Rediscovering Ginninderra:
Elizabeth Jane Shumack
Born: 1838; Died: 1872; Married: Peter 'Big Pete' Shumack
Elizabeth Jane born in Ireland in 1838, the daughter of John Gillespie and Mary Ann (nee Hutchinson). The Gillespies (including Elizabeth and her brother, Joseph) arrived in Sydney on assisted passage in 1841 on the Lascar. This ship also carried other Ginninderra settler families: the Shumacks (one of whom she was to marry) and the Currans.
Her father was initially employed by the Klensendorlffes of Canberra and lived at their farmhouse - along with John Shumack who had also found employment there. Eventually the Gillespies settled on land at the headwaters of Ginninderra Creek. In 1852 her father built a stone cottage which became known as Horse Park.
In 1869, Elizabeth married Peter Shumack (known as 'Big Pete'). Sadly, Elizabeth died prematurely in 1872, aged just 34 years.They had two children - George and Elizabeth. Peter remarried in the following year.
Related Photos
References
- Gillespie, L. L., 1979A Pictorial History of the Read/Reid Family in Australia, 1849-1979, Canberra,
- Gillespie, L. L., 1992Ginninderra: Forerunner to Canberra, Campbell,
- Shumack, S. 1967An Autobiography, or, Tales and Legends of Canberra Pioneers (ed. J. E. and S. Shumack), Canberra
- White, E. 1993. A Shumack Family. c.1668-1992 & connected families. Eastwood, NSW.