Some time ago, I wrote a piece in support of Trove, which was in danger of not being funded properly to guarantee its continuation. In that article, I related a story from my family history, about a policeman uncle of mine who was shot while attempting to make an arrest1. This is another one from the past, and refers to the grandparents of the aforementioned policeman. On December 9th, 1905, in the local newspaper, the Wingham Chronicle and Manning River Observer in New South Wales was an article which went as follows:
“Presentation to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cameron
There was a fairly large gathering of the friends of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cameron, of Marlee, in the Federal Hall, Wingham, on Tuesday evening last, to assist in the presentation to that worthy couple, of a buggy and harness, as a mark of their esteem and good-will. The Rev. S. P. Stewart was voted to the chair, on the motion of Mr. G. S. Hill, J.P., seconded by Mr. A. P. Gillogly. Mr. Stewart said that some time ago a friend had asked him to take part in the affair which was to be brought to a successful conclusion that evening; and when asked, he had remarked that they could not do honor to a more worthy couple. An address had been prepared which he would read without any further preliminary remarks. It was as follows:
‘Wingham,
5th December, 1905.
To Mr. and Mrs. Donald Cameron.
Dear Sir and Madam, — Your many friends in this district have for some time been desirous of showing in some small way their hearty appreciation of your sterling worth and your influence for good in the community in which you have so long resided.
You have lived in this district for a great number of years, during which time you have in your unprentious [sic], sincere, loyal, and honorable lives set an example worthy of the emulation of all who have been fortunate enough to have been brought within its influence.
It is to show our high appreciation of your many kind and neighbourly acts, and our admiration for the worth of your characters, that we have met here this evening, and, as a token of our regard and a small memento of this gathering, we ask your acceptance of the accompanying present, a buggy and set of harness, and with it we wish you health and happiness, and pray that you may both long be spared to each other, to your family, and to us.
Signed on behalf of the subscribers,
S. P. Stewart,
Chairman.’
The Rev. S. P. Stewart remarked that the buggy was rather too unwieldy to bring into the hall, but it was outside, and Mr. Cameron was to understand that it had been duly presented to them. The Chairman added that he had been long acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. Cameron, he had, in fact, married them, and he could fully endorse the sentiments of the address he had just read. When he married them, he did a very good thing, for they were a very happy end loving couple. He then related an incident illustrating the kindly good nature and hospitality of Mr. Cameron, and his sterling Christian character. He hoped, in conclusion, the recipients would live long to enjoy the buggy which that evening had been presented to him. Mr. G. S. Hill said he had known Mr. Cameron a long time, but not so intimately as most of those present, and he had always heard him spoken of as a worthy and well-meaning man. Mr. Cameron’s hospitality was proverbial, and he delighted in doing good to his neighbours. That was the kind of Christianity that Mr. Hill appreciated. There was something unique in this testimonial, as it was very seldom that a farmer is picked out to be honored in this particular way, but in this case be was sure it was well-deserved. He was very pleased to be present; and hoped Mr. and Mrs. Cameron would be long spared to enjoy the use of their buggy. The Rev. E. B. Wright said he was very pleased to be present to add his testimony to the worth of Mr. and Mrs. Cameron. He had only been seven years in the district, but be had been going to Marlee long enough to become acquainted with Mr. and Mrs. Cameron. He knew Mr. Cameron to be a steadfast and consistent Christian, one of the class who are fast disappearing. He was not afraid of expressing his religious convictions; and he (the speaker) thought the testimonial to the two was timely and well-deserved, and hoped they would be long spared to use it. Mr. Cameron often attended his church, although he did not belong to it, and he could not meet him without admiring his sterling worth. Mr. A. P. Gillogly said he felt an honest pride in the object of the gathering that evening, for never had he the pleasure to meet a more worthy couple than Mr. and Mrs. Cameron. Mr. Cameron could not certainly be claimed as a native of Marlee, but had been resident there for about half a century. He had been a neighbour to Mr. Cameron the greater part of his life, and was, therefore, able to bear testimony to Mr. Cameron’s many good qualities. They could not have a better neighbour nor a kinder friend. In time of sickness or trouble in the neighbourhood, Mr. and Mrs. Cameron could always be depended upon to give kindly aid, and there was no better citizen than Mr. Cameron anywhere. Mr. Shilling was Mr. Cameron’s nearest neighbour, and although he had not known him very long, he was glad to be able to endorse all the nice things that had been said about him. Mr. Stewart then said he had been requested by Mr. Cameron, whose eye sight was not very good in that light to read the following reply: — Dear and very kind friends, — On behalf of myself and Mrs. Cameron, allow me to-offer you my heartfelt gratitude for the very valuable gift you have presented to us this evening. I must say that whatever little kindness you have received from us, you have magnified a thousandfold. As regard this very handsome present, I assure you that we will always look upon it with pleasure and pride. Signed, D. C. Donald Cameron.
Mr. Cameron added, that he felt it rather an awkward position, as he was not accustomed to public speaking. He had not expected anything like this; and knew nothing about it till a few days ago. He felt highly honored with what had been so kindly said about himself and his wife that evening, and he would never forget it as long as he lived. He deeply appreciated their gift, and would always cherish it and take the greatest care of it. Cheers for the King, for the Chairman, and for Mr. and Mrs. Cameron brought the proceedings to a close.”2
The address delivered by the Reverend S.P. Stewart formed the text of a testimonial scroll (fortunately without the spelling error) which was given to Mr and Mrs Cameron, presumably at the event at which they were presented with the buggy and harness. That testimonial was passed down to their surviving daughter, and to her youngest daughter, and to her only child, and it now resides, framed, on our family room wall. It is an extraordinary artefact, having been painstakingly written in gothic script, painted and most surprising of all, surviving. It is nice to have a piece of family history hanging on your wall, when so much family history tends to be intangible.
Christina Cameron (referred to above only as Mrs Donald Cameron in a sign of the times) died on the 9th of May 1942 in the MRD Hospital in Taree, New South Wales at the age of 813. Her husband, Donald Cameron, who was 29 years older than her, died on the 12th of June 1909 at the age of 774.
Sources
- https://blotreport.com/2023/04/03/saving-trove/
- https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/168095325?searchTerm=Presentation%20to%20Mr.%20and%20Mrs.%20Donald%20Cameron
- https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/168506497
- https://www.clan-cameron.org.au/genealogy/getperson.php?personID=I1067&tree=cameron1
