Charlotte Midson

Charlotte Small was born on 30th September 1855 and married William Midson the son of Edward and Harriet Midson nee Mears in 1874. William came to Australia with his parents from Steeple Bumstead in England on the "Constitution" which arrived in Sydney on 27th May 1855. William and Charlotte lived on an orchard at Epping which faced the present Chesterfield Road. The name of the property was "Chesterfield" and the home was of brick construction with various outbuildings including a small study set in the orchard away from the house. This study is where William prepared his sermons which he preached as a local preacher in the Ryde Circuit of the Wesleyan Church. The study was comfortably furnished with a fireplace at one end and a large Bible very much in evidence. It was the special chore of his daughter, Gladys, to keep the study clean and tidy. Both citrus and various types of stone fruit were grown on the orchard, which was quite extensive. Three chinese workmen were employed on the orchard and they always ensured that there were three at all times, if one went back to China to visit family, another relative would take his place. The children, particularly the older girls, also helped from time to time in picking of fruit. Following the death of William Midson, Charlotte moved to a house at 24 High Street Epping where she died fifteen years later.

William and Charlotte had ten children.

Obituary: Midson, Charlotte (1855–1939)

The death has occurred at High Street, Epping, of Mrs. Charlotte Midson, widow of the late Mr. William Midson.

Her father, Samuel Small, was a son of John Small, a military officer, who arrived in the colony in 1788 with Governor Phillip on H.M.S. Sirius. Mrs. Midson was born at Hunter's Hill 85 years ago, and spent her whole life in the Ryde district. She married William Midson, of Essex, England, in 1874.

She is survived by six daughters and two sons, 24 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren.