Artisans From England
George Chisholm was born on 14 March 1805 in Inverkeithing, Fife, Scotland. His death certificate recorded that his parents were Samuel Chisholm and Agnes Moffatt, however it is now believed that this is incorrect and he was the son of George Chisholm and Marjory Magdaline Moffatt. George, a merchant, emigrated to Australia, arriving in Sydney, New South Wales on 2 April 1833 on board the Dryade.
George married Anne Butler Bourne, daughter of Robert Bourne and Ann Butler, on 3 December 1836 in Sydney, New South Wales. Anne was born on 18 January 1819 in Papeetee, Tahiti. George and Anne had a family of two sons and six daughters, two children died as infants. In 1841 George and Anne also took into their home the three daughters of his elder brother Samuel Chisholm. Reportedly a kind-hearted, amiable woman, Anne died on 12 April 1850 in Sydney, New South Wales, at the age of 31 years, just six months after giving birth to their youngest daughter Margaretta.
George married Anne Butler Bourne, daughter of Robert Bourne and Ann Butler, on 3 December 1836 in Sydney, New South Wales. Anne was born on 18 January 1819 in Papeetee, Tahiti. George and Anne had a family of two sons and six daughters, two children died as infants. In 1841 George and Anne also took into their home the three daughters of his elder brother Samuel Chisholm. Reportedly a kind-hearted, amiable woman, Anne died on 12 April 1850 in Sydney, New South Wales, at the age of 31 years, just six months after giving birth to their youngest daughter Margaretta.
The Chisholm’s lived at Stanmore House, 88 Enmore Street in Newtown, Marrickville, New South Wales. Stanmore House, built in 1847, is Newtown's only surviving old mansion. It was of Colonial Regency design with a central entrance and gable, wide verandah and capped columns.
George had a large importing wholesale and retail haberdashery business and established a drapery in Pitt Street, Sydney. (Chisholm and Co.) In 1838, his father-in-law, Robert Bourne, also a draper at that time, amalgamated their businesses. The company then became known as Bourne and Chisholm. Later, in 1858, George operated the drapery with his brother Daniel Chisholm and Archibald Mitchell. It was then known as George Chisholm and Co. and operated from Macquarie Street, Sydney. |
Jane Dunlop Chisholm married widower Samuel Cook on 20 April 1864 at Stanmore House in Newtown, New South Wales. Born in Leicestershire, England in 1830, Samuel Cook was apprenticed at age 14 to a general printer, he left England soon after his apprenticeship was completed and gained employment at the Sydney Morning Herald as a compositor. Having learned Pittman's shorthand as a boy, he was soon promoted to political reporter. After fulfilling several other roles at the newspaper, including associate editor, Samuel was appointed general manager in 1888, a position that he held until his retirement in 1907. Samuel Cook was one of the founders of Camden College and was also a great advocate of reserving open spaces for use as public parks and gardens.
Samuel and Jane Cook lived at Frankfort Villa in Marrickville. The grand Italianate residence was known for its beautifully tended gardens. They had a family of eight children as well as two surviving children from Samuel's previous marriage. |
Jeanie Graham Cook married Major Henry Craig Dane on 14 July 1891. Major Dane died suddenly in 1898 on their return journey to America after a visit to Australia where he had been lecturing in connection with the Red Path Lyceum Bureau. Jeanie Dane returned to Australia and interested herself extensively in charitable works until her death on 4 February 1918 in Mosmon, New South Wales aged 51 years.
Mabel Agnes Cook married esteemed surgeon, Sir Herbert Lethington Maitland on 8 July 1897. Mabel Maitland was left a considerable fortune upon the death of her husband in 1923. Samuel Edward Cook became a solicitor, Sydney Leicester Cook was a doctor and Alan Bourne Cook was a member of the staff of the Sydney Morning Herald. Ernest Burton Cook served as a gunner during World War 1 and was later a wool appraiser. |
After their father’s death, his children sold the estate to the Salvation Army and it became a Maternity Home and later was known as Bethesda Hospital. In the 1970’s it became a hostel for female students and given the name “Stead House”. The property was converted into apartments in 2011.
George Chisholm died on 7 July 1873 aged 67 years at Frankfort Villa, Marrickville, the home of his daughter, Jane Cook. He was buried with Anne and their infant daughters at Devonshire Street Cemetery.
In 1901, when this site was chosen for the Central Railway Complex, all four were re-interred to the General Cemetery in Waverley, Vault 47A. The exhumation was arranged by the Grahame and Sands family, descendants of George’s uncle George Chisholm and Marjory Moffatt. George’s brother Daniel, who had died in 1878, was also interred in Vault 47A at Waverley Cemetery. Anne Butler Chisholm married Frederick William Rutter on 8 October 1873 at Frankfort Villa in Marrickville, New South Wales. Frederick was a draughtsman and worked for the Government Survey Department. Mary Louisa Chisholm was married on 7 September 1875 in Forbes, New South Wales. She married Farm Superintendent James Edward Jones. James later owned the Commercial hotel in Forbes. Daniel Henry Chisholm worked as a draughtsman and later as a journalist, most likely with the Sydney Morning Herald. He married Elizabeth Ponder on 7 August 1878 in Petersham, New South Wales. |
Descendants of George Chisholm
George Chisholm was born on 14 March 1805 in Inverkeithing, Fife, Scotland and died on 7 July 1873 in Marrickville, New South Wales at age 67 years. George married Anne Butler Bourne on 3 December 1836 in Sydney, New South Wales. Anne was born on 18 January 1819 in Papeetee, Tahiti and died on 12 April 1850 in Sydney, New South Wales at age 31 years. They had eight children: George Robert, Anne, Jane Dunlop, Mary Louisa, Daniel Henry, Anne Butler, Charlotte McPherson and Margaretta Bourne.
- George Robert Chisholm was born on 26 September 1837 in Sydney, New South Wales and was christened on 30 October 1837 at St Andrews, Sydney, New South Wales and died after 1904.
- Anne Chisholm was born on 18 January 1839 in Sydney, New South Wales and died in 1839 in Sydney, New South Wales as an infant.
- Jane Dunlop Chisholm was born on 11 June 1841 in Sydney, New South Wales and died on 27 January 1896 in Marrickville, New South Wales at age 54 years. Jane married Samuel Cook on 20 April 1864 in Marrickville, New South Wales. Samuel was born in 1830 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England and died on 2 July 1910 in New South Wales at age 80 years. They had eight children: Annie Chisholm, Jeanie Graham, Frank Arthur, Mabel Agnes, Samuel Edward, Sydney Leicester, Allen Bourne and Ernest Burton. Samuel was previously married to Elizabeth Groocock on 6 October 1857 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England. Elizabeth was born in about 1832 in Leicester, Leicestershire, England and died on 25 March 1862 in Newtown, New South Wales at age 30 years. They had four children: George Eburah, Mary Elizabeth, Samuel Groocock and Frederick John.
- Mary Louisa Chisholm was born on 27 December 1842 in Windsor, New South Wales and died on 30 July 1896 in Forbes, New South Wales at age 53 years. Mary married James Edward Jones on 7 September 1875 in Forbes, New South Wales. James was born on 25 July 1842 in Nepean, New South Wales and died on 1 July 1885 in Forbes, New South Wales at age 42 years. They had four children: Gertrude Marion, Annie Lydia, Jessie Agnes and Mary Louisa.
- Daniel Henry (Harry) Chisholm was born on 12 September 1844 in Sydney, New South Wales, was christened on 31 October 1844 at St Andrews, Sydney, New South Wales and died on 1 September 1916 in Ashfield, New South Wales at age 71 years. Daniel married Mary Elizabeth Ponder on 7 August 1878 at All Saint's Church, Petersham in Sydney, New South Wales. They did not have children.
- Anne Butler Chisholm was born on 8 May 1846 in Sydney, New South Wales, was christened on 26 August 1846 at St Andrews, Sydney, New South Wales and died on 7 March 1900 in Newtown, New South Wales at age 53 years. Anne married Frederick William Rutter on 8 October 1873 in Marrickville, New South Wales. Frederick was born in 1842 in Sydney, New South Wales and died on 17 November 1884 at Stanmore road, Sydney, New South Wales at age 42 years. They had six children: John Yates, Hylton, Arthur Frederick, Beatrice Mary, Bertram Maney and Muriel Jean.
- Charlotte McPherson Chisholm was born on 26 January 1848 in Sydney, New South Wales, was christened on 7 April 1848 at St Andrews, Sydney, New South Wales and died on 11 December 1848 in Sydney, New South Wales at age 11 months.
- Margaretta Bourne Chisholm was born on 6 October 1849 in Marrickville, New South Wales, was christened on 1 November 1849 at St Andrews, Sydney, New South Wales and died on 7 February 1921 in Hindmarsh, South Australia at age 71 years. Margaretta married Edward Mason on 2 April 1875 in Marrickville, New South Wales. Edward was born on 7 March 1845 in London, Middlesex and died on 3 June 1923 in Fullarton, New South Wales at age 78 years. They had eight children: Ruth, Henry Charles, Ethel Margaret, Violet, Estelle Patience, Rose Alice, Sophie Doreen and Elsie Francis.