PETERSON FAMILY
Peterson Family of Ash Island
Article by – Cherylanne Bailey
Peterson Family of Ash Island
Lorenze Peterson emigrated to NSW aboard the William Miles in 1855. In 1858 he married Elizabeth Geiger (born 13 March 1837 at Kafertal, Baden, Germany, died 19 May 1918 West Maitland) at Maitland. She had emigrated with her family aboard the Helene from Hamberg in 1842 and initially settled at Narrowgut, Morpeth.
As Lorenze was not yet naturalised, like Franz Schuck, he could not buy the farm from its then owner Alexander Walker Scott, and so (like Franz) he was a tenant farmer until his oldest son Thomas Peterson born 1859 was old enough to have the farm bought in his name. Thomas married Margaret Hughes (born 4 October 1860) the daughter of Francis Hughes and Julia Ann Hickey.
Lorenze and Elizabeth had 6 children, 4 of whom were born on the Ash Island farm (1863, 1873, 1877 and 1879).Lorenze built a large barn type of shed with stalls for his cows, just like they do in his native Denmark to combat the cold weather. Down the centre of the stalls was the feed trolley on rails which was filled from the chaff cutter on one side.
Thomas and Margaret Peterson raised 11 children on the Ash Island farm with their son Francis Lawrence Peterson (born 7 September 1891 Ash Island , died 12 January 1976) marrying Eva Ellen Deamer from neighbouring Moscheto Island.
The family had a horse and cart milk run to Newcastle for many years after the punt service commenced with 2 of their boys required to daily service Peterson’s customers once they reached an age where they were capable to work on the run.
THOMAS PETERSON – Obituary – Newcastle Morning Herald. Saturday 5 January 1935
Mr. Thomas Peterson, an old resident” of the Hunter district, died on December 23 at the residence of his son-in-law. Mr. H. Morgan, Sparke street, Georgetown, after a long illness. *Mr. Peterson, who was born at Morpeth, was 75, and had lived practically all his life, at Ash Island, where he came to live with his parents at an early age. He followed the occupation of a farmer with his father until he married and settIed down on his own account. He married a daughter of the late’ Mr. Frank Hughes, also an old pioneer family of the Hunter district.
For the last 45 years he had followed dairy farming. Mr. Peterson leaves a widow, five daughters, six sons, 25 grandchildren. two great grandchildren, and one brother, all of whom are living in the Newcastle district. The funeral, which was very largely attended, moved from Georgetown to the Church of England portion of Sandgate Cemetery on Christmas Eve. Rev. C. W. Nicolls officiated at services at the house and graveside. The pall-bearers were four sons-in-law, Messrs. D. Levido, J. Phillipson, H. Morgan, and F. Nicholson Wreath were sent by: loving wife, Jack and Rov; Ethel, Dave and family; Maud, Jack and girls; Tom and family; Bertha and family; Ted, Bertha and family; Frank, Eva and family; Maggie, Harry and family; Albert and Jean; Edie, Fred and family; Elsa. Harry and family; Oscar and Emma; “Eva, Thelma and Valerie Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. A. Peterson and family; Lintott family; D. J. Porter and family; Avice and Charlie Ranclaud; Ted, Maud and Gladys; Elsie, Lil and Goody; Mr. and Mrs. Croese and family; members of the Grahame Park Tennis Club; Newcastle Standard Laundry; employees Standard Laundry; Sandgate Cricket Club; staff and employees of Hexham Workshops; Mr. and Mrs. W. Scott and family; Mr. and Mrs. C. McLean and family; Mr. and Mrs F. Rizzoli and family; Mr. and Mrs. F. Bennett Mr. and Mrs. A. Erskine and family; Mr. and Mrs. Joe McLean and family; Mr, and Mrs. M. Devereux and family; Mr. and Mrs. W. Whipps and Noela; Mr. and .Mrs. W. Stauffer; Frank Oakes; Mr. and Mrs. A. Thompson and family; Maher family; Mr. and Mrs. J. Manning and Elma; Mr. and Mrs. Ray Bennett
image of Thomas Peterson – courtesy of Victor Maastricht