# William John Nelson

William John Nelson (5 JAN 1855 – 14 JUL 1947); child of Robert Nelson and Elizabeth Debenham; born in Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia; married Harriett Rebecca Barber; died in Nambucca Heads, New South Wales, Australia.

**Lifespan:** 5 JAN 1855 – 14 JUL 1947

## Parents
- [Robert Nelson](/p/robert-nelson-82889.md) (father)
- [Elizabeth Debenham](/p/elizabeth-debenham-82890.md) (mother)

## Spouses
- [Harriett Rebecca Barber](/p/harriett-rebecca-barber-82888.md) — m. SEP 1877

## Timeline
- 5 JAN 1855 — **Born** at Kempsey, New South Wales, Australia — Fifth of seven children of Robert Nelson jnr and Elizabeth, who arrived from England in 1852 and farmed at Christmas Creek, Macleay River
- 14 JUL 1947 — **Died** at Nambucca Heads, New South Wales, Australia — Died suddenly at his home, Nambucca Heads, after a three-day illness, aged 92
- 16 JUL 1947 — **Buried** at Nambucca Heads, New South Wales, Australia — Nambucca Heads cemetery, after a service at St Stephen's Church; a Methodist lay preacher for over 30 years
- **Occupation** — Sawmiller, farmer and builder: fireman and engine driver at a Kempsey sawmill (1877), manager of Hennessy's mill, Kempsey, then building contractor; farms at Clybucca and Warrell Creek; built his Nambucca Heads home in 1917

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