Tennis in the spotlight

Mary and Ed Horgan September 1927

Tennis group at Alma, South Australia 1927

Back: Edward J Horgan, Francis J Smyth (known as Frank)

Front: Hanora Mary Horgan (known as Mary) Parker Hogan, Margaret Mary Smyth (known as Mary)

photo enhanced and colourised at MyHeritage

As the Australian Open Tennis tournament gets underway in Melbourne I find it interesting to look back at my family's days of playing tennis. From our own family albums come these two photos, both taken at Alma in September of 1927.

On perusing the editions of digitised newspapers there are many mentions of my father Edward John Horgan and his siblings Hanora Mary and Joseph Andrew playing in tennis matches and tournaments in the nineteen twenties and thirties.

Many of the small towns in the area had tennis clubs and the results of matches were regularly published. This Horgan family were mentioned in matches between 1925 and 1936 for Alma Tennis club, Hamley Bridge Catholic club and Tarlee Catholic club. As well as playing tennis they attended Tennis balls and dances held variously to raise money for the club.

1925

"On Wednesday evening the members of the Tennis Club arranged a euchre and dance, which proved enjoyable as well as augmenting the tennis funds that are being added to with the object of laying down another asphalt court."

1925 'DISTRICT NEWS.', The Wooroora Producer (Balaklava, SA : 1909 - 1940),

16 July, p. 3. , viewed 09 Feb 2021,

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207139646

Ouch, asphalt courts - yet these were the most common tennis courts in the towns at the time. With limited rainfall in the lower north area of South Australia, lawn tennis was rarely a feasible option. Hard rolled dirt courts provided variable bounce and so skill, speed and sometimes good luck played chance with the games result.
Joseph Andrew Horgan, my father's brother was of short stature at about 4 ft 11 in. but he developed a very mean slice. Here he is playing tennis at his McInerney cousins' farm near Riverton.

Joe Horgan - tennis at Olive Farm Riverton
photo courtesy McInerney family

Other early photos shared from the McInerney family albums show the previous generation of Horgans also on the court at Olive Farm. In this one Eddie and Joe look as if they have been playing or are ready for tennis but their aunt, Kate Horgan and uncles John McInerney, Tom and Jack (John) Horgan appear dressed to be spectators rather than players.

Mid 1930s tennis group at McInerney Olive Farm, Riverton, South Australia

Standing: Tom O'Leary, Kate Horgan, John McInerney, Mr Bosch, Vin McInerney, Tom Horgan, Frank McInerney, Eddie Horgan, Jack Horgan.

Front: Bernie McInerney, Joe Horgan, Mary McInerney, Vi Doecke

1960s tennis at the farm
Some time after we moved from the old farmhouse to the new in 1959, my father built a hard packed tennis court next to the house. Here we learnt to play tennis with those heavy wooden racquets of the day. Sunday afternoons were often tennis afternoons and Uncle Joe managed to keep us running with his well placed sliced shots. Some of my siblings went on to play for the local Tarlee Tennis Club while we younger ones had the opportunity to try out for tennis teams at boarding school. My skill level however, never reached that of my father and uncle.

Other articles mentioning the tennis related activities of Mary, Eddie and Joe Horgan in the 1920s and 1930s

Alma versus the Woods club
1926 'DISTRICT NEWS.', The Wooroora Producer (Balaklava, SA : 1909 - 1940), 8 April, p. 4. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article207140470

Alma versus Hamley Bridge at Stockport
1927 'TENNIS.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 23 March, p. 20. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article73655863

E Horgan attends the Alma Tennis Ball
1927 'ALMA TENNIS BALL.', Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), 10 September, p. 73. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90076648

Riverton Catholic Tennis club v. Tarlee Catholic Club
1930 'S.A. CATHOLIC ASSOCIATION.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 19 December, p. 19. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167051800

Match between Riverton (Good Shepherd) and the Tarlee (SS. John and Paul) Catholic Clubs
1931 'RIVERTON v. TARLEE.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 20 February, p. 18. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167052764

Eddie and Joe in the final of the Men's doubles
1931 'CATHOLIC TOURNAMENT AT RIVERTON.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 20 March, p. 22. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167053260

Eddie plays in singles and doubles
1931 'TARLEE AND RIVERTON v. MINTARO.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 2 April, p. 18. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167053495

Joe and his first cousin Mary Smyth win the mixed doubles
1932 'CATHOLIC TENNIS TOURNAMENT AT RIVERTON.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 11 March, p. 18. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167059421

An early defeat for the Horgan brothers in the men's doubles
1933 'RIVERTON TENNIS CLUB.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 24 February, p. 15. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167694429

Balaklava. — Balaklava Catholic lost to Hamley Bridge
1936 1936 'TENNIS', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 5 February, p. 9. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article74158435

In the Hamley Bridge Catholic team
1936 'SEVENHILL.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 27 March, p. 7. , viewed 09 Feb 2021, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167077747


This post first appeared on earlieryears.blogspot.com by CRGalvin

The grandmother who never was

Elizabeth Horgan of Alma, South Australia

Elizabeth died in 1934. 4th March, 85 years ago today.₁

Before her husband - before any grandchildren were born.

There are just seven grandchildren, all of us born after her death, so we never knew our grandmother Elizabeth Agnes Horgan, (born Smyth). Each one of her seven grandchildren now have grandchildren of their own to be treasured and loved. How sad that Elizabeth missed this experience.

In 1870 in the area known as Humphreys Springs near Alma in South Australia, Elizabeth was born to parents Margaret and Edward Smyth. They had  married in February of 1862 ₂ and as far as I have been able to determine, Elizabeth was their fourth child. Mary Christina was born in 1862, Catherine Teresa in 1865 and son Francis John in 1867. Another younger sister, Margaret, was born when Elizabeth was just three years old.

Little is known of Elizabeth’s early life but it was probably consumed with the daily tasks necessitated by life on a farm. Her playmates were the other children in the family and together they would have been set the tasks of fetching wood for the fire, feeding the hens, collecting the eggs as well as assisting their mother Margaret with a myriad of household tasks.

When Elizabeth was only 9 years old, her 16 year old sister Mary Christina, died of typhoid fever. ₃  How sad the little family must have been as they buried the young girl in Pinkerton Plains cemetery.₄.  Surrounded by close relations and friends, the children grew up attending Sunday Mass at Tarlee where a new Catholic church had been opened in 1877. Here they met and mingled with other families in the parish.

The late 1890s were filled with joy with three family marriages in 1897 and 1898. Elizabeth’s older sister Catherine married John Callery in September of 1897 followed by the marriage of her younger sister Margaret to James Leo Byrne in January of 1898. Later that same year, her brother Francis married Catherine Fitzgerald. They moved onto land nearby.

Now Elizabeth was alone with her parents on the family farm. Her father was still actively working in the paddocks, but at age 79 in November of 1901 when he was mowing the hay, he was thrown from the implement. He sustained serious injuries and died ten days later in Kapunda Hospital.₅ The land that Edward had owned was left to his wife Margaret with direction that it pass to Elizabeth on Margaret’s death. ₆

Extract from the will of Edward Smyth dated 1901 

Happier days were to come with Elizabeth’s marriage to Andrew Horgan in February of 1906. A description and photo of their wedding day are included on the story A great place to marry. After they had honeymooned in New Zealand, Andrew, a farmer from nearby Tarlee, moved to the Smyth family home and farm .

Smyth family home at Alma

Their first child Hanora Mary was born in December just 10 months later. When the baby was only a few months old, Elizabeth’s mother, Margaret, died in May of 1907 ₇. Edward John was born in 1908 followed by Joseph in 1910. Elizabeth taught her daughter at home until  Edward was old enough to start school. The two children then attended Alma South school.

Elizabeth Horgan in the farmyard, Alma, South Australia 1927

Life was hard as Andrew worked the paddocks and Elizabeth attended to all the farmyard and household chores. Elizabeth was involved in various Tarlee Catholic activities. In 1927 she and her sister in law Catherine were in charge of the produce stall at the annual fundraising fete.₈ Andrew’s bachelor brothers and his sister from Tarlee probably visited the farm at Alma sometimes after Sunday Mass. As Edward grew he was a great help to his father. Joseph was very small in stature but did his best to assist.

Like many Catholic parents of the time, Elizabeth and Andrew were probably delighted when their daughter decided to become a nun. By the time Elizabeth turned 64 neither of her sons had married. She died at home on March 4th 1934. She is buried at Navan cemetery near Riverton along with her husband and all three of her children.

Elizabeth we would like to have met you and to have known more about you. You may have missed out on meeting your grandchildren but now, 85 years later, you and Andrew have 72 living descendants with one more great-great grandchild on the way. A fine legacy indeed.

Cite/Link to this post: 
Carmel R Galvin "The grandmother who never was" Earlier Years (https:earlieryears.blogspot.com: posted 4 March 2019)

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Sources
1. 1934 'Family Notices', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 5 March, p. 14. , viewed 04 Mar 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47541261

2. South Australian district marriage certificate

3. 1879 'Family Notices', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 19 April, p. 6. (Supplement to the South Australian Register.), viewed 04 Mar 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article42973818

4. 1879 'HAMLEY BRIDGE, MARCH 27.', South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail (Adelaide, SA : 1868 - 1881), 29 March, p. 21. , viewed 04 Mar 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article93845713

5. 1901 'Country News.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 20 December, p. 13. , viewed 04 Mar 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166996247

6. Australia, South Australia, Will and Probate Records." Database. FamilySearch. https://FamilySearch.org : 31 January 2019. Probate and Administration Books, Supreme Court of South Australia, Adelaide.

7. 1907 'Obituary.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 17 May, p. 12. , viewed 04 Mar 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167038511

8. 1927 'FAIR AT TARLEE.', Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), 11 March, p. 3. , viewed 04 Mar 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108306635

Place names - A personal reflection

Nomen what? Nomenclature

That’s the devising and choosing of names and answers the question - Where did that place name originate?

While investigating our family histories I’ve found that so many of my forebears came from a geographically small area and so the recurrence of place names is frequent in birth, marriage and death notices. But what was the source, the origin of those place names?

I’ve returned to one of my favourite sources of information to get some early views on the origins of the place names below: Trove’s digitised newspapers.

In 1908 during the months of May, June and July, The Register newspaper published a series of twenty eight posts under the heading Nomenclature of South Australia. These articles were researched and written by Rodney Cockburn. This series engendered a wide range of discussion in the form of letters to the editor. Whilst reference to many of these places can be found in earlier versions of newspapers, these snippets of information provide a rich, albeit sometimes inaccurate background, to the origin of many South Australian place names.

By August of 1908 The Register had announced that the series of articles would be republished in book form which was then advertised in November of the same year for the sum of 3/6d or 3/10d via post. The book contained revisions and corrections from the original posts. Discussions continued in the newspapers. Writers discussed the practice of adopting names from European countries,  debated the appropriateness of naming places after early settlers, officials, their wives and children and some emphasised the desirability of using more of the pre-existing Aboriginal place names.

More recent research in the 1980s and 1990s on South Australian place names, was conducted and published by Geoffrey Manning.  The 2012 edition of his work, A Compendium of the Place Names of South Australia, is freely available. This more scholarly work pays tribute to those previous recorders of the place names of South Australia and expands on place names and corrects the misattributions.

So from a combination of these sources and the South Australian State Gazetteer here are some of the meanings of the names of places of significance in my family’s history. I have limited the list to South Australian places for the sake of my readers’ patience!

Alma

On the banks of the River Alma in the Crimea the allies gained their first victory in 1854. The name comes from a Tartar word meaning 'apple tree.’ Manning: 2012

The Hundred of Alma was surveyed in 1855 and proclaimed in 1856.

By the time my father Edward John Horgan and his siblings Honora Mary and Joseph Andrew were born in the early 1900s a vibrant community of farmers had grown up around the early established Christian churches. Their days at Alma South School are recalled in A building with memories. After my parents’ marriage in 1937 they lived on the family farm at Alma.

Hamley Bridge

—Break of Gauge. —
Hamley Bridge reminds us of Lieut. Col. F. G. Hamley, Acting Governor, of South Australia from February 20, 1868, to February 15, 1869. That was the interregnum between Sir Dominic Daly's death and the arrival of his successor. Sir James Fergusson.  Lieut Col. Hamley was the senior officer in command of Her Majesty's forces in South Australia at the time of Governor Daly's death. He opened the bridge, which, together with the township, bears his name. Cockburn: Part 12

This was a typical entry in the Cockburn work, a heading to break up the long list of names and a concise paragraph to convey maximum information in a few words. Here is an account of the laying of the foundation stone by Mrs Hamley. The bridge was essential for the continuance of the railway network.

My O’Dea great grandparents, John O’Dea and Maria Crowley had retired from farming at Pinkerton Plains to Hamley Bridge from where grandfather Patrick met and married grandmother Georgina Bennett.  After Patrick’s  death in Pinnaroo, Georgina returned to Hamley Bridge with her six youngsters and my mother Hannah lived there until her marriage in the Hamley Bridge Catholic church in 1937.

Humphrey’s Springs

Humphrey's Springs, a mile and a half east of the little postal town of Alma, take their name from James Humphrey. They are on country which, was held by him for pastoral purposes in 1842. Cockburn: Part 13

My paternal grandmother, Elizabeth Smyth, was born at Humphrey’s Springs.

Kapunda

“That’s when someone put their cap under a cow or goat when they wanted to get a quick drink”  Capunder – how long did I believe this as a child? Did it come from my father or brother?  I cannot be sure. Needless to say it does not appear in any study of place names, another childhood belief debunked!

Kapunda - A corruption of the Aboriginal cappieoonda - ‘jumping water’, probably related to a spring, supplying the town of Kapunda when it was laid out in 1844; another source asserts that it means ‘place of smoke’ and, in an interesting article on nomenclature in 1921, Mr N.A. Webb suggests the name is derived from the Aboriginal kappaunga - ‘the locality of the quail’; further, it has been recorded that Charles Hervey Bagot took up land in the area which he called kunangga derived from ku – ‘shelter’ and nangga – ‘good’ Manning: 2012

My O’Dea forbears came to Kapunda in 1854 and spent some years as carters before taking up land in 1863 at Pinkerton Plains. Gt-gt grandmother Johanna (Fitzgerald) Horgan, gt-grandfather John Horgan and his wife gt-grandmother Honora O’Leary and four of their children are all buried at St John’s near Kapunda.

Navan

Under the subheading Crumbs of nomenclature, Cockburn often included single sentences where limited information was available. With this entry he summed up:

Navan, a township of the past between Riverton and Tarlee, is after the Navan in County Meath, Ireland . Cockburn: Part 19

Indeed he could not have foreseen that the Navan of 2017 is but a small chapel and graveyard. At this place my parents, Horgan grandparents and many other relatives from the past, occupy the now hallowed ground.

My great grandfather’s brother, John Smyth, attended the seminary at Navan in County Meath and after he arrived in Australia he became the Vicar-General of the Catholic church in South Australia until his early death in 1870. Some members of that Smyth family, my father’s first cousins Fr. Edward Smyth and his sister Mary are also buried at this Navan.

Pinkerton Plains

William Pinkerton who arrived in the Rajahstan in 1838 and took out an occupation licence on the River Light on 15 August 1844. Manning :2012

Sometimes listed as Pinkerton’s Plains, Pinkerton Flat and previously confused with an area near Quorn in the Hundred of Pichi Richi.

At this Pinkerton Plains between Wasleys and Hamley Bridge,  the O’Deas farmed. Paternal gt-grandparents Smyth, and maternal gt-grandparents O’Dea are buried in the old Catholic cemetery of St Benedict’s at Pinkerton Plains.

Pinnaroo

—A Big Man.—
Pinnaroo is a native word used to express "big man." Curiously enough, it runs through the vocabularies of nearly all the tribes north or south. John McKinlay, the explorer, was dubbed 'Pinnaroo wildra' by the blacks — meaning "big man with a cart'' Cockburn: Part 20

In 1911 grandparents Patrick O’Dea and Georgina Bennett moved to Ngallo, Victoria just over the border from Pinnaroo. My mother was born in Pinnaroo in  1912. Patrick was a victim of the 1919 influenza epidemic and died in a private hospital there.

Riverton

In an unpublished history, Mrs R.B. Scholefield said that ‘James Masters came to the Gilbert Valley… accompanied by Charles Swinden, Dr Matthew Moorhouse and John Jubb Horner’: (See Washington Gardens) In connection with the naming of Riverton I quote from a letter from the late Gilbert Horner, a grandson of J.J. Horner: ‘My grandfather often told us he named the town… Mr Masters remarked that the Surveyor General had written and announced his intention of laying out a new town… and asked for a name to be recommended. “What about calling it Hornertown?”, suggested Mr Masters. My grandfather, however, would not consent and said, “Call it after this little river”. ‘So the name of “Gilberton” was sent in [and refused] because the name had already been chosen [for an Adelaide suburb]. Mr Masters then called on Mr Horner and again suggested Hornertown [to which he replied] “If they will not accept Gilberton, call it Riverton”.’John Jubb Horner was both the first flour miller and postmaster in the Gilbert Valley. Manning: 2012

Many of my McInerney relatives have lived in and around Riverton for many years. For my last three years of primary school I attended the convent school run by the Mercy nuns of South Australia. Both of my parents died in the Soldiers Memorial Riverton Hospital.

Snowtown

—A Governor's Cousin.—
Snowtown derives its name from Thomas Snow, M.A., Private Secretary to Governor Jervois. The Snows, two of whom were out here, were cousins of His Excellency. Cockburn: Part 22

After the sale of the Alma farm at the end of 1939 my parents moved to Snowtown with their first child. Their stay lasted only 2 years and a return to the Horgan farm south of Tarlee was effected after grandfather Andrew’s two brothers died in 1941 and 1942.

Stockport

Stockport was laid out in 1856. The section on which the town stands was originally held by Samuel Stocks, jun., of Stockport, England who died in 1847. Cockburn: Part 23

There goes another childhood belief. There were pens and races for loading cattle and sheep (the stock) onto the trains at the Stockport railway yards so an assumption that the name came from that practice could possibly be viewed as a natural progression.

The old Stockport station

Stockport loomed large in my five years at boarding school. It was the station where we boarded the train bound to Adelaide and where Dad would meet us on that one “free” weekend a term as well as at the end of each term.

Tarlee

- The town is situated 38 kilometres north of Gawler. Land in the area was held first under occupation licence by George A. Anstey in 1845, while sections adjacent to the present day town were taken up by Messrs E. Prescott, James Lewis, P. Conway and Thomas Colbert in 1866. By 1868, section 987 was owned by Edward Prescott (1829-1910) which he subdivided into 85 allotments ‘adjoining the terminus of the Roseworthy and Forresters Railway… being the very nucleus of the lines of northern traffic…’ The auction was advertised to take place at the ‘Forresters’ Hotel at Gilberton (sic) on 15 June 1868. (See Gilbert Town) 

Of significance is the fact that Prescott named one of the streets ‘Oldham’ and, in August 1869, when an extension was made to the town, all lots (nos. 86-118) were purchased by Nathaniel Oldham. 

These facts suggest a close friendship between Prescott and Oldham who had a family connection with Ireland and, therefore, it may have transpired that Oldham suggested the name ‘Tralee’ to Prescott who, as an expatriate Englishman, corrupted it to ‘Tarlee’. 

To give further credence to the ‘Irish influence’ Prescott named another Tarlee street ‘Hallet’ (sic) and John Hallett was a co-subdivider of nearby’ Navan’, also a town in Ireland, that is in close proximity to ‘Tralee’. The ancient name of Tralee in Ireland was Traleigh - ‘the strand [shore] of leigh’ and derived from its situation from the point at which the River Leigh discharges itself into the broad sandy bay of Tralee. 

Rodney Cockburn says that, in 1908, Mr J.O. Taylor asserted that it was a contraction of the Aboriginal word tarralee and referred anyone in doubt to Mr Prescott who laid out part of his farm as the town of Tarlee. However, he preferred the following explanation: Tarlee is a name which has given considerable trouble in tracing. It is believed to be a misspelling of Tralee, the chief town in County Kerry, Ireland. ‘Tra’ is Irish for ‘strand’ or ‘beach’ and the Irish Tralee is built on the River Lee [sic] and the tide goes up as far as the town. There is a popular ballad entitled ‘The Rose of Tralee’… Navan and Tralee are close to one another in Ireland and so are Navan and Tarlee in South Australia, which gives colour to the suggested derivation of the latter.
In May 1869, the village was described as comprising ‘an inn, blacksmith’s shop and Methodist Chapel.’ Manning: 2012

About 7.5 km south of Tarlee my Horgan ancestors from County Kerry, Ireland took up farming in 1858. My parents returned to this farm from Snowtown in 1942 and it was here that I spent my childhood.

These are just a few of the place names in our family history. If you are interested to know more about South Australian place names the references below provide a wealth of detail.

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References

A Brief History of South Australian Nomenclature and an Analysis of Perpetuated Myths - 1893-1990 – (An address given by Geoffrey H. Manning at the Family History Award Dinner of the SA Genealogy and Heraldry Society on 23 June 1990) accessed 11 Dec. 2017

Manning, Geoffrey A Compendium of the Place Names of South Australia rev. ed.  2012 – originally published as The place names of our land: a South Australian anthology, Modbury, South Australia : Gould Genealogy & History, 2010 accessed 11 Dec. 2017

Nomenclature of South Australia This Trove list compiles the posts written by Rodney Cockburn in 1908 related to the place names of South Australia

South Australian Gazetteer roads and place name search
1908 'Advertising', The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), 18 November, p. 4. , viewed 11 Dec 2017, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article56998197

A building with memories

This sign outside the now abandoned Alma South School in South Australia holds few hints to the role it played in the life of my father and his siblings one hundred years ago.

Edward John Horgan and his sister Honora Mary were enrolled at this little one room school on the 28th April 1914. He was 5 yrs 11 months old and she was 7 yrs 4 months. The school register shows that neither had attended school before and that they lived three miles away. The distance from the school probably explains why Honora Mary had not started at a younger age. Now there were two children of school age, transport would be found for them.

This extract from the Alma South school register held at State Records SA details their birth dates, father’s occupation and shows they both started in J, the first grade in the school. Eddie completed Junior in 1915 while his elder sister moved up a grade.



This photo shows Eddie with his sister outside the school on their horse Beaver, accompanied by local children Lindsay McKenzie and Beryl Watts on the other two horses. There is no saddle on Beaver so a slow and steady progress would have been the order of the day. There were only 23 children on the register in 1914 with the average daily attendance shown as 16. As many would have ridden horses to school, one can only imagine the reluctance of some to set out on cold, wet mornings.


To find out more about school days at Alma South I turned to Trove where Nora Mary, as she liked to be known then, wrote in 1916:
We had Australia Day in Alma on July 26. The Alma South school children were dressed up to represent different nations. I was an Irish girl. …(she continues) I am in the second class at school. The teacher's name is Miss Dubois. (1)
Ellen M J DuBois had been appointed to Alma South school in 1911 and had commenced there in April of that year. She was still there in 1928.

At the beginning of 1917 the youngest Horgan child, Joseph, was enrolled at the school at the age of 6 years 9 months. I wonder if the three of them shared the ride on Beaver or if they took turns and walked some of the way.

In February of 1917 Nora Mary wrote of school days again to the Southern Cross newspaper:
We are busy at school knitting for soldiers. Both of us passed. Eddie is in the third grade. I am in the fifth grade. My little brother Joseph is going to school now. He is a pet of the scholars. (2)

In April of 1918 a report on a school picnic for children’s day held jointly with the Alma North and Salter Springs schools, describes a variety of activities. Miss Du Bois had obviously done a good job managing to get a group of youngsters entwined in a Maypole dance.

At the end of this report it is noted:
An accident to Mr. and Mrs. Horgan's young son, who fell heavily in one of the races, marred the afternoon's proceedings. It was found that he had sustained a slight fracture of the collarbone. (3)

Whether this was Joe or Eddie is not known but it certainly would have been a painful ride home in the buggy over rough roads. Many of the dirt roads in the locale of their old home can still provide a somewhat bumpy ride in 2016. Several school picnics and gatherings were recorded in the papers of the times.

Another glance of life at school is provided by Nora Mary in November of 1918.

Our examination will be next month. I hope to pass into the VII. Grade. Isn't it lovely to think that the war is over at last? A lady came to our school on Wednesday to teach us how to spin wool. We will have five weeks' holiday at Christmas time. We have had three days' holiday this week in honour of peace. (4)
She spent another two years at the school passing what was known as the Qualifying Certificate at the end of Grade Seven in 1920. Eddie and Joe were still recorded as attending Alma South in 1921. There were only twenty-six to thirty children attending the school in those years between 1914 and 1921.

The school register I examined was used from 1883 until December 1921. The instructions for filling it in included a note at the bottom of the first page that read:

Should a new register be required before the old one is finished, it may be obtained with the permission of the Inspector on payment of 2s.6d.

This was written before 1883 when this register of pupils was commenced. One hopes the teacher did not have to pay for a new register 39 years later! State Archives notes that the location of admission registers for the school at Alma South after this date is unknown. (5)

Alma South School – September 2016

It is sad to see the state of the building now as time and weather wreak their damage. I would like to think that my father and his siblings had fond memories of this small school and the friends made therein.

View from outside – September 2016

Entry via the porch - inside the building the remains of a chalkboard adorn one wall. The roof timbers appear to be in good condition.

View of the side of school building showing significant deterioration

An interesting article in Weekend Notes has more information on Alma and Salter Springs as well as some other small towns in this region of South Australia.

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1. 1916 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 1 September, p. 18. , viewed 03 Oct 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166422061 2. 1917 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 9 February, p. 6. , viewed 03 Oct 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166980769
3. 1918 'THE COUNTRY.', The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929), 23 April, p. 6. , viewed 03 Oct 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article60351597
4. 1918 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 22 November, p. 15. , viewed 03 Oct 2016, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166988853
5. GRS/13020 Admission Register, Alma South School, 1883 -1921 State Records of South Australia, viewed 2 Sept 2016

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This post first appeared on http://earlieryears.blogspot.com/2016/10/a-building-with-memories.html

Selling off the farm

Years of hard work, good seasons and bad, little or abundant rain, dusty dry paddocks or golden fields of grain are the lot of the South Australian farmer in the lower mid-north region. How difficult then must it be to sell the land where one has worked and toiled for many years? In tough years a clearing sale may bring in some needed cash.

In March of 1933, a successful clearing sale held on my grandfather's farm at Alma could have helped them weather the world wide depression afflicting business, industry and indeed the farming communities.

We see from this article that 13 valuable horses, essential on a farm in these years, were sold. It is worth noting that "there was a good attendance from local and surrounding districts" Some folks were probably looking for bargains but we can hope there were others there to support the family in their time of need.

1933 'STOCK MARKET REPORTS.', Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954),
16 March, p. 28, viewed 15 September, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article90895610

Less than a year later sadness struck on March 4th with the death of Elizabeth, my grandmother, at age 64. (1) Now Andrew and his son Edward were alone on the farm.

In 1906 on his marriage to Elizabeth Smyth, Andrew Horgan had moved to the farm at Alma. Her father had died in 1901 the land then being administered by his brother, Elizabeth's uncle, James Smyth. The deeds for this land passed to Elizabeth as a married woman in January of 1909 with subsequent transfer to Andrew her husband.
After her death in 1934, he and his son Edward continued to work the farm. After Edward's marriage in 1937 and seeking better prospects for the young couple, their attention turned to land available further north where Andrew's cousins had settled and were doing well. By 1939 Andrew was 70 and ready to move on. His 2 bachelor brothers, Thomas now aged 72 and John aged 64 had moved to Riverton and had leased out the farm at Linwood.

So in 1939 this advertisement appeared in "The Mail"

At Mr J O'Connell's  Office
HAMLEY BRIDGE
For sale by auction under instructions from the registered proprietorMr. ANDREW HORGAN, of ALMA:—  
LOT 1. 213 ACRES, being free hold Sections 481. 482. and part 418. Hundred Alma, situated about 7 miles north-east of Hamley Bridge. 

IMPROVEMENTS: STONE HOMESTEAD, 6 ROOMS, concrete cow sheds, G.I. barn blacksmith's shop. garage. pigsty fowlhouses. and yards. Fruit garden. 95 ACRES UNDER CROP -25 acres peas. 20 acres oats, and 50 acres barley: also 68 acres pasture, look ing well, and 50 ACRES OF WELL .WORKED FALLOW. LOT 2. 100 ACRES, being free hold. Sections 483 and part Section 418, Hundred Alma. ADJOINING LOT AT PRESENT IN CROP (20 acres wheat and 80 acres barley). The above land will FIRSTLY BE OFFERED AS A WHOLE, and if not sold THEN IN TWO LOTS. AS ABOVE. The land is all cleared and arable, and is first-class agricultural land, TERMS.— 10 per cent, deposit: balance in cash in one month, when possession will be given.
For inspection and further particulars apply to the Auctioneers
GOLDSBOROUGH, MORT AND COMPANY LIMITED

The farm was sold and contracts exchanged on land near Snowtown in February 1940. 

A child writes letters

The Children's Page

Through the eyes of children we can glean snippets of the lives of our forebears. Many newspapers and magazines have had children's sections where young people were encouraged to write about their lives and contribute to the publication. The Southern Cross paper in South Australia was no exception starting out with a children's corner in its early editions.

In a Children's Corner of the 21 September, 1894 edition, Mrs A. M. Ryan  of the Catholic Book depot in Gawler Place under the nom de plume "Aunt Eily"(1) suggested children write to her (2)
By March 1895 the children's corner had become St Vincent's Juvenile Club and all children were treated as cousins, with "Aunt Eily" referring to them as nieces and nephews. The club was open to all young people from the age of 5 - 18.  "Cousin Rosaleen" - Josephine Moroney succeeded her in 1908 and edited the children's page until her death in April 1922 .

Membership cards were issued, competitions run to encourage fundraising for the orphanage at Goodwood and later that at Largs Bay. Letters were answered with positive comments and encouragement. Saints' stories, tales from scripture and moral exhortations were interspersed with letters, poems, jokes and riddles. All monetary donations were acknowledged but not all letters could be published.

In 1922 the children's section of the paper became The Sunshine Club conducted by "Wattle Blossom" (3) This change also brought about a change in membership, with age restricted to 6 -16. By  May 1943 when "Wattle Blossom" handed over the reins to Maureen the name had reverted to The Children's Page. In January of 1946 it had been renamed The Five Stars Club under the leadership of Felicity. (4)

Letters from the farm at Alma 1916 - 1923

My aunt, Honora Mary Horgan was born at Alma in South Australia to Elizabeth Agnes (Smyth) and husband Andrew Joseph Horgan on the 4th December 1906. Her younger brothers were Edward John, (my father) born May 30th, 1908 and Joseph Andrew, born April 21st, 1910. 

Here we see her writing to the Southern Cross Children's Pages as she collects money for orphans housed at Goodwood. The letters below provide glimpses of a child's life on a farm between 1916 and 1923. The last ones included are from Joseph. There do not appear to be any letters from (my father) Eddie.

Alma, May 2. 1916
Dear Cousin—I have never written to you before. I hope you will accept me as a new cousin. I am nine years and five months old. We have a pet dove - it comes inside, and we give it crumbs to eat - and a young puppy. We can put our hand into his mouth, and he will not bite. I have two brothers, their names are Eddie and Joseph. I enclose 1/ for orphans.
I hope you and the orphans are well.
NORA MARY HORGAN. (5)

Alma, August 17, 1916.
Dear Cousin Rosaleen—It is a long time since I wrote to you, you must be forgetting me. We had Australia Day in Alma on July 26. The Alma South school children were dressed up to represent different nations. I was an Irish girl. We are feeding five calves. They eat hay or chaff. We have a little foal; its mother's name is Rose. He runs about quite happy.

I read the Children's Page every week, and like the letters very much. We have some pigs. Two of them get out and the dog bites them, and they stay away for a while. I am in the second class at school. The teacher's name is Miss Dubois. We live two miles from the school. We drive seven miles to Mass every Sunday. We are having a week's holiday soon. I am going down to Salisbury to my uncle's for it. I went to my grandma's at Linwood last holiday. I have a cousin at Loreta Convent. She is going for an exam, this month. Please ask the little orphans to say a prayer that she may pass. I am sending 6d. for orphans and a penny for membership card, which I received, and like it.
With love from
NORA MARY HORGAN. (6)

[The grandmother mentioned is Hanorah Horgan (born O'Leary) aged 76 in 1916, living on the farm at Linwood where Andrew Joseph Horgan was born.]

Alma, November 15. 1916
Dear Cousin Rosaleen—I have been for my holiday since I last wrote to you. I enjoyed myself very much. Aunty took me to town one day. I am sending my card back to you. I have £1 1/ on it. We have six little white pigs and two black ones. We are milking seven cows, and have two calves. We sold the rest. It has been, cold and wet here for over a week. It is rough, today. This is a short letter, but I have no more news to tell now.
From your loving cousin,
NORA MARY HORGAN. (7)

Alma, January 29.1917

Dear Cousin Rosaleen—Our holidays are over. I was away for three weeks. I enjoyed myself well. We are having a holiday to-day because it is Foundation Day. On Christmas Day I raffled a cake and got 3/, which I am sending in stamps for the orphans. We are busy at school knitting for soldiers. Both of us passed. Eddie is in the third grade. I am in the fifth grade. My little brother Joseph is going to school now. He is a pet of the scholars. I enclose 3/ for orphans.

I am, your fond cousin,
NORA MARY HORGAN. (8)

Alma, November 15. 1918

Dear Cousin Rosaleen—I am returning my card with two pounds two shillings and sixpence on it. I had hard work to collect it because there are so many other collections for other things. I hope it will be a little help for the orphans. I sold some papers and my father gave me some old iron to sell, and I also sold some lollies, and out of them all I made over eight shillings to help with my card. I hope the fete will be a great success. Our examination will be next month. I hope to pass into the VII. Grade.

Isn't it lovely to think that the war is over at last? A lady came to our school on Wednesday to teach us how to spin wool. We will have five weeks' holiday at Christmas time. We have had three days' holiday this week in honour of peace. The foxes are very plentiful about here now. They have taken a great number of poultry from people around here lately. They took some of our turkeys. They are going to start a Catholic library in Hamley Bridge. I am going to join it when it is opened, as I like reading very much.
I remain,
your loving cousin,
NORA MARY HORGAN. (9)

H. Mary Horgan 1906-1984
Photograph from the collection of Joseph Andrew Horgan 

Hanora Mary Horgan joined The Sisters of St Joseph as Sister Margarette. Later in life she spent some time in Glenside Hospital and then lived at "The Pines" at Plympton, a convent run by the Good Shepherd nuns. When I visited her there as a young child with my parents  I remember her as a kindly lady who always gave us a prayer card as a gift. She died at age 77 on May 2nd, 1984 and is buried in the Navan Catholic Cemetery, Riverton alongside her parents and brothers.

*************

In 1921 Joseph Andrew Horgan continued the letter writing tradition.

Alma, November. 21. 1921

Dear Cousin Rosaleen—This is my first letter to you. I hope you will accept me as a new Cousin. I have already collected £2 1/. I have taken my sister's card, as she is at the Convent. My brother and I ride to school every day. The name of the pony is Beaver. We also have a little dog named Tiny. We have a pussy; her name is Snowy; she can jump very well. We had some friends staying with us from town. They went home to-day; we feel very lonely without them. It was fun to watch the little boy ride the pony. I am looking forward to the Christmas holidays. I think I am going to spend some of them with my uncle. I am 11 years old and in the fourth grade at school. I hope the fete will be a big success and make a lot of money. I enclose a penny for membership card.

I am, your new Cousin,
JOSEPH HORGAN. (10)

 Alma, January 1923

Dear Wattle Blossom,
My brother and I ride to school on a little pony named Beaver. I have not written to you before, but I am now wishing for a membership card. I am glad the Orphanage fete was such a success. Our cat has three kittens, Darkey, Sandy and Spotty.We are reading a book entitled "The Little Black Princess." Have you ever read it?. I did not have the pleasure of being at the Pilgrimage, but prayed for the great success of it. I am enclosing threepence for membership card. I hope you and the Orphans will have a Happy New Year.
I am your new Clubmate
JOSEPH HORGAN. (11)

These letters provide a glimpse into the childhood life of my father and his siblings. The tradition of writing to the children's pages was continued in to my generation. The story of our Uncle Joe is for another day.

1. 1917 'Death of Mrs. A, M, Ryan.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 10 August, p. 7, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166983129
2. 1894 'Children's Corner.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 21 September, p. 5, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article165889710
3.1939 'CHILDREN'S PAGE...', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 28 July, p. 24, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167761478
4. 1946 'CHILDREN'S PAGE.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 18 January, p. 11, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167710105
5. 1916 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 2 June, p. 18, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166420853
6. 1916 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 1 September, p. 18, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166422061
7. 1916 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 8 December, p. 6, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166423305
8. 1917 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 9 February, p. 6, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166980769
9. 1918 'The Children.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 22 November, p. 15, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166988853
10. 1921 'The Children's Page.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 2 December, p. 18, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167024742
11. 1923 'The Children's Page.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 26 January, p. 18, viewed 22 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167738712

A farming life at Alma

Edward Smyth and Margaret Byrne of Alma

Early 1900s agricultural machinery made at Anders factory, Freeling
http://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+45244

On 28th January 1859 the ship North, arrived at Port Adelaide, South Australia from Liverpool after a journey of three months. Aboard that ship was Edward Smyth, listed as a 30 year old labourer from County Westmeath in Ireland.(1) His younger brother John had arrived in the colony 6 years earlier in 1853 as a recently ordained priest aged 29.(2) Edward was probably 36 years of age when he arrived as his marriage and death certificates indicate a likely year of birth as being 1822-1823.

On February 6th, 1862 (listed as 38 years old) Edward married (27 year old) Margaret Byrne, at St John's near Kapunda, South Australia.  Edward is listed as a farmer from Humphrey's Springs and Margaret Byrne is listed as a housekeeper of Kapunda. The witnesses to this marriage were Conner Clavan, a labourer of Kapunda and Catherine Grace, a spinster of Sheoak Log.(3)  Humphrey's Springs is located just 3 km from the small town of Alma in South Australia.

Edward and Margaret had at least 5 children over the next 10 years. Their birth dates have been calculated from marriage and death details as I have not yet been able to find birth registrations for the females in this family. It is possible that baptism records may provide further information.

1. Mary Christina  - c.1863 -1879 

SMYTH.—On the 23rd March, at Humphrey Springs, Mary Christina, aged 16 years, after six weeks' painful illness, of typhoid fever; the beloved daughter of Edward and Margaret Smyth, and niece of the late John Smyth, V.G..D.D. R.I.P (4)

2. Catherine - c.1865 - 1910

married John Callery on Sept 14th 1897 at St John and Pauls Church, Tarlee, South Australia
died October 7th 1910 (5)

3. Francis John  - Aug 26 1867 - May 28 1948

married Katherine Mary Fitzgerald in Marrabel, SA on Oct 19 1898
died in Gawler, SA May 28 1948 (6)

4. Elizabeth Agnes c.1870 - Mar 4 1934

married Andrew Horgan on Feb 6 1906 at St John and Pauls Church, Tarlee, South Australia
died at Alma on Mar 4 1934 (7)

5. Margaret c.1873 - 30 September 1936

married James Byrne at Norwood, SA on Jan 13 1898. She died at Lameroo, South Australia (8).

The deaths of Edward and Margaret 

Edward and Margaret remained on the farm for the rest of their lives. Edward's death at age 79 in 1901 was the result of  an accident.

The death of Mr. Edward Smyth, of Alma Plains, which occurred at the Kapunda Hospital on the 4th inst., removes from our midst one of the oldest and most respected residents. Mr. Smyth who had attained, the ripe age of 79 years, despite the protestations of his family and friends, persisted in taking charge of his team at ploughing and other work, and was never happier than when thus engaged. 

Whilst in the hay field, Mr. Smyth was thrown from his mowing machine, and sustained injuries of such a dangerous nature that Dr. R. Glynn, of Riverton, ordered his immediate removal to the Kapunda Hospital. It was here, about a fortnight after admission, and in the presence of his wife and family, and fortified with all the blessings of the Church, that Mr. Smyth succumbed to his injuries. 

The deceased gentleman was a brother of the late Rev. John Smyth, V.G., D.D., who arrived in South Australia in 1853. Mr. Smyth was of a generous nature, and happy disposition, and made troops of friends. Upwards of fifty vehicles followed his remains to their last resting place at Pinkerton's Plains. Fathers Lee and O'Reilly officiated at the grave, and besides the wife of the deceased, the other members of the family present were Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Smyth, son and daughter-in-law; Miss Smyth, daughter; Messrs. Jas. and Thos. Smyth, brothers; Messrs. P. and E. Smyth, nephews, and Mr. John Callery, son-in-law. Sincere sympathy is expressed for the family in their bereavement. R.I.P. (9)

Margaret survived her husband to see her daughter Elizabeth married to my grandfather Andrew but died in 1907, the following year. She had lived at Alma for more than 43 years.

Tarlee correspondent writes:—The death of Mrs. Edward Smyth., which occurred at Alma on the 8th inst, removes from amongst us one of our oldest and most respected residents. Although 75 years of age, the deceased lady had been hale and hearty up to a short time before her death, and attended Mass here ten days previously. Indeed, notwithstanding the long journey that had to be made, Mrs. Smyth never failed to be present at the Holy Sacrifice. Father Maher, though still suffering from the effects of his accident, visited the good lady and administered the last Sacraments. 

Mrs. Smyth's life was an exemplary one, and her cheery disposition and benevolent nature won for her the esteem and goodwill of her numerous acquaintances. Her remains were followed to their last resting place at Pinkerton Plains by about fifty vehicles. The Very Rev. T. F. O'Neill, assisted by the Revs. M. Maher and T. Lee, conducted the burial service. 

Mr. F. J. Smyth (son) and Mrs. J. Callary, Mrs. Andrew Horgan, and Mrs. Byrne (daughters), with several nephews and nieces, were at the graveside, and sincere sympathy for them, and regret in the loss of a dear friend, is felt on all hands. Mr. Edward Smyth, the deceased lady's husband, and brother of the late Rev. John Smyth, died about five and a-half years ago -R.I.P. (10)

Genealogy Snapshot

Name: Edward Smyth
Spouse: Margaret Byrne

Relationship to Carmel: Great-grandparents

1. Edward Smyth 
2. Elizabeth Smyth
3. Edward John Horgan
4. Carmel 

References

1. The Ship's list http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/north1859.shtml
1859 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), 29 January, p. 5, viewed 23 March, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article158125721

2. Byrne, Monsignor F. History of the Catholic Church in South Australia Archive CD books, Gould, p.83

3. Transcription of marriage certificate provided by Genealogy SA   http://www.genealogysa.org.au/ from the indices of South Australian Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages. Marriage index Book/Page: 49/232

4. 1879 'Family Notices.', The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1858 - 1889), 27 March, p. 4, viewed 23 March, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article29369557

5. 1910 'Family Notices.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 11 November, p. 10, viewed 23 March, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167021890

6. 1948 'Family Notices.', News (Adelaide, SA : 1923 - 1954), 28 May, p. 10, viewed 23 March, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article129900284

7. 1934 'Family Notices.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 5 March, p. 14, viewed 23 March, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47541261 

8. 1936 'Family Notices.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 2 October, p. 18, viewed 25 June, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article47748800

9. 1901 'Country News.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 20 December, p. 13, viewed 23 March, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article166996247
1901 'THE COUNTRY.', Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), 14 December, p. 25, viewed 23 March, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161769544

10. 1907 'Obituary.', Southern Cross (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1954), 17 May, p. 12, viewed 23 March, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article167038511 

1907 'ALMA PLAINS.', Kapunda Herald (SA : 1878 - 1951), 24 May, p. 3, viewed 23 March, 2015, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article108440097