DEATH OF THE OLDEST AUSTRALIAN NATIVE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7563, 30 May 1885, Page 5

DEATH OF THE OLDEST AUSTRALIAN NATIVE.

We (Bathurst Timet) learn that Mrs Morgan, sen. (old “ Granny Morgan/’ as she was familiarly called by her. friends), died at the residence of her daughter-in-law (Mrs W. Morgan), Pitt street. Bedfern, on May 5. This old lady was wellknown to residents of Kelso and Bathurst, and had a remarkable career. She had lived to be almost a centenarian, being 84 years of age at the time of her death, which occurred after she had been confined to her bed for three weeks. Mrs Morgan’s maiden name was Ann Collins, and her mother came to this Colony—a free woman —in the second fleet that arrived, about 1791, as a servant, we believe, to the Governor’s wife. Deceased was bom on the voyage out, not very far from the Australian coast. Her father died when she was quite young, and she married when she was 16 years old. By this marriage she had 15 children, nine of whom are still living. The late Mr W. Morgan, of Kelso, who was born in Sydney, was the eldest, and when he died in April, 1881, he was 73' 1 years of age. Deceased had 60 grandchildren, a large number of great grandchildren—probably more' than 60—and at least three great-great-grandchildren. She came to Bathurst 33 years ago, and lived ever afterwards with her eldest son’s family. She enjoyed wonderfully good health until her last illness, and,.except a slight deafness, she possessed all her faculties. Up to the last two or three months she was as hearty as anyone could well be, being able to walk up and down stairs to her meals three times a day. As might be expected, she had many interesting things to tell of the early history of the Colony; She saw the first cattle arrive that ever landed in Australia, and there was then only a small jetty in the harbour, and no houses to speak of beyond the. Government establisments. She often spoke of a journey which she frequently walked—from Sydney to Parramatta—carrying twin sons three or four months old, and when this was done she used to have to grind corn in a small steel mill, to make bread for her husband’s supper. Those were the days of hard work, and rough fare, and times .have changed. “ Granny ” Morgan lived to see the settlement on the shores of Port Jackson grow into a magnificent city, the marvellous development of the interior, and the many interesting events in this and other Colonies. She lived, too, to see her children in respectable positions.