Historical Tumut Stories

Frederick Body

TUMUT - FLOUR MILL

The early farmers grew wheat and maize and later tobacco. Wheat was reaped with the reaping hook and thrashing by the flail, also horses and bullocks were used to tread out the grain. Later, encouraged by the success of the wheat crops, a flour mill was erected in 1846 by Francis Foord and Mr. Moore on the Gilmore Creek.

In 1853 Fred Body erected a stream flour mill at Mill Angle. Mr. Body was storekeeper in Tumut. This mill was at one period operated by Ah. Chee a Chinese businessman, and later by Allsop and Co. In 1863 “Rust” destroyed many of the wheat crops. In 1903 (when the fly came to Tumut) this mill was purchased by G.F. Grill, a storekeeper. He erected a modern mill near the railway at the intersection of the Gundagai and Adelong Roads. This “Old Mill” stood in later years unused, and a landmark until 1964 when it was demolished to make way for a modern Service Station.

Advertisement for Sale of Body’s Flour Mill, Tumut –

Advertisement for the sale of Frederick Body’s Flour Mill, Store and Dwelling-house and two blocks of land located at Tumut-NSW

1865

Waterview Estate, £152 ;

the steam flour mill, Tumut, £2000;

the store and dwelling-house recently occupied by the late Mr. Body, £225 ;

block land, 5 acres 2 roods, Tumut, £50 ;

block land, i acres 2 roods 12 perches. Tumut, £30; allotment, -(Ref- The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Thursday 21 September 1865 Next issue Previous page Page 3).

Frederick E BODY married Miss SOPHIA M J

12512/1858 - BODY, ELIEL A PARENTS FREDERICK E & SOPHIA M J IN TUMUT

Frederick Eliel Body

JOHN ELIHU BODY was the fourth son of Mr T. E. Body, mill owner, of Tumut, and was born at Plymouth, England, in 1845. He was brought to New South Wales with his parents when he was seven years of age. His early education was received at Tumut and Sydney. For a short period after leaving school he engaged in farming, only to leave that to become an apprentice to the milling business under Mr. Henry Hayes, of Wagga Wagga. After his apprenticeship had expired, he remained with Mr. Hayes for a further period of two years, during which he became conversant with all the details of mill working.

In 1872 he came to Cooma and took over the mill erected by Mr. Alexander Montague. This he ran for a number of years until the advent of the railway caused the cessation of wheat growing, as flour was then readily obtained by rail.

He afterwards engaged in a wool, skin, hide, and produce business. He was appointed a member of the Land Board in 1885, and occupied that position for many years.- He was on various occasions an Alderman of the Municipality, and was Mayor in 1893. He married a Miss Howell through whom he was connected with many of the pioneer families. He died a number of years back.

Of his sons, one, Mr. J. E. Body, carries on in Cooma his father's business, which has grown to large dimensions, and another, Mr. C. K. Body, is Chief Clerk in the Divorce Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court. A brother, Mr. Edmund Body, at one time owned Jindabyne West Station

To INDEX