It must have been a difficult decision.
Francis John Smyth had lived and farmed the land "Hillside" near Alma in South Australia for more than 50 years. He had been born at Humphreys Springs in 1867 and now in 1946 at the age of 78, accompanied by his daughter Mary, he was leaving the farm and moving to Gawler.
Frank was the last remaining sibling in his family. His sisters Mary Christina, Catherine Teresa, Elizabeth Agnes and Margaret had all predeceased him. His wife Catherine had died in 1942. His son Eddie was a priest and daughter Mary was now approaching 50, so there was no immediate relative to carry on farming.
This report of a farewell function held in the Tarlee Institute appeared in the Kapunda Herald newspaper.
An excellent programme of items was arranged by Mr. Parker Hogan. Those contributing items were:—Miss Joan Arthur, piano solo and accompanist for the evening; Mrs. Jack Burrows (Riverton), violin selection; Miss Enid Dodd and Mr. P. Dodd, a banjo and piano selection; recitations were given by Miss G. Molineux, Mr. C. H. Branson (Kapunda), and Mr. Parker Hogan; solos were rendered by Mrs. Vandeleur and Mr. Brown (Alma).
Speeches were made by Mr. Bert Kelly, Mr. John McInerney (Riverton), and Rev. Father Honor. [ed. Honner] On behalf of the residents of the district, Father Honor presented the guests with a blackwood arm chair each.
Father Smyth responded on behalf of his father and sister. A sumptuous supper was served by the ladies. Dancing to the music provided by Mrs. D. Wilson brought a very happy social evening to a close. (1)
Frank Smyth, brother to my grandmother Elizabeth, had married Catherine Fitzgerald in October of 1898 in the Marrabel Catholic Church. They were in their early thirties and had their first child Margaret Mary in 1899. I do not know if there were further children in the intervening years as there are very few early Catholic records in this area, but Catherine was 39 when their son Edward John was born in 1905.
Margaret Mary, known as Mary was named after Frank's mother, Margaret Byrne, and Edward John was named after his father Edward Smyth. His father had died in 1901 but his mother Margaret was still living with them until her death in 1907.
Frank's sister Elizabeth had married Andrew Horgan in 1906. The Horgan children grew up with first cousins Mary and Eddie nearby. Elizabeth also named her first son Edward John in 1910. (my father)
District activities
Frank was an active member of his community and is mentioned in many newspaper articles. He was a founding member of the Hibernian group attached to the Catholic congregation at Tarlee and also served as the group's president from 1892. As vice president of the annual Tarlee Catholic Picnic and Sports which was held each New Year's Day, not only was he busy with its organisation and administration but he also participated in novelty races, quoits and horse races. He was active in seeking mains water for local farms and took on the role of clerk on the Alma District Council in 1906.
In 1926 he entered 2 paddocks of 50 acres in a Midlands Region wheat crop competition which was judged between November 17 and December 4. His crops were ranked at 49 and 54 just above the Horgan Brothers at Linwood who were ranked 60th in the 65 crops judged. (2)
Occasionally his name appears in trotting competitions at local picnic races. It appears he may also have had or been interested in greyhounds as he is mentioned in a meeting of the Tarlee Coursing Club in 1935.
Leaving the district behind after many years involvement would have been difficult. His sojourn in Gawler was short as he died only 2 years after leaving the farm. The Hibernians published this obituary in the Southern Cross in 1948. (3)
Obituary - another of our pioneer members has been called to his eternal reward by the death of Bro. Francis John Smyth at Gawler on May 28, aged 80 years. Bro. Smyth was initiated a member of Ss. John and Paul's Branch, Tarlee, on December 3, 1889. Well known in the Lower North area on the "Hillside" property at Alma, Bro. Smyth was a trustee of the branch until his removal to Gawler some little time ago. To his son, Rev. Fr. E. J. Smyth (Willunga) and daughter Mary (Gawler), the sincere condolence of all members is tendered.
Francis John Smyth is buried in Navan cemetery near Riverton with his wife Catherine. (4)
2. 1926 'WHEAT CROP COMPETITION.', Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), 8 January, p. 3. , viewed 04 Oct 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108303265
3. 1948 'H.A.CB.S. News', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 4 June, p. 15. , viewed 04 Oct 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167720161
4. 1948 'Family Notices', News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), 28 May, p. 10. , viewed 04 Oct 2020, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129900284
This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin
I love the stories in old newspapers where we can glean tidbits like this.
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Thank you, Chris