Henry Favel Ward & Jean Black (HN:12525)
Birth place
Henry Favel (Harry) Ward was born at Greencamp, Nyngan, the fifth child of Michael Edward Ward and Annie Frances Sallaway in 1904. Harry's middle name comes from his paternal grandfather Favel Sallaway and was originally a family surname probably contracted from the French Favelle.
Harry's family moved to Katoomba about 1904 and he spent some of his early years there. Later, he worked with his father and brother William Joseph (Bill) on a property North Timbie at Yeoval. In 1927 Harry's father sold some of his land holdings and the family moved to Bogan Gate. Here Harry's father bought into the Railway Hotel.
Directly across the street from the Railway Hotel was the village general store owned and operated by William Washington Black and his wife Matilda (Tilly) Barry. Harry met William and Tilly's daughter, Jean.
Jean Black was born 7 August 1909 in Bogan Gate, New South Wales, the eldest child of William and Tilly. Jean was a granddaughter of John Black who had emigrated from Scotland in the 1850s. John was quite renown in the region for being the owner of Black's Flour Mill, the Mayor of Molong and stage actor. Jean's father William Washington was something of a character who found some amusement in sending each of his four children to boarding schools of four different religious denominations. Jean attended the then Presbyterian Ladies College, Pymble.
Marriage and children
Harry and Jean were similar to many couples of the era who wanted to get married about 1929 but needed to delay their plans owing to the uncertainties of the recession. Harry had moved with his brother William to their uncle Patrick's place Berrilee near Orange.
Harry and Jean would eventually marry in 1931, travelling to Sydney to be married at St Mary Immaculate Church, Manly.
Harry and Jean had four children:
- Pamela Favel
- Frances Jill
- Jeanette Margaret (Jan)
- Michael Henry
Megalong Valley and post war return to Nyngan
Harry and Jean acquired Alicedale in the Megalong Valley on the Cox's River about 1935 and built a house there.
During the second world war Harry worked on the farm producing food for the Sydney market. He was also kept busy managing sheep transported from Nyngan for agistment during drought periods. There were some times when he also worked at the small arms factory in Lithgow.
Harry moved to Tottenham in 1948 where he bought a butcher shop. The Lachlander and Condobolin and Western Districts Recorder, Monday 18 July 1949 includes the following Items from Tottenham:
Mr. McKenzie has succeeded Mr. Ward as our local butcher and has taken over. Mr. Ward is leaving the district and a sale is to be held at his home on the 23rd inst.
The family returned to Nyngan in 1949 and Harry became a traveler for Manufacturers Mutual Insurance. He continued to represent Manufacturers Mutual when he established the Nyngan Stock Agency and acted as a special agent for Winchcombe Carson. The business prospered and real estate and even furniture were added to the agency.
During this period in Nyngan, family members, who had completed their education in Sydney, worked in the town. Pam as a teacher at the Nyngan School, Jill as a sister at the Nyngan Hospital and Jan with her father in the business. Michael Harry completed his primary education in Nyngan.
Harry sold out to Winchcombe Carson in 1959 but remained as an adviser until June 1960 when he moved to Sydney to work in the property department of Winchombe’s head office. In retirement Harry and Jean stayed in Sydney and lived in Manly and Epping.
Harry was never a sportsman but he loved the land and working with horses. His interest in racing culminated each year with the visits to the Sydney racing carnival at Easter. He showed exceptional versatility during his working life and an optimistic adaptation to changing fortunes. He was never happier than when he was with his family and preferably in the country even when a load of cattle showered his crisp white shirt with unmentionables.
Harry was known to speak of "four Ward brothers who immigrated to Australia". This was considered to be an unreliable memoir and it was assumed he was talking about the sons of Michael (b.1835) although they numbered five. Harry never met his grandfather, Michael, hence the existence of the other three brothers must have been passed down in stories that were largely lost. All four brothers emigrating from Ireland have been found as well their brother remaining in Ireland and their two sisters.
Harry died on 26 August 1988 in a nursing home in Strathfield, Sydney. His health had been in decline for some years prior.
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Children of Henry Favel Ward & Jean Black
- Pamela Favel Ward
- Frances Jill Ward
- Jeanette Margaret Ward
- Michael Harry Ward
Parents of Henry Favel Ward
- Michael Edward Ward & Annie Frances Sallaway (married in 1893)
Siblings of Henry Favel Ward
- Annie Frances Ward (born in 1894)
- William Joseph Ward (1896)
- Helen Josephine Ward (1899)
- Michael Ward (1901, infant death)
- Nora Gertrude Ward (1906)
- Jessica Louise Ward (1914)