George BARRETT

The following photos were supplied by Michael Povey <mpovey-at-tpg.com.au> 31.08.11

The death of Mr. George Barrett of Inglewood, Adaminaby, at the residence of his son Mr. Hy.C. Barrett.

The deceased was born at Liverpool N.S.W. arrived on the Monaro 76 years ago, originally to Bolaro then to Inglewood, he purchased the first crown land sold at Adaminaby 39 years ago in 1872, he carried on grazing and farming with success.

Mr. Barrett was attended to in his illness by Dr. Ramsden, of Adaminaby. He leaves a widow of 80 years of age and daughters :- Mesdames Thos Hyles of Bungendore, G. Mackay, J. Powell, A. Watkins, A. Glugston, T. Eldridge and sons Hy and Charles of Adaminaby.

Buried at Adaminaby, the Rev. J.F.C. Ashworth officiated and William Thornton of Cooma was the undertaker.

He leaves 62 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren, he had a family of 12 of whom 9 are living; Two daughters and one son predeceased him, his first child died of exposure at Bolaro when 2½ years old, he had six sisters and two brothers, Alexander of Adaminaby and John of Tumit.

In a recent issue it was reported the death of Mr. George Barrett of Inglewood, Adaminaby, and which occurred from senile decay on 22nd February at the residence of Mr. H.C. Barrett. The deceased, who was conscious up to the hour of his death, was born at Liverpool, New South Wales, and arrived in the Monaro district 76 years ago. He originally came to Bolairo, and has since resided at Inglewood, having purchased the first Crown Land offered for sale at Adaminaby 39 years ago. The deceased carried on grazing and farming with much success, and as a farmer made a reputation in this district. He enjoyed splendid health and until the last three months had not required a doctor or complained of feeling ill. He was attended by Dr. Ramsden of Adaminaby, and the cause of death was senile decay. Mr. Barrett was quite conscious up to the time of his peaceful end, and referred to various matters which particularly concerned him. His disposition sought a quite life and gained for him much respect, and the many kindnesses extended to residents of Monaro made his name a household word. He leaves a widow who has reached four-score years and is enjoying excellent health. His daughters are :- Mesdames Thomas Hyles, Bungendore, G. Mackay, J. Power, A. Watkins, John Watkins, A Clugston and T. Eldridge, of Adaminaby; his sons being Messrs. H.C. and Charles Barrett, both of Adaminaby. In his day Mr. Barrett was a great horseman and stockrider, and he showed great proficiency with the stock whip. Mr. Barrett recollected the growth of Cooma and its progress, and when he came to Cooma there existed only two buildings. In 1840, Mr. Barrett had to take cows 9 miles to find grass to save their lives, no water being procurable nearer than the Murrumbidgee River, many miles distant. The funeral took place on the 24th February, the remains being brought from Inglewood to Adaminaby, and placed in the Church of England Portion of the burial ground were a short service was held. The Rev. J.F.C. Ashworth preached the burial service, a large congregation having assembled. The preacher spoke of the good qualities of the deceased, remarking that it must be a pleasure to his numerous friends to note the esteem and respect in which the deceased was held by the residents of the district.

Mr. Thornton of Cooma had charge of the funeral arrangements, which were satisfactorily carried out. The coffin was inscribed with the name of the deceased, date of death and age, and bore the inscription "Father at rest." The coffin was a beautiful polished ceder one with silver mountings. Numerous wreaths were placed on the coffin and all the members of the family were present at the graveside. Mr. H.C. Barrett superintended the arrangements.

Mr. Barrett was considered a great general in stock matters and up to a recent date, notwithstanding his years, could identify stock quickly, his eyesight being excellent, thus enabling him to recognise colors The deceased leaves 63 grandchildren and 54 great-grandchildren. There were 12 children in his family nine of whom are living; Two daughters and one son having died. The deceased was buried beside the grave of the latter. his second child died from exposure in the bush at Bolairo when only 2½ years of age. Deceased had six sisters and two brothers, the latter being Mr. Alexander Barrett of Adaminaby and John Barrett of Tumut.

When Mrs. G. Barrett passed over the great majority on Monday, Aug. 4th. one of our oldest and most highly respected residents was removed from our midst. The deceased lady attained the great age of 88 years all but a few days. She was born in Gloustershire, England, and came to this state about 1838 or 39,with her parents Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Arundell, who at first commenced business in Sydney, but later removed to Liverpool, where they had a hotel for many years. She was sent to a private boarding school and received the best education then obtainable. She was married at Denham Court, near Liverpool, and accompanied her husband the late Mr. Geo. Barrett to Bolairo where his father at that time had very large holdings. The first sight to greet her as a bride to Bolairo, was a big corroboree on the plain just below their home. Life on the outskirts of civilisation in those days, when the railway was undreamed of, and roads were few and blacks plentiful, was not a bed of roses and the deceased lady was noted for her wonderful memory and conversational powers, could recount many interesting stories of her early experiences. She passed through a great sorrow at Bolairo, when her second child was lost in the bush and died of exposure at the age of 2½ years. The first crown land offered for sale at Adaminaby was purchased by the Barretts 47 years ago and is known as Inglewood Station, where Mrs. Barrett resided until 5 years ago since when she lived with her daughter, Mrs. Clugston, at "The Retreat" Adaminaby, where she was close to most of her family and was able to receive all the care and attention it was possible to give her. As evidence of her wonderful constitution it may be mentioned that since passing her 3 score years and 10, she had her leg broken once and the doctors despaired of her recovery; still she recovered so completely that she was able to walk about the house right up to the time of her last illness. She had 3 severe attacks of Bronchitis and was given up by the doctors each time. She also had 3 paralytic strokes previous to the last one which was followed by nearly seven weeks of illness, and was the primary cause of death.

Her kind and generous nature as well as her cheery and intellectual manner of conversing caused all who new her to love her and many were the letters and other tokens of Sympathy received by her sorrowing family since her death. Her husband predeceased her by 8 years. Mr. Thomas Arundell of Sydney is her only surviving brother.

Out of the family of twelve those living are :- Mesdames T.S. Hyles, of Goulburn, G. Mackay, J. Power, A. Watkins, J. Watkins, and T. Eldridge, A. Clugston of Adaminaby, and Mr. Chas. Barrett, of Bega. She leaves 60 grandchildren, 110 great- grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren. The funeral which was conducted by Mr. Cass. Clugston, although well attended would undoubtedly have been very much larger only for the amount of sickness prevailing and the short notice given. Rev. H.J. Gedney officiated at the grave side and spoke well of the patient and loving disposition of the deceased and her great influence for good in the community.

Descendants of George Barrett
Submitted by Christine Robinson <scrob1-at-pacific.net.au> 15.11.05
Recompiled from the new Monaro Pioneers database by Ian Harvey: 5.03.08

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Photos
George Barrett 1825 Submitted by Christine Robinson	Ann Jackson Arundell 1831 Submitted by Christine Robinson

Agnes Amelia Barrett 1865 Submitted by Christine Robinson