Andrew Brakenridge

• Death Notes
  • Port Pirie, South Australia

• General Notes
  • Woodside, South Australia
    General Notes:
    
    Andrew Brakenridge was born on October 18, 1852. It is probable that he was born at Woodside and later moved with his parents to their property, Fairview, at Stockport. He married Cathren McEwen on April 14, 1875, in Adelaide. Cathren was born on November 11, 1855, either at Yankalilla or Salt Creek.
    There is little information about Andrew, but by noting where his children were born, it is apparent that he and Cathren moved a number of times before eventually settling in Port Pirie. His occupation as listed on the birth certificates of some of his children is that of a trolleyman. According to some definitions of "trolleyman" it could mean that he was either a carrier or someone who controlled trolleys in mining ventures. The latter could well be true in view of the fact that all of the places where he lived were indeed mining towns. Taking into account the nature of the country through which they moved and lived, the logistics of moving with a large number of very young children along with the transport of the times, one has to marvel at the endurance of Cathren and Andrew.
    In order of birth Andrew and William were born at Red Ruth, now known as Burra, Lorimer at Arrowie Station,(north of Blinman),Douglas and John at Cradock, Leslie, Stanley and Margaret at Silverton,(N.S.W.),Hamilton, Isabel and Duncan at Port Pirie.
    Andrew Gilbert died in infancy and is buried at Burra. Much of the old section of the cemetery has been cleared but Andrew's site is still undisturbed but has no headstone or identification. Lorimer also died in infancy and is buried at Cradock. Unfortunately there appear to be no records for the Cradock cemetery and there are only a few marked graves, none of which belong to Lorimer. Isabel died shortly before her eighteenth birthday as a result of complications after suffering from pneumonia. She is buried with her parents at Port Pirie. John joined the 50th Battalion and was killed in action at Noreuil, France. His memory is commemorated on the same headstone as his parents and sister at Port Pirie. The remaining children all married and had children.
    One source indicates that Andrew was once a storekeeper in Port Pirie but no details can be found to prove this. He joined the staff of the Port Pirie Smelters and was on the first Smelters and Employers Picnic Committee in 1904. Andrew was the official starter, a tradition that was later handed on to some of his descendants. Andrew and later his sons were prominent in the district for their various sporting abilities.
    Andrew lived at 24 Gordon Street, Port Pirie, directly opposite the street named after him, Brakenridge Street. His son Jim lived next door on his right, while Douglas and George were his immediate neighbours on the left. Leslie's home was immediately behind that of his father.
    
    
    
    Andrew married Cathren McEwen, daughter of William McEwen and Isabella Roy, 14th April 1875 in Adelaide, South Australia. (Cathren McEwen was born on 11 Nov 1855 in Yankalilla South Australia and died on 2 Dec 1925 in Port Pirie, South Australia.)