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George “Coneac George” Gorton

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Birth	:	13 Apr 1834 New South Wales, Australia
Death	:	7 Aug 1879 Gloucester, Mid-Coast Council, New South Wales, Australia
Burial	:	Stroud Anglican Cemetery, Stroud, Mid-Coast Council, Australia
Coordinate	:	-32.4052620, 151.9677280
Description	:	BIOGRAPHY: It was appropriate that this fourth son of George and Mary Ann ((Dolphin)) Gorton, born at Bundebah, Port Stephens on the 13th of April, 1834, should have been given his father's baptismal name, because of all his sons, George was most like him, at least in his driving ambition. He also inherited his father's judgment regarding livestock, and his passionate devotion to the raising of fine horses. From about the age of 28, he had managed "Tibbuc" Station, on the upper reaches of the Manning River, and was so employed at the time of his marriage in 1866 to... Read More	BIOGRAPHY: It was appropriate that this fourth son of George and Mary Ann ((Dolphin)) Gorton, born at Bundebah, Port Stephens on the 13th of April, 1834, should have been given his father's baptismal name, because of all his sons, George was most like him, at least in his driving ambition. He also inherited his father's judgment regarding livestock, and his passionate devotion to the raising of fine horses. From about the age of 28, he had managed "Tibbuc" Station, on the upper reaches of the Manning River, and was so employed at the time of his marriage in 1866 to Martha Ann Fich. The marriage took place in Sydney. In 1869, George moved further up-river to "Coneac" Station, another pastoral holding of the partnership, "George Gorton and Sons". Coneac was a fine station, and in the ten years that George operated the place a very considerable profit was realized. During that time the family of George and Martha had increased to four, all of which were daughters. It was partly because of this, but possibly more because of the Copeland Gold Rush of the late 1870s that George decided to take his wife and daughters into the town of Gloucester to reside. At the time, it was certainly an excellent business move. Copeland, ten miles west of Gloucester, was blooming and the gold-rush was at its height (in 1879, the Copeland field yielded 10,015 ounces of gold, the richest mine in being the "Mountain Maid", owned by Irwin and Gill.) With the amount of traffic heading for the gold fields, which passed through Gloucester, George Gorton realized that it was a shame to see such potential business go to waste. So, early in 1879, he opened his doors as proprietor of a hotel, trading as "Gorton Family Inn". A short time later, George also opened a butchering business. With a flourishing cattle station, a hotel and a butcher's shop, George seemed poised to make his fortune, but the great flood of Gloucester, in August 1879, brought tragedy to the family. An official contemporary Police Report tells the story: "Police Station, Gloucester, 18 August 1879. "Constable Edwin May of Glo. police reported that about half past eight o'clock on the morning of Thursday the seventh instant he witnessed (from Police Barracks) two men driving horses through one of the A.A.Co's paddocks (known as the Bucket paddock) which was partly submerged with water. He saw them ride into a flooded gully and disappear, their horses came out riderless, he immediately ran down to the place where the men were last seen but couldn't see anything of them, he believes they were drowned, upon making enquiry he found the men to be Mr Geo Gorton publican of Gloucester and his Groom known only by the name long Jack, search was at once commenced to find them and about one p m on Sunday the tenth instant, the body of Mr Gorton was found dead in the river Gloucester about a mile from the scene of the accident. A Magisterial inquiry was held at his late residence by Andrew Laurie Esq JP. on Monday the eleven instant, when the following findings returned, that the deceased Mr. George Gorton came to his death by being drowned accidently". So died George Gorton, on Thursday morning, 7th August, 1879, whilst trying to save his horses from drowning, the horses that had meant so much to him throughout his whole life. His remains were buried in St John's Churchyard, Stroud, on Tuesday, 12th of August. The funeral service was attended by a numerous congregation of relatives and friends. He was aged 45 years and his grave is close to that of his brother, William, his youngest brother. Both gravestones have a good state of preservation. George and Martha Ann Gorton had a family of four daughters only, whose ages ranged between 11 years and 1 year 8 months. History is vague as to the subsequent lives of Martha and her daughters. Apparently Martha kept the hotel until the 29th of September, 1885 when the licensee was transferred to a new owner. As she was only 31 years old at the time of her husband's death, perhaps she married again later. She is believed to have gone to Sydney to live. Incidentally, the George Gorton in this account was known as "Coneac George" to distinguish him from the other Gortons named George.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is George “Coneac George” Gorton's memorial?
George “Coneac George” Gorton's memorial is located at: Stroud Anglican Cemetery, Stroud, Mid-Coast Council, Australia.
When did George “Coneac George” Gorton death?
George “Coneac George” Gorton death on 7 Aug 1879 in Gloucester, Mid-Coast Council, New South Wales, Australia
Where are the coordinates of the George “Coneac George” Gorton's memorial?
Latitude: -32.4052620
Longitude: 151.9677280

Family Members:

Parent

Siblings

Noel Gorton

(1828 - 1877)

Noel Gorton

(1828 - 1877)

John Gorton

(1833 - 1904)

Joseph “Tibbuc Joe” Gorton

(1835 - 1896)

William Gorton

(1836 - 1856)

Edward Gorton

(1837 - 1837)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Stroud Anglican Cemetery
Stroud, Mid-Coast Council, Australia
Coordinate: -32.4052620, 151.9677280

2. Stroud General Cemetery and Columbarium
Stroud, Mid-Coast Council, Australia
Coordinate: -32.4031170, 151.9756360

3. Booral Saint Barnabas Church Cemetery
Booral, Mid-Coast Council, Australia
Coordinate: -32.4753844, 151.9585565

4. Thalaba Baptist Community Cemetery
Dungog, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.4437900, 151.7841030

5. Dungog Uniting Church
Dungog, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.4005385, 151.7576070

6. Dungog Presbyterian Columbarium
Dungog, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.4054570, 151.7572590

7. Dungog Anglican Church Columbarium
Dungog, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.4062660, 151.7569690

8. Glen William Cemetery
Glen William, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.5216700, 151.8048400

9. Wards River Cemetery
Wards River, Mid-Coast Council, Australia
Coordinate: -32.2191000, 151.9464000

10. Hooke Family Cemetery
Wirragulla, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.4454490, 151.7507070

11. Dungog General Cemetery
Dungog, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.4188490, 151.7382580

12. Bulahdelah General Cemetery
Bulahdelah, Mid-Coast Council, Australia
Coordinate: -32.3968500, 152.2097400

13. Bendolba General & War Cemetery
Bendolba, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.3209930, 151.7251180

14. Bendolba Anglican Cemetery
Bendolba, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.3210790, 151.7249510

15. Banden Grove Cemetery
Banden Grove, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.2964900, 151.7236800

16. Clarence Town Anglican Cemetery
Clarence Town, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.5875850, 151.7810210

17. Karuah Cemetery
Karuah, Port Stephens Council, Australia
Coordinate: -32.6544997, 151.9604885

18. Clarence Town General Cemetery
Clarence Town, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.5872990, 151.7613480

19. Hilldale Union Church Columbarium
Hilldale, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.5033190, 151.6567690

20. Stratford Cemetery
Stratford, Mid-Coast Council, Australia
Coordinate: -32.1207810, 151.9421690

21. Tea Gardens Cemetery
Tea Gardens, Mid-Coast Council, Australia
Coordinate: -32.6633210, 152.1520750

22. Quart Pot Cemetery
Banden Grove, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.2779150, 151.6415950

23. Seaham Cemetery
Seaham, Port Stephens Council, Australia
Coordinate: -32.6679000, 151.7152860

24. St. Helen’s Catholic Cemetery
Gresford, Dungog Shire, Australia
Coordinate: -32.4333344, 151.5666656