Captain Ronald Campbell

DEATH
On the 28^th October 1871, at his late residence, Bombala Station, Captain Ronald Campbell, in his 85^th year.

OBITUARY
One of the earliest squatters of Manaro has been called from this world. Captain Ronald Campbell, who for the last 37 years has been resident at the "Bombala Station," died on the 28^th ultimo, and on the coffin the plate affixed showed him to have arrived at the advanced age of 85 years. The funeral of the deceased gentleman, which took place on Tuesday last, was very largely attended, many mourners travelling a long distance, some not less than 100 miles, to pay their last respect to their dead friend. The desire of the deceased to be buried near his late beautiful home was carried out, and the spot selected, some half-mile from the house, was most appropriate.

From Bega, and also from the very outside boundaries of Manaro on the Cooma side, as well as from the Victorian border, the attendants at the funeral mustered very strongly. The Church of England clergyman, the Rev. Samuel Percival, performed the last offices. About 3 p.m., a procession of 160 persons followed the funeral, then moving from the late residence of the deceased, and the coffin, borne by old and tried friends, carried to its last home the body of the veteran. Among those present at the ceremony, we noticed our late member, Mr. W. Graham, also Messrs. John, Nicholson, M.H. Joseph, Jonas, McKay, McKeachie, Lawson, and Boucher. T.L. James; Messrs. Hazlingden, Wren and Stiles, of Bega; Mr. Lipscombe of Cooma was also in attendance, and very many gentlemen of this and the neighbouring districts. Service for the burial of the dead was most impressively read by the minister, and many a tried henchman of the deceased Captain sorrowfully looked on as the coffin was lowered into the earth.

We noticed one old man very particularly; he was on crutches, and we were informed that he had attained the almost unprecedented age of 105 years; he managed by some means to hobble up to the grave, just in time to witness the interment of his dead master, looking himself like one risen from the other world. At about four o’clock this large concourse of people having paid the last duties to a man they respected, departed to their homes.

The life of Captain Campbell is involved in much interest, and without disputing the age disclosed on the coffin lid, we refer to facts which. if true, would point to an earlier birth than that which is ascribed to him. So soon as 1800 we find that he has a medal for gallant conduct in wars then being carried on by England and her foes; he is also in India all through the Nepal war, and there and then a medal is awarded him for honourable and gallant service. At the memorable burning of the transport ship, Kent, in the English Channel, then taking over troops to India, the subject of our memoir, at that time a lieutenant in the 31^st Regiment of Foot, and about the year 1825, carried himself in such a manner in this terrible catastrophe as to call forth official comment in praise of his conduct. Afterwards, at Dinapore, with the cholera raging, and 10,000 persons dying of the epidemic, we find him quartered with his regiment, and escaping death, as it would seem almost by a miracle. Attacked by diseases incidental to a prolonged residence in a tropical climate, Captain Campbell was twice ordered to England on furlough, and eventually came to Sydney with a detachment of the 4^th Regiment of Infantry to be stationed at that place-this was either in the year 1834 or 1835. The transport ship was the John, also bringing out convicts. Seeing the opportunity of satisfactory retirement from his profession, the captain took the step which made him one of us, and selling out of the army, became a station holder in the Manaro district. Something like 37 years have expired since the subject of this very incomplete biography located on the "Bombala Station.’ The Crown lands at the time of his venture were unsettled, and the country entirely new. To his credit, as a judge of land, either for pastoral or other pursuits, be it recorded that no better selection of property in the whole of this colony could have been made, and this may be evidenced by an inspection of the place where the deceased has so long lived and is now buried.

Captain Campbell was for many years on the Commission of the Peace, and had the magisterial character of being very gruff but very just – he was a Highlander to the backbone.

The deceased, years ago, married the widow of Captain Edwards, of Bangalore, (who survives him), and there are also children of the several marriages who deeply regret the loss of their father, old friend, and protector.

Ronald Campbell
"Centennial History of New South Wales" (Under Bombala pioneers)

Ronald Campbell JP of Cambalong, the only son of the late Captain Ronald Campbell of the 31st Regiment, is a native of the colony, having been born at Bangalore, near Goulburn in 1842. When three or four years old he went to Monaro with his parents and about nine years later accompanied them to England, visiting the Island of Jersey for a period of twelve months. He was then sent to school in London, and after finishing his education, proceeded to Scotland and travelled through the highlands. Returning to NSW after a few years, he became manager of his father's Cambalong property, and continued to hill that position until the death of his parent. He then purchased the Burnima property near Bombala, which he held for about 3 years disposing of the same when the executors of the late Captain Campbell handed over to the heirs the Cambalong estate.. At the present time it consists of 20,000 acres, freehold besides a considerable area of crown lands. The estate was originally
taken up by Mr. Campbell's Father, The late Captain Campbell, who came to this country in charge of a detachment of the 31st regiment, but abandoning his original intention of returning to England to rejoin his regiment, he sold his commission in the Army and embarked in pastoral pursuits. Our subject was married on the 4th August 1869 to Elizabeth youngest daughter of the late Andrew Cunningham of Lanyon, Queanbeyan. In 1870 he was appointed to the commission of the peace.

Ann Parker was born November 5, 1805 in Hull, Yorkshire. Her parents were John Cowham Parker, a merchant, and Ann Goodhand.

On March 29, 1829, she married Captain John Alexander Edwards of the 17th Regiment at the Sculcoates Church in Hull, Yorkshire. He was the son of Brigadier General Wilbraham Tollemache Edwards and his wife, Henrietta Burrowes. It was a double wedding. Ann’s sister, Jane, married William Burstall on the same day.

Their first son, christened John Wilbraham Edwards was born on March 17, 1830 in Chatham, Kent, England. Several months later, the couple traveled with their infant son to Australia on board the ship, Burrell, arriving before Christmas of 1830. Her husband, Captain J.A. Edwards was in charge of troops and convicts on board the ship.

The family resided in Sydney where a daughter, Harriet was born in 1832. In 1833 Captain Edwards left the military and bought a property called Bangalore situated about nine miles from Goulbourn. That same year, their infant daughter, Harriet died of whooping cough. On March 6, 1834, a second son, Henry Tollemache Edwards was born.

John and Ann Edwards went into sheep farming and agriculture at Bangalore. John died suddenly on the 8th May 1837 at the age of 33, leaving Ann, then not 32 years old in a very difficult position. She was now a widow with two young boys, a governess, and 6 or 7 convicts who had been assigned as shepherds and farm labourers on her property.

In spite of having to deal with a couple of bad characters who were difficult to manage and eventually robbed the store and took to the bush, Ann decided to remain in New South Wales in order to save something for her two sons.

Two years later, Ann (Parker) Edwards, married Captain Ronald Campbell at Bangalore. He and her husband had been friends. Ronald and Ann resided at Bangalore and four children were born to this couple here: Ann in 1840, Ronald in 1842, Jessie Jane and Robert who died young.

During the winter of 1846, Ronald, Ann, and the four living children, John, Henry, Ann and Ronald, moved to Ronald Campbell’s Bombala property, Monaroo.

Three of her children married in 1862. John Wilbraham Edwards married Louisa Battye, Henry Tollemache Edwards married Anne Wren, and Ann Campbell married Andrew Gibson. Ronald married Elizabeth Cunningham in 1869. All had large families residing in the Goulburn and Bombala regions.

Prior to 1870, her half brother, Edward Spedding Parker and his family settled in New South Wales.

In 1871, her husband, Ronald Campbell, passed away.

Ann (Parker) (Edwards) Campbell died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Anne Gibson, at Tirranna, near Goulburn on September 13, 1879 and was buried in the Church of England Cemetery, Goulburn with her first husband, J.A. Edwards and two infant daughters, Harriet and Jessie.

Although she did not live to see them, her sons, Ronald Campbell and Henry Tollemache Edwards were the only two individuals to build mansions in the Monaro region. Perhaps someone can help me with the name of Ronald’s mansion. Henry Tollemache Edwards built Burnima at Bombala in the 1890’s. The current owners are restoring the mansion.

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