Some Items with Small Family Connections

Upright Concert Piano

Presented to Mr Arthur Albert Devlin (216) as a prize for sheep breeding in 1885 - 1886. 

The piano was donated to Willandra by a member of the Devlin Family in 1990 (from Guide to Willandra, RDHS). 

Watercolours 

by Annie Devlin nee Flavelle (216+) wife of Arthur Albert Devlin (216). The paintings are in the entrance Hall and were painted in 1859. They were presented to the house by Brigadier Stanley Leslie Devlin (216/61)

Brass Bed 

in upstairs bedroom - donated by a member of the Devlin Family

Cedar Chest of Draws

Donated by Beulah Alice Bolton (219/5). granddaughter of James and Susannah Devlin

Susannah Devlin moved with her daughter Martha Bolton and her family from Wagga Wagga to Sydney. They lived in a spacious home at Randwick called "Stratheden". The family consisted of her husband, Alexander Thorley Bolton and five children: Constance Mary (b 1875), Lucy Emily (b 1877), Nellie Edith (b 1880), Alexander Thorley (b 1884) and Beulah Alice (b1888). NOne of the girls married and they lived at "Kareela", Mount St, Hunters HIll.

Stand Devlin makes mention of the family in his book Multiple Stains (p4111-414) with particular reference to Beulah as follows:

Beulah taught at her old school, Sydney Church of England Girls Grammar School and later was joint Secretary of the Victoria League from 1917 to 1961.

Beulah was considered "formidable" by some of her associates. ...They spoke of Beulah in "hushed tones" and could not beleive that under that formidable exterior was a warm personality and great sense of humour, and showed this even when the joke was on her. ... the outabck people of Queensland were indebted to Beulah Bolton, in that she brought great pleasure to their lives., choosing and sending books to many readers - Beulah was the Bush Book club. But it was in recognition of her long service as Secretary of the Victoria League that Beulah was honoured in 1962 with a well deserved MBE.

Stan recalls " I will retain pleasant memories of Beualh's delight in having "sherry in the mornings" on the verandah of the home she loved, and als of the many parties for Ella's birthday (one of her cousins) which Beulah graciously allowed us to hold at "Kareela" when Ella was living at the Lyndhurst Nursing Home, close by."

Beulah was 94 years old when she died in 1982. In her declining years at the invitiation of the President of the Ryde District Historical Society during the period when "Willandra" was being restored. ... she attended a meeting. The President, Gavin Cashman wrote "when our speaker mentioned the Irish rebel ancestry she was horrified, She told us she did not like the IRish and she detested rebels."

Round Cedar Table

19th Century cedar table was donated by the Small family to Willandra. Bess Hooke was involved in organising the donation.

Revolving Afternoon Tea Table

The table dates from the early 1900's and was donated by the Small Family. Bess Hooke was involved in organising the donation.

Illuminated Address 

presented to Bess Hooke at the Small Family 1988 Gathering

Annie Johnson nee Small (32)  Photograph - she was the First Baptism at St Anne's Ryde