The death of Mr. Henry Small, which was announced in Friday's 'Examiner' revives the memory of the first settlers and natives of the Clarence River. The Small family were among the first pioneer settlers. Deceased was the youngest son of the late John Small, sen., and was born in 1847 on Woodford Island, South Arm. The only change of residence in his 71 years of life was to opposite side of the South Arm, Fern Bank, Tyndale. It hardly need be said that the changes undergone in the district during that period were one from its natural, condition of standing dense scrub and heavy timbered forests. Cedar trees formed a bountiful growth among the valuable timbers. Cedar getting and cattle raising were among the main sources of income of the Smalls. The early settlers first consideration was the presence of the aboriginal, who at that time was fairly numerous. The white man intruder was keenly watched, and he, in turn, kept his eye on the native. As time wore on the settlers acquired the confidence of the aboriginals, and lived on terms of peace with them. Deceased was exceptionally keen in this respect and acquired a mastery of the blacks language, which, it is said, was found very useful to the white residents. In the home of deceased's parents, which was built of cedar, the first school on the South Arm was conducted by a Mr Wallwork, the contributor of this paragraph being one of the pupils. Deceased married a Miss Hough, of the Hawkesbury, who still survives him, but who has been in very delicate health for some 12 years. Henry Small lived a quiet unassuming life, diligent in his own business and a splendid neighbor.
'Small, Henry (1847–1918)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/small-henry-26514/text34291, accessed 19 September 2024.
26 September,
1847
Woodford Island,
New South Wales,
Australia
24 April,
1918
(aged 70)
Grafton,
New South Wales,
Australia
Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.