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Andrew Law
Cooma c1880
(Last changed Sunday June 07, 2015)

Andrew Law | Arthur Law | Genealogy  | John Law's Photos

Biographies, Photos and Documents supplied by John Law <pam.john.law-at-bigpond-com>
 
Margaret & Andrew  Law
 This was taken in the 1890's .

Andrew & Margaret Law
Probably taken at Cooma in the late 1920's and maybe their wedding day.
 

 

L to R Fred Russell, Eliza May Law nee Williams, William Francis (Bill) Law & Blanche Cockran 1906. Cropped from Bridle/Green Wedding 1906 photo. Original on Thomas James Green's Page  Photo supplied by John Law [pam.john.law-at-bigpond.com]
 

 

Arthur Law
About 1906 in his NZ Officer's uniform.

 

 

Arthur Law's Wedding. 
Arthur Law is seated. Williamena is standing. At the
back on the left is William B Higgins, the best man. Others are Williamena's Brothers and sisters.
1906 in Dannevirke NZ.
 

Arthur Law
1928 at Mackay Railway station for Sydney

 

Florence Alice Luton nee Law, daughter of Andrew Law and Margaret Venables.  Photo supplied by John Law [pam.john.law-at-bigpond.com]
 

Williamena Law (Perers)
Somewhere in the Mackay area.
 

William Francis Law
 

 Alum Creek as it flows through the land held by John Geraghty and later by Andrew Law.
 

The site where the Alum School was built

The site of John's then Andrew's house (homestead) was built. The pile of stones
are the remains of the open fire place.

William Francis LAW and Family, 
taken in the mid or late 1940's.
Back L to R: William Francis (Bill) Law and Earl Law
Front L to R: Clive LAW, Nell Law, Eliza Law and Toni Law.

ANDREW LAW

Andrew Law was born on the 12 July 1840 to William Law and Anne Law (nee Westwater). He was baptised in the C of E church in the Parish of Mulgoa in the county of Cumberland. His mother, Anne, was 31 years of age. She had been transported to Australia from Edinburgh, Scotland for 14 years in 1827 for housebreaking. His father, William, was 3 2(? )years of age. He had been transported to Australia from Edinburgh for 14 years in 1828 for the same offence. He had received his Ticket of Leave in 1835. He and Anne were married on 6th October1836 by Samuel Marsden, the 'Whipping Parson'.

Andrew was the second born child but the first boy. Little is known of Andy's early life and indeed most of his life. However he must have grown up in the Penrith area, gone to school there and helped in his father blacksmith shop.

“Andy Law arrived on the Monaro with two thorough-bred horses just after the Hall Gang broke up. He took up with a local widow and settled down there. He never talked about his past or his family.” So the story goes. However whether it was the late 6O's, early 70's or late 70's is not known yet. We do know that he was there by 1880 because his son, Arthur was born then.

Some family stories tell of late night visitors, who slept in the barn and were gone by early light. The children were ordered not to go out of the house at these times and not to talk about it to anyone.

Clive Law writes, -
“Andrew was always Andy to me. Anything I have heard about him came from Lester
Giddings who married Iris, Andy's grand daughter.
Andy left Sydney, aged 18, driving a bullock team, went to Forbes, and rode with
Ben Hall, and when raided by police Andy put his coat on backwards to hide his shirt
and sneaked through the police lines. There are gaps, which need answers. I don't
have them but considering the times, who knows.

Later at Alum Creek, when married to Margaret, she was Granny to everyone, ‘some
riders called late one night. Andrew told Margaret to stay inside, he came back later
and said somebody would stay in the shed overnight and next morning they were
gone, supposedly some of the Kelly Gang.’

When Andy was about 8O he rode a young horse into Cooma. A car went past and
made a noise. The horse bucked but Andy sat him as though in a rocking chair.
Margaret was the local mid-wife. A rider would come in the middle of the night. She
would mount a horse and gallop off over the hills to help.” ~

Research into Ben Hall and his gang’s activities indicate that it was possible that a young "currency lad", an Australian born son of convict, could have rode with the Ben -Hall gang for a short time and then returned to a more lawful way of life.

Edgar F Penzig, author of "The Sandy Creek Bushranger”, a well-researched account of Ben Hall's life, states in a section headed "Carcoar mail robber":-

"September 19 (1863). It was a Saturday afternoon when Johnny Gilbert, John
O,Meally, and another bushranger who had a handkerchief with holes cut in it for his
eyes and mouth covering his face, positioned themselves on the road about a mile
from the township of Blaney. Undoubtedly they intended to rob the Carcoar mail.
(pp 62).

After relating the story of the mail robbery, under the heading, "Identity will never been known", the author states: -

"It will never be known who this person was. It certainly wasn’t Hall, who never
covered his face at any time. Possibly it could have been someone like Patsy
O,Meally, or any one of the several other bush louts, who joined up for one or two
robberies and then returned to more peaceful pursuits”.
(pp 64).

In two other incidents, the Araluen gold escort, March 13,1864 and the Newbriggen Inn hold-up, March 27, 1864, one of the gang members was not identified. To use Edgar F Penzig’s words,
"...while the fourth masked man who was armed with Gilbert’s revolving rifle and a
revolver, kept guard outside, never once entering the inn. Undoubtedly he was
another of those ‘one time only bushrangers’ who appeared at various times with
the gang.”
(pp129).

Research also shows that on a number of occasions, Hall and/or his gang were surprised by troopers/police at night, generally the early hours of the morning. On a few occasions prisoners were taken but never all of them.

Thus while it is possible that the stories of Andy’s involvement with the Hall gang may be true, there is no tangible evidence. Individuals are left to make up their own minds on this matter.

Update Oct 2007
Below are three extracts from "New South Wales Police Gazette".

They show that Andrew Law with Robert Reidy was under suspicion for the theft of three (3) horses. One was later recovered. It appears that the matter did not go to court as they were not arrested and there is no record of a trial or conviction.

Vide Police Gazette 27th October, 1969, page 340
The horses Nos. 1 and 2 in this week's list, the property of Steel Caldwell, Balabla, are supposed to have been stolen by Andrew Law and Robert Reidy, of Blakeney Creek, near Yass. No warrant issued.

NEW SOUTH WALES POLICE GAZETTE 17th November, Page 357
Horses and Cattle

The horse No. 13 in this week's list the property of John Stephen Spare, Young, is supposed to have been stolen by Andrew Law and Robert Reidy, of Blakney's Creek, of whom no description is given. Supposed to have gone in the direction of Blakney's Greek, near Yass. No warrant issued.

Vide Police Gazette,1869 , pages 340 and 357.

The horse No.1 in this week's list, the property of Steel Caldwell, has been impounded at Murrumburrah and released for the owner. Suspicion no longer attached to Andrew Law and Robert Reidy.


(Images supplied by John Law [pam.john.law-at-bigpond.com])


Horse 1 was a chestnut horse with star and one white fore foot. The second one was a cream coloured horse with black points. Both were owned by Steel Caldwell of Balabla near Young NSW. They had been taken from Balabla on 8 Oct and reported stolen on 14 Oct 1869.

Horse 13 was a dark chestnut mare with a blaze, silver mane, collar marked and aged. It was owned by John Stephen Spare of Young NSW. It had been taken from Sawpit Gully near Young on 1 Aug and reported stolen on 8 Nov 1869.

One can be reasonably positive that this is "our" Andrew Law because Blakney or Blakeney Creek near Yass was his home since marrying Margaret Rielly in 1865.

There was a Andrew Law who was arrested by Sergeant Cornet and Constable Leonard of Burrowa police. He was convicted of robbing (under arms) a Frederick S Osborne of 95 pounds at the Gouldburn circuit court on 7 Oct 1967. He was sentenced for 5 years of hard labour on roads. Unless he was released early this could not be the same Andrew Law.
There was also a Andrew Law who was arrested and charged with stealing a horse from James Madden by Senior Constable Mara of Gunning Police in March 1873. He was remanded on bail. Again there is no account of a conviction or other evidence that this is "our" Andrew Law.

It should be noted that Young, Gunning, Murrumburrah, Yass and Burrowa, now Boorowa are all within about 50 kilometres radius of Blackney Creek.

Some of Andy’s brothers and sisters, James, Elizabeth, Margaretta and Alexander were also located in the south coast of NSW in the early 70's. Perhaps they wanted to
escape the "taint” of convict parents. Certainly Andy went to much pains to keep it from official records.

Some family stories suggest that he had arrived before John Geraghty died in 1878. He helped out around the place as John Geraghty was ill and apparently was well settled in before Geraghty died.


Margaret Geraghty (nee Venables) had eight children when her husband died. The youngest was less than a year old. John Thomas was the eldest boy at 14 years. Andy Law would have been some protection for her family.

Stories from the Geraghty side of the family show much dislike for Andy Law. There was family bitterness because of their perceived loss of their inheritance. As one descendant put it, "Andy Law walked in and took over the property that our father had worked so hard for."

John Geraghty's will stated that all his children were to receive one equal share of his property on their coming of age. Margaret, his wife was to receive one share if she did not marry. John Thomas was to appoint an executor approved by Laurence Harnett if he, John Thomas, was under age. Margaret with the help of her brothers, James and John Venables, was able to obtain administration of the estate.

Perhaps the Geraghty children saw this as wrong and that Andy may have influenced Margaret. There is no official record of a marriage between Andy and Margaret. But family members believe that Mr. Green, a lay Preacher in the area, would have married them at some time. Although Margaret was called “Grannie” by her Grandchildren Andy was always known as "Andy".

When Andy registered his son, William Francis', birth he claimed to have been born in Boston USA. He also claims to have married Margaret at Candelo on the 10 May 1882. No official record has been found to date. Did the record get lost or did he make up the story to complete the registration form?

Up-date 2004
A reason for Andrew Law’s secrecy and inventiveness of his past and his failure to officially marry Margaret Geraghty (nee Venables) is that he was previously married.
Research into the bdm of NSW shows that Andrew Law, Bachelor, Labourer, of Blakeney Greek married Margaret Rielly, Spinster of Blakeney Creek on 8th May 1865 in the Catholic Church of Yass NSW. The witnesses were John Purcell and Elen Egan. A check with the St Augustine’s Parish ‘s records of the marriage show that he was born at Mulgowa and his father was William Law, a blacksmith. There is no doubt that this is our Andrew Law. Further research over the next 20 years, 1865 to 1885 reveal no birth of children to the couple and no death of Margaret Law. There is a Margaret Law listed at Yass in the 1901 census.

A resent check of the bdm of NSW shows that Andrew Law and Margaret Geraghty (Garretty) were officially married in 1923

Andy seems to have been quite a character. He certainly made an impression on people. Even today his block of land is called Andy’s. Mervyn Venables writes ‘The Parish map shows Portion 29 to Andrew Law. This is where they lived and is still referred to as Andy’s.’

The land office Goulburn states: -
"The name Andrew Law appears on some portions on the first editions as a lessee
or a holder of an incomplete purchase. However those lands apparently were
transferred by him prior to becoming freehold. That name also appears on some
blocks in the adjoining Parish of Flinders (portion 11 on the first edition and
portion 52 on the second edition of these cancelled maps).”

This seems to indicate that Andrew acquired land in his own right. It will be interesting to compare Geraghty blocks with Andy’s if it is ever possible.

Anthur Luton, son of Florence Alice Luton (nee Law), writes: --

"They, grannie and Grandfather, were living about 2 miles from us in a wooden
house at a place called One Tree Flat, not far from a place called Shannon’s Flats.
They had a few sheep, but Andy as we used to call him, used to do a bit of rabbit
trapping, but he was very old and bent then and didn’t catch many. It has been
said that he was a bullocky and once drove down George Street in Sydney. We
went to Adaminaby to live in about 1920. They followed soon after and lived near
us.”

His sister, Glad Davis (nee Luton) writes,
"As for Grannie and Andy (as we kids always called them). I wouldn’t know how
long they lived along Alum Creek-, just assumed they always lived there- never
heard of any other place. Andy had a farm – don’t know how big But he retired
when he went to Adaminaby. He had broken a leg (don’t know when) but think it
was from a horse fall. He had to use a stick to walk. Apparently Grannie was the
local mid-wife around Alum Creek."

A SUMMARY

NAME: LAW, ANDREW
PARENTS: WILLIAM LAW & ANN WESTWATER
BORN: 12/07/1840 LUDDENHAM PENRITH
DIED: 11/07/1927 ADAMINABY
BURIED: ADAMINABY
ARRIVED: NATIVE
OOOUPATION: CARRIER
RESIDENOE: ALUM OREEK
RELIBION: C OF E
MARRIED: ? (10/05/1882 CANDELO)
WITNESS:
SPOUSE NAME: MARGARET VENABLES
PARENTS: THOMAS VENABLES & ELLEN THOMPSON
BORN: 08/05/1 842 MANLY SYDNEY
DIED: 26/10/1938
CHILDREN: ARTHUR ANDREW CHARLES [1880-1938]
CHARLOTTE [1882-1884]
FLORENOE ALICE [LUTON 1883- ]
WILLIAM FRANCES [1886- ]

DOUMENTS CITED BIRTH CERTIFICATE: Y MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: N DEATH CERTIFICATE: Y WILL: Y.

16/11/1992 Up_dated 2004


Andrew Law Documents

 

ARTHUR ANDREW CHARLES LAW

Arthur Law was quite a colourful personality. He was very generous and opened handed. This appears to be one of the reasons his ventures failed so often. He did not seem to be able to turn down a request for help. He was very skilful with mechanical things and although he could handle horses well, he realised early the value of the motor vehicle. He had a keen sense of humour and was a great storyteller. His ability to stretch the truth still plagues us today. He was a very good bushman, athlete, rugby player and rifle shot. Although he spent a lot of time in the bush, when at home or in public he was distinguished in dress and manners. Although he fought in the Boer as a trooper, He attained the rank of Captain in New Zealand with the Cadet Volunteers.

Arthur Andrew Charles Law, according to his Birth Certificate was born out of wedlock in Musselwood, N.S.W. on 19th March, 1880 to Margaret Garretty. Musselwood, now spelled Muzzlewood, is about 10 miles straight across the Murrumbidgee from Shannon’s Flats. The area is called Dry Plain and has been held by the McPhee family for many years. In the 1880 it was probably held by Harry York who had the Adamindumdee Cattle Run prior to 1881. According to Margaret’s marriage records, Dry Plain was where her family lived. The old spelling of Garretty was Geraghty.

Arthur Andrew Charles' father was Andrew Law. This was not only true because of family stories and the fact that Arthur Andrew Charles assumed this name later in life but Andrew named him as his son in his will. He was also listed as a son on Andrew’s Death Certificate.

The story of Andrew Law and Margaret Geraghty (Nee Venables) and how they met is not known. The confusion over their marriage has been mentioned in both Andrew and Margaret’s stories. At the time of Arthur's birth, they were not married. Stories from Margaret's children from the first marriage (the Garrettys) say the child was unwanted and uncared for and would have died if they had not taken care of him when he was a babe.

By 1886, Arthur had a sister Florence A, and a brother William Francis. A sister (Charlotte?) had died in infancy. The mixed family grew up in Alum Creek.

There was a school at Alum Creek from 1887 to 1897 and at Shannon’s Flat from 1906 to 1924. A letter by James Power, written on 10th Oct 1886 and held in the Alum Creek School File in the NSW Archives (AO NSW Ref:5J14647.3), stated Arthur’s age was 7 years and his family name was Garratty. Other members of the Garratty family mentioned were Michael 13years, Christopher 11years, Patrick 8 years. A John Cherry of 8 years and Marietta Cherry 7 years, who were his nephew and niece, were also mentioned.

One of the family stories of this time says that Arthur was chosen in a team for the Bisley Queen's Shoot and that he sailed to England and took part without success at Bisley. The team members were presented to the Queen and were given pipes as mementos of the occasion. On the return trip the party disembarked at Cape Town to enlist in the Boer war.

To date no evidence has surfaced to prove this. A search of the rifle clubs of NSW might be helpful.

Another story tells of his rugby representation in the NSW country team against the New Zealand All Blacks. He played on the wing and marked a legendary player who was very difficult to tackle. Again it is hoped some evidence of he playing days will be found in the country clubs of NSW. While the shoot story definitely comes before the Boer war the Rugby one could be after.

In 1901, still going by the name Garretty, Arthur joined the third N.S.W. mounted rifles in Sydney to go to the Boer War. Perhaps he was a member of the local rifle club and up Sydney way for the NSW Queen’s Shoot. He gave his occupation as a labourer. He became a shoeing Smith. This probably meant he had experience as a Blacksmith.

His date of birth was given as 19/3/1881 not 18/3/1880. Was this a careless mistake or was there a reason behind the change? He gave his next of kin as Mrs. A. Law and the address as Jones Plains, Cooma. Jones Plain was a property name until 1936 when it was changed to Yarrawa by the new owner. The Lutons had settled there when they first arrived, but did not like the open treeless plain so they moved 5 miles south to Shannon’s Flats.

On the 5th April 1901, he embarked with “E” Squadron of the 3rd N.S.W.Mounted Rifles on the transport "Antilliana” and arrived at Durban on 12 May 1901. A general account of his involvement comes from The Australian Archives. It stated, "The total strength of the regiment was 37 officers, 780 of other ranks, besides supernumeraries and 1,000 horses. The regiment took part in operations in the Eastern Transvaal and the Eastern Orange River Colony in 1901 -1902. It also took part in several drives in the early part of 1902; the principal one, the Harrismith drive resulting in the capture of 251 prisoners, 26,000 head of cattle and 2,000 horses. The regiment embarked at Cape Town for Australia on 4th May 1902 and arrived at Sydney on 3rd June1902. Trooper Garretty was discharged on 12th June1902."

His army records show he was entitled to and received the Queen's South Africa Medal and clasps for "Cape Colony", "Transvaal x 3", "South Africa 1901" and "South Africa 1902". Perhaps these were items referred to in the next paragraph although, I would think that he would not have received them until he returned.

There are a number of family stories handed down from this time. One tells of a horse that was “commandeered”. It appearance was altered (The coat was clipped so the colour of the animal was changed slightly) so that its officer owner would not recognize it. The story goes that the owner stood with his hand on the animal while he swore he could recognize the horse anywhere. Another tells of gifts (a medal? a pipe?) that were given to him by some royalty. But they were lost on the ship returning to Australia.

He told others that the reason he used the name Garretty was because he was not of age and was forced to use his older brother’s name. One wonders if he knew his correct birth date or his true father when he joined up. He did not include the name, Andrew, in his full name.

After the Boer War Arthur surfaced in Dannevirke NZ, where he marries Williamena Peters in the Presbyterian Church on 23rd July1906. He used his family name Law for the first time but the Christian name, Edward, not Andrew, was used. Perhaps he went to New Zealand for a new start or join the gold rush of the time. Family stories tell that he had his own blacksmith shop. About 1906, Williamena, pregnant with Andy, their first child returned back to Brighton, Victoria, to consult her family doctor. While she was away the family house or house/shop burned down. It appears they are fairly well off - mention has been made of a piano (a present from Elizabeth Peters to her daughter Williamena), a diamond pen or pin, the house and the shop etc. What was left of the family possessions was disposed of by Arthur and he also returned to Australia.

Evidence of Arthur's time in Dannevirke comes from research of the local paper by Loma Gordon of Dannevirke. She writes, "I have spent 24 hours searching for you and this is all I have found.

Sept 18 1906.

DANNEVIRKE RIFLE CADET VOLUNTEERS.

The above company will Parade at the Drill Hall on Friday Sept 14 th at 7.30 pm. No leave given.

By Order A. Law.
Commanding Capt.

It appears that he played football for the “Rifles Team" but I can only find one mention of him- A. Law Reserve

No mention of the blacksmith shop or the burning of it. My mother who is 90 years says she can remember it in Millers Road but apart from that she can't recall any thing else.”

This shows that Arthur did become an Officer. The NZ Archives, reference AD20/10 and AD20/10 record his appointment to Acting Captain, E3194. to the Dannevirke Rifle Cadet Volunteers, on 26/6/1905, in the NZ Defence Forces Appointments of Volunteer Officers file.

Reunited in Brighton, Arthur and Williamena discussed their future with Mena’s mother, Elizabeth Carolina W. Peters, Bill Johnston and his future wife, Elizabeth ( Mena's sister). Because the William Peter’s farm (Sunnyside) had been sold, all had to make new plans. They decided to move to South West Queensland. Mary, the eldest sister of Mena, who had been crippled from infancy travelled with them. The women travelled to Brisbane by ship, then by train, cart and dray. The men travelled overland with the stock.

The following two items comes from a CWA book on early Columboola. With regard to Arthur Law the second one is not surprising but the first one is.
From Julie Johnston: March 2005.


"In 1910 a dramatic and concert company was formed by Mrs. Peters to raise funds to build a public hall. Local people proved their talent as performers. A temporary building was erected by voluntary labour. Girders were laid, boards nailed on for flooring, iron covered the roof and formed one side. The rest was done with boughs and suckers. Girders were used as seats. Mrs. Peters loaned her piano for performances, this being taken to the hall by bullocks in a dray. The company travelled to Condamine, Chinchilla, Drillham and Miles. Prominent members were: Edna Nash, Emily Tame, Lily Peters, Peter and Don Roney, Arthur Law, George and Bob Sutton, Mr. Mick Logan, Mrs. Grace Higgins and quite a few others, who did not act but sang. Transport was by two buckboards, and the performers stayed the night where the concert or play was held, returning the next day.



The Columboola Rifle Club was formed in 1913 and a range was built on
W.M.Nash's property (now held by L. McAuley) by Mr Doble. Names included were
Nash (4), Campbell (3) O'Donnell (3), Sutton (2), Geldard, Logan, Rodney (3),
Walsh (3) Freeman, Etherton, Law, Bourne, Glover, Browns.

The group took up land at Columboola. Research needs to be done to see who held the title deeds. One property was called "L" Tree. The Johnson Family remained settled at Columboola near Miles. Some of the descendants of this family still live in the area and still own land.

Williamena and Arthur appeared to move around from time to time, as the places of birth of their children show.
Andy was born at Brighton, Victoria (1907)
Lionel - at Chinchilla, Queensland (1909)
Charlie - at Chinchilla, Queensland (1910)
Bess - at Chinchilla, Queensland (1912)

At this time the family were living at Columboola. Chinchilla was the nearest hospital. Arthur did a lot of Kangaroo shooting and dingo trapping. He travelled out as far as Goondwindi. He moved by horseback and lived by tent. He still did the same when the family were at Tara. They had a couple of cows and some fowls. The children delivered milk, eggs and sometimes sold or delivered homemade butter on their way to school.

Jack was born at Augathella, Queensland (1915)

The family lived at Augathella. Arthur was a blacksmith. He worked as an employee to a firm that built wool wagons and Coaches. It was probably here that he learnt to work with aluminium. He said later that when he burnt it, he would dig a hole in the shop floor and bury it. He reckoned that he burnt so much of it that the whole floor must have been covered with burnt aluminium.

Bob was born at Gatton, Queensland (1917)
Grace was also born at Gatton, Qld (1918)

The family did not live at Gatton but Mena travelled there to have her children in a hospital (nursing home) run by her sister Grace.

Andy, Lionel, Charlie and Bess went to school at Columboola. Jack started school at Condamine. Condamine was full of prickly pear. There were tracks cut through the pear so the children could walk to the school and the shops. Mena always said she lost her good eyesight getting pear thorns out of the children’s skin.

From Julie Johnston Elliot, March 2005

Columboola State School

SNAME C'NAME FATHER CNAME FATHER OCCUP COMMENCED EXIT DATE

LAW EUANCONDIT 9YRS5 MTHSCOLUMBOOLA SELECTOR 17 MAY 1909 JUNE 1912
LAW EUANCONDIT NOV 1912 MAR 1913
LAW ADOLPH 5YRS6MTHS COLUMBOOLA LABOURER 8 NOV 1912 SEPT 1920
LAW LIONEL 6YRS0MTHS ARTHUR SELECTOR 2 OCT 1915 SEPT 1920
LAW CHARLES 6YRS1MTH ARTHUR SELECTOR 9 OCT 1916 APRIL 1917
LAW ADOLPH 10YRS THOMAS FARMER 4 FEB 1918 SEPT 1920
LAW L.DAVID THOMAS 9YRSTHOMAS FARMER 4 FEB 1918 SEPT 1920
LAW ARTHUR CHARLES 7YRS4MTHSTHOMAS FARMER 4 FEB 1918 SEPT 1920
LAW MARGARET 6YRS ARTHUR FARMER 28 JAN 1919 SEPT 1920

I realise some of these are the same children and I don't know where the Thomas came from.
Obviously the families had arrived by 17 May 1909 when Euancondit commenced school.
Also you now know the family left Sept 1920.

I don't know if you have access to Queensland School Pupils Indexs (QSPI) 1864-1997
(Admissions and Enrolments of Queensland School Pupils). I think it could be on CDs.
Some Family History places have them. That might help with when they started school
in Tara and when they left.

Note:- A search of the QSPI 1864 - 1997 mentioned above holds no information on Columboola, Augathella, Condamine or Tara State Schools.

1922 finds them at Tara, Queensland. On the 15th February 1922, Elizabeth Peters died. She was buried in Tara cemetery along way from Holstein. It is not known why the family went to Tara. They must have sold our house at Columboola by then. They lived in a rented house.

Ken was born at Tara in 1923 in the house with the help of the bush nurse, the only medical help available. At another time she, the nurse examined Andy’s leg. It had been broken when he was out kangaroo shooting with his father. She found it to have healed perfectly thanks to Arthur’s “bush Medicine”.

Another family story tells of Arthur Law leading the "Tara Queen Carnival" parade or some such parade in Tara. This may have been in 1922. He was not dressed as an New Zealand Army Captain uniform because he made some off hand remark that " it was not the correct uniform for him to wear.". It was probably an Australian one. He is also said to have impersonated a "Captain White" at one time. No reason has been given for the impersonation. I think these two stories go together here. He was representing Captain White when he led this parade.

In 1924 the family went to Wondai to make money by picking cotton. They fully intended to return to Tara. They travelled by sulky, pack horses and riding horses. Ken had his first birthday on the road. They lived in tents at “The Plains” where the cotton was grown. The children picked as well as the adults. There was no school. When the picking was finished, they were visited by two members of the Damrow family who were heading to the Mackay area to try growing sugar cane. They gave such good reports of it that Arthur decided to go with them.

He put Mena and the family into a rented house nearby and set off for Mackay with Andy. After a few months he obtained a lease on "SWASTIKA", block 7A Mt Pelion. Mena had the job of getting all the family from "The Plains" to the Wondai railway station and then on to the train north to Mackay.

The family worked very hard in very poor living conditions. Money was used to acquire more land. One block was 10V Mt Ossa, across the creek. Another was at Bellenagown, across the river from Mackay. Apparently Arthur became involved in a Sugarcane Farmers Bank that went bust. Also over production caused the price of sugar to drop. The family got further into debt. The farm was lost in about 1935.

In the late 20's Arthur’s Health began to fail. He had always been very fit and would referee football games at Calen when the boys, Lionel and Charlie were playing. In1928 he travelled to Sydney to see some specialists. There he made contact with Mary Cherry (nee Garretty), his half sister. He also went on to visit his mother at Adaminaby. His father had died in 1926. His brother, Bill, also returned for a visit. Their mother, Margaret, was overjoyed at having her two boys home again.

After this time Arthur spent a lot of his time over the Nebo range because the climate suited his health. He worked with cattle and did a little gold digging at Mt Briton. Toward the end he lived in a tent and watered cattle for Growder Williams on a Nebo Property.

He died of cancer of the throat at the Mackay base hospital in 1938 at the age of 58. He is buried in the Mackay cemetery.

SUMMARY
. ~
NAME: LAW, [GARRETTY], ARTHUR ANDREWCHARLES
PARENTS: ANDREW LAW & MQRGARET GERAGHTY [NEE VENABLES] ~ _
BORN: 19/3/1880 MUSSELBROOK NSW
DIED: 25/10/1938 MACKAY QLD
ARRIVED: NSW NATIVE QLD 1909
OCCUPATION: LABOURER, TROOPER, CAPTIAN, BLACKSMITH, FARMER
RESIDENCE: ALUM CR,DANNIVIRKE,COLUMBOOLA,TARA,MT PELION
RELIGION: C OF E/ PRESBERYTERIAN
MARRIED: 23/7/1906 DANNEIRKE NZ
WITNESS: DAVID PETERS & ELIZABETH PETERS
SPOUSE NAME: WILLIAMENA PETERS
PARENTS: WILLIAM PETERS & ELIZABETH CAROLINA WILHELMENA
STEINMEYER
BORN: 16/11/1881 KYNETON VICTORIA
DIED: 19/11/1966 PRINCESS HOSP. BRISBANE
CHILDREN: ADOLPH WILLIAM ANDREW (1907)
LIONEL DAVID THOMAS (1909 – 1961)
CHARLES ARTHUR (1910 –1985)
MARGARET ELIZABETH (TAYLOR 1912 - )
JOHN PETERS (1915 – 1944)
ROBERT ALICK (1917 - )
GRACE RUBY FLORENCE (SWENSON 1918)
KENNETH (1923)
DAISY (ENKS1925)
DOCUMENTS CITED BIRTH CERTIFICATE: Yes, MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE: Yes, DEATH CERTIFICATE: Yes, WILL: No, BOER WAR RECORDS: Yes, GRAVESTONE INSCRIPTION: Yes.
29/12/1990.
Up-dated 12/3/05

 

Arthur Law Documents


Descendants of Andrew (Andy) Law

John Law and edited by David Smith
Recompiled from the new Monaro Pioneers database by Ian Harvey
with additional material supplied by:
Sue Day <sueday268-at-yahoo.com.au>  12.06.07
John Law <pam.john.law-at-bigpond.com>  03.09.07, 24.03.09
Tracey Featherby <traceyfeatherby-at-y7mail.com>  24.03.09

 

Descendants Report

 

 

 

 

Monaro Pioneers
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