Rediscovering Ginninderra:
Mrs Hannah Southwell [1854-1938]
Born: 1854; Died: 1938; Married: nee Brown
PIONEERS DEATH : Mrs Hannah Southwell (nee Brown)
Former Resident of Hall District
Another link with the pioneering days of the Hall district has been severed in, the death of Mrs. James Southwell, aged 84 years, who since retiring with her husband from their farm, 'Heywood', Hall, has been living at Hunters Hill, Sydney.
For nearly 50 years, Mrs. Southwell took a leading part in the life of the small community at Hall, and with her husband, were enthusiastic workers for the Wattle Park Methodist Church.
The family's association with the district has extended over a period of 100 years, and during the whole of that time the name of 'Southwell', has been honoured and respected. The late Mrs. Southwell was a daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Brown, pioneer settlers of the Dalton district. Sixty-one years ago Hannah Brown was married at the Dalton Methodist Church to Mr. James Southwell, a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Southwell, of 'Parkwood', Hall. This family celebrated its centenary at 'Parkwood' in January of this year.
Shortly, after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. James Southwell took up residence at 'Heywood', Hall, where a family of four sons and five daughters was born. With the exception of Selby, who died in childhood, all members of the family were reared at Hall, and with their worthy parents, carried on the traditions firmly established by the original Thomas Southwell.
Seventeen years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Southwell retired and went to live at Hunters Hill. Sydney, but they made frequent visits to this district, and Mr James Southwell was closely identified with the 'Parkwood' reunion last February, when several hundred descendants of the Southwell family assembled.
Mr. James Southwell and family will receive the sympathy of a very wide circle of friends. The surviving members are Rev. Norman Southwell, Roseville, Sydney, Mr. Aubrey Southwell (Griffith); Mr. Guilford Southwell (Hunters Hill); Mary (Mrs. A. McPherson), Hunters Hill; Cecilia (Mrs. W. Donnelly), Hunters Hill; Elsie (Mrs S. W. Kilby), Westridge, Canberra. One daughter, Stella (Mrs. Ambrose Tyler), is deceased.
The funeral will take place at the Methodist Cemetery, Weetangerra, this (Wednesday) morning at 11 o'clock.
[Canberra Times,Wed 10 August 1938, p. 5]