William Readford, 18221917 (aged 94 years)

Name
William /Readford/
Given names
William
Surname
Readford
Birth 22 February 1822

Birth of a sisterAnn Readford
1824 (aged 1 year)

Birth of a brotherJohn Readford
1826 (aged 3 years)
Birth of a sisterMary Readford
1828 (aged 5 years)

Birth of a brotherEdward Readford
15 January 1830 (aged 7 years)

Birth of a brotherThomas Readford
1831 (aged 8 years)

Birth of a brotherJames Readford
1836 (aged 13 years)

Birth of a sisterElizabeth Readford
1839 (aged 16 years)

Birth of a brotherHenry Readford
1841 (aged 18 years)

Note: Youngest of the family was Henry (Harry) who was born in 1841. He achieved a lasting fame by an intr…

Youngest of the family was Henry (Harry) who was born in 1841. He achieved a lasting fame by an intricate cattle robbery. The cattle were stolen from "Mount Cornish" station in central Queensland, and their brands were altered. Then Henry andhis associates drove the cattle to market and Adelaide. Henry was eventually apprehended in Gulgong, having married Elizabeth Jane Skuthorpe in the meantime. The only child, Jemima Mary, was born in 1872. Henry was extradited to Queensland, andhis trial took place at Roma. Astonishingly, the jury acquitted him. He is credited with opening up the cattle country to the north, and with founding "Brunette Downs" station. He drowned at Corella Downs, Northern Territory, in 1901.

Harry's claim to be "Captain Starlight" in Rolf Boldrewood's novel, Robbery Under Arms. Rolf Boldrewood was the pen name of T A Browne, who was a magistrate in Mudgee and Gold Commissioner for the area from 1871. The misdeeds of "CaptainStarlight" do not parallel those of Harry Readford, but it seems reasonable is to suppose that Harry's ability to charm and the effrontery of his crime gave Browne a model for the "Captain Starlight" character. Harry has also been the subject ofa number of books. (Over Cherry Tree Hill, p. 203).

MarriageSophia AldridgeView this family
1845 (aged 22 years)

Birth of a daughterKezia Readford
1850 (aged 27 years)

Birth of a sonWilliam Henry Readford
1852 (aged 29 years)

Birth of a sonThomas E Readford
1854 (aged 31 years)

Birth of a sonAlfred J Readford
1856 (aged 33 years)

Death of a sisterAnn Readford
20 September 1856 (aged 34 years)

Birth of a sonCharles Napoleon Readford
1858 (aged 35 years)

Birth of a daughterJemima Readford
1860 (aged 37 years)

Death of a daughterJemima Readford
1860 (aged 37 years)

Death of a fatherThomas Readford
3 June 1860 (aged 38 years)

Death of a motherJemima Smith
1860 (aged 37 years)

Birth of a daughterKaranapue Readford
1861 (aged 38 years)

Death of a daughterKaranapue Readford
1863 (aged 40 years)

Birth of a sonHerbert E Readford
1863 (aged 40 years)

Death of a sonHerbert E Readford
1863 (aged 40 years)

Birth of a sonGeorge Arthur Readford
1865 (aged 42 years)

Birth of a sonWalter J Readford
1868 (aged 45 years)

Death of a sisterElizabeth Readford
23 April 1872 (aged 50 years)

Marriage of a childJames ThompsonKezia ReadfordView this family
1878 (aged 55 years)

Biography 1888 (aged 65 years)

Note: William, the eldest of the family, married his cousin Sophia Aldridge (daughter of Kezia Smith and W…

William, the eldest of the family, married his cousin Sophia Aldridge (daughter of Kezia Smith and William Aldridge). They had 14 children, but only seven reached adulthood. In 1859 he bought a 40 acre block near his father.

William and Sophia own shops and hotels in Cudgegong and Mudgee, and seem to have lived at "Royal Hotel", Cudgegong. Although they had moved away from the Ilford area, William bought a number of "suburban" blocks need Ilford Village – these averaged 30 acres each, and said to have been a subdivision to provide farms for former goldminers. The subdivision was made in 1888.

William also held the first contract to convey mails from Mudgee to Hartley and back. It is thought that he employed drivers to carry out the contract, but may from time to time have made the run himself. At the time the post office was located at the "Woolpack Inn" the mail coach made an overnight stop there.

William and Sophia both lived great ages, William died in 1914 and Sophia in 1907. (Over Cherry Tree Hill, p.203).

Marriage of a childCharles Napoleon ReadfordClara R HallView this family
1894 (aged 71 years)

Death of a brotherJohn Readford
1901 (aged 78 years)

Marriage of a childWilliam Henry ReadfordAdelaide D LawrenceView this family
1903 (aged 80 years)

Death of a brotherEdward Readford
17 March 1906 (aged 84 years)
Note: Death of Mr. E. Readford, Sen.

Death of Mr. E. Readford, Sen.

It is with regret we record the death of Mr. E. Readford, sen., which occurred at his residence, West End, on Saturday morning, from heart failure. Deceased, who was 76 years of age, was in the act of sawing a piece of timber, and a momentbefore his death had been talking to his daughter. Miss Readford, who is blind, heard a groan immediately after he had spoken to her, and spoke to him again but got no aNew South Waleser. She then called in several neighbors, who at once found that life wasextinct. Dr. Nickoll was summoned and pronounced death to be due to heart failure. At one time Mr. Readford followed pastoral pursuits both in Queensland and New South Wales, and for many years lived at Warren. During the past twelve months hehas made Mudgee his home. He leaves five daughters - Mesdames R. H. Smith, W. Bardsley, J. Groat and J. Nevell, and Miss Readford, and also and two sons. Two brothers, Mr. James Readford, of Westwood, Ilford, and Mr. William Readford, ofCudgegong, the latter being 84 years of age, survive. The funeral took place yesterday afternoon at Carwell cemetery, near Rylstone, where his wife was buried about 30 years ago. (Mudgee Guardian and North Western Representative, Monday 19 March1906, p. 2).

Burial of a brotherEdward Readford
18 March 1906 (aged 84 years)
Death of a wifeSophia Aldridge
24 January 1907 (aged 84 years)

Note: Death of Mrs. Readford.

Death of Mrs. Readford. A very old resident of the Mudgee district passed away on Thursday afternoon in the person of Mrs. William Readford, of Cudgegong. The cause of death was senile decay, the deceased lady being 83 years of age. Mrs. Readford was born at Richmond, and has been a resident of Cudgegong for more than 40 years. She was one of the oldest native born women in the State, and leaves a husband and grown-up family of five sons and two daughters, one of the latter being Mrs. Thompson of Lochiel. The funeral took place on Saturday at the private cemetery at Carwell, the Rev. F. J. Harris, of Rylstone, officiating at the graveside. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 28 January 1907, p. 2. Obituary Sophia Readford

Burial of a wifeSophia Aldridge
26 January 1907 (aged 84 years)
Death of a brotherJames Readford
20 November 1909 (aged 87 years)
Note: DEATH OF MR. READFORD.

DEATH OF MR. READFORD.

The death is announced of Mr. James Readford, which sad event occurred at his residence, Westwood, near Ilford. Deceased, who was 73 years of age, was widely known in this and the Rylstone districts. He resided at Woodlawn, near Rylstone, for years, and was part owner of the well-known stallion Holbrook. He took a keen interest in breeding blood horses and stud cattle, and was an authority on both enterprises. He was a generous, hospitable man, and an interesting conversationalist, one of the good old stock of pioneers. A grown-up family survives him. Mudgee Guardian, Thursday 2 December 1909, p. 17. Obituary James Readford

Note: IN MEMORIAM.

IN MEMORIAM. READFORD. - In remembrance of our beloved father, James Readford, who departed this life on November 20, 1909. Inserted by his loving children. Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 19 November 1910, p. 12. In Memoriam James Readford

Death 28 January 1917 (aged 94 years)

Maitland 3 October 1938 (21 years after death)

Note: THE EARLY DAYS

THE EARLY DAYS When Coaches Ruled the Road OLD TIME DRIVERS "FITZ.,' of the Wingham "Chronicle," who had the good fortune to live in the Mudgee district once upon a time, is keen on old time stories, and spins some good ones in a recent issue.He He writes: - In the early fifties Mudgee did most of its early commercial trade with West Maitland and Newcastle, and today old hands still call the Mudgee-Cassilis highway the Maitland road. David Cohen and Co. (with Sir Samuel Cohen as chief) is still in existence with branches at Newcastle and Sydney. They hold extensive interests in many other companies, including Tooth and Co., Sydney Gas Company, Hunter River Shipping Co., John McGrath (motor machinery people), and United Insurance Co. The first mail coach was run to Cassilis (a very old town) by Mr. Trotter, whose family still reside in that district. He carried on for many years. The first mail right through to Sydney was a very heavy spring Cart with two horses (which included one animal as an outrigger). Later came the Royal Mail coaches, the contractor being William Readford (who at that time, and some years later, was the proprietor of the Maitland Hotel, now Club House). He later retired from business, and lived in Lewis street, not far from Denison street. He later took over the Royal Hotel at Cudgegong, and lived there for many years. He had a son, William, who married a Miss Lawrence (daughter of an old newspaper man at Mudgee); two other daughters married Mr. James Thompson (noted horse breeder, of Rylstone), and Mr. William Thompson (of Scone). The Mudgee-Mendooran coaches left the Royal Hotel at Mudgee twice a week, the driver being Robert Hunter, and the contractor Thomas Cheshire (who married a Miss Gawthorne, from Lawson's Creek). Many of the Readford family are still in the district, among them being Constable Readford (of Windeyer) and Stanley Readford (of Bylong). In later years, Cobb and Co. bought out the Sydney line of coaches from W. Readford and had their offices at the Royal Hotel (then run by Simeon Moses). Mr Miller had charge of the office arrangements, and Mr. John Barry had charge of the traffic. There were many other horse mails. James McDougall had the Collie mail; good old Martin Nash to Wollar; and mails to Rylstone, Tambaroora, Wlndeyer, Hargraves, Denison Town, etc. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 3 October 1938, p. 8. Maitland William Readford

Burial
Family with parents
father
mother
Marriage Marriage
himself
3 years
younger sister
3 years
younger brother
18261901
Birth: 1826Agnes Banks, New South Wales, Australia
Death: 1901
3 years
younger sister
2 years
younger brother
Edward Readford 1830-1906
18301906
Birth: 15 January 1830
Death: 17 March 1906West End, Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia
2 years
younger brother
6 years
younger brother
18361909
Birth: 1836
Death: 20 November 1909Westwood, Ilford, New South Wales, Australia
4 years
younger sister
3 years
younger brother
Family with Sophia Aldridge
himself
wife
Marriage Marriage1845
6 years
daughter
3 years
son
18521930
Birth: 1852 29 28
Death: 28 November 1930248 Concord Road, Concord West, New South Wales, Australia
3 years
son
3 years
son
3 years
son
18581936
Birth: 1858 35 34
Death: 10 June 1936
3 years
daughter
2 years
daughter
3 years
son
3 years
son
4 years
son
Biography

William, the eldest of the family, married his cousin Sophia Aldridge (daughter of Kezia Smith and William Aldridge). They had 14 children, but only seven reached adulthood. In 1859 he bought a 40 acre block near his father.

William and Sophia own shops and hotels in Cudgegong and Mudgee, and seem to have lived at "Royal Hotel", Cudgegong. Although they had moved away from the Ilford area, William bought a number of "suburban" blocks need Ilford Village – these averaged 30 acres each, and said to have been a subdivision to provide farms for former goldminers. The subdivision was made in 1888.

William also held the first contract to convey mails from Mudgee to Hartley and back. It is thought that he employed drivers to carry out the contract, but may from time to time have made the run himself. At the time the post office was located at the "Woolpack Inn" the mail coach made an overnight stop there.

William and Sophia both lived great ages, William died in 1914 and Sophia in 1907. (Over Cherry Tree Hill, p.203).

Maitland

THE EARLY DAYS When Coaches Ruled the Road OLD TIME DRIVERS "FITZ.,' of the Wingham "Chronicle," who had the good fortune to live in the Mudgee district once upon a time, is keen on old time stories, and spins some good ones in a recent issue.He He writes: - In the early fifties Mudgee did most of its early commercial trade with West Maitland and Newcastle, and today old hands still call the Mudgee-Cassilis highway the Maitland road. David Cohen and Co. (with Sir Samuel Cohen as chief) is still in existence with branches at Newcastle and Sydney. They hold extensive interests in many other companies, including Tooth and Co., Sydney Gas Company, Hunter River Shipping Co., John McGrath (motor machinery people), and United Insurance Co. The first mail coach was run to Cassilis (a very old town) by Mr. Trotter, whose family still reside in that district. He carried on for many years. The first mail right through to Sydney was a very heavy spring Cart with two horses (which included one animal as an outrigger). Later came the Royal Mail coaches, the contractor being William Readford (who at that time, and some years later, was the proprietor of the Maitland Hotel, now Club House). He later retired from business, and lived in Lewis street, not far from Denison street. He later took over the Royal Hotel at Cudgegong, and lived there for many years. He had a son, William, who married a Miss Lawrence (daughter of an old newspaper man at Mudgee); two other daughters married Mr. James Thompson (noted horse breeder, of Rylstone), and Mr. William Thompson (of Scone). The Mudgee-Mendooran coaches left the Royal Hotel at Mudgee twice a week, the driver being Robert Hunter, and the contractor Thomas Cheshire (who married a Miss Gawthorne, from Lawson's Creek). Many of the Readford family are still in the district, among them being Constable Readford (of Windeyer) and Stanley Readford (of Bylong). In later years, Cobb and Co. bought out the Sydney line of coaches from W. Readford and had their offices at the Royal Hotel (then run by Simeon Moses). Mr Miller had charge of the office arrangements, and Mr. John Barry had charge of the traffic. There were many other horse mails. James McDougall had the Collie mail; good old Martin Nash to Wollar; and mails to Rylstone, Tambaroora, Wlndeyer, Hargraves, Denison Town, etc. Mudgee Guardian, Monday 3 October 1938, p. 8. Maitland William Readford

Burial
Note: Taken 2008 by F Nevell