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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’.

Andrew and Jean had several children;

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 exisits today, however it was in a similar area)
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 sister Margaret, her whole life)

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

In 1843, the clearing lease system was introduced and Andrew took up a lease on the 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 Brekenridge 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 dated 30 January 1874, reported an account of 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 the eldest son of Andrew and Jean took up the farming life, and also became involved with horse breeding, racing and 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 LinkMarriage McNiven-McGill 1862Death of Mr Andrew MCGill 1876Obituary Miss Elisabeth MCGill 1896Founding the Illawarra Herds 1911Obituary Andrew McGill 82 Years 1926Centenarian Pioneer of Albion Park District Mrs Andrew McGill 1934The Late Mrs William Moles 1900The Late James McGill 1890Marriage Walker-McGill 1887

Photograph

Rusglen Farm

Pioneer Cemetery Albion Park

Rusglen Farm

Pioneer Cemetery Albion Park

Barbara McGill (nee Stewart)

Lily McGill's home 'The Pines' in Albion Park

Lily McGill riding with the Foran Family at Green Mountain, Yellow Rock

Lily McGill's home, 'The Pines', Albion Park

James & Isabella McGill with baby

Wedding portrait of Moses King Jnr & Jane McGill

Stuart McGill, Ebenezer John McGill, Marion McGill and Jane McGill

Andrew McGill (1795-1876)

Document

McGill, James

McGill Family History

Albion Park Pioneer Cemetery Conservation Plan

Ruth Oke Honoured For a Lifetime of History

Person

Russell, John

Moles, William

McGill, Lily

McGill, Isabella

Family

King, (Moses Branch)

Russell

Moles

Fraser

Place

Croom School

Albion Park Pioneer Cemetery

Event

Formation of the Municipality of Shellharbour

Diphtheria Epidemic

Object

Gun Powder Flask

Map or Plan

Tracing Shewing (sic) Part of the Peterborough Estate Parish of Terragong, Country of Camden

Locality

Yellow Rock (Ridge)

Organisation

Shellharbour Steam Navigation Company

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McGill