James Edgar 1811-1872

James Edgar born 6 April 1811 and baptised on 16 April 1811 in Harthope, Moffat. About 1857 he went to Victoria, Australia, to join his brother David who had large landed interests in the western district. He married, firstly, Isabella Scott (who, it is claimed, was a kinswoman of Sir Walter Scott). She died in 1850. He married, secondly, in 1852, on the Duke of Buccleuch's, Dumfriesshire Estate, Mary Mossop. She died 21 May 1895. James Edgar died 5 August 1872 at Pine Hills Station, Harrow, Victoria.

James Edgar sailed from London, England on 21 August 1857 on the Severn, arrived in Australia 2 December 1857. His second wife, Mary, and the seven children of James' two marriages, also the two daughters of Mary Mossop's first marriage, Elizabeth and Jane Mossop, came with him. Sadly Joseph, a baby aged three months when the family embarked, died on the voyage and was buried at sea. Jessie was born in Australia. James worked as a shepherd for his brother, David, at Pine Hills, then later took up land at Clear Lake, but became ill. David brought him back to Pine Hills, where he died.

By his first wife Isabella Scott, he had issue two sons and two daughters:

(A)

Isabella Edgar, born 23 May 1834 at Langholm, Dumfriesshire. She died 13 March 1918 at the home of her daughter. Mrs E. C. Edwards, "Moffat", Casteron, Vic. She married on 7 March 1866 at Portland Vic., Dougald McMaster of Koolomurt, Vic. They had issue three sons:

John McMaster
James Edgar McMaster
Allen David McMaster,
all of whom died young, within a week of each other and three daughters:
Catherine Isabella McMaster
Margaret Grace McMaster
Mary Edgar McMaster, who married Christopher Edwards

The following is an account of the Golden Wedding Anniversary of Christopher and Mary Edwards

Mr and Mrs C. E. Edwards celebrated the 50th anniversary of their Marriage last Saturday. Mr and Mrs Chris Edwards were married by the Rev. R. A. Green in Scots Church, Casterton, on 17 October 1903. Mr Edwards is the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs Morris Edwards, of Casterton, and his wife is the youngest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Dougald McMaster of Nareen. At 6.30pm, thirty six guests sat down to a sumptuous high tea served in the spacious dining room of their home, "Moffat" in Murray Street, Casterton, Vic.

The usual toasts were honored, Mr Alex Peden filling the role of Toastmaster, in the absence of the Rev. J. Jamieson. Mr Edwards responded, thanking everyone for their good wishes.

The bride of 50 years before was again attended by her two bridesmaids, Mrs P. Gleeson (sister) of Penola, South Australia., and Mrs F. Jordan (cousin) of Casterton. Others included two cousins of the bride's late mother; Mrs Mathieson (92) and Miss Edgar (82) who are the only surviving members of the Edgar family, of that generation. Mrs Gordon Davidson of Penola, sister of the bride, was also present. Mr Gordon Davidson provided a pleasant surprise and showed his proficiency when he carved the turkey he had cooked for the gathering.

The cake, a gift from members of the Casterton P.W.M.U. was made by Mrs W. Taylor and decorated in gold and purple by Mrs J. Widdicombe.

Many friends who had called during the afternoon had offered their congratulations and telegrams were received from as far afield as Adelaide, Sydney, Perth, Lake Grace (Western Australia) and many other places.

Miss Isobel Edwards had travelled from Melbourne to be present.

After tea a pleasant evening was spent around the piano. Miss Effie Ross, of Hamilton, entertained with old and new numbers and Mr and Mrs M. Heapes and daughter Pat, played the piano and accordion.

Supper was served and the gathering dispersed after the singing of Auld Lang Syne.

Next morning at the service at Scots Church a special mention was made of the long and faithful service rendered to the church by Mr and Mrs Edwards and a dainty bouquet of spring flowers was presented to Mrs Edwards by Miss Judith Peden.

(B)

John Edgar, born 5 August 1842 at Langholm, Dumfriesshire. He was educated in Scotland and at his uncle David Edgar's Pine Hills Station[1]. When fifteen years of age he, with his father and family, migrated to Australia, having been induced to do so by David Edgar, of Harrow, Victoria. John Edgar benefited greatly from his experience on the Pine Hills Estate, and, in 1861, he set sail in the Omeo, in company with his paternal uncle, Mr George Johnston and his family, for New Zealand. They reached Port Chalmers early in the year. Quiet, very observant, industrious and trustworthy, he found no difficulty in obtaining employment among the pioneer run-holders of Otago. In 1861, with the bullock team of his employer, Mr John Anderson, the lessor of Dalvey Station, he engaged in carting stores, at 80 pounds a ton, from the head of Waihola Lake to the Gabriel's Gully gold fields. When Mr Anderson disposed of his lease of Dalvey to Mr John Dickison, John Edgar resumed as a shepherd. Three years after his arrival in New Zealand he returned to Victoria, but severe drought and bush fires led to his journeying once more to take up his duties at Dalvey Station. He was responsible for transfers of stock from different properties - often testing work requiring great effort and hardship.

On 29 September 1864, while still a shepherd on Dalvey Station, Tapanui, Otago, he married Eliza, eldest daughter of his employer, John Dickison, formerly of Mainholm Station, by his wife Margaret Paterson. The Dickison family, consisting of the parents, two sons and four daughters, left Gravesend, England 1 January 1859 per the sailing ship Mariner for Port Chalmers, New Zealand.

The couple set up house at Glenburnie - just where the present road to Rankleburn begins to ascend the Blue Mountains. Three years later they moved to "Brooklyn", afterwards called "Woodside" but this property was also disposed of, John Edgar, in June 1870, acquiring about 300 acres on the rich Tapanui Flat from the Crown. This new property he named "Burnfoot" after a farm upon which he had worked in Scotland. "Burnfoot" eventually became one of the most productive areas in this locality. For a number of years John Edgar had about 1000 acres on the Rankleburn block. This has since been resumed by the State for afforestation.

About 1909, John Edgar's son, David, took over "Burnfoot", an arrangement which then permitted the old pioneer, later styled "The Grand Old Man of Tapanui", to retire to a comfortable home in Tapanui.

He was, for upwards of 63 years, an Elder of the Presbyterian Church[2]. Mrs Edgar predeceased her husband, having died on 13 November 1920 at Tapanui. John Edgar, who died 28 July 1934 at Tapanui, was cared for in his last years by his cousin, Mrs Betsy Baclay (nee Johnston). John and Eliza Edgar had issue six sons, and five daughters:

(1) Margaret Jane Edgar, born 3 September 1865 at Glenburnie, Tapanui. married 5 January 1898 at Burnfoot, Rev. Robert Mackie, Presbyterian Minister of St. Andrews, South Canterbury, and later of Dunedin South., Winton, Hamilton and Mataura. They had issue two daughters.

(2) James, born 5 July 1868 at Mainholm, Pomahaka. He was educated at Tapanui School and afterwards assisted his father at "Burnfoot". This experience enabled him to become an expert teamster, cattle-hand and shearer. In 1980, with his brother John, he bought the Kelso end of Glenkenich Estate - about 500 acres - which they cleared and cultivated. Nine years later he sold his share of the Kelso property and bought the homestead portion of Riverside Station. There he ran Romney sheep and a large herd of dairy cattle.

James Edgar served, at different periods, on the school and Hospital Committees and was a member of the Masonic and Oddfellows Lodges, Tapanui. He was a noted sportsman with rod and gun[3].

He married on 24 May 1894, Agnes, eldest daughter of John Mackie (died 1914), of Riverside, by his wife Agnes Riddell Wyllie White (Mrs Mackie (nee White), arrived in Dunedin by the ship "Ajax" in January 1849, when only five years of age.)

James Edgar died at Riverside, Tapanui 17 June 1930 and was buried 19 June in the Tapanui Cemetery. Mrs Agnes Edgar resides in Tapanui. James and Agnes Edgar had issue four sons and nine daughters.

(3) Isabella Christina Edgar, born 20 June 1870, at Tapanui. Died 31 August, 1886, unmarried.

(4) John Dickison Edgar born 1 September 1872 at Burnfoot. Educated at Tapanui State School. he engaged in farming pursuits, at first with his brother, James Edgar, at Kelso, but later alone at Westholm, Tapanui. married on 5 February 1894 at Dunedin, Otago, Margaret Catherine Nimmo. They had issue four sons and three daughters.

(5) Eliza Edgar, born 1 July 1874, at Tapanui. Died 7 July 1876.

(6) Eliza Dickison Edgar, born 21 June 1876, at Burnfoot. married 8 November 1898 at Burnfoot, Hugh Howat of Tapanui. They had issue twin daughters

(7) Adam David Edgar, born 30 July 1877 at Burnfoot. Educated at Tapanui District School. He qualified as a dental surgeon and practised that profession in Dunedin. 2nd Lieut. Senior Cadet Corps. Member of Dunedin Drainage Board. Mayor of St Kilda (New Zealand) for three terms, Councillor for 15 years. Acting Master and Deputy Master; also Vice President and Treasurer of the Otago Hunt Club. Held appointment as a Justice of the Peace. married on 1 January 1908 at South Dunedin Presbyterian Church, Blanch Louise Welsh. They had issue two sons.

(8) David Dickison Edgar, born 7 August 1879 at Burnfoot. Educated at Tapanui Public School and Otago Boy's High School (Dunedin). He was on the Burnfoot property until in 1909, he took over its management from his father. he continued to reside at Burnfoot. married 26 January 1910 at Tapanui, Helen Connell Howat. They had issue, one son and one daughter.

(9) Jane Agnes Edgar, born 26 July 1881 at Burnfoot. married 20 February 1902, at Tapanui, George Howat (brother of Helen Connell Howat and Hugh Howat). They had issue four sons and four daughters.

(10) Robert Walter Edgar, born 1 December 1883 at Burnfoot. Educated at Tapanui District High School and at the Otago Medical School, University of Otago. Awarded the degrees M.B., Ch.B. in 1911. House Surgeon Dunedin Public Hospital, 1911-12; locum tenens, Johnsonville, Wellington, 1912-13; In practice at Lumsden, Southland, 1913-21, and at Port Chalmers from 1921. Post Graduate work in London and Edinburgh, 1924-25. married in 1913, at Dunedin, Elizabeth Drummond of Muthill, Perthshire, Scotland. They had issue one son and one daughter.

(11) George Thomas Edgar, born 2 April 1886 at Burnfoot. Educated at Tapanui District High School. Received his engineering education at Dunedin. Articled pupil in engineering to Mr (now Sir) William G. T. Goodman, during construction of Dunedin Electric Tramway System and Waipori Falls Hydro Electric Scheme (1903); New South Wales Tramways (1909); 4rd Engineer Waipori Falls Hydro Electric Power Station (1908). Chief Draughtsman, City Electric Engineers' Office (1908015). Assistant City Electric Engineer from 1915. Visited Great Britain and America, 1928-20 on business for Electric Power and Light Department City Corporation of Dunedin, A.M.I.E.E., A.M.N.Z.I.E. Registered Electric Engineer of New Zealand Government. married 25 September 1907 at Dunedin, Mary Ann Grace Donaldson. They had issue two sons and one daughter.

(C)

Margaret Scott Edgar, born 25 December 1847, near Langholm, Dumfriesshire. She died in October 1917 at "Pleasant View", Douglas. She married in 1872 at Hamilton, Vic., William John McIntyre (died 23 May 1936). They had issue three sons and three daughters:

James McIntyre

William John McIntyre

** Edgar Charles McIntyre, born 1885 at Douglas, Vic, died 1940

Annie Isabella McIntyre (Mrs H. Hobbs)

Richie Hobbs

Jessie Grace McIntyre

Effie Grace Bertha McIntrye

Edgar McIntyre's nephew, Richie Hobbs of Highton, remembers him as a large, genial and gregarious, 'a man of many parts, possessing a lively and fertile brain, who could write a poem straight off the cuff on any topic of the times'. Born at Douglas, Edgar McIntyre was for a time an able insurance salesman at Ballarat, though he later moved to Horsham where he took a great interest in local government, and spent a period on the local council. A jovial, resourceful man, Edgar McIntyre nevertheless battled for much of his working life, a victim of the Great Depression.

For a time he eeked out a living in the salt pans around Harrow, an experience he recounts in 'What the Depression's Done For Me'. As well as his facility with the pen, Edgar McIntyre was musically accomplished, a talent also possessed by other members of his family. He was a welcome character at district functions, playing his beloved piano accordian, and reciting from 'Around The Boree Log'.

He married Hannah Bull in 1908, and they had four children, one of whom, Eric, pursued a brilliant career in banking. The following selection from his considerable output is from the pages of the 'Spectator', with the exception of 'Mopoke's Anthem', a jotting on the back of a photo in the possession of Mr Hobbs.

WHAT THE DEPRESSION'S DONE FOR ME

by Edgar McIntyre

With that thing called 'solid yakka'

I could never quite agree,

But I'll have to tell this story,

What depression's done for me-

once I used to be an auctioneer,

A salesman so to speak

When I used to swing the hammer

And could give a tone of cheek;

But when struck by this depression,

Seemed to take a sudden halt,

Now I'm balancing a shovel

And I'm digging in the salt.

Still I must be philosophic,

Face the possie as it stands,

Force a smile while manicuring

All the blisters on my hands,

Oft I think of days departed

When I'd earned a tenner quick,

When my hands were soft and tender

And my wardrobe fairly slick;

Me! that used to dine commercial

And enjoyed my glass of malt,

Picture me behind the shovel

When I'm pushing out the salt.

Now, I'll have to give my readers

A description if I can,

In these lakes where salt's collected;

They're the earth's own frying pan

When old Sol comes out in splendor

And his rays upon you beat,

In these frying pans the thermo

Hits five hundred Fahrenheit;

It is very little wonder

That one's spirit should revolt

When he's bathed in perspiration

And keeps shovelling the salt.

It's the place where men of muscle,

Men that's got the power to stay,

Push the sparkling grain together

For their 'umpteen bob a day,

Picture me right in among 'em,

Feeling somewhat put upon,

When I have to hold my end up,

And the pace gets fairly on;

And the clang of trucks on tram lines,

Trams that never seem to halt,

Sort of sends my brain a whirling

While they're tramming out the salt.

When we view the situation,

It's a fact, 'twixt me and you,

There's a hundred thousand others

Haven't got a job to do;

And I guess my dinkum cobbers

Would stand up and 'dip their lid'

To their cobber with the shovel

Out to earn an honest quid,

Him that used to play pianos

For their dances - they'd exalt,

Him, their once exalted comrade,

If they saw him digging salt.

THE SECOND TEST

by Edgar McIntyre

Well, me nerves are somewhat shaken,

With a tension close to breakin',

And I'm not the only 'Aussie bird'

Whose nerves require a rest.

'Twas by merit that they done it-

Had it lost, and still they won it;

Now me breathing seems more easy

Since we've won the second Test.

The deliveries of the wily

Ironmonger and O'Reilly,

With Australia up against it,

They were solid and serene.

Let me hail the way they battled;

I admit that I was rattled,

'Til O'Reilly skittled Sutcliffe,

And Ironmonger got Jardine.

Then O'Reilly never gammoned

When he sent one down to Hammond,

'Shure they must have heard me listnin',

And I trust they heard me cryin',

While I claim this spot as my land,

Still I roared 'Hurroo for Ireland',

'Twas the o's who settled Hammond,

Bowled O'Reilly, caught O'Brien.

With me colors flying gaudy,

Gone were Wyatt and Pataudi,

At this stage to me the wireless

Seemed to whisper through the air,

Cleared the mist from round me lashes,

Gave me glimpses of 'the ashes'.

Seemed to resurrect the chorus

That 'Australia will be there'.

While admitting I'm a gladman,

Let me doff me hat to Bradman,

When Australia's up against it

He's the lad that doesn't lack,

While 'the Board' at him keep chatting

He goes out and does the batting.

Makes a century,

And carries all Australia on his back.

Now to England I am writing,

May they pardon all my skiting;

Seems to me, that of me senses

I have somehow taken leave.

While I don't know how we done it,

Still I know Australia won it,

But I must admit to England,

We had nothing up our sleeve.

MOPOKE'S ANTHEM

by Edgar McIntyre

They splashed their ink with vigor

And they tried to count me out,

My adversaries had prophesied my end,

Now I've got a reinforcement

It's the other way about;

He's the namesake and a dinkum feathered friend.

Let the 'Sparrow Hawk' and 'Jackass'

Chirp sarcastic hymns of hate.

With the Mopoke they will ever disagree,

We will smile at their sarcasm

As our sonnets we relate,

Just the two of us - the other bird and me.

Adam Edgar, born 1 April 1850 near Langholm, Dumfriesshire. He was educated at the private school on Pine Hills Station. He went to New Zealand in 1875. There he managed farming properties, among which was that of Mr Gladstone Robinson (3500 acres) at Waikoikoi. He retired about 20 years ago to live in Tapanui. He has been a deacon and elder of the Presbyterian Church. He married on 11 October 1871 at Hamilton, Victoria, Margaret Huston. Mrs Edgar died on 14 August 1918 at Tapanui.

Obituary: It is learned with regret from Tapanui, Otago, New Zealand, that Mr Adam Edgar has died in his 91st year.

The late Mr Edgar was born 1 April 1850, near Langholm, Dumfriesshire, Scotland. He was educated privately on Pine Hills Station, Harrow, Victoria, the home of his uncle David Edgar. In 1875 he went to New Zealand and there managed a number of farming properties, including the 3500 acre estate of Mr Gladstone Robinson at Waikoikoi. For about 25 years Mr Edgar had lived in retirement at Tapanui and was a deacon (1895) and Elder (1901) of the Presbyterian Church there. He married on 11 October 1871, at Hamilton, Victoria., Margaret, daughter of John Huston by his wife Margaret McGurk, formerly of Castle Dawson, Ireland. Mrs Edgar died on 14 August 1918 at Tapanui.

They had issue four sons and three daughters.

(1) James Huston Edgar (Rev) born 19 August 1872, at Clunie Estate, near Harrow., Victoria. He was educated privately. In 1898 he went to China as a Missionary of the China Inland Mission. During the Boxer Rebellion he, with all others of his calling had to come to the coast. The year 1902 saw him in West China, indeed he travelled very extensively, making one journey to Balang, Tibet, in three months. He enjoyed his first furlough in 1908 but returned to China in the following year and again set out for, and safely reached, Tibet where he remained until a revolution took place in 1911. Until his second furlough in 1917 he made contact with many tribes all over West China and Eastern Tibet.

While on furlough in 1926, prolonged because of the disturbed state of China at that time, he took a journey into Central Australia with Mr Krammer for the purpose of investigating the condition of the aboriginals and also that it might be decided whether the establishment of a native Reserve was practicable.

He published a short book dealing with the results of this expedition. Several short volumes on his Tibetan experiences also came from his pen. He was always a frequent contributor to Chinese journals, notably the "West China Border Research", the organ of a Society of which he was President at the time of his death.

Many of the finest specimens in the well known West China Union University Museum were collected and presented by Mr Edgar. His fine geographical work earned him a Fellowship of the Royal Geographical Society. He was also elected a Fellow of the Royal Anthropological Institute. His death occurred suddenly at Tatsienlu, West China, on 23 March 1936.

The Rev James Huston Edgar married on 27 October 1902, at Chengtu, Szechuan, West China, Miss Lily Trudinger, a member of the well known South Australian Missionary family. The Rev James Huston and Lily Edgar had issuethree sons and one daughter.

(i) Gordon Scott Edgar born in China and died in Melbourne 1980.

(a) Kevin Edgar born 1939 in Western Australia and married Nola. (Nola wrote to me 18 November 1986 and may have additional information, if required)

(2) John Scott Edgar, born 13 April 1874, at Longlands Station, Harrow, Victoria. Farmer and Blacksmith, Mayor of Tapanui for a term. He married 22 February 1905 at Earnscleugh, Alexandra, Otago, Annie Fraser. They had issue one son.

(3) Eliza Edgar, born 25 May 1876 at Tapanui. married on 1 February 1899 at Tapanui to Gavin Patterson Brownlie. They had issue four sons.

(4) Adam Scott Edgar, born 19 April 1878 at Tapanui. Farmer and General Carrier. Lived in Tapanui. married firstly, at Balclutha, Isabella Cessford Smith. Adam and Isabella had issue one son. She died at Dunedin on 9 November 1904. He married secondly at Balclutha, Hannah Jarvis. Hannah died at Tapanui on 18 January 1935. Adam and Hannah had issue one daughter.

(5) Margaret Edgar, born 14 February 1880 at Tapanui. married on 17 Apt 1907 at Tapanui, John William Herman Clarke. They had issue three sons.

(6) Thomas Edgar, born 17 June 1883 at Tapanui. Educated at Tapanui Public School. In business as a butcher in Tapanui. married on 28 December 1910, at Balclutha, Frances Ethel Sutherland. They had issue four sons.

(7) Isabella Edgar, born 15 April 1885 at Tapanui, unmarried.

James Edgar by his second wife, Mary Mossop, had issue two sons and two daughters:

Jean Edgar, born 26 May 1853, at Canonbie, Dumfriesshire. Resided at Edenhope, Victoria. and died 1947. married 21 April 1874, at Mullagh Station, Harrow, Victoria., with Isabella Edgar (later to become Mrs Richmond Hope) as one of the bridesmaids, Jerome Minogue, born 13 May 1841, in County Calre, Ireland. Mr Jerome Minogue was sometime overseer on Pine Hills Station but later owned a farming property at Bogalara. He retired to live in Edenhope where he died on 31 December 1928.

As a boy of 10, Jerome Minogue, landed in Australia with parents, sister and brother. Not long aftr his father was killed by a falling tree. Jerome, still a child of 10 or 11, obtained work on a dairy farm at 3 shillings a week. He later came to Nareen district, and at one time worked for a while at "Clunie", he determined to one day own it.

The land where my family and I live (Connewirricco), he bought in 1892, he bought "Clunie" in 1909. He never learnt to read or write, but had a wonderful business head. Both his Marriage certificate and will are Marked by a cross, not a signature. As his family came out just after the great hunger, the years of the potato famine in Ireland, and he had to work at an early age, he would have had no opportunity for any schooling.

From shipping records his parents were able to read and write, his elder brother and sister to read only. Apparently the poverty in Ireland was so great writing materials were out of the question.

They had issue four sons and four daughters:

(1) Joseph Jerome Minogue born 15 July 1875 at Kadnook Station. married Florence Gregory. Have issue three children

(a) Edgar Minogue

(b) Walter Minogue

(2) Julia Mary Minogue, born 15 July 1876, at Kadnook Station. married Thomas Houlihan and had issue five children

(a) Gerald Houlihan

(b) Frank Houlihan

(d) Sheila Houlihan, married Mr Gillard

(e) Des Houlihan

(3) James Edgar Minogue, born 3 March 1878, at Portland. married Catherine Mhoney and had issue six children

(a) Annie Minogue

(b) Jack Minogue

(d) Mary Minogue

(e) Peg Minogue

(f) Andrew Minogue

The following poem was written by James Edgar Minogue in memory of J. Turner, who lived at "Harland Hills", Dergholm, Victoria

He has passed from view in the prime of life,

He has answered the Master's call,

He has left this world, with it's pain and strife

For the summons that comes to all.

Yet little he thought mid his work and care

Of how soon that summons would come

That would fill a home with blank despair,

And lie him still and dumb.

Yet the sun shall rise, and the birds shall sing,

And the world roll on the same,

And the flowers shall bloom in the month of spring

By the slad that bears his name.

And when shearing comes with bustle and shout,

And the shed seems merry and gay,

No more will he count the whote mob out

At the close of the summer's day.

For that ringing voice is silenced now,

That manly form is still,

There's the dew of death on that noble brow,

But such was the Master's will.

His brothers shall mourn as the years roll by,

His sister's eyes grow dim,

And friends shall think at times with a sigh,

Of the merry days spent with him.

So farewell old friend of the days gone by,

Farewell, for my heart is sore,

We shall meet I hope in that home above,

But on earth we'll meet no more.

(4) Margaret (Maggie) Edgar Minogue, born 6 January 1882, at Pine Hills Station. She died 29 May 1983 aged 101 years. married 4 September 1916, at Casterton, James Daly of "Clunie", Harrow.

(i) Mary Daly married Pat McGennishen and had three children, Patricia, James and Jack

(a) Leonie Mulcahy

(b) Jim Mulcahy

Leanne Mulcahy

(d) Damien Mulcahy

(e) Maurice Mulcahy

(5) Walter Edgar Minogue, born 21 August 1883, at Pine Hills Station. Died on 24 August 1891.

The following poem was penned by Willam Bryce Hope upon the death of Walter.

IN MEMORIUM

by Willam Bryce Hope

Gone from earthly care and pain,

With thy Redeemer, Christ, to reign;

Unending joy thy lot shall be,

And glories bright thine eyes shall see.

Dread stillness is upon thy brow;

Thine infant voice is hushed now;

And yet know we it's tones shall ring

Where ransomed spirits sweetly sing.

From earthly cares thou art absolved;

For thee the riddle dread is solved.

No longer dimmed by mortal haze

Shall be thy vision's raptured gaze.

Thy parents fond may mourn thee here,

And grief may drop its soothing tear;

But to this world of care and pain

We would not call thee back again.

Ah! no, the message was but sent

To take back that which God had lent;

Though hidden days from mortal eyes,

The secrets of the great All Wise.

But yet we'll miss thee, for thy place

No longer shows thy sweet, young face,

Nor will our hearts again rejoice

To hear the accents of thy voice.

Still we 'ere long must homeward hie;

Like thee beneath the sod must lie

Till the last trump shall all awake,

And death's long, solemn slumber break.

So now, dear, little friend, farewell,

We know that with thee all is well,

And trust when next we meet with thee

'Twill be beside the Crystal Sea.

The story behind these verses is as follows (as told by Margaret Mulcahy (nee Daly):

My mother's little brother, died after an illness lasting only a day or two, three days after his 8th birthday. William Hope went into the nearby scrub, as according to my mother, was his habit when he was deeply moved and wanted to write, and wrote this "In Memorium". He came to the Minogue home, and put it into my grandmother's hand, unable to speak. A printed, framed copy hung in my mother's room. I now have it.

When Margaret's grandmother died in 1947, Margaret went through her things and came across a little stub of lead pencil. It was wrapped in paper on which she had written "I found this in Walter's pocket after he died - my little Walter" It was all she had of him to cherish through the years.

(6) Elizabeth Jean Minogue, born 7 September 1887 at Pine Hills Station. Jean married Gregory O'Donoghue. no issue

(7) John Lawrence Minogue, born 27 May 1879, at Bogalara. Jack married Ellen Appleyard. no issue

(8) Annie Minogue, died aged 20 years.

James Edgar, born 17 February 1854 at Langholm, Dumfriesshire. He was educated at the private school at Pine Hills Station., and afterwards engaged in farming on the Bogalara property near Casterton, Victoria. He married on 1 September 1904, at Harrow, Victoria., Elizabeth Jane Farnum of Harrow. Mrs Edgar whose husband James Edgar died 28 April 1919, at Edenhope, married secondly on 24 November 1923, Thomas Tansey. James and Elizabeth Jane Edgar had issue four sons and two daughters.

(1) Jean Elizabeth Victoria Edgar, born 17 June 1905 at Bogalara

(2) James Joseph Edgar, born 4 July 1907 at Bogalara, unmarried. Later resided at Edenhope.

(3) Walter George Edgar, born 14 December 1909 at Bogalara. he died at Edenhope, 20 December 1909.

(4) Sylvia Mossop Grace Edgar, born 26 July 1911 at Bogalara, married Francis Dean.

(5) Erwin Robert Bruce Edgar, born 21 April 1913 at Bogalara, unmarried.

(6) John Terome Edgar, born 23 December 1919 at Edenhope, unmarried

Joseph Edgar, born 5 May 1857 at Pothorn, Scotland. Died at sea on voyage to Australia, while an infant.

Jessie Edgar, born at Pine Hills Station, married James West of Edenhope and had issue, including Senior Constable West of Port Fairy.

[1]Obituary notice, Tapanui Courier, 31 July 1934

[2]The Outlook, 31 August 1931

[3]Tapanui Courier 25 June 1930