Devlin Candelabra

The Sydney Morning Herald, Friday 30 May 1873-Page 5

A public meeting, convened by the Mayor, took place at the Council Chamber, Ryde, on Monday evening last, the object of the meeting being to consider the question of presenting some token of respect, and goodwill to Mr. James Devlin, sen., who is about to leave this district. Mr. E. Terry (the Mayor) was voted to the chair, and having stated the object of the meeting, said that Mr. Devlin was a very old resident of the district, and at all times had done his best to further the welfare this locality. He had not known Mr. Devlin so long or so well as most of them, but since his residence in the district he had found that he (Mr. D.) had used his best endeavours to promote the interests of this community, he thought it would be well for them to show their appreciation of his services, by some token, however small the same might be. Other gentlemen spoke to the question, and a committee was formed to carry out the proposal.

Sydney Morning Herald, Thursday 19 June 1873, page 2

________________________________________

RYDE.

[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]

ON Tuesday evening, the 10th instant, in accordance with the notice as advertised, a public meeting was held in the Council-chamber, Ryde, for the purpose of presenting an address and testimonial to Mr. James Devlin, sen., on his removing from Ryde to his station near Wagga Wagga. The room was crowded, and was nicely decorated for the occasion. Mr. T. K. Bowden occupied the chair, and in a brief speech introduced the business of the meeting, and read the address which had been prepared, viz. :

Mr. James Devlin. Ryde, 10th June, 1873.

DEAR SIR, - After a residence of nearly three score years amongst us, we cannot allow you to leave without expressing to you the great regret we feel at losing you from amongst us.

We are pleased to recognise the fact that, during your long residence here, you have, by your liberality, kindness, and un-ostentatious charity, gained the esteem of all around you. The regret we feel at losing you is equalled only by the loss the district will sustain by losing a friend possessed of so many estimable qualities.

We beg your acceptance of the accompanying present as a memento of our esteem, and with the hope that the blessing of the Almighty will rest upon you and your family, and our best wishes for your future happiness,

We remain, dear Sir, &c., &c.

The address on the motion of Alderman Wicks, seconded by Rev. J. G, Southby, was unanimously adopted, and the chairman requested to sign the same on behalf of the meeting; the same having been done, Mr. H. P. Palser then proposed that the Mayor be requested to present the address and testimonial, (a handsome silver centre piece) to Mr. Devlin. The Mayor (Mr. Terry, M.L.A.) having in a neat speech performed this duty, Mr. Devlin made the following reply:- "Mr. Chairman, Friends, and Neighbours, - Circumstances over which I had no control having transpired which renders my departure from this district necessary, it is only becoming on my part to tender you my best thanks for the expression of goodwill and esteem you have this evening presented to me. I very much regret leaving Ryde, having been born here and resided in this district for upwards of fifty years, it is, there-fore, only natural that I' should' be much attached to this locality, and anxious to promote its best interests. This I have at all times endeavoured to do to the best of my humble ability; and it is a source of much satisfaction to me to find that my endeavours have been satisfactory to so many of the residents, and that they have given me such a token of the same by the very kind address just read and presented to me, and by its accompanying testimonial, I thank you most heartily for your kind wishes for me and my family, and I trust you will accept the same kind regards from me towards you, and although I am leaving this neighbourhood, I shall often turn my thoughts towards it, and always endeavour to do what-ever I can to forward its best interests." On the motion of the Hon. J. S. Farnell, a vote of thanks was accorded to the chairman, which terminated the business of the meeting. "

Special Event 

Invitation from Ryde District Historical Society

3.00 pm Saturday 21st February 2026 

When James Devlin and his wife Susannah (née Hughes, family number 21) moved to Wagga Wagga in 1873, the people of Ryde presented James with a candelabra as a parting gift (see attached file containing articles relating to the presentation).  This candelabra has stayed with Devlin descendants and is currently in the possession of Richard and Katherine Braham (217 736).  After consultation with members of his branch of the family, he has decided to place the candelabra in the collection at Willandra, the house built by James in the 1840s, on long loan. Read the articles from the newspapers in 1873.

The Ryde District Historical Society has decided to accept this item as a valuable memento of the builder of the house and of his family.  The handover of the candelabra will be held at Willandra at 3pm on Saturday 21 February 2026.  The Ryde District Historical Society is hoping to have a representative number of the Small Family at the handover, which will be a "bring-a-plate" event. 

RSVP: Thursday 19.2.2026 to small_family@hotmail.com