THE ENIGMATIC JAMES SYMINGTON OF BEECHWORTH

James Symington has been an elusive character. I was unable to locate any birth entry in Old Parochial Records and he was not living with his parents at the time of the 1841 Scotland Census. I was alerted to his existence only after viewing the gravestone inscription of his sister Agnes Darton with whom he shares a burial site in the Booroondarah Cemetery at Kew in Melbourne. He was a single man and kept a low profile but as an early resident of Beechworth he  accumulated considerable property. In some official documents, he is referred to as "James Symington Senior" to distinguish him from his nephew James, the son of his brother William.

James Symington was born at Sanquhar in about 1828. His birth is not recorded in Old Parish Records. His parents were James Symington and Catherine Gibson Kilpatrick Symington, formerly Menzies.

The 1841 Scotland Census has his elder brother William and sisters Helen and Agnes living with their parents at Blawearie, Sanquhar. James Symington, farm servant, aged 14 years, is living in the Main Street, Sanquhar in the house of Thomas and Jean Gibb, along with several young adults.

The 1851 England and Wales Census records a James Symington, unmarried, aged 23 and born in Scotland, living at 117 St John Street Road, Parish of Clerkenwell. This is the household of John McGeorge, Draper, aged 39 and born in Scotland. James Symington’s occupation is recorded as “assistant.” Also at that address were brothers of John McGeorge, William 23 and John 19, also recorded as assistants.

There is a Sanquhar connection between John McGeorge and James Symington. At least two of John McGeorge’s siblings were born in the Parish of Sanquhar. In the 1841 Census his brother James was living at Upper Dalpedder, just outside Sanquhar.

James Symington arrived in the colony of Victoria in about 1854 [1] and was soon at the Beechworth goldfields. There is no reference to him in shipping records. In 1857 he held a miner's claim at Stanley. [2]

In November 1857 he purchased an allotment on the Melbourne Road at New Town (now 16 Bridge Street), just to the south of the Beechworth settlement. He purchased half of allotment 7 of Section 6a. The purchaser of the other part was Margaret Brown, a milliner or straw hat maker. (Ovens & Murray Advertiser Thursday 26 November 1857 page 2) On his land, which measured 33' by 288', was erected a rudimentary slab and bark house with a shingle roof, measuring 24 feet by  18 feet and built from timber slabs measuring 11 1/2 feet by 7 feet. The house was described as "very dilapidated." Miss Brown's house was even smaller. James Symington is recorded as the owner and occupier in the Beechworth Rate Book for 1858, although the rates were payed by his brother-in-law J. Darton. The following year, Mrs Darton payed the rates on the property. James Darton was living on the property in 1860. By 1866, Mrs Russell, James' sister, was the occupier.  

John Duncan, iron founder and coach builder, purchased Miss Brown’s property from her deceased estate in October 1879. Some time thereafter he also acquired the part of the allotment originally purchased by James Symington whose nephew, William Russell, purchased the property in 1872 (PROV Land Records, Director General's Office, Memorial book 224, Memorial number 439) ; this part passed to his mother, Ann Russell, when he died in 1884.  Ann died in 1889. The two portions of Allotment 7, Section 6A must have been combined some time thereafter. John Duncan died on 11 January 1896. An attachment to his probate file dated December 1898 confirms his ownership of Allotment 7 Section 6A which had contained two iron-roofed weatherboard cottages which had burnt down in 1897 (see newspaper article below). (PROV Probate and Administration files VPRS 28/P0000 unit 780, item 61/193) The destroyed cottages were replaced by a single cottage of six rooms. (Ovens and Murray Advertiser Saturday 10 September 1898, page 11)

James died at Lisson Grove, Hawthorn, on 29 March 1908 at the age of 80 years from “senile decay.” (Reg. No. 2079) 

His death certificate records his occupation as “surveyor.”

He was buried in the Boroondara cemetery, Kew, on 30 March 1908. [3] His sister Agnes Darton and her daughter Constance were buried in the same plot.

Tombstone inscription: “In Loving Memory of JAMES SYMINGTON Born at Sanquhar, Scotland, Died at Hawthorn 28th March, 1908 Aged 80 also AGNES SYMINGTON DARTON Beloved Wife of the late JAMES HILL DARTON Died 23rd March 1923 and their Daughter CONSTANCE Died 15th Oct. 1909”

In his will, dated Beechworth, 2 December 1905, he appoints his niece Agnes Helen Darton of 45 Lisson Grove, Hawthorn, as his executrix and principal beneficiary; he left a sum of four hundred pounds to his niece Catherine Young of 16 McKinley Terrace, Kilmarnock.

AUSTRALIAN ELECTORAL ROLLS

1903 James Symington, Loch Street Beechworth, Independent means

DEATH AND OBITUARIES

The Argus Monday 30 March 1908 page 1A

SYMINGTON. —On the 29th March, at 45 Lisson-grove, Hawthorn, James Symington (late of Beechworth). A colonist of 54 years. Aged 80 years.  

Albury Banner and Wodonga Express Friday 3 April 1908 page 26

Obituary. — In the death roll of the week occurs the name of a very old resident of the Border district. Mr. James Symington, who passed away a few days since at the ripe age of 80, was fifty years ago connected with the Department of Lands and Survey in Victoria, and for some years stationed in the Ovens district, when Mr. Derbyshire was the district surveyor.   In 1860, Mr. Symington was under the late Mr. Duncan, foreman of a party engaged in a large amount of surveying work in the valley of the Ovens River, including the survey of the township of Bright.

Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth), Saturday 4 April 1908, page 7

Death of an Old Colonist. — Information was received In Beechworth on Monday of the death at Hawthorn, on the preceding Sunday, of Mr. James Symington, formerly a resident of this town. He was a colonist of 54 years’ experience, arriving from Scotland in the early fifties, and for some years was engaged in this district with survey parties, subsequently entering upon the business of a grazier, in which he acquired a competency. He passed many years in retirement in Beechworth, where be built several houses, in one of which, in Finch-street, he resided with his two nieces. His health falling with advancing years he removed to Melbourne, where he died as stated, at the advanced age of 80 years.

WILL AND ESTATE

The Argus Monday 22 June 1908 page 5

WILLS AND ESTATES.

James Symington, late of Hawthorn, who died on March 29, left by a will dated December 2, 1905, real estate valued at £450 and personalty worth £1,797 to his relatives.  

Will: real estate comprising Town Allotment 10 of Section 11 situated in Finch Street (Beechworth) with a frontage of 66 feet and depth 165 feet with two self contained dwelling houses. [4]

This photograph was held in the collection of the descendants of Peter and Rebecca Symington of Teviotdale, Huon Lane. James Symington was Peter's uncle and the younger brother of William Symington 1824-1890 of Berringa Park. This  is the earliest photograph in the album and the only one from the generation previous to that of Peter Symington.  The carte de visite portrait was made by J. E Bray of Beechworth. No photographs of William Symington of Berringa Park have survived. All family portraits which were passed on to Aggie Darton were destroyed after she died. This photograph is not inscribed but the likely subject is James Symington Senior of Beechworth.

GOLD MINING AT BEECHWORTH

Mining Registers: Mining Registrar’s Register Of Claims, Beechworth Mining Division (PROV VPRS 19184/C1)

1857 AT LOWER NINE MILE

No. 823 James Symington, locality Lower 9 mile creek; 1 May 1857 Claim for 4 men for sluicing on old ground on lower nine mile above Hair’s store about 300 yards.[5] (see also Register of Claims, Stanley Mining Office, Subdivision No. 823. (VPRS 19190/C1)

1858 AT LOWER THREE MILE

Page 43 Progression number 442

James Symington claim for four men at Hunt’s tailrace; locality Low 3 mile; application dated 29 March 1858 [6]

Page 60, number 778 Lower 3 mile, (Extension under new rule) Black ?Swamp 7 June 1858

SURVEYING

1860 James Symington was in a party, under foreman Mr. Duncan, engaged in a large amount of surveying work in the valley of the Ovens River, including the survey of the township of Bright. [7]

1868 Foreman surveyor involved in the construction of the Gong Gong reservoir near Ballarat. [8]

He surveyed Murchison and the Kinchington's Creek near Yackandandah. His field books are held in the PROV. [9] Note that PROV has misread and catalogued under the surname "Lymington"

PROV LAND SELECTION AND CORRESPONDENCE FILES S30951

VPRS 5357/P0/1463

Letter 21/9/1883 from James Symington to The Secretary of Lands Asking for Submission to Sale at public auction of land in the Borough of Wangaratta Allotments 4, 5, 6, 22, 23, 24, Section II Parish of North Wangaratta

NEWSPAPER ACCOUNTS

LAND PURCHASE AT NEW TOWN 1857

Ovens & Murray Advertiser Thursday 26 November 1857 page 2 Wednesday, 25th November.    

YESTERDAY the Sale of Town and Suburban Allotments at New Town, and on the Melbourne road towards the Black Springs, took place at the Court house at the usual hour.   The attendance was scarcely as large as on the previous day, and with the exception of   a few choice lots, the biddings were dull. Several of them were passed, the upset price not being offered. The following is a list of   the allotments disposed of and the names of the respective purchasers.  

TOWN LOTS.

Upset Price, £80 per acre where the amount of improvements is allowed £100 per acre.

Number 10 1r 30p, allotment 7 of section 6A; improvements £70. Margaret Brown and James Symington. £43 15s.

1 2r, allotment S of section 4 A. William Primmer, £26.

2 2r, allotment 9 of section 4 A. Louis Chevalier, £20,

3 2r, allotment 10 of section 4 A. Louis Chevalier, £20.  

4 1r 30p, allotment 1 of section 6 A.   Denis McKenna, £82.  

5 1r 30p, allotment 2 of section 6 A. James Prentice, for Mary Brown, £75.

6 1r 30p, allotment 3 of section 6 A; improvements £50. George Bramston, £43 15s.

7 1r 30p, allotment 4 of section 6 A. Wilhelm Henschel, £71.

8 1r 30p, allotment 5 of flection 6 A. William Andrews, £71.  

9 1r 10p, allotment 6 of section 6 A; improvements £65. James Prentice, for Mary Brown £43 15s.

10 1r 30p, allotment 7 of section 6A; improvements £70. Margaret Brown and James Symington. £43 15s.

11 1r 14p, allotment 8 of section 6 A James Chalmers, £58.

12 1r 14p, allotment 9 of section 6A; improvements £80. John Smith, jun., for Smith brothers, £100.

13 35p, allotment 10 of section 6 A; improvements £35, James Chalmers, £41.

14 25p, allotment 15 of section 7 A; improvements £200. Thomas Moxham, £15 12s. 0d.

BUGGY ACCIDENT

Wodonga and Towong Sentinel Friday 19 October 1888 page 2

YACKANDANDAH. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT) On Friday evening last, at about ten o’clock, a buggy accident occurred, by which Mr Symington, of Back Creek, nearly lost his life. He was returning home, accompanied by his niece, Miss Russell, and Miss E. Kinchington, when, within a quarter of a mile of his residence, on crossing a bridge which is without railing, the horse shied, and the buggy, with its occupants, was thrown over the edge, falling a depth of 8 feet. The vehicle was completely overturned, and the horse fell back upon it, but fortunately struggled and got clear. The ladies scrambled out, but Mr Symington was pinned down and unable to move, until they raised the buggy and got him out. He received a severe bruising, but I am glad to say is getting better.

Ovens and Murray Advertiser Saturday 20 October 1888 page 2

YACKANDANDAH. Monday.

On Friday evening, as Mr James Symington, of Back Creek, was driving home, accompanied by his niece, Miss Russell, and Miss Elizabeth Kinchington, daughter of Mr Charles Kinchington, of Dederang-road, the horse shied, and capsized the occupants of the buggy into a creek at the side of the road. The young ladies escaped with slight injuries; but Mr Symington sustained an internal hurt, and Dr Mueller cannot yet state whether his patient will recover or not.

Ovens and Murray Advertiser Saturday 27 October 1888 page 9

YACKANDANDAH. Wednesday.

Mr Jas. Symington is now progressing favorably from the effects of his late accident. If one saw the bridge over which the buggy and horse capsized, one would wonder how the occupants escaped.

REAL ESTATE VENTURE

Ovens and Murray Advertiser Saturday 2 June 1894 page 9

Erection of Villa. — Mr J. Symington invites tenders by advertisement for the erection of a six-roomed weatherboard villa, next the Oddfellows Hall, Loch- street, Beechworth. Tenders must reach Mr Symington not later than 4 o’clock on the afternoon of Saturday, June 9th and in the meantime full particulars may be obtained from him.

AN UNPLEASANT ARGUEMENT

Ovens and Murray Advertiser Saturday 3 July 1897 page 7

BEECHWORTH POLICE COURT.  Tuesday, June 29th. (Before Mr Rowan, P.M.)

INSULTING BEHAVIOUR AND ASSAULT. Mrs Alary Anna Medlyn proceeded against James Symington for using insulting language to her and also with having committed an assault upon her on the 18th June at Beechworth. Mr Mackay appeared for the complainant and Mr Geoghegan for defendant. Mary Anna Medlyn deposed that she recollected meeting defendant at the corner of Loch and William streets on the 18th June. He asked her was her husband still in Adelaide and afterwards said he had Jack Trevaskis doing some work for him that her d--- husband had scamped. Told him not to speak like that as his never dying soul would have to answer for it. He said she and her husband were a d--- pair of d hypocrites and that they were fit for anything; that they skimmed their milk and sold it for fresh, and leaning over her said, “d--- you, only for one thing I would smash you.” She dared him to strike her. She was afterwards standing at the gate next to defendant’s place when he came up and said her husband was only a mongrel and that witness was a dishonest woman and would sell herself in the gutter for £5. She could not describe how much such a statement upset her and she laid her hand on his arm, when he pushed her over against the fence, where she had a good cry to revive herself. To Mr Geoghegan: My husband built a house for defendant who passed it. I do not know that the tenant, Thomas Armstrong, went out of the house while the new walls were put in. I don’t remember telling Mrs Oke I would not allow my husband to pay Symington £7 for putting the new walls in. I said defendant was trying to smooth my husband over for £5 for the new walls. When I met defendant he told me Jack Trevaskis was doing some work my d--- husband did for him. He did not say it was dammed back. If Mr Symington swears that I will undertake to say he forswears himself. After defendant insulted me I went and told his niece, thinking she would apologise, and only stayed two or three minutes. I never abused him, but simply called him a mean man. I don’t remember Miss Russell inviting me inside. I was not excited like defendant. I told Mrs Oke to tell the whole truth as it was between God and herself. Miss Mitchell was at her grandmother’s bedroom window when the second interview took place at the front gate, although I did not know it at the time. She was about 18 or 20 feet away. I never shook my fist in defendant’s face. I only put my hand on his arm. I never clutched at him. He touched my heart when he said I would sell myself to the gutter for £5. I knew nothing about my husband’s contracts, but only asked him to give my husband as good a chance for the work as other men. To His Worship: The assault was when he pushed me against the fence. He did not say the d--- drain. He said Trevaskis was doing some work my d--- husband did. Annie Mitchell deposed that on the day of the assault she was at Mrs Oke’s front window, and remembered seeing Mrs Medlyn, Mrs Oke, Miss Russell, and Mr Symington all outside. Heard Mr Symington tell Mrs Medlyn she skimmed her milk and sold it as fresh, and would sell herself in the gutter for £5. He was speaking angrily. Saw him push Mrs Medlyn against the fence, and she cried. To Mr Geoghegan: My sight and hearing are good. I was at the window when they were at Mrs Oke’s double gate, or about 20 feet away. The lower sash was raised. I heard Mrs Medlyn tell defendant he was no gentleman, and that he was a mean man to act in the way he did to her. I did not see Mrs Medlyn take hold of defendant’s coat. I could not see that from where I was. Complainant might have done so without me seeing her. I saw her shake her finger at him but not shake her fist in his face. To Mr Mackay: She simply held up her hand and defendant pushed her from the front. For the defence, James Symington, the defendant, remembered meeting Mrs Medlyn at Dr. Pinniger’s corner on the 18th June and asking her had her husband returned from Adelaide. She then asked him how old Mr Trevaskis was, and he replied “very bad” and that his son was doing some of the scamped work her husband did, and that the drainage was dammed back.

She went off into a rage. He distinctly swore he did not swear at her. She was catching hold of him and he told her he did not like any one pulling him about. She said he was no gentleman and was a low mean fellow. Then went away to inspect some work, and on returning saw Mrs Medlyn and his niece near his house, and his niece beckoned him to her. When Mrs Medlyn caught hold of his coat he gave her a bit of a push, but her feet never left the ground. Denied using the language about her selling herself. She was not telling the truth. Miss Mitchell was about 15 yards away, and might easily nave misapprehended what was said. Never spoke loudly. She was going to shake her fist in his face. He had never said she would sell herself in the gutter for £5, but had said the drainage in the sewer laid by her husband could not get to the gutter but was dammed back. To His Worship: I deny using the language about selling herself in the gutter. I said the drainage was dammed back. His Worship: That is not at all like what Mrs Medlyn swears you said. To Mr Geoghegan: I know nothing against Mrs Medlyn, and said nothing that could be constructed to mean that she would sell herself. I said it would take £5 to get the sewerage from the house into the gutter through the drain her husband made. I admit pushing her hand back when she laid it on my arm. To His Worship: I did not push her against the fence. To Mr Mackay: Mrs Medlyn’s and Miss Mitchell’s evidence that I pushed her against the fence is untrue. Mrs Medlyn called me a mean, low man, and no gentleman. I still say that what has been sworn to about me saying she would sell herself in the gutter is untrue. It is also untrue I that I threatened to smash a bit of a twig over her head. I don’t know what raised her violent temper unless it was what I said about the drain. It is also untrue that I said she and her husband were d--- rogues. I did not say she skimmed her milk and sold it as fresh. We had her milk, and Miss Russell may have made that remark. To His Worship: I deny all about the bad language or anything that could be constructed into it. I made use of no bad language whatever. Catherine Russell deposed that she kept house for Mr Symington, who was her uncle. Remembered Mrs Medlyn coming to the house in a great rage with both hands and feet going and violently abusing her uncle, saying that he was a mean, low fellow talking about her husband’s work as he had done and that she would make him pay for it in one way or another. Complainant after talking for about 20 minutes and refusing to come inside then went next door to Mrs Oke’s and as witness wanted to hear all about the affair, she followed her, when Mrs Medlyn kept up her tirade of abuse of defendant, and upon his return in about 30 minutes she beckoned to him. Mrs Medlyn then advanced to him in a threatening manner and took hold of his collar and shook her fist in his face and took him by the arm. She did not burst into tears. Told her that people said she skimmed her milk and sold it for fresh but did not say so herself, though it was certainly skim milk she got from her. They were all close together and it would have been impossible for anything to have bean said without all hearing it. To Mr Mackay: The milk we received was skimmed, which was a great grievance to a housekeeper. (Laughter). When Mrs Medlyn came to me she did not say what Mr Symington had said. She was talking about her husband’s work. She kept threatening and abusing him for what he had said. It was not true that he said she would sell herself for £5.

Defendant was not greatly excited and did not throw her against the fence. There was no violence used. Mrs C. C. Oke remembered seeing Mrs Medlyn, Miss Russell and Mr Symington at her gate about a week ago, but being deaf heard only a portion of what they said. Saw Mrs Medlyn lay her hand on defendant’s arm, and he pushed it off, saying “hands off, woman.” Heard no bad expressions on either side. To Mr Mackay: Mr Symington did not push her very hard. Mrs Oke, continuing, said she heard Mr Symington say Mr Medlyn had scamped his work, and Miss Russell say Mrs Medlyn gave her skim milk for fresh. To Mr Geoghegan: I heard Mrs Medlyn say Mr Symington was no gentleman. I never heard him say she would sell herself in the gutter for £5, but Annie Mitchell told me she heard him say it. When Mrs Medlyn said he was no gentleman they were both in a great passion.

Mrs Medlyn cried when it was over, and said she had never had such a row in her life. To Mr Mackay: I think Miss Mitchell is truthful. I never found her in any lies. She is truthful as far as I know. Annie Mitchell, recalled at His Honour’s direction, said, in answer to questions put by him, swore that she had no doubt whatever about Mr Symington having used the words complained of. He was in a heated temper. His Worship said there had been a conflict of evidence, but he considered the language had been used and imposed a fine of £3, 23s 6d costs in the first charge and on the charge of assault a fine of 5s, with 23s 6d costs, was imposed.

DEATH OF HIS NIECE CATHERINE RUSSELL 

The North Eastern Ensign (Benalla) Friday 9 December 1904 page 4

A painfully sudden death occurred Last week, at Beechworth. Miss Catherine Russell, aged 58, living with her uncle, Mr James Symington, a retired grazier, was found by him lying on the floor in state of collapse. Mr Stewart lifted her on to the bed, but when medical assistance arrived life was extinct. The cause of death was heart failure. Deceased had been suffering lately from neuralgic pains.

SALE OF EFFECTS

Ovens and Murray Advertiser Saturday 1 July 1905 page 2

Superior Furniture by Auction. — Messrs. Stredwick, Farhall and Co. intimate in our advertising columns this morning the sale by auction at 11 a.m. on Tuesday next of the whole of Mr. J . Symington’s superior furniture and effects, at his residence, Loch-street, Beechworth, opposite the Town Hall Gardens.

HOUSE FIRE IN DECEMBER 1897

Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth), Saturday 11 December 1897, page 2

ALARMING FIRE AT NEWTOWN. It is but seldom, fortunately, that Beechworth is roused from its habitual quietude by an alarm of fire, and in consequence the utmost excitement prevailed when, on Friday night, about a quarter to 10 o’clock, the clangour of the firebell brought out the inhabitants into the streets in evident perturbation with anxious enquiries as to the direction of the fire. Being a bright moonlight night, this was at first difficult to ascertain, but the wind blowing from the direction of Newtown, and conveying the smell of burning timber, soon localised the scene of the fire, which was further confirmed by the brilliant blaze which arose and illumined the rolling clouds of smoke. The alarm from the firebell tower was responded to by the Beechworth Fire Brigade with their customary alacrity, and they, with their apparatus, were on their way to the spot within a few minutes of the signal, followed by a hurrying crowd on foot and in various vehicles, at first it was feared, from the apparent situation of the blaze, that the handsome two story brick building known, as Richmond House, the property of Mr. R. Warren, was in flames, but this proved to be a mistake, although the fire was in unpleasant proximity. The outbreak was found to have occurred in a weatherboard building two houses distant, which was owned by Mrs. Duncan, sen., and occupied by her son, Mr. William Duncan, of the well-known firm of Duncan Brothers, ironfounders and coach builders. At the time of the out break Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were absent, having gone to Beechworth on a visit to Mrs. Duncan’s sister, leaving three young children in the house in charge of the eldest, a girl aged about 13 years. They had retired to rest, leaving everything apparently safe, and were sleeping quietly, when the eldest girl was awakened by a crackling sound, and springing out of bed discovered, that the house was on fire. With commendable presence of mind she at once conveyed the younger children outside, and they quickly found shelter at a neighbor’s house. So rapid was the progress of the fire with such inflammable materials that despite the promptitude with which the fire brigade appeared upon the scene, there was no possibility of saving the house, which, with its contents, was completely demolished. The wind blowing freshly from the south-west fanned the flames into greater fierceness, and directed them against the adjoining tenement, also the property of Mrs. Duncan, and occupied by Mr. W. Moore, an engine-cleaner on the railway line. He had also retired for the night, but being aroused by his wife, promptly removed his furniture into the roadway, and it was fortunate he did so as the fire soon seized upon the gable end of the house and made its way in, consuming the interior, but by the intervention of the brigade, who worked energetically to prevent the spread of the fire, it was subdued, leaving the walls and roof comparatively uninjured. This result was greatly aided by a change of wind which shifted round to the south-east, and so assisted to check the progress of the flames, which otherwise would have placed “Richmond House” in imminent danger. The more credit is due to the successful efforts of the fire brigade, as the supply of water was far from adequate, and in the event of the conflagration attaining any dimensions would have been virtually useless. The complaints from dwellers in the outskirts of the town have been rather frequent of late as to the insufficiency of the water supply and this alarming experience may have some beneficial effect in expediting the alterations which have been urgently needed for some time past. We under stand that both buildings were insured, but as Mr. Duncan’s furniture was not so protected he will certainly suffer a heavy loss. So far the origin of the tire is unknown, but there is no doubt an inquiry will be held to endeavor to elucidate the matter.

SALE OF THE NEW TOWN PROPERTY

Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth), Saturday 10 September 1898, page 11

Friday, September 16th, 1898. HIGHLY IMPORTANT SALE OF Beechworth Properties, and the Right, Title and Goodwill OF THE Ovens District Foundry. IN THE ESTATE OF THE LATE JOHN DUNCAN. STREDWlCK, FARHALL & Co HAVE been favored with instructions from the Executor of the late John Duncan, of Newtown, Beechworth, to Sell by Public Auction, on the above date, AT THE FOUNDRY, NEWTOWN, the whole of the following Valuable PROPERTIES: — LOT 1. — All that Faithfully-built EIGHT-ROOMED BRICK RESIDENCE, together with an ACRE (more or less) of LAND, situate at Newtown, and formerly occupied by the late John Duncan.

LOT 2.— All that SIX-ROOMED Newly-built W.B. COTTAGE, together with about HALF AN ACRE of LAND, situate in Bridge-street, Newtown, Beechworth.

[1] Obituary Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth), Saturday 4 April 1908, page 7

[2] Miners in the Memory of the Stanley Morning ... page 27

[3] Presbyterian Compartment B Numbers 4054 and 4055 Agnes Darton the original owner. GPS location S 37.48.190 E 145.02.487 (+/- 22')

[4] VPRS28/P2/849 Probate and Administration Files

[5] Burke Museum, Department of Commissioners for the Gold Field Rejecting Claims Races and Rights Aug 1855 to Nov 1857 Entry 823 May 1, 1857

[6] Burke Museum, Register of Mining Claims Water Rights, &c Beechworth 1857-Sep 1862 Entry 442 29 March 1858

[7] Obituary, Albury Banner and Wodonga Express Friday 3 April 1908 page 26

[8] Ballarat Star, Wednesday 3 June 1868, page 2

[9] Surveyors' Field Books, Black Sequence, Surveyor-General's Department PROV VPRS16685/P1/35 Book 2528 (Special lots Myrtleford, Field Books No. 1 Parish of Myrtleford; Books Nos. 2 & 3 Parish of Yackandandah and 16685/P1/35 Bundle 204, Books 2529 and 2530 (Kinchington Creek)

PROPERTY HELD BY JAMES SYMINGTON OF BEECHWORTH

The history of the ownership and tenancy of properties which James Symington acquired in Beechworth and elsewhere in North-East Victoria is revealed in the Shire Rate Books.

16 BRIDGE STREET, NEWTOWN

The present house at 16 Bridge Road, Beechworth represents an amalgamation of two adjacent properties, comprising part allotments 7, section 6a of the Township of Beechworth.

These properties were purchased at a public auction held in the Court House at Beechworth on 25 November 1857. Lot number 10, comprising land measuring one Rood, 30 Perches, was bought by James Symington and Margaret Brown, a milliner, for £43 15s.1 This was the first property which James Symington acquired in the region.

The adjacent properties were situated between Bridge and Spring Streets, each having a 33-foot frontage to Bridge Street and a depth 288 feet. On James Symington’s land was a slab and bark house, measuring 24 by 18 feet, with a shingle roof, described in the Rates Book as “very dilapidated”; a smaller house had been erected on the section purchased by Miss Brown. The Rate Book for 1856-1857 has James as the owner and occupier of the property. James Symington’s sister, Agnes, had married James Darton in Beechworth in 1855. She was the ratepayer for James Symington’s Bridge Street property in 1857 and 1858. From 1861, James Symington’s sister, Ann Russell was residing at the property.2 By 1873, her son William Russell, a printer with the Ovens and Murray Advertiser, was the owner but after his death in 1884 she assumed ownership. Margaret Brown died in 1879 and her property, which then comprised a four-roomed cottage, was sold at public auction to iron founder John Duncan who, by 1886, had acquired both properties.3 Ownership passed to his widow after his death in 1896. By then, the combined properties comprised two weatherboard houses, each of six rooms. Both houses were destroyed by a fire in December 1897.4

27 LOCH STREET, BEECHWORTH

Part Town Allotment 10 of Section 10, opposite the Town Hall gardens.

In the 1860’s and 1870’s, the owner of Allotments 9 and 10, Section 10, was Henry Evans, a grocer and vigneron. The house had a stuccoed brick front and slate roof, with a weatherboard construction and shingle roof at the rear. By 1885, Charles Oke, compositor, owned the property. In 1893, James Symington was the owner and occupier of the Loch Street property, comprising part Allotment 10, Section 10. Rate books have James Symington, gentleman, living at the property until 1905, when it was sold to Richard Warren, the proprietor of the Ovens and Murray Advertiser. The present house at 27 Loch Street was probably built by James Symington. However, in 1894, he tendered also for the erection of a six-roomed weatherboard “villa” next to the Oddfellows’ Hall in Loch Street.5

33 AND 35 FINCH STREET, BEECHWORTH

Allotment 10 Section 11, Parish and Town of Beechworth.

There had been a slab house with a zinc roof on the allotment from the 1860’s but in 1896, when James Symington acquired the property from Richard Warren, the land was vacant. By the following year, James had built two brick cottages on the land. His niece, Agnes Dunphy, had moved into one of these houses by 1899. James may have moved into the other house after he departed from his Loch Street residence, although by 1905 he was ailing and he spent his last years living with his sister Agnes Darton in Hawthorn.

In his will, written in 1905, James Symington left real estate valued at £450, comprising Town Allotment 10 of Section 11 situated in Finch Street, with a frontage of 66 feet and depth 165 feet and two self-contained dwelling houses.  His personal estate included bank deposits amounting to £1630.6 7 The beneficiaries were his sister Agnes Darton, his niece Agnes Helen Darton and another niece, Catherine Young of Kilmarnock.

YACKANDANDAH VINEYARD 1877

(From Yackandandah Shire Rate Book 1877, page 76)8

In the 1870’s, James Symington had a small vineyard, on the outskirts of the township of Yackandandah which he advertised for sale in 1877:

Ovens and Murray Advertiser (Beechworth), Tuesday 3 April 1877, page 3

By order of Mr Symington, that VALUABLE FREEHOLD PROPERTY Near Yackandandah, being Allotment 5, Section D, containing 16 acres 3 roods 4 perches, securely fenced, with SIX ACRES VINEYARD, planted with choicest vines. The remainder is all grubbed and cleared. Sale at 12 o'clock prompt. J. H. GRAY & CO., Auctioneers. 

PASTORAL PROPERTIES IN THE PARISH OF BEETHANG

(From Yackandandah Shire Rate Books)

1875 James Symington, grazier, 230 acres Sandy Creek (page 12 no. 38); also rated in the Yackandandah Shire that year were his brother William Symington, grazier, 600 acres and hut; and his nieces Catherine Russell, farmer, 110 acres Sandy Creek and Jane Russell, farmer, 20 acres, Sandy Creek;

1877 “James Symington senior”, 228 acres and hut (page 90, no. 140). Also, no. 143 William Symington 529 acres, 5 acres crops, and house; no. 144 James Symington junior 150 acres, 9 acres crops, and house; Jane Russell 26 acres, Catherine Russell 200 acres.

1878 James Symington senior 228 acres and house (page 116, no. 148)

1884 James Symington, grazier, (not stated if senior or jr.) 447 acres and house (page 23 no. 253; also no. 252 William Symington, grazier, 447 acres and house; no. 254 Peter Symington 320 acres; no. 255 Jane Symington 300 acres)

1885 James Symington 450 acres and house (page 49 no. 272); also no. 271 William Symington 529 acres; no. 273 Peter Symington 320 acres and house; no. 274 executors of Jane Symington (William’s daughter) 250 acres.

1886 Ditto

WANGARATTA LAND

James Symington had 142 acres of pasture close to the Wangaratta township which he advertised for sale in 1896: 127 acres,  comprising allotments 1, 2, 3, 4 and 4a, section 19, and allotments 14 and 15 and 15a, section 11, in the parish of Wangaratta, which included a total of 90 acres of river flats; also 15 acres of cleared land, being allotments 9, 10 and 11, section 10, of the same parish situated one mile from the Post Office.9

REFERENCES

1 Ovens & Murray Advertiser Thursday 26 November 1857 page 2

2 Beechworth Municipality Assessment and Rate Book October 1861-1862, page 104

3 Ovens and Murray Advertiser Saturday 11 October 1879, page 4

4 Ovens & Murray Advertiser, 11 December 1897, page 2

5 Ovens and Murray Advertiser Saturday 2 June 1894 page 9

6 PROV VPRS7591/P2, 107/979

7 PROV VPRS28/P2, 107/979 (Probate and Administration Files)

8 PROV VPRS 598/C1

9 Ovens and Murray Advertiser Saturday 28 November 1896, page 9