Benjamin Rutter
| Town/City | Trunkey, NSW |
|---|---|
| First name | Benjamin |
| Last name | Rutter |
| Country of Origin | England |
| Date of Birth | 3/11/1855 |
| Year of Arrival in Australia | 1878 |
| Submitted by | Viola Matchett |
Story
Benjamin Rutter was born in 1855 at Catshill, Bromsgrove, Worcester, England, to David Rutter and Mary Rutter (nee Jones). He wasw one of five children.
Benjamin ytrained as a bricklayer in England. He arrived in Maryborough, Queensland on the “Caroline”, October 12, 1878, aged 22.
Six weeks later on the 23 November, he was employed as a bricklayer on the Railway Metropolitan Division at the arte of 10 shillings a day. He continued to work there until his retirement on the 12 March 1916.
Benjamin married Charlotte Ann Frost, daughter of John Frost and Susannah Whiteman on the 6th May 1880 at the Chuch of England, Campbelltown, New South Wales.
They had two children who sadly did not live long – Edith Mary, born Liverpool 1882, died 5th August 1885 of Phthisis, and Benjamin Thomas, born Liverpool, 1884, and died the same year, possibly along with his mother in childbirth.
Twelve months later we find Benjamin marrying again., this time to Charlotte Giles, the daughter of John Giles and Mary MacDougall of Cunninghams Creek, NSW. They married a St Peters Church of England, Campbelltoen on the 9th September 1886.
They had five children; Harriet Lilian, born at Liverpool in 1887; Gertrude Beatrice, born 1889, again a Liverpool; David Joseph, born at Granville in 1891; Arthur Edward, Granville, 1893, and Grace, born c1895 at Picton.
Again Benjamin suffered the loss of his wife, leaving him with a young family. Charlotte died on the 27th February, 1901.
Benjamin himself died in 1919 after an accidental fall and is buried at Rookwood Cemetary. He was described as a Government Bricklayer.