Yesterday Ross Downie reprinted an article by Joan Mullens from the 1980s in which she mentions the series of articles titled "Some Ups and Downs of an Old Richmondite" which were reproduced in the Windsor & Richmond Gazette in the period 1909-1910. These have been mentioned previously however I thought new researchers may be interested. Alfred Smith, longtime resident of Richmond, was born in 1831, the son of John Smith, a publican & Adelaide de la Thoreza. His mother who was born in Madrid travelled to London following a revolution in Spain (1820-1823) in which her father, a member of the government had been assassinated. For her transgression she was transported to NSW. Alfred was brought up by his adopted parents, Mr. & Mrs. George James & his Spanish godfather, Mr. Menease. He was educated at the school run by Mr. Hogsflesh at Richmond. In 1854 he married Anne Kinsella of Agnes Banks at St. Matthew's Catholic Church, Windsor & they had ten children. The articles from the Windsor & Richmond Gazette of 1909-1910 narrated by Alfred to Robert Farlow outlined his life and times in the Hawkesbury. His recall of varied incidents was renowned in the district and that he was an irrepressible conversationalist. When starting out on a long droving expedition throughout the colonies he was known to have taken one whole day to farewell his family and friends in Richmond so that he was only able to reach North Richmond and set up his first camp at sunset. Alfred was the licensee of the "Bird in the Hand" Hotel at Clarendon (1860s). During his lifetime there were many changes including the railway was being constructed to Richmond and bridges built. When Alfred was 84 he went up in an aeroplane with the famous aviator William Hart. He saw from the air the whole of the Hawkesbury that he had known since childhood. Alfred died on 24th December, 1917, just a matter of weeks after his beloved wife, Annie passed away. They are both buried in the Richmond cemetery. "Some Ups and Downs of an Old Richmondite" was repinted by the Nepean Family History Society and includes an index, includes many Hawkesbury families. All orders to NFHS, PO Box 81 Emu Plains 2750 NSW Australia, or see http://www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/NFHS/pubs.htm or email jmcleod@eisa.net.au with your order. Cost is $15 + postage $6 for Sydney metropolitan, $6.50 for the rest of NSW & $8.00 Interstate. Michelle Nichols _________________________________________________________________ ninemsn Extra Storage is now available. 30MB of storage on ninemsn Groups - great for sharing photos and documents. Go to http://join.msn.com/?page=dept/home&pgmarket=en-au