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NameBiggDescriptionGeorge Edwin Bigg was born 1827 to Richard and Elizabeth Bigg, yeoman farmers from the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, England.

In the 1851 census, George Edwin Bigg aged 23, is living in Kent with his wife Mary Ann aged 27, and daughter Agnes Kate aged 7 years (incorrect age listed).

George Edwin and his wife Mary Ann Eleanor Bigg (nee Soper) arrived in Australia, from Kent, aboard the 'Earl of Elgin' in 1853. George was listed as a carpenter on the passenger list.

Their eldest daughter Agnes Kate’s age was listed as three years old, and another daughter Gertrude Dinah was born on the voyage. Sadly, Gertrude died just three months later, 19 October, at Jamberoo. George and Mary Ann also lost Agnes Kate in 1855, aged 5 years. Both are buried at the Jamberoo Anglican Cemetery.

The Bigg family settled at Dunmore, eventually farming at’ Glengowrie’ on Swamp Road. George farmed and worked as a carpenter and builder.

According to descendant Mrs Eunice Berry (nee Bigg), George Laurence Fuller's quarry cottages opposite the Shellharbour/Dunmore station, were built by George Bigg.

The Biggs had four more children at Shellharbour;

Edward Richard b.1854 (Married Elizabeth Bushnell 1877, died 1926, Ryde)
Anne Elizabeth b.1858 (Married Henry Moore 1890, died 1927 Nowra)
Frederick Thomas b.1857 (Married Mable Robb 1890, died 1941, Penrith)
Mary M b.1864.
Robert John b.1861 (Married Mary Martha Whiting 1885, died 1937 QLD)

In 1893, a warrant was issued by the Shellharbour Bench for the arrest of 14 years old Addison Birkbeck, an apprentice from the State Children’s Relief Department, charged with absconding from his apprenticeship with George Bigg. (Police Gazette 1893)

Three years later in 1896, the house they were living in on the Dunmore Estate was totally destroyed by fire.

Their new house 'Glengowrie' was built in 1910, on the same site.

Mary Ann Bigg died in 1903. She was staying with her daughter at Nowra at the time.

Edward Richard Bigg took over the farm from his parents. He was a prominent breeder of Shorthorn and Illawarra cattle and his herd was known all over the state.

Edward served as alderman on Shellharbour Council and was elected mayor. He was the first president of the Shellharbour School of Arts and one of the founders of the Allowrie branch of the Sons and Daughters of Temperance. Edward also served as a director of the Dunmore Butter Factory, and was at one time captain of the Albion Park Rifle Club.

Edward and Elizabeth Bigg had –

Gertrude Alice b.1885 (married Arthur Sommerville Tighe, died 1956, Taree)
Miriam Jessie b.1888 (married Sidney W Bursill, died 1965, St Leonard’s)
Sarah Adelaide b.1891 (married James Marr, died 1968, Taree)
Edgar Stanley b.1893 (married Lavinia Shewell, died 1970, Byron Bay)

On Edward's retirement c.1918, he purchased an orchard at Baulkham Hills, where he lived until his death in 1926. His father George Edwin Bigg died at his residence in 1922. George was buried with his wife at Nowra.
Edward Richard Bigg died at Ryde in 1926. Elizabeth died ten years later at Mosman.

‘Glengowrie’ was later farmed by the Ward family

External LinkMarriage Moore - Bigg 1890Bigg Birth 1891Fire at Dunmore 1896Obituary Mrs George Bigg 1903Obituary Mrs Bigg 1903Obituary Mrs George Bigg 1903Shellharbour 1910 'Glengowrie'Kitchen Tea Minnie Bigg 1913Wedding Bursill-Bigg 1913Bigg Farm Sale 1917Wedding Bigg-Shewell 1917Obituary Late Mr George Bigg 1922Late Mr ER Bigg 1926Obituary Mr ER Bigg 1926Mr E R Bigg 1926Death ER Bigg 1936Obituary Mrs ER Bigg 1936Obituary John Thomas Ward 1936Mr Robert Bigg 1937

Shellharbour Municipal Council 1914.

Back l-r: Ald C F O'Keefe, Ald J W Musgrave, Gabriel Timbs (Town Clerk), Mr Caldwell (ES&A Bank Manager, Albion Park), Ald C T East.

Centre l-r: Ald J Burns, Ald J East, T Armstrong (Mayor), Ald E Bigg.

Front l-r: Ald T Bateman, W A Laverty (Editor South Coast Register), Ald A H Weston.

CONNECTIONS

CollectionFamiliesFamilyWardBursillLocalityDunmoreOrganisationShellharbour City CouncilPlaceGlengowrie, Fig Trees and Dry Stone WallsDunmore Butter Factory

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