JAMES SYMINGTON DARTON 1864-1926

James Symington Darton was the second son of James Lionel Hill Darton and Agnes Symington. He was born in Yackandandah in 1864.  In 1892 he married Mary Ann Livingstone Cunningham [1] Their only child, Roy Thomas Darton, was born at Berwick in 1892; [2] he died aged three months at Richmond the same year. [3]  James Darton was a civil servant, employed in a clerical position with the Department of Trade and Customs until his retirement in 1924. In the early 1900's he was living at Lisson Grove, Hawthorn; his wife, who went by her maiden name Cunningham, lived in Beechworth where she eked out a living as a seamstress. James died at Kiewa on 18 June 1926 aged 61 years. On his father's death, he acquired the family home in Lisson Grove, Hawthorn, which he rented out when he took up farming in the Kiewa Valley in 1925. [4]  The Lisson Grove property comprised an eight room brick house which was first named "Yarlalla" but by 1900 the name had changed to "Sanquhar", when the property was registered in the ownership of James Symington Darton.

He was an elder and a member of the Board of Management of the Hawthorn Presbyterian Church which was situated in Glenferrie Road, near the intersection with Lisson Grove. His sister Aggie was a Sunday school teacher at the church and his nephew William Darton was a member of the Young Men's Bible Class in 1914.

He retired from the Public Service in 1924 and took up farming in the Kiewa Valley with his sister Aggie.

James died at his Kiewa property on 8 June 1926. He had suffered from asthma for several years and for six months he had heart failure. He was buried in the family plot in the Yackandandah Cemetery.

In his will, dated 25 March 1924, James Darton bequeathed the modest sum of £200 to his wife “MARY ANN LIVINGSTONE DARTON generally known as MARY ANN LIVINGSTONE CUNNINGHAM of Beechworth” whereas he left the rest of his considerable assets to his sister Aggie, his total assets amounting to £3268/17/1.

OBITUARY AND DEATH NOTICES

Wodonga and Towong Sentinel, Friday 11 June 1926, page 2

RED BLUFF Mr. James Darton, of "Heatherbrae," Huon, passed away as his residence on the 8th inst. The funeral took place on Wednesday, the cortege leaving "Heatherbrae" for the Yackandandah cemetery. The Rev. Rankin officiated at the graveside.

The Argus Saturday 12 June 1926 page 13

DARTON. On the 9th June, 1926, at Heatherbrae, Huon, James Symington Darton, dearly beloved brother of Agnes Helen Darton, late of Hawthorn and Customs office, Melbourne.

The Yackandandah Times Friday 18 June 1926 page 1

OBITUARY  

Mr James S. Darton  

Mr James S. Darton, of Springvale, died on Tuesday. Deceased, who was 62 years of age, received his early training at Yackandandah, eventually joining the Public Service being employed in the Customs Department. Latterly he turned his attention to the land. His remains were interred in the Yackandandah Cemetery, in the family block, on Wednesday. The burial service was conducted by the Rev. Mr. Rankin, of Kiewa.

Age (Melbourne), Wednesday 15 December 1926, page 11

WILLS AND ESTATES. 

James Symington Darton, formerly of Lisson-grove, Hawthorn, civil servant, but late of Huon, near Wodonga farmer and grazier, who died on 8th June, left by will dated 25th March 1924, real estate valued at £475, and personal property valued at £2793, to his sister, subject to a bequest to a relative. 

PROBATE

PROV VPRS 28/P3/1729 213/212 Probate Jurisdiction in the will of J S Darton, Farmer and Grazier, formerly of Lisson Grove Hawthorn, Civil Servant but late of Huon.

Probate was granted to his sister, Agnes Helen Darton who was sole executrix.

PROV VPRS 7591/92/750 213/212

Will 25 March 1924

Left real estate £475 and personal property £2793/17/1

His last will and testament appointed his sister Agnes Helen Darton as the sole executrix:

Bequeathed to “MARY ANN LIVINGSTONE DARTON generally known as MARY ANN LIVINGSTONE CUNNINGHAM of Beechworth” the sum of £200. The residue of his estate was bequeathed to Agnes Helen Darton.

Inventory:

Real estate

Lots 3 and 4 Medhurst Street, Sandringham valued at £475

Land held under lease or licence £715/15/9

Livestock £411/18/8

Total assets on 9/12/1926 £3268/17/1

AER

1903, 1909 45 Lisson Grove Hawthorn Traveller

1914, 1919, 1924 63 Lisson Grove Hawthorn Traveller

CITY OF HAWTHORN RATE BOOKS

JAMES L. H. DARTON AND JAMES S. DARTON

Lisson Grove Power Ward 1894-5 to 1896-7 no record of Darton

1897-8

Number 2096 James L. H. Darton

1898-9

Number 2096 ratepayer James L/ H. Darton, owner John Frood 55 Lisson Grove number of persons 3

1899-1900

Number 2100 Number 45 Yarlalla James L. Darton owner Brick 8 room 4 persons in residence

1900-1901 Power Ward

Number 2100 “Sanquhar” Number 45 Lisson Grove James S. Darton Civil servant owner Brick 8 rooms 5 persons in residence Rateable value £56

1901-2 Number 2100 Sanquhar Number 45 Lisson Grove James S. Darton Civil servant owner Brick 8 rooms 4 persons on the premises

1902-3 Power Ward

Rate book number 2100

Number 45 Lisson Grove Sanquhar James S. Darton C/O Barrow Co. Civil Servant owner.

Brick, 8 rooms Net Annual Value £56 Rate 5/12

6 people living on the premises

1903-4

Number 2100 45 Lisson Grove James S. Darton Customs officer owner 4 persons living on the premises

1920-21

Number 2198 63 Lisson Grove James S. Darton owner Brick 6 room 5 people on premises

1925-26

Number 2241 63 Lisson Grove ratepayer Hector Paterson owner James S. Darton Brick 8 rooms

CAREER

From the Commonwealth of Australia Gazette:

Department of Trade and Customs.

6 April, 1905, James Symington Darton, Inspector of Excise, 4th Class, transferred from the Excise Branch, Melbourne, to Dunnstown, at his present salary. (CofAG 15 April 1905 No. 18 page 336)

25 January 1907, James Symington Darton, Inspector of Excise, 4th Class, Dunnstown, transferred to the position of Clerk, 4th Class, Statistical Branch, Melbourne, vice A. H. E. Maltingley, transferred. (CofAG 2 February 1907 No.8 page 455)

Retirement, Section 67.—James Symington Darton, Clerk, as from 16th July, 1924. (CofAG 17 July 1924 No.49 page 1521)

CHURCH

1913 Member of the Board of Management of the Hawthorn Presbyterian Church [5] [6]

1914-1919 Elder, Hawthorn Presbyterian Church [7] 

NEWSPAPER REPORTS

Ovens and Murray Advertiser Saturday 6 November 1890 page 2

BEECHWORTH PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The monthly meeting of the Beechworth Library and Burke Museum committee was held on Monday evening.  Mr J. S. Darton’s letter detailing his proposals for alteration of certain rules, as submitted by him at the last annual meeting, was brought forward for discussion, and it was resolved, on the motion of Mr ALDERDICE, seconded by Mr WARREN, that he be informed that the committee decided that it would be in expedient to act upon the suggestions made. The meeting then adjourned.

The Yackandandah Times Friday 10 July 1925 page 1

YACKANDANDAH SHIRE COUNCIL

Correspondence.

Received J. S. Darton, Huon, stating that he had previously written Council re state of entrance to his property reminding Council that the danger still exists, and an accident may occur at any time. He would like to know definitely what action the Council intends to take, as his sister is getting a motor and the danger with that vehicle will be much greater; asking that the matter be attended to.  

MARY ANN LIVINGSTONE DARTON 1856-1933

The wife of James Symington Darton, she was born at Collingwood Flats on 12 May 1856. [8] Her father was James Cunningham 1828-1902 of Beechworth, ironmonger; her mother Marion Scott Carrick 1827-1892. Generally known as Mary Ann Livingstone Cunningham of Beechworth, she died at Wodonga on 24 July 1933 and was buried in the Yackandandah Cemetery.

The Argus Wednesday 16 August 1933 page 1

DARTON-On the 24th July, at Albury, Mary Ann Livingstone, widow of the late James Darton, daughter of James and Marion Cunningham, of Beechworth, aged 77 years. (Interred at Yackandandah.)  

WILL OF MARY ANN LIVINGSTONE DARTON

The beneficiaries of her will were Margaretta Schollard and Herbert Cunningham of 88 Brighton Street, Petersham NSW. Her executrix was Margaretta Thomson Schollard of Cemetery Road, Wodonga.  Her personal estate amounted to £90/14/3 as money in the SSB Beechworth; she had no real estate. To Emma Harrison of Beechworth, she left her kitchen safe. [9] [10] 

Albury Banner and Wodonga Express, Friday 4 August 1933, page 46

OBITUARY

The death is announced of Miss Mary Ann Livingstone Cunningham, a member of a well-known old Beechworth family. Miss Cunningham had a large circle of friends in Beechworth, having resided there all her life, till a few years ago, when, after a severe illness, she went to live with a sister in Wodonga, where she died. 

Ovens and Murray Advertiser, Wednesday 9 August 1933, page 2

MEMORIAL SERVICE

LATE MISS M. A. L. CUNNINGHAM

A memorial service to the late Miss M. A. L. Cunningham was held in the Congregational church on Sunday evening, when the Rev. E. M. Watts made reference to her lifetime of association with the church.

Miss Mary Anne Livingstone Cunningham, whose death occurred at Albury on July 24, was born in Beechworth some 77 years ago, and had been a resident of the town until ill-health necessitated her removal to Wodonga in 1930. Her father, Mr. Jas. Cunningham, was one of the founders of Beechworth, and played a great part in the foundation of the Congregational Church Fellowship. Miss Cunningham was well known for her devotion to church and charitable causes. Her long association with the Congregational church began 75 years ago, when she was taken as an infant to the opening of the original church building, and after passing through the Sunday school, she became a teacher, and church member in the year 1875. She interested herself in every activity of the church, becoming a leader in the women's guild, the Sunday school, choir, and for a time, church treasurer. Probably Miss Cunningham will be best remembered for the musical gifts which she brought to assist in the worship of the church. She was an assiduous visitor of the sick and distressed and won the esteem and affection of all by her many acts of love and kindness. Of her it must be said, "She hath done what she could,’’ and so it was that, with a great record of service and conscious of the love of ill who knew her, Miss Cunningham passed on into a new life of love and service.

SIBLINGS of MARY ANN CUNNINGHAM

Peter Cunningham, Corryong. Born at Edinburgh 1852; died 1933 (second wife Martha Annie Hubbard, widow of his brother Alexander Carrick Cunningham who died 1888)

Alexander Carrick Cunningham, born 1854 Melbourne; died 1888

James Cunningham, born Beechworth 1858; died 1919

Elizabeth Gibson Cunningham born 1862 Beechworth; died 1863

Marion Carrick Cunnningham born 1865 Beechworth; died 1958; married 1898 William Guienne Williams

Margaretta Thomson Cunningham born 1869 Beechworth; married 1905 John Schollard

Jane Frier Cunningham born 1873 Beechworth; died 1958; married Henry Peter Zwar

JAMES CUNNINGHAM

Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth), Saturday 13 September 1902, page 3

OBITUARY.

Death of Mr. James Cunningham.

The roll-call of the old pioneers of Beechworth, who assisted at its foundation and loyally adhered to their adopted town, was still further decreased on Monday morning by the death of Mr. James Cunningham, one of its oldest residents, at the advanced age of 74 years, the immediate cause of death being erysipelas, supervening, on an illness of some month's duration, during which he was assiduously attended by Dr. Skinner, M.D. The deceased gentleman was a native of Scotland, being born at Edinburgh in the year 1828, and there learned the trade of a tinsmith. Soon after his marriage there the news of the marvellous gold discoveries in Victoria aroused the adventurous impulses which are instinctive in all natives of the land of the mountain and heather, and with his wife and two children, one of whom died on the voyage he embarked for Melbourne, arriving there in the year 1854. There he soon obtained employment in Mr. McEwan's ironmongery store in Elizabeth-street, and in 1856, with another young man named Scott, he came to Beechworth to take charge of a branch known as the Ovens Hardware Company. After a while he acquired the business, Mr. Scott opening a similar establishment at Chiltern, and carried it on until a few years ago, when he retired and lived privately until his death. He was the originator of the Beechworth Philharmonic Society, which did valuable service in fostering a love of music; he was treasurer of the Ovens District Hospital for about 25 years; District Corresponding Secretary of the M.U.I.O.O.F.; returning officer for the Bogong electorate, and subsequently for the Federal constituency of Indi; and licensed auditor and official assignee. Although a keen business man he was of a genial, companionable nature, and besides retaining his love for the old songs of his native land, had a fund of quaint reminiscences, and was an occasional contributor of poetry to the local journals. He was twice married, his second wife surviving him, and leaves two sons, Peter and James, the latter the eminent pianist, and four daughters, two of whom are married, namely, Mrs. John Lack and Mrs. Williams. Although he had been in bad health for some time, which necessitated his retirement from the office of treasurer to the Hospital, his illness was not deemed serious, and the news of his death was therefore received with general surprise and regret. The funeral is announced to take place at the Beechworth Cemetery tomorrow (Wednesday) afternoon, at 3 o'clock, under the direction of Mr. W. H. Phillips, undertaker.

[1] BDM Victoria Reg. No. 5810/1892

[2] BDM Victoria Reg. No. 29951/1892

[3] BDM Victoria Reg. No. 15387/1892

[4] City of Hawthorn Rate Books

[5] Bradshaw, F. Maxwell, Rural Village to Urban Surge A History of the Presbyterian Congregation at Hawthorn, Victoria The Hawthorn Session and Board of Management 1964 page 116

[6] Hawthorn Presbyterian Church Jubilee History 1864-1914

[7] Bradshaw ibidem,  page 115

[8] BDM Victoria Reg. No. 3413/1856

[9] Will PROV VPRS 7591/P2/902 257/178 

[10] Probate Jurisdiction PROV VPRS 28/P3/2460 257/178