Death of Pioneer Recalls Age-Old Controversy

31 August 1948 The Tumut and Adelong Times 

Origin of "Clancy of The Overflow"

Mrs. Teresa McNamara, widow of the man who, according to one school of thought, was "Clancy of the Overflow," has died at Cloncurry, aged 93.

She was also the sister of James Troy, said to be "The Man From Snowy River".

For more than 50 years Mrs. McNamara had lived in the Cloncurry district.

Her husband, Thomas, died three years ago at the age of 97. 

The Troys were an old New South Wales pioneering family. 

Mrs. McNamara had 13 children and 60 descendants. Four of her sons own Queensland pastoral properties.

Andrew ("Banjo") Patterson wrote "The Man From Snowy River" in 1895. He was born at Molong In 1864. 

50-Year Dispute 

For more than 50 years people have argued about the identity of the men who inspired "Clancy of the Overflow" and "The Man From Snowy River".

The arguments have never been resolved. It has been contended just as hotly that Patterson's characters were only fictional.

"The Man From Snowy River" has certainly died many "deaths" and his "obituary" has appeared in many Australian papers. 

Some quarters have given credit to the claim of Mr. Thomas McNamara that he was Clancy and his brother-in-law Jim Troy the man from the Snowy Married at Tumut Mrs. Teresa McNamara's parents, Nicholas Troy and Mary McNamara, were married at Tumut in 1844.

Of eight children, only surviving member is Catherine (Mrs. M. T. Carberry), of Manly, late of Cootamundra. 

Nicholas Troy settled on the land at Toolis Creek, Wagga, shortly after his marriage.

His eldest daughter, Mrs. Edward Kean, was pioneer of the first Back to Wagga celebrations.

His great great grandson was recently ordained to the priesthood at Cootamundra, Rev. Father Edward Lloyd.