[Index]
Peter (Big Pete) SHUMACK (1844 - 1912)
farmer
Children Self + Spouses Parents Grandparents Greatgrandparents
George SHUMACK (1870 - 1958)
Elizabeth Jane SHUMACK (1872 - )
John SHUMACK (1874 - 1930)
Margaret SHUMACK (1875 - 1945)
Minerva SHUMACK (1877 - )
Frances SHUMACK (1879 - 1879)
Clara SHUMACK (1880 - 1931)
Alexander SHUMACK (1882 - 1956)
Peter SHUMACK (1883 - 1883)
Mary SHUMACK (1884 - 1935)
Ida Ada SHUMACK (1887 - )
Edward SHUMACK (1888 - )
Gladice SHUMACK (1890 - )
Frances SHUMACK (1894 - )
 Peter (Big Pete) SHUMACK (1844 - 1912)

+

Elizabeth Jane GILLESPIE (1838 - 1872)

Elizabeth (Betsy) WILLIAMS (1853 - 1918)
 John SHUMACK (1811 - 1849) Peter SHOEMAKER (1781 - )



Elizabeth (SHOEMAKER)



Margaret O'TOOLE (1809 - 1879)











Peter (Big Pete) SHUMACK
Peter (Big Pete) SHUMACK
Peter (Big Pete) SHUMACK Peter (Big Pete) SHUMACK
b. 16 May 1844 at Canberra, ACT, Australia
m. (1) 22 Dec 1869 Elizabeth Jane GILLESPIE (1838 - 1872) at Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
m. (2) 1873 Elizabeth (Betsy) WILLIAMS (1853 - 1918) at Canberra, ACT, Australia
d. 14 Feb 1912 at Canberra, ACT, Australia aged 67
Near Relatives of Peter (Big Pete) SHUMACK (1844 - 1912)
Relationship Person Born Birth Place Died Death Place Age
Grandfather Peter SHOEMAKER abt 1781
Grandmother Elizabeth (SHOEMAKER)

Father in Law John GILLESPIE 1809 KIllylea, Co Armagh, Ireland 15 Jan 1889 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 80
Mother in Law Mary Ann HUTCHINSON abt 1814 Edinburgh, Midlothian, Scotland 05 Jan 1895 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 81
Father in Law Francis James WILLIAMS 1829 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 01 Jul 1910 Sutton, New South Wales, Australia 81
Mother in Law Margaret LYONS abt 1832 Downpatrick, Ireland 26 Aug 1907 Sutton, New South Wales, Australia 75

Father John SHUMACK abt 1811 Kilfinane, Co Limerick, Ireland 04 Mar 1849 Duntroon, ACT, Australia 38
Mother Margaret O'TOOLE abt 1809 Co Cork, Ireland 12 May 1879 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 70

Self Peter (Big Pete) SHUMACK 16 May 1844 Canberra, ACT, Australia 14 Feb 1912 Canberra, ACT, Australia 67

Wife Elizabeth Jane GILLESPIE 1838 Co Armagh, Northern Ireland 23 Jan 1872 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 34
Wife Elizabeth (Betsy) WILLIAMS 1853 Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia 15 Feb 1918 Canberra, ACT, Australia 65

Son George SHUMACK 17 Nov 1870 Canberra, ACT, Australia 12 Nov 1958 ACT, Australia 87
Daughter Elizabeth Jane SHUMACK 1872 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Son John SHUMACK 1874 Canberra, ACT, Australia 20 Feb 1930 Canberra, ACT, Australia 56
Daughter Margaret SHUMACK 06 Sep 1875 Canberra, ACT, Australia 26 Jul 1945 69
Daughter Minerva SHUMACK 1877 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Daughter Frances SHUMACK 1879 Canberra, ACT, Australia 1879 Canberra, ACT, Australia 0
Daughter Clara SHUMACK 1880 Canberra, ACT, Australia 29 Apr 1931 Cessnock, New South Wales, Australia 51
Son Alexander SHUMACK 1882 Canberra, ACT, Australia 1956 Weetangera, New South Wales, Australia 74
Son Peter SHUMACK 1883 Canberra, ACT, Australia 1883 Canberra, ACT, Australia 0
Daughter Mary SHUMACK 1884 Canberra, ACT, Australia 1935 Rotorua, New Zealand 51
Daughter Ida Ada SHUMACK 1887 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Son Edward SHUMACK 1888 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Daughter Gladice SHUMACK 1890 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Daughter Frances SHUMACK 1894 Canberra, ACT, Australia

Brother Joseph Ayra SHUMACK abt 1836 Ireland 23 Dec 1901 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 65
Sister Eliza Elizabeth SHUMACK 05 Jan 1840 Castletown, Co Cork, Ireland 21 Oct 1907 Sutton, New South Wales, Australia 67
Brother Richard SHUMACK 19 Jan 1842 Canberra, ACT, Australia 29 Aug 1931 Ainsley, ACT, Australia 89
Step Brother Edward WOODS 1842 Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia 31 Jul 1913 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 71

Daughter in Law Edith May GOZZARD 07 Aug 1874 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 01 May 1945 Taralga, New South Wales, Australia 70
Daughter in Law Jane MARTIN 1875 Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland 10 Feb 1942 Canberra, ACT, Australia 67
Son in Law Evelyn John MCINTOSH abt 1870 Majura, New South Wales, Australia
Daughter in Law Amy Adeline SMITH
Son in Law James Thomas WHITTLE 1950 Taihape, New Zealand

Grandson Percy Gordon SHUMACK 13 Feb 1896 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia Feb 1969 Ryde, New South Wales, Australia 73
Grandson Peter Arnold SHUMACK 17 Feb 1898 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 24 Aug 1981 Canberra, ACT, Australia 83
Grandson Silas Henry SHUMACK 05 Jun 1900 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 11 Jan 1975 New South Wales, Australia 74
Granddaughter Edith Elvina SHUMACK 19 Jun 1902 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 28 Feb 1987 Victoria, Australia 84
Grandson Roy Amos SHUMACK 24 Jun 1904 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 27 Jul 1976 New South Wales, Australia 72
Granddaughter Bessie L SHUMACK Mar 1907 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 09 Jun 1907 Hall, New South Wales, Australia 0
Grandson Brice Benson SHUMACK 1909 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 31 May 1988 Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia 79
Grandson Wilbur Herbert SHUMACK 02 Sep 1911 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 26 Jun 1974 Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia 62
Grandson Sidney Cecil SHUMACK 04 Dec 1918 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 20 Jun 1980 61
Granddaughter Florence M SHUMACK
Granddaughter Phyllis SHUMACK
Granddaughter Doris E SHUMACK Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Grandson John Francis SHUMACK 1904 Canberra, ACT, Australia 02 Jan 1974 Canberra, ACT, Australia 70
Granddaughter Violet SHUMACK 1905 Marrickville, Sydney, Australia
Granddaughter Clara MCINTOSH
Grandson Harold MCINTOSH
Granddaughter Hilda G MCINTOSH
Grandson John M MCINTOSH
Granddaughter Edna M Y SHUMACK 1909 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Granddaughter Dulcie SHUMACK 1911 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Granddaughter Dorothy H SHUMACK 1914 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Grandson Stanley Alexander SHUMACK 21 Jan 1914 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 22 Sep 1943 New Guinea 29
Granddaughter Joan SHUMACK 1920 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Grandson Thomas James WHITTLE 1912 New Zealand
Granddaughter Rhonda Ellen Mildred WHITTLE 1916 New Zealand
Grandson Living or Recently Deceased

Uncle William SHUMACK abt 1804 Co Cork, Ireland 1877 Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia 73
Aunt Eliza DOHERTY Ireland
Uncle Peter SHUMACK abt 1806 Kilfinane, Co Limerick, Ireland 29 Sep 1883 Canberra, ACT, Australia 77
Aunt Mary MATHIESON abt 1833 Aberdeenshire, Scotland 13 Oct 1915 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 82
Uncle George SHUMACK abt 1810 Kilfinane, Co Limerick, Ireland 1857 Bowenfels, New South Wales, Australia 47
Aunt Lucy BONNETON
Uncle Joseph SHUMACK abt 1813 Kilfinane, Co Limerick, Ireland 1880 Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia 67
Aunt Margaret SHEEDY
Uncle Richard SHUMACK abt 1816 Kilfinane, Co Limerick, Ireland 09 Oct 1887 Weetangera, New South Wales, Australia 71
Aunt Anne SHOEMAKER abt 1821 Ireland 30 May 1873 Weetangera, New South Wales, Australia 52
Aunt Eastern Jane ARMSTRONG abt 1853 21 Jun 1913 Drummoyne, New South Wales, Australia 60
Uncle Samuel SHUMACK abt 1819 Co Limerick, Ireland 1884 Sunny Corner, New South Wales, Australia 65
Aunt Ellen CONNORS 1844
Aunt Sarah BROWN

Cousin Richard SHUMACK abt 1837 Ireland
Cousin Margaret SHUMACK abt 1839 Ireland
Cousin John SHUMACK 1843 Bowenfels, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Elizabeth SHUMACK 1845 Kelso, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Mary A SHUMACK 1847 Kelso, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin William SHUMACK 1849 New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Samuel SHUMACK 1851 New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Ann Jane SHUMACK 1853 Abercrombie, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin George SHUMACK 1855 New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Isabella E SHUMACK 1858 New South Wales, Australia abt 1858 0
Cousin Ellen M SHUMACK abt 1860 New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Sarah PEARCE 1862 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Annie Maria PEARCE abt 1868 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin George POTTER BATE 27 Dec 1891 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 01 Sep 1918 Peronne, France 26
Cousin William J SHUMACK 1853 Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia 1860 7
Cousin Ellen Lucy SHUMACK 1856 Bowenfels, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Elizabeth SHUMACK 1849 Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Mary A SHUMACK 1851 Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin John SHUMACK 1853 Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Rachel SHUMACK 1857 Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Samuel G SHUMACK 1859 Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Frances G SHUMACK 1861 Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Joseph SHUMACK 1863 Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin George SHUMACK 1865 Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Peter William SHUMACK 1867 Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Margaret Jane SHUMACK 1869 Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Thomas SHUMACK 1871 Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Richard SHUMACK 1873 Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Lydia Catherine SHUMACK 1878 Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia 1878 Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia 0
Cousin Elizabeth SHUMACK 1842 Buttevant, Co Cork, Ireland 20 Dec 1876 New South Wales, Australia 34
Cousin Margaret SHUMACK 09 May 1844 Buttevant, Co Cork, Ireland 19 Jul 1938 Ainsley, ACT, Australia 94
Cousin John SHUMACK abt 1847 Buttevant, Co Cork, Ireland 25 May 1896 Weetangera, New South Wales, Australia 49
Cousin Samuel SHUMACK 18 Jul 1850 Mallow, Co Cork, Ireland 05 Apr 1940 Peakhurst, New South Wales, Australia 89
Cousin Phoebe Anna Laura SHUMACK 04 Dec 1857 Duntroon, ACT, Australia 01 Apr 1943 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 85
Cousin Emily SHUMACK 11 Jun 1860 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 25 Mar 1927 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 66
Cousin George Edward SHUMACK 23 Apr 1863 Canberra, ACT, Australia 03 Feb 1937 Yass, New South Wales, Australia 73
Cousin Mary Armstrong SHUMACK 1882 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Cousin Ida SHUMACK 1883 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Cousin Susannah SHUMACK 1884 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Cousin Richard SHUMACK 1886 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Cousin Alice SHUMACK 1887 Canberra, ACT, Australia 1887 Canberra, ACT, Australia 0
Cousin George SHUMACK 1846 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin William SHUMACK 1848 Kelso, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin John SHUMACK 1850 Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Mary Jane SHUMACK 1852 Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Elizabeth SHUMACK 1854 Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Sarah SHUMACK 1856 Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia
Cousin Samuel SHUMACK 1858 Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia 1860 Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia 2

Nephew John SHUMACK 1866 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 1867 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 1
Nephew James SHUMACK 1868 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia
Nephew John Joseph SHUMACK 1869 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia
Nephew Peter SHUMACK abt 1871 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia
Niece Mary SHUMACK 1874 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 1874 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 0
Nephew Joseph SHUMACK 1876 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia
Nephew Edward Harold SHUMACK 1880 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia
Niece Mary Maria READ 1863 Gundaroo, New South Wales, Australia 26 Nov 1891 Weetangera, New South Wales, Australia 28
Niece Margaret 'Maggie' READ 30 Dec 1864 Gundaroo, New South Wales, Australia 16 Jul 1949 Canberra, ACT, Australia 84
Niece Rebecca READ abt 1867 Gundaroo, New South Wales, Australia 08 Oct 1947 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 80
Nephew John (Jack) READ 1868 Gundaroo, New South Wales, Australia 18 Dec 1917 Ainsley, ACT, Australia 49
Niece Sarah Jane Anne? READ 1870 Gundaroo, New South Wales, Australia 15 Aug 1929 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 59
Nephew George READ 1872 Gundaroo, New South Wales, Australia 14 Sep 1947 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 75
Nephew Hugh READ 1874 Gundaroo, New South Wales, Australia Jan 1930 Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia 56
Nephew Joseph READ 1877 Gundaroo, New South Wales, Australia 14 Sep 1941 Sutton, New South Wales, Australia 64
Niece Emily Eliza READ 14 Sep 1879 Gundaroo, New South Wales, Australia 19 Aug 1941 Gunning, New South Wales, Australia 61
Niece Ethel READ 1885 Gundaroo, New South Wales, Australia 1965 80
Niece Mary WOODS 1866 Yarralumla, ACT Australia 1867 Yarralumla, ACT Australia 1
Niece Ellen WOODS 1868 Yarralumla, ACT Australia 27 Sep 1940 Warwick, Queensland, Australia 72
Niece Agnes WOODS 1869 Yarralumla, ACT Australia 23 Feb 1920 Stanmore, New South Wales, Australia 51
Nephew Edward WOODS 1871 Yarralumla, ACT Australia 16 Jun 1926 Tharwa, ACT, Australia 55
Nephew William WOODS 1873 Yarralumla, ACT Australia
Niece Annie WOODS 1875 Yarralumla, ACT Australia
Nephew Thomas Michael WOODS 1877 Yarralumla, ACT Australia 18 Oct 1958 Canberra, ACT, Australia 81
Niece Alice WOODS 1879 Yarralumla, ACT Australia
Nephew Martin WOODS 1881 Yarralumla, ACT Australia 10 Dec 1962 Canberra, ACT, Australia 81
Nephew John (Jack) WOODS 1883 Yarralumla, ACT Australia 05 Sep 1916 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 33
Niece Emma Elizabeth M GILLESPIE 1875 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Niece Florence Lilian A GILLESPIE 1877 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Niece Edith Gorgina E GILLESPIE 1881 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Stanley G H GILLESPIE 1886 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Leslie John Allen GILLESPIE 1889 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 1912 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 23
Niece Eva Lilian GILLESPIE 1883 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew John James GILLESPIE 1884 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 1884 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 0
Nephew William Ernest GILLESPIE 1886 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia abt 1972 Canberra, ACT, Australia 86
Nephew Harold Oliver GILLESPIE 1891 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew John Albert BUTLER 1882 abt Apr 1927 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 45
Niece Margaret Esther WILLIAMS 1884 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Niece Mabel Irene WILLIAMS 1887 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Vernon J WILLIAMS 1888 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Francis J WILLIAMS 1890 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Niece Isabel M WILLIAMS 1893 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Everard W WILLIAMS 1895 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Francis L WILLIAMS 1902 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Thomas S WILLIAMS 1905 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Brother in Law George Randleson Hutchinson GILLESPIE abt 1840 Belfast, Co Antrim, Ireland 21 Jul 1923 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 83
Brother in Law James GILLESPIE Feb 1844 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 10 Jun 1926 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 82
Brother in Law William GILLESPIE 1846 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 1893 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 47
Brother in Law Robert GILLESPIE 1848 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 1933 Glen Innes, New South Wales, Australia 85
Sister in Law Euphemia (Phoebe) GILLESPIE 1850 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 12 Dec 1926 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 76
Sister in Law Margaret Ann WILLIAMS 1854 Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia
Brother in Law James WILLIAMS 1856 Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia 15 Mar 1921 Willoughby, New South Wales, Australia 65
Brother in Law Edgar George WILLIAMS 1858 Gundaroo, New South Wales, Australia
Brother in Law Thomas WILLIAMS 1860 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Sister in Law Mary WILLIAMS 1863 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Brother in Law Francis WILLIAMS 1865 Canberra, ACT, Australia 01 Jul 1929 Sutton, New South Wales, Australia 64
Sister in Law Sarah Isabella WILLIAMS abt 1867 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Sister in Law Bridget Mary WARD abt 1836 1914 Temora, New South Wales, Australia 78
Brother in Law Hugh READ 1838 Tintinhull, Somerset, England 02 Sep 1894 Gundaroo, New South Wales, Australia 56
Sister in Law Margaret SHUMACK
Sister in Law Johanna (Julia) SHEEDY 1843 Yarralumla, ACT Australia 25 Mar 1886 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 43
Events in Peter (Big Pete) SHUMACK (1844 - 1912)'s life
Date Age Event Place Notes Src
16 May 1844 Peter (Big Pete) SHUMACK was born Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
04 Mar 1849 4 Death of father John SHUMACK (aged 38) Duntroon, ACT, Australia 6
22 Dec 1869 25 Married Elizabeth Jane GILLESPIE (aged 31) Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 3345/1869 6
17 Nov 1870 26 Birth of son George SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
1872 28 Birth of daughter Elizabeth Jane SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
23 Jan 1872 27 Death of wife Elizabeth Jane GILLESPIE (aged 34) Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 6297/1872 6
1873 29 Married Elizabeth (Betsy) WILLIAMS (aged 20) Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
1874 30 Birth of son John SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
06 Sep 1875 31 Birth of daughter Margaret SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
1877 33 Birth of daughter Minerva SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
1879 35 Birth of daughter Frances SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
1879 35 Death of daughter Frances SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
12 May 1879 34 Death of mother Margaret O'TOOLE (aged 70) Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 6
1880 36 Birth of daughter Clara SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
1882 38 Birth of son Alexander SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
1883 39 Birth of son Peter SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
1883 39 Death of son Peter SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
1884 40 Birth of daughter Mary SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
1887 43 Birth of daughter Ida Ada SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
1888 44 Birth of son Edward SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
1890 46 Birth of daughter Gladice SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
1894 50 Birth of daughter Frances SHUMACK Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
14 Feb 1912 67 Peter (Big Pete) SHUMACK died Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
Source References:
6. Type: Book, Abbr: Queanbeyan Register, Title: Biographical register of Canberra and Queanbeyan: from the district to the Australian Capital Territory 1820-1930, Auth: Peter Proctor, Publ: The Heraldry & Genealogical Society of Canberra, Date: 2001
- Reference = 290 (Marriage)
- Reference = 290 (Birth)
- Reference = 116 (Marriage)
- Reference = 290 (Death)
- Reference = 116 (Name, Notes)
80. Type: Web Page, Abbr: Hall Museum, Title: Hall School Museum and Heritage Centre, Locn: https://museum.hall.act.au/
- Reference = https://museum.hall.act.au/display/1939/person/2127/peter-big-pete-shumack.html (Name, Notes)
- Notes: Peter 'Big Pete' Shumack

Born: 1844; Died: 1912; Married: 1. Elizabeth Jane Gillespie; 2. Elizabeth 'Betsy' Williams

Peter 'Big Pete' Shumack
Related Files
Shumack, Peter ('Big Pete') and Elizabeth Jane (Gillespie) ⧉ (RTF 372.5 kb)
Shumack, Peter ('Big Pete') and Elizabeth Jane (Gillespie) - Family Group Sheet

Shumack, Peter ('Big Pete') and Elizabeth (Williams) ⧉ (RTF 898.2 kb)
Shumack, Peter ('Big Pete') and Elizabeth (Williams) - Family Group Sheet

Peter Shumack - known as 'Big Pete' - was born in 1844, the third son of John Shumack and Margaret Toole. This was the branch of the Shumacks which settled at modern-day Lyneham. In 1869, Peter married Elizabeth Jane Gillespie, the daughter of John Gillespie and Mary Ann (nee Hutchinson), born in Ireland in 1838. They had two children. Sadly, Elizabeth died prematurely in 1872, aged just 34 years. Peter was remarried in the following year to Elizabeth 'Betsy' Williams with whom he had eleven children.

Both his brother Joseph, and his uncle Peter Shumack (Senior), had bought blocks of land in Upper Canberra astride the Yass road in 1857. In 1876 Joseph converted the house that he had built on his block to a hotel - the 'Canberra Inn'.

Parish maps show that Peter Shumack (Jr) began acquiring land in that district in 1863, on which he built a home - his property becoming known as 'Fern Hill' (Mackennal Street, Lyneham today). Most of the holdings were sold up in 1911, to George E. Southwell of Majura - some 600 acres which fetched ₤1,552. The balance of his land was known as Kia-Ora (Garling Street, Lyneham today) and was farmed by his son Edward ('Ted') up until 1937.

'Big Pete' was an enthusiastic cricketer and it was in one of his paddocks that occasional cricket matches were played between his Canberra side and Ginninderra's. A well-known photo of the Ginninderra Ladies cricket team was taken at Weetangera Lane, 'Fern Hill'.

On 21 March 1958 the Canberra Times reported that the original Fern Hill property, at the back of St Ninian's Church, was to be pulled down to make way for the development of Lyneham. 'Fern Hill' was located along Mackennal Street in Lyneham. The Times reported the original slab house, built by Peter Shumack 100 years before, was revealed intact when the homestead buildings were being demolished. The slab house had been protected and built over when F.S. Southwell took over the property in 1912. The original house revealed in 1958 was about 30ft by l0ft and consisted of two rooms. It was built entirely of red gum slabs, some measuring 20 inches in width. (Canberra District Historical Society, website)

Big Pete Shumack died in 1912 and is buried in St Johns, Reid, where he had served as a Churchwarden.

Related Photos

Peter Shumack ⧉
Peter Shumack and family at 'Fern Hill' ⧉
Peter ('Big Pete") Shumack ⧉
Shumack family lands in North Canberra ⧉
References
Garden, J., Boak M., and Garden, D.. 2010. Downer@50. Downer Community Association.
Gillespie, L. L., 1979A Pictorial History of the Read/Reid Family in Australia, 1849-1979, Canberra,
Gillespie, L. L., 1992Ginninderra: Forerunner to Canberra, Campbell,
Purchase, S. (ed.), 1999Canberra's Early Hotels: a Pint-sized History, Canberra,
Shumack, S.1967 An Autobiography, or, Tales and Legends of Canberra Pioneers (ed. J. E. and S. Shumack), Canberra
White, E. 1993. A Shumack Family. c.1668-1992 & connected families. Eastwood, NSW.
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