John Matthews

Notes:

John was and amateur boxing champion at Kapunda District in his youth. He saw service in the Middle East in World War I, possibly in the artillery as he had a leg crushed by horse-drawn gun carriage or lumber. (The Tucker Family in Australia, 1992)

John married Harriett Tiller on 25 Dec 1888 in At home, Grace Plains, South Australia, Australia. Harriett (daughter of Richard Hall Tiller and Sarah Tucker) was born on 14 Aug 1869 in Para Plains, Salisbury, South Australia, Australia; died on 27 Nov 1946; was buried in West Terrace, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Birth details District Adelaide reference book 75 page 428.
Harriet was a home maker and a very gifted dressmaker. She sewed for her grandchildren and may others for years. (The Tucker Family in Australia, 1992)

Other Events and Attributes:

• Immigration: 10 Mar 1840, Port Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Richard Tiller, wife Sarah (n. Hall) and children William, Sarah, Ellen Mary and Richard departed Liverpool, England 24 November 1839 aboard the "Baboo" arriving Port Adelaide, South Australia, Australia 10 March 1840.

Richard married Sarah Tucker on 3 Nov 1859 in Wesleyan Chapel, Mt. Barker, South Australia, Australia. Sarah (daughter of John Tucker and Eliza Kent) was born on 5 May 1838 in Melbourne, nr Swindon, Wiltshire, England; was christened on 17 Jun 1838 in All Saints, Liddington, Wiltshire, England; died on 7 Sep 1909 in Dalkey, South Australia, Australia; was buried in Grace Plains, South Australia, Australia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Marriage Details. Richard Tiller aged 22 years, marital status not recorded son of Richard Tiller married 3rd November 1859 to Sarah, aged 21 years, marital status not recorded, daughter of John Tucker at Wesleyan Chapel Mount Barker. reference book 40 page 54.
Sarah left England with her parents on the ship "Eliza" seven days after her 11th birthday, sailing from Plymouth, England and arriving three and a half months later at Port Adelaide. She would have met Richard when she was living in Inman Valley with her parents as the Tillers lived there too. Richard arrived in Australia with his parents when he was two. He worked on his father's land at McLaren Vale when he was old enough.
After their marriage they farmed for a year at Yankalilla and four years at Inman Valley then moved to Salisbury (125 acres) for eight years. Several of their children were born there. Two children (Richard and Charles) died and were buried in the Church of England cemetery at Salisbury. Both names were re-used for later children. In about 1873, 320 acres of virgin land was bought at Grace Plains. Sarah stayed on at Salisbury until a dwelling was erected for her and the family. Years later a fine home was built (1902) within a 100 yards and south of the old house. The property had also been increased to 1200 acres; but Sarah loved to sit in her first little cottage. Sarah acted as mid-wife to many women in the district; husbands came at any hour of the day or night for her assistance.
The stone chimney still stands of the little house they lived in. The present car shed housed the boys sleeping quarters. 13 children were born within 24 years, 2 dying in infancy and one at 20. She lived in "Grace House" for the remainder of her life but died from a stroke while visiting her daughter Eliza (Mrs Adams). Richard had died a year earlier. A memorial stone marks their graves. Son Charles moved into the house after his father's death, when he married Muriel. Sarah lived with her daughter Eliza.
There is an entry in the S.A. Cyclopaedia about Richard Tiller. In addition to some of the information above, it mentions the following. The tiller family arrived on the ship "Baboo" in 1840, Richard worked as a carpenter and wheelwright for a year in Adelaide and then in Mclaren Vale. After taking up farmland from the S.A. Co. he farmed firstly on his father's property and then on his own land, often clearing the land himself. When he settled at Grace Plains he gradually added to the area of the farm. It also mentions that Sarah was the daughter of John Tucker of CALLINGTON, This is interesting as there are not many references to his living there. It mentions that John Tiller was living in Bunbury W.A. at the time, two others sons (of Richard Tiller) were farming on their own and Charles Frederick was helping his father. It also mentions the "large, comfortable homestead erected on the property" by Richard. (The Tucker Family in Australia 1992)

Notes:

Married:
In 1847, there were seven Wesleyan Churches in South Aus. and Mt. Barker was one of them.

When the mill was built, it was used as a place of worship and Sunday School was also held in it. Later, a slab church was built in Cameron Street, of red gum posts with an earthen floor and bags for windows. The first stone church, which is now the Lecture Hall was opened in 1851. The Rev. J. Hall preached morning and evening, the collection for the day amounting to ?44-2-6 (a record even for today). The Rev. J. Dann, D.D., who was 21 years of age, walked from Adelaide to Mt. Barker to take charge of this church. The parsonage was built in 1857.

The present fine structure, the Dunn Memorial Church built in 1881, donated to the Mt. Barker Methodists by the late John Dunn, now stands alongside the old church.

In 1847, there were seven Wesleyan Churches in South Aus. and Mt. Barker was one of them.

When the mill was built, it was used as a place of worship and Sunday School was also held in it. Later, a slab church was built in Cameron Street, of red gum posts with an earthen floor and bags for windows. The first stone church, which is now the Lecture Hall was opened in 1851. The Rev. J. Hall preached morning and evening, the collection for the day amounting to ?44-2-6 (a record even for today). The Rev. J. Dann, D.D., who was 21 years of age, walked from Adelaide to Mt. Barker to take charge of this church. The parsonage was built in 1857.

The present fine structure, the Dunn Memorial Church built in 1881, donated to the Mt. Barker Methodists by the late John Dunn, now stands alongside the old church.

The address of the Dunn Memorial Uniting Church is 13 Mann Street Mount Barker, South Australia.