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Rows C, F and G
The Warters family, some 21 of them, are scattered through the graveyard in rows C, F and G. The eldest was William Warters (1823-1891) who was born in Yorkshire and married Mary Hansell/Ansell there in 1847. Their eldest son, John Edmund (1850-1923) was born there, but by 1855 another son Charles was born in Parramatta, and the next child Kate in 1858 at Picton. In all there were eleven children, though six of them died young. William was described as a wheelright/carpenter and may have been the first to move into the undertaking business; the family lived in Elizabeth Street, close to the church. John Edmund Warters married Eliza Ray in 1873 in Sydney, and their eldest son was Sydney John (1854-1948), the first of eleven children, all the younger ones born in Picton. John Edmund was described as a carpenter and saddler; his son Sydney was a carpenter and undertaker.
Sydney John Warters died in 1948, and was afforded a long obituary [slightly edited] in the Picton Poston January 8th:
“Another link with the old life of Picton has been snapped in the passing of one of the grand old men, Mr. Sydney John Warters (old Syd Warters as he was affectionately known) who died at his home in Argyle Street, last Friday, January 2nd, aged 74, after an illness of several weeks.
Born in Sydney, deceased was the eldest child of the late John Edmund and Eliza Warters. He came as a baby to reside in Picton with his parents, and has lived in Argyle Street ever since. Mr. Sydney Warters was known far and wide throughout the district, and highly respected for the strict integrity which was an outstanding quality of his character. He worked as a carpenter and contractor and undertaker all his life, being both zealous and painstaking in all his undertakings.
As a citizen, one could not find a better man. He was one of the original founders of the Picton brass band, which developed under his inspiration; was secretary for many years of Lodge Picton Masonic, and the School of Arts, in which position he was keen and thorough; and was one of the trustees of St. Mark’s Church. A life long member of the Anglican Church, and was devoted to his parents, brothers and sisters.
He was predeceased by Wilfred, Stella (Mrs. Power) and is survived by Otto of Fivedock, Elsie (Mrs. W.A. Crawley of Undercliffe, Myra (Mrs. Ray) of Wellington Park (Picton), Mildred (Mrs. Wilson) of Cronulla, Remie (Miss Warters), Vera (Mrs. Terrett) of Goulburn, Ray of Gosford and Neville of Waverly. During his recent illness he was devotedly attended by his sisters, Miss R. Waters and Mrs. Terrett.
The funeral took place on Saturday afternoon, January 3rd, and was one of the largest and most beautiful ever seen in this district. Prior to the service in St. Mark’s Church, the Rev. F.A.S. Shaw conducted a service at the house for the family. A most impressive service was held in the Church where a large gathering of citizens and brother Masons of Lodge Picton attended to pay their last respects to one so loved and esteemed. Representatives from Lodge Bowral, Campbelltown and Camden were also present. During the service the Picton band, in the Church grounds, played softly, sacred and solemn music, the strains of which echoed throughout the building.
The Rev. Shaw during the service in the Church would not have paid higher tribute to a man, than he did with his heartfelt words. He said he was a man among men, honest and reliable, and his word was his bond. He was a man of generous and sympathetic nature and one capable of kindly understanding. There was no-one in the district had such a knowledge of Picton and its people. He was a devout member of St. Mark’s Church, made frequent and generous contributions to church funds, and lovingly attended to various repair work to the building. The Rev. Shaw extended to his sisters, brothers and relatives, the deepest and warmest sympathy of all present.
At the conclusion of the service the cortege proceeded to the graveside in the Churchground, where Worshipful Brother E.H. Oakman read the Masonic burial service. Regalia was worn by all members. At the lowering of the coffin, the Picton band played “Nearer My God to Thee” and then by special request “Peace, Perfect Peace”. The graveside was banked with dozens of beautiful wreaths. We join with the people of the district in extending our deepest sympathy to his sorrowing relatives.
His sister Remie (1888-1972) continued the family tradition by acting as an agent for Butler and Co. of Camden. She lived in the old family home on the corner of Argyle and Cliffe Streets, which no longer exists. It is interesting that 3 of Sydney’s brothers, and his five married sisters (including some of their children) are buried here.
The Picton Post of October 19, 1972 contained an obituary for Miss Remie Warters:
“The death occurred on Sunday of Miss Remie Amy Warters, one of the oldest residents of Picton, who had spent the whole of her life in the town. For many years, Miss Waters resided alone in a neatly-kept cottage at 73 Argyle Street, near the Ambulance Station.
Failing health caused her [problems?] in the past year and she died in Campelltown Nursing Home, after being a patient there since March.
Miss Warters became well known in Picton when she was a funeral director for a number of years, until she retired about 10 years ago. Born in Picton, she was the daughter of the late John and Eliza Waters and one of a family of five daughters and six sons.
The only surviving member of the family now is Mr. Ray Warters, a retired engine driver, who resides at Gosford. A sister of Miss Warters, Mrs. Myra Ray, wife of Mr. George H. Ray, of Wellington Park, The Oaks Road, Picton, died some years ago.Nephews and nieces of Miss Warters residing in the district are Jack, Wilfred and Neville (Bill) Ray (all of Picton) and Mrs. Daphne Third of Tahmoor. Another nephew, Mr. Dudley Ray predeceased her.
Most of the older generation of Picton people who became closely acquainted with the late Miss Warters have since passed on, but a number of present-day resident knew her and respected her.
The funeral was held on Tuesday afternoon and after a service at St. Mark’s Church of England, Picton, interment took place in the church cemetery.“
