Dungog Chronicle : Durham and Gloucester Advertiser (NSW : 1894 – 1954), Friday 20 July 1917, page 7

THE LATE MRS. TAYLOR.

Mrs Jane Taylor, who recently died at Cox’s Creek, at the advanced age of 94 years, and whose memory never failed her, was an interesting conversationalist of the days gone by. She was born in Bedford, county Devonshire, England in 1823, and came to New South Wales in ’39 with her parents in the sailing vessel, Kinnear, and the voyage took six months. Nowadays six weeks steam is considered a long trip. Her father, Mr Boyce, was a lawyer in England and practised his profession, but the spirit of Westward Ho was in his soul, and the enticing reports of the glorious country across the sea, Australia, lured him from the law courts, and he landed in Newcastle in 1839. On arrival he was offered a high government position in the legal sphere, but his determination was to take up land and as that was what he came out for, he obtained a stretch of country at Cockle Creek. There the family resided for many years and enjoyed the new life under sunny skies. It was whilst at Cockle Creek that the homestead was visited by the bushrangers Ruggy, Marshall and Shea, who terrorised the country at that time. Those outlaws bailed the family up in the big fire place and ransacked the home. Mr Boyce had a beautiful watch and it was seen on him by one of the marauders, but he slipped it down the leg of his trousers, the knee breeches of those days, and despite all the searching it could not be found. This same watch is now in the possession of Mrs Albert Taylor of Cox’s Creek. The only other article in the whole house that was of value, and was saved from the robbers, was a silver spoon, one of a handsome set brought from the Old Country. The late Mrs Taylor was ordered to get the unwelcome visitors afternoon tea, and they carried off the complete tea set, except the spoon she hid in her clothes, and the spoon and watch still remain with the memories of those days clinging to them. Cockle Creek did not appeal to the Boyce family and they moved to Paterson. The daughter, Jane, prior to leaving, married Timothy Taylor and went to Cox’s Creek with him, where he selected, occupying the place now the home of Mrs Albert Taylor. These pioneers resided at Cox’s Creek for a considerable time, after which they moved to the property of their son-in-law, Mr George Osmond, at Sugarloaf. Mr Taylor pre-deceased his wife by 25 years. Mr and Mrs Taylor were pioneers of the right kind. They saw the district grow and played no mean part in its progress. The descendants of the old family are found throughout the whole of the coast. The children numbered five sons and three daughters, and of these there are living Mrs Thos. Richardson (Binglebrah), Mrs Wm. Osmond (Cox’s Creek), J. and C. Taylor (Barrington). There are also 39 grand-children, 68 great grand-children, and one great-great grand child. The deceased lady was of a kind hearted and happy disposition, ever ready for a laugh, ever willing to do a kindness. She was a boon to her neighbors, always helping them in their cares and worries, her death removes one of the finest type of pioneers that the country can boast of. At the graveside a high tribute was paid to the deceased by Ven. Archdeacon Luscombe, who performed the last sad rites.