Reverend John Vidler, Free Settler “Maitland” 1838

For an extensive history of John Vidler, see Trove Newspapers; The Methodist (Sydney NSW) Saturday 22 July 1905, Page 2, "A Methodist Pioneer. John Vidler of Jamberoo", by Rev. J Bryant.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/155378198?searchTerm=%22...

VIDLER, John

Birth : 19 SEP 1801 Sandhurst, Kent; Death : 17 APR 1892 Jamberoo, NSW; Parents: Father: VIDLER, William; Mother: COPPER, Mary.

Family: 1st Marriage: 27 DEC 1824 in Sandhurst, Kent

Spouse: ROUSLEY, Harriet T.

Birth : 1801 Sandhurst, Kent; Death : 17 SEP 1833 Sandhurst, Kent.

Children VIDLER, John; VIDLER, Samuel

Family: 2nd Marriage: 25 MAR 1836 in Rye, Sussex

Spouse: EILDEN, Mercy

Birth : 1801 Benenden, Kent; Death : 17 FEB 1891 Jamberoo, NSW

Children:

VIDLER, Thomas Collins; Birth : 27 MAR 1837 Sandhurst, Kent; Death : 17 SEP 1838 At sea.

VIDLER, Joseph; Birth : 22 DEC 1839 Dapto, NSW; Death : 2 MAY 1841 Dapto, NSW.

VIDLER, Charles Wesley

VIDLER, Elizabeth Emily

VIDLER, William James Newton

VIDLER, Stephen Eilden

...

The Methodist (Sydney NSW) SAT 14 MAY 1892

JOHN VIDLER.

The late Mr. John Vidler was born at Sandhurst, in the County of Kent, England. He was born in 1801, and was converted under the Rev. John Smith. With characteristic earnestness the youthful convert immediately threw himself into church work. It was not long before the name of John Vidler appeared on the Sandhurst circuit plan as a local preacher.

In 1838, he emigrated to Australia, arriving in Sydney in November. He at once proceeded to the Illawarra district, where he engaged in farming pursuits, and where he lived for the rest of his life, with the exception of a few years spent in the neighbour- hood of Campbelltown, at a place designated by the early settlers, "The Cowpasture," and where, in company with the late Mr. Silas Gill, and other noble men, he carried the Gospel to many a lonely dwelling, and preached it to hundreds who had probably never heard the good news before.

Leaving "The Cowpasture," Mr. Vidler took up a section of land near Jamberoo, and there he continued his career of usefulness as a local preacher. He was the pioneer of Methodism in what is now the thickly populated district of Shoalhaven. He paid regular and frequent visits to Wollongong, Dapto, Kiama, Shellharbour, Gerringong, and other places along the Southern coast.

During the last few years of his long and useful life, he was compelled by the infirmities of old age to retire from active life ; first one distant appointment and then another had to be reluctantly abandoned, and, at last, he had to confine himself entirely to his own immediate locality, and to be content with the Sabbath afternoon service, conducted at Old Place ; and thus he lived on in peaceful retirement, surrounded by those whom he loved best on earth, and looked up to with well deserved respect and esteem by all around him.

He lost his wife about 14 months ago, and although wonderfully strong himself for his years, the old man regarded that as an intimation that his own end was drawing near, for which he expressed himself as being quite prepared, declaring that he was ready to "depart and be with Christ, which is far better."

He passed away on Easter Sunday into the presence of his risen Lord, and his funeral was attended by an assemblage gathered from all parts of the district, and representing all sorts and conditions of men.

...

Family information:

The Kiama Reporter and Illawarra Journal (NSW): Tuesday 16 April 1901;

Obituary.

MRS. EDWIN VIDLER, SEN.

Among the Osbornes, Angels, Owens, Howards, Hyams, Waughs, Harts, Dymocks, Perrotts, Menzies, Woods, Tates, and Hukins, who were undoubtedly the pioneers of Jamberoo, must be placed the name of Vidler, who, a family of five brothers, very early in the history of that important district came from the County of Kent in England and, settling in Jamberoo, took their fair share in subdueing the forest and otherwise assisted in building up one of the important States in the Commonwealth.

They were all married and had large families and a glance at the federal electoral roll discloses the fact that for some time past they have been a power in the State.

Of the five brothers, John, who was commonly and very respectfully called Uncle John, was decidedly the patriarch of the family, being a very acceptable local preacher in the Wesleyan Church, and as all of them acknowledged their allegiance to the same Church they rendered it good service in its infancy in the district.

They were all professedly farmers, to which, in some cases, was added a very fair amount of mechanical skill. Being good livers they all attained a ripe old age and the last of the original family, Mrs. Edwin Vidler, departed this life on Thursday last, the 11th instant, having lived into the 10th month of her 88th year.