AN ACCOUNT OF THOMAS NEILL McCLYMONT'S LIFE 1866 - 1932

Thomas with his three sons Cecily, Norman and Alexander.Above is his daughter Florence.

Lachlan McClymont, his grandson, kindly provided this account of the first born Manuka McClymont

"Here are a few facts and figures as I remember them.

My grandfather Thomas Neill was know by the family as “Pardy”, he was the first born of Alexander and Isabella in 1866.

Tom lived at a property named “Wandilla” outside Warialda in Northern New South Wales. He married Emily Strang “Cis”.

They had three sons and a daughter, - Cecil, Alex, Norman and Florence.

I think he acquired “Wandilla” in a land ballot about 1892 - a resumption of “Yaleroi” Station. It was improved Brigalow and Belah block until he netted it and got rid of the rabbits.

Tom was known as a successful breeder of horses – both saddle and harness supplying and selling many around the district, his breed was T C ( TC double dot over the letters.)

My father Norman's ( Tom's 3^rd son) first job when he returned from war service in 1919 was to take the 'Wandilla” horses to adjistment on the coast near Casino as 1919 was a drought year.

As “Wandilla was improved, sheep, cattle and horses were successfully run and then he started farming. As a child I remember going to watch the harvesting. Grandfather and my father cut the crop with scythes and a boy stacking it in “stookes”

The next thing I remember was a bullock team coming from “Wandilla” to my father's property “Mirurin” near Yetman in Northern N.S.W. To cart logs to the local sawmill and doing some tank sinking for my father.

I believe this was his brother George's bullock team, which he had left at “Wandilla” and was worked by Paddy and Denny Murphy -two Irishmen who spoilt us kids. Later the bullocks were sold and the wagon left at “Wandilla”. Paddy and Denny retired to Boggabilla. I have the old bullock bell from the team. Two of the bullocks were named “Scarlet”- a long horned red (a lead bullock) and “Butler” a yellow and white 'poler'. The two bullocks kept the pace level.

Pardy was a very strong man,Warialda Show a sideshow man was offering money to anyone who could carry two bags of corn (192lbs a bag) a certain distance. Pardy did this course with a bag on each arm and one on his shoulders – a terrific feat!

I remember the day Pardy died, we received a phone call and my father rode to Wandilla. Pardy had been pressing wool in the woolshed when he had a heart attack."

Thank you Lachlan for writing this important record of your branch of this man with 127 decendants!

Joan Illing, Lachlan's sister also has many stories of affection for Pardy as she remembered him in her childhood. He was lots of fun as a grandparent. She told both Lesley and I many memories by telephone as she was unable to join us for the reunion but was very helpful with oral history. I sent her copies of the blogs and she read them all with real interest.

"Wandilla" homestead is picture here.