Born in Beechworth, Kate Darton was the eldest child of Agnes Symington and James Lionel Hill Darton. She excelled as a student at the Yackandandah Common School and became the head teacher at the the Twist's Creek and Back Creek State Schools.
In 1865, at the age of seven, she was enrolled as pupil number 12 at the Yackandandah Primary School, Number 694, which was a Church of England School from 1855 to 1872. She left in 1873.
Ovens and Murray Advertiser Tuesday 27 December 1870 page 2
Yackandandah Common School. — The annual examination of the pupils attending the Yackandandah Common School, was held at the school-room on Wednesday.
The following is the prize list: — General Proficiency. — 5th Class— Kate Darton 1st prize
Special Prizes. — Kate Darton, reading, arithmetic, and senior tournament
The Ovens and Murray Advertiser Friday 26 April 1872 page 2
Easter examination of the children of the Yackandandah Vested School
Class prizes: VI. — 1st, Kate Darton
From the Swift's Creek Times Mining Journal: "Attendances fell again in 1885, average attendance was seven in April, and three in May due to a whooping cough epidemic." In 1887, the Twist's Creek and Back Creek schools reverted to part-time, with Catherine Darton working each school on alternate days. The average attendance at Twist's Creek school Number 837 in 1888 was eleven pupils.
She died on 15 June 1889 at Yackandandah from a uterine tumour of several years duration, certified by Dr. Augustus Mueller. Her brother Charlie is the informant named in her death certificate.
Ovens and Murray Advertiser, Saturday 22 June 1889, page 2
DEATH. Darton.-On the 15th of June, at Yackandandah, Catherine Gibson Darton (head teacher of State School, Back Creek) eldest daughter of James Hill Darton, Yackandandah, aged 31 years.
OBITUARY
Ovens and Murray Advertiser, Saturday 19 October 1889, page 16
THE LATE MISS CATHERINE G. DARTON.
The Rev. James. Greig, of Yackandandah, writes to the Presbyterian Monthly and Messenger : " — On the 13th of June last, Miss C. G. Darton, eldest daughter of Mr J. L. H. Darton, passed away from earthly scenes. She was a zealous and active worker in connection with the Church at Yackandandah, an example of simple-hearted piety, and of modest Christian earnestness, and a brief notice of her may be interesting and helpful to young readers. Miss Darton was born in 1858, and was brought to Yackandandah while yet in early childhood. As a child she was loveable and loving. As she grew up she manifested studious habits, and embraced every opportunity of acquiring useful knowledge, while at the same time she took a pleasure in imparting information to others. When at length she had completed her tuition, she entered on the vocation of teaching, and in her capacity as head-teacher in one of the State-schools she showed much "aptness to teach," and was successful in the training of her pupils, while at the same time , she won their confidence and lived in their affections. She became a teacher also in the Sabbath-school. Having accepted Jesus as her Saviour, she truly loved Him, and gave herself to His work. It was her great delight to assist in leading the feet of the little ones into the fold. Very tenderly and earnestly did she plead with them to follow Christ, sitting at His feet as lowly learners, drinking in His words of life, keeping His Sabbaths holy, and doing good to others for His sake. While she pitied all around her who knew not God, and did what she could to give them the knowledge of salvation, she was at the same time deeply interested, in mission-work among the benighted heathen. Both by giving cheerfully and liberally of her own, and collecting from others, she rendered most efficient help in raising funds wherewith to sustain the efforts that are being put forth to give the Gospel to the perishing in the islands of the sea. In connection with the congregation of Yackandandah she was most useful. For 12 years or more before her death she acted as organist, and led the singing of the congregation. On one occasion a valuable gold watch and chain were presented to her, as a small token of the way in which her services were appreciated, and the esteem in which she was held. Altogether, her character was a most beautiful one. She was not without her spiritual conflicts, but she leaned on the strength that ever overcomes. She was much given to prayer. She was ever ready to forgive and forget an injury. She was a loving daughter, and a tender and anxious sister, ever prepared to deny herself for those around her, thus diffusing sunshine in the home. She continued to discharge her school duties till within a few days of her death. Her faith in Jesus shone brightly in her closing hours. Having taken farewell of those most dear to her, her calm and joyous spirit gave expression to its feelings in sweet and holy song. Thus she passed away. When it became known in the district that the early life had fled, the expression of a widespread grief and sympathy showed how greatly she was beloved, and how highly her modest and self-denying labors had been appreciated. "Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord, from henceforth; yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them." The following memorial minute was recorded by the Yackandandah Presbyterian Church Board of Management on 16th July : — "That this committee being deeply sensible of the very great loss the church has sustained in the death of their very much esteemed and worthy young friend, Miss Darton, do put on record a minute of respect and esteem. The committee desire to record the fact that Miss Darton has always been an assiduous worker in the interests of the church of her Redeemer, being for sixteen years an earnest Sabbath-school teacher, for a similar period harmonist in the church and leader of the service of praise, a visitor of the sick and ever ready to assist in any good undertaking. The committee also wish to express their deep sympathy with the bereaved parents and family, and while sorrowing and sympathising with them, would point to the great consolation they have in the certainty that their loss
is her inestimable gain. — F. Elliot, Minister."