| The Grenfell Record, Grenfell, NSW, Australia | 22 April 1929 | Margaret Ann Percival was mentioned in an article in The Grenfell Record, Grenfell, NSW, Australia, on Monday, 22 April 1929 as follows:
ONE OF THE MOTHERS OF THE AUSTRALIAN RACE
PIONEER CELEBRATES 90th BIRTHDAY
Her home was on the bushrangers visiting list. Mrs. Margaret Wales who lived at Young for 30 years and was one of the south western pioneers celebrated her ninetieth birthday during the week, says young witness.
The mother of thirteen children she is still hale and hearty. A typical example of the hardy race which blazed the trail in the virgin bush and laid the foundations of the great south-west. Today she surveys with pride descendants whose number total 114. A record which anyone could be justifiably proud. Unlike most of the pioneers who have reached her age Mrs. Wales is an Australian. She was born in Sydney in 1839 a daughter of the late Mr. William Percival who brought his wife and young family in a bullock dray to the heart of the bush among the densely timbered hills of Rye Park. With axe and saw and rude and primitive implements this lion hearted man carved a home for himself and family. He came from hardy stock as did his wife, experienced all the discomforts of living cut off from the warmth almost from civilization and handed down a tradition of industry and good Christian living as well as the gifts of physical strength and longevity.
Mrs. Wales is 90 and her brother Thomas Percival of Boorowa is 87 and her sister, Mrs. Nealon of Grenfell who died on Tuesday was well into her eighties. Such is the reward Mother Nature gives those who work hard in her service. Mrs. Wales had never been under a doctor’s care until she was in her seventies and the family had grown up.
Other members of the family are Oliver, Albert, Fred (Young), Charles, Alfred, Hubert in Sydney, Mrs. Pearsall in Young, Mrs. W. Herrett, Mrs. W. Hourn, Mrs. M. Gannon, Mrs. T. McBeth, Mrs. W. Gabo in Sydney.
There are 50 grandchildren, 43 great grandchildren making a total of 114 descendants.
At 90 Mrs. Wales is enjoying the best of health. She takes a great interest in all current affairs and can discuss them with intelligence and clarity. Always a splendid needlewoman her eyesight today is into fashioning beautiful examples of fancywork is as strong as ever and she travels from one member of the family to another without if assistance.
This old lady now is the sear and yellow leaf. One of the real mothers of a new and virile Australia which has proved itself in every sphere of endeavour. From such pioneers was inherited the sterling qualities of courage, resource, determination and a noble spirit of self sacrifice that overcame all difficulties.3
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