Anderson-Sims Family
William Alexander ANDERSON arrived from Scotland in the early 1840's having completed his trade as a ship's carpenter. In 1844 he married Mary Eliza MILLIGAN of Blakiston; they settled at Battunga where both had previously worked and were eventually able to buy land in the Greenhills area. They had sixteen children, some of whom married into the pioneer families of MOTT, McNAMARA, STACEY, CONNER, WINTER, WEBB and CALDWELL.
William was a versatile colonist, being at various times a blacksmith, farrier, fencer, carpenter and farmer. After his death in 1872 Mary, with the aid of some of her sons, continued farming until 1884 when she retired to live with others of the family in Mount Barker. Many of the descendants of William and Mary still live in Macclesfield and form the fourth and fifth generations of their particular families in this area.
One such descendant who continued to reside locally was Percival, a son of William and Mary, who married Sarah MARRA whose children were Norman, Gladys. Laurel, Alexander, Robert and Vincent.
Alexander married Aileen HALL, and their children: Roger, Raelene, Ian (Joe), Lee, Carol, Marie and Michelle, all went to school in Macclesfield and played sport in local teams. One of Alexander's sons Roger and his wife Terri, and their daughters Danielle and Christian live locally. Roger played cricket, volleyball and football; playing in the 1969 Premiership team. Terri was in the B Grade Netball team which won the Premiership in 1969-70, and later played netball in the Mothers' Club at the local school. Both she and Roger now play bowls. Danielle and Christian have both won Best Player Awards in the Hills Netball Association and have represented the Association at city carnivals. They also played softball for Macclesfield. Danielle has graduated with a Business Administration Certificate while Christian is studying for her Bachelor of Education Degree.
Norman ANDERSON, a son of Percival and Sarah and grandson of William and Mary, married Alice SIMS.
Alice ANDERSON (nee SIMS) traced her ancestry back to Murtha McMAHON and his wife who arrived in 1854. Today, two poplar trees and a ruined sheepfold are all that remain of Tory Banks, a once thriving settlement to the south of Macclesfield on the banks of the River Angas. Among the many Irish names familiar to that area were MOORE, WALSH, BRENNAN, MURPHY, O'CONNOR, O'GRADY and McMAHON. Their children were Mary, Michael and John.
Sadly, when Murtha rode to Strathalbyn to arrange for John's baptism he was killed on the return journey, presumably in a fall from his horse which arrived home riderless. The family moved into Macclesfield and remained there for the rest of their lives. Neither John nor Mary (Min) ever married and were always interested in church and town affairs. During the years 1909-1919 when the convent was closed Mary held religious instruction classes - her 'school' being in J.J. O'MALLEY'S shed on the Bugle Ranges Road.
Alice ANDERSON and Norman have four daughters, Carmel, Christine, Maureen and Anthonette. Maureen and her husband Peter RICHARDSON and their family, Julie (Mrs Paul de BRUIN), Philip and Damien, live locally.
