William Shoesmith (1807 - 1891)

William Shoesmith of this Parish
of St Mary Magdalene, Bachelor
and Harriet Drury of the said Parish
Spinster
were married in this Church by Banns with Consent of
Friends this Thirteenth Day of
June in the Year One thousand eight hundred and Thirty one
By me Henry John Rush-Curote (??)
This Marriage was solemnized between us
William Shoesmith x
Harriet Drury x
In the Presence of
Thos Crowley (??) x
Elizth Crowley (??) x

Manning River.

On Thursday last Mr. William Shoesmith, an old resident, passed away at his residence, Jones's Island, at the advanced age of 83 years and 8 months. The old gentleman had resided with his wife and family for 34 years in this district, and lost his wife and one daughter some time previous to 1871, since which time, his son Alfred and his wife and family have taken charge of the old homestead, and have done everything to make the life of the deceased as bright, as happy, and as comfortable as possible.

Mr. Shoesmith has left behind him, living at the time of his death, four sons, two daughters, 55 grandchildren, and 66 great grandchildren. From personal knowledge I can say that he was far and widely known throughout this district, and was regarded with much esteem by many, many friends for his kindly, cheery, and amiable qualities. He was always upright and irreproachable, and a Christian, while he filled all his social relations in a blameless and affectionate manner. His funeral took place at Mitchell Island Cemetery, when a large assemblage of relations and friends paid their last tribute to their old kinsmen and friend.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Gathering of the Shoesmiths

Sir: On May 14-15 1988 Shoesmiths from near and far will gather for the first family reunion. Much research has been done and a family history back to 1645 has been compiled. Further research is still underway and the Shoesmith family is related to Sir Henry Vane who was knighted in battle at Poietiers by Henry VI.

Most of the Australian descendants are related to Edward and William Shoesmith who lived at Bexhill, Sussex, England. Edward Shoesmith was transported to Australia in 1829 aboard the ship "Claudine," he was married in England and left behind five children. Some of this family later emigrated to Australia, but some remained, one Miss Christine Shoesmith is librarian at Bexhill today.

After Edward Shoesmith received his ticket of leave he remarried Matilda Allen nee Mitchell at Morpeth, NSW. Edward and Matilda had 12 children, Harriet (m Edward Hardes) Amelia, Miriam, Miriam (m Sharpe), Edward Charles, Henry (m Elizabeth Neate), Alice, Rose (m Wilson), Annie (m Robert Wright), Emily Ada (m James Davis), Elizabeth (m Jack Thomas), Thomas. Many of their descendants are in the Hunter area and some moved to the Manning.

William and Harriet nee Drury Shoesmith travelled to Australia in 1837 aboard the bounty ship "Augusta Jessie." They first setled in the Hunter area and then in 1856 bought 86 acres of land on Jones Island NSW for £1 (one pound) per acre. The land was promoted by the crown as "the soil on these farms is good and suitable for agriculture." William and Harriet Shoesmith had nine children William Edward, Rosena Ellen (m William Gill), George (m Margaret Casey), Charlotte (m Linton), Humphrey (m Emma Sheather), Alfred (m Catherine Dykes), James (m Elizabeth Unicomb), David (m Sarah Sophia Lee), Jane (m Samuel Webster).

The farm at Jones Island was worked by Alfred after William's death, then his son Thomas, and finally by William's great grandson Cyril Shoesmith, before it was finally sold to the Emerton family in 1977. Many Shoesmiths have been tradespeople and the name Shoesmith is derived from the "olde English" Shoeing Smith, maker of horseshoes. The bellows in Wauchope's Timbertown blacksmith shop belonged to Lyle Shoesmith who was a pioneer blacksmith on the Manning and at Beechwood. Father and son William and George Shoesmith transported the cement along the beach to build the Crowdy Head lighthouse and the first Hardes Auto House Holden dealer's shop was built in 1928-9 by William Shoesmith.

In May approximately 450 descendants are travelling from Gawler SA, Noble Park Vic, North Mackay Queensland and all parts of NSW to the Manning for a weekend of kinship.

Saturday: Registration, displays of charts, photos, poster competition for children subject "My Grandparent."

Sunday: Tree dedication in Taree Pioneer Memorial Park and a river cruise to Manning Point.

Anyone wishing further details please contact C & G Shoesmith, 105 River Street, Cundletown 2430, telephone (065)539477. Mrs C M Shoesmith