 William Underwood  from Geelong Advertiser 21 February, 1907 | William Underwood was one of the earliest settlers in the district, coming to Geelong in 1836. He was born on 10 August 1815 in Launceston to convict parents William Underwood and Catherine Lynch. He married Sarah Robinson in 1854. He took a prominent part in municipal government, having been a member of the old Connewarre road board, and later of the South Barwon shire council, where he served from 1874 until 1887. He was a zealous member and committeeman of the Geelong Agricultural Society, and until his health became seriously impaired a couple of years before his death he never missed the annual shows of the society. He was very healthy until he had an attack of paralysis, after which he became an invalid. He purchased crown land in Connewarre which he farmed for 40 years until he died on 2 October 1891 aged 80 years. He added to his initial acquisition as land became available, owning 855 acres when he died. His estate was valued at £5190 which was left to his wife, Sarah, for life and at her death to his children equally. Sarah died on 20 January, 1907 at the age of 82. His farm "Oaklands", was sold on 14 March 1907 for £6,000. William and Sarah were buried together in the Church of England section of the Geelong Eastern Cemetery. Their children were: William — born 1855, died 1858 Christopher — born 1855, died 1941 Sarah Isabella — born 1858, died 1943 William — born 1860, died 1937 Colac Thomas Robinson — born 1861, died 1915 Catherine — born 1864, died 1866 Catherine — born 1866, died 1938 James — born 1868, died 1876 |
The land belonging to William Underwood which was sold at the auction on 14 March 1907 stretched from Breamlea Road and Shaws Lane in the west to the lake and from Belchers Road in the north to Bluestone School Road in the south. Barwon Heads Road ran through the farm. The Connewarre Presbyterian Church was built in 1916 on the south western corner of allotment G section XII on land donated by David Polly.
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