Edmund Sanderson

• General Notes
  • Edmund Sanderson was born in Sheffield Yorkshire England on 12thMay 1825 and baptised there
    on 8thDecember 1826. After leaving school Edmund worked with his Father Henry Sanderson, learning
    the skills of a Civil Engineer and Surveyor. At the age of 18 years Edmund left home and with his brother
    William went to Peterborough, England seeking work. For a time he worked for a Mr Fowler in London.
    After the death of his father in 1849 Edmund along with another brother, Alexander supported their
    stepmother and their younger half brothers and sisters for a considerable time. On the 8 thDecember 1850
    at St. Mary’s Stamford, Lincolnshire, England, he married Eleanor Colston. Eleanor came from St.
    George’s Stamford and was born in that town on 29thJanuary 1827. Edmund had obtained a position as a
    Railway Surveyor for the colony of New South Wales. Reputedly on a salary of 800 pounds ($ 1600) per
    year (probably an excessive claim considering the normal wage for workers at that time, but then again
    the obituary for Eleanor mentions 1000 pounds ($ 2000) a year) and together with Eleanor and two young
    daughters, left England on the ship "Chowringhee" on 16thJuly 1855. On board the ship with Edmund
    and his family were Edmund's elder brother Henry, his wife Elizabeth Bowen and their 4-year-old
    daughter Bessie. As well a younger half brother John Sanderson was also onboard with Edmund and
    Henry. Both Edmund and Henry were described on the shipping list as being Engineers. The
    "Chowringhee" arrived in Sydney exactly 4 months later on 16thNovember. Edmund and Eleanor settled
    at Campbelltown N.S.W.
    Edmund began his employment surveying the route for which at that time was called the Great
    Southern Line from Sydney to Picton. While living at Campbelltown another daughter Annie was born in
    1856. By 1859 the family were living at Willie Ploma, Adelong Creek (Tumblong) near Gundagai, N.S.W
    Edmund continued his occupation as a surveyor, applying for several licenses in the years 1862, 1890
    and 1893, all of which were granted. Allowing him to survey and adjust the boundaries of runs, mineral
    leases and lands for sale by auction. While at Willie Ploma 4 more children were born, Florence Eva,
    Alice Maud, Charles and Frances Sarah. Edmund died at South Gundagai on 28thSeptember 1894 aged
    69 years. Eleanor Colston also died at South Gundagai on 1stSeptember 1906 aged 79 years.