Church & Community
19th Century News
Newspaper articles that offer insights into life in Bothwell during the 1800s.
Sources Used: TROVE. https://trove.nla.gov.au; FamilySearch: Australia, Tasmania, Government Gazette, 1833-1925. https://www.familysearch.org.
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The Venerable Archdeacon preached at the Clyde on Sunday and marked out the site for a chapel to be built in Bothwell.
May 1. It affords me much satisfaction to learn that in consequence of a Memorial presented by the inhabitants of the Clyde district, to His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, praying that the Rev. James Garrett be their clergyman at Bothwell, he has been pleased to express his concurrence, and to recommend to the Home Government that the usual salary allowed to Presbyterian clergymen be allowed to him, the inhabitants there having already agreed to subscribe a similar amount.
We likewise understand that His Excellency has expressed himself very favourably on the subject, and has promised to do all in his power in furtherance of so desirable an object, as respects the erection of a place of worship and parsonage for Mr Garrett, who proposes devoting a portion of his leisure hours in superintending the education of a limited number of gentlemen, so soon as he has sufficient accommodation to receive them. In the meantime, the reverend gentleman enters upon the discharge of his official duties at Bothwell on Sunday the 17th of May.
The ceremony of laying the first stone of the Church at Bothwell Clyde district took place on Monday the 24th May, at 1 o'clock when the Rev. James Garrett read the inscription which was in Latin, and was composed by one of his pupils. It was enclosed in a bottle hermetically sealed, and was deposited with some coins of the reign of His present Majesty, in the receptacle made for them in the stone. Alexander Reid Esq., J.P., Ratho, then with trowel, &c., like a true brother and good workman, went through the usual form of laying the first stone, after which the Rev. J. Garrett concluded with an appropriate prayer. Thus has been accomplished an event much desired and long looked forward to by the inhabitants of this district and before the return of this season next year the fabric will, we trust, rear its head, a monument of the munificence of His Majesty's Government so judiciously administered in this colony, an honour to the liberality of the subscribers, and under Divine Providence a blessing to the inhabitants at large.
The Managers for Bothwell Church, elected in terms of the Church Act, hereby give notice that a meeting will be held at the Church on Wednesday the 10th day of January at 12 o'clock, for the purpose of receiving applications from the Presbyterian inhabitants of the district desirous of occupying pews or individual seats in that Church. And further that all such pews or seats for which application is not made by the present occupants, before the 17th day of January, shall be considered vacant. Robert Barr, Archibald McDowall, Philip Russell, Managers. Bothwell, December 30, 1837.
BOTHWELL. On Sunday last, the 20th March, 1859, the new Wesleyan Chapel was opened for public worship, when the Rev. Mr Smith of Campbell Town preached a sermon suitable to the occasion. Several respectable members of the Episcopalian Church were present. In the evening the Rev. Mr Tuckfield preached to a crowded congregation. The polite attention shown by the managers in handing their visitors to their seats, supplying them with printed papers of the hymns to be sung, and in accommodating them was something new in Bothwell. A collection was made at the close of each service, and about fifteen pounds were collected. The Sunday school children, about 60 in number, sang some very suitable hymns, and the manner in which they did so reflected great credit on their precentors, Mr and Mrs Wiseman. On Monday, a tea meeting in the chapel was well attended; several ministers addressed the meeting and elicited great applause. Mr Ife read the statistics from which it appears that the building (which is of brick), 35 feet by 18, cost £257 11s 10d. Towards which the inhabitants generally contributed £215, which, with £15 collected on Sunday, left about £27 as a debt on the place. A collection was made and repeated again and again, and before the party separated the chapel was out of debt and a small surplus in hand! On Tuesday the children met the Rev. Mr Downes at the chapel and were regaled with tea, cakes, &c., after which the Rev. gentleman quite astonished the rustics with his interesting and funny anecdotes. Mr Hood likewise addressed them and presented them with a neat white tablet with the words "Bothwell Band of Hope" in gold letters inscribed on it, and recommended the formation of a Band of Hope under the superintendence of Mr Wiseman, which was immediately adopted and 41 names were enrolled. The children were particularly cautioned not to enlist without their parents' consent. I should have stated that a handsome pulpit was presented by George Nicholas Esq., in addition to his liberal donation; but for these proceedings we should have been very dull.
Total amount of Receipts and Disbursements in aid of the newly erected Wesleyan Chapel in the township of Bothwell.
RECEIPTS. Allen - 10s; Miss Allen - 2s 6d; Richard Allen -10s; Mr Anderson - £1; Mr Anderson - 15s; Edward Andrews - £2; Edward Simon Arnett - £1 10s; Thomas Axford, Esq. - £3; Mr Bailey - £1; Mrs Bale - 2s 6d; Mr W. Barnett - £1; Mrs Barnett - £1; Mr & Mrs Batty - £2 10s; Robert Blake - £27; Mr Blewitt - 13s; Mrs Diana Bowden - £4; Edward Bowden, Jnr - £1; Edward Bowden, Snr - £2 10s; Miss Bowden - 5s; Hugh Brash - 5s; Mr D. Burgess - £1; Mr Cartwright - £2 2s; Mrs Chilton - £5; Jonathon Denholm - £3; Mr S. Denholm - £1 5s; Mr H. Denn - £1 10s; Mr Easton - £6 10s; Friend - 5s; Friend - 5s; Friend - 5s; A. Friend - £1; Mr Friend - 10s; Mr Geard - £2; George Goddard - £1 10s; Mr D. Good - 10s; Mr C. Grist - £4; Mr & Mrs Hann - £2; James Harcourt, Esq. - £5; Rev. William M. Hesketh - £1; Richard Hill - £1; Hinder - 5s; Henry Hopkins (Hobart) - £19; William Horne, Jnr - £1 5s; Thomas Howell, Esq. - £1; William Wood Hughes - £1 10s; John Mears Ibbott - £4; George William Ife - £12 10s; Jackman - 10s; Mr J. Jackson -10; Knowles - 10s; Mr Lacey - £1; Mrs Lord - 10s; Mr Maddock - £1; William Maskell - £1; Mr R. A. Mather - £2; Archibald McDowall, Esq. - £2; John McGinnes - 10s; Duncan McRae - £2; Mrs Merry - £1; Mrs Mitchell - £1; Mr Moss - 10s; William Moyes - 5s; Napper - 10s; Mr C. Napper - 10s; Edward Nicholas, Esq. - £2; George Nicholas, Esq. - £5; William North - £4; David Norton - £1; Mr F. Norton - £1; Richard Norton - £1; Parker - 3s; Mr Pickering - 10s; Mr Prossor - 10s; Mr Pulfer - £1; Alexander Reid, Esq. - £5; Rev. John Robertson - £1; Matthew Robinson, Esq. - £1; Frederick Rout - £2 2s; Mr Rowntree - £1; Thomas Savage: £1; Joseph Shaw - £1; John Sherwin - 10s; Mr H. Sherwin - £1 10s; Mrs John Sherwin - £2; Phillip Sherwin, Esq. - £2; J. Sherwin, Esq. - £10; E. Shoobridge, Esq. - £7 3s 8d; Benjamin Smith, Jnr - £3; J. Smith, Esq. - £5 5s; Mr & Mrs Thomas Smith - £1 10s; Rev. J. Smithies - £5; John Stevens - £1; Frederick Synnot, Esq. - £3; James Taylor - £1; Mrs Taylor - £1; John Tod, Esq. - £1; Rev. F. Tuckfield - £6; J. Walch, Esq. - £1 1s; Waldron - 10s; Alfred Webb - 10s; Mr J. Webb - 5s; William Webb - £5; Messrs White & Arnett - £3; Mr W. W. White - £2; Robert Whiteway - £2 10s; Mr Wilson - £1; Henry Wise - £1 10s 1d; Mr & Mrs Wiseman - £3; Mr Witcar - 5s. Collections at opening - £17 4s 1d; Balance due to Mr Ife, Treasurer - £272 5s 0d.
EXPENDITURE. Deals & Timber - £31 18s 9d; Carpenter’s work - £66 4s 8d; Bricklayer’s work - £54 10s; Painting & Glazing - £10 15s; Lime, &c - £13 2s 9d; Spouting, &c - £6 17s; Nails, Glass, &c - £22 17s 6d; Bricks, Cartage, &c - £58 9s 10d; Petty Expenses - £5 4s 6d; Printing - £1 5s. TOTAL - £272 5s 0d.
In addition to the above subscriptions, a very neat Pulpit has been given by George Nicholas, Esq. and Mr R. Mason; and the ground on which the Chapel is built was given by Mr Robert Blake.
THE PROPOSED NEW ORGAN. The purchasing of a new organ for the church, which formed another object of the meeting, was then brought under discussion. This subject has been on the "tapis" for some little time, and a gentleman in the district, well known for his musical taste and talents, has, by desire, been collecting private subscriptions for the purchase of one. The discussion resulted in a decision unanimously come to, to sell, by tender, the organ at present in the church, which is a very excellent one of the kind, and in good order, the only objection that can be raised against it being the fact of its being limited to play only a certain number of tunes; and to purchase a new one of a more extended power. The gentleman to whom I have last referred described to the meeting the account of his success in the way of subscriptions, which he said was within a trifle of £50 - that sum he would guarantee. This sum, coupled with the amount anticipated to be obtained by the sale of the present organ (there have already been three offers for it in case it was decided it should be sold), will leave no such vast amount to be raised to complete the bargain for the new one, which is in view, and has been tested by a competent judge; and this deficiency, whatever it may be, it is intended to raise, if possible, by means of a bazaar, which it is decided to hold in the course of some weeks hence. Several ladies in contemplation of such a thing have been quietly preparing for it some time, and some articles of a very handsome character have already been completed; amongst them such as will prove not only attractive to the eye, but really useful, into the bargain, such as gay saddle cloths, which gentlemen who "do a hunting go," especially the "red coats" will do well, when the bazaar opens (due notice of which will, of course, be given), to "come and buy" and cherish as a "guerdon," when they the field do try.
On Monday evening, June 23, 1879, at the Wesleyan Chapel, after the performance of religious service by the Rev. Mr Saunders, an illuminated address, very handsomely framed, was presented to Mr G. W. Ife, who is about to leave Bothwell district for Hobart Town. It was dated Bothwell, June 29, 1879, and said that the undersigned (50 in number) residents of Bothwell and members of the congregation worshipping in the Wesleyan Chapel in that place, having heard that Mr Ife was about to remove to Hobart Town, could not allow him to leave without expressing their high appreciation of his earnest and self-denying efforts for the welfare of the community. As superintendent of the Sunday School, as class leader, as local preacher, and as a ready and consistent helper in the cause of temperance, and as a sympathising friend in times of sickness and distress, he had for upwards of twenty years laboured with zeal and large-hearted liberality. How they should fare in these matters when deprived of his help and support, they scarcely dared anticipate - but meanwhile they desired his acceptance of the address as a small token of the esteem and gratitude with which he would ever be regarded by them. The address concluded with a sincere trust that God's abundant blessing might attend himself, Mrs Ife, and family in the future. The address, which was accompanied by a handsome walnut writing desk, was presented by Mr James Taylor, Secretary to the Wesleyan body here, who prefaced the delivery by a few well-chosen remarks, which Mr Ife, in most feeling and appropriate terms, gratefully acknowledged. There was a considerable number of people present on the occasion. Mr Ife is a man who, all will admit, will be much missed in every way. Whatever he undertook was always done in a most persevering and zealous manner; besides his usefulness as an able local preacher and manager of the Wesleyan Sunday school (the children attending which will sadly miss him), he has invariably acted with great kindness to the sick. Independent of these considerations, he is an enterprising, obliging, and energetic man of business. "Take him all in all, we shall not see his like again" here, I fear, for some time to come.
A large meeting was held at Mr Paul's Hotel on Friday evening, the 20th inst., of persons desirous of establishing a band, Mr Perkins occupying the chair, and it was resolved that a band should be formed, to be called "The Bothwell Band." Mr G. B. Sealy was elected president, and Messrs N. Paul and S. Arnett secretary and treasurer. There was also a good working committee appointed, consisting of seven members. A subscription list was opened, and already nearly £20 promised towards the purchase of instruments. There are some fine young men resident in the township, several of whom are good musicians; therefore, there is no good reason why Bothwell should not establish and maintain an efficient band of instrumentalists.
The opening and consecration of the Anglican Church of St Michael and All Angels, Bothwell, took place on the 15th inst. In the early morning a celebration of Holy Communion was held, at which the Dean of St David's gave a helpful and apt address to those attending.
The foundation stone of this handsome edifice was laid about four years ago by Mrs William Nicholas, late of Nant, in the presence of Bishop Sandford and a large concourse of people. During his speech upon that occasion, the late Bishop of Tasmania remarked, "That with such a talented architect as Mr Alex. North we might reliably expect a beautiful building, and with such an experienced builder as Mr Thomas Lewis we could rest assured of a solid and enduring structure," observations which have been most fully realised. Upon arrival of the coach at 1 p.m., a luncheon was given to the clerical visitors by the leading churchmen of the parish. This, it is needless to add, was much appreciated.
By 10 minutes to 3 some 500 people had assembled in the church, or about it, to take part in the ceremony. Punctually at that hour a long procession of surpliced choristers and clergy, including the Dean, the Bishop, and his chaplain, bearing the pastoral staff, was formed, and preceded by a banner-bearer marched round the church singing to the echo the stirring hymn, "Urbs Beata." Arriving at the chief entrance, the usual demand for admission was made by the Bishop knocking upon the closed door with his staff; and upon admittance he had presented to him the formal demand for consecration. This was read by one of the churchwardens. Then followed the reforming of the procession, and finally all its members were seated in the choir stalls with the exception of the Bishop and his chaplain, who were within the sanctuary. The "Form of Consecration," with slight amendments, was that used recently at the opening of St Paul's Cathedral, Melbourne. This was evidently the work of a learned and able liturgist, and upon this occasion was seen and heard to its greatest advantage. The choir, under the able guidance of the Rev. C. H. Dicker, of Hamilton, rendered its part most beautifully, whilst the Bishop, with his dignified and manly presence, performed the various acts of consecration nobly and well. His sermon was a model of simplicity, greatly resembling, if we may coin an expression exactly suitable, one of Charles Kingsley's studies in pure Anglo-Saxon. The offertory was about £30. This was good when it is remembered that nearly all present had given largely on several occasions prior to this. A recessional hymn brought to a fitting close a large and important, not to add a very beautiful, work, but also a striking and stately sacred ceremonial.
The church is built throughout with a warm-tinted sandstone of first-class quality. This stone was the gift of Mr J. D. Wood. The plan of the church is cruciform, the transepts being each double arched, so that from the interior they appear as aisles. One of the transepts has been separated temporarily as a choir vestry by crimson-coloured curtains, most artistically arranged by a certain lady parishioner. A dwarf stone wall divides the chancel from the nave, which at one end runs out so as to form the pulpit, the front of which is decorated by a large and costly mosaic figure of our Lord. This is the gift of the architect. The central feature in the church is doubtless the altar table, which was resplendent with gold and crimson hangings. The altar, and indeed almost all the chancel furniture, are gifts from the communicants. The prayer disk and chair, splendid pieces of work, are the gift of Mrs William Nicholas. About half of the seats were presented by individual parishioners. The font is a unique and attractive piece of stonework. There are no less than five memorial windows which cost in the aggregate upwards of £300. The surplices and cassocks are the work of a small band of ladies under the skilled leadership of Mrs Perkins, who also made all the other crimson hangings. The church people feel thankful for such work, so good and tasteful. The seats are provided with kneeling boards. These are from drawings by the well-known architect, Mr Butterfield. The design of the church reflects the highest credit upon Mr Alex. North, of Launceston, the architect. And the solid, honest, splendid stonework is the highest possible commendation that Mr Thomas Lewis, the builder, can wish for his future contracts.
The evening was brought to a close by a tea meeting, patronised by some hundreds. A concert and children's cantata terminated the day's festivities, all of which reflect credit of the highest kind upon those who planned and carried them into effect.