samuel Wesley (Manildra), Mrs. J. T. Neville and Mrs. G. H. Neville (The Shades), Mrs. Piddington (deceased), Mrs. J. Young (Murrundi), and Miss Annie Packham. There are also about 50 grandchildren. Deceased was also a brother of our respected ex-Mayor (Ald. Geo. Packham), Mrs, Chandler (near Wellington), Mrs Bradley (Borenore), Mrs. Downs (K??, Sydney), and Mrs. Stevens (near Camden). The late Mr. Packham selected land at Garra in the early days, and followed "mixed farming," comprising cereal growing, sheep raising, and fruit growing. He had a special penchant in connection with fruit culture, and his fame as the producer of new varieties by a system of soil culture was known, especially by horticulturists, throughout the Commonwealth. "Packham's Triumph," named by Mr. Allen of the Agricultural Department, and claimed by that expert as the finest pear in the world, was produced by Mr. Packham; also another pear known as "Packham's Late," which comes into the market at a later date than other varieties of this succulent specie of fruit. At his well kept farm at Garra, Mr. Packham had an orchard of some 80 acre, chiefly devoted to apple and pear growing, and to which he gave a great deal of his time. It can be truly said that he was an enthusiast as regards fruit culture, and at the time he took ill he was assiduously tending his fruit trees with a view of sending a trophy of apples, pears, &c., to compete at the Sydney Show, where he had on several occasions been a successful exhibitor. However, man proposes and God disposes, and ere his laudable wish could be carried out he passed away from this mundane sphere of " hopes and fears." It is truthfully said that any man who makes two blades of grass grow where only one previously grew is a benefactor to his country, and the application appropriately applies to the subject of this notice. The late Mr Packham was a quiet unnassuming man and highly respected by the circle in which he moved. He was a staunch and consistent member of the Methodist persuasion, and was a regular attendant of the little church at Garra, and always contributed liberally to any movement having for its object the helping of the affairs of the circuit. The funeral, which was large and representative (several Molongites be- ing present) took place on Sunday forenoon, the remains being interred in the Garra cemetery. The Rev. R. J. Thomas conducted the burial service in a solemn and impressive manner. With the rest of the community we extend our sincere sympathy with the bereaved widow and family in their irreparable loss, and trust that it shall be long ere the hand of sorrow may fall upon them again. Mrs. Kingsland conducted the funeral arrangements. The Rev. Mr. Thomas will conduct a memorial service at the Garra church on Sunday next.[4]
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