Sunday, October 13, 2024

J F WILLIAMS

JOHN F WILLIAMS married ELLEN WELLS in Gulgong in 1901 (NSW BDM 6703/1901). Their children included:

  • Vincent J - born 1902
  • Jospeh E - born 1904
  • Mary C - born 1906
  • Gertrude - born 1908
  • John Francis - born 1910 (NSW BDM 4362/1910)
  • Alice M - born 1911
  • Florence E - born 1913
  • Ellen - born 1916
  • Una F - born 1917
  • Kathleen - born 1920
  • Elizabeth E - born 1921
NEWS ITEMS

1902 - [CANDIDATE]
Municipal matters are a bit more lively in Gulgong than Mudgee, Mr. J. F. Williams, of Canadian, is in the field. We would be pleased to see him take his place at the Council, for there is nothing like the young men coming forward. Mr. A. W. Wood is also a candidate with excellent chances of success.

1902 - [RESULTS]
Gulgong.— R. Rouse, C. E. Hilton, J. F. Williams (elected). Extraordinary vacancy: A. J. Wood (elected).
Source: Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) Wed 12 Feb 1902 Page 7

1902 - [OPINION]
Mr. J. F. Williams' election to a seat in the Gulgong council is a matter for congratulation. It is good to see the young men of the community ready to take their share of public work, and it is better still to see the public approve of their ambition. A seat at any of the district councils should be eagerly sought, for and deemed an honor.

1903 - [ADVERTISEMENT]
150 Fat Sheep. - Crossing & Cox HAVE received instructions from J. F. Williams, Esq. , and others, to sell by auction at the Corporation Sale Yards, on TUESDAY next, 14th April, at 10 o'clock, 150 Prime Fat Sheep.

1904 - [ADVERTISEMENT]
A Grand Social IN AID OF THE Wilbetree R.C. Organ Fund, WILL BE HELD AT HOME RULE IN Moroney's Hall, ON Wednesday, September 14 - DOUBLE TICKETS 3s. - SINGLE 2s. - Doors Open at 7.30.
J. F. WILLIAMS and W. DONOGHUE, Hon Secs.

1905 - [RETIRING ALDERMEN]
GULGONG.—Retiring aldermen: A. E. Brigden, J. F. Williams, T. J. Wade. Auditors: W R. Bentzen,
A. Cross.

1905 - [WILBETREE RIFLE CLUB]
The following are the officers elected in connection with the Wilbetree rifle club:—Patron, Mr. Isaac Rowbotham; captain, Mr. H. F. McHugh; hon. sec., Mr. W. Donoghue; hon. treas., Mr. J. F. Williams; committee, Messrs. Thos. Mitchell, Thos. Rowbotham, George Williams, and John Donoghue.

1906 - 'VULCANA,' Loneragan's Ltd - Meeting at Home Rule.
A meeting was held at Home Rule on Friday to discuss the railway route from Mudgee to Dunedoo. The chair was occupied by Mr. C. J. Barrett, and the meeting was addressed by Messrs. McHugh and Morony. Mr. Armstrong moved the following resolution:
'That this meeting is of the opinion that the Mudgee-Dunedoo railway should be constructed via Wilbetree and Canadian with all possible speed, and it is also the opinion that a deviation via Cullenbone is against common sense, on the following grounds: (1) There is no genuine appeal for it ; (2) The Cullenbone route is comparatively a desert, and (3), that construction in that direction would be disastrous to the densely populated districts of Wilbetree and Canadian.' 
Seconded by Alderman J. F. Williams (Gulgong), and carried unanimously. Messrs. Morony, J. Griflin and E. James were appointed to give evidence before the Public Works Committee at Gulgong on the 20th instant. The attendance at the meeting numbered 55.

1908 - Gulgong Municipality - NOMINATIONS RECEIVED.
The following nominations were received yesterday for aldermen. Mr. W. G. Gibbs returning officer. As only seven are nominated and nine are required, steps will have to be be taken to vacancies : —
A. E Brigden
A. E. Souter
Stanley B. Rouse
William A. Watt
H. J. E. Gudgeon
J. F. Williams
Wade Gudgeon.

Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 23 Jan 1908 Page 12

1909 - Mayor's Allowance Refused.
At the last meeting of the Gulgong Municipal Council the Mayor was granted an annual allowance of £15, although Aldermen J. F. Williams and R. A. Hornsey voted against it. The Mayor said he was strongly in favor of an allowance being made to the person who occupied the mayoral chair, but he had not made up his mind as to whether he would accept or not. On Monday, however, Alderman Brigden informed us that he had given the matter careful consideration, and had decided not to accept the allowance this year. — ' Advertiser.'
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 11 Feb 1909 Page 14

1910 - [HACB OFFICERS]
At the half-yearly meeting of All Hallows branch [of the Hibernian Australasian Catholic Benefit Society], Gulgong, the following officers were elected for the current half-year: ... Rev. Father E. O'Donnell, P.P., Ald. J. F. Williams, D. McGrath, sen.; auditors...

1910 - GULGONG MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.
A special meeting of the Gulgong Municipal Council was held on Wednesday night, February 9, when there were present Aldermen A. E. Brigden (Mayor), J. F. Williams, H. J. Gudgeon, W. Gudgeon, A. E. Souter, and R. Hornsey. A letter was received from the Works Department refusing the request of the Council for a grant of £300 to erect a new bridge at Home Rule. It was decided that the Mayor interview the Hon. Lee, Minister, with a view to having the grant obtained. The Mayoral allowances for the ensuing year was fixed at £50. Alderman A. E. Brigden was unanimously reelected Mayor for 1910-11. A motion was carried that a rate of 3d in the £, on the unimproved capital value, be struck and levied. The clerk read a detailed statement of arrears of rates and interest thereon. The amount of back rates, some of which were owing for the last 19 years, was £344/15/7 and the interest £11/10/10.
It was decided that the Governor in Council be asked to appoint Mr. Albert Murn as alderman of the Gulgong Municipal Council, vice Alderman Watt resigned.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 17 Feb 1910 Page 17

1911 - [ELECTION RESULTS]
Elected:—A. Baldwin, 174: *S. B Rouse, 160; *A. E. Brigden, 137; *W. Gudgeon, 130; *R. W. Heard, 125; T. J. Wade, 127: *A. E. Souter 122 *Dr. J. L. M. McCreadie, 116; *H. Gudgeon, 103. 

Defeated:—*A, Murn, 83; J. D. Parker 76; *J. F Williams, 75; J. Judge, 74; C. Page 68; C. Shanahan, 58; T. Ryan, 55. The "Laborites" were routed.

1913 - [MILKING MACHINES]
Last year Mr. J. F. Williams, of Canadian, while in Sydney saw an advertisement calling for agents for the Miller-Made Milking Machines. He thought he would see what the new apparatus was like. He called on the company, and at once saw how great was the improvement on the old style of milking machine. The Miller-made invention only weighs 1lb. 7oz., and only costs £5/5/. It is on the simple syphon priciple. Four of the machines can easily attend to a herd of 40 cows. Mr. Williams made representations to the Company, and was appointed district agent for these splendid machines. At the forthcoming show Mr. G. A. Watson (the Company's expert) will be in attendance, and will give exhibitions with all classes of cows. This should be very interesting to our local dairymen.

1913 - Municipal Council.
A meeting of the Gulgong Council was held in the Town Hall. Present: Aldermen A. E. Brigden (Mayor), A. Baldwin, H. Gudgeon, R. Heard, D. H. Swing, and A. Souter...
Correspondence... From Mr. Donoghue, secretary Wilbetree Progress Association, asking that a culvert be placed across the gully in lane near Mr. J. F. Williams' property. Decided that Council could not see their way clear to comply with the request.
Source:  Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 12 Jun 1913 Page 7

1913 - [COUNCIL]
Dissatisfied Municipal Ratepayers - Canadian Residents' Petition - Deputation Waits on Shire Council -Caustic Criticism of Municipal Management - Shire Councillors Sympathetic.
The members of the Wyaldra Shire Council had just dispersed on Thursday afternoon after having completed the business at the usual monthly meeting, when a deputation from the Wilbetree Progress Association came on the scene. The Councillors returned to the Shire Chambers and received the visitors—Messrs. F. S. Stacy, J. Tuxford, sen., T. Walsh, J. F. Williams, G. Beauchamp and J. Williardt.
The President had mentioned at the Shire meeting that the Wilbetree Progress Association had forwarded a letter, informing the Council that a deputation would wait on them in regard to the matter of the Canadian and Wilbetree residents' petition to have portion of the outlying lands of the Gulgong Municipality excised from the municipal area, and added to the area of the Wyaldra Shire; it was also desired to have an expression of Council's views on the proposal.
Mr. F. S. Stacy introduced the deputation, and after referring to the reasons for the visit, said he desired to know whether the Shire were sympathetic on the matter. He understood there were one or two difficulties to be got over, and he hoped there would be some solution to the trouble.
Mr. J. F. Williams said that the boundaries of the municipality were struck to go nowhere and anywhere. The northern boundary of the municipality was out about half a mile from the post office, but the eastern boundary extended seven or eight miles into the country. If the area was cut down and made a town area to be looked after by a town council it would relieve the farmers in the affected area of a heavy burden, which at present was not fair. The rate struck on the farmers in the municipal area was about /3 in the £, while the rate struck on land owned by the farmers in the shire area was much less. The only solution to relieve the farmers in the municipal area of the burden with which they were laden was for the shire authorities to have control of the lands in question. There was another matter, and a very important one in the speaker's opinion, and that was the bad state of the roads under the control of the Municipal Council. While the roads in the shire were in a splendid condition, the roads in the municipality — he referred more particularly to the roads in the Wilbetree and Canadian centres — were in a disgraceful state. (Hear, hear).
Cr. Bowman: A very graceful compliment to the shire.
In reply the Shire President (Cr. E. J. Lowe) said that he was quite seized with the importance of the question, but the one great point to be considered was hgat they were asking the Municipal Council to cut off a large portion of the revenue-earning power. It was not fair or reasonable to assume that this could be done without taking over a corresponding amount of the Municipal Council's responsibility. He understood that there was a debt of about £1700 on the Gulgong Town Hall.
Under the Act, a poll of the rate payers would have to be taken. He assured the members of the deputation that when the matter came to a head the Canadian people would receive every consideration, he might almost say leniency. But before they could take any of the revenue away, from the Council they would have to obtain the sanction of the Council's creditors. Here was the important point, and he did not think it would be easily got over. Personally, he was of opinion that there should be no Municipal Council at all. (Hear, hear). The whole area should be under the control of the Shire Council.
Mr. Stacy asked if the Shire would be favorable to taking over the whole of the municipal area.
The President and Cr. Horne said that they would, but the other mem bers of the Shire did not venture a
remark on the question.
Mr. Stacy then read a letter received from the Public Works Department by the Gulgong Municipal Council some short time back, and to which, he said, no reply in compliance with the requests contained therein had been forthcoming. The letter stated that a petition had been received in that Department praying that the outlying lands in the Municipality of Gulgong, as shown on an attached lithograph, be excised from the municipal area of the Wyaldra Shire. The Department asked for an expression of the Council's views on the proposal.
The letter also asked that the Municipal Council furnish the Department with the following information:— (a) The unimproved capital value of all ratable land within the present municipal boundaries; (b) the rate of revenue of the municipality based on the levy for 1913; (c) the number of ratepayers in the municipality; (d) the length of roads in the municipality; (e) the total expenditure of the municipality for the year 1912; and similar information with respect to the municipality as proposed to be curtailed. No reply had been sent to that letter. He may be under a misapprehension, but it looked as though the Municipal Council were hostile to the proposal. Apart from not supplying the information asked for in the letter, the Municipal Council had written to the Wilbetree Progress Association asking for the sum of two guineas before the above information would be supplied. It was the Department who were seeking the information.
Cr. Bowman said he was absolutely in sympathy with the people who sought to relieve themselves of a burden, more especially when those ratepayers represented the producers. The producers should not be unduly taxed to support the townspeople. The people came to a centre to create a township and employment, but neither the town ship nor the employment would exist if it were not for the producers surrounding. It was not a fair thing to ask the producers in the country to contribute revenue to the up keep of town functions. It was apparent they did not receive a reasonable return for the taxes they paid.
The speaker failed to understand how the petitioners, being purely country residents, had shouldered the Town Hall octopus for so, long. In his opinion, this debt should never have been placed upon them.
In conclusion, Cr, Bowman said he would be glad to fall in with every favorable and equitable movement to further the interests of the petitioners, who he again referred to as the producers.
Cr. Rogers agreed with Cr. Bowman that the country residents should not be saddled with the Town Hall debt. He might be in error, but he thought that the debt was incurred by the Municipal Council before the area now sought by the petitioners to be added to the Shire territory was brought under the control of the Municipal Council. In conclusion, the speaker suggested that if the area was added to the Shire, it could be formed into a separate and additional riding, giving proportional or equal representation in Shire management. He agreed with the views of the previous speakers.
Mr. J. Tuxford, sen., one of the members of the deputation, said he hoped the Shire Council would take
over the whole of the Municipal area, and then he thought they would have good roads and better management.
Mr. J. F. Williams, also a member of the deputation, said he had omitted to mention one or two matters in his former remarks. From what could be gathered, it seemed that the Municipal Council was under the impression that the move was purely a Canadian one, and that the sympathy of the municipal rate payers was confined to that centre. He could assure them that such was not the case. The petition had been placed before a very large number of town ratepayers, and almost everyone had been sympathetic and signed the petition. As an instance of the injustice under which Canadian and other residents in that and contiguous centres suffered, he referred to a request made to the Municipal Council to place a cross
ing over a very bad gully in Rothe's lane. Application had been made to the Municipal Council on numerous occasions to have the necessary repairs carried out, but nothing had been done. The request to have the work done had been before the Council on and off since 1902. As a result of nothing having been done, residents of Cooyal, who were outside the Municipal area, were forced to cart their produce to Mudgee, a distance of fourteen miles. If the road was in trafficable condition they would be able to bring their produce to Worribil, about half the distance they now had to travel.
Cr. Lowe (President) said that there were many important things to be looked into, but if there was any way open to get the petitioners in under Shire control, he and his councillors would be only too happy to assist them and welcome them.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 17 Jul 1913 Page 30

1913 - GULGONG'S COUNTRY RATEPAYERS.
At the last meeting of the Gulgong Shire Council a deputation representing the country ratepayers, consisting of Messrs. F. S. Stacy, Gregory, J. F. Williams, G. Beauchamp, and George Williams, asked for their inclusion in the shire.
After discussing the matter, it was decided, on the motion of Crs. Rouse and Rogers, 'That this council is of opinion that it would be advisable that a portion of the municipality of Gulgong should be merged in the Wyaldra shire, provided satisfactory arrangements were made by the existing ratepayers in those outlying districts to pay their just proportion of their present debt.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 6 Nov 1913 Page 23

1913 - [Gulgong Council - Correspondence]
From Mr. J. F. Williams, drawing Council's attention to the bad state of road leading from Mr J. Williams' to Worribil station, and asking Council to have same repaired...
The Works Committee were empowered to expend £100 on the following works: — £30 on Eumaralla road, £10 on road Isbester's to Gulgong reef, £10 at Morrisey's culvert in Nolan's Gully, £25 on lane to Worribil station, and £25 on road Stageman's to Considine's.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 27 Nov 1913 Page 10

1914 - Gulgong Municipal Election. Who Should be Elected? The Old Council Taken to Task.
(To the Editor. )
Sir,— For the first time for many years I see we are to have a municipal election. Well, Mr. Editor, I am glad to see the people of the place are taking a little more interest in their own affairs. It seems to me that it is high time we had a change in the personnel of the members of the Council. When one sees so many Council meetings lapse for want of a quorum, it is very evident from that fact alone that there is considerable apathy and want of vim shown by the members of the Council. And now we have, the opportunity I think the fewer of them we send back the better. Again, there has been nearly £900 of the rate payers money frittered away for nothing, in a search for water, where it was well known there was none; and now they are contemplating returning to a motion of Aldermam Heard's, which motion, was carried by the Council unanimously over two years ago, and has never been rescinded. And this, all because some of the great aldermen had a prejudice, or petty spite against some individual. So, therefore I think we want as much of a change as we can get. For these reasons, consequently, I would suggest to the voters to record their votes to the following:— Robert W. Heard, always for the people;  Wade Gudgeon, the makings of a good man; L. C. Naughton, another whose all is in Gulgong, and who is also capable of being a good alderman; R. Beauchamp, and John F. Williams, coming from the outside desire a place. As the outside are paying a fair proportion of the rates, it is only fair they should have representation; also, J. F. Williams was one of the best aldermen Gulgong has had for many years; Albert J. T. Murn, William C. Fyfe. Edward D. Stott, and Walter U. Gardner, all progressive men, with all their interests in the Municipality, and who, therefore, will do the best they can for the place, and safeguard the interests of the ratepayers. These are the nine I would strongly recommend voters to vote for in the best interest of the place we live in. Thanking you, Mr. Editor, for allowing me so much of your valuable space. I am, etc.
A RATEPAYER OF OVER 11 YEARS.

1914 - Gulgong Election. Mr. Brigden Defeated. Interesting Figures.
The Gulgong municipal election on Saturday provided, a surprise or two. The greatest surprise of all was the defeat of Mr. Ex-Mayor Brigden, who polled only 107 votes, this being 16 votes below that which would have enabled him to fill the lowest position in the scale of members. Ex-Alderman Souter was also defeated. Mr. Heard topped the poll with 204 votes, being 24 above the next highest.
Following are the results: —

R. Heard

204

E. Stott

180

W. Fyfe

166

Wade Gudgeon

158

A. Murn

147

A. Baldwin

142

J. F. Williams

130

L. C. Naughton

128

R. Beauchamp

123

W. Gardiner

115

A. E. Brigden

107

J. Clarke

106

A. E. Souter

98

H. J. Gudgeon

77

The poll was declared in the Town Hall. There was an attendance of over 200. Mr. Brigden, who appeared very upset, said it was his intention to resign from all public bodies in Gulgong, with the exception of the Parents and Citizens' Association. Other candidates also spoke.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Mon 2 Feb 1914 Page 3

1914 - Gulgong Council. Ordinary Meeting
The ordinary meeting of the above was held on Wednesday night. Present : Aldermen R. W. Heard (Mayor). A. Baldwin, W., Gudgeon, E. D. Stott, R. Beauchamp, J. F. Williams, and Fyfe...
HOME RULE BRIDGE.
The Clerk was instructed to forward an application, simultaneously with that of the Wyaldra Shire to the Minister for Public Works for a grant of £700, for the purpose of erecting a new bridge at Home Rule, and that Mr. Dunn, be asked to use his influence in the matter.
Source: Mudgee Guardian and North-Western Representative (NSW : 1890 - 1954) Thu 16 Apr 1914 Page 10

1915 - Two Orphan Soldiers Farewelled at Wilbetree.
On Tuesday evening last, the many residents of Wilbetree assembled together to bid farewell to Sergeant Major William Egan and Gunner Herbert Bush, prior to their departure for the front... Mr. J. F. Williams, in a rousing patriotic speech, endorsed the remarks of the previous speakers. The two recipients suitably responded...

1916 - £100 REWARD.
We, the undersigned, hereby offer £100 REWARD for such information as will lead to the Conviction of anyone stealing Sheep, being the property of any of the undersigned:

E. C. Marks

Fitzroy Stacy

C. A. Stott

M. P. Schneider

Louis Roth

M. A. Schneider

R. Troup

H. Austin

John Williams

J. F. Williams

1917 - Farmers and Settlers' Association - MUDGEE DISTRICT COUNCIL.
A meeting of the above-named Council was held on Saturday at the Cudgegong Council Chambers.
Present: Messrs. E. Hughes (chair), W. Abernethy (Mudgee branch), W. J. Farthing and E. D. Moon (Gulgong), J. F. Williams and L. R. A. Roth, (Wilbetree)...

1918 - Gulgong Mayoral Election.
At a special meeting of the Gulgong Municipal Council the mayoral allowance was again fixed at £20. Ald. Wade Gudgeon was re-elected mayor unopposed. At the conclusion of the meeting an adjournment was made to the Mayor's parlor, where his Worship's health was proposed by Ald. J. F. Williams, who spoke of the good work done during Ald. Gudgeon's last term of office and the able manner in which he had filled the mayoral chair at the meetings. Ald. Gudgeon, responding, said he was determined to carry out the work which pertained to the office to the best of his ability.

1918 - [RETURNED SOLDIER]
Major Walter Wells, son of Mrs. T. King, of Home Rule, and brother of Mrs. J. F. Williams, of Canadian, will arrive back from the front in a few days' time. Major Wells took part in a good deal of big fighting on the Western front, and during the famous Messines battle had both legs broken. Prior to enlisting Major Wells was area officer at Wollongong.

1918 - [DEATH - NELLIE's MOTHER]
KING.—August 6, at her residence, Home Rule, Emily, the beloved wife of Thomas King, and mother of Edward H., of Dunedoo; late William H. of Flemington; Nellie (Mrs. J. F. Williams), of Wilbetree; John, of Youngee Plain, Wyalong; and Major Walter Wells, M.C. (A.I.F.); Rebecca A., and late Robert Joshua King.
Source:  The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Sat 10 Aug 1918 Page 12

1919 - AMALGAMATION - GULGONG AND WYALDRA.
The proposal of the amalgamation of the Municipality of Gulgong and the Shire of Wyaldra was discussed at a poorly attended meeting, convened by the Wilbetree Progress Association, held in the Gulgong Town Hall. The Deputy Mayor (Ald. A. Baldwin) presided. After considerable discussion, Mr.
A. Croft moved, 'That this meeting pledges itself to support any scheme brought forward for the amalgamation of the Gulgong Municipal Council with the Shire of Wyaldra.' Mr. L. D. Stott seconded the motion, which was carried. Ald. J. F. Williams moved, 'That a petition for amalgamation be prepared in both areas, and sent to the Minister, and that an expression of opinion by both the Municipal and Shire Councils be obtained and forwarded to the Minister.' Seconded by Mr. Williams, and carried.
Messrs. A. Croft, F. D. Stott, W. Donoghue, J. F. Williams, G. Beauchamp, R. Hollow, and M. Clark were appointed a committee to give effect to the above Resolutions.

1919 - Gulgong Hibernians. CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK'S DAY. FIRST COMMUNION BREAKFAST.
The Gulgong branch of the Hibernian A.C.B. Society celebrated St. Patrick's Day by holding their first
Communion breakfast at the eight o'clock Mass in St. John the Baptist's Church. A large number went to Communion. Subsequently the break fast was held in the schoolhall, which was attended by over eighty persons...
Bro. J. F. Williams hoped the Peace Conference would be the means of giving freedom to the land of St. Patrick, and that the Irish people would enjoy the same measure of liberty and freedom as was enjoyed in Australia. 
Mr. Eugene O'Connell said that no man who advocated Home Rule for Ireland could be termed disloyal, because he was advocating the interests of the Empire. A united Ireland under the Crown would be the greatest source of strength the British Empire would have. (Applause.)...
Source: Freeman's Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1932) Thu 3 Apr 1919 Page 38

1919 - REPATRIATION LEAGUE
A repatriation league has been formed at Home Rule. The following officers were elected: Chairman, Mr. R. Hollow; hon. secretary, Mr. F. W. Taylor; delegates to central council, Messrs. J. Baldwin, R. Hollow, John Williams, and J. F. Williams.
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