Obituaries Australia

Frederick Armytage, n.d.

from Pastoralists' Review, 16 September 1912

At "Como," Toorak, Melbourne, on the 3rd inst, there passed away one of the old pioneers in the person of Mr. Frederick William Armytage. Mr. Armytage was born in Tasmania in 1837, and was in his seventy-fifth year. He was a well-known figure in pastoral circles, having resided at Woolomanata Estate, near Geelong, which was originally taken up by his father, the late Mr. George Armytage. He was also the owner at various times of the following properties:—Mossgiel and Nocoleche in New South Wales, and Norley, Thargomindah, and Eulbertie in Queensland. Mr. Armytage took a great interest in the frozen meat industry, and together with the late George Fairbairn and Hastings Cuningham sent the first shipment of frozen meat from Australia to London in the year 1879 in the steamer Strathleven. Mr. Armytage owned most of the cattle shipped in this venture, and was, therefore, the proprietor of the first bill of lading for frozen produce from the Commonwealth of Australia. Mr. Armytage's father came to Sydney in the year 1813, and from there went to Tasmania. The Armytage family brought over a number of sheep from Tasmania to Victoria, and took up the country around what is now Winchelsea, the property afterwards being known as Ingleby. One of the party was the late Mr. Gellibrand, after whom Mount Gellibrand was named, and who was lost during the expedition. Owing to the early settlement of the family, it was natural that they should have a great deal to do with the aboriginals of the district in which they settled, and they greatly respected Mr. Armytage. It is noteworthy that one of the old Leigh tribe lived for many years on Mr. Armytage's Woolomanata Estate, and died only a few days ago, being the last survivor of his tribe. Mr. Armytage married Miss Mary Staughton, a daughter of the late Mr. Simon Staughton, of the Werribee, and there are three sons surviving.