ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

On this day the 17th April 1868 Robert Pacey of Windmere Dairy aged 29 yeas drowned in the Fitzroy river at Eighteen mile island whilst droving cattle with James Archer. So proud of my heritage and also of his wife Flora who was left to raise five young children on her own.

Robert, The youngest son of Patrick Pacey and Ann Cowell was but a few weeks old when his father was involved in the Carlow election riots in 1837 and just over a year old when his father was imprisoned in the Dublin jail prior to transportation to Australia. He was 12 years old befre he saw his father again.

Patrick junior Robert, Mary, Margaret and Ellen set sail for Australia on board The Pamama and arrived in Australia in 1849. Their mother Ann was not listed on the records so it is presumed that she passed away prior to this date.

Little is known about Roberts early days in the colony but their father Patrick senior ran a tailors shop that was situated where the Treasury Casino stands today.

In 1856 Robert joined his sisters Margaret and Ellen and travelled to Gracemere with the overland party with the Gracemere stock. Robert was employed as a stockman and horsebreaker by The Archers .

In November 1858 the first sale of town allotments in Rockhampton was held and Robert was amongst the seventy people who purchased blocks.

Robert married Flora McDonald at Mr Walkers hotel in Gayndah on the 20 th March 1860 and after selling his town blocks acquired land under the then land act in 1862. This selection as some of the best grazing land in the district with rich and well watered pastures and was the beginning of the Pacey’s property between Nine mile and Gracemere, called Windmere and this selection was a successful dairy for many years. ( note this is the site on which Paradise Lagoons stands today ) Robert and Flora had five children Robert, John, Mary Ann. Archibald and Flora.

Robert unfortunately was drowned in the Fitzroy river helping James Archer drove cattle across the river at Eighteen mile island on the 17 April 1868. Robert was buried in The Archer private cemetery at Gracemere

Widowed with five young children to support Flora soon found the small agricultural block was to small to support her family and in 1869 and in succeeding years Flora attended the Gracemere resumptions ( one of the few women to do so ) and from the original holdings of 160 acres had by 1889 increased her landholdings to 3744 acres.

Flora died at Glengarry a property north of Rockhampton which was owned by Floras brother Hugh on the 5th March 1906 and was buried in the Yamba Cemetery.

Windmere passed on to Floras oldest son Robert Lachlan who with the help of his six sons ran the dairy for many years until it was sold in 1957.

Went for a drive last Saturday and located The grave of Roberts Wife Flora a little overgrown but I will go back and clean it up .


Bob

Interesting read there Bob,
I have a fair bit of early family history in the Hawkesbury area and can appreciate how rewarding it must have been to locate Flora's grave. It always gives me a sense of 'a glimpse into the past' when visiting old graveyards, and a bit of solace and appreciation of the times that have gone before.
There is a product called 'Wet and Forget' available and it is ideal for cleaning up old headstones. Just spray it on, it takes a little while but does the job well with no hard work attached. We have found it works wonders.
Cheers Ron.

Thanks Ron I was gonna goggle to see what I could use I have a picky on my camera but can not work out how to get it off.


Will post it if I can,

The local paper is very interested in doing the story so gotta send some more info in.

This poem is written by my auntie Pat who passed away last a couple of years back she has a lot to answer for as she was the one who got me started on writing poetry and performing.

Robert Pacey

His name as Robert Pacey he was tough and down to earth.
He sailed across the ocean from the country of his birth.
He chose this land Australia to start a brand new life
He met a true and gentle girl; asked her to be his wife.

This lass, Flora McDonald was Scottish born and bred
She gave to him her promise that soon they would be wed.
He met up with the Archer boys those pioneers of fame
As he had worked with cattle, head stockman he became.

Exploring land, these fine brave men found and named this town
Rockhampton’s such a lovely spot they thought they’d settle down.
Bob then returned from whence he came; brought back with him his wife
Once more they crossed the rugged land to a whole new way of life.

One happy day his wife gave birth to the first white baby boy.
Born at Archer’s home of Gracemere their hearts were full of joy.
They found a spot and settled down on the banks of a lagoon.
With gum trees growing straight and tall wildflowers all in bloom.

They started then to build their home the land they had to clear.
Of hand-cut slabs they built the house and called it “ Windmere “.
Though work as hard and hours long, T’was good to be alive.
They faced each day with faith and hope; of children they had five.

As time went by they had their share of both good and bad luck.
Happy in the home they‘d made and then disaster struck.
In that river called the Fitzroy, Bob‘s destiny he found.
While crossing cattle with his boss Robert Pacey drowned.

Flora watched him laid to rest in Archer’s cemetery.
She knew she had to raise alone their precious family.
Through many years have passed since then somehow I seem to know
The spirit of that fine brave man still watches Rocky grow.

And we the Pacey family would like to make it clear.
We’re mighty proud descendants of that Rocky pioneer.

Pat Little ( C )

It's great to have a link back to your family history like you have here Bob. Good on your Aunty Pat for kicking you off with your writing. She was no slouch at it either obviously. Every right to be proud of such a heritage, it is something to treasure.