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Continued: EDWARD THOMAS REYNOLDS FANNING c.1820 - 1870 (40) Edward Fanning was born on the Island of Jersey, England. He spent some time inValparaiso in Chile but there is no record of when he went or how long he lived there. He migrated to Australia aboard the Morley as a free settler, steerage passenger, arriving on December 26 1840. He moved to Maitland about 1843 and became bandmaster of the Maitland Teetotal Society Band in 1844. There are numerous reports in the local newspaper, The Maitland Mercury, about his activity as bandmaster as follows. Notice 4 Sep 1844 Singleton, NSW, Australia Performed at tea party of the Teetotal Society: "Mr Fanning, of noted fame, has been engaged for the occasion to perform his extraordinary feats on the fiddle and to sing some of his favorite songs. This young man is certainly an amusing person and is justly entitled to all the commendation which has been bestowed upon him." 12 <http://wc.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/> Notice 24 Jun 1845 Maitland, NSW, Australia Entertained Maitland Lodge of Unity (Masonic) Tea Party to celebrate the Festival of St John the Baptist in the lodge room of the Waterloo Inn: "Under the direction of Mr Fanning the musical department was everything that could be desired" About 60-70 attended. Notice 19 Jul 1847 Maitland, NSW, Australia Entertained Tea Party to raise funds for the 'Irish & Scottish Distress' (famine) in the Temple of Concord, after speeches: "Shortly afterward, Mr Fanning was called on for a song, and he sang Tae Workhouse with great comic effect and he followed it with several others. The violin and violincello accompaniments to which were beautifully executed by himself and by his brother musicians, who had treated the company to some fine music throughout the evening. Mr Stapylton sang an old Irish melody, and the Exile of Erin and several other songs were given in the course of the evening. Coffee and refreshments were served up at twelve o'clock at which time scarcely any diminution in the audience was perceptible. After this several other songs were sung by Mr Fanning and some of the visitors and the meeting separated about one o'clock." Packed house: About 400 attended and 50 pounds were raised after expenses. He married the convict Catherine Sullivan September 11, 1843 and they had six children. As you saw previously Catherine had a few problems and they separated late 1850. He does not appear to have remarried but did move to a few new addresses. In 1853 he is shown as living in Bathurst and in 1870 he is listed as a Professor of Music living in Lambton, Newcastle. He died on August 27 1870. His Obituary Notice 1 Sep 1870 in the Newcastle Chronicle THE LATE MR E FANING - On Monday last, the obsequies in connection with the death of this gentleman were performed. Mr Faning died in Lambton on Saturday last and his remains were brought then by the midday train to Newcastle where they were met by a large number of his friends, and these, headed by a band of about 50 performers (composed primarily of Mr Faning late pupils) formed a long procession to the Roman Catholic burial ground, where the deceased was interred. The band played the “Death March in Saul” the whole distance from the station to the cemetery Mr Faning was an old resident in Newcastle and a very able musician. As a preceptor of that art he was not to be surpassed. A large portion of the members of our bands owe their present ability to Mr Faning's instruction. He was the founder of the Newcastle Volunteer band some 9 years ago and also the first band in Maitland about 20 years back and at the time of his death was engaged in forming the Lambton band. Great sorrow is expressed at Mr Faning's sudden removal from amongst us
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