George Leonard Darby
#131, (circa 1850-3 July 1926)
Father | John D. Darby (c 1817-26 Jan 1853) |
Mother | Mary Leonard1 (c 1816-7 Jun 1861) |
WikiTree ID: | https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Darby-2767. |
NOTE: The information on this page is my research to date and is subject to change as I become better informed. I very much welcome any corrections or additional info you might have - my email address is at the bottom of this page. Whilst historical facts are not copyright, my writing about these facts are. If you wish to use any text from this site on Ancestry or on any other website, please ask me first - Tim Hill.
(For a brief history and context on the Darby family see this page)
George was born circa 1850 at Morphett Vale, South Australia. George was perhaps named after his father's father. It also seems like his birth was not registered.2 He was the son of John D. Darby and Mary Leonard.1
The Darby house was a three-room wooden cottage with a garden on land (Section 10) that was owned by Reverend Baker.3
His father died 26 January 1853 at the approximate age of 34. George was about 3 years old.4
George emigrated from Port Adelaide, South Australia, on 16 March 1857 on the the 'George Canning' with his mother and younger brother. This was four years after the death of his father, and he was aged about 7 years old.5,6,7 George arrived at London before 22 August 1857.5,7
He formed a lifelong friendship with William Lever, who was slightly younger than him. William later became 1st Viscount Leverhulme, the very well-known main founder of Lever Brothers (now UniLever). George and Lever corresponded up until Lever's death in 1925.6
He was recorded as living with his mother's brother and his mother's sister, his brother James, two boarders and a servant in the 1861 census at 37 Burlington Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. He was recorded as being 11 years old.8 His occupation was recorded as being a scholar in the census.8
His mother died 7 June 1861 at the approximate age of 44. George was aged just 11 when this happened, and now had neither parent living. On 7 August 1863 his uncle Thomas Darby applied on behalf of himself and his two young nephews for their lands at Section 628, in Noarlunga, South Australia, to be brought under the Real Property Act.9
He may have been a student of the Bolton Church Institute, as he was close to William Lever who attended this institution.10
George Leonard Darby was listed as a lodger in the household of Jane Allison in the 1871 census at 30 Hampdon Street, Bolton, Lancashire. He was recorded as being 21 years old. Also in the household was his younger brother James.11 His occupation was recorded as being a commercial clerk in a cotton mill in the census.11 George Leonard Darby and Jim Darby had further land that was brought under the Real Property Act on 24 December 1874 at Adelaide.12 George was employed as a clerk on 1 August 1875.13 George lived on 1 August 1875 at 81 Raby Street Moss Side, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.13
He married Patty Miller, daughter of Robert T. Miller and Mary Fairclough, in a Congregationalist ceremony at the Independent Chapel on Thursday, 5 August 1875 at Ashton upon Mersey, Sale, Cheshire. Her father was a cotton mill manager. The wedding certificate was also signed by Anna Margaret Breach and Jim Darby. Jemima Sarah Bond and Charles Lewis Brandreth were also there. Brothers and sisters who may have attended include Ann Jane Miller, Eliza Miller, Emma Miller, Frederick Horrocks Miller and Thomas Henry Miller. Neither Patty nor George had surviving parents at the time of their marriage. They went on to have three daughters together, the first born five months after their wedding (similarly, her mother was pregnant when she married).14,15,16
George and Patty Miller, aged 25 became the parents of Edythe Mary Darby on Sunday, 23 January 1876 at Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.17,18,19,20 George Leonard Darby was a seemingly self-employed umbrella manufacturer in 1879 at 55 Oxford Street, in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.21
He was recorded as head of household in the 1881 census with Patty Miller as his spouse at 132 Oxford Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. He was recorded as being 38 years old. Also in the house was their young daughter, two boarders and servant.18 His occupation was recorded as being an umbrella manufacturer, either for himself or for his wife's uncle John Jameson in the census.18
George and Patty Miller, aged 31 became the parents of Mabelle Gertrude Darby on Friday, 23 June 1882 at Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.22,23,17
George Leonard Darby emigrated from Plymouth on 17 November 1883 on the the Orient Steam Navigation's 'S.S. Potosi' via Naples, the Suez Canal, Aden and Melbourne. His wife and children remained in England for the time being. He was aged about 33 at the time.24,25 After a voyage of a very fast 38 days, George arrived at Port Adelaide, South Australia, on 26 December 1883. There was a number of interesting things about the trip; there was a Melbourne Detective who was returning with an absconding insolvent after arresting him in London. Further, the ship skirted a cyclone and the Captain was nearly washed overboard.24,25
He was employed by the Woods and Forests Department of the Land Office. He secured this job after less than two months in South Australia; at this time, the husband of his Aunt was the Secretary of Land and Immigration on 13 February 1884 at South Australia.26
George and Patty Miller, aged 33 became the parents of Elsie Florence Darby on Friday, 4 April 1884 at Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. She was likely conceived just before her father left England, and he probably didn't know anything about her existence for many months..27,28 George Leonard Darby was a cashier on 9 July 1884.29 He he lost a black dressing bag containing a gold ring and wearing apparel between Teatree Gully and Woodville on 23 January 1885.30 George and Martha along with their three daughters lived in December 1886 at the Adelaide suburb of Parkside.31
In April 1887 he was Acting Cheif Clerk in the Woods and Forest Department.32 George Leonard Darby was employed by the Agricultural Bureau as Secretary on 17 July 1888.33 After his wife and children had finally joined him in South Australia, George placed an advertisement in the newspaper that he wished to buy a side-saddle and a honey extractor.34
George was tasked with drawing up a new set of books for the whole Land Office, which were seen as in a poor state of affairs. George's work for the Forestry Department was seen as a good example. However, there was some cloud over his practices as well on 18 June 1890:
In an unknown date George and 5 other local blockers banded together to buy some land to build a cooperative store to market their goods.
George was one of a number of men who commuted from Algate to Adelaide via train. It is about an hour's walk (or 20 minute carriage ride) from the Darby property to Algate station. George would have worked at least 5 and a half days a week at his job, employing labourers on his property. Women perhaps did most of the work.36,37
George was one of a deputation that met with the Minister of Education on 25 August 1892, calling on him to release funds for the building of the school at Mylor, South Australia.38,39 In December 1892 the Darby family had a grand piano at home, as it was lent for the cause of a fundraiser to build an institute and hall for the 700 or so residents.40 On 5 December 1892 there was a visit by legislators (including an M.P.) to the Darby property at Mylor where someone noted that George and his family had the best house in the district. There was perhaps a suggestion that this was inappropriate give George's position in the Land Office. Later that night, George and his wife and daughters contributed items to the programme of the concert in the evening.41
The town was described:
A suggestion that the Darbys had the best house in the district was refuted by a T. Murphy (and in a different newspaper, 'Thomas H. Winkworth') who said that Mr. Hughes had a much finer house and that the Darby House was only 2 stone rooms, like several other houses.42,43
George was one of 9 men who bought the land the Mylor Methodist Church was built upon. The foundation stone was laid on the 4th of March 1893, and officially opened on 18th November 1893.44
George and Martha as well as two of their daughters took part in a concert on 24 April 1893 in aid of the Cotton Memorial Homestead Institute.45
On Sunday, 10 September 1893, Martha hosted at home "an excellent repast for between 60 and 80 juveniles" who had come to an Arbour Day event organised by the Mylor Wesleyan Chapel.46
Patty hosted a picnic at home on 19 January 1894 for the Mylor Wesleyan Sunday School, and the event with "concert, bright with song and recitation, was enjoyed by all" extended into the evening.47,48
George was injured in an accident on 29 January 1894:
George was nominated as a member of a fruit growing association in Aldgate, South Australia.50
The Darby family was represented at a social to commemorate the opening of the new Mylor School, and one of the Darby daughters took part in the concert.51
George was a executive committee member of the Mylor Homestead League.52
The Mylor Wesleyan Sunday - school scholars held a very successful picnic and concert on 9 March 1895. Martha is credited with being the one who brought the school together in her home and being the Superintendent.53,54
In February 1896, Mabelle and Elsie Darby joined The Children's 'Sunbeam' Society of South Australia.55
On 13 February 1896 Sir Fowell Buxton vistited the area and 12 year old Elsie Florence Darby was one of two girls chosen to present the Governor with a basket of apples and grapes to give to his wife.56
George was the Treasurer of the Mylor Institute, and a trustee of the library committee which were seeking a "properly conducted library and reading room."52
On Wednesday, 16 September 1896, he was one of thousands who attended the funeral of Mr. Hartley, the Inspector General of Schools.57
In January 1898 there was a bushfire in Mylor that affected the Darby's place. This occurred on a hot and windy day, and there were about 35 people fighting the fire, which saved the house, trap and horse. In all, about 100 acres were burned. Whilst initial reports said that fruit trees, sheds, clothing etc were destroyed, another correspondent said about a dozen fruit trees were burnt. On the contrary, the worst sufferer seemed to be a Mr. Wake who had moved some of this things to the Darby's that day.58,59
Martha and a friend were seriously injured when they were thrown from a buggy in Aldgate on their way to pick her husband George up from the train.60
The Darby's suffered another unsettling incident involving a horse carriage on 4 May 1902:
George lived on 22 August 1902 at at Werneth House in the Adelaide suburb of Malvern. The house had the same name as a house in Romiley, Cheshire, owned by Charles Richardson (Patty's brother-in-law.)63 A picture was taken of George and Patty Darby in their final years. George and Patty lived in 1904 at at Stanley Street in the Adelaide suburb of North Adelaide. However, there is some records that suggest that they were still living in Mylor at this time.64
George, as the father of the bride, along with Patty attended the wedding of Elsie and James Smith, a clerk, at Elsie's parent's home at "Kiliora"(?) Stanley St. on Thursday, 22 December 1904 at North Adelaide. Elsie was 20 and her husband James was 23. Elsie was 5 months pregnant when she married; the effect of this on Elsie's strict Wesleyan Methodist mother isn't known however it is notable that Elsie and James married at Elsie's parent's Adelaide home, far from the town of Mylor where they grew up, and not married in the Congregational church that her sisters were married in. It's also notable that Elsie's mother and her mother's mother were pregnant when they married too... Lucy Deane as mother of the groom and Walter Thomas Smith as father of the groom. James and Elsie went on to have four children together, one of whom died young.65
On 21 January 1908, a large fire at Mylor threatened the Darby home, but a number of fire fighters come to the property and it was saved by back-burning. Ultimately, only a few fence-posts were burned.66,67
Again, in February 1912 the district faced serious fires and residents worked hard to stop the town being overwhelmed.68
In April 1915, George registered his Humberette (number 5625) in Mylor, one of 33 cars registered in the state that week.69 He was in impaired health and had lived in retirement after 18 years with the Woods and Forests Department circa 1916.6,70 George and Martha (and presumably his spouse Martha) lived in July 1920 at Malvern. The house had the same name as a house in Romiley, Cheshire, owned by Charles Richardson (Patty's brother-in-law.)71
His wife Patty died 22 December 1921 at the age of 71, leaving him a widower. George Leonard Darby attempted to sell on terms a cottage of 4 rooms on a large block, including a stable. By this stage he seems to have had the telephone connected in April 1925.72
George lived in January 1926 at the Adelaide suburb of Fullarton. He was in the last stage of his life.70
George died on 3 July 1926 at the Home for Incurables in Fisher Street, in Fullarton, South Australia. The cause of death was a combination of senile decay and cerebral haemorrhage (usually associated with high blood pressure.)70,73,74 His body was interred at North Road cemetery on 5 July 1926 at the Adelaide suburb of Medindie Gardens. The funeral was held at All Souls', St. Peter's. He and Martha share the same grave..75,76,77
George His life was encapsulated in an obituary on 7 July 1926:
"Mr. George Leonard Darby, whose death occurred on Saturday, was for many years employed in the Woods and Forest Department, and was greatly esteemed by those who knew him. He was born at Morphett Vale in 1852, and was sent to England when a boy. Some years were spent in Manchester. He married Miss Miller, of Preston, and about 1880 he returned to Adelaide. For a long period he was a well-known figure at Mylor where he took a great interest in his garden, which, unfortunately, was destroyed by fire. He travelled a good deal in country districts. During the last ten years he had been in impaired health, and had lived in retirement. He leaves three daughters, Mesdames S. L. Brown, W. W. Gilbert, and J. A. Smith. Mr. Darby was a man of cheerful disposition, and was a life-long friend of Lord Leverhulme, with whom he regularly corresponded up to the time of the death of the latter."6,78
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(For a brief history and context on the Darby family see this page)
George was born circa 1850 at Morphett Vale, South Australia. George was perhaps named after his father's father. It also seems like his birth was not registered.2 He was the son of John D. Darby and Mary Leonard.1
The Darby house was a three-room wooden cottage with a garden on land (Section 10) that was owned by Reverend Baker.3
His father died 26 January 1853 at the approximate age of 34. George was about 3 years old.4
George emigrated from Port Adelaide, South Australia, on 16 March 1857 on the the 'George Canning' with his mother and younger brother. This was four years after the death of his father, and he was aged about 7 years old.5,6,7 George arrived at London before 22 August 1857.5,7
He formed a lifelong friendship with William Lever, who was slightly younger than him. William later became 1st Viscount Leverhulme, the very well-known main founder of Lever Brothers (now UniLever). George and Lever corresponded up until Lever's death in 1925.6
He was recorded as living with his mother's brother and his mother's sister, his brother James, two boarders and a servant in the 1861 census at 37 Burlington Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. He was recorded as being 11 years old.8 His occupation was recorded as being a scholar in the census.8
His mother died 7 June 1861 at the approximate age of 44. George was aged just 11 when this happened, and now had neither parent living. On 7 August 1863 his uncle Thomas Darby applied on behalf of himself and his two young nephews for their lands at Section 628, in Noarlunga, South Australia, to be brought under the Real Property Act.9
He may have been a student of the Bolton Church Institute, as he was close to William Lever who attended this institution.10
George Leonard Darby was listed as a lodger in the household of Jane Allison in the 1871 census at 30 Hampdon Street, Bolton, Lancashire. He was recorded as being 21 years old. Also in the household was his younger brother James.11 His occupation was recorded as being a commercial clerk in a cotton mill in the census.11 George Leonard Darby and Jim Darby had further land that was brought under the Real Property Act on 24 December 1874 at Adelaide.12 George was employed as a clerk on 1 August 1875.13 George lived on 1 August 1875 at 81 Raby Street Moss Side, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.13
He married Patty Miller, daughter of Robert T. Miller and Mary Fairclough, in a Congregationalist ceremony at the Independent Chapel on Thursday, 5 August 1875 at Ashton upon Mersey, Sale, Cheshire. Her father was a cotton mill manager. The wedding certificate was also signed by Anna Margaret Breach and Jim Darby. Jemima Sarah Bond and Charles Lewis Brandreth were also there. Brothers and sisters who may have attended include Ann Jane Miller, Eliza Miller, Emma Miller, Frederick Horrocks Miller and Thomas Henry Miller. Neither Patty nor George had surviving parents at the time of their marriage. They went on to have three daughters together, the first born five months after their wedding (similarly, her mother was pregnant when she married).14,15,16
George and Patty Miller, aged 25 became the parents of Edythe Mary Darby on Sunday, 23 January 1876 at Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.17,18,19,20 George Leonard Darby was a seemingly self-employed umbrella manufacturer in 1879 at 55 Oxford Street, in Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.21
He was recorded as head of household in the 1881 census with Patty Miller as his spouse at 132 Oxford Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. He was recorded as being 38 years old. Also in the house was their young daughter, two boarders and servant.18 His occupation was recorded as being an umbrella manufacturer, either for himself or for his wife's uncle John Jameson in the census.18
George and Patty Miller, aged 31 became the parents of Mabelle Gertrude Darby on Friday, 23 June 1882 at Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester.22,23,17
George Leonard Darby emigrated from Plymouth on 17 November 1883 on the the Orient Steam Navigation's 'S.S. Potosi' via Naples, the Suez Canal, Aden and Melbourne. His wife and children remained in England for the time being. He was aged about 33 at the time.24,25 After a voyage of a very fast 38 days, George arrived at Port Adelaide, South Australia, on 26 December 1883. There was a number of interesting things about the trip; there was a Melbourne Detective who was returning with an absconding insolvent after arresting him in London. Further, the ship skirted a cyclone and the Captain was nearly washed overboard.24,25
He was employed by the Woods and Forests Department of the Land Office. He secured this job after less than two months in South Australia; at this time, the husband of his Aunt was the Secretary of Land and Immigration on 13 February 1884 at South Australia.26
George and Patty Miller, aged 33 became the parents of Elsie Florence Darby on Friday, 4 April 1884 at Chorlton-on-Medlock, Manchester. She was likely conceived just before her father left England, and he probably didn't know anything about her existence for many months..27,28 George Leonard Darby was a cashier on 9 July 1884.29 He he lost a black dressing bag containing a gold ring and wearing apparel between Teatree Gully and Woodville on 23 January 1885.30 George and Martha along with their three daughters lived in December 1886 at the Adelaide suburb of Parkside.31
In April 1887 he was Acting Cheif Clerk in the Woods and Forest Department.32 George Leonard Darby was employed by the Agricultural Bureau as Secretary on 17 July 1888.33 After his wife and children had finally joined him in South Australia, George placed an advertisement in the newspaper that he wished to buy a side-saddle and a honey extractor.34
George was tasked with drawing up a new set of books for the whole Land Office, which were seen as in a poor state of affairs. George's work for the Forestry Department was seen as a good example. However, there was some cloud over his practices as well on 18 June 1890:
"Chief Clerk, G. L. Darby, £200.— This officer states that he is not responsible for the existing state of affairs, he having, under instructions, continued the system of book-keeping which he found in operation when appointed to the position he holds. He has also been somewhat hampered by the absence of full information from the Conservator as to the nature of the transactions into which the latter has entered, and by the frequent introduction into the office of inexperienced lads. In bestowing blame, therefore, upon Mr. Darby for the present state of the office all these facts must be taken into consideration. Should the changes proposed by us not result in a speedy improvement it will, however, be neccesary to place some more experienced officer in charge."35
In an unknown date George and 5 other local blockers banded together to buy some land to build a cooperative store to market their goods.
Mylor Store c1900
Source: State Library of South Australia Image B20725
https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+20725)
Source: State Library of South Australia Image B20725
https://collections.slsa.sa.gov.au/resource/B+20725)
George was one of a number of men who commuted from Algate to Adelaide via train. It is about an hour's walk (or 20 minute carriage ride) from the Darby property to Algate station. George would have worked at least 5 and a half days a week at his job, employing labourers on his property. Women perhaps did most of the work.36,37
George was one of a deputation that met with the Minister of Education on 25 August 1892, calling on him to release funds for the building of the school at Mylor, South Australia.38,39 In December 1892 the Darby family had a grand piano at home, as it was lent for the cause of a fundraiser to build an institute and hall for the 700 or so residents.40 On 5 December 1892 there was a visit by legislators (including an M.P.) to the Darby property at Mylor where someone noted that George and his family had the best house in the district. There was perhaps a suggestion that this was inappropriate give George's position in the Land Office. Later that night, George and his wife and daughters contributed items to the programme of the concert in the evening.41
The town was described:
...Mylor is emerging from the embryo stage of existence. Most of the blocks have been sold at prices satisfactory to the Government. At present nothing can be seen except a general store, a carpenter's shop, and the frame of the local Church of England building. The rest is all a partially-cleared area backed and planted by gumtrees and scrub near the old stock road to Scott's Creek.37
A suggestion that the Darbys had the best house in the district was refuted by a T. Murphy (and in a different newspaper, 'Thomas H. Winkworth') who said that Mr. Hughes had a much finer house and that the Darby House was only 2 stone rooms, like several other houses.42,43
George was one of 9 men who bought the land the Mylor Methodist Church was built upon. The foundation stone was laid on the 4th of March 1893, and officially opened on 18th November 1893.44
George and Martha as well as two of their daughters took part in a concert on 24 April 1893 in aid of the Cotton Memorial Homestead Institute.45
On Sunday, 10 September 1893, Martha hosted at home "an excellent repast for between 60 and 80 juveniles" who had come to an Arbour Day event organised by the Mylor Wesleyan Chapel.46
Patty hosted a picnic at home on 19 January 1894 for the Mylor Wesleyan Sunday School, and the event with "concert, bright with song and recitation, was enjoyed by all" extended into the evening.47,48
George was injured in an accident on 29 January 1894:
"Accident to Mr. G. L. Darby.— Our Mylor correspondent writes : — A rather alarming accident occurred to Mr. G. L. Darby, of the Woods and Forest Department, near his residence, Holmsdale, on Saturday morning. Mr. Darby was holding a horse preparatory to driving his family to the Cotton Memorial Festival, when the animal reared and plunged, and Mr. Darby losing control over it was knocked down. The wheels of the buggy passing over his neck, causing a severe abrasion of the skin and cutting the lobe of the right ear. Luckily the injuries are not serious, and none of the family were in the buggy. The horse, after dashing through the paddock, struck the drive and emerged on to the main road, where he was stopped."49
George was nominated as a member of a fruit growing association in Aldgate, South Australia.50
The Darby family was represented at a social to commemorate the opening of the new Mylor School, and one of the Darby daughters took part in the concert.51
George was a executive committee member of the Mylor Homestead League.52
The Mylor Wesleyan Sunday - school scholars held a very successful picnic and concert on 9 March 1895. Martha is credited with being the one who brought the school together in her home and being the Superintendent.53,54
In February 1896, Mabelle and Elsie Darby joined The Children's 'Sunbeam' Society of South Australia.55
On 13 February 1896 Sir Fowell Buxton vistited the area and 12 year old Elsie Florence Darby was one of two girls chosen to present the Governor with a basket of apples and grapes to give to his wife.56
George was the Treasurer of the Mylor Institute, and a trustee of the library committee which were seeking a "properly conducted library and reading room."52
On Wednesday, 16 September 1896, he was one of thousands who attended the funeral of Mr. Hartley, the Inspector General of Schools.57
In January 1898 there was a bushfire in Mylor that affected the Darby's place. This occurred on a hot and windy day, and there were about 35 people fighting the fire, which saved the house, trap and horse. In all, about 100 acres were burned. Whilst initial reports said that fruit trees, sheds, clothing etc were destroyed, another correspondent said about a dozen fruit trees were burnt. On the contrary, the worst sufferer seemed to be a Mr. Wake who had moved some of this things to the Darby's that day.58,59
Martha and a friend were seriously injured when they were thrown from a buggy in Aldgate on their way to pick her husband George up from the train.60
The Darby's suffered another unsettling incident involving a horse carriage on 4 May 1902:
"SERIOUS VEHICLE ACCIDENT. Mr. G.L. Darby (chief clerk of the Woods and Forests Department), whilst driving to his home from Aldgate station on Monday evening with his daughters, met with a serious accident. The horse stopped suddenly, and in doing so broke a portion of the harness. The animal then bolted round a curve at the foot of a steep hill, throwing out all the occupants of the vehicle. Mr. Darby's ankle was broken, and he was removed to the Adelaide Hospital. His daughters received a severe shaking and abrasions."61,62
George lived on 22 August 1902 at at Werneth House in the Adelaide suburb of Malvern. The house had the same name as a house in Romiley, Cheshire, owned by Charles Richardson (Patty's brother-in-law.)63 A picture was taken of George and Patty Darby in their final years. George and Patty lived in 1904 at at Stanley Street in the Adelaide suburb of North Adelaide. However, there is some records that suggest that they were still living in Mylor at this time.64
George, as the father of the bride, along with Patty attended the wedding of Elsie and James Smith, a clerk, at Elsie's parent's home at "Kiliora"(?) Stanley St. on Thursday, 22 December 1904 at North Adelaide. Elsie was 20 and her husband James was 23. Elsie was 5 months pregnant when she married; the effect of this on Elsie's strict Wesleyan Methodist mother isn't known however it is notable that Elsie and James married at Elsie's parent's Adelaide home, far from the town of Mylor where they grew up, and not married in the Congregational church that her sisters were married in. It's also notable that Elsie's mother and her mother's mother were pregnant when they married too... Lucy Deane as mother of the groom and Walter Thomas Smith as father of the groom. James and Elsie went on to have four children together, one of whom died young.65
On 21 January 1908, a large fire at Mylor threatened the Darby home, but a number of fire fighters come to the property and it was saved by back-burning. Ultimately, only a few fence-posts were burned.66,67
Again, in February 1912 the district faced serious fires and residents worked hard to stop the town being overwhelmed.68
In April 1915, George registered his Humberette (number 5625) in Mylor, one of 33 cars registered in the state that week.69 He was in impaired health and had lived in retirement after 18 years with the Woods and Forests Department circa 1916.6,70 George and Martha (and presumably his spouse Martha) lived in July 1920 at Malvern. The house had the same name as a house in Romiley, Cheshire, owned by Charles Richardson (Patty's brother-in-law.)71
His wife Patty died 22 December 1921 at the age of 71, leaving him a widower. George Leonard Darby attempted to sell on terms a cottage of 4 rooms on a large block, including a stable. By this stage he seems to have had the telephone connected in April 1925.72
George lived in January 1926 at the Adelaide suburb of Fullarton. He was in the last stage of his life.70
George died on 3 July 1926 at the Home for Incurables in Fisher Street, in Fullarton, South Australia. The cause of death was a combination of senile decay and cerebral haemorrhage (usually associated with high blood pressure.)70,73,74 His body was interred at North Road cemetery on 5 July 1926 at the Adelaide suburb of Medindie Gardens. The funeral was held at All Souls', St. Peter's. He and Martha share the same grave..75,76,77
George His life was encapsulated in an obituary on 7 July 1926:
"Mr. George Leonard Darby, whose death occurred on Saturday, was for many years employed in the Woods and Forest Department, and was greatly esteemed by those who knew him. He was born at Morphett Vale in 1852, and was sent to England when a boy. Some years were spent in Manchester. He married Miss Miller, of Preston, and about 1880 he returned to Adelaide. For a long period he was a well-known figure at Mylor where he took a great interest in his garden, which, unfortunately, was destroyed by fire. He travelled a good deal in country districts. During the last ten years he had been in impaired health, and had lived in retirement. He leaves three daughters, Mesdames S. L. Brown, W. W. Gilbert, and J. A. Smith. Mr. Darby was a man of cheerful disposition, and was a life-long friend of Lord Leverhulme, with whom he regularly corresponded up to the time of the death of the latter."6,78
Family | Martha Alice Miller (3 Nov 1850-22 Dec 1921) |
Children |
|
Citations
- [S453] Family History South Australia (http://www.familyhistorysa.info/) http://www.familyhistorysa.info/colonists.html birth of James Darby 18/5/1851.
- [S6] South Australia, Death Certificate, Registry of Births, Deaths & Marriages District of Adelaide No.592.
- [S1303] Kelly Dyer, Manuscript, 2021 p.18.
- [S541] The Hertford Mercury and Reformer, Hertford, Hertfordshire, England, 'Deaths' 09 Jul 1853.
- [S244] The South Australian Register, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 1857 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 17 March, p. 2, viewed 27 February, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article49765969
- [S322] The Advertiser (Adelaide, South Australia), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 1926 'OBITUARY.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 7 July, p. 17, viewed 7 February, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article46527253
- [S322] The Advertiser (Adelaide, South Australia), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 1941 'OBITUARY.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1931 - 1954), 16 May, p. 8, viewed 10 February, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article45004780
- [S398] National Census for England, 1861 (online image) Registration district: Chorlton, Sub-registration district: Chorlton upon Medlock, Household schedule number: 52, Piece: 2884, Folio: 28, Page Number: 9 (http://search.ancestry.com.au/Browse/view.aspx).
- [S321] The South Australian Advertiser, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, "Government Advertisments" 7 Aug 1863 p.4.
- [S906] Undiscovered Scotland (http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/) http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/usbiography/l/…
- [S393] National Census for England, 1881 (online image) Township of Little Bolton, Municipal Borough of Bolton, West Ward, p.43.
- [S338] Ancestry.com.au Ancestry.com, (http://www.ancestry.com.au/) South Australia Government Gazettes 1867-1884 (1874 p.2516).
- [S242] General Register Office, England - Marriage Certificates, Certified copy of an entry in a Register of Births, Vol. 8a. Entry 314.
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- [S336] The Argus, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, 1883 'THE S.S. POTOSI.', The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1956), 27 December, p. 4, viewed 6 April, 2013, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article11839680
- [S497] Parliament of South Australia,"Proceedings of the Parliament of South Australia," Proceedings , 1888 and 1900. Currently held by Ancestry.com, unknown repository address p.56 (http://search.ancestry.com.au/Browse/BookView.aspx).
- [S228] General Register Office, England - Birth Certificates, Certified copy of an entry in a Register of Births, 1884 No. 263.
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- [S243] The Adelaide Observer (later The Observer), Adelaide, South Australia, 1896 'THE CHILDREN'S "SUNBEAM" SOCIETY OF SOUTH AUSTRALIA.', Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), 15 February, p. 35. , viewed 04 Jan 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161835402
- [S243] The Adelaide Observer (later The Observer), Adelaide, South Australia, 1896 'among the mylor BLOCKERS.', Adelaide Observer (SA : 1843 - 1904), 15 February, p. 31. , viewed 02 Jan 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article161835322
- [S244] The South Australian Register, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 1896 'THE LATE MR. HARTLEY.', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 17 September, p. 6. , viewed 05 Jan 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54837834
- [S322] The Advertiser (Adelaide, South Australia), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 1898 'THE COUNTRY.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 24 January, p. 6, viewed 18 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35103487
- [S322] The Advertiser (Adelaide, South Australia), Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 1898 'TO CORRESPONDENTS.', The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), 27 January, p. 4, viewed 18 January, 2012, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article35103716
- [S244] The South Australian Register, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia, 1898 'No title', South Australian Register (Adelaide, SA : 1839 - 1900), 29 January, p. 5. , viewed 03 Jan 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article54518811 (Buggy Accident. -Our Mylor correspondent wrote on Friday:— 'Mrs. J [sic]. L Darby and a lady friend were the victims of a buggy accident last night at Aldgate. Mrs. Darby was driving up to the Aldgate Railway Station to meet her husband, Mr. Darby, Chief Clerk in the Woods and Forests Department, when the horse shied at a passing trolley and jumped the fence that flanks the turning of the road. The ladies were thrown out and severely shaken. The shafts of the buggy were broken and other damage done. Mrs. Darby is one of the most popular ladies in the district, and enquiries have elicited the painful fact that she is seriously injured.').
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- [S1055] The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser, Mount Barker, South Australia, 1902 'THE SOUTHERN DISTRICTS.', The Mount Barker Courier and Onkaparinga and Gumeracha Advertiser (SA : 1880 - 1954), 9 May, p. 2. , viewed 03 Jan 2019, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article147767668
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- [S240] Cemetery transcript (microfiche) transcript rerads "George Leonard Darby" (no dates).
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