Emily Gurton was born about 1841. Her maiden name appears to have been "Arnold" and she had two children by her first husband, George Gurton:
- William H - born 1862 (NSW BDM 10637/1862) in Murrurundi
- Edward T - born 1863 (NSW BDM 14431/1863) in Wee Waa; died 1872 Gulgong
- Benjamin J - born 1865 (NSW BDM 16198/1865) in Wee Waa.
It is not clear whether any children survived from George Gurton's first marriage to Ellen Gurton nee Blackman. (NSW BDM 645/1854 V1854645 100)
- [Male] - born in 1858 (NSW BDM 9737/1858) at Murrurundi
- [Unknown] - mother died during childbirth (NSW BDM 1860 6269/1860)
Emily Mary Ann Gurton married Thomas Scurrah in Walgett in 1866 (NSW BDM 3258/1866). Thomas and Emily's children included:
- ALICE M - born 1867 (NSW BDM 17156/1867) Walgett
- GEORGE B - born 1868 (NSW BDM 17442/1868) Walgett
- EMILY MARY - born 1870 (NSW BDM 13317/1870) Murrurundi; died 1871 Gulgong.
- THOMAS WILLIAM - born 1872 (NSW BDM 13532/1872) Gulgong; died 1872
- ERNEST ALBERT - born 1873 (NSW BDM 14448/1873) Gulgong
- ELIZABETH C - born 1875 (NSW BDM 15185/1875) Gulgong
- WALTER T - born 1877 (NSW BDM 15826/1877) Mudgee
- ETHEL MAY - born 1879 (NSW BDM 17954/1879) Mudgee
- PERCY EDWARD - born 1882 (NSW BDM 21978/1882) Mudgee
- HERBERT CHARLES - born 1884 (NSW BDM 25383/1884) Mudgee
- HILDA - born 1885 (NSW BDM 9479/1885) Paddington
NEWS ITEMS
NOTICE.THE Undersigned, having PURCHASED the MOORABIE andt MILREA STATIONS, &c, with Property at Quirindi, formerly belonging to Messrs. Murray and Gurton, HAVE ENTERED INTO PARTNERSHIP CONCERNING THOSE PROPERTIES ONLY.WILLIAM WADE.
GEORGE GURTON.
West Maitland, 19th Feb., 1864.
Source: The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893) Sat 20 Feb 1864 Page 1
George Gurton died, aged 43. (NSW BDM 3551/1865) His first wife had died 5 years previously at the age of 27.
1860 - DEATHS.
At Mr. Wm. Lowe's station, Bogra, Castlereagh River, on the 27th November, Ellen, the beloved wife of Mr. George Gurton, aged 27 years.
Source: The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893) Tue 18 Dec 1860 Page 1
At this moment some sad reminiscences are recalled. Perhaps the most sad was the death of Mrs. George Gurton, of Mooribee, being seized with illness (accouchement [childbirth]). A messenger was despatched for the late Dr. Burrell, of Wee Waa. Commendable haste was made, and the journey of 250 miles was quickly negociated, but the poor sufferer expired as the doctor dismounted at the door. Timely surgical aid would have saved her family its sad bereavement.
Source: The Maitland Mercury and Hunter River General Advertiser (NSW : 1843 - 1893) Tue 4 Apr 1876 Page 6
1865 - DEATHS
Died, at Walgett, on the 18th November, Mr. George Gurton, of the firm of Wade and Gurton, Moorabie.Emily took over the licence of Mooribee Inn after George died:
The appraisements are going on quietly. Yowindale, the run of H. Keyes, Esq., was assessed during the week. Mooribee, lately purchased by the same gentleman, is being delivered also. Apropos, we may mention that the Mooribee Inn, formerly kept by the late Mr. Gurton, and included in the sale of the Mooribee property, will now be conducted by Mrs. Gurton. It was at first the intention of Mr. Keyes to remove the premises and shut the business up, to avoid the intrusion upon his property which it naturally occasions; but we are glad to be able to observe that he has relinquished this idea in consideration of the indifferent circumstances in which Mrs. Gurton has been left, with her young family. Such conduct cannot but be appreciated, and Mr. Keyes may enjoy the double satisfaction of sparing to the public a favourite hostelry, and, what is of more infinite merit, also feel that he has assisted "the widowed and the fatherless." On behalf of Mrs. Gurton we venture to solicit for her a continuance of that patronage formerly accorded to her lamented husband.
After Emily's marriage to Thomas Scurrah, he took over the licence of the Mooribee Inn. Thery later moved to Gulgong where Thomas set up as a hairdresser and miner. Read more here.
