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John Small (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 21 May 2025.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2025

Life Summary [details]

Birth

21 October, 1794
Ryde, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Death

15 April, 1883 (aged 88)
Woodford Island, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

general debility

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

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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.

Occupation or Descriptor