Parramatta Post Office - a history

The Joint Stock Bank and Post Office in Church Street, Parramatta, circa 1930

The first post office was opened in Australia in April 1809 but it took nearly twenty years before the first post office was built in Parramatta, in 1828.

The first post master in Parramatta was James Orr, who carried out his business from a hole in the wall at the back of the Court House.  Orr also hired a postie to deliver letters around Parramatta, and postage was paid at the time of delivery.

MURRAY BROTHERS - Part 2

The three storey Church Street Murray Bros building that soared above surrounding businesses

In 1889, five years after the brothers' amalgamation, a towering new edifice arose, at a cost of 10,000 pounds, on the site of the Murray Bros store, signalling the arrival of the town's first shopping emporium.  A range of household items were sold including furniture and furnishings, crockery, pianos, organs, clothes and jams. In the 1890s Murray Brothers received a Certificate of Merit for colonial made furniture from the Royal Agriculture Society.

During 1903 Murray Brothers was divided into two companies, Murray Bros Ltd. and Murray's Limited, maintaining separate but adjacent businesses.  Drapery and furniture was under the control of Murray Brothers and the hardware section under the control of Murray's Limited.  W. R. Murray became sole proprietor of Murray Bros.  The plumbing section was taken over by T. H. Harvey and E. N. Murray and became Harvey and Sons Pty. Ltd.

The Murray's Ltd store next to the Town Hall, erected in 1926

In 1923 fire guttered the furniture factory at the rear of the Church Street store damaging stores of furniture and expensive cabinet making machinery. The damage bill ran into many thousands of pounds.

Two new stores were built in 1926. A Murray Bros store was built on the north west corner of Church and Macquarie Streets on the former site of the National School.  A Murray's Ltd store, which sold hardware, was constructed on the northern side of the Town Hall facing Macquarie Street. All three buildings still stand to this day. 

During the Second World War Murray Brothers donated 1000 pounds to the war effort. 

The Murray Bros store built in 1926, corner of Church and Macquarie Streets

In 1947, Murray Brothers manufactured their last consignment of Blind and Curtain.  Also that year the business was purchased by Burns Philp and Co. Ltd.

Murray Brothers in August 1958 expanded at the rear of their store, constructing a four storey building with a Marsden Street frontage.  

Murray Brothers purchased the land the Murray Bros store was erected on from the Church of England for 250,000 pounds in May 1954.  The store was built on the site while the land was still under the lease from the Church.

Murray Bros were a regular participant in Foundation Week parades

Murray Brothers became Parramatta’s oldest and highly respected departmental store with a policy of supplying the needs of residents in and around Parramatta. In 1978, Murray Brothers closed their doors, after 102 years of trading in Parramatta.  

References:

• T Kass, C Liston and John McClymont, Parramatta: A Past Revealed, Parramatta City Council, Parramatta, 1996

• Murray Brothers, Vertical File, Local Studies and Family History Library, Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre

• Photos from , Local Studies and Family History Library, Parramatta Heritage and Visitor Information Centre

• http://trove.nla.gov.au

• http://dictionaryofsydney.org/entry/parramatta

Neera Sahni, Research Services Leader, Parramatta Council Heritage Centre, 2014

MURRAY BROTHERS - Part 1

J.H. Murray came to Australia in 1856 and ten years later was teaching at the National School in Parramatta.  On 29^th April 1876, his son E. N. Murray, opened a small hardware business in Church Street Parramatta. In 1877 his brother William Richard acquired Charles Tuke’s general store next door.  In this store you could buy ... Pianofortes and American Organs on easy terms and sewing machines on time payment, no interest. 

World War One - Red Cross Society, Parramatta Branch

Joseph and Mary Cook at a stone laying ceremony commemorating the 125th anniversary of Government House in Parramatta, Nov 1913.  Source: National Archives of Australia http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/scripts/Imagine.asp?B=3056562

The Australian Red Cross was established in 1914 by Lady Helen Munro Ferguson when she formed a branch of the British Red Cross.  The Parramatta branch was formed in early 1915 when a meeting was called in the local newspaper.

Source: The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate, 6 February 1915, page 12 http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/86095924

Many prominent people were involved in organising assistance for the war effort.  Mary Cook, wife of Joseph Cook (Prime Minister 1913-1914 and Leader of the Opposition 1914-1917)  was very active in the Red Cross and in Cook’s electorate of Parramatta.  She was elected President of the Parramatta Red Cross at the inaugral meeting, and continued to be active throughout the war and afterwards.

Parramatta Gasworks and the Australian Gas Light Company

Parramatta Gasworks

The Australian Gas Light Company was established by private interests in New South Wales on 7 September 1837 to light the streets of Sydney with coal gas.  This is Australia’s second oldest company to be listed on Australian Stock Exchange. Australian Gas Light Company has expanded businesses in all Australian states, as well as in Chile, China and Poland. The lights were turned on in 24 May 1841 to celebrate the birthday of Queen Victoria. Within next two years there were 165 gas lamps in the city - 14 Government lights, 11 Corporation lamps, 106 Publicans’ lights, and 34 Private lamps.

Boer War Memorial, Parramatta Park, 1904, by W. Hanson

Soldiers' Memorial, Parramatta Park, photographer unknown, 1904-1950, Parramatta Heritage Centre, LSOP00438

The Memorial to Parramatta’s involvement in the South African Boer War was unveiled 30 April 1904, by the Colonel James Burns, and Alderman William Noller along with J. Arundel and Walter Gates. 

Present at the ceremonies were Colonel Cox, who would ten years later garner even more fame in Palestine during World War One, Major Hiillard of the Lancer Regiment, Captain’s Mackenzie, Guyot and Dr. G. E. Rundle (father of the late Captain W. J. S. Rundle, of King’s School. Also there was the Honorable Joseph Cook and between four and five hundred public school cadets under Major Dove.

Annual Meeting of the Aborigines at Parramatta

Earle, Augustus, 1793-1838.

The annual meeting of the Aboriginal tribes at Parramatta, New South Wales, the Governor meeting them [picture]

[1826?] 1 watercolour ; 17.1 x 26 cm. (National Library of Australia)

On the 28 December 1814 Governor Macquarie organised a meeting with local tribes at Parramatta to discuss the enrollment of children in a newly formed "Asylum for Native Children". At one o'clock Macquarie and his wife, accompanied by a number of civil and military officers, arrived at the market place adjacent to St John's Cathedral. After talking for an hour to overcome the suspicions of the local aborigines three children were finally yielded up to the project and a meal of roast beef and ale was provided to those in attendance.   

Wine, Tabacco, and Maize, 1791, Schaeffer's Farm, Parramatta

A later view of the original site of Schaeffer's farm showing 'Subiaco'

December 7, 1791, ... Went to Schaeffer’s farm. [see history of this site] I found him at home, conversed with him, and walked with him over all his cultivated ground. He had one hundred and forty acres granted to him, fourteen of which are in cultivation, twelve in maize, one in wheat, and one in vines and tobacco. He has besides twenty-three acres, on which the trees are cut down, but not burnt off the land. He resigned his appointment, and began his farm last May; and had at first five convicts to assist him: he has now four. All his maize, except 3 acres, is mean.

Old Church Street, Parramatta (Part 3), by James Jervis, Parramatta Historical Society.

Old Church Street Parramatta, from early etching

… a continuation from Part 2

The section at the south-eastern corner of Church and Phillip Streets was granted to Captain Phillip P. King on June 30, 1823. A substantial cottage stood on this site hence the issue of a grant. On July 31, 1823 this building was advertised as to let. It was then said to be occupied by the Rev Thomas Hassall, son of Rowland Hassall. The property was advertised as for sale in the "Herald" of March 15, 1838, and it was then occupied by Dr. Bute Stewart, a well-known medical man of early Parramatta.

Old Church Street, Parramatta (Part 2), by James Jervis, Parramatta Historical Society

Sketch of courthouse and St Andrew's Church, west side Church Street, Parramatta Heritage Centre, LS00164

… a continuation from Part 1

Between George and Macquarie Streets stood the old Court House, the old building used as a school by John Tull, and at the Macquarie Street corner the house in which the Rev. S. Marsden lived, and later the school of John Eyre. Across the road was the land now occupied as a park, then came the church.

At the north-western corner of Church and Argyle Streets Hughes had a lease in 1823. The railway line is built over a portion of this land. In 1830, one, Hugh Hughes, had an inn known as "The Golden Lion”, which doubtless stood on this site, as the land was granted to the, individual mentioned. 

Old Church Street Parramatta, (Part 1), by James Jervis, Parramatta Historical Society

Old Church Street Parramatta, from early etching

Let us walk, in imagination, along Church Street in it’s early convict period. Reference has already been made to the huts erected for the women and for married convicts. They probably lay between George Street and the river. Between George and Macquarie Streets, on the eastern side, stood a number of buildings owned by the Crown. Near the George Street corner there was a barrack, erected either by Governor Phillip or Governor Hunter, which was demolished in 1818. On the southern side of this building the barrack of the Superintendent of Stock stood, but it also was demolished prior to 1823.

Ghostly Tales of Parramatta

Murray Brothers store windows, George Street, about 1930

Parramatta Heritage Centre Collections, LSOP 572

Come on, ye lads and lasses;
Come on ye civic host,
Let's form ourselves in masses
And lay low Murray's Ghost,
Let's catch this weird specter,
With hideous grin and yawn,
That no longer he may hector
In the midnight and the dawn.

John Irving - Australia's first emancipated convict

Parramatta River looking towards the land once owned by John Irving, photo Neil McGrath, c.2005

John Irving was Australia’s first emancipated convict who made his home in Parramatta.  He was born in 1760 and arrived in Australia on the 26^th January 1788, on the convict ship Lady Penrhyn.  He was convicted of larceny at Lincoln, England in 1784 and sentenced to transportation for seven years.  Apparently, Irving had medical training and the literature indicates that he had been recommended to assist the surgeons on his voyage to Australia.  This seems to be supported by the fact that he was employed immediately upon his arrival to assist the hospital surgeon at Port Jackson.  On 28^th February 1790, Governor Arthur Phillip appointed him Assistant Surgeon on Norfolk Island.  The remainder of his sentence was remitted resulting in John Irving being the first convict to be emancipated.

In 1791, Irving was posted to Parramatta where he assisted the surgeon Thomas Arndell.  On 22^nd February 1792, he was granted thirty acres of land on the north side of the Parramatta River.  During this time, while assisting Surgeon Arndell, he was involved in the building of the new brick hospital. 

The Parramatta Volunteer Fire Brigade

Parramatta Volunteer Fire Brigade, 1871, mla5743165h3

The Parramatta Volunteer Fire (PVF) Brigade was formed in 1859 at the instigation of Mr. Menser, who went on to become its first Treasurer. The Empire from November 1860 contained the following article on the PVF’s formation by a Mr. Shackles … it will be remembered that on the 17th October, I859, some fourteen or fifteen gentlemen met together at the Union. Inn kept at that time by Mr Nathaniel Payne for the purpose of taking the necessary steps for forming themselves into a volunteer fire company, for the protection of life and property in this town.

Lennox Bridge, Parramatta, 1836-1839

Lennox Bridge, looking south down Church Street,
Parramatta Council Heritage Centre Collection

David Lennox was born in Ayr, Scotland, and was trained as a stonemason. He was experienced in bridge 

building under the famous engineer Thomas Telford having worked on a stone bridge across the Severn in 

Gloucester and the Menai suspension bridge in north-west Wales. After the death of his wife, he sought 

employment in the colony arriving as an unassisted migrant in 1832. His talents were soon recognised and he 

was appointed as Superintendent of Bridges; became the first skilled bridge builder on the mainland. Any 

doubts about his ability were dispelled after his design and construction of a horseshoe shaped bridge at 

Lapstone (1833) and the 110 feet clear span bridge at Lansdowne over Prospect Creek (1834-1836).[55]

Australia's First Independent School: Old King's School Parramatta

Evolution of the place:

Pew – 1788: The Burramattagal people inhabit the area

1788:  Governor Phillip names the district Rose Hill due to its proximity to the river and lush landscape.

1806-1823: Rising land on the north side of the river is named Mount Betham by Governor Bligh.

1830-1831: The King’s School is established by Archdeacon Broughton.

World War One Trophy Guns for Parramatta

105mm L22 Howitzer, presumed to be similar to the Parramatta Trophy Gun, http://www.overvalwagen.com/HIHSiderius2.html

At the end of World War One a number of weapons captured form German, Austria/Hungary, and Turkish forces were rounded up to serve as gifts to townships across Australia. While committees were set up to oversee the distribution to townships and cities some of these were selected to form what is now the Australian War Memorial collection, and others were given to Army units linked the guns capture. It was also suggested that some of the smaller weapons be allocated to schools, although it appears the then Minister of Education stepped in to stop this happening.[i] Even so guns did find their way to Scouts groups and to some private schools, like King’s College.

'Estella' Private Hospital, Parramatta 1920 -1953

"Willow Grove", 34 Phillip St, Parramatta (2013)

Locals may be aware that  'Willow Grove' was once a private hospital known as 'Estella' or 'Nurse Davidson's Private Hospital' but we thought others may be interested in the background of this heritage listed building nestled in the heart of Parramatta City.

Parramatta Hails It's Golden Girl Betty Cuthbert

Betty Cuthbert won a place in the hearts of Australians after winning  three gold medals in the 1956 Melbourne Olympics . Winning the 100m, 200m and 100m team relay, the blue eyed girl from Ermington was the first Australian ever to win three gold medals at a single Games, earning the title of the nation's Golden Girl. 

The History of The Vineyard and Subiaco Estate – Rydalmere

View of Vineyard, Parramatta, between 1851 and 1858, image State Library of New South Wales

The Darug people

The Darug people, who are also referred to as the Dharruk, Dharung, Dharrook, Darrook, Dharug and the Broken Bay tribe, are the traditional owners of the Rydalmere area [1]. The Darug nation spans from Broken Bay to the northeast, the lower Blue Mountains to the west, the Southern Highlands to the southwest and the Illawarra to the southeast. John McClymont relates that "the traditional landowners, the Darug speaking Aboriginal Wallumetta clan, had subsisted for hundred's of centuries along the northern banks and hinterland of the Parramatta river… The clan ranged westward as far as the Subiaco and Vineyard Creeks where the Wallumettagal held corroborees on land granted to Phillip Schaeffer."