Michael SMITH Brushy Creek

[cando]

Hi Norag

Welcome to rootschat

wonder if  his wife Mary born in Clare would that be Ireland or Australia.

Norag
I would say Co Clare, Ireland. 

It is mentioned in the news item that Michael was in the employ of a Charles BUNNING.  I don't think a person was enfranchised to vote or be on a local council unless you were a property owner.  Perhaps he owned his home.


Link to purchase online images of bdm certificates which you can immediately download.  AUD$17.50  You need the surname, registration number and year and of course, your credit card

https://online.justice.vic.gov.au/bdm/index-search?action=purchaseImage

Cheers
Cando

[LoganH]

This what you are after 
The Argus 29th July 1870
UPPER YARRA DISTRICT ROAD BOARD.
South-Western Subdivision.
ANNUAL ORDINARY ELECTION.
I hereby give notice that an election will be held at the Brushy Creek Hotel, on the 11th day of August next, for the purpose of electing one member to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Michael Smith, Esq.
All CANDIDATES at such election must be NOMI-NATED In accordance with the terms of the Local Government Act, No. 176, SectionB 84 and 85.
ROBERT BLAIR, Returning Officer.
July 26 1870.

http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/5827172/227847?zoomLevel=3#pstart227847  (direct link)

[norag]

No Cando it was the other way around. Chas was  his employee. That is stated in the argus newspaper  report  of the inquest.   I also read in an article www.mbc.org.au/localhistory/display/command=display&id=7 Michael is referred to as : Well known and respected shire of lilydale member.

I thought i might come over from  sa and visit lilydale to look up old council records etc

[LoganH]

Norag or Appingirl was wondering if Mary remarried, or anymore names we might be able 'winkle' out.

Thank you for your link Norag, amazing that it shows a picture of Michael with his bullocks and dray, (Appingirl if you have not seen, - under 'Pioneering life').

Logan.

[cando]

Apologies Norag...I skim read things far too quickly.  So Michael was a bullocky and had retired from the Council by 11 Aug 1870.

http://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/content/Public/Home.aspx

A small new snippet about the history of the council
http://www.theage.com.au/news/Victoria/Lilydale/2005/02/17/1108500206670.html

In 1856 a small number of locals petitioned the government to allow the formation of a local council. In fact Lilydale was constituted as a district and the Upper Yarra Roads Board was constituted that year (it did not hold its first meeting until 1862), bringing some form of local administration although Lilydale shire was not formed until 1872.

Cando

[norag]

I don't think she did remarry. I have often wondered how she survived but if she had land  and at least one male employee that we know of may be she did survive alone, as described  in that article about pioneer life. I have also wondered if she did remarry would the children, all under 12 years old, take the new father's name. Clearly this did not happen as they are all my Smith ancestors.
However worth investigating now we know her name which i was not able to find out before!! I am so grateful.

My grandfather is james the second son.
Mt father james, Michael smith is his son and was always known to the family as Son. and also Jim Smith of warragul. He worked on the railways.

[LoganH]

just 1 more on -

Councillor Michael Smith.
The Argus, Thursday 23 January 1873. page 8.
Election Notices.
SHIRE OF LILLYDALE
South West Riding
Extraordinary Vacancy
Notice is hereby given that an ELECTION of one COUNCILLOR, to fill the extraordinary vacancy in the Council caused by the death of Councillor Michael Smith, will be held at Brushy Creek, on Thursday, the 6th Day of February next. All candidates at such election must be nominated in accordance with the terms of the Shires' Statute, No.
358.Nomination day-Wednesday the 20th Inst ROBERT BLAIR, Returning Officer.
http://newspapers.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/5846811/234581?zoomLevel=3#pstart234581  (direct link)

[cando]

Do you know where Michael is buried....perhaps Mary was buried with him.

Death
SMITH Mary
Father Mcnamara  Mother Unknown UNKNOWN
58 years  at Melbourne West  1902  Reg#6714

Cando

[LoganH]

The Doc who conducted the autopsy could be this chap -
Dr. John Blair ELMES, Qualified - Dublin 1863, settled in 1863, addresses - Anderson's Creek 1867 and Lilydale,Vic 1873, died June 1884 at Lilydale,Victoria.
http://www.medicalpioneers.com/cgi-bin/index.cgi?detail=1&id=1248
So Michael possibly is buried in the Lilydale district (just a hunch).