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McGill

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NameMcGillDescriptionAndrew McGill was born in Kintyre, Country Argyle, Scotland in 1797.

In 1821, he married Jean McNiven. 17 years later, in 1838, the couple and their nine surviving children left for Australia aboard ‘St George’.

James b.1822 (married Isabella Russell, died 1890, Albion Park)
Rodger b.1823 (died 1824)
Mary b.1825 (married William Moles, died 1900, Albion Park)
Barbara b.1827 (died 1904, Hornsby)
Margaret b.1829 (married James McNiven, died Victoria)
Jean/Jane b.1830 (died 1862, Shellharbour)
Neil b.1832 (married Mary Ann Robertson, died 1885, Robertson)
Duncan b.1833 (married Sarah Robertson, died 1916, Grafton)
Marion b.1835 (married John Fraser, died 1903, Ryde)
Archibald b.1837 (died 1842, Albion Park. According to family descendants he was killed by a falling tree at ‘Toongla’, Tullimbar, when it was being cleared. This property is not the ‘Toongla’ that exists today; however, it was in a similar area)

Andrew took up a position as joint manager of the Terry's Meadows Estate (Albion Park) along with Duncan Beatson, a fellow Scotsman.

At Albion Park, Andrew and Jean had several more children;

Alexander b. 1840
Archibald II b.1842 (married Margaret Bovard, died 1915, Albion Park)
Andrew b. 1843 (died 1926, Dapto)
Isabella b.1845 (married John Noble, died 1915, Lismore)
Elizabeth b.1849 (died 1896, Albion Park. Elizabeth lived with her oldest sister Margaret, her whole life. She was only six years old when her mother died)

In 1843, the clearing lease system was introduced, and Andrew took up a lease on the Terry’s Meadows estate. The lease, according to family lore, was called 'Toongla' and the old homestead was located on the left-hand side of the Illawarra Highway, just before the Yellow Rock Creek bridge. This 'Toongla' is not the same property as the 'Toongla' that exists today at Tullimbar. The latter 'Toongla' was owned by William Moles, who married Andrew McGill's daughter, Mary.

Jean McGill died in 1855.

In 1861, Andrew married Mary Breckenridge and had two more children.

Samuel b.1862,(married Lilias Reid Dun, died 1932 Rookwood)
Hugh Ritchie Breckenridge b.1865 (married Ida Susan Sophia Granger & Jean Cunningham Stocks, died 1956, Sydney)

Andrew McGill established himself as one of the most successful breeders of dairy cattle in the district. He was one of the pioneers of the renowned Australian Illawarra Shorthorn breed of cattle, which today is still internationally recognised for producing large quantities of high butter fat and protein milk.

Andrew was involved in the establishment of a National School in 1859, and a founding member of the first Shellharbour Council 1859 serving as an alderman for 4 years. He was an original member of the Albion Park Butter Factory in Calderwood Road Albion Park, the South Coast Steam Packet Co. 1860, and Shellharbour Steam Navigation Co. 1875.

In 1874, the local community presented Andrew with a testimonial at the Albion Hotel for his great service to the stock owners of the district. Being unable to thank his friends in his mother tongue (Gaelic), his son read the reply on his behalf.

Andrew McGill died in 1876.

The Illawarra Mercury 30 January 1874, reported a presentation of a testimonial to Mr. Andrew McGill, held at the Albion Hotel, Albion Park on the 28th, for his great service to the stock owners of the district in the improvement of the breed of cattle. Mr. McGill responded ‘being unable to thank his friends in his mother tongue (Gaelic) his son James McGill J.P. read the reply.

Andrew McGill is honoured on the Shellharbour City Hall of Fame.

James McGill, eldest son of Andrew and Jean took up the farming life, and became involved with horse breeding, racing and conducted veterinary visits free of charge. James married Isabella Russell, daughter of Ebenezer and Jane Russell.

Daughter, Marion McGill married John Fraser of 'Brushgrove' farm at North Macquarie.

Daughter, Mary McGill married William Moles and later lived at a newly built ‘Toongla’ at Tullimbar.

Information McGill Family Tree, Margaret Edler.

External LinkDeath Jane McGill 1855Marriage McNiven-McGill 1862Death Jean/Jane McGill 1862Death of Mr Andrew MCGill 1876Beach the Sculler by James McGill 1884Marriage Walker-McGill 1887The Late James McGill 1890Obituary Miss Elisabeth McGill 1896Death Elizabeth McGill 1896The Late Mrs William Moles 1900Mrs W Moles 1900The Late Mrs John Fraser 1903The Late Mrs John Fraser 1903Death Barbara McGill 1904Founding the Illawarra Herds 1911Death Duncan McGill 1916Obituary Andrew McGill II 82 Years 1926Centenarian Pioneer of Albion Park District Mrs Andrew McGill 1934Death Isabella Noble 1915

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McGill