Mary Rosanna (Brown) Ross (abt. 1830 - 1916)

Born about 1830 in Jerrys Plains, New South Wales, Australia

Ancestors

Wife of Colin Ross — married about 1851 in New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 9 Apr 1916 at about age 86 in Inverell, New South Wales, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Doug Farquhar [send private message] and Simon Ross [send private message]

Biography

Mary (Rosanna) Brown was born in 1830. She was the fourth daughter of Tom Brown and Mary Ann O'Neil ^{[1] [2]}and was baptised at St Mary’s Catholic Church in 1830 ^{[citation needed]}. During her life, she was more commonly known as Rosanna (or Rosanne) ^{[citation needed]}.

Upon the death of their father in 1836 and their mother in 1839, Sarah (13) and siblings Amelia (10) & Roseanne (9) became orphans.

There are two claims about what happened to the girls at this time. One suggests that they 'continued to live comfortably at Erskine Street.' ^{[citation needed]}; while another suggests that a Roman Catholic family fostered Sarah, and Amelia and Roseanne were adopted by Protestant families ^{[citation needed]}. Whatever the arrangements for the foster care of the three girls, it is believed that James Chisholm (cousin of their father Thomas) arranged for their education and his wife, Elizabeth, was also involved. ^{[citation needed]}

Roseanne was recruited by Mrs Henrietta Bloxsome of Ranger’s Valley, Glen Innes, New England, as a governess in about 1850 ^{[citation needed]}. It was here she was married to Colin Ross (1822-1882) at the home of his sister, Mrs Fletcher, in Glen Innes in 1851 ^{[citation needed]}.. She moved with her husband to what was then known as ‘Byron Plains, New England’ in August of 1853 and established a store there ^{[citation needed]}.

Rosanne is said to have been appointed 'vaccinator for the Glen Innes District' when there was a smallpox scare ^{[citation needed]}.

By 1892, the widowed Rosanne was living at ‘a large house, Edgecliffe, with a wide garden which swept down to rugged cliffs above the McIntyre River.’ She purchased “Argyle, " a 2500 acre property adjoining her daughter’s property ‘Woodstock’ and rented it out to her son-in-law to manage both properties jointly. ^{[citation needed]}

She passed away in 1916, with her foster parents rather than her biological parents recorded on her death certificate. ^[3]

Sources

1. ↑ New South Wales Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Birth Certificate 1534/1830 V18301534 127 Name: BROWN, MARY R Father: THOMAS Mother: MARY A District: LD [Roman Catholic, Sydney, St Mary's]
2. ↑ New South Wales Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Birth Certificate 1558/1830 V18301558 128 Name: BROWN, MARY R Father: THOMAS Mother: MARY A District: LD [Roman Catholic, Sydney, St Mary's]
3. ↑ New South Wales Registry of Births Deaths and Marriages Death Certificate 7565/1916 Name: ROSS ROSANNA M Father: JAMES Mother: CATHERINE District: INVERELL

• The Inverell Times (NSW : 1899 - 1954) Tuesday 11 April 1916 p 4 The Passing of a Pioneer: The Late Mrs Colin Ross. Day by day some old familiar face and figure has passed from the stage of life and vanished into the shadow of the wings but no more familiar figure has crossed life's stage in this district for the past half-century than that of Mrs Ross, relict of the late, Colin Ross, who breathed her last on Sunday night last. It was in the year. 1853, in the month of August; that the late Mrs Ross first came to Inverell with her husband and little daughter. They had been living in Glen Innes but were attracted to Inverell on account of it being a wheat-growing centre. The journey across the range was effected in a gig, buggies being unknown at that time. The road from Glen Innes to Inverell was then simply a bush track winding in a friendly fashion in and out among the trees. At that time Albion Hill and Ross Hill were covered with giant forest, trees. The pioneers forded the MacIntyre and settled a little way up the hill now called Ross Hill, but not named so by the Ross family. The first home consisted of two rooms and was owned by the proprietors of Byron Station, Ross Hill being then a portion of Byron. Later a larger house was built on the site of 'Byalla,' where the old lady resided until her death. In this home, a room of 20 feet in length was built especially for the purpose of holding church services. From these brief introductory remarks, the particulars of which are taken from the deceased lady's own book of reminiscences, It will be seen that the whole history of the late Mrs Ross was closely interwoven with that of Inverell and district. She was the daughter of Mr James Brown, of Jerry's Plains, and first saw the light of day in July 1834, being thus 85 years of age at the time of her death. In the year, 1851 she married Mr Colin Ross who predeceased her by some 34 years. The late Mr Colin Ross opened a store near where the 'Brae' now stands in 1853, but subsequently built the premises which the firm of Ross Ltd. occupied until destroyed by fire. The issue of the marriage was ten children, two of whom died early In life, while Byron died as the result of an accident in 1899. Those surviving are: Andrew (West Australia): Mrs Colin McMaster (Sydney); Dr Chisholm Ross (Sydney); Mrs C. L. Smilh (Inverell); Colin John Ross (engineer in the Railway Department); Herbert E. Ross (Ross and Rowe, architects, Sydney); and Mrs Beverley Cooper (Inverell). All of the family were present at the funeral yesterday with the exception of Andrew, who of course could not possibly arrive In time to pay his last respects to a good and loving mother. The late Mrs Ross was a splendid type of an Australian pioneer's wife and proved an excellent helpmate to her husband right throughout their lives. The soul of integrity, a strict adherent to the grand old Scotch faith, and an ideal wife and mother, she must have indeed died with 'a mind all peace and beauty.' Her admirable qualities will long be remembered by all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance. Almost to the last, the old lady was in possession of all her faculties, and death was entirely robbed of its terrors, but with her passing goes another exemplary character. She had a wonderful memory and was a particularly good descriptive writer, and her company was thus much sought after by the 'old hands' of the town and district. It is due to such pioneers like the late Mrs Ross that Inverell owes much of its present status as a town. The hardships that the lonely bush entailed in those early days are, alas, not fully appreciated. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon, a large and representative cortege of mourners following the remains to their last earthly resting place in the Presbyterian Cemetery. The mortuary arrangements were carried out by Mr C S. Thorley. In referring to the deceased the well-known lines are particularly applicable: — Life's work well done, Life's victory won, Now cometh rest.
• The Inverell Times (NSW : 1899 - 1954) Tuesday 9 May 1916 p 4 THE LATE MRS. COLIN ROSS - IMPRESSIVE MEMORIAL SERVICE AT ST. ANDREW'S. A VERY IMPRESSIVE service in memory of the late Mrs. Rosanna Mary Ross who passed to her final rest on April 9th, was held at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church on Sunday morning. The church was crowded. The congregation were much impressed by the beautiful address delivered by the Rev. T. F. Johanson, and fully- grasped the deep spiritual message conveyed by the service. Mr. L. Baker, the church organist, during the offertory played Chopin's Funeral March, and at the conclusion of the address, while the congregation remained standing, the Dead March in Saul. The hymns were suitable to the occasion and a full choir was in attendance. Taking as his text a passage from 11 Kings, 22-20 — "I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shall be gathered into thy grave in peace" the Rev. Judah's King. The story was an old one, dating back to 608 years before Christ. It was a tale oft told, ancient, and modern, for as we go on our way to follow out the call of duty we see a procession wending its way down our streets; the last reveille has sounded, and behold in a chariot there is conveyed the visible remains of one who has already passed from Armageddon— the land of warfare — to Jerusalem, the land of peace. Josiah filled hit place in the niche of history. We can well believe that the points of light he left behind him were so many added stars in the firmament of this world's record. Only on the Iast day shall we know the full significance of life; only then shall we be able to appreciate and rightly appraise the deeds of those who now make up that "vast multitude which no man can number." Dwelling further on the life of Josiah Rev. Johansen spoke of the conscious and unconscious influence remaining after this car?? span has run its course. This subtle thing belongs to and is linked to life, and although it manifests itself in speaking fashion after the life has departed, yet it is during the life of the good and the true that this influence, both conscious and unconscious, spreads itself around with ever-increasing force. Thus illustrating the life of Josiah the perpetual gentleman began his reference to the life lived by the late Mrs. Ross. 'By the death of Mrs. Rosanna Mary Ross on the 9th of April 1916, the citizens of Inverell have lost a true and sincere friend. It is a long way to to go back to the year 1858 when she came to Inverell with her husband and infant daughter, and yet she retained a keenness of insight and her intellectual outlook throughout her full span of life. She was a staunch and liberal supporter of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, and in her early days she took a very special interest in the children of the town. This interest led to the establishment of a Sunday School on Ross Hill. Kindness marked her days and her, steps were wisely chosen. In the little book entitled 'Reminiscences' Mrs. Ross writes — 'Sixty years ago saw the beginning -of this fine town of ours; then the district was very meagrely populated for the stations did not employ many hands, and there were no farms. Today we have a flourishing town and district, that are unrivaled throughout the State. Yes, we must never forget, the debt this town owes to the early pioneers who were instrumental in claiming God's Acre for the people. Nor must we forget, the sterling Christian character and worth of these, who, though now having entered through the veil yet left for us a soil consecrated by prayer and strenuous effort. Mrs. Ross and her husband will long be remembered and honored, not only for their energy, but for their Christian character. The one where memory we are honoring today speaks to us in no uncertain language. To all of us she has shown an eminent example of true Christian character and generous Christian usefulness in the Church of Christ. It is essentially true to say of her that she has been diligent in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.' In the

eighty-five years of life doled out to her by the grace of God, there is something more than time to take into account . We are thankful for a life of service and devotion to the Great Head of the Church. We do not forget that the value of the individual life consists in its usefulness, and the ideal of use- fulness circles round all that is good and truely beautiful. To unfold the steps of history that marked our friend's career is to reveal a picture at once arresting and beneficent. Yet we could stop or linger over the stones that went to build up the fabric in the temple of God. We peep into the future. We remember, however, that Jesus said concerning those who did His will, 'Ye are the temples of the Holy Ghost.' So every act of kindness, every inspiring and helpful word, every living thought that breathed it- self forth as fragrance in the air are but the stones in the temple of character. These stones in our beloved friend were 'well and truly laid.' It is of the end that we think — assuredly we still 'see through a g!ass darkly,' but we believe it to be true of one who was a able and illustrious pioneer in this great land, that she will carry the pioneering spirit with her through the ages, and thus ever make more glorious the days of life that are enshrouded and enshrined in eternity. Thus it is that the temple of God, the character of the human soul is brought to maturity. Someone says. 'He who would be useful to posterity must be useful to his contemporaries.' This is true, and it is a truth confirmed in the life of our friend. Sublime life and sublime influence are cause and effect. The effect will remain with us, so that yesterday's usefulness shall not be lost for tomorrow's need. We are not allowed to see the results of all that we do, our child-like nature and simplicity is thus preserved. It is enough that no true word or deed of our revered friend can return void to her. By her faithful service, she has, in the words of Dr. Parker, 'uttered the Lord's cry to the sons of men ; put in the roots; scattered the seed and one day the eternal summer shall set it, and all memories shall be absorbed in the one recollection, that Jesus Christ tested death for every man.' As a detailed reference has already been made in the weekly papers in regard to the late Mrs Ross, and as the history — however brief — of any life must include many references to those closely attracted to it, It is apparent that this slight sketch is only meant to express the heartfelt sympathy and love of the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church to those who mourn the loss of a relative and friend. Yet at the same time we rejoice to know that the family stock is still with us. This stock, we believe, is well qualified to carry the family traditions, hopes, and aspirations to their highest consummation." The Rev. Johanson concluded his address with these lines — 'O Thou Who watchest the ways o'men,... 'Keep us safe in the heavenly, air, An' bring us at last to Thy name aboon. As pure as a bairn at heart.

• The Maitland Daily Mercury (NSW) Thu 13 Apr 1916 Passing of a Pioneer. On Sunday evening, Inverell's oldest resident passed away at her residence, "Byalla," Ross Hill, in the person of Mrs. Ross. The deceased was born in Sydney, in July, 1830, and retained a keen recollection of happenings in Sydney's early days, when as a child she played on the beach of what is now Circular Quay. Just after she attained her majority on August 27th, 1857, she married the late Colin Ross, and two years later, with her husband and infant daughter, came to the present site of Inverell, where Mr. Ross became the pioneer storekeeper and subsequently established a flour-mill, tanning and fellmongers' establishment, and woolscouring works. He also ran a steam-threshing plant, and built the large stone wine-cellar at Rosenthem, on the Bannockburn road. Mr. Ross was not only a prosperous business man, but in the absence of a doctor often ministered to the sick and set broken bones, and he and Mrs. Ross saved many a valuable life by their kindly and skilful efforts. Mr. Ross's lamented death occurred in March, 1882. Seven of ten children survive their parents. They are — Andrew, of. Toodyay, W.A.; Mrs. Colin McMaster; Dr. Chisholm Ross, the eminent brain specialist, Mrs. C. L. Smith; Colin John, checking engineer, Government railways; Herbert Ernest, the well-known architect and civil engineer; and Mrs. Beverley Cooper, all of whom were born in Inverell. There are 18 grand-children living, and three great-grandchildren. Of late years Mrs. Ross lived a retired life amongst her children and personal friends. She was a staunch and generous supporter of St. Andrew's Church, the hospital, and kindred institutions. -
• http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article185344908 Interesting Reminiscences]: Mrs. Ross' instalment written some years before her death: 'Inverell in the Fifties'
• INDUSTRY & PERSEVERANCE A History of David Brown (1750 – 1836) and Family
• https://australianroyalty.net.au/tree/purnellmccord.ged/individual/I20321/Mary-Rosanne-Brown
• Find A Grave: Memorial #212098857