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Samuel Mackay
Kiandra 1863

Historical Text | Genealogy| Devenny Family

Samuel Mackay Pattrick Mould Collection	Mary Mackay and children 1879 Pattrick Mould Collection

SAMUEL MACKAY was born near Mallin Head, Donegal, Ireland, in 1843. In 1861 he arrived in Sydney by the sailing ship "Peerless." Kiandra was at this time at the height of its rush and thither Samuel Mackay went. He took a boat to Twofold Bay and carrying his pack, walked from that place to the goldfield, where he stayed for about four years. Whilst at Kiandra he purchased at an auction, store property and land at Adaminaby, where he afterwards for several years carried on business. Leaving Kiandra he went to New Zealand gold diggings, later returning to Kiandra, which, however, was then decaying as a mining centre.

He married Miss Mary Watkins and selected a small area of land near Coolringdon. In conjunction with his brother George he opened and conducted for about four years a store-keeping business on land at Adaminaby acquired by him during his first stay in Kiandra.

He then bought from the late John Cruickshank the Frying Pan Run. He selected 320 acres and built a home, where he has resided for over 46 years. His original selection has grown to over 20,000 acres of freehold land. He devoted his attention to sheep and cattle breeding, and wool growing, and is one of the large holders of the district. For many years he was known as "The Earl of Frying Pan," a title which induced him to change the name of his property to "Earl's Court."

His son, Mr. George Watkins Mackay now holds most of his father's lands and for many years has taken a keen and active interest in district matters. He was one of the first elected members of the Dalgety Shire Council, of which in 1925 he was President, and from its inception has been Chairman of the Manaro Community Settlement Cooperative Society, Ltd.

Transcribed by Pattrick Mould in 2003, from the book "Back to Coma' Celebrations" page 84

SAMUEL MACKAY

Samuel migrated to Australia in 1863 at the age of 19, and joined his elder brother George at Kiandra.

He spent some time at Kiandra before travelling to the New Zealand golfields, and also to Castlemaine in Victoria.

He and George then went into business together with a store at Adaminaby, which they operated for about four years.

Samuel's first purchase of rural land was near Cootralantra, and he later owned various parcels of land between Cooma and Adaminaby. He purchased the Frying Pan lands from the Cruickshanks and about 1912 bought Dry Plains, adjoining Frying Pan, when it was auctioned following the death of another Cruickshank.

When Samuel retired in 1920 and sold his rural lands to his son George, his holdings comprised some 20,000 acres.

Before the railway came to Cooma, most station requirements were bought from city stores and came by boat to the South Coast or the nearest railhead and then by bullock teams to the property. Supplies included staple groceries, clothing materials, and the all important casks of rum.

For transport, Samuel was dependant on his saddle horse as well as horsedrawn carriages. About 1886 he conveyed the Anglican Bishop of Goulburn to Frying Pan and the local press reported that Samuel's language to the horses was very `colourful' as the team was encouraged to move.

Samuel and his wife Mary celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in 1921, just two years before Mary was to pass away. Samuel remained in relatively good health, despite a fall from a horse about 1923, until his death in 1933, at the age of 91 years.

An obituary published in the Cooma Express described Samuel as "probably Monaro's oldest Justice of the Peace, and he had throughout his long and busy life taken an active part in the affairs of the community and went on to say `He was one of the best
known figures in Monaro's public life and was highly respected by a very large circle of friends and acquaintances". Many stories are still told of his individuality and initiative.'

Grandchildren of Samuel and Mary are still landowners in both the Snowy River and Cooma-Monaro Shires and many other descendants are involved in a variety of trades and professions, with the sixth generation now joining the workforce.

Samuel and Mary had seven daughters and two sons, one son and one daughter died in infancy.

The eldest daughter Mary Ann married George Randell and lived at Holbrook. Her descendants live in WA, Tasmania and NSW.
Ellen married Arthur Mould and lived at `Arthella', Middlingbank, where they had a grazing property. Her daughter Merle still lives at `Arthella'. Other grandchildren live on the property and also in NSW as well as interstate.
Elizabeth married Jack Murrow and they had a property near Wambrook for a few' years before going to live at Parramatta. Her descendants live mainly in the Sydney region.
Flora married Edward Mould and lived on their property `Boconnic' near Middlingbank before retiring to Sydney. Their family still have grazing interests in the Berridale region and others reside in Sydney and Cowra.
Lil married Eric Delaney and lived at Frying Pan where she cared for Samuel until his death, when she moved to the neighbouring property `Brookwood'. Her descendants live in NSW, the ACT and Darwin.
Ann married Albert Andrews and lived at Dry Plains and Eastwood, finally retiring to `Doran' at Berridale. Her children and grandchildren continue to live on the Monaro, as well as NSW and Queensland.

Information kindly supplied and written by Clem Mackay for the Snowy Times

G W MACKAY

George Watkins Mackay son of Samuel and Mary Mackay of Cooma, was born in 1873 and received his early schooling in Cooma, boarding away from home.

At a young age he worked with a general storekeeper in Goulburn to learn the trade. George married Ellen Murphy, a native of Ireland. About 1900 he bought the store, still located alongside the hotel, in Berridale, and for a number of years he went out buying wool and skins from properties in the Berridale district.
In 1912 he purchased the `Hemsby' property near Adaminaby and employed a manager for the Berridale store, later selling it to his nephew Sam Reid. While he lived at Berridale G W took an active part in district affairs and both he and his father Samuel were members of the Snowy River (then Dalgety) Shire Council.

He remained on council from 1906 to 1937, except for one two year period, serving as shire president for a number of years.

Always a charitable person, George assisted all in need, in particular families in distress during the Great Depression.

A man of progressive ideas, George was responsible for the formation of the Snowy River Hydro-electric Development League, of which he was the first president, and organiser of many rallies to promote the scheme.
In 1920 George purchased the lands owned by his father Samuel and formed the company known as Earlscourt Estate Pty Ltd. He maintained a controlling interest in this property as well as his personal property, `Hemsby' of 5,000 acres.

George Watkins Mackay died on September 7, 1944 at the age of 71, his wife Ellen having predeceased him in 1937.

George W and Ellen had seven children. One son Reginald, was killed in action at Singapore in 1941. One daughter Ellen (Girlie) and one son Stan are the surviving members of their family of seven, but they have a host of grandchildren who are still in the Adaminaby, Cooma, and Dalgety regions as well as Canberra and NSW.

Information kindly supplied and written by Clem Mackay for the Snowy Times

OBITUARY

MRS. G. W. MACKAY.
It is with deep regret that we report the passing of Mrs. G W. Mackay on October 20, 1937.
The late Mrs. Mackay was president of the Adamin­aby branch from the time of its inauguration, some six years ago, until her death. She always had the welfare of the C.W.A. at heart, and gave much of her time to her work as president. She was a most charming woman, who will always be remembered for her generosity and hospitality throughout the district.
The deepest sympathy is extended to her husband and family in their sad loss.
The Adaminaby branch have decided to erect a clock in front of the Memorial Hall in memory of their dearly­ loved late president.(  RUBY DELANY,President, Adaminaby Branch.

Descendants of Samuel Mackay

Submitted by Christine Robinson <scrob1-at-pacific.net.au>
 Rosanne Collins <iingopty-at-bigpond.net.au> 13.01.06