Person Page - 457

DAVID LONGBOTTOM sailed to Australia on board the "Gipsey", which arrived in Adelaide on 15 August, 1853. He settled at Auburn, South Australia and his occupation was a flour miller.
On the 1 May, 1858 he married MAREY COOPE in St Marks Church of England at Penwortham, near Clare, South Australia. Clare, South Australia. This information is in the family Bible which is handed down to the eldest son of each generation.
A COPY OF ORIGINAL MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE This certified that David Longbottom and Marey Coope were solemnly united by me in the Holy Bonds of Matrimony at Penwortham on the first day of May in the year of our Lord, One Thousand, Eight Hundred and Fifty Eight, conformably to the Ordinance of God and the Laws of the State. In presence of Francis Cook & Hannah Mira Coope Signed: William Wood.
David and Marey's first home was at Undalya, and it was here that David helped with the building of one of the bridges in the district. Thirteen years later they moved to Belalie, near Jamestown. The land at Belalie was put up for sale at 30 shillings per acre ($3.00) with six dummy takers to try and encourage others, however only one section was taken at this price so after six weeks the price was reduced to 25 shillings ($2.50) per acre, sales were still very slow so by January 1871 the price was further reduced to 20 Shillings ($2.00) per acre, it was at this time that David purchased section 109 hundred of Belalie, approximately 200 acres. Other sections (314, 316, 319 198) were purchased later totalling between 600-700 acres consisting of five blocks. They were one of the first to settle on their land. In the early years the soil at Belalie and Jamestown was rich and still appears so. The first settlers lived in tents and later built homes. The sheoak trees furnished timber for the frames, roofing and walls. Earth was pug and the sheoak walls were pugged. Iron was out of the question for roofing but there was plenty of long grass for thatching. The home David built, still stands on the property. It is in wonderful condition and the trueness of walls, quality and smoothness of plaster and timber must surely have been excellent for the times. The walls are pug, the main alteration over the years being the addition of a verandah. Many of the children were born in this home that is on the remaining 200 acres.
There is a dam, which was scooped by hand and horse, near the house, during the early days. It was used quite often by passing travellers to water their animals. Afghans used to camp in the sheds and cook their pancakes on the forge in the blacksmith's shed. 'Belalie' is a native name and was given to a spot of ground now known as "The Cups".
David was instrumental in founding the Belalie Presbyterian Church. He was also a successful competitor in the draught horse section of one of the early Jamestown shows with horse and foal. There seems to be little known of David's character, other than he was of a kindly and refined personality, a characteristic which has followed in many of the later generations.
After 20 years of farming, David and Marey returned to Auburn where David later died.

Death
MAREY LONGBOTTOM
The late Marey Longbottom was born at Huddersfield, Yorkshire, in 1836. She came with her parents to South Australia in 1854. The family settled at Auburn, and there three years later she married and for a time lived at Undalya. In 1871 she and her husband came to Belalie, and for twenty years engaged in farming pursuits. In March, 1891, they returned to Auburn, where her husband died. Later she moved to Jamestown, which ultimately became her home until her death. She Joined the Church at an early age. She was a great reader, but her Bible was not neglected amid the duties of the home and farm.
The Rev. O. Lake writes:- "I always found her interested in the work of the Church and ready to do what she could. I found a great difference between her and many wealthier people in the Auburn Circuit. I think that what she possessed she felt she held in trust for the Lord. She was one of those consistent devoted souls who make the strength of our Churches."
The Rev. John Blackett writes :- "When I went to the Auburn Circuit a few years ago the late Mrs. Longbottom was a member of our Church in the town. My wife and I learned to esteem her very highly for her character's sake; she was a devoted Christian and a loyal Methodist. By nature she was courteous and charitable, ever ready to help others in their hour of need. These natural graces were quickened and beautiful by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit."
The Rev. W. F. James writes :- "Candour, devotion, and kindness were marked features in her character. They were increasingly apparent during my association with her at Jamestown and her visits to Gumeracha. Acquaintance ripened into a friendship that will be gratefully remembered. I shall ever think of her as a faithful woman that feared God above many." There was no rapture, but a clear, calm trust in God.