Australian Royalty: Genealogy of the colony of NSW

The Saunter family arrived as bounty immigrants aboard the ship Maitland in Nov 1838.
-- David Saunter a native of Northeham Sussex son of Robert Saunter of the same place - beadle of the Parish, a farm labourer age 35, good health bur remains in quarantine with one child, Church of England, could not read or write.
-- Emma Saunter a native of Saunders Kent daughter of Edward Chandler of the same place, labourer, a dairy woman age 25 in April 1838, of delicate health, Church of England, can read a little.
---- Edward 6 years at quarantine
---- David 4 years in Aug 1838
---- William 2 years in April 1838
---- Robert 11 months
---- Emma 7 years, died at sea on 10 Jul 1838

David, an agricultural labourer from Sussex with wife Emma, a dairy maid from Kent and children William, David Jr. Edward, Robert and Emma all emigrated from Gravesend arrived in the colony aboard the ship 'Maitland', arriving 16 Nov 1838. On the voyage the eldest child, a girl aged 7, died of typhoid and was buried at sea.

Name Susannah Martin
Marriage Date 1869
Marriage Place Ryde, New South Wales
Registration Date 1869
Registration Place Ryde, New South Wales, Australia
Spouse
David Souter
Registration Number 3415

David worked as a sawyer at Camden Haven and then at Hamilton near Port Macquarie in the timber mill of Hibbard and Haines. Hibbard and Haines arrived on the Hastings in 1879 with timber mill equipment aboard a paddle wheel steam punt from Camden Haven, after crossing the Bar came to rest in the mangroves near the now Settlement City area. When refloated a site for the mill was established at Hamilton, now known as Hibbard.

MR. DAVID SONTER, SEN.
Death claimed another worthy old citizen on Wednesday last, when Mr. D. Sonter, sen., passed away at his residence, Hibbard, aged 88 years. Deceased was born in England, and came to Australia with his parents when a child. His early years were spent at Parramatta, and when he was still a youth he had charge of an eight-horse team engaged in the carrying trade to the western districts. This was before the days of railway extension over the Blue Mountains, and the young teamster used to load up with supplies for the western stations, and make the long trek back to the city carrying wool, hides, etc. The life was not devoid of incident, as it was the time when Ben Hall, frank Gardiner, and their merry men kept life from becoming too monotonous to travellers. Mr. Sonter never suffered any harm at their hands, as they were generally after bigger game than teamsters, but he could relate many incidents of their lawless adventures in those far off days. Mr. Sonter married Miss Susannah Martin, of Parramatta, and, quitting the road, he followed for a time the life of an orchardist. Tiring of that, he came in a sailing vessel to this district in the early days of the timber industry, going to work for Fagan Bros. at Camden Haven. When Mr. J. Hibbard established his mill at Hamilton Mr. Sonter entered his service, being engaged to fall timber for the mill. Eventually he started carting firewood for the town, and for many years past he had been engaged in that work, which he only relinquished a month or two prior to his death. He was steady and reliable, and very punctual in carrying out his contracts with householders. And he was no decrepit old wreck playing at work, but hale and hearty almost to the last, and looked 25 years younger than his age. He was indeed a marvellous old man, of a type that we fancy is nearly extinct, although we still have some old veterans surviving amongst us, we are pleased to say. Like most men whose lives have been little troubled by bodily ailments, Mr. Sonter's break-up was sudden and complete when it did occur. Deceased's wife survives him, as do also eight of their 11 children, viz. Messrs. David, Eli and Stephen Sonter (Port Macquarie), Havelock (Sydney), Mrs. W. Scott (Heron's Creek), Mrs. A. Edwards (Hamilton), Mrs. L. Campbell (Koree Island), and Mrs. A. Staples (Hibbard). We extend our sympathy to the bereaved relatives.
The funeral took place on Thursday, and was largely attended, the remains being interred in the Church of England section of the West Port Macquarie cemetery. The Rev. H.B. Madden conducted the funeral service.