BONSER FAMILY..A CONVICT HERITAGE

THE CHRISTIES

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A DISTINGUISHED FAMILY

My Great Grandfather on my mother's side, James Scott Christie was a well educated young man who came from a very respectable family. His father was a tobacco and snuff manufacturer who had a large shop at 43 Brewer St, Golden Square, West End, London.

In his convict record James listed his profession as a piano maker but he was employed as a shop assistant when in 1838 he was convicted of larceny after pocketing Ł4/8/3 and forging the boss's signature. His convict record states that when convicted he was 26 years old, Protestant, 5 feet 3ľ inches tall (165cm) and could read and write. His conviction must have been a terrible shock to the family and it seems that the family disowned him as, except for one letter from his brother in 1843 there was no other contact.

Although he was sentenced to 15 years transportation in 1838, his departure was delayed for four years and he did not arrive in Van Diemen's Land until November 1842. Why the four year delay?

The Surgeon, in charge of arranging the transportation of prisoners found that well educated James was very good at clerical duties and was "very useful in mustering prisoners and seeing the arrangements of the Surgeon Superintendent carried out."

I am sure that the Surgeon was sorry to lose James service but eventually James was sent to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania).

His convict record states that as well as his original indiscretion in England (larceny under Ł5) James committed a few minor offences while a prisoner in Van Diemens Land, including being drunk and "out after hours", and his convict record contained a clause that he was banned from living in Hobart or Launceston. He married a widow, Anne Tilley (or Tiley) on June 20 1852 and he was granted a conditional pardon on June 7, 1853.

Their marriage was a long and a very happy one and they lived a very respectable life in Sorrell which is not far from Hobart.

They had six children including two that I had the privilege of knowing, my old Aunt who burnt the papers and my grandmother who was also a very good person. The elderly lady in the picture is James wife Anne (Hannah) with unidentified members of the family.

James wrote to John in 1893 and a copy of the letter is held in the Archives Office in Tasmania. Here is a transcript:

Sorrell / Tasmania / 10 Oct 1893

Dear John
I posted a note to you last Thursday morning and in the evening received your very welcome letter. Measles and bronchitis still raging. I do not think you can recollect (but perhaps you may) Tom Pullen - he was only 54. Died on Friday last - bronchitis. Emma will know of him.
And now a little of myself and belongings. My father was a tobacco and snuff manufacturer 43 Brewer St, Golden Square West End, London. One of the largest in London. A Scotchman Edinborough. He was very religious. Deacon and Treasurer of Wells St. Chapel Oxford St., London. He died in January 1838 - buried in the famed Bunhill Row Burying Ground.

About 3 years after the death of Father, Mother had word sent to her she was entitled to Ł60 a year from the Calton Corporation (Edinborough). Father being what is termed a paid out member. This she got and had the annuity sent her.
My eldest brother was what is called a Parliamentary agent and was Secy to the Forth and Clyde Canal Coy, Glasgow. Youngest brother a Master Baker in Red Lion St. Holborn London.

I came to Tasmania in 1842 and in 1843 I heard from my brother John and never since. I cannot but think that all must be dead considering their age- I myself was born April 11, 1813. Apprenticed at Broadwood's pianoforte Manufactory either 1828 or 1829. The rest you will know since I arrived here. Harry Ward was here yesterday and again desires to be remembered to you - Fred and Albert blacksmithing and wheelrighting at Kangaroo Point. Will a pub at Richmond about to shift to the Point taking to butchering - Sid a pub at Clarence Plains - I am not able to do much but am a real living wonder to get about as I do - We never have a letter from either of the girls - mother is about the same and sends her love to yourself and Mary and children

Love to Jemmy and Emma and yourself
Your affectionate father
James Christie.

This letter intrigues me. James knew he had not long to live so he wrote to his son to enlighten him of details of their family. Why hadn't he told his children a bit about the family history while they were still living with him?

We can only speculate, but Christie folk lore has it that the children were very ashamed of their convict heritage so much so that the eldest son ,John Scott Christie suddenly left home and went to Hobart Port to emigrate.

Emigrate to where?
Anywhere!
There were two ships in port, one bound for New Zealand and the other for Melbourne.

He chose the Melbourne ship and so commences the story of success by a hard working young man.

In 1876 he went to the Goulburn Valley to shear sheep on the old Tallygaroopnya station. Through hard work, mainly fencing and shearing sheep, he saved enough money to buy a horse and dray.

While carting bricks to build the Kaarimba Hotel he met a Mr. Connors who had recently selected land, 5 miles (8k) north of Nathalia and Mr Connors suggested that John should also “peg out” a selection block.
In 1877 John selected his first block of 200 acres (80 hectares) also north of Nathalia.
Wild horses and kangaroos ate his first three crops but on his fourth try he harvested a good crop, 90 acres (24 hectare) of wheat.

In February 1879 John Scott Christie married Mary Ann Cain at Little Docker Street Richmond, Victoria.
(They had nine children)

In 1880 John and Mary moved to Baulkamaugh North where they took over an abandoned selection of 320 acres (120 hectares) which they called Forcett, named after a town near Hobart where John’s family lived.

John’s younger brother James Scott Christie joined him from Tasmania and after several years of hard work they eventually put together a holding of 1600 acres (640 hectares).

The work of developing these properties required the erection of new buildings and the servicing of equipment and John became a good self-taught blacksmith and a competent carpenter.

In 1900 John was elected to the Numurkah Shire Council and he served as Shire President in 1910. John was also an active member of the Agricultural Society and the Presbyterian Church.

John Scott Christie died on 13 March 1929 aged 77.
A long Obituary Notice in the Numurkah Leader lauded him, “He was esteemed by all who knew him and his passing has left a gap in the public and social life of Numurkah”…”Every action of his was marked by honesty of purpose, and there was no power that we know of that could turn him a hair’s breath from the course that he considered the right one to take”….”He had the pioneer spirit.”

Truly an Australian pioneer.

Date created: June 14, 2002.
Last Modified: January 8, 2007.
Author Albert Bonser
Email: Alby Bonser

2002 A.Bonser.