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John McFadyen (1833–1900)

by Chris Cunneen

This article was published:

John McFadyen, by Charleston Studios, Newcastle, n.d.

John McFadyen, by Charleston Studios, Newcastle, n.d.

John McFadyen (1833 -1900) coal miner and trade union leader

Birth: 2 October 1833 on the island of Tyree, Argyllshire, Scotland, son of Allan MacFadyen, farmer, and Amelia Emilia, née Stewart. Marriage: 12 July 1860 at Pit Town [Wallsend], Newcastle, New South Wales, to Margaret McKinnon. They had five sons and five daughters. Death: 11 September 1900 at Lambton, Newcastle, NSW. Religion: Presbyterian. 

  • Arrived in NSW about 1858. Worked at the Borehole Colliery for three or four years, then at the Tomago Mines and at Minmi. Leaving Minmi when the pit was flooded, he moved to Anvil Creek, then about 1865 to Lambton where he worked for the rest of his life for the Scottish Australian Mining Company at the Lambton Colliery. In latter years was miners’ checkweighman.
  • District treasurer of the Northern District Colliery Employees’ Federation.
  • Evinced a deep interest in the work of friendly societies. Was a member of the Freedom Lodge of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows, the United Ancient Order of Druids, Lambton, and the Rose of Australia Lodge.
  • Cause of death pneumonia.

Additional Resources and Scholarship

  • funeral notice, Newcastle Morning Herald (NSW), 12 September 1900, p 8
  • funeral, Newcastle Morning Herald (NSW), 13 September 1900, p 4

Related Entries in NCB Sites

Citation details

Chris Cunneen, 'McFadyen, John (1833–1900)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/mcfadyen-john-32542/text40390, accessed 14 March 2025.

© Copyright People Australia, 2012

John McFadyen, by Charleston Studios, Newcastle, n.d.

John McFadyen, by Charleston Studios, Newcastle, n.d.

Life Summary [details]

Alternative Names
  • MacFadyen, John
Birth

2 October, 1833
Tyree, Argyll, Scotland

Death

11 September, 1900 (aged 66)
Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia

Cause of Death

pneumonia

Cultural Heritage

Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Occupation or Descriptor
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Workplaces