Pioneer Families

See also: 1911-1920

Information submitted by Sandra (McNabb) Hafey:

The McNABB,  PAYNE  and FOGARTY  families were all pioneers of Weston.

• In January 1878 at Fitzgerald Valley near Bathurst NSW,  JAMES STUART MCNABB married MARY ANN FOGARTY and in 1902 they moved to WESTON with six of their surviving children – John Alexander, Jessie Sarah, Thomas Herbert, William Andrew (in later years known as ‘Knocka’ the local boxer who fought Les Darcy on two occasions), Jane Ann  (“Dolly”) and Irene Pearl.

The Family soon became known in the Hebburn/Weston township and several of the McNabbs would later excel in sports.  Mary quickly became respected for her Bush Nursing skills and her willingness to attend the sick in their homes.  In 1903  Mary’s family of origin, the FOGARTY family, opened Weston’s first BUTCHER SHOP in Aberdare Street (later known Cessnock Road) and in 1915 it was sold to Kurri Kurri C0-0P.  

James McNabb died in 1909 at age 69 and his wife Mary died on 31 December 1939 at age 85. Both are buried in Kurri Kurri Cemetery.

• Approximately  two or three years after the McNABB’s  and FOGARTY’s had settled in Weston, another family arrived, this one from the Melbourne area – GEORGE ROBERT PAYNE (4 Mar 1866-2 May1932), his wife ( MARY) LOUISA (nee Robinson) who was born on 1 Aug 1862 and died in Weston 24 Oct 1931.  They settled in First Street Weston near the creek with their children – Daisy Elizabeth, George Ernest, John Edward and William Lawrence.

• On 19 Jul 1911,  THOMAS HERBERT McNABB married DAISY ELIZABETH PAYNE at Abermain Catholic Church.  They had 7 children – Alba Muriel, James Thomas, Thelma Louisa, Tom, Daisy Patricia, Iris Jean and Joan Mary . They initially lived next door to Daisy’s parents in First Street.  As well as working in the mines for a time,  Tom and Daisy had several businesses over the years…….  an open-air Picture Theatre in Aberdare Road, a Bike Shop and Billiard Rooms.   After Thomas’s untimely  death in 1932 at age 43 his 18 year old son Jim took over the running of the Billiard Room in the School of Arts / CapitolTheatre complex until the fire of 1965 affected all the premises.

All of these families are buried in Kurri Kurri Cemetery.

Above: Seven of the nine Frame children

L-R: Louisa (1907); Edward 'Bluey' (1889); Andrew Jr. (1892); Edgie 'Roy' (1901); Ethel (1897), Alexander (1903) and Amilda (1890).

Andrew Paterson Frame and his family settled permanently in Weston in 1904, although when Hebburn No.1 Colliery first commenced production in 1903, he walked from Maitland to Weston to work. During his work week at Hebburn No.1, Andrew lived in a makeshift humpy on the corner of Kline Street and Aberdare Street (now Cessnock Road) and whenever possible, walked back to Maitland to see his wife Eliza and their children.

When Andrew was injured and could no longer work in the mines, he began life as a greengrocer with a horse and cart - selling produce around the new Weston township. Eventually he and Eliza purchased premises on the corner of Kline and Fourth Street Weston that they later turned into a shop that became known as the Pagan's Cafe. When they were ready to retire, Andrew and Eliza moved into Tweddle's home at 65 Fourth St. and the Tweddles took over the shop. Andrew Paterson Frame d. at 65 Fourth St. Weston on 7 Jun 1947 aged 87. Eliza Hannan Frame d.15 Feb. 1953. Eliza also died in the family home at 65 Fourth Street Weston. She was also 87.

See: ANDREW PATERSON FRAME (1860 - 1947)

See: MY FRAME FAMILY

 THE  MATHER  FAMILY

  ~ Lynne Kermode

George Mather and Isabella Walton were both born into mining families in Northumberland   northern England.

George, the third child of George and Elizabeth Mather  was born at Earsdon in 1854 and  Isabella, first child of William and Elizabeth Walton was born in 1852 at West Cramlington.

George and Isabella married at Morpeth, Northumberland in 1872.

They raised their five children,  William,  George Jnr,  Mary Jane (Jennie),  Jack and Tom in  Northumberland Colliery villages before  emigrating  to Australia 1908 and settlling in Weston.

Their youngest son 12 year old Tom came with them and their other children followed soon after. 

-          Mary Jane, her husband Jack Browell and daughter Elsie arrived in  May 1909

-          Jack and wife Ada arrived in March 1910

-          George Jnr, wife Lizzie and daughter Millie arrived in November 1910

George and Isabella lived at Hebburn when they arrived in Weston before moving to Seventh Street. 

George and his sons all worked at Hebburn No 1

Isabella was one of the early members of the Weston Methodist Church and her grand daughter Millie often accompanied her to church.  Millie continued to be a member of the church until her death in 2000 aged 100 years

The family lived their entire lives in Weston and many of their descendants are still residents of Weston. 

John Gibson (known as “Jerry”) was born 1877 in Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Scotland. The Gibson family emigrated to Australia in 1886, and settled in the Maitland area (Homeville, now known as Telarah) around 1889 where Jerry’s father sank the shaft for the Maitland Colliery.  

Marian Gollan (sometimes spelled Marion, also known as “Minnie”), was born in August, 1883 near Branxton NSW. She was born to farmer Thomas Gollan and Mary Ann (nee Campbell). Thomas Gollan moved his family off the land at Branxton to Homeville sometime between 1891 and 1894 and began working at one of the mines there. 

Jerry Gibson and Minnie Gollan were married at the Cathedral of St John the Baptist in Cathedral Street, Maitland in 1900 and had two children in Maitland.

Around 1908 John Gibson (snr) bought a house (a typical miner’s cottage) in Weston for his son and daughter-in-law, this was on a double block between 50 Fourth Street and 61 Swanson Street.  Jerry and Minnie had another seven children between 1909 and 1923. 

Jerry worked at Hepburn No 1 Colliery, probably from about 1908 until his untimely death from tetanus in 1932.

After Jerry’s death, Minnie remained in the house at 61 Swanson Street, Weston for the rest of her life.  Her parents also moved to Weston (probably soon after Jerry died), they both passed away in the early 1940’s. Minnie’s daughter Mary and her new husband Harry (Pauling) moved into the house at Swanson Street with her during World War 2 and Minnie was nursed by Mary during her final years.

Minnie passed away on 28th August 1966 aged 84 and was buried with Jerry in Kurri Kurri cemetery. 

George William Beverley, the grandfather of the submitter, Jennifer Drylie nee Beverley, was b.14 Jun 1889 in Northumberland, England.  He was one of eleven children born to Thomas Beverley and Bella nee Walton.  Thomas and Bella were both born in Northumberland in 1857 and married there in 1878. 

In May 1913, Thomas and Bella Beverley emigrated from Liverpool, England on board the Belgic with their five surviving sons, including George, bound for Fremantle, Western Australia.  They arrived in Fremantle in July 1913.  Two daughters remained in England and another followed to Australia with her husband in 1922. 

The family arrived in NSW in 1914 and settled in Eighth Street, Weston.  Thomas Beverley died  at Weston 5 Jun 1924 and Bella in1943, They were buried at Kurri Kurri General Cemetery.

George Beverley was a coal miner. He  married Isabella Davison in Weston NSW on 21 Dec 1918. They settled in Swanson Street, Weston and had three sons: James, Keith and Stanley.  George Beverley’s second cousin, William, also lived in Swanson Street.   

George William Beverley died in 1968 and his wife Isabella in 1962. They were buried at Kurri Kurri General Cemetery.

The 1930 Electoral Roll informs us that at that time, Young families were already living in Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Streets, and also Sawyers Road Weston.

John Buchanan Young, the patriarch of the Youngs of 20 Fifth Street Weston, was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland in 1857. He married Selina Barnes in Newcastle, NSW 24 Dec 1889. Selina was born in Wales in 1869.   John Buchanan Young and his wife Selina had a large family with some born in New Zealand and some in New South Wales.    John Buchanan Young Sr. died in Kurri Kurri 22 Jan 1930 aged 72. His wife Selina Barnes Young passed away in March 1961.

Of special note are two of the sons of John Buchanan and Selina Barnes Young who served their country in World War I :  Lance Corporal John Buchanan Young and Private William Young Barnes  - (William Galloway Young).

• John Buchanan Young Jr. (see above) was born in Wiamangaro, New Zealand c.1896-97. He was 12 when he arrived in Australia with his family. They eventually settled in Fifth Street, Weston and John Buchanan Young Jr. attended Weston Public School.   Prior to his enlistment during the First World War, he served for one and a half years in the 14th Battalion, Citizens Military Forces (CMF). 

On 22 Jan 1916, John Buchanan Young Jr. enlisted for service in the Australian Imperial Force at West Maitland. His Regimental number was 926 and his Unit was 34th Battalion, C Company.  This unit embarked from Sydney NSW on board HMAT A20 Hororata on 2 May 1916. John’s rank on enlistment was Private and whilst in England he was promoted to Lance Corporal on 21 Aug 1916. He proceeded to France on 21 November 1916 and was reported missing in action on 7 June 1917 near Ploegsteert Wood.  John Buchanan Young Jr. made the ultimate sacrifice for his country. He was declared killed in action at Messines, Belgium between 6-11 June 1917.  There was no known grave. He was just 20-years-old. 

• William Galloway Young (see above left) was born in Merewether, Newcastle, NSW in 1892.  He was 25 when he enlisted in Brisbane, QLD.  His Regimental Number was 2361.  For reasons unknown to his family,  William enlisted using the name William Young Barnes (see image) - adding his mother’s maiden surname to his own.  He named his Next of Kin as John Buchanan Young of Fifth Street, Weston as a friend, instead of his father. 

William enlisted 17 March 1917 - his rank was Private. His Unit was the 11th Light Horse Regiment, 19th Reinforcement. This Unit embarked from Sydney NSW on board HMAT Port Sydney on 9 May 1917.  The 11th Light Horse Regiment returned to Australia 20 July 1919. William’s Rank from the Nominal Roll was Private.  He returned to live in the family home in Fifth Street Weston. He died in 1967.

Florence Mary Cash arrived in Weston in about 1922 from Lismore NSW.  She was born in January 1893 and worked as a cook at the Criterion hotel in Weston.  Florence married Henry Langley in 1925. He arrived in Weston in 1923-1924. He was born in Adelaide 1882.  Henry was an electrician. The Langleys lived on Cessnock Road Weston two doors  from where Mrs Hales once had her shop on the corner of Station Street and Cessnock Road. Henry Langley had an electric repair shop next door to their residence. 

Henry and Florence Langley had two children:  Doreen and Norman.

~ Submitted by Luanne Mazurkiewicz 

Louis Andrew ('Joe') Falk, the son of Hans Edvard Falk (aka Andreasson) and Theresa Magdalena Schwenke was born in Yarraford, Glen Innes 16 Oct 1890. Sarah Ethel Llewellyn, daughter of Alfred Llewellyn and Ada Ann Miles was born 22 May 1893 at Wallsend NSW. Louis and Sarah married in Wallsend 27 Oct 1910. They had eight children, all shown in the photograph above.  The five eldest children were born in Wallsend and the three youngest in Weston.  The Falks moved from Wallsend to Weston in 1924.  Family legend has it that Louis (Joe) Falk was the first winding driver at Hebburn No.2. He maintained the steel cables that pulled the cage up and down the shaft, splicing them together when needed.  Son Jack Falk was the second winding driver and his father's apprentice.  Son Albert (Ned) worked in the Hebburn No.2 power station.

See MY FALK FAMILY

Descendants of a Fisher Family of London, England had arrived in Weston prior to the 1930 Electoral Roll being compiled.  The parents of Alfred Roy Fisher (see image above)  were Osmond Egberrt Fisher and Jane Benham. Osmond and Jane married in Armidale NSW in 1893. Osmond Fisher was born in Queensland and died in Kurri Kurri in 1945. Jane Benham Fisher was born in Armidale NSW and died in Kurri Kurri in 1964.

Alfred Roy Fisher was b. 24 Dec 1900 in Hillgrove NSW. He married Phyllis Agnes Brown in Kurri Kurri in 1928.  They lived at 27 Scott Street Weston and had two daughters. Alfred died in 1966.

• Arthur William Tester, (nicknamed 'Bill' or 'Bung' Tester) - see above - a great-grandson of Thomas Sindon Tester (born c.1820-3 in Sussex, England and died 1865 at Brookes Flat, Maitland NSW  - wife Lucy Hyland)  -   was settled in Weston prior to the 1930 Electoral Roll publication:  Arthur William Tester was born 28 May 1905 in Greta NSW.  He married Violet Irene Walker in 1925. The 1930 Electoral Roll shows they were living in Fourth Street Weston, and in about 1933-35 they moved to Government Road Weston where they remained for the rest of their lives.  Bill and Violet Tester had four daughters.  Bill  was a very well-known Weston identity and was a grader driver for the council. The photo of him (above right) was taken the day he retired from the Council.  Bill died in December 1976 and his wife Violet died 26 Jul 1974.

• The parents of Arthur William Tester were Thomas William Tester and Mildred May O’Rourke. They married in Narrabri, NSW in 1902 and had seven children.  Thomas Tester was born 10 Aug 1872 at Buchanan NSW and died in Kurri Kurri 13 Sep 1941. His funeral departed his home in Adam Street Heddon Greta. Mildred O’Rourke was born in Gunnedah, NSW in 1878. She died in Ryde, NSW in 1963. 

• The grandparents of Arthur William Tester were William Tester (see photo above ) and Mary Howell. They married in East Maitland in 1871. William Tester was b. 7 May 1848 Brookes Flat, Maitland NSW.  He and wife Mary lived at Tester’s Hollow and they had eleven children.  The area known as Tester's Hollow, and also William Tester Drive in Cliftleigh, were named for him.  William Tester died 11 Jul 1938. His wife Mary Jane died in 1919. 

All three of these Tester men (in bold) were buried at Kurri Kurri Cemetery. Their patriarch, Thomas Sindon Tester, was buried at Campbell's Hill Cemetery, Maitland NSW.