Category Heraldry

Aug 11 2013

1871: Christ Church, Anglican, Beechworth, Victoria.

The foundation stone of the Anglican ‘Christ Church’ at Beechworth, was laid by Justice Thomas Spencer Cope (1821-1891) on Saturday 13th November 1858[1] and was built to the designs of prominent Melbourne Architect Leonard Terry (1825-1884). The foundation stone is now hidden beneath the tower which was erected in 1864[2].

Many 19th Century Australian Stained Glass artists and companies are now represented by later stained glass windows erected in Christ Church but only two of the original windows remain which were created by the Ferguson & Urie stained glass company of Curzon Street North Melbourne.

Photos dated 18th December 2011.

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At the liturgical north-west corner of the nave, near the tower entrance, are the remaining two original examples of Ferguson & Urie stained glass. These are just plain single light windows with the simple red and blue stained glass border designs with plain in-fill diamond quarries. These simple designs can be found in many Victorian Churches from c.1861 – c.1888. It’s likely that all the original windows in the church were created by the Ferguson & Urie Company at the time of its erection, but the course of time sees these original windows inevitably being replaced by memorial windows.

At the base of one of the two original windows is an obscure clue as to its donor. The lower edge of one window has the text; “Presented 1871 BTW”. A small pink and yellow flower appears on the bottom left of the text and the heraldic symbol of a demi-wolf on the bottom right. The Latin text below the wolf reads “Res Non Verba”, meaning “things, not words” or “facts instead of words,” but probably more commonly known in modern times as “actions speak louder than words.”

This a very clever, simple, and very conservative adaption of one of Ferguson & Urie’s plain ‘stock’ windows. In most cases these simple windows with coloured borders were the first windows to be erected in a new church but this particular modified window is the only one found to date that has the bottom edge modified, very simply, to include the text of the donor and his coat of arms.

Although the clues at the base of the window are obscure, a logical process of elimination has narrowed down the donor of this stained glass window as extremely likely to be ‘Bowes Todd Wilson’ (c.1812-1882), Superintendent of Police for the Beechworth district Apr 1869 – Dec 1870.

Who was Bowes Todd Wilson?

In 1857 Bowes Todd Wilson (1812-1882) was Inspector of Police and District Paymaster at Kyneton[3]. In May 1859 he was appointed Territorial Magistrate for Swan Hill by His Excellency, H. S. Chapman[4] which he resigned in February1861[5]. In April 1869 he was appointed Superintendent of Police for the Beechworth District and retired in December 1870[6] with a Government pension of £186 p.a[7]. He remained in Beechworth for a short period after his retirement and later removed to Melbourne where he died at the ‘Parade Hotel’, East Melbourne on the 12th August 1882[8], aged 70 years[9].

The heraldic symbol and associated Latin text in the stained glass window is identified as being the armorial crest of the “Wilson” family name;  “..This Lion is actually a “Demi Wolf”, and the motto is associated with the families names Wilson, as is the Demi Wolf…”[10]

About Christ Church:

On the 6th of November 1856, Major-General Macarthur had approved the appointment of the trustees of land set apart for the Church of England purposes at Beechworth. Those he appointed as Trustees were; Melnoth Hall, William Gore Brett, Edward Graves Mayne, Charles King and Samuel George Hogg. [11]

Two years later, William Gore Brett, was bestowed with the responsibility for the official invitations to the laying of the foundation stone of Christ Church and his invitation to the Beechworth Shire Council was read at the council meeting the previous day, 12th November 1858[12].

At the appointed time of two o’clock on Saturday the 13th November 1858, Judge Cope laid the foundation stone and immediately after the ceremony a Bazaar to raise money for the building fund was held in the former El Dorado Hotel “…which has been tastefully decorated with evergreens, and colors of all traditions, (including the Chinese)…“

Significant tabloid transcriptions:

Ovens & Murray Advertiser, Beechworth, Wednesday 10th November 1858, page 3.

“THE NEW CHURCH OF ENGLAND.- The foundation stone of the new edifice, the erection of which has just commenced, will be formally laid this day by his Honor Judge Cope. The ceremony will take place at 2 o’clock p.m. and will doubtless attract a large number of visitors to witness it.”

Ovens & Murray Advertiser, Beechworth, Thursday 11th November 1858, page 3.

“THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE NEW CHURCH OF ENGLAND.- A mistake occurred in our notice yesterday as to the day on which the interesting ceremony would take place, but the fault in this case was not ours. The foundation stone will be laid on Saturday (D.V.) with the formalities usual on the occasion of this nature, by His Honor Judge Cope. Two o’clock in the afternoon is the hour named and the event will we have no doubt attract a large concourse of persons.”

Ovens & Murray Advertiser, Beechworth, Saturday 13th November 1858, page 3

“THE FOUNDATION STONE of the Church of England in course of erection, will be laid at 2 o’clock this afternoon by his Honor Judge Cope.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Monday 14th Aug 1882, page 1.

“WILSON.- On the 12th inst., at the Parade Hotel, East Melbourne, Bowes Todd Wilson, formerly Superintendent of police.”

Footnotes:

[1] Ovens & Murray Advertiser, Beechworth, Saturday 13th November 1858, page 3

[7] prov.vic.gov.au, Will & Probate documents, Bowes Todd Wilson, 1882.

[9] Bowes Todd Wilson, Vic BDM: 9368/1882, age 70.

[10] Stephen Michael Szabo, Hon. Secretary, The Australian Heraldry Society– email, June 2012.

Jul 12 2013

1897: The Singleton Dispensary, Collingwood, Victoria,

In 1891 the well known and much respected philanthropist Dr. John Singleton died at his residence in East Melbourne at the age of 84.

A native of Dublin, Ireland, Dr John Singleton (1808-1891) was remembered by the poor of the Collingwood district as their Saviour in times of need. 

In February 1897 the public subscribed for a stained glass window to be erected in his memory[1]. The window was created by the Ferguson & Urie stained glass company of Franklin Street Melbourne and was unveiled on the 2nd of April 1897 by the Hon C. J. Ham[2].

The date 1897 also makes this stained glass window amongst the latest surviving windows known by the firm.

The window was originally erected in Singleton’s Medical Dispensary in Wellington-street, Collingwood in 1897 and was donated to the City of Collingwood in 1979, and subsequently installed on the staircase of the Collingwood Town Hall.[3]

As at August 2013, one end of the old dispensary building in Collingwood now hosts “Wet on Wellington“, a business advertised as “Melbourne’s Finest Gay Pool & Sauna”.

Photos of the window were taken 11th July 2012 at Geoffrey Wallace ‘s Studio at Caulfield.

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In 2011 the window underwent heritage restoration and conservation work by Geoffrey Wallace’s stained glass studio and it has remained at the studio since 2011 whilst the Collingwood Town Hall undergoes refurbishment. The window is scheduled to be re-installed in Aug/Sept 2013.

Note: The overall picture of the entire window in the slideshow is a composite image made up of the three individual sections of the window in Geoffrey Wallace’s studio in Caulfield. Geoff also advises that the image of the Singleton Armoral Bearings at the bottom right is not an original piece from Ferguson & Urie era .

The central figurative scene of the window depicts the biblical scene where the Apostles Peter and John refuse the disabled man money and command him to walk in the name of Jesus

The biblical text beneath the image reads:

“THEN PETER SAID SILVER AND GOLD HAVE I NONE BUT SUCH AS I HAVE  GIVE I THEE IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH RISE UP AND WALK”.
(King James Bible – ‘Acts 3-6’ – where Peter heals the lame beggar and commands him to walk in the name of Jesus).

The memorial text to Dr John Singleton appears at the base of the window and reads:

“IN MEMORY OF JOHN SINGLETON ESQ, M.D THE FOUNDER OF THIS INSTITUTION  AND OF SEVERAL OTHER CHARITIES IN COLLINGWOOD WHO DURING A LIFE OF EIGHTY FOUR YEARS DEVOTED HIMSELF TO THE RELIEF OF HUMAN SUFFERING ESPECIALLY AMONG THE POOR MAKING ALL HIS CHARITIES THE MEANS OF DIRECTING MEN TO CHRIST FOR THE SALVATION OF GOD THROUGH THE HOLY SPIRIT. HE DIED 30th SEPT 1891, TRUSTING IN CHRIST”.

The bottom left of the window depicts an extraordinarily detailed portrait of the elderly doctor Singleton. So fine is the artistic detail, that practically every hair in his long white beard is visible in intricate detail as well as his facial signs of age. The portrait has been done in one single roundel of glass of about 15cm in diameter which makes it all the more remarkable in fine artistic stained glass talent.

At the bottom right is the heraldic symbol and motto of the Singleton family. It depicts a knight’s iron gloved arm with his hand holding an arrow with the Latin text below:

“CONSEQUITUR QUODGUMQUE PETIT” (“He attains whatever he attempts”)

Photos were taken at Geoffrey Wallace’s Stained glass studio 11th July 2013.

So who was Dr. John Singleton?

Dr John Singleton (1808-1891)

Having received a favourable report of the colonies from his brother, the Rev William Singleton (1804 – 1875) who had arrived earlier in 1849, Dr. John Singleton obtained a position as ships surgeon aboard the ‘Harpley’ and arrived in Australia with his family on the 30th January 1851[4]. He was the founder of the Free Medical Mission Dispensary, the Collingwood Temperance Home for Friendless Women, the Bread Fund, and Night Shelters at Collingwood and West Melbourne and the Widow’s Cottages at Collingwood”[5].

Having personally experienced the effects of alcohol, he deduced that liquor was nothing more than a poison which had no nutritional or medicinal properties and from this he set about to debunk the practice that for centuries saw its wide-spread prescription by the medical profession as a cure for many ailments[6]. This also lead to his successful establishment of Temperance Societies, the Society for the Promotion of Morality, a close association with the Salvation Army, and many other societies and charities associated with the well-being of the poor, destitute, and downcast members of society.

Dr John Singleton died at his residence “Ormiston House”, in Grey-street East Melbourne on the 30th September 1891 in his 84th year[7]. His funeral procession travelled the 4.5km journey via his Collingwood Dispensary in Wellington street where it stopped for a photograph[8], before continuing to the Melbourne General Cemetery where he was interred with his wife Isabella (nee Daunt) who pre-deceased him 7th December 1886[9].

Portraits of Dr John Singleton can be found in the Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, and the Singleton Medical Welfare Centre (the original Heritage listed dispensary) in Wellington-street Collingwood[10]. The stained glass window created by the Ferguson & Urie company over a century ago is now located in the Collingwood Town Hall.

The Singleton family grave-site was restored in 2013-14.

Significant or notable transcriptions:

Mercury and Weekly Courier, Vic, Thursday 4th February 1897, page 3.

“NOTICE Subscriptions will be received in aid of a Memorial Window for the late Dr. Singleton to be erected in the Dispensary.”

Extract from the 28th Annual Singleton Dispensary Report, Collingwood Sept 1898[11].

“…The Committee had the pleasure, on the 2nd of April, of unveiling in the Dispensary, a memorial window, erected in honor of the late Dr. Singleton, the founder of the institution and of several other public charities in the district. In its erection they had the assistance of many gentlemen, the friends of the late doctor, and former patients at the Dispensary. It was designed by Messrs. Ferguson and Urie; was unveiled by the Hon. C. J. Ham; and represents on a scale, third of life size, the apostles Peter and John healing the sick at the Gate Beautiful, of the Temple at Jerusalem. Below the picture is a tablet in stained glass recording that Dr. John Singleton, during eighty-four years had devoted himself to the relief of human suffering, especially among the poor, making all his charities the means of directing men to Christ. A medallion portrait of Dr. Singleton is placed on one side of the inscription, and on the other is his crest and motto.”

Illustrated Australian News, Melb, Vic, Saturday 7th Nov 1891, page 17.

(the original article includes an engraving of Dr. John Singleton. The image is also displayed in the slideshow of images above)

“THE LATE DR. SINGLETON”.

“The announcement of the death of Dr. John Singleton will be received with regret, not only by the class brought immediately into contact with the deceased gentleman, the poor and the suffering, but by the public generally, to whom the figure of the veteran philanthropist was as familiar as it was respected. Dr. John Singleton was born on 2nd January, 1808. He was one of a family of nine children, six sons and three daughters, and, as he evinced at an early date a decided partiality for the medical profession, attended at the Apothecaries’ Hall, where he passed the classical examination at 14 years of age. He went through the course for matriculation at Trinity College before he was 15, and was articled for three years to a licentiate apothecary, a tenant of his father’s, in Kells, County Meath. It was while he was thus occupied that he felt a spiritual awakening, which influenced all his after life. He was married in 1834, when he was 26 years of age and in the enjoyment of a fair practice as a doctor. After his marriage he and Mrs. Singleton commenced the charitable and missionary work together, which they persistently carried on to the last. In September, 1850, Dr. Singleton accompanied by his wife and seven children left Plymouth for Australia in the ship Harpley, which arrived in Port Phillip on the 30th January, 1851, from which time this colony has been their home. Since he first set foot in this country Dr. Singletons life has been devoted to one unbroken effort to assuage the lot of the homeless, the friendless, the miserable or the vicious, and in every department of the benevolent endeavour he laboured untiringly. In the early days of the colony, when organised philanthropy had scarcely been thought of, Dr. Singleton devoted himself earnestly to his labour of love, with the result that many of the most flourishing institutions that now exist to alleviate the distress of the unfortunate classes received their first impetus. Although in his 83rd year, and with a record for sheer hard work that can be boasted by few public men, Dr. Singleton was still active in his benevolent and professional duties till the commencement of this year. Then advanced age and the calls that he had made on his constitution began to tell, and he was seized with a sharp attack of sickness. Directly he was able to, however, he resumed his efforts in the cause of philanthropy, till some four months ago he was again compelled to take to his bed. Several times he rallied, with remarkable vigour and vitality for a man of his advanced age; but a month ago he commenced to sink steadily, and it became apparent to his medical advisers that life could only be prolonged for a few hours. On the 29th Sept, he became unconscious, in which state he remained till he expired, on the morning of 1st October. The immediate cause of death was inflammation of the lungs, contributed to by a severe attack of influenza”.

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Friday 2nd October 1891, page 6.

“DEATH OF DR. SINGLETON”

“Dr. John Singleton, whose name has been known in Melbourne for over 40 years as that of a generous-minded philanthropist, died at half-past 11 o’clock on Wednesday night at his residence, Ormiston, Grey-street, East Melbourne. The deceased gentleman, who was 84 years of age, suffered for sometime past from cystitis, and was attended during his last illness by Dr. Macmillan, Dr. McColl, and his son, Mr. T. Singleton. He was conscious up to the last, and spoke intelligibly to his family gathered round his bedside just before he died.

Dr. Singleton was born on the 2nd January 1808, at Dublin, and received his early education at the ‘Apothecaries’-hall. He was afterwards apprenticed for three years to a licentiate apothecary in the town of Kells, County Meath, and completing his medical studies under the tuition of a retired navy surgeon, he took his degree of M.D. at the University of Glasgow. He afterwards purchased a dispensary in Dublin, and was in practice there during the ravages of the Asiatic cholera. He was very successful in his treatment of this disease, and having communicated his method to the London Board of Health it was approved by that body, and circulated far and wide in printed form. Dr. John Singleton had during the years of his apprenticeship become a total abstainer, and he remained one to the end of his life, being at all times a sturdy advocate of the principle. It was his experiences of the terrible sufferings of the poor during the cholera season which stirred his sympathetic nature, and gave to his mind that philanthropic bent, which was his distinguishing characteristic in after life. He devoted himself with ardour to the relief of the poor in their sufferings, and was a constant and welcome visitor in the crowded wards of the hospitals. He also extended his sympathy to the criminal classes, and was a regular visitor of the gaols, ardently assisting in the benevolent movements then at work for the amelioration of the condition of the criminals who were confined in them. Amongst others whom he visited in gaol was Mr. (now Sir Charles) Gavan Duffy, who was a political prisoner. Having been from his early years deeply impressed on the subject of religion, Dr. Singleton did much evangelistic work, particularly amongst young people, over whom his entire disinterestedness and manifest sincerity procured him a great influence.

In September, 1850, influenced by the favourable accounts received from a brother who had preceded him, Dr. Singleton set sail with his family for Australia. He procured a position as medical officer on board the sailing ship Harpley, and arrived in Melbourne at the end of January, 1850. [sic] The rush to the gold-fields followed, and for five or six years succeeding his arrival Dr. Singleton had a very extensive practice. He then changed his residence to Warrnambool, where he remained five of six years, but afterwards removed to Maryborough, on account of the failing health of one of his children, who required a change of climate. In the year 1868 he returned to the neighbourhood of Melbourne, taking up his residence in Hawthorn, and he has resided in Melbourne and suburbs ever since. During his residence in the country Dr. Singleton continued the active philanthropic work which he had embraced immediately upon his arrival in the colony. In those early days of the colony money was easily made and quickly spent, and, in consequence, there was a great deal of excessive drinking. Dr. Singleton succeded [sic] in forming several temperance societies, and took an active part in religious movements. The condition of the aboriginals attracted his notice, and finding that many of them were being corrupted by the drinking habits of the white population, and that their numbers were becoming rapidly decreased, he induced the Government to establish the Framlingham Station, where the blacks were cared for and protected. Whilst he resided in Maryborough a camp of Maoris settled there, who had adopted so much of civilised customs as to join in the rush to the new gold-field. One day, on visiting this camp, Dr. Singleton found it attacked by an overpowering force of Chinamen. He rushed between the combatants, and at great personal risk succeeded in separating them and protecting the Maoris. This courageous championship gained him great influence over them, and he made use of it in an endeavour to Christianise them, and succeeded in inducing them to attend classes for secular and spiritual instruction as long as they remained in the district.

In January, 1869, Dr. Singleton established in Perry-street, Collingwood, in the centre of dense population, mostly of the poorer class, a Free Medical Mission Dispensary, on the principles of the British Medical Mission Dispensary. The principal object of the Dispensary was to relieve the necessities of the sick poor of Collingwood, Fitzroy, and the adjacent districts, but Dr. Singleton also used it to bear a public testimony in support of his belief that every form of disease could be more successfully without the aid of intoxicating liquors than with them, and that the use of these stimulants was productive of evil results in fostering a love for them. Whatever may be said as to this special feature in connection with the method of treatment pursued at the Free Dispensary, there can be no two opinions regarding the immense benefits which it has conferred upon the poor of the neighbourhood. Up to the year 1888 145,000 attendants had received free medical relief. Dr. Singleton placed his medical skill and his purse freely at the disposal of the poor who sought relief there, and he always endeavoured to make the mission a means of promoting the social, moral, and religious interests of the poor. The report of the institution for the year 1888 stated that latterly the applications for aid had become much more numerous; almost every form of disease had been treated during the year, but by far the greater number were of a feverish nature, from feverish colds to cases of typhoid in an aggravated form. The results of the treatment, which was simple and non-alcoholic, were decidedly successful. On the 22nd of June, 1887, the lease of the ground on which the Medical Mission stood having expired, Dr. Singleton purchased the ground at auction, and, having collected £2,250 from the public, the erection of a new and more suitable building has been commenced. So great was the interest felt by Dr. Singleton in the project that, when prostrated by a dangerous illness, he expended what little strength remained to him in writing a letter to the Argus advocating its claims to the support of the charitable, and appealing for co-operation in a plan for raising the necessary money to complete the structure.

Dr. Singleton’s philanthropic efforts were not confined within the limits of the institution referred to. Every effort for improving the condition of the poor, no matter from whence it originated, had his hearty support. In this spirit he accepted the co-operation of the Salvation Army, and worked heartily with that organisation. So far-reaching was his charity that his name is truly a household word almost all over Victoria. Amongst other institutions which owe their origin and support in a great measure to his efforts may be mentioned the Home for Fallen Women, founded about the year 1871, in Islington-street, Collingwood. He it was who first mooted the project to the Morality Society of that day, and very soon after it was opened the management fell entirely into his hands. There is an average attendance there of between 30 and 70 persons. Nearly 3,000 unfortunate women have from time to time found a friendly welcome and shelter within its walls. To very many, indeed, it has been the starting point from which they have set out on a new career, whilst thousands more of friendless and almost hopeless women have found there an asylum from the temptation and a home until some honest employment was found. Attached to the institution a few small cottages have been erected, where from 25 to 30 aged widows are provided with a home. There is another building in connection with the home, but detached from it, where poor women and children can obtain a comfortable bed and a meal the following morning, as a measure of temporary relief. About 13 or 14 years ago Dr. Singleton established with his own funds and organised a sick children’s hospital and dispensary in Exhibition-street, and devoted a great deal of time and attention to it for about 18 months, when, finding that there were others willing to undertake the work, and having many calls upon his time, he resigned his connection with it. A mission to the blind was another agency established by the subject of this sketch. A gentleman is employed who goes all over the colony teaching the blind to read the Bible. The Government now endows this mission with £150 a year, and the teacher is allowed a free pass on the railways. Formerly he was supported by Dr. Singleton and a few benevolent friends whose aid he enlisted. For many years Dr. Singleton was a regular visitor at Pentridge, and he was an active member of a vigilance committee which was appointed to make enquiry into the condition of the prisoners, and through its exertions many forms were instituted in a system which up to that time retained far too much of the barbarity of the old convict days”. Dr. Singleton was married in the year 1834. He had a family of 10 children, of whom six survive – three sons and three daughters. His wife died in the year 1887 [sic].”

The Mercury, Hobart, Tas, Friday 2nd October 1891, page 3.

“Dr. Singleton, the well-known philanthropist, died at his residence, East Melbourne, last night, after a long illness, aged 83. He arrived in the colony in 1851, and for many years had been a prominent figure in charitable institutions. He leaves several sons and daughters, and thousands of poor people to whom he had been as a father and friends to deplore his death. Deceased was the founder of the Free Medical Mission Dispensary, the Collingwood Temperance Home for Friendless Women, Bread Fund, and Night Shelters at Collingwood, and West Melbourne and Widow’s Cottages at Collingwood. He was also identified with other movements for the relief of suffering, and for years devoted his time exclusively to works of charity.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Friday 2nd October 1891, page 1.

“SINGLETON.- On the 30th ult., at his residence, Ormiston, Grey-street, East Melbourne, John Singleton, M.D., in his 84th year. “In Thy presence there is fullness of joy.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Friday 2nd October 1891, page 1.

“THE Friends of the late JOHN SINGLETON, M.D., are respectfully informed that his remains will be interred in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The funeral to move from his late residence, Ormiston, Grey-street, East Melbourne, on Saturday, the 3rd inst., at 3 o’clock p.m. HERBERT KING, Undertaker, Lennox-street, Richmond; 157 Swan-street, East Richmond; Burwood-road, Hawthorn; and Hopkins-street, Footscray. Telephone 912.”

Note: “Ormiston” (129 Grey-street East Melbourne) was between 1877 and c.1900, partially used by two of Singleton’s unmarried daughters (Elizabeth 1844-1932, and Anna 1846-1934), as “Ormiston Ladies College”.  The building had many other later name changes and incarnations, including being a boarding house. It was demolished in the 1930’s.[12]

Riverine Herald, Echuca, NSW, Wednesday 7th October 1891, page 3.

“A woman 100 years of age attended Dr. Singleton’s funeral on Saturday…”

Kilmore Free Press, Vic, Thursday 8th October 1891, page 2.

“Dr. Singleton, the well-known philanthropist, died on the 30th ult in his 84th year. The gentleman named was brother to the late Rev. Wm. Singleton, at one time and for many years the incumbent of Christ Church, Kilmore. Dr. Singleton enjoyed a long life and most assuredly it was a useful one – may he have the reward of the just.”

Mercury and Weekly Courier, Vic, Thursday 8th October 1891, page 3.

“…The remains were interred on Saturday afternoon in the Church of England sections of the Melbourne General Cemetery, the coffin being placed in the same grave with that of the deceased gentleman’s late wife. Every demonstration of respect was made along the line of route taken by the funeral procession, and Wellington-street, in particular, was thronged by members of the poorer classes by whom Dr. Singleton’s many good deeds are held in grateful remembrance. The cortege left the late residence of the deceased, Ormiston, Grey-street, East Melbourne, shortly after 3 o’clock, and proceeded to the cemetery through Clarendon street, Victoria Parade, Wellington street, Collingwood, and Johnston street. A halt was made at the deceased’s dispensary in Collingwood, where a photograph was taken. The coffin, which was of plain oak, with a simple inscription, was borne to the grave by the son, nephews and brother of the deceased, while the following were the pall bearer’s, viz, the Rev. Mr. McCutcheon, Messrs. F. H. Baker, J. Bosisto, J. Gamble, W. Threlfall and Derbin Willder. The funeral service was conducted by the Rev. H. N. Wollaston, assisted by the Revs. A. Forbes and Goodwin. Amongst those present were clergyman of all denominations, leading citizens, members of the Salvation Army and numbers of poor persons. Mr. A. King, of Lennox-street, Richmond, carried out the funeral arrangements. One fact which was very noticeable in connection with the funeral was the absence of medical men, the only medical men, who were present being Dr. Singleton’s own assistants. This appears to indicate a lack of that respect which is due to an old veteran – more especially to one who had the self-denial to devote the whole of his life to the alleviation of the sufferings of the poor…”

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Wednesday 8th December 1886, page 1.

“SINGLETON.- On the 7th inst., Isabella, wife of Dr. Singleton, Ormiston House, Grey-street, East Melbourne, in her 79th year. “Absent from the body, present with the Lord.”

Family tree notes:

John Singleton, born 1808 in Dublin, Ireland, died 1891 in East Melbourne.

He married Isabella Daunt of Cork, Ireland,  in c.1834 (1808-1886).

Children: William Daunt (1835 –1901); John Wesley (1838–1924); Mary Quinn (1840–1929); Robert Henry Thomas (1851-1927); Frances Matilda Victoria (1849–1867); Isabella (1841–1869); Eliza (1844–1932); Anna Lewis  (1846–1934).

External Links:

Australian Dictionary of Biography: Dr John Singleton (1808-1891)

Footnotes:

[3] Anne Holmes, Collingwood Historical Society, email – 27th June 2013.

[6] “Alcohol as a Medicine” – the “Australian Medical Journal”, Dr John Singleton, November 1874.

[11] From Anne Holmes, Collingwood Historical Society, email – 1st June 2013.

[12] http://emhs.org.au/history/buildings/east_melbourne_grey_street_129

Acknowledgements:

Thanks to Geoffrey Wallace for the invitation back to his studio to photograph the Singleton window (11th July 2013). And, many thanks for his extraordinary unexpected gift of a piece of his artwork for which I am most grateful for.

Thanks to Anne Holmes from the Collingwood Historical Society for her research that unveiled the 1898 Dispensary report mentioning Ferguson & Urie by name as the makers of the window.

Cite:
Brown, Ray 2013, ‘1897: The Singleton Dispensary, Collingwood, Victoria’, Ferguson & Urie, Colonial Victoria’s Historic Stained Glass Craftsmen 1853-1899, accessed dd/mm/yyyy, <http://wp.me/p28nLD-21i>.

Short link to this page:  https://wp.me/p28nLD-21i

© Copyright

Feb 13 2013

1988: Monash Medical Centre, Clayton, Victoria.

In 1878 the controversial and flamboyant Dr James George Beaney donated a stained glass window to the Melbourne Hospital in Swanston Street. The window was created by Ferguson & Urie and now resides in modern surroundings that would now be unfamiliar to its historical past, but still befitting to its history in medicine.

I’ve written a previous post on the Beaney window before with detailed information about the life and times of the controversial so called ‘Quack’ doctor Beaney. On the 18th of May 2012 Ms Laurel Clark found the current location of the historic Ferguson & Urie ‘Beaney’ stained glass window in the Chapel of the Monash Medical Centre at Clayton and graciously sent me photos. I visited the Monash on the 10th June 2012 to see the window personally and found that there were another three historical Ferguson & Urie window that have been placed in unusual settings. In this post I’ve included more detailed photos of the Beaney window, and the other two Ferguson & Urie windows located in the chapel (artificially illuminated) and also the ‘Good Samaritan’ window, now strangely incorporated within an unsympathetic  modern setting in the food court.

Photos taken 10th June 2012 and 17th August 2013.

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As I mentioned in the original article about the Beaney window, the glass has unfortunately been re-installed back-to-front in its frame with the exception of the small text panel at the base of the window, which is an extremely bizarre outcome from a restoration/conservation aspect. Until this is rectified we may never know the true intended colouring of this 135 year old window and how it was originally intended to be seen by the viewer.

The other three stained glass windows found at the Monash are equally important to the Ferguson & Urie stained glass history. Two predominantly yellow/gold coloured windows are artificially lighted just inside the chapel door and described as follows:

The left window in the chapel has a scrolling ribbon wrapped around a golden cross made up of small golden stylised depictions of the passion flower and has the text “The Lord Shall deliver him in the time of trouble”. The right window has the text:  “Blessed is the man that provideth for the sick and needy”, written in a ribbon that entwines a depiction of a ships anchor (well known as the religious symbol of “Hope”) and has a background of oak leaves and acorns.

The last window is outside the chapel and located in the fast food court and depicts the ‘Good Samaritan’. The text at the top of the window reads; “In as much as he did to one of the least of these we did it unto me”, and at the base; “Who is my neighbour”. This poor old historic window has now been fitted above a modern exit doorway in the Medical Centre’s food court and looks completely out of place. Its surroundings now look more akin to having been installed above the entrance to a MacDonald’s fast food outlet.

The last set of photos are of the memorial monument to James George Beaney located at the Melbourne General Cemetery and it still stands as testament to his ego. My photos of his monument were taken on the 9th December 2012 and it is quite an imposing landmark in the cemetery.

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Nov 14 2012

1895: Apsley House, Armadale, Melbourne, Victoria.

Apsley House in Armadale contains a magnificent Ferguson & Urie stained glass window in the stairwell. The window depicts the Patron Saint of England, St George, on horseback and in full armour, slaying the legendary dragon. Below the figure of St George is the “Order of the Garter” with the Latin text “Honi soit qui mal y pense” (loosely translated to “Shame on him who thinks evil of it”). [1] Conservation work on the window was completed in 2012 by Bruce Hutton of Almond Glass, Oakleigh [2].

Photos taken: 10th November 2012.

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An early colonial owner of Apsley house in the 1890s was the accountant William Crellin, who was the founding member, and first president of the Incorporated Institute of Accountants (the IIAV, now known as CPA[3] Australia).

William Crellin arrived in Australia in the 1850s and married Margaret Anne Fisher in Melbourne in 1856[4]. They began their family in Brunswick, first residing at “Parkside-Cottage,” [5] and later at 24 Peel-street, Windsor[6]. Between 1857 and 1870 they had seven children but only three boys, William, John, and Edward, survived to adulthood and all followed in their father’s footsteps to become accountants with William and John in their own business partnership[7].

During Crellin’s residency in Brunswick, he was both the council secretary[8] and auditor[9] and on the 8th of March 1870, J. W. Fleming, the Brunswick Mayor, declared that William Crellin was the only candidate nominated to fill a council vacancy created by the resignation of Councillor Thomas Clarke, and was subsequently elected to fill the vacancy[10], a position which he held until his resignation in March 1872 [11]

William Crellin lived and breathed his profession as an accountant and took great pride in his mathematical abilities. On numerous occasions, he felt the necessity to prove a point and was quite prolific at submitting “letters to the editor” of the tabloids, where he would refute the dubious calculations and claims of others in matters of accountancy. Apart from his role as the president of the IIAV, he held many positions among which were; Honorary Auditor to the Alfred Hospital [12], Honorary Treasurer of the Australian Health Society [13], and Secretary of the Australian Fresh Meat Company [14] and many other voluntary and paid positions. He had business premises at 46 Elizabeth street Melbourne and was regularly appointed as the trustee in many insolvency cases[15].

William Crellin died on Sunday the 17th of February 1895 at “Apsley” house in his 74th year [16]. He left an estate valued at £3,763 [17] which he left entirely to his wife Margaret.

It’s not known if William Crellin was the original owner of “Apsley”, or whether it was he who had commissioned Ferguson & Urie to create the St. George stained glass window. Crellin’s probate documents filed in March 1895 indicate that he was “formerly of “Lansmere,” Alma Road St Kilda in the colony of Victoria but late of “Apsley” Malvern Road Armadale,”[18]  indicating that he had possibly not resided in “Apsley” very long before his death in February 1895.

One of his sons, William Langdon Crellin, took up residence in “Apsley” after his wedding to Maggie Wauchope in September 1896 [19].

William Crellin’s wife, Margaret died on the 4th Oct 1915 in her 89th year [20]. They are both buried in the St Kilda Cemetery [21].

Circa 1915, “Apsley” house was then used exclusively as “Nurse Thomas’s” Private Nursing Home [22].

In 1925 “Apsley” was either owned or resided in, by the actor Arthur Styan, famous for his roles as “the mustache-twirling villain”[23] who had a 25-year career as a stage actor until his death on Christmas day in 1925 [24].

 In 1947 a Mrs Clarice Evelyn Herring resided at Apsley [25].

[3] “Certified Practicing Accountants”.

[4] Vic BDM: 2899/1856 Marriage; William Crellin & Margaret Anne Fisher.

[14] Vic Probate Record File: 106/177 in the estate of William Crellin 27th Mar 1895.

[18] Vic Probate Record File: 106/177 in the estate of William Crellin 27th Mar 1895.

[21] St Kilda Cemetery, Independent Monumental, Compartment A, Grave 9A.

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Oct 6 2012

18-08-1951: Zeerust/Glenferrie Mansion, Malvern, Victoria.

‘Zeerust’ mansion had its origins as ‘Glenferrie’, originally a parcel of land purchased by solicitor, Peter Ferrie[1], circa 1841. In 1864-65 the property came into the hands of James Fergusson[2] M.L.A, a partner in the firms, Fergusson and Mitchell, stationers, and Ferguson & Moore. Fergusson built a two storey mansion on the site circa 1870’s and as part of the embellishments, he commissioned the Melbourne stained glass firm ‘Ferguson & Urie’ to create a magnificent stained glass stairwell window of about 3.5 x 2 meters wide. The window depicted scenes of Pastoral, Printing, Shipping, Mining, Agriculture, Commerce, Railways, and Farming. The Fergusson clan coat of arms was depicted below the central panel with the knight’s helmet, three Boars heads, and Buckle, and the Fergusson clan motto “Dulcius Ex Asperis” (Sweeter after difficulties).  At the apex of the window, flanked by a Kangaroo and an Emu, was the early Colonial Australian Coat of Arms with the text below “Advance Australia”.

Photos taken: 10th May 2011.

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On the 15 of April 1905, Estate agents W. L. Baillieu & Co auctioned the estate and subdivision allotments, and the mansion known as ‘Glenferrie House’ was purchased by George Stevenson (1831-1907)[3], a wealthy clothing manufacturer who held various trade positions including President of the Melbourne Chamber of Commerce.

Stevenson re-named ‘Glenferrie’ to ‘Zeerust’ and he died two years later in 1907[4]. His wife Amy (1838-1911) [5] retained the property and further subdivision of the estate occurred for many year after[6]. When Amy died in 1911 the property passed to the children and in 1914 further subdivisions occurred as well as the attempted sale of the mansion[7]. The Stevenson’s three surviving daughters eventually retained the estate until 1951 and then sold the mansion and remaining property at auction and the mansion was demolished in 1954.

The Ferguson & Urie stained glass window survived, and was installed in a house in Kooyong in the 1970’s. Mr Richard Price donated the window to the Melbourne Museum in 2001 where it was meticulously restored by the Geoffrey Wallace studio and mounted in its own frame for display in the Australiana collection at the Museum.

The Argus, Melbourne, Saturday 18th August 1951, page 7.

“Wrecker’s pick hangs over this old home”.

“ZEERUST,” one of Melbourne’s oldest mansion homes, is to be auctioned-and probably demolished. Ninety years ago its main gates were show pieces so imposing that during the last war they were bought to front the Springvale Cemetery. The old place has given ground slowly-and literally. Once it stood in wide Kooyong acres, touching Toorak rd. to the south, Glenferrie rd. to the west, and Gardiner’s Creek to the north. But down the years its grounds have been subdivided for home sites. Now all that’s left probably will be parcelled out for flats. The first owner built big for a purpose-a kitchen fit for a country hotel and a dining room 84ft. by 24ft.-you could put a villa into it. He had hopes of entertaining the late Duke of Edinburgh, who visited Melbourne in 1865. But the Duke didn’t come to Zeerust.  The late Mr. George Stevenson, of L. Stevenson and Sons, Flinders lane, bought the mansion about 50 years ago. His daughters, Misses. Gertrude, MabeI, and Myra Stevenson, own it now. Yesterday they were busy sorting out furniture and decorations to take to a new and smaller house. It was a hard task. Miss Gertrude Stevenson showed an “Argus” photographer stained glass windows (below, right), a solid brass bedstead with brass canopy and laced tester (centre, below), and antiques in Victorian profusion (left, below). Light from the stained glass tinted family portraits. But the hardest thing of all for the Misses Stevenson to leave may be the sight of the Yarra Valley and Hawthorn, commanded by the top windows in the picture left”.

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Tuesday 12th October 1937, page 10.

“Stonnington.

“Sir, – I was greatly interested in your article published last Wednesday dealing with Stonnington and the neighbourhood and Mr. J. B. McLeans’s reminiscences, but would like to point out that the James Ferguson mentioned was James Fergusson (note the double “s” in the spelling), who was the senior partner in the firms of Fergusson and Mitchell and Fergusson and Moore (not Muries). Fergusson and Mitchell had a stationer’s shop in Collins street, near Drummond’s, the jeweller’s, not Elizabeth street. James Fergusson was for some years a member of the Legislative Assembly, representing South Bourke, which included Malvern. His house in Glenferrie road, now occupied by the Misses Stevenson, was named Glenferrie, and, I understand, is of German renaissance style of architecture. – Yours, &c. HERBERT KONG-MENG, Longwood.”

The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Thursday 14th October 1937, page 10.

“Stonnington

“Sir, – I was very interested in your article on the homes in Glenferrie road. My uncle, James Fergusson, purchased the property at the corner of Glenferrie and Toorak roads extending to Gardiner’s Creek in each road, containing 60 acres, in 1865 for £4,500. The dwelling, which was built in the ‘70’s, was called “Glenferrie,” and faces north-east; it is now called “Zeerust,” with entrance from Monaro road. In 1881 my uncle was offered £30,000 for the property, and in 1888 refused £100,000 for it. This was after the Glen Iris railway had passed through the estate, and Kooyong station was built on the property. After the land boom had burst the property was offered for £15,000, without finding a purchaser. – Yours, &c., A. M. FERGUSSON. East Hawthorn.”

Related posts: Dr Richard Gillespie talks about the ‘Glenferrie’ window at the Melbourne Museum.

Footnotes:

[1] The Argus, Melbourne, Vic, Monday 4th January 1869, page 4.
“FERRIE.- On the 5th November, at 64 Harley street, Cavendish-square, London, Peter Ferrie, Esq., of Blairtumach, Glasgow, and late of Glen Ferrie, Toorak”.

[2] The Argus, Melbourne, VIC, Wednesday 4th April 1888, page 1.
“FERGUSSON.-On the 3rd inst., at Glenferrie, Malvern, James Fergusson, aged 59 years, of the firm Fergusson and Mitchell”. Buried at Boroondarra Cemetery, Kew, 5th April 1888.

[3] Stevenson also built the mansion ‘Trawalla’ in Toorak which also still has a magnificent stained glass window in the stairwell by Ferguson & Urie.

[4] The Argus, Melbourne, VIC, Monday 14th October 1907, page 1.
“STEVENSON.- On the 13th October, at Melbourne, George Stevenson, of “Zeerust,” Malvern, the dearly beloved husband of Amy Stevenson, in his 76th year.”

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Apr 29 2012

1864: Christ Church, Anglican, Kilmore, Victoria.

There are two historically significant stained glass windows by Ferguson & Urie at Christ Church, Kilmore, Victoria.

The three light chancel window and the “Clifton” memorial window at the liturgical west end are both by the Ferguson & Urie company circa 1864.

The first stone of Christ Church, Kilmore was laid by Bishop Charles Perry on 19th November 1857 and the first service was held in January 1861. The church was consecrated on Monday 20th May 1867 by Bishop Perry.

Photos were taken on 26th December 2011.

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Kilmore Free Press & Counties of Bourke & Dalhousie Advertiser, Thursday 23rd May 1867, page 2.

“On Monday Morning His Lordship the Bishop of Melbourne, assisted by the Rev. Mr. Watson, the trustees and church wardens, went through the ceremony of consecrating Christ Church, Kilmore. The affair was conducted in a most solemn manner”.

The following two extracts from the Anglican Church Gazette were kindly provided by Catherine Turnbull, Hon Archivist, Kilmore Anglican Parish, 8th Feb 2011.

The Anglican Church Gazette 1864

“…The chancel windows at once attract attention. The principal devices of the side lights are the ruby crosses on a purple ground, with the leaves and fruit of the vine interspersed, the one having the Scripture words, in Anglo-Saxon letters, “I am the Vine,” the other “Ye are the Branches.” In the centre light, over a beautifully finished head of the Saviour, a dove, emblematic of the Holy Spirit, descends, whilst this is surmounted by the ancient sign of the Trinity, the hexalpha or interlacement of two equilateral triangles. The appearance is very rich and splendid, if not gorgeous, and is highly creditable to the artists, Messrs. Ferguson and Urie. The side windows (seven on each side) are diamond-shaped, lead quarry lights, filled in with muffed glass, the borders being of stained glass of various tints …”

The Anglican Church Gazette, June 16, 1864.

“…A very beautiful Memorial Window has been lately erected in Christ Church, Kilmore. In its general construction it is, as intended, emblematical of sorrow, while a rich golden blue, particularly on a sombre day, pervades it. The centre piece is a light blue cross on a crimson ground, entwined by a wreath, on which is inscribed that well known sentence of the Bible, so comfortable to the Christian, “Blessed are the Dead that die in the Lord.” Over and under this are the family crest and coat of arms, elegantly and conspicuously finished.  Underneath is the following inscription annealed in the glass:- “Erected by Wm. Snow Clifton, in memory of his brother, Henry Clifton, who died June 21, 1853, aged 31 years, and was buried in the Kilmore Cemetery. ” The whole is enclosed by a handsome bordering of purple and crimson alternately, with dark leaves between, connected by golden stalks, which form the inner boundary of the border, the outer one being of green. The design and workmanship do great credit to the contractors , Messrs. Ferguson and Urie…”.

Note: There is no known gravestone for Henry Snow Clifton at the Kilmore General Cemetery.

Kilmore Free Press, Vic, Thursday 3rd March 1932, page 2.

(In reference to Christ church, Kilmore)

“…The first place of worship was a building of brick, but as the population was increasing it was deemed imperative that money should be raised to erect a building of much larger and more pretentious character, and the first incumbent the Rev, John Singleton was soon travelling many miles in interviewing squatters and people in outlying parts to collect the necessary money. Soon sufficient funds were in hand to warrant a start with the building which, it was anticipated, would cost some thousands of pounds stirling. The foundation stone was laid by Lord Bishop Perry on the 19th November 1857. The scarcity of funds, however, held up the work from time to time and it was not till 1864 that the church was finished when the Dean of Melbourne, the Rev. Dean Macartney preached the occasional sermon. A writer in the Church gazette of this day states that Christ Church is on an elevated position on the western hill and the style of architecture is English or Lanie of the latter part of the 12th or beginning of the 13th centuries. The architect was a Mr Rudt[1], who gratuitously gave his services. Later the work was carried out by Mr Flury [sic][2], a well known architect of Kilmore. Entering the church the beautiful stained glass windows erected to the memory of loved ones who sleep in that long last sleep command the attention. One is to William Clifton[3] and his brother Henry, the date on which is 1853. It is adorned with the family crest, and bears the motto “Tenez de Droit” [sic] – Hold the Right[4]. This is a very beautiful work of art, and is emblematic of sorrow. The centre piece is a light blue cross on a crimson ground enclosed by a wreath on which is inscribed and appropriate passage of scripture of scripture, and over and under this is the family crest and coat of arms. The designers were Messrs. Fergurson [sic][5] and Urie[6]. “

kilmore-christ-church-1920

The Chancel of Christ Church, Kilmore c.1920

William Snow Clifton and his brother Henry Clifton took up the “Arcadia” run[7] in 1848 which was an estimated 80,000 acres along the Goulburn River.

Foot notes:

[1] No record of an architect by the name of Rudt. Three architects were involved in Christ Church being W. Z. Perrot, Charles Kingk and James Fleury,

[2] James Fleury – Architect Sydney Street Kilmore.

[3] William Snow Clifton was the donor of the window. Commanding Officer of the Victorian Yeomanry Corps Melbourne circa 1856.

[4] “Tenez le Droit” – French – ‘Uphold the Right’. (The motto used by the Victorian Police Force to this day)

Apr 2 2012

1886: The History of Ayr Cottage, Leonard Street, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria.

In 1886 James Ferguson decided to build his family home, ‘Ayr Cottage’, on a block of land that he purchased some sixteen years earlier, on the 28th of June 1870, from a Mr Morton Moss.

James’s intention was to have the house built with the front facing Leonard Street, but this was objected to;

The Australasian, Melbourne, Vic, Saturday 13th February 1886, page 27.

“Inquiries were recently made by the Minister of lands with regard to an alleged violation of the conditions under which the Royal-park frontages to the Sydney-road were sold by the department for building purposes. When the fee-simple of the land was parted with, it was stipulated that he allotments should not be subdivided, and that all buildings should be erected fronting the Sydney-road. It was reported to the Minister that Mr. Jas. Ferguson, of Messrs. Ferguson and Urie, was building a house on the back portion of one of the allotments, with the front to a side street leading from Sydney-road to the park. Mr. Tucker, on inspecting the plans, formed the opinion that the conditions of sale were being violated, and the Inspector-General of Public Works, to whom the matter was referred, endorsed this view. Mr. Ferguson has expressed his willingness to alter the plans so as to comply with the conditions, which he states, however, were not mentioned on the certificate of title received by him from the original purchaser of the allotment.”

Despite the objections by the Minister of Lands, Ayr Cottage was still built facing Leonard Street.

The construction of Ayr Cottage began in the latter half of 1886 and was completed in early 1887 by architect and builder Harry Lording. (Lording’s son, Frank Clifford, was also employed as a glass stainer with Ferguson & Urie).

The stained glass windows in Ayr Cottage reflect the personal preference of James Ferguson as  well as elements of his Scottish heritage. His obvious deep affection for the Scottish bard, Robbie Burns, is immortalised by a detailed depiction of his bust in the stairwell window.

Photos have been updated 19th June 2013. The older historical photos are from family history collections.

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Unfortunately James Ferguson’s wife, Jane (nee Lawson), never got to see the magnificent home. She died on the 19th of April 1886 at the former family home at 24 Little Curzon Street North Melbourne which James had purchased in 1853.

As far as I can gather, only James Ferguson Snr and his bachelor son James Jnr, and mentally disabled daughter Margaret had moved into Ayr Cottage when it was completed in early 1887. I suspect there was possibly a house-keeper but this is unconfirmed. At some point later, James’ sister in-law, Barbara Kennedy (nee Lawson 1821-1902), moved in after her husband had died circa 1890.

After James Ferguson’s death in 1894, Ayr Cottage was sold to the Lockington family who retained it for seven years. In 1901 the Victorian Neglected Children’s Aid Society purchased it and they retained it for the next 65 years.

In 1966 the Victorian Neglected Children’s Aid Society had considered the building no longer economical to continue repairs and tabled the options of either demolishing the house and rebuilding, or selling and buying elsewhere. Fortunately they opted to sell and it was subsequently purchased by the adjoining “International House”, the University of Melbourne, who still own it as at 2012. It is now known as Hilda Stevenson House.

Ayr Cottage still contains many original stained glass windows by Ferguson & Urie that were obviously of James Ferguson’s personal preference with the feature stairwell window containing a medallion of the Scottish poet, Robbie Burns which I suspect may have been the work of apprentice George James Coates. The fanlight window above the main Leonard street entrance, and the eastern entrance doorway, contain a depiction of the Scottish Thistle with a Bee hovering above which is the Ferguson Clan motto; “Dulcius Ex Asperis” (Sweeter after difficulties).

The whole house contains an eclectic collection of stained glass which doesn’t seem to fit a particular theme in general. Some elements, such as the Robbie Burns window, and the bee hovering above the thistle have a right of way, but everything else appears random. Close inspection of various elements of the glass leads you to believe that James Ferguson’s windows comprise bits and pieces or leftovers from the workshops. There is practically every element of the company’s style depicted. Like the modern day Plumber who has his own house full of leaky pipes, the same principal seems to apply to the stained glass craftsman!

One of the photos in the slideshow of the stained glass windows depicts what appears to be a native bird, the ‘blue wren’. The background through my photo shows a modern 2013 city landscape and modern vehicles. What was the scene through that same window nearly 130 years ago?

Special thanks to Peter Cole, Deputy Head of College, International House, Parkville and Laurel Clark, Librarian/Archivist, International House, Parkville for the wealth of information and assistance they provided regards Ayr Cottage and it’s history.


 

Related posts:

08-10-1887: ‘Ayr Cottage’, 1 Leonard Street, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria.

01-01-1888: The Ferguson Clan at Ayr Cottage, Parkville.

20-04-1894: James Ferguson (1818-1894)

04-07-1901: The sale of Ayr Cottage, Parkville, Melbourne.

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Apr 1 2012

1885: The Linay Pavilion, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne.

The Alfred Hospital was the second public hospital to be built in Melbourne. It was designed by Charles Webb and opened in 1871 and named in honor of Queen Victoria’s son, Prince Alfred who had been the subject of an assassination attempt whilst visiting Sydney in 1869.

A generous benefactor to the Alfred Hospital was John Linay, an accountant/clerk with the Victorian Assurance Company from the time of his arrival in the Colony in 1853 until his retirement in 1875. Linay was a frugal bachelor described as being “abstemious in his habits” and lived in a modest four-roomed cottage in Fitzroy with his cousin James Firth. He seemed to have made most of his money by living a Spartan life and investing his money wisely in bank shares and minor interests in property. He died on the 1st of March 1883 whilst in Hobart and was buried in the Queensborough Sandy Bay cemetery in Hobart. In his will, he bequeathed an extraordinarily charitable amount of £11,000 each to the North Melbourne Benevolent Asylum (who erected their ‘Linay Wing’), the Alfred Hospital (who also erected a ‘Linnay Wing’), and the Melbourne Hospital in Swanston Street. The money bequeathed to the Alfred Hospital was used to build the ‘Linay Pavilion’ which opened on 6th April 1885. Only a portion of the Pavilion still exists (2012) which includes the two-story stairwell containing the huge Ferguson & Urie stained glass windows. Other nearby passageways, the chaplain’s room, and the chapel room also include stained glass windows by Ferguson & Urie.

Photos dated 14th January 2012.

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The first two historical old photos are from the State Library Collections and show the triple light window of the Linay Pavilion on the far right. The remaining colour photos were taken 14th Jan 2012 and 2nd April 2012. With the exception of the stairwell window and the bird scene in the door of the chaplains’ office, all other windows are artificially lighted from behind.

As you enter the chapel room, there is a brass plaque on the wall with the following text:

CHAPEL WINDOWS
COME, O BLESSED OF MY FATHER, INHERIT THE KINGDOM PREPARED FOR YOU FROM THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD; FOR I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU GAVE ME FOOD, I WAS THIRSTY AND YOU GAVE ME DRINK, I WAS A STRANGER AND YOU WELCOMED ME, I WAS NAKED AND YOU CLOTHED ME, I WAS SICK AND YOU VISITED ME, I WAS IN PRISON AND YOU CAME TO ME” MATTHEW 25:34-36.
THESE WINDOWS ARE FROM THE ORIGINAL ALFRED HOSPITAL BUILDING WHICH WAS COMPLETED IN 1870.”

In the chapel room there are five windows in a row suspended in wire frames with fluorescent back-lighting and a roll up blind in front to cover them (supposedly to cater  non christian religions) . Each of the windows represents one of the five biblical scenes as depicted on the brass plaque. Only three of the chapel windows could be correctly photographed as the last two in front of the Muslim prayer mats have unfortunately had the fluorescent lighting removed. The order of the windows doesn’t reflect the order mentioned on the plaque.

John Linay:

According to the probate documents for John Linay, his total estate was valued at £35,499 and 16s.9p, after expenses. Of that amount, £19487 consisted of Bank Shares, £13,000 in bank deposits, £2,231 in real state and the remainder in rents, interest, dividends and incidentals.

Apart from the bequests to the three institutions, his cousin James Firth, who he had been living with at his Prince’s Street Fitzroy cottage, was left a mere £188. Other legatees, mostly his cousins, and the Hobart hospital, were left varying individual amounts under £100 each. His sole executor, the Rev Charles Strong received an amount under £100 plus additional expenses as the executor. The only personal item specified in his will was a silver watch he bequeathed to a Hannah Jamison.

John Linay was buried in the Queensborough Sandy Bay Cemetery at Hobart (which no longer exists). It served as the southern suburbs cemetery in Hobart, opening in 1873 and closed for burials in 1923. The area was cleared between 1960-63 to allow for the extension of Churchill Ave and development of Hutchins School. Headstones and human remains were re-located to the Cornelian Bay cemetery and re-erected in a special section. John Linay’s name and initial appears on one of the stainless steel plaques commemorating those whose graves were moved. Some headstones still remain at Sandy Bay and form a small memorial park. John Linay’s will included an amount of £71 for his cemetery monument but it’s not known whether this was relocated or even still exists.

The Australasian Sketcher, Melbourne, Monday 4th June 1883, page 111.

LINAY.- On the 13th inst.[sic: 1 May 1883], at Hobart, John Linay, of 4 Prince’s-street, Fitzroy, formerly accountant of Victoria Insurance Company, Melbourne, aged 62 years.

The Mercury, Hobart, Tasmania, Saturday 5th May 1883, page 4.

LINAY.- On May 1, at No.111, Collins-street [Note: Hobart], John Linay, of Fitzroy, Melbourne, formerly accountant of the Victoria Insurance Company, Melbourne, aged 62 years

The Argus, Melbourne, Wednesday 27th June 1883, page 5

“A very liberal bequest to Melbourne charities has been made by a Mr. John Linay, who recently died suddenly at Hobart, while on a short visit to Tasmania for the benefit of his health. It has been ascertained that the value of his estate amounted to no less a sum than £34,000. With the exception of about £1,000, bequeathed to his relatives in Scotland, the whole of his estate has been left to charitable institutions. The deceased arrived in Victoria in 1853, and was from that time until 1875 employed as a clerk in the Victoria Insurance Company’s office. He was unmarried, and of abstemious habits, but the very large amount of his bequest was quite a surprise. He has appointed the Rev. Charles Strong as his sole executor. The late Mr. Linay retired from Victoria Company’s office in 1875, and has since then lived a retired life in Melbourne, except during a short visit to London in the year 1876”.

South Australian Register, Adelaide, SA, Thursday 28th June 1883, page 6.

“A MUNIFICENT BEQUEST

[By Telegraph] Melbourne, June 27.

“Very substantial bequests have been made to several Melbourne charities by John Linay, who recently died at Hobart, whilst visiting Tasmania for the benefit of his health. The extent of his wealth has proved to be a great surprise even to his relatives. The value of his property is sworn under £35,499. By his will he directs that £100 should be given to the Rev. Charles Strong, his sole executor, and £50 to a charitable institution at Hobart. He leaves £100 each to six cousins in Scotland and £200 to a cousin in Fitzroy, with whom he lived during the past twenty-three years. The remainder of the money – £34,499 – he wishes to be divided equally between the Melbourne Hospital, the Alfred Hospital, and the Benevolent Asylum. Linay, who was very abstemious in his habits, arrived in Melbourne in 1853, and from that time until 1875 was employed as a clerk in the Victorian Insurance Company’s office”.

The Argus, Melbourne, Tuesday 3rd July 1883, page 10.

“THE LINAY BEQUEST AND THE MELBOURNE HOSPITAL.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS.

Sir, – A few days ago it was announced in your columns that Mr. John Linay, who died recently in Hobart, had bequeathed nearly £34,500 to the Melbourne charities, this sum being divided equally between the Melbourne Hospital, Alfred Hospital, and the Benevolent Asylum. Each institution will therefore receive £11,500, and the question at once arises whether this sum should be converted into a permanent endowment of be devoted to the building funds. In the case of the Melbourne Hospital no doubt should exist; the agitation in favour of entire removal of the institution from the centre of the city has apparently been abandoned, but the necessity for partial reconstruction and general improvement becomes therefore undeniable. The central block of buildings has been unanimously condemned as radically and unalterably bad; the wards within it cannot be effectively ventilated; some of them are almost if not altogether untouched by the sun from year’s end to year’s end; they are approached only by winding staircases, and they communicate in most cases directly with closets whose defects are even more glaring than their own. The central block, therefore, should certainly come down, and its place should be taken by new pavilions, built with proper regard to sanitary requirements; the recognised faults in the existing pavilions should be corrected; the present wretched mortuary should give way to something a little less grossly defective; and detached quarters should be provided for the resident medical staff and for the whole administrative department. The present committee of management appears to be sweetness and light compared with that of time gone by, yet no watchfulness on its part, no precautions about cleanliness, no vigorous use of antiseptics, can atone for radical faults in the buildings themselves. Therefore I would urge that the present opportunity should not be passed by. Permanent endowment must yield to present needs. Let this 11,500, supplemented by Government aid and public liberality, be devoted to the reorganisation of the hospital on a sound sanitary basis, and then assuredly a charity so noble will not lack the funds necessary for its support.
– Yours, &c., MEDICUS, June 30”.

The Argus, Melbourne, Friday 11th May 1883, page 8.

“IN the SUPREME COURT of the COLONY of VICTORIA: In its Probate Jurisdiction.- In the will of JOHN LINAY, FORMERLY OF Fitzroy, near the City of Melbourne, in the Colony of Victoria, but late of Hobart, in the Colony of Tasmania, Gentleman, Deceased.- Notice is hereby given, that after the expiration of fourteen days from the publication hereof application will be made to the Supreme Court of the colony of Victoria, in its Probate jurisdiction, that PROBATE of the LAST WILL and TESTAMENT of the above named John Linay, deceased, may be granted to the Reverend Charles Strong, of Number 91 Collins street east, in the city of Melbourne, in the said colony of Victoria, Presbyterian minister, the sole executor named in and appointed by the said will.
Dated this eleventh day of May, A.D. 1883.
THOMAS JAMES WYBURN, 45 Elizabeth-street, Melbourne, proctor for the said Reverend Charles Strong”.

Note:

Probate for John Linay was granted on the 28th June 1883.

There were a number of articles written that refer to the benefactor of the Linay wing as the timber merchant named John Linay. These are all incorrect and there is no known direct relationship to the real benefactor, John Linay,  the “abstemious” accountant, to the Timber Merchant John Hay Linay who died in 1906.

Documents from the Heritage Council Registration Committee Hearing held on 9 March 2012 incorrectly states (at para 57) that “John Linay, a Prahran timber merchant who made a bequest in 1883 that funded the construction of the building…” Attachment 2 of the document also repeats the same incorrect information.

The North Melbourne Benevolent Asylum also used their portion of the Linay bequest to build the “Linay Wing” of the Asylum. The Asylum was eventually demolished by Whelan the Wrecker in 1911. Although the Ferguson & Urie stained glass workshops in Curzon Street were diagonally opposite the location of the Asylum, there has been no evidence found to date that any of their stained glass windows were installed there.

Short link to this page: https://wp.me/p28nLD-Bm

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Apr 1 2012

1872: The ‘Glenferrie’ window at the Melbourne Museum

Web Site, Museum Victoria, Window – Stained Glass, Ferguson & Urie, circa 1872, Reg. No: HT 521, accessed 1st Apr 2012.

“Stained glass window made for ‘Glenferrie’, Malvern, the residence of James Fergusson, a Melbourne manufacturing stationer and member of the Legislative Assembly, and Shire President 1871-72.’Glenferrie’ was a two-storey mansion with fourteen rooms and extensive grounds. Its land extended from Glenferrie Rd and Toorak Rds to the far side of the railway line. In 1903 the estate was subdivided, and the house was called Zeerust by a subsequent owner. The style of the window strongly indicates it was locally made by Ferguson & Urie, the main stained-glass manufacturers in Melbourne from the early 1860s to the 1890s. Following the demolition of Glenferrie in 1954, the window was purchased by a local resident, and subsequently installed in a modern home in the 1970s in Mernda Road, Kooyong”.

“A large leaded and stained glass window, 3.5 metres by 2 metres, attributed to Melbourne stained glass manufacturers Ferguson and Urie; dated c. 1872. Three tall panels, with three small panels above, which show a kangaroo and emu on either side of an early Australian coat of arms. Pride of place in the liddle [sic] window is given to the Fergusson Blazon of Arms, with three boars heads and a buckle. There are six hand-painted vignettes showing aspects of Victorian industry: shipping, farming, pastoral, printing, mining and railways. There are two female figures representing Agriculture and Commerce. Images of thistles, roses and the shamrock represent respectively Scotland, England and Ireland. All panels are bordered by a climbing floral pattern which is entwined around a gold covered rod”. –  MUSEUM VICTORIA STAFF WRITER

Dr. Richard Gillespie, curator of the  Melbourne Museum, talks about the ‘Glenferrie’ stained glass window.

(in-line link to Youtube video posted by the Melbourne Museum)

Photos taken 10 May 2011: (The window was extremely hard to photograph as it’s mounted in its own protective glass frame which causes a lot of reflection).

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Related posts: 18-08-1951: Zeerust/Glenferrie Mansion, Malvern, Victoria.

Short link to this page: https://wp.me/p28nLD-AS

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Feb 25 2012

19-08-1870: Immaculate Conception Church, Hawthorn, Melbourne, Victoria.

South Bourke Standard, Friday 19th August 1870. page 2.

“A meeting of the Catholics of Hawthorn was held in the church of the Immaculate Conception on Sunday last, for the purpose of alloting the eight stained glass windows to those parishioners who had volunteered subscriptions for their purchase. The Rev. Edward Nolan, S. J., occupied the chair, and the windows were alotted as follows:-1. “The Annunciation”, Hon. J. O’Shanassy, M.L.C.; 2. Marriage of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph, Robert Hepburn, Esq.; 3. Nativity, and Adoration of the Magi, Hon. M. O’Grady, M.L.A.; 4. The visitation, John McDonald, Esq.; 5. The flight into Egypt, Michael Lynch, Esq.; 6. The Carrying of the Cross, Mrs. Walsh and Mrs. Norton; 7. Crucifixion, Wm. Henry Archer, Esq.; 8. Entombment and Taking Down from the Cross, Mrs. Conran, and Mrs. E. J. Prevot, per Hon . M. O’Grady. The reverend chairman received warm congratulations from his flock on his return from New Zealand invigorated with renewed health”.

The slideshow of the windows has been arranged in order as per below:

1.”The Annunciation“, Hon. J. O’Shannassy, M.L.C.
2.”The Marriage of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Joseph“, Robert Hepburn, Esq.
3.”Nativity and Adoration of the Magi“, Hon. M. O’Grady, M.L.A.
4.”The Visitation“, John McDonald, Esq.
5. “The Flight into Egypt“, Michael Lynch, Esq. [1]
6. “The Carrying of the Cross“, Mrs Walsh and Mrs Norton  [2]
7. “Crucifixion“, Wm. Henry Archer, Esq
8. “Entombment and Taking Down from the Cross“, Mrs. Conran and Mrs. E.J. Prevot,, per Hon. M. O’Grady.

All eight windows were created by Ferguson & Urie. There are 42 photos in this slideshow showing various detailed close-ups. The links above (1 to 8) will display the main window image on it’s own.

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Related posts: 11-10-1869

[1] Michael Lynch was the builder of Grace Park House in Hawthorn. In the 1860s he donated the land on the corner of Burwood road and Glenferrie road to the Catholic Church for the purpose of constructing the Immaculate Conception church. Inside the church are two memorials to the family, a small plaque the front of the church and the stained glass window “The Flight into Egypt” on the left as you go in the main entrance.

[2] The window “The Carrying of the Cross”, actually has the names Scott & Norton on it and not Walsh and Norton.

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