Dorothy Eather nee Kinsela 1839-1915 tells her story :: FamilyTreeCircles.com Genealogy
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Dorothy Eather nee Kinsela 1839-1915 tells her story

Journal by janilye

After the death of George Eather 1834-1912, his widow Dorothy (Dora),nee KINSELA 1839-1915 recalled her experience during the Hawkesbury flood of June 1867 in which 12 members of the EATHER family lost their lives:

" The waters crept up until only three rows of shingles were out. Then, the roof collapsed and twelve were drowned. It was a new slab house, just built at the time and when the waters began to rise they regarded it as the safest shelter. The water overflowed the flats and they were cut off. George CUPITT was taking some men away in a boat when one said to Mrs. EATHER, " You had better go up in the boat to your sister's and take the four children with you." At first she refused, saying she would have to bake some bread and get everything in the loft before morning. However, they prevailed upon her to go, her husband staying. When they were getting into the boat, Tom and Bill Eather came over with their families to take refuge in the new house. Mrs. Bill EATHER said. "You won't forget us if the water's come over the ridge?" she was asked to get into the boat too, but she refused. They pulled away at 4 in the afternoon.

That night the river rose fast. In the morning Mrs. SMITH and Mrs ? EATHER came from Clarendon into Richmond and tried in vain to get a boat sent over. At night they went back to Clarendon. About 1 o'clock they saw a signal light away over the water, in the direction of the house. It was the family still on the roof. They put rags and papers on the end of a fishing rod. Lit them and returned the signal.

They rushed down to a man with a boat and told him. A dozen men were standing around and none offered to go. It was dark and raining. Mr. DIGHT's coachman, named RILEY, came along and when he was told of the trouble, he went to Mr.DIGHT, who sent him galloping away to try and secure the public boat when it came to shore and offer the crew 50 pounds to go out at once , and save the Eathers. The boat was got about 10 o'clock. and three men offered to go out. To help them to steer across a fire was lit at DIGHT's. They reached the house about half an hour too late."

The Mr. DIGHT mentioned by Dora is Arthur DIGHT 1819-1895 to whom the Eather's will be forever grateful. Although it was too late by this time. He rallied when others turned their backs. When Thomas Eather 1828-1916 remarried Caroline MCKELLAR 1847-1915 he named his second son Arthur after the brave Mr. Dight.

Surnames: CUPITT DIGHT EATHER KINSELA MCKELLAR RILEY
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by janilye Profile | Research | Contact | Subscribe | Block this user
on 2011-03-01 11:41:18

janilye - 7th generation, Convict stock. Born in New South Wales now living in Victoria, carrying, with pride 'The Birthstain'.

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