George Alexander Withers
Updated 11 January 2024
George Alexander Withers was born on 28 May 1841 at Collingwood Station, near Gunning in NSW. He was the seventh child and seventh son of George Withers and his wife, Susannah, née Lloyd [1].
George is not directly related to me however I came across a record of his grave recently and, since it was located not far from where I live in Sydney, I went to have a look at it.
George is not directly related to me however I came across a record of his grave recently and, since it was located not far from where I live in Sydney, I went to have a look at it.
Richard's father, George, had been granted his Certificate of Freedom in 1830 and the family had lived first in Lower Minto in the Campbelltown area of what is now Sydney and then at Burrangong Station in King's County, near Yass.
In 1839 the family had moved to Collingwood Station near Gunning where George and Susannah were assigned as convict servants to the owner, Mrs John Kennedy Hume, who had been widowed. The family lived there until about 1847, when young George was Richard was six.
Sometime between 1847 and 1849, George and his family moved to land they had purchased at Shelley's Flat, near Gunning where George was a farmer.
By 1860, when young George was 19, George had relocated his family east of Gunning to the plains of Breadalbane, where he and his sons worked as teamsters, working the area between Sydney and Albury.
In 1839 the family had moved to Collingwood Station near Gunning where George and Susannah were assigned as convict servants to the owner, Mrs John Kennedy Hume, who had been widowed. The family lived there until about 1847, when young George was Richard was six.
Sometime between 1847 and 1849, George and his family moved to land they had purchased at Shelley's Flat, near Gunning where George was a farmer.
By 1860, when young George was 19, George had relocated his family east of Gunning to the plains of Breadalbane, where he and his sons worked as teamsters, working the area between Sydney and Albury.
Marriage and Children
In 1865, at the age of 24, George married Emily Reynolds, the daughter of George and Bridget Reynolds, in Goulburn [2]. According to NSW BDM records, the couple had three children together: George H (born 1866 in Yass), Matthew William (born 1873 in Goulburn) and Mary A (born 1875 in Goulburn).
1865-1878
In 1878, George's address was given as "Little Razor Back" when he registered the death of his father. George was 37 when his father died. In Greville's 1872 Post Office Directory, he Post Town for Little Razor Back was given as Mutt billy so George was still living in the Mutt Billy area at that time.
Death and Burial
George died on 14 September 1916, aged 75. His death was registered in the district of Hornsby in Sydney [3].
Emily died on 17 November 1912, aged 63. Her death was registered in the district of Chatswood in Sydney [4].
The couple are buried in the graveyard of St John's Anglican Church in Gordon in Sydney. The photos of the headstone were taken by me on 24 January 2019.
There is another Withers - Frederick William Withers (1879-1924) - buried in the same cemetery, however, he does not appear to be the son of Emily and George. His mother's name is recorded as Mabel.
Emily died on 17 November 1912, aged 63. Her death was registered in the district of Chatswood in Sydney [4].
The couple are buried in the graveyard of St John's Anglican Church in Gordon in Sydney. The photos of the headstone were taken by me on 24 January 2019.
There is another Withers - Frederick William Withers (1879-1924) - buried in the same cemetery, however, he does not appear to be the son of Emily and George. His mother's name is recorded as Mabel.
The inscription on the headstone reads: "In loving memory of Emily, beloved wife of George Withers, died 17th November 1912, aged 63 years. At rest. Also George, husband of the above, died 14th September 1916, aged 75 years."
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/180329446/george-alexander-withers
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/180329446/george-alexander-withers
References
[1] NSW BDM, 1838/1841 V18411838 31A;
[2] NSW BDM, 2129/1865;
[3] NSW BDM, 17965/1916;
[4] NSW BDM, 15125/1912;
[5] NSW BDM, 8220/1924;
[2] NSW BDM, 2129/1865;
[3] NSW BDM, 17965/1916;
[4] NSW BDM, 15125/1912;
[5] NSW BDM, 8220/1924;