James Smith (1829 - 1910)

Born 1829 in Hampshire, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 21 Dec 1910 at about age 81 in Bordertown, South Australia, Australia

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Biography

Obituary.
Mr James Smith.
Another of the band of Tatiara pioneers has been removed from our midst by Father Time. Mr James Smith, a resident of close on 40 years, became ill about two months ago, and although every care and attention was given him he gradually weakened and succumbed to his trouble on Wednesday morning at 9 o'clock, the direct cause of death being heart failure.
The funeral is to take place this afternoon for interment in the Bordertown cemetery. The cortege will leave the house at 2.30 pm and traverse through the township. The service at the grave will be read by the Rev A Issac, Congregational minister, the pall bearers will be older residents and the mortuary arrangements will be carried out by Funeral Director T L Truman.
Mr Smith, who had gone over the span man (his age was 81 years last July) was born at South Hampshire, England, in 1829, and he came to the colonies in 1843 or 45, acting as cook's mate for the voyage out. He landed at Port Adelaide and immediately gained work as a labourer around the city. He was one of the men working in the paddock when the first stripper (Ridley's) was tested, and he thought it a queer object. He was the first man to build a square stack of hay in the city of Adelaide and his success aroused much jealousy among his fellow workers. The gold fever in Victoria claimed him as a disciple and he visited both the fields at Bendigo and Ballarat. He was fairly succesful, and amassed some wealth, but was seized with rheumatic fever, and his long stay in the hospital swallowed up all his savings. He returned to Adelaide, and shortly afterwards gained his wife. He then labored at Milang for Messrs Crawford and Goldfinch. About 40 years ago he came to the Tatiara, and commenced farming, holding his own country, but laboring between times for Mr Thomas Adamson. He was one of the principal fencers in those days, and much of his work is still in use. His first selection "Ashley Farm" then 149 acres, is now held by Mr L L Cleggett. He left, and then successfully worked the property now held by his son Mr Fred Smith on the Border road. About 18 or 20 years ago Mr Smith introduced grapes to the Tatiara, and he has since had the satisfaction of hearing the government experts declare his product to be the best he had ever tasted. About 5 yrs ago Mr Smith elected to return to his old home, and accompanied by his wife, sailed for England, where 12 months were spent. He then returned and built the fine home "Ashley Villa" on the Nalang road, which he occupied at the time of his death. He had lived a retired life for years, happy to potter about among his plants and trees, allowing the world to go along as it chose.
Mr Smith leaves a widow, and a family of seven - Mr James Smith (Yanipy), Mr Wm Smith (Yanipy), Mrs Thos Merrett (Leeor), Mr Fred Smith, Mrs D Bradshaw, Mrs A Creaser, Mrs Wm Clark, all of Bordertown. Mrs Arthur Merrett, now deceased, was also a daughter. The grand-children number 37. ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ "Obituary." Border Chronicle (Bordertown, SA : 1908 - 1950) 23 December 1910: 3. Web. 2 Aug 2022 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article212440887>.

• South Australia Death Index. (Genealogy SA, https://www.genealogysa.org.au/index.php : accessed 2 Aug 2022) database entry for James SMITH (Death date 21 Dec 1910, age 81, marital status M, place of death Bordertown, residence Bordertown) Reference: District Wellington, Book/Page 354/46
• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 02 August 2022), memorial page for James Smith (1829–21 Dec 1910), Find A Grave: Memorial #112070624, citing Bordertown Cemetery, Bordertown, Tatiara District Council, South Australia, Australia; Maintained by Deb Jackson (contributor 48938337).