William WILSON [1305]

   Find a Grave ID: 144468000. WikiTree ID: Wilson-18695.

  General Notes:

From the Mercury and Weekly Courier, Fri 30 Jul 1897
Diamond Creek Items, from our correspondent
On Wednesday last, the 21st inst., one of the oldest pioneers in this district, in the person of William Wilson, senior, passed away. The deceased was a colonist of over 50 years standing, of which he had spent upwards of 47 years in this locality. For many years he occupied a leading position in many local public matters, especially in connection with the local Primitive Methodist body of whose Sunday school he was superintendent up to the time of his death. He had also for many years been secretary for the local Rechabites and secretary of the local Mechanics Institute. Though he had reached the age of 71 years, his death was quite unexpected, as he enjoyed very good health as a rule. His death was due primarily to rupture of a blood vessel of the brain, which induced an apoplectic seizure from which he did not recover but passed quietly away a few hours after the seizure. He left a large family of sons and daughters, most of whom are married and resident in the district. The remains of the deceased were buried in the local cemetery on Saturday last and were followed by a large number of friends and residents. The burial service was read by Rev. C. Mason and the Rechabite service by Bro. Latham.

Advertiser (Hurstbridge, Vic. : 1922 - 1939) View title info Fri 16 Mar 1934 Page 4 SOME REMINISCENCES
SOME REMINISCENCES
Mr T. Sadler, of Northcote, says:
"It is 59 years ago since I left the Creek. I used to stay with Mr Driver, who worked at the Union Mine. I remember Cobb and Co's Coaches. A particular incident which still stands out in my mind was after collecting a box of ladybirds and other beetles their escape in a full coach at Greensborough with a consequent consternation among women passengers. I remember Mr Bill, the teacher; he was a regular savage, and many a good hiding he gave me.

I remember the lagoon on the park and the first hotel. Later I returned to assist in the building of the buttresses on the Catholic Church" Mr Reuben Wilson, of Ardmona, with his brothers Job and Ezra, are enjoying their stay in Diamond Creek Mr Wilson relates many interesting happenings. He says: "I remember the brick portion of Mr Gillie's house It was built by Mr John Wilson, our father, I also remember the back portion or kitchen on Mr Jonas', house. I was born there. This was built by Mr Wm. Wilson and is the oldest building standing. Mr Wm. Wilson had a farm where the Recreation Ground is now. The barn was on the site of the present Horticultural Hall and the dwelling was where the railway cutting is. I have seen many kangaroos and wild horses about the place. One of the most interesting events of the district was the introduction of a mechanised mower, the first of its kind in the district. It belonged to my family, and the school was given two hours off to see Mr Wm. Kidd operate it.

Mr Godber, the father of the present family, was considered the champion cutter of that time, two acres a day; but the machine outdistanced him. Mr Godber worked for my father. When the Diamond Mine caught fire eight men were down below and I gave them directions from the first level as to how to follow the leads and galley ways until they reached the first level, from which a tunnel is cut into the hillside.

When the poppet legs were burnt through I will never forget the crash as the cage fell down the shaft with much burning timber. My grandfather was the first pork butcher in Melbourne. His shop was on the corner of Russell street and Little Bourke street and his cattle run extended from Williamstown to Brunswick.

William married Rosamond GODBER [1304] [MRIN: 402], daughter of Job GODBER [1343] and Mary BARLOW [1342], on 4 Nov 1856 in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.²³⁷³ (Rosamond GODBER [1304] was born on 18 Apr 1837 in Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, England,²³⁷⁴ died on 11 Jul 1878 in Diamond Creek, Vic, Australia ^2374,2375 and was buried on 14 Jul 1878 in Diamond Creek, Vic, Australia.)