Richard Fleming

Richard Fleming On 10th May 1839 Elizabeth , wife of Edward Barwick, gave birth to a daughter whom she named Eliza, a namesake for the child who had died on the voyage from England.

Eliza Barwick married Richard Fleming in St. Peter's Church of England, Oatlands 1st August 1860.

Two children were born to this couple before the family travelled aboard the "Hargreaves" to the goldfields of the Wyndham area in New Zealand (departed Hobart March 1863).

Eliza gave birth to three of her daughters, Afhild Wyndham and Mary Ann and Ann Elizabeth whilst they resided in New Zealand.

By 1870 Richard and Eliza Fleming had returned to Tasmania and settled at Antill Ponds. Another eight children were born after their return.

Richard and Eliza lived at "Wetherton", Antill Ponds, "Bishton", Jericho, "Middle Park", Antill Ponds, "Rockton", Liffey and at Longford.

Whilst visiting his brother-in-law, Stephen Barwick, Richard suffered a heart attack and died, an article in the local newspaper stated;

"Mr. Richard Fleming, from the vicinity of Longford, on a visit to relations in the district, died suddenly on Saturday at "Middle Park", the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr Barwick. Seated at the table between his wife and his sister, Mrs Barwick, the deceased suddenly leaned forward on the table, and the consternation of the others may be imagined when it was discovered that death had occurred. As there were no males in the house at the time, assistance was readily obtained from the Antill Ponds Railway station and Inn. Mr Charles Fleming, of the latter, being the deceased's brother. When Dr Savage was summoned by wire, it seems the deceased had been in daily expectation of the event, as he had been suffering with acute heart disease for many years, and Dr. Savage, on his arrival saw that death had in every probability been the result of a syncope, but of course, he could not grant the usual certificate without a post mortem.

The bereaved were spared these gruesome details however, as Dr. Haines was able to come to the relief of his confrere at Oatlands and testified to having treated the deceased for many years for heart disease.

The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon, the service being conducted in St. Peter's Church of England by Rev J.A. Priestly. There was a goodly cortege after the hearse, notwithstanding the busy time.

Deceased leaves a wife and several sons and daughters, the latter being all grown up. He had reached the age of 66 and had, though a native of this district, in which he has a host of relations, resided for many years near Longford, engaged in agricultural pursuits."

Eliza Fleming died at the home of her youngest son, Alan, in Launceston, 12th July 1914. Eliza and Richard are buried in St. Peter's cemetery in Oatlands