Bethel Chapel
To Veteran Hall
To Hannah Wallbridge
Noelene Harris
Noelene Harris (nee Kelly) is the great/great/great/granddaughter of the first Robert Henderson. (See Noelene Harris Family Tree). She has carried out extensive research since the Henderson family information was first gathered by Joan Taylor and many others. Noelene has kindly made the research results available to me, and has also agreed to make available any further information that she obtains in the future. Many thanks Noelene.
(Keith).
I intend to put together a series of articles that are a bit different from the usual Family History stories. To give an example, while researching Robert, I came across a paper that was lodged with his solicitor, James Norton, listing "Deeds" that belonged to him. On the list was "Deeds to Bethel Chapel". Also, in Robert’s beautifully written 6 page "Will", was a mention of "The Bethel Chapel". What was The Bethel Chapel? More importantly, how did Robert, my 3rd Great Paternal Grandfather, come to own it? That was a question that took many months to answer and even longer to put to paper.
Thanks to daughter Kellie, and ‘cousin’ Keith Henderson for preparing this and entering it on the Henderson Page.
Noelene Harris
The "Bethel Seaman's Union" or "Bethel Union" as it was known, was officially founded on 12th November, 1819, in the Port of London "to promote an evangelical union of seamen which was both multi denominational in basis and international in scope". William Cowper, minister of St Phillips Church and a group of prominent Sydney business men, formed the "Sydney Bethel Union" and the first service was held on board the brig 'Lynx' on Sunday 17th November, 1822, with the Bethel flag flying from the masthead. Rev George Erskine, General Superintendent of the Wesleyan Missions in the colony, preached the text 'Prepare to meet thy Lord'. It was the first time in Australia that the preaching of Gods word to sailors in their own element took place.
A subscription to build a floating Chapel was launched by the Governor Thomas Makdougall Brisbane. It was nineteen years before the arrival of the first full time Chaplain, Matthew T Adams. Services at this time were held on the barge 'Sir William Wallace'. Due to great difficulty in raising the funds necessary to buy or build a suitable vessel for the Chapel, Sir George Gipps, on the 15th july 1842 approved a grant of 15 ½ perches, 390 square metres situated on the South West corner of Erskine and Lime Streets (Soldiers Point). The grant was issued to the trustees of the Chapel, Francis Mitchell, Thomas Baker, Ambrose Foss, Robert Bourne and George Allen.
Construction of the Chapel, which was described as 'a neat stone edifice, capable of accommodating nearly 200 persons' took the builder, Mr. John Greer, 5 months to complete. The opening took place on August 20th 1844. It was hoped that the revenue from the store beneath and its adjoining wharf, would help meet the amount needed for the support of the Chaplain.
The cost to build the Chapel was 390 pounds with the balance owing of 295 pounds. An appeal was made to the 'Christian public for their assistance' in paying off the debt. A quote from the Sydney Morning Herald dated 22 nd August, 1844 reads...
'The Mariners Church which, belonging to no single section of the Christian Church, had an equal claim on every denomination for assistance. It was a matter of regret that while hundreds of pounds could be subscribed for carrying on horse races, balls, routs and other amusements, the Bethel Church had to be opened with a debt of nearly 300 pounds'.
Hampered by inadequate support from both the seamen and merchants of Sydney, it was decided to re-locate the church to a more favourable location at Circular Quay. 'With a view to obviate as far as possible the evils arising from the present unfavourable location of the church' (Sydney Morning Herald - 23rd November 1851). Operation of the Erskine Street Sunday School terminated on the 4 th April, 1852.
On the 7 th April, 1853, the Erskine Street property was sold to Robert Henderson for 3450 pounds. Robert already had property in the area, including the 'Dove Inn' on the corner of Erskine and Sussex Streets. He permitted the Chapel to be used until Ist October, 1853 by which time a temporary church was built on an allotment at East Circular Quay. The temporary church cost 267 pounds. This land was surrendered in 1855, and in 1858 the George Street site was granted, even though work had begun 2 years earlier. The estimated cost of the new Church rose from 6,000 pounds to 12,000 pounds.
The sandstone building was designed by John Bibb and built in the Victorian Free Classical style, in 'Temple form' with a seating capacity of 500 - 600 people. It was the first construction site in Sydney to allow stone masons to reduce their working day from 12 hours to 8. (Sections of the original stonework can still be seen from the Bethel Stairs which run beside the building). On the 27th February, 1859, the third Mariners Church was opened. Attendances were low, and it wasn't until the 1870's when the Reverend Thomas Gainsford was Chaplain, that the church prospered, no doubt helped by the addition of an area where the seamen could meet for leisure activities and social gatherings. In later years a smoking room, library and gymnasium were added.
Financial difficulties were a major issue throughout the history of the Bethel Union in Sydney, and in 1895 the Mariners Church was leased to the 'Mission of Seamen' (an organization originating in England in 1835 and starting in Sydney in 1872). Over 60 ministers of various denominations officiated in services for the Bethel Union in Sydney - Reverends MT Adams, LE Threlkend, Dr Ross, John D Thane, Thomas Gainsford, William Bradley and John Bennett Anderson - just to name a few. Today sailors can attend Flying Angel House at 320 Sussex Street, Sydney for their spiritual and personal comfort.
After 1853, the original building in Erskine Street was used for offices with storage underneath, and its own 'Bethel Wharf.
When Robert Henderson died on 11th November, 1869 he left the Bethel Chapel (as it was still known) to his son Thomas. Thomas died the following year (1870) aged 32 years, leaving the 'Chapel' to Catherine Larkin ... a lady friend perhaps?
References
Postscript
In Thomas' "Will" it states that Catherine Larkin was a housemaid in the Dove Inn, Erskine Street, Sydney.
Veteran Hall is the name given to the Henderson Private Cemetery in Henderson Road, Saratoga. It is all that is left of the original grant of 100 acres made to Patrick Geary in 1823, when the Royal Veteran Corps was disbanded. In his Will, Patrick left his land to Robert Henderson (his son- in-law.)
Patrick was the first to be buried in the Cemetery, and his headstone reads…
"Sacred to the Memory of Patrick Geary, who departed this life the 7th January, 1827, aged 63 years. Lord have Mercy on his soul."
Next was 52 year old John Jacob Pester [Pister]. He died in July 1832. It is believed ‘Pister’ was a shipbuilder and was working on one of Robert’s ships when he died.
Thomas Daley, aged 85 years was buried in 1837.
Robert’s eldest granddaughter, Catherine Hargraves Henderson, was only 13 years old when she died of phthisis on 3rd August 1866. Catherine was named after her Grandmother and Robert Snr’s good friend, Edward Hammond Hargraves. 3year old Annie Cox drowned on 7th May, 1867. She had a habit of walking in her sleep and one night walked off the wharf into the water.
1868 was by far the saddest year at Veteran Hall. Robert Cox, aged 2 years and 6 months, died on 26th February (just 9 months after his sister Annie). April 23rd and 26th saw the deaths of two of Robert Geary Henderson’s illegitimate daughters - 3 year old Florence Madeline and 5 year old Letitia Catherine. Both died of diphtheria. Their mother, Elizabeth Catherine Delaney wed Robert Geary Henderson on 1st September 1868, just 6 weeks after the death of Robert’s estranged wife Hannah [Wallbridge]. The verse on Hannah’s headstone reads –
"Sacred to the memory of Hannah Henderson who departed this life on the 16th day of July, 1868, in the 39th year of her age. May the Lord have Mercy on her soul.
Michael Cox, father of Annie and Robert, died on 17th November. It was just 9 months after his son and 18 months after his daughter had died. He was 65 years old, and, as well as a friend, worked for Robert Snr. The last death in 1868 was Catherine, wife of Robert Snr. She died on 29th December at their Sydney home (corner or Erskine and Sussex Streets) and was buried at Veteran Hall.
In the far end of the Cemetery, a large rock tablet is engraved with the following words…
I have come across another verse, perhaps Robert had a change of mind for it doesn’t appear in the Cemetery, but I think its worth including in this page. It is in Robert’s handwriting.
"May 1st 1869.
"The following is to be inserted on my headstone
Dear Wife
For some reason the above was overlooked and does not appear on Robert’s headstone. Thomas, believed to be the adopted son of Robert and Catherine, died on 29th May, 1870 (just 6 months after his father). He died of "exhaustion and gout" aged 32 years.
The next burial was not until 1885 when Elizabeth Catherine, 2nd wife of Robert Geary Henderson, died on 30th August aged 43 years. The remaining headstone belongs to Madeline Mary Geary Ward, granddaughter of Robert and Catherine, daughter of Robert Geary and Hannah Henderson and wife of Manesseth Ward. She died on 2nd May, 1934. Her husband, one time Mayor of Gosford, died in 1923 and was buried in St. Paul’s Churchyard, Kincumber near his parents William and Catherine Ward, pioneers of the area.
Although no other headstones are present, there was another one, possibly 2 burials in the Cemetery.
Robert Geary Henderson, son of Robert and Catherine, husband of 1] Hannah, 2] Elizabeth Catherine and 3] Gertrude Mary Elizabeth [Stretton] and father of at least 14 children was buried on 6th November, 1906. His last wife Gertrude was buried in the Nowra Cemetery.
There is some doubt of another burial - Robert Fredrick (son of Robert and Elizabeth). Hopefully further research will prove or disprove the family story. According to Joan Taylor, a body came up from the South Coast in the 1930’s, and was interned in an existing grave. I cannot find proof of this at present. Robert Francis Geary Henderson, son of Robert Geary and Hannah Henderson died in 1930 but was buried at Waverley.
A photo of Veteran Hall as it was in 1913 can be found on PICMAN. www.sl.nsw.gov.au/picman/about.cfm
In the first trial of Thomas and Robert, a Thomas Dally is mentioned. I believe this to be the same man, a friend and co-worker with Thomas and an 'uncle' of sorts to Robert.
"Thomas Anderson, Robert Anderson and Thomas Dally charged with feloniously receiving (one sheep, value twenty shillings, property of Rev. Samuel Marsden) knowing it to be stolen."
My glass is run, my days are spent
My life is gone, it was just lent
And as I am, so must you be, therefore prepare to follow me."
"This land enclosed by a wall of stone is bequeathed and willed by me to the dead who sleep within these walls during eternity. Robert Henderson, Brisbane Water 1868."
This ground is as signed to the dead herein by Robert Henderson Snr.
While grass grows and water runs."
Robert Henderson, born 1796, Parramatta "died at 10 minutes to 4’o’clock on Thursday11th November, 1869" (from cancer of the face). He was 73 years old. What a life he had. First District Constable of Brisbane Water, farmer, timber trader, shipbuilder, owner of 8 ships, landowner, publican and smuggler - a true Currency Lad. While researching the Henderson family, I came across this…..
Fifty two years of our life we lived and loved together
Blessed be to God, our bones came to molder here together
Trusting our souls have gone to Heaven’s Throne."
I am fortunate to have my own key to the Cemetery, and when the time comes, plan to have my ashes scattered within the walls.
Postscript
Robert Frederick Henderson, son of Robert Geary and Elizabeth Henderson (nee Delaney) died on 5-4-1941 at the State Hospital and Home at Lidcombe, NSW aged 74 years. His occupation was listed as gardener and old age pensioner. He never married, and the informant to his death was WN Todd, Acting Assistant Manager of the hospital. This may account for the errors that state that Robert's father, Robert 'Garry' Henderson was a school master and that Robert was buried at the "Church of England cemetery, Vectarian Hall Estate, Woy Woy."
This differs from the story that had been passed down through some family members that Robert's body arrived at Veteran Hall from the South Coast in the 1930's.
Robert Frederick Henderson was buried on 8-4-1941 in the Henderson family Cemetery, Veteran Hall.
Hannah was christened on 7th March 1830. In the 1841 census for Dorset, under Turners Puddle, it shows Hannah aged 11 years, with siblings Mary 7, Isabellah 6, Sarah 4, Eliza 2, and James 7 months. Parents were listed as Luke Wallbridge 35, and Sarah 30.
Mary came to Australia on the Ellenborough in 1853. On the shipping list it showed that she had a brother in law, Robert Henderson, a publican of the Clarence Hotel. Luke, Sarah and six of their children, Sarah 18, Eliza 17, Charles 10, George 9, Louisa Ellen 6, and Henry 4, came out on the James Fernie in 1856. Hannah was married to Robert Geary Henderson at St Phillips Church Sydney in November 1852 but it can only be presumed that she came out about 1850, for when she died in 1868 it stated on her Death Certificate that she had been in the Colony of NSW for 18 years.
Hannah and Robert Geary were living in Erskine Street Sydney when their first child, a daughter was born on 26th August 1953. The child was called Catherine Hargraves Henderson. A second daughter, Madoline Mary Geary Henderson was born in march 1855, while their last child, a son was born on 22nd October, 1956 at 26 Erskine Street Sydney. The boy was named Robert Francis Geary Henderson. Under previous issue on Robert’s Birth Certificate it shows that the second daughter’s name had been altered from Madoline Mary Geary to Adelaide Mary Geary on 12th November, 1863, by Hannah.
Robert Geary Henderson left Hannah on 3rd may, 1858 when her sister Eliza was 3 months pregnant with his child. On 3rd March 1859 Hannah made an application for an order under Section 4 of the Deserted Wives and Child Act of 1840, as amended by the Act of 1858. Hannah continued to run the Clarence Hotel to support herself and her children; however on the 5th October 1859 Hannah’s estate was placed under sequestration. Originally the estate was valued at sixty pounds but after a further search of the Hotel other goods were found. In the amended schedule that was forwarded to the Supreme Court, Hannah wrote the following…
“I wish to amend my schedule by altering the valuation of my assets as per List B from sixty pounds to two hundred and thirty pounds, having, through illness and excitement at the time of filing my schedule, omitted to include a quantity of household furniture, wearing apparel etc, which I had put away to prevent them being sold by my husband, who had threatened to do so about six months ago.”
The following is a partial list of goods ‘discovered concealed between partitions of rooms and the roof’….. 1 box containing a quantity of music, 1 Byron Poetical Works, 1 vol. of Scott’s poems, 1 Barclay’s Dictionary. 2 French grammar books, 2 English grammar books, 10 vols. Moore’s Poetical Works, 48 vols. Novels, well bound.
Wash stand, 1 pair window curtains, 1 child’s iron cot, Comforter, 1 sofa, 1 cedar couch in pieces, 1 composing machine. 1 towel horse, 1 box containing knives and forks, 1 silver handle carver fork. spoons and sugar tongs, 3 chairs, cane seated with gilt woodwork, 1 blue jug, 1 set chamber crockery, 1 music stool, 1 marble slab, 1 large dressing glass [good], 1 box containing 7 large lemonade glasses, 5 small wine glasses, 9 ale glasses[stamped] 9 ale glasses [plain], 9 tumblers, 5 sm. Ale glasses.
1 box comprises 2 cream jugs, 3 sugar bowls, 1 decanter, 3 glass shades containing artificial flowers, 2 oval convex Spanish pictures, 1 ladies fancy work basket, 1 long handle broom, 1 shovel, 3 sofa pillows, 1 mattress, 4 pillows ,2 bolsters, 1 double blanket, 1 counterpane, 1 hat [child’s], 1 skirt [ladies], 1 oil painting gilt frame [subject landscape] , 1 oil ditto still life [fish], 1 oil ditto [poultry] 1 large mirror, 1 musical box [large] 2 large beautifully worked table covers [blue, red, green] 1 ladies dress, 1 toilet cover, 1 hair brush, 2 candlesticks, 1 large feather bed.
41 bottles of wine, 2 gin, 12 botttles Old Tom whiskey, 10 bottles port wine, 3 brandy, 37 porter, 40 pale ale, 1 preserved peaches, 2 pale brandy, 7 ornaments [fancy]
1 trunk containing 65 articles of clothing, 1 box containing 67 articles of clothing, 1 box containing 32 articles of clothing, 25 rolls of paper, 1 rocking chair, 1 cedar bedstead, feather bed. 1 trunk containing 56 articles of clothing, 1 small box breast pump, 1 small box enema, 1 tea catty, 8 fancy ornaments, 1 vase, 1 child’s maroon silk velvet frock, 4 pen holders, writing paper, ribbons, 2 brass candle holders, piece of flannel, 1 zinc foot bath, cruet stand [silver plated], 1 plated silver ink stand, 1 parlor gong, 2 small vases, 1 lantern, 1 case containing old fashion crockery tea service, 2 fencing masks, 1 sword, 1 gambling board 1 cradle.
Concealed under the bed, 1 table suppose to belong to the marble slab, 1 small dressing table under a large table with a cover over it.
When the goods were put up for sale to cover Hannah’s debts Robert Henderson, her father in law paid two hundred pounds for the household furniture and the piano.
Hannah must have continued to run the Clarence Hotel for a Publican License was issued to her on 31st may, 1860.
Eldest daughter Catherine Hargraves died in 1866 aged 13 years, of Phthisis [TB] Hannah was also ill at the time an unable to work.
A Memoriam written by Robert Henderson Snr reads…
“The undersigned hereby agree to allow my daughter in law, Hannah Henderson the sum of two pounds a week for her natural life subject only to good conduct on her part, and should the said Hannah Henderson as aforesaid survive me, then I make the conditions herein obligatory on my heirs’
This memo was witnessed by Edward Hammond Hargraves, on 17th September, 1867.
[Hargraves was a friend of Robert Snr. and was reported to be the person who discovered gold in NSW]
Hannah died 10 months later and was buried at Veteran Hall, the Henderson Private Cemetery in Henderson Road, Kincumber. Her headstone reads…
Sacred to the memory of Hannah Henderson
Hannah’s life in Australia certainly wasn’t a long and happy one.
Robert Geary Henderson, Hannah’s estranged husband married Elizabeth Catherine Delaney on 1st September 1868, just 6 weeks after Hannah’s death. He and Elizabeth had already had 3 children. Robert Fredrick, born 1860, Letitia born 1863 and Florence Madeline born 1865.
Hannah was my GG Aunt. My line is through Mary Eliza Henderson Wallbridge, the illegitimate daughter of her sister Eliza and her husband Robert Geary Henderson. That makes Robert my GG Uncle and my GG grandfather.
© Noelene Harris 2006
Who departed this life on the 16th day of
July. 1868,
In the 39th year of her age.
May the Lord have mercy on her soul
My glass is run, my days are spent
My life is gone, it was just lent
And as I am, so you must be
Therefore, prepare to follow me.