Matthew William Woodbury

Matthew's parents (George and Sarah Woodbury) moved to Brodies Plains  (near Inverell township) as part of a general migration of families from the Hawkesbury River at that time. This move was probably shortly after Matthew's grandfather, Richard, died in 1867. 

In 1881, Matthew married Jessie Ellen Seward (born in 1863 in Newcastle).  The couple were married in Inverell in the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Rivers Street, (now the Uniting Church) in the small brick church at the rear of the current larger gothic-style church, built in 1904.  (See the Photo Gallery page on this site). Matthew was 26 and Jessie was 18 at the time of their marriage. 

Matthew and Jessie Ellen  had 3 children, as follows:

• George Samuel, born 1882, married Grace Mawkes in 1907

• Walter Charles, born 1887, married Mary Elizabeth Chappell in 1910
  (see page on Walter Charles Woodbury (1887- 1962) on this site).

• Jessie Ellen (daughter), born 1898, married Alexander Quetcher in 1924.

At some stage prior to 1887, Matthew began to associate with the fledgling Salvation Army church in Inverell. Matthew's father and mother and he and his brothers (Solomon, Abel and Gabriel) are noted in church documents  as "early converts" to the Salvation Army in Inverell.

The Salvation Army movement originated in London in 1865 and began in Australia with its first meeting in Adelaide's Botanic Park in September 1880. The movement faced stiff opposition from elements of the public in its initial years, principally from "skeleton armies" who mocked and harassed members (often physically) during their marches. The harassers were supported by publicans and spirits sellers who objected to the Salvation Army's ban on drinking alcohol and their support of the Temperence Movement generally. Butchers objected to the Salvation Army's early support for vegetarianism. Other rowdy elements saw the marching church-goers simply as "wowsers". 

A Salvation Army document commenting on opposition to the Salvation Army in the early years (in 1887) in Inverell, reports that: "Mr Solomon Woodbury tells that his father, brother and himself took part in the first march in Inverell, which started near the post office. His father was wearing a white coat, which soon became blackened, and stained by over-ripe eggs. All who took part in the march were similarly treated."  It is not known if Matthew is the "brother" noted in this account, but it is perhaps likely given that Matthew was the oldest son.

Salvation Army Centenary (1887 - 1987). Copy provided by Ian Woodbury (Sydney).

Note also that Matthew's uncle, Jeremiah (Jerry) Woodbury, who owned a boat named the John and Herbert that traded in the Hawkesbury River was a well-known character at the wharf at Windsor and also a member of the Salvation Army (see The Sailing Woodburys on this site).

Matthew died in Inverell on 19 November 1933. In his death notice he is noted as a "retired bee farmer".  His wife, Jessie, died in Inverell 13 years later in 1946.  They are buried together in Inverell Cemetary (See Photo Gallery on this site). 

Page created 24 August 2024