b 1876 at “Oakbank” Gullengutta, Warialda district near Graman NSW

(parents: Alexander Dill Gamble and Fanny O’Donnell)

d 10 March 1894 at Warialda Hospital NSW

Aged 17 years

Interred Church of England Section, Old Pioneer Cemetery, Warialda NSW

Although the grave is no longer recognisable, there is a plaque on the memorial wall in the old cemetery. (Incorrect date of death shown as 1st October)

Known as Jessie, the fifth daughter and eighth child of the family and was also educated from the daily lessons delivered by her father from the family Bible.

Jessie was only nine years old when her Mother died.

In December 1888 or early January 1889 aged only 12 years, Jessie conceived an unexpected pregnancy, circumstances about which we are unaware and can only speculate. However, I cannot write this without commenting, that someone was taking advantage of this child’s vulnerability.

In 1889 aged 13 years Jessie gave birth to a son she named Ebor.

On 22 June 1891 aged 1 year 9 months Ebor died of croup which had lasted 5 days, he is buried at Gullengutta (actual site unknown), possibly with Jessie’s mother Fanny and brother Roland.

Jessie remained with her family at “Oakbank” for her entire life.

It was just before Christmas in 1893 while tending to a wood fuelled fire under a boiling copper, that Jessie’s long dress caught alight and she sustained serious burns. The family nursed Jessie at home for two months, the burns became infected and it became necessary to transport Jessie by horse and dray through station property tracks via Graman and Gragin to Warialda Hospital arriving there 1st March 1894.

Devastatingly for the family and all involved Jessie died on 10th March as a result of her burns and exhaustion.