Fix this text
Men Wo Blazed the Trail
Fix this textBENJAMIN CLAYTON
Fix this textBY FLORA A. TIMMS,
Fix this textWhen young Benjamin Clayton finished his
Fix this textmedical course, and received his diploma,
Fix this textaway back in the early part of the eighteenth
Fix this textcentury, he heard the call of tho wonderful
Fix this textnew land of the Southern CrOßs, and being
Fix this textthe successful applicant for the post of
Fix this text•‘ship’s doctor." he came to Australia and
Fix this textsettled nt Windsor, one of the outposts of
Fix this textcivilisation nt that time. While there he
Fix this textmarried a daughter of Commissary Brough-
Fix this textton; but the young enthusiast could not con-
Fix this texttent himself with a mere "practice,” he
Fix this textwanted t > do his bit on the land, and influen-
Fix this textced no doubt by the fact that his wife’s re-
Fix this textlatives had accompanied Hamilton Hume
Fix this textwhen he formed his cattle station, soon af-
Fix this textter the discovery of Gunning, he went to
Fix this textthat district In 1840, (ind purchased a fine
Fix this textblock of land (his name is also mentioned
Fix this textamong the first batch of grantees) in its
Fix this textVirgin state (a portion, if not all of it is now
Fix this textIncluded in Old Boureong), and (ailed it
Fix this text“J .altlnghiMs,” after the village in which he
Fix this textwas born, hot far from Dublin (some of the
Fix this textold residents who remember Dr. Clayton will
Fix this textO ver call the place by any other name),
Fix this textnnd there he built a tine bouse (some of tlm
Fix this textruins still remain), and laid out tin orchard
Fix this textOf three acres of the most choice trees, in-
Fix this textcluding all the English fruits, also six acres
Fix this textol vineyard, in which it was said every
Fix this textknown variety of grape has been experi-
Fix this textmented with, and thousands of gallons < f
Fix this text■wine of a superior quality, of which he sent
Fix this textan exhibit to France and received a medal
Fix this textfor It, was manufactured there. Traces of
Fix this textthe cellars may still be seen.
Fix this textAmi beyond the orchard and vineyard, on
Fix this textthose tine riopes. the ‘‘Baltlngiass flocks
Fix this textand herds grazed in large numbers under the
Fix this textcare of stockmen and shepherds. How the
Fix this textyoung English medico adapted himself to
Fix this textthe new life was a marvel to his friends.
Fix this textFo taken up was he with his land, that he
Fix this textw Uhl gladly have given up his profession,
Fix this textbut this ho was unable to do as there was
Fix this textno medical man nearer to Gunning that
Fix this textGoulburn and Yaws. It was nothing to him
Fix this textto answer a call 30 miles away, and natu-
Fix this textrally in the undeveloped state of the country
Fix this textmany serious accidents occurred. In all
Fix this texteases his charges were merely n minal. and
Fix this textwhere the patient’s family were poor, they
Fix this textwere nil. Dr. Clayton brought, by mail
Fix this textcoach from Sydney, the first hive of bees
Fix this textthat went to “those parts."
Fix this textOn several occasions “Balt Inginas” received
Fix this texta visit from the bushrangers. Mr. Benja-
Fix this textmin Clayton writes: On one occasion they
Fix this textt< ok my mother's watch, which eyas given
Fix this textto her by her mother as a wedding present
Fix this textand by pursuasion of my father it was hand-
Fix this texted back. At another time when they were
Fix this textin the house, one of the men placed his hand
Fix this texton my head—l was only three or four years
Fix this text■ . r a _ aa . a „ j I M.. li♦ ♦ 1 a im nm I
Fix this textold at the time—and said: “My little man. I
Fix this texthope you will never come to this!” (This
Fix this textsounds very like Ben Hall). And on an-
Fix this textother occasion, one of the bushrangers took
Fix this textsome lollies off the mantelpiece and put
Fix this textthem in his mouth, when the other man
Fix this textremonstrated with him, saying ‘Don t be
Fix this texteating the child’s lollies!” They took n
Fix this texthorse from my father, which eventually they
Fix this textreturned.
Fix this textFull as his life was. his beloved Erin wax
Fix this textnot forgotten by Dr. Clayton, and more that
Fix this textonce during the famine resulting from th
Fix this textpotato failure, he sent money to the stnrvj
Fix this texting people of Ireland, in all these thing"
Fix this texthe was helped by Mrs. Clayton, of whom ol
Fix this textresidents always referred to as "the swe<
Fix this textlittle lady so humble and gentle.”
Fix this textThere is a touch of reverence In the wa, (
Fix this textthose who remember the Doctor speak of
Fix this texthim. “A fine stamp of a man he was. good
Fix this textlooking and pleasant mannered, a man who
Fix this textlived before his time, and a keen sport. His
Fix this textbrown mare always ran in the races held on
Fix this texttl)e flats.’’
Fix this textTo go to “Baltinglass” and see the fruit
Fix this texttrees in blossom, or laden with fruit, and the
Fix this textgenial hustling man who controlled it all, and
Fix this text"the sweet little lady,” and the jolly little
Fix this textClaytons, and the Irish gardner who couldn't
Fix this textspeak a word of English, was one of the
Fix this textgreatest treats for the kiddles of that time. <
Fix this textand the sweet fragrance of it all lingers with
Fix this textthem still, notwithsandlng their “alloted
Fix this textspan” has long since been naat.
Fix this textWith all hfs public activities, Benjamin
Fix this textClayton took his share in the public life of
Fix this textthe day. He was one of the first Justices
Fix this textof the Pence appointed in that district, and
Fix this text■was also a member of the council (similar
Fix this textto a Shire Council), with its headquarters
Fix this textat Yass,
Fix this textThere was a touch of reverence in the
Fix this textregard with which Benjamin Clayton was
Fix this text1 id both as a doctor and a man by the
Fix this textw. n-heurted settlers of that early day,
Fix this textand bls cure ■ - ere bordering almost on su
Fix this textperhuman Mr. E. I’ursehouse recalls the
Fix this textwonderful '•tire of a lad (son of Mr. William
Fix this textDodd), wh was bitten in the abdomen by a
Fix this textsavage boa , inflicting such n ghastly wound
Fix this textthat his 1 L’e was despaired. First-aid (Dr
Fix this textClayton was in Yass, and there were no
Fix this text■wires or 'phones then) was rendered by
Fix this textMr. William Grovenor (the first William),
Fix this textand on the doctor’s arrival the wound was
Fix this textdressed. It was several months before the
Fix this textlad could walk; the wound hid been of
Fix this textsuch a shocking nature, nnd it was firmly
Fix this textbelieved that no one else could have "pulled
Fix this texthim through.”
Fix this textWo are indebted to Mrs. Mary Clancy’s
Fix this textevergreen memory for the following story
Fix this textof a wonderful effort and achievement;—
Fix this textOno day, so long ago that the date cannot
Fix this text1 • recalled, two men, Lawrence Bartley a id
Fix this textMichael Hewitt left Gunning for Wh< e>
Fix this textwith the intention of bringing a mob oj
Fix this text< ttle from Isaac shepherd's. Bartley wa«
Fix this textr cling a well-known racing mare, and whet
Fix this textmgot’ating a narrow hill track, the mart
Fix this textstumbled on a leone stone, and falling
Fix this textcrushed her rider against the bank, breukinl
Fix this text. ... (
Fix this texthis thigh bone. The unfortunate man las
Fix this text(lone tor hours, while his mate return'd f,,r
Fix this textDr. Clayton, who arrived as dusk was set-
Fix this texting in, and with much difficulty set the |
Fix this textbroken limb When Bartley was told he j
Fix this textwould have to go to "Baltingl.ms, ’ a dis-{
Fix this textlance of 25 miles, the next day, he lost I
Fix this text'•■art. and said it could not be done. But j
Fix this texthe sturdy d, ctor did not understand the
Fix this textword ‘‘defeat," and assured his patient that
Fix this textit could and would be done; as he was a
Fix this textstout, full-blooded man, and the wound had
Fix this textbeen unattended fur so many hours, there
Fix this textwas a danger of blood-poisoning setting in.
Fix this textBut how to do it taxed even the d l( tor's
Fix this textbrain to the utmost. There was no road
Fix this textover which uny vehicle could travel, no
Fix this textsawn timber, and the patient was a very
Fix this textfffiavy man, and it was winter. Fires were
Fix this textkept going nil through that lung night, which
Fix this textHewitt spent in gathering up their neigh- ’
Fix this textbora, who mustered thirty strong next morn
Fix this textIng. Acting under Dr. Clayton’s instruc-
Fix this texttions, four green saplings were secured and •
Fix this textmade into a frame, covered with two sheets
Fix this textof bark, and legs on which to rest when
Fix this textIbearerr changed places, and the patient was
Fix this textcovered with blankets. It requires no I
Fix this textstretch of imagination to realise what the
Fix this textweight must have been, and It was many
Fix this textmonths before the men’s shoulders healed
Fix this textFour stalwarts bote the stretcher at a time
Fix this texttheir comrades leading their horses, and
Fix this textevening was well advanced when they rea-
Fix this textched Bourcong, where Mr. John Madden, fa-
Fix this textther of the late Mrs. Downey, receiving the
Fix this textweary men, and. word hav'ng been went on,
Fix this text, ••••• OH .O'O went on,
Fix this texthad a sumptuous meal waiting for them,
Fix this textFor seven weeks the injured man lay at
Fix this text"Baltlnglass" nursed night and day by th,
Fix this textdoctor and his wife, and in order to keep
Fix this textdown the ever-threatening fever, bleeding
Fix this textwas often inserted to. Bartley was unable
Fix this textto walk without crutches for six months,
Fix this textand to the end of his life he used to tell of
Fix this textthat terrible journey across country mid
Fix this texthow he owed his life to Dr. Clayton an !
Fix this textthe kind neighbors, who carried the mirks
Fix this textof that day's work on their sh >ul lers f ,
Fix this textmany a long day.
Fix this texti When it was known that Dr, ei.-yton had
Fix this textueclded to have the Gunning district, th*
Fix this textgeneral feeling amount, d t > < onsternati n.
Fix this textand he was presented with u gold watch
Fix this textand the foliowing address:
Fix this text(Typed from copy of address received
Fix this textfrom Mr. 13, Clayton, August Bid„ 1921, son
Fix this textof Dr. Clayton, who lives at li.rden):
Fix this textHlr, —
Fix this textIndividual merit Is seldom appreciated
Fix this textuntil those who have had opportunities of
Fix this textderiving advantages from it are about to
Fix this textlose it; such we fi-ei to be our present po-
Fix this textsition ,
Fix this textWe. the inhabitants of Gunning and its
Fix this textvicinity, experienced unfeigned regret at
Fix this textyour leparture from this district In which
Fix this textyour J. ng residence, your kind -and human
Fix this textconduct as a man, your unremitting atten-
Fix this texttion and zeal in the discharge of your pro-
Fix this textfessional duties, your impartial administra-
Fix this texttion of justice uh a magistrate, and your
Fix this textgentlemanlike demeanour in every relation
Fix this textof Fife, have ho endeared you to the resi-
Fix this textdents generally that we cannot permit you
Fix this textto go without some memento of the respect
Fix this textin whi h we hold you. We therefore solicit
Fix this textyour tteeeptame of this watch, us a testi-
Fix this textinenial. which of itself is of trifling value,
Fix this textbut enhanced, we hope, by the feelings which
Fix this textaccompany it.
Fix this textTo yourself, your amiable Indy and fam-
Fix this textily. we say farewell. May health, happfne .s
Fix this textand prosperity await you in the future
Fix this textseenc of your labors.
Fix this textWe remain, sir,
Fix this textYur obedient servants,
Fix this textlames Downes, William Grove nor, sent.,
Fix this textWilliam (li venor, junr., Richard Grovenor,
Fix this textPeter D it. Mrs. Grovenor, W. 11. Reynolds,
Fix this textetc.
Fix this textREPLY
Fix this textTo Mr. James Downs, Mr. William Gro-
Fix this textvww. and others signing the .above address,
Fix this textMy Gm d Friends,—»
Fix this textI thank you mutt cordially for your kind
Fix this textexpressions towards me on my leaving this
Fix this textneighborly ed. At m> parting with you. It
Fix this textis u matter of no small satlsfat tion to know
Fix this textthat 1 have merited yonr commendation
Fix this textwhich you have evinced, n t only by words
Fix this textbut by the very handsome testimonial pre-
Fix this textsented to me, which 1 shall ever value, not
Fix this textmerely for its intrinsic worth, but. for Its
Fix this textassociation with the complimentary assu-
Fix this textrances of esteem and regard.
Fix this textMrs Clayton and my family unite with
Fix this textme in returning thanks for your good wishes
Fix this textand kind farewell; and, with them 1 sin-
Fix this textcerely hope for your prosperity and that
Fix this textof your families and for the’geperal welfare
Fix this textof the district from which I am now sepa-
Fix this textrated.
Fix this textWith grateful remembrance,
Fix this textI am, yours faithfully,—
Fix this text13. CLAYTON.
Fix this text[The late Dr. Benjamin Clayton was the
Fix this textfirst medical officer to come and stay in New
Fix this textSouth Wales, and was married at St. Pe-
Fix this textter's Church, Campbelltown. The children of
Fix this textthe late Dr. Clayton number seven, they
Fix this textbeing: Bland Claytdn (Minto). Benjamin
Fix this textClayton (Harden), Kennedy Clayton (Yaga),
Fix this textMrs. Hume (Campbelltown). Mrs. J. R.
Fix this textGarland .Sydney), Misses M. J. and IT.
Fix this textClayton (Campbelltown). Both Mrs. Burnt
Fix this textand Mrs. Garland were married In St. Pe-
Fix this textter’s Church of England, Campbelltown].
Fix this textIt's easy and takes two shakes of a lamb's tail!
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