Black Family graves

Statement of Significance

The place is significant as it is a burial site - one of a number of lonely graves in the Shire.

Physical Description

The plaque marking the graves is situated in a small reserve (1 hectare) set aside by the Black
family about 1km north of the family homestead on the NW corner of Clifden Road. The site is
about 50 metres west of Clifden Road. Their may be some doubt as to whether this is actually the
burial sites as some considered the sites to be slightly to the NW.
The plaque and grave sites were marked and installed for the Black family reunion in the 1990's

History

The three graves are babies May (4/12/1903), Joseph (17/4/1907) and Maggie (17/5/1909) who
died at birth on the property. Their parents, Rupert and Mary Black, and two daughters, arrived
from North America with his parents, two sisters and an uncle. Rupert's intention of going to the
Goldfields was not pursued and he came to Cartmeticup in March 1902. The family was forced to
live in the open until they could erect some shelter. The house was a low spreading building with
a black iron roof and bag walls. The kitchen stove was built in with kerosene tins filled with
earth. Rupert and Mary Black resided in the original house at 'Bingo Farm' until the final few
months of his life when he lived at Fremantle due to his wife's ill health and hospitalisation.

Mary from the time she was a 15 year old bride in 1898 had more than her share of toil. The
Black's large family of 18 children were either born on the farm or in Katanning with the
exception of the two eldest daughters - Delina was born in North America while Miowera (Myra)
was born on board ship at Honolulu, taking her name from the ship - the 'Miowera Jane'. Rupert,
Mary and the two elder girls set to work to clear the land at 'Bingo' farm. The two girls were fine
workers and were considered the equal of most men while Mary, often heavy with child, also did
much heavy manual work, even carrying seed and superphosphate into the machines at cropping
time. To assist developing the land Rupert worked for neighbouring farmers until he raised the
required finance. In those days he used to walk the 16 miles to Katanning for stores and carry
them back to the farm.

When Rupert Black received fatal injuries when struck by a car in Fremantle, his eldest and his
youngest sons (Tom and Norman) were running the original farm which had been split into two
properties. Another brother, Russell was fanning nearer to Wagin. However, all three brothers
have since sold their farms.

Uses

Historic Themes

Creation Date

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Last Update

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This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.