The Waight family home (cnr Belmont St & Albert St, Rosewood)
L-R: Samuel Waight, Emily Waight, Joseph Waight
Photo: Zane Sinnamon
Name: (Robert) Samuel WAIGHT
Occupation: Blacksmith; Farmer – Belmont Farm
Birth: 29th August 1842, Blackwall, Poplar, Middlesex, England
Baptism: 24th September 1843, All Saints, Poplar, Tower Hamlets, England
Residence: 1851, 3 Ivy Place, Poplar, Middlesex, England
Residence: 1865, Blackwall, London
Immigration: 31st May 1866, the Southern Ocean arrived Moreton Bay from Gravesend 27th January.
Land: 5th September 1870, Sam. Waight, 80 acres Homestead-Pastoral, Walloon, accepted [1]
Residence: Belmont House, 75 Albert Street, Rosewood
Death: 4th July 1936, at Lanefield aged 93 years.
Burial: 6th July 1936, Ipswich General Cemetery
Religion: Congregational
Father: Charles WAIGHT (Engineer)
Mother: Sarah (Sally) GODFREY
Spouse: Anna RAPSON née HUCKER
Occupation: Nurse (1851); Shoe Binder (1861); Seamstress (1863)
Birth: 1838 Ilchester, Somerset, England (Jan-Feb-Mar Yeovil Vol. 10 Pg. 532)
Baptism: 1838, Providence Independent, Ilchester, Somerset
Residence: 1851, 1861, Almshouse Lane, Ilchester, Somerset
Immigration: 27th January 1864, the Light of the Age arrived Moreton Bay from London 27th September 1863.
Death: 17th April 1907, Rosewood, Queensland aged 77 years
Burial: 19th April 1907, Ipswich General Cemetery
Religion: Congregational
Father: Samuel HUCKER (Shoemaker)
Mother: Priscilla SAMPSON
Marriage: 20th September 1869, at the residence of Rev. Joseph Simmons Dobson, Darling Street, Ipswich.
Children:
Charles Edward WAIGHT (1870-1925) = Susannah Elizabeth LANGDON
Agnes WAIGHT (1872-1937) = Tom Harry HARDING
George WAIGHT (1874-1888)
John WAIGHT (1876-1962) = Clara May PONTING
Emily Maud WAIGHT (1879-1930) = George YARROW
Joseph WAIGHT ( -1906)
Parish Church Ilchester
Anna’s 1st spouse: John RAPSON
Occupation: Blacksmith
Birth: 1842, Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
Immigration: 27th January1864, the Light of the Age arrived Moreton Bay, Queensland
Death: 14th July 1866, Ipswich, Queensland aged 24 years
Burial: Old Free Ground at Ipswich General Cemetery
Father: John RAPSON (Labourer)
Mother: Ann BURNS
Marriage: 30th July 1863, Parish Church, Ilchester, Somersetshire, England
Children:
Charles Edward RAPSON (1864-1865)
Elizabeth Mary RAPSON (1865-1866)
Elizabeth Mary RAPSON (1867-1957) = John Ross ELDER
An immense fleet of ships got underway on the same day as the Southern Ocean in January 1866. She sailed from Gravesend down the Thames Estuary and into the English Channel where as many as 120 sails were counted during the ship’s progress down the Channel. Carrying 400 passengers including Samuel Waight, on a voyage lasting 121 days, she dropped her anchor in Moreton Bay.
“Kate” 1872
Samuel and the other passengers, and their luggage, were taken from the ship up the river to the Queen’s wharf by the steamer Kate. After two and a-half hours the new arrivals were landed at 3.30 p.m.
So began Sam’s life in Queensland. He went forward and by deed and action, at the end of his life, he was known as “that grand old man”.
Amongst the railway material which arrived by the Southern Ocean were four engines and tenders. They were taken to the workshops at North Ipswich for assembly. Several wagons were also in course of construction from colonial wood, and additional passenger carriages were being fitted up in first-class style in preparation for the opening of the railway line to Helidon.
As a point of interest, amongst the passengers on that same journey on the Southern Ocean was Thomas Harlin M.A. who had been appointed as the Mathematical Master at the Ipswich Grammar School. He sent letters to the Editor of the Brisbane Courier with the aim of exposing some of the defects of the Queensland immigration system, probably bought about by his own experiences when making his way to Australia. His submissions resulted in a flurry of anonymous replies by people who either felt offended or supported his position.
Sam stayed in Brisbane three days before heading to Ipswich. A fortnight later he, along with about another 100 young men, were given railway tickets to Gatton. The Government of the day was giving passes to the newly arrived immigrants to take them out to populate the new settlements. When they arrived there the railway officials said, “There is the country. You can go where you like. We have done with you.”
Samuel was interevied by a journalist in May 1926 and told of his experience of that day and others which followed. [2]
The day was hot and oppressive, and they travelled only about eight miles before night. A storm appeared to be rising, and the party of seven made a shelter of sleepers and camped for the night. The rain began a few minutes afterwards, and in an hour the shelter was as wet inside as out. In the morning, with soaked swags and clothing, they started off in the rain. They travelled for three days, camping in the bush without shelter, and the rain continued with scarcely a break. On the fourth morning the sun broke out, and they dried their blankets and clothes. Five of the party inquired for work at Edenvale Station, on the Downs, but could get none there, and were told that there was little prospect of work in the direction in which they were travelling. They sat on their swags at the gate, and in good colonial style decided their fate on the toss of a penny. “Go on or go back” was the problem, and the spinning copper replied “Go back.”
They tramped to Toowoomba, stopping at Pentecost’s Phoenix Hotel, at the turnpike on the main range. Mr. Waite got a job there, clearing in wild forest country, at 5/- a week. He stayed there until he had earned 7/6, and then walked to Toowoomba and bought a pair of boots to replace the pair he had worn out in looking for work. Reshod, he walked to Ipswich, and obtained work as a blacksmith.
In 1867 gold was discovered at Gympie by James Nash. He unearthed 72 ounces of gold in just 6 days and this started a Gold Rush. Samuel Waight decided to try his luck. Here is more from Samuel’s interview with the journalist about his time prospecting. There are a few Rosewood settlers amongst his named companions.
With Messrs. Charles Dutney, William Perrem, Samuel Shelley, J. Perrett, Henry Treloar, Joseph Ward, and several others, he made for the diggings. They pegged out their claims in Nuggety Gully, and “fossicked” there for a time, getting payable washings, but making no rich finds. He stayed two years, and then sold his share of the claim to his mate and walked to Brisbane. He spent the night at the Travellers’ Rest Inn in the Valley when he arrived, and in the morning crossed the river by ferry and walked to Redbank, where he boarded the coach for Ipswich. [2]
Samuel married Anna Rapson in Ipswich in 1869. Anna was the second girl in her family to bear her christian name. Her sister of the same name died in May 1832 aged 2 years 2 months. Anna was about 6 when her mother passed away in January 1844, possibly as the result of childbirth when her brother John was born. Altogether, she had six siblings.
Previous to her marriage to Samuel, Anna had experienced some sad and testing times. Anna and her first husband John Rapson immigrated in 1863 on the same ship as William and Ann Mathew, other Rosewood pioneers. She would have been carrying her first child when she and John sailed to Queensland. Her son Charles was born four months after they arrived, but unfortunately died before his first birthday in March 1865, aged 10 months. Her daughter Elizabeth, born September 1865, also died just before her first birthday (June 1866). The next month John Rapson died while Anna was pregnant with her third child. Mercifully the little girl survived and was parented by Samuel and Anna Waight.
Sam Waight worked on a farm on the Brisbane River until 1870 when he went to work for Messrs. Cribb and Foote at their cotton ginnery at Churchbank. He stayed there for six months before taking employment as a blacksmith on the construction of the Ipswich-Brisbane railway.
At the West Moreton Land Court in Ipswich, he selected land (Portion 357B) at the top of the present Rosewood township in September 1870, but didn’t settle there because of his employment elsewhere. See Land Purchase. Finally in 1874 Sam packed up his tools, moved to the selection and built a slab hut. By the end of the year, he had moved his wife and children there. On this land he and his family began farming. Sam cultivated maize, seed, small crops and grew dairy cattle and poultry.
At the time when Sam was settling, it was not an easy venture for any settler. The following account, as reported by that journalist in 1926, helps to give us some insight to the difficulties he and others experienced.
The first seven years on the selection was heartbreaking, as could be expected with a young Londoner on a scrub farm so thickly timbered that it was impossible to ride a horse through it. The almost interminable labour of clearing and fencing, ploughing, and cultivating, harvesting and marketing, filled all the hours of daylight. Twice a night, at least, he had to go round the farm with a gun to scare off the wallaby marauders that made fun of his fences and destroyed his crops. By such days of labour and restless nights he and the other pioneers made Rosewood.
When he went there Messrs. John Vance, William Meiklejohn, John Farrell, and Matthews were the settlers on and near the site of the township. Mr. Matthews kept the Rosewood gatehouse, which stood where the Court House now is. Other and later neighbours were Messrs. James Dale, Richard Beavis, Richard Mason, John Nichols, Martin Beavis, Robert Boughen, senr., Michael Rush, Joseph Wilds, Samuel Eaton, Joseph Hudson, Bernard Farley, Lawrence Smallbone, and Pedrazzini. They sold their corn for as little as 9d. a bushel, butter for 3d. a lb., and eggs for 6d. a dozen, but at times received up to 1/9 for butter and 5/6 for maize.
In the droughts they carried water from the Bremer, three miles away, in buckets, and had to use pannikins to lift it from the shallow pools without stirring up too much mud. The water carrier never had as great a thirst as those that stayed at home in those days, despite his long walk, for he sometimes had to pull dead stock out of the stream, and he alone knew how much green scum he had to push aside to fill his buckets. They lost their stock in the bad years, and spent their money in buying feed in the hopeless attempt to save some, but fought on through it all to a greater prosperity. [2]
Sam Waight was dedicated to his farm and very proud of the fruits of his labour. He was a foundation member of the Rosewood Farmers’ Club which was formed in 1877, and he exhibited at their first show in 1878 with his 6lb of butter (2nd prize of 10shillings). At the club’s second show he was a steward for the farm produce section. At the 1880 show a certificate of merit was awarded to him for the best foal. The certificate was signed by William Moore (President), and John W. Vance (Secretary). Over the years Sam exhibited butter and eggs, panicum seed and other farm grown produce. He was enthusuatic about showing his poultry and doves and also exhibited bulls and dairy cows.
William Bassett and Samuel Waight at the Rosewood Show 1880
Photo: Rosewood Scrub Historical Society
Around 60 local farmers gathered at Sam’s property on 1st June 1887 to see an invention – Mr. Andrew Janeczek’s Stump Extractor (Forest Devil). Mr. Janeczek, who was travelling to promote his tree puller was from Mundaring, and the owner of ‘Gniazdo,’ (a vineyard and orchard in one of the most prosperous fruit-growing centres in West Australia).
Sam was a foundation member of the Rosewood Congregational church. The first services in Rosewood were held at the Waight’s residence until a small church was built. When it was opened in 1875, he was appointed as the first Sunday School Superintendent, a position he held for 23 years. He was also a deacon in the church for many years.
Anna was also a prominent member of the church and a church worker for over 25 years. At one time she was one of its most active workers. When Anna died in 1907 from a severe attack of pnuemonia, her funeral cortege passed along John-street. All of the business places and residences were closed in token of the great respect in which Anna was held.
Anna was a land owner. On her death she left land described as Subdivision 14 of eastern suburban allotment 118, county of Stanley, parish of Ipswich.
After working the farm for 36 years, Sam decided to give up farming and retire in 1910. He divided his land into residential allotments and in September 1910, he engaged auctioneers, Messrs. E. Bostock and Son and John Pender to sell by auction 27 allotments from the first subdivision of his “Belmont Estate”. A second sale of 75 allotments followed in November. Both sales were very successful.
Belmont House was part of the sale and became the home of William and Fanny Yarrow. In 1988 it was owned by Mr and Mrs Franklin.
The Farmers’ Club and A. & H. Society, in appreciation of his efforts, continuously re-elected Sam to their committee. In 1930 the secretary of the A. & H. Association wrote to Samuel congratulating him for completing 50 years’ service as a show steward. In recognition of his services he was made a life member of the association. He only retired from this position because of his failing eyesight. Throughout the years visitors to the shows always found Sam’s conversation as interesting as his displays. At 82 years old this grand old man was still able to undertake the duties of steward in the produce section at Rosewood’s Jubilee Show in July 1927. He never missed a Show.
During his life Samuel Waight had been associated with most of the public institutions of Rosewood. He was well thought of as seen by these final words of the journalist in 1926 in his summation.
Mr. Samuel Waite, of Lanefield, has seen humour in a life of varied scenarios. The result of his cheery view of things is that he is one of the most genial and kindly old men one could meet. He has travelled cheerfully, and looks back on many years of engrossing interest without any serious regrets. “I came to Queensland to improve my conditions, and I did so,” he says. “I have gone through some hard times, and some pleasant times, and I have no reason to complain.” [2]
Sam died in 1936 at the home of his widowed daughter-in-law Susannah Elizabeth Waight where he had been living in retirement. He regularly attended church services until a couple of years before his death. Fittingly, his memorial service was held in the Rosewood Congregational Church at 11.15a.m. on a Monday morning. Rev. Herbert Joseph Taudevin, president of the Congregational Union, conducted the service and was assisted at the graveside by the church minister Rev. Norman Campbell Watt.
Back:. L-R: Mrs Elizabeth Elder, Jack Waight, Charlie Waight and Agnes Harding.
Front: Samuel and Anna Waight (seated), with daughter Emily Waight.
© Jane Schy, 2024
References:
[1] Brisbane Courier, Saturday, 8 October 1870, page 5
[2] Queensland Times, Saturday, 13 November 1926, page 7
London, England, Church of England Births and Baptisms, 1813-1923
England & Wales, Non-Conformist and Non-Parochial Registers, 1567-1936
Somerset, England, Marriage Registers, Bonds and Allegations, 1754-1914
1851 England Census
1861 England Census
Queensland, Australia, Immigration Indexes, 1848-1972
Queensland Registry Births, Deaths, Marriages