Stories of James McRostie
James1 McRostie (Alexander, #67); buried at Tantanoola, SA, Australia; born 1835 at Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland, UK; married Mary Cook, daughter of Richard Cook and Mary Hannah ?, 28 Apr 1857 at Bowden Bible Christian, SA, Australia; died 5 Jan 1914 at Tantanoola, SA, Australia.
On 26th October 1867, the Mount Gambier West District Council called for tenders to form Wehl Street North from Commercial Street to George Egans Hill (Jubilee Highway). The following contractors submitted tenders. W. H. Renfrey, twelve pounds eleven shillings; Smith Brennan, seven pounds fourteen shillings; Cock & Company, seven pounds ten shillings; J. McCrostie, ten pounds five shillings; R. McCrostie, nine pounds fifteen shillings; J. Powell, sixteen pounds ten shillings; G. Sim, seven pounds twelve shillings.
Gave evidence in a court case in Mount Gambier, Emma Featherstone Barrows verses John Dew, on October 28th, 1868. (See Emma Featherstone Barrows for details.)
Information gleaned from the birth registrations of his children.
1st May 1866, William born, James was a carter of Mt Gambier. Signed register as James McRostie.
3rd September 1870, Arthur born, James was a contractor, Mt Gambier.
17th February 1873, Emma born, James was a farmer of Mt Gambier. The registration was done by Henry Powell.
1st June 1874, Fanny born, James was a farmer of Mt Gambier. The registration was done by Richard McRostie, of Mt G.
10th August 1875, Alexander born, James, farmer, Hd of Hindmarsh.(Tantanoola)
23rd October 1877, Walter born, James, farmer, Hd of Hindmarsh.
27th July 1880, May born, James, farmer, Hd of Hindmarsh.
GOLDEN WEDDING Tantanoola, April 14th (The Border Watch Wednesday, 15th April, 1908.)
Mr. and Mrs. James MacRostie (sic), sen., celebrated their golden wedding yesterday. The function took the form of a family gathering at the residence of Mr. A. J. MacRostie (sic), the eldest son. After partaking of the good things provided, Mr. V. G. Hains (son-in-law) offered the congratulations of the company to Mr. and Mrs. MacRostie (sic). For fifty years they had fought the battle of life together, and through many trials they had lived to triumph. They wished them happiness and peace during the evening of their life. Mr. S. J. Richards (son-in-law) gave the greetings of absent friends, separated by distance. Their thoughts would be with them. Mr. A. J. McRostie, on behalf of the rest of the family, presented their father and mother with a handsome couch, on which they may enjoy well-earned rest. Mr. McRostie, in reply, said he well remembered when he threw his baited line, which Mary Cook had taken hold of and held fast through thick and thin ever since. He thanked them for their kind expressions. It had given them great pleasure. An enjoyable afternoon was spent with music and singing. Mr. McRostie was born at Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland, and came to Adelaide in the ship Thetis in 1851. With his brothers he prospected at the gold diggings at Forest Creek, Victoria. After that he farmed at mount Lofty and Gumeracha. The South-East was at this time becoming attractive, and with his family Mr. MacRostie (sic) shipped to Portland, and thence proceeded to Mount Gambier, where he and they resided for a good number of years.
When the drainage area was thrown open for selection, Mr. MacRostie (sic) was one of the first to purchase, and has lived at his present homestead ever since. Mrs. MacRostie (sic) (nee Mary Cook) is a native of Hartland, Devonshire, England. She arrived in Adelaide in 1848, in the ship Sir Edward Perry. Mr. MacRostie and she were married at Bowden, Adelaide, on April 13, 1858. They have living six sons and three daughters, and also twenty-eight grandchildren.
Obituary -------- MR. JAMES MACROSTIE, SEN., (The Border Watch 10th January 1914.)
The hand of death has again moved in our midst, and on January 5 gathered to the eternal home Mr. James MacRostie sen., an old resident of this district. Mr. MacRostie was a man whom to know was to appreciate and respect. Possessing all the good qualities of his Scotch descent, being hard working and thrifty, and taking a large interest in local affairs. He was a thorough gentleman, and an earnest Christian. He was born in Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland 79 years ago and was the youngest of a large family.
He is survived only by his sister, Mrs. Ross of Kersbrook, S. A. It was in the year 1851 that he came to Adelaide after a long voyage in the ship Thetis. Mr MacRostie was only a lad in his teens at the time of the gold diggings at Ballarat, but with his brothers, he tried his luck, and was fairly successful. On returning he married Miss Mary Cook and settled at Mount Lofty and later on at Gumeracha. He and his family later came to the South-East in bullock drays, and went as far as Portland. This was between 52 and 53 years ago. Then a home was made at Mount Gambier, near Tolner's Hill, and contracting became the chief source of living. Land at Tolner's Hill was offered at 7 pounds per acre, but the drainage area appeared to offer better inducements, and 39 years ago, Mr MacRostie and his family settled here. The battle of life became a very real one, with new land to work and get in cultivatable order, and an increasingly large family to provide for, whilst at times a great sufferer. Still, all burdens were borne with a cheerful disposition, and a manliness that is an example to all who knew him. In the local district council he was a prominent figure and sat for a long time at the table, always being returned when nominated.
Five years ago Mr. and Mrs. MacRostie celebrated their golden wedding, and were the recipients of numerous congratulations. Mr. MacRostie is survived by his wife and five sons - Messres A. J. MacRostie, now of Edwardstown, Adelaide, Peter MacRostie of Narrogin, W.A., and Fredrick, Alex., and Walter of Tantanoola; and three daughters - Mrs. S. J. Richards and Mrs. V. G. Hains of Tantanoola, and Mrs. J Carthew of Beachport. There are 40 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
The remains of the deceased were interred in the Tantanoola cemetery on Wednesday. The funeral was a long one, and was followed by a large number of residents of this and surrounding districts. It is interesting to note that one of the pall-bearers was Mr. R. S. Slater, of Millicent, who was a shipmate of Mr. MacRostie from Scotland, and they have continued fast friends ever since.
Mr James McRostie (Observer 17th January 1914, p. 41, col A.)
Mr James McRostie, sen., an old resident of the Tantanoola district, died on January 5. He was born at Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland, 79 years ago, and was the youngest of a large family. He is survived only by his sister, Mrs. Ross of Kersbrook. In 1851 Mr. McRostie came to Adelaide in the ship Thebis (sic). With his brothers, he tried his luck at the Ballarat gold diggings, and was fairly successful. On returning to South Australia he married Miss Mary Cook, and settled at Mount Lofty, and later at Gumeracha. He and his family afterwards went to the south-east in bullock drays and settled in Portland. Then a home was made at Mount Gambier near Tolner's Hill, and contracting became his chief source of livelihood. As the drainage area appeared to offer better inducements. Mr. McRostie and family moved to Tantanoola 39 years ago. Then began a struggle in real earnest to clear the land for cultivation. In the local district council deceased was a prominent figure. Five years ago Mr. and Mrs. McRostie celebrated their Golden Wedding.
The widow and the following children survive:-
Messrs A. J. McRostie (Edwardstown), Peter (Narrogin. W. A.), Frederick, Alex and Walter (Tantanoola), Mrs. S. J. Richards and Mrs. V. J. Haines (Tantanoola), and Mrs. J. Carthew (Beachport). At the funeral one of the pall-bearers was Mr. R. S. Slater of Millicent who was a shipmate of Mr. McRostie from Scotland. To have known the deceased was to have respected him.