Thomas William Eather

Thomas Eather 1820-1874

Thomas, eldest son of Robert and Mary Eather, was married to Susannah Merrick at Kurrajong on the 26th August 1844 by Father R. J. Dunne, and then set up in business at Windsor as a wheelwright, with farming as a profitable sideline.

Poor business acumen cost him dearly in the late 1850's when a series of miscalculations conspired to ruin him. In the one year, 1859, he unwisely spent 150pounds on enlarging his home (at the corner of George and New Streets, Windsor, rented from Abraham Cornwell), lost 200pounds out of renting a farm at Richmond Bottoms, and sacrificed another 100pounds in employing some men to cut timber for him. As his financial affairs plunged, he endeavoured to effect a recovery by transferring the lease of the Richmond Bottoms farm to his brother, James, who also bought his horse team.

By August 1862 he was reduced to working as a drayman for his son-in-law Thomas Pryke, driving on the Southern Road for 1pound 5 shillings per week.

Later he went west of the Blue Mountains to Orange, still working as a carrier, and there he was accidently crushed to death by a wagon on 23 June 1874.

Taken from ancestry online

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Saturday 8 June 1861 NOTICE.-CREDITORS in the estate of Mr. THOMAS EATHER, wheelwright, Windsor, are requested to send in their respective claims on or before 12 o'clock, on WEDNESDAY, the 12th instant or they will not be recognised after that date, to W. BEARD, junior, ironmonger, Windsor.

Empire (Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875) Tuesday 30 July 1861

INSOLVENCY COURT.-MONDAY.

NEW INSOLVENTS.

Thomas Eather, Windsor, wheelwright : Liabilities, £238 6s. 8d." Assets-value of leasehold property, £40; of personal property,£79 10s. Amount of outstanding debts, £14. Deficit, £104 16s. 8d. Mr. F. W. Ferry,   official assignee.

The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Saturday 7 September 1861

Windsor.

In the Insolvent Estate of Thomas Eather. MR. J. LAVERACK has received instructions from F. W. Perry, Esq., official assignee, to sell by public auction, on TUESDAY, the 10th instant, at 2 o'clock, at Mr. Eather's residence, George-street, Windsor, Lot of shingles Horse, dray, and harness 1 waggon Saddle and bridle - Lot timber Sundry other articles. Terms, cash.