Mark Paten of Canberra and a descendant of the Harris and Lane families has recorded the details of the headstones in the Harris family cemetery at Bennett Springs outside Cowra, and has provided these notes. The photograph to the left shows the layout.
The 6 graves at Bennett Springs are:
1) Sarah Dower (nee Newham), died 28 December 1853
2) Francis Harris, died 22 May 1892;
3) Ellen Harris (nee Dower) died 8 February 1880
4) Francis Harris Jr. born 1849, died 16 January 1896;
5) Henry Harris, born 1857, died 8 July 1927,
6) John Adam Dower, born 3 October 1834, died 6 August 1892.
There are 3 known convict ancestors, Richard Newham arrived March 11, 1803, (“HMS Glatton”), Mary Burnett arrived April 11 1806, (“William Pitt”), and John Dower arrived 19 February 1821, (“Lord Sidmouth”).
Dicky Newham’s crime was “Sheep Stealing”. He was originally sentenced to death but in accordance with usual practice at the time for lesser offences, that was commuted to 14 years transportation. Mary Burnett who at the time was married to Benjamin Burnett was charged with “stealing as a lodger” stealing blankets, sheets etc. She was sentenced to 7 years transportation. Newham and Burnett married on 7 February 1807 at St. John’s Church of England, Parramatta. They had 7 children, The second was Sarah born at Parramatta on 31 March 1809.
Sarah was almost 14 years of age when she married John Dower on 4
In loving memory
of
Francis Harris
died 22nd may 1892
aged 79 years
Dearest father thou has left us/
we thy loss most deeply feel/
but tis god who hath bereft us/
he can all our sorrows heal/
oh silent grave to thee we trust/
this precious part of earthly dust/
guard it safely sacred tomb/
till we his children ask for room.
January 1823 at St John’s Church Parramatta. John Dower and his brother Martin were convicted of highway robbery at Waterford Ireland in July 1819 and both sentenced to transportation for life. John and Sarah had 4 children, 3 girls and 1 boy.
The second girl Ellen was born 14 July 1830, married Francis Harris at St Saviours Anglican Church, Goulburn on 18 February 1846. Francis had arrived free, emigrating from Devonshire, England on 4 February 1841, (“Marquis of Hastings”).
In
Loving memory of
Henry Harris
Died 8th July 1927
Aged 70 years
You have gone from this world of toil and care/To be with Jesus! And there to share/His kingly presence and kindly love/In that glorious heaven above/
Francis Harris was granted title to Bennett Springs in 1854 but had lived there before the title was granted evidenced by the grave of Sarah Dower (Ellen’s mother) who died 28 December 1853.
Francis and Ellen Harris had 14 children all born at Bennett Springs – 2 died in infancy. 2 sons Henry and Francis Jr are buried in the family cemetery.
Sacred
to the
memory
of
Sarah Dower
who departed this life
December 28th 1853
aged 45 years
leaving 7 children
to lament their loss
In Loving Memory of
John Adam Dower
Died 8th Aug 1892
Aged 57 years
Father in thy tender keeping/
Leave we now our loved one sleeping.
In loving memory
Of
Francis Harris jr.
Died 16th January 1896
Aged 47 years
Tis hard to break the tender cord/
When love has bound the heart/
Tis hard so hard to break the words/
We for a time must part/
Dearest loved one we have laid thee/
In the peaceful graves embrace/
But thy memory will be cherished/
Till we see thy heavenly face.
Sacred
to the memory of
Ellen Harris
who departed this life
February 8th 1880
aged 50 years
Fare you well my husband and children dear/
i leave you all behind/
I hope the world will be to you/most merciful and kind.
To see the earlier notes by George
and Emelie Harris about the Harris
family and Bennett Springs, as well
as the Harris Outline Descendant Tree,