In 1896, Joseph Cluff of Gulgong and E. O'Connell of Goodiman, appear to have undertaken a joint Provisional Purchase of land.
Source: New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900) Wed 21 Apr 1897 [Issue No.316 (SUPPLEMENT)] Page 2844John O’Brien of Goodiman said that, when he was a child, the Cluffs lived behind Goodiman homestead and the Tin Hut paddock. There is evidence of the dwelling location in the form of nails and and axe head as well as iris flowers still growing. Wilfred O’Brien, called that area “Cluffs". The Cluffs accessed their home via Mebul Road (the track is visible on Google Earth).
Approximate locations of Cluffs (red) and Deanes (blue) and the likely path to Mebul Road (yellow)
A family called “Dean/Deen/Deane” lived at the property more recently owned by John Woods. After they left, Rainy Copper (Clarry Copper’s brother) bought it. Grace O'Brien would walk down Chooks Gully to visit Deans for afternoon tea (with John as a youngster).
NEWS ITEMS
A marriage recently took place at St. Luke's Church of England, Gulgong, when the Venerable Archdeacon Goer united Mr. Anders Lund, second son of Mrs. Lund, of Tallewang, and Miss Bella Cluff, third daughter of Mr. Joseph Cluff, of Goodiman. The bride, attired in a dress of white liberty silk, with veil and wreath of orange blossoms, was given away by Mr. T. Davis, of the Royal Hotel, Gulgong. Miss Niven, of Spring Ridge, and Miss Linda Cluff, sister of the bride, acted as bridesmaids, and were attired in nun's veiling, trimmed with pale blue ribbon, and hats to match. Mr. J. Lund acted as best man.
The following is a list of the presents: —
- Mother of Bridegroom... Silver cruet and lamp, pair cut glass salt cellars.
- Mother of Bride... Dinner set
- Grandmother of Bridegroom... Cedar table and cloth
- Mr. and Mrs. Chivers (Spring Ridge)... Silver cruet
- Miss and Mister Charles Niven... China tea set
- Mr. and Mrs. A. Underwood... Afternoon tea set
- Miss Honeysette... Glass butter basin
- Miss L. Cluff... Pair vases and jam dishes
- Miss Austin... Pair plush cushions
- Miss Davis (Spring Ridge)... Glass sugar and butter basin, half dozen wine glasses
- Mr. C. Honeysette... Glass butter basin
- Miss M. Cluff... Pair photo frames
- Miss A. Honeysette... Jam dish
- Mr. and Mrs. Rustin... Lamp
- Mrs. O'Connell, sen. (Goodiman)... Half-dozen China cups and saucers
- Master Bert Honeysette... Cut glass butter basin
- Mr. E. O'Connell (Goodiman)... Silver lamp
- Mr. and Mrs. T. Davis (Gulgong)... Pair milk jugs and sugar basin
- Mr. W. Martin... Sugar basin, butter basin, and 3 custard glasses
- Miss Linda Cluff... Pair photo frames
- Master Bruce Cluff... Pair salt cellars.
1906 - [WEDDING - LILY MAY CLUFF]
The marriage was celebrated on 17th instant of Mr. Francis Parry, of Cobbora, and Miss Lily May Cluff, of Goodiman.
1909 - DEATH OF MR. J. J. CLUFF
Sad indeed were the circumstances surrounding the death of Mr. John Joseph Cluff, son of Mrs. J. Cluff, of Goodiman. The deceased, a true type of Australian manhood, was hale and vigorous as usual in the early part of last week, and fired with all the ambition of a clean and healthy mind, he was picturing the future in the most radiant hues, and happy in the present from the consciousness that he was loyally and willingly supporting his widowed mother. Just then when life was full of hope he was cut off in the flower of his youth, for he was but 21 years of age. He became suddenly ill, and was removed to the Gulgong Hospital. There he expired peacefully on Saturday morning and the sad news of his untimely end cast a gloom over the district, and elicited the deepest sympathy for the heart broken and bereaved widowed mother. The funeral on Saturday was very largely attended, over 50 vehicles forming the sad procession to the Gulgong cemetery, where the remains of this heroic son were interred in the Church of England section.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 29 Apr 1909 Page 151912 - MILLER—CLUFF
Emilia, fourth daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Cluff (Goodiman) and Ernest, son of Mr. and Mrs. William Miller (Cobbora) were joined in holy wedlock by Rev. E. P. Lowe in St. Luke's Church of England, Gulgong, on Wednesday morning last. The bride looked very pretty in her dress of white silk. She was given away by her grandfather (Mr. J. Buckley). Little Miss Leah, niece of the bride, ably acted in the capacity of bridesmaid. She wore a dress of blue silk. The bridegroom's present to the bride was a gold bracelet, and in return she presented him with a pair of gold sleeve links. Mr. Joseph Cluff, brother of the bride, filled the role of best man. The happy couple left for Dunedoo for the purpose of spending their honeymoon. The wedding breakfast was held at the residence of Mrs. Wicham (Dunedoo).
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 14 Mar 1912 Page 241913 - CORRESPONDENCE.
The following correspondence was received:— From Mr. M. J. Cluff, Goodiman, re bad state of Cobbora road to gate leading into his property. Referred to Engineer.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 14 Aug 1913 Page 351913 - ENGINEERS REPORT
Re road to Mrs. Cluff's, Goodiman Creek, I have directed maintenance men to carry out some minor repairs, which I think will meet the |case, and I trust meet with your approval.
'I submit an offer from Mr. E O'Connell to purchase some old and (to the shire) useless decking at Goodiman, and recommend same for acceptance.'
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 18 Sep 1913 Page 321914 - [WEDDING - LINDA CLUFF]
A quiet wedding was solemnised at Gulgong on Wednesday, 8th instant, when Mr. Samuel Copelin, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. W. J . Copelin, of Tallewang, was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Linda Cluff, daughter of Mrs. and the late Mr. Joseph Cluff, of Goodiman.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 16 Apr 1914 Page 161917 - Killed in Action.. PRIVATE BRUCE CLUFF.
1917 - LOCAL BREVITIES
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 2 Aug 1917 Page 24
Mrs. J. Cluff, of Goodiman, Gulgong, was officially advised last week that her son, Private Bruce Cluff, had been killed in action in France on September 25. Private Bruce Cluff, who was only 18 years of age, sailed from Australia about 12 months ago. Prior to enlisting he was engaged on his mother's property at Goodiman.
Another son, Private Joseph Cluff, has been on active service for two years, and is now serving with the A.I.F. in France.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Mon 5 Nov 1917 Page 2Another son, Private Joseph Cluff, has been on active service for two years, and is now serving with the A.I.F. in France.
Joseph Cluff
Mrs. J. Cluff, of Goodiman, has received word to the effect that her son, Pte. Joe Cluff, has been wounded in France, but not seriously.
THE FAMILY OF ELIAS CLUFF
Elias Cluff snr was the son of Ann McGowan and Thomas Cluff. In 1891, Elias Cluff, a labourer, married Matilda Jane Kelly in Coonabarabran. They had the following children:
- Elias - born 1892 Coonabarabran
- Matilda - born 1895 Coolah
- Rebecca Jane - born 1894 in Dubbo
- Selina - born 1898 Cassilis
- Arthur - born 1901 Cassilis
- Alexander - born 1904 Coonabarabran
- Elizabeth - born 1907 Gulgong
Elias Cluff (16), tried at the Leadville Police Court on 8th January, 1908, larceny; sentence, one month’s hard labour. To be of good behaviour for twelve months.
Source: New South Wales Police Gazette and Weekly Record of Crime (Sydney : 1860 - 1930) Wed 29 Jan 1908 [Issue No.5] Page 431909 - NEWS IN BRIEF.
Rebecca Jane Cluff, employed as a domestic servant at Leadville, committed suicide on Monday by taking strychnine. She was only 15 years of age.
Source: 1909 - SUICIDE.
A girl named Dolly Cluff, aged 16 years, who was employed by Mrs.W. Sutherland, of Leadville, committed suicide on Saturday evening, 19th. inst., by taking strychnine. At about 8.30 p.m. Mrs. Sutherland went into one of the bedrooms and found her lying on a bed dead. A mug and match-box lid and a bottle containing strychnine were found in the room. It appears that the bottle of strychnine was kept in one of the out-houses, and was used for poisoning rabbits. Mr. E. J. Lowe, coroner, held an inquiry. Dr. Blaney examined the body. A verdict was returned to the effect that deceased's death was caused by poison administered by herself.
Elias Cluff, jnr
CLUFF. — Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Elias Cluff (late of A.I.F.), last heard of Goondiwindi, kindly communicate the undersigned. Brother and sister anxious.
Robert Cluff; Birriwa P.O.
Elias Cluff Jnr was reunited with his siblings in Goondiwindi but ultimately moved back to the Gulgong area. He died in 1961 (NSW BDM 17192/1961) and is buried at Mudgee.
