The Manning River Times and Advocate for the Northern Coast Districts of NSW Wed 18 July 1945
OBITUARY.
MR. WILLIAM NORRIS POLLEY.
In the death of Mr. William Norris Polley, of Wynter street, Taree, early on Sunday morning, the Manning
has lost one of its sturdy and very highly esteemed pioneers, and a kindly natured old gentleman.A son of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Polley, he was horn on the Patterson 92 years ago on June 18.
has lost one of its sturdy and very highly esteemed pioneers, and a kindly natured old gentleman.A son of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Polley, he was horn on the Patterson 92 years ago on June 18.
His parents came from England and after having lived for a while at Dungog moved to Burrell Creek,
whence they transferred their home to Kimbriki.
whence they transferred their home to Kimbriki.
William Polley was educated at Bo Bo School.
It is remarkable that among his schoolmates were Mrs. F. Martin, of Kimbriki, and Mr. H. Minett, the former having
died recently. Mrs. Martin was 91 years of age, so is Mr. Minett, and Mr. Polley was 92.
On May 1, 1878, Mr. Polley married Miss Surah Ann Gore.
It was the occasion of a double wedding, for Mr. Henry Gore and Miss Lydia Archer were married the same day.
Both ceremonies were conducted by Rev. W. C. Hawkins, of the Church of England.
He had to travel on horseback to Kimbriki. It is noteworthy that on the same day the late Mr. John Allan
took over Kimbriki Post Office and that members of his family have had charge of it ever since.
took over Kimbriki Post Office and that members of his family have had charge of it ever since.
There was a festive air succeeding the wedding ceremonies. Sucking pigs, fowls, ducks, and two plum
puddings, in addition to the wedding cakes, were on the menu and the guests were at liberty to eat
puddings, in addition to the wedding cakes, were on the menu and the guests were at liberty to eat
to repletion, in accordance with the hospitable custom of the time.
Subsequently games were played and dancing was continued until sunrise next day on the plea that the “brush
was too thick to go home through.”
After the wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Polley went straight to Mr. Andrew’s farm at Woodside to become his
tenants. They stayed there 18 years.During that time Mr. Polley’s early experiences as a bullock teamster stood him in good stead in
clearing land and haulage work.
tenants. They stayed there 18 years.During that time Mr. Polley’s early experiences as a bullock teamster stood him in good stead in
clearing land and haulage work.
Next the couple bought land at Kimbriki and later on at Stoney Creek.
Mr. Polley was always progressive, and it was he who bought the first cream separator brought to the
Manning.
Manning.
He also owned the first buggy in the district. Until that time all travel was afoot, on horseback, or
in a waggon.
Mr. Polley always claimed the distinction of having been a subscriber to ‘The Manning River
Times’ from its first issue.
Times’ from its first issue.
About 28 years ago he retired from farming and came to live in the house in Wynter street, in which
he died.
He and his wife celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary there, but at their request it was a
quiet ceremony.
For many years after his retirement from farming he did gardening work in Taree, among his
employers having been Dr. F. O. Stokes. The old gentleman was deeply interested in garden
work and the odd jobs to be done about a house.
employers having been Dr. F. O. Stokes. The old gentleman was deeply interested in garden
work and the odd jobs to be done about a house.
His death, occurred during sleep.
There are three children, Mr. Norris Polley, Mrs. T. Muldoon and Mrs. A. L. Murray, besides seven
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Polley survives her husband.
Of the ten members of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Polley, Mr. T. Polley, of Wingham, and Mrs.
A. Josaphson, of Crescent avenue, alone are left.
After a service, conducted by Rev. M. C Ramsay, in Mr. Howard’s funeral parlor, on Monday, the cortege
left for Tinonee cemetery.
Rev. Ramsay also took the burial service.
