Unsourced Research Seery-Limond

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surnames/tags: Seery Limond Hogan

This document contains the hand-typed notes that are the result of research by Rita Philpott and Sr Margaret Seery, as well as their personal knowledge and recollections, and edited by Helen Kearns (. The notes are in the form of a narrative story.

Text reads (spelling and grammar preserved):

SEERY-LIMOND

Michael Seery was born in Westmeath Irland in 1837. No information Of his early life.At the age of 21 he sailed for Australia on the British Trident. The first account of his life in Australia began when he bought land on the South Coast of N.S.W. in the Moss Vale district, he and his brother Thomas were among the first settlers in that area. Michael paid £40 for 40 acres of land in 1863 not far from the present Avoca School. It is probably from here he remarked "It is just like the Vale of Avoca in Irland". John Hirey & family now live on this selection. Portion No 357.

In 1866 Michael selected land in Walkers Rd, (Portion 148,149,151) it became known as Moss Brook. was on the main road between Moss Vale & Fitzroy Falls, as it was necessary to skirt the swamp, over which Sheep Wash Rd, now travels to meet the Illawarra Highway. In 1872 Michael also transferred Portion 147 to Thomas. This block originally owned by J. Walmsley was sold to Michael in 1869. He owned a number of properties in Avoca and it was adjacent to his land (portion 344) that the first school was built. This was on land owned by Stan Thomas. There was a track to the school going west from the present Wildes Meadow Rd, Where it meets Sheepwash Rd, "Moss Brook" is now owned by Ron & Betty Mum ford, theyhave renamed it "Boolacaroo"

Michael married Tophina Limond from Picton born 1846 died 1927, daughter of Joseph 1818-1905 and Catherine Flar* or (F) Slattery 1813-1899. Michael and Tophina were married at Berrima 1868they had 14 children, 4 infants died and are buried in Burrawang Cemetry with Michael, he died in 1908.

Michael's eldest son Michael James was born at Burrawang in 1874, he attended first Avoca School, having to work the farm with his father he had to leave school at an early age, with a great thirst for knowledge and an avid reader, one could say he was self educated. After a number of years working on the home farm,he ventured out to make a life of his own on the North Coast of N.S.W. A lot of people were moving north as the big cedar scrub was being cleared to make way for the expanding dairy industry as the Austr -alian population was increasing. Michael's sister Mary and her husband Thomas Cowley, in the early 1900's had selected a property between Grafton & CAsino, they called Kippenduff which means "black stick (Irish). The also conducted the first Post Office.

Michael visited his sister, from what we hear he made several trips, not sure how he travelled, it is alleged he came to Byron Bay by boat, was cutting cedar, also spent time at Dorrigo, he amused the younger generation,when he said it was too quiet at Dorrigo but selected land at a more isolated place but maybe it was the fact he had a sister closer. He also brought his fathers draught horse with his bit that was after he selected property at Wyan Creek 10 miles west of Kippenduff. Michael senior visited the property and called it "Mary Vale" about 1906. It is registered with the Lands depart -ment in Grafton. Holding "Mary Vale" Parish of Wyan Portion No 63 64 70 71. Location Wyan Creek, acres 976. Now owned by E.Richards Rappville.

Michael also cut sleepers at Clearfield, his time was spent clearing and fencing paddock of various sizes, his boundary ran along the Dividing range. the Clarence River ran through the range starting in the McPherson Range on the QLD N.S.W. border, empting into the sea at Yamba. After several Years Michael had the property ready to stock cattle, his brother Peter also came to help him. Checking the boundary fences was an ordeal he could be away for days, he would take enough provisions to camp out. A house was built on a slight rise above a flat that separated it from the creek, a hill behind the house gradually emerged into the mountain. It is not known when Peter came he and Michael joined the Light Horse. Peter went to the First World WAr and was killed at Gaza, he is buried in the Field of Flanders France. His name is on the Honour List at Casino Memorial Hospital also Avenue of Trees are planted at Rappville in memory of fallen soldiers of the war.

Michael stocked the property, buying from Herb Dunne and Bob Stewert, they came from Gordon Brook Station on the Clarence River also John Walsh from Casino. The aborigines also came through on their way to Corroberees.

The property had a lot of natural beauty, mountains,valleys flats creeks a small amount of cedar, a lot of hard wood, Iron bark girders went into the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Michaels Mother Tophina sold the farm after the death of husband in 1908 moved to Nth. Sydney where her daughter lived. Michael went to visit his mother, his brother Paul was a tram driver, he brought home their cousin Jen Rogan & her friend Kate Hogan from Young. Little did Paul know he was playing cupid.Tophina died in 1927 is buried in Northern Suburbs Cemetary.

Michael & Kate(Catherine) were married in 1918 at St Marys,Ridge St. Nth Sydney the church is still there but has been renovated and now faces Miller St. Jen Rogan and Kate's cousin Ethel Petersen were bridesmaids. Ethel was the sister to Paul second wife. Tom and Paul were best man and groomman. Kate was given away by her brother-in-law Bill Willoughby.

Michael and Kate came to Kempsey by rail, then boat to Grafton and rail to Myrtle Creek, were met by Tom Cowley, taken to Kippenduff by horse and sulky after a short stay they continued on to their home at Wyan Creek 10 miles further west. There wasn't any one living closer, Kate would ride to Kippenduff for the mail and the com -pany of another women.On one occasion she came to a creek where a horse died and always referred to it as dead horse creek. Eventually many years after it was put in the district maps "Dead Horse Creek" but no mention of Kate Seery naming it. The Wyan Creek Rd. that rans off the Wyan-Kippenduff Rd is called Seery RD,Michael's brothers Paul & Joseph also lived along that road. Camerons were one of the first neighbours they lived at the Four Mile Creek, Prices and Haywoods further on. Mrs Camerons s sister married Ossie Small, they were Cormicks.These names will come in again further on.

Michael only grazed cattle as there wasa lot of fencing clearing and cultivating to be done also regular mustering of cattle to keep a reasonable count as they would get into mountains become wild also calves would have to be brought in to be branded it was the only hope of keeping track of your own beasts. A good riding horse was a necessity also a cattle dog, the blue healer was one of the best.

After a few years more people came, Kinsley only a mile or so away. Mosses a few more miles down the road.

Kate organised tennis matches at Kippenduff, it would be a great social day for all the locals. When her family started to arrive she could find the time to go to Kippenduff. Michael made a court at Mary Vale. There were many happy weekend spent playing tennis and cricket. Everyone provided lunch and a picnic under the gum trees.Then about 3.30 all home to milk cows.

In 1921 Michael and Kate had their first daughter Joan follow 2 years later by Mary (Marie). The economy started to drop, it became necessary to make other plans,Michael decided to go into dairying & raising pigs, which meant bails and styes had to be built machine for separating milk, cans bucket etc had to be purchased, so it was a busy time. Men were hired to help from time to time but they would come & go.

Joseph (brother) had a property closer to the main road. It is thought he arrived about 1919-1920 with wife Eileen, who died a year or so later Joseph was shearing at Moree. He would give a hand, he also looked after the farm to give Michael a holiday, cows have a low production in winter. The cream had to be taken to the Myrlle Creak Rail Station, in took a whole day by horse & cart you would pick up mail etc for people along the road. The post Office was ran by John & Mabel Murphy. With the advent of motors, cream carriers would pick up at the main road, take the cream to Rappville railway station where it was taken on the Casino butter factorery, bread & meat would be brought at Rappville and sent out to the farms by carriers. Most people did their general shopp -ing in Casino, often staying over night. Rappville was called after Henry Rapp.

Michael and Kate would stay in Casino at Walsh,they met him as a cattle buyer and a long friendship was forged.

Patricia was born in 1925, still plenty of work and no sons Kate worked hard but loved the life, it was peaceful and happy,contented with a husband and young children. Being a city girl she adapted well to the quiet isolation of the bush her city cousins couldn't believe she would be happy milking cows, she was everybody's friend and nurse, many a time a neighbour would rush in saying come quick some one is sick or had a accident. Kate called the farm "Happy Valley" it was often referred to that long after she departed this life. 1929 a year everyone remembers Wall St crashed, the depression started, people were on the dole, no one had any money you couldn't sell, there weren't any buyers, Michael and Kate battled on the farm, grew vegetables, had chicken and eggs,were better off than city people. Another daughter was born that year. Joan and Marie were starting to help, could do small tasks and mind the baby. Kate did most of the house work after the children were in bed, up at 5.30 to milk cows etc she did all the families sewing, cooking,bread and soap making, pickles and jams. No wonder they were never bored in those days.

Also in 1929 Michael's brother Paul bought property, he arrived with Freda and his second wife Ann (Peterson) who was Kate's cousin Freda was Paul's daughter, her mother died when she was about 2 years.

Joan and Marie started at Kippenduff school, they stayed with Michael's sister Mary Cowley as it was only 3 miles to walk. Then as they got older they would ride from home and in turn the younger ones would stay. Mary had a son Matthew he died in 1942 and daugh -ter Rose (Whitney), The Kippenduff school was built by the local people.

Margaret was born in 1931. The children helped on the farm all could milk cows at the age of Four. With no sons Michael depended on the girls help, they all learned to ride at an early age.In 1936 the school closed as there weren't enough children attending. Joan boarded at St Marys Casino for High School. When the school didn't reopen, the children received their education through correspondence School in Sydney, then going to Casino for late primary and High School.

When the second world War started in 1939, a lot of local young men join the Army,Light Horse as it was known, 99% would be good horsemen,training wouldn't be hard. When the Army was motorised it became Infantery. People started to move away, men were enlisting in the services not enough manpower to keep oper- ating the farms.Properties started changing hands.Ossie Small bought most of them he owns a lot of land between Grafton and Casino & back to the Range. He also drive a bullock wagan which was a great delight to the children if you were on the road at the same time, he mainly use them to snig logs out of the bush & take them to the timber mills. They also became a thing of the past when big Mac Trucks were introduced into the industry.

In 1940 Joan started nursing at Kyogle were cousin Mollie Willoughby was a Sister she was Kate's Niece & married Jack Smith of Casino. Joan stayed a few months , then went to Grafton completed her general nursing and obstetrics at the Mater Hospital in Newcastle. It was there she met her husband John(Mick) Bill, they were married in 1947 at St Marys in Casino.They had 7 children.

The government introduced compulsery dipping of cattle to prevent spread of ticks. Dip yards had to be built, neighbouing owners combined & used the same dip. Ted Bullitude was in charge of the area. The cattle were sipped every 6 weeks which meant a lot a extra work mustering, Marie & Patricia stayed on the farm several Years after leaving school. Marie helped in the house & Patricia stayed outside with the cattle & horses. Things were getting better with the end of the war in 1945. Patricia took up nursing spending time in Grafton, Casino, Newcastle & Sydney. Patricia met & married Raymond Neville in Sydney. They were married in1949 at St Marys Cathedral, they had 10 children, live in several places before buying a home in Lalor Park where they have lived for32 years.

Marie went to Sydney for a holiday in 1947, found work and retired in 1988 she is living in Leichhardt. Margaret entered the convent in 1948 she taught in nearly all infant school on the north coast ran by the Sisters of Mercy. In 1972 she started nursing training at St Vincents Lismore and worked in the 2 Age homes ran by the Sisters of Mercy, then did extra training at St Vincents Sydney working in several wards.

Michael was only grazing cattle during the late 40's & early 50's and selling timber,milked a few cows for home use and supply milk to the families working in the timber mill.

After leaving school Rita stayed on the farm until 1948, a short time with Joan in Newcastle, then to Sydney where she gained empl -oyment, stayed 21 years returning in 1969 married George Philpott, after being widowed in 1970 she stayed with Kate until she died in 1971. Rita then took up a position as housekeeper at the Catholic Presbytery Casino. In 1950 Joan,Mick & daughter Margaret came back to the farm to be with Michael & Kate as they were aging and health detereating.In the early 40's Bennett Bros built a timber mill at Wyan Creek. Mick was employed as a benchhand and boiler attendant. They also built houses for their workers, a school was erected and Byron Moss was the Teacher, he boarded with Val & Elsie Smith and a life long friendship developed with Michael & Kates family for 4 generations to this point. Some of the workers at the mill were decesdants of the early settlers Elsie Smith (Moss) Noel Kensley, Alf Whitney (Roses husband) was felling trees. Jack Rapp grandson of Henry Rapp.

In 1930 Michael died of a heart attack, buried in the Casino Cemetry, 4 years later Kate Sold the farm to E. Richards son-in- law of Ossie Small. Kate bought a house in Casino, belonging to Transton, Mrs Transton was Mrs. Kinsley senior sister her neighbour was Roy Cormick nephew of Mrs Small and Mrs Cameron. Joan & Mick also brought a house in Casino neighbours were Fred Townsend & Ted Bulitude. The Wyan Creek conection remained. Kate died in 1971,Mick died in 1983 & Joan died in 1987 all buried in Casino Cemetry. Al people mention still have desendants living in the Wyan Rappville district and Casino.