Mary Emma Baker (1849....1936)

Back to Start page

To follow Descendent line click on Surname only but "NOTE"

If this symbol is present H . click on their christian name to go to their own history page.

Children :

 

1..H . Samuel . Henry Johnson (b.25-4-1876.d.13/7/1962.) & H . Mary . Ellen . Reddacliff . ( b.1879 - d.1962)****

2. Charles William . Johnson . . (b.1877..d.)

3. Alice . Lucy Jane Johnson (1b.1878..d.1950..) m .H . William . . Reddacliff . . (b1881..d1942.)*****

4. Lucy Mabel Mary. Johnson . (b.11-8-1880 ..d..)

5. John Eric . Johnson . (b.27-6-1882 ..d.1968)

6. George Alexander . Johnson . (b.1884..d.)

7 .Horatio Theodore . Johnson . (b.3-2-1886..d.) m 1908 Annie Ubrihien(b.....d)

8. Jane Ivy Annie . Johnson . (b.9-11-1887...d.)

9. Mary Eliza Beatrice. Johnson . (b.31-12-1890..d.)

10. H . Kathleen . Irene Maud . Johnson . (b.13-6-1893...d.21/9/1943) m 1913 Frederick G . Borrowdale . (b.1889..d.13/8/1946)

11. Olive Isabella Ellen . Johnson . (b.4-7-1896..d.)

History & Achievements :

Due to some of this item being unreadable we have re-typed it word for word as it appeared ,including any spelling mistakes. . It was written around 1/12/1936 . Due to the years of difference some of the places mentioned may no longer exist. Note the /- stands for shillings (currency befor the dollar) Some noticable mistakes are . 1. Her Father was Samuel Baker not J.Baker 2. Wyangarie Station is spelt as is not with a Y .3. The words Virbin srub is used instead of Virgin . Virbin ?

Pioneer Passes

Mary Emma Johnson

The death of Mary Emma Johnson at her residence "Pendenis" Massinger Street,

Byron Bay, on Friday morning marked, the passing of one of Byron Bay's oldest and well-known residents.

She was a grand old lady beloved, by all who came in contact with her.

The late Mary Emma Johnson, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J Baker of the Hunter

River district , was born at Maitland on the8th december 1849 and in one weeks time would have celebrated her 87th birthday. At the age of 17 she came to the Richmond to keep house for her brother, Henry Baker, who had taken up a selection at Kilgrn.

After three years, her family moved up to the Richmond where they eventually settled.

CEDAR CUTTING

In 1875 the deceased married John Thomas Johnson, who was engaged in cedar

work at Terania Creek. The late Mr. Johnson was in partnership with Mr. Henry Baker engaged in shipping of cedar logs to Sydney. Native were emplayed to locate the cedar trees in the scrub, and when located these trees were felled then floated down the Richmond whence they linked up with the ships that came at limited periods to the district.

After marrying , Mr. and Mrs. Johnson settled at Wyanggerie Station owned by the

Bundocks, where Mr. Johnson was employed as a stockman. Leaving Yangerie Station they returned to Kilgrin where they commenced a butchering buisness.

Following this Mr. Johnson selected at Binna Burra, the family moved out to "Cedar House " in 1886.

The move to this selection was made per medium of spring carts on tracks cut

through virbin scrub. Most primitive methods of living were necessary at first, the kitchen being made in the spur of a tree and there the late Mrs. Johnson did all her cooking. Later a modern cottage was constructed by Mr. Johnson from timber felled on the selection, also pit sawn and treated there. The house still stands to-day with the original iron on the roof, the property now being owned by Mr. Lawrie of Binna Burra.

Many harships were endured in makeing this property what it is to-day. The entire selection

had to be cleared, the majority of it being heavily timbered. Following the clearing the entire property was hand planted with buffalo grass, the main implament being a hoe.

BUSH TRACKS

No roads were known in these days merely bush tracks ; Mr. Johnson would ride to

Ballina on horse back through the scrub carrying a barrel of home made butter on one side, which butter was shipped to Sydney and act as ballast, and a barrel of stones on the other, while on his saddle would be a package of eggs, generaly about 18 dozen for which he recieved the handsome sum of threepence per dozen. On his return he took back necessary stores. Much of the general necessities were grown on the selection. A quantity of arrow root was always grown: this they treated themselves and used as porridge, etc.

Dingoes made themselves felt at all times, when fresh meat supplies were killed,

they would follow Mr. Johnson right up to the house. When pigs had been produced in sufficiant quantity for marketing they were driven on foot through the scrub to Ballina and Byron Bay to be shipped to Sydney. This was a long and tedious job. Mr. Johnson then aquired property at Brunswick and moved out in 1902. From here, John, one of the boys, selected at McLeod's Shoot that property which is known as "Chevin," while Mr. Johnson and the remaining family moved to Cooper's Shoot then finally to Byron Bay.

The late Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were residents of Byron Bay for the past 251/2 years. Mrs. Johnson was ardent Church worker at all times and supported anything of a charitable nature.

" A GRAND OLD LADY "

In a short service held at the residence prior to the funeral on Saturday, Canon

Gerry, reffering to the late Mrs. Johnson, said that it was a pity this world was not blessed with more people bearing the wonderful qualities of this dear lady. He said" She had a heart of gold and nothing but kind thoughts. No one ever appealed to help from her in vain. She was loved by everybody that knew her, truely she was a grand old lady."

The late Mrs. Johnson was predeceased by her husband seven years ago and is survived

by the following members of the family: Sons, Samuel. H. Johnson (Mullumbimby), John E. (Ewingdale), H. T. Johnson (Dundaberg); daughters Alice, Mrs. Reddacliff (Brisbane), Lucy Bath (Mungungo, Q), Jane Mrs. Howes(Granville), Mary, Mrs. Latimer (Mullumbimby), Kit Mrs. Borrowdale(Mullumbimby), Olive, Mrs. Austen( Byron Bay).

There are also 53 grandchildren and one great grandchild She is also survived by the

following brothers and sisters: John Baker (Woodburn), William Baker (Myocum) and George Baker (Tweed Heads ), and Mrs. Gollan (Coraki).

Floral tributes were recieved from sons and daughters, grandchildren, Masonic Lodge, Mr. and Mrs. Poolman and family, Mr. and Mrs. McDermott, Mrs. R. Burnet, Mr. and Mrs. J.C. McKenzie, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Johnson, Mrs. Rhode, Mr. and Mrs.Hackett., Mr. and Mrs. H Riding, Mr. and Mrs. Gerry, Mr. and Mrs. Sanders(Grafton), Mr. and Mrs. Brownell, Mrs. H. Burns, Miss. Woodward, Mrs and Mrs. G. Flick, Mr. and Mrs. H. Gill, Mr. and Mrs. Yager, Mr. and Mrs. Ainsley, Mrs. G. Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Simes , Miss Simes, Mrs. F. Wright, Mr and Mrs. R. Balmer, Mr. J Jamison, Mr. Tullock (Myocum), Mr Will Baker , Mr. George Baker (Tweed Heads) Mr. and Mrs. Roy Johnson, Mr. and Mrs Fred Bowe, Mr. and Mrs H. Basett and many others .

The Funeral was one of the most largely attended in the district, there being

representative from far and near.

On Sunday night Canon Gerry conducted a memorial service in the Church of

England.

It was written around late November 1936 . Due to the years of difference some of places mentiond may no longer exist. Note the /- stands for shillings (currency before the dollar) Please note: no offence is intended if one is offended by the use of the words" Blacks" please take it up with the person who said it.

70 YEARS ON

NORTH COAST

LIFE OF PIONEER
LATE MRS. MARY EMMA

JOHNSON

The late Mrs. Mary Emma Johnson, of Byron Bay, whose death has occured. lived

on the far North Coast for 70 years, and episodes in her life merit chronicling among the record of the pioneers. With her husband, the late Mr. John Thomas Johnson, she was one of the very first settlers in the Bangalow-Binna Burra district in the heart of "The Big Scrub" tract, and for six months did not see another white woman.

The late Mrs. Johnson was born near Maitland on December 9, 1849 the daughter

of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Baker, and when 17 came to keep house for her brother, Hary who had selected at Kilgin, near Woodburn. Another brother Jack also selected shortly afterwards, and the Baker family subsequently came to live at Kilgin.

Married in 1875 at Woodburn by the Rev.Daniel Blue (Presbyterian), Mr. and

Mrs. Johnson, went to Wyangarie Station, Kyogle district, owned by the late Mr.W. C. Bundock,. Mr Johnson working as a stockman. There were many blacks in the district some he employed as station hands, and when Mrs. Johnson arrived the almost terrified her by crowding round fingering her dress. Mrs. Johnson's sweet nature and acts of kindness. soon won their friendship and they affectionately called her "White Mary"

FROCKS FOR LUBRAS

Race meetings were very popular in those days and on one occasion Mrs. Johnson

made up a roll of bright material into race frocks for the lubras. In return they would help her with her house work and later were delighted to mind Mr. and Mrs. Johnson's first son now Samuel Johnson. of Murwillumbah. They could chat to the child , and Samuel later was able to talk to them almost in thier own tongue.

Mr. John Thomas Johnson had had considerable experience with the blacks earlier

when cedar-getting at Hanging Rock and Terania Creek, and he often would tell how they enjoyed their meal of carpet snake and white wood grub .

Mr. and Mrs Johnson returned to Kilgin after three years at Wyangarie going on

Mr. Henry Baker (the next 5 lines are totaly illegible)

REAL PIONEERING

Pioneering in the real sense was experienced in 1886, when the family removed to

Byron Creek (now Binna Burra) where Mr. Johnson had taken up land in 1883. Mr. Johnson and son Sam came by horse and cart to Lismore, Mrs. Johnson and younger members of the family going by steamer, and from Lismore all proceeded via the cart . The cart could not be taken over Wilson's Creek at Springvale, which was reached at dark . Mr. Johnson took of his boots and carried his wife and members of his family and household goods across the stream on his back, several trips to and fro being necessary. The creek crossed the party proceeded on foot by the light of a candle in a bottle through dense scrub to the little cedar house that was to be their home. It was a memorable introduction.

IN ISOLATION

So isolated were the family that visitors were few and it was six months befor Mrs.

Johnson saw another white woman, the nearest living in the district bieng the late Mrs. John Gay, Springvale. Later a larger house was built by Mr. Johnson and it still stands, being ocupied by a Mr. J Lowrie., who purchased the property. William Baker (Myocum) and Mr. George baker (Tweed Heads) brothers of Mrs Johnson also selected in the Binna Burra -Springvale district.

A little home made butter was made and was sent by kegs to Sydney after being

taken to Ballina on horse back by the horse track that existed. In the very early years of Byron Creek there was insufficient pasture to keep a horse, and Mr. Johnson had to walk over 20 miles to and from Ballina. The butter bought only 2d and 3d a ld.. but it helped to eke out the ladder, which was supplemented by Turkey, wild pigeon, and paddy melon, which abouned in the scrub. Paddy melon soup was often on the menu. A few fowls were kept, providing eggs which were sometimes used at home, and sometimes taken to Ballina to be sold at 3d or 4d a dozen. Pigs were also taken to Ballina and on one occasion Mr. Johnson and Sam spent the whole day recovering swine which had taken to the bush after crossing Byron Creek en route to market.

Ministers of religion visited the sparsley settled parts occasionaly and always made

their headquarters at the Johnson home. They included the Rev. Hines, Rev Gauntet and Rev. Dodd. This attatchment to the Church remained with Mrs. Johnson throughout her life and reference to her christian life was made by Rev. Cannon Gerry at a memorial service in St . Paul's Church of England.,Byron Bay on sunday night last.

Leaving Binna -Burra in 1902, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson and family resided at

Brunswick road Mullumbimby untill 1907 then for two years at "Chev n," McLoyds Shoot., until they went to live at Byron Bay in 1909. finally retiring to live in the town,

The late Mrs. Johnson's mother the late Mrs. Samuel Baker. who died at

Woodburn over 60 years ago, provide the direct link with the notorious days of child labour in England. When only four years of age,the late Mrs. Baker (the then Lucy Noakes) was put to work in a cotton spinning factory.

INTERESTING SOUVENERS

Interesting souveners kept by Mr. Johnson until his death were several (next three

lines are unreadable) clunes. One show man performed the William Tell trick with a rifle. He would place his small son against a wall with a penny on his head, and then he would send the penny flying with a bullet. The display so affected Mrs. Johnson that later, when the show man became a little unsteady owing to some liberal imbiding, she implored her husband to get him to desist from shooting. Finally this was done with for a money consideration, and Mrs. Johnson was given the twisted and smashed pennies as souviners

The late Mrs. Johnson was laid to rest in Byron Bay Cemetery along side her late husband.

Back To

Johnson

Baker

Waddington

Back To

Surnames

 

e- mail address
bmchapman@iprimus.com.au

© Copyright B & M Chapman (QLD) Australia

Last revised: April 11, 2000.