janilye on Family Tree Circles
Journals and Posts
Category: NSW Research
Thomas Samuel Spearing 1860-1915
The son of George SPEARING 1835-1914 and Tabitha HARRIS 1829-1901.
Thomas Samuel was baptised on the 18 February 1860 at St James Norland,Kensington.
A carpenter by trade Thomas met Emily Louisa ROBERTS born in Kensington London on the 14 June 1859 and baptised at St Luke,Chelsea, London on the 17 July 1859.
Thomas and Emily were married at St James Norland,Kensington on the 18 May 1883.
The children of this marriage were:-
Edward Thomas Essen Spearing 1883 - 1896
George Alfred Spearing 1886, m. Elizabeth Ann BUTTERWORTH in 1906
Emily Annie Alice Spearing 1888, m. Albert William PAGE in 1915
John William Spearing 1889 - 1890
Harriet Edith Spearing 1891 - 1894
Alice Maud Spearing 1892 - 1894
Lilian Gladys Spearing 1900
Alfred SPEARING B: 1901, kensington, London. Baptised 6 October 1901 at All Saints Notting Hill. m. Leila Mary Collin, at Wollongong in 1937. He died 5 September 1949 Sydney. Leila went on to marry Ernest Haley in Sydney in 1957
TURNBULL - EBENEZER PIONEERS OF THE HAWKESBURY
THE TURNBULLS'
When John Turnbull and his wife, Ann Warr Turnbull, left their native village of
Annan in Dumfriesshire in Scotland (Annan, by the way, is just across the border
from the English town of Carlisle in Cumberland) - Annan is also famous as being
the birth place of Lieut. Col. George Johnston, the crusher of the Rouse Hill
rebellion of 1804, later on to become the tool of that unspeakable bully and land
monopolist, John Macarthur, and when George Johnston received grants for his service
to the military oligarchy (the Rum Corps officials), he used his native town's name
as a prefix to his several estates, hence Annandale, Annan Lodge, Annangrove, etc.
But to come back to the Pioneer Turnbulls.
John Turnbull had established a business in London as a tailor's cutter, where he
had pursued that calling since about the age of 22 years. When in the year 1802 the
couple heard that free settlers were wanted in New South Wales to cultivate the
soil, he was induced to come here along with nine other families, with the promise
of 100 acres of land each on their arrival, and rations for a certain period afterwards,
with the services, of two assigned Government men, assured also to them. (Settlers
were usually allowed one assigned man for each 50 acres in their possession.)
The story of Australia can be told in the lives of such as this worthy
couple and their descendants.
The Turnbulls' early struggles, as told in the lives of these pioneers, contain
strange chapters of personal effort, fierce hardships, of defeat and victory,
of disaster and triumph. The practical elements which made for success were
predominant and to the fore. It was but the qualities of endurance and strength
which tell in a new country. Of the Turnbulls, it may be said they were what
faith and circumstance made them.
John Turnbull must have been of rugged, persevering stock, with the blood of
the old Covenanters in him, and his life's story is well worth the telling.
John Turnbull, pioneer, the founder of the family of Hawkesbury Turnbulls,
was born in the year 1750, learnt the trade of a tailor's cutter, and with
his wife set up in business in London, where a number of children were born,
those being the names of the English-born children of John and Ann Warr Turnbull,
and their respective ages were in the year 1802 (as per "Coromandel" list).—
Ralph (I.), aged 10 years; Mary, aged 5 years; James, aged 4 years;
and Jessica, aged 19 months.
All the children of John TURNBULL 1751-1834 and Ann WAUGH/WARR 1768-1819 were:-
Ralph TURNBULL 1791–1840 m: Grace CAVANOUGH 1794-1828
Mary Ann Turnbull 1792–1792
John Turnbull 1794–1796
Mary Ann Turnbull 1795–1825 m1: James Hartley m2: James Wright
James Warr Turnbull 1798–1881
Jessica Turnbull 1800–1882 m: Denis Benjamin KIRWIN 1795–1851
John Turnbull 1803–1881
George Turnbull 1806–1885 m:Louise CHASELING 1809–1892
William Bligh TURNBULL 1809–1892 m: Sarah DAVIS 1822–1906
After this pioneer couple acquired the 100 acres land grant just below where stands
Ebenezer Church on the Hawkesbury, and where the pioneer built a stone residence on a
high headland of the river (still there) — the place is worthy of preserving, in all
conscience. There it was that great and good man, Dr. J. D. Lang, was "put up" on
the various occasions of his visits to the Hawkesbury, and to the worthy minister
Pioneer Turnbull told his experience at the hands of Governor King on his arrival
by the "Coromandel" on the 13th June, 1802.
After personally interviewing each settler that arrived on that occasion, the
Governor, coming to Turnbull, exclaimed,
"One foot in the grave and the other out
of it! What brought you here, old man?"
It is remarkable of the physical fitness and diligence that the pioneer lived
to the age of 86 years; indeed, the Ebenezer "Burial Register Entry" of
John Turnbull's death records his age at death as being 91 years!
On the 100 acres of land was grown wheat and other cereal crops. John Turnbull's
name often appears in the lists of tenders for supplies to the Government in
issues of "The Sydney Gazette" newspaper, of wheat, pork and beef.
On the Turnbull grant was also a fine orchard planted by the pioneer, where
various kinds of stone and citrus fruits grew in abundance. On one occasion
Pioneer Turnbull, in the late twenties of 19th. century, was taking a cart
load of peaches for sale into the markets at Sydney and was "stuck up" by that
notorious bushranger of the time, Russel Crawford, on the Parramatta-road, near
what is now Grace Bros.' establishment.
The old pioneer held his own and beat the ruffian off until assistance arrived.
I may here remark that Russel Crawford in the year 1832 was hanged in Sydney
after his conviction for attempting to murder Mr. George Banks Suttor by stealing
up on the back of the chaise in which Suttor was driving and delivering him a
violent blow on the head. That blow affected Mr. Suttor all the rest of his life,
although he lived to the great age of 80 years, only dying on the 27th October,
1879 (after a fall from his buggy) at his ancestral home residence and farm
'Chelsea Park,' Baulkham Hills (the original George Suttor's grant).
The story of Mr. George Banks Suttor and his wife, Jane Johnston, an Australian-born
daughter of Andrew Johnston the first, will be told later.
To come back to Pioneer Turnbull, I find
that he was one of the settlers who in the year 1816 gave a donation of ten shillings
to the "Waterloo Fund", to be sent to England to relieve widows and orphans whose
soldier-husbands were killed in the Battle of Waterloo (1815). That list contained
the names of 239 subscribers in all, and the amount in cash collected totalled
£231/8/- (quite a respectable sum of money in those days). From time to time I intend
to quote the amounts given by Hawkesbury pioneers that came by the "Coromandel" —
not in any way for comparison, but to show their unswerving loyalty to the old
land, and also for their good deeds of charity to those bereaved by war. Ralph
Turnbull (I.), eldest and English-born son of the pioneer, contributed £1 to this fund.
But one of the proudest achievements,
that can be spoken of with pride by the descendants of John Turnbull the first, is the
fact of his being one of the main principals (it may be said that there were fifteen
in all) who were the founders of Ebenezer Church. In a family bible of the pioneer
there is inscribed in his handwriting: 'I have agreed this day to contribute £5 per
year to a minister for Ebenezer Chapel' for a date in the year 1817 (for which exact
date and month the writer has mislaid his note). There was also a note stating the
date of his arrival in the 'Coromandel' in the year 1802. All these references are
extremely valuable for the recorders of history, because when notes of events are
made at the actual times one can judge them as being quite veracious and accurate.
After the pioneer occupied his holding at Ebenezer there were born to John and Ann
Warr Turnbull three Australian-born children, respectively named:
John (II.), born year 1804; George (I.), born year 1806; and William Bligh, born year 1809.
It is a great misfortune that no portraits of the Pioneers of Ebenezer exist, of any
of those famous in after years that came by the 'Coromandel.' The reason is very
simple — the earliest form of daguerrotype photo was not invented until the year 1839,
and then in very imperfect form; and mostly all of the pioneers died before that year
with a few exceptions, and in those exceptions no efforts had been made by the
families to secure pictures of their ancestors; but the times were hard, and the
pioneers did not appear to have been willing to leave the old places. In some cases
the pioneers' children did not even visit the neighboring town of Windsor on any
occasion but once. So that it is our misfortune that we cannot look upon their
faces and see what manner of folk they looked in replica and in life.
To return to John Turnbull (I.). The pioneer himself appears to have been a
rigid Presbyterian, although it has been stated that all of the men folk who were
original founders and thus fathers of Ebenezer Church were Nonconformists, or dis-
senting Protestants to the forms of divers church forms of service. My own opinion
is that Turnbull was a staunch believer in the Presbyterian form of service.
However that may be, Mrs. Ann Warr Turnbull was an adherent of the Church of
England form of worship, and when that good woman died her sentiments and wishes
were respected. At her request, Mrs. Ann Turnbull at her death was buried in the
beautiful burial ground of St. John's Church of England on the hill at Wilberforce.
Perhaps in all Australia there is no more beautiful a cemetery than it, over
looking the delightful valley of the Hawkesbury. The inscription- there says: —
Sacred
To the Memory of
Mrs. ANN TURNBULL,
Wife of Mr. John Turnbull,
Who departed this life December 19th, 1819,
Aged 54 years.
With A.T. on footstone on grave.
Alongside is the grave of her English born daughter, Mary, who was married
firstly to James Hartley and secondly to James Wright. On a smaller headstone is
inscribed:—
Sacred to the Memory of
(Mrs.) MARY WRIGHT,
Who departed this life February 11th, 1825.
Aged 28 years.
Actually this lady, was 30 years of age, according to my 'Coromandel' list, and I
take that list of names and ages to be authentic.
There were four children left as orphans after Mrs. Wright's death, two boys and
two girls.
Ralph Turnbull (I.), the English-born, son of the pioneer, married firstly Miss
Grace Cavanough, daughter of Owen Cavanough (I.), a seaman, one time of the
'Sirius,' but long since a farmer-settler at Ebenezer, and later of the first branch
of the Hawkesbury (Colo, as it was called afterwards). By Grace Cavanough Ralph
Turnbull (I.) had five children — Ralph Turnbull (II), who married firstly Miss
Sarah Reynolds, and secondly Miss Sarah Cross. The second Ralph (or 'Rafe,' as
Hawkesbury people sound it) was the father of Ralph (III.) and William Turnbull (twin
sons), both of Wilberforce, and of Mrs. Lucinda Lockart, of Windsor, and others,
the mother being, of course, the first wife (nee Sarah Reynolds). It is interesting to
know that Mrs. Lockart still has in her keeping the white waistcoat which her
father wore at the marriage ceremony with Miss Sarah Reynolds, which took place at
Colo in the year 1840. The vest appears quite as good to-day as it then was. The
texture must have been good, of good material. Ralph Turnbull (II.) married the
second time when he was 73 years of age, to Miss Sarah Cross. The second wife
pre-deceased him, dying on the 8th of November, 1898, aged 58 years.
Mrs. Sarah Reynolds-Turnbull died October 15th, 1886, aged 63 years.
Ralph Turnbull (II.) died at the age of 86 years and 8 months, on the
14th February, 1901, at Wilberforce. They are buried in a family grave along with
other members of his family at St. John's cemetery, Wilberforce.
Other children of Ralph Turnbull (I) and his wife Grace Cavanough were respective
ly:— Mary, who became firstly Mrs. James Dunston, secondly Mrs. Gurney; Elizabeth,
who became Mrs. John Dunston; Ann who became Mrs. Richard Cox; (this lady was
the mother of Alderman Samuel Cox, of Pitt
Town); John, who married firstly Miss Elizabeth Arnold, and also a second time
(writer cannot just now locate the name).
Ralph Turnbull (I.) by his second wife Mrs. Mary Ann Riley Turnbull, had the fol-
lowing children:— Eliza, Jane, Sarah, Maria and Andrew. The second wife of Ralph
Turnbull (I.) long out-lived him. She married also a second time, to Mr. James Ferris,
to whom she bore a large family. That family removed to Grafton, N.S. Wales
where Mrs. Mary Turnbull Ferris died. Ralph Turnbull (I.) is buried alongside his
first wife (nee Grace Cavanough) at St. Thomas' burying ground, Sackville, where
the inscriptions read: —
Sacred to the Memory of
Mrs. GRACE TURNBULL,
Who departed this life Feby. 1st, 1828
Aged 33 years.
The other reads: —
Sacred to the Memory of
Mr. RALPH TURNBULL,
Who departed this life November 18th, 1840,
Aged 49 years.
Mr. Ralph Turnbull (I.) originally had a grant of land which had been promised to
his father, dated 14th June, 1811, of 60 acres, adjoining the original 100 acres
Turnbull grant, the actual grant of which was not made until just a month before
Ralph's death, the date being 21st October, 1840. However, Ralph Turnbull (I.) had a
nice grant of good land at Colo, of 100 acres, which he lived on continuously and
reared two families there. Although the date of promise is given as 1st December, 1821,
the grant itself was only made on the 8th February, 1836.
Mr. Ralph Turnbull (I.) named the Colo property 'Andale,' situate on the Colo
River, and adjoining Owen Cavanough's (I.) grant, as the records say. It is evident
that Ralph (I.) named the place 'Anndale,' after his mother's Christian name, but due
to lack of knowledge of spelling, the clerk in the Surveyor-General's Department,
Sydney, of the time, misspelt it. I am of opinion that that farm at Colo is a very
historical place for many reasons, of which more anon. I believe it to be the exact place
whereon lived Mrs. Mary Hartley (nee Mary Turnbull, of the 'Coromandel').
Some time again I will refer to a Siletta orange tree that is still existing on
'Andale,' and bearing fruit each year, though it is over 90 years old. It was planted by
Mrs. Gurney, Ralph's eldest daughter, Mary, when she was a mere girl.
I come now to Miss Jessica Turnbull the second English-born daughter of the pioneer,
whose age was one year and seven months when Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull came
aboard the 'Coromandel' 'at Deptford on the Thames in the year 1802. This very
good woman when she arrived at the age of 19 years married Mr. Denis Benjamin Kirwan,
who had a grant of 40 acres of land at Sackville. Tizzana vineyard and the
stone house used as a residence by Dr. Fiaschi is in the main the actual building
erected by Mr. Kirwan. Of course there have been many additions made to the
house by the doctor, who has also vastly increased the original property in area by
purchase from other holders. Mr. D. B. Kirwan had a flour mill on his grant which
was worked by a water-wheel. Grain was brought for gristing to it by settlers from
up and down the river for many miles distant. The memory of the old mill wheel
is still mentioned by old Hawkesburyites, but it long since is a thing of the past.
Mrs. Jessica Kirwan bore ten daughters and two sons to Mr. Kirwan. The eldest
girl, who married a Mr. Everingham (Elizabeth Everingham) lived on her property
facing the river Hawkesbury at the rear of Tizzana cellars and residence, and a large
tomb is still to be seen there wherein Mrs. Elizabeth Everingham was buried. The
other daughters were: Diana (Mrs. Millington), Matilda Z. (Mrs. McFetridge),
Ann (Mrs. Hopkins), Phoebe (Mrs. Sanday), Adelaide (Mrs. Thomas Cross),
Victoria (Mrs. Weldon), and three daughters named respectively Henrietta, Harriet and
Angelina, who died as young women (unmarried). The two sons were Hiram John Kirwin,
who married a Miss Charlotte Arnold; this latter couple had in all 11 children; and
Colclough Kirwan, who perished in the bush near Blackall, Queensland; the latter was unmarried.
Amongst the many who knew Mrs. Jessica Kirwan in life is Mr. Hiram A. Turnbull, of
Rose Bay, Sydney, who as a lad used to carry the mail post-bag between
Windsor and Sackville. He refers to her as a dear old lady, who used to keep
something nice for him when on the trips he arrived at her house. One of her
grand-daughter's says of Mrs. Jessica Kirwarn that for over the period of 60 years
in which she lived in the same house, she never slept a night from under its roof.
For over 30 years Mrs. Kirwan was a widow, generally one or more of her daughters
being with her until her death.
At St. Thomas' burial ground at Sackville, in a family grave where the three unmarried
daughters are laid, also is a headstone which is
Sacred to the Memory of
DENIS BENJAMIN KIRWAN,
Died Octr. 15th, 1851,
Aged 57 years.
Also, to the Memory of
JESSICA KIRWAN,
(nee Jessica Turnbull)
Died April 1st, 1882,
Aged 82 years. (84. — G. G. R.)
'Waken, O Lord, our drowsy sense,
To walk this dangerous road,
And if our souls are hurried hence,
May they be found with God.
With footstones: D.B.K., 1851, and J.K.,
1882.
James Turnbull, the second English-born son of John and Ann Turnbull, never married,
but lived in the Hawkesbury district most of his life. He died about 1882 in
the Windsor Hospital, and is buried in the churchyard of St. Matthew's at that town.
He must have attained the age of 85 years, for his age was given as four years old in
the year 1802 by his parents. In a further article I shall have more to say of James
Turnbull.
The Australia-born children of John and Mary Turnbull were John (II.) who
was the eldest of the three sons, being born in the year 1804 at Ebenezer.
John Turnbull (II.), like his English-born brother, James, never married. The
inscription in the churchyard at Ebenezer in the Turnbull enclosure reads: —
In Memory of
JOHN TURNBULL, Junr. (II.) '
Died July 2nd, 1881, ,
Aged 77 years.
That in memory of the pioneer, progenitor and founder of the family reads: -
In Memory of
JOHN TURNBULL (I.),
Died June 7th, 1834,
Aged 86 years.
A rather misleading tablet to the pioneer's wife has of late years been placed on
the same gravestone. I think it should have fully stated that her remains were
interred at St. John's, Wilberforce. From the wording as it is now (1923) future his-
torians will think that Mrs. Ann Turnbull is buried in the same enclosure, whereas it
is not so, for reasons which I have expressed elsewhere.
The second Australian-born son of John and Ann Turnbull was George Turnbull,
who was born in the year 1806. He married Miss Louisa Chaseling at Sackville Reach
chapel on October 9th, 1826, the officiating minister being the Rev. Matthew Devenish
Meares. To this couple in course of time were born 12 children, 6 sons and
6 daughters, one of the sons being George Turnbull (II.), father of Hiram A. Turnbull,
clothing manufacturer of Sydney (residing at Rose Bay). This gentleman's father was
married to a Miss Maria Greentree. Mr. Thomas Turnbull, of Eastwood (still on
deck) is another son of George and Louisa Chaseling Turnbull. This gentleman is
married to Miss Elizabeth Manning, and the couple recently celebrated their golden
wedding anniversary. Another son of George and Louisa Chaseling Turnbull is
Mr. John Warr Turnbull, of 'Kelso,' Sackville, who was married to a Miss Ann Manning.
This Mrs. Turnbull died nearly 12 months ago, and is buried at Ebenezer,
likewise also is Mr. George Turnbull (II.) and his wife, Mrs. Maria Turnbull.
In passing it might be stated that some of the descendants of Pioneer Turnbull
stuck to Presbyterianism, and others, notably the families of Ralph Turnbull I., II.,
and III., all embraced Church of Englandism. In any case it is worth remarking as
a 'family psychology' of Faith originating in the pioneers and pioneeresses particular
beliefs. It is greatly to the credit of all those notable people that they were so
broad-minded in their Protestantism (which of itself is almost enough).
The third Australian-born son of John and Ann Turnbull was named William Bligh
Turnbull. He was born at Ebenezer on the 8th of June, 1809. At the age of 28 years
Mr. W. Bligh Turnbull was married at Ebenezer Church to Miss Elizabeth Wilson,
aged 17 years. That was in the year 1838, the officiating minister being the
Rev. John Cleland. About the month of December, 1868, Mr. William Bligh Turnbull, with
his wife and family left the Hawkesbury
and went to reside at Kempsey, on the Macleay River, where he had purchased
a farming- property. This couple had in all a family of 11 children, 8 boys and 3
girls. W. B. Turnbull was very successful on his farm. He died on the 11th of June,
1892, at the age of 83 years, and is buried in Euroka cemetery, near Kempsey.
The Pioneers of Ebenezer Church were:
Thomas Arndell and Elizabeth, nee BURLEY
Paul Bushell (convict "Surprize" 1790) and Jane, nee SHARP (deceased) and Isabella, nee BROWN
Captain John Grono and Elizabeth, nee BRISTOW
Owen Cavanough and Margaret, nee DOWLING
William Jacklin and Mary, nee CARDELL (deceased) and Elizabeth, nee CONNELL.
John Suddis (murdered 12 July 1817, Wilberforce). and Isabella Suddis
Lewis Jones
James Davison and Jane ( Johnston)
George Hall and Mary (Smith)
John Howe and Frances (Ward)
Andrew Johnston and Mary (Beard)
John Johnstone and Elizabeth (Lewins)
James Mein and Susannah (Skene)
William Stubbs and Sarah (Wingate)
John Turnbull and Ann (Warr)
Windsor and Richmond Gazette
Friday 6 April 1923
Page 1 and 2
Geo.G.Reeve
Transcription, janilye 2010
Here's a very interesting list.
The Turnbull family was also noted for the length of life of its members.
William Bligh Turnbull died at the age of 82 years and 10 months. His wife, Mrs. Sarah
Turnbull, nee DAVIS, 83 years and 10 months. Brothers, William John Turnbull 81 years,
John Turnbull 76 years, George D. Turnbull 70 years,
James Bligh Turnbull 83 years, Henry Waugh Turnbull 88 years,
Ralph Turnbull 80 years, and Joseph James Turnbull 95 years.
sisters-in-law were also long-lived, their ages at demise as follow:
Jemima Turnbull 86 years, Eliza Turnbull 80 years, Amelia Turnbull 80 years, and Jane Turnbull 86.
janilye..
William Dring 1767-1854
William Dring was convicted of feloniously stealing six bottles of brandy three blue and white shirts two pair of trousers a pair of red leather boots and several other things of the value of ten pence from Joseph Mitchinson.
William Dring was tried at Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire on 7 October 1784 for theft of unknown value. He was sentenced to transportation for 7 years and left England on the 'Alexander' of the First Fleet aged about 17 at that time (May 1787). He had no occupation recorded.
Governor Phillip sent a party of Officials, Marines and convicts to settle Norfolk Island and in October, 1788 Dring was one of those sent. He was employed there in various ways, probably in preparing the land for farming. In 1790 Dring and another convict volunteered to swim out to the "Sirius", which had been wrecked on the reef, in order to throw off the livestock and any remaining stores, which were still on the ship. They were allowed to do this and were successful in their efforts. They remained on board after they had completed the task and got drunk on the alcohol still on the ship. Eventually a marine was sent out and he removed the two men. They were punished by being put in prison and also made to wear leg irons. Even when they were released they were forced to continue wearing the irons.
Dring was apparently a competent seaman and contributed much in the associated work. He was praised by Governor King for his work. He was given a grant of land on Norfolk Island and then formed a relationship with Ann Forbes who had arrived in the First Fleet, on the "Prince of Wales". She had been convicted of stealing ten yards of cotton, the property of James Rollinson. Her trial was held in 1787 at the Surrey Lent Assizes. She was sentenced to be hanged but was reprieved and her sentence changed to seven (7) years transportation. Ann was sent to Norfolk Island and with her was the child she had borne to George Bannister, in 1789.
During their lives together William and Ann had three children, the last of whom was born in 1796. There was a great deal of unrest on the Island, because there were many marines stationed there and they endeavoured to entice the wives away from their husbands or the men with whom they lived. This brought many complaints form the emancipists and Dring had had cause to complain that his wife had been 'tempted away' twice. Finally he assaulted a marine and was charged. Governor King interceded on his bahalf and Dring was only fined 20 shillings. This judgement was another source of trouble on Norfolk Island. The family returned to Port Jackson in 1794 by the "Daedelus". They stayed together at least until the 20 August, 1796, when the last child was baptised. After this the partnership broke up. Little is known about Dring except 'he died in the Colony'.
William Eather 1832-1915
William EATHER, my 2nd great grand uncle and the sixth child of Thomas EATHER and Sarah, nee McALPIN, was born at Richmond on 8 August 1833 and was named after Sarah's brother, William Glas McALPIN. He was a tiny babe and his mother admitted many years later that she wondered whether she would succeed in rearing him. He was baptised on 2 October 1833 and in the record of his baptism his father was recorded as being a "shoemaker and farmer".
Little Billy, as he was known, was still a baby when his parents took up residence in the "Union Inn" in Windsor Street, Richmond and it was the home in which he grew up. As a child he probably attended the little school in Francis Street, and as a teenager was encouraged by his parents to attend the Sunday Church services in the new St Peter's Church. His father had a farm near the town and William undoubtedly gained some farming skills by assisting there with his older brothers.
On 29 December 1853, when he was twenty, William married eighteen year-old Ann SENIOR in St Peter's Church. It was then that William's mother is claimed to have said, "As a babe he was the tiniest mite that I ever saw. I thought I would never be able to rear him. When his father first saw him he called him "Cricket" but look at him now, he is as good a man as any of them".
Ann SENIOR had been born on 12 January 1835, the daughter of Samuel SENIOR and his wife Ann (nee REASON).
In 1828 Samuel SENIOR was an overseer for William COX at "Clarenden" near Windsor, while Ann REASON, who had arrived on the "Brothers" in 1824, was working here as a nursemaid.
In 1836, when Ann was a baby, Samuel was engaged by Captain Robert TOWNS to be his caretaker at a property he had purchased at #Mount Tomah in the hills near Kurrajong, and the family took up residence in the "Stonehouse" there. It was at Mount Tomah that Ann spent about ten years of her childhood, during which time her sister Mary Jane and brother Samuel were born. In 1848 Samuel SENIOR left Mount Tomah and took his wife and family to live at North Richmond. Ann spent her teenage years there until her marriage.
On 19 May 1854 Ann's first child was born at Richmond and named Sarah Ann. She was the first of ten Children in the family of William and Ann. One son died in infancy and one daughter died at the age of eleven, but the other six daughters and two sons survived to adulthood; married and had children of their own.
For a few years William and Ann lived in the Hawkesbury district and their first four daughters were born there. Then, at some time between 1857 and 1860, William took his family to live at "Henriendi" on the Liverpool Plains, where his brother Peter was already in residence with his family.
The journey from Richmond to the Liverpool Plains was slow and tedious, made in two spring carts. One of these was loaded with the family's household belongings and other possessions, and the other was set up to save as sleeping quarters. Along the way they undoubtedly called upon William's eldest brother Thomas and family at Bulga, and also his sister Sarah and husband William EATON at the "White Hart" Inn at Muswellbrook.
By the time the party arrived at "Henriendi" they had been on the road for two whole months. For their eldest daughter, Sarah Ann, it was an adventure which she remembered vividly for the rest of her long life.
The Liverpool Plains was the home of William and Ann for most of the rest of their lives. Their last six children were born there.
In 1873 the first of a series of family weddings took place when sixteen year-old fourth daughter Amy Susannah was married to Edward Prosper HUXLEY at Narrabri. The groom was the son of Thomas HUXLEY and his wife Mary, nee EVANS. Other family marriages followed.
On 1 June 1876 in another wedding at Narrabri, second daughter, Emeline Sophia, was married to William John FOXE, an English migrant with an obscure background. His name wasn't really FOXE, but BUSSELL, but nobody knew that at the time, unless he had confided it to Emeline.
In 1877 eldest daughter, Sarah Ann, married John Thomas COLEMAN in yet another wedding at Narrabri; and on 11 February 1879, fifth daughter, Mary Jane, married Walter John COLEMAN, a cousin of Sarah's husband.
The first grandchild, Mary Matilda HUXLEY, was born in 1874. Others soon followed and altogether those four daughters produced amongst them no fewer than 42 off-spring, though not all survived infancy. After a time lapse of nine years the two youngest daughters married in 1888 and the two sons married in 1892 and 1896 respectively.
William and Ann lived to see all of their children married. Ann died on 28 January 1906, shortly after her seventy-first birthday. William survived her by nine years and was 84 or 85 when he died in 1915. He had been known as Billy throughout his life.
The children of William Eather and Ann SENIOR 1835-1906 were:-
Sarah Ann EATHER 1854 - 1954 m. John Thomas COLEMAN 1852-1912 in 1877
Emmeline Sophia EATHER 1855 - 1939 m. William John FOXE 1846-1898 in 1876
Amy Susannah EATHER 1857 - 1943 m. Edward Prosper HUXLEY 1848-1921 in 1873
Mary Jane EATHER 1860 - 1901 m. John Walter COLEMAN 1855-1930 in 1879
Frederick William R. EATHER 1862 - 1862
Kate Milner EATHER 1864 - 1941 m. Frederick Wesley BROWN 1851-1935 in 1888
Arthur Thomas Samuel EATHER 1865 - 1942 m. Ann Louise WILMUTH 1868-1945 in 1892
Rebecca Reason EATHER 1868 - 1903 m. Alfred Elijah AUDET 1868-1930 in 1888
William Senior EATHER 1870 - 1961 m. Isabella Theresa LEES 1869-1962 in 1896
# note Mount Tomah is situated at the ridge line of the Hawkesbury and is 35 minutes from Richmond by car today, past Kurrajong Heights and Bilpin along Bells Line of Road.
Below is a portrait of Ann Eather nee Senior 1835-1906
William Glas MCALPIN 1810-1902
William Glas McALPIN, the son of Peter MCALPIN 1768-1850 and Elizabeth, nee ELTON 1778-1817 was born on 6 October 1810 in Stirling, Perthshire, Scotland, died on 2 Feb 1902 in Bulga, NSW, Australia. He died on the 2 February 1902 at the age of 91. He was buried on 5 February 1902 in St Mark's, Church of England cemetery, Bulga, NSW, Australia.
William Glas McALPIN arrived age 18 months with his parents and 2 siblings, Peter and Sarah, arrived from London as free settlers on the ship "General Graham" 29 January 1812.
William was known generally in life as 'Billy Mack' and When Archibald BELL and his party discovered the alternate route over the Blue Mountains (Bells Line of Road) William Glas McALPIN was a member of his party.
William married Susannah ONUS, daughter of Joseph ONUS 1781-1835 and Ann EATHER 1793-1865, on 1 February 1833 in Christ Church, Church of England, Castlereagh, New South Wales.
Susannah was born on 28 October 1815 in Cornwallis, NSW. died on 10 August 1882 in Bulga, NSW. at age 66, and was buried on 12 August 1882 in St Mark's, Church of England cemetery, Bulga, NSW.
William McALPIN built a brick home in 1834 in the main street of Richmond, NSW with financial help from Joseph ONUS (the father of his wife) and set up a blacksmiths shop at the rear.
Their first 3 children all died within 3 years
The children of William Glas MCALPIN and Susannah, nee ONUS were:-
1.Elizabeth McALPIN was born on 25 October 1833 in Richmond, NSW. died on 11 March 1835 in Richmond, NSW, at age 1, and was buried on 1 April 1835 in St Peter's, Church of England cemetery, Richmond, NSW.
2.Ann McALPIN was born on 21 January 1836 in Richmond, NSW, and died on 6 February 1838 in Richmond, NSW, at age 2, and was buried on 8 February 1838 in St Peter's, Church of England cemetery, Richmond, NSW.
3.Peter McALPIN was born on 16 November 1838 in Richmond, NSW, died on 25 November 1838 in Richmond, NSW and was buried on 26 November 1838 in St Peter's, Church of England cemetery, Richmond, NSW.
4.William McALPIN was born on 19 February 1840 in Richmond, NSW. died on 12 August 1923 in Bulga, NSW, at age 83, and was buried in 1923 in St Mark's, Church of England cemetery, Bulga, NSW.
William married (1)Eva Mary PEBERDY born 1846, at Halls Creek.
on 10 September 1867 in St Matthew's Church, Mount Dangar, NSW. Eva died the following year at Bulga on the 15 October 1868.
William next married (2)Eliza CHAPMAN on 29 April 1874 in Burrowell, Howes Valley, NSW. Eliza was the daughter of Robert Chapman 1816-1888 and Mary, nee Kelk 1816-1906;
born 4 December 1850 at Penrith, died 29 July 1933 at the Dangar Cottage Hospital, Singleton. Buried at St.Mark's Bulga.
Their children were: -
Eva Mary McALPIN 1875-1878
Alpin Glas McALPIN 1877-1947 (Inspector of Police Newcastle)
William Leo McALPIN 1879-1968 ( Police Constable, Hamilton)
Hope Chapman McALPIN 1881-1947
Kenneth Omar McALPIN 1883-1886
Hilton May McALPIN 1886-1962
Essie Mahala McALPIN 1889-1891
Nellie Pearl McAlpin 1891-1971
Hilda Aileen McALPIN 1894-1950
5.Susannah McALPIN was born on 13 May 1842 in Richmond, NSW, Australia, died on 18 January 1882 in "Oreel" Station, Narrabri, NSW, at age 39, and was buried on 19 January 1882 in "Oreel" Station, Narrabri, NSW.
Susannah married MacDonald CLARK b: 20 September 1836, d: 10 February 1918. on 2 Apr 1863 in St Mark's, Church of England, Bulga, NSW.
These are their children:-
Amy Hilton Clark 1864-1935
Mary May CLARK 1865-1951
James McAlpin Clark 1866-1925
William Edward Clark 1868-1941
Susannah Eliza Clark 1869-1956
Harriet Swales Clark 1872-1948
Georgina Flora Clark 1874-1875
MacDonald Clark 1877
6.Sarah McALPIN was born on 28 July 1845 in Richmond, NSW. and died on 3 July 1922 in Singleton, NSW. at age 76.
Sarah married William WOODS b: 4 March 1844, d: 7 May 1933.
on 16 Sep 1868 in St Mark's, Church of England, Bulga, NSW, Australia.
These are their children:-
Miriam Julia Susannah Onus Woods 1869-1947
Eva Mary McAlpin Woods 1871-1962
Elsie Maud Woods 1872-1945
Ethel Sarah Woods 1874-1969
Joseph David McAlpin Woods 1876-1948
Elizabeth Ann Woods 1878-1964
Peter Woods 1880-1951
Linda Hope Woods 1882-1889
William Woods 1885-1948
7.Joseph McALPIN was born on 31 January 1849 in Bulga, NSW, Australia, died on 12 February 1913 in Bulga, NSW, Australia at age 64, and was buried in 1913 in St Mark's, Church of England cemetery, Bulga, NSW.
Joseph married (1)Elizabeth Jane DAWES b: 1849, d: 19 April 1884.
Their children were:-
Xenodochy McAlpin 1882-1942
Joseph Eclipse McAlpin 1884-1970
On 25 June 1873 in All Saint's, Church of England, Patricks Plains, NSW. Joseph next married (2)Amelia Therese ROGERS b:20 September 1861, d:8 September 1945.
on 15 July 1886 in Roman Catholic Church, Patricks Plains, NSW.
Their children were:-
Leslie Hastings McAlpin 1886-1968
Cecil Charles McAlpin 1889-1974
William Glass McAlpin 1891-1966
8. Mary McALPIN was born on 12 January 1852 in Bulga, NSW. died on 3 January 1915 in Bulga, NSW at age 62, and was buried in 1915 in St Mark's, Church of England cemetery, Bulga, NSW.
Mary married Edward ROSER b: 13 March 1848, d: 9 November 1930 on 14 December 1870 in All Saint's, Church of England, Singleton, NSW.
Their children were:-
Edward McAlpin ROSER 1872-1944
Myra Mildred ROSER 1873-1939
Una Mary Roser 1876-1950
Roy Roser 1879-1967
Malcolm McAlpin Roser 1882-1959
Frank McAlpin Roser 1884-1967
At the end of 1841 the family moved to Bulga - they settled close to their relatives on Wollombi Brook.
William's life long hobby and interest was the breeding and showing of Clydesdale horses - showing horses at many shows including Maitland, Mudgee and Sydney - and acting as a judge at many country shows.
In 1871 William Glas McALPIN, purchased 465 acres of land at Bulga. It was land that had been Thomas TAILBY's and George EATON's grants, along with land that Joseph ONUS had owned and willed to his sons. William had purchased the land from Thomas Alexander ONUS 1849-1934, the son of his sister Elizabeth 1825-1884., which had been left to him by his father.
From then on William and his family resided on this land, which he named "Glen Alpin", and were next-door neighbours to Thomas Eather 1824-1909 and his wife Eliza, nee CROWLEY at 'Meerea'
William Glas McALPIN and His wife Susannah are both buried in the Anglican Cemetery at Bulga their epitaph reads;
"Kind Hearts are More than Coronets".
janilye©2000
-----
THE OPENING OF THE BULGA BRIDGE
On Wednesday last after the proceedings in connection with the laying of the foundation stone of the Bulga Public School, had been successfully completed, the whole assembled company proceeded to the new bridge, situated a few hun dred yards from the site whereon ;the picnic had been held, Mr. Stavely, the contractor, having invited Mrs. M'Alpin to perform the pleasent task of naming it. The following particulars, respecting the new structure which will, be a valuable acquisition to all travellers through Bulga towards Sydney, may be given here. The total length of the bridge without approaches is' 264 feet, and the total length of approaches is 280 feet including a small bridge of 64 feet over a blind channel. The material used is hardwood timber, the roadway being, supported on six piers, each, excepting the abutment piers which contain five, consisting of six piles driven down to the rock. There are five spans, three of 70 feet each, and two of 25 feet each, and the height of the deck from the summer level of the water is 31 feet. The width of the deck between the trusses is 16 feet, and 18 feet outside measure ment. The piles are about 45 feet long, and the banks into which they are driven consist of a sandy loam. The deck is two or three feet above the level of the highest known flood. The work has been a long time in hand, about twelve months we believe, owing to unexpected difficulties in the supply of timber, and other unforseen delays. The bridge had been handed over to, and passed, by Mr. Whiteside on the previous Saturday. It is declared to be soundly, well and faithfully built; and it is expected will stand as long as the timber lasts, there being little likelihood of its being washed away. The total cost was about £1900; and the contractor was Mr. F. Staveley, of Mount Victoria.
The name of the bridge having been completed by Mrs. M'Alpin, who gave it the above title, rounds of cheers were given for the Queen, for Mr. Staveley, for Mr. W.C. Browne, M.L.A., for the Ladies, for Mr. M'Alpin, and for the Press. Wines and spirits flowed freely at Mr. Staveley's expense, and most of the cheers were accompanied with toast drinking by those on the bridge. Mr. W. M'Alpin, son's health was proposed by Mr. Joseph Clarke, who spoke in high terms of praise of the straight forward, upright and honorable career of his old friend. Mr. M'Alpin, in replying, said he had seen a great many changes in Bulga. He had arrived there in 1826, when there was nothing , but bush where they now saw open grass land, at that time the haunt of numerous kangaroos. He then speculated upon the greater changes that the young people present might see, and alluded to the chances of their being fortunate enough to have the railway to Sydney pass that way. Acknowledging the compliment paid him by Mr. Clark, he addressed some words of good advice to the young men present, and strongly advised. them never to break their word. Let them always endeavour as far as they could to keep their promises, and never deceive any man. Then men would always have faith in them. He hoped they would try and steer as straight a course as old Mac had done, and then, they would do no harm. (Cheers.) The toasting and cheering being over, Mr. Dawes produced his violin, and, for an hour and more after, the dancing of quadrilles, Scotch reels, etc, gave a lively and novel finish to a very enjoy able day, the Bulga people, (we had almost written Bulgarians,) being models of neighbourly kindness and amity.
Source: The Singleton Argus and Upper Hunter General Advocate
Saturday 19 April 1879
*Extracts from "Among the Pastoralists and Producers," an account from the roving reporter, Harold M MacKENZIE.
1895.
"On leaving Mr THORLEY's property intending to shape a course for Warkworth, I was persuaded to alter it, upon learning from that gentleman that one of the oldest and best men for recounting events of the past lived at Bulga, in the person of Mr. William Glass [sic] McALPIN, so hither I hied myself without delay".
At the time, 1895/1896, the road between Singleton and Bulga was in good condition and the weather was hot. Bulga, an Aboriginal name for "Mountain," had a Public School, Church of England, a Wesleyan Chapel and a School of Arts. The "Band of Hope" numbered from 300 to 400 people, with William Glas McALPIN taking a leading role. Bulga was a sober place and publicans and sly groggers got short shift: "Young man, we wouldn't have 'em near us" said William Glas, who MacKENZIE found enjoyed fishing and was a fit 85-year-old. Getting produce to market was a problem and William sent his wheat to Maitland over a bad road. However cattle were no problem -they were driven over the Putty to the Hawkesbury, thence to the stock markets at Homebush.
William Glas McALPIN related that he arrived in Sydney on the ship "General Graham" in January 1812, which carried stores for the colony and a small number of passengers, who were all free settlers with a trade. His father he said was a blacksmith and he had been a smithy at Windsor. William Glas learnt the trade there. He bought a piece of land from George BOWMAN and moved to Richmond where he lived to 1841. He made his first droving trip to Bulga on Mr ONUS's account, the first in 1826 and he finally settled there in 1841. He said droving wasn't a bad life, people were very honest and he never had any problem getting paid.
William related that his sister, Sarah McALPIN, was the first white woman at Bulga and that he and his brother-in-law Mr ONUS had 1,200 acres between them at Bulga.
Between Bulga and Warkworth.
The first week of January 1896.
"The first week in January will be remembered as one of the hottest, if not the hottest, I have ever experienced." After leaving John HAYES' "Rock View," MacKENZIE journeyed to fellow orchardist George PARTRIDGE. George's 80-acre property was considered to be better than HAYES for it had two good creeks on both sides. While at PARTRIDGE's place MacKENZIE was shown a huge apricot tree which bore 1,700 dozen apricots in 1895 - plus many that fell to the ground in wind storms. He had very little problem with disease and pests but the 12 acres planted with oranges of Mr ETHER [sic] who lived thereabout was almost entirely destroyed by caterpillars. His pumpkin crop went the same way "even though a very determined Mr EATHER re-planted the crop three times, the thirty acres were ravaged on each occasion."
In The Bulga District. Among the Pastoralists and Producers.
By Harold M MacKENZIE.
15th February 1896
"In {one of my past articles} it will be remembered, I dealt chiefly with reminiscences of Bulga when Mr William McALPIN came to the place as far back as 1826 - a man of whom it may be said landed with the proverbial half-crown in his pocket, apprenticed himself to a trade, bought land, and so with thrift and perseverance gradually worked himself to the front-and stayed there. Now, in his declining years, he has the pleasure of seeing his grandchildren around him with peace and comfort reigning in the household. Can a man be expected to do more in a general way?
Amongst the various stock which this old gentleman has concerned himself through life his "hobby" seems to have been breeding draughts. Without any undue flattery, it may be stated that Mr McALPIN has taken more prizes at populous centres, such as Mudgee, Maitland, Sydney etc, than any one else in the same line. Conversing in reference to the different breeds, Mr McALPIN's experience has been solely with the Clydesdale, and as compared with the Suffolk Punch, from what he has seen, he would not be inclined to make a change. To give one instance of his success as a prize taker, it may be stated that a Clydesdale filly, now a two year old, obtained when a yearling no less than three prizes in succession. Talking of horses, concerning which the old gentleman made more pertinent remarks, he said nothing more to the point than when he exclaimed, "I don't believe in breeding mules, my friend." Latterly, of course, Mr McALPIN has not concerned himself much with horse breeding, being content to take a rod and wander forth to enjoy the pursuit that old Isaak (sic) loved.
[Research Notes: The Discovery of (St) Patrick's Plains.
(Editor).
John HOWE, with his party, discovered a route from Windsor to the Hunter River in March 1820 which varies little to the present day Putty Road. During 1887 several letters were published in the Maitland Mercury pertaining to the discovery.
The correspondents were "Jus Sanguinis" (anonymous) William Glas McALPIN, George Thomas LODER, Elizabeth YEOMANS (Mrs.) and William COLLINS. William Glas McALPIN's first letter of July 5, 1887, "trusting that "Jus Sanguinis" would not feel aggrieved at {his} correction "brought forth a response on July 16, to both prior letters from George Thomas LODER. Four days later, July 20, Benjamin SINGLETON's daughter, Elizabeth YEOMANS entered the dispute then she was followed by William COLLINS. The following letter, written by William G McALPIN, was his reply to two articles published in the Maitland Mercury that originated from George T LODER and Elizabeth YEOMANS.
July 26, 1887.
To the Editor of the Maitland Mercury.
"Sir - I observe that my letter to you on the subject of the discovery of Patrick's Plains has called forth, - first, a reply from Mr G T LODER, and secondly, from Mrs E YEOMANS. Both of whom seem to think I have been misinformed on the subject, and as I have good reason to believe that the information which I conveyed was perfectly correct, I beg that you will again allow me space in your valuable columns to make reply. Now, as Mr LODER was the first to take exception to what I had written, I purpose to deal with him first. In confirmation of his information he has sent you various extracts on the subject from the journal of the late Mr John HOWE, but strange to say, he has not given one date; and not a word is said about the journey from the point at which the party crossed the branch at TURNBULL's farm, till they reached a point some forty miles further on, namely, "Puttee". The extract then states that they were unable to proceed further, on account of the numerous lagoons and creeks in the way. Now although I have travelled the road many times, (and my first trip dates back as far as 1826), I have never seen anything in the shape of creeks or lagoons to impede my progress. I have travelled the road in company with two of the party who first found it, namely, the late Messrs G LODER and T DARGAN (sic), and although we often conversed on the subject, I have never heard of either of them state that they met with any such difficulties, or that they went by any other but that known as the Bulga. I am not therefore much inclined to place much confidence in what is supposed to be Mr HOWE's journal. The information I afforded you in my last was collected from the late Mr Phillip THORLEY just about a year before his decease, and as that gentleman was noted for his sterling truth and integrity, I do not see why I should doubt that which he told me with his own lips. So much for Mr LODER: now for Mrs YEOMANS".
"The lady states that her father was the first white man who ever set foot upon Patrick Plains, and discovered the grand country that it comprises, but I can tell Mrs YEOMANS that the Government were well aware already of the fertility of the Hunter River valley, and were only endeavouring to find an overland route to it. Regarding any desire on my part to cast a slur upon the memory of the late Mr B SINGLETON on account of his determination to return when his blackfellow told him how close he was to the river, I must state that far from any such thought entering my head, I rather, on the other hand, commend him for his common sense. For undoubtedly, had he gone on with PARR he would never have received any compensation for his discovery (having no appointment in the expedition) and that the honour of the discovery should have been his, had he gone on, has been proved by the fact that PARR failed in finding a road. As to Mrs YEOMANS ignorance of PARR, I must inform her that she has not studied Australian history very closely, or she would know that PARR was a mineralogist in the service of the Government, and that previous to the expedition which I mentioned in my last (of which he was the head), he had been with OXLEY in his exploring excursions in the east. With reference to the Randel PARR of whom Mrs YEOMANS speaks, I may say that I probably knew him as well, if not better than she did. This lady also says that her mother, the wife of the late Mr B SINGLETON, and Mrs Phillip THORLEY were the first white women who set foot on Patrick's Plains. But though her memory is so green, I must yet refresh it by asking her if another white woman by the name of * HOYLE did not accompany them? Mrs YEOMANS also states that her father was the leader of the expedition, who found the track over the Bulga; but if such was the case it is singular that the Government in granting members of the party compensation awarded Mr SINGLETON only 200 acres, and Mr HOWE 700 acres. Another significant fact regarding this matter is that not one place along the route bears the name SINGLETON, while no less than three were named after Mr HOWE - namely Howe's Waterhole, Howe's Valley, and Howe's Mountain - all of which names have been retained to the present day. In my opinion, it is evident that Mr HOWE was the leader of the party, though Mr SINGLETON, no doubt, rendered valuable assistance as a guide".
"In conclusion, I may state that I have no wish to enter a controversy on the subject, but I am fully convinced that neither * Mr HOWE nor Mr SINGLETON ever stood on Patrick's Plains till they did so together when they crossed the Bulga in the expedition mentioned in my last". (* The date given by William in his prior letter was 1818. Ed.).
"Apologising for again trespassing upon your space - I am, etc.,"
W G M'ALPIN.
Glen Alpin, Bulga, 26th July, 1887.
* In a published answer (Maitland Mercury) to William G McALPIN's question about the woman named HOYLE, Elizabeth YEOMANS replied:-
"She was the wife of the man who brought Mr H BALDWIN's sheep over. She was a nurse, and came to attend my mother at the birth of a ** son in January 1823 and she returned with her husband shortly after.
** This son would have been John SINGLETON who married in 1844 Jane Ann ROTTON and died of dysentery in 1849 whence returning to NSW from the Californian Gold Fields. (according to our other records John SINGLETON died at sea during the voyage to the Californian Gold Fields !!!). The later would be correct as John SINGLETON & Jane Ann ROTTON had 3 daughters born between 1845 and 1850.
Lee Macdonald Cooke 1890-1936 grandson of Susannah McAlpin 1842 - 1882 and Macdonald Clark 1836 – 1918.
Thomas Eather 1800 - 1886
janilye©2000
PIONEERS.
Now, at this time their shadows fall
Across the intervening years,
Bringing remembrance that stirs
The blood; let memory call
Back, back from out the shadowy past These men who tilled the virgin soil,
Blazoned new trails; by dint of toil
Gave us our heritage, so that at last
We who follow on may reap
The harvest sown by those who gave
E'en of life's blood; yet, o'er their graves
Do monumental stones that mark their sleep
Give greater tribute than this land,
Primeval yet-but for their hands.
-Thomas Wentworth.
William Turnbull 1846-1940
Decendants of The EBENEZER PIONEERS OF THE HAWKESBURY
The son of Ralph TURNBULL 1814 - 1901 and Sarah Matilda, nee REYNOLDS 1823 - 1886.
William, and his twin brother Ralph were born at Colo on the 8 June 1846. The first boys of Thirteen children.
Sarah Matilda TURNBULL 1842–1930 m: Patrick DALEY 1844-1898
Sophia TURNBULL 1844–1881
William TURNBULL 1846–1940 m: Phoebe BALDWIN 1854-1938
Ralph TURNBULL 1846–1935 m: Maria Ann DUNSTON 1850-1939
Henry George TURNBULL 1848–1926 m: Drucilla Sophia EVERINGHAM 1850-1933
John TURNBULL 1850–1938 m: Phoebe Martha COBCROFT 1854-1918
Lucinda TURNBULL 1852–1938 m: Henry LOCKART
James Benjamin TURNBULL 1854–1899 m: Mary Matilda GRAHAM 1855-1918
Reuben TURNBULL 1856–1869
Elizabeth Ann TURNBULL 1858–1942 m: Thomas Jerome SALTER 1860-1921
Edward 'Ned' TURNBULL 1860–1923 m: Mazella Adeline CROSS 1871-1912
Alfred Ernest TURNBULL 1863–1915 m: Ada Emily BOWMAN 1867-1954
Edith Grace TURNBULL 1866–1866
OBITUARY
WILLIAM TURNBULL
AS briefly announced in our last issue,
the death occurred at his residence,
"Wenona," Wilberforce, on Tuesday of last week
of one of the Hawkesbury's most widely
known and respected identities, and one
whose passing is regretted by the whole
community, in the person of Mr. William
Turnbull, at the advanced age of 94 years.
The deceased was a native of Colo, being
a twin son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Ralph
Turnbull, who were among the pioneers of
that centre, where they were engaged in
farming operations. Deceased and his twin
brother, Ralph, who were inseparable companions
for the greater period of the latter's life,
(Ralph predeceased his brother some five years ago,
in his 89th year)inherited a love of the land from
their parents, and in their younger days jointly
conducted farming operations at Wilberforce.
Later, however, after his brother was married,
the subject of this notice moved to
Queensland, where he lived for several years,
but finally the call of his native district
could be ignored no longer, and he returned
to take over a farm at Freeman's Reach.
He worked this property until, at 75 years,
he retired, and moved to Wilberforce, where
he resided until his death.
Throughout their lives there were probably
no district residents who were generally
known and widely esteemed as "the Turnbull twins,"
as they were generally known.
Coming of that sturdy pioneer stock to which
the present-day Hawkesbury owes so much,
they had inculcated in their parental training
those simple, and honest precepts which distinguished
their generation, and better neighbors or citizens
it would be difficult indeed to discover. Their
forthright honesty and invariable kindliness earned
them a legion of friendships and the severing of their
David and Jonathan partnership by the death of Ralph
was a sorrow for William which was shared by the whole community.
Deceased took a keen interest in all progressive projects
in his own area and the Hawkesbury generally, and
for many years, with his brother, served on the council of
the Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association, of
which deceased was a Life Vice-President. He had been
at all times a keen supporter of the Hawkesbury Show,
and the association owes much to the service which
he rendered it as a member of the council.
In connection with the service of the Turnbull twins on
the council, incidentally, there has arisen a tradition
probably unique in the history of such bodies. Both being
confirmed tea drinkers, the twins, for convenience at
the "cup of tea" which traditionally follows meetings
of the council even to this day, supplied their own
cups, huge affairs more than twice the size of ordinary
cups. These were a stock subject for badinage from their
colleagues, but later, after they had left the council,
it was decided that one of these cups, suitably ornamented,
be presented as a trophy for perpetual competition, and
now the "Turnbull Cup" has become, the chief and most prized
trophy in the Clydesdale section of each successive show.
And so, after a full and useful life, much
of which was devoted to the interests of his
fellow man and the district which he loved,
William Turnbull has gone to join the Great
Majority, leaving not an enemy in the
world, and an army of friends to lament
his passing. No monument will be needed
to keep his memory evergreen in the Hawkesbury.
In addition to a sister (Mrs. T. Salter,
Haberfield), deceased is survived by a family of three sons,
Malcolm (Riverstone), Ralph (Wilberforce) and Dio (Tom), of Mulgrave,
and four daughters, Fanny (Mrs.C. Greentree, Wilberforce),
Linda (Mrs. Stinson, Haberfield), Ruby (Mrs. E. Salter, Wilberforce)
and Vera (Mrs. Stewart, Haberfield), to whom heartfelt sympathy
is extended in their bereavement.
The wide esteem in which deceased had
been held by all sections of the community
was evident from the attendance at the funeral,
which moved from the residence to
St. John's Church, Wilberforce, where a
service was conducted by Rev. K. F. Saunders,
during which the hymn "Abide With
Me" was sung by the congregation, and at
the conclusion the Funeral March was played
by the organist, Mr. F. J. Palmer.
The interment took place in the family enclosure
of the Church of England cemetery, the
grave being covered with a profusion of
floral tributes, including a wreath from the
Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association, (which
was represented by a number of councillors) and one
from the Wilberforce P. and C. Association.
SOURCE:
Windsor and Richmond Gazette
Friday 16 August 1940
Page 3
Transcription, janilye
The TURNBULL twins were Councillors for many years on the
Hawkesbury District Agricultural Association and
"being confirmed tea drinkers, at afternoon tea time, supplied
their own cups - huge affairs, more than three times the size of
ordinary cups".
One of the giant size china cups was mounted and designated
the "Turnbull Cup", as an annual trophy awarded to
"the most successful exhibitor in the draught horse classes".
The trophy was awarded from 1930 to 1940. Shows were not
staged during the war years and when they resumed in 1947, the
Turnbull Cup was awarded for the last time. The tractor had replaced
the draught horse for many farm activities so there were very few
entries in that section. The cup is now a museum piece ....
[page 103, Hawkesbury Journey, ISBN 0 908120 87 7]
'Macquarie Country' is a companion volume to 'Hawkesbury Journey'.
Windsor NSW and district Licenses 1839 and 1840
The following persons obtained Certificates for Licences at the annual and
adjourned licensing Meeting, held on the 16th and 30th April 1839, before
G. M. C. Bowen, Esq. J.P. and W. Cox, Esq. J. P.
NAME..... ....HOTEL ... .... ...DISTRICT
Sarah Donelly, King William the Fourth. Windsor;
Margaret Gosper, Currency Lass, ditto;
Edward Coffee, Daniel O'Connell ditto;
John Primrose, Bird in-Hand, ditto;
Thomas Lovell, Hole-in-the-Wall, ditto;
Edward Robinson; Plough, ditto;
John Barker, White Hart, ditto;
Henry Forrester, Erin go Bragh, ditto;
Richard Ridge, jun. Horse and Jockey, ditto;
William Cross, Windsor Hotel, ditto;
Patrick Byrne, Kings Head, ditto;
Charles Gawdry, White Swan, ditto;
George Freeman, Cricketer's Arms, ditto;
Thomas Freeman, St. Patrick, ditto;
also, Joseph Foss and John Shearing, Windsor, a Confectioner's License.
Daniel Dickens, Archer, Richmond ;
Margaret Seymour, Black Horse, ditto ;
John Wheeler, General Darling, ditto ;
Paul Devlin, Welcome Inn, ditto;
Robert Potts, New Inn, ditto ;
Thomas Eather, Union Inn, ditto;
Thomas Mortimer, Plough, ditto;
John Town, jun. Woolpack, North Richmond ;
Thomas Tarrant, Five Alls, North Richmond;
William. T. Baylis, Bird-in-hand, Richmond Road;
Charles Ezzey, Plough and Horses, ditto;
John Sullivan Traveller's Rest, M'Donald's River;
Lawrence May, Bird-in Hand, ditto;
David Cross, Queen Victoria, ditto;
Richard Palmer, Bullock Wharf Inn, ditto;
David Roberts, Horse and Jockey, Maroota ;
George Cobcroft, Pack Horse, Colo ;
J. Ridge, Steam Packet Inn, Wilberforce;
John Cobcroft, George and Dragon, ditto ;
James Morris, jun. Old Retreat New Revived, ditto;
William Johnson, Macquarie Arms, Pitt Town;
Daniel Smallwood, Bird-in-Hand, ditto.
The following Persons were refused Certificates.
Sylvester Butler, Wine and Beer Licence, M'Donald's River;
Ann Leeson, General License, Wilberforce;
Harriet Cadden, Wine and Beer License, Windsor;
John Montague, ditto, ditto;
Thomas Norris, General License, ditto ;
William Heath, ditto, ditto;
John Suffolk, ditto, ditto;
John Gardner, ditto, Wilberforce.
At the Annual Licensing Meeting, held at
the Court house, in Windsor, New South Wales, on Tuesday the
21st, and Saturday the 25th of February 1840,
the following persons received certificates to hold
Publicans' General Licenses for the ensuing year.
William White, Windsor Hotel, Bridge street.
Margaret Gosper, Currency Lass, ditto.
Peter Hough, William IV., ditto.
John Shearing (Confectioner), ditto.
Charles. Daly, Hole in the Wall, Macquarie-street
Henry Hudson, Jim Crow, ditto.
Edward Coffey, Daniel O'Connell, Thompson-Square;
James Cullen, Butchers' Arms, George street.
Richard Ridge, jun., Horse and Jockey, ditto
Walter Blanchard, White Hart, ditto.
Edward Robinson, Plough, ditto.
Ridge, Erin go bragh, ditto.
Charles Gaudry, White Swan, ditto.
Thomas Freeman, St. Patrick, ditto.
Joseph Suffolk, White Bear, ditto.
Patrick Byrne, King's Head, ditto.
Henry N Fisher, Commercial Hotel, ditto,'
George Freeman, Cricketers' Arms, Fizgerald-street.
John Primrose, Bird in hand, ditto.
James Mount ford (Confectioner), George-street.
William T. Baylis, Bird in hand, Richmond-road.
Charles Ezzey, Plough and Horses, ditto.
Thomas Father, Union Inn, Richmond.
Margaret Seymour, Black Horse, ditto.
Thomas Mortimer, Plough, ditto. .
Robert Potts, Seven Brothers, ditto.
Daniel Haniskey, Welcome Inn. ditto.
Margaret Wheeler, General Darling, ditto.
Edward Jeffrey, Archer, ditto.
John Town, jun., Woolpack, North Richmond.
Thomas Tarrant, Five Alls, Kurrajong.
George Cobcroft, Pack Bull, Colo.
James Huxley, Colo Lass, ditto ( Wine&Beer)
Thomas D'Arccy, Branch Inn, Wiseman's.
Elizabeth Small wood. Bird in hand, Pitt-town.
William Johnston, Macquarie Arms, ditto.
John Gardner, Ferry Inn, Wilberforce.
John Cobcroft, George and Dragon, ditto,
William Jasper, Old Retreat newly Revived, ditto.
James Miller, Steam Packet, ditto.
THE FIVE ALLS
I fight for All
I pray for All
I rule for All
I plead for All
I pay for All
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
Windsor, Richmond, Kurrajong, NSW.
A LIST OF SUBSCRIPTIONS for the purpose of erecting a Presbyterian Church in
Windsor, and School House in Richmond and Kurryjong.
WINDSOR .........................................? s. d.
John Harris, Esq., J P., Shanes Park ........50 0 0
John Harris, Jun., Esq., Shanes Park ........50 0 0
Sir John Jamison, M. C. Regentville .........15 0 0
Mrs. Panton, Windsor.............................10 0 0
John Panton, Esq., Windsor .....................10 0 0
John Betts, Esq., Sydney.........................10 0 0
Richard Fitzgerald, Esq. Windsor .............10 0 0
Mr. Robert Smith, Windsor ........................18 18 0
Thomas Cadell, Esq., Windsor..................10 0 0
H. Graham, Esq., Surgeon, Windsor...............5 0 0
Mr. Patrick Anderson, Windsor........ ..........5 0 0
Mr. Peter Adamson, Windsor .....................5 0 0
Mr. William White, Windsor......................5 0 0
Mr. George Knight, Windsor......................6 0 0
Mr. George Walker, Windsor .....................5 0 0
Mr. Peter Alexander, Windsor ...................5 0 0
Captain Moffatt, Parramatta ..................3 3 0
Mr. Richard Bell, Wilberforce ................3 3 0
Samuel North, Esq., P. M .....................1 1 0
Mr. J. Teale, Windsor ........................2 2 0
Mr. John Barker, Windsor......................1 0 0
Mrs. M'Keller, Windsor .......................1 1 0
Messrs. J and J. Tebbutt, Windsor ............2 2 0
Mr. A. M'lntosh, Windsor......................2 2 0
Mr. Robert Stewart, Windsor...................2 2 0
Mr. James Cazalet, Windsor ...................0 10 0
Mr. William Heath, Windsor ....................1 0 0
Mr. Joseph Clegg, Windsor ....................0 5 0
Mr. George Watson, Windsor ...................1 1 0
Dr. White, Windsor ............................2 2 0
A Friend .....................................0 5 0
Mr. A. Baldwin, Freeman's Reach...............0 10 0
A Friend .....................................1 1 0
Mr. George Hall, Junior.......................1 1 0
Mr. P. Byrnes.................................1 0 0
Mr. Charles Gaudry ...........................1 0 0
Mr. John Bullivant............................1 0 0
Mr. G. Seymore ...............................0 10 0
Mr. C. Summer ................................1 0 0
Mr. John Suffolk .............................1 1 0
Mr. John Walden, Wilberforce..................1 0 0
Mr. Reuben Green, Wilberforce.................0 5 0
Mr. John Hogan................................0 10 0
Mr. Israel Lett, Wilberforce .................0 10 0
Mr. Charles Martin ...........................0 5 0
Mr. Thomas Lynn ..............................0 10 0
Mr. J. Scarf .................................0 5 0
Mr. John Masking . ...........................0 10 0
Mr. Isaac Gorrick, Junior ....................1 0 0
Mr. John Yoeman ...............................1 0 0
Mr. Thomas Graham..............................1 0 0
Mr. M. Power...................................0 10 0
Mr. Joshua Rose................................0 5 0
Mrs. Ann Season................................0 10 0
Mr. P. Bushell ................................1 0 0
Mrs. Mary Cunningham.. ........................0 10 0
Mr. W. Nowland ................................1 0 0
John Odell, Esq................................2 2 0
Mr. J. Malony .................................0 10 0
Mr. John Wood ..................................1 0 0
A Friend.......................................0 5 0
Captain Maughan .......... ....................1 0 0
Mr. Williim Cross ............ ................2 2 0
Mr. John Primrose .............................1 1 0
Mr. William Walker ............................1 0 0
Miss Ellen Ferguson ...........................1 0 0
Mr. Joseph Flemming............................1 1 0
Mr. Walter Howell, Penrith ....................0 10 0
Mr. John Gardener..............................1 0 0
Mr. William Walker, Cornwallis ................0 10 0
Mr. J. Frazier.................................0 5 0
Mr. Jessie Upton...............................1 0 0
Mr. Andrew Frazer..............................0 5 0
F. Beddeck, Esq. ..............................1 1 0
Mr. William Salone ............................2 2 0
Rev. J. Fullerton ............................50 0 0
IN RICHMOND AND KURRYJONG
George Bowman, Esq ...... ... ................25 0 0
William Bowman, Esq...........................20 0 0
Mr. John Burns ...............................20 0 0
Thomas Cadell, Junior, Esq.....................1 0 0
Mr. Faithful ..................................5 0 0
Mr. Robert Aull................................2 0 0
Mr. William Farlow ............................1 0 0
Mr. Howell ............. ......................2 0 0
Mr. G. Crosse....... ..........................2 0 0
Mr. Edward Powell..............................1 0 0
Mr. Thomas Markwell............................2 0 0
Mr. John Stevenson ............................5 0 0
Mrs. Hough.....................................1 0 0
Mr. Joseph Stubbs .............................1 0 0
Mr. Robert Wilson .............................3 0 0
Mr. P. M'Alpin .....,..........................5 0 0
Mrs. S. Eather.................................2 0 0
Mr. Samuel Pane ...............................1 0 0
Mr. Wm. M'Alpin................................5 0 0
Mrs. Wm. M'Alpin ..............................2 10 0
Mr. Wm.Sharpe..................................5 0 0
Mr. Thomas Onus ...............................5 0 0
Mr. Joseph Onus ...............................5 0 0
Mr. Daniel Hearskin ...........................1 0 0
Mr. Paul Develin ..............................1 0 0
Dr. Seymour ...................................1 0 0
Mr. W. E. Brew.................................1 0 0
Mr. A. Cornwall....................... ........1 0 0
John Robinson .................................0 10 0
Mrs. Harrington................................0 2 6
Mr. Robert Martin, Senior. ............. ......2 0 0
Mr. R, Martin, Junior..........................2 10 0
Mrs. M.Martin .................................2 10 0
Mr. John Town ...................................1 0 0
Mrs. Town....................... ..............1 0 0
Mr. W. Price ......... ........................1 0 0
Mr. John Henderson ............................5 0 0
Mrs. Mortimer..................................1 0 0
Mrs. J, Wilshire ............................. 2 2 0
Mr. Douglass .............................. ...3 0 0
Mr. Rollinston.................................0 10 0
Mr. John.......................................1 0 0
Mr. John, Junior...............................1 0 0
Mr. Malpass ...................................1 0 0
Mr. Walsh .....................................1 10 0
A Friend ......................................1 10 0
? 481 2 6
More than two hundred pounds of the above subscriptions have been already received, and the Trustees respectfully inform the Subscribers that John Panton, Esq, is Treasurer for the district of Windsor; and George Bowman, Esq., is the Treasurer for that of Richmond, Subscriptions will be thankfully received and acknowledged by these gentlemen.
Source; The Colonist (Sydney, NSW : 1835 - 1840)
Saturday 14 July 1838
Work was started on the building situated in Drummond St, South Windsor in 1839 and completed some time in 1842. The church was officially opened in 1843.
The first minister was Rev. Mathew Adam 1811-1863, who had emigrated from Scotland in 1837 on the Portland and conducted a school. He remained there till his death in 1863.
The last service was on March 12, 1966. The church was then demolished due to termites and damp.
Since then regular services have been held in the hall in the church grounds.
Source: Source: W & R Gazette (from 1888 to December 1982)
Reference: 23 October 1968, p 1