Silas Gill & Mercy Catt

      11.  Miriam⁵ Gill (Silas⁴, John³, William², Richard¹) was born 20 January 1847 in Woodvale,

New South Wales, and died 07 January 1921 in Kempsey, New South Wales. 

She married Edwin James Wright 16 April 1869 in Kempsey, New South Wales, son of William

Wright and Elizabeth Graham.  He was born 1843 in Port Macquarie, New South Wales, and died

1922 in East Kempsey, New South Wales.

More About Edwin James Wright:

Birth Ref.: No. V18431827 27A/1843

Death Ref.: No. 2228/1922

More About Edwin Wright and Miriam Gill:

Marriage: 16 April 1869, Kempsey, New South Wales

Children of Miriam Gill and Edwin Wright are:

        87               i.    Mary⁶ Wright, born 1870 in Macleay River, New South Wales.

More About Mary Wright:

Birth Ref.: No. 11789/1870

        88              ii.    William Frederick Barker Wright, born 1875 in Macleay River, New South Wales;

                                 died 1937 in Katoomba, New South Wales.

                                 Notes for William Frederick Barker Wright:

William enlisted with the A.I.F. on the 1st February 1917 at the R.A.S.G. Sydney. He

is described as 5ft 8 1/2in. 154lbs with a Fair complexion, Blue eyes and Dark Brown

hair.
He returned to Australia on the 14th February 1919 and was discharged from service

on the 30th March 1919.

 WW1 Enlistment

First World War Embarkation Roll

William Frederick Barker Wright

Number 3172
Rank Private
Unit 36 Infantry Battalion - 7 and 8 Reinforcements (May-August 1917)
Ship Name HMAT Benalla
Ship number A24
Date of embarkation 10 May 1917
Place of embarkation Sydney

        89             iii.    Edwin Wright, born 1883 in West Kempsey, New South Wales; died 1883 in West Kempsey, New South Wales.

More About Edwin Wright:

Birth Ref.: No. 22052/1883

Death Ref.: No. 8976/1883

        90             iv.    Hastings Macquarie Wright, born 1889 in Kempsey, New South Wales; died 1947 in Kempsey, New South Wales.

                                 Notes for Hastings Macquarie Wright:

Hastings enlisted with the A.I.F. on the 13th December 1916 at the Show Ground

Camp, Sydney. He is described as 5ft 8 1/2in. 176lbs with a Fair complexion, Blue

eyes and Light hair. Hastings was discharged on the 15th February 1917 as Medically

Unfit ("not due to misconduct").

 WW1 Enlistment

First World War Embarkation Roll

Hastings Macquarie Wright

Notes for Silas Gill:

Silas Gill was also tall and physically very powerful. He was born in Sussex in 1807, attended

church through his childhood, and was converted through the ministry of the Rev. Thomas

Collins. Along with the others, between 1838 and 1841, Gill roamed over this wide area called the

Cow Pastures, gathering people for song, prayer and exhortation. "Silas was gloriously happy,

and made the country side ring with his shouts of glory and praise." (10.)

John Vidler travelled far and wide, going away from home sometimes for weeks together. He

carried the Gospel to many a lonely dwelling and preached it to hundreds who had never heard

the good news.

---------------------------

The following is the memorial notice of the death of Silas Gill, which was published in the

"Advocate".  It was written by the minister in the Macleay River Circuit, the Rev. Henry Wiles.  (7.)

"Silas Gill, the youngest son and seventh child of John and Sarah Gill, was born on the 24th

December, 1807, at the village of Beckley, in Sussex, England.  His parents were poor, but pious,

and being members of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Silas was from his earliest years familiar

with the services of our Church.  The circumstances of his parents were such as to prevent their

children receiving more than the scantest education, and Silas at a comparatively early age

worked hard to contribute to the family earnings.  He was blessed with a strong body and was

noted for his tall strong muscular frame.  As a young man he delighted in his strength.  In and

around Beckley, he was famed for his prowess, and in after years, in doing rough pioneering

work for Jesus his strength has often stood him in good stead.

He was married in the year 1825, so that his married life extended over a period of 50 years.

In 1832, the Rev. Thomas Collins was appointed to the Sandhurst Circuit, in which was included

the village of Beckley.  The ministry of Thomas Collins was greatly blessed by God, and a

glorious revival spread throughout the Circuit.  During this revival Silas gave his heart to God. 

As he walked to the penitent form, Thomas Collins observing his tall big manly frame, exclaimed

'Here comes a giant for Jesus,' and a giant he proved in more senses than one.

Only those who experience it can understand the intense affection a child of God has for his

spiritual father.  Up to the latest moment of his life, Silas Gill venerated and loved Thomas

Collins.  From him Silas learned how to work for his Master.  Often would he leave home with his

pastor early in the morning on the Lord's day, and not return again until late at night.  On such

occasions he imbibed somewhat of the spirit of that devoted Minister, and learned how to work

for Christ nobly and fearlessly.

He emigrated to New South Wales in 1838, and shortly after his arrival in Sydney he went to

reside in the Camden district at a place familiarly known as the Cow Pastures.  While there he

worked arduously for the cause of God.

His zeal was untiring.  Often has he travelled on foot, with his child in his arms, to attend a

prayer meeting at Quarrygrove, a distance of 16 miles, arriving home at 2 or 3 o'clock in the

morning.  He always delighted to speak of this period of his life, and the writer of this notice

always enjoyed listening to his recital of the incidents connected with 'the work of God at the

Cow Pastures.'

Often has he told how 'Old Tom Brown' found peace with God at midnight when amid the

hurricane that raged limbs of trees were falling around him, and nothing could be heard but the

roar of the wind, the crashing of falling timber, and the deep roll of the thunder.  God uttered his

whisper of peace amid the storm, and 'Old Tom Brown' went on his way rejoicing ever after." 

(At this point, Wiles recounted the story of the man who severely ill-treated his wife, but who

was converted and changed through the witness and prayers of Silas Gill.  His wife at first

would not believe that such a change could take place in her husband, but she became a

Christian herself when she realised that a deep change had actually taken place in him.  They

lived in love and peace together afterwards.  This story is told briefly in our section on the Cow

Pastures, in chapter one.  Wiles included it here as another example of a story of God's grace

that Silas Gill loved to tell frequently.)  "Many were brought to God at that time in the Camden

district through the self-denying labours of Silas Gill.

In 1845 he moved to Woodville in the Hunter River district.  The people in and around

Woodville were at that time in a state bordering on spiritual destitution.  With the assistance of

his brother, the late William Gill, a prayer meeting was opened in William's house, and

afterwards in other houses in the district extending to the Williams River.  The Rev. F. Lewis,

stationed at that time in Maitland, was invited to visit them.

The first quarterly visitation took place in a barn belonging to Mr. William Lee, the father of the

Rev. George Lee, and of Mr. H. Lee of the Manning River, when upwards of 30 tickets of

admission were given.  Two classes were then formed under the leadership of the two brothers,

and afterwards at Seaham and Wallalong, where chapels were erected. 

Having succeeded in his desire of being an instrument in the conversion of many souls, and of

establishing the means of grace among the people, he sought for fresh fields and pastures new. 

Accordingly, accompanied by Mr. Boltwood, he removed in 1857 to the Hastings River.  At that

time, the chapel at Port Macquarie was closed, and the few Methodists residing there had

connected themselves with the Presbyterian Church.  Outside of Port Macquarie, the Sabbath

was desecrated by grog parties and cattle hunting.  On his way from the Hunter to the Hastings,

Silas held a prayer meeting, or conducted a public service with preaching at every camping

place.'Sometimes,' Mr. Boltwood relates, 'we camped at a place where for aught we knew none

were resident for miles around, but bro. Gill would set off and find them.  On the Lord's day he

would travel on foot for hours, and returning with half a dozen persons, commence praying and

preaching at the camp.  Nor did he neglect his own family, one night in each week he devoted to

the instruction of his children, for whom, individually, he never ceased to pray.

He commenced his mission on the Hastings at a private house, and afterwards at Mr. Kerr's

residence, where service was held for many years.  His practice was to visit from House to

house; and his invariable greeting to the person who opened the door was 'Is there anybody

here who wants to go to heaven?'

In this manner he drew many to the services, who afterwards became devoted servants of the

Lord.

After some years of devoted and successful labour he once more looked for a place spiritually

destitute, and felt himself called by God to labour on the Macleay River.  Thither with his family

he removed.  All who knew the district when Silas first took up his abode in it bear witness to

the open ungodliness that prevailed.  Profanity, vice, drunkenness and Sabbath-breaking

abounded.  His labours among those with whom he made his last home on earth were untiring.

Every part of the River was visited by him, and services established in every place.  He was

fearless and unsparing in rebuking open sin.  Earnest and unceasing in inviting sinners to the

Saviour.  After working hard all day upon his farm he would nearly every night visit some place

for praying or preaching, sometimes with his son's help pulling a distance of 20 miles\; and on

the Macleay as elsewhere his labours were owned and blessed by God in the conversion of

many sinners. 

During the last few years of his life age began to enfeeble him, and he was not able to visit

distant places, but he continued to labour acceptably as a local preacher up to the last.  His end

was sudden and unexpected, but he was found ready for the Master's call.  On Sunday,

September 5th, he preached at Frederickton, on Monday he complained of a cold, on Tuesday

he was confined to his bed, his breathing was laboured and difficult, but death was not

expected; but he rapidly became worse, congestion of the lungs ensued and he expired at half

past three on the morning of Friday, 10th September.

On the Wednesday he thought he might recover, for he said to the writer of these lines 'I

thought the Lord was going to take me to Himself and I have been praying to Him.  He has taken

away the fear of death.  Bless the Lord, I have great peace.'  To another person he said, 'May be

the Lord is going to take me to Himself, if so there will be rejoicing among the angels in heaven. 

I want you to meet me there.  You know the way.  Jesus is the way.'  On the night preceding his

death the writer spent a half hour with him reading and praying and found him exceedingly

happy trusting in the Lord.  About a quarter past three, he crept out of bed and knelt down

beside it in prayer.

Evidently he felt his end approaching, the ruling passion was strong in death.  I conceive that

he wished to die on his knees or that he could not feel contented to pray in any other posture. 

He was lifted into bed with great difficulty.  He said, 'Well done,' his face fell forward and

without a struggle his spirit passed to the presence of Jesus whom he loved so well.  The news

of his death soon spread and called forth expressions of sorrow and lamentation from the entire

community.  Above all the members of the Church who knew that for him to die was gain,

bitterly mourn his loss.  A Father in Israel had fallen and the grief was too deep for utterance.

His funeral took place on Sunday, September the 12th.  Officers of the Church bore his coffin,

on which was significantly laid a beautiful wreath of white flowers from his late residence to the

new church in Kempsey.  The building was crammed with persons anxious to pay their last

respects to the deceased.  The minister, the Rev. H. Wiles, gave out the 51st hymn commencing,

Hark a voice divides the sky,

Happy are the faithful dead.which was sung amid tears and subdued with sorrow.  The 15th

chapter of 1st Corinthians was read, and the long procession wended its way to the cemetery in

West Kempsey.  Over 500 persons representing all classes and creeds assembled around the

grave.  According to the expressed wish of the deceased the 735th hymn was sung, commencing,Come let us join our friends above

That have obtained the prize

In the course of his address the Rev. H. Wiles said, 'Are there not many who could testify that

they owe all their hopes of heaven, under God, to Silas Gill?'  and amid tears and sobs was heard

from different parts of the crowd  'yes me! yes me!'  Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord,

even so saith the Spirit! for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.  He has

gone, but his memory will long be cherished.

Those who have known him for many years, and have worked with him in the cause of God,

estimate the number of those converted to God through his instrumentality by hundreds. 

Among them may be reckoned one minister and eight local preachers, now active in the church.

His success in doing good was doubtless due to his unceasing and earnest prayers.  Frequently

has he been known to spend nearly the whole night in prayer.  When proceeding to an

appointment, he usually spent some time in the bush in earnest petition for God's blessing on

the service; and Mr. Boltwood relates, that sometimes after they had retired to rest he has

awoke from his sleep, and found that Brother Gill has risen from his bed and was engaged in

agonizing prayer.

His character was a lovable one.  He was always cheery; his joy was unmistakable\; it shone in

his face; it was manifest in all his intercourse.  Every cloud had for him a silver lining.  Referring

to a season of refreshing from the Lord, he said, 'Sinners were enquiring the way to Zion, and I

was engaged continually in pointing them to Jesus, as the time came for pulling corn I knew

what to do.'  How he should attend to the work of the Lord and yet secure his crop was a source

of increasing anxiety, when, 'Bless the Lord,' he said, his face smiling happily, 'he settled it in his

own way.  He sent a flood and swept away every cob; I took up my appointments, and the

work of the Lord went on.'  His conversation was such as to minister grace to the hearers, no

matter what subject was started, he always managed to say something for Jesus.  If he could not

make it fit in, he would thrust it in.Jesus and his work was the object of his chief love, and

therefore the most delightful theme of conversation.  He delighted to visit the sick.  For three

years previous to his death he never failed to visit an aged invalid every other day, and the old

man, when he heard of his death, wept like a child.

His life was a consistent powerful witness to the truth as it is in Jesus, and such lives deeply

impress the world, let men say what they will.  Scores of persons, worldly in life, gladly

honoured him in death, and were heard exclaiming, - 'If any man ever went to heaven, he is

there.'  He was not what would be called an educated man; his preaching was somewhat

rugged, pointed, pithy, experimental.  He had modest views of himself, and more than once has

he said to the writer, when asked to preach, 'I do not call mine preaching.  I am the ram's horn.'

On one occasion, appealing to sinners he said, 'Try the Lord, try the Lord, and if you do not like

him, I know your old master will take you back again.'  His preaching and his life emphatically

proved him 'a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost.'  He has turned many to righteousness,

and will shine as the stars for ever and ever.  His death was improved by the Rev. H. Wiles on

Sunday evening, September 19th, in the Kempsey church, from 4 chapter 2nd Timothy, 7th and

8th verses, on which occasion the Church was again crowded to excess.

Our friend is restored

To the joy of his Lord,

With triumph departs

But speaks by his death to our echoing hearts

'Follow after.' he cries

As he mounts to the skies,

'Follow after' your friend

To the blissful enjoyment that never shall end."

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