NameClarke, GeorgeOccupationPost BoyBiographyGeorge Clark/Clarke was born in 1859 at Kiama, to Benjamin and Mary Ann Clark. (nee Swan).
George was the grandson of convict, Samuel Clarke, on his father's side, and also the grandson of convict, Edward Swan, on his mothers side.
The Clarke family lived at Yellow Rock.
In 1873, heavy floods saw the Macquarie Rivulet burst its banks and submerge the low lying areas of Albion Park. Several families were evacuated from their homes. The roads were impassable, and George Clarke found himself in trouble while trying to deliver the mail.
George worked as a post boy for Mr. Walter Allen of Shellharbour, and was employed to carry the mail between Shellharbour and Albion Park.
George was about 13 years old, and described as a sturdy youth and a good rider. William Beach and Thomas Pearson, on hearing he was missing, went in company with three others to search for him. They found the body in Hamilton’s paddock about 300 yards from Stapleton’s Bridge (near Frazer’s Creek at Albion Park), lying on its back on the grass, with arms stretched out, hands half closed, and eyes open. The water had subsided so there was none about his body.
Allen's Post Office & Store, Shellharbour, c.1870.