Trove Tuesday

My first post in ages and my first Trove Tuesday post ever.  It's a bit early, I know, but I came across these article after doing some research for the book.  So sad.  This is the second "multiple family member drownings" I have come across in my research in the last couple of years.

Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931), Tuesday 5 July 1887, page 4

 These articles describe the sad and sudden deaths of William Curnow and his wife Elizabeth (nee Carter).

Apparently they had left their farm in the Cooyal area of New South Wales on the morning of Monday July 4 1887  to attend a court case in nearby Mudgee.  I am yet to find out any details about the court case they attended.

By the time they were headed home the Pipeclay Creek had risen considerably and was a "raging torrent" by the time they got to the crossing.

Surprisingly, they still attempted to cross the creek in their little buggy.  One of their sons was with them, following some distance behind them on his horse.  He was taking it slow due to the bad and muddy state of the track.  By the time he reached the crossing he found his father's horse which had broken free and was standing on the creek bank.  The buggy could be seen further down stream, caught in some branches. 

Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912), Saturday 16 July 1887, page 149

William and Elizabeth were found the following day, William not far from the crossing and Elizabeth about half a mile down stream.

Their funeral was well attended as they had lived in the area for much of their lives.  They were buried side by side

Bathurst Free Press and Mining Journal (NSW : 1851 - 1904), Tuesday 12 July 1887, page 3

William and Elizabeth were the parents of six sons and three daughters.  They arrived in Australia with their 2 year old son, William, in 1854 on board the "Lady Kennaway".  It looks like a second son, John, was born during the voyage, but sadly died at sea. Another son, Charles, died at the age of two.  All of the other children would live past the deaths of their parents.

Their two youngest daughters, Eliza and Euphemia, married twins Jim and John Sams in a double wedding in Mudgee 12 months after their parents death.  My connection to the family is through the Sams brothers.  Their mother was Ellen Rodford who is a descendant of the Bunston family that I am researching.