Lucinda Atherlinda MacDougall - nee Huxley

"Submitted by Laurel McMiles with the persission of the writer.
Compiled by June Bigham daughter of Margaret Ann McDougall.


Lucinda Atherlinda
born: 24.8.1859
died: 9.4.1915

Married 6.3.1896

HUXLEY William McDOUGALL
born: 1837 at Glasgow
died: 23. 0.1922

Children 4
Margaret Ann McDougall born: 26.12.1899 - died: 22.10.1974.
Married: 4.8.1920 to James Kavanagh ( note the spelling of Kavanagh)
Winifred Agnes McDougall born: 4.01.1901 - died: 17.01.1901
Florence May McDougall born: 05.1905 - died: 22.01.1906 (Twin)
William James McDougall born: 05.1905 - died: 24.01.1906

Lucinda's uncle Frederick owned the Bridge Hotel at Nowra N.S.W. in 1895. William (Mac) McDougall was the owner of the Prince of Wales Hotel at Nowra, a widower age 52 at the time, he was as one would imagine finding it difficult to manage, Frederick introduced his niece Lucinda to William and they married on 6th March 1896. Lucinda was aged 36 at the time of the marriage.

Our mother Margaret Ann was the only surviving child of this marriage. Winifred only survived 13 days, she was a premature birth. In 1905 twins were born, a boy James William and a girl Florence May, they only survived 4 months, and died within 2 days of one another from dysentery. Even though Mac only had his son for a short time he was ever so proud of the fact he had at least had a son.

At the time of the birth of Margaret and Florence, Lucinda and William owned the Royal Hotel at Oberon. This hotel is still trading, and has lately been remodelled. William ran the hotel till 1904. He sold it to Mr. F.L.Graham. After the loss of Lucinda's 1st child, William built a lovely home called "Lammermour", for his wife and daughter Margaret, it was one of the loveliest homes in the district. They left Oberon around 19?? to move to Muswellbrook, where William went into a Mercer's Store, as a silent partner with William H. Sparkes. With William's advancing years, he allowed Sparkes to run the business. This not so honourable gentleman, did not do the right thing by "Mac" and ran the business into debt. Our sister Kathleen still has papers on the losing battle Mac had on his unsuccessful attempt to take blood from water. Lucinda was a wonderful cook and her Picnic Baskets were always popular at the gatherings Margaret attended. Lucinda's gift of cooking has been carried on by her Grand daughter Beryl, and also some of her great 'grand' daughters. Lucinda passed away on 9th April 1915, having been ill for about 10 months. Two of the Huxley ladies, Aunty Marion wife of James Rowland (Uncle Rolly) and Lily wife of Colin Stanley, were loved and respected by Margaret, Aunty Marion was of great strength to our Mother after her marriage to a Catholic.

When Aunt Lilly's children had all left home to follow their different careers, Aunty Lilly asked my mother if one of her daughters could go up and live with her for company, Norma intended to stay for some months, when at the time of Lorna's wedding (Aunt Lilly's daughter) it was found Norma had an ear infection, so she had to return to Sydney for an operation. When the district of Oberon had a "Back to Celebrations", Margaret was invited back, the following is an extract taken out of the local Oberon paper.

"Having an enjoyable holiday in Oberon as guest of Miss Marion Hurley of Apple Grove, is Margaret Kavanagh of Bullaburra. Mrs Kavanagh is no stranger to Oberon, as she attended school here, being a daughter of Mr. William McDougall. The latter was well known to an older generation as "Mac", he was the proprietor of the Royal Hotel.

Later the McDougall family moved to "Lammermoor" which was built by Mr. McDougall. Mrs Kavanagh is having a happy time renewing former friendships among many who were schoolmates, and will leave for her home at the weekend".

MARGARET ANN KAVANAGH nee McDOUGALL:
Margaret Ann was the only surviving child of William McDougall and Lucinda Atherlinda (nee Huxley) born at Oberon. Margaret lacked for nothing in her childhood. When she was 15 1/2 years of age her mother died. So Margaret assumed the responsibility as mistress of the home.

It was at Muswellbrook that Margaret met and married James Kavanagh the marriage taking place at the Brides home on 4th August 1920. They took up residence in Ingleburn NSW where their first daughter Kathleen was born. James and Margaret had a grocery store. This line of business being in James' family since his Great Grandfather came to Australia in the Oct. of 1863 from Ireland. As James was at Hawkesbury Agricultural College studying Veterinary Science before his enlistment, in the 1st World War, his training in the Grocery trade was limited, so the business failed. The family then took up residence at Willoughby, where William (Mac) McDougall (who was residing with them), passed away.

They had another three daughters whilst at Willoughby, Norma Winifred, June Mariea, and Beryl Margaret. James was employed with a Private Bus Company as a driver. The family then moved to Albury NSW where their fifth daughter Laurice Annette was born. James was employed by the NRMA travelling between Albury and Wagga Wagga. The family, not being well, Margaret and James were advised to take the children to the coast for a holiday their health picked up, while staying at King St. Narrabeen. They decided to stay in the area so moved to Clarke St, Narrabeen. Their last daughter was born there, named Iris Mary Finlay the family moved to Collaroy. Margaret devoted herself to the community by doing District Nursing, amongst the needy in the Northern Suburbs. Her attention to the elderly and convalescent patients was noticed by the doctors, who recommended she move to a larger house and take in "after-care" patients, so the family moved to "The Laurels", James was at the time employed by the PMG.

When the 2nd World War was declared and James enlisted, Margaret decided to do Volunteer First Aid Nursing. Then she took up a position as filing clerk and Nurses Aid, at the Dept. of Supply and Shipping in George St. Kathleen the eldest daughter was married. Norma and June were serving as members of the Australian Women's Army. Beryl, Laurice and Iris were evacuated to a safe farm at Trundle in the country, as the War went on Beryl came back to the city to join the Land Army. For a few years after the War, they opened "The Laurels" as a guest house for the holiday season. James went back to the PMG where he stayed till his retirement, thus providing for their daughters, till their marriages. Margaret's interest in Social Work still continued and she became Treasurer of the T.B. Association of N.S.W. On retirement Margaret and James moved to the Blue Mountains, where they lived till James' death in August 1963. Margaret continued to live there, till her health failed, her daughters placed her in a Convalescent Centre at Darley St. Mona Vale, so as to be near them. They attended her devotedly till her death in 1974. Margaret taught her family to have pride in self, often depriving herself to care for her family. She was a truly remarkable woman, coping admirably in adverse and dire circumstances, passing on to her daughters a wonderful example of selflessness and compassion for others."