Tag Archives: Stained Glass

Apr 5 2012

05-01-1889: St John’s Anglican Church, Port Fairy, Victoria, Australia.

St John’s Anglican Church in Port Fairy was designed by Nathaniel Billing and was built of bluestone between 1854‐1856. It was supposedly the first church in Victoria with a full chancel. The two largest stained glass windows were made by Ferguson & Urie of North Melbourne.

Photos were taken 7th Jan 2011.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Australian Town and Country Journal, NSW, Saturday 5th January 1889, page 26.

“… the Anglican Church, with its ivy-clad walls, presents a picturesque appearance. The interior is beautified by a splendid stained glass memorial window, representing Faith, Hope, and Charity. This was presented by Mr. A. H. Knight, of Koorongah, in memory of his wife, who died in England in 1886. The chancel window displays most artistic workmanship, and was the gift of Mr. Lydiard. The church is substantially constructed of bluestone, and was erected as a cost of £14,000…”

The Lydiard memorial window:

The three light chancel window is a memorial to Cecilia Lydiard (nee Wooldridge 1848-1871). She was the daughter of Henry Wooldridge and Sarah Anne Buckland and died at the age of 31 in Belfast (Port Fairy) in 1871. The centre light of the stained glass chancel window has the memorial text:  “IN MEMORY OF CECILIA WIFE OF G. LYDIARD”.

George Fletcher Lydiard (1833-1925) was the son of Admiral George William Charles Lydiard (R.N) and Mary Sturt. After Cecilia’s death George married Adelaide Frances Campbell (1856-1901) on the 2nd August 1877[1]. In 1877 George Lydiard was unanimously elected as president of the shire of Belfast (Port Fairy)[2] and re-elected in 1878[3]. He was also appointed Vice President of Belfast Farmers Union 11th October 1879[4]. Lydiard was also a long-time friend and business partner of Andrew Halley Knight (see below) in the Koorongah Estate sheep station and in 1881 it was Knight, whilst in England, who relayed to Lydiard his findings, for a cure of Lungworm in Sheep and subsequently the estate was one of the first in Victoria to install a Carbolic acid fumigating room for the treatment[5]. G. F. Lydiard died at Euroa in 1925[6] aged 93.

The Knight Memorial window: c.1887.

The three light stained glass window of Faith Hope & Charity is a memorial to Elizabeth Hawkins Knight (nee Grylls, 1827-1886) and possibly made c. 1887.

The lower edge of the window can’t be seen to ascertain if there is any text but the subject of the memorial was Elizabeth Hawkins Knight (nee Grylls, 1827-1886) who was the daughter of the Rev John Crouch Grylls of Sydney and Sarah Richards. She married Andrew Halley Knight at St James Cathedral in Melbourne on 22 Aug 1848[7]. Her husband, Andrew Halley Knight (1813-1904), had arrived in Port Phillip from Edinburgh in 1838 and started business as ‘Alison & Knight’ merchants in Collins Street Melbourne. He owned extensive sheep runs around Kalkallo and Koorongah Estate near Port Fairly. After Elizabeth died in England in December 1886 he then married Ada Jane Atwood (1847-1941)[8] in Sussex in 1888.  A. H. Knight died at Croydon on the 6th July 1904.

Footnotes:

[6] Victorian Births, Deaths & Marriages (Vic BDM): 5153/1925

[7] The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River General Advertiser, NSW, Saturday 9 September 1848, page3.

[8] Vic BDM: 8703/1941, Ada Jane Halley Knight, died Toorak, age 94 in 1941.

Short link to this page: http://wp.me/p28nLD-FI

© Copyright

Apr 5 2012

10-03-1888: The 1888 Ferguson & Urie Employee Dinner.

North Melbourne Advertiser, Saturday 10th March 1888, page 2

“Messrs. Ferguson and Urie gave their Annual Dinner to their employės in the North Melbourne Town Hall, last evening, when a most enjoyable time was spent, and a number of songs and recitations were indulged in. One of he principal toasts was the health of Mr. William Urie, who with his uncle, Mr, John Yeaman, leaves by the R.M.S. Victoria to-day, on a nine months trip to the old country. A full report will appear in our next issue.”

 

Related pages: (Full transcriptions of the dinners).

The 1886 Employee Dinner
The 1887 Employee Dinner
The 1888 Employee Dinner

Apr 4 2012

31-01-1888: The fire at the Ferguson & Urie Yarra Bank workshops.

In the early hours of the 31st of January 1888 a fire broke out at the rear of Glover & Co’s foundry in Normanby-road, Yarra Bank (now South Melbourne) which in turn destroyed the adjoining Ferguson & Urie glass store. Reports of the fire were published in the Brisbane Courier, Sydney Morning Herald and Hobart Mercury tabloids. Despite the building being insured the company decided not to re-build the workshop and no longer had any presence in South Melbourne.

The Argus, Melbourne, Tuesday 31st January 1888, page 7.

“FIRE AT YARRA BANK SOUTH”.

“A destructive fire broke out early this morning in the factory of Messrs. Ferguson and Urie, glass stainers and importers of plate and sheet window-glass, Normanby-road, Yarra-bank south, which resulted in the destruction of the greater part of the premises. The flames also extended to the premises of Messrs. Wm. Glover and Co, iron-founders, where a considerable amount of damage was caused. The boats were removed from the yard of Mr. James Cowan, shipwright, but no damage was done to the buildings. At two o’clock the fire had got a firm hold of Ferguson and Urie’s, and the rear portion of the premises was completely gutted. Several fire brigades had arrived on the scene, and were playing freely on the burning buildings. It is not at present known how the fire began. Shortly after half-past 2 o’clock a second fire engine was brought to the scene, and the fire, although still burning, was thought to be in no danger of spreading further”.

The image of the Yarra Bank workshop below is a subset taken from the June 1887 company dinner photos.

Ferguson & Urie Yarra Bank Store 1887

Ferguson & Urie Yarra Bank Store, June 1887

The Argus, Melbourne, 1st February 1888, page 8 & The Mercury, Hobart, Friday 3rd February 1888.

“SERIOUS FIRE ON YARRA BANK SOUTH, DAMAGE ESTIMATED AT £8,500.

“No explanation has yet been found for the origin of the fire which occurred early on Tuesday morning at the store of Messrs. Ferguson and Urie, Normanby-road, on Yarra bank, and a report of which appeared in a late edition of The Argus yesterday. It is believed by some persons, including members of the fire brigade, that it originated in the rear corner of Messrs. Glover and Co.’s foundry adjoining the glass store. But, on the other hand, Messrs. Glover and Co. state that a watchman was on their premises who declares that the fire was burning in Messrs. Ferguson and Urie’s store.”

Short link to this page: http://wp.me/p28nLD-F2

© Copyright

Apr 4 2012

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

On the new years day in 1888 the Ferguson family clan assembled at James Ferguson’s ‘Ayr Cottage’ in Leonard street Royal Park (now Parkville) for festivities and a family photo.

The first photo shows the front of the house from Leonard street with eight of the family members out front and the second photos is of of the entire family on the east side of the house with James Ferguson in the centre with grey hair and bow tie.

The family photo was kindly contributed by Errol Vincent from New Zealand and he and his wife Ann also assisted with the extensive identification of all the family members in the photo.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Related posts:

1886: The History of ‘Ayr’ Cottage, 1 Leonard St. Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria.

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

18-04-1894: James Ferguson (1818-1894)

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

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

© Copyright

Apr 3 2012

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

The North Melbourne Advertiser, Saturday 8th October 1887, page 2.

“Mr. Harry Lording the well known local architect and builder, announces in our advertising columns that he has removed to a more central office at 18 Errol street near Victoria street. Mr. Lording’s works are characterized by good taste and boldness of design, one of his best efforts being the residence of Mr. James Ferguson at Royal Park. The Pavilion at the Recreation Reserve is another construction that will bear inspection, and proves the architect possesses considerable ability as a good designer and economical arranger.”

James Ferguson’s home “Ayr Cottage” at 1 Leonard Street Parkville (formerly Royal Park) still exists to this day. In 1901 it was purchased by the Victorian Children’s Aid Society and in 1966 changed into the hands of International House, the University of Melbourne, who still own it as at 2014.

Coincidentally, the architect/builder of ‘Ayr Cottage’, Harry Lording, had a son named Frank Clifford Lording (1860-1944) who was an apprentice of the Ferguson & Urie stained glass company.

Significant research detail on the history of Ayr Cottage can be seen via the links at the bottom of this page.

Ayr Cottage, 1st January 1888, Royal Park, Melbourne.

Ayr Cottage 2009

Related posts:

1886: The History of ‘Ayr’ Cottage, 1 Leonard St. Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria.

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

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

 

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

© Copyright

Apr 3 2012

25-06-1887: The 1887 Ferguson & Urie Employee Dinner.

The North Melbourne Advertiser, Saturday 25th June 1887, Page 3

“MESSRS FERGUSON AND URIE’S DINNER TO THEIR EMPLOYEES.”

The 1887 Employee dinner was probably one of the most significant occasions in the company history as there is some magnificent pictorial evidence. Two significant historical photos were discussed at the beginning of the dinner and copies of both still exist.

The first photo mentioned was the portrait of James Ferguson and James Urie together and the second one was a large poster collage of James Ferguson & James Urie in the centre surrounded by 29 photos of the employees of the time and the three business premises at Collins Street Melbourne, Curzon Street North Melbourne and Yarra Bank South (which burnt down on the 31st Jan 1888).

The full transcription of the evenings proceeds can be seen here: The 1887 Employee Dinner

The magnificent 1887 employee poster was kindly provided via Mrs. Noelle Nathan from the James Urie family line, 17th Apr 2011 and the James Ferguson & James Urie portrait is from my family history collections.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

Related pages:

1886: The 1886 Employee Dinner
1887: The 1887 Employee Dinner
1888: The 1888 Employee Dinner

Apr 3 2012

19-04-1886: Jane Ferguson (nee Lawson) (1820-1886)

Jane Williamson Lawson (1820-1886) was the eldest daughter of Gavin Lawson and Margaret Williamson of Ayrshire Scotland. At the age of 21 Jane married Master Slater and Glazier James Ferguson (1818-1894) on the 13th June 1841 in St Quivox, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Between 1842 and 1852 James and Jane had five children; Margaret (mentally disabled from birth) born 1842, Janet Kay 1844, Jane Williamson 1846, Marion 1948, James 1851 (died as an infant) and Antonia Wallace in 1852.

On the 12th December 1852, her husband James and his younger brother David departed Greenock, Scotland,  aboard the “Tamerlane” bound for Melbourne, Australia. A very patient Jane would wait in the “old country” for three years with the children whilst James established the business in Melbourne with his business partner James Urie.

In November 1855 Jane and the five girls arrived in Port Melbourne aboard the “Emma”. A further three children were born in Melbourne; Barbara in 1856, Sarah Campbell in 1859 and James Jnr in 1861.

In 1886 James had his two storey gothic design house built  in Leonard street Parkville by local architect Harry Lording, but Jane would never step foot in.

Jane died on the 17th of April 1886 and  James would eventually move into the Parkville mansion as a widower, accompanied by his bachelor son James Jnr, and eldest mentally disabled daughter, Margaret.

Photos from the family history collection.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The Argus, Melbourne, Monday 19th April 1886, page 1.

“FERGUSON – On the 17th inst, at her residence, 24 Little Curzon-street, Hotham, Jane, the dearly beloved wife of Mr. James Ferguson, aged 66 years”.

“THE Friends of Mr. JAMES FERGUSON, of Ferguson and Urie, are respectfully invited to follow the remains of his late beloved wife, Jane, to the place of interment in the Melbourne General Cemetery. The funeral will leave his residence, 24 Curzon street, Hotham, at half-past 4 o’clock, THIS DAY. ALFRED ALLISON, undertaker, 40 Victoria-street west, Melbourne”.

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.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

[View larger images]

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.

Short link to this page: http://wp.me/p28nLD-DP

© Copyright

Apr 1 2012

16-04-1886: The 1886 Ferguson & Urie Employee Dinner.

There was a consecutive three year period where the Ferguson & Urie company held annual dinners for their employees, between 1886 and 1888. Each occasion was extremely well documented in the North Melbourne Advertiser which wrote in extraordinary detail of the evenings festivities. Each of these historic events is a truly remarkable account of the Ferguson & Urie company history.

Each dinner was held in the “Hotham Mechanics Institute” which was part of the North Melbourne Town Hall. When North Melbourne merged with the Melbourne City Council  in 1905, it was no longer officially the Town Hall and the building now hosts the North Melbourne Post Office, the Arts House, Conference and Events, and a number of small businesses at the street level.

The first Ferguson & Urie company dinner was held  on the 9th of April 1886, and the evenings festivities were documented in, “The North Melbourne Advertiser, Friday 16th April 1886″, which published an article titled  “A PLEASANT GATHERING”.

To read the full transcript of the dinner see: The 1886 Employee Dinner

Photos of the North Melbourne Town Hall dated 13th Nov 2011.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

For a full transcription of the other dinners see:

The 1887 Employee Dinner
The 1888 Employee Dinner

Short link to this page: https://wp.me/p28nLD-D6

© Copyright

 

Apr 1 2012

09-01-1886: Advertisement, 10 Collins Street.

The Argus, Melbourne, Saturday 9th Jan 1886, page 8.

An advertisement appeared in the Argus for about two weeks on January 1886:

“TO LET, for one or four years, from the 1st February next, MUNRO and BAILLIEU’S PREMISES, 10 Collins-street east. Part of Ferguson and Urie’s buildings, and next to the National Bank. Full particulars upon application.”

This particular family line of “Baillieu” has a long Victorian historical history and to the Victorian Parliamentary Premier, Ted Baillieu (as at 2011).