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Small, John (1794–1883)

On Sunday last, 15th instant, death claimed another victim, in the person of Mr John Small, sen., who breathed his last at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr G. R. Powell, of Tydale, South Arm. The deceased gentleman, who was born on the Parramatta River, was, we believe, the oldest native in the colony, having attained the advanced age of ninety years. He was also one of the earliest pioneers of the Clarence, having arrived here, with his family, fifty five years ago, in the schooner Susan, owned by his brother, the late Mr. Thomas Small, and settled on Woodford Island, where he and some of his family have resided ever since. He leaves his family of nine, all residing on the Clarence (and amongst whom are Messrs. J. F. Small, Sen., J.P., James Small, Henry Small, and George Small, Mesdames G. R. Powell, T. Cowper, and T. T. Seller), sixty-one grandchildren, and twenty-two great-grandchildren – 92 all told. Two of deceased's brothers, who are both over eighty years of age, are living on the Parramatta river; and Mrs. Oakes, who recently died at Parramatta at the advanced age of ninety-five years, was his sister. The unprecedented longevity attained by this family goes far to prove the salubrity of the Australian climate. The remains of the deceased were interred in the family's private cemetery on Woodford Island, on Tuesday, 17th instant, in the presence of a large number of relations and friends.

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Citation details

'Small, John (1794–1883)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/small-john-18837/text30941, accessed 23 March 2023.

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