DR. SINCLAIR & MARY BLUE
DR. WILLIAM A.S. BLUE
Sinclair Blue was born c. 1817 in Glasgow, Lanarkshire, Scotland.
On the 7th day of June 1839, he married Mary Belworthy Cox at St George in the East, England. (ancestry 2016)
On the 7th day of June 1839, he married Mary Belworthy Cox at St George in the East, England. (ancestry 2016)
Sinclair was one of Strathalbyn's first Doctors. (Tucker 2020)
Sinclair died on the 24th day of May 1866, at Strathalbyn, South Australia, aged 49 years. His cause of death was general debility and serious effusion on the brain. (ancestry 2016) (Southern Argus 2026)
It was reported that Dr. Herbert was so concerned with the condition that he telegraphed Dr. Taylor of Goolwa. He was about to make the journey to Strathalbyn when he received another telegram to advise that Dr. Blue had passed away. (Southern Argus 2026)
Dr. Blue was described as 'foremost amongst the active and enterprising residents of Strathalbyn' that he would be 'long remembered in the circle in which he moved.' (Southern Argus 2026)
It was reported that Dr. Herbert was so concerned with the condition that he telegraphed Dr. Taylor of Goolwa. He was about to make the journey to Strathalbyn when he received another telegram to advise that Dr. Blue had passed away. (Southern Argus 2026)
Dr. Blue was described as 'foremost amongst the active and enterprising residents of Strathalbyn' that he would be 'long remembered in the circle in which he moved.' (Southern Argus 2026)
Above: Article from the Southern Argus, Sat 26 May 1866. Image c/o Trove
From 1878, Mary lived in a cottage on the corner of North Parade and High Street. She acted as a dispenser for her son William, who was also a doctor.
Mary died on the 17th day of April 1895, at South Australia, aged 83 years. (ancestry 2016)
William Archibald Sinclair Blue was born on the 10th day of January 1847, at Poplar, London, England.
He was baptised on the 19th day of January 1848 at Poplar All Saints, England.
He was baptised on the 19th day of January 1848 at Poplar All Saints, England.
On the 24th day of October 1872, he married Catherine 'Kitty' Gollan Gordon, at the residence of Donald Gollan at Point Sturt, South Australia.
They had four children: Sinclair in 1875, Archibald in 1877, William in 1879, and Shylie in 1882. (ancestry 2016)
They had four children: Sinclair in 1875, Archibald in 1877, William in 1879, and Shylie in 1882. (ancestry 2016)
Above: Dr. William A.S. Blue. Image c/o ancestry.com.au
William served as the Mayor of Mount Barker, and the Returning Officer for the District of Mount Barker. He was also prominent in the local Masonic Lodge. (The Chronicle 1896)
William was involved in a very serious vehicle accident and was forced to relinquish his practice to seek rest. He moved to Adelaide, but on the improvement of his health, he returned to Strathalbyn. (The Chronicle 1896)
William was regarded as one of the most accomplished amateur actors in the colony of South Australia. He appeared in comedies, operettas, and farces. (The Chronicle 1896)
He also bred and raced horses. One of those was Shylie Bawn, the mother of the famous Confidence. William was known as one of the best-known cross-country riders in the district. (The Chronicle 1896)
William also served as a lay reader at Christ Church, Strathalbyn. (Christ Church 2016)
Above: ChristChurch Strathalbyn. Image c/o VK5PAS
In August 1869, numerous members of the Church of England met in the Strathalbyn Courthouse to discuss the erection of a church. During the meeting, William was among the performers who sang two songs. (Christ Church 2016)
William died on the 18th day of September 1896 at his sister's residence at Strathalbyn, South Australia, aged 49 years. (ancestry 2016) (The Chronicle 1896)
Above: article from The Chronicle, 26th September 1869. Image c/o Trove
William was described as being 'a household name in Strtahalbyn and the neighbouring towns.' (The Chronicle 1896)
References.
- ancestry. (2016). Ancestry® | Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History Records. In Ancestry.com.au. https://www.ancestry.com.au/ [Accessed 26 Jul 2026]
- Christ Church, Strathalbyn – Strathalbyn Anglicans. (2016). Strathalbynanglicans.Org.Au. https://strathalbynanglicans.org.au/history/a-short-history-of-christ-church-strathalbyn-south-australia/ [Accessed 26 Jul 2026]
- The Southern Argus, (2026). Nla.Gov.Au. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/9480452?searchterm=william%20blue%20%2b%20strathalbyn [Accessed 26 Jul 2026]
- The Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1965) - 26 Sep 1896 - p24. (2026). Trove. https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/8447723?searchterm=william%20blue%20%2b%20strathalbyn [Accessed 26 Jul 2026]
- Tucker; C, 2020, Strathalbyn Buildings