Elizabeth Handebo

1847 - 1929  (81 years)

 Set As Default Person

• Name	Elizabeth Handebo
  Born	3 Dec 1847	Dangarfield, NSW, Australia   [1, 2]
  	11km from Aberdeen
  Baptized	28 Feb 1848	Singleton, NSW, Australia   [3]
  Gender	Female
  Religion	Baptist
  Died	1 Sep 1929	102 Brown St, Armidale, NSW, Australia   [4]
  Buried	3 Sep 1929	Armidale Cemetery, Armidale, NSW, Australia
  	Baptist Cemetery
  		Headstone for Hugh, Hector and Elizabeth (Handebo) Cameron
  Notes	dau. of Charles Handebo (the name Handebo changed over years from Strongbow via Herbert) and Catherin Robinson. Elizabeth, fourth child to Catherine and Charles Handebo, labourer, was born 3 December 1847 at Holkham near Dangarfield, 11 kms from Aberdeen, NSW. She was baptised by the Rev Dr James S White, Presbyterian Minister in Singleton, on 28 February 1848. By the time Elizabeth Handebo married Hector Cameron on 7 June 1866, she was residing at Spring Gully, Duval north of Armidale, which is where the marriage took place with the consent of the bride's father, Charles Handebo. Dr Thomas Johnstone was the officiating minister of the Presbyterian Church and Catherine Cameron and Charles Handebo, the groom's sister and bride's father, were witnesses. Hector Cameron was born 5 August 1833 in Garmony on the northern shore of the Isle of Mull off Scotland's west coast. He was the third child of seven children to Hugh Cameron, shepherd, and Annie McLean. At the age of 14, he emigrated with his family who, as assisted immigrants, arrived in Australia on 30 December 1848 aboard the Walmer Castle. Hugh Cameron and Annie McLean from Argyll would have been acutely aware of the infamous Highland Clearances which commenced in 1792 in the northern county of Sutherland and, over the next 40 to 50 years, gathered momentum and included all the counties of northern Scotland, as well as the Isle of Mull. The introduction of the thickly coated and hardier Cheviot sheep throughout the Highlands between 1760 and 1790 drove the Scottish landlords to secure larger tracts of land for the lucrative business of producing more wool and more meat. As increasing numbers of sheep farmers moved into the area, Scottish landlords evicted their tenants and drove them out of their homes, which they then burnt so they could not return. Families were forced from the glens, some displaced to the inhospitable and alien shore to cultivate worthless land or to take up fishing. Other families reluctantly emigrated in wretched, overcrowded ships for Canada where the bitter winters, far worse than those experienced in northern Scotland, took their toll. The evictions gathered momentum over the next 20 to 30 years and left the displaced people destitute and near starvation. In 1832, cholera reached the Lowlands from England and quickly spread to the Highlands where the disease devastated whole families. Four years later, in 1836, harvest failure brought a terrible famine to the Highlands. Destitution had followed eviction, and now famine made the trinity. Little that the people had endured in 1836 prepared them for the Great Famine that came ten years later. The potato blight, which commenced in Europe and Canada, soon reached Ireland with terrifying consequences. It was only a matter of time before it reached the Highlands and within 12 months it did, with the same disastrous effect. With the potato blight came a second great wave of evictions and now destitution and over-population were worse than they had ever been. With such a huge population in dire need of employment by relocation, people were encouraged to consider emigration to Australia where their skills were desperately needed. With the offer of a free passage to New South Wales, the alternative to the dreadful privations in their homeland seemed far more attractive. Hugh and Annie Cameron survived those years although it is not known to what extent the Highland Clearances affected them on the Isle of Mull. Their decision to take advantage of assisted immigration to Australia in 1848 proved to be the most providential decision of their lives, ultimately presenting their children with innumerable business opportunities in the new colony. On their arrival in the colony, the Cameron family made their way north from Sydney and settled in the Rocky River district, where they discovered rich deposits of alluvial gold. In 1866, after their marriage, Elizabeth and Hector Cameron returned to his place of residence at Saumarez Creek, north-west of Armidale. In 1881, Hector Cameron purchased 'Breelong' (now known as 'Kooringle), a property of 1,360 acres permanently watered by Boorolong Creek, about 30 kms north-west of Armidale in the Great Dividing Range. During his early occupation of 'Breelong', Hector Cameron donated land for the building of the Breelong Church, which was built by a Salvation Army man and opened soon after 1884 as a Baptist Church. Down the hill from the church, baptisms werre held in the Boorolong Creek. The church building was ultimately eaten by white ants when, in 1907, it was replaced by a wooden ant proof building. Eventually, the Breelong Church closed in favour of the more centrally located Yarrowyck Church. The Yarrowyck Church Hall Honor Roll contains names of seven local boys who enlisted in the Great War of 1914-18. H J Faulkner and E Cameron are among those names. Later, 'Breelong' was extended to 3012 acres, plus 1,200 acres which was on a freehold basis giving it a total size of approximately 4,212 acres. The Cameron children grew to maturity at'Breelong' and acquired many skills operating this fine grazing property, which was situated in high-class woolgrowing country, practically unaffected by droughts, which could carry 4,000 sheep in any seasason besides large stock. In ordinary seasons it carried a sheep to the acre. The first wool made 13p and the sheep on the property comprised about 600 wethers, 4-6 (Tooth), 1,000 young ewes and about 600 hoggets all in Al condition. At the time, there were 15 horses, 50 head of cattle and 7 acres under cultivation for hay. From 1 January 1908, the property was on a lease basis for 5 years. However, routine life at Breelong was abruptly shattered on 21st February 1911 with the tragic death of Hector Cameron from a buggy accident on the Yarrowyck Road. An inquest was held at 'Breelong' the following day by the Deputy Coroner Charles A Jackes who confirmed that Hector Cameron had died from injuries received to the head by being thrown from his buggy. The Armidale Express of 24 February 1911 ran a full account of events leading up to the accident which, in part, stated: hector Cameron jr, son of deceased, said he resided at 'Athol', near Uralla. Deceased was 76 years of age, and he last saw him alive about a fortnight ago. Witness had an appointment to go to town with him that day, and had arrived about five thhe previous day. Deceased had left word to the effect that if not home to expect him next day. Witness started for Armidale that morning to try and catch him, and when about a mile from 'Breelong', saw the overturned buggy and two horses standinng close by. He also saw his father on the ground, and at first thought he was asleep. He soon saw, however, that he was dead. Deceased's head was resting on a sharp stone, and a quantity of blood had issued from the right ear and the nose... The horses he was driving were too flighty for an old man, and had on a previous occasion bolted and capsized the buggy... Hector Cameron was buried in the Baptist portion of the Armidale Cemetery. After the death of her husband, Elizabeth remained at 'Breelong' with her grown children who assisted in operating the property. About 1920, 'Breelong' was burnt down by a young fellow, a well-known fire-bug, who was of no relation to the Cameron family, but was picked up later for what he had done. However, in April 1921, it was decided to auction 'Breelong', and the property was eventually sold. Elizabeth Cameron moved into Armidale and took up residence at 102 Brown Street with other members of her family. On 1 September 1929 Elizabeth Cameron died at her residence in Brown Street, at almost 82 years. She was buried in the Baptist Cemetery, Armidale on 3 September 1929. This well-known and highly respected grand lady left 29 grandchildren and four great grandchildren. [5]
  Person ID	I3940	Roy~Royes | Cameron-McArthur
  Last Modified	18 Aug 2012

  
  

  Father	Charles Handebo           b. 24 Sep 1814, Co Westmeath, Ireland           d. 21 Jan 1905, Armidale, NSW, Australia  (Age 90 years)
  Mother	Catherine Robinson           b. 14 Nov 1822, Patta Nestra, London, England           d. 31 Aug 1911, Arding, Armidale, NSW, Australia  (Age 88 years)
  Married	23 Nov 1840	Whittingham, NSW, Australia   [1, 6, 7]
  	St Andrew's Presbyterian
  Notes	Celebrant Rev Irving Hetherington, witnesses Wm Robinson (bride's father) and Eliza Curtis (groom's married sister) [1]
  Family ID	F1435	Family Group  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Hector Cameron           b. 5 Aug 1835, Garmony, Mull, Scotland           d. 21 Feb 1911, Yarrowyck, NSW, Australia  (Age 75 years)
  Married	7 Jun 1866	Spring Gully, Duval, NSW, Australia   [1, 8]
  	north of Armidale
  Notes	Celebrant Dr Thomas Johnstone (Presbyterian), witnesses Catherine Cameron (groom's sister) and Charles Handebo (bride's brother)
  Children	1. Hugh Cameron           b. 8 Oct 1867, Saumarez Ponds, Armidale, NSW, Australia           d. 7 Mar 1918, Sydney, NSW, Australia  (Age 50 years)   2. Murdoch Cameron           b. 26 Aug 1869, Armidale, NSW, Australia           d. 17 Aug 1954, Liverpool, Sydney, NSW, Australia  (Age 84 years)   3. John Cameron           b. 3 Feb 1871, Saumarez Ponds, Armidale, NSW, Australia           d. 20 Jan 1953, Armidale, NSW, Australia  (Age 81 years)   4. Ann Cameron           b. 29 Sep 1872, Saumarez Ponds, Armidale, NSW, Australia           d. 3 Nov 1960, Armidale, NSW, Australia  (Age 88 years) + 5. Hector Cameron           b. 17 Sep 1874, Saumarez Ponds, Armidale, NSW, Australia           d. 26 Mar 1919, Armidale, NSW, Australia  (Age 44 years)   6. Charles Cameron           b. 8 Oct 1876, Saumarez Ponds, Armidale, NSW, Australia           d. 2 May 1966, Ashfield, Sydney, NSW, Australia  (Age 89 years)   7. Catherine Cameron           b. 5 Nov 1878, Saumarez Ponds, Armidale, NSW, Australia           d. 15 Jul 1964, Armidale, NSW, Australia  (Age 85 years)   8. Donald Cameron           b. 28 Sep 1880, Armidale, NSW, Australia           d. 28 Jul 1958, Cardiff, Newcastle, NSW, Australia  (Age 77 years)   9. William Cameron           b. 6 Sep 1882, Yarrowyck, NSW, Australia           d. 12 Apr 1964, Armidale, NSW, Australia  (Age 81 years)   10. Elizabeth Cameron           b. 30 Jun 1884, Yarrowyck, NSW, Australia           d. 24 Jul 1884, Yarrowyck, NSW, Australia  (Age 0 years) + 11. Alfred Cameron           b. 16 Nov 1885, Yarrowyck, NSW, Australia           d. 3 Oct 1978, Killara, Sydney, NSW, Australia  (Age 92 years)   12. Flora Cameron           b. 12 Feb 1888, Yarrowyck, NSW, Australia           d. 28 May 1975, 102 Brown St, Armidale, NSW, Australia  (Age 87 years)   13. Edward Cameron           b. 13 Mar 1890, Yarrowyck, NSW, Australia           d. 29 Jul 1949, Brisbane, QLD, Australia  (Age 59 years)   14. Elizabeth Cameron           b. 11 Jul 1892, Yarrowyck, NSW, Australia           d. 24 Jun 1968, Armidale, NSW, Australia  (Age 75 years)
  Last Modified	12 Sep 2011 00:00:00
  Family ID	F1427	Family Group  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Event Map		Born - 3 Dec 1847 - Dangarfield, NSW, Australia Baptized - 28 Feb 1848 - Singleton, NSW, Australia Married - 7 Jun 1866 - Spring Gully, Duval, NSW, Australia Died - 1 Sep 1929 - 102 Brown St, Armidale, NSW, Australia Buried - 3 Sep 1929 - Armidale Cemetery, Armidale, NSW, Australia  = Link to Google Earth
  Pin Legend	: Address       : Location       : City/Town       : County/Shire       : State/Province       : Country       : Not Set

  
  

• Photos

  Elizabeth (Handebo) Cameron 1847-1929

  
  

• Sources

  [S120] From Surrey to Singleton, Beverley R Towns. [S306] Australia Birth Index, (Ancestry.com). place given as Whittingham, NSW [S120] From Surrey to Singleton, Beverley R Towns, p 115. She was baptised by the Rev Dr James S White, Presbyterian Minister in Singleton, on 28 February 1848. [S264] Australia Death Index 1787-1985, (Ancestry.com). [S120] From Surrey to Singleton, Beverley R Towns, pp 115-117. [S118] Handebo-Robinson (Ditton), Leanne Ditton. [S307] Australia Marriage Index, 1788-1949, (Ancestry.com), NSW 1840/V. [S307] Australia Marriage Index, 1788-1949, (Ancestry.com).