28 December 1876, RIP William Beavis Randell
Today is a special day.
Maybe “special” isn’t the right word. Maybe “remembrance” would be more suitable. As it was on this day 138 years ago … (28 December 1876) that my great great grandpa William Beavis Randell passed away.
He was not only my emigrating Randell ancestor, and the patriarch of the entire huge Randell clan in Australia, he was also an employee of the Adelaide Company, a miller, founder of the town of Gumeracha, JP, councillor and parliamentarian amongst other things …
I’m going to share with you an entry from the diary of his second wife Phebe Randell (nee Robbins) about his passing, together with an obituary I found on Trove.
Phebe Randell diary pg19
(click for a larger picture)
Phebe Randell diary pg20
(click for a larger picture)
I know Phebe’s handwriting is quite readable considering what some handwriting was like back then (and even many nowdays), but whatever she wrote this entry in, is really really faint, so I know you’ll have trouble reading it, even enlarged, so I’ll transcribe it for you …
This entry is undated, but the entry prior to this was dated 2 July 1876, and she seemed to be writing details of a number of days or weeks happenings in one entry.
Page 19 …
What a changing world is this on the 17th of August 1876 I became a wife though in the Sight of God a wife before I fully believe we haveing Pledged ourselves each to other before God without the worldly form but the ceremony was by Mr Jacob Abbott on the day afore said and by my dear husband and I lived very happly together for four Short months after the ceremony and then failing health laid him aside. He was confined to his bed only 10 days and then fell asleep in Jesus. May my last days be cherished with that same unwavering faith which he possessed for Jesus sake. Truly it was good to have priveledge of sitting bye his bed to hear his expressions of praise and thanksgiving throughout until speach failed him
Page 20 (light writing) …
He very quietly fell asleep five minutes past 6 oclock on the evening of December 28th exactly to an hour 16 years from the time I first set my foot in Gumeracha. 2 years and 6 days after the death of first wife. His funeral took place at 1/4 past 3 on the 30 Saturday and I was not allowed to attend altho I know it was his wish I should have done so.
Page 20 (dark writing) … it is unclear if this is a continuation of the same entry, as it is also undated. But it could be based on the dates mentioned.
On The Monday morning I have to leave my once happy peaceful home. The dawn of the new year 1877 and go to an empty house without a bit or drop to eat or drink even so Father for so it seemed good in Thy sight.
On the Monday following at 10 minutes past 1 oclock the 8th of January my little Son was born my constant prayer is that he may be blessed and made a …
And the image below is his obituary that appeared in the Adelaide Observer in January 1877.
Death of an Old Colonist
THE WEEK’S NEWS. Adelaide Observer, 6 January 1877, p.8.Â
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article159447580
the tall headstone is that of William Beavis Randell (and other family members), and is in the Salem Baptist Church Cemetery at Gumeracha, South Australia – taken April 2013
inscription of W.B. Randell’s headstone – taken April 2013
Gone, but not forgotten.
Related posts:
William Beavis Randell: The Man Who Created a Town
The Randell and Robbins Family Photo Album: But Who Are They?
Trove Tuesday: Opening of the Gumeracha Butter Factory
Family History Through the Alphabet Challenge: G is for Gumeracha
5 Responses to “28 December 1876, RIP William Beavis Randell”
Leave a Reply
Lovely memories to have from the past.
What a treasure that diary is! I wonder why she wasn’t permitted to attend – because she was expecting?
Am I reading this correctly, he fathered a child at 78? Sounds like the children from the first marriage sent her away from the family home and wouldn’t let her attend their father’s funeral. Am I on the right track? What a terribly difficult time for Phoebe.
Spot on Jenni. That is my understanding of why she wasn’t allowed to attend the funeral.
So good to read this article from her diary, but very sad. How times have changed. She was obviously a very Godly lady, I’m blessed to be one of her descendants.