Source:
Sydney Morning Herald
Details:
Arrival, July 29 - Dudbrook, barque, 601 tons, Captain Smith, from the Downs the 10th April, and Falmouth 12th April. Passengers - Mr. Thomas Banister, Mr. Julius Hones, Mr. Leopold Mohn, Mr. Frederick Sivewright, sen., and two children; Mr. Frederick Sivewright jun; Miss Sivewright, Mr. John Danvers, Mr. George Miller, Mr. Henry Smith, Mr. Michael Hall, Mr. James Robins, Mr. William Smith, Mr. James Harlow, Mr. John Jenkins, Mr. and Mrs. Powell and child, Mr. and Mrs. Jenkins and two children
Source:
The Aldine centennial history of New South Wales illustrated / W. Frederic Morrison Morrison, W. Frederic Sydney. The Aldine Publishing Company, 1888
Details:
RICHARD HALL was born at Woodhouse Farm, Wesley, Gloucestershire (Eng.), oil July 10th, 1826. A few years previous to 1851 and up to that time he travelled through the greater part of England and Wales in search of a promising field of labor; but not being satisfied with the prospects in the old country, he determined to try his fortune in Australia. He engaged with the A.A. Mining Company for two and a-half years , and landed in Sydney on August 19th, 1851, from the ship Dudbrook. He immediately proceeded to Newcastle, and as the company only paid monthly and kept two weeks pay in hand, he worked six weeks before receiving any wages. This put him in very straitened circumstances, as he landed with something less than £1. Soon after gold was discovered, and great inducements were hold out to miners, with the result that ten men absconded. The subject of this sketch, however, carried out his engagement, and continued in the company s employ for eight years (till 1859), proving himself in the meantime to be an able-bodied and successful workman ; his weekly earnings amounting to as much as from £8 to £11. He figured as a prominent leader in seeking the redress of his own and his fellow-laborers grievances, and always stoutly resisted any attempt on the part of the masters to infringe upon the employees rights. Anxious and resolved to raise himself, he very wisely, on landing in the colonies, made a vow-which he has never broken-to abstain from all intoxicating liquors. In 1859 he started as a general fruit and vegetable dealer, occasionally buying and selling wholesale. In due time he ventured to speculate in portions of cargoes bought from merchants, and in 1865 received his first consignment of potatoes by the Grace Darling from Warrnambool. From this time regular shipments of the various produces were received and were successfully sold. A few reverses, however, made him more cautious, but the business increased steadily in all its branches-and that in the face of keen opposition. The business, which has for some years past been carried on under the name of R. Hall and Sons, is now in a flourishing condition that frequently five or six vessels may be seen alongside the wharves discharging for this firm, who have five stores in Scott-street. Notwithstanding the claims of a large and increasing business, Mr. Hall takes a prominent part in all civil and philanthropic matters. For ten years (1870-80) he served as an alderman of Newcastle, and was always, after the first election, returned unopposed. Since his retirement from the council he has received frequent appeals to stand for various wards, but has declined. For twenty-five years he has been a member of the local committee of the B. and F.B. Society, and has shown untiring interest in the conduct of the city hospital, serving on the general committee for eight years and on the managing committee for the last five years. He was one of a building committee of six which secured the recent enlargement of the institution at a coat of £4000 ; he also served on the building committee of Coot s Sailors Home, and at present is one of its managing committee. The Benevolent Asylum recently started in this city receives his hearty and constant assistance ; and this year he was gazetted a J.P., but declined the honor. Mr. Hall became a member of the Primitive Methodist Church in 1849. Upon his arrival in Newcastle he found a few members of his own denomination, and an effort was at once made to secure a church. In the selection of a site, collecting funds for the erection, etc., he took a leading part ; and from the building of the church in Brown-street up to the present date has been the managing and principally-responsible trustee. For twenty years past a society s class meeting and prayer meeting were held in his house, and for over thirty years he has been a teacher in the Sunday school, and for upwards of twenty years its superintendent. Besides the interest displayed by him in the church, Mr. Hall has taken an active part in the erection, and has accepted the responsibilities of trusteeship of churches in the districts of Burwood, Wallsend, Lambton, Waratah, New Lambton, Wickham, Belmore (Lake), and Stockton. He has been for many years a member of the various connectional committees, and is the treasurer of the district fund. Last year he was called to the vice-chair of the Conference-the only time, we believe, that a layman has occupied that position
