Return to Cemetery Audio Tour Main Page

(Row C, one Row F)

The Bateup family began with Samuel (1803-1874) born in Sussex, who in 1831 married Mary King, and all 8 children were born there before the family came out to New South Wales in 1858.  The children were John (1835-1907), Emma (1839-1875, later Sant), Thomas b.1841, Samuel jnr (1844-1902), Mary Jane b. 1848, later Francis, Amos (1850-1918), Francie b. 1852 later Bush and Martha 1855-1937, married Henry Burgess.  Martha was buried in Row F, with several other Burgesses.

John Bateup (1835-1907) married Janette Reeves in 1862, in St. Mark’s Church.  John worked as a carrier, labourer and horse driver.  His obituary says that he was verger at the church for 30 years, and buried in the graveyard, but the sites for John and wife Janette (d. 1896) are unknown, though they may be in the space between other Bateup graves. John and Janette had eleven children, two at least who are buried in Row C: their eldest daughter Janette ((1871-1883) and youngest son Samuel (1867-1890) who despite his youth had married Mary Jane Thompson in 1889.

His younger brother Amos Bateup (1850-1918) married Jane Brookes, at St. Mark’s, in 1876.  Amos had been living and working with his father Samuel, and after his death in 1874 Amos, and with Jane remained on the 130 acre farm, part of the larger Abbotsford estate owned by William Antill.  They had five children: Amos Albert, Mary Jane, Samuel Griffen, Ida Sarah and Mildred Frances.  The family left Abbotsford for a farm on Stilton, on the southern edge of Picton, around 1902, which Amos farmed with his son Amos Albert (known as Dickie).

Amos died in 1918, and the Picton Post of August 7 reported:

“Another very highly respected and old resident of Picton has been removed by the death of Mr. Amos Bateup, which occurred, suddenly at his residence, Stilton Farm on Tuesday night, the 6th inst.  He was playing a game of cards with some members of his family, and was in the act of dealing the cards when, without the slightest warning, he gave one gasp and peacefully passed away.  A messenger was immediately dispatched for Dr. Chisholm, who on his arrival a few minutes later pronounce life extinct.  The deceased appeared to be in his usual good state of health and only a few days before his death rode into town to transact business.  He had never complained of being ill in any way and the news of his sudden and untimely end came as a shock not only to his relatives but to his many friends throughout the district.  The deceased was a native of Sussex, England, and was 68 years of age.  He arrived in Australia with his father, and other members of the family, about 60 years ago, and they settled in this district immediately after, and from which he has never removed.  His mother died while on the voyage out from England.  In the early days of his life Mr. Bateup was in the employ of Mr. Larkin at the time the old flour mill in Argyle-street was in full working order. He later turned his attention to dairy farming which calling he followed up till the time of his death.  For many years he was farming at Abbotsford, and about 18 years ago he removed to his property at Stilton farm.  He is survived by a wife and 2 sons and 2 daughters, also 7 grandchildren. 

   The funeral took place on Thursday, the interment being made in St. Mark’s Church of England cemetery, Rev. E. Hargraves officiating.  The cortege was one of the largest seen in this district, and testified to the universal respect in the deceased was held.

His wife, Jane, nee Brookes lived until 1941 and was 86 when she died.  Her obituary appeared in the Picton Post, January 9, 1941:

“It is with regret that we record the passing of another old resident of the district – Mrs. Jane Bateup, relict of the late Amos Bateup, and mother of Messrs. G. and A. Bateup, well known residents of the district in which their mother spent the greater part of her life-time, being highly esteemed by all who knew her.

Death took place on Monday, and the remains were interred in St. Mark’s cemetery the following afternoon.  The deceased was 86 years of age.

The obituary does not mention her daughters, Mary Jane Turner, Mildred (Millie) Murray, or young Ida Sarah Bateup who died in 1900, aged 18; the Picton Post and Advocate, May 16, 1900 included her obituary:

“It is once again the painful duty to have to record a death in our midst, the victim being Miss Ida Bateup, the daughter of Mr. Amos Bateup, which sad event occurred at the residence of her grandfather, Mr. G. Brookes, on Saturday night at the early age of 18 years.  For some months the deceased was in indifferent health, the malady from which she was suffering, baffling medical skill.  On Saturday she took a turn for the worse and rapidly sank, expiring as above stated on Saturday evening.  Miss Bateup was a member of St. Mark’s church and her genial disposition won her many friend.  The funeral took place on Monday afternoon and was very largely attended.  Rev. D.H. Dillon conducted an impressive service at the grave.

Her older brother Amos Albert (Dickie) Bateup (1876-1943) worked with his father Amos, and joined the Picton Half Squadron of the NSW Mounted Rifles in the 1890s.  This was very popular with the young men of the district, and as it turned out, good training for the Boer War at the turn of the century and then World War I.  And Dickie was one of the first to volunteer for the Boer War in October 1899.  He only saw short service in the field before developing enteric fever, and was invalided back home, arriving in July 1900, with two other men.  They were welcome home at the Railway Hotel,  and for Dickie also by the Protestant Alliance Lodge.

The Picton Post of May 27, 1943 had his obituary:

“It is with regret that we record the death of a very old and respected resident in the person of Mr. Amos Albert Bateup, who passed away to regions beyond at his home Stilton Farm on Saturday last, 23rd May.  He lived alone on his farm at Upper Picton.  He was a native of Picton having been born at Abbotsford 68 years ago, and spent all his life here following farming pursuits.  In his younger days the late Mr. Bateup was associated with almost all the organisations in the district, and in one capacity or another did much useful work.  He was a past Master of the Rose of Picton Masonic Lodge, and at his death a keen member of the Bush Fire Brigade.  The late Mr. Bateup was a bachelor and is survived by a brother (Samuel) who resides at Guildford, and two sisters (Mrs. Turner of Lismore and Mrs. Murray of Lidcombe).

 Amos’ earthly remains were buried at St. Mark’s Picton near those of his father who passed away in 1918, and his mother who had died only two years earlier, in 1941.

   Whilst serving in South Africa, the local Picton paper reported that in March 1900, when his sister Mary Jane, was married to Samuel Turner of Berry, one of the toasts at the wedding was to the health of the bride’s brother who is serving in South Africa with the Mounted Rifles.  Sadly, Amos also learned of the death in May 1900 of his 18 year old sister who had been in poor health for some months.

Return to Cemetery Audio Tour Main Page