Archibald McEACHERN 1820-1896 was b. 1820 Morven, Argyllshire, Scotland, son of Hugh & Mary McEACHERN and arrived with family members on the "Btitish King" at Sydney, NSW in 1839. His 1896 obituary oulines some of his movements...
DEATH OF AN OLD COLONIST.
Mr. Archibald MacEachern, who departed this life at his late residence, Funnary, Strathdownie West, on Thursday morning, was a very old colonist. He was born near Morven, Argyleshire, Scotland. At the age of 19 he migrated to New South Wales with his family, where he saw a good deal of the stirring times when bushranging was rampant throughout that colony. He stayed a few years in New South Wales, but eventually crossed over to Victoria and entered the employment of Messrs. T. & A. Chirnside, on whose behalf he selected Mount William station. Not long afterwards, in conjunction with his brothers, he devoted himself to squatting pursuits iu the Western District of Victoria, and at one time the MacEachern family owned the following valuable properties :--East and West Strathdownie, Heathfield, Kangaroo, Morven, and Knebsworth. For some years he conducted a butchering business in Portland, and afterwards started a drapery business, neither of which proved very successful. He was a staunch member of the Presbyterian Church, which he supported to the best of his ability. Deceased was twice married, and leaves four sons and one daughter to mourn his loss. Though in bad health for several years, Mr. MacEachern was only confined to his bed for a few weeks.
The remains were interred in the Dartmoor Cemetery on Sunday afternoon, and the funeral was largely attended. The service was conducted by Mr. Werne. A number of beautiful wreaths, including one made of wild flowers, and supplied by intimate friends, were placed on the coffin. Mr. McEachern was in his 76th year."The Border Watch" (Mount Gambier, SA) Saturday, 29th August 1896.
Mary McARTHUR ~1829-1861 was b. ~1829 Strathlachan, Argyllshire, Scotland, daughter of Donald McARTHUR & Ann McCALLUM.
Archibald McEACHERN was first married in 1853 at "Strathdownie East" station to Mary McARTHUR and they had four children from 1854-1859 before Mary McEACHERN died at "Strathdownie East" station in 1861 and was buried in the "Heathfield" station cemetery as were two of her children.
Archibald McEACHERN & Mary McArthur had the following children...
After the death of his first wife Archibald McEACHERN married again in 1866 at "Strathdownie East" station to Valentine Margaret Ann MORRISON 1843-1881, daughter of Robert McLEAN MORRISON and Mary McNicol McLEAN who were teachers at Digby, S-W Victoria in the 1850s.
Archibald and his second wife had seven children from 1867-1881 before his wife Valentine McEACHERN died at Strathdownie West in 1881 and was buried in the Dartmoor cemetery. Archibald died at his residence "Funnary" Strathdownie West in 1896 and was also buried in the Dartmoor cemetery.
Archibald McEACHERN & Valentine Margaret Ann MORRISON had the following children...