[Index]
Samuel SHUMACK (1850 - 1940)
farmer, church warden
Children Self + Spouses Parents Grandparents Greatgrandparents
Jemima Ann SHUMACK (1894 - )
John Everest SHUMACK (1896 - )
Elmira Ruth SHUMACK (1899 - )
David Henry Bright SHUMACK (1901 - )
Sarah Clementina Selina Adeline SHUMACK (1904 - )
Samuel Heber SHUMACK (1907 - )
Stephen Rupert Wilberforce SHUMACK (1910 - )
Ethel Margaret Catherine Eileen SHUMACK (1912 - )
 Samuel SHUMACK (1850 - 1940)

+

Sarah WINTER (1871 - 1954)
 Richard SHUMACK (1816 - 1887) Peter SHOEMAKER (1781 - )



Elizabeth (SHOEMAKER)



Anne SHOEMAKER (1821 - 1873) George SHOEMAKER



Catherine (SHOEMAKER)



Samuel SHUMACK Sarah WINTER
Samuel SHUMACK Samuel SHUMACK
Samuel SHUMACK Sarah WINTER Samuel SHUMACK Samuel SHUMACK
b. 18 Jul 1850 at Mallow, Co Cork, Ireland
m. 14 Jun 1893 Sarah WINTER (1871 - 1954) at Canberra, ACT, Australia
d. 05 Apr 1940 at Peakhurst, New South Wales, Australia aged 89
Near Relatives of Samuel SHUMACK (1850 - 1940)
Relationship Person Born Birth Place Died Death Place Age
Grandfather Peter SHOEMAKER abt 1781
Grandmother Elizabeth (SHOEMAKER)
Grandfather George SHOEMAKER
Grandmother Catherine (SHOEMAKER)

Father in Law John WINTER abt 1832 Haddenham, Buckinghamshire, England 29 Sep 1928 Hebden, New South Wales, Australia 96
Mother in Law Jemima MCPHERSON 1840 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 10 Oct 1913 Canberra, ACT, Australia 73

Father Richard SHUMACK abt 1816 Kilfinane, Co Limerick, Ireland 09 Oct 1887 Weetangera, New South Wales, Australia 71
Mother Anne SHOEMAKER abt 1821 Ireland 30 May 1873 Weetangera, New South Wales, Australia 52

Self Samuel SHUMACK 18 Jul 1850 Mallow, Co Cork, Ireland 05 Apr 1940 Peakhurst, New South Wales, Australia 89

Wife Sarah WINTER 1871 Canberra, ACT, Australia abt 1954 83

Daughter Jemima Ann SHUMACK 1894 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia
Son John Everest SHUMACK 1896 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia
Daughter Elmira Ruth SHUMACK 1899 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia
Son David Henry Bright SHUMACK 1901 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia
Daughter Sarah Clementina Selina Adeline SHUMACK 1904 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia
Son Samuel Heber SHUMACK 1907 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia
Son Stephen Rupert Wilberforce SHUMACK 1910 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia
Daughter Ethel Margaret Catherine Eileen SHUMACK 1912 New South Wales, Australia

Sister Elizabeth SHUMACK 1842 Buttevant, Co Cork, Ireland 20 Dec 1876 New South Wales, Australia 34
Sister Margaret SHUMACK 09 May 1844 Buttevant, Co Cork, Ireland 19 Jul 1938 Ainsley, ACT, Australia 94
Brother John SHUMACK abt 1847 Buttevant, Co Cork, Ireland 25 May 1896 Weetangera, New South Wales, Australia 49
Sister Phoebe Anna Laura SHUMACK 04 Dec 1857 Duntroon, ACT, Australia 01 Apr 1943 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 85
Sister Emily SHUMACK 11 Jun 1860 Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 25 Mar 1927 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 66
Brother George Edward SHUMACK 23 Apr 1863 Canberra, ACT, Australia 03 Feb 1937 Yass, New South Wales, Australia 73
Half Sister Mary Armstrong SHUMACK 1882 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Half Sister Ida SHUMACK 1883 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Half Sister Susannah SHUMACK 1884 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Half Brother Richard SHUMACK 1886 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Half Sister Alice SHUMACK 1887 Canberra, ACT, Australia 1887 Canberra, ACT, Australia 0

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 John SHUMACK abt 1811 Kilfinane, Co Limerick, Ireland 04 Mar 1849 Duntroon, ACT, Australia 38
Aunt Margaret O'TOOLE abt 1809 Co Cork, Ireland 12 May 1879 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 70
Uncle Joseph SHUMACK abt 1813 Kilfinane, Co Limerick, Ireland 1880 Rylstone, New South Wales, Australia 67
Aunt Margaret SHEEDY
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 Joseph Ayra SHUMACK abt 1836 Ireland 23 Dec 1901 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 65
Cousin Eliza Elizabeth SHUMACK 05 Jan 1840 Castletown, Co Cork, Ireland 21 Oct 1907 Sutton, New South Wales, Australia 67
Cousin Richard SHUMACK 19 Jan 1842 Canberra, ACT, Australia 29 Aug 1931 Ainsley, ACT, Australia 89
Cousin Peter (Big Pete) SHUMACK 16 May 1844 Canberra, ACT, Australia 14 Feb 1912 Canberra, ACT, Australia 67
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 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

Niece Marion SHUMACK Feb 1891 Weetangera, New South Wales, Australia 28 Sep 1924 Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia 33
Niece Clara Malvina Ann BLUNDELL 1878 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 1951 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 73
Niece Dora Emily BLUNDELL 1880 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 1941 Yass, New South Wales, Australia 61
Niece Daisy Irene BLUNDELL 1882 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 1964 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 82
Niece Lilian Jessie Stella BLUNDELL 1885 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 17 Sep 1965 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 80
Nephew Howard Norman SCHUMACK BLUNDELL 1886 Canberra, ACT, Australia 1920 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 34
Niece Muriel Pearl BLUNDELL 1888 New South Wales, Australia 1963 Wamberal, New South Wales, Australia 75
Niece Naomi Edith Sylvia BLUNDELL 1891 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 1990 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 99
Nephew Everard Vivian Abraham BLUNDELL 1895 Canberra, ACT, Australia 1964 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 69
Niece Bernice Sophia Hyacinth BLUNDELL 1899 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 1916 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 17
Niece Audrey Esmerelda Phoebe Merle BLUNDELL 1902 Canberra, ACT, Australia 1996 Goulburn, New South Wales, Australia 94
Nephew Charles Henry BLUNDELL 1883 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 1902 Liverpool, New South Wales, Australia 19
Nephew Edward BLUNDELL 1885 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew William BLUNDELL 1888 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 24 Apr 1960 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 72
Niece Susan Mary BLUNDELL 1891 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Niece Beatrice Ann BLUNDELL 1894 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Niece Sarah Rosaline BLUNDELL 1896 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Niece Irene Emily BLUNDELL 1899 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Adrian Isaac BLUNDELL 1905 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 1977 New South Wales, Australia 72
Niece Elizabeth Ethel SHUMACK 1890 Canberra, ACT, Australia 23 Aug 1967 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 77
Niece Jean Jemima SHUMACK 12 Feb 1894 Canberra, ACT, Australia 24 Sep 1973 79
Niece Adelaide Margaret Elizabeth CREGAN 1889 Lanyon, ACT, Australia 27 Dec 1969 Berridale, Monaro, New South Wales, Australia 80
Niece Jemima Florence Isabella CREGAN 1893 Lanyon, ACT, Australia 01 Feb 1968 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 75
Nephew John Edward Collingridge CREGAN 1895 Lanyon, ACT, Australia 1961 66
Niece Lilly Sarah Eliza CREGAN 1899 Lanyon, ACT, Australia 14 Dec 1989 Canberra, ACT, Australia 90
Nephew Albert William Isaac CREGAN 1905 Lanyon, ACT, Australia 1976 71
Niece Mary WINTER 1894 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Nephew Donald Joseph WINTER 1896 Canberra, ACT, Australia 1896 Canberra, ACT, Australia 0
Nephew John Collinridge WINTER 1897 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia Jul 1974 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 77
Niece Gladys Wilhelmina WINTER 1904 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Edwin Oliver Seaforth WINTER 1906 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Carl Albert John WINTER 1909 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Niece Alice Lavinia WINTER 1912 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Ernest Joseph Albert WINTER 1915 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Harold Charles Frederick WINTER 1917 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia
Niece Ethel Alice GINN 1900 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Niece Elizabeth Lillian GINN 1901 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Nephew James Henry GINN 1904 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Nephew William John GINN 1907 Canberra, ACT, Australia 1989 82
Nephew Amos Bruce WINTER 1904 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 1966 62
Nephew Sidney William WINTER 1907 Red Hill, Canberra, ACT, Australia 1995 88
Niece Marcella May (Marcie) WINTER 1909 Quandary, New South Wales, Australia 1980 71
Niece Alma Lillian WINTER 1912 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 1987 75
Niece Elena Louisa (Lena) WINTER 1915 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 1978 63
Niece Vida WINTER 02 Nov 1920 Silverwater, New South Wales, Australia
Niece Mavis WINTER 07 Aug 1922 Yass, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Living or Recently Deceased
Niece Sylvia Grace WINTER 1914 Mulligans Flat, New South Wales, Australia 1987 73
Nephew David Edward WINTER 23 Aug 1917 Koorawatha, New South Wales, Australia 21 Nov 1944 New Guinea 27
Niece Hazel Jean WINTER 1918 Yass, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Stanley Charles WINTER 24 Oct 1920 Junee, New South Wales, Australia
Nephew Albert John WINTER 1923 Junee, New South Wales, Australia 1923 0
Niece Delma Veronica WINTER 1924 Junee, New South Wales, Australia 1996 72
Niece Una Isabel WINTER 1927 Illabo, New South Wales, Australia 2002 75
Nephew Arthur William WINTER 1928 New South Wales, Australia 2017 89
Niece Barbara Ethel WINTER 1931 Yass, New South Wales, Australia 1994 63
Nephew Robert Keith WINTER 1934 Yass, New South Wales, Australia 1987 53
Niece Living or Recently Deceased

Sister in Law Jemima WINTER 1862 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Brother in Law Joseph WINTER 1864 Canberra, ACT, Australia 1936 Gympie, Queensland, Australia 72
Sister in Law Isabella WINTER 1866 Canberra, ACT, Australia 1868 Canberra, ACT, Australia 2
Sister in Law Isabella WINTER 1869 Canberra, ACT, Australia
Brother in Law John (Jack) WINTER 1873 Canberra, ACT, Australia 17 Jul 1945 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 72
Sister in Law Elizabeth (Betsy) WINTER 1876 Canberra, ACT, Australia 02 Jun 1960 Canberra, ACT, Australia 84
Brother in Law William WINTER 04 Oct 1878 Canberra, ACT, Australia 07 Oct 1947 Westmead, New South Wales, Australia 69
Brother in Law David WINTER 1881 Canberra, ACT, Australia 25 Dec 1957 Lockhart, New South Wales, Australia 76
Sister in Law Mary Maria READ 1863 Gundaroo, New South Wales, Australia 26 Nov 1891 Weetangera, New South Wales, Australia 28
Brother in Law Abraham BLUNDELL 1847 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 05 Jun 1884 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 37
Brother in Law John BLUNDELL 1843 Liverpool Plains, New South Wales, Australia 30 Oct 1927 Tumut, New South Wales, Australia 84
Brother in Law Isaac BLUNDELL 1851 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 09 May 1910 Queanbeyan, New South Wales, Australia 59
Events in Samuel SHUMACK (1850 - 1940)'s life
Date Age Event Place Notes Src
18 Jul 1850 Samuel SHUMACK was born Mallow, Co Cork, Ireland 6
21 Aug 1856 6 Immigration Sydney, New South Wales, Australia per 'Bermondsey' 6
30 May 1873 22 Death of mother Anne SHOEMAKER (aged 52) Weetangera, New South Wales, Australia 6
09 Oct 1887 37 Death of father Richard SHUMACK (aged 71) Weetangera, New South Wales, Australia 6
14 Jun 1893 42 Married Sarah WINTER (aged 22) Canberra, ACT, Australia 6
1894 44 Birth of daughter Jemima Ann SHUMACK Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 6
1896 46 Birth of son John Everest SHUMACK Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 6
1899 49 Birth of daughter Elmira Ruth SHUMACK Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 6
1901 51 Birth of son David Henry Bright SHUMACK Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 6
1904 54 Birth of daughter Sarah Clementina Selina Adeline SHUMACK Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 6
1907 57 Birth of son Samuel Heber SHUMACK Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 6
1910 60 Birth of son Stephen Rupert Wilberforce SHUMACK Ginninderra, ACT, Australia 6
1912 62 Birth of daughter Ethel Margaret Catherine Eileen SHUMACK New South Wales, Australia 6
05 Apr 1940 89 Samuel SHUMACK died Peakhurst, New South Wales, Australia 6
Personal Notes:
His diary is the basis of An autobiography or tales and legends of Canberra pioneers (1967)

Notes on Samuel Shumack
Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Wednesday 10 April 1940, page 3
OBITUARY. Mr. Samuel Shumack
The death at Peakhurst on Saturday last of Mr. Samuel Shumack, aged 89 years, removes another link with the pioneering days of the Canberra district, and at the funeral at St. John's Churchyard (Canberra) on Monday, many old identities paid tribute to a man who, by the strength of his character and sterling personality, had been held in high respect by the people of old and new Canberra.
Samuel Shumack was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1850, and arrived at Duntroon with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Shumack, when six years of age. The family travelled from Sydney, in a horse drawn waggon, the journey taking three weeks.
After receiving an elementary education at the old St. John's Church school, the buildings of which still stand in the grounds adjoining the church, Samuel Shumack turned his attention to farming. The parents and their seven children established a new home at "Emu Bank," Ginninderra Creek, where Mr. Richard Shumack had taken up a selection. Some years later Mr. Samuel Shumack took up land at "Spring Vale," in the area known as Round Hill at Weetangerra. Here he married Sarah Winter, a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs. John Winter, of Red Hill, Canberra. Eight children, all of whom survive, were born at Weetangerra. They are Jemima (Mrs. F. H. Barnes, of Peakhurst). Ruth (Mrs. McDonald, Bowral ), Clementina, and Eileen, Messrs. Everest (Singleton), David (Sydney), Hebert (Maitland). and Stephen (Sydney). The four sons acted as pall-bearers at the Church. In the early days. Samuel Shumack took a leading part in local cricket, being a member of the famous Gininderra XI. With other members of the team he frequently rode long distances to take part in matches, and was an authority on cricket lore, particularly as regards early-day cricket and cricketers.
For many years he was a worshipper at St. John's Church, and acted as a Church Warden. When his land was resumed by the Commonwealth Government in 1915 Samuel Shumack moved to Singleton and of late years had resided with his daughter, Mrs. Barnes, at Peakhurst.
The only surviving member of his family of seven brothers and sisters is Mrs. P. A. Blundell, of Tumut district, who, with her husband, established their farm in the little valley on the Canberra-Brindabella road, which to this day is known as Blundell's Orchard.
The chief mourners at the funeral were the widow, four sons, and daughter (Mrs. McDonald).
The service was conducted by Canon Sherris, who said the late Samuel Shumack was one of a band of pioneers whose monuments would remain in the form of flourishing farms and towns throughout the district. The present generation owed a great debt to the pioneers.
Many beautiful floral tributes were placed on the grave
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 = 291 (Birth)
- Reference = 291 (Name, Notes)
- Reference = 291 (Marriage)
- Reference = 291 (Death)
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/2212/samuel-shumack.html (Name, Notes)
- Notes: Samuel Shumack

Born: 1850; Died: 1940; Married: Sarah Winter

Samuel Shumack
Related Places
Springvale
Springvale was the Shumack family's homestead in the old Weetangerra Parish. In 1865 Richard...

Related Files
Shumack, Samuel and Mary (Winter) ⧉ (RTF 727.0 kb)
Shumack, Samuel and Mary (Winter) - Family Group Sheet

Shumack, John and Maria Mary Shumack, Family Group Sheet ⧉ (RTF 508.5 kb)
Family Group Sheet for Shumack, John and Maria Mary Shumack (nee Read)

Without Samuel Shumack's detailed recollections of the last half of the nineteenth century, Canberra's history would be much the poorer.

He arrived in Australia as a six year old with his bounty migrant parents Richard and Ann in 1856 aboard the Bermondsey. Richard was the last of seven Shumack brothers who emigrated to Australia, four of them settling in the Bathurst district. Richard first worked for the Campbells at Duntroon before moving to a position at Ginninderra estate for William Davis (Junior). The family lived at the Emu Bank outstation, which is now at the southern end of Lake Ginninderra in the Belconnen Town Centre.

He recorded the events of their arrival in his recollections.

We saw the Canberra Plain for the first time ... from a point close to where Wells Station homestead now stands ... Our journey from Sydney occupied three weary weeks, and we were happy to rest as guests of my Uncle John's wife and family [near modern-day Reid].

Of his childhood Samuel recalled:

"I did not attend school regularly until I was fourteen years of age. From the age of eight my time was fully occupied following the sheep. In 1865 [ie when he was fifteen] I attended the school at Ginninderra [St Pauls, The Glebe] for a period of six weeks.........At this time I could not write or cast accounts, although I was a good reader and had a good knowledge of geography. I quickly picked up the rudiments of arithmetic, but had to leave school to assist with our farming".

This was of course the bane of the rural teacher's life......

Samuel reported the tension with Davis concerning their decision to take advantage of the 1861 land reforms to become free selectors and set up their own farm at Weetangerra called Springvale. He wrote:

William Davis - who was father's employer and the squatter on whose land we selected - has 20,000 acres, excluding some thousands of acres of Crown land for which he paid very little, yet he resented our efforts to strike out for ourselves and laughed at what he derisively called 'Shumack's Folly'. 'Three years', he said, 'will see Shumack and his family sadder and wiser, for shortage of water will drive them out.' His prophecy miscarried!

In 1893 Samuel married Sarah Winter - daughter of Buckinghamshire migrants, John Winter and Jemima McPherson. They had nine children together. One of them - Samuel (jnr) - later recalled:

"When father took over the Weetangera Mail Run from the Clarks [Ellen Clark was the Weetangera teacher 1894-1920] the pay was ₤12/10/- per YEAR and it had been set at that for a long time. At Mrs Clark's suggestion he applied for an increase, and with the help of our local member it rose to ₤15!.....
......David Shumack was my brother and he 'ran the mail' as it was termed, for quite a while. I accompanied him on one occasion when he called at the One Tree Hotel at Hall, for a bottle of brandy for Mrs Bill Webber - then living in John Shumack's former home. Mon Lazarus was the 'mine host' at that time and he brought me a glass of lemonade as I waited in the sulky. He was known as 'Old Mons' " (White, p.335)

Further information on the Weetangera postal service can be found here

Evidently Samuel developed a love of both reading and writing - in spite of his minimal formal education. White records:

Samuel enjoyed reading, and during the course of his life he purchased the libraries of Rev P.G.Smith and Frederick Campbell, as well as a Campbell bookcase. He had in excess of 2,000 books in his own library eventually...." (While, p.331)

Along with all his neighbour's properties, Springvale, by then a farm of around 2,000 acres, was resumed by the Commonwealth government in 1915. Shumack left the district and moved to Hebden, near Singleton, NSW. On the very day he left the property he was severely injured in an accident and was forced into a more sedentary retirement in which he wrote his memoir. However, Shumack had always been widely read and interested in writing and may always have been likely to have become Canberra's first local chronicler, despite his accident and change of circumstances. His 488-page manuscript of recollections has become a critical source for the early lives of the residents of the district from his arrival as a child in 1856 until after the turn of the century. While his work contains many minor chronological inconsistencies and, at times, appears contradictory in some of its details, it is nevertheless an invaluable primary account which brings to life Canberra's pioneering families. In particular, it provides the rare perspective of the smaller farmers and free selectors who emerged as the driving force of the the social landscape of the 1860s.

Samuel Shumack died in 1940. Sarah followed him fourteen years later. They are buried in St Johns, Reid.

The Queanbeyan Age gave a full report of a banquet held at 'Springvale' for the Weetangera Cricket Club in 1910:

Weetangara [sic] Cricket Club.

On June 24th the members of the above club held a banquet and social at the residence of Mr. Samuel Shumack, the worthy president of the club, who very kindly placed his residence at the disposal of the committee for the occasion. The banquet was in honour of the ladies who so generously catered for the club members throughout the season. At 8 p.m. the chairman (Mr. E. G. Crace) explained the object of the gathering, at the same time extending a very hearty welcome to those assembled.

While the banquet was in progress a musicial programme was carried out, Miss Mima Shumack playing a very fine piano overture. Mr. Crace, in proposing the toast of the King, referred to the recent national loss by King Edward's death, but he believed King George would also make a model sovereign. The toast was most loyally honoured. Mr. S. Shumack proposed the toast of "The Ladies," and eulogised them for taking such an interest in the sport. It was owing partly to them that their club had prospered so well. He was pleased to say the members had at all times conducted themselves in a true and sportsman-like manner, and glad to note the absence of even an improper word on the field of play. If all the ladies took an interest in cricket, like the guests of the evening had done, he felt sure that there would be many more successful clubs in existence than at present. The presence of the fair sex on the field always tended towards the uplifting of the sport.

He asked all present to be upstanding and drink to the toast of " Our Guests." The toast was enthusiastically drank, accompanied with musical honours. Mr. D. Winter very suitably responded on behalf of the ladies. Mr. Harpham gave the toast of "Our Captain " Mr. Sam Shumack, coupled with the name of the vice-captain, Mr. M. O'Brien, sen. He was proud to play under the captaincy of. Mr. Samuel Shumack, and felt honored at being permitted to do so, as he was a true sport and a gentleman all the time. He felt that every bowler knew to his cost that when their captain once got."set" at the wickets, it was the hardest task to knock the wickets down. In Mr. O'Brien they had another good sport whom he considered one of the most consistent bowlers of the district, and the best trundler in their team. The toast was enthusiastically honoured, both gentlemen ably responding.

Mr. W. Webber, in a very able speech then proposed the toast of " The Visitors'" coupled with the Gininderra Farmers' Union. As secretary of the club he thanked the visitors very much for assisting to make the function such a decided success. He also referred to the good work the Gininderra Farmers' Union were doing, the President of which had so ably presided over the gathering that night. Mr. Crace took a deep interest in the Union and anything he could do to advance its progress was cheerfully done. As many present that evening were members of the Union, 'he had no hesitation in coupling the toast with that of the visitors, knowing full well it would be well received.

The toast having been enthusiastically received, Mr. Crace responded on behalf of the visitors and members of the Farmer's Union. He was pleased indeed to be present that evening, and felt honoured by the hearty response they had given to the toast. As a visitor he congratulated the committee of the cricket club on the splendid style their function was carried out. It was certainly unique, but yet very successful. As a cricketer he had very little time to indulge in the good old manly sport. He thanked Mr. Webber for coupling the Farmer's Union with the toast, and explained the objects of the Union, what it had done, and what it was endeavouring to accomplish. He mentioned that on October 3, it was their intention to hold a show at Gininderra. and invited all present to assist as far as possible in making it a great success. He then called for three cheers for Mrs. Shumack which were lustily given.

The following programme was then rendered :-Pianoforte solo, Miss Mima Shumack; comic song; Mr. Middleton (encored); song, Miss A. Murty; patriotic song, Mr. S. Kilby (encored) ; comic song, Mr. Glasson; pianoforte solo, Miss G. Clarke; jig and-step dance; M. and A. O'Brien; song, Miss Vera Curran.; violin solo, Mr. Gallagher; song, Mr. Curran; song, Mr. Webber. The accompanists were Miss Mima Shumack, Miss Annie Murty and Mr. Gallagher.
The room was then cleared and dancing indulged in till daylight. Mr. M. O'Brien jun., ably carried out the duties of' M.C., and proved himself to be the right man in the right place. At one o'clock supper was partaken of. Before dispersing Mr. Webber, on behalf of the members of the cricket club, thanked Mr. and Mrs. Shumack and family for the enjoyable evening they had spent, and referred to their many excellent qualities, and concluded by wishing them every success in the future. In responding Mr. Shumack eulogised Mr. Webber for the work he had performed as secretary of the club, remarking at the same time that in a great measure the success of the evening's entertainment was due to, his energy. " About 70 persons were present and one and all admitted that it was the best entertainment ever, held in the district. .
[Queanbeyan Age, Tuesday 19 July 1910, p 2]

Related Photos

Samuel Shumack ⧉
Springvale homestead and woolshed, Weetangerra ⧉
Springvale homestead, Weetangerra ⧉
Rosebud Cottage ⧉
Sarah and Samuel Shumack ⧉
References
Clough, M., Spilt Milk: a History of Weetangerra School, 1875-2004, Canberra, 2004
Gillespie, L. L., Ginninderra: Forerunner to Canberra, Campbell, 1992
Shumack, S. An Autobiography, or, Tales and Legends of Canberra Pioneers (ed. J. E. and S. Shumack), Canberra, 1967
Smith, L. R., Memories of Hall, Canberra, 1975
Various editions of the Queanbeyan Age and Goulburn Evening Penny Post
White, E. 1993. A Shumack Family. c.1668-1992 & connected families. Eastwood, NSW.
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