janilye on Family Tree Circles
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Category: EATHER family
The Hell-Ship Neptune 1790
THE name "Neptune" conjures up for, most people the
image of a, benevolent-looking old personageusually to be
seen depicted on the reverse of certain English coinswhose
main characteristic is the possession of a three-pronged fork
known in- mythology as a trident.
To others the term suggests the most distant of the planets, estimated
to be 2,780 million miles from the sun.
In Australian history, however, "Neptune" is identified with a convict
transport ship, a fine vessel of 792 tons, but a hell-ship if ever there-was
one, whose story, conjointly with that of her fellow transports, the Surprise
and the Scarborough, constituted one of the darkest and grimmest pages
in the establishment of the settlement of Port Jackson.
The tragic drama of the Neptune opens with a prologue, the leading
roles falling to John and Elizabeth Macarthur, with Captain John Gilbert
as the arch-villain, the chorus consisting of male and female convicts
and soldiers of the newly-raised N.S.W. Corps.
The scene is set, first at Gravesend, where-the ship lay for
a few days', and then at Plymouth. On board were 421 male and 78 female
convicts; two officersCaptain Nepean and Lieutenant Macarthurand
42 soldiers of the Corps, six convict wives, all free women, 13 children, and
a few passengers.
Amongst the crew was the surgeon, D'Arcy Wentworth, who was himself to be
distinguished in our early history and also in the person of his famous
son, William Charles. Just prior to embarkation, on December 9, 1783, he
had stood his trial at the Old Bailey Sessions for highway robbery, and
been acquitted on this and three later Indictments.
****
THE casus belli between Macarthur and John Gilbert, the captain of
the ship, arose from the former's complaints regarding the location and
fittings of his cabin, and "the stench of the buckets belonging to the
convict women of a morning." Hotter and hotter grew the language: Gilbert
threatened to write to the War Office and have Macarthur and his wife
turned out of the ship; Gilbert gave Macarthur a punch on the breast:
Nepean interfered and patched up the quarrel temporarily. This all happened
at Gravesend.
On the seven days trip round to Plymouth there was another flare-up.
Macarthur accusing the captain of ungentlemanly conduct towards, himself
and his wife, and calling him publicly on the quarter-deckhe had
a fine capacity for vituperation"a great scoundrel." In retaliation,
Gilbert told Macarthur that he had "settled many a greater man than
him," and that he was to be seen on shore, whereupon Macarthur named
4 o'clock at the Fountain Tavern, Plymouth Docks.
They met a duel was foughtapparently a bloodless one
honour was satisfied, and both parties agreed, to live in harmony thereafter.
The wranglings between Macarthur, Nepean, the officers, and Gilbert, not
only continued, but grew in violence, so that the authorities took action
and superseded Gilbert by Captain Donald Traill, who had formerly been a
Master in the Navy under Nelson.
The change, however, appeared to be much for the worse, so that after a
few weeks of misery on the Neptune, the
Macarthurs could stand the conditions no longer, and exchanged to the
Scarborough. The details still survive in Elizabeth Macarthur's Private
Diary.
So much for the Prologue. With the appointment of Traill opens the
main action of the tragedy. The ship was so shamefully overcrowded that
200 seamen deserted before she left England. Conceive the sardine-like
packing of the convicts on the orlop, that is the lowest of the three decks.
Within a space 75 feet long, 35 broad and six feet high, were built the
miserable apartments for housing 40 men, in four rows of cabins one-storey
high, one row on each side of the ship; and two rows down the centre.
These cabins were six feet square.
A simple calculation will show that to each convict was allotted about
36 cubic feet of air space, about the capacity of two coffins of ordinary size.
It was not, however, until February 15 1792, when the report of the
Commissioners of the Navy was published that the whole of the sordid details
relating to the treatment of these "unhappy sacrifices to the justice of their
country" was made public.
On the Neptune was Lieutenant John Shapcote, the naval agent, whose
duty it was to see that the convicts received their full rations and the best
possible treatment. Apparently he failed in his duty. The crew, too, was
very disorderly, and "inclined to be riotous" throughout the voyage.
Before the Neptune left London, Shapcote put all the male convicts into
ironshe was not risking an uprising.
Even while in the river many of them died, their bodies being thrown
overboard. When a search was made for concealed weapons nearly a hundred
knives were found, so overboard they too went, with many of the
convicts' personal belongings, though rumour hath it that Traill and his
officers, appropriated everything of value. To make congestion worse, the
ship was crammed with goods, "ventures" as they were called, being taken
out as speculations by officers of the N.S.W. Corps, with the connivance of
Traill and Shapcote.
The whole voyage was one long horror. Shapcote and the ship's officers
kept every man in irons the whole six months of the voyage, many of them
coupled together, though batches of 50 or 60 were allowed on deck for two
hours each per day. The convict women were better off, having, much
to Mrs. Macarthur's disgust, the full range of the quarter deck and the
poop. At night, however, the ship's company invaded the rooms of the
women, whom they carried off to their own quarters.
****
DEATH soon began to take its toll.
The supply of water, was very limited, washing facilities non-existent.
An outbreak of scurvy and "a violent epidemical fever" killed scores of the
poor unfortunates, some of whom actually died in irons. Sometimes the
deaths were concealed until the stench of the corpses revealed their
presence to the surgeon. By such concealment, the survivors were enabled
to draw and share the rations of the deceased.
Sometimes a living man was discovered chained to a putrefying corpse.
There were 46 deaths on the Neptune before arrival at Cape Town.
Captain Hill, who came out on the Surprise, complained bitterly of the
treatment of the convicts., "The slave trade." he said, "is merciful,
compared with what I have seen in this fleet."
As the contractors, and thc captain of the Neptune were being paid 17/7/6
per head, not for the number of convicts landed, but for the number
shipped, the greater the number of deaths the fewer were the mouths to
feed and the higher the total profit.
Captain Traill, of the Neptune, appears to have been a first-class rogue
and an inhuman monster. On his return to England three of his
quartermasters and seven others of his crew lodged a formal complaint
before Alderman Clark at the Guildhall, that during the voyage he and
William Elrington, the chief mate, had cut down the convicts' water to
half a-pint-a day: that 171,(the official number is 158) died on the
voyage; that many of them were so starved that they had been seen to
take the chews of tobacco from the mouths of corpses; that men stole
and ate the hogs' swill; that on arrival at Botany Bay the captain, and
mate ransacked the convicts' boxes for anything saleable, opened a
warehouse, and disposed of the goods at a high profit;
that the ships swarmed with vermin. To these and other charges the
contractors. Camden, Calvert, and King, replied seriatim, publishing also
Traill's defence, which is not convincing. According to a letter from one
Thomas Evans to Under-secretary King. Traill and Elrington were next
charged before Alderman Boydell with the murder of Andrew Anderson, sixth
mate of the Neptune, Jno. Joseph, the cook, and an unnamed convict. Traill,
however, vanished into smoke, and the case did not come to trial. I cannot
find any details of the allegations beyond the bare affidavit in the
records, though Governor Phillip himself stated that "an enquiry into the
conduct, of the master of the Neptune
will, I make no doubt, have a good
effect. . . . for the convicts were certainly very ill-treated."
****
AT Cape Town further disorders occurred, it being alleged that a
certain Dutch captain and a Major Delisle came on board, ostensibly
to visit Captain Nepean, but in reality, "on account of the female convicts."
Shortly after leaving the Cape, a female convict, "who had constantly,
attended Lieutenant Shapcote"whatever that phrase may implyone morning
between three and four o'clock, came and informed the chief mate that the
agent, was dead. This "untimely death" was never investigated, for as
Traill asserted that the body was very offensive it was cast overboard that,
very morning; To say the least, the circumstances were all very suspicious.
By the time the Neptune reached Sydney 147 men and ll women convicts had died;
another 269 were placed in hospital. "The Governor," wrote one-correspondent,
"was very angry', and scolded the captains a great deal, and I heard
intended to write to London-about it, for I heard him say it was murdering them."
We possess several eye-witnesses' accounts of the landing of this mass
of human misery from the three transports.
The Rev. Richard Johnson, who went aboard one of them, he couldn't face up to
the Neptune, said he found men lying "some half and others nearly quite
naked, without bed or bedding, unable to help themselves"; the stench was
intolerable, dead bodies had been thrown into the
harbour, had drifted ashore, and were lying naked on the rocks; "some
creeped on hands and knees." Some were carried ashore on the backs of
others; "their heads, bodies, clothes, blankets, all full of lice";
within three weeks he had buried "not less than eighty-six."
And so the terrible tale, substantiated to the last detail
by dependable witnesses, draws to its conclusion, and the curtain drops.
Though many months later. Mr.Secretary Dundas informed the
Governor that he had "thoroughly investigated" and "taken the necessary
steps to bring forward the conduct of the parties concerned in the
treatment of the convicts on board the Neptune." no active measures to
sheet home the crime ever took place.
Sources:
Sydney Morning Herald
Saturday 10 February 1945
page 8
Affair of the Neptune
George Mackaness
Transcription, janilye
Family of Jeremiah and Mary Brown New South Wales
Jeremiah BROWN born in Llanidloes, Wales in 1802 and died in Surrey Hills, Sydney on 18 December 1860.
Jeremiah married Mary Burns in Glasgow, Scotland in 1828. Mary died at Taree in New South Wales on the 8 May 1905; she was 96.
Jeremiah was a private with the 4th. Regiment of Foot.
The 4th. Regiment of Foot arrived in Van Diemans Land on the 19 October 1831 on the Larkins.
The couple had 12 children.
1. Mary Brown 1830 1913 never married
2. George Brown 1832 1923 m. Mary Ann GARRARD 1833 - 1891
3. Ellen Brown 1834 1879 m. 1. Thomas BYFORD 1830 - 1854 2. Thomas West DUGDALE 1830 - 1899
4. Benjamin Brown 1837 1878 m. Sarah TEECE 1842 - 1884
5. Grace Brown 1839 1931 m. Robert Cooper WALKER 1833 - 1897
6. Albert Brown 1841 1924 m. Mary Grace SHARE 1843 - 1926
7. Adelaide Brown 1843 1926 m. Henry Edward DENGATE 1841 - 1923
8. Emily Janet Brown 1846 1910 m. William LONGLEY 1841 - 1927
9. Robert Alexander Brown 1849 1911 m. Sarah Jane BUTTSWORTH 1850 - 1941
10. Frederick Wesley BROWN 1851 1935 m. Kate Milner EATHER 1864 - 1941
11. Sydney William Thomas Brown 1854 1934 m. Katherine LAW 1853 - 1913
12. Ann Eva Jessie Brown 1856 1938 m. Thomas West DUGDALE J.P. 1830 - 1899
1. Mary BROWN the 1st daughter eldest child
born around 1829 or 30 perhaps in Glasgow never married
The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 15 March 1913
BROWN. March 10, 1913, at Chatswood, Mary (late Broughton-street, Paddington),
sister of Mrs. H. Dengate, Hopetoun-avenue, Chatswood
NSW.BDM DEATHS 1399/1913 BROWN MARY JEREMIAH MARY CHATSWOOD
The cemetery index shows details given by Nurse Pamenter
Australia Cemetery Index, 1808-2007 about Mary Brown
Name: Mary Brown
Death Age: 85
Birth Date: abt 1828
Death Date: 11 Mar 1913 (this is a burial date)
Death Location: A/c Nurse M Pamenter, Francis, Anderson St, Chatswood
Cemetery: Gore Hill Methodist First Division
Section: Section B Grave 41
Cemetery Location: New South Wales
--------------------------------------------
2. MR. GEORGE BROWN. 1832-1923 the 1st son
OBITUARY
George Brown was born on 21st September 1832,
at Emu Plains.
His father, Mr. Jeremiah Brown, was at
one time assistant superintendent at
Cockatoo Island Penal Settlement,
where there were between 400 and 500
prisoners. He was a very earnest Christian
man, and brought up his family in
close attachment to the church.
George joined the Sunday School at
York Street in his teens, becoming a teacher,
a church member, a member of
the choir. He was superintendent of
the Sunday School for many years.
About the time that Old York Street
Church was demolished (1886) to make
way for the Centenary Hall, Mr. Brown
removed to Ashfield. He at once threw
himself into the active work of the
church, in turn holding almost every
office a layman can fill.
From early years he also busied him
self in the promotion of temperance,
Protestant, and Friendly societies. His
record in connection with the Grand
United Order of Oddfellows is said to
constitute a world's record. He joined
this order on July 11, 1853; thus he
completed seventy years of membership
and office.
Not content with all these interests
and activities of a religious and philan
thropic nature, he offered himself as a
candidate for municipal honours. He
was accepted, and for many years was
an alderman in the Ashfield Council. He
rendered excellent service to the
borough as Mayor in 1909.
In his birth year, there were some
half dozen Methodist ministers, who
were ministering to some few hundreds
of our people in all Australia and Tas
mania. Now there are about 1,100 ministers,
nearly 600,000 worshipers, of whom 152,000 are
members of the Church. Sunday Schools have grown
from very small things, until to-day
there are 3,680 schools, 25,900 teachers,
and 204,000 scholars. Such men as Mr.
Brown have done, a worthy work in con
tributing to this great progress. .
He was an embodiment of the virtues
of industry, fidelity, honour, and kind
liness in all relations with his fellow
men. He loved the House of God, and
sacredly observed the duties of all the
offices to which the church called him.
He was specially interested in the
young people, and was never tired - of
inculcating the advantages of thrift,
sobriety, and faith in God. Until
memory failed, he kept up an intense
interest in the welfare of the church.
Right up to the last he would respond
to prayer or Bible reading. He went
back into a beautiful child-likeness as
the last days crept on. God was good
in giving him the tender care and ministry
which so lovingly surrounded him in age and
growing helplessness. And that was a fitting
reward for his own unselfish service of others.
SOURCE: The Methodist 1 September 1923
NSW.BDM DEATHS;
11157/1923 BROWN GEORGE JEREMIAH MARY ASHFIELD
George married Mary Ann GARRARD 1833-1891
------------------------
3. ELLEN BROWN 1834-1879 the second daughter
The Sydney Morning Herald,Wednesday 22 February 1854
By special license, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Prince-street, on
the 20th instant, by the Rev. J. Eggleston, Mr. T. W. Byford, of
George-street, Sydney, to Ellen, second daughter of Mr. J. Brown,
Assistant Superintendent Cockatoo Island.
Then in November the same year Thomas Byford drowns
Two years later Ellen marries Thomas West DUGDALE.
Ellen dies in 1879 and then Thomas West DUGDALE marries her youngest sister Jessie
NSW.BDM MARRIAGES
V1854425 85/1854 BYFORD THOMAS BROWN ELLEN IA Wesley Methodists
466/1856 DUGDALE THOMAS WEST BYFORD ELLEN SYDNEY
NSW.BDM DEATHS:
4676/1879 DUGDALE ELLEN AGE 45 YEARS DIED GOSFORD BRISBANE WATER
and GUESS WHAT!
She also drowned at sea. On 10 March in the The Bonnie Dundee disaster
The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 14 March 1879
DUGDALE.Drowned at sea, off Newcastle, Ellen, the beloved wife of T. W. Dugdale, J.P., of the Manning River. The Collision between the Barrabool and Bonnie Dundee more stories on TROVE
The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 14 March 1879
FUNERAL NOTICES.
THE FRIENDS of Mr. T. W. DUGDALE, of the
Manning River, are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral
of his late dearly beloved WIFE, Ellen, to move from the residence ot her Brother,
George Brown, 262, Kent-street, between
King and Erskine streets, at half-past 8 o'clock, on SATURDAY
MORNING, the 15th instant.
THE FRIENDS of Mrs. MARY BROWN are respectfully invited to attend the
Funeral of her late beloved DAUGHTER, Mrs. T. W. Dugdale : to move from
the residence of her son, George, 202, Kent-street, at half-past 8 o'clock,
on SATURDAY MORNING, the 15th instant.
THE FRIENDS of Messrs. GEORGE, ALBERT,
and SYDNEY BROWN are respectfully invited to attend the
Funeral of their beloved SISTER, Mrs. T. W. Dugdale ; to move
from the residence of her brother. George. 262, Kent-street, at
half-past 8 o'clock, on SATURDAY MORNING, the 15th instant.
THE FRIENDS of Mr. H. DENGATE are respect fully invited to
attend the Funeral of his SISTER-IN-LAW,
Mrs. T. W. Dugdale ; to move from the residence of her brother,
George, 282, Kent-street, on SATURDAY MORNING, the 15th
instant, at half-past 8 o'clock.
----------------------------------------------------------
4. Benjamin BROWN the 2nd son born in 1837 Baptised at St.Phillips Church of England by Rev. William Cowper. Father states on certificate he was a Private with the 4th Regiment.
Benjamin married Sarah Teece at St Saviours Church of England in Goulburn.
Goulburn Herald Wednesday 23 April 1862
MARRIED
By special license, on 17th instant, by the Rev. W. Sowerby,
BENJAMIN, second son of the late Mr. JEREMIAH BROWN, of Sydney,
to SARAH, eldest daughter of Mr. WILLIAM TEECE, of Goulburn.
Benjamin and Sarah had seven children:-
1. Annie Eva Jessie Brown 1863 1935
2. Emily Adelaide Brown 1864 1953
3. George S. S. V Brown 1867 1945
4. Florence Brown 1869 1951
5. Blanche Maud Brown 1871 1940 (Matron Brown, Katoomba)
6. William Arthur Thomas Brown 1873 1877
7. Alfred Ernest Brown 1876 1949
In the same year Benjamin married he opened a shoe and boot store in Auburn street Goulburn called The Prince of Wales Boot and Shoe Warehouse; next door to the Royal hotel. All went well till September 1868 when he became insolvent. After that I've not found anything till September 1877 when this popped up:-
The Goulburn Herald and Chronicle Wednesday 26 September 1877
GOULBURN POLICE COURT.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22.
Before the police magistrate
Benjamin Brown was charged with threatening
to kill his daughter Eva Brown and others.
Constable Emerton deposed: I arrested defendant
last night in virtue of the warrant produced he
said he did not attempt to stab his daughter that
one of the other children was beating her mother,
and that he ran out to protect her, having a knife in
his hand; he said his wife was out of her mind, and
that they ill-treated her since she came home; I pro
duce a knife which I received from one of the children.
Eva Brown, aged fourteen years, deposed: For the
last month my father has been drinking to excess;
yesterday he was walking about in an excited state
with a knife in his hand he threatened if any
one came in he would find a way to use it; my
mother is quite out of her mind; the knife produced
is the one he had in his hand.
Adelaide Brown, aged twelve years, deposed: My
father has been drinking to excess for the last month
he is violent; yesterday he had a knife, in the sleeve
of his coat; I could see the handle in his hand; he
was not sober; he pushed me down and drew out the
knife; he caught me by the arm; he handed the
knife to my mother and asked her to stick it in him;
I am afraid of him, and so are all the family.
Defendant was ordered to find sureties to keep the
peace for two monthshimself in 50, and two
sureties in 25 each-or to be imprisoned for a like
period, or till such time as the sureties were found.]
Goulburn Herald, 28 September 1878
DEATHS
At Young, on the 24th September, Mr. Benjamin BROWN, late of Goulburn, aged forty-two years.
--------------------------------------
5 Grace BROWN the 3rd. daughter.
The Cumberland Argus, Thursday 3 December 1931
An old resident of Wentworthville, Mrs.
Grace Walker, of Stapleton-street, passed away last week. The late Mrs. Walker,
who was 93, was a widow of the late Mr. Robert Cooper Walker. The funeral took
place on Monday.
The Sydney Morning Herald, Monday 30 November 1931
WALKER.-November 28, 1931, Grace Walker, of
Nitchero, Wentworthville, widow of Robert Cooper
Walker, in her 93rd year.
Grace was born on the 29 March 1839 in Sydney and died on the 28 November 1931 at 'Nitchevo' Stapleton-street, Wentworthville, Sydney.
Her husband, Robert Cooper WALKER was the 6th. of 12 children born to the Rev. James WALKER M.A. 1794 - 1854 and Fanny, nee BILLINGSLEY, 1799 - 1897.
1. Fanny Hannah Waldo Walker 1825 1827
2. Billingsley Edmonds Walker D.A.C.G. 1827 1852
3. James Charles Walker 1829 1896
4. Samuel Billingsley Walker 1831 1916
5. Llyssye Walker 1833 1920
6. Robert Cooper Walker 1833 1897 m.1. Dora Isabell WOLSCH 2. Amelia Bell
7. Fanny Elizabeth Walker 1834 1879
8. Frederick Walker 1837 1864
9. Philip Billingsley Walker 1838 1900
10. Richard Cornelius Critchett Walker C.M.G. 1841 1903
The above family arrived in Launceston, Tasmania on the 27 August 1841 on the ship 'Arrabian' with their last child Richard Cornelius Critchett (known throughout his life as 'Critchett') being born at sea.
On New Years Day 1843 the family arrived in New South Wales.
The children of Grace Brown and Robert Cooper WALKER were :-
1. Eva Walker 1862 1863 died an infant
2. Paul Walker 1864 1927 m. Eleanor Claye 1870 1944. had 5 children
3. Alma Walker 1866 1867 died an infant
4. Mabel (May)Walker 1870 1958 never married
5. Edith Walker 1873 1945 m. Charles A.E. BANKS had 3 children Bettie, Ditha and Lodis
6. Arnold Walker 1876 1954 m. Jessie M. SLATTER
7. Ruth Walker xxxx 1973 never married
-------------------------------------------------
6. ALBERT BROWN 1841-1924The 3rd.son
OBITUARY. died 17 June 1924
Mr. Albert Brown, for many years alderman,
and an ex-Mayor of Ashfield, died suddenly on
Tuesday afternoon. He was 83 years of ago,
and was born in Norfolk Island, where his
father was a Government official He had
resided at Ashfield for about 45 years. For
many years he was In partnership with the
late Mr. H. Dengate, under the firm name of
Dengate and Brown, builders and contractors,
and when that partnership was dissolved
continued the business on his own account
Of late years, however, his health did not
permit of his active participation in the business,
which has been controlled by his son
During Mr. Browns long residence in Ashfield he
always took a deep Interest in its progress
and advancement. He was elected an alderman In 1882,
and sat continuously for 19 years, and occupied the
Mayoral chair for the 1881-2 term.
It was during his year of office
that he convened the public meeting at which
it was decided to establish the Western
Suburbs Cottage Hospital it was owing to his
determination that the hospital was erected
on the site it now occupies, and his fellow
committeemen recognise and showed their
appreciation of his efforts in bringing about
the foundation of the hospital by electing him
the first president. He held that position for
12 years, until falling health compelled the
committee reluctantly to accept his resignation
Mr. Brown was also instrumental in establishing
the Ashfield Municipal Library, one of
the first of the kind, but now merged into
the Ashfield School of Arts; the original
Ashfield Borough Band, the Ashfield Cricket
Club, and other local activities. In his
younger days he was an enthusiastic cricketer,
and when not playing himself never failed, while
his health permitted, to witness a match.
Deceased was an ardent Methodist, and was
a trustee of the Ashfield Methodist Church, a
position he held for many years. He suffered
greatly from asthma for the last 10 years,
and of recent years rarely left his home. The
bright sunshine of Tuesday, however, induced
him to go for a short walk, which proved to
be his last, as, at about 3 o'clock, he was
found unconscious in Elizabeth-street, Ashfield,
within a few hundred yards of his residence,
and when medical aid was obtained it
was found that he was dead.
Mr. Brown leaves a widow, three sons, and
five daughters. His brother, the late Mr.
George Brown, who was also an alderman of
Ashfield for many years, and ex-Mayor, died
in July last, at the age of 91 years.
The funeral took place yesterday afternoon,
the remains being interred in the Methodist
section of the Necropolis, after a service at
the house, conducted by the Rev. P. J. Stephen,
of the Ashfield Methodist Church, and the
Rev. Joseph Bryant, the former of whom also
officiated at the graveside. The principal
mourners were:-Messrs. K. and S. Brown
(sons), L. W. Brown (grandson), W. T. Moore
(son-in-law), S. Brown (brother), S. Brown,
Jun. (nephew). Among others present were
Alderman D. M'Donald (Mayor), Alderman
Lapiah, Mr. F. H. G. Hargreaves (town clerk),
and A. T. Kay (deputy town clerk), represent-
ing the Ashfield Council; Messrs. A. J. Brack
pool (circuit steward), and C. Clarke (church
steward), representing tho Ashfield Methodist
Church; J. F. M'Kimm, president of and re-
presenting the Ashfield Shopkeepers' Associ-
ation; W. H. Stool (vice-president), John
Dart, and John Laplsh, representing the West
ern Suburbs Hospital; R. J. Brown, J. L.
Caldwell, J. W. Mortley, A. Crane, F. Grant,
J. A. Somerville, C. Van Troight, F. W. Gissing,
T. Lumler, L. Walkin (Watkin and Watkln),
H. Parkes. A. Dance, A. H. Chipperfield, L.
Neale, J. Chapman, H. G. Chlpperfleld, J. Bur-
ton, G. Smith, and W. Critchley, C. Weather
ill, A. Hedges, D. M'Nicol, H. Hodgkinson, W.
Rogers, N. Watkln (Strongman and Watkln),
H. Smith, H. Dengato, L. De Odel, R. J. Mar-
tin, J. W. Armstrong, G. Watson, S. E. Watts,
E. Smith.
At the meeting of the Ashfield Council it
was resolved that a letter, under the seal of
the council, be sent to the family of deceased,
expressing regret, and acknowledging the
valuable services rendered by him to the
municipality. The flag at the Ashfield Town
Hall was flown at half-mast during yesterday
as a mark of respect.
SOURCE: The Sydney Morning Herald 19 June 1924
NSW.BDM DEATHS:
5961/1924 BROWN ALBERT JEREMIAH MARY ASHFIELD
NSW.BDM Marriages:
419/1867 BROWN ALBERT SHARE MARY G SYDNEY
The Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 11 May 1867
On the 2nd instant, by special license, at the residence of the bride's parent,
by the Rev. George Lane, ALBERT, third son of the late JEREMIAH BROWN,
to MARY GRACE, second daughter of the late THOMAS SHARE, both of Sydney.
Albert married Mary Grace SHARE 1843-1926
-------------------------------
7. ADELAIDE BROWN 1843 - 1926 4th daughter
The Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 21 December 1926
MRS. H. DENGATE.
The death of Mrs. H. Dengate, widow of the late Mr. Henry Dengate,
occurred on Wednesday at Calmsley, Hopetoun-avenue, Chatswood.
Mrs. Dengate, who was 83 years of age, was for many years
prominent among church workers, and had the respect and affection of
a large circle of friends. She leaves two daughters, Mrs. L. De Hodel and
Miss Mabel Dengate, and five sons, Archie,Leslie, Oswald, Harold, and Roy.
The funeral, which was largely attended by relatives,
and friends, took place on Thursday afternoon at the Methodist section of the Northern
Suburbs Cemetery, the Rev. G. E. Johnson,
the Rev. A. W. Parton, and the Rev. J. G. M. Taylor officiating.
NSW.BDM BIRTHS;
V18431512 44A/1843 BROWN ADELAIDE JEREMIAH MARY
NSW.BDM MARRIAGES:
433/1867 DENGATE HENRY BROWN ADELAIDE SYDNEY
NSW.BDM DEATHS:
19253/1926 DENGATE ADELAIDE (-BROWN) 84 YRS CHATSWOOD CHATSWOOD
The marriage notice in the Sydney Morning Herald 23 April 1867 picked up an 'E' ; also when Jeremiah was alive they were in 179 Campbell-street
DENGATE BROWNEMarch 27th, by special licence, by the
Rev. W. Curnow, at the residence of the bride's parent, 207,
Campbell-street, Surry Hills, Mr. Henry Dengate, second son
of Mr. E. Dengate, Liverpool, to Adelaide, fourth daughter
of the late Jeremiah Browne, late Assistant-Superintendent
of Cockatoo Island.
------------------------------------------------
8. EMILY JANET BROWN 1846-1910 5th daughter
Evening News (Sydney, NSW) Saturday 30 May 1874
MARRIAGE
On May 21, at the residence of the brides's mother, 4 Arthur-street, Surry Hills, by the Rev. J. Nolan, Wesleyan minister.
William, eldest son of James Longley, Orange Hill, Bringelly, to Emily Janet, fifth daughter of the late Jeremiah Brown, late assistant-superintendent of Cockatoo Island.
NSW BDM. MARRIAGES
468/1874 LONGLEY WILLIAM BROWN EMILY JANET SYDNEY
468/1874 LANGLEY WILLIAM BROWN EMILY JANET SYDNEY
The name is LONGLEY
NSW.BDM DEATHS: -
3264/1910 LONGLEY EMILY J JEREMIAH MARY ST MARYS
Nepean Times, Saturday 15 January 1910
Badgery's Creek.
Mrs. W. Longley, an old and respected resident of Badgery's Creek.
died on Monday last. The funeral took place at the Methodist Cemetery Luddenham,
on Tuesday, the Rev. J. Green conducting the funeral service.
-----------------------------------------
9. Robert Alexander Brown 1849-1911 The 4th. son
Robert Alexander Brown was the ninth of twelve children of
Jeremiah BROWN 1802-1860 and his wife Mary, nee BURNS 1809-1905.
Sub-Inspector Robert Alexander Brown was best known in the
Albury district, where he did duty in the police force for
over 33 years.
He went to Albury as a probationary constable in 1875, and
remained there until his retirement as a sub-Inspector in 1909.
He was promoted to the rank of first class constable three years
after he joined the force. Four years later he was made
a senior-constable. Three years afterwards he was raised to the
rank of sergeant, and six years later he got the crown, and
when he retired he was given the whip and was made a sub-Inspector.
He was one of those who helped in the capture of the Kelly gang.
Robert married Sarah Jane BUTTSWORTH 1850 1941 at Manning River in 1871
Sub-inspector Robert Alexander Brown died at Prince Alfred Hospital on Wednesday
the 5th. July 1911 at the age of 61 years.
The children of Robert Alexander and Sarah Jane , nee Buttsworth were.
Eva Brown
1872. 1961. m. Alfred EGGINS
Walter Burns Brown
1874.
Florence Priscilla Brown
1878. 1959. m. George READ
Ethel M Brown
1881.
-----------------------------------------------------
10. Fred Wesley BROWN 1851-1935 the 5th son
The Sydney Morning Herald, Tuesday 24 September 1935
BROWN.-September 22, 1935. Frederick Wesley
Brown, of 19 Ridge-street, North Sydney, husband
of Kate M. Brown, and father of Mary (Mollie),
Beatrice (Trixie), Fred (of Katoomba), and the late
Amy. aged 85 years. At rest. Privately Interred
at Waverley Cemetery, on 23rd Instant
Fred Wesley Brown was born 1 May 1851 on Cockatoo Island and died on the 22 Seprember 1935.
Married Kate Milner EATHER 1864-1931 the daughter of William EATHER 1832-1915 and Ann SENIOR 1835-1906
Fred was the postmaster at Narrabri I do have a photograph of him.
This story is on my tree:-
Kate Milner EATHER was born at "Henriendi" on 5 January 1864. She evidently received her second forename from the surname of Dr Robert MILNER, who had a hospital at his home at nearby Broadwater. Perhaps he or his wife had attended her mother at her birth. She was known throughout her life as Kate. In 1888, or perhaps late in 1887, Kate married Frederick Wesley BROWN in a wedding registered at Narrabri. He had been born at Cockatoo Island, Sydney on 1 May 1851, the tenth of the twelve children of Jeremiah BROWN and his wife Mary (nee BURNS). Born at Llanidloes in Wales in 1802, Jeremiah had enlisted in the 4th Regiment of Foot; had married Mary at Glasgow in 1828, and they had been sent out to Van Diemen's Land in 1831 on the ship "Larkins". Jeremiah was one of the guards of the convicts on board. In 1851, when Frederick had been born, he was Assistant Superintendent of convicts on Cockatoo Island. Frederick was usually known as Fred. At sometime in his early working life Fred BROWN joined the New South Wales Postal Department. In 1881 he was serving as assistant postmaster at Hay in the Riverina, and by 1887 he was postmaster at Narrabri. For the first fourteen years of their marriage, Kate and Fred lived in the one-storey residence attached to the brick post office at Narrabri. About 1902 Fred and his family left Narrabri when he was transferred back to the Riverina district as postmaster at Narrandera. The NSW Towns Directory for 1903 lists him as postmaster there. Kate and Fred had a family of eight children, the first seven of whom were born at Narrabri. At Christmas 1893 Kate had given her husband a bible as a gift and in it he recorded the dates and times of the birth of each of their children. Their three daughters all lived to adulthood, but their first four sons died in infancy; three of them under the age of one year. When Kate was expecting their eighth child in 1904, she went to Sydney for her confinement and their last son, Fred Ridge BROWN, was born at North Sydney on 15 January 1905. Fred BROWN registered the birth of his fifth son at Narrandera four weeks later. He remained postmaster there until at least 1909. At some date between 1909 and 1914 he retired and the family moved to Sydney. He turned 60 in 1911. A photograph taken about 1912 depicts him with Kate; two of their daughters and son Fred, seated on the beach at Manly. At that time Fred Brown had a grey well-trimmed beard and moustache. He was attired in a suit, complete with a waistcoat. By 1914 Frederick W BROWN was listed in the Sydney directory as living at 47 Reiby Street, Newtown. In 1915, their third daughter, Amy Emily, married a young soldier, Gunner James S HOME. He went off to war and Amy saw little of him until he returned at the end of the War in 1918. By 1917 the family had left Newtown and Mrs Kate M BROWN is listed in the Sands Directory for that year as residing at Heeley Street Paddington. A postcard shows that daughter Amy was living with her. Amy's husband had been discharged from the army for only a few months when she contracted influenza during the epidemic of the winter of 1919, and after being seriously ill for eleven days she died on 24 June. She was 26 years of age and there was no issue of her marriage. Her body was interred in the Anglican section of the Waverley Cemetery. Her two elder sisters, Mary Maud (who was known as Mollie) and Ann Beatrice (who was known as Trixie), were both still single and indeed remained spinsters throughout their lives. By 1922 the family had moved once more and in the Sands Directory for that year, Mrs Kate BROWN was listed as residing at Old South Head Road, North Bondi. In the late 1920's Kate's eldest sister, Sarah Ann COLEMAN, and her daughter Zilla, were residing at 1 Justice Street, Bondi. Sometimes Kate and her children Mollie, Trixie and Fred, would visit them. At some time in their later lives Kate and Fred seem to have separated. The electoral roll for the subdivision shows that Frederick Wesley BROWN and his daughter Ann Beatrice (Trixie) were residing at 19 Ridge Street, North Sydney in 1935. Trixie was a shop assistant. Kate was residing with her son, Fred Ridge, who had gone into business at Katoomba in 1933. Aged thirty, he was still single. Kate and Fred's eldest daughter Mollie was residing elsewhere in Sydney. On 22 September 1935 Frederick Wesley BROWN, age 85 years, died. The Sydney Morning Herald on 24 September carried the following death notice:-. BROWN - September 22 1935, Frederick Wesley BROWN of 19 Ridge Street, North Sydney, husband of Kate M BROWN, and father of Mary (Mollie), Beatrice (Trixie), Fred (of Katoomba) and the late Amy. Aged 85 years. At rest. Privately interred at Waverley Cemetery on 23rd instant. Fred's body had been interred in the family plot beside his daughter Amy. A Wesleyan by baptism, he was buried in the Anglican section of the Cemetery. By 1936 Trixie had moved to 25 Ridge Street, North Sydney. Kate survived her husband by nearly six years. She continued to reside with her son at Katoomba. In June 1941 she contracted bronchitis, which after a month turned into pneumonia and she passed away on 15 July at her son's home, "The Cosy Nook", 94 Lurline Street, Katoomba. She was aged 77. Her funeral service was held in the Chapel of Wood Coffil Ltd in George Street Sydney at 10.15 a.m. on 17 July and she was buried in the family plot in the Waverley Cemetery. Mary M (52), Anne B (51) and Fred R (36) survived her. Mary Maud BROWN, the eldest child of Kate and Frederick BROWN, died on or about 27 July 1965, age 76 years, and was buried on 29 July in the family plot in the Waverley Cemetery. Anne Beatrice, the second daughter of Kate and Frederick BROWN, lived with her brother Fred in her later years. She died on or about 25 September 1974 when she was 84. She was buried in the family plot in the Waverley Cemetery on 27 September. Fred Ridge BROWN, the only one of the five sons of Kate and Frederick BROWN to survive beyond infancy, joined the Australian Army soon after his mother's death during World War II. He was in Brisbane in October 1942 when he had a portrait taken of himself in military uniform at the Auto Studios in Adelaide Street. At that time he had a small moustache. After the end of the War he returned to Katoomba and resumed business as an estate agent. In 1952 he was a real estate agent at 94 Lurline Street. After a few years there he returned to Sydney and in 1960 was residing at 1 Harden Avenue, Northbridge with his sister Beatrice. He was a salesman then. After the death of his sister Beatrice in 1974, he was the only remaining member of the family of Kate and Frederick BROWN. He had never married and his nearest kin were some cousins. One of these, Patricia FOX, daughter of Zilla COLEMAN, took an interest in the plight of her cousin, and upon his death in the North Shore Hospital at the age of 93 on 26 February 1998, she attended to his funeral and the winding up of his affairs. His body was cremated and his ashes placed in an urn in the BROWN family plot in the Waverley Cemetery. He had been a smoker all of his life and he died from pneumonia and suspected lung cancer. As only one of the eight children of Kate and Frederick BROWN married and she died without issue, they had no descendants in the second generation.
-------------------------------------------------------
11. Sydney William Thomas BROWN
Sydney was born William Thomas
NSW.BDM BIRTHS: V18541765 56/1854 BROWN WILLIAM T JEREMIAH MARY
Married Katherine/Catherine LAW in Sydney in 1873
They had 5 Children :-
1. Sarah Jessie Brown 1874 1963 m. Alfred T Huggett
2. Katie May Brown 1878 1951
3. Frederick Sydney Thomas Brown 1879 1961 m. Anne Ellen BURCHER 1881 1957
4. Perc Brown 1880 XXXX
5. Albert George Brown 1885 1886
6. Alma Brown 1888 1917
7. Sydney Law Brown 1892 1962 m. Winifred Agnes WOOLF 1894. 1967.
NSW.BDM BIRTHS:
1798/1874 BROWN SARAH JESSIE SYDNEY CATHERINE SYDNEY
1911/1878 BROWN KATIE M SIDNEY W T CATHERINE SYDNEY
3517/1879 BROWN FREDERICK S T SYDNEY W T CATHERINE SYDNEY
27879/1885 BROWN ALBERT G SYDNEY W T KATHERINE NARRABRI
30271/1888 BROWN ALMA B SYDNEY W T KATHERINE NARRABRI
24256/1892 BROWN SYDNEY L SYDNEY W T KATHERINE NARRABRI
NSW.BDM DEATHS:
12160/1886 BROWN ALBERT G SYDNEY W P KATHERINE L NARRABRI
13445/1917 BROWN ALMA B SYDNEY W CATHERINE AUBURN
8266/1951 BROWN KATIE MAY SYDNEY THOMAS KATHERINE KOGARAH
20579/1962 BROWN SYDNEY LAW SYDNEY THOMAS KATHERINE ROCKDALE
10/1962 BROWN FREDERICK SYDNEY J SYDNEY WILLIAM T KATHERINE SYDNEY
NSW.BDM DEATHS: 6183/1934 BROWN SYDNEY N 8O YRS CHATSWOOD CHATSWOOD
The Sydney Morning Herald Saturday 30 June 1934
BROWN June 29 1934 at 21 Windsor road Wllloughy, Sydney William Brown
formerly of Narrabri and Newcastle and beloved father of
Jessie, May Fred, Perc, Alma and Syd In his
81st year.
21 Windsor road Willoughby just in case you want to buy this nice little California Bungalow, previously in the family
--------------------------------------
12. ANNE EVA JESSIE 1856-1938 the youngest
The Sydney Morning Herald Wednesday 13 October 1880
MARRIAGES
DUGDALE-BROWN.-September 27, at Ashfield, by the Rev.
G. Woolnough, M.A., T. W. Dugdale, Esq., J.P., of the Manning River, to Jessie,
youngest daughter of the late Jeremiah Brown, Esq., of Sydney
NSW.BDM MARRIAGES:
1744/1880 DUGDALE THOMAS WEST BROWN ANN EVA J CONCORD
NSW.BDM DEATHS:
22272/1938 DUGDALE ANNE EVA JESSIE JEREMIAH MARY PETERSHAM
The Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 13 October 1938
DEATHS
DUGDALE October 12 1938 at her residence
Clairgarrow 183 Old Canterbury Road, Dulwich Hill.
Jessie, widow of the late T. W. Dugdale late
of Taree and dearly beloved mother of Ruby, Harry
and Aubrey.
FUNERAL
DUGDALE.The Relatives and Friends of Miss R. DUGDALE,
Mr. H. W. DUGDALE, and Mr. and Mrs. A. W. DUGDALE are
invited to attend the Funeral of their beloved MOTHER, Jessie
Dugdale: to leave the Methodist Church, Moonbie
Street. Summer Hill. THIS AFTERNOON, after a
service commencing at 3.15, for the Crematorium, Rookwood.
possible birth
NSW.BDM BIRTHS:
1530/1856 BROWN FEMALE JEREMIAH MARY SYDNEY
----------------------------------------
The photograph below is Frederick Wesley Brown and his wife Kate, nee Milner. This photograph was taken about 1931, in the backyard of their home at 42 Amhurst-street Camaray. One of their daughters is in the background.
John Town's Diary
I will now give a brief sketch of a most remarkable man, Mr. John Town. Those who were not acquainted with him may not think so; but those who had dealings with him will tell you even now that he was one of the straightest men of his time. His word was his bond, in the most trifling transaction.
I knew him well myself, and had many dealings with him, and can bear testimony to his honesty of purpose. But there were many things in connection with his life and character which I have learned from others, and also from his diary (kindly lent me), which I will relate, that I think will be highly interesting, especially as they refer to very old dates.
I may state that it was not often you could catch him in a communicative mood, therefore you could not
expect to hear him speak much of himself. But there were occasions when he would repeat some of his experiences of the early days. Some of the most interesting he has written in his diary, which I will quote as I proceed.
He was born in Parramatta. His mother died there, and is buried in the Episcopal burying-ground.
After his mother's death he came with his father to Richmond, when he was quite young. We have no further
record of him until he married, on the 17th June, 1830.
He was among the earliest settlers on the Goulburn river. Here he was once stuck up by Bushrangers, tied to a tree, and robbed. They committed other atrocities for which they were hanged.
He came back to Richmond, and opened the Woolpack hotel at North Richmond (now the Travellers' Rest) which was
built for him. This is one of the oldest hotels in the colony, and has a history.
It was here Mr, North, the Police, Magistrate, used to hold his court, and where many prisoners were sentenced to the lash. It was also the local post office for many years. I remember it in the forties, when the Thompsons, of Pitt Town, had the contract for carrying the mails from Windsor to Richmond, six times a week, and from Richmond to North Richmond, three times a week. It was then the terminus for mails in Kurrajong.
Mr. Town kept the hotel for over 20 years, when he retired from business. But during that time he had many trips over the mountains. His principal delight seemed to be roaming through the bush. I have already stated he was among the first to cross Bell's Line, with others, on a slide, with four bullocks. A slide, remember!- not a dray. But I think I have explained that before.
He was a great friend of old Ben. Singleton's : and if he did not go over the Bulga with Ben, and Mr. Howe, of Windsor, who were the first white men to cross the Bulga, he was not long after them.
I do not suppose I will be contradicted if I say that old Ben. Singleton was the first to build a mill on the
banks of the Hunter river, at Singleton, and that town was named after him. He was well known on the Hawkesbury before he went to the Hunter, and had to do with several mills here. I have a recollection of hearing it said he built those two mills on Wheeny Creek, and another on the Hawkesbury somewhere below Wilberforce.
I have often seen the two mills at
Wheeny Creek. The upper one was what is termed an overshot (I have seen it at work), and the lower one an undershot. They were both owned by the Town family. I think they are now down.
While speaking of Ben. Singleton, I may mention that the oldest-dated memo in Mr. Town's diary is in reference to Mr. Singleton. It is as follows -
"Yarraman Bar Creek, at Liverpool Plains, was first formed into a
station by Mr. Benjamin Singleton, in the year 1826."
Mr. Town seems to have taken great interest in explorers. Here is another memo :
"(Capt. Charles Sturt explored the Darling river, the Murrumbidgee,
and the Murray to its junction with the Darling, in the year 1829. Died 16th June, 1869."
While speaking of Capt. Sturt, I may mention that he tells us that Mr. Cealey, a resident of Parramatta,
is said to be the first who attempted to scale the Blue Mountains; but he did not long persevere in struggling
with difficulties too great for ordinary resolution to overcome. It appears that he retraced his steps,
after having penetrated sixteen miles into their dark and precipitous recesses, and a heap of stones, which
the traveller passes about that distance from Emu Ford, on the road to Bathurst, marks the extreme point reached by the expedition to the westward of the Nepean river.
Another memo from Mr. Town's diary states :
"Captain Howell died 9th Nov., 1875, in the 90th year of his age.
He was one of the explorers with Mr. Hamilton Hume."
And yet another, which shows he still took an interest in the Singleton family:
"Mary Singleton died the 12th August, 1877, aged 84 years. Buried at Singleton."
Mr. Town makes no mention, of his own exploits in the way of exploration. I have already mentioned
a few. He was also one of the first on the Namoi and at Moree, where he formed stations, and was among
the first gold diggers on the Turon.
But I think his greatest exploit was when he started alone from his home on the Goulburn river, with
nothing to guide him except a small pocket compass, and took a bee line to the Bulga, over mountains where
no white man had ever been before or since. He arrived safely at the Bulga at a place called the Cap and
Bonnet. But when there he began to doubt his compass, and was about to retrace his steps when his brother
in-law, Billy McAlpin met him, and they came along together. This journey must have taken weeks to accomplish.
A few other extracts from Mr.Town's Diary may be interesting since it refers to the death of many
old residents, who in their time took a part in the the early history of the colony.
They are as follows:
26 May,1852, old Mrs. Mary Town died, aged 80 years (Mr. Town's stepmother.)
St. Philip's Church, North Richmond, was consecrated 12th Nov., 1861.
The title was presented by
Mr. Town ; he also subscribed liberally towards its erection.
Mrs. Ann Sharp died 7th April, 1865, aged 72 years. Mrs. Sharp was Mr. Town's mother-in-law.
Robert Fitzgerald died, April 7th, same year.
26th May. Judge Milford died.
1866, Feb. Mrs. Hail died.
Feb. 2. Mr. Thomas Tibbut died.
1867. The Rev. H. Stiles died,
23rd June. The same day that the
great flood was at its highest.
1868. Prince Alfred shot, 12th
March. .
29th March. The Rev. Thomas
Hassell died, aged 73. Mrs. Stiles
died.
21st April. O'Farrell executed
for shooting Prince Alfred. The
prince restored to health ; thank
God, and all's well.
5th May. William Town died ;
Mr. Town's brother.
Lord Brougham died, 7th May.
Born 19th September, 1779.
18th May. Mr. Edward Cox, of
Mulgoa, died.
21st July. Dr. Bland died, aged
78 years.
20th. August. George Cox died,
aged 75 years.
Red Bank Creek bridge finished,
31st July.
28th November. The sun heat
was 100 degrees.
29th. 107 in the shade.
30th Nov. St. Andrew's Cathedral
opened.
24th Dec. The heat was 115
deg. Fah. in the shade at 12.30 p.m.
25th. 107F
The Donally nugget found in
Melbourne, weighing 200lb. nett
pure gold.
1869, 10th March. Prince Al-
fred's second visit to Sydney.
3rd April. William Sharp's barn
was burned down. This was the
second barn Mr. Sharp lost by fire.
10th May. John Hubert Plunket
died.
4th June. George Forbes (bro-
ther to Sir Francis) died, aged 82
years.
27th September. William Kirk
died, aged 87 years. An old friend
of the Town family.
1869, 27th August. The heat was
105 deg. Fah.
1870, 11th January, the thermometer registered 110 ;
12th Jan .110 ; 13th Jan, 112 ; 14th Jan., 113
at 11 a.m. ; 18th February, 100 ; 19th
Feb , 108 ; 22nd Feb., 100.
12th June. First white frost,
38th August. Thomas Simpson
Hall died, aged 62 years.
17th. August. James Cuneen died
aged 62 years. A native of Wind
sor. Mr. Cuneen was a member
the Legislative Assembly, and for a
time was Postmaster-General.
18th November. William Lee
senr., of Bathurst, died, aged 76
years.
16th Nov. Prince Alfred left
Port Jackson, after his third visit to
Sydney.
John Tebbutt died, 20th December,
1870.
1871, 10th January. Charles
Thompson, of Clydesdale died, aged
87 years.
8th April. George' Filks died
aged 80 years. Upwards of 20 years
chief constable of Sydney.
23rd April. William Hall died,
aged 74 years.
1872, 4th January. William
Perry, tailor, of Windsor, died, aged
70 years.
15th Jan. John King (the survivor of
Burke and Wills exploring expedition) died.
18th Jan. Nicholls and Lester
hanged for the murder of Walker
and Bridges on the Parramatta river
William Charles Wentworth died
in, England, 20th March, 1872, aged
80 years.
28th July. Mary Ann Piper
wife of Capt. Piper, died, aged 81
years.
4th June. Sir Hercules Robinson
sworn in as Governor of N.S.W.
15th Oct. Sir Hercules Robinson
crossed the Richmond bridge, on his
way to Douglass Hill.
Charles Louis Napoleon Bonaparte
died in England, 9th Jan. 1873. He
was nearly 65 years old.
His son was born 16th March,
1856.
10th Feb., 1873. John Richard
Rouse died, aged 73.
Mr. John Benson was killed from
a fall from his horse on 3rd March
1873, aged 29 years.
19th April, 1873. Hamilton Hume
the explorer died, aged 76 years.
22nd June. Sir T. A. Murray
died. He was President of the
Legislative Council.
5th Sept. Laban White died, in
his 80th year. '
15th Sept. Alexander Berry died
at North Shore, Aged 91 years.
14th Sept. Mr. Heath, the tailor,
died.
13th December. Mr. John Winters' two sons were drowned,
while bathing near the Richmond bridge.
1874, 20th January. Mr. John
Hoskisson died at ll p m., aged 79
years.
10th Sept. John Merrick died
aged 82 years.
11th Dec. William Bowman
died, aged 75 years.
23rd Dec. Great fire in Windsor,
About 40 houses burned down on
the south end side of George-street.
1875, 22nd March., Mrs. Elizabeth Armfield died, aged 84 years
and three months. A native of the
Hawkesbury, and first-born child
thereon' of European parents.
1875 10th May. Old Mick the Russian
died, said to be 112 years old.*
1875. Sir Charles Cowper died
in England, aged 69 years.
13th Sept. Thomas Kite, of Bathurst, died, aged 87 years.
William Long (Judge Martin's
father-in-law) died, aged 80 years.
1877, 28th Feb. Luke Stanford
died, aged 80 years.
16th March. Archbishop Polding
died, aged 83. He was 42 years in
Sydney.
28th August. William Price died,
aged 85 years.
6th Feb. Pope Pius the IX died,
aged 86 years
1878, 1st May. Mrs. Mary Chisholm died, aged 81.
8th Aug. Rev. J. Dunmore Lang
died, aged 79 years.
1878, 20th Aug. William John-
ston, of Pitt Town, died, aged 83,
Sir E. Deas Thomson died, aged 80
years.
1879,18th July. Mrs. Ann Dempsey died at Emu Plains, aged 100
years. She formerly lived on
Rouse's farm over the river (now
Walter Sly's).
5th Nov. Mrs Sarah Johns died,
aged 82 years. Mrs. Mary Hughes
died, aged 89 years.
1lst May, 1880. Mrs. Mary Hough
died, aged 87 years .
27th June. Richard Skuthorp
died, aged 90 years, only wanting
one month.
4th February, 1881. Mr. John
Cobcroft died, aged 84 years.
Mrs. Ann Hausell (formerly
Copper) died, aged 88 years.
Mr. John Henry Challis, an old
resident of Sydney, died in England
on 28th February, 1880, leaving
100,000 to the Sydney University.
1st March, 1879. Captain Cook's
daughter died last week, aged 104,
so the paper says.
Notes:
* 'Mick the Russian '
born Michael Evangelist Norton supposedly in March 1763
He was a powerful man who lived in the Hawkesbury District for many years.
When he was just over 70, he performed the almost incredible feat
of carrying, for a considerable bet, without resting, a sack of wheat containing
three bushels (180 lbs.) a distance of thirteen miles, from Richmond over the
steep Kurrajong ranges to the mill.
Towards the last years of his life he was receiving benefit from the
Hawkesbury Benevolent Society for which he would walk 30 miles a month.
He claimed he first came to the Colony as a soldier with Captain Phillip but returned home after 10 years.
Then 10 years later he returned to the Colony. Many thought some of his stories were fanciful.
SOURCES:
Reminiscences of
Richmond;
FROM THE FORTIES DOWN,
"Cooramill."
Nos. in part 47,48, 49
Hawkesbury Herald
Friday 19 February 1904 Page 16
Friday 26 February 1904 Page 16
Friday 4 March 1904 page 16.
transcription janilye 2012
Windsor, Richmond and surrounding Hawkesbury Villages 1871
WINDSOR claims to be one of the oldest towns in Australia, and some of
its venerable buildings appear to justify the assertion. There are upwards
of 2000 inhabitants in the town, or rather borough as it ought now to be
called. The two principal streets run parallel to each other, they are George
and Macquarie streets, and in these the greater part of the business is transacted.
Religion and education are well represented as to buildings ; for I noticed
five churches and about the same number of school-houses.
For many years, in the early days of the colony, Windsor was a most flourishing place :
and the glorious fertility of the soil in the immediate neighbourhood was a source of
almost unlimited wealth; but the floods and rust came, and their consequent miseries
followed, so that the struggle of the surrounding settlers has been very great for
the past ten years. They are now beginning, although but slowly, to raise their heads
again, and it is to be hoped that years will pass away before such another series of
disasters affects them.
To begin with the places of worship : The Church of England is a large brick structure
of considerable antiquity, as colonial antiquity is reckoned. It is by no means an
inelegant structure and has a tower and belfry. The first objects which strike the eye
on entering it are the very beautiful stained glass windows, erected by the Rouse family
and others. They are objects generally admired by all visitors. The Rev. C. F. Garnsey is
the incumbent.
The Roman Catholic Church is also of brick, but stuccoed ; the architecture is gothic,
and the shape cruciform. The building is evidently capable of holding a very large
congregation; Dean Hallinan is the resident clergyman.
The Wesleyans are pretty strong in the district, and their church, like all others in
Windsor, is of brick. The Rev. Mr. Brentnall conducts the services.
The newest and prettiest place of worship is the Congregational Church, of which the
Rev. F. H. Browne is the pastor. An ornamental gallery has been lately added to the
structure, it is the work of Mr. Thomasa Collison, of Windsor, and was designed by
Mr. T. Rowe, architect, Sydney.
The Presbyterian Church is really going to decay, and requires renovating. These are
all thc churches, and it will be seen that all the leading denominations are represented.
The pleasure I experience in visiting educational establiaments induced me to have a look
at almost every school in Windsor.
The Public School is a really fine building, and cost nearly 1000. The length of the
principal class-room is 54 feet, by 20 feet wide. It is entered by a castellated porch.
Off this class-room there is another room 15 feet by 15 feet, with a verandah
6 feet wide, to give entrance to an infant's schoolroom 21 feet by 11 feet-making
the school accommodation sufficient for 236 pupils. There is also a teacher's
residence attached, containing four rooms.
The following gentlemen comprise the local board :-Mr. Ascough, J.P., Mr. Beard,
Mr. Dean, Messrs. J. and R. Dick, Mr. J. H. Mills, Mr. Richards, J.P., and
Mr. W. Walker, chairman.
The head-master is Mr. C. Anderson, assisted by Mrs. Anderson ; Miss Thornton
over the infants, and Miss Goldsmith. Two hundred scholars are now on the roll,
and the average attendance is 170.
I was particularly struck on entering with the very attractive look of the rooms,
and the well-dressed appearance, and l was almost going to say polished deportment
of the pupils in attendance.
I was favoured with a general examination of the scholars ; and their proficiency
in arithmetic, grammar (including analysis and parsing) is of the highest order.
Their writing is also very good, and their drawing and scroll-work show that much
attention must have been paid to their instruction in that branch. I might also
state that, in discipline as well as general attainments, it is my opinion that
the school will compare favourably with any in the colony.
The Church of England school has an average attendance of about eighty, there
being 115 on the roll. The teacher is Mr. W. H. Bailey, assisted by Miss Fairland.
The children were tolerably clean and orderly; the copy-books shown us were,
on the whole, well written, and the elementary drawings very fair.
The Roman Catholio school is under the care of Mr. and Mrs. Langton, and had
148 children on the roll, and 110 in attendance. The school-room is well
ventilated, and the children were moderately clean and tidy in appearance.
They were writing and taking drawing lessons from the blackboard on
the occasion of my visit, but my time being limited, I could not examine
very fully their performances.
There is a private school, in a very fine building, the property of Dr. Dowe,
and kept by Mrs. Nealds as a ladies boarding school. This establishment is very
highly-spoken of ; but I had no opportunity of visiting it, and so must refrain
from entering into details.
There is a very substantial bridge crossing the South Creek, called the Fitzroy Bridge,
and just on the western side is the old military barracks, now used as a police station.
The care of the town is in the hands of a jolly good follow, in the person of
senior-sergeant Fitzpatrick.
Among the relics of the past, or "Macquarie's time," is the Hospital and Benevolent
Asylum.
It is an old building, bearing the inscription "G. R, 1820. L. Macquarie, Esq., Governor."
It appears to have been a faithfully built structure. It is ninety-six feet long,
and twenty-five feet wide, two stories high, and though fifty-one years have
elapsed since it was erected, it is still in good condition. Mr. T. Paul is the
superintendent; There were forty-seven patients or infirm inmates at the time of
my visit.
Another ancient building is the old Government House. It is in a most
dilapidated condition, and the premises appear to be in the last stages of
ruin and decay.
The next place pointed out to me was a large pile of buildings in which half
the ale drunk in the country was once manufactured. It is known as Cadell's brewery,
and the demand twenty-five or thirty years ago was very expansive ; but the plant
and machinery are now lying idle, except that the engine pumps up water for
the supply of the town.
There was one flour mill at work ; it is known as the "Old Endeavour," and was
built many years ago by Mr. Teale, and is now in the hands of an old resident,
Mr.Hoskisson, more generally and kindly known as old grandfather."
The School of Arts and library (of 700 volumes), are located in a very nice
looking building, and I believe the institution is popular.
The branch Bank of New South Wales (N. Nugent,Esq., manager) is the only institution
of the kind in Windsor. Mr. James Dick is post and telegraph master.
In private residences, I noticed that of B. Richards, Esq.,J.P., which looks
very attractive amidst the trees; that of Richard Ridge, Esq., J.P., also a
very neat structure ; and in the distance, the residence of Mr, Tebbutt, the
well-known astronomer, who has an observatory attached,
I might add, to the benefit and honour of the colony. I regret that I had no
opportunity of visiting so interesting a place.
There are some good hotels in Windsor, and the principal are Holmes's Fitzroy,
Harris's Commercial, and Bushell's Sir John Young.
In general stores, Messrs. R. Dick, Robinson and Grenwell, Moses, Beard, Dawson,
Dean, and Jones take the lead.
I was much surprised on visiting Mr. J. H. Mills's boot store, to find all the
machinery and appliances of a first-class boot factory. Mr. Lane also does a
good boot trade.
I must wind up this short sketch with a notice of two grievances of the town.
The first is the crying want of a bridge over the Hawkesbury. Many efforts
have been made to remedy this defect, but without success as yet ; and the punt,
and a boat, when in repair (the Latter is now lying bottom
out on the sand), conveys passengers and produce across.
The second complaint is the state of the streets, which are almost impassable
in wet weather, and the side streets so neglected that a good crop of grass is
growing in the middle of them.
The municipal council just formed will find more than they can well do for
some time to come in dealing with these matters.
Forgive ! I have been ungallant enough to have left to the last the most
important and pleasurable portion of my information-viz , that I noticed many
very pretty, nay, beautiful, young ladies in the good old town of Windsor.
In this the inhabitants have something at all events to boast of.
RICHMOND
Richmond is a small, though attractive-looking little township, containing
about 1000 inhabitants.
It is four miles from Windsor, and by train thirty eight miles from Sydney.
Many of the buildings are old, although in good repair ; and there are a few
fine residences.
There are three principal streets, but most business is transacted in that known
as the Windsor road.
Among the institutions they have three or four schools, four churches, a school
of arts and library, a mutual improvement society, a volunteer company,
a cricket club, and last, though not least, a bank (branch Bank of New South Wales,
C. Hole, Esq , manager).
There is no court-house, and but two policeman stationed in the town,
senior-constable Tiernan being in charge.
The Public School is a compact and neat structure of the gothic style of architecture.
It is of brick with slated roof, and has recently received additions
costing 240, making it now about fifty-four feet long and twenty feet broad,
besides an infant class-room eighteen feet by fourteen. The number of pupils on
the roll is 120, with an average daily attendance of 100.
The head master is Mr. W. H. Wilson, assisted by Miss Brown and Miss Douglas,
the former in charge of the infants, and the latter a pupil teacher.
I have had occasion to visit this school before, and the examination the
children underwent during my visit only confirmed my opinion that
it is one of the best conducted in the colony. The children presented a
clean and pleasing appearance, and were remarkably well behaved-the
discipline being excellent.
The pupils evidenced considerable proficiency in reading, parsing, and analysis,
and the copy-books shown were neat and clean. Several of the elder pupils
exhibited remarkable skill in landscape drawing and scroll-work. Several songs
were sung by the children with a sweetness of expression and harmony of
voice gratifying to the ear.
Without doubt the Richmond public school is a credit to the town.
From the Public School I proceeded to the Church of England Denominational school,
which is held in an upstairs room of a brick structure, built, I am informed,
fifty years ago.
The room is much too small, besides being otherwise quite unsuitable, and
the furniture is bad.
There were seventy-four children in attendance. The discipline and method of
instruction were as good as could be expected under the circumstances.
The odour from dinner, rising from the rooms beneath, prevailed, while an
examination in arithmetic and geography was going on, in which latter moderate
attainments were manifested. The dictation was indifferent, but the
writing very fair. In simple justice I may state that the present master,
Mr. C. M. Chapman had only been a few days in charge of the school.
The Roman Catholic school is held in a small brick building, and is conducted
by Miss. Purcell and her sister, who have had charge for over six years.
The children to the number of forty in attendance are mostly very young.
They seemed to be well conducted and orderly during my short stay.
The girls were doing some plain and some fancy work in wool, such as belts,
slippers, &c, in a very creditable manner.
The Church of England congregation, under the pastorship of a venerable
clergyman the Rev. J. Elder is a fine large brick building at the west
end of the town.
The Presbyterian Church is nearly opposite the public school, and is a neat
stone structure. The Rev. Mr. Cameron officiates.
The Wesleyan Church is in Windsor-road, built of brick in a plain manner,
and is almost concealed by trees. A minister from Windsor conducts service
in the Wesleyan Church; and in the Roman Catholic Church a very small building,
Dean Hallinan officiates.
Opposite the Church of England is the Richmond cemetery, containing many
beautiful monuments of departed members of the leading families, such as
the Bowmans, Coxs, Towns, Bensons, Rouses, Pitts, &c.
In private residences, that of Mr. William Bowman, near the railway station,
is worthy of more than a passing notice. It is a splendid structure,
surrounded by fine trees. The residence of his brother. Mr. George Bowman
(the Peabody of Richmond), is on the opposite side of the street,
lower down, and though not so fine, has an air of comfort, and, if I
may use the term, countenence, very pleasing to look at.
The residences of Mr. Andrew Town, Mrs. Benson, and Mr. Onus are also worthy
of mention.
The volunteer rifle corps, under the command of Captain Holborow, now
numbers fifty-eight members. There are some crack shots among them,
and it is made a boast that the Richmond rifles have never yet been beaten
in any of the numerous contests they have been engaged in.
Among the Richmond cricketers there are many good bats, but they have
not done much this season.
In hotels, the principal are Mrs. Seymour's Black Horse, Reid's Royal,
Eather'a Union Inn, and Bate's Old House at Home.
The principal stores are Holborow's, King's, Ducker's, Harris's,
Turner's, and Price's (chemist) ;
and among the saddlers. Mr. G. Mills does a good business.
There is a fine park, six acres in extent, in the centre of the town,
around which are planted some fine trees, which will afford shade to the
inhabitants in a few years,
I may take the liberty of adding, that the Richmondites are an exceedingly
social and hospitable people. As in most small towns, there are, of course,
occasionally local jealousies and heart-burnings which, though often arising
from over zeal, occasionally prevent good being done.
The great drawback of Richmond, like Windsor, is the want of a bridge over
the Hawkesbury.
The method of crossing at present is very novel half punt and half bridge,
one half of the latter having been washed away some time since.
For days and days together traffic is entirely suspended, causing serious
inconvenience to the inhabitants across the river.
Petitions have been repeatedly sent in without avail. It is to be hoped
that the matter will no longer be allowed to rest in abeyance.
THE HAWKESBURY VILLAGES.
Leaving Windsor I crossed the Hawkesbury by old punt, which was, as usual,
undergoing repairs.
The afternoon being fine, and the road good, I cantered pleasantly along
past farm-houses and corn-fields. The side-fences were in places covered
with monthly-roses and sweet-briars, giving a pleasing appearance to the road.
At the end of four miles I came to the little village of Wilberforce,
containing about one hundred houses, two churches, one school-house,
a store and post-office, and a solitary policeman.
Wilberforce is a very old place, and, I believe I am correct in stating,
that so far back as the time of Governor King that is about the commencement
of the present century two-acre grants of land were given in the village
to the settlers who wished to avoid the floods. The Church of
England is a nice stone building on the brow of the hill, and is under
the care of an energetic pastor, the Rev. W. Wood. At the service, which I
attended, I was very much pleased with the singing of the choir, assisted by
a well-toned' harmonium, the gift of Mrs. Burdekin.
The Church of England schoolhouse is a brick building, and has an attendance
of about sixty, the number on the roll being seventy four. Mr. J. F. Nash,
assisted by Mm. Nash, are in charge.
The children presented in clean appearance, and tolerable discipline was maintained.
The copy-books exhibited were creditably written, and the whole were neat and clean.
The singing of the children was really good, showing that much pains were taken with them.
The aspect of the village is very pleasing. To almost every house in the
village a garden is attached, and some of them are nicely kept. There is a
vast common, 6,000 acres in extent, adjoining the township, for the use of
the farmers, and it is well supplied with timber.
A canter of a couple of miles further along a capital road, or I should rather
be inclined to call it an avenue (the country in most places resembling a park),
brought me to the country residence of Mrs. Burdekin, called Stonehouse. It is
an elegant structure, and has a tower at one end. The grounds comprise about
400 acres, having a frontage of nearly half-a-mile to the noble and
winding Hawkesbury. The house is about 300 yards from the river. A large
flower-garden, luxuriant with-camellias, chrysanthemums, and other choice
flowers surrounds the house ; and among the trees I noticed a large and
flourishing Spanish chestnut. A hedge of the Osage orange is in course of
formation, and promises great things. The view from the verandah of Stonehouse
is one of the finest on the river, embracing miles of country on three sides,
including views of Windsor and Pitt Town. Thousands upon thousands of bushels
of corn were growing within sight, and hopes were entertained that the
weather would keep up a few weeks longer to give the struggling farmers an
opportunity of getting in this season's harvest.
One acquainted with the district could not help recalling to mind the fact
that the whole of the country on which the eye was then resting had been
the scene of direful floods, which had brought ruin to many a home ;
and that for the past ten years scarcely a full crop had been obtained.
Without repeating an oft-told story, it must strike one as extraordinary
that the affection of the people for their dear old homes acts so powerfully
as an incentive to their remaining that they again begin to cultivate so
soon as the waters subside.
It speaks volumes in favour of the large number of poor farmers on the river,
that, not withstanding their privations and their sufferings, not a single act
of dishonesty can be laid to their charge.
It is but seldom that the Windsor court is troubled with their presence, at
least so far as relates to criminal matters.
On the day after my arrival at Mrs. Burdekin's, I accompanied Mr. Marshall Burdekin
down the river to Ebenezer, &c., about four miles from Wilberforce.
The reason for giving a name so strange to such a place I could not ascertain.
The village has a stone building used as a Presbyterian Church and schoolhouse.
The Rev. Mr. Moore conducts service ; and a teacher of some ability, Mr. M'Fetridge,
has charge of the school, numbering thirty-five pupils. A good view of the
river was obtained a little lower down, and I was pointed out the ruins of
an old mill on the opposite side ; and on the Ebenezer side the well-kept farms
of Messrs. Cross and Davidson.
Sackville Reach is about three miles from Ebenezer, and contains a pretty
little Church of England, in which the Rev. W. Wood officiates ; and a
schoolhouse. Mr. Chatterton being the teacher.
The Wesleyans have also a church on the opposite side. All these are attended
and supported by the farmers in the vicinity.
On my return I passed by Pitt Town, in place of going through Wilberforce,
crossing at the punt lower down. Pitt Town may be described as a village, of one
long street or lane, and to nearly all the houses are attached small farms.
The first place pointed out to me was the residence of Mr. Chaseling, who may
be remembered for the active measures he adopts and the risk he runs in
saving life and property during flood-times. We rode past many pretty
homesteads and cottages, also a few orangeries as we continued.
The Church of England in Pitt Town is of stone, and at the one side is
the residence of the incumbent, the Rev. W. Wood ; and at the other, the
brick schoolhouse, which has an average attendance of about
sixty pupils; Mr. Lambert is the head-master.
The Presbyterian Church on the opposite side is constructed of stone,
and is a neat building. The Rev. W. Moore conducts the services.
"The Maid of Australia" was the title given to the only inn I could see
in Pitt Town.
After leaving the village, the residences of Mr. McDonald and Mrs. Sewell,
and the Killarney Racecourse were pointed out, along the good road and charming
scenery which led back to Windsor.
April 18 1871
SOURCE:
Empire
(Sydney, NSW : 1850 - 1875)
Tuesday 9 May 1871
Page 4
Transcription, janilye 2014
Australia’s oldest church, est. 1809 at Ebenezer, NSW
Was the first non-conformist then Presbyterian Church in Australia, amd a
pioneer in education in the colony, beginning a school in 1810.
he church is the oldest extant school building in Australia.
The boys are with the Rural Camp School.
Photograph taken in 1909
The Cobcroft-Benson Wedding
BENSON-COBCROFT.
All Windsor was en fete for the marriage ceremony of Miss Olive Cobcroft,
daughter of the late Mr. R. W. Cobcroft and Mrs. Cobcroft, of "Glenroy," with Mr. Walter Benson,
of Milson's Point, Sydney,
The ceremony took place precisely at 1.30 p.m. on Tuesday of last week at
St. Matthew's Church of England, the Rev. S. G. Fielding officiating.
Needless to remark, the old church was well filled with sightseers and guests from all
parts of the district, and also from Sydney.
The bride's girl friends had been busily engaged during the morning at the church. The
wedding bell and two hearts with initials were exceedingly pretty.
As the bride entered the church on the arm of Mr. Thompson, of St. Marys (an old friend of her father's),
the choir sang "The Voice That Breathed O'er Eden." She was beautifully dressed in
white glace silk, tucked and trimmed with ivory lace, the court train being a mass of tiny frills,
veilled in spotted chiffon, very prettily shirred. The yoke was of embroidered chiffon,
and the bodice was also trimmed with the same. She wore a coronet of orange blossoms and jessamine,
and a lovely embroidered veil. Also a pearl and diamond star and pearl necklace,
and carried a shower bouquet of jonquils and hyacinths (the gifts of the bridegroom).
She was attended by three bridesmaids, Misses Ruby Pateson (cousin), Carrie Cobcroft (sister),
and little Pearl Thompson.
The two older bridesmaids were dressed in smart frocks of white silk voille over
glace silk, trimmed with Paris lace and shirrings. Their hats were of cream straw,
with lace and chiffon, and they wore gold brooches, and carried posies of daffodils,
gifts of the bridegroom.
The tiny bridesmaid wore white insertion-pleated chiffon, with a tucked hat of white silk.
Mr. Eustace Pinhey acted as best man, and Mr. Reggie Butler and Master Cecil Young as groomsmen.
During the signing of the register, Miss Carlotta Young sang "O Perfect Love."
Mrs. Eather presided at the organ, and played the wedding march.
After the ceremony, Mrs. Cobcroft held a reception at "Glenroy," where the many costly
and handsome presents (93) were admired.
The wedding breakfast was served in the billiard-room, which was beautifully draped
with flags and wattle, the table having buttercup and white flowers, with maiden hair fern.
Several toasts were honored.
Mr. Fielding proposed the "Bride and Bridegroom," and Mr. Walter Benson happily responded.
Mr. Alec Hunter proposed "The Bridesmaids," which was responded to by Mr. Eustace Pinhey.
Mr. Brinsley Hall proposed the "Parents of the Bride and Bridegroom." Mr. Thompson responded
in most feeling terms of the late Mr. R. W. Cobcroft, having known that gentleman for eighteen years
prior to his death.
The "Ladies" was proposed by Mr. G. McCauley, and Mr. Clarence Pitt responded most flatteringly.
The bride received numerous telegrams during the breakfast.
Music was indulged in, and later on the whole group of visitors was photographed
by Mr. J. H. Bloome.
Mr. and Mrs. Walter Benson later on left for their home in Sydney, the bride going away
in a pale green voille frock, the skirt being shirred ; also a black lace picture hat,
and blue parasol.
DRESSES.
Mrs. Cobcroft, black silk striped voille, with lovely insertions and tucks,
the bodice draped with embroidered chiffon threaded with black velvet bebe ribbon,
and white chiffon front embroidered in black.
Mrs. Paterson, black canvas frock and
white trimmings, black toque with green leaves
Mrs. Seymour (bridegroom's mother),
black glace silk shirred, with cream silk and lace trimmings
Mrs. T. H. Young, white silk bodice,
and black silk skirt
Miss M. A. Cobcroft, black striped
cloth and ruched with silk front
Miss Batler, black frock, trimmed
with pale blue
Miss Cranley, black spotted silk,
cream net and white lace
Mrs. Sid. Benson, pale blue linen and
white boa
Miss Connie Batler, green cashmere,
white silk and green guipure
Miss Thompson, cream voille over
glace silk and Paris lace, black pic-
ture hat
Mrs. Fielding, black frock, with
black bonnet and pink roses
Mrs. James Martin, black silk voille,
with white front and helitrope
Mrs. Jack Dunston, black voille, and
sequin trimmings
Mrs. Harry Dunston, black frock,
with beautiful maltese collar
Mrs. Callaghan, black brocaded silk
Mrs. Brinsley Hall, black striped
voille, and white chiffon front
Mrs. Paine, green flaked voille,
green glace and oriental guipure
Mrs. Jack Tebbutt, pale grey voille,
black medallions over white silk, and beautiful black hat
Mrs. W. McQuade, black silk, and
white trimmings, and floral hat
Mrs. Lobb, black silk striped voille,
silk guipure and white chiffon
Mrs. A. D. Playfair, grey silk voille,
black and white chiffon applique,
and black hat
Miss Carlotta Young, green flaked
voille, cream crepe-di-chine, and guipure trimmmings
Miss Champley, cream voille, lace
and shirrings, and ribbon sash, beautiful black hat
Miss Dolly Young, fawn silk, Irish
poplin, pale blue crepe-di-chine,
and embroidered chiffon
Miss McCauley, green flaked muslin,
cream net, pink velvet, and a very pretty blue and pink hat
Miss Callaghan, white silk blouse,
cream voille skirt with lace, white hat and pink roses
Miss Ada Ward, pale blue voille and
guipure, and black hat
Mrs. Eather, navy blue muslin, and
white valeneiennes insertions
Miss Eather, white muslin, and pretty
floral hat
Miss Hilda Toting, cream silmas
muslin, red sash and floral hat
Miss Dulcie Hall, pale blue fancy
muslin, hat to match
Mrs. Flexman, green velvet blouse,
canvas skirt, oriental embroidery over white satn
Mrs. John Hunter, black brocaded
satin, lace motifs and pale blue crepe de chine, green bonnet
Mrs. Hotten, green cloth and guipure
Mrs. Metcalf, black satin frock, velvet
cape
Mrs. Woodhill, black frock, white
trimmings, pretty hat
Miss Dunston, white striped voille,
black hat
Miss Ruby Dunston, silk striped white
voille and net, white hat
Miss Primrose, black matalasse cloth,
gale blue brocaded silk, and medal-
lions of chantilly lace
Mrs. Law, navy blue voille, white
silk, and lace
Miss Pidgeon, cream voille and lace,
black hat with plumes
Miss Hutchinson, pretty pale blue
voille, herring-bone and lace medal-lions in guipure
Miss Louie Berckelman, black frock
and hat, gold chain with emeralds
PRESENTS.
Mother of bride, sewing machine and house linen ;
Miss Carrie Cobcroft, silk and point lace cushion ;
Mr. and Mrs. T. H. Young (bridegroom's sister), cheque and water colorpainting of Sydney harbour ;
Mr. Thompson, cheque ;
Mr. W. J. Young and family, silver hot water kettle;
Mr. C. Gosney, silver and cut glass salad bowl ;
Mrs. Bushell, silver butter dish;
Mr. and Mrs. Burnell Jones, silver carver rests ;
Mr. E. Pinhey, unique cucumber dish;
Mrs. Brown, bread platter;
Misses Brown, glass jar ;
Mr. and Mrs. Seymour (parents of bridegroom), cheque and kitchen utensils ;
Miss Cheeseman, pair silver specimen glasses;
Mrs. Eather, salt cellars;
Miss Eather, point lace cushion ;
" Esther," silver salt cellars ;
Mr. and Mrs. Lobb, silver entree dish ;
Mr. and Mrs. B. Hall, silver salver ;
Miss Dulcie Hall, silver icing sugar bowl;
Mr. and Mrs. Paine, silver mounted bread platter;
Mr. Easy, silver cake basket;
Dr., Mrs, and Miss Callaghan, silver cake basket;
Mrs. McQuade, point lace cosy and hand painted cloth;
Miss Butler, butter and jam dish;
Mr. McCauley, ivory and silver fish carvers;
Miss McCauley, cake fork; Miss Champley, silver honey pot ;
Mr. C. M. Pitt, silver photo frame;
Mr. S. M. Pitt, silver teaspoons ;
Miss Colliss, silver salt cellars;
Mr. and Mrs. Bryant, silver card tray ;
Mr. F. Head, mirror ;
Mr. R. Simpson, mirror;
Mr. and Mrs. Beveridge, silver jam dish;
Mrs.Mullinger, pair glass vases ;
Miss A. Dunstan, specimen glasses on silver stands;
Mr. and Mrs. Playfair, afternoon tea spoons, sugar spoon, and butter knife;
Mr. Chambers, silver gong;
Appointment Branch G.P.O., silver egg cruet;
Mr and Mrs. Dunstan and family, silver ink stand and candle combination ;
Mr. and Mrs. John Hunter, pair silver backed hair brushes and comb ;
Miss Hunter, cut glass and silver topped scent bottles;
Mr. A. Hunter, handsome marble clock ;
Mr. and Mrs. O'Hehir, combination cheese and salad bowl;
Mr. and Mrs. Flexham, hall gong;
Mr. and Mrs. T. Cobcroft, celery bowl ;
Miss Robinson, cupid ornaments ;
Miss V. Robinson, silver specimen vases ;
Mr. and Mrs. Moses, silver butter dish;
Miss Moses, glass bowl :
Miss Berckelman, silver butter dish ;
the employees of the late Mr. R. W. Cobcroft, silver sugar basin ;
Mr. and Mrs. H. Dunston, afternoon cake forks;
Mr. and Mrs. Hotten, silver toast rack;
Mr. and Mrs. Woodhill, set of carvers ;
Mr. and Mrs. Metcalfe, afternoon tea forks;
Miss Gurney, Doulton vases ;
Mrs. and Miss Barnett, silver-mounted scent bottles, filled;
Miss Williams, silver book mark;
Mrs. James Martin unique silver rose bowl;
Misses Dorothy, Kathleen, and Queenie Lobb, hat pin holder, pair of d'oyleys, and cup and saucer ;
Mr. and Mrs. Ward, silver cake basket ;
Miss Ward, breakfast cruet ;
Misses Holland, silver double jam dish;
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Pateson (aunt), cutlery ;
Miss Pateson, (cousin), pearl necklet ;
Mrs. and Miss Pendergast, preserve dish;
Mr. and Mrs. F. Alderson, pair silver entree dishes ;
Miss Bushel, pair silver serviette rings and tea spoons ;
Mr. and Mrs. J. Tebbutt, silver sugar scuttle;
Mr. John Tebbutt, silver ink stand ;
Miss Jane Tebbutt, silver cake forks ;
Mr. R. and Miss Butler (cousins), silver flower pots;
Mr. and Mrs. G. Law, silver ornaments;
Miss Primrose, point lace collar ;
Mr. and Mrs. Hutchinson (aunt), silver teapot ;
Miss Ruby Pidgeon (cousin), afternoon tea spoons ;
Mrs. Davis, pair vases ;
Rev. and Mrs. Fielding, rose bowl, silver and glass;
Mr. G Podmore, silver horseshoe toast rack ;
Mr Geo. Cobcroft (uncle), pair lovely carvers ;
Mr. Harvey Cobcroft (uncle), unique silver claret jug ;
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Hogan, handsome travelling clock;
Mr. and Mrs. Rodda, pair silver jam spoons;
Mrs. Clarke (aunt), set of pretty China jugs;
Miss Clarke (cousin), silver teapot ;
Mr. J. Ruthven, silver-mounted cut glass knife rests ;
Mr. A. Simpson, oil painting ;
Mr. P. Rigg, case preserve spoons ;
Mr. and Mrs. S. Benson (uncle and aunt), afternoon tea set ;
Mr. Butler (uncle), cheque.
The following gentlemen were present:- Messrs. Brinsley Hall, W. J. Young,
J. J. Paine, Thos. Lobb, Chambers, Podmore, Seymour, Head, Simpson, Alec. Hunter,
Ruthven, J. Tebbutt, Rev. Fielding, G. Woodhill, C. Pitt, S. Pitt, A. D. Playfair,
R. and G. Cobcroft (brothers), Harvey and George Cobcroft (uncles), Dunstan,
W. Moses, and O'Hehir.
Mr. and Mrs. Benson left by the 4.20 p.m. train amidst showers of
rice and confetti.
The bride's and bridesmaids' frocks and the trousseau were made at Mrs.
Lobb's dressmaking establishment, and reflected great credit.
Source:
Hawkesbury Herald
Windsor, NSW : 1902 - 1945
Friday 11 September 1903
Page 8
Transcription, janilye 2014
ST. PETER'S OLD CEMETERY Richmond NSW.
St. Peter's Churchyard, Richmond is one of the most historical in the State of New South Wales. ln it are buried many old pioneers of the Nepean district. It was consecrated in 1814, but the earliest burials date from 1809. Several buried there reached very great ages. There were six who lived 90 to 100 years, and 47 who lived from 80 to 90 years. William Magick [sic] who died June 6, 1860, was 108 years when he passed away. The oldest date seen is that of George Rouse, who died on September 9, 1809; his father, Richard Rouse, arrived in the colony in 1801 by the ship 'Nile,' the ship that brought Margaret Catchpole to these shores. One of the oldest vaults bears the names of Thomas Hobby, Esq., formerly of the 102nd Regiment, who died January 8, 1833, aged 57; and Ann Elizabeth, his wife, died June 6, 1839, aged 72 years.
An old stone bears the name of Joseph Hobson, killed by the blacks 1816; Thomas Spencer, who was a marine in the first fleet, died 1821; Thomas 'Jonds,' arrived in 1792, died December 12, 1817.
The most curious epitaph is that of John Sutherland, died 1830. It reads:"Afflictions long time I bore; Physicians was in vain; Till God did please to give me ease, and free me from my pane."
William Harrington, of the 73rd Regiment, arrived 1810, and died !
In the same ground are the remains of two men who were hanged for stealing a bullock, The register in forms us that, the wife of one died of grief a few days after.
The epitaph of John and Honor Bowman concludes: "Without a trouble or a fear, they mingled with the dead." John Bowman, died 1813.
There are two headstones, both broken and fallen, that hold history, Ellen Innes, died August 2, 1853, aged 23 years, and Jacob Innes, died 1849 aged 69, lying between them there is another, the inscription downwards.
The Cox vault is in need of repair. It bears the names of William Cox, of "Hobartville," died 20/1/1850, aged 60; Sloper Cox, died 24/9/1877, aged 53; Francis, wife of Henry Cox, died 15/8/1851; and Louisa Stafford, wife of Charles C. Cox, died 6/7/1850.
Two old names are those of Catherine Hand, died 4/2/1825, aged 48 and Patrick Hand, died 15/12/1827, aged 50.
One notices the many generations of the same families buried in this churchyard, notably the Cornwells Farlows, Singles, Draytons, Towns, Travis, and the Marlins; John Single, born 1791, died 28/1/1858, and Sarah, his wife, born 1801, died 27/9/1868; John Towns, died 27/10/1846, aged 77; Mary Farlow, died 22/10/1842, aged 36; William Farlow, died 6/12/1864, aged 55; Ellen Maria, his widow, died 27/5/1900; Phillip Marlin, died 29/ 9/1859); Abraham Cornwell, died 18/7/1884, aged 82; Susannah, his relict, born Richmond 10/6/1807, died Bathurst 13/6/1888; William Drayton, died 20/11 /1925, aged 78; Emily Drayton, died 2/2/1930; William Drayton, died 30/1/1855, aged 46; Henry Drayton, died 1/4/1874, aged 57.
The Dights were an old family. Mary Dight, born 1804, died 1819; Sarah Dight, born 1800, died 17/2/1832; John Dight, born 1772, died 2/7/1837; George Dight, born 1810, died' 26/2/1851 and Hannah Dight, born 1781, died 27/5/1862
Several of the inscriptions are so faded as to make them wholly or partly indecipherable, and rather than perpetuate an error I will omit names and dates I have not been able to read. We will continue With the names of John Barwick, died 7/5/1858, aged 65; and Charlotte, his wife, died 14/7/1893, aged 93 years; George Barwick, died 8/12/1864, aged 16; Mary Leonard, died 1849, aged 29; William Aull, died 1830, aged 26; Thomas Cross, died 10/3/1843, aged 66; and Martha, his wife died 3/9/1839, aged 42; George Howell, died 22/2/1839, aged 79; Hannah Howell, died 2/10/1851, aged 81; Peter Howell, died 16/4/1861, aged 49; Elizabeth Ann Howell, died 3/8/1885, aged' 78; Thomas Griffiths, died 1826, aged 29; Thomas Griffiths, died 1910, aged 70 ; Albert Uriah Hibbert, accidentally killed on 26/4/1897, aged 27; Frederick J. Griffiths, died from a gunshot wound on 1897, aged 22; and Thomas, Gordon Griffiths, accidentally killed at Clarendon Camp on 26/4/1905; aged 4 year's. What a sequence of tragedies!
Names on other tombstones include: Sarah Sharpe, died 3/12/1836, aged 55; William sharpe, died 17/11/1897, aged 88; Mary Mason, died 1835; William Mason, died 27/3/1839; Thomas teaton, died 2/9/1840; aged 45; Francis Willis, died 3/6/1840, aged 33; Job Moore, died 17/11/1840; Sarah Begley; died 29/4/1839, aged 50; Mary Richardson, died 22/11/1839, aged 35; Thomas Huxley, died 1834, aged 84; Elizabeth Bridger, died 4/9/ 1840, aged 42; William Bridger, died 11/12/1859, aged 92; Mary Hives, died , 25/6/1837, aged. 30; Joseph Young, died 1842, aged 29 ; Catherine Bishop, died 24/8/1835, aged 62; Elias Bishop; died 26/9/1835, aged 65; John Henderson, died 11/10/1846, aged 81; John Fawcett, died 27/9/1847, aged 58; Stephen Field, died 26/7/1883; Jacob Innes, died 1849, aged 69; Ellen Innes, died 2/8/1853, aged 23 the two Innes headstones have fallen and broken William Faithful, died 16/4/1847, aged 73; and Susanna; his wife, died 5/9/1820, aged 46; and Maria, his widow, died 29/5/1859,' aged 65. (Note. It will be seen that William Faithful, married 'twice, his second wife surviving. him. W.F.,).
William Bowman, born 1799, died- 11/12/1874; and Elizabeth, his wife, born 1798, died 21/11/1885 ; Laban White, died 5/9/1875, aged 80 years; and Jane, his wife, died 12/3/1846, aged 68 years; Jane Guest, born 1818, died 20/3/1865; George Guest, born. 1811, died 9/2/1893; Matilda Guest, died 26/1/1853, aged 18 months; Grace, the wife of Robert Lambert, late of 'Holwood,' King's Plains, Bathurst, died 16/2/1849, aged 65 years; Edward Merrick, died 1839, aged 76 years; James Watson, died 20/1/1853, aged 43; John Greenhalch, died 1832; Margaret Patton, died 8/5/1831, aged 27 years; Elijah Lane died 1826; Catherine Hand, died 4/2/1825; aged 48 years,' and Patrick Hand, died 15/12/ 1827. (Note. The name Greenhalch is usually spelt 'Greenhalgh,' but I have spelt it as I found it on the stone. Probably the stone cutter erred. W.F.)
We now notice a few more notable names, such as John Town, senr. died 27/10/1846, aged 77; Mary Town, died 26/5/1852, aged 80; William Town, died 5/5/1868, aged 51; Mary Town, died 4/4/1886, aged 67; Andrew Town, born. 1840, died 10/2/1890; also two children and John Thomas Town, son of John and Julia Town born 1863, died 7/11/1929; Thomas Hobby, Esq., formerly of the 102nd Regiment, died 8/1/1833, aged 57; and Ann Elizabeth Hobby, died 30/6/1839, aged 72 years; William Magick, died 16/6/1860, aged 108 years; and Elizabeth, his wife, died 8/8/1869, aged 80; Isaac Cribb, died 1841 [sic]; James Cribb, died 13/7/1841; Samuel Thorley, died 9/8/1821, aged, 53; and Agnes, his wife, died 18/4/1821, aged 47. George Rouse, died 23/9/1809, aged 5 years; Elizabeth Rouse, died 1/8/1811, aged 19 days; Elizabeth Rouse, their mother, died 28/12/1849, aged 76; and Richard Rouse, the head of the family, who, having arrived in this colony in the ship 'Nile' in 1801, departed this life 18/5/1852, aged 78; also John Richard Rouse, died 10/2/1873, aged 72; George Rouse, born 27/7/1816, died 29/7/ 1888; and Elizabeth, his wife, died 1/3/1863, aged 42; also 2 children. Maria Gow, died 26/9/1865, aged 59; William P. T. Gow, died 2/2/1872, aged 77; Mary Ann Powell, died 30/11/1870, aged 30; Henry Powell, died 14/2/1920, aged 84; Ann Powell, died 1921, aged 75; Wm. Ritchie, died 1856. aged 42; Geo. Sutherland, died 4/6/1850, aged 49; Mary, wife of Robert Martin, died 3/3/ 1841, aged 78; Robert Martin, senr., died 15/6/1846, aged 79; Mart Martin, junr., died 7/10/1855, aged 60; Robert Martin, junr., born 1797, died 11/9/1872; Wm. Martin, junr. born 1832, died 4/5/1871; Henry Newcomen, died 10/10/1884, aged 61; and Emily Jane, his wife, died 6/4/1871; Andrew Wellington Hough, born 1864, died 20/12/1870; Mary Ann, wife of George Hough, died 16/6/1875, aged 55; George Hough, died 25/12/1878, aged 64; and Mary Ann Hough, died 5/2/1911, aged 71; Mary Dight, born 1804, died 26/12/1819; Sarah Dight, born 1800, died 17/2/1832; John. Dight, born 1772, died 2/7/1837; George Dight born 1810, died 26/2/1851; Hannah Dight, born 1781, died 27/5/1862; Sophia Thurston, died 23/6/1825, aged 2 years and 7 months; Mary Ann Crosbie, died 1877, aged 73. John Gordon Town, died 9/4/1883, aged 70 and Elizabeth, his wife, died 23/8/l882, aged 71 years; Wm. Gordon, 3rd son of the above, died 25/12/1858, aged 20; Frederick M., son of G. M. and E. Pitt, died 16/6/1903, aged 36; Elizabeth, wife of George Matcham Pitt, died 18/10/1908, aged 7'5; George Mat chem Pitt, died 19/3/1912, aged 74; Clarence M. Pitt, died 30/7/1920, aged 51. One of the oldest vaults bears the names of Sloper Cox, died 24/9/1877, aged 53; Frances Cox, wife of Henry Cox, died 15/8/1851; Louisa Stafford Cox, died 6/7/1856; William Cox, Esq., of 'Hobartville,' died 20/1/1850, aged 60; also two infant children. Part of the inscriptions on this vault are freeting away. On one of the largest vaults we read the names of Benjamin Richards, born 1818, died 5/3/1898; and Elizabeth, his wife, born 1821, died 30/7/1896; and Mary Ann, their eldest daughter, died 11/11/1867; Elizabeth, wife of Theodore Charles Badgery, died 27/i8/1870; Lucetta, 4th daughter, born 1857, died 18/1/1874; Wallace, 5th son, born 1865, died 11/10/1880; William James, 2nd son, born 1846, died 2/8/1885.
Many well-known names are seen on, another vault, viz., Mary Farlow, died 22/10/1842, aged 36; William Farlow; died 6/12/1864, aged 55; Ellen Maria, his widow, died 27/5/1900, aged 75; Emily, wife of Robert W. Farlow, died 7/11/1900, aged 56; Robert W. Farlow, died 16/6/1913, aged 83 years; and also several of recent dates.
The Skuthorpe vault is difficult to read. On it we see the name of Mary Ann Skuthorpe, died 20/2/1854, aged 32; and John Long, died 2/1/1856, aged 26.
The Onus vault bears several names from which we copy: Joseph Onus, died 22/6/1835, aged 54; Thomas Onus, died 28/3/1855, aged 35; William Onus, died 8/5/1855, aged, 33. On another stone are Joseph Onus, died 22/4/1891. He was born in 1840; also Emma, wife of Joseph Onus, died 30/11/1865. Other well known names seen are John Single, born 1791, died 28/l/1858; and Sarah, his wife, born 1801, died 27/9/1868; Sarah Wilmot, their daughter, died 1871; Alfred, Single, died 5/11/1889, aged 48; Henry Single, died 5/7/1896, aged 66. Abraham Cornwell, died 18/7/1884, aged 82; and Susannah, his wife, born at Richmond 10/6/1807, died at Bathurst 1888; John Cornwell, died 26/8/1914, aged 82; also Ann Cornwell, died 20/2/1915, aged 81 years. Louis Jockel, 10 years Government Medical Officer at Richmond, died 20/5/1888, aged 37; and Martha, his wife, died 13/7/1922, and buried at Manly; William Drayton, died 30/1/1855, aged 46; and Harriet Province, his widow, died 1886 aged 68; Mary Ellen Drayton, born 1853, died 23/5/1858; Henry Drayton, died 1/4/1874, aged 57; Jane Drayton, died 8/10/1876; William Paris, died 18/3/1840, aged 52; Phillip Marlin, died 29/9/1859; James Burril; died 6/10/1858, aged 34; James Douglas, died 24/11/1858, aged 41; Mary Ann Norris, died 8/2/1856, aged 49; Mary'Biddle, died 7/3/1855, aged 32; James Andrew Biddle, died 11/3/ 1879, aged 22.
We again come across a few old dates, viz., Thomas Wheeler, died 15/2/1820; Thomas Mason, died 27/11/1827, aged 46; Mary Ann, the wife of Mr. Charles Palmer, died 1824; Ephriam Palmer, died 1827; Athelia Stack, died 1839; Charles Palmer, died 14/4/1846;. and Mary Ann Stack, died 26/4/1829, aged 14 months.
The Williams vault bears many names. We mention Robert Williams, born 1794, died, 28/11/1839; Mary Ann Williams, born 1850, died 14/10/1852; Charlotte Malony, born 1795, died 1862; Jane Williams, born 1826,. died 18/12/1873; Thomas Williams, born 1824, died 26/7/1888;. John Eather Williams, died 25/1/1917, aged 83; Ann Eather Williams, died 1/8/1913, aged 83.
The most imposing monument in the cemetery is the Hordern memorial inscribed with the names of Edward Hordern, senr. died 14/8/1883, aged 45; and Christina, his wife, died. 24/4/1904, aged 59; and Cecil, son of Edward Hordern, senr.; died 14/9/1931, aged 63 years.
Since commencing , these articles I have seen the report of the consecration of St. Peter's. As a record it may be not only interesting, but also useful: In the Sydney Herald' of Monday, July 19, 1841, there is a brief account of the opening and the consecration of the church by the Lord Bishop of Australia on the previous Thursday, when all the respectable families of the town and neighborhood were present. In the 'Herald' of July 22, 1841, there is a fuller report of the event. Rev. T. Hassal acted as chancellor, Rev. H. T., Stiles read the prayers, and Bishop Broughton, after the consecration, preached, his text being Matt. 16 vlS. Revs. R. Allwood, T. Makinson, W. B. Clarke, E. S. Pryce, C. Kemp, and J. Vincent were also present in the chancel. After the service the Bishop, clergy, police magistrate, etc., were entertained, at 'Hobartville' by Mr. and Mrs. W. Cox.
Sources:
Expressly written By WILLIAM FREAME for the
Windsor and Richmond Gazette in 1933
Saturday 25 February 1933
Page 3
Friday 10 March 1933
Page 8
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William Freame, b:27 November 1867 in Geelong Victoria and died at Randwick in New South Wales on the 19 September 1933, was a familiar figure, in every historic cemetery in New South Wales and Victoria, and an authority on Australian genealogy. Mr.Freame, spent many years copying and preserving the inscriptions on headstones at St. John's, Ebenezer, Camden, Windsor and other cemeteries, and it was he who rediscovered the headstones of Thomas Allen, Sydney's first miller, and a number of other pioneers. He wrote a number of historical books, including "Sweet St. Marys." Mr. Freame represented the 'Evening News' in the Parramatta district for many years, and contributed to the Nepean Times. He was an alderman of Holroyd for more than 20 years and also a life member of the Parramatta District Hospital, a member of the Black Preceptory, of the L.O.L. and of Masonic Lodge, Wentworthville. He was a founder of the Parramatta and Windsor, Historical Societies.
First Aid Awards 1939 Singleton district, New South Wales
A meeting of the Singleton branch of the St. John Ambulance Association was held at the Drill Hall last night for the purpose of winding up the affairs of the branch and to present the certificates to successful candidates. There was a good attendance of members. The secretary (Mr Eric J. Robson) read his report which paid a tribute to the splendid service rendered by the honorary instructor, Superinten dent W. O. Blackwell, without whom the members would have been un able to make such advanced training.
Members appreciated his valued co-operation, and were indeed grateful for the valuable time he had allotted in the furtherance of the Association's aims. Thanks were also extended to the local doctors for the service they had rendered both as examiners and lecturers.
The report referred to the first examination when Drs. A. D. Barton and R. Errol Maffey kindly gave their services, and later Drs. Gordon and Dalton. These medical men had given their services without thought of reward, and their help was much appreciated.
Thanks to the Press for publicity and help, and to the local military authorities for the use of the Drill Hall as a meeting place, were also mentioned, and in connection with the latter special tribute was paid to Sgt. Major Mackenzie, who had been a tower of strength to the branch. Constable Giddings deserved congratulations for the time he had given in the tutoring of the Bulga-Milbrodale school children, who were a credit to him. The Secretary had also suggested to Head Office that they should offer heartiest congratulations to successful pupils and a wish that the know ledge will be useful to them. The Secretary then called upon Superintendent Blackwell to make the presentation of certificates to members. Mr Blackwell stated that he was very pleased to be able to instruct the class, and he desired to congratulate the successful candidates and sympathise with the unlucky ones.
The examination in First Aid was held at the Drill Hall on April 4th. 1939.
The officials were as follows:
Examiner, Dr. C. P. Gordon; Lecturer, Dr. R. T. Dalton; Instructor, Superintendent W. O. Blackwell; and Secretary, Mr Eric J. Robson.
The following candidates were successful:?
First Aid Certificate, Junior Section: -
Robert Ainslee, Joan Anderson, Neville Archinal. Elma Bates, Raymond Bates,
Elizabeth Clark, Nina Clark, David Eather, James Eather, Coral Giddings, Gordon Halton,
Essie Harris, Harold Harris, Audrey Leslie, Reginald Mason, Sylvia Medhurst, Lawrence Medhurst,
Ronald Medhurst, Errol Partridge, Keith Partridge, Noel Paul, Herbert Pike, Keith Sylvester,
Edna Thompson, Noel Tuckerman, Arthur Turnbull, Daphne Turnbull, Reginald Turnbull,
Errol Bailey, Ella Burgmann, Rae Woods; Glory Holey.
First Aid Certificate, Adult Section:-
Alfred Clavey, Francis Paul, Reginald James Tulloch.
First Aid Medallions:-
Raymond George Manuel, Leslie Gordon Morriss, Trevor George Blackwell, Noel John Partridge,
John Albert Bartrop, John Thomas Austin, Eric John Robson, Edward Partridge (label),
Margaret McLeod (label).
Honorary Instructor's Certificate:-
Eric John Robson.
The Bulga-Milbrodale children were not present, but the certificates were forwarded out to them in readiness for presentation at a function at Bulga.
Mr. R. J. Tulloch, in a few well chosen words, thanked Mr Blackwell for his untiring efforts on behalf of the class, and the Secretary for his services. To the latter he handed out congratulations in connection with his recent appointment to the New Guinea medical service. Mr. E. Partridge supported the remarks of the previous speaker, and stated that the services of Mr Blackwell and the doctors were greatly appreciated. Mr L. G. Morriss also spoke a few words of praise in regard to the services rendered by the officials. Mr Blackwell, in returning thanks, stated that he would do all in his power to help members to gain a further knowledge of first aid. Mr Robson also, returned thanks, and in conclusion hoped that he would have the pleasure of meeting members again at a future date.
The Secretary placed the matter of medalion awards in the capable hands of Mr E. Partridge. Mr Partridge will arrange for the necessary awards to be placed on order.
Source:
Singleton Argus
Wednesday 24 May 1939
Page 3
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As an interesting aside, the photograph below, taken at the Milbrodale Public School in 1962 shows three
little girls all decended from some of those named above EATHER, TURNBULL, PARTRIDGE HARRIS and CLARK.
Alfred Smith, an old Richmondite, Remembers
continued
Windsor in days gone by had its mills, and a busy time it was. Hopkins' steam mill just below the Council Chambers in George-street, I remember getting built. knew old Mr and Mrs Hopkins and their sons Abe (who used to do droving) and William. Then we had Teale's steam mill opposite the park, which was built before my recollection. Teale did a great trade. The last time I saw Joe Teale was when I was coming in with sheep at Wallerawang years ago, but good old Henry I saw in Windsor about six months ago. Then there was Caddell's brewery which stood near the Church of England, as you go down the lane to Cornwallis. This was built before my time. Other boys and myself often walked from Richmond in there for our sixpennoth of yeast. When they left there they built the big brewery near the residence of Miss Dick. Mr Thomas Caddell, who owned the brewery, married Ann, the only daughter of old Mr William Bowman.
The old place just over Windsor bridge on the Wilberforce road I knew as a pub, and being kept by old Mr. Cunninghame. About where James Rowthorn lives close to "Fairfield", I remember there was a two storey brick place kept as a pub by James Cullen. He was a great sporting man, and much interested in horse-racing. He had been butchering before he went into the pub business, but it was while keeping the pub I got to know him. He was a popular man.
The first I remember keeping the pub at Clarendon now owned and kept by Mrs Edwards was Charles Ezzy, who owned it. Others who have presided over it as a pub were Charles Barker. James Norris and James Huxley. In Charley Barker's time they had seen good foot races there. and, of course, the [--- ----] sport of cockfighting was frequent enough ? and I think it no worse than pigeon shooting and other things one might mention. The last time I saw Charley Barker and his wife was in Walgett where they were keeping a
butcher's shop. At one time Charley did droving for Joseph Cope and we often travelled together. The old two-storey place a little further on, William Thomas Bayliss kept as a pub when I first knew it. The house was built before I can remem ber. The property belonged to Bayliss, and he lived there and kept the pub for many years. His sign was "The bird in hand." A widow Smith kept it at another period, and it was while she was there Johnny Higgerson's experience in love matters commenced.
We can now get back to Windsor. I remember the old wooden bridge which did duty where the Fitzroy bridge is. It looked a very old bridge when I first knew it. They didn't build bridges then on the same lines as they do now-a-days. Charley Marsden was a big butcher in Windsor in those days, and had a narrow escape one day. He was driving a lot of fat bullocks out Magrath's Hill way, and was just over when a good slice of the bridge fell in. The first man I remember being super intendent of the Hawkesbury Benevolent Asylum was Timothy Paull. Then I mind the time when James Rowthorn had the position.
An old man who had been living with us for years went into the Asylum and came back to visit us a little while before he died. He told us all about the institution, and spoke very highly of James Rowthorn.
Old Mr Champion was a prominent citizen in Windsor years ago. He was agent for Tooth and Co. He visited the pubs in Richmond and Enfield regularly for orders. After he gave up being agent for Tooth and Co. he used to take photographs. I knew some of his sons, and the last time I saw his son Charley he had a big business in Tamworth as a saddle and harnessmaker.
Ben Barnett I knew from boyhood. He went to Hogflesh's school, next to Mrs Tomkinson's in Windsor street, Richmond, the same time as I did. He had a brother David. I knew their father and mother, the latter was a sister to Dean, the tanner of Richmond.
There was a Mr Edwards who was a chemist and dentist in George-street, Windsor. I remember him very well ? and I have good cause to remember him. I went to him once to get a big double tooth out and he couldn't shift it with two pulls in the chair so he sat me on the floor and got my head between his legs and after some lugging got the tooth. Mr Edwards was uncle to C. S. Guest, of Richmond.
Jimmy Dargin, who died in Macquarie street some time ago, was an old school mate of mine when Hogsflesh kept school where Harry Fong lives in Lennox-street, Richmond. When I first knew "Grand father" Hoskisson he was farming at Cornwallis. And while he was farming there he had "Gravesend" on the Big River, Barraba and Gyrah, three cattle stations. He had a flock of cattle coming in nearly every week while I was at the punt. He was always at the river to see his cattle put over. He had a fine chestnut horse and used to ride in till the water would be up to his knees and with his stockwhip steered the cattle along. He delighted in the work, and no matter how many others were there with cattle he would help them in. He prided himself on being the ' Grandfather ' of them all putting cattle over, and on that account we always knew him as 'Grandfather' Hoskisson. He was an industrious man, made a heap of money, and took care of it. He bought 'Clifton' from Charles Smith.
Mr Montague was the first auctioneer I remember in Windsor. I remember him having a sale of bacon in Richmond. Dick Meagher was another old hand. He kept a pub opposite the military barracks, and his sister kept house for him. Both were from Ireland.
I have mentioned William Durham living at Wombo, but I must speak of him again in Windsor, when be was a single man. In the first election in the colony when Fitzgerald and Bowman were up the seat Mr Durham took a very active interest in it. He was a very staunch Fitzgerald man, and was very busy riding about to get votes for his man, In those days they wore colors, and Mr Durham had a very big green rosette in his jacket. They were worn a great deal in those times. Mr Durham was very disappointed when his man was beaten, While on this election I might mention a few others who fought hard to get Fitzgerald in. Among them I remember Jimmy Cullen, Mr Burgess (a shopkeeper), a man named Sibthorpe, and George Freeman. There was a little song about it, but all I remember of it is "Calico, butcher, and Sibby the swell". Calico was meant for Burgess, butcher was meant for Jimmy Cullen as he was butchering at the time, and 'the swell' was given to Sibthorpe who was a bit of a 'swell'.
Among the Js P. who sat on the Windsor bench when I first remember were William Cox (of Hobartville), James Bligh Johnston (who lived out at Magrath's Hill); Captain Scarvall (from Killarney) ; Stepnen Tuckerman (down the river), George Bowman (Richmond), William Bowman (Richmond), Thomas Bell (Belmont), and James Ascough (Windsor).
Ned Armfield, and a man named Miller were among old timers in Windsor. They were constables, and under some of the chief constables I have already mentioned.
I knew old "Ben the fisherman," very well, and many a time saw him in Richmond with his fish. He had his little slab house on the point, and fished about the river, and it has been known as Ben's Point ever since.
"Fairfield " has seen gayer days than it is seeing now, I remember when old Mr Baines, "Daddie's" father, lived in the lodge at the entrance before Mr Hale bought the property. During Dr. Gamac's time, Alex. Gough lived in the lodge. In Mr.Hale's time Robert Tilling occupied the lodge. Opposite to "Fairfield," on the brow of the hill, John Seath occupied the cottage. Afterwards Thomas Wall and family lived there a lifetime. Again, good old Edward Roberts (Charley's father), John Barker and James Dargin are worthy of a place, as they, too. have played their part in making the district what it is.
While I had the mail to Windsor there was a big flood. After it went down I was the first man along, and when I got over the Ponds bridge, near Fairfield, I saw the body of a man dead. I recog nised it as Bill White. He was engaged burning charcoal out at the Glebe, and was drowned returning home.
Edward Robinson I knew away back in the days when he was poundkeeper at Gulgong, where he made a good bit of money Then we often met on the roads when he was droving. He went in for cattle droving and buying on commission for Thomas Sullivan, while I turned my attention to the sheep.
Charley Smith owned "Clifton," now the property of Mr Samuel Hoskisson. Among his racehorses I remember Crazy Jane, Beeswing (Beeswing broke her loins at the turn on the old racecourse near Charley Roberts' and was being ridden by George Marsden, who got hurt a little) Lady Cordina, Betsy Bedlam. Among his jockeys were George Marsden and Johnny Higgerson. Other jockeys were John McGrath, Micky McGrath, Dunn, Micky O'Brien, Joe Badkin and Johnny Cuts, who rode on the old racehorse.
Jorrocks, died at "Clifton" one cold, wet, winter while I was keeping the pub on the Clarendon road, and they drew the carcase out on the common a little distance from the gate. A servant man of old Mr Hoskisson's came and told me that they had drawn it out to the prickly pears ? they were plentiful about there then ? so I went out in the afternoon to have a look at the old warrior. Jorrocks had a very short mane but I was bent on having some of the hair as a keepsake of the old horse that punters and myself had so often hoorayed for. I pulled a good piece out and have had it ever since. Beside the piece of hair ? which I have had plaited into a long tan plait ? I have two of his long teeth, and would be pleased to show them to any person interested in old Jorrocks. I got the skeleton of his head when it dried and had it hanging on the stable wall for about twelve months, but as my wife was always at me about having such a thing hung up I took it down one day and buried it in the garden at the side of the pub. Some time after I was down in the museum and saw a horse's head there labelled "Jorrocks." Two men were standing by at the time and said they supposed that was the head of the great old racehorse that used to run at the Hawkesbury. I told them the difference, and what I had done with the head, but they didn't seem to believe what I said. Billy Reid took the four hoofs off and sent them to the owner, Mr Archie Thompson spirit merchant, of Sydney. I heard he had them mounted in silver.
To show how sentimental people were about the grand old equine, Mr McAlpin, of Bulga, once told me that he would have given half a sovereign towards digging a grave rather than have the bones bleach on the common. Mr McAlpin had won a lot of money on Jorrocks.
George Cupitt, an old farmer, lived near "Clifton." He was a great breeder of game fowls, and was one of the old time sports. He died there.
The Hawkesbury has had its pugilists, and among them I remember some of the best. George Hough was champion of the colony at one time. He fought Paddy Haddygaddy at Regentville for the championship, and had no trouble in beating Paddy. A lot of the leading sports went over from Richmond, to see the fight George Hough fought Black Perry for the championship some time after, but was knocked out by Perry in five rounds. Then there was the fight with Frank Norris and Dick Hunt, which took place at "Boshey's" at Blacktown. Blacktown at this time was five miles this side of the present Blacktown station. There was a lot of money lost on this fight, Martin Gibbons being a heavy loser. Joe Teale and Jim Johnson fought a great battle at the Chain of Ponds, below the present racecourse. It ended in a win for Teale. Then we had a great battle between Harry Teale and Tom Johnson. Johnson was a very game man, but got such a punishing from Teale that they had to take him away to save him from getting finished altogether. Three fights that day, and the other one was between Isiah Bell and Charles Metcalfe. It was a hard battle, and won by Bell. Each of these three fights was for ?10 aside. I remember the day, though I didn't see this fight, Courderoy and Stringybark Jack fought down about the Ponds. I heard it was a great fight, and Stringybark Jack was killed dead by a chance blow. Then there was another fight down there for ?10 aside between two local chaps who had had a quarrel. The winner is now advanced in years and suffering from paralysis.
Sources:
Ups and Downs of an Old Richmondite
Alfred Smith
Chronicled bt Robert Farlow
Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1954)
Saturday 22 October 1910
Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1954)
Saturday 29 October 1910
Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1954)
Transcription, janilye
Alfred Smith 1831-1917 recollections 1
Some Ups and Downs of an old Richmondite, Mr. Alfred Smith
Chronicled by Robert Farlow.
[For the Gazette.]
Right in the corner of the vacant allotment at the corner of Paget and March streets, there stood a weatherboard house, which had a verandah in front. At the side of the house was a very large cedar tree. When I first remember the place the old man Douglas of all lived there. He would be great-grandfather to the present William Douglas, who we all know today as a good bricklayer in Richmond. In those days we always knew the corner as Douglas' corner, and the big tree at the side of the house as Douglas's cedar tree. I still have a vivid recollection of old Mr. Douglas. He used to wear his hair very long, brush it round behind his ears, and it would hang well on to his shoulders. He had two horses and carts, and hired them out to people who wanted to draw wood. He charged five shillings per day for each horse and cart. He had one very funny saying, which he would use on special occasions. It was this "Bad luck to all informers! You're a liar ! Whether or no too bad. cabbage is no good without pork." He bad two sons, wheelwrights, Joseph and Isaac, and about where Ernest Marlin is living at present there was a skillion, and they had a big workshop there. In this same skillion Ellen Cavanah lived for some time. I think old Saunders, the brickmaker,lived there also. Alderman T. Biddle's father was the agent. Where Mr Sid Paull's residence stands there was a blacksmith's shop kept by Dan Ward. He was a single man and lived with his mother, who we always knew as Granny Ward. I remember three daughters. Sarah married a man named Brett. Jane married a man named Ben Gawthorn, and went to Mudgee to live. I think there are some of the descendants about there now. Phyllis married a chemist named Lester, in Mudgee. Old Granny Ward had a white cockatoo, which could say almost anything, He would call her whenever she was wanted in her little shop. I understood he was 35 years old when Mrs Ward died, and I heard her daughter, Mrs Lester, took him to Mudgee. Outside her family she had a boarder named Robinson, who was a tailor. The old lady was a most industrious woman, and had a big mangle, with which she did a large trade.
Then there was vacant land till we came to where Mr W. Drayton is residing. Here was an old house, used as a school, which was kept by Mr Hogsflesh. Mrs Harrington, a widow, lived there after Mr Charles Hogsflesh kept the school. I think Mr Harrington was killed by the blacks somewhere up Kurrajong. Old Mrs Harrington was a chatty old woman. She often came round to Mr James for advice, as he was a constable. If I were about when she came she would say to me 'Go out !? get out of this!' and away I would have to go. Later she becme Mr. Preystnell, but the union did not turn out a happy one. They did not live long together, and Preystnell told me the reason.
In the course of time the property came into the hands of the Draytons, and is now owned by my old friend Mr W. Drayton. Some years ago he built an up to date cottage on the land, which has improved it so much that only us old hands can have an idea of what it was like in my boyhood days. Next door to this stood the old Horse and Jockey Hotel that was pulled down when the Imperial was built on the corner. The first person I remember living there was Thomas Silk, Harry's father, who kept it as an hotel. His sign was the Lion and the Unicorn. We lads had a song among ourselves which went : ? The Lion and the Unicorn Are fighting for the crown, Tbe Lion beat the Unicorn All around the town.
The first circus I ever saw was in tbe paddock at the back when Tom Silk kept the pub. A man named Croft was the proprietor, and I never forgot Quinn the tight rope walker. We thought it was something wonderful to see a man walking backwards and forwards on a tight rope. Old Mr Joseph Onus lived there for a while. Here he had ' Jerry Sneak,'the racehorse, half brother to the famous 'Jorrocks' The first gold cup run for in the colony was won by ' Jerry Sneak' at Homebusb. When old Mr Crisford and family first came to Richmond it was in this place they commenced housekeeping. Caleb Crisford was only talking to me about it the second last time he was in Richmond. Then a tall man, whose name I don't remember, kept a school there. He had a school also down on the 'Bottoms,' by 'Smashem' Smith's. One night as he was going to Windsor two fellows nearly killed him. The Rev. Father Terry, the Roman Catholic priest, held services upstairs in the big room. Old Mr Brooks also kept a school here, and no doubt some of his pupils are alive to-day in the district. At the time Mr. James Bates took it over to start pub keeping, the building was in a state of great disrepair, and it cost him a large sum of money to put it in thorough order. He was living there at the time of the '67 flood, and I heard it was about half an inch over the counter, but I was up the country at the time and only heard this.
Among others who kept the old place as an hotel will be remembered 'Black' Johnny Gough, ]im Ryan (Toby's son), Tom Hough, George Cobcroft, Tom Young, Campion, Ted Morgan and, after his death, his widow. On the piece of land on which the Imperial Hotel is built was a weatherboard place in which Dan Neil lived. Right on the corner he had a blacksmith's shop. I have been given to understand he was a Government man to old Mr Cox, of Clarendon, and did his blacksmithing. But to his credit, with good conduct and a good record he became a free man, and started black smithing on his own account on this corner.
On this same corner Tom Masters, of Windsor, kept his first little shop. He had been droving, but his health began to give way, and he decided to start in business. On the opposite side of the street where Joseph Ashton keeps his cases there was a little slab place with no verandah. 'Bill' Wilmott a shoemaker, lived in it. While living there he died suddenly. Mrs Morgan, who they called 'Betty,' a very stout woman, was his housekeeper. Next door, only on the same block of land, there stood one room in which lived an old bachelor known as 'Bob the Stockman.' For a long time he made ti-tree brooms, and sold them for sixpence each. He would go out to the Black Swamp and get the good class of ti-tree, cut it, and let it wilt for a certain time before making it into brooms. You would see him coming home with a large bundle of it on each shoulder. Where Mr. S. Orchard's own house stands, and where he kept a store for many years, stood a skillion with no verandah and containing three or four rooms. Here Mrs. Davis, mother of Mrs S. Orchard, lived for some time. Later on Mrs. Davis married Matthew Webb, a carpenter. It was Mr Webb who had the front put on and started storekeeping. Later on he went to St Mary's, and kept a tannery. He died over there. Tom Masters kept a general store there also. Coming down nearer the present day we knew it as a butcher's shop kept by 'Ike' Cornwell. Mr. Orchard conducted a successful business there and a general store for a long time.
What we now call the park, wasn't such a beauty spot when I first knew it, and was called the Market Square. In wet weather water would lie in a few places about the centre. It wasn't quite as level as now. There were a few trees standing, a few logs on the ground, and plenty of stumps. On the 5th of November, Guy Fawkes day, they would build a platform some five or six feet high about where the pavilion now stands, and make a effigy of a man. They had the effigy on show at day time, and large heaps of wood piled up about a a rod away. When night came they set fire to the man and heaps of wood, and great was the rejoicing.
Where the School of Arts and public school stands was the pound paddock. About where Constable Ross has his garden was the pound. The first poundkeeper I remember was old 'Dicky' Lounds.
Returning to the corner where Mr. S. Orchard keeps his present "Railway Stores" I remember there stood a skillion with a small verandah. In this humble, dwelling Charles Chamberlain, the fencer and splitter, lived. On the spot where Mr Orchard's store stands there were several lots of bricks made by 'Tim ' tbe brickmaker. This was the only name I knew him by. Where Mr. F. Gow's places are there stood a weatherboard skillion of four rooms and no verandah, which was occupied by Mr Tafe. He used to grow tobacco, and had two sons, Joe and Dick. After that there stood a brick skillion, where Mr Wade lived. Mr Wade was a gardener to Mr William Bowman. In his spare moments, and with the help of his wife, he used to raise a lot of good vegetables, his wife used to sell them. He also grew tobacco. He had two daughters, Jane, and Harriet. but only one son, I think. He had a tobacco press made out of logs and a long lever to press his tobacco leaf. A man named Province ? 'Ratty,' as he was always called ?lived with him for a long time and helped him with the tobacco.
A brick house stands on the allotment where Mr Guest's saleyards are. It is an old place. I don't remember it getting built, but I don't think it had been up many years when I first knew it. Here old Mr Ducker (Roland's father) kept a shop when they first came to Richmond. Old Mr Ducker was an industrious man and I recollect him driving his team up and down for goods. Mr B. Richards had a butcher's shop in the verandah portion on the end towards Mr F. Gow's property, and sold, mutton only. This was the last place he lived in in Richmond till he built the beautiful mansion 'Kamilaroi.' From here he went to live at the bridge, where he kept public house. Mr Joseph Single lived there also.
I have heard old Mr Martin, who married Miss Henderson (Granny Field) gave it to his granddaughter, who married Charley Price. Charley lived here a good while. Next door, where Miss Fergusson is living, must be a very old place, as it had an old look when I first recollect it. Mr King occupied the whole premises ? late years it has been made into two dwellings. Old Mr King was a nail maker, and consequently was always known as 'King the nailer.' He used to live in one end and have his shop in the other. After Mr King left it, Joe Poole lived there. He ran a one horse coach to Windsor. Nixon, the tailor, lived there also.
Then there was a vacant allotment next in my earliest days. Later on, but standing on this piece of ground is the old two-storey place which has been in the possession of the Price family for many years. The brick work was done by Caleb Crisford and his father. Grand father Price died there, as also did Rebecca, his daughter. It was from this place that Mrs Archie Kennedy buried a son, Donald, and a daughter, Mary, in a very short space of time.
Mrs Parkinson, who afterwards went to England, kept a school there.
Next door we have the old home of the Price family which I don't remember getting built. Old Mr. William Price of all (great grandfather of the two young Prices now living in Richmond), kept the second post office in Richmond in the old place. At the back was the tan-yard. He also carried on undertaking, &c.
Again there was vacant land, but afterwards there was a black-smith's shop erected, and this, combined with monumental work, made it a scene of activity.
I don't remember the house at the corner, owned by William Sly, getting built. The first I recollect living there was 'Joe the wheeler,' a wheelwright by trade. Joe engaged with Mr William Bowman to go to Tunnabutta but he never turned up. He arranged to go by Bell's Line, and some considerable time afterwards the remains of a man were found at the Bald Hill, seven miles the other side of Mount Tomah. As he was never heard of after leaving Richmond it was always thought to be his body.
Dr. Rowan lived there also. Miss Hawsey ? a miss, about 60 years of age ? kept house for him, and did dressmaking besides.
Where Mr Steve Dunston is living plays its part in Richmond's history.The first man I remember living there was James Griffiths. Then old Alexander Gough (father of the 'Johnny' who kept the Royal Hotel) lived there. He was a cooper by trade, and used to make the old fashioned churns, &c, and one of his make I worked many a time when making butter at old Mr James'.
On the same block of ground as John Sly has his house built, only about forty for fifty yards back from March-street, was an old slab place, I think, with a tremendous large vine in front of it. Here lived old Mr and Mrs William Magick. And here it was Mr Magick died at the reputed age of 108 years. I
remember the old man well. He had two bullocks, and with these he ploughed the back paddock of nearly an acre for old Mr George James where he lived. It was through ploughing the paddock I came to know him first. Further down there stood an old weatherboard place. I do not remember its erection. It contained four rooms and had a verandah. Robert Reeves ?'Bob Fatty,' as he was generally called? who owned this block from March-street to Lennox-street, lived in the house and kept a little shop. He sold pipes, tobacco, starch and blue, He died in this place and I saw him when he was dead. Mr. William Sharpe ? young Bill as we knew him then ? married the widow, and I think the old lady died there. At any rate some time after her death, I remember Sharpe marrying old Mrs Onus, mother of the old Joseph Onus, who did a great deal towards the making and advancement of Richmond. The two-storey place next door to where I have been speaking of I remember getting built. Burgess and Shelton kept a store there for a while Burgess married a Miss Dargin, of Windsor, I understood. Thomas Bell, after leaving 'Belmont' came there to live. I sold him many 'possum skins while he lived there. I remember well old Mr Bowen (father of Mr G. B. Bowen, of 'Bowen Mount') living in the two storey house for about two years, It was my work to take them two quarts of milk every morning. They dealt with old Mr George James for butter as well, but he always delivered this himself. Mr G. B. Bowen never forgets it, and always likes to have a chat with me about it. He reckons he was about four years old then. The old house owned by William Sly on the corner will be dealt with when we speak of Bosworth-street, as it faces into that street Where the late Doctor Cameron's grand mansion stands was vacant ground. Next to this vacant block I speak of was a skillion with no verandah, at that time, which belonged to old Mr. Sam Payne, He was grandfather, of the present Mrs. Tomkinson who lives in Windsor street. The first man I remember living there was Thomas Death, a butcher. He was a single man, and was found dead on the floor of his bedroom. They held an inquest, and found the cause to be eating cucumbers. After this 'Long Harry,' the bricklayer, lived there and died there also. I was one who helped to carry him to the cemetery. From there to Bosworth-street was vacant land.
Going down March-street, from the corner of Bosworth-street, toward Mr Charles Guest's there was a skillion standing just past the corner. The front portion has been put on since I first knew it. The first person I have any recollections of living there was John Masters, father of Tom Masters in Windsor. He was a painter and decorator by trade, and a splendid tradesman. He was an artist also, and could paint animals or any other pictures.
Weller, I think, who was a publican of Windsor in the early days, had a sign done by him. It represented a blackfellow and a large lump of gold in his hand.
Sam Nixon, the tailor, lived there also. Nixon's wife was run over by some horsemen while coming home after dark, The accident happened at Seymour's corner (now the 'Black Horse') only in Bosworth-street. In those days they hadn't a Constable Ross to regulate the traffic, and as they were galloping round the corner run over Mrs Nixon.
It was in this house that Bill Johnson was living at the time he got his leg broken in front of my residence, and it was here he had it taken off. Tom Johnson (father of Arthur and Tom) told me that when the doctor was taking off the leg it was like as if they were sawing a baton. He stood the operation without chloroform, and had, I believe, a handkerchief rolled up in his mouth to bite to stand the pain.
[I informed my narrator that my grand father, William Heath, who had been an old soldier, held the leg while the doctor amputated it, and carried it for the doctor who preserved it. Also that Dan Carter saw the handkerchief after, the operation was over, and it was bitten to pieces. ? R.F.]
Where Mr C. S. Guest is living there was a weatherboard house of' about four rooms with a verandah. In it lived a man by the name of Simpson, who was a currier by trade. I went to school with two of his sons Ebenezer and William. Our schoolmaster was good old Mr Charles Hogsflesh.
Source:
Some Ups and Downs of an old Richmondite,
by Mr. Alfred Smith
Chronicled by Robert Farlow
Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1954)
Saturday 12 February 1910
Saturday 19 February 1910
Transcription, janilye, 2012
Recollections of Richmond, New South Wales, Chronicled in 1910
[These are the memories Alfred Smith of the Hawkesbury in New South Wales.
Alfred was born in Hobartville, New South Wales on the 13 July 1831 to John Smith 1798-1833 a convict who drowned in Liverpool in 1833 and Adelaide Eliza De La Thoreza 1808-1877 she had been born in Madrid. After John Smith died, at 15 months of age, Alfred was adopted by George JAMES 1768-1862 and his wife Ann Kelly 1789-1864. They had only one girl, Eliza JAMES 1824-1862 ( the mother of Ann ONUS 1841-1927) Alfred died 0n 24 December 1917. On the 11 October 1854 at St.Matthew's Catholic Church, Windsor, Alfred married Ann Amelia KINSELA 1838-1917 the daughter of Martin KINSELA 1793-1860 and Ellen, nee HENDLING 1794-1862. Alfred had many jobs throughout his lifetime, including Town Stockman, running The Punt across the river and a drover, droving throughout New South Wales and as far down as Victoria.]
Many of the people mentioned are my ancestors and his recollections have been an invaluable aid not just to my own family research but many other family trees seeded in the Hawkesbury.janilye
Right in the corner of the vacant allotment at the corner of Paget and March streets, there stood a weatherboard house, which had a verandah in front. At the side of the house was a very large cedar tree. When I first remember the place the old man Douglas of all lived there. He would be great-grandfather to the present William Douglas, who we all know today as a good bricklayer in Richmond. In those days we always knew the corner as Douglas' corner, and the big tree at the side of the house as Douglas's cedar tree. I still have a vivid recollection of old Mr. Douglas. He used to wear his hair very long, brush it round behind his ears, and it would hang well on to his shoulders. He had two horses and carts, and hired them out to people who wanted to draw wood. He charged five shillings per day for each horse and cart. He had one very funny saying, which he would use on special occasions. It was this "Bad luck to all informers! You're a liar ! Whether or no too bad. cabbage is no good without pork." He bad two sons, wheelwrights, Joseph and Isaac, and about where Ernest Marlin is living at present there was a skillion, and they had a big workshop there. In this same skillion Ellen Cavanah lived for some time. I think old Saunders, the brickmaker,lived there also. Alderman T. Biddle's father was the agent. Where Mr Sid Paull's residence stands there was a blacksmith's shop kept by Dan Ward. He was a single man and lived with his mother, who we always knew as Granny Ward. I remember three daughters. Sarah married a man named Brett. Jane married a man named Ben Gawthorn, and went to Mudgee to live. I think there are some of the descendants about there now. Phyllis married a chemist named Lester, in Mudgee. Old Granny Ward had a white cockatoo, which could say almost anything, He would call her whenever she was wanted in her little shop. I understood he was 35 years old when Mrs Ward died, and I heard her daughter, Mrs Lester, took him to Mudgee. Outside her family she had a boarder named Robinson, who was a tailor. The old lady was a most industrious woman, and had a big mangle, with which she did a large trade.
Then there was vacant land till we came to where Mr W. Drayton is residing. Here was an old house, used as a school, which was kept by Mr Hogsflesh. Mrs Harrington, a widow, lived there after Mr Charles Hogsflesh kept the school. I think Mr Harrington was killed by the blacks somewhere up Kurrajong. Old Mrs Harrington was a chatty old woman. She often came round to Mr James for advice, as he was a constable. If I were about when she came she would say to me 'Go out !? get out of this!' and away I would have to go. Later she becme Mr. Preystnell, but the union did not turn out a happy one. They did not live long together, and Preystnell told me the reason.
In the course of time the property came into the hands of the Draytons, and is now owned by my old friend Mr W. Drayton. Some years ago he built an up to date cottage on the land, which has improved it so much that only us old hands can have an idea of what it was like in my boyhood days. Next door to this stood the old Horse and Jockey Hotel that was pulled down when the Imperial was built on the corner. The first person I remember living there was Thomas Silk, Harry's father, who kept it as an hotel. His sign was the Lion and the Unicorn. We lads had a song among ourselves which went : ?
The Lion and the Unicorn Are fighting for the crown,
The Lion beat the Unicorn All around the town.
The first circus I ever saw was in the paddock at the back when Tom Silk kept the pub. A man named Croft was the proprietor, and I never forgot Quinn the tight rope walker. We thought it was something wonderful to see a man walking backwards and forwards on a tight rope. Old Mr.Joseph Onus lived there for a while. Here he had 'Jerry Sneak,' the racehorse, half brother to the famous 'Jorrocks' The first gold cup run for in the colony was won by 'Sneak' at Homebush. When old Mr Crisford and family first came to Richmond it was in this place they commenced housekeeping. Caleb Crisford was only talking to me about it the second last time he was in Richmond. Then a tall man, whose name I don't remember, kept a school there. He had a school also down on the 'Bottoms,' by 'Smashem' Smith's. One night as he was going to Windsor two fellows nearly killed him. The Rev. Father Terry, the Roman Catholic priest, held services upstairs in the big room. Old Mr Brooks also kept a school here, and no doubt some of his pupils are alive to-day in the district. At the time Mr. James Bates took it over to start pub keeping, the building was in a state of great disrepair, and it cost him a large sum of money to put it in thorough order. He was living there at the time of the '67 flood, and I heard it was about half an inch over the counter, but I was up the country at the time and only heard this.
Among others who kept the old place as an hotel will be remembered 'Black' Johnny Gough, ]im Ryan (Toby's son), Tom Hough, George Cobcroft, Tom Young, Campion, Ted Morgan and, after his death, his widow. On the piece of land on which the Imperial Hotel is built was a weatherboard place in which Dan Neil lived. Right on the corner he had a blacksmith's shop. I have been given to understand he was a Government man to old Mr Cox, of Clarendon, and did his blacksmithing. But to his credit, with good conduct and a good record he became a free man, and started black smithing on his own account on this corner.
On this same corner Tom Masters, of Windsor, kept his first little shop. He had been droving, but his health began to give way, and he decided to start in business. On the opposite side of the street where Joseph Ashton keeps his cases there was a little slab place with no verandah. 'Bill' Wilmott a shoemaker, lived in it. While living there he died suddenly. Mrs Morgan, who they called 'Betty,' a very stout woman, was his housekeeper. Next door, only on the same block of land, there stood one room in which lived an old bachelor known as 'Bob the Stockman.' For a long time he made ti-tree brooms, and sold them for sixpence each. He would go out to the Black Swamp and get the good class of ti-tree, cut it, and let it wilt for a certain time before making it into brooms. You would see him coming home with a large bundle of it on each shoulder. Where Mr. S. Orchard's own house stands, and where he kept a store for many years, stood a skillion with no verandah and containing three or four rooms. Here Mrs. Davis, mother of Mrs S. Orchard, lived for some time. Later on Mrs. Davis married Matthew Webb, a carpenter. It was Mr Webb who had the front put on and started storekeeping. Later on he went to St Mary's, and kept a tannery. He died over there. Tom Masters kept a general store there also. Coming down nearer the present day we knew it as a butcher's shop kept by 'Ike' Cornwell. Mr. Orchard conducted a successful business there and a general store for a long time.
What we now call the park, wasn't such a beauty spot when I first knew it, and was called the Market Square. In wet weather water would lie in a few places about the centre. It wasn't quite as level as now. There were a few trees standing, a few logs on the ground, and plenty of stumps. On the 5th of November, Guy Fawkes day, they would build a platform some five or six feet high about where the pavilion now stands, and make a effigy of a man. They had the effigy on show at day time, and large heaps of wood piled up about a a rod away. When night came they set fire to the man and heaps of wood, and great was the rejoicing.
Where the School of Arts and public school stands was the pound paddock. About where Constable Ross has his garden was the pound. The first poundkeeper I remember was old 'Dicky' Lounds.
Returning to the corner where Mr. S. Orchard keeps his present "Railway Stores" I remember there stood a skillion with a small verandah. In this humble, dwelling Charles Chamberlain, the fencer and splitter, lived. On the spot where Mr Orchard's store stands there were several lots of bricks made by 'Tim ' the brickmaker. This was the only name I knew him by. Where Mr. F. Gow's places are there stood a weatherboard skillion of four rooms and no verandah, which was occupied by Mr Tafe. He used to grow tobacco, and had two sons, Joe and Dick. After that there stood a brick skillion, where Mr Wade lived. Mr Wade was a gardener to Mr William Bowman. In his spare moments, and with the help of his wife, he used to raise a lot of good vegetables, his wife used to sell them. He also grew tobacco. He had two daughters, Jane, and Harriet. but only one son, I think. He had a tobacco press made out of logs and a long lever to press his tobacco leaf. A man named Province ? 'Ratty,' as he was always called ?lived with him for a long time and helped him with the tobacco.
A brick house stands on the allotment where Mr Guest's saleyards are. It is an old place. I don't remember it getting built, but I don't think it had been up many years when I first knew it. Here old Mr Ducker (Roland's father) kept a shop when they first came to Richmond. Old Mr Ducker was an industrious man and I recollect him driving his team up and down for goods. Mr B. Richards had a butcher's shop in the verandah portion on the end towards Mr. F. Gow's property, and sold, mutton only. This was the last place he lived in in Richmond till he built the beautiful mansion 'Kamilaroi.' From here he went to live at the bridge, where he kept public house. Mr Joseph Single lived there also.
I have heard old Mr Martin, who married Miss Henderson (Granny Field) gave it to his granddaughter, who married Charley Price. Charley lived here a good while. Next door, where Miss Fergusson is living, must be a very old place, as it had an old look when I first recollect it. Mr King occupied the whole premises ? late years it has been made into two dwellings. Old Mr King was a nail maker, and consequently was always known as 'King the nailer.' He used to live in one end and have his shop in the other. After Mr King left it, Joe Poole lived there. He ran a one horse coach to Windsor. Nixon, the tailor, lived there also.
Then there was a vacant allotment next in my earliest days. Later on, but standing on this piece of ground is the old two-storey place which has been in the possession of the Price family for many years. The brick work was done by Caleb Crisford and his father. Grand father Price died there, as also did Rebecca, his daughter. It was from this place that Mrs Archie Kennedy buried a son, Donald, and a daughter, Mary, in a very short space of time. Mrs Parkinson, who afterwards went to England, kept a school there.
Next door we have the old home of the Price family which I don't remember getting built. Old Mr. William Price of all (great grandfather of the two young Prices now living in Richmond), kept the second post office in Richmond in the old place. At the back was the tan-yard. He also carried on undertaking, &c.
Again there was vacant land, but afterwards there was a black-smith's shop erected, and this, combined with monumental work, made it a scene of activity.
I don't remember the house at the corner, owned by William Sly, getting built. The first I recollect living there was 'Joe the wheeler,' a wheelwright by trade. Joe engaged with Mr William Bowman to go to Tunnabutta but he never turned up. He arranged to go by Bell's Line, and some considerable time afterwards the remains of a man were found at the Bald Hill, seven miles the other side of Mount Tomah. As he was never heard of after leaving Richmond it was always thought to be his body.
Dr. Rowan lived there also. Miss Hawsey ? a miss, about 60 years of age ? kept house for him, and did dressmaking besides.
Where Mr Steve Dunston is living plays its part in Richmond's history.The first man I remember living there was James Griffiths. Then old Alexander Gough (father of the 'Johnny' who kept the Royal Hotel) lived there. He was a cooper by trade, and used to make the old fashioned churns, &c, and one of his make I worked many a time when making butter at old Mr James'.
On the same block of ground as John Sly has his house built, only about forty for fifty yards back from March-street, was an old slab place, I think, with a tremendous large vine in front of it. Here lived old Mr and Mrs William Magick. And here it was Mr Magick died at the reputed age of 108 years. I
remember the old man well. He had two bullocks, and with these he ploughed the back paddock of nearly an acre for old Mr George James where he lived. It was through ploughing the paddock I came to know him first. Further down there stood an old weatherboard place. I do not remember its erection. It contained four rooms and had a verandah. Robert Reeves ?'Bob Fatty,' as he was generally called? who owned this block from March-street to Lennox-street, lived in the house and kept a little shop. He sold pipes, tobacco, starch and blue, He died in this place and I saw him when he was dead. Mr. William Sharpe ? young Bill as we knew him then ? married the widow, and I think the old lady died there. At any rate some time after her death, I remember Sharpe marrying old Mrs Onus, mother of the old Joseph Onus, who did a great deal towards the making and advancement of Richmond. The two-storey place next door to where I have been speaking of I remember getting built. Burgess and Shelton kept a store there for a while Burgess married a Miss Dargin, of Windsor, I understood. Thomas Bell, after leaving 'Belmont' came there to live. I sold him many 'possum skins while he lived there. I remember well old Mr Bowen (father of Mr G. B. Bowen, of 'Bowen Mount') living in the two storey house for about two years, It was my work to take them two quarts of milk every morning. They dealt with old Mr George James for butter as well, but he always delivered this himself. Mr G. B. Bowen never forgets it, and always likes to have a chat with me about it. He reckons he was about four years old then. The old house owned by William Sly on the corner will be dealt with when we speak of Bosworth-street, as it faces into that street Where the late Doctor Cameron's grand mansion stands was vacant ground. Next to this vacant block I speak of was a skillion with no verandah, at that time, which belonged to old Mr. Sam Payne, He was grandfather, of the present Mrs. Tomkinson who lives in Windsor street. The first man I remember living there was Thomas Death, a butcher. He was a single man, and was found dead on the floor of his bedroom. They held an inquest, and found the cause to be eating cucumbers. After this 'Long Harry,' the bricklayer, lived there and died there also. I was one who helped to carry him to the cemetery. From there to Bosworth-street was vacant land.
Going down March-street, from the corner of Bosworth-street, toward Mr Charles Guest's there was a skillion standing just past the corner. The front portion has been put on since I first knew it. The first person I have any recollections of living there was John Masters, father of Tom Masters in Windsor. He was a painter and decorator by trade, and a splendid tradesman. He was an artist also, and could paint animals or any other pictures.
Weller , I think, who was a publican of Windsor in the early days, had a sign done by him. It represented a blackfellow and a large lump of gold in his hand.
Sam Nixon, the tailor, lived there also. Nixon's wife was run over by some horsemen while coming home after dark, The accident happened at Seymour's corner (now the 'Black Horse') only in Bosworth-street. In those days they hadn't a Constable Ross to regulate the traffic, and as they were galloping round the corner run over Mrs Nixon.
It was in this house that Bill Johnson was living at the time he got his leg broken in front of my residence, and it was here he had it taken off. Tom Johnson (father of Arthur and Tom) told me that when the doctor was taking off the leg it was like as if they were sawing a baton. He stood the operation without chloroform, and had, I believe, a handkerchief rolled up in his mouth to bite to stand the pain.
[I informed my narrator that my grand father, William Heath, who had been an old soldier, held the leg while the doctor amputated it, and carried it for the doctor who preserved it. Also that Dan Carter saw the handkerchief after, the operation was over, and it was bitten to pieces. ? R.F.]
Where Mr C. S. Guest is living there was a weatherboard house of' about four rooms with a verandah. In it lived a man by the name of Simpson, who was a currier by trade. I went to school with two of his sons Ebenezer and William. Our schoolmaster was good old Mr Charles Hogsflesh.
WINDSOR STREET.
In the house which is now the back of the Commercial Hotel, and which was occupied by Miss Caroline Price for many years, Mr Alfred Cox lived for some time. He was the son of the original Cox, who died at ' Fairfield,' after leaving Clarendon. This same Mr Cox was grandfather to Sloper. I used to take milk to Mr Alfred Cox, and he was the first person I have any knowledge of living there. It was the post office also for some time
previous to the new office being built. Mr White, who married a step-daughter of Mr William Reid, and a sister to the present Mr. Joseph Onus, of Richmond, was postmaster at the time. In years after Mr George Cobcroft bought the property and built the hotel on to the front of it. Next door Mrs Parkinson, as I have stated, kept her school, and I was her milk boy also. I remember the ser- vant girl she had living with her, whose name was Rebecca Rose. She came from Wilberforce way. At another period it was a school again, and kept by Mr Brown. Again it was a school, and kept by a Mr Gaisley, but only for a short time. I remember the Gaisleys were strict Wesleyans. The ground where the present Wesleyan Chapel stands was given by old Mr Martin. I remember this church being erected. I have said that where Woodhill's drapery store is was the old Wesleyan Chapel, and I remember quite well when they used to preach in it. Afterwards it was bought by old Mr Ducker, and he re- moved from March-street over there. The grocery store was afterwards built by Mr Ducker. Where Mr O Ridge now has a shop, a man named Forrester, who was a baker and confectioner was the first I remember living there. He was a very religious man and a strict, Wesleyan. He brought wood into town with his pair of a blue bullock in the shafts and a chestnut horse leading. Then the late William Sullivan's father kept a school there. I think where the Price brothers have their office was the chemist shop kept by "Cocky" Jones. He also kept the post office. When he left, "Grandfather" Price kept the post office and sold patent medicines, perfumery, etc. But before "Cocky" Jones lived there, the first I recollect was a Mr McCreedie, a boot and shoe maker. When he left there he went to live where Mr. Tom Richardson lived for many years at the corner of Lennox and Paget-streets. Old Mr Collins, mentioned in a previous paper, lived in the same house, which McCreedie left, for some time. In the last house of this terrace of four cottages, and which stands next to Mr Henry Sly's, a Mr Oxley kept a butcher's shop He had been an overseer for Mr. Bowman, of Richmond. At the same time his wife kept a school where "Granny" Ashton lives. The last time I saw his son, Owen, he was at Coonabarraban, where he was carrying on business as a saddler and harness maker. A daughter of his, Mary Ann, married a drover named Baker. The last time I saw her she was living at Cooyal, and told me her husband had been dead a few years. Robert Eather also kept a butcher's shop there. He married the eldest sister of the present Mr John Cornwell, of Richmond. The house where Mr Henry Sly lives I re- member getting built. W. G. Burgess and Shelton kept a general store there. These two men will be remembered as living and keeping a store in the two storey house in March-street. One night a hole was made in the brick wall just large enough for a man to get through. It was in the corner of the building just as you go in off the street into where Mrs Rogers now lives, Several articles were stolen. Old Mr. King, who we always re member as "King the Nailer," kept a store there for a long time. Of course the late William Sullivan kept a boot and shoe factory there for a number of years. The first horse I ever bought I sold to William Sullivan, say, to-day at a profit of 10/-. He rode the horse to Windsor the same day and made 10/- on his deal. Mr Cox, when writing to you about a bit of old times, mentioned William Sullivan running a one horse coach from Richmond to Windsor. Mr Sullivan ran the coach while I was keeping the pub., but before that Joe Poole ran one, and again Tom Phillmore ran one. These two latter plied their coaches to and from Windsor when I was a big lump of a lad. Where Henry Mortimer is living the back portion was built first, and it had a small verandah. A Mr. Burgess, a very big man and no way connected with the other Burgess I have mentioned, was the first one I remember living there. He kept a butcher's shop and used to hang meat in the verandah. Afterwards Tom Eather kept a butcher's shop there for a long time. He married Eliza Crowley, sister of John Crowley, who lived and died at Yarramundi. He was the eldest son of Mr Thomas Eather, who kept the pub. Later on, the front portion was built. The old dwelling portion of the present A.J.S. Bank I saw getting put up. Old Thos. Eather had it built. He was keeping a public house, where the Bank of N.S. Wales is, at the time, and when it was finished he shifted into it. The sign then was the "Union Inn." Afterwards it was kept as a pub by Mrs Griffiths. The old lady dropped dead in the kitchen. I was going up Kurrajong with Mr. An- drew Town to have a look at some horses he had for sale. On our way up Mr Town "shouted" for me and Mrs Griffiths served us. When we came back she was dead. A good, jolly woman she was. She was a daughter of Robert Eather and mother of the present Thomas Griffiths, sen., who lives in Richmond. "Ned" Young must not be forgotten as keeping a pub there also, not George Cobcroft. Mrs Charles Eather died suddenly there while reading a telegram she had re- ceived. Opposite to the place we have been speaking about was the old lockup, and a big cedar tree stood in front of it. It was a brick place of four rooms, whitewashed and a verandah in front. After some time the authorities had a slab building put up at the back, but close to the house, for a lockup. "Daddy" Merrick, grandfather to Mrs. T Pryke, was the first lockup keeper I remember. Fred Williams, the constable, lived there for a number of years. After him a man named Andrews was constable and lockup keeper. Andrews was guardian to William Tom kinson, and it was he who bound Mr Tomkinson to Mr John Long for five years to carpentering. Mr Tomkinson served his apprenticeship where Harry Fong is living. Where Chalmers' build ings and Holborow's store stand was vacant land when I first, recollect it. It be longed to old Mr John Stevenson, grand- father to the present Mr Edwin Steven son. Mr Abraham Cornwell bought the land from old Mr Stevenson, and built the low long house where Thomas Chalmers kept a shop for so many years. Mr Chalmers purchased the house and land from Mr Cornwell, and a few years before his death replaced the old house with the present up-to-date premises. When he was pulling the old place down to build the new terrace I happened to be going by one day and he was standing outside. We entered into conversation, when he said to me "I suppose you don't remember this old place getting built." I told him I did, and where his stables were.
On St. Patrick's Day I have seen cock- fighting, men fighting, a skittle alley and quoit playing. One St. Patrick's Day, Constable Byrnes, who was for years in Yarramundi, was in Richmond, and was what they would now call a hot member. A row had started in Tom Eather's yard just opposite, and he went over and was trying to stop some fighting when Isiah Bell, a blacksmith, gave him "a beauty " on the nose. Byrnes didn't know at the time who it was that had dealt it out to him owing to the crowd, but someone "came it" on Isiah. Byrnes summoned him and he was fined ?5. It was made up for Isiah among his pals. He was an apprentice to Jack Freeman at the time. The land on which Holborows shop stands was bought from old Mr John Stevenson by Mr Brew, who built the shop and kept a big store, and a post office as well. Afterwards old Mr Grinsell kept a large store there, and died there. Mr William Holborow kept a store there for years. The back portion of the house this side of Mr Allison's was a brick place of four rooms and a veran- dah, and belonged to old William McAlpin. He was a blacksmith, and carried on his business there. A cabinet maker lived there, and the late Mr. W. Sullivan's father worked with him. There was a saw pit in the yard, and I remember them sawing up big cedar logs there. The portion I have just mentioned I don't remember getting built. The front ot it I remember getting built. About where Mr Allison's shop is there was another brick place of four rooms and a verandah which was built before my time. William Hook, a tailor, was the first I recollect living there. Mrs Hook was a sister of the late Thomas Laycock, senr., of Putty. John Hammond, a butcher, lived there for some time and
died there. Old Tom brown, a shoe maker, who married Mrs Savage, lived there also. The building of Allison's and Pryke's shops will be within the recollec tion of the young generation. I don't remember the present Bank of New South Wales getting built. The first per son living there to my knowledge was Thomas Eather, who was keeping a pub. After he left it and started up at the corner already spoken of, old Mr George Guest kept a saddle and harness-maker's shop there. He also had a tan-yard there. His currier was a Mr Shepherd. Thomas Onus kept a pub there, and here he died. Mrs Thomas Onus married a man named Joseph Rutter, and he died there also. The old residence by the Army Medical orderly room I don't remember getting built, and it looked as if it had been up for a number of years when I first knew it. Old Mr Brew was the first person who lived there to my recollection. He kept a store and post office. I remem- ber old Mrs George James paying him ?1 for 4 lbs of tea. At the time the Californian diggings broke out. Mr J. A. Earle, a cabinet-maker, lived there. The Army Medical room was a specula- tion of Mr Sam Boughton's in more re-
cent years. Where the baker now lives had no front when I first knew it. There were four rooms of weatherboards, and a verandah. The land was owned by old Robert Potts. The late Mr Joseph Walden, who some little time ago died in Yarramundi, married Rachael, his daugh- ter, and the house was put up for them to live in when they were first married. After him a single man named "Frank the groom," lived there. He had been a groom to Andrew Town's grandfather. He died there, The first man I remember in the house occupied by Miss Richards was "Bill the painter." He had a man working for him who flew into a rage one day, and in the heat of passion he took an axe and went to cut "Bill" down. He got 75 lashes for it. Then Mr Robert Potts came there to live, and kept a butcher's shop ? only selling mutton. He lived there for years, and he and his wife died there.
After him old Mr Thomas Richards came there and started butchering.
Then we have no houses till we come to the corner where Mrs Alex Benson is living. This was built before my time. The first I knew there was Mr Issac Cornwell, who kept a big general store there. When Mr Ben Richards got married he lived there and kept a mutton butcher's shop, and while he was living there Mr Robert Richards
was born. William Delange and Mitchell Despointes kept a large store there. I took milk to William Delange, who was always known as ' Billy the Frenchman.' Here old Tiernan, the constable, luckily missed meeting his end. One night calling in for a chat, as was his custom, on his round he happened to have his big over- coat on and buttoned up which saved him from a well directed stab. He had been in the shop only a few minutes when a very tall stranger came in and wanted to buy some clothes. He had selected the goods and put down a ?5 cheque, on some of the Dangars, of Singleton. Tiernan had heard about the mail up there being robbed and these cheques being among the missing articles. Naturally he was on the look-out for any stranger on for passing them. David Yates was shopman, and Thomas Hughes, a brother to Henry Hughes, happened to be in the shop talking to Yates. Neither of the owners happened to be there at the time. When he put down the cheque Tiernan asked him how he came by it. "What is that got to do with you?" he said. Tiernan tapped him on the shoulder and told him he was going to arrest him. He sprang back from Tiernan, and as he did so he drew a big knife and made a stab at the policeman. His blow missed the desired mark, and only cut Tiernan's coat a few inches. It was lucky for Tiernan he had his great coat on and buttoned up. In the scuffle that followed the stranger was too much for Tiernan, who wasn't the easiest man to best. He called on Yates and Hughes to assist him. One got hold of one leg and one the other, and between them they downed him and succeeded in popping him in the lockup. Tiernan had got word there were two in the matter, and he 'dropped down ' that the other was about the town, somewhere handy. He sent to Windsor and George Shirley, the chief constable, came out. Well on in the night they were having a cup of tea when they heard someone knocking at the front door of the pub opposite and calling out. Tiernan went out and saw a man there, and told him to go round to the back and what window to knock at if he wanted to get in. He asked Tiernan if this was where the mail ? of course it was only a one horse coach running to Windsor ? started from for Windsor. He guessed it was the mate of the man he had arrested, and told him he and a friend were having a cup of tea and invited him to come and have one, as they were going by the coach also. There was a palisading in front of the old lockup, and Tiernan opened the little gate for him to walk in. He walked in ahead of Tiernan till he got to the front door, and as soon as he saw the handcuffs hanging on the wall he knew what was up, and made a bound back. Tiernan grabbed him, and he and Shirley locked him up with his mate. I saw the two next morning when Tiernan was taking them to Windsor handcuffed.
Tiernan told me they got ten years at Cockatoo Island.
Then old Mr Henry Turner kept a general store there for many years. Mr Turner was a schoolmaster at one time down on the front of the river. Coming on to the opposite side, between West Market and Bosworth streets, there was a little place of four rooms with a small verandah some 30 or 40 yards back from where Charley Knott's store stands. A plasterer lived there in my earliest recollections of it. His name I don't remember. Old William Allen lived there and dealt in eggs and poultry in a large way. James Roberts lived there also, and had a blacksmith's shop in front of the place near the road. He shod horses for me when I had the Camden mail. A little farther on there was a little weatherboard place of four rooms, and no verandah. The first I remember living in it was a Mr Shepherd, who was a currier to old Mr Guest. Joe Poole lived there for a while when he was running the one horse coach to Windsor. Where Miss Long is living I remember getting built. It was the first bank of New South Wales in Richmond. I think Mr Hole was the first manager. He married a Miss Long. Old Mr Brew lived there before it was a bank. When he left there he went to England.
Old Mrs Long died in this house. She was half sister to old Richard Skuthorp, on the mother's side. This Richard Skuthorp would be father of the present Mr Richard Skuthorp, J.P., of Kurrajong. The old low long house which stood next door ? it was pulled down by Mr John Long some time ago ? I don't remember getting built. When I first knew it there was a big grapevine growing in front. It belonged to old Mr Samuel Payne. I used to mind his cattle for him ? five milking cows, and among them I remember well he had a white cow and a brown 'poley.' Being the owner he lived in it. Old Mr and Mrs Long lived there for a long time. Their son, Thomas, died there, and Mr Long ended his earthly days there also. Where the third infantry have their office, I remember that getting put up. Atkinson, a builder in Windsor, was the man who had the contract. He was old Mrs Edward Robinson's father. Dr Whittaker and his wife were living there, and one time they happened to be away the roof caved in, and it was a wonder it did not fall right in. It was afterwards put to rights by old Mr George Marlin. Mr Marlin, being such a good tradesman, was sought after, and old Mr William Durham got him to go to Wombo to put up some buildings for him. I also remember a Dr Brown living there. Dr Jockel lived and died there, and Mr. Robert Richards lived there. Of course I don't remember the Black Horse Hotel getting built. It looked old when I first recollect it. Old Dr and Mrs Seymour were the first people I remember there. The old doctor was a bit lame. Ever since I can recollect the sign was in Mrs Seymour's name during the time they kept the hotel. The old pub couid tell many tales if it could only speak. Many of the nobility have spent their honeymoons there. It has been the means of giving Richmond a fair footing in history.
On the opposite side of Bosworth-street, on the corner, there stood a large brick place ? there must have been six or seven rooms in the place ? and old Mr and Mrs Cuff were the first people living there in my earliest recollections. The old people lived in the back portion of the premises, and rented the front to William Delange and his partner. This was before they went to live where Mr Henry. Turner kept the store. Living in the same place was a young man named McEwen. He married a widow named Mrs White. Old Mr Cuff died first, and after his death Mrs Cuff rented the front portion, which the French man had occupied, to this McEwen. She died while the McEwens were there. Some time after Mrs McEwen died there. Before McEwens went there to live a woman we always called ' Little Ann,' a dressmaker, lived there. Later on Mr James Haughton kept a shop there for a good while. He had a creamy pony and a cart with a tilt, and used to go over Kurrajong selling ornaments. (Here my narrator showed me an ornament he bought from Houghton, a few weeks be- fore he was married, nearly 56 years ago. It represents an animal like a greyhound dog resting? R.F.) I was putting him over the river in the punt when I bought it. While living in this place Mr Houghton had two children die at the same time. In course of time the old place went to ruin and has been pulled down many years. Just this side of where Mrs Stewart is living, about opposite Mrs Onus' place, there stood a four roomed place with a verandah and built of brick. Here a man we always knew as Sam Davison lived. Then it was occupied by 'Johnny the Sexton ' and his wife. He was the first sexton to the church. They had no children, and were peculiar speaking people, and were known as ' Shonny and Shany.' Then Johnny Ward, a brick- maker, lived there. He was a married man, but had no family. Two women also lived there. One was a widow named Mrs Levey and the other they used to call "Big Jane." Where Mrs Stewart lives was built before my time, and was, I think, built by old Mr G. Bowman. I have heard old hands say he kept a pub there. I have heard also he did some blacksmithing there. I remember quite well the old roan horse he had, named Richmond. I have heard them say he was the first foal foaled in Richmond, and that he had turned 30 years when he died. Many a time I have seen him in the water truck fetching water from the lagoon. After the Bowmans left a doctor lived there, but I forget his name. Crossing over to the opposite side of the street there were no houses from the cemetery till we come to the brick place opposite Mrs Stewart's residence. I don't remember it getting built. In my earliest days a man named Tipping lived there. After him Jack Freeman, a blacksmith, came there to live. Jack McGinnity served his apprenticeship there with Freeman. After serving his apprenticeship he married Hannah White, whose father was a farmer, and lived there for a long while. Afterwards he bought a piece of land from Fred Thompson in March-street, about where Ald. Brownlow is now living. He built two places of four rooms and a verandah to each of them. He went up country. But coming back to the old place in Windsor-street, where MrGinnity lived. After he left, a man named Thomas Chapman lived there. He worked for Mr Joseph Onus. He went to Guntawong, and lived for a long time with the Rouses. He met his death while driving a waggon.
About where the A. J. S. Bank was first kept in Richmond (next door to the widow of the old Mr Joseph Onus) there was a weatherboard place of four rooms. The first I remember living in it were the Ashtons? old Mrs Ashton, who is still alive, and who we now call "Granny Ashton," and her husband, Thomas. He dealt in poultry and fruit. The late Mrs James Bates, a young maid then, lived with them. Her maiden name was Ivery, and she was a sister of old Mr Thomas Ivery. The next I remember living there was a Mr Shepherd, a currier. Old Mr. Guest kept a butcher's shop in the old place. Charley Shepherd, a son of the currier, went round for orders. Mr Guest had the new place built and had the saddler's shop there. He also had the tanyard as well ? and they do not tan the leather today equal to what he turned out. A set of leading harness, &c, made by Mr. Guest out of his own tanned leather meant almost a lifetime's wear.
Edward Guest used to go round with the meat on horseback, in a basket. Henry Etherden also lived there and carried on the tannery.
About where Mrs Onus' place is there was the old pub which bore the sign of the "Welcome Inn." It was a low, long house with a long verandah to it. In the end room my daughter, Ellen, was christened. Old Mrs Kenny of all had a daughter christened there the same day ? on a Sunday morning. It was kept by Dan Harriskey. Paul Devlin also kept it for some time, and William Allen kept it also, I think he was the last to keep it. The erection of this old pub goes back before my recollection, and it appeared very old place when I first knew it.
Where John Allen now lives I don't remember getting built. My first know ledge of the place was Mr Ben Richards keeping a mutton butcher's shop, there. He married there and went to live in the corner house, a remnant of which has been made into the comfortable residence occupied by Mrs Alex Benson. Old Mr Kidd lived there many years ago. He was a sort of a butcher; the chief thing he made was sausages. He also went round killing pigs and such like for anyone who needed his services. He was the father of good old 'Ned,' who is not forgotten in Richmond at the present time. When the Frenchmen lived in old Mrs Cuff's place, I used to sell them green frogs, and out of them they used to make soup. They gave me fourpence a dozen for them. They also bought them off other boys. One day Mrs ? went into their shop? they were keeping a store there then? to buy something, and they were at dinner. They asked her if she would try some soup. She said she would. They gave her a cupful and after she had finished it they asked her how she liked it. She said it was a nice drop of soup. They then told her what it was, and whether she ventured on frog soup again I don't know. On St. Patrick's night and other festive occasions there used to be great dancing in the hotels in Windsor-street and other parts of the town in the olden times. Step-dancing, four-handed reels, etc., were the fashion, It was quite a common thing to see men and women dancing. The race between the late 'Abe' Eather and a horse, fifty or a hundred yards and back, took place in Windsor street, and we have several still in the flesh who remember the event. "Abe" won the race.
FRANCIS STREET.
We will commence this street from the Windsor end.
About where Mr J. G. Percival's factory is was an old slab place with a verandah, and bark roof. Old Thomas Kenny's father, Charles, lived in it and worked a farm on the lowlands. He would be grandfather to Charles Kenny, well-known to local residents. Old Charles Kenny, after leaving there, removed to Windsor-street, opposite to where the late Mr Joe. O'Sullivan lived. In the same place a man named Robert Smith lived for some time. He was a farmer. This old place I don't remember getting built. Where Mr John Madden lived the first I remember there was William South, who married a Miss Byrnes, and did farming.He was a brother to Ben South, and James South. The Rigneys lived there for a long while, and were farmers also. From there they went up country and took up selections. The building of this old house took place before my recollections. Where Mrs Ridge lives there was a cottage of several rooms before the present front was put on. This old place I remember getting built for old Mr Benson, father of William Benson, the elder, of Richmond. It was ready for him when he came out from Scotland with his wife and family. Alongside this place was a cottage of several rooms where old Mrs Fossett lived. She died there. I remember Mrs Fossett's husband, James very well. Also her previous husband, Byrnes. Byrnes was a short, stout man, and he, too, died there. He was a Presbyterian, and I remember him going to I church where 'Granny' Ashton lives. He was father of the late William South's wife. The next house in this street was the old place which stood on the ground where Mr Robert Marlin has his nice house. I don't remember this place getting built. It belonged to Mr Vincent, grandfather of Mr Neville, who lived in Paget street. In this place Frank Gow's father and mother lived some time. His mother died there. She was a Miss Kingswood, 'Ned' Thompson lived there at one time. 'Bandy'Smith, as they used to call him, lived there also and did some farming. Jim Douglas, a brother to ' Billy ' the bricklayer, lived there for some time and farmed. He afterwards went up country, and, I believe, did well.
Then we come to where "Abe" Eather lived for a number of years. This place I have no knowledge of getting put up. The first I knew living in it was old 'great grandfather' Martin. His wife died there. After he left Frank Simons (father of the late Frank, of Windsor) came there to live and went in for farming. Then the father of Mr Alex Matheson, J. P., lived there for some time. Like some of his predecessors he went in for farming. This place has been pulled down some time. The house where Mr Thomas Horan lives was erected before my time. The first I remember living in it were Paddy and Jimmy White, brothers. Both died there. Jimmy married a widow named Mrs Kelly, who owned a public house on the road between Windsor and Parramatta. It was a great house of call for teamsters. After leaving the house next to Mrs Ridge's William South went to live in this place. He was farming and carrying. He brought a large quantity of loading up for old Mr Ducker. I remember a man named Stubbs, a farmer, living there. Then we come to where Mr Joseph Onus lives up on the hill, 'The Cedars.' This was built when I knew it first. William Sharpe was the first man I remember living there ? and he was there for a long time. It belonged to William Onus, father of Mr Joseph Onus, now living in it.
When William Onus married Miss Annie Hough, sister to the late Peter Hough, of Agnes Banks, he went there to live. Good old Edward Robinson, also lived there for a while, and kept a boarding house. On the same side, down rear the lagoon, was a brick house of four rooms and a verandah with a kitchen at the back , where Jacob Inness lived. He was a farmer and had three sons, Jacob, Isaac and John, and one daughter, Betsy. I went to school with them. Betsy was a fine working girl, and I have heard them say she was a great reaper ? girls thought nothing of that work in those days ? and could do her half acre a day. Mr. Inness died there. After they left, the place went to ruin, and Mr Joseph Onus, senr., had it pulled down.
Another place was built and that, too, has been down a long time. We will take the opposite side of this street, and work from the Windsor end. There were no houses on this side till we come to the old brick place opposite to where Abe Eather lived. It was a big place with a verandah back and front, and a barn. It belonged to Robert Martin, Mrs William Price's father, who lived there. He sold the property to old Mr. Fossett. Mr Fossett had the barn built. He died there. I don't remember it getting built, Crawford Bedwell lived there for a number of years, and a large portion of his family were born there. Afterwards old Mr. and Mrs. Field lived there. Here old Mr Field died.
Then we come to the long weatherboard place on the corner, which was built before my time. The first I remember there was old Mr Peter McAlpin, father of the well-known William. He was a blacksmith, and carried on business there. He was a fine singer, and had a very strong voice, and I remember him singing at the Presbyterian services, which they held where 'Granny' Ashton lives. When Thomas Eather left the pub he went there to live. Mrs Eather was a daughter of Mr Peter McAlpin. Old Mr. McAlpin, the black smith, died there Mrs Thomas Eather died there also. We then had vacant land till we come to where Mr Henry Hughes lives. This must be a very old place, and was built before my time. The first I remember living there was Henry Hughes' father, the old schoolmaster, and his wife. Both Mr and Mrs Hughes died there. This house has always been occupied by the Hughes family. Where Mr Fred Powell had his milking yard there was a four-roomed weather-board cottage, with a verandah. It be- longed to Mr Joe Sharpe, who lived in it. This also I cannot remember getting put up. Mrs Faithful's coachman, Riley. lived there after he left 'Lakeville.' This place, has been pulled down many years. The next place is the skillion where Miss Thorley lives. This is a very old place. The first I remember living there was Jack Cafe, better known as Jack Tailby. He was a splitter and fencer. He married a sister to old William Timmins, and she died there. Miss Thorley has been living there a great number, of years.
Where Matthew Hughes lived there was an old weatherboard place with a verandah I don't remember getting built. When Matthew got married and went there to live they made alterations and additions to it. Here the good old Matthew lived all his life, and died. His wife died somewhere about Goulburn. She had a married daughter living up there, and went up for the good of her health.
The next place is the historic building, the old church and school. The portion down stairs was used as a church and the upstairs as a school. The first minister I heard preach there was the Rev. H. Stiles, and the first schoolmaster I remember was old Mr Hughes. The next schoolmaster was Mr Braham and then came Mr Griffiths. He was the first registrar of births, deaths and marriages in Richmond. I understand a daughter of his was keeping a boarding house at Manly a short time ago. Mr Braham was a little man, and I remember hearing people say he was the last of a family of twenty two.
While in this locality I am reminded of old *Mr George James when we used to go down to the lagoon for casks of water. He was fond of children, and when leaving home would bring out a basket of fruit to take with him. When he got to the school he would scramble them among the school children and delight in the sport.
CHAPEL STREET.
Commencing at the lowlands end of this street.
I can just remember the two-storey house on the corner belonging to the Onus' being finished. It was here old Joseph Onus went to live when he married Emma Powell, sister to Mr Henry Powell, and daughter of the late Edward Powell, His son, 'young' Joe, lived there also for a great number of years and died there. Coming along on the same side about half way between the house we have mentioned and Windsor-street there was an old weatherboard place of several rooms without a verandah. There were two doors in the front. One end of it was occupied by 'Jerry' Hill, a very tall Stout man. He had no family. He was a veterinary surgeon, and will be remembered by some of the very old hands. At the other end towards Windsor-street Tom Watson, 'Tom the Tinker' as he was called, lived. His sign was "T. Watson, tinman and brazier" lettered on a piece of tin. This old place has been pulled down many years, and I don't remember it getting built.
That is all the houses in this street at that time. On the opposite side was a paddock.
The house in which old Herbert Travis lived for so many years, and the places to be seen to-day, have all been built within my recollection.
BOSWORTH STREET.
At Cox's lane end the first house I remember was up before my time. The first person I knew there was James Griffiths. He was a shoemaker, and a brother to Mrs Parnell and Mrs Potts. He had three daughters and two sons. When he first came to Richmond he and the wife and family ? it wasn't quite as large then ? stayed with old Mr. and Mrs. George James for a week or two till they got a house. They went back to Launceston.
Mr Thomas Richards lived there for years and kept a butcher's shop. When he left there he went round into Windsor Street, and there ended his days. Old Mr William Heath lived there for many years, and carried on tailoring. He sent clothes to all parts of the district, and miles up country. He was a jolly old man and good company. He had been an old soldier, and learnt the tailoring while in the army. His training as a soldier stuck to him, and in his advanced years was a very nimble man, and could kick the top of a door frame quite easily ? and the hat off your head if you wished. He was a great admirer of game fowls, and an excellent hand at making 'heels,' and heeling the birds. Others have lived there also, but Charley Curtis crosses my mind at present as living there for a while. The old house was pulled down years ago. A few years ago a new cottage was
put up on the same block of land. When Mr Jim Shields and his sisters are living I don't remember getting put up. I remember Thomas Harris keeping a 'pub' there, but that is many, many years ago. Old Mr Potts kept a ' pub ' there also. After the 'pubs' a Jew, whose name I forget, kept a shop there. He was a very big man, jolly, and good company. Old Mr George Shields lived there pretty well a life time, Both Mr and Mrs Shields died there. The house is still in the possession of the family and occupied by the children already mentioned. I fancy old Mr Joseph Stafford kept a shop there, and dealt in poultry. Where the two skillions are next to Shields' old place was one block of land, on which stood a weatherboard place of four rooms, the two back rooms being skillion roof. This, like Shields' house, I don't remember getting put up. There was an old low paling fence in front. A man whom we always knew as ' Robison the carpenter ' lived there for some time. He and his wife died there, leaving no family. I have heard it said he was a good tradesman. This old place has been down many years. The two skillions standing there to-day I remember getting built. Harry Willis, a shoemaker, lived in the old house. He worked for old Mr Swinbourne.
We then come to where Mr Richard Allen lives? and truly 'Dick' is a very long way over the three score and ten. Mrs Masters, my mother, stands first in my mind. I was taken down to see her one day, and told she was my mother, but I couldn't make out how it was possible to have two mothers. I had always known Mrs James as mother, and I was too young to know anything about being adopted at the age of fifteen months. This place is too old for me to recollect. Old Mr Allen has been living there a very fair lifetime ? and may he be spared many years yet. Old Mr Allen was a wheel wright, and I was going to be bound to him for seven years to learn the wheel wrighting, I was then fourteen years of age, and my term was to be till I was twenty one, The indentures was drawn up and ready to be signed when my foster father and mother jibbed on it. I went to school with Mrs Richard Allen, who was Miss Matilda Cornwell then.
The little skillion on the corner is a very old place ? long before my time. The first person I knew living in it was a man named Whalan, a basketmaker. He was a short man, and had a great habit of saying "How do ! How do !" to, himself as he went along. Little 'Bob the Hatter' lived in it. He was a very short, stout, jolly man, and made straw hats for sale. When walking up the street he would have his plait of straw with him and hard at it as he went along. Tom Watson, the tinker, removed from Chapel-street and lived in it for some time. Alex. McKay lived there for a number of years. He worked for Mr Thomas Richards for many years. He was a jolly old fellow, and a true-born Scotchman. In one of the skillions we have been speaking about in this block Thomas Young lived, but the exact one I cannot say. He was a quiet, harmless old man, and was thought a great deal of by Mrs W. H. Holborow, the Rev. Dr. Woolls and others. All were kind to Tom. Where Mr Charles Sly has been living for a number of years ; where the old skillion so many years occupied by 'Janey' Baldwin stands; where the old homes of Mr Houghton and his son Clem, and where the old home of good old 'Betty' Mortimer are to be seen, was all vacant land when I first knew it. It was at the old Houghton home that 'Clem' ran the livery stable for so many years.
We next have the old, low, house on the corner, opposite to the side 'Dick' Allen lives on, which was built before my time. When I first knew it it was a pub. kept by Thomas Mortimer. His wife died there. A man named Harris, or Owen, kept it as a 'pub' also.
John Markwell also kept a ' pub ' there for some time. While Markwell was there a very funny thing happened. A man who was famous for his non-shouting propensities was in there, sitting on the seat. Several jolly boys came in for a drink, and invited him to take one with them. The next one's turn came, and he, too, extended the invitation. And so it went the rounds of the boys, the invitation being given every time. They thought they would drag a shout out of the man by this method, but no. Some of them had been out back and knew a little about the black's language, and, as they knew their guest prided himself on knowing more about the blacks language than anyone else, they challenged him to a test. Their friend led off with some of the language and told them they did not know what he was saying. One of them said he was asking them would they have something to drink, and named their drinks and told Markwell to draw them.
The old man protested strongly that wasn't what he was saying, but it was no go. They were all of the same opinion that that was what he, said, and the wind up of it was the old man had to pay for drinks all round. Then a Douglas Hadkins kept a 'pub' there also. Douglas in years after drifted into Sydney. He invented an incubator, etc , for poultry raising and was, I believe, keeping a shop in that line in Bathurst-street. Old Mr. Joe. Stratford lived in this old place at one time. He kept a little shop, and still dealt in poultry.
His first wife died there. I remember the day Joe got married to his second wife. John Cashell also lived there for many years. The little building at the March-street end has been used by different people as a butcher's shop ? among them my old road mate William Sly.
Where Dr. Helsham lives is of comparatively recent date, and was built by the well-known contractor of Windsor, old Mr John Johnson, father of the late Mrs Edwin Pitt.
One more old place was only to be found in this street when I first knew it. It stood just below where. Mrs Alex Benson lives. The first I have any recollections of living in it was a man named George Smith. His wife was a servant to old Mr. Dan Harriskey, and Smith married her from there. Mr Isaac Cornwell owned it for a long time. Afterwards it came into the hands of Mr Henry Turner, and he used it as a bake-house for many years. I think Thomas Allen used it as a bake-house also. A man named Afflick lived in it for a while, in earliest history. Where old Mr. and Mrs. Buckton lived is an old place so also is the one next to it.
The other places on the opposite side cannot be included among our old building.
WEST MARKET STREET.
Commencing from Lennox-street ? the old house in which Mrs John Collins lived for some years was built before my time. The first people I remember living there were old Mr and Mrs Thomas Ashton. Mr Ashton was dealing in poultry then. Then old Mr and Mrs George Campling lived in this house for a long time. One of his daughters was a teacher, and well up in the profession. George Smith, the brickmaker, lived in it also. Mr and Mrs John Collins lived there for a long while, and on more than one occasion.
On the opposite side of the street, only facing into this street, was a very large weather board room with a single roof and no verandah to it. In this old place a single man whom I never knew by any other name than old 'Warley Camp' lived for a long time. He was a brickmaker and very deaf. This room was built on the property of old "Scotch John". It has been pulled down many years.
Where Mr Tom Chalmers lives I remember getting built, and the brickwork was the first done in Richmond by the late Caleb Crisford.
In this street there was only one more house standing in my earliest recollections. It was a skillion which stood about where Mr John Cashell is now living. It contained two main rooms, and a little room at the back, with a shingle roof, and no verandah. Thomas Hogsflesh lived there for some time. He was a blacksmith by trade, having served his apprenticeship to Jack Freeman, and had his shop there. He left Richmond, and I think he died at Rope's Creek. I often saw his widow there.
The Salvation Army barracks is not an old place by any means, and is now used by the Richmond Light Horse as an orderly room.
Where Mr Alf Sly lives is a more recent addition to the street, and a few more houses like it would make this street look up. I think it was on this allotment of land where Peter O'Hara had a weatherboard building where he kept a bit of a shop. One of his sons, Harry, kept a billiard room there, and finally, it was burnt down. The old house on the corner of March Street was mentioned when we spoke of March-street, but the blacksmith's shop adjoining Mr. Alf Sly's place faces into this street, and has been a busy little shop more than once. Mr. Fred Small has only left it a few months. Fred is a son of William Small, of Lennox-street, whose reputation as a blacksmith spread far and wide.
The house belonging to some of the Onus family, and rented by Mr Fitzsimons, has been up some time, but does not come in our list of old Richmond buildings.
Coming along the street we have the School of Arts, and when I first knew the ground on which it stands it was a portion of the pound paddock. I was at the laying of the foundation stone. The stone is at ihe corner of the building on the March-street side as you enter the main hall. It was laid by Mary Ann Bowman, who afterwards became the wife of the medical Dr Cameron. A sovereign was put under the stone, a copy of the daily paper was put under it also.
The Presbyterian Church I remember getting built. Mr Long had the contract for the woodwork. Later on Mr Sam Boughton was the contractor for the tower. While the work was in progress Mr. Tom Masters and I went round to have a look at it. Mr.Boughton was working about where the clock is, and a ladder was standing up almost as high as the ball on top. Tom was chaffing me about not being game to go up to the ball, and Sam happened to hear him at it, and remarked he had seen me as high as that in the trees out on the common after possums. To show I still had nerve left, up I went and placed my hand on the ball.
The Commercial Bank, which faces into Windsor-streets is a comparatively recent ornament to the town. So also is the police station.
Years ago old Mr William Stevenson kept a shop in a weatherboard place close to where Mr Les. Wheeler lives. He dealt in poultry as well. The houses on the same side as Mr Wheeler's have been up some years, but are not the oldest.
The opposite side of this street was much improved by the two new cottages built to the order of the late William Sullivan. The skillion next to these cottages is not a youngster, though I remember when it was vacant land. William Douglas has built himself a comfortable home close by. He is a great gardener, and what he grows on his small plot shows what can be done both in quantity and quality.
The Public School is in this street, and as I see the youngsters playing about in such numbers I think of the big difference there is now for a child to get an education and when I was a youngster. If they do not get a good schooling now it is the parents' fault.
EAST MARKET STREET
Commencing at the Lennox street end, we have the old place where "Granny" Ashton lives, which dates back before any time. When I first knew it there was only one room, and in it Mr.and Mrs. Johnson lived. This would be 'Bill' Johnson's father and mother, Afterwards they went to Londonderry ? 'Town's paddock' in those days ?where they lived for years. After they left it was done up for the Presbyterian Church, and services were held there for a long time. I have heard Dr. Lang, Dr. Fullerton, and the Rev. Mr Adam, of Windsor, preach there. The pulpit stood at the end of the room on Lennox-street side. As you went in at the door, on the left side along the wall, there was a long cedar seat with a back to it which was occupied by George Bowman and his family. William Bowman, his wife and daughter, Ann (who married a Mr. Caddell) went there to worship also.
On the opposite side of the room to the Bowman's seat was another long seat where William McAlpin and his father, Peter McAlpin, sat. On a front cross seat, facing the pulpit, sat Mrs. Field's father, John Henderson. He, too, like McAlpin, was a great singer, and his voice was always loud and clear during the singing. Mrs. Martin had a Sunday school there, and taught a few children.
The old weatherboard house which stood by the fig tree which grew in the paddock at the back of the Imperial Hotel I remember getting built. It was an old place, and has been pulled down many years. Among those who have lived there we have with us in Richmond to-day Messrs. Ernest Marlin and John Ashton. Mr. Sam Farley lived there also. Mrs. Elliott lived there for years, The good old lady went to her last resting place some few months ago. The railway station is in this street, but though built a goodly number of years looks different to my boyhood days. What is to be found in the way of buildings below the Royal Hotel is the outcome of later years.
PAGET STREET.
We will start in this street at the College end, and up to the corner of Lennox street there was only two houses when I was a boy. George James lived in one and Thomas Silk in the other. About where Mr John Cornwell now lives there stood a very large bushy apple tree, which were plentiful on the common then. On Sunday evenings people used to sit there in the hot weather. The blacks were about then, and had their camp not more than a hundred yards the other side. All about there then was a wild bush, but just about that spot it was principally gum trees.
About where Mr Dan Carter lives there, was a saw pit where they used to cut timber for the town. It was kept by a man named Robert Westmore. Before Westmore came here he worked at Cockle Bay, and here he was known as 'Cockle Bay Bobby.' His wife used to help him saw, and at work in the pit he acted as top sawyer, his wife underneath. To prevent the sawdust getting into her eyes she wore a veil.
Coming along towards the railway there was only the old white house standing. I have no recollection of this getting built. These were the only three houses facing into this street in those days.
The large hole in Paget street between where Thomas Richardson lived for years and the double house just mentioned, is the result of brickmaking. Many a kiln of bricks were made there by Jack Short. Speaking of Jack Short reminds me we had at that time living in Richmond Jack Short, Jack Long, Jack Large, Jack Small. Jack Short was short, Jack Long was short, Jack Large was a big man, Jack Small a big man also.
MOORAY STREET.
In my earliest days no houses. Later on Charley Roberts kept a butcher's shop between March-street and the railway line for many years-His first house was close to the butcher's shop, but some time after he built another house lower down and facing into March-street. His wife died in the latter house, so also did old Charley.
The few other houses in this street have been built long enough since I first knew it.
We have now been round the town, a street at a time, and dealt mainly with it in the very early days.
A casual jaunt around it in more recent years will not be out of place before we leave it.
Where James Moulds now lives (the last house in Lennox-street going towards the Blacktown road) Ned Kidd kept a blacksmith's shop alongside it for many years. His wife died there.
the corner house where Tom Richardson lived Mr Willliam Mitchell lived for some time. It was on this spot Mr. Mitchell laid the foundation of what afterwards developed into the famous coachbuiiding, horseshoeing, general smithing and implement making business. When he first came to Richmond he worked, I think, for William Price. He then started on this own account on the corner I have just mentioned. His wife's brother, named Ross, who was a clever man, used to do woodwork and painting. Mr Mitchell was by no means a man of money then, but he was a great tradesman and a very hard worker. It was nothing unusual for him to work all hours of the night, and he got along by degrees.
I have just alluded to Ned Kidd's blacksmith's shop in Lennox street, and at one end of the shop Fred Thomson had his wheelwright's shop and carried on his work for some time. William Heath, 'the old taiior,' as he was often called, lived in the skillion a little this side of Kidd's blacksmith's shop. Years after two brick rooms and a verandah were put on the front of the skillion, and Tom Kewen lived there for years. Tom was a fetler on the line, Heath lived there for years and did his tailoring. I think it was from here Dan Carter married a grand-daughter of Heath's. I often met his son John in after years while I was droving. The last time I saw him was at Gunnedah where he was keeping a pub. Before he started pub keeping I often camped at his place at Middle Island.
In the house on the corner where Mr Mitchell first started in business ? Mr Swinbourne, Mr Collins, and McCredie lived at different times. John Waldren, a blacksmith, lived in this corner house for a time also. When he left Richmond he went to Rouse's, at Guntawang. Tom Masters went up with him, having agreed with Mr George Rouse.- Tom was striking for Waldren up there. I shall never forget one little thing which happened to Mr Roland Ducker in this locality. He had been out to the 'three holes' to get their mare, "Busy," and could not catch her. He asked me to go and help him catch her, and we succeeded. Both of us mounted her bare back and came along alright till we got about where Mrs. Magick now lives-?plenty of trees and stumps there at that time ? and I wanted to get off.
As I was getting off the mare started to buck and I fell off unhurt. Roland was thrown, and as he fell the mare kicked him on the forehead. He bled a good deal and was unconscious for about half an hour I called Eliza James and Mrs. Martin to come over, and with a jug of water they bathed him and brought him round. I have no doubt Mr Roland Ducker carries the scar today.
Close to the College avenue entrance stood the old pound. I remember Tom Pryke being poundkeeper there many years ago Harry Gunton kept it for a long time. He also kept the present pound many years.
Opposite to this old pound is the old house which has been there many years, but which I remember getting built. Mr Dean lived in it for a long time and had a tan yard. The old shed, which still stands, was built for Mr Dean, and in it many a score of hides I have seen hanging up to dry. George Dean, his son, was married from there. Both of his sons, Billy and George, were very venturesome boys with snakes. I have often seen them catch a snake by the tail and pull it out of a log and kill it. They would then cut the heads off and take the body home. These their mother boiled down for the oil, which was considered a cure for cer tain complaints in those days. Old Mrs Dean died in this old house. George was always a jolly chap and ready for a lark. He played a good one on Johnny Roberts one day. We had been out in the bush and had brought a good lump of a snake home, and after I left him he saw Roberts coming. He knew Roberts would have to go round Richardson's corner on his way home, so he laid the snake about a couple of yards round the corner across the footpath with the head part of the body in some rubbish against the fence. He called me over and told me what was in the wind. Roberts was coming along the Paget-street footpath so we waited and watched him turn the corner. He came on to the snake unexpectedly, and got a great fright. He pulled a rail out of the fence and started to settle the snake, when he found out it was dead. When he saw its head had been cut off no doubt he had his, suspicions as to who played the joke.
cannot pass this part of the town without mentioning a good old woman whom we knew as "Granny" Roberts. She was grandmother to Charley Roberts, of Clarendon, grandmother to the late Thomas Primrose, of Windsor, and several other well known and respected people in the district.
The house I am living in I remember getting built. About where my big gate is there was an old weatherboard place which was nearly down when I first recollect it. The bricks were made on the allotment by 'Tim, the brickmaker'. Mr William Sharpe, 'Daddy', as he was often called in after life, often told me he helped 'Tim' to make the bricks. The bricklayer was Henry White who lived in Silk's old bouse in Paget-street. He was a married man, but had no family. A man by the name of Clayton, a tailor, lived in Silks' house before White. The house was built for Mr Baines He previously lived in the Lodge at "Fairfield," Windsor. Baines died in this house, and Mrs Baines died there in June, 1867. Then their son, Johnny, lived there. Johnny, like his father, was a chair-maker, but didn't work much at it. It was the rush bottom chairs in those days.
If my old stable could only speak it could tell some very funny tales about the gaffing schools they carried on in it. It was here that ' Bricky ' Colley stayed with us, and not at the old pub, as I stated when speaking of my pub-keeping days. I shall never forget 'Bricky' giving me the tip about Sterling for the Metropolitan once. He told me, bar accidents, he was going to win. Sterling was a 10 to 1 chance, and I decided to go down and have ?5 on him. But a day or two before the races I had to start up country, and as Tom Masters was keeping shop round the corner, I commissioned him with instructions what to do, as he intended going down. As I was going up country I met the mailman as asked if he had, heard what won the Metropolitan, and he told me Sterling. When I got up country there was a letter from home and I learned Tom had not gone to the races, so I was as far off as if 'Bricky' had never given me the tip.
Old Mr. and Mrs. Baines had two daughters and one son. Emma married William Crowley from here, and as tin kettling was all the fashion then they got a good one. Louisa married a Mr Wood, who was a brother to the late Mr John Wood, of the Grose River. Wood was a saddler and lived for years in Singleton. Mrs Baines was a dressmaker, and the present Mrs Henry Powell, senr., learned the art from her, Sam Freeman lived in Francis-street.
He could tell some stirring tales about the old rimes. I knew Sam very well and for many years. I remember when he was a boundary rider for Mr. A. Town for years at Bomera. He also worked at Lakeville for some time for Mr Town, who had the property rented. After leaving Bomera he came down over Bell's Line ? known as Maddocks' line then ? and got lost for two days. It was a cold "shop " to be lost in, and when Sam got out of it he was nearly done up. When he came to Richmond, after this adventure, he stayed with us for fully a month. Sam had seen a deal of the old convict days, and the treatment the men received. He was a jolly old fellow, and it didn't take much to start him going about the flogging days. And it was no secret about town how to start him, and when one felt inclined they only had to say to him, "Where is Dr. B -??" The answer he would give you was, "Dr. B-? 's in hell." Then he would tell you about the brutal work, and the scant regard this doctor had for human life. Sam never forgot to tell you that Dr. B-? would say, "Men's no object to me. If there's 50 killed to-day, I can get 50 more to-morrow". Sam was a brother to Tom and George Freeman, who kept a Public house in Windsor. The Town family thought a lot of Sam, and other families were good and kind to him, while the boys found him interesting and amusing.
In Richmond we had another Sam Freeman, but in no way related to this one. He was a carpenter, and lived for some time in the weatherboard house where Robinson, the carpenter, lived, which stood on the ground where the two skillions stand next to where Jim Shields and his sisters live in Bosworth-street. His sons William and Jack were blacksmiths. William left Richmond and secured property on the Comleroy Road, and was living there when I was at the punt. He kept a public house there. Billy sold the property to Michael McMahon, now ' Garryowen.' He then went out somewhere about the Cockfighter to live. While out there he had the promise of a great crop of wheat one year, but the grain got blighted. He mowed it and made it into hay and I have heard that this was the first time he found out the value of wheaten hay. He later came to live on what we call the Grose Farm which lies between the Grose and Nepean rivers, now occupied by Mr Donald Clemson. I hear his father, Edward, owns it. Billy left there and went to live in the old house by the river, on a farm belonging to Mr George Williams. There he lived till he accidentally met his death. He reared a large family. The boys were a fine big lot of men, and the girls were good styles.
Among the family I knew Bob, William, Joe, Tom. George, Wellington and Annie, who married Mr W. Maughan and still lives in Richmond. Charlotte was another of the girls, she married Mr John Devlin, who is still living at Agnes Banks. George is still at Riverstone meatworks and liked by all who know him. Bob and Tom are dead William, Joe and Wellington are still living at Agnes Banks, the latter occupying the same house as his late father and mother.
Then not long ago there died an ex Richmondite who took great interest in town matters when he was here ? David Cobcroft. He was for years an alderman in the Council, and the opposition side wished him out of it many a time. In those days party feeling in the Council was very strong, but the Onus side carried the sway. But for all that, Dave fought them, and, if he couldn't best them, often tormented them.
He lived in the two-storey house in March street which stands about half way between East and West Market streets. He was a good chemist and had his shop there. Before he took up chemistry he was in a bank. One time I was going up to Warrah and had a five pound note I wanted to change, so I went into a bank at Muswellbrook, and he was in charge of it. Before he came to live in the two storey house in March-street he lived in the old long house in Windsor-street which belonged to old Mr Long. He was married to a sister of William Benson, senr., who has been dead many years. The loss of two sons cut him up very much. One fine young fellow accidentally met his death at South Creek railway viaduct one encampment at Gosper's Groves. The other one died at home after a lingering illness. After Dave left Richmond he was in Sydney for years, and died somewhere in Forest Lodge.
R. B Hughes, "Bobby" Hughes as he was generally called, was a good chemist and as good as plenty of the doctors with some complaints. He often saved a poor person the expense of a doctor. I re member him coming to Richmond. At one time Richmond was lively on Saturday when German Charley, the doctor, used to visit it. He was a queer old sort in many ways, but could cure many things. He used to attend patients at my place, and I have seen as many as 18 vehicles in front ? from Penrith, Kurrajong, Pitt Town. Wilberforce and Freeman's Reach.
Old 'Bob' Eggleton, the wheelwright, who was buried quite recently, was reared up Kurrajong, and when a lad of about 14 started to serve his apprenticeship with William Small who had a wheelwright's shop on the property Mr Bowman Douglass owns and occupies.
Johnny Madden served his apprenticeship to the wheelwrighting to the same man and at the same time as Eggleton. Bob lived at one time in the old house in Lennox-street where I lived and saw the ghost. He was there for a long while. Later on he bought the ground opposite, the Roman Catholic Church at the Windsor end of Richmond. Here he built, and carried on business as a wheelwright and blacksmith for years. He was a good tradesman. Bob was a good sportsman ? a great pigeon shot, quail shooter, wild duck hunter and an ardent fisherman with both the rod and the net. The latter he could make and was considered a good hand at hanging them. He had an old gun ? and good one it was ? he kept for duck shooting which they called 'Long Sal.' He married a Miss Roberts who died some time back. They reared a family of fine big children. Among the boys I knew Jack, George, Bob, Ted ; and Kesiah, the girl. Jack was for years in charge of the Hawkesbury racecourse, and could do wheelwrighting as well. Bob was a great hand among horses. George is in the railway service.
I was at the punt when the railway was opened to Richmond. Among the station masters in Richmond I remember Mr. McKenzie, who is buried in the Church of England cemetery here. Mr Morris was here, but had to leave on account of ill-health. Mr Lackey was here for many years, and is now in charge of Burwood station, I think. The present station master's residence, at the corner of Bourke and March streets, was built for him. Then We had Mr. Gazzard for a while. Mr Stafford was a great bike rider, and used to take part in the bike races on the park, which were all the go here at that time. Then Mr. Chivers was here for years, and when he left took charge of Blacktown station where he is at present. Then came Mr. Cox, who stayed with us till he retired from the service, when he was given a hearty send-off by his fellow railway men only a month or two ago.
Tom Cavanough was here for some time and was head porter, and afterwards worked up to be stationmaster.
Among the men on the engines who have been in Richmond, a man named Frost was the first driver from Blacktown to Richmond, and lived in the old house in Lennox-street occupied by Tom Miles. Then there was old Mr Ritchie who spent many years among us and was well liked.
(To be continued).
Source:
Some Ups and Downs of an old Richmondite,
by Mr. Alfred Smith
Chronicled by Robert Farlow
Windsor and Richmond Gazette (NSW : 1888 - 1954)
Saturday 12 February 1910
Saturday 19 March 1910
Saturday 26 March 1910
Saturday 16 April 1910
Saturday 23 April 1910
Transcription, janilye, 2012