KERRISON - January 2021 - Person Sheet
KERRISON - January 2021 - Person Sheet
NameJames William CLARK 
, M
, MBirthLondon, England
Death9 February 1937
Spouses
1Unknown, F
ChildrenBill , M
Unknown , F (-<1960)
2Alice Jane (Ladybird) KERRISON , Granddaughter, F
, Granddaughter, FBirth29 September 1867, Wallaroo, South Australia, Australia
Death2 December 1960
FatherJohn KERRISON , M (~1822-1890)
MotherMary Lucy DERMODY , F (1828-1870)
Marriage26 October 1889
ChildrenDorothy , F (-1960)
Notes for Alice Jane (Ladybird) (Spouse 2)
The following extract is from the book “Kerrisons in Tasmania 1835-1985” by Mandi Ann Haynes nee Kerrison, pages 26-7:
In 1960 the death of Mrs J. W. Clark was reported in the following manner:
LAST ORIGINAL SETTLER PASSES
Mrs Alice Jane (“Ladybird”) Clark who died in Renmark Hospital on 2 Dec 1960 at the age of ninety-three, was the last of the original 300 settlers in the Renmark District. Born at Wallaroo on 29 September 1867, she was the daughter of the explorer John Kerrison of Tasmania.
In 1887 the young Miss Alice Kerrison heard that a settlement was to be started at Renmark and persuaded the Chaffey Brothers to allow her to go with them. For a time after her arrival in 1888 she lived at Cudmore Hall, Paringa, and on 26 Oct 1889, was married to Mr. James William Clark, a Londoner, who came to the district in the same year, and conducted a store near the Hotel until 1902, when he moved to the land.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark are believed to be the first settlers to have planted sultana grapes in the Renmark district. At first, however, they tried unsuccessfully to grow apricots and lemons on flat land. These died and were replaced by vines. Their vineyard was one of the show pieces in those early days. Later, the Clarks bought land on the “sixty-foot slopes” and established their home “Taranki”. By 1907 they had 54 acres planted and a further 40 acres of good crop land above the irrigable level.
Mrs Clark, her daughter Dorothy (who died on May 10 at the age 71) and her husband’s two children by a previous marriage (the late Mrs. H. D. Howie and Bill, now of Albury) took a active part alongside Mr. Clark. A special writer, in an issue of “The Renmark Pioneer” of 1907, said “they have indeed developed into a family of horticultural enthusiasts.”
When her husband died on 9 feb 1937 Mrs Clark was able to carry on the management in a most capable manner. All her life Mrs Clark preserved a tremendous zest for living and on the occasion of 93rd. birthday a few weeks ago, declared that she had not had time to feel old, “Life is too interesting any way”, she added.
The late Mr “Snow” Pendle assisted Mrs. Clark in the capacity of foreman for many years until his untimely death earlier this year. Until four years ago Mrs. Clark swam everyday in her own pool. When eighty in 1947, she startled the whole district by planting nearly 1000 orange trees and contrary to local belief, lived to describe them as “the best I’ve ever tasted.” Mrs. Clark’s title of “Ladybird” was conferred on her by her daughter Dorothy and it was adopted by many of her friends.
In 1960 the death of Mrs J. W. Clark was reported in the following manner:
LAST ORIGINAL SETTLER PASSES
Mrs Alice Jane (“Ladybird”) Clark who died in Renmark Hospital on 2 Dec 1960 at the age of ninety-three, was the last of the original 300 settlers in the Renmark District. Born at Wallaroo on 29 September 1867, she was the daughter of the explorer John Kerrison of Tasmania.
In 1887 the young Miss Alice Kerrison heard that a settlement was to be started at Renmark and persuaded the Chaffey Brothers to allow her to go with them. For a time after her arrival in 1888 she lived at Cudmore Hall, Paringa, and on 26 Oct 1889, was married to Mr. James William Clark, a Londoner, who came to the district in the same year, and conducted a store near the Hotel until 1902, when he moved to the land.
Mr. and Mrs. Clark are believed to be the first settlers to have planted sultana grapes in the Renmark district. At first, however, they tried unsuccessfully to grow apricots and lemons on flat land. These died and were replaced by vines. Their vineyard was one of the show pieces in those early days. Later, the Clarks bought land on the “sixty-foot slopes” and established their home “Taranki”. By 1907 they had 54 acres planted and a further 40 acres of good crop land above the irrigable level.
Mrs Clark, her daughter Dorothy (who died on May 10 at the age 71) and her husband’s two children by a previous marriage (the late Mrs. H. D. Howie and Bill, now of Albury) took a active part alongside Mr. Clark. A special writer, in an issue of “The Renmark Pioneer” of 1907, said “they have indeed developed into a family of horticultural enthusiasts.”
When her husband died on 9 feb 1937 Mrs Clark was able to carry on the management in a most capable manner. All her life Mrs Clark preserved a tremendous zest for living and on the occasion of 93rd. birthday a few weeks ago, declared that she had not had time to feel old, “Life is too interesting any way”, she added.
The late Mr “Snow” Pendle assisted Mrs. Clark in the capacity of foreman for many years until his untimely death earlier this year. Until four years ago Mrs. Clark swam everyday in her own pool. When eighty in 1947, she startled the whole district by planting nearly 1000 orange trees and contrary to local belief, lived to describe them as “the best I’ve ever tasted.” Mrs. Clark’s title of “Ladybird” was conferred on her by her daughter Dorothy and it was adopted by many of her friends.