Portland Guardian (Vic. : 1876 - 1953)(about) |
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Monday 7 January 1929
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Obituary. Mrs. W. Lightbody, Centenarian. An old and highly respected resi- dent of Portland passed away at her residence, South Portland, on Friday, in the person of Mrs. W. Lightbody, who, had she lived for another month, would have cele- brated her 102nd birthday. De- ceased was well known throughout the Western District for her kindly and charitable disposition, and her demise marks another milestone in the history of the old pioneers of this part of Victoria. The funeral took place Sunday, and was attended by a large number, of mourners, who were representative of the whole of the Western District of Victoria. Prior to the cortege moving off, a service was held at Wesley Chur:h. where a large gathering also assem- bled to pay their last tributes to the respected old lady. At the grave. side, Rev. B. R. Toi presided, and the service was of a most impressive nature. The 'deceased lady's maiden name was Rebecca Kittson-a family who were the founders of Bridgewater in the early eighties. She was born on the 5th of November, 1827, ,at Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland, and came out to Australia in the ship Westmintser in 1841 at the age of 14, thus being a colonist of 88 years. She then remained in, Melbourne for a year, landing at Portland in 1842, and later joined her family at Cape' Bridgewater, where her father, Mr. James Kitt- son, had permanently settled. Her mother (nee Trotter) wias born at or near Belfast. While in Ire- land the family followed agricultural pursuits, sub-letting portion of their land to tenants, by whom Mrs. Lightbody's father was held in high esteem, he being considered a just and considerate landlord. With a view to settling in Canada, Mr. Kitt- son, accompanied by his eldest son Hugh, took a trip across, and had practically decided to settle there, but on their return such glowing ac counts were in circulation from the pen of Dr. Lang concerning the big possibilities Australia offered both in climate and soil to intending set- tlers, that it was decided that the land of the Southern Cross should be the family's future home. The voyage in the Westminster was un- eventful, and lasted just five months. Many changes have taken place since that time, but the third and fourth generations are still in pos- session of the old home. What was then virgin country has been re- claimed, the good effect of which is still in evidence. Amongst the ear- liest settlers associated with the Kitt- sons, and held in high esteem, were Messrs. Kenney, Kennedy and Hen- ditch. Eleven years after Miss Kittson's arrival in Melbourne she was mar- ried in Geelong on January 22nd, 1852, to the late Rev. Wm. Light- body, the first Wesleyan minister in the district. To celebrate the aus- picious occasion the rev. gentleman and his happy bride rode on horse back from Bridgewater to Geelong -quite a romantic journey of almost 200 miles. With marked ability. Mrs. Lightbody graced the parson- ages at Port Fairy, Warrnanmb0ol and Portland. At each place she was loved by all, and the people ap- preciated to the full her gracious ministry amongst them. She was the last survivor of the original fam- ily. Her parents. with, her two el- dlest brothers, Hugh and John, were buried in their own land on a hill overlooking their old home, while on the west are the Bridgewater Lakes and Discovery Bay, and on the south Bridgewater Bay, whose white breakers will unceasingly roll and break on rock and shingle until time shall be no more. Her youngest brother, James, sleeps in the Kew cemetery, while her only sister Susan (Mrs. Harcoan) was laid to rest in the Portland cemetery, where Mrs. Lightbody's late husband is also buried. With the exception of her eldest brother, the remainder of the family (with her parents) had all at- tallied, their fourscore years and more ere they entered in to rest.