Donald and Rebecca Cameron

Donald Cameron was born in November 1815 in Resolis, Rosshire, Scotland.  He emigrated from England in 1854 and arrived in Sydney, New South Wales in 1855 before continuing on to Moreton Bay, arriving 19 January 1855.

The Ship's list of assisted immigrants showed that Donald Cameron, labourer, aged 38 and his wife Rebecca aged 29 were passengers on the ship with their children, Hugh (9), William (5) and Jane (2). Donald and Rebecca were both noted as being able to read and write and Hugh was able to read. The family’s religion was noted as Presbyterian. By 1860, Donald worked in Ipswich as a carpenter. He died aged 47 on 16 June 1863 at his home on Race-course road.

Rebecca, daughter of Donald and Isabel Fraser was born ca.1824 in Stratherrick, Inverness, Scotland. She died on 28 September 1867 at Race-course Road, Ipswich at the age of 42 from Cancer of the Womb. She is buried at the Ipswich Cemetery.

They had six children:

• Hugh was born in Inverness on 1 February 1845
• William was born in Inverness in 1847. He moved to Sydney where he raised a family of four boys
• Jane was born 21 February 1852 in Nairnshire in Scotland
• Donald Davidson was born in April 1855. He moved to Victoria and died at Beaufort in 1913
• James was born in Ipswich, Queensland, his birth was registered on 11 September 1857. James died on 10 August 1894.
• Alexander Frazer's birth was registered on 28 February 1860

Alexander Fraser Cameron was born in Ipswich 28 February 1860.  Alexander married Sarah Reedy on 31 March 1881 at the Presbyterian Manse in Ann Street, Brisbane. Alexander was working at Ripley before or about the time of his marriage to Sarah. Sarah and Alexander's children included James Alexander Vincent, Thomas Patrick, Bridget Agnes and Annie Virginia. They were amongst the last children to attend the Ripley School between 1922 and its closure in July 1930.

Portion 193 at Ripley which was known as Stewardale was owned by G. Stewart and was later owned by the Corrigan’s.  Alexander managed the block for Corrigan and he was studmaster of Corrigan's ponies and won prizes at Ipswich shows with them.  The 1894-1905 Post Office Directories list him as a grazier at Ripley and in 1905 he lived on Portion 11. Later (during the 1920's) T.J. Cameron and family lived on Portion 193. Alexander died on 18 February 1936 in Brisbane and was buried in Ipswich.