Eliza (Richardson) Martin (1853 - 1945)

Born 5 Jul 1853 in Williams River, Dungog, Colony of New South Wales.

Ancestors

Wife of Frederick Martin — married 4 Oct 1870 in Taree, Colony of New South Wales

Descendants

Died 14 Jun 1945 at age 91 in Vine Hill, Kimbriki, New South Wales, Australia

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Newspaper Articles

Eliza (Richardson) Martin was born in the Colony of New South Wales (1788-1900)

"Mesdames J. Bain and E. M. Ferrett, of Wauchope, journeyed to Kimbriki this week to visit their mother, Mrs. Fred. Martin, who reached the grand age of 80 years yesterday (Thursday). They hope to remain holidaying on the Manning for a time." (The Wingham Chronical & Manning River Observer, Fri 6 Jul 1934, Page 4)

Biography

Obituary Mrs Eliza Martin

"Member of a Manning pioneer family, Mrs. Eliza Martin of Burrell Creek, who died at the week-end, will be a loss to the district for her hospitality was notable.

Mrs Martin was born almost 92 years ago and would have attained that age on July 5. She was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Tom Richardson, who came from England, and was born at Williams River, Dungog. In her early girlhood she came in a steamer to the Manning and lived in the district for the remainder of her life. She died in the house in which she had lived as a girl, on property which had been bought by her father.

Education in those early days was not the continuous process of today. Mrs. Martin attended Bo Bo School, and among the scholars there who were her contempories are Mr. W. Polley (92) of Wynter Street, Taree, and Mr. H. Minett (90), of Wonga Street, Taree. Life was hard in those days for children and adults. Maize was the only crop grown, and year after year it was washed away before harvest. Mrs. Martin bore a full share of the hardships incidental to rural pursuits on the Manning.

She was married to Mr. Frederick Martin in Taree Methodist Church. The wedding was an ordeal, for there was no motor car to provide comfort for the bride and her maids and for their costumes. The wedding party rode from Burrell Creek to Taree and afterwards went to the home of the bridegroom's parents at Wauchope for the reception. (The reception at Wauchope is mentioned in all articles describing the wedding, but I have not found any reference to William and Cordelia Martin, Fred's parents living any where other than "Kelvin Grove", Burrell Creek.)

Married life was begun on a property known as "Greenburn", Kimbriki, bought by Mr. Martin's father. It is now owned by Mr. F.S. Martin. There was a family of 10 children, all of whom lived to mature years, and only one whom has died. Mr. Martin, Senr., was the first to die, and he was followed by a son, Samuel. The children are Mrs. J.F. Lattimore, Burrell Creek; Mr. William Martin, with whom his mother lived at Vine Hill; Mr. Frederick S. Martin, of Flett Street, Taree; Mr. S. Martin, of Bulby Bush (Belbora), deceased; Mrs. J. Taylor, Tarpit, Tipperary; Mr. E. L. Martin, Wynter Street, Taree; Mrs. J. Bain, Wauchope; Mrs. W. Ferrett, Wauchope; Mr. Victor Martin, Krambach; Mr. Manning Martin, Comboyne. There are also many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mrs. Martin was the last surviving member of the Richardson family. All were long lived, and one of her brothers attained the age of 90 years.

Mr. and Mrs. Martin celebrated their golden wedding in 1920 and their diamond wedding towards the end of 1930. Mr. Martin died a few months latter.

Like the women of her era, Mrs. Martin was extremely versatile. She was famed for her hospitality, which did not baulk at the Aborigine or the Syrian traveler, and her home was open house for a large number of friends. As she baked her own bread and did all the housework her hands were full. She could knead bread and rock the cradle simultaneously. She made all of the clothing for her children. She was famous, too, as a raconteur and had the history of the district at her fingertips.

As a Methodist, Mrs. Martin was devoted to her church and was a regular attendant at services until an accident disabled her. About 17 years ago she had a fall and broke a thigh, after which time her movements were circumscribed. She then took up fancy work and stitchery, and her descendants have some fine examples of her prowess in those arts. She won two prizes in classes at Gloucester Show for fancywork done by women over 50 years. For most of her life she did not have to use glasses. About three weeks ago Mrs. Martin had a fall and has been bedridden since. She was nursed by Mrs. Paterson, a granddaughter, and formerly a nurse.

After a service in her late home the remains of Mrs. Martin were laid to rest in Bo Bo Cemetery. Rev. W.T. Cross, assisted by Rev. L. Smith, conducted the services at the home and graveside. Mr. W. T. Howard was undertaker." (The Manning River Times, Taree, Wed. 20 Jun. 1945, Page 4)

She is buried with her husband Frederick of just over 60 years in the Methodist Section Plot 84, of Bo Bo Creek Cemetery, Burrell Creek, New South Wales, Australia.

Sources

"The Manning River Times and Advocate for the Northern Coast Districts of New South Wales, Taree, NSW, Sat 14 Mar 1936 , Page 8".

"The Manning River Times, Taree, Wed. 20 Jun. 1945, Page 4".

Mid North Coast Pioneers - Newcastle to Lismore and beyond.

"Richardson Family Reunion Book", Pages 19 & 20. Unpublished.

"From Winchelsea to Kelvin Grove: A Martin Family History 150 Years in Australia" 1838-1988. Published by Classic Printer. Taree, New South Wales, Australia.