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Eighth born child & third son
John Angus McLachlan was born the eighth child & third son
of Daniel McLachlan & Jane McPherson, at the settlement of Mitchell's
Creek on part of the Turon goldfields in the County of Roxburgh, near
Bathurst NSW, on the 4th October 1864. The little one, John Angus
McLachlan, was the third male child in the male-starved household, thus
the arrival of baby John Angus McLachlan afforded great jubilation in the
family.
John Angus McLachlan 1903 Cumnock Show
Committee
John Angus was born when his father had become an innkeeper
at the gold-mining community of Mitchell's Creek of the inn called
variously Miners' hotel, McLachlan's inn, & Lachlan's inn. On the
twenty third day of November, 1864, his birth was registered at the
location of Mitchell's Creek; thus it must have been a bustling
settlement at that time.
The combination name of "John Angus" is in honour of the
"McPherson" line & its relationship is with the "Angus" family of the
Scottish days of old. The name of "John", however, has great
significance in the McLachlan ancestry, as well.
As in all well-organized families of the Day, "big"
sisters had younger children to raise along the lines that the parents had
already taught them. Thus John Angus McLachlan had his "special"
nursery governess so-to-speak. In his instance, he was in the capable
hands of the second sister, Martha McLachlan.
John Angus McLachlan was less than a month from his seventh
birthday when his mother died at the inn, in tragic circumstances.
Following this event, Martha McLachlan left the family home & went to live
with a family in Bathurst possibly as a governess or tutor. She took young
John Angus with her. In 1877, Martha McLachlan married Edmund Buckley in
Bathurst. In the following year, 1878, she had her first child, a little
son, whom she called "John Angus", as a special tribute to the young
brother of whom she was the "surrogate mother".
In the later part of 1878, Martha & Edmund Buckley, baby
John Angus Buckley & the fourteen year old John Angus McLachlan departed
for Yullundry-Cumnock, to the "Avondale" property of Daniel McLachlan, the
father of Martha & John Angus. It would appear that the patriarch,
Daniel McLachlan considered it "high time" that he enforced the education
& training for manhood that he deemed the correct format. He was to assert
his dour severity of a version of "Scottish covenanting" edification
upon the burgeoning manhood of John Angus
McLachlan.
This training that Daniel McLachlan, the father, was
endeavouring, was to be a short-lived venture, due to the death of the
patriarch on the first day of February 1882. Martha & Edmund Buckley &
their little family then numbering two healthy little boys, departed for
the silver mines at Sunny Corner, with John Angus McLachlan remaining at
the property of "Avondale".
Jock McLachlan Cumnock hotel proprietor -
centre back
With the "carving up" of the Daniel McLachlan estate under
the administration powers of Elizabeth nee McLachlan Gant, John Angus
McLachlan, became a well-to-do young man, who by that date, was about
twenty one years of age. John Angus McLachlan was of a different Scots'
type of physical appearance to his two brothers, for example - he was of
a short & stocky build. He was probably working on the "Avondale"
property for some years, as on some official documents he has been
described as "farmer".
Nevertheless, from some short time before the year 1888
until 1904, Jack/Jock (John Angus) McLachlan was the very popular "mine
host" of the Cumnock Hotel. Advertisements in the Trade Directories of
the Day proclaimed most positively the attributes of the Cumnock hotel as
well as the proprietor thereof. Historical report recounts this as
follows:
"Cumnock had plenty of vitality as early as 1901. The Show
Society staged a two day exhibition & advertisement listed in the schedule
indicate that business was good. -----
'Jack McLachlan ... (Cumnock Hotel)' at the turn of the
century ... advertised --- 'good stables and paddocks, first class
billiard table.' "
The hotel, though not with the exact appearance remains to
this date. It is in McLaughlan /McLachlan Street, in Cumnock. The
"McLachlan" may be varied in spelling but it refers to this
"McLachlan" family. This street runs through the heart of Cumnock, right
by the hotel. There is a creek running in front of the hotel. The small
town of Cumnock is a very pretty place even today (2003). It was a
recognition of Jack McLachlan's contribution of service to the community
of Cumnock, during the last years of the nineteenth century, that this
street bears that name, albeit with the variant spelling of the McLachlan
name.
Cumnock NSW is a pretty place - then & now
In the well-known book of the town, its environs, pioneer
families & historic identities, which is entitled "The Crossroads - The
History of Cumnock", by Joan Marriott, who lives at "Sorronto"
Cumnock, it is recorded that -
" Horse racing was popular in town in the late 1800s.
Finishing post was the (Cumnock) Hotel & the straight along McLachlan
Street to the starting point in the vicinity of the present school
building. This was one of the highlights of life each Saturday."
Perhaps Jack McLachlan gambled on these horse races &
backed some losers. If so, this could be another contributing factor to
the eventual financial collapse of Jack McLachlan's hitherto financial
worthiness.
Because of his inheritance, initially Jack McLachlan had
been a most eligible bachelor in the Yullundry-Cumnock area. It might
legitimately be considered that many of the young ladies & more especially
their parents would have been eager to "win his hand in marriage". On
the fifteenth day of February 1888, John Angus married Emma Kearney, the
daughter of Christopher Kearney & Mary McCann, in the St John's Church of
England in Molong. Registration was done at Molong with the registration
number being - 5845.
In the same year, their first born child was born. It was a
little girl who was named Gertrude Irene McLachlan & always known as ... "
'Rene".
It is highly likely that she was ..."the apple of her
father's eye" & very probably she had the pet name of ... "Bonnie". The
little girl was baptized in March 1889.
Strangely enough, although the marriage was within the
building of the Church of England & conducted according to the Anglican
religious rites & forms, this brand of religion was not to be the destiny
of Jack McLachlan's children. Daniel McLachlan from Scotland, had
followed the old style severe leanings of the Scots' Presbyterian Kirk
faith in the religious upbringing of his progeny. The McLachlan patriarch
had expected his offspring, each in his/her turn, to - "go thou & do
likewise." Living nearby, was the family of his sister, Elizabeth nee
McLachlan & her husband, Charles George Gant of "Avondale", which,
for better or worse, was being trained in such a manner.
Cumnock - McLachlan St - where horse races
were run
It was very soon, if not immediately, that the prevailing
religion of the Kearney-McLachlan household was to become that of the
Roman Catholic Faith. All else was disgraceful. It was very likely that
John Angus McLachlan, in a similar way to each of his brothers'
characteristically unassuming & non-argumentative fashion, had been
trusting his wife, Emma nee Kearney, to follow the path in respect of the
faith of their marriage vows.
It seems that in the later years of her life especially,
Emma nee Kearney McLachlan, impressed ardently upon her offspring the
fact that indeed Jack McLachlan was a non-believer, & worse - as well as
other such like description. She encouraged their children &
grandchildren to think & to say likewise. As well as that, she ensued
that this image & spirit would continue onward into the pondering of
posterity.
Indeed, in the early marriage years, Jack, or Jock, as
he was better known, was to become the father of a large family. After
'Rene, there was "Aggie" (Agnes Mary) in 1891, May in 1893 & his eldest
son, named Daniel, but known as ..."Jack" born in February in the year
1895. Bertha in 1897, Barbara in 1899, Wallace Sylvester known as ...
"Wal" in 1901 & Ida Lavinia in 1904, were all born at the Cumnock hotel
while their father, Jack McLachlan was the proprietor there. All the
children were directed firmly by their mother, Emma nee Kearney
McLachlan, to follow securely along the pathway of the Roman Catholic
Faith.
Emma nee Kearney McLachlan needed only the best for her
children & herself. It is reported anecdotally that there was an
extensive household & innkeeping staff for the care of respectively the
domestic household & for the running of the inn; .... maids for all
manner of role & task, such as - laundry, kitchen & housemaid. For the
upbringing of the children there were apparently at any given time,
several nursery maids & governesses.
It has been mentioned that Emma ordered the very best in
everything (all clothing & accoutrement via mail- order) for her
children & herself. Anecdotally it has been gleaned that Emma nee
Kearney McLachlan had excellent taste in dress. In her mature years it
was observed that Jack McLachlan's eldest daughter, 'Rene, dressed with
similar excellent choice.
With regard to education there were the customary tutors,
like those that Jack McLachlan, himself, had experienced in his
childhood, but also there were tutors in the most specialised aspects of
education such as music-- piano tuition, singing, dancing, as well as ...
drama. During her lifetime in the township of Orange NSW, the eldest
offspring, 'Rene was recognized as an accomplished pianist. Because of
this expertise, she was much in demand for functions in the town &
environs.
Wright Sherringham - friend of John Angus
McLachlan
During that period of time in Cumnock, music
demonstrations & concerts were held. It is recorded that ---
"The town had its own brass band in 1895. This group
competed in a band recital at Parkes NSW & was narrowly beaten for first
place by a Sydney group."
Music was a great interest of the Jack McLachlan offspring
so possibly the eldest children would have been regular viewers of this
entertainment at Cumnock. As mentioned 'Rene nee McLachlan became an
outstanding pianist. Also it is said that the two youngest daughters,
Ida & Elsie, loved to dance, act & sing as an amusement for themselves as
much as anything. In particular, the second youngest daughter of the
family, Ida, loved & was a great learner & very capable household
performer in the arts of dancing, singing & drama.
Ida nee McLachlan passed on such knowledge, skill &
expertise to those following her. As well as in her younger sister,
Elsie, Ida enjoyed fostering this love, interest & expertise in members
of the extended family. Included among these relations were Gwen nee
Henkes & Jennifer nee Midgley. (At least, one of the descendants of John
Angus McLachlan, became an admirable exponent of those art forms & had a
period of her younger life ... "on the stage").
Later in her life, Jennifer nee Midgley Dabbs, was to
become a successful author. Her first novel was entitled "Beyond
Redemption"; & appeared in the bookshops of Sydney in 1987. The main
characters of this script are members of the the "Clancy" family. It
could be supposed that the "Clancy" family & its environment is modelled
almost exclusively upon the kith & kin of the Kearney-McLachlan marriage
union of 1888. (If this supposition is correct then the substance of
this minibiography is certainly supported.)
Another type of social activity going on in the town of
Cumnock, at the time, was skating. For example - during the 1890s,
there was a skating rink in the town. In reports of activity on the rink
it is recorded that Jack McLachlan had a serious accident to his
shoulder.
"Roller skating too, was here (Cumnock) in the early part
of the century. Held in Leary's Hall & later in the picture theatre as
well, it attracted up to seventy people every Saturday afternoon. Worst
casualty it's said, was Jack McLachlan who broke his shoulder skating at
Leary's Hall."
It is to be estimated that not only would Jack McLachlan
have suffered much pain on the occasion of the incident; but even more so
possibly as he grew older, when such afflictions as - arthritis - in all
probability, would have set
in.
During his time at the Cumnock Hotel, Jack McLachlan was
one of several humanitarian & conscientious persons who was
community-minded in the town. Others who were involved likewise,
included members of the Sherringham family, such as - Joe (Joseph
Sherringham) & Wright Sherringham, with whom the McLachlan family had
developed strong ties that had originated in the Bathurst area.
Joe Sherringham - friend of Jock McLachlan @
Cumnock NSW
The Cumnock Show was one venture in which Jack McLachlan
played a responsible role. There are records about the Show that tell that
---
"The Cumnock Show was an important part of life in the
early part of the century. ---- The date of the annual show was decided
by the full moon in March & during the early 1900s a night watchman was
employed to patrol the grounds on Show Eve."
There is in existence, a photograph of the town's
"worthies", who were stalwarts of the Cumnock Show Society at the end of
the nineteenth century & into the beginning of the twentieth century.
Standing right in the centre of the back row, was Jock McLachlan, (he
has been noted as "Jock" in preference to "Jack" in the naming of this
photograph).
The photograph was of the Cumnock Show Committee of the
year 1903. Two Sherringham family representatives are in the photograph
as well, Joe (Joseph) Sherringham & Wright Sherringham. (These two
gentlemen were the brothers of Robert Sherringham who had married Mary
McLachlan in 1879.) Other gentlemen of this Cumnock Show Committee of
1903, included - W. Hillam, Sam Reilly, C. Miller, W. Black, John
Leary, Jim McDonald, Tom Howard, Mr Finch, John Eggleston & H. Young.
On the twenty first day of December in the year, 1891,
round about the time of the birth of his second child, Agnes Mary
McLachlan, the mother of Gwen Henkes, born 1918, Jack McLachlan had
begun to purchase land around & about the Cumnock district. His brother,
Duncan McPherson McLachlan, had the premises near by where he conducted
the business of "auctioneer". The brothers being next door to one
another like this, should have been much moral support, one for the
other, for some time at least.
The land bought in 1891 when life was going well, was
transferred to Francis Henry Kearney, kin of Jack McLachlan's wife, of
Cumnock, on the fifteenth day of May, 1901. Probably the finance
resources of the Cumnock hotel proprietor were beginning to show signs of
being the ... "worse for wear".
Because of natural disasters like drought & flood, also
because of the economic depression of the colony then state & nation "the
pub was lost". Possibly too, another factor appertaining to the business
collapse of the "pub", could have been the forgetting of the Scottish
money-making characteristic behaviour that of - frugality, for which
Jack's father, Daniel McLachlan from SCT, was indeed renowned.
Whatever the cause, disaster at the "pub" eventually
loomed large; & the "pub" was "lost". (These words, "pub" &
"lost", are as they were anecdotally spoken by some of Jack McLachlan's
descendants). It is known that when Jack McLachlan had the money or his
credit was respectable, he was extremely generous to his own kith & kin
as well as to needy persons of the neighbourhood.
In other words, ... Jack McLachlan sold out in 1904 to
Alec Anderson. Jack McLachlan had been a partaker-lover of alcohol; but
then he took to it ... extravagantly. (Once again, this is as family
anecdote informs).
Alec Anderson, the new owner, changed the hotel's name to
the "Royal" Hotel.
Amelia Davis born 1903 -model name for Elsie
McLachlan -with her gr father Charles Geo Gant
The McLachlan family moved into the town of Orange NSW, to
Peisley Street, Orange, where the last child, another lassie, Elsie
Maria Amelia McLachlan in 1905, was born. The little lass was given the
name of "Maria" for the wife of John Angus' eldest brother, Daniel. The
name of "Amelia" was copied from the name of the baby granddaughter of
Elizabeth nee McLachlan, Amelia Agnes Davis, born 1902. (Then again,
"Amelia" was a name that featured prominently in "The Sherringham
Connection.")
By this time, Jack McLachlan was overcome with depression
& remorse. It is mentioned by some of his descendants, that Jack
McLachlan did not ... & would not ... "work". Accordingly, it seems
that it was Emma nee Kearney McLachlan who was the family's great
support & the family's principal provider.
Nevertheless, there was a fine wedding in the grand
Cathedral of Sts Michael & John in Bathurst for the couple, 'Rene
McLachlan & Patrick Joseph Shannon. Although the coffers of John Angus
McLachlan were sinking low, nevertheless, he provided his eldest
daughter, with a magnificent celebration. The pair was married on the 6th
day of March 1912. The marriage was registered at Bathurst NSW & the
registration number was - 5045. They welcomed the eldest child of this
union in the same year & named him, Carl Percival
Shannon.
In the same year, on the 10th day of August 1912, in the
District Hospital of Orange, 'Rene's sister, Bertha McLachlan, died of
"Tubular Meningitis" after a coma lasting two to three weeks. Bertha
McLachlan was buried in the Roman Catholic portion of the cemetery at
Orange.
With the marriage of the eldest daughter, each member of
the family began to part company & go on his/her own life's journey. May
McLachlan, the third daughter, departed for Sydney where she married
Robert H. Rea, in 1914. The marriage was registered at Petersham, a
suburb of Sydney. The registration number was - 10661. In 1915, their
first child, Maxwell, known as "Max", was born. Several years later,
the second child, a daughter, was born & they named her, Enid Agnes.
Jack McLachlan facilitated the acquisition of "butcher
apprenticeship" for his eldest son, named at birth, Daniel, but always
known as .... "Jack" . "Jack" McLachlan began this apprenticeship, some
time during the year 1912, in the butchery owned by T. Hamar, located in
Orange.
Jock McLachlan - dau Ida - wife Emma nee
Kearney - gr dau Gwen Henkes
"Jack" like many Australian young men & boys was captivated
by the "Call to War" of World War One. On his enlistment papers made
out in the name of "Jack McLachlan" (not his baptismal name of Daniel
McLachlan), there is a description of his physical details ....
“height: five feet six inches; weight: ten stone & six pounds; chest
measurement thirty two inches, thirty six & a half inches expanded;
complexion: fair, & eyes: blue; with hair: dark brown; no vaccination
marks". Jack McLachlan joined the Australian Imperial Force as an
infantryman, being no. 1583, on the 12th December 1914; & was in Egypt
doing training in April 1915, whence he went to "Anzac" on Gallipoli.
The father, Jack McLachlan, also facilitated the attainment
of the excellent employment-position for his second-born daughter,
"Aggie" (Agnes Mary) McLachlan. By 1912, Aggie was working in a
flourishing bakery in Orange, owned by the family of Carl Henkes. In
1915, the same year that Jack went to Anzac, Aggie married Conrad
Henkes, the son of the bakery owner.
In 1918, Aggie was delivered of a baby daughter, who was
given the beautiful names of Gwendoline Rose, but always called "Gwen"
or "Gwennie". Sadly, in 1919, Aggie (Agnes Mary) nee McLachlan Henkes
died of "stomach complications". She was buried in the Anglican portion
of the cemetery at
Orange.
In the year 1915, 'Rene nee McLachlan Shannon, had her
first born daughter, baptized Ilma B., but called "Bonnie" born the
twenty first day of May in the year 1915; followed by Jack (John
Kevin), on the fourteenth day of January in 1918 (called "Jack" more
in memory of his Uncle Jack, deceased in WWOne in 1917, at Hermies in
France, than for his "McLachlan" grandfather, "Jack").
Then there was Doreen Patricia, born on fifth day of April
in the year 1921; & finally, Sheila was born on the first day of January
in 1924. All children were born in the township of Orange, of the state of
New South Wales.
In 1917, the sad news came that Private Jack McLachlan,
no. 1583, had been killed in action at Hermies in France on the ninth day
of April, 1917. This news absolutely devastated all the members of the
McLachlan family, especially his father, John Angus McLachlan, to such an
extent that he went "berserk" with the use of even more alcohol than
before in an effort to "dull" the appalling frustrations of his life.
Jack McLachlan, the father, left the family home, & the members of the
family who were still living under its roof, & went "wandering".
About 1923, Emma nee Kearney McLachlan & the remaining
family members left the house in Peisley Street Orange, & went to
Sydney, where they settled in the suburb of Newtown. During the decade
of the 1920s, two more marriages were celebrated.
Jock McLachlan - dau Barbara nee McLachlan &
gr son Bob Long
In 1925, Barbara McLachlan married Frank Longobardi. The
marriage was registered at Annandale, a suburb of Sydney. The
registration number was 10191. (This couple shortened the name to
....."Long"). They were blessed soon after with a bonny always happy
son, whom they named Robert. He was known as ... "Bobby"; then
shortened further to "Bob".
It has been reported that Bob was always happy, &
exceedingly generous to his younger relatives especially at Christmas
Time. It appears that his parents, Barbara & Frank, had longed greatly
for more children. Sadly this was not to be.
In 1928, Ida Lavinia McLachlan, married John Midgley in
Sydney. This couple began bringing up a baby daughter, Jennifer, in
1938. This little lass had been born in 1938, in Orange NSW.
Aggie's daughter, Gwen (Gwendoline Rose)
McLachlan-Henkes had married John Bourke, in 1938 with the marriage being
registered at Newtown with the registration number of 4374. Very soon
after the couple had a little daughter, Beverley Bourke. (There is a
photo in the family archives of these two little girls seated together
with Gwen nee McLachlan-Henkes Bourke.)
The last daughter, Elsie Amelia Maria McLachlan, married
Jack Lawson Atkin, in 1938 also. This marriage is registered at Newtown
also. The registration number is - 24297. The couple had a little
daughter, Patricia. The little girl was known as .... "Patty". (Still
surviving, is a photograph of "Patty" as a baby.)
John Angus McLachlan who had been ..."wandering" ....
finally arrived back in Orange to the house of his eldest daughter,
'Rene nee McLachlan Shannon, some time in late 1939 ... just as World
War Two was being declared. At that time, 'Rene's second son, John
Shannon was his mother's secure & favoured helper. He worked in town with
warehouse responsibilities.
Anecdotal research has indicated that even after his
marriage, Jack (McLachlan) Shannon & his wife, Beryl, took his
mother, 'Rene nee McLachlan Shannon, for nostalgic drives to Cumnock,
to gaze at the "hotel" & the places that represented childhood happiness
to her. 'Rene is reputed to have gazed sadly all around & not said one
word. It seems by that & the behaviour of other kin as well as 'Rene,
herself, that the father, Jack McLachlan was never forgiven for (in
words expressed by several of this kin), --- "losing the country pub".
On his return to Orange, John Angus McLachlan was not
well-received by his eldest daughter, 'Rene. In fact it was known that
she did not want him there. Nevertheless, it is known that her husband,
Paddy (Patrick Joseph) Shannon, endeavoured to show some kindness to
Jack McLachlan, during Jack's last days.
'Rene's son, Carl (McLachlan) Shannon, born in 1912, had
attended St Stanislaus' Roman Catholic College in Bathurst. He had then
gone on to study at the University of Sydney during the 1930s, where he
studied & obtained the Degree in Law.
'Rene Shannon is reputed to have worked jobs for extra
finance including being on call for her piano-playing, in order to make
sure that Carl was able to obtain this excellent educational foundation
firstly at he Secondary College & then at the prestigious university.
Carl's father supported 'Rene in this ambitious endeavour. It seems
also, however, that Carl did not show much interest in or appreciation of
his parents' efforts on his behalf. Carl's neglect seemed to continue
throughout their lives.
Jock McLachlan - gr dau Gwen & gr gr daus -
Beverley Bourke & Jennifer Midgley
Carl (McLachlan) Shannon married Eileen Mary Therese
McGrath in 1938 in Sydney NSW registered 6953 @ Ashfield suburb of
Sydney. The couple had five children, four of whom have survived to
adulthood. Those four children have gone on to marry & produce
descendants. Carl did not come to Orange; but preferred Sydney where his
work as a solicitor was keeping him busy.
Even by the time of the death of his grandfather, John
Angus McLachlan in 1940, Carl (McLachlan) Shannon was beginning to make
his mark in the legal world of Sydney, New South Wales, & therefore,
of Australia itself. He died in Sydney NSW, on the tenth day of January,
1994.
It is incredible yet true that Carl's only surviving son,
& therefore a great grandson of John Angus McLachlan himself, is now
resident in the Orange area with his wife & young son. Carl's son is part
of the medical fraternity of the part of the Dubbo Base Hospital which is
to be located at Orange NSW.
Following her secondary school years, 'Rene's eldest
daughter, Ilma, known as - "Bonnie", had entered a Roman Catholic
Order. She then left the Order, however, & took up a business career.
She never married. "Bonnie", 'Rene's eldest daughter, died the eleventh
day of May 1984.
The two younger daughters were busy working at secretarial
type of work. Doreen Patricia, the middle daughter, was eventually to
marry Frank (Arthur Francis Nolan) Neil. This marriage happened in
1942, with the registration being at Orange, & the registration number
being 5637. Their eldest child arrived on the third day of August of the
year 1942.
This couple produced a large brood of children, five of
whom have survived to adulthood. This progeny has produced many children.
Nearly all of this issue of Doreen nee McLachlan-Shannon Neil, although
both parents are dead, continue as residents in or around the Orange area
at this time 2003. Doreen nee McLachlan-Shannon Neil died during 1997
in Orange, NSW.
'Rene's youngest child, Sheila, is reputed to have been a
secretary of excellence with an immense amount of expertise in the
managerial secretarial field. She held responsible positions during her
working life. Sheila did not marry. Sheila McLachlan-Shannon died in
Orange on the sixteenth day of April 1987.
'Rene nee McLachlan Shannon had passed away in Orange
NSW, on the thirteenth day of August 1967. Her husband, the loyal,
loving & faithful marriage partner through the long saddened years, had
died just eight months earlier on the fourteenth day of December 1966 also
in Orange NSW. They were both buried in the Roman Catholic portion of
the cemetery at Orange NSW.
It was just over six years later, on the twenty third day
of April 1973, that 'Rene's sincere & trusted son, Jack (McLachlan)
Shannon, passed away. Sadly his life was much shortened by chronic
illness through the years.
Possibly it had been Jack, who, along with his own
father, "Paddy" Shannon, had understood best the immense emotional &
spiritual pain that 'Rene nee McLachlan Shannon seems to have carried
with her through her adult life & even to her grave.
On the 13th July, 1940, John Angus McLachlan died at
Kearney's Lane in Orange. The cause of death was recorded as ....
"natural causes" .... "Haematemesis". He was buried in the Church of
England portion of the cemetery at Orange on the 14th July. The funeral
service was conducted by the Church of England minister, E. Lampard,
according to the rites of the Church of England. The undertaker was ...
P.G. McGowan.
It was a very sad & lonely affair when John Angus
McLachlan was "laid to rest". The only family connection present, was
the generous & ever-faithful son-in-law, Paddy Shannon. 'Rene, Jack
McLachlan's eldest daughter, who had been the ... "apple of his eye" ...
always & most especially when life was good & full of promise ... was ...
nowhere to be seen.
It is noteworthy that on the death certificate of John
Angus McLachlan, it is written that his mother is "unknown". Jack
McLachlan must never have spoken about her. It probably was too painful
a memory for him to voice ever.
In speaking with his descendants who were available (other
than one tiny part of the issue of 'Rene nee McLachlan Shannon) it is
regrettable & significant that there was no knowledge that Jack McLachlan
had returned to be with his family in Orange, in the days that led up to
his death in 1940. It is to be noted that only an even lesser portion of
the family is aware that the grave of Jack/Jock (John Angus) McLachlan
is able to be found in the cemetery at Orange NSW.
Patty Atkin - dau of Elsie nee McLachlan & gr
dau of Jock McLachlan
In short there was & apparently still is no one "of his
bloodline" who seemed to care then or seems to care now. Certainly &
tragically it appears that this frame of mind still exists. It is very
likely that this attitude will persist at least into the foreseeable
future. Indeed, Jack/Jock (John Angus) McLachlan 1864-1940, whatever
his foibles, deserved & deserves far better than that.
researched compiled & written by -
Alison Elizabeth McLachlan-Crowe
for the "McLachlan of Avondale" Descendants' Reunion
held @ Bathurst New South Wales AUSTRALIA
on Saturday 17 May 2003; & revised in June/July 2004
*Acknowledgement of the work of Joan Marriott of Sorronto
in Cumnock, the writer of - "The Cross Roads - History of Cumnock"
*Acknowledgement of the input of the Molong Historical
Society & the Orange Historical Society
*NSW Births Deaths & Marriages records
*NSW Lands Titles Office
* National (Australia) War Archives
*Acknowledgement of input from John Angus McLachlan kith &
kin -
# Anne (nee McLachlanShannon-Neil) Brennan - spoken,
written & collected data, also letter
## Gwen (nee McLachlan-Henkes & formerly Bourke) Clifton
- spoken & written data, also letters
### Enid (nee McLachlan-Rea) Lebris & dau in law, Marianne
Le Bris - spoken & written data
*Acknowledgement of input from (John Angus McLachlan
descendant)
#Jennifer (nee McLachlanShannon- Midgley) Dabbs - spoken
& written & collected data including her novel "Beyond Redemption" & its
Critic Review in Sydney Morning Herald 1987; & Interview (re- Germaine
Greer) documentary done for - National Television (Australia) abt 1996
*Acknowledgement of input re - "The Sherringham Connection"
#David Willis - researched, collected, written & forwarded
data - in notes & text & pictorial forms |
