John Dowden (d 7/10/1881) married to Eliza
John and Eliza Dowden emigrated from Bristol, England in 1853. They established a dairy farm at South Rhine called Ashton Vale. John was a Trustee when the original Foundation stone was laid in 1864. John and Eliza had 2 sons and 10 daughters. They are buried in the South Rhine Cemetery.
Richard Godfree (d 17/05/1924) married to Janet
Richard’s father John from the Orkney Islands and his mother Mary Ann from Devon emigrated in 1849. They purchased about 850 acres in 1861 at South Rhine and established a dairy. They attended the Salt Creek Baptist Church. Richard married Janet Shearer and joined the South Rhine Presbyterian Church. He inherited the farm which was later passed onto their own son, James. They are not buried in the South Rhine Cemetery.
William Lyddon (d 24/09/1924) married to Betsy
William Lyddon was the eldest son of James and Harriet Lyddon who emigrated from Somerset, England in 1855. William married a widow Betsy Sinclair nee Chalmers, the sister of Janet Miller. William died at the age of 85 and Betsy in 1929 aged 97. Their son John was the last Clerk at the District Council of Springton-South Rhine. He died in 1956 aged 89.
John Maxwell (d 19/10/1909) married to Margaret
John and Margaret Maxwell nee Cooper emigrated from Stronsay in the Orkney Islands in 1866 and settled at South Rhine. Later he bought Mainhead Park on Cookes Hill Road at Sanderston. John died 1909 aged 72 and Margaret in 1915 aged 74. Their son John married Agnes Maud Watkins the 6th child of William and Rebecca Watkins nee Sinclair. There is a connection between the Miller, Shearer, Maxwell, Chalmers and Sinclair families through Stronsay.
John McCallum (d 01/04/1904) married to Mary
John McCallum was the eldest son of John and Agnes McCallum who emigrated from Paisley, Scotland in 1839. In 1864 John junior established a dairy at South Rhine called Air Lea. He was a Trustee when the Foundation Stone of the Church was laid in 1882. John married Mary McKenzie and their eldest son Matthew who married Lucy Burton inherited the farm. Matthew and Lucy’s daughter Thelma married Harold Loechel and they were strong supporters of the South Rhine Church all their lives.
Peter Miller (d 26/07/1906) married to Janet
Peter Miller and his wife Janet nee Chalmers emigrated from Stronsay in the Orkney Islands in 1852. They lived at first at Mt Crawford and in 1860 settled on Braeside at South Rhine. They established a dairy and in 1864 donated the land for the first school in the district which was also used as a Presbyterian Church. Peter, the first of five generations of Peter Millers, and his wife Janet had 10 children setting the scene for the Miller dynasty that attended the Church. The first Peter Miller was a Trustee of the original church as well as the new church in 1882. Peter’s descendants served in many positions in the church over the years. The Miller section of the cemetery with other family members occupies the largest area and contains in excess of 30 graves.
John Murray (d 04/07/1908) married to Mary
John Murray’s father also John Murray was the pioneer who established the Murray Vale Merino Stud at Mt Crawford in 1843. In 1861 John Murray senior purchased over 2,200 acres and established Rhine Park. The younger John who married Mary Scott took over the property and continued the stud tradition. The family strongly supported the South Rhine Church for over a century. John and Mary are buried in the Murray section of the Murray Vale Cemetery, Mt Crawford.
James Shearer (d 02/09/1883) married to Frances
James Shearer and his wife Frances arrived from the Orkney Islands in 1852. In 1856 he purchased land at South Rhine and established a dairy. James was integral in establishing a Presbyterian Church in the area unveiling the Foundation Stone for the South Rhine School which was also used as the church. The South Rhine Presbyterian Cemetery is located on land donated by James Shearer and in 2015 John Shearer a descendent of James and the owner of the farm is the caretaker.
James Tremlett (d 07/04/1965) married to Emily
James Tremlett was the grandson of William Tremlett who emigrated from Devon, England in 1857. He and his wife Elizabeth settled near Eden Valley. James purchased land in the Jutland area east of the church in 1938. He and Emily were often seen in the horse and cart at the Church in the 1960s.
David Learmonth (d 24/05/1978) married to Margaret then Mary
David was born in the Orkney Isles and emigrated in the early 1900s. He was farming at Sanderston where he met his first wife Margaret Maxwell. Margaret died in 1940 and David later married Mary Joyce. He was a champion at sheep dog trials over a long period and maintained a strong connection with the church at South Rhine throughout his long life.
