Margaret (Quilty) Downing (abt. 1827 - 1905)

Born about 1827 in Ireland

Wife of Robert Downing — married 1843 in Yass, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 23 Jul 1905 at about age 78 in Tumut, New South Wales, Australia

Biography

MRS MARGARET DOWNING When giving the sad information in our last issue of the death of one of our oldest and most respected residents, Mrs. Downing, widow of the late M. Robt. Downing, who had predeceased her some 14 years (a figure 3 being substituted for a 1, in our previous report, gave the term as 35 years, 15 having been meant), we stated that we would, as soon as we were able to procure such, give a biographical sketch of the career of that grand old pioneer, deeming that one with such a grand record as she was possessed of deserved more than a brief passing notice. The deceased was most highly esteemed by all acquaintances, she having enjoyed the reputation of being extremely friendly and good natured, the acme of honesty and integrity, and imbued with the highest qualifications of a christian lady. Her life, indeed, was one well worthy of emulation, and it was led under circumstances far from being akin to what now prevails. Residences were few and far between when our honored friend first settled down in these parts, and civilization was then only in its primitive stages here. The late Mrs. Downing came to the country from her native home in the Emerald Isle, with her parents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Quilty, in the year 1839, and settled down in what was then a wilderness on an area of land situated between Jugiong and Gobarralong. After remaining there about four years a move was made to Tumut, the portion of land then chosen being that fronting the Gilmore Creek and now occupied by Mr. Richard Rivers, the aboriginal name of the place being Doolyalah. In 1850 Mr. Downing sold out his interest in that holding to the late Mr. R. Wilson, and with his brother-in-law, Mr. T. O'Mara, bought that magnificent property, Rosebank, the original owner of which was the late Mr. R. Hever. After a lapse of time the husband of the subject of our article purchased the holding known as Killarney, built the hotel which now stands there, and occupied it until the year 1862, when he selected Gadara, which served as a comfortable home until death brought about a separation of the happy couple, the family of whom consisted of seven sons and four daughters, viz. — Robert (since deceased), Thomas, John, Michael, Matthew, Charles, and Frederick, and Mesdames Sheahan, Nash, McDonald, J. Thom and W. Thom. The brothers and sisters of deceased were— Thomas, Michael, and Edward Quilty, Mesdames Kenneally, O'Mara, McNamara, and O'Neill. By thrift, combined with wise and careful management, the late Mr. and Mrs Downing were enabled to become possessed of a fair supply of wealth; but they never stinted in any way expenditures, that were necessary to properly educate their children, all of whom are possessed of good scholarly attainments, and the cost of obtaining such in the early history of this colony was considerably greater and much harder to get than it is at the present time. Mrs. Downing remained at Gadara after her husband's death and until she was called hence herself, and completed a record as a pioneer that we doubt whether there is another person in N.S. Wales that can approach it. She leaves a lineage of immense proportions, more than half the people of the district being related in some way to the grand old patriarch, whose memory will ever remain green in the minds of those of the present generation. Two members of the family a boy and a girl, died when young ; and the remainder introduced the direct descendants of 60 grandchildren and 8 great grand-children. Deceased's age was given at 78 years at time of death, and although many people who knew the old lady were of opinion that it was greater, the computation agrees with the history we have been provided with. Until the last year of her life she had always been most hale and hearty; but during the past few months it was realized that her end was approaching. About a couple of months ago she suffered from an illness it was thought impossible for her to survive ; but, under Dr. Mason's careful attention, and with the excellent constitution she was possessed of, the battle of life was renewed. Not for long, however, for shortly afterwards another fit of illness came on, and, weakened by the first attack, she was unable to bear the strain, and passed away peacefully and quietly, surrounded by the sorrowing members of her family, who were able to be present, and with whom, on behalf of our numerous readers who were all friends of the departed one, we most heartily sympathize over the sad bereavement they have experienced in losing so fond and loving a parent. For many years the family chain was firmly, linked together; But, oh ! that chain is broken now — One great link has gone for ever.

The Tumut and Adelong Times (NSW : 1864 - 1867; 1899 - 1950) Friday 28 July 1905

Sources

• Marriage NSW BDM 1784/1843 V18431784 92 DOWNIE ROBERT QUILTY MARGARET LF (Roman Catholic Yass)
• Death NSW BDM 10806/1905 DOWNING MARGARET THOMAS ANNE TUMUT