David GODBER [8763]

  General Notes:

from "Godbers Wilson: 150 Years of Settlement and Growth", Leila Simpson, 1988

David Godber was born in Diamond Creek on 29th October, 1863, the second son of Robert and Martha Godber. When he was 24 he married Mary Ann Stewart (born at Bulleen) on 20th October, 1887. I understand that he worked at carting produce from Diamond Creek to Melbourne. In about 1896 David went to W.A. to see if there was work there for his horse team. The W.A. Goldfields were booming and people were flocking there from everywhere.

David took his team to the Swan River Colony by ship to Fremantle. He told my brother once that "he had no time to be sea sick" on a very rough voyage as he had to stay up on deck and control his very frightened horses. He carted goods first from Southern Cross and then up Menzies and Kookynie way.

Mary Ann and the three girls followed him in 1898 and Angus was born in 1900. They lived on the Goldfields for 10 or more years. Several of David's brothers came over to the Goldfields too - George, Jim and Robert. Jim and Robert went back to Victoria but David and George stayed in the West.

When David's family left the Goldfields they lived for a time in West Perth and then they bought a little orchard property in Gosnells where they resided until 1920 and then transferred to Victoria Park.

David Godber was a splendid old man; he was interested in everything and full of yarns about the early days. David died in 1954 in his 91st year.
by Leila Simpson, Granddaughter of David Godber.






Evelyn Observer, and South and East Bourke Record (Vic. : 1882 - 1902) Fri 3 Jul 1896 Page 5 ELTHAM COURT OF PETTY SESSIONS.

Constable W. H, Swanwick of Diamond Greek, v. Jonathan Hewitt, Job Godber, David Godber.-Neglecting to carry lights on their vehicles on the night of 8th June last. Fined 5s and 4s costs in each case.

The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) Mon 21 Oct 1912 Page 1 Family Notices
GODBER - STEWART (Silver Wedding) - On October 20, 1887, by the Rev. Jackson, at Diamond Creek, Victoria, David second son of the late Robert Godber and Martha Godber, to Mary; youngest daughter of the late Alex. and Grace Stewart, of Diamond Creek. Present address: Graceburn, Gosnells, W.A.

The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) Fri 27 Aug 1954 Page 36 Family Notices
GODBER: Passed away Wednesday, David, very loved a father of Veen. father-in-law of Saff (Gosnells). grand father of Leila (Gosnells). Milford (Ryde. N.S.W.). Elva (Mrs. J. D. Morell. Gosnells).
Our old dad.

The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) Thu 26 Aug 1954 Page 41 Family Notices
GODBER: On Aug 25. 1954. at his daughter's residence. David, loving husband of the late Mary Ann Godber. dearly loved father of Lavinia (Mrs. S. Simpson). Martha (Mrs. A. J. Hudd). Grace (Mrs J. S.Pateman) and Angus: aged 90 years. Nature's gentleman at rest. Loved by all.

GODBER: The Funeral of the late Mr. David Godber. of 5 Strickland-street, South Perth, leaves our Chapel. 20 Angove street North Perth. at 2 o'clock TOMORROW (Friday) AFTERNOON, arriving at the Presbyterian Cemetery. Karrakatta, at 2.30 o'clock. A. J. PURSLOWE & CO.

David married Mary Ann STEWART [8828] [MRIN: 2863], daughter of Alexander STEWART [8829] and Grace McKENZIE [8830], in 1887 in Diamond Creek, Vic, Australia.⁶⁸³⁶ (Mary Ann STEWART [8828] was born in 1865 in , Victoria, Australia ⁶⁸³⁹ and died in 1934 in Perth, WA, Australia ⁶⁸⁴⁰.)