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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website contains names, images, and voices of deceased persons.

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Maria Welch (1834–1909)

Maria Welch, the oldest surviving member of the once-numerous Adelaide tribe of aborigines, died on December 7 at Point Pierce Mission Station. She must have been at least 85 years of age, and remembered Adelaide as a small town, consisting chiefly of tents. She was educated in the old Location School in Adelaide, and afterwards saw long service in the employ of Mr. A. Macfarlane, of Wellington Lodge, and Mr. Bagot, of North Adelaide. For many years she resided at the Poonindie Mission Station, and both there and since at Point Pierce [Pearce] Mission, won the love and esteem of the people, by nursing the sick and her devout kindly disposition. She was justly proud of the fact that she had been a member of the church for 30 years. She has left behind her husband, Phil Welch, to whom she had been married for 50 years. Her niece, Amelia Taylor, is now believed to be the sole surviving member of the Adelaide trite. She was of royal blood, her brother being the once famous chief and King, James Rodney.

Original publication

Additional Resources

Citation details

'Welch, Maria (1834–1909)', Obituaries Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://oa.anu.edu.au/obituary/welch-maria-29703/text37067, accessed 19 March 2024.

© Copyright Obituaries Australia, 2010-2024

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • Black Maria
Birth

1834
Adelaide Plains, South Australia, Australia

Death

7 December, 1909 (aged ~ 75)
Point Pearce, South Australia, Australia

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.

Occupation
Key Places