Thomas Henry Williams (abt. 1837 - 1899)

Born about Jun 1837 in Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

Husband of Jane (Eglington) Williams — married 17 Mar 1859 in Residence of Andrew Eglington, Bremer, South Australia, Australia

Descendants

Died 22 Sep 1899 at about age 62 in Mount Gambier, South Australia, Australia

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Biography

OBITUARY Australasian Pastoralists' Review The late Mr. Thomas Williams, for thirty-five years manager of the late Dr. Browne's well-known Moorak Estate, in the Mt. Gambier district of South Australia, was one of the ablest men in the ranks of the pastoral managers of Australasia, as well as one of the kindest-hearted and most influential in his district. Mr. Williams, who was a native of Swansea, in South Wales, came out to South Australia in 1852, and after settling for twelve years at Mt. Barker, commenced farming near Mt. Gambier in 1864. Shortly afterwards he was appointed by the late Dr. Browne to the management of the farming operations which were being carried out on Moorak, and in the following year, 1865, when Dr. Browne left for England, he appointed him manager of the whole property, a position he held to the day of his death. During his long residence at Moorak he identified himself warmly with all movements for the welfare of the district. He took special interest in agricultural matters, and was a liberal supporter of the Agricultural and Horticultural Society. He was frequently called to act as judge at shows outside Mt. Gambier. He carried out many interesting experiments in grain, grass, and root growing, and was one of the pioneers in turning the swamp land in the Hundred of Benara to better account than growing marsh vegetation. He also interested himself in local government affairs, and served various terms as a councillor in the districts of Gambier East and West, Benara, and Beachport, and it may be said that whatever he undertook he did with all his might. He also served his term as a volunteer, and was a member of the Masonic and Oddfellows' Lodges. He was broad and liberal in his sympathies, and was a favourite with all ranks and conditions of men. His counsel and help will be missed by many, and we doubt, says the Border Watch, from which we have largely taken this notice, if we could name another in the district who will go to the grave leaving more general regret and the odour of a better name than Mr. Thomas Williams. Mr. Williams, who for the greater part of his life enjoyed the best of health, suffered from a slight sunstroke in November, 1897, and was never quite well since. He made a trip to England in 1898, which seemed to do him good, but an incipient carbuncle, complicated with diabetes, eventually proved too much for his strength. He leaves behind him a widow and six children.

OBITUARY The South Australian Register, Tuesday, September 26, 1899 DEATH OF MR. THOMAS WILLIAMS. MOUNT GAMBIER, September 22. Last night, when Mr. Thomas Williams, Manager of Moorak Estate, died, Mount Gambier and the South-East as a whole lost one of their most valuable and respected residents. He was born at Swansea, in Wales, 62 years ago, and came out, a boy of fourteen years, with his mother and other members of the family by the ship Charlotte Jane in January, 1852. His father, the late Mr. Llewellyn Williams, had come out to Adelaide previously. For twelve years after landing on these shores the family settled at Mount Barker, where Mr. L. Williams and his family engaged in farming. Whilst there Mr. T. Williams married a daughter of Mr. R. Eglington, of Mount Barker, and afterwards of Mount Gambier. About 1864 Mr. T. Williams came to Mount Gambier, and entered upon farming at Compton. Then he took a contract for ploughing on the Moorak Estate, and the late Mr. W. J Browne recognising his ability, took such a liking to him that he appointed him to supervise the extensive agricultural operations which were then being carried out on the estate. A year or so afterwards, when Mr. Browne left for England, he appointed Mr. Williams Manager tor the estate. That was thirty-five years ago, and Mr. Williams held the position with credit to himself and advantage to his employers, Dr. W. J. Browne, and afterwards his son, Mr. P. J. Browne, till his death. The deceased was three times married. He has left a son, Mr. L. Williams, of Adelaide, a daughter, Mrs. K. Matheson, of Leigh's Creek, who are the children of his first wife. Another daughter by his first wife died some years ago. She was the wife of Mr. T. C. Ellis, of Benara. By his second wife Mr. Williams had no issue. His third wife, now left a widow, is the eldest daughter of Mr. John Jacob, of Adelaide, formerly Clerk of the Mount Gambier Local Court. He also left three more daughters, her children. Eight of the brothers and sisters of the deceased gentleman survive him. One is Mr. W. Williams, of the Mount Gambier Foundry; the others are scattered over Australia. As stated above, Mr. Williams had been one of the most valuable residents of the district. He was well versed in all farm and station work, and being possessed of wonderful energy was ever ready and willing to help in any movement that arose for the benefit of the leading industries of the district. He was also a diligent and intelligent experimenter with grasses, manures, roots, and grain in different soils in the district, and the results of his experiments were of considerable value to his neighbouring agriculturists and graziers. He was a leading member and supporter of the local Agricultural and Horticultural Society from its foundation, and was for several years a member of the Mount Gambier branch of the Agricultural Bureau. From time to time he was a member of the Mount Gambier East, Mount Gambier West, Benara, and Beachport Councils; indeed, for the last thirty years he had almost constantly been a member of one or more of them. He was a warm friend of military matters in the district, and the military companies are greatly indebted to his influence for the convenient ranges they use on the estate, without which it is to be feared our companies would have faded away from want of interest. He was a Mason, and an Oddfellow. Of the M.U. Order of Oddfellows he had been a member for thirty six years. He was a consistent member of the Church of England, and had been several times a Warden of Christ Church

MOUNT GAMBIER FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT JUNE 12. 1881 Our Mayoral election is over, and we have relapsed into our usual quietude. Whilst the excitement attendant upon it continued we were galvanized into a state of excitement and hustle that has been quite unusual with us for a long time. More interest was shown in the contest than in any election, Parliamentary or municipal, for years, and Mr. W. Paltridge was defeated, not, as has been put forth by one of our local papers, because of the promptness and energy of his opponent's committee, but because Mr. Paltridge is one of the most unpopular men in our village, whilst Mr. Williams is personally one of the most popular, and because many were of opinion that in the present juncture it was only fitting, and would prevent any fresh outbreak of feeling over the town hall affair, if one of the present Councillors were called to the mayoral chair for the remainder of the year. No doubt Williams spent three or four times as much money as his opponent in connection with the election but had he not spent one shilling his return was sure, although possibly his majority would not have been so triumphant. Mr, Williams, whilst lacking the address and administrative ability of Mr. Paltridge, is noted for his honesty of purpose, his charity, and his desire to promote the welfare of the majority, and in a small community like ours these qualities hold their own against any opposition. By Mr. William's election to the Mayoralty one of our wards is deprived of a councillor. Mr-. Williams formally resigned on Thursday, and on Friday a numerously-signed requisition' was presented to Mr. A. F. Laurie, one of the proprietors of the Border Watch asking him to stand for the vacancy. The wording of the document is a model of adulation, and the recipient in- agreeing to stand for the ward acknowledged it as such. The Narracoorte Herald, Tue 14 Jun 1881 Page 2 Mount Gambier. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/146551315?searchTerm=Mount%20Gambier%20Thomas%20Williams

Sources

• http://keithbassett.id.au/p5999.htm

Australasian Pastoralists' Review, 15 February 1900, p 713 http://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/williams-thomas-1044 The South Australian Register, Tuesday, September 26, 1899

Local government: https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/160172315?searchTerm=Mount%20Gambier%20Thomas%20Williams

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/47097909?searchTerm=Mount%20Gambier%20Thomas%20Williams

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/160138982?searchTerm=Mount%20Gambier%20Thomas%20Williams

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/43167858?searchTerm=Mount%20Gambier%20Thomas%20Williams

Mount Gambier Show https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/35094664?searchTerm=Mount%20Gambier%20Thomas%20Williams

purchased land https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/44525413?searchTerm=Mount%20Gambier%20Thomas%20Williams

mt Gambier Baths https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/77515590?searchTerm=Mount%20Gambier%20Thomas%20Williams