Susannah Charlotte Best

Susannah Wicks was born in 1851 and married Samuel Best in 1868. They lived in Church Street Ryde in a two storey home of solid construction, being built either of brick or stone, which was eventually demolished to make way for the approaches to the Ryde Bridge. Samuel Best began by sailing two steam launches down the Parramatta River from the Ryde Wharf with fruit and vegetables. One of the launches was named the SS "Growers Friend". When Susannah was in her 86th year it was reported:

"Mrs. Best said ' The world is not as good as it was. Things move so quickly now. I don't like the short frocks the young girls are wearing and I certainlty don't approve of women smoking and drinking. My children say that I'm old fashioned but I stick to my opinions". Mrs Best is much interested in cricket, which she follows on the wireless and she used to go to the races when she was young, not to bet, but to see the crowds and the horses. Every night Mrs. Best plays cards, as she thinks this mental exercise helps to keep her brain alert".

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