Birth not found on VIC Birth Index. Copy of original birth certificate seen.
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QLD Death Index
Harry Chatfield 07/01/1939 Ann Pocock & Harry Chatfield 1939/C 453
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Supposition: First wife may have died well before that shown of 1937 and he remarried 2nd wife and whilst he lived with Ada Russell and had children they did not get married until 2nd wife had died in 1935. The Court case in 1893 is not clear as the papers are not yet available, as at Feb 2012, only a resume seen.
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Find A Grave Memorial# 95652564
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The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : Wednesday 1 February 1939)
OBITUARY
WHEN Harry CHATFIELD, aged 82, passed over the horizon at Herberton on January 7, there closed the remarkable life story of a remarkable man. A Victorian by birth, he started out early along the tracks that led inland to the frontier outposts, first with Cobb and Co., and then on his own. His activities led him as far north as the Territory, and then back to the mining fields in Northern Queensland. Perhaps the region that knew him best was the wild, semi-civilised districts west from Port Douglas and Cairns. Here Chatfield left behind when finally he laid his whip down, a host of friends, a wealth of memories. Many still remember that long, weary mail route that began at Port Douglas, went up a mountain side, and twisted its way over the Mitchell, Granite Creek, on to and beyond the Atherton Tableland, past Herberton, Mont Albion, the Tate, Georgetown, into Croydon."THE OUTSIDER."
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Cairns Post (Qld. : Saturday 14 January 1939)
OBITUARY.
MR. HARRY CHATFIELD.
HERBERTON. January 11.
Mr. Harry Chatfield passed away after a long illness at his home in Herberton on Saturday last, January 7, at the age of 82 years (he would have been 83 in March next).
The late Harry Chatfield was born in Castlemaine, Victoria, and with his passing is gone not only one of the sturdy pioneers of the mining field and outback Queensland, but the last and one of the greatest "whips" of Australia.
At the age of 16 years he was driving for Cobb and Co. in the Riverina but for a reason never explained he left this celebrated firm and started business as a mail and coaching contractor. He drove teams throughout New South Wales and Queensland and there was scarcely a mining town in Queensland where he with his four horse teams were not known. More than 50 years ago he drove a load of prospectors and miners from Aramac to a reputed gold find in the Northern Territory, which turned out a duffer. His sense of direction was uncanny. A passenger of 40 years ago relates that he once, on a dense, black night, took a short cut through trackless bush, driving a team of four, and safely reached his destination. The passenger commented on the marvelous sight the driver must have. "No," replied Mr. CHATFIELD, "it is that I have perfect understanding with my horses. I can feel their thoughts and fears through the reins."
He came to North Queensland about 60 years ago and carried out mail contracts, between the mining towns included in what are now the Herberton, Chillagoe and Hodgkinson fields, often in strong competition with the firm of Cobb and Co.
He had livery stables at Atherton and Herberton, and about 25 years ago became interested in land at Evelyn, where he resided with his family. He took up permanent residence in Herberton a few years ago.
He is survived by a widow, three sons and two daughters--- Harry (Cooktown), Reuben (Evelyn), Edward (Herberton), and Mrs. Richards and Mrs. Jarred. The funeral took place on Sunday, the deceased being laid to rest in the Herberton cemetery, Rev. Stevens, of the Presbyterian ministry, officiating at the graveside.
Probate of the will of Harry CHATFIELD, late of Herberton, farmer, who died at Herberton on January 7, 1939. was granted by the Registrar (Mr. J. Shannon) at the Supreme Court on Monday to Ada Eleanor CHATFIELD, of Herberton, widow, and Gilbert Fetter, of Herberton, accountant. Sworn at realty £1,499, personalty £417.
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OCCUPATION: Coach Driver for Cobb & Co & Chatfield Coaches
Farmer on retirement from coaching: Description and Situation of Land. — Portion 148, and subdivisions 1 and 2 of portion 51V, county of Cardwell, parish of Herberton.
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Morning Post (Cairns, Qld. : Tuesday 17 December 1901)
Chatfield's Coaches.
The many old friends of Mr Harry Chatfield will be glad to hear that he has secured the contract for the running of the Dimbulah- Thornborough line of coaches. He runs a daily service, and the rates will be reduced from the 1st January next. It has been stated that Mr Chatfield undercut the previous contractor; but this is not so, as, having regard to the reduced mileage of actual coaching, his price is considerably higher. He has also made arrangements with the railway authorities at Lappa to take on mails and passengers from there to Mount Garnet daily, meeting the Mount Garnet train at California Creek.
Handbills will shortly be destributed giving particulars in connection with the routes and fares.
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Cairns Morning Post (Qld. : Saturday 29 August 1908)
Harry Chatfield is doing a roaring trade at his Range Hotel, Herberton. (Due to building of railway line)
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Cairns Post (Qld. : Monday 6 February 1911)
Mr. Harry CHATFIELD, Herberton, left for Townsville on Saturday 4th Feb. (Not permanent)
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Cairns Post (Qld. : Saturday 2 February 1918)
Harry CHATFIELD, who has run coaches in all parts of Queensland, is selling out of his coaching business to T. Galloway and C. Kidner. Harry has been connected with coaching lines as driver and owner for over 42 years, and to many thousands his name will conjure up the recollection of tedious journey converted into a pleasant outing by the quaint quips and laughable practical jokes of the jovial Jehu on the box.
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Cairns Post (Qld. : Monday 26 March 1923)
Accident to Mr. H. Chatfield.
Our Herberton correspondent advises that Mr. Harry Chatfield senior, was brought in to Herberton on Wednesday morning by the train from Kaban. He had been bringing in his cream from his farm at Evelyn in the buggy, and when leaving the station at Kaban, on a nasty piece of road the buggy tipped and the young horse Mr. Chatfield was driving, becoming frightened, capsised the buggy, and Mr. CHATFIELD, was thrown out. He is progressing very favourably at the Herberton Hospital, but still very sore. Luckily no bones were broken, but he was very badly bruised, and suffered greatly from shock.
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Cairns Post (Qld. : Thursday 29 December 1932)
Mr. Harry CHATFIELD, senr., was a visitor to town this week.
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Cairns Post (Qld. : Saturday 20 July 1935)
Coaching Old Timer.
Mr. Harry CHATFIELD, a resident of Mareeba many years ago, passed through Cairns to Herberton on Friday, and during his short stay renewed the acquaintance of many former friends. Mr. CHATFIELD, who has now reached the age of 79 years, conducted a coaching business in his younger days, plying his trade between Georgetown and Normanton and many other outback centres, and was one, of the greatest rivals to that well-known company, Messrs. Cobb and Co. Carrying his age remarkably well, Mr Chatfield has been holidaying on the coast, and is returning to Herberton, where he has resided for a good many years. - Our Mareeba correspondent.
