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Rows O, D and N
John Kelso (c. 1832-1906) was born in County Derry, Ireland, and had reached the Picton area by 1862, when he married Hannah Reid (c. 1844-1919). Her father was one of the many German vinedressers who came out in the 1850s and 1860s, and changed the family name to Reid when he was working on Clifton. John and Hannah had 13 children between 1863 and 1889.
The Picton Post and Advocate, Wednesday September 5, 1906 provided John’s obituary:
“It is with deep regret that we have to report the death of Mr. John Kelso, which occurred at the residence of Mr. T. McKendrick on Friday last, at the age of 76. The deceased was well and hearty up to Sunday week when he had an attack of hemorrhage (sic) on the brain which, notwithstanding all that skill and attention could do, proved fatal as stated.
Deceased was an old identity of Picton and well known. He arrived in Australia about 50 years ago, hailing from County Derry, Ireland; 47 years of which he spent in the Picton district. He kept a butcher’s shop in Picton 20 years ago. He was married 44 years ago to a sister of Frank Reid, and reared a family of 9 boys and 4 girls. For the last 15 years deceased lived with Mr. T. McKendrick where he was looked upon as almost one of the family. Although a Presbyterian, his remains were interred in the Church of England cemetery on Saturday; the Rev. W.G. Roberts officiating. The bereaved family feel their loss keenly and we extend to them our deepest sympathy.“
Hannah Kelso nee Reid died in 1919, when no papers survive, apart from notes kept by Bruce Knox, local historian. Their daughter Violet McLaren died in her mother’s home in 1918, and Violet’s daughter Violet May also died in Picton in 1913, only five months old.
The second son of John Kelso was George Kelso (1868-1939), who married Annie Kathleen Nelson in 1894. They had four children Annie, Cyril, Cecilia (who was only a baby when she died in Wellington, NSW, where George farmed for a few years) and Kathleen R., born in Picton in 1903.
George’s obituary appeared in the Picton and Camden Recorder, Wednesday July 12, 1939:
“Mr. George Kelso, an old resident of the Picton district, passed away at his home in Argyle-street, Upper Picton last Wednesday at the age of 72 years. Only a few days before he was going about quietly as usual in the full enjoyment, to all appearances, of the good health with which he had always been blessed, but on Tuesday morning (the day prior to his death) he became suddenly ill and died the following night. The funeral which was largely attended, took place on Thursday afternoon, the remains being laid to rest in St. Mark’s cemetery, the Rev. W. Payne of the Picton Methodist Church conducting the service.
The late Mr. Kelso was a native of Picton, and except for a few years which he spent in the western district about Wellington in his young days, he spent the rest of his life in his native town. He followed farming pursuits, and was a quiet, industrious man, respected by those with whom he came in contact.
His wife and daughter survive, and also four brothers – William, Arthur, Thomas and Edward – and two sisters, Mrs. Hoy of Argyle-street and Mrs. C. Walton of Newcastle. With the exception of the last mentioned and her brother Edward, all the members of the family live in Picton, and the sympathy of their friends goes out to them in their bereavement.“
George and Annie had one son, Cyril Kelso (1897-1916) who died in France during World War I. He had tried to enlist from the beginning of the war, but was too young, eventually being successful in October 1915 when he was 18. He joined an artillery brigade, and was killed at Flers on 3rd November 1916.
