Susan Alice Brown b. 1864 d 1951
Glen Avon, the Kennedy and the Ross Families
Two years after James, Susan Alice Brown was born in Ipswich. Susan was 12 years of age when her father died.
Susan (16) may have moved to Tartha with her mother in 1880 but it is more likely she lived in either Ipswich with her mother's aunt, Charlotte Ivett nee Rider or in and around Dalby. But it seems certain she visited the McLarans at Kilkevan at St Ruth, where she probably met their neighbour, John Kennedy.
Marriage
In 1885 (21) Susan married John Kennedy (31) at Charlott Ivett's home:
29 Jan 1885 Queensland Times
MARRIAGES. On the 10th December, at the residence of Mrs. Ivett, Little Ipswich, by the Rev. W. V. Young, John Kennedy, of Dalby to Susan Alice, second daughter of the late Thomas Huntley Brown, of Ipswich.
Hugh Ross and Greenbank
The Kennedy - Brown marriage joined the Brown family to the early - if not the earliest - Dalby Scottish pioneers, the Ross family. John Kennedy was a grandson of Hugh Ross 1797 - 1862. Hugh and his family emigrated to Tasmania in 1836, and after six years in New South Wales moved to Oakey Creek. (Oakey Creek runs on the northern boundary of Kilkevan.) In the early 1840s, Ross took up Greenbank, one of the three major properties surrounding the township of Myall Creek, which would later be renamed Dalby. Greenbank was over 90 square miles in size and covered the future Louden holding and the area called Kupunn after 1913.
Greenbank was at one stage owned by Hugh's "cousin" (perhaps 2nd cousins, Finlay was married to Hugh's sister) Finlay Ross 1815 - 1860 and subsequently administered by his (Hugh's) son, Robert Ross, on behalf of family members. Robert's administration left a little to be desired and in 1875 he was sued by the owners, including his sister Janet's children.
Having been a publican, a landowner and a butcher over 20 years in Dalby, Hugh Ross was a popular local identity and his 1862 funeral was the largest the town had ever seen. In excess of 250 mourners attended the ceremony. Hugh's numerous (50+) grandchildren married into many Scottish (and Irish) Dalby families, such as the McLennans (who also married into the McLarans).
Two years after James, Susan Alice Brown was born in Ipswich. Susan was 12 years of age when her father died.
Susan (16) may have moved to Tartha with her mother in 1880 but it is more likely she lived in either Ipswich with her mother's aunt, Charlotte Ivett nee Rider or in and around Dalby. But it seems certain she visited the McLarans at Kilkevan at St Ruth, where she probably met their neighbour, John Kennedy.
Marriage
In 1885 (21) Susan married John Kennedy (31) at Charlott Ivett's home:
29 Jan 1885 Queensland Times
MARRIAGES. On the 10th December, at the residence of Mrs. Ivett, Little Ipswich, by the Rev. W. V. Young, John Kennedy, of Dalby to Susan Alice, second daughter of the late Thomas Huntley Brown, of Ipswich.
Hugh Ross and Greenbank
The Kennedy - Brown marriage joined the Brown family to the early - if not the earliest - Dalby Scottish pioneers, the Ross family. John Kennedy was a grandson of Hugh Ross 1797 - 1862. Hugh and his family emigrated to Tasmania in 1836, and after six years in New South Wales moved to Oakey Creek. (Oakey Creek runs on the northern boundary of Kilkevan.) In the early 1840s, Ross took up Greenbank, one of the three major properties surrounding the township of Myall Creek, which would later be renamed Dalby. Greenbank was over 90 square miles in size and covered the future Louden holding and the area called Kupunn after 1913.
Greenbank was at one stage owned by Hugh's "cousin" (perhaps 2nd cousins, Finlay was married to Hugh's sister) Finlay Ross 1815 - 1860 and subsequently administered by his (Hugh's) son, Robert Ross, on behalf of family members. Robert's administration left a little to be desired and in 1875 he was sued by the owners, including his sister Janet's children.
Having been a publican, a landowner and a butcher over 20 years in Dalby, Hugh Ross was a popular local identity and his 1862 funeral was the largest the town had ever seen. In excess of 250 mourners attended the ceremony. Hugh's numerous (50+) grandchildren married into many Scottish (and Irish) Dalby families, such as the McLennans (who also married into the McLarans).
McLaran - Ross - Kennedy Connections
Members of the Ross and the Kennedy families were very well known to Donald McLaran and his wife Clara:
28 Nov 1874 Darling Downs Gazette
DALBY.
At a special Iand Court, held yesterday by Chas. Coxen, Esq......
Applications for selections under Homestead Areas Act .... Jane Kennedy No. 328, St Ruth's 320 acres ....
30 Oct 1875 The Queenslander
DALBY LAND COURT.
At the Land Court sitting held at Dalby, before Mr. Commissioner Hume, on October 21, the following applications to select Crown lands were disposed of... John Kennedy, 240 acres pastoral, St Ruths ...
Members of the Ross and the Kennedy families were very well known to Donald McLaran and his wife Clara:
- Donald had involved Robert Ross in his carrying business in the 1860s - see McLaran v Wruth.
- Malcolm McLaran had purchased an adjoining 320 acres to add to Kilkevan from Hugh's son William Ross 1826 - 1889 in 1881.
- John Kennedy's father Michael died in 1865. When St Ruth was opened up for selectors in the 1870's, both John and his mother Jane selected land on the western side of the St Ruth - Dalby road, holdings that would grow and eventually be known as Glen Avon. The McLaran holdings were adjacent on the eastern side of the road. All holdings had frontage to Oakey Creek.
28 Nov 1874 Darling Downs Gazette
DALBY.
At a special Iand Court, held yesterday by Chas. Coxen, Esq......
Applications for selections under Homestead Areas Act .... Jane Kennedy No. 328, St Ruth's 320 acres ....
30 Oct 1875 The Queenslander
DALBY LAND COURT.
At the Land Court sitting held at Dalby, before Mr. Commissioner Hume, on October 21, the following applications to select Crown lands were disposed of... John Kennedy, 240 acres pastoral, St Ruths ...
The Kennedy Family
John Kennedy 1854 - 1947 and Susan Alice Brown 1864 - 1951 had six children, five of whom lived long lives:
Albert (Bert) never maried. He was the mainstay at Glen Avon and a good jockey, but not as good as his brother, Tom. Gertrude became a nurse and married into the Cribb family of Ipswich. Irene (Rene), a teacher, was posted to Cloncurry where she met and married a stock and station agent. Thomas (Tom), who trained as a teacher, became a Hall of Fame amateur jockey, and a successful horse trainer and breeder. Tom had a deal with his students: he could ride during the week if together they made up the time later that week. Around 1950, Tom trained a horse that was the only Queensland progeny of the famous Darling Downs champion, Bernborough. Gladys never married and died at a relatively young age at Glen Avon. Tragically, Leslie caught influenza while at boarding school in Toowoomba and passed away at the age of 16.
John and Susan, due to circumstances, had only 5 grandchildren and a handful of great-grandchildren, some of whom live around Dalby today.
John Kennedy 1854 - 1947 and Susan Alice Brown 1864 - 1951 had six children, five of whom lived long lives:
- Albert Lewis 1886 - 1953
- Gertrude Jane 1887 - 1978
- Irene Charlotte 1889 - 1976
- Thomas Cecil 1891 - 1953
- Gladys Alice 1898 - 1943
- Leslie Michael 1902 - 1919
Albert (Bert) never maried. He was the mainstay at Glen Avon and a good jockey, but not as good as his brother, Tom. Gertrude became a nurse and married into the Cribb family of Ipswich. Irene (Rene), a teacher, was posted to Cloncurry where she met and married a stock and station agent. Thomas (Tom), who trained as a teacher, became a Hall of Fame amateur jockey, and a successful horse trainer and breeder. Tom had a deal with his students: he could ride during the week if together they made up the time later that week. Around 1950, Tom trained a horse that was the only Queensland progeny of the famous Darling Downs champion, Bernborough. Gladys never married and died at a relatively young age at Glen Avon. Tragically, Leslie caught influenza while at boarding school in Toowoomba and passed away at the age of 16.
John and Susan, due to circumstances, had only 5 grandchildren and a handful of great-grandchildren, some of whom live around Dalby today.
Comments
Susan and John Kennedy chose for each of their children one name to honour a close relative:
Lewis - after Lewis James Eversden
Jane - after Jane Rider
Charlotte - after Jane's aunt, Charlotte Ivett nee Rider
Thomas - after Susan's father
Alice - Susan's second name
Michael - after Michael Kennedy, John's father.
Susan was 8 years younger than her neighbour and step-sister, Clara Eversden. However, her first 4 children, all born before Donald and Clara McLaran moved from Kilkevan to Dalby, would have been the closest playmates for at least 3 of the McLaran children. In the late 1950's my grandfather, Malcolm Lewis McLaran b. 1886, and a cousin and I went fishing on the Condamine at Glen Avon. Pop knew his way around the property intimately.
Susan and John Kennedy chose for each of their children one name to honour a close relative:
Lewis - after Lewis James Eversden
Jane - after Jane Rider
Charlotte - after Jane's aunt, Charlotte Ivett nee Rider
Thomas - after Susan's father
Alice - Susan's second name
Michael - after Michael Kennedy, John's father.
Susan was 8 years younger than her neighbour and step-sister, Clara Eversden. However, her first 4 children, all born before Donald and Clara McLaran moved from Kilkevan to Dalby, would have been the closest playmates for at least 3 of the McLaran children. In the late 1950's my grandfather, Malcolm Lewis McLaran b. 1886, and a cousin and I went fishing on the Condamine at Glen Avon. Pop knew his way around the property intimately.
The Deaths of John Kennedy and Susan Alice Brown
John and Susan were brought together by the McLaran - Eversden - Kilkevan connection. Unlike the McLarans, they never moved from St Ruth and the following obituaries sum up their lives succinctly:
30 May 1947 Dalby Herald
Mr. J. Kennedy
The death occurred yesterday morning at his residence of John Kennedy (91), of St. Ruth Road, Dalby. The funeral took place this morning at 11 o'clock from St. John's Church of England. The late Mr Kennedy was born at Greenbank Station nearly 92 years ago. After he married Miss Susan Alice Brown he spent the rest of his life at Glen Avon.
Mr. Kennedy was an active member of the Dalby P. and A. Association and was a foundation member of the Northern Downs Jockey Club. His son Thomas, is Dalby's leading horse trainer at the present time. Mr. Kennedy was a man of sterling character, but of a quiet and retiring disposition; He was ever ready to lend a helping hand to all. He is survived by his widow, two daughters (Mesdames G. Cribb. and A. J. Kennan) and two sons (Bert and Tom). A son (Leslie) and daughter (Gladys) predeceased him.
25 May 1951 Dalby Herald
MRS. S. A. KENNEDY. The death occurred at her residence, Glen Avon, Dalby, on Sunday, of Mrs. Susan Alice Kennedy, at the age of 87 years. Mrs. Kennedy was the daughter of the late Captain and Mrs. Huntley Brown, and had, since her marriage to the late Mr. John Kennedy, lived in the Dalby district. Mrs. Kennedy, when in good health, was an ardent worker for the Church of England, and was a foundation member of the Dalby branch of the Q.C.W.A., being a vice-president for many years. She was a person who possessed very fine qualities, was of a charitable and hospitable nature, and she will be greatly missed by her many friends. A son, Leslie, and daughter, Gladys predeceased her, and she is survived by two sons, Bert (Glen Avon), Tom (Dalby), and two daughters (Mrs. G. J. Cribb, of Ipswich), and Mrs. A. J. Kennan (of Brisbane).
John and Susan were brought together by the McLaran - Eversden - Kilkevan connection. Unlike the McLarans, they never moved from St Ruth and the following obituaries sum up their lives succinctly:
30 May 1947 Dalby Herald
Mr. J. Kennedy
The death occurred yesterday morning at his residence of John Kennedy (91), of St. Ruth Road, Dalby. The funeral took place this morning at 11 o'clock from St. John's Church of England. The late Mr Kennedy was born at Greenbank Station nearly 92 years ago. After he married Miss Susan Alice Brown he spent the rest of his life at Glen Avon.
Mr. Kennedy was an active member of the Dalby P. and A. Association and was a foundation member of the Northern Downs Jockey Club. His son Thomas, is Dalby's leading horse trainer at the present time. Mr. Kennedy was a man of sterling character, but of a quiet and retiring disposition; He was ever ready to lend a helping hand to all. He is survived by his widow, two daughters (Mesdames G. Cribb. and A. J. Kennan) and two sons (Bert and Tom). A son (Leslie) and daughter (Gladys) predeceased him.
25 May 1951 Dalby Herald
MRS. S. A. KENNEDY. The death occurred at her residence, Glen Avon, Dalby, on Sunday, of Mrs. Susan Alice Kennedy, at the age of 87 years. Mrs. Kennedy was the daughter of the late Captain and Mrs. Huntley Brown, and had, since her marriage to the late Mr. John Kennedy, lived in the Dalby district. Mrs. Kennedy, when in good health, was an ardent worker for the Church of England, and was a foundation member of the Dalby branch of the Q.C.W.A., being a vice-president for many years. She was a person who possessed very fine qualities, was of a charitable and hospitable nature, and she will be greatly missed by her many friends. A son, Leslie, and daughter, Gladys predeceased her, and she is survived by two sons, Bert (Glen Avon), Tom (Dalby), and two daughters (Mrs. G. J. Cribb, of Ipswich), and Mrs. A. J. Kennan (of Brisbane).
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Thomas Cecil Kennedy - Hall of Fame
In the annals of Australia’s racing history, the career of amateur rider Tom Kennedy remained unparalleled in the 20th Century. Tom was born at his family’s property ‘Glen Avon’ via Dalby in 1891. The youthful schoolteacher is credited with more than 2000 winners during a 34-year career spanning tracks from Queensland to Sydney. He rode his first winner at Gillis’s hare paddock at St Ruth Road, between Dalby and Cecil Plains in 1905, and it is believed that he rode in his final race at Dalby somewhere around 1940. Tom’s interstate success included victory on Poparan in the 1935 Corinthian Handicap at Menangle near Sydney. His extraordinary ability to dominate in the saddle was underlined by his 1924 feat to ride 116 winners. His star-studded career also included numerous occasions when he rode the entire program. Tom’s love of horses extended to ‘doctoring’ them at a time when there were no veterinarians in Dalby and one of his veterinary medical books remains in his family. Tom also went on to become a trainer and achieved numerous highlights during the 1940s and early 1950s with picnic horses prepared for Messrs Roland and Mr. Roy Winten of ‘Dunmore Park’, Mr. Charlie Frith of ‘Taunton’, Mr. Vince Comerford of ‘OK’, Cecil and Babe Adcock of ‘Ascot’, Mr. Jack Price of Jimbour, Des de Burgh Persse of ‘Urara’ and Mrs. Millicent Russell and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Russell of ‘Jimbour House’. Following his death in 1953, aged 61, it was claimed by the Dalby Herald that, wherever racing folk gather in Queensland to talk of the ‘old’ days, the name Tom Kennedy will crop up, and the fame the former school teacher achieved will live long. |
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Equine Hall of Fame - Thomas Kennedy in exaulted company.