Mary Calderwood Dalrymple Davidson was the first child of Robert Davidson and Jean Logan Davidson nee Muir. Mary was born on the 5th of June 1884 at Edinborough House, Clarence St, Port Macquarie1. Edinborough or Edinburgh House was a two-story building on the waterfront near the wharf at Port Macquarie2.
Mary attended the local school at Port Macquarie and like her parents and siblings, Mary could play the pianoforte and was interested in horticulture. This can be seen in her entry and place in Flower Shows as early as 1895, where at the age of 11 Mary won a second for her entry of a Foliage Plant in one of the many Flower Shows and Concerts that occurred in the Hasting and Port Macquarie district3.
During Mary’s early years, she played Lawn Tennis with the Port Macquarie Tennis Club, teaming with others in her local area to play competition tennis in mixed double matches with other locals4. Mary continued to grow her horticultural expertise and regularly won prizes for her entries to the local flower shows. Including taking out the Championship in roses, gladioli, carnations and other specimens at regional shows5,6,7. Mary was also a regular performer at concerts and events involving the church playing the piano, organ and violin8,9,10.
Mary and her siblings were known to accompany their parents to many of the socials and gatherings of the Port Macquarie district and were well-known in the area. When the Rev. R. Davidson stepped down as the Minister for the Charge of Port Macquarie, life Robert himself, and the rest of the family continued their involvement with the church and with local affairs. So, it was natural that when each new minister succeeded to the Port Macquarie Charge the Davidson family would be part of the welcoming events.
The Reverend George Montgomery Torbett was inducted to the Port Macquarie Charge on the 5th of September 1903 and Mary was playing the Organ at the induction ceremony11. The Reverend Torbett, like Robert Davidson, was born in Scotland. George Montgomery Torbett was born on the 19th of February at Ervie Stranraer, Kirkcolm, Scotland12.
George was born to parents James and Elizabeth Torbet, James worked a farm of twelve acres13 and had previously been an agricultural labourer14. By the late 1800s James was leasing a farm and house from Sir Andrew Agnew at Ervie. Other tenants of Ervie included Elizabeth Harris and Mrs Jane McClymont, John McCrae and James McMeikan and his heirs15. James and his father seem to have done very well. They were both farming large parcels of land and by the 1901 census, the family were employing a servant as James grew older16. By 1891, the family were able to send George Torbett to University17. He attended Edinburgh University and received a Master of Arts degree18.
Once George completed his degree he entered duty as an assistant to Mr Traill who had the Wick congregation in the far north of the Scottish Highlands. This congregation included over 1000 people and was introducing an assistant for the first time19. From there, George Torbett worked in the presbyteries of Forfar and Yalkirk, both in the Scottish lowlands, closer to Edinburgh20.
In 1901 George migrated to Australia on the Austral, arriving on the 24th of June 190121. George arrived to find that the letter letting the Presbyterian Church know of his arrival was behind him. So, there was no one to welcome him and he was not expected22. However, once in Australia George Torbett was ordained in the Glebe Church and after that, he accepted oversight of the Moree Charge in North Western New South Wales. George arrived in Moree in November of 190323. When George arrived at Moree the region was in the middle of a drought. He had to carry food for himself and his horse and often, he would need to purchase water as there was very little water flowing in creeks or available in dams. The district was large, about 160km square (100 miles)24. George was quoted as saying that in his time at Moree “he never saw a blade of grass”25. George travelled to all areas of the Moree district using either a horse or a horse and sulky.
At the end of two years, George’s health started to deteriorate due to the long distances and the poor conditions. So when the call came out for a minister to go to the newly vacant Port Macquarie Charge George accepted the call.
The Induction of the Reverend G. M Torbett, M.A. to the Port Macquarie Charge took place on the 2nd of September 1903. During George Torbett’s induction, he was to meet the Davidson family, including Mary Davidson who played the organ during the ceremony26.
George Montgomery Torbett and Mary Calderwood Dalrymple Davidson were married in St. Andrews Church, Port Macquarie on the fifth of January 190527.
WEDDING BELLS.
TORBETT—DAVIDSON.
St. Andrews’ Presbyterian Church, Port Macquarie, was crowded to overflowing on Thursday last, the attraction being the marriage of the Rev. G. M. Torbett, M.A., to Miss M. Davidson, eldest daughter of Mr. R. Davidson, M.L.A. The Church had been very prettily decorated by a number of friends, and was very much admired. As the bride, leaning on the arm of her father, walked up the aisle of the Church, the choir rendered the marriage hymn, ‘The voice that breath’d o’er Eden.’ The Rev. Jas. Lamont, F.L.S., of Sydney, then performed the marriage ceremony. The bride’s dress was made up of white silk, trimmed with lace to match, and wearing the customary wreath and veil.
Miss Jean Davidson, sister of the bride, acted as bridesmaid, her dress consisting of cream voile, trimmed with ribbon and insertion. She wore a very neat brooch, the gift of the bridegroom. Mr. G. C. Lindsay attended the bridegroom as best man.
After the ceremony was over, the party adjourned to the residence of the bride’s parents, when the wedding breakfast was partaken of, at which about 80 guests sat down. At the conclusion of this, the Rev. Jas. Lamont proposed the health of Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Torbett, to which Mr. Torbett responded. Mr. J. Bransdon proposed ‘The best man and bridesmaid,’ Mr. G. C. Lindsay acknowledging. Mr. Jas. Butler, J,P., proposed the health of Mr. and Mrs. Davidson, to which Mr. Davidson responded.
Immediately afterwards Mr, and Mrs. Torbett left overland for Sydney. Mrs Torbett’s travelling dress was of gray checked voile, trimmed with grey silk and cream lace front, with a black picture hat. The bride received a large number of handsome presents from her friends, all of whom, together with our readers, are unanimous in their wish that the newly married couple may enjoy a long and happy life28.
The Torbett’s remained at Port Macquarie for a number of years while George consolidated his work in the Port Macquarie Charge and the couple started a young family. Elizabeth Jean Torbett was born later the same year, at the Manse in which many of Mary’s own siblings had been born29. Robert James Torbett, was born in 190730, followed by Mary Grace (Grace) in 190931 and Isabel Anne in 191232.
In 1914 the family decided to go to Scotland for a trip to visit George’s family and it is probable that the couple also visited the Davidson family. Later, some of Mary’s other siblings would travel to Mauchline in Scotland to meet the aunts, uncles and cousins that they had only heard about through family letters and stories. The trip to Scotland took a lot of planning and organisation. George needed to seek the permission of the Church to take an extended leave of absence and only Mary and their youngest daughter, Isabel would take the trip with them33.
The Torbett’s were given extensive farewells at the School of the Arts in Port Macquarie34, as well as at the Manse35, the Good Templar Hall in Wauchope36 and others37. At these farewells the couple were given some money for their trip, hymns and other musical items were sung, presents were given and speeches were made.
George and Mary Torbett left Australia and arrived in Longdon before continuing on to Scotland on the 4th of April 191438. They travelled third class39 and were gone for approximately eight months40. During this time their oldest three children remained in Australia. It is probable that they stayed with their grandparents Robert and Jean Davidson in Port Macquarie.
On the couple’s return, the newspapers carried notice of their arrival41 and once again there were socials and celebrations42 that the family were returning to Australia. This was followed in 1915 by the birth of Agnes Montgomery Torbett, named after her aunt Nancy43.
The family were not destined to remain much longer in Port Macquarie. Less than two years after the couple returned to Port Macquarie they were once again being farewelled44. This time on a permanent basis. George had been given the Illawarra Charge on the southern coast of New South Wales. So, the Torbett’s including their young family packed their belongings and moved from Port Macquarie to Kiama a trip of just over 500 km (325 miles).
The Reverend G. Torbett was inducted at the Kiama Presbytery on Wednesday the 13th of December 1916. The occasion included a sermon by the Moderator of the Presbytery and visiting church dignitaries. Telegrams were read out from absent church dignitaries, the Mayor took part in the ceremonies and the Parish Elders also took part. Both George and his wife Mary were welcomed to the district. After the speeches and ceremony, a social event took place with food provided by the ladies of the parish45.
The Torbett’s quickly made themselves part of the community in the parish. All members of the family participated in local events and took roles in the community including working with the Hospital Committee, the Women’s Guild and other local groups.
While the family were at Kiama they kept in touch with the other members of the Davidson clan. So, they had updated information when three of Mary’s brothers and her sister Jean all left Australia to participate in the war. The Torbett’s children were too young to join up. George Torbett continued to serve the church, with Mary by his side throughout the war. On the return of soldiers after the war Reverend Torbett worked with the RSL to help with memorial services on ANZAC day and other services that commemorated the fallen and those who returned from the war46.
Front, Elizabeth Jean (Jean), Robert, Mary Grace (Grace). (Warnecke Collection)
Over the next few years, George’s influence and activity in the Presbyterian Church grew. Both he and Mary travelled frequently to the more far flung reaches of the Illawarra Charge and also to Sydney which was much easier to get to than it had been when the Torbett’s lived at Port Macquarie. This enabled George to take on larger roles within the church and culminated in his being elected as the Moderator for the New South Wales Presbyterian Church in 193247. This role would be undertaken for a year. It would necessitate George, and often Mary, travelling to all of the Charges in New South Wales and was a high honour in the Church.
George Torbett’s year of office as the Moderator for New South Wales began in May, the election was held in January prior to his induction. On May the 11th the Sydney Morning Herald included a full-length photo of George Torbett in the robes that he wore for his induction including the lace that he wore. The lace was hand-made by the nuns at the Convent of Kiama and was a gift from them to George Torbett for his Induction48. In the January before George was Inducted, George and Mary went on a holiday to Blackheath in the Blue Mountains. It was noted at the time that they intended to relax before an intense year and that the Reverened Torbett had taken his golf outfit on his holiday49.
During the year that George was the New South Wales Moderator, he travelled all around New South Wales including areas such as Parramatta50, Manilla in North Western New South Wales51, Muswellbrook and Merriwa52, Newcastle53, his home town of Kiama54, Richmond including Kyogle and Lismore55, the far north of New South Wales, Taree, the Port Macquarie District where both George and Mary had a chance to catch up with family members and friends, from there they went on to Uralla56 and all most every town in between. Mary travelled with him on many of these trips, their youngest child Agnes was now 17, with two of his children, Robert and Grace working as teachers in the New South Wales Department of Education57 and most of their other children either working or studying the couple were able to travel together for a lot of the year in which George would be undertaking the duties of Moderator. However, early in his term as Moderator Robert and Mary Davidson came to live with the Torbetts at Kiama. Mary Davidson died twelve weeks later and Robert rapidly fell into senility at her death. This impacted the travelling that Mary was able to do and she was unable to join her husband on as much of his travelling as they had initially planned.
George used his platform as Moderator to speak out against gambling, unemployment and the impact of the depression. In particular, George disliked the use that the State was making of the State Lottery which he saw as state-sanctioned gambling at a time when few would benefit and even fewer could afford it58,59. He also sought to bring people back into the Church which he felt had lost people during the First World War and later during the Great Depression.
In 1933, the Port Kembla Charge became vacant. George ended up taking on this role on top of his role in Kiama and as Moderator. He remained in this role well past his term as New South Wales Moderator and into 194160. This was a significant increase in George’s duties and was one that he undertook for many years as the interim Moderator for Port Kembla. However, in 1941, despite the wishes of the congregation he resigned his post at Port Kembla, only keeping up his position at Kiama. In 1942, after 42 years at Kiama George Torbett resigned from the Illawarra Charge, stationed at Kiama with a view to retiring due to ill health61.
Once again the Torbett’s were given a send-off. Presentations were made, gifts were given and a number of speeches were made. George and Mary Torbett, along with their eldest daughter Jean, were moving to Sydney. The Kiama congregation thanked George with a wallet of notes, a clock and an electric toaster was given to Mary and a reading lamp to Jean, along with flowers to both Mary and Jean. George, Mary and Jean each gave a speech in thanks for their gifts and for the time that they had spent in Kiama and the people that they had met62.
Like his father-in-law in 1931, once George decided to stop working his health continued to go downhill. In July of 1942, just five months after he retired, George Torbett died. Although retired, George had continued working, at a lower capacity, for the Church in Mosman, where he had been living. He had been preaching in various Sydney and suburban churches most Sundays63, but his health was not improving and he died shortly after having a heart attack on the 8th of July 194264.
Mary lived another five years at Mosmon and then Chatswood. She died on the 23rd of October, 194765. Her unmarried daughter Jean lived with her for many of her remaining years as did her youngest daughter Agnes whose engagement and wedding took place not long before Mary died66. In the years after George died, Jean67 continued to visit her friends at Kiama. Mary probably joined her on some of those visits. The Torbett’s were remembered with fondness by the many people at Kiama that Jean visited while she was there. Mary’s obituary in Kiama remembered her as having a kindly and friendly nature that endeared her to all with whom she came in contact68.
References
- Birth Cert. DAVIDSON, Mary C D. Name: Mary C D Davidson Birth Date: 1884 Birth Place: New South Wales Registration Year:1884 Registration Place: Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia Father: Robert Davidson Mother: Jane L Registration Number: 21839 ↩︎
- Lois Coombes, 2006. Miss Nancy; A Unique Lady 1890-1987. Wauchope District Historical Society Inc. Wauchope, NSW, Australia ↩︎
- 1895 ‘Flower Show and Concerts.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate (NSW : 1882 – 1950), 16 November, p. 5. , viewed 03 Jan 2024, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article120150357 ↩︎
- 1904 ‘Lawn Tennis.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- 1903 ‘Presbyterian Flower Show.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- Presbyterian Flower Show. (1904, October 29). The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- 1903 ‘Hospital Meeting.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- Presbyterian Flower Show. (1904, October 29). The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- 1904 ‘Teeth Painlessly Extracted by CHAS. G. ORR, Surgeon Dentist, Port Macquarie.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- 1903 ‘Welcome to Rev. G. M. Torbett, M. A.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- 1903 ‘Welcome to Rev. G. M. Torbett, M. A.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- Birth Cert. TORBETT, George Montgomery, George Torbet 1871 ↩︎
- Ancestry.com. 1871 Scotland Census ↩︎
- Ancestry.com. 1861 Scotland Census ↩︎
- Scotlands People, 1892 Torbett, James (Valuation Rolls VR01200021-/17, WIGTOWN COUNTY) pg 17 of 762. https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/ viewed 04 Jan 2024. ↩︎
- Ancestry.com. 1901 Scotland Census ↩︎
- Ancestry.com. 1891 Scotland Census ↩︎
- Aberdeen Journal, Wed July 12 ↩︎
- ibid ↩︎
- 1932 ‘DISTINGUISHED VISITOR COMING’, The Kyogle Examiner ↩︎
- Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1826-1922 ↩︎
- 1914 ‘Farewell to Rev. G. M. Torbett.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- Cameron, J. 1905. Centenary History of the Presbyterian Church in New South Wales. ↩︎
- 1914 ‘Farewell to Rev. G. M. Torbett.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- 1932 ‘PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.’, The Manning River Times and Advocate for the Northern Coast Districts of New South Wales ↩︎
- 1903 ‘Presbyterian Church, Port Macquarie.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- Marriage Cert. TORBETT, George and DAVIDSON, Mary ↩︎
- 1905 ‘WEDDING BELLS.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- Birth Cert, TORBETT, Elizabeth J, TORBETT ↩︎
- Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922, “Births, deaths and Marriages,” database, ancestry.com (ancestry.com.au : accessed 4 Jan 2024), Torbett, Robert J. Rec ↩︎
- Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922, “Births, deaths and Marriages,” database, ancestry.com (ancestry.com.au), Mary Grace Torbett. ↩︎
- Birth Cert. TORBETT, Isabel Annie, TORBERT ISABEL A ↩︎
- 1913 ‘The Rev. G. M. Torbett, M.A.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- 1914 ‘Farewell to Rev. G. M. Torbett.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- 1913 ‘The Rev. G. M. Torbett, M.A.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- 1914 ‘Farewell to Rev. G. M. Torbett.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- 1914 ‘PRESBYTERIAN.’, Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners’ Advocate ↩︎
- The National Archives in Washington, DC; London, England, UK; Board of Trade ↩︎
- Ancestry.com UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960 ↩︎
- State Records of South Australia; Gebbs Cross, South Australia, Australia ↩︎
- 1914 ‘Local and General News.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- 1914 ‘Welcome Social.’, The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate ↩︎
- Birth Cert, TORBETT, Agnes M, TORBETT AGNES M ↩︎
- 1916 ‘FAREWELL AT WAUCHOPE.’, The Macleay Chronicle ↩︎
- 1916 ‘INDUCTION.’, The Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser ↩︎
- 1921 ‘THANKS RETURNED.’, The Kiama Reporter and Illawarra Journal ↩︎
- 1932 ‘REV. G. M. TORBETT.’, The Sydney Morning Herald ↩︎
- Warnecke Collection- Honiton Lace, handmade by the Nuns of the Kiama Convent. Three pieces currently with Norma Warnecke, George Torbett’s granddaughter and lace maker. ↩︎
- 1932 ‘REV. G. M. TORBETT.’, The Sydney Morning Herald ↩︎
- 1932 ‘BREVITIES’, The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate ↩︎
- 1933 ‘Presbyterian Moderator.’, Manilla Express ↩︎
- 1933 ‘STATE MODERATOR AT MUSWELLBROOK’, The Muswellbrook Chronicle ↩︎
- 1933 ‘PERSONAL’, The North Western Courier ↩︎
- 1932 ‘Rt. Rev. G. M. Torbett’, The Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser ↩︎
- 1932 ‘DISTINGUISHED VISITOR COMING’, The Kyogle Examiner ↩︎
- 1933 ‘Distinguished Cleric’, The Uralla Times ↩︎
- 1932 ‘REV. G. M. TORBETT.’, The Sydney Morning Herald ↩︎
- 1932 ‘Rt. Rev. G. M. Torbett’, The Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser ↩︎
- 1932 ‘GAMBLING EVIL’, The Sun ↩︎
- 1941 ‘Presbytery of Illawarra’, The Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser ↩︎
- 1942 ‘Valedictory’, South Coast Times and Wollongong Argus ↩︎
- 1942 ‘CHURCH FAREWELL’, The Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser ↩︎
- 1942 ‘REV. G. M. TORBETT, 71 YEARS.’, The Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser ↩︎
- Death Cert, TORBETT, George Montgomery, TORBETT GEORGE MONTGOMERY ↩︎
- Death Cert TORBETT, Mary Calderwood D. 24614/1947 ↩︎
- 1946 ‘Family Notices’, The Sydney Morning Herald ↩︎
- 1945 ‘PERSONAL’, The Kiama Independent, and Shoalhaven Advertiser ↩︎
- 1947 ‘OBITUARY’, Kiama Independent ↩︎
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Ancestry.com. UK, Outward Passenger Lists, 1890-1960 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.
Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922, “Births, deaths and Marriages,” database, ancestry.com (ancestry.com.au : accessed 4 Jan 2024), Torbett, Robert J. Rec. Date: 6 Jul 2018. Cit. Date: 4 Jan 2024; TORBETT ROBERT J 28256/1907 GEORGE M MARY C D PORT MACQUARIEhttps://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au
Australia, Birth Index, 1788-1922, “Births, deaths and Marriages,” database, ancestry.com (ancestry.com.au), Mary Grace Torbett. Rec. Date: 6 Jul 2018; TORBETT MARY G 18243/1909 GEORGE M MARY C D PORT MACQUARIE https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/
Birth Cert, TORBETT, Agnes M, TORBETT AGNES M 23131/1915 GEORGE M MARY C PORT MACQUARIE https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/
Birth Cert. TORBETT, Isabel Annie, TORBERT ISABEL A 48397/1912 GEORGE M MARY C PORT MACQUARIE https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/
Birth Cert. DAVIDSON, Mary C D. Name: Mary C D Davidson Birth Date: 1884 Birth Place: New South Wales Registration Year:1884 Registration Place: Port Macquarie, New South Wales, Australia Father: Robert Davidson Mother: Jane L Registration Number: 21839
Birth Cert, TORBETT, Elizabeth J, TORBETT ELIZABETH J 36935/1905 GEORGE MMARY C D PORT MACQUARIE https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/
Birth Cert. TORBETT, George Montgomery, George Torbet 1871, February nineteenth 1 hr, a. m. Ervie, Kirkolm, M. To James Torbet, Farmer and Elizabeth Torbet m. S. Montgomery, married 1856 in November, Kirkholm. James Tobert, father, informant. Registered 1871, March 1st at Kirkholm. Norma has details as Ervie Stranraer, Scotland. https://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/
Marriage Cert. TORBETT, George and DAVIDSON, Mary, 2181/1905 TORBETT GEORGE M DAVIDSON MARY C D PORT MACQUARIE https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/
Cameron, J. 1905. Centeneary History of the Presbyterian Church in New South Wales. Angus and Robertson, Sydney, NSW. https://archive.org/details/centenaryhistory00came/page/n9/mode/2up
Death Cert, TORBETT, George Montgomery, TORBETT GEORGE MONTGOMERY19959/1942 JAMES ELIZABETH MOSMAN https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au
Death Cert. TORBETT MARY CALDERWOOD D 24614/1947 ROBERT JEANIE LOGAN CHATSWOOD https://familyhistory.bdm.nsw.gov.au/
Lois Coombes, 2006. Miss Nancy; A Unique Lady 1890-1987. Wauchope District Historical Society Inc. Wauchope, NSW, Australia.
Presbyterian Flower Show. (1904, October 29). The Port Macquarie News and Hastings River Advocate (NSW : 1882 – 1950), p. 2. Retrieved January 3, 2024, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article104758585
State Records of South Australia; Gebbs Cross, South Australia, Australia; Official Lists of Passengers Arriving in South Australia from Overseas-1888-1940; Series: GRG41_34
The National Archives in Washington, DC; London, England, UK; Board of Trade: Commercial and Statistical Department and Successors: Inwards Passenger Lists; Class: Bt26; Piece: 591; Item: 93
Warnecke Collection- Honiton Lace, handmade by the Nuns of the Kiama Convent. Three pieces currently with Norma Warnecke, George Torbett’s granddaughter and lace maker.