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Rows L and H
WilliamMartin Trenerry (1832-1927), was born in Truro Cornwall, as was his wife Susan Mills (1832-1927)though the couple married in Newcastle in 1859, and they arrived in Picton the same year. They had eight children: Ellen Jane, Edwin Trewatha (1861-1862), Susan (1863-1930), Annie, Clara, William, Gertrude and Frederick Eastmaid (1976-1956).
William Martin Trenerry may have come to Picton because he expected the town to grow once the railway line from Campelltown was completed – which didn’t happen until 1863, a major holdup occurring when half the steel for the Menangle railway bridge was lost in a shipwreck. His bakery and attached cottage were on Menangle Street, and he must have been a very successful businessman, as his estate papers show that he had a cottage in Menangle Street and three in Campbell Street, and land behind the George Inn, in Thirlmere on Westbourne Avenue and at Glenwood, near Liverpool. He had been a member of the Progress Association, and a church warden. More details were revealed in his obituary (slightly edited) in the Picton Penny Post, September 9, 1896:
“We have to record with very deep regret the death of Mr. W.M. Trenerry, J.P., which took place at his late residence, Picton, on Monday afternoon at about 5 o’clock, after a very painful illness. The deceased gentleman was one of Picton’s old residents, and for many years successfully conducted a bakery business, from which he retired about six years ago, then a fine type of manhood. He had identified himself with many matters in the interests of the town, and was a useful member of the community in more ways than one. He appeared to have enjoyed good health until about two years ago, when a change took place from which he never recovered, and from a fine hearty man he wasted away, suffering more or less from an affliction which left him ultimately on a bed of sickness from which he never rose. The late Mr. Trenerry was 62 years old, and has left a grown up family, some of the members of which live in Picton. Deceased was attended by Drs. Lovegrove and Mills, and lately by Doctors Ekin and Dalton, but medical skill was of no avail, and although the end was somewhat expected, the news of his death came as a severe blow to his many friend on every hand. The funeral will take place today (Wednesday).“
(The following newspaper did not survive, so there is no description of the funeral).
There was a small paragraph in the Picton Penny Post, September 23:
“At the conclusion of the business of the Picton Small Debts Court on Friday last, Mr. C. Dunn, J.P. referred with regret to the death of Mr. W.M. Trennery, J.P. He said that before Mr. Trenerry’s appointment as an honorary magistrate the Bench were unanimous in recommending it, and they had always found him to be a conscient-ious and unassuming man. They had lost a good citizen, and his place would be hard to fill….“
A letter from the chairman of the magistrates, John M. Antill to Mrs. Trennery was reported in the other local newspaper, the Picton Advocate, September 25th:
“For a period of thirty-six years spent among the people of Picton, your husband’s blameless and useful life, his unassailable honesty and integrity in business matters, and kindness of disposition secured for him the esteem of the community among whom he lived, while his strict impartiality as a magistrate ensured the confidence of all classes. It was a sense of these attributes to which I have alluded which actuated the members of the Bench in unanimously recommending your late husband for the Commission of the Peace, and no more worthy man for the position could hold it. It may be some consolation to your family in their trouble to know that he is not forgotten after his kindly face is no more seen here.”
Mrs. Susan Trenerry died on May 19, 1927 as reported in the Picton Post on June 1, 1927:
“The late Mrs. Susan Trenerry, who died at her residence, Menangle Street, Picton, … aged 96, was buried at St. Mark’s the following afternoon. The deceased was a native of Cornwall and had been a resident of Picton for nearly half a century. Her remains were laid to rest by those of her husband, who died here in 1896. The Rector, Rev. R.F. Tacon, officiated at the gravesite.
She leaves two sons and four daughters: they are W.M.Trenerry (Tamworth, F. Trennery (Manilla), Mrs. Nicolson (Maldon), Miss Trenerry (Picton), Mrs. Griffiths (Daceyville), Mrs. Willard (Concord) and Mrs. W. Michell (North Sydney).
Her late husband was one of the best known pioneer business men of Picton, being a master baker for many years …”
Of the three children of the family buried in the graveyard, it is Miss Susan Trenerry (1863-1930) who, after her death on July 21, 1930, had the longest obituary in the Picton Post of July 30th, 1930 – written by the Rev. John Boardman:
“The late Miss Trenerry – An Appreciation
It affords me much pleasure to give an account of one whose whole life I have known and admired from childhood. As a school girl she was gentle and amiable, always repulsing anything that was not refined. As a member of a large family, which is the best training school, she was the monitor of right conduct, but her greatest forte was as a teacher. She began Sunday school teaching at a very early age and was beloved by all her class. Quite early in life she formed a girls Bible class, which met every Sunday and Thursday afternoons. This became famous not so much for its numerical strength, although this was exceptional for a country town, but for the influence it exercised on the lives of those who attended, the age of many of the members was equal to her own, and sometimes even more.
Most of the girls remained members until they were married, and even afterwards Miss Trenerry always kept in touch with them, and their delight was to bring their babies and introduce them to their Bible class teacher.
St. Mark’s church, Picton, owed a greater debt to Miss Trenerry than any other individual, for she gave it at least fifty years’ voluntary service, not only as supporter, teacher and worshipper, but an honorary secretary to the local branch of the Ladies’ Home Mission Society, at that time one of the largest country branches. One of her last conscious acts was to send her annual subscription to the present secretary.
In her home life she was ideal. After all the other members had married, it was she who remained with her parents to sweeten their declining years and to interpret their every wish.
Being alone, after the Homecall of her mother and still energetic, she decided to seek a wider field of operations and accepted the position of Acting Deaconess at St. Barnabas’ Church, Paddington, where she endeared herself to all with whom she came in contact. Here she formed a women’s Bible class and had similar success as she had in the girls a St. Mark’s.
Failing health compelled her to resign the parish work, but she still kept here Bible class in operation. After consulting her medical advisor, who told her she was very much run down and advised a course of treatment in the War Memorial Hospital, she entered the hospital and while there it was my privilege to have several conversations with her. ….
The funeral of the late Miss Trenerry, who was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. W.M.Trenerry, took place on 22nd instant, the remains being conveyed to Picton for interment in St. Mark’s church cemetery. The officiating clergymen were the Rev. J.P. Owen (Rector of St. Mark’s), Rev. John Boardman and Rev. Coates.
There was a large attendance at the graveside, old friends traveling long distances to be present, and many beautiful wreaths were on the coffin. Four sisters and two brothers are left, viz. Mesdames L. Nicolson, Griffiths, Willard and Mitchell, and Messrs. William and Frederick.“
