PRIMARY DOCUMENTS:

CONTENTS:

1. NEWSPAPER CUTTING:PAPER : unknown: DATE: unknown (J C Curlewis in WWI)
2. NEWSPAPER CUTTING: PAPER: unknown:DATE: unknown (Curlewis family in WW1)
3. LETTER:FROM: Lila May Curlewis:TO: Mrs E Curlewis (nee Ethel Turner, wife of Herbert Curlewis)
4. LETTER: FROM: Dr Ralph McGregor:TO: Mrs G L Curlewis
5. Copy of letter from Dr Ralph Mc Gregor to Mrs G L Curlewis widow of the late Capt G L Curlewis of 16 Battalion 4th Brigade Australian Infantry & sent to Mrs H Curlewis Sydney (nee Ethel Turner)
6. LETTER: FROM: Alfred William Curlewis: TO: Alfred Curlewis: 14.12.15
7. LETTER:: FROM: John S Curlewis: TO: Herbert Raine Curlewis: S Africa, Oct 12th 1917
8. LETTER: FROM: Morris Piscone Curlewis:TO: Ethel Turner (Mrs H Curlewis):Rome, March 4th 1932
9. LETTER: TO: Mr Adrian Curlewis:FROM: R McDonagh: 30/10 47 RE Curlewis (town in NSW)
10. SPEECH BY: John Jauncey DATE: April 1894 (about the first settlement of Tilba Tilba)
11 LETTER FROM : T B Mutch TO: Adrian Curlewis DATE: 15 Jan 1949
12 LETTER FROM: Septimus Lord Curlewis TO: Edward Smith Hall DATE: 24 August 1840
13: Trancript of will of William Curlewis, Date: 1776:Source: photocopy of original with Megan Curlewis
14: Transcript of Will of Steavens Lupton Curlewis Date: 1846
15: Will of John Curlewes proved in 1705 Date 1705
16: Will of Joan Curlewes widow of Fulke CurlewisDate 1618
17 John Curlewes will 1574
18 Isabel Curlewes will 1591
19 George Curlewes will 1650
20: Letter from William Hall to his father, Edward Smith Hall
Geelong, 1852

21. WILLIAM CURLEWIS: Will: 1503
22. LETTER: TO: Rev Curlewis: FROM: M. A. Curlewis (nee Maria Anne Collins) April 1886
23 LETTER TO: Fannie Moller FROM: Constance Curlewis May 29th 1941
24: LETTERTO: Fannie Moller FROM: Constance Curlewis DATE: 28 September 1941
25 LETTER TO: Fannie Moller FROM: Jean Carlyle Curlewis/Jones
26. LETTER: TO: Rev Curlewis FROM: M A Curlewis (nee Maria Ann Collins)DATE: November 2nd, 1886
27. LETTER: TO: Judge Adrian CurlewisFROM: Arthur C Curlewis 18 August 1956
28LETTER FROM : T B Mutch TO: Adrian Curlewis DATE: 15 Jan 1949 SOURCE: Copy in the papers of Philippa Poole
29 LETTERFROM: A C CurlewisTO: Sir Adrian CurlewisDATE: 19 January 1949SOURCE: Papers of Philippa Poole
30 LETTER FROM: Arthur CurlewisTO: Adrian Curlewis DATE: 13 January 1954
31 LETTER FROM: Florence Burnham CurlewisTO: Arthur Claribeaux Curlewis (presumably)DATE: 24 March 1951
32: TYPEWRITTEN DOCUMENT: AUTHOR: A W CURLEWIS Skeleton sketch of early history of Curlewis brothers in Australia
33 TYPEWRITTEN DOCUMENT; Curlewis Family - G C and S L Curlewis
34: WILL OF MARY CONSTANCE CURLEWIS
35; LETTER: FROM: Jean Carlyle Curlewis TO: Fannie Moller undated, probably around 1968
36: OBITUARY (?) Margarita Moller
37: LETTER:FROM: KathleenYoung nee CurlewisTO; Fannie Moller DATE: 16 June 1968
38: LETTER:FROM: Constance Curlewis TO: John Stephen Curlewis, South Africa: January1st 1939
39: Transcriptions of Insurance Documents:: Dwelling of Steavons Lupton Curlewis, obtained via internet.
40 LETTER From Phillip Brown TO: A C Curlewis Date: 5 March 1951: re: early settlement in Geelong by Curlewis family
41 LETTER FROM: Phillip Brown TO: Arthur Claribeaux Curlewis: Date: 22 May 1951 re early settlement in Geelong by Curlewis family at Hermsley
42 LETTER:TO: Mr P L Brown President of Geelong Historical Society, FROM: A C Curlewis re background of Curlewis's in geelong
43 LETTER: From Edward Hall (George Campbell Curlewis's brother in law TO: Edward Smith Hall (his father, George's father in law)
44 NEWSPAPER ARTICLE. "Kind and Gentle Man" from Tom's Weekly, Monday April 26 1971: Obituary for Alfred Charles Curlewis/
45 IN MEMORIAM George Campbell Curlewis (b 1854 )by DOD (newspaper article. source unknown)
46 "The Passing of a friend" by DOD (newspaper article. source unknown) Memories of George Campbell Curlewis (b 1874) and early geelong area
47 Letter: From Edgar Burnham Curlewis To: Charles Herbert Curlewis 1905 Congratulating him re birth of Alfred Charles
48 Letter: From: George Campbell Curlewis TO: Matilda Martha Burnie Hall 28 April 1835. Written when they were courting.
49b LETTER: From: George Campbell Curlewis TO: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall DATE: Unknown: Written to her from Sydney to Lake Bathurst where she is staying with her family: he is counselling her on some family disagreement
49 LETTER From: George Campbell Curlewis To: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall March 1839 Written while droving probably in the Snowies,
49D LETTER FROM: George Campbell Curlewis TO: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall DATE March 1839: written from Ravenswood about general farm related issues
49b LETTER: From: George Campbell Curlewis To: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall: 18 September 1841. From Melbourne, describing his first trip there.
49a LETTERFROM: George Campbell Curlewis TO: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlews nee Hall UNDATED but most likely February 1836: Written from Sydney to Matilda in Ravenswood,
50 LETTER From: George Campbell Curlewis To: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall Date March 1842. Written from Sydney to Matilda in Ravenswood
51 LETTER From: George Campbell Curlewis To: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall Date March 1844. Written in Sydney to Matilda in Ravenswood
51A LETTER FROM: George Campbell Curlewis TO: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall DATE Around February 1844: Written on his way home to Ravenwood from the above trip to Sydney, presumably
49C LETTER: FROM: George Campbell Curlewis TO: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall DATE: unknown but since he refers to his "pets" (children) and "the next two or three girls" we could date this to after the birth of Matilda Emma, 1844.
52 LETTERFrom George Campbell Curlewis To: Matilda Curlewis (Matilda Martha Birnie Hall)c early 1840'sFrom Gippland, near Port Albert
53 LETTER From Victor Hall To: Edward Smith Hall Date: 22 February 1847: Written from Strathbogie, Vic, with references to his sister and brother in law, Matilda Curlewis and George Campbell Curlewis
54: Newspaper item:Port Phillip Herald Tuesday July 6 1847.Report of the death of George Campbell Curlewis
56: Letter: from Septimus Lord Curlewis To: Maria Ann Collins Date: 24 December 1841 "My own dear love" written whilst courting
58: LETTER From: Herbert Raine Curlewis To: Ethel Turner Date: 7 February 1889 Written while they were courting
59: LETTER From: Herbert Raine Curlewis To: Ethel Turner Date: undated Written while they were courting
60: LETTER From: Herbert Raine Curlewis To: Ethel Turner Date: 28 September 1890 Written while they were courting
61: LETTER From: Herbert Raine Curlewis To: Ethel Turner Date: 5 March 1891 Written while they were courting
62: LETTER From: Herbert Raine Curlewis To: Ethel Turner Date: August 1891Written while they were courting
63: LETTER FROM: Maurice Piscone Curlewis TO: Terry King DATE: September 1979: Details of his research into the English origins of the family
64: LETTER FROM: Septimus Lord Curlewis TO: E S Hall Esq, Folkingham, Lincolnshire. Written 2 months before his "my own dear Love" letter to Maria Ann Collins. In this letter he refers to the possibility of visiting Folkingham in the near future. It is tempting to speculate that he formed the relationship with his future wife on that trip.
65 Family bible of Septimus Lord Curlewisnote re Margaret Matilda Curlewis
66LETTER: From Fannie Moller To: Richard Curlewis 1967 re death of her sister
67 Various references to Henry Charles Curlewis, 1800 - 1873 in primary sources, newspapers, court cases, certificates etc
68 Letter from John Tassie concerning children of Harold Burnham Curlewis
69 Letter in "The Argus" 8 September 1913.from Alfred Claribeau Curlewis re MEMORIES OF GIPPSLAND

76 Extracts from letters written by his cousin Susan commenting on Edgar Curlewis's financial situation

77 A report in the NSW Police Gazette re warrant for his arrest

 95 Robert Grey Curlewis (South Africa).Series of handwritten records and documents
in the period 27/12/1900 to 8/91902 obtained from various South African archives

96 Interview with James Frederick Curlewis
97 Interview with RG Curlewis by Adriaan Thiele on 6 May 1900: Secret location, somewhere in the capital, Pretoria ZAR

99 article in the Guardian Australia 22 August 2020 "We take no rishs... by Matthew Curlewis

100 Article on Ian Curlewis by Palm Beach Surf Club
101 The Murder of Curlewis and McCulloch
102 Report on the Curlewis party in the Argus 1862
103 letter to the Argus from W E P Giles during the search for Burke and Wills.  George Edward Curlewis is in his party.
104 Letter re Curlewis/Conn expedition.  Finding an unknown grave of some white men
105 Mention in monograph by Ernest Giles / Australia Twice Traversed: Vol 1 pp xlii-xliii
106 letter to the Argus Saturday 28 December 1861 concerning the graves found by George E Curlewis, Conn and George's intention to find them again.
107 Account of George Edward's death by Duncan McIntyre

 

 

 

 

BACK TO INTRODUCTION

 


1. NEWSPAPER CUTTING
PAPER : unknown
DATE: unknown
SOURCE: Papers of Phillipa Poole

"UNDER FIRE"
At one stage of the present campaign there were four brothers Curlewis in the A.I.F., but now only one is left, and he is sick. The other three have died in the service of their country. At present, Lieutenant J.C. Curlewis lies ill in hospital after having passed without a wound through the thick of all the recent fighting. He was one of the few Australians who succeeded in scaling Hill U when the Ghurkas delivered their assault on that lofty peak, and throughout the severe struggle that followed he continued, at the special request of the brigadier, to be attached to the Indian Brigade. When the worst of the struggle was over came the reaction, and Curlewis caught a severe cold, which has shaken him rather badly. He was also greeted with the news that the third of his brothers had passed away only a few days before. It is likely that the young lieutenant will be sent to England to recuperate.

NOTE: I believe that this refers to George Campbell Curlewis, not J C Curlewis


2. NEWSPAPER CUTTING
PAPER: unknown
DATE: unknown
SOURCE: Papers of Phillipa Poole

"CURLEWIS FAMILY"
Lieutenant Gordon Curlewis and Corporal Selwyn Curlewis (brothers) were killed in action at the Daranelles. Lieutenant Arthur Curlewis (another brother) was wounded. The fourth brother, Campbell* is at the front. They are the sons of Mr and Mrs G L Curlewis of Brookton, W A and cousins of Mr Justice Curlewis of the High Court of the Transvaal), of Mr H R Curlewis, the barrister, of this city, and of Mr H B Curlewis, acting Astronomer of Perth. Four other cousins are also at the front.

* This would be George Campbell Curlewis, (III) who was also known as Campbell


3. LETTER:
FROM: Lila May Curlewis
TO: Mrs E Curlewis (nee Ethel Turner, wife of Herbert Curlewis)
SOURCE: original in papers of Philippa Poole

Nalga
E Brookton
1-12-1915
My dear Mrs Curlewis Please accept our sincere thanks for your kind letter of sympathy, to us, in our great sorrow and loss in the death of our two eldest sons. Capt Gordon S Curlewis, and Copl. Selwyn L Curlewis and the wounding of our 3rd son Lieut. George Campbell Curlewis. Since then he has recovered but been wounded again and has been sent to London for treatment. Our sorrow has been greatly added to since then in the death of our 4th son our youngest Cpl. Arthur Grenville Curlewis. He was among those who first landed at the Dardanelles of the 3rd Brigade on the 25th of April. The first 3 days after landing (or I may say swimming ashore) he only had a drink of water and no sleep and for 7 weeks after he had not a change of clothes of any sort and what were left of those he had on, were in rags, from getting through barb.wire entanglements and climbing rocks, and digging trenches. During the last 7 weeks he used to go out on volunteer night patrol and gained much valuable information, and tho' he had many narrow escapes he always managed to get back safely to the trenches. It was in the terrible battle of the 7th of August that he was mortally wounded, shot through both lungs. He lingered for 8 days. It took 6 to get him from the battlefield to the Hospitals of Alexandria but he only lived 2 days after reaching there. His last conscious words to the Matron, were, " you will write and tell my Mother. I did want to come home again, but I did my duty to the end".
The Matron who wrote (?) said, he did indeed do his duty to the end as he was so brave and patient and his suffering was very great, as his case was " a cruel and hopeless one". My poor little brave soldier boy. our hearts were indeed broken with grief when we received the news of his cruel death so soon after our 2 other dear sons. We have had many letters from their fellow officers and men and the doctors speaking of their bravery. I would like to send you a copy of some of them. If I have time I will send you a copy of one Gordons poor little girl wife got from the Doctor who dressed his wounds and was with him. All our sons were great readers and thinkers (and I may say clever boys tho' their mother I must tell you that all your books in their young days were read with much interest and greatly enjoyed especially "The 7 Little Australians" and were proud when you changed your name to Curlewis. The name of Curlewis has taken its share in the early contingents who went from Australia, our 4 dear sons, Mr(?) Alf Curlewis of Victoria, only son Lieut Ken Curlewis and the last Mr Alf Curlewis of Queensland youngest son, Arthur Curlewis is now in Egypt - ready to go to the front. I've ? found? that our dear Sons with so many thousands of other dear brave men were willing at the Call of Duty to leave all they loved best on Earth all comforts, and enduring so many hardships, and much suffering, and so many of them dying in defence of us, our country and empire, and to give the future generations their freedom, but at what a cost it is being brought, it should make us all feel very humble, and try and live more worthy, of so great a sacrifice, for us all, and our beloved Empire.
But human love is so strong, for those we love so dearly, that it is hard to part with them in death in this cruel war, but we know they have reached that quiet land beyond all jest and will sleep till that great day when Christ will come again & we are told that the dead shall arise first, to meet Him. & surely all our dear brave soldiers who have laid down their lives for others will be worthy, to meet Him. For no greater love hath a man than he lays down his life for others. Thank you for those comforting & counseling verses, you so kindly copied out for me. I read them often,, & find consolation in them, I love such poems such as they. Please accept warm regards appreciation of your kind letter of sympathy to us in our great-great & overwhelming sorrow & loss. I am yours sincerely
Lilla M Curlewis
P.S. it is with great sorrow that we hear that Ken Curlewis who was also seiously wounded on the 7th of Aug (?) is reported missing since the 8th of Aug "an only son too" - poor parents L.M.C.


4. LETTER:
FROM: Dr Ralph McGregor
TO: Mrs G L Curlewis
SOURCE: Papers of Philippa Poole

Sep 4th 1915

5. Copy of letter from Dr Ralph Mc Gregor to Mrs G L Curlewis widow of the late Capt G L Curlewis of 16 Battalion 4th Brigade Australian Infantry & sent to Mrs H Curlewis Sydney (nee Ethel Turner)

The Drs letter
Gallipole 16/7/15

Dear Mrs Curlewis
I have never met you, but I had the great privilege of being a friend of your late husbands. He Liddy Townsend (Capt Townsend) and my self were called the trio as we knocked about a lot together. Of course you know that Curly was a good man, I want to tell you a little about him as a soldier at Gallipoli. He landed with the first lot of the 16th Battn about 6 p.m. on the 25/4/15 and went straight up to the position our Battn occupied for the 1st 6 days. Renown as Popes Hill. About 10 am on the next day 26/4/15 our Signalling Officer was shot, the Regimental Seg Major went to his assistance and was himself shot through the Abdomen then Curly (your husband) went to help both of them. Luckily he had his field glasses hung round his neck and a bullet struck them driving a piece into his chest - the bullet itself recocheting and cut the chin. He also got another wound just above his boot in the leg.
I fixed him up and as he could only walk a few yard I said he would have to go to the beach : well then he cried because he did not want to go away from his men: things worked bad just then Turks were in great force and on 3 sides of us & I at any rate thought we were all going to be wiped out. Of course we were not as we got a few reinforcements just at the right time. Curly went to the beach and was taken out to a hospital boat where the pieces of field glass case was removed from his chest. They (the Authorities) then wanted to send him to Alexandria but he persuaded them to let him return to his Battalion. He came back next day 27/4/15 and from then on acted as our Adjutant as he was promoted to the rank of Capt. He was the life of our Battln did everthing really, did the Col work also Quarter Masters work and his own.
When I could I made him take a little good hot tea etc etc. On May the 1st the Battalion was brought out from Popes Hill and put into an alleged rest camp.
During the whole of this time I am certain Curly did not get more than 4 hours sleep and was in rather a bad way for want of it. I made him lie down that morning and gave him some morphier and warned all the Officers that they were not to go near him. I then started round to see some of the men, but by this time the Turkish snipers had found our camp.
I fixed up two men who were wounded and went to a third when I myself was unluckily potted through the forearm but as no bones were broken I got the men away alright then I had to give up my self.
I cried at having to leave the Battalion and then I understood why "Curly" had cried on the day he had to go away. I was back again with the Batt on the 5/5/15 as I managed to persuade the Hospital Authorities to allow me to stay on the Peninsula.
"Curly" (your husband) was still holding the Batt together, also he was so cheerful with it all. In the interval he had got a little sleep and so was much better.
On 8/5/15 Capt Townsend joined us I was very sorry to see him as I was hoping he'd have been left to us. (As most of our officer had been killed by this time). On May the 9th our Battn again went out fightg. Curly led a party up to show them their work and in so doing this was shot through the head and killed out right. Later on that same night Capt Townsend led a forlorn hope charge and was also killed outright. They both died doing their duty and were Real Australian heroes (there is no higher tribute).
Your husband often spoke of you. He was very much in love with you and knowing this I have found it very hard to write to you: now that I have written its merely bald narrative (?). In conclusion I must say your husband was a real hero of the ? whitest type. He was one of the few friends I have made during my life; now what remains? Well work (worth?) and forgetfullness of self in these two things I think lie the panacea of all grief. - May I call on you if I return to the West. I am so very sorry


6. LETTER
FROM: Alfred William Curlewis
TO: Alfred Curlewis
SOURCE: original in papers of Philippa Poole

20 Bailey Avenue
Malvern 14.12.15

My dear Fred,
I received yours of the 7th inst. - many thanks for the suggestion to write to Mrs Hungerford - (?) do so tomorrow & post (located?) the (Moollann/Moollatt?) at Adelaide.
I had a telegram from the West yesterday saying that Campbell - Georges' third and only surviving son had arrived home, he has been invalided from England but by a letter I rec'd from him the other day, written before he sailed, he seemed to repeat that he would return to the front before long. I am in hopes of the sake of his father and mother, and his own that the military authorities may give him work out here instead, he was never very robust and has surely done his share. I am hoping to go voer to the West within a week or (?) to see them all.
As regards my own boy* the latest official information (?) I had was that his case was being investigated, we have cabled to England, Egypt, Malta and Lemnos (?) in vain for definite information but I am sorry to say though the private information has been conflicting, it has to my mind resolved itself with this - that he was either killed in action or died of wounds before reaching a hospital and all trace of him has been lost. Fannie & Anna do not accept this now, perhaps it is just as well they do not - and there is still a faint hope that he is a prisoner or in a hospital unable to make himself known or communicate with us. The anxiety has been great especially for his mother.
It is hard to feel that we have lost him, but I am still thankful that he played his part well. All who speak of him have a good word to say for him
Best love to Sophy
Your affect cousin
AW Curlewis
(PS) I met a returned soldier from Gallipoli yesterday. I asked if he had met any of the Curlewis'. he relied yes, Lieutenant Curlewis he had met and the others on 3 different charges. He and a Russian officer were two of the bravest men there and added Ido not understand why he did not get a DSO. He knew he had been killed.
I wish ethel would write to Mrs Afl - she is the cousin (?) of Lady Prou (?). Mrs Alf is an awfully nice woman.

*Ken Curlewis, killed in action 1915


7. LETTER:
FROM: John S Curlewis
TO: Herbert Raine Curlewis
SOURCE: Original in papers of Philippa Poole

Vijver,
Arcadia Park
Pretoria
S Africa, Oct 12th 1917
My dear "H R"
Thanks for your kind letter of congratulation on the award of the Military Cross to my son Ivan. We are indeed proud of the lad, though our heart are aching for him in his misfortune to be in a German hospital for now more than seven months.
He was shot down in that big air fight which took place behind the German lines on the 9th of (?) last. From the field hospital he was removed to a hospital at Johannistal (?), Stettin, where he has been ever since. Fortunately he has had very kind & sympathetic treatment from two Russian doctors, whom the Germans have there, & who have been trying to save his leg. His left knee was blown away & the doctors have been trying to get the thigh and shin bones to grow together. After 4 months in bed he was allowed to get up, but a week or two afterwards he had to undergo another operation. The last news we had from him was dated the 20th of July; he was then able to get about with the aid of sticks & (?) a few hours in the open air every day. If the bones grow together his leg will of course be stiff and it will be 3 inches shorter than the other, but it will be a relief to know that amputation will not be necessary.
I have been trying to get him sent to Switzerland for internment & am in hopes that before long we shall hear of his being there. He will have to undergo another operation, which he will wait till he gets to Switzerland or England. My elder daughter, Aggie, who is studying medicine in London (she has just passed her 1st medical exams) sends him a parcel of food and comforts every week, & she hears from him pretty regularly, though he is allowed to write only once a week. My younger boy, Selwyn, is now worrying me to let hi go overseas if he passes his Marticn at Xmas; he is only 17 so I think I shall keep him at college for another year.
Edith & Maude are at home with me; they would like to go to Switzerland when Ivan is sent there, but as no women are being allowed to travel to England from here they will have to go via Japan & America.
I heard from Constance a while back that you had been made a Judge of the Industrial Disputes Court; my hearty congratulations on the advancement. Does it mean that you have to give up practice at the bar. Kindest regards to your wife, yourself & childrn from me & mine. When shall meet in Paris again?
your cousin
John S Curlewis


8. LETTER
FROM: Morris Piscone Curlewis
TO: Ethel Turner (Mrs H Curlewis)
SOURCE: Papers of Philippa Poole

To Mrs Ethel Turner, (Mrs Curlewis)
Avenel
Mosman
Sydney

Rome, March 4th 1932

Dear Madam,
My Grandmother's name (now unhappily deceased) was Curlewis and she was born in South America in 1856. Now having grown up a youth I have become very eager to know the precise origin and nationality of my family but in the same time I have encountered so many difficulties as to cause my courage and love of research to gradually forsake me. The Surname I additionaly bear (Curlewis) cannot be traced in no corner of the British Isles (England, Cornwall, Wales, Scotland, Ireland) and notwithstanding my earnest quests and researches, I have been thoroughly unsuccessful. All the British ( I lay stress upon this word, for I inquired about it to inhabitants of all the British Isles) to whom I showed it, plainly replied they had never heard of it, so they couldn't at all decipher it. Having noticed, by the way, in the "English Catalogue of Books" for the years 1908-1910 Judge Curlewis's book " the Mirror of Justice" published by the "Australian Law Book Company" I wrote to " the Australian Book Co" London, Farringdon Avenue, praying them to say to me Herbert R Curlewis's Origin. Their reply was : "As to the Name Curlewis" we understand that the Author's Nationality is Lowland Scotch. But this is an opinion and nothing else. I have allowed myself to write to you, knowing perfectly well that your Husband's family is related to mine own by the closest kindred ties, thus you will not have any difficulty to explain to me my Surnames' origin and Nationality (if Welsh, or English, or Scotch or Irish).
In thanking you most warmly together with your kind Husband Mr Herbert R Curlewis
I am dear Madam
Your most obedient Servant
Morris Piscone Curlewis
presso Rossi
via Francesco Crispi
no 83, Rome
(Italy - Europe)


9. LETTER
TO: Mr Adrian Curlewis
FROM: R McDonagh
SOURCE: Papers of Philippa Poole
30/10 47

Dear Sir,
Chatting to Mr J P Bryen of Gunnedah yesterday afternoon, he stated that you were somewhat interested to learn how the village of Curlewis received its name.
You may recollect meeting me at the Court at Gunnedah, so I assured Mr Bryen that I would forward you the information as it is a particular hobby of mine viz the Early History of the Colony and the aboriginals
For some years it was generally assumed in this district that Curlewis was named from a relative of your late Father.
Mr Manning of Curlewis wrote your father some time before his death and he replied stating that he was confident that it did not receive its name from any branch of the Curlewis family.
It was named by Mr W Brown M.L.C. in 1880 who was a son of one of the earliest settlers to take up large land in this area. There was a swamp near the present village where the teamsters camped in the early days, curlews were very numerous there, so the teamsters always referred to it as Curlewis, so that is the accepted opinion to-day.
Trusting the above information may be of service
Yours faithfully
R McDonagh


10. SPEECH
BY: John Jauncey
DATE: April 1894
SOURCE: Papers of Philippa Poole
(Copy of a document received from N C Heyer, Central Tilba N.S.W., April 16 1978, re J Jauncey and the Curlewis brothers at Tilba Tilba. Written by Janucey obtained from Pearl Corkhill. Copied from the original. According to Mr Heyer, in a letter which accompanied the original of the above, it represents "most of a speech prepared by Jauncey to be delivered at the opening of the Wallage Lake Bridge in April 1894. Terry King.).

"The residents of Tilba Tilba and neighbourhood,
Ladies and Gentlement,
I being one of the pioneers of the Cobargo and Tilba country, I think some explanation from me will not be out of place at this large gathering of the residents of the neighbourhood, as to who were the first takers up of the different stations (as they were then called). As there seems to be some misconception as to who were the first comers, I was one of a party -Geo. Curlewis' - in search of a suitable place to form a heifer station.
This was in November 1833. A year of so before that time, Major Elrington had taken up Wandellow (sp?). The late W D Tarlinton, Murraberine (sp?) - afterwards removing to Bredba touru (sp?), through lack of water, - Captain Burn, Cobargo, Narba (sp?) was then unoccupied, Curlewis decided to make that his heifer station, not seeking further. We brought the cattle down in February 1834, and men to erect hut and yards etc. On reaching Narba(?) we found the place had been "jumped" and occupied by Dr. Wilson of Braidwood - no doubt induced to do so by James Nowlen, manager for Capt. Burn at Cowdra (sp?) - near Braidwood.
We had with us two aborigines - brothers - Tom and Dick Toole, who said there was another "budgery" ? place Nurrung (?) way off, on the coast. We came, we saw and settled, choosing the site for hut and yards on the clear hills, near where the Reid brothers homestead now is. The real Tilba Tilba, a far preferable place to Narba (Nariri?), it being unconnected with the other runs, by natural boundaries.
The Currenna Lake was settled as the north boundary, by Geo.Curlewis. Frank Hunt, who had recently taken up Nurrama (now Mrs fosters homestead) boundary (?), Wallage Lake and the Dromedary.
Tilba was occupied by Geo Curlewis as a heifer-station till 1843, when Septimus Curlewis and I became joint possessers of the Tilba run, and started dairying and pig rearing, and continued on till 1846, when we sold the run to Wm Campbell then of Bergalia, who stocked it with 100 picked cows and heifers, bought off Wm and Jas Walkers (sp?) of Kameraha, recently purchased by them from the late Imlay Brother, I remaining on the station as Manager till 1856, when the cattle and run was sold to the late Thoms. Forster. At that time Bega was being surveyed for settlement, which I had been looking forward to for some time, to procure a permanent home when civilization, I hoped, would soon follow settlement. I am thankful to say it did.
I, my wife, and a black boy, in 1848 carried a child each, on horseback, across the tidal inlets, then all open to the sea, to Moruya for baptism, by chance hearing that a visiting clergyman would be there. In those times, Tilba was an isolated place, on the road to nowhere; no churches, no schools, no postal communication. I only say ----man --- pass through"

 


11 LETTER
FROM : T B Mutch
TO: Adrian Curlewis
DATE: 15 Jan 1949
SOURCE: Copy in the papers of Philippa Poole

Dear Mr Curlewis
Please excuse the delay in answering your letter of the 11th inst concerning the identity of the two persons named Curlewis whose names appear in the 1828 Census. I can see that my whole week end - will be occupied in replying to the letters I have received since the paragraph appeared in the S M Herald on Tuesday - to say nothing of the telephone calls which have been made. It seems to me that my collection might yet serve a wider purpose than that was intended when I commenced compiling it, which was to establish the identity of many of the characters whose names are written across the Australian scene, and to correct many of the errors which appear in Australian biographical references.
The 1828 Census is quite familiar reference record to me, to like many such it has it deficiencies. I estimate that it is deficient in a least five thousand names and in addition to which the information given is sometimes seriously at fault, and very misleading. The entry for Mrs Reiby is a case in point.
Mr Dwelly made his copy from the one in the Public Record Office London for the Mitchell Library, of which I am a Trustee, and it is in frequent use as the most complete record of the kind. It is, in fact, the first of the Censuses, as distinct from the sectional and inadequate musters which have survived. It does not include the Military, nor Governmental Officers, who were here at the time, unless they were also land or stock holders; in which latter case it may be quite confusing because it is absurd to ascribe 1280 acres and so many Stock being held in Pitt Street Sydney though we have heard of "Pitt Street Farmers".
To come to your question. The two young people who came in the Courier in 1828 are entered in the Shipping report of the day as Master and Miss Curlewis. No Christian names are given, nor are these given in the Sydney Gazette, the Australian nor the Monitor. We are therefore left high and dry. I have made a short search among later records in the hope that the missing particulars may be found, but without certainty.
The young lady may be the same as the Sarah Isabella Curlewis of Charlotte Place who was married on July 30th 1830, to James Hamilton Kennedy (Deputy Assistant Commissary General). The identity of the young man is more doubtful. He may be identical with the Walter Curlewis who arrived per the Leda on Jany 25th 1832, but in that case he must have gone to England and returned. There are no shipping departures for many years after 1825 and so there is nothing by which this supposition may be checked. The Shipping arrivals do not commence before July 1826 and are very inadequate and unsatisfactory records.
The 1833/4 N S W Calendars give George Campbell, Walter and S L Curlewis as at "Krawaree Inverary".
Geo Curlewis had a grazing lease there and I presume you are acquainted with his career as a pastoralist etc after that period. I have several references I could give you if you are not.
It has been a pleasure to send you this reply..
Yours faithfully (SGD) T D MUTCH
P S I will keep a look out for the name and if and when I get anything definite will let you know. I was personally acquainted with the Judge Curlewis - sat with him on a Wages Board. T D M


12 LETTER
FROM: Septimus Lord Curlewis
TO: Edward Smith Hall
DATE: 24 August 1840
SOURCE: The Pivot Tree, no 47, October, 1995

South Geelong
24 August 1840

My dear Sir,
I have defered (sic) writing to you till I could give some account of this side of the Colony. I arrived at Melbourne on the 9th inst. after a most boisterous passage of 21 days, we were many days under bare masts and throughout the voyage we were under a double reef of topsails. I am happy to say I had my health and was the only one of the passengers that could keep the deck. I have kept a journal which I shall shew you. You will then be aware of the many dangers we have escaped on the Straits. I was surprised to find Melbourne so large a town. I should say it is equal in size to Parramatta with at least three times as trade. Many of the private buildings are really very good, but the public ones are poor affairs, ..a mud bank called the Queen's Wharf is the only place they have for landing their goods, one of the greatest drawbacks to the shipping interests of Melbourne is the great distance they have to bring their goods to the town. The Bay is about 10 miles from the town by water and about 3 miles by the bush road. The merchants employ lighters to bring the goods up the river, pay 10/- per ton which makes the freight of goods 50/- per ton from Sydney -- the merchants appear to be doing well. money is worth 25%. I did hear of 50% having been paid -- but this is what I do not understand in the business of Melbourne. The country about Melbourne is truly beautiful, the town is situated on the banks of the Yarra Yarra a find fresh water river. There are also two salt water rivers, and a small lake. The land is very rich, and is at present covered with a fine coat of rich grass and herbage. The timber is small and far apart, mostly wattles, swamp oaks and black gums which look remarkable (sic) well. The sheep at present depasturing near the town, weigh from 70 to 80 lbs, and I have this day seen a bullock killed weighing 1280 lb. and in the spring I am told they often die 1500 lbs. The herbage is so very rich I am not surprised at the weight. I consider the land too good for sheep breeding and I should say in a few years the quality of the wool must denegrate much. After a stay of nine days in Melbourne I started for this place about 50 miles to the S West. I was much please with the country I passed through, the great drawback was the want of water --- there are so many stations on the roadside, they dig wells for their own use, and after a time the stock drink the brackish water. On my arrival at this place I was delighted to find that any accounts I had heard or read, or anything I had imagined fell far short of the reality. North Geelong consists of about 12 to 15 buildings some good, some bad. It is situated at the head of the Bay call Crio (sic) and the land on all sides is very rich. Small vessels can come up to the town, vessels about 100 tons have to anchor about five miles down near Point Henry but then is a good dray road to the town. South Geelong is about 1 mile to the S W of N Geelong---- it is situated on the banks of the River Barwon, a fresh water river, the Government are at work contructing a breakwater across the river, which is intended to keep the river fresh. I have not at the present time to write you fully respecting these towns, it is my opinion that N Geelong will 'ere long be a very important town. If you have not made your final arrangements for New Zealand, I most certainly say give this side of the colony your preference -- your side of the Colony is called here, the Sydney side, so I say -- this side. I have seen Mr Geo. Sherwin who lives about 40 miles from melbourne -- he likes the country much. We were speaking of Edward, he says he wrote him soon after he was settled and advised him to bring over his stock, and he offered to look out a run for him. He is still of the same opinion that Edward should come over. [though], he must now go further from town. Was he once to see the country he would come. I am sure of that. Remember me to him when you write. I have written to George this morning.
With kind remembrance to Charlotte, Georgiana and all friends
believe me to remain my dear Sir,
yours truly
S L Curlewis

 

 


13: Trancript of will of William Curlewis,
Date: 1776
Source: photocopy of original with Megan Curlewis

In the Name of God Amen. I William Curlewis citizen and Ironmonger of London now at the parish of St John in Southwark in the County of Surry being at this time of sound Mind and disposing memory do make this my last Will and Testament Imprimus my Soul I r esign into the hands of that God which gave it me sincerely hoping for his Mercy Sake in and through the Merits and Intercession of my Lord and Saviour Jesus to receive the remission and pardon of all my Sins as to my body I leave to be interred in a plain and decent manner as may be approved by my Executrix herein after named and what it may be possessed of after my Just Debts and Funeral Charges are paid. I do give and bequeath unto my dear and loving wife Mary whom I appoint sole Executrix to this my last will to Enjoy all my Right Title or Claim to what I may die in the possession of for her own use and property and also what may be coming to me as a member of the Thursday Night Society Meeting now at the Queens Arms in Moorgate (?) Street London avowing to the full intent and meaning of the same Cross with my Hand and Sealed with my Seal this seventh day of October in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy one W. Curlewis In the presence of Geo Sims and S. Curlewis
This will was proved at London the twenty ninth day of July in the Year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six before the Worshipful George ? Doctor of Laws and Surrogate of the Right Worshipful Dr George Hay Knight also Doctor of Laws Mas ter Keeper or Commissary of the Prorogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oath of Mary Curlewis Widow the Relict of the deceased and sole Executrix named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased having been first sworn duly to administer.


14: Transcript of Will of Steavens Lupton Curlewis
Date: 1846

Source:

I Steavons Lupton Curlewis of a South St Greenwich declare this to be my last will and testament made February the twentieth one thouasand eight hundred and forty six do leave my wife Margaret Curlewis one hundred pounds to be paid from the money that shall be derived from the Insurance Office which I have insured upon my life. I leave to my said wife all fixtures and improvements I have made upon the house and garden in South St. I leave to my said wife all my household furniture, china and clocks except what I may hereafter dispose of by this my will. I leave to my said wife half or one moiety of all my plate, plate articles, wine, spirits and books and whereas my son George Campbell Curlewis is indebted to me in the sum of four hundred pounds I leave the same debt of four hundred pounds to my said wife and whereas I am entitled to interest from Mr Dalmaine I crave one half of whatsoever interest may be derived from him to my said wife and ........I have a claim upon the Baron de Bode for 100 pounds I leave and direct that fifteen percent shall be paid to my said wife upon all money that shall be received from such debt. I leave to my said wife the painting of the Boar ...... . I leave to my said wife my gold spectacles and gold chain in exchange for the diamond loop ring which I leave to my daughter Susan it having been her mothers. I leave to my son William, my son George, my son Walter, my son James, my son John, my son Septimus to each one pound and grieve that it is not in my power to leave them more as by the treachery of others I am almost brought to want. To my son Henry Charles Curlewis I leave one shilling and my forgiveness for the injury he has done me by defrauding me of my property which obliges me to make this will. To my daughter Susan and my daughter Sarah I leave five pounds each. To my daughter Mary Steavons Curlewis I leave two thousand pounds that Mr George Dalmaine is in my debt and which is secured to me by his wife Mrs Mary Dalmaine by her will to enable her my said daughter to carry this my last will into effect. And as to the remainder of my estate and effects of whatsoever it may be entitled to after my death I leave and bequeath to my daughter Mary Steavons Curlewis and do hereby nominate and appoint my said daughter Mary Steavons the whole and sole executrix of this my last will and testator legatee and finally I revoke and make void all other wills made by me any time heretofore. I leave to my said daughter my Bagatelle Boars, all the prints and paintings I have except the Boar .... . And I leave to my said daughter as much of my household furniture as a broker would give ten pounds trusting that my said daughter should make more money by recovering from the debts due to me from Mr Dahmiane and others that the will distribute some of it amongst the others she knows my former will it was my will to do. I leave to my said daughter the carpet work which I have done for a carpet or the carpet if finished my wife having made .... of the rug.
In witness at the said testator have hereto my hand and seal this
Signed sealed and published
To be the will of the said testator
In the presence of us and in the
In the presence of each other have
Hereto subscribed our names
As witnesses
Ant Mottley South St Greenwich Kent
Margaret Anderson servant to the above

Appeared personally Anthony Mottley of South St Greenwich county of Kent Gentleman and made oath that he is one of the attesting witnesses to the execution of the last will and testament of Steavons Lupton Curlewis late of South St Greenwich in the county of Kent deceased which said will is now hereunto annexed is contained on three sides of a sheet of paper and bears date the twentieth day of February one thousand eight hundred and forty six and having now with.... . and attention viewed and perused the said will he further made oath that he was present at the execution of the said will by the said testator which took place on the day of the date thereof and that there was also present Margaret Anderson .........his fellow survivors witness thereto and that the testator then set and ..... his name SL Curlewis at the foot of the said will in a manner and form as the same now appears in the presence of ..... and his said fellow survivors witness all your presence at the same time who then in the presence of the said testator and of other respective survivors their names thereto.. Ant Mottley On Wednesday the fifth day of November 1851 the said Anthony Mottley was duly sworn to the truth of this affidavit before me.
Proved at London 14 thNovember 1851 before the worshipful Thomas Spuik Doctor of Laws and Surrogacy by the oath of Mary Steavons Curlewis spinster the daughter the sole executrix to whom honour was granted sworn only to administer.


15: Will of John Curlewes proved in 1705
Date 1705
source: PCC Wills 1700-1749 National Archives (United Kingdom)

 

In the Name of God Amen

I John Curlewis Citizen and Weaver of London although weak and indisposed in body yet of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding praised be the Lord for the same. Do make my last Will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say) as to my worldly Estate as it hath pleased the  Lord to bless me with after my debts are paid and funeral expenses borne I give and bequeath the sum as followeth  Imprimus I give and bequeath unto my two sons John and William Curlewes to each of them the sum of three hundred pounds Sterling money to be paid unto them respectively at their respective  age of one and twenty years   Item that my dear and loving wife Mary Curlewes shall be enceint

or with child at the time of my decease and such child shall be born alive then I give and bequeath unto such child the like sum of three hundred pounds Sterling money if a son to be paid unto him at his age of  one and twenty years if a daughter to be paid unto her at her age of one and twenty years or day of marriage which shall first happen but if my said wife shall not be enceint or with child at the time of my decease or such child shall not be born alive then I give and bequeath the said three hundred pounds before appointed for such child unto my said two sons John and William Curlewes equally share and share alike to be paid unto them at such time as the portions or sums of money before given them are appointed to be paid. And my mind and will is and I do hereby orders and appoint the said  (?) portions or sums of money hereby given and bequeathed unto my children as aforesaid and shall at the risqué and hazard of my said children be put out at interest or otherwise improved by my executors hereafter named and that the interest and improvement thereof shall be applied towards their maintenance and duration.  And my mind and will further is that my sons Executors shall think it (?)  for the promotion of my said children to put them or either of them apprentice of otherwise dispose of them or with either them in the world then and I do hereby direct and authorize my said executors to  supply part of their portions hereby given for such purposes without being accountable or changeable for so doing.

And I hereby further will and desist that my said wife shall have the education and bringing up of my said children as long as she shall continue my ....? of her marriage that my other executors undertake(?) their education and bringing up and that my said wife or Executors whosoever it may be that shall so (?) or bring up my said children shall have the interest and product of their respective portions before given them for and towards such their education and bringing up (?) my mind and will further is that in case any or either of my said children shall happen to die before any of their respective portion or portions of him her or them dying shall go to the survivors or survivor of my children (if more than one) share and share alike but in case all my said children shall happen to die or depart this life before their respective portion become payable to them as aforesaid then I hereby appoint that six hundred pounds part of the nine hundred pounds therefore shall be paid by my Executors to my father and other two Brothers and sisters such of them as shall be living at the time of the death of my said children to be equally divided among them share and share alike.  Item: I give and bequeath to my brother George Curlewes the sum of fifty pounds sterling money.  Item. I give and bequeath to my very good friend Thomas Shorting of the Tower Hamlets in the County of Middle Tower and Ratcliff (?) of London, Woolstapler, fifty pounds (?) for mourning.  All the rest, residue and remainder of my estate whatsoever and wheresoever I give and bequeath unto my said dear and loving wife Mary. I do hereby declare and appoint the said Thomas Shering Grathampe (?) and my said wife Mary to be the full and sole executors of this my last will and I do hereby revoke all former wills by me at any time herefore to made and so publish appoint and that this to be my last will.

In witness whereof the said John Curlewis to the Estator have to my last will and testament containing in four sheets of paper to the first three sheets therefore setting my hands are to this last the name and seal this ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and first. Jno Curlewes.  Signed, sealed published settled and delivered by the said estator John Curlewes for and was his last will and testament in the presence of us, John Long, mark of Elizabeth Curlewis, Fr Harding


16: Will of Joan Curlewes widow of Fulke Curlewis
Date 1618

Will of Joan Curlewes widow of Fulke Curlewes died Feb 1618 Thundridge In the name of god Amen, The xxviiith Daye of November And in the yeare of the Raiyhne of Soveraigne Lord Jeames by the Grace of god Kynge of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the faythe viz of England France Ireland the ninthe and of Scotland the xliiiith 1611. I Jonne Curlewes of the parish of Stondon in the Countie of Herts wido. Beinge sicke of body but of pfect remembrance thankes be to almyghtie god Do ordayne and make this my Last will and Testamente in Manner & forme foloinge viz ffyrst and pryncipally I comit my Soule in to the hands of Almyghtie god that gave it And unto Jesus Criste my holy? Saviour & sripped? A miserable sinner ame headed and unto the holye Goste my Comforter. And beinge redye to Laye downe my bodye in weknes? that by the almyghtie it may be raysed up in heven. And my Bodye to be buried in the parish Churche yard of Thundridge near? The bodye of my husbande at the Discression of myne Executors Hm I geve and Bequeathe unto my son george Curlewes my sonne all this? ffollos of goods and houshould stufe hereafter named to hym durynge his natural Lyfe and after his Decease unto Thomas his sonne viz A Table & frame in the halle A cubbord wth the paynted clothes. Two Irone Jackes & A bare of Irone one chayer A bedstead in the parlour being furneshed wth all things ther Unto Belonginge as it now standethe wth the paynted clothes, A marble? quarne?, A payer of fflexson sheets & A payer of towine? shetts Half a dozene of table napkins of towine?. And one Presse in the chamber. Itm I give & bequeathe unto Jonne Lyll my Daughters Daughter one bedsted over the kychine As it is nowe furneshed wth the curtaines and teaster therof/viz A fether bedd A boulster one pello one blanket one coverlet A payer of fflexson shetts and a payer of towine? Shetts one chest one coffer wth Iron Barres One Cubberd in the kichine one fforme Under the windowe. Two pewter platters. A tynkers kettell one Lyttell spite? And A towine Table Clothe. Itm I give and bequeathe unto Sarahe Cooke wido My Daughter A damexe Coverlet one of my Brewinge Kettelles A payer of towime shetts A pewter pynte pott. Two Lattyne (ie good brass) Candell Stickes And A payer of flexen pelloberes (ie pillow cases) - Itm I geve & bequeathe unto my Daughter Jonne Blackkebe my beste rede pettecote, Itm I geve & bequeathe unto Elizabeth Jordine my Great Spytte? & Two pewter platters. Itm I geve and bequeathe unto Richard Worland one Trunttelbedsted? one flockbed & one boulster one blanket & one rede Coverlette. Itm I give & bequeathe unto Grase my Sonnes daughter one Lyttoll Cofer in my Chamber, And to Elizabeth one other of his daughters one other Cofer in the parlor, Itm I geve and bequeathe unto my god Daughter Jonne one other of my Sonnes daughters one Lattine pott. And if it shall happen the sayd Jonne to dye befor her brother George Cames to the age of xxith yeares then my mynd & will is that hee shall have the sayd Lattine pott, Itm I geve & bequeathe unto my sonne John Curlewes one Standinge bedsted one trnttelbedsted? one fether bed. A flockbed. A brasse? bede.one blanket. Two pellowes one boulster One Lyned coveringe & all thinges ther unto belonginge. wth one Chest (all thinges ther in havinge A Bronze? Locke) the Thinges as in A Chamber over the parlor. and all suche thinges wch ar in the same Chest/A warminge A spice morter? A basson, Two pewtter candelstickes/ A table in the Kychine & Joyned stolles? wth the Table frame/ and also my two Beasse? the one A Reade the other A browne nowe in the comparne? of my sonne George And I do further Constitute And Apoynte my sonne John Curlewes myne Executor of this my last will and testament. And do geve to my sayd sonne John all other my goods & houshould stufe? for his paynes herwth? to be taken

wittenessedto this my psent last will and Testament

The mark XXXX of Jonne Curlewes Wyddo
Robart Bradley
Richard Hill
bridgworth 22
March 1618


17 John Curlewes will 1574

 

In the name of god Amen this is the testament and last will of me John Curlewes husbandman in the county of Hartford? In the parish of Broxbourne in the Diocese of London written the .? Daye of Apryl and in the 28 yere of the raygne of our most gracyus Queen Elizabeth beinge hole in bodye & in good rememberance thanks be unto god do ordeyne and make this My testament and last wyll in manner and forme following: First I bequeath my soul to allmygtye god my maker and redeemer and my body to the ground where it pleasethe god. Also I give to iiii (4) poore mene to bare me to the Churche a peece. Also I give to Isabel my wife the third part of all my goods & chatelles that I have at the houre of my dethe . Also I give to everey one of my godchildren iiiid Also I give and bequeath to everye one of my children tenne shillings with all such goodds & chattles moneye and other things as shall and may appear in a sedule (schedule?) annexed to this my last will and testament. Also I do ordeyne and make Isabel my wife my sole executrix to so my legacy as shall apere in a sedule trulye pformed and fullfyllyed In witness whereof I have sette my hand and Seale the daye and yeare }}



18 Isabel Curlewes will 1591

In the name of God Amen: The Second Day of Februarie 1591 . I Isabel Curlewes of Broxbourne in the Countie of Herts: widow beinge of good & Pfecte rememberance thanks be God though weake \ & sicke in body do make this my last will & testament in manner & forme following: first I do commend my soul unto god my Creator hoping approvedlie through.the merritts of his Sonne Jesus & with my only Saviour & redeemer to raisye the Kingdom of Heaven & to be . made Ptaker of for life eternal; my body I Commit to to the earth whereof it was made and to be buried in the churchyard of Wormlie. neare unto the place where my late husbande lieth buryed: I will and bequeath unto William Curlewes my Sonne five pounds of lawful monie. of England in recompense and satisfactione of such monie & other thinges as his brother, Robarte Curlewes hadd of him at or before his going into Ireland: I will and bequeath unto Fulke Curlewes five pounds of lawfull monie of England for the bringing upp of Thomas Curlewes the Sonne of Robarte Curlewes my Sonne in some such trade or occupatione As he must learn how to gett his livinge hereafter: I give unto my Daughter Dorothie the wife of Thomas Mannfeilde the beddstedd whereon I now lie with the Curtaines & footings about the same and coverlet as well . & blewe paire of fustian Blanketts the painted clothes in the parlour my best gowne my best kirtle, my best petticoate, twoe of my best aprons & a basone & a yewer I will and bequeath unto Joane the wife of Fulke Curlewes a table cloth of Diaper. I give unto Anne Curlewes the daughter of Willm. my Sonne A redd bullocke with a white face. I give unto Margaret Galloway russet gowne without lininge: Item whereas my Sonnes William Curlewes, Fulke Curlewes, Thomas Curlewes and Robarte Curlewes sound? bounde to my Sonne in lawe Thomas Mannfeilde for payment of certaine Summes of monie to me at Sundrie times dewe as by the same obligations dothe plainlie appeare. I do acknowledge my self to be fully satisfied, contented and payde by everie one of them. And therefore I will that the saide Thomas Mann feilde shall deliver in the sayd obligations to my executor at the convaincy of such legacies as are bequeathed to his wife in this my will, the which. if he refuse to do my will, is that they shalle be voyde of these my giftes and further I will that the payde bonds shall be cancelled by my executor . All the rest of my goods corne? cattaile chattalles readie monie & other what . soever movable or immovable unbequeathed my funearal discharged: I will shall be equally divided between two Sonnes William & Fulke Curlewes who shall Indifferentlie without any fraude or ..Divide the same immediatlie.. after my decease upon the receipts thereof my Sonne William Curlewes & my Sonne Fulke Curlewes shall enter into a bonde to paye such debtes. as are dewe by a legacy to one Thomas Gosse for with my husband And . Thomas Mannfeilde, stand bounde & that the saide Thomas Mannfeilde shall be discharged of the same: I make & ordaine my Sonne Fulke Curlewes the sole & onlie executor of this my last will & testament unto whom for his . travaile therein I give xls (10 pounds) And I request my loving friend John Bumstedd the younger of Wormelie to be the overseer of the same unto whome for his. paines therein to be taken. I do give iiis iiiid (3s4d?) I give unto the poore of Wormlie . five shillings and to the poor of Broxbourne other five shillings. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seale the daye & yeare above written

. In the....of .......\... \.
Nycolus Turner Thomas Gladen X his mark

the mark of

Isabel Curlewes
Probatum .............Hertford \
Month/January..........
.....Robert Compton


19 Will of George Curlewis 1650
Source photocopy of original from Public Records Office, UK

In the name of God Amen, I George Curlewes of Stondon in the County of Hertf being weak in body but of perfect memory thanks be to god I do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following First I give and bequeath my soule into the hands of Almighty God and my body to be ..?.... buried at the discretion and ..?... of my executrix  ..?.. I give an bequeath unto my six children viz Thomas George John Susan Elizabeth and Joan to ..?... of them one shilling. ...?... I give the lease of my horse/house? and Lands that is held of Mr Gandmire (?) unto Grace my wife for long as she shall live summararily  And thenI give the remainder of the ..?... that shall ...?...  unto my sonne Thomas Curlewes Then all the rest of my goods and chattels I give and ..?.. unto my said wife for so long as she shall live unmarried  upon condition (?) and her ...?... that she shall and will then dispose them amongst my children and not upon any other  ...?    ?  whatsoever.  And I do hereby make and ordaine Grace my wife sole executrix of this my will and testament ..?.. witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal the ? th of November 1650  George Curlewes his testi? John Curlewes Arthur Mundy


20: Letter from William Hall to his father, Edward Smith Hall
Geelong, 1852

 

LETTER WRITTEN BY WILLIAM HALL TO HIS FATHER Geelong 28.11.1852 \

I at length take up my pen to give you a brief history of my adventures. I left Adelaide some two months ago and proceeded per ship to Melbourne and from thence to the Diggings where I remained 6 out 3 weeks and as I saw no prospect of bettering my fortune I returned to Melbourne and from thence to Geelong where I am at present residing. I have obtained a situation in a Solicitors office and am doing pretty well. I get (pound)1.10.0 per week and I make about another pound or so by doing over work in fact the only pocket money I get is obtained by working at night for I pay (pounds) 1.11.6 for my board and bed per week but the place is respectable and that is everything. I have frequently written to you once from the Diggins (sic) and twice from Melbourne and sent newspapers frequently. \ I spent a few days with Mrs. Curlewis at the Heads and was very much pleased with her. She is a very superior woman and I think has had a deal of troubles and anxieties to put with. I have a general invitation to spend a day with them whenever I like. I am stopping as Victor will inform you at Mr. Behan's where my nephews are at School and am very comfortable. Mrs. Behan is a very lady like motherly woman and is quite the person to take care of the boys. Indeed I do not know what they would do without her. My eldest nephew George is a very nice boy and if he had been differently brought up would have been a much better scholar than he is at present and different habits. I really thought Mrs. Curlewis would have brought them up better. They seem to have completely (when I say they I mean only the eldest) been master over her as he now rules his younger brothers. Indeed it is quite proverbial in the school," Who would be George Curlewis'e s brothers?" He seems to have an unlimited command of money ditto ditto at the Drapers Shop where he goes when he thinks proper and gets what he likes. Mr. Septimus I am sorry to say humours him in everything; indeed he, George seems to have (him also quite in leading strings) he does not I think, express himself properly when talking of his Mamma with the respect and veneration which I think is due from a son to his mother. (Indeed I and him had a quarrel some time ago on that very subject. He is very hasty when spoken to; cannot bear to be contradicted or be spoken to when he does wrong but retorts word for word and will have it he is in the right. I have given you the dark side of the picture - let us now go to the other. He is very obliging and is very much attached to any one who shew him a kindness; in fact if you had brought him up yourself, he would have been a good and amiable boy. Mr. Septimus does not go the right way to work to correct his faults. He talks to him as if he was a man; indeed George seems to understand all about the will his Papa left and has been brought up with the knowledge that he has money coming to him and expects it as a right and would feel quite insulted if his mama refused him money. He thinks nothing of five pounds a mere nothing and yet he tells me Mr. Septimus promised him two thirds of a (paper torn) pounds when he is seventeen!!! (How far it ........Melbourne (further tear) I can not tell) and yet he has no plan as to how he will employ the money or what business he would like to follow. I would strongly advise his mama to send for him to Sydney and place him at Mr. Capes School as he is doing no good here and he will then be away from his Uncle Sep.
I hope you keep up acquaintance with Mr. William and always tell Harry some of the contents of my letters from time to time.
When I left Adelaide I left a good stock of clothes in the charge of a friend and though I have repeatedly written I can get no account of them and I have at present no clothes but what I stand in and the position I am in requires I should be well dressed. Mr. Septimus tells me, you have some for me -if you would send me five pounds or send me some clothes, I would be glad. If you have any means of sending them it would be beter as clothes are much cheaper in Sydney, that is if you can. I send a list of what I want together with the sizes.

Remember me to all and I remain your ever son W M Hall


21. WILLIAM CURLEWIS 1503

Source photocopy of original from Public Records Office, UK

In the name of god amen the xvyth (16th) day of the month of May In the year of our lorde god a thousand v C (500?) and iiy(3) I William Curlewe of the parish of marymagdelene next Bermondsey in the Dioce of Wminster and in the counte of Surrey?, miller being in hole and steadfast memory nenerlese (never the less?) sike in my body, make ordayne and dispose this my present testament and last will in maner and forme as foloweth first I bequeth my soule to all myghty god to his mother the virgin? and to all the saints of heven and my Body to be buried in the church of marymagdelene aforesaid. And I bequeath to the hie aultar of the same church for my oblacions nergligently witholden or forgot xxd. Also I bequeth to the Brotherhode of our Lady within the same church xxd Also I will and geve to my wife Alis all such housing and lande withe the appurtenances lying in Croydon by me late purchased to have it terme of her life and after her decease to remayne unto my childerne John Curlewe and William Curlewe. Also I bequeath unto every of the said John and William I The Residue of all and Singuler my goods and cattals wheresoeverto they may be or may be foundey my debts and my burying paid for I will and geve unto the foresaid Alis my wife and she to dispose for me and the both of my sonnes as she shall think most convenient And moreon I will and make the foresaid Alis She my sole executrix with whom I ordayne John Wasslyn Tann to be overseer and he to have for his labor 3s 3d And for the more ondsith .. wele And trewly to be pformed and done I besech and pray and will that my Lorde John Marlow Abbot of Bermondesey be specially overseer seing this present testament and last will to be fulfilled he to have for his labor vy s viy d (6s 7d?) In this being witness of this my present testament and last will the day and yere above writing Sir Nicholas C...der my ....stly ffader John Willis parish clerke John Wasstlyn tann and Walter Wele? writer of this same

 


22. LETTER:
TO: Rev Curlewis

FROM: M. A. Curlewis (nee Maria Anne Collins)
DATE: April 10, 1884

Source : original held by Ian Curlewis, Perth

 

My dear Nephew,

I have been expecting a letter from you ever since I received the intelligence of your Uncle Walter's death from his youngest son George Campbell. I should like to know more particulars of his last days if you are able to write to me.

If dear Uncle Walter were prepared and ready we must not mourn for his loss, and I sincerely trust he was, and that he is now amongst the redeemed. I trust your own health is restored, by the means you used.

George Campbell informed me you were visiting the hot springs for a change, etc. I am very sorry you should have need for this, but perhaps you have been working too hard as many clergymen feel impelled to do from the need they see around them.

I trust you will be spared to work for Christ many years. I shall be so please to hear from you when you have time and opportunity to write. Your cousin Susan is now the eldest Curlewis living, we believe - she is upwards of 50 and is really feeling the infirmities of age. She is a dear unselfish, loving Christian - she has lived with her sister Jessie, the youngest daughter of your Uncle William who was married to your cousin Alfred,, 2nd son of Uncle George and, as perhaps you know, his family were with us like our own children after Uncle George's widow's death early in 1854. After the youngest son Edgar came of age in 1868 the landed property was put up for sale and bought in by Alfred and Edgar. Alfred still holds his half 200 acres for which he gets a rental of (pounds) 200 per year, while he holds the position of Inspector of Schools. He is now moved to the Melbourne district so they will be leaving Geelong very shortly. Alfred and Jessie had 2 sons and 1 daughter, the eldest having died two years since. I may have told you these particulars before but thought I might not. My nephews Fred and Edgar and niece Matilda reside in Sydney - the eldest son George was killed by the blacks in 1862 - my eldest son is gradually becoming worse from the frequency of his attacks of epileptic fits; he has been in an asylum for many years - my eldest daughter has a family of 3 sons and 5 daughters. My son-in-law is Overseer on a sheep station and although he has not a large salary, has many advantages - my two next daughters Ria and Maggie are my home companions. My son George Campbell was married on the 13th of February, and lives two miles away, and my youngest son has just received an appointment from the Government of relieving Stock Inspector with a salary of (pounds) 200 per annum. My daughter Fannie is still with Mr and Mrs Solomon near Adelaide SA (South Australia), and my youngest daughter Constance is on the look out for a situation. She came home last July to rest and recruit (recuperate) as she had had several attacks of rheumatism. She is much better and is desirous of earning her own living again.

I am thankful to say I am in good health and have numberless blessings in the love of my children. I shall be 62 the 27th of this month, so am becoming venerable. I am not very well off as regards earthly wealth, but we have plenty of food and raiment, and a comfortable home. Now my dear nephew I must say goodby with best love to you and yours and to my nephew George Campbell in particular with thanks for his letter - tell him Alf will be sure to write to him before long I think and tell him of his new duties. He has been in Melbourne at a little office work since the 1st but glad to leave today for the country. If George is writing he had better address to me and now with best wishes,
I remain, My dear nephew, your affectionate Aunt
Maria A Curlewis
Carlyle
Queenscliff,
Victoria

 


23 LETTER
TO: Fannie Moller
FROM: Constance Curlewis
May 29th 1941

27 Burnel St
East Malvern S E 5

My dearest Fannie
I wonder darling if you are getting your letters safely. Everything is so terribly unsettling, one cannot feel any confidence about letters ever reaching their dear ones.
I daresay I shall repeat a good deal of my last one to you in case it did not arrive - I know you will have heard of Nell's and Gretta's sons, but you like to hear of the others too. Every Curlewis of Military age in Australia in either at the front, or on Military duty here.
Campbell is Area Officer in W.A. with the rank of Captain - John is Instructor now at the Officer's training School at Bonegilla.
Bill has been in Tobruck & Greece: he sent a cable to say he was safe out of the latter, to his parents. Fred Curlewis' only son, David, is somewhere abroad, as is also Leslie's son, Ray.
Kathleen's boy (Arthur Curlewis Young) is with the Air Force, and Adrian Herbert's son (Adrian Curlewis) is somewhere abroad.
I wish you could have heard Mr Menzie's address last night from Sydney on his return to Australia - it was splendid. Miss Gearing has a very nice Wireless & as she always sits with me, we have it in the breakfast roo, it is a great pleasure to us both.
I have just been writing a letter of welcome to Mr & Mrs Bakewell on behalf of the Women's Missionary Council - that has been entrusted to me lately, to write to each missionary as they arrive on furlough. Dear Miss Hughes who is in at C.M.S. nearly every day sends me word as each missionary is due and she wrote to say the Bakewell are expected from Tanganhika very soon - also Miss Dove from the Roper (?). I wonder if I shall be here to write to my dear little niee Fannie when she returns!!!
Dear Dr Wellesley Hannah's circular letters from Tangenyika are wonderful - Mrs Hannah is coming on Thursday (??) & she is bringing his Diary for me to read.
The C M S Birthday meeting is to be held on June 4th at the Archbishop of Sydney is to speak.
Miss Gearing hopes to go - she will have tea in Town, so as not to leave here in the dark. I never go out at night now, but I like her to go when she feels well enough - we shal both go the following Wed; I hope to the Annual meeting of the WMC in the afternoon.
Dr Flora (?) and Miss Sue Appleby are the speakers.
I had a talk to Daisy on telephone yesterday & she said she had received 5 letters fro you this week. She was very pleased because she had not been getting any lately - it may have been 6 and a report that she says is lovely - She is bringing there to read to me next time she comes. I have had an attack of sciatica for more than a wekk & was out for my first little walk when the sun was shining (?) in little time there was a ring from Chris to say he, (?) & Jean were coming tomorrow.
May 30th
I have not seen Jean for two years, not since she was a school girl. Until Alf began work with the Munitions, I used to see him every forthright - he used to do all kinds of little jobs for me, & it was a great help, but now of course he is too busy altogether, & for his sake 7 Hayles. I am thankful, as the money is such a comfort to them - They have both been splendid I think - Poor old Alf feels the night work very hard, but he battles on bravely. He & Daisy are the two members of the family that I se at al often & they keep me in touch with the rest. Lily Burwell was here for a few minutes this morning - Charlie & Graham are working at munitions.
Much love darling - God bless you always your loving Aunt
M C Curlewis


24: LETTER
TO: Fannie Moller
FROM: Constance Curlewis
DATE: 28 September 1941

27 Brussel Street
East Malvern
S.E.5

My darling Fannie
I am writing your birthday letter and will send it by Air Mail so that it will ( or should) reach you in good time - I wonder where you will be spending your birthday dear! - I hope you will have a happy day wherever you are, and under whatever circumstances.
I am sending you the text that has given me comfort many times in the last six years since I have been alone. "He shall not be afraid of evil tidings, his heart is fixed, ...shing (?) in the Lord" Is it not a marvellous thought that nothing but sin can come between us and a holy god? or hinder our fellowships with Him, our loving father - the Changeless one?
You asked me to tell you any news of the South African Curlewis's if there was any. I have only had one letter from Mrs Neff ### dear cousin John's only daughter. She wrote just after her father's death and said her Mother was a great invalid. (She has been, for years.) & that her only brother Selwyn had given up his profession & gave unto the Army - was fighting in the North she said. I don't suppose we shall ever hear anything more about them. It seems as if the name of Curlewis will be almost extinct after this was is over.
Herbert's * only son, and Fred's only son ** are in the midst of all the fighting - Arthur's only son John *** is waiting to be passed by the doctors & then is hoping to go - and Campbell's two boys are both in the midst of it all- They are both officers - John **** is in the New Armoured division, and Bill ***** in the Engineers.
Dear Kathleen's boy # has his "wings" now and his Pilots certificate and expects to be leaving very soon - he came out 2nd in the exams & had a splendid report. I expect Nell and Gretta tell you all about their boys, so you will know as much as I do . Fred King ## is still in Darwin I think.
Your dear old Fred has spent an evening with me twice since he has been boarding at Hayle's - it was lovely to have him for a nice long talk - he was telling me how fortunate Noel had been in getting into such a good position straigh away.
Poor old Alf has been able to help others to get better places than himself - evidently on account of his age - for he has really studied & worked so hard to fit (?) himself - he is an A.R.P., but of course he is very slow in his movements now, & has so often such bad cold ?. Charlie Burnett & his wife are building a house at Footscray, near to the factory, & Fred hopes to go & board with them when the house is finished.
I had lunch with Fanny & Marjorie on Wednesday & they asked me to send you their love when writing - Lily was at Berwick - they are always the same dear old girls.s

* Adrian Curlewis
** Frederick David Curlewis
***John Claribeaux Curlewis
**** John Pike Campbell Curlewis
*****William Pike Campbell Curlewis
# Arthur Curlewis Young
## Frederick Ernest King
### Maude Neff ne Curlewis


25 LETTER
TO: Fannie Moller
FROM: Jean Carlyle Curlewis/Jones

Flat 2
128 Hensman St
SOUTH PERTH W A 6151
August 3rd

Dear Cousin Fan
Thank you for your letter & congratulations on Alf's honour. We were all very thrilled as he has worked hard in all his honorary positions.
Alf went to Burnie's funeral but we have not seen him for years & I believe he had been blind for many years. We also have lost touch with the family over the years.
I have not seen Kath for about 4 months but we have great talks on the phone. I was glad to hear the rash is better aren't they difficult to get rid of once they get a hold? Trust the old heart is not too much of a worry & you are well looked after.
Please give our love to Einart I hope we do meet up if he is passing throuht W A .
We have just returned to our flat as we have been minding our friend's home whilst they did a world trip. Then in 3 weeks time we go to mind Jeanette's home whilst she and her hubby & the two eldest go to Fiji for 10 days. We will have the 2 year old & dog.
We are both well and busy. No sign of any more trips
Best love Jean and Doug


26. LETTER:
TO: Rev Curlewis
FROM: M A Curlewis (nee Maria Ann Collins)
DATE: November 2nd, 1886
original held by Ian Curlewis, Perth

My dear Nephew,

I was very much please to receive your letter and am sorry I have kept you so long without an answer. Your father spoke of you all to me in one or two letters he has written since your great Uncle Walter's death. He also sent me the paper in which your name appeared as having taken your B.A. degree in 1881. So you are not a stranger in name, and I trust we shall have the pleasure of hearing that you have taken the degreeof Batchelor of Laws. Your great grandfather was brought up by his grandmother, Mrs Steavens who was very well-off. She owned several houses in Greenwich, Kent. I cannot tell you many particulars but know that your ancestor Steavens Lupton Curlewis was a young man when his grandmother died and left him nearly all she had. He had not been brought up to business but was of too active a nature to live on his money so invested it. First, he bought a share in a mill not far from London and entered into partnership with a Mr Campbell. After a good many years this was given up and he removed to Birmingham and took a stationers business and I think he tried tailor's business and although he know nothing about it he did pretty well in it and had one of his sons Henry brought up in Paris so that he might take the management of it. He married three times, his first wife died very soon leaving no family, his second wife had six sons and three daughters. Your grandfather and great Uncle Walter (twins) being the youngest sons and their sister Sarah was the youngest. His last wife was my husband's mother and he had one sister two years older. From what I heard of your great grandfather I think he was spoiled in his early days so he became too self indulgent, etc. He was a perfect gentleman in every way but was not well-off in his later years. His eldest son William (Susan's and Jessie's father) entered the Navy and did very well when very young but was only on Lieutenant's half-pay most of his life as he was not on active service. George Campbell, Alfred's father, came out to N. S Wales about 1822 I think and he sent for Septimus in 1828. Walter also joined them from the Cape of Good Hope where he had gone with your grandfather. The three brothers were in partnership for a few years and did very well. George had a free grant of land and any number of Govt. labourers, but after George married they dissolved and Septimus returned to England in 1841. In visiting the relative of his sister-in-law he met me and we were married in 1842, February. We remained a few months in England so I became intimately acquainted with old Mr Curlewis, Mrs C., William and Henry and Aunts Mary and Sarah. We left England in June 42 and I soon knew and loved my dear brother-in-law George who was beloved by all who knew him. He was never very strong and he died in July 1847 aged 46.
If he had lived a few more years he would have been wealthy, as it was he left about (pounds) 5,000 and a very pretty estate of 800 acres. His eldest son was killed by the blacks while exploring for new country in 1862. Alfred was the second son and was steady and persevering. He is a barrister at law but has never practised. He lived on the estate for some years and was offered the billet of Inspector of Schools in 1891. His salary now is between (pounds) 500 and 600. The other two brothers and only sister are in Sydney.
I do not know how many members of the family there are in England but think some of John's children must be living and some of Henry's. Sarah was married to a Mr Kennedy but he died in 1840. I had two sons when I was in England. Susan was in India married to Mr Martinnant, but they both died and left no family. There are two children of Ritchie, Susan and Jessie's eldest brother at Rio, South America.
I am afraid I have only given you a very confused statement of your family history. Your dear Uncle Septimus could have written it very clearly but ladies can very seldom write anything so well as gentlemen and I find I am becoming a very bad correspondent, etc., in my old age (64). My youngest child has written about all my family, so I need not add any more than to tell you I am very happy with my four unmarried daughters to take care of me and my two sons are very, very thoughtful and attentive. I often fancy there are very few families as united as ours. I believe nearly all my children have chosen the better part and I trust we shall all be more closely united by all being followers of Jesus. If there is anything that I have omitted to tell you be sure to write. We shall be delighted (?) have another letter when you have time to write. When you write to your father, give him my warm love and tell him I have intended writing many times. And now my dear nephew, I must conclude with kindest love and best wishes and believe me ever to remain
your affectionate g'aunt
M A Curlewis
Source: typewritten copy held by Ian Curlewis


27. LETTER:
TO: Judge Adrian Curlewis
FROM: Arthur C Curlewis
SOURCE: original letter held in collection of Phillipa Poole
DATE: 18th August 1956

4 Britannia Street
Pennant Hills
MY DEAR ADRIAN.......
It is a long time since we have been in touch with each other and I am taking the present opportunity to draw your attention to a letter of mine appearing in the A.B.C. Weekly commencing 19 August defending the memory of our forbear Edward Smith Hall.
The Daily Mirror recently gave full credit to Wentworth over the Sudds and Thompson affair and I was able to draw their attention to an article that appeared in their paper a couple of years back that gave credit to E.S.H. They published my protest and the matter has dropped. I have for a number of years brought home to several authors that they have not been generous to Hall. Notable Ellis who was unkind in his book of the History of the Bank of New South Wales.
Ellis met John at the Pioneers Club some time back and told him he was intending to write the Life of E S H .
Up to date I have heard nothing further.
I enclose an extract from a Book I am reading the biography of Milson which shows that ESH had many friends.
I have been in communicationi lately with a cousin who (?) Rome. He was very anxious to get in touch with relations in Australia and wrote to the City Council asking them to forward the letter to a Curlewis. I have never received the letter but it may have gone to one of the numerous clan.
He is Morris Curlewis and he clearly showed that we are Cousins. My grandfather Captain William Edward Curlewis is his Great Great.
He holds an important post in the Government Service and is judging by his letters a typical Italian.
His great Grandmother married an Italian Naval Officer. In her will she insisted that Morris should take the name of Curlewis.
Our two sons have been in Wars lately. Ian had a narrow escape and John is recovering from an operation for hernia. As for myself I have been a patient at the York Street clinic for the past two years. It has left me quite a cripple. though I can do a bit of gardening and odd jobs round the Home.
Hope that you are keeping well
Yours sincerely
Arthur C Curlewis


Note: Edward Smith Hall was the father of Matilda Burnie Hall, wife of George Campbell Curlewis


28LETTER
FROM : T B Mutch
TO: Adrian Curlewis
DATE: 15 Jan 1949
SOURCE: Copy in the papers of Philippa Poole

Dear Mr Curlewis
Please excuse the delay in answering your letter of the 11th inst concerning the identity of the two persons named Curlewis whose names appear in the 1828 Census. I can see that my whole week end - will be occupied in replying to the letters I have received since the paragraph appeared in the S M Herald on Tuesday - to say nothing of the telephone calls which have been made. It seems to me that my collection might yet serve a wider purpose than that was intended when I commenced compiling it, which was to establish the identity of many of the characters whose names are written across the Australian scene, and to correct many of the errors which appear in Australian biographical references.
The 1828 Census is quite familiar reference record to me, to like many such it has it deficiencies. I estimate that it is deficient in a least five thousand names and in addition to which the information given is sometimes seriously at fault, and very misleading. The entry for Mrs Reiby is a case in point.
Mr Dwelly made his copy from the one in the Public Record Office London for the Mitchell Library, of which I am a Trustee, and it is in frequent use as the most complete record of the kind. It is, in fact, the first of the Censuses, as distinct from the sectional and inadequate musters which have survived. It does not include the Military, nor Governmental Officers, who were here at the time, unless they were also land or stock holders; in which latter case it may be quite confusing because it is absurd to ascribe 1280 acres and so many Stock being held in Pitt Street Sydney though we have heard of "Pitt Street Farmers".
To come to your question. The two young people who came in the Courier in 1828 are entered in the Shipping report of the day as Master and Miss Curlewis. No Christian names are given, nor are these given in the Sydney Gazette, the Australian nor the Monitor. We are therefore left high and dry. I have made a short search among later records in the hope that the missing particulars may be found, but without certainty.
The young lady may be the same as the Sarah Isabella Curlewis of Charlotte Place who was married on July 30th 1830, to James Hamilton Kennedy (Deputy Assistant Commissary General). The identity of the young man is more doubtful. He may be identical with the Walter Curlewis who arrived per the Leda on Jany 25th 1832, but in that case he must have gone to England and returned. There are no shipping departures for many years after 1825 and so there is nothing by which this supposition may be checked. The Shipping arrivals do not commence before July 1826 and are very inadequate and unsatisfactory records.
The 1833/4 N S W Calendars give George Campbell, Walter and S L Curlewis as at "Krawaree Inverary".
Geo Curlewis had a grazing lease there and I presume you are acquainted with his career as a pastoralist etc after that period. I have several references I could give you if you are not.
It has been a pleasure to send you this reply..
Yours faithfully (SGD) T D MUTCH
P S I will keep a look out for the name and if and when I get anything definite will let you know. I was personally acquainted with the Judge Curlewis - sat with him on a Wages Board. T D


29 LETTER
FROM: A C Curlewis
TO: Sir Adrian Curlewis
DATE: 19 January 1949
SOURCE: Papers of Philippa Poole

Dear Adrian,
Many thanks for your letter recd yesterday. John greatly appreciates your good wishes.
I expect you noticed last week in the S.M. Herald about Mr Mutche's researches in old NSW History so I thought it a good opportunity for me to obtain the identity of those two people whose names was on the 1828 census. Mr Mutch was good enough to reply to at length and I am enclosing his reply which shows fresh light on the family history. I do not know who the lady is never having heard of any other Curlewis but only our own. Mr Mutch has gone to a lot of trouble and there can be no doubt that his friendship to your Father did the trick. I am quite sure that other people would not obtain such a long explanation as well as a speedy reply. You will notice that Septimus Lord Curlewis's name is mentioned. he is great great Grandfather to Major Curlewis..
A few weeks ago I obtained from the NSW Bookstall a book called the Australian People by Brian Fitzpatrick.
He devotes about two pages to Edward Smith Hall and one fact I learnt that Hall was the first Man to appeal to the Privy Council from NSW. Thus our exalted kinsman made legal history
Kind regards
A C Curlewis


30 LETTER
FROM: Arthur Curlewis
TO: Adrian Curlewis
DATE: 13 January 1954


My dear Adrian,
In case you are out of Town I am wondering if you saw last night's Daily Mirror - there is a full page dealing with the career of our great forebear and it would be a very useful addition to your collection. I have a pretty good collecion of Newspaper cuttings but there are some items that I was not aware of. It was written in quite a different vein to that of Mr Ellis, the author of "Macquarrie".
I have written to Mr Hunter who contributes the daily article to thank the author for his contribution and to say how I valued the publicity, as too many writers are apt to give full credit to Wentworth for all the pioneer work. If you have not a copy of the paper please let me know and I will send you one. The article is well worth keeping.
In Hunter's article he deals with Ralph Boldrewood the author of Robbery Under Arms. in private life Mr Browne.
I was very interested because though did not know him personally but I missed meeting him by about half an hour in Melbourne. Some friends of mine owned a big Mansion now the site of the Brighton Grammar School and they kept open House. It was my custom to visit there every Sunday and on this occasion I happened to be a bit late and on my arrival the Hostess excalimed "Why so Late? you have just missed Mr Browne. When he heard you were a Curlewis he said he would like to meet you as he knew George Campbell Curlewis very well". He waited half an hour for me and so I missed seeing the only person who knew my Grandfather and your Great Grandfather.
Grandfather died in 1848 and my Father was only about 7 when he died and he had very few memories of him.
It is a perculiar thing that E S Hall had paintings made of himself, and the family has at least 4 done at various stages. And yet Grandfather did not believe in such things and the family has no record of what he looked like. His will provided that no stone should be placed over his grave and he was buried where the Town Hall now stands. It was therefore my bad luck that I could never meet Ralph Bolderwood.
Over the request for the family Tree the request came from Minter Simson and Co.
It concerns the estate of Oscar O'Brien and R Else-Mitchell is to appear with an application to the court.
There was a lot on our part to fill in.
I must close and with kind regards to you. I was sorry to have missed your Broadcast as Guest of Honor.
I had a letter from Flos Curlewis and she thoughly enjoyed it and your part in it
Yours
Arthur

Note:This article was concerning Edward Smith Hall, father in law of George Campbell Curlewis


31 LETTER
FROM: Florence Burnham Curlewis
TO: Arthur Claribeaux Curlewis (presumably)
DATE: 24 March 1951

17 Smythe Ave
Mont Albert
Victoria

My dear Arthur,
I re'cd your letter with enclosure re gr.Uncle Walter on Thurs (11.40 am) very late indeed & as we were going out had no time to answer it then. I have a small amount of data in regard to Walter to wit: He came out here (it would be after grandfather's arrival) and took up the Holey Plain estate near Rosedale in East Gippsland - I don't know the year but am almost certain he was the first settler. He either had bad luck or not enough capital for later (again no date) he sold out to a Mr Crooke, whose decendants still hold the property - at least they did some years ago. Walter then went home to England and later went to S Africa with, or to join, his twin brother James. Their sister Sarah Isabella also went to the Cape - she was married to a Colonel Kennedy. The descendants of these three are still in Africa. I don't think Walter did very much for Con (who corresponded with Cousin John Mr Justice of the High Court) told me once that Uncle Walter's family did not seem to have much money. The Judge was a grandson of James.
Regarding the Holey Plain, Mr Crooke was a retired China Customs man & on leaving the service was presented with an inscribed gold watch. When he bought The Holey Plain this watch was part of the price & since then 2 generations of Crookes have wondered what had bcome of it & wanted to get it back. Through a rather odd set of circimstances I met Mr Crooke's sister (a charming women) & she promptly wrote to her brother to say she had met a Curlewis. He wrote to me asking about the watch - he would so gladly buy it back if the family would part with it. I wrote back to say I would send word to S Africa (through Con) and telling him what we knew of Uncle Walter's movements. Cousin John make exhaustive enquiries but no one in S Africa had heard of the watch. So I had to disappoint Mr Crooke. I had some delightful letters from him telling me of the early days of The Holey Plain. He was an Honourable, and ex M.L.C. I think he has passed on now but his sons will, I suppose still hold the property - a very fine one I think.
Re grandfather: you can tell Mr Brown that G.C.Curlewis bought 800 acres from the N.S.W. gov. for 1 pound an acre, with a beach frontage down to (was it low or high water mark) on Corio Bay - that he built a small house (Old Hermsley which was burnt later) & had had plans drawn up for a large house just before his death (July 4th 1847). That S.L Curlewis was his half brother & that Matilda M is our grandmother widow to G.C. Curlewis. S.L.Curlewis was left as trustee & guardian to the children after grandmother's death in Tasmania about 1853. When Daddy was 21 the property was divided among the 4 children. Daddy and your father * divided Hermsley & each built a house for himself. Daddy having the eastern half running dow to the bay. S.L.Curlewis & his wife Maria bought the property at Marcus Hill known as Carlyle; I don't know which year; perhaps when Daddy became 21. But as for saying that Grandfather had no property there I never heard of such a peice of nonsense. You will no doubt find the records in Sydney. I know the N.S.W gov tried to get the land back thinking they had let it go too cheaply but grandfather refused point blank. Let me know your reactions (& Mr Brown's - these historians!!) to all this
With my best love
always & lovingly FBC

* Alfred Claribeaux Curlewis and Edgar Curlewis


32: TYPEWRITTEN DOCUMENT:
AUTHOR: A W CURLEWIS

Skeleton sketch of early history of Curlewis brothers in Australia

 

Skeleton sketch of movements of Curlewis Brothers in Australia, compiled by J W Curlewis, from the memory of notes supplied by his Mother, and since accidently destroyed. A W Curlewis brother of Ellen Frances Jane Curlewis, later married to Carl Christian Moller.
George Campbell Curlewis, the founder of the family in Australia, second son of Steavens Lupton Curlewis of London, came to Australia about 1817 and found clerical employment at Campbell's Wharf, Sydney or as it was then called Port Jackson.
His youngest brother, Septimus Lord Curlewis followed him in 1826 and was a first employed by Dawes Gore and C. merchants of Sydney.
Later on G C Curlewis want on the land at Ravenswood, near Bathurst, previously having married a Miss Hall of Sydney. Another brother, Walter had arrived from England, and a partnership was formed & the three brothers taking up property at Krawaree on the Monaro tableland, where they built or started to build, a house known locally as "Curlewis's Folly".
The partnership was dissolved after a time, and G C Curlewis was the first or one of the first to bring sheep over the Victoria border from New South Wales & for a time he held the Heart Estate, near Sale
Walter Curlewis had the Holey Plains in Gipppsland, but very soon sold out his interest there, & returned to England & later joined his twin brother in South Africa.
S L Curlewis, (Grandfather) had for his share in the deal Tilba-Tilba, formerly known as the heifer station.
From Gippsland G C Curlewis went to Broken River & thence to Reedy Lake Station, near Kerang. He & his partner, Campbell, had a lot of country (Crown Land) between there & Swan Hill.
In 1838 or 1839 G C Curlewis purchased 840 acres of land near Geelong, from the New South Wales Government , giving a pound an acre for it.
Several followed his example, but the Government evidently fearing that too many might leave New South Wales for the new settlement, tried to cancel the transaction. They succeeded in every case but one; G C Curlewis refused to give up his property, and continued to hold it. His must have been the spirit of the pioneer & explorer, for from the scanty records left one gather a restlessness which drove hi into unknown country. He died at a comparatively early age on July 4th 1847, leaving a widow, four sons & one daughter. His eldest son George Edward went with a friend, who had arrived from England (about 1862) towards the Paroo River in NSW, with the object of taking up a station but through the treachery of a black who was acting as their guide, they were murdered by the natives. Later their bodies were found and given burial. The original affidavits relating to this tragedy are still lodged in the Titles Office Melbourne.
Alfred Claribeaux, the second son, was one of the first students at the Melbourne University & after taking his M A degree, went to England, where he studied law at Lincoln's Inns
The third son, Frederick, in early life went with a party of four to explore a part of Queensland through which the Burdekin River has its course, & after a time of disappointment he settled he settled in business in Sydney.
Edgar the youngest of the family bought in a portion of the Hermsley Estate, & after some years joined his brother Fred in Sydney. Alfred, Fred and Edgar all married & had families. Judge Curlewis of Sydney (Herbert), who married Ethel Turner, an Australian authoress, was the eldest son of Frederick Curlewis & his son is Judge Adrian Curlewis.
In 1841, S L Curlewis sailed for England & in February of the following year married a Miss Collins of Halifax, Yorkshire, and almost at once returned to Australia, in due time taking his bride to his own station, Tilba Tilba.
In 1846 at the request of his brother George, he & his family, left Tilba-Tilba and resided at St Kilda, remaining there until after the death of his brother, by whom he had been appointed guardian & executor for his family.
From the proceeds of Tilba-Tilba he purchased Thule station, near Deniliquin, afterwards owned by Wolseley, patenter of shearing machines, & later by Sir Rupert Clarke.
Early in 1848 S L Curlewis and his family went to reside there, but two years later, through an outbreak of catarrh in the sheep, Thule was sold & they came to Geelong, settling for a time near to the Hermsley Estate, he being wholly responsible for the letting, etc., of the four farms into which the property had been divided.
Later S L Curlewis and family removed to one of thse farms, where the second George Campbell (our Uncle George who went with his family to WA) was born in 1854, Alfred William in 1860 & in 1862 and 1864 respectively two daughters.
In July 1878 S L Curlewis died. I 1907 his wife followed him. Their eldest daughter Ellen Frances Jane was married to Carl Moller, and when war broke out, four of their sons joined up &only three returned, the eldest, Ernest having fallen in France.
The second George Campbell Curlewis married Lilla May George, & had a family of four sons & one daughter, Kathleen.
Again, four sons, Gordon, Selwyn, Campbell and Arthur, enlisted, three of whom laid down their lives for their country, falling at Galipoli. The 3rd son Campbell returned, & in 116 married Elsie Pike. They had two sons, John Campbell & William, who both served in 2nd World war & returned.
Alfred William Curlewis who was the third son of S L Curlewis, was in the Public Service & married Frances Bowden, widow of Sydenham Bowden, Tinaldra, Upper Murray. He had one child, Kenneth, who was in the same grade as his cousins, was killed in action on August 8th 1915 on Gallipoli.

_______________________________________________________________________________________

33 TYPEWRITTEN DOCUMENT;
Curlewis Family - G C and S L Curlewis


(original document origin unknown)

George Campbell Curlewis, Squatter with interests on the Murray (Lake Boga station attacked by blacks, early in 1846 ) & in Gippsland (Holey Plains) bought sections 24 7 25 Moolap, from the crown (at auction) in August & October 1845 respectively. He died in 1847.

SEPTIMUS LORD CURLEWIS was G C CURLEWIS'S step brother. He became trustee of GC Curlewis's estate, & in consequence lived at Hermsley during the eighteen-fifties eighteen-sixties. He was apparently succeeded there by his nephew Alfred Claribeaus Curlewis, whose son, Arthur Clairbeau Curlewis, (living at Sydney in 1951, but now dead,) was also born there. Alfred Claribeau Curlewis was still living at Hermsley as late as Nov. 1880, when he took the chair a a lecture in the New Shire Hall, Drysdale. He was Inspector of Schools.

This last re G C Curlewis & S LCurlewis was found out from repots etc for the Jubilee Celebrations of the Centenary of St Marks' Church of England, Leopold. By P L Brown of Geelong Grammar School.



______________________________________________________________________________________

34: WILL OF MARY CONSTANCE CURLEWIS
Copy held: original with Peter Marshall?


THIS IS THE LAST WILLof me MARY CONSTANCE CURLEWIS OF 27 Brunel Street East Malvern Spinster. I GIVE AND BEQUEATH to NORMAN BRUCE HUON HILL fifty preference shares in Griffiths Brothers Limited. I GIVE AND BEQUEATH my dining room table and three oil paintings of the Hall family to FLORENCE BURNHAM CURLEWIS hereinafter mentioned for her own use. I GIVE AND BEQUEATH the remainder of my furniture and personal effects to my six nieces or the survivors of them at the time of my death to be divided equally between them. I GIVE AND BEQUEATH the sum of fifty pounds Australian currency to my niece FANNIE AITON MOLLER of Kenya East Africa. I DIRECT that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses and all Probate and Estate Duty payable in respect of my Estate shall be paid out of the residue of my Estate and subject to the payment of the same I give and devise and bequeath all the residue of my Estate to my nephew GEORGE CAMPBELL CURLEWIS of Northam Western Australia my niece MARIA KATHLEEN YOUNG of Alderside via Brookton Western Australia my niece MARGARITA MOLLER of Curral Road Elsternwick and my niece CAROLINE CURLEWIS SUTTON of Frankston Road Dandenong in equal shares. I APPOINT Florence Burnham Curlewis of Smythe Avenue Surrey Hills and MARY PATTERSON of Grandview Grove Armadale Executrices and Trustees of this my Will and hereby revoking all former Wills made by me I declare this to be my last Will IN WITNESS whereof I have hereto set my hand this 15 day of January 1941.

SIGNED by the said MARY CONSTANCE CURLEWIS the Testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us both being present at the same time who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereto subscribed our names as witnesses
Francis McNab Solicitor Melbourne
Finlay Mc Nab Solicitor Melbourne


35; LETTER
FROM: Jean and Doug (Jean Carlyle Jones nee Curlewis)
TO: Fannie Moller
undated, probably around 1968
original with Peter Marshall


Flat 2
128 Hensman Street
South Perth WA 6151

Dear Fan,
Many thanks for your letter. I have been meaning to write but seem to be so busy.
We were so sorry to hear that you were not well and having to have treatment for the rash again but trust it is better. Rashes are so worrying to have, and worse on the face I think.
We were very upset at Kath's illness & think her wonderful the way she organised her affairs to cause the family so little trouble. Poor Campbell felt it terrible as there was so little one could do for her; but she had a very peaceful death and no long painful illness.
We are hoping our earthquakes are gone. We suffered no damage & had only 2 nasty tremors, but the country people had a terrible time and the damage to buildings in the city and suburbs is still be assessed.
Please excuse this note as I'm having a day at home with a miserable sniffle.
Alfred is to be Invested at Government House on Thurs. I rang him to say I wouldn't go; as you can only invite 3 people & with his wife and daughter I was to be the third. The names must be in 2 days before; so as I don't feel too bright, I thought he had better put another name in.
Jeanette's husband John has not been too well. Jeanette was to go to Singapore next month. She was going for a week to do her Xmas shopping, so we are waiting to hear what the Dr says. We had Craig the 8 yr old for the week-end & had a busy time. Speedway, fireworks, Pictures & school sports. Cameron the 2 yr old is to stay with us if J goes away. Bethwin the 4 yr old has her Ballet Concert tomorrow night so I hope I can make it.
J keeps very busy as you can imagine but copes very well.
Doug is playing golf this afternoon & as it is a lovely day, I hope he makes a name for himself; as he is playing well at present
Now for a little nap
Our love Dear
Jean and Doug


36: OBITUARY (?)
Margarita Moller

original with Peter Marshall

St Marys Vicarage
4 Hood Crescent
Caulfielf Victoria 3161

Margarita Moller who died at Elsternwick on the 8th of April 1967, was one of the family of six girls and five boys born to Carl Christian and Ellen Frances Jane Moller.
She was born on the 29th of January, 1882, at "Naringal", Wallinduc, Victoria, where she lived till, at the age of seventeen, she went with her family to Gippsland. There farm and home duties occupied her till her father's death in 1926 when with her sister Fannie Aiton she settled in Elsternwick and began her long and devoted association with St Mary's.
As Sunday School teacher, Box Secretary for C.M.S., a worker for B.C.A. and in many other capacities, she served her Lord and His Church faithfully and well and won the unceasing affection of the many people who met her.
She is survived by her sister Fannie brothers Frederick and Ewart and by nieces and nephews.

 


37: LETTER:
FROM: KathleenYoung nee Curlewis
TO; Fannie Moller
DATE: 16 June 1968

* Flat 114
North Terrace
"Rowthorpe"
Bentley WA 6102

My Dearest Fan,
I so often think of you dear and wonder how you are - & do hope that awful itch is not worrying you - I have a friend who has had very bad attacks of it -like you & she tells me also how terrible it is.
I am like you dear, & never get my letters answered - there is always piles waiting to be done. Its not that we don't love getting them and really want to answer them, but with me anyhow, it seems to be just lack of determination to do so - once I get going I often write 2 or 3 straight off.
I am writing to tell you (tho' no doubt you have heard) about dear old Alf being honoured by the Queen and made C.M.G. He rang me up the night before it came out in the paper. As you no doubt know it stands for " Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George" . Not that I know anything about that really - Campbell told me it is the honour just lower than the knighthood! You remember Camp got the MBE 3 or 4 years ago -which is a lesser honour of course. However he was not in the public life and in the metropolitan area.? work was with the Returned soldiers league he was secretary at Northam for 23 years and his main work that got the honour for him was outstanding work the the displaced persons after world war I and migrants. He still does a great deal with migrants in the Good Neighbour Council and organisation. Alfred has been a great worker in Public affairs always - in fact I think he must spend most of his time in that sphere especially the last 10 years. Jean says his wife says he is hardly ever hojme. Strangely enough she hates public affairs and as you know he only has the one daughter - Robin - about 21 or 22 - I forget if she's had her 21st. Alf is a dear and affectionate old fellow - tho' I hardly see him now - Camp sees him sometimes.
The other thing I want to tell you is that H B Curlewis (Richard's father) died about a week ago. As you may know he was 93 and had been totally blind for a good long time. He actually died in the Braille Hospital for the Blind. His wife had been wonderful I heard, and looked after him herself and did every thing for him, as long as she could. She had to feed him and do everything for him. Lal was the name he was always known by, in his family and his friends. He and his former wife had six children - Judy - Jack - Brian, Peggy , Tom and Richard. In case you don't know he ousted himself from the family and to a great extent from his friends, by having a child by his secretary - and tho' he wanted a divorce so he could marry her, (and he and his wife were not at all happy for quite a long time) she would not agree to this and so Lal and his mistress lived together for may years as man and wife and had the one son - Bob. He has been married and had one or two children - I don't know which one of them is married now and has children - A few years ago his 1st wife died and then in his very old age married his love - His first wife's father was very well off and the father told her if she ever divorced Lal he would cut her right out of his will - so she never did - All was very sad and dreadful. For years most of his family almost dropped him altogether - but I think the last few years have relented and visited him and so on, tho' not very often.
Well dear this is something in our family history we'd rather forget - Of course Lal being the Astonomer - such a big public position and living at the Astronomy for years and everyone in WA knew all about it and for years it was the talk of the town in the select society!. My dear mother and father were shocked and ashamed - now of course such things are quite common, tho' to us still terrible. They say all families have their skeletons in the cupboard - but this was a very public one.
Now dear, I"m sorry this is not ending on a happier note - Anyway it is lovely about Alfred and I was so proud of Camp getting an honour a few years ago.
Much dear love, I must to bed- please forgive all mistakes,
* Has Einart been down yet? Poor darling, I fell so sorry for him
Love to Fred and Alison - I'm afraid I didn't write when A's sister died - I meant to- I"m very neglectful now
* Lovingly
* Kathleen


38: LETTER:
From: Constance Curlewis
TO: John Stephen Curlewis, South Africa
Photocopy of original held by MJC

27 Brunel Street
East Malvern  S E 5

January1st 1939

My dear Jack,

This is y first letter in the New Year.  I think I wrote to you last New Year's day, for I remember I was feeling terrible lonely - the first New Years' day without any of y beloved ones - it has not felt quite so desolate today, altho there is always an ache in my heart, or the longing to see them again is just as intense.
Our dear old friend Dr Hill passed away on Xmas morning, he and rs HIll returned from their trip to England and the Continent, about a year ago, & they have never been well since.  The dear old Dr has paid the ground rent for our telephone ever since we had it, it was his Xmas present each year, and he even remembered when he was in London & sen me a Bank draft for (pounds) 5. - I thought it was so wonderful when I was the only one left - One by one all our dear old friends are passing from earth, we have, as a family, been so rich in friendships - we have often said we thought on-one in the world could have more loyal friends.
Now I must tell you that your letter of Nov: 22nd reached me on Dec: 23rd exactly a month from the day it was posted - Thank you for your good wishes for Xmas and New Year.
I wished you & all your dear ones all good things today, and I hope your sister Lou is progressing satisfactorily - poor dear, I am so sorry for her & do hope the fracture has knitted properly, that by thins time she is able to be out of bed.
Please give her my love & smpathy.  I am enclosing a copyof the front page in the old Bible and also a bit out of the "Naval Biography" about Uncle William, the eldest son of Steavons Lupton, your great gradfather.  I thought you might be interested in it.  I have (?) a little mark against the names of the only five we now anyhing abou.  A friend typed these for me.
I wonder if you have a photograph of yourself (as you are now) that you could spare me - I should so love to have one, as the only ones I have were taken when you were a very young man - Ok & please when you answer this, will you tell me if I should address you differently now you are Chief Justice - I am afraid I am very inorant on the subject- With best love to you & Edith & Maud.
Your affectionate cousin
Constance Curlewis

(Attached in handwriting)

The Holy Bible
Diligently Compared and revised
By His Majesty's Special Command
Appointed to be read in Churches
G.R.
(Royal Coat of Arms)
London
Printed y John Baskell, printer to the King's Most Excellend Majesty and by the Assigns of Thomas Newcombe & Henry Mills (deceased)
1723

(NB: the text of the Naval Biography on William Curlewis was not attached to this copy, but is elsewhere.
The transcription from the Holy Bible is in fact from a Book of Common Prayer, currently held in Melbourne but not by a family member. Dec 2005)


39: Transcriptions of Insurance Documents:
Dwelling of Steavons Lupton Curlewis, obtained via internet.

995745

(pounds) 2  5 (pennies?)

Micls
1823

D/3 (pounds)

W H H

3 October 1822

Steavons Lupton Curlewis of No 40 King Street Covent Garden

On his now Dweling House only situate as aforesaid Fifteen Hundred Pounds
Counting House behind with Workshop, Warehouse and Loft over all communicating in tenure of himself and of a Coachmake no stove therein.  Five Hundred Pounds

All brick
H Lindsay   H Ladbroke.  W Burnie

 
999006

2 (pounds) 15

D/3

W H H
 

Michls
1826

2 Decmber 1822

Steavons Lupton Curlewis of No 40 King Street Covent Garden
Tailor
On his now Dwelling House only siuate as aforesaid Brick Fifteen Hundred Pounds
Counting House Workshop Warehouse and Lofts over all communicating behind near in tenure of himself. an Egg Merchant and a Coach Maker.  a Stove therein.  Brick
Five Hundred Pounds
W Huskifson.  G Pole.  G Boutton

 
921669

(Pounds) 2  15

Micl
1817

(Pounds) 3

30 Augt 1816

Steavons Lupton Curlewis of No 40 King Street Covent Garden Tailor
On his now Dwelling house only situate aforesaid
Brick fifteen hundred pounds
Counting house with Workshops Lofts over all communicating siuate in Hart Street near in tenure of himself Winver & Co
Coachmakers/a stove therein
Brick five hundred

C Littledale C B Ford J Trotter

 
     

40 LETTER
From Phillip Brown
TO: Arthur Claribeaux Curlewis
Date: 5 March 1951
photocopy of typewritten original held MJC

Alanvale
LEOPOLD
via Geelong Victoria

5 March 1951

A C Curlewis Esq
4 Britannia Street
PENNANT HILLLS
Sydney

Dear Sir

GEORGE CAMPBELL CURLEWIS

Thank you for your memorandum, which I received a few days ago from Miss Bell.  My inquiry through your son, Mr John Curlewis originated in Miss Bell's suggestion that his marriage to Miss Joan Drysdale, and their visit here, might be of some local interest if set against the Drysdale -Curlewis story.  I know the Drysdale side, and thanks to Mrs John Drysdale have been able to use Miss Ann Drysdale's diary in a book now in its final stages at the University Press Oxford.

From the little I know, I think that no clear-cut distinction has been made between George Campbell Curlewis and one Walter Curlewis, who I think was his brother.  Of the two, the one with most stations to his name was G C Curlewis, but he does not appear to have held any of them independently, and five runs near Swan Hill, held in conjunction with Robert Campbell and sons, were really all subdivisions of the one big station  The other station that is associated with his name in the official records was the Holey Plain, Gippsland, held in conjunction with Walter Curlewis for seven months from June 1842.

Walter Curlewis is recorded as being the sole holder of the Holey Plain from January 1843 until January 1845, when he was succeeded by Crooke, whose descendants are still there.  Walter Curlewis is also stated to have had a run in the County of Grant (Geelong District) from 1842 to 1845, but George Campbell Curlewis is not mentioned in this connexion.

I quote from the late R V Billis and A S Kenyons Pastoral Pioneers of Port Phillip, a book that contains a fairly reliable list of all pastoral licensees, but which cannot be used as a sure guide to the occupants of the "settled districts".  Thus  I do not suggest that because G C Curlewis's name is omitted, therefore he had no holding in this neighbourhood. On the other hand, I fancy that his and Walter Curlewis's activities and interests have caused confusion.

I write in a house five miles from Coryule homestead, and about four and a half miles from Hermsley, on the Geelong side. The land on which my house stands was not sold by the Crown until December 1850 and (without having consulted the relevant records) I think it most unlikely that the land at Coryule was alienated before this date, except under Drysdale & Newcomb's pre-emptive right.  (These ladies must have had some title, or they would never had built Coryule, which was begun in 1849. Unluckily one volume of the Drysdale Diary is missing.)

Hence, on the information at present available to me, I doubt that G C Curlewis was ever properly settled in a house at Hermsley, although I do not doubt that he had interests in the neighbourhood.  The Coryule run was extensive, and until the land was sold I think there would have been no room for a house so close to the homestead.  I date occupation from the land sales of the early fifties.  In 1853, a 'Mr Curlewis' attended Miss Drysdale's funeral.

Records at the Titles Office, Melbourne, show that land in my immediate neighbourhood was in 1853 conveyed to 'S L Curlewis and Matilda M Curlewis' and to 'S L Curlewis and Maria Curlewis'; that in1854 this land was leased by 'S L Curlewis and M A Curlewis' and that in 1869 it was conveyed by 'S A Curlewis and M A Curlewis' (I suppose 'S L Curlewis' was meant) to the man who gave my farm its name.  These initials may help to sort out any tangle.

As the site of the Melbourne Town Hall was reserved for a post office as early as 1840, I can scarcely credit the statement that G C Curlewis was buried there.  He ought to have been buried in the Old Cemetery (now built upon) if he died in Melbourne.  It should be easy enough to find out, if the date of his death is known.

I should be glad to learn more, and I appreciate your help and interest.

Yours faithfully

P L Brown


41 LETTER
TO: Arthur Claribeaux Curlewis
FROM: Phillip Brown
photocopy of original held by MJC

Allanvale
LEOPOLD
via Geelong
Victoria

22 May 1951

A C Curlewis Esq
4 Brittannia Street
Pennant Hills
SYDNEY

Dear Mr Curlewis

I meant to answer you letter of 20 March weeks ago, but have not managed it.  This I regret.

On Good Friday (the day after I received your letter) the present occupant of 'Hermsley', who is a young man named Davies, and a nice one, gave me a lift up from church.  I told him that I had heard from you, and asked him for his version of the 'Hermsley' story.  Here it is, as I wrote it down at the time.

Davies said that his information came from an old man, Pat Ryan, now dead, who was born at 'Scarborough', a farm formerl run by Peter Mc Dermott in conjunction with Coryule.  Ryan said that A Curlewis, the solicitor turned school inspector, lived for a few years in a house that used to Be on the original Jinks farm (now divided), and that 'Hermsley', which lies well to the east of this farm, was built for A Curlewis's brother Edgar, when he got married. Ryan also said that Edgar Curlewis was a thoroughly good man and  a competant farmer, and yet did not make a success of things at 'Hermsley', so that the family afterwards moved away to 'somewhere about Waurn Ponds' onthe other side of  Geelong.  Ryan spoke of other Curlewises down the Queenscliffe road, and of a Curlewis woman who came from there to be with Mrs Edgar Curlewis at the birth of her first child.  According to the story after the Curlewises left 'Hermsley' it was bought by Ibbotson (Dalgety, Innotson & Co) of Spray Farm, between Drysdale and Portarlington, or by his daughter.

Looking up the original purchasers shown on the Lands Department maps, I find that G C Curlewis' is shown as the first private owner of the land on which 'Hermsley' stands.  This puzzles me, because I fancy that this land was not sold until afer G C Curlewis died (1847).  However, this point cannot be settled in Geelong.*

You mention your coming across a photograph of Martha Ash and ask if there are any Ashes at Leopold now.  The name is still prominent here.  Early in April we had a State school excursion to the Melbourne Zoo, and it was part of my job o bring various small Ashes down to the bus.  While waiting for them at their house I told their father about your reference to Martha Ash, and asked him to identify her.  He said that she was his Aunt martha, that both she and her usand, Coe were dead but that her daughter, a Mrs Smith, was living in Leopold.  The Smiths came here quite recently, and until then I had no idea that they were related to people in the district.

'S L Curlewis and M A Curlewis', 'S L Curlewis and Maria Curlewis', occur in conveyances of part of Alanvale; S L and Maria in 1853, S L and M A  in 1854 and in 1869.  I presume that S L was joined as a trustee.

Any records that you care to send down would be appreciated, but under present conditions I advise you to give Melbourne (projected La Trobe Library) preference over Geelong, where we are not yet organised to take proper care of valuable material.  I hope that before long we shall be.

As I am in personal touch with the Chief Libraria in Melbourne (Mr C A McCallum, Public Library of Victoria) I could make the first approach if you wish it.

Yours sincerely

Philip L Brown

*Perhaps bought by his Estate?P L B


42 LETTER:
TO: Mr P L Brown(?)
FROM: A C Curlewis

SOURCE: unannotated copy held by MJC: author and recipient not stated

My son rang me up this morning and among other things mentioned that he had met you and as president of the Geelong Historical Society desired particulars of my Grandfather George Campbell Curlewis.  Unfortunately I can not give you very information (sic).  My Grandfather was had what is to some people, peculiar ideas.  For instance he would never have his photograph taken and there is no record of any painting or photo of he and his wife in existance though there is a lot of publicity given to his Father in law, Mr Edward Smith Hall of the Monitor Newspaper.

My Grandfather arrived in Sydney in 1824 by the Ship 'Hope'.  He lived in Elizabeth Street Sydney for some time and was interested in the Drapery business.  He sold this business and took up land in Goulburn and was among the first Councillors of that Town now a large City.  He bought several other properties one being what is now Curlewis near Nyngan and from there he went South where he obtained land in Gippsland and also land is what is known as Curlewis near Geelong.

He died very suddenly in 1848 leaving a young family of 4 boys and one girl.  His step brother was appointed as Trustee to the Estate.  Certain instructions as to the ultimate sale of the various properties were not carried out much to the detriment of the families concerned.  However Hermsley as the old Homestead was called was carried on by his two Sons for some time, that is by my Father and one of his Brothers.
But somewhere in the early nineties the place was sold and instead of sheep being the principal source of income, the incoming people planted onions with considerable success.

Two years ago I had occasion to write to Mr T D Mutch who is an authority on early E Australian History and he told me that head (sic) some records of George Campbell Curlewis and he I (sic) could have them if I wanted them.
The matter has been overlooked as there were many people writing to Mr Mutch at the time.  However I am writing to him and perhaps now that the initial rush is over he will have time to write.  If anything further of interest is forwarded I will let you know.
I once saw the original advt in the Sydney Morning Herald when in 1843 he was starying (sic) at Pettys Hotel and was advertising for a foreman for one of his stations.  This Hotel which was one of Sydney's landmarks has been sold to the Red Cross in the last few months for a Blood Depot.
I trust that the foregoing will be usefl.
George Campbell Curlewis was born in 1803 and died in 1847.  He was buried on the site where the present Town Hall Melbourne now stands.

 


43 LETTER: From Edward Hall (George Campbell Curlewis's brother in law
TO: Edward Smith Hall (his father, George's father in law)
Rotherwood, 2nd March 1850
(extract)

"I was both surprized and annoyed at your last letter wherein you strive to exalt O'BRIEN at the expense of CURLEWIS and myself without
saying Curlewis was a generous man. I do not think you are justified in calling him selfish. Curlewis was not as well-off as people thought and
was of an anxious disposition. Had he money to spare I think he would have been generous. The fact you quote ....... tion of the rent and Mrs Hall's is in my opinion near proof of it, Curlewis knew Kenyon's rent was very uncertain, and that he would never get it if it was. I know also he was not disposed to relieve you from any of the inconveniences caused by your marriage as he considered that in your circumstances your first wasting your money in idleness whilst the Mudies were here then marrying when your money was gone was highly blameable. He spoke to me in strong terms two or three times on this subject. He mentioned your having applied to him. "

In March 1842, Edward Smith Hall, (55 years) married Emily Tandy (19 years).  She led him a merry dance, returned to England after several years, came back to Sydney briefly, had a child who died, returned to England and Hall was thereafter required to send her an annuity ofl20 per year.  Little did he know that she was cohabiting with another gent and had his child, but that is another story.


44 NEWSPAPER ARTICLE.
KIND AND GENTLE MAN

From Tom's Weekly, Monday April 26 1971

Hundreds of people throughout Western Australia mourned the death of Mr A C Curlewis, C.M.G., who died of a heart attack on Saturday, 27th March.

This was evidenced by the nearly 400 people from all walks of life who attended his cremation and from the dozens of tributes to 'a kind and gentle man' which appeared in the death notices.

Mr Curlewis gave much of his life in helping others. He was Past President of the Perth Rotary Club, Past President twice of the Torchbearers for Legacy; Past Vice President, Festival of Perth Committee; Director, W A Heart Foundation. Board member, Civilian Maimed and Limbless Association, the Metropolitan Market Trust, the Metropolitan Region Planning Authority and the Local Government Association. He was a Committeeman of the De Paul Centre (Night Shelter for Women), a member of the Organizing Council and Chairman, Tickets Committee of the 1962 Commonwealth Games, Chairman of the Tasmanian Disaster Relief Fund of W A 1967; Warden for 1969/70 of the State War Memorial. Much of the success of the 1962 Britich Empire and Commonwealth Games and of the Test Match last December were due to his drive and initiative, and he received the C M G in the Queen's Birthday Honours in 1968 for services to local government and the community.

Mr Curlewis was also a member of the Perth, West Australian, Commercial Travellers, W A Italian, Rotary and West Australian Turf Clubs and of the W A Cricket Association..

During his 14 years as a Councillor of the City of Perth, Mr Curlewis was a member of all Committees, including Chariman of the Vehicle Parking and Town Planning Committees. His long term as Deputy Lord Mayor, a position to which he was elected by his fellow Councillors each year for 9 years, reflects the confidence placed on him. His influence in the Council was considerable because his fellow Councillors respected his sound judgement, his loyalty and integrity, which gave him the courage to stand up for anything which he considered was right.

To those who worked closely with hime, he was much admired and respected, especially for the manner in which he stood by during the 9 months prior to the death of Mr C J B Veryard, who was then Lord Mayor of Perth. Mr Veryard would not have been able to stay in office as Lord Mayor up until the time of his death had it not been for the fact that Mr Curlewis was ready and willing at all times to fill in when Mr Veryard was not well enought to carry on. It has been said that at times Mr Curlewis' speeches as Acting Lord Mayor at receptions were bad. Very few knew that very often Mr Curlewis did not know until 15 minutes prior to the reception that he would have to fill the breach.

No shallow memorial erected by himself, or a park or building mane after him, will be needed as a reminder of Mr Curlewis' stay on earth, because he was an unassuming and retiring man, but in the hearts of the legatees he assisted, in the records of the Committees on which he served, and in the hearts of his friends, from the little typiste in an office to the strongest man in the city he will be remembered as a friend, adviser and solid citizen


45 IN MEMORIAM

George Campbell Curlewis

(By D.O.D.) (newspaper article, not cited)

Another link with the dear past of the last 76 years snaps when I hear this week of the death of George Campbell Curlewis, a beloved comrade and pal since the days of childhood.  George was the second son of the late Septimus Curlewis who in the 'fifties and early sixties was guardian of the "Hermesley Estate"on the shores of Corio bay, north of Drysdale.
George was born there in 1855 and I first met him in 1865 when I was spending my Christmas holidays at the farm of John Sparks, who was a tenant of "hermesley" but who being under age were controlled by their Uncle Septimus.  In 1866 when they attained their majority and took possession of "Hermsley" Septimus and his family came over to "Carlyle", a property five miles from Queenscliff on the Geelong Road which they had purchased from George Bryant, the eldest son of the Bryant family, who were pioneers of the early days.  Several of their desendants are still landholders in the Mannerim district.
My acquaintance with George Curlewis was renewed then and during our childhood and early manhood we always continued to be on the warmest of terms of friendship.  George assisted his father in working the "Carlyle" estate until early  in 1875 when he went to the station of an uncle in New South Wales and received there a thorough education in the management of sheep.  This was useful to him in after years when, after his father's death, he leased Allison and Knight's run adjoining Carlyle, and working them in conjunction, was so successful in breeding merino sheep that his wool one season topped the Geelong market.  In 1882 he left "Carlyle" in possession of his mother and sisters and a younger brother, and started a farm on the Geelong Road.  In that year he married Miss Lilla George, niece of Alfred Keen, Customs Officer in Queenscliff, who survives him and is now living at Cottesloe Beach, Western Australia where George "passed out" this week when undergoing an operation.  Their family consisted of four sons and one daughter.  In 1896 when the goldfields of Western Australia were in full swing, George migrated to Perth with his family and they eventually settled down at Geraldton as wheat farmers.  When the Great War broke out in 1914 the four sons were grown up, and Gordon the eldest , had been married for a year. Directly "the call to arms" was sounded and Australia was asked to help the Empire, all four sons enlisted and took part in the historical landing at Galipoli.  Gordon, Arthur and Selwyn, the three elder borthers, were killed in that ill-advised but glorious undertaking, and Campbell received a bullet through the lungs.  From this wound he recovered, but his health was too much shattered to perit him to renew the fighting, and he was invalided home to Western Australia.  Since then he has married and has some sons, so it is comforting to know that the name of Curlewis which will always be noted in Australian history, is likely to be carried on.  Their cousin Kenneth, only son of their uncle Alfred, George's younger brother, was also killed during the war, so the Curlewis family certainly 'did their bit" in saving Ausralia from the grasp of Germany.  George and his wife, being unable to cary on the wheat fields after their terrible loss, realised on the property, and since 1916 have been living at Cottesloe Beach, until his death last week. And so passes away another dear old friend to join the group who are waiting for us "on the other side".

 


46 "The Passing of a friend"
[By D.O.D.]

The exceptional beauty of the "In memoriam" tribute, appearing in monday's 'Geelong Advertise' to the memory of the late William Thomas Rowe of "Naringal Station, has brough back to my mind recollections of some happy days spent there in the spring of 176 when I was 22.
The Rowe family then owned the adjoining stations of Cape Clear and Naringal.  W.T. Rowe, the first of the trio that has owned the latter in succession, lived at the Cape Clear homestead.
Charles Moller, a big man,showing strong evidence of his Saxon origin in his bushy fair beard an hair, was manager of Naringal.  He had married Miss Nellie Curlewis, second daughter of Septimus Curlewis, who in the very early days was a prominent resident of the Bellarine Paninsula.  He took an active interest in Geelong affairs and was one of the first presidents of the Agricultural Society and Justice of the Peace.  The name Curlewis, on the Geelong and Queenscliff line will serve to perpetuate the worthy memory of the Curlewis family for all time.  Three of his grandsons paid the supreme sarifice for their country at the landing at Gallipoli.
Charles Moller and his wife were the parents of a large family.  Several of their sons also played their part nobly in the Great War, and one of their daughters has for years been a missionary at the Kenya Mission Station in Africa.
In 1876, Mrs W T Rowe and her children of who  W T the second would be about five years old, had driven down to Carlyle"the farm about four miles from Queenscliff to spend the summer with the Curlewis family.  The latter had taken over this place from the original owners the Bryants.  The buggy and pair of horses that had conveyed the Rowes was wanted again at Naringal and George Curlewis, a close friend of my youth was called upon to drive them back.
I was the young postmaster at Queenscliff in 1876 and, being on my annual leave of three weeks, was greatly pleased when George invited me to accompany him on this trip.  He picked me up about five o'clock one spring evening at the residence of the late Thomas Stoneman of Cobb and Co., in Latrobe Terrace, with whom I had been staying, and we drove on merrily till we reached Leigh Road - now known as Bannockburn.  Here we put up for the night.
Starting early next morning we passed through several villages Rokewood among them, steering north till we reached Naringal in the evening.  Here we recieved a warm welcome from the Moller family.
........
George and I spent some very pleasant days at Naringal, there being plenty of horses to be ridden, and in shooting hares which even in those days were plentiful.We had driven a spring cart over to a distant paddock one afternoon to bring in some hurdles which had been used to "fold" sheep, which were kept in one corner to eat some grass down. It had been rainig heavily some days before, and then there were some warm ones. To my surprise we found enough mushrooms there to have filled our cart if we had wanted them - splendid large white ones with a deliicate pink underneath. It was a novelty to see mushrooms in October and we greatly enjoyed a hearty tea of them when we returned to the homestead.

 


47 Letter:
From Edgar Burnham Curlewis
To: Charles Herbert Curlewis

Observatory
17 March 1905

Dear Charles,

I received your post card on Monday and would have replied sooner but have not been able to find tiome til this evening. I was very pleased indeed to hear of the arrival of a youngster and trust that both Lottie and he are doing well. What is he like? Does he take after you or Lottie? No doubt you will have to talk to Lottie about this? I never knew a father yet who could satisfactorily answer that question. I suppose you both consider he is the most wonderful baby in the world. Lals' two youngsters are very good. Young Kathleen is a bit of a terror sometimes.
At present we are in the throes of a wedding - Janets' sister Annie is to be married on Wednesday. The wedding repast is to be at our place 60 guests invited. H.B and I are grafting (?) like anything to get the place into something like order. It takes a long time to get a new house and ground shipshape. We have had to dig our and split two or three big jarrah stumps .. one of these took us a fortnight.
I must keep H B in the ?? room now.
With kind regards to Lottie and trusting that you are O.K.
Yours
E.B.Curlewis
How does Aunt Jessie like being a Grandmother?


48 LETTER:
From: George Campbell Curlewis
TO: Matilda Martha Burnie Hall
Date: 28 April 1835
ORIGINAL: National Library of Australia: Papers of George Campbell Curlewis

To: Miss Matilda Hall
Friday 3rd April 1835
My Dear Matilda,
Though I am bound to believe that what a Lady wills to do or say " Is wisest discreetest best" *yet I cannot but complain of the scruples you express of replying to my anxious enquiries after your happiness and though I am under sentence a of banishment for a month, unless you relent and admit me into the happy list of your correspondents, I shall be tempted to break my parole in search of a still greater happiness - your society. To make any progress in my proposed improvements I find it necessary to personally superintend so that I am with the workmen from early in the morning until about dusk.now . My dear Matilda consider what an age it is that I have to look forward to and how much of that time I must be absent from you and in your great charity deign to assure me that I have your wishes for the early completion of those arrangements that will entitle me to rob Lake Bathurst of its brightest attraction. If you contemplate any alteration in your journey to Sydney I hope you will make me acquainted with it as I am most desirous to be at the Lake when you start. I am so much delighted with one portion of the business that calls you to Sydney that I now anticipate your going as much as formerly I dreaded it.** Since I saw you I have made some alterations in the plan of the intended Mansion, alterations that I flatter myself will perfectly coincide with your Ladyship' s ideas. I am quite sure they are such as Aunt Betty would highly approve of.
In quarrying we have discovered an uncommon pretty stone a very sparkling blue or grey granite, if I can procure sufficient for the front face I think it would have a fine effect indeed when the Sun is in the building quite brilliant, I know you will admire it. My brother Walter being at the South Coast and Septimus how I envy him starting in the morning to pay his respects to you Ladies, I am once more left to luxuriate in all the delights of Solitude but even Solitude has now a charm and solace for me, I can then without interruption indulge my thoughts on her whose image is always in my mind's eye and who I hope will believe me when I say that I am her Devoted and sincere Admirer G. C. Curlewis
I cannot resist giving a small hint about Drawing and Exercise I trust there have been no returning of the pain in the side.
My dear Matilda I trust you will not misunderstand me and suppose that I would ask you to do what your Papa disapproved of. If he has an objection to your writing perhaps your sister will have the kindness to tell me so but I live in hopes  of hearing that you are well, in that pretty unintelligible scrawl of your own
Yours most truly
GCC

* quote from Milton's Paradise Lost. Complete quote is:
And in herself complete, so well to know
Her own, that what she will to do or say,
Seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest best

** This could refer to information uncovered recently in letters from her cousin Edwyn Statham which reveal that she and Edwyn were in love but unable to marry because he could not support her and that her father had persuaded her to marry Curlewis instead. Around this time, Statham writes that she had travelled to Sydney and explains to him that she still loves him,  and would not have accepted Curlewis's offer if Edwyn had been capable of supporting her.  Ref: Letters from Edwyn Statham

 


 

48A LETTER
 

From: George Campbell Curlewis
TO: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall
DATE: Unknown

Original held by Megan Curlewis

Addressed to
"Mrs Curlewis
At Mr E S Hall’s Junr.
Lake Bathurst"

Postmarked Sydney
undated but most likely written in March 1836. There are a number of letters in the Hall family about this time, indicating some friction between E S Hall and his son E S Hall jnr. One letter from ESH jnr is dated 1 March 1836 and addressed to Mr Statham, Monitor Office. It is quite likely that this letter is the one referred to in this letter.

One section of this letter has been torn off on one side , hence the first part has been hard to transcribe.The second half is complete)

first part

Statham showed me the (letter)
yesterday from Edward to your
father and your father’s wife.
I must say that I am both
astonished and disappointed (at
finding such serious differences (?)
exist in the family, I have
not shewn the papers to Mr M (?)
but had them in my pocket (for)
that purpose but in consequence of
what I then saw and on
ma..in reflection I have (come)
to a positive determination
not to interfere in the
remote degree in the family
quarrels,,I trust my dearest (you)
will not consider this unkind
coming to this decision. I think (that)
consulting your happiness as I (do)
perfectly well differences will (?)
that may….. of your
being parted from your Sister
altogether. ---- I am sadly des…
I always pictured you as a happy
united family, the letter I saw.
such a one as a son must soon
repent having written

second part

I think you had better say nothing about what I have now said if you have any regard for my happiness Dearest Tilly keep up your spirits and never let family dissensions disturb your for …..you are not the cause nor have you the means of allaying them. Give my love to them all and be assured that I am in the greatest impatience once more to embrace my dearest wife
G C Curlewis


49 LETTER
FROM: George Campbell Curlewis
TO: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall
DATE January 1839
ORIGINAL: National Library of Australia: Papers of George Campbell Curlewis

Snowy River Sunday 12 Jany 1839

My dearest Tilly

I am sure little Bosh...? as well as Papa is highly delighted at the prospect of a Play fellow, you know how often he has begged of me to ask Mamma for a little sister. I hope my dear Tilly you have all escaped the Influenza and that you take good care of yourself and drink your Ale freely.

Since I wrote you on Tuesday last I have suffered very much more so than I recollect ever before, I am now happy to say the cough and the discharge  from my head has left me but I yet suffer extremely for about six hours each day from a violent pain in my head it appears as if the bones of my head were all loose and that my forehead would burst but I am in hopes that will also leave me in a few days, so make yourself easy on my account.

I consider two circumstances in my favor there was no medical man near at hand and that I was so busy that I could not lay up.

I think you may calculate on my leaving here on Monday fortnight the 21st Jany but of course it depends on a number of circumstances that I cannot foresee for instance the weather has during the last few hours threatened for rain that will retard us.

I am having a great deal of vexation with the Men and am not getting up the Wool as I expected.

I am pleased to hear you enjoy the vegetables you must take what exercise you can without tiring yourself. I shall say nothing more at present about my plans but I certainly admire your foresight in looking out ten years ahead it is quite right.

It is now too late for me to advise Mc Dermott about his Wheat, I trust that old fellow has not robbed him of it.

I am extremely sorry to hear of Edwards misfortune, I hope it was all arranged without his incurring heavy expences, I suspect he has to blame himself for leaving the matter in such an unsettled state, he ought to have paid it, it is no use his attempting to kick against the pricks

The letter you wrote you wrote to Walter and Sep came here, never send a Note by post it is better to send a sheet of paper if you only use half and direct it very plain. I think you acted like a good manager in the business.I shall send my men back that way and may return the compliment as they will not have finished their harvest.

As my headache is becoming very violent I must conclude this hurried scrawl as I have to take it myself to Mr Hamiltons and have been busy shearing all the morning.With kind love to Jane and kisses to little Georgy I am my dearest Tilly

Your affectionate husband G C Curlewis

Tell Paterson he is not to have the barn until it is finished, I must have no excuse from him or Sturgis about not agreeing. When Jauncey and Ryan have done the works I before requested let them commence ploughing across the ground from the Water hole in the middle of the Paddock to the new ground when the manure is laid down and if that is not too hard, to plough that also. Goodbye my dear Tilly my head pains me dreadfully GCC

I rced five Papers}

 Notes: by Evelyn Bromley.The Snowy River is rather long, his lease was at Inemongee mindi, now known as Ironmungy.
Jauncey, Ryan, Peterson and Sturgis were convicts working at Ravenswood.  Jauncey was  ultimately had charge of the Tilba Tilba station.  Sturgis appears to be mentioned in a later letter when he seems to have travelled to Sydney with GCC.

Did Paterson want to use the barn as his quarters?  Unless Paterson is a neighbour who wants to use the barn as a barn…

"Bosh" must refer to George.  When this letter was written he’s not yet 15 months old so I suspect he wasn’t doing too much begging for a sister.   It’s after this that he is given the nickname Derrdy.  Must have been a bleak existence for a little boy with no companions of his own age.  This pregnancy did not result in a child.

Jane was Tilly' s sister who was engaged to Sep and who died later that year.


49D LETTER
FROM: George Campbell Curlewis
TO: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall
DATE November 1839
ORIGINAL: National Library of Australia: Papers of George Campbell Curlewis

(this is addressed to Mrs Curlewis, Ravenswood, which suggests that in fact he was elsewhere...still on his trip to the Snowy River or Krawaree?)

Ravenswood Tuesday Morning

11th Novr1839

My dearest Tilly

I am sorry to say the weather is really against us, I cannot say when we shall complete the muster it is now a cold drizzleg rain.

I hope you will make yourself happy and composed not thinking about bushrangers and such frightful subjects .

I found Walter here from the Coast and all ready to start on the muster, I also met in the road my old stockman Grady who is now with Mr Hamilton coming for the U R Cattle so that we have plenty of strength and if the weather was fine I should no doubt get through the business speedily – Sep is well and recovered his spirits but there is nothing but disagreeables at Krawaree men in the bush in gaol etc

There is a great show of fruit in the same state of forwarding as that at Ravenswood.

I hope you are comfortable and happy in my absence and that the dear boy continues well. I suppose I am naughty Papa indeed for going away so long.

Drake who brings this will take down the wool that John is to bring from Monaroo

George Leake is to take a Memorandum of the numbers.

Drake is waiting so that I have no more time but merely to say

I am your affectionate husband

G C Curlewis

Notes by Evelyn Bromley: " Sep is well and recovered his spirits".  This could refer to the recent death of his fiancee, Jane Hall on 19th October 1839.  The Sydney Morning Herald of 18 September 1839 indicates that Sep is at Krawaree at that point.
On 16 Mary 1839, The Australian has a report of bushrangers active on the Berrima to Goulburn road including  the comment " a team belonging to Mr Curlewis (later identified as Septimus) was plundered and stopped within sight of Berrima"  So Matilda's concern about bushrangers would have been quite valid as they were active in the neighbourhood.

 Image of the original letter page 1


49b LETTER:
FROM: George Campbell Curlewis
TO: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall
DATE: 18 September 1841
ORIGINAL: National Library of Australia: Papers of George Campbell Curlewis

Melbourne Wednesday 22 September 1841
My Dearest Tilly,
In order to relieve your mind of my anxiety of any account we arrived here or rather at Williams Town on Monday Evening and landed here on Tuesday morning. On Sunday night we had a storm of thunder and lightning  heavy rain and blowing great guns. We were then amidst a group of Islands in the Straits and therefore was in considerable danger but happily we got through without accident. I suffered dreadfully from sea sickness.
I was not able to take a meal during the passage so that when I landed yesterday morning I was extremely weak but one soon recovers and I am as well now as ever I was indeed. I have no doubt the sickness will do me a vast deal of good .
In point of size and the goodness of buildings Melbourne much exceeds my expectations it really appears the work of magic. Only five years ago it was in a state of nature now it is superior to what Sydney was when it thirty five years old all done by private industry and enterprise for Government have done nothing The land about Melbourne is like a Gentleman's Park exceedingly rich but from the low swampy parts immediately on the Town I should think it could not be healthy.
For grazing and Agricultural purposes having the richest soil imaginable and a moist climate this district must be the jewel of New South Wales. Unfortunately they have lately had very heavy rains the country is almost impassable. I shall therefore not be able to see so much of the country as I would wish it now also bids for heavy rain
Yesterday I converted my Drafts into Cash and got a Treasury receipt for 652 pounds this morning I was about three hours at the Surveyors office to gain all the information I can. I saw Mr Hoddle who was excessively kind invited me to his house and promised all the information in his power though I cannot promise myself very great success as all the people here are on the qui-vive* and all that can raise the money have done so preparatory to selection on the 8 of October however I do not despair of making a selection that will pay my expenses should we not like to keep it. I wish I had come down here some years ago this is the country to establish a family in. For a hundred miles round it is capable of being a rich Agricultural or pastoral country.
In justice to Sydney I must tell you how much her fine Harbour is missed it will be Friday before the cargo of the Sea Horse ...up here and as no vessel of her (size?) can come up to within ? miles Melbourne being situated some distance up the Yarra Yarra River.
On my passage down I made the acquaintance of a Mr Patterson I dined and spent the evening with his family last night. I was much pleased with Mrs Patterson although she has three little ones she has not forgotten her music and singing which she performs in a very superior style I was present at the unpacking of the boxes from Sydney dresses, bonnets, jewelry etc for Mamma, dolls, necklaces etc for little Miss Whips & lots of other things for the little boy and an india rubber ring for baby all this forcibly reminded me of excitement at home though my dear Tilly never gets jewellery from her good for naught husband.
Anxious to give you as much information as possible I have not mentioned my dear boys I shall be most anxious to hear how you all are. This goes by the Sea Horse I shall also write by the first Overland Mail. I expect if the weather will allow me.
I find the Mail closes this afternoon and I thought not until tomorrow. I must therefore hastily conclude.
Kiss the dear boys and be assured my dearest Tilly that I long once more to be with you
I am your affectionate Husband,
G. C. Curlewis

* on the que vive: meaning to be on guard, to be watchful and alert like a sentinel

Notes: by Evelyn Bromley

Robert Hoddle is considered “the designer of Melbourne”.  Argus 28 Aug 1933 has a nice little write-up about him.

The Sydney Herald, 12 Jul 1841, page 5, contains news of the land sale including some of the parcels of land that are being released by the government.  There’s a station owned by Mr Patterson included in the sale – is this the Patterson of the letter?  (other articles spell it Paterson) Some of the land for sale was at Lake Colac – I think GCC had a property there, possibly in conjunction with Campbell?  The land was being sold “at the uniform price system of £1 per acre”.

 The Seahorse left Sydney for Port Philip on 17 Sep 1841 carrying, amonst others, Mr Curlewis and Mr Paterson. Paterson is listed twice – typo, or two different men?  (Sydney Herald 18 Sep 1841 page 2) GCC returned to Sydney on the Seahorse arriving on 12 Oct 1841. (Sydney Herald 13 Oct 1841 page 2)


49a LETTER
 

FROM: George Campbell Curlewis
TO: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlews nee Hall
Undated but most likely between 3 and 16 March  1842 given the reference to Edward Smith Hall's bride. They married 3 March 1842 and lived in Goulburn St until 11 April 1842 and also the reference to Gosling leaving, which he does on 16 March.
ORIGINAL: National Library of Australia: Papers of George Campbell Curlewis

I am in hopes Edward will make a fortunate hit this time with his Cattle he will unless he marrs it by some folly of his own. Cattle are in demand and will bring a good price.

When I arrived at Gray's that night I was rather surprised to find our noble friend at tea quite en famille with Gray his wife and family. I suppose he liked it because he could enact the great man to such a company.
Tell VictorI could get no percussion caps at Bungonia but I hope he has managed to keep away the Crows and Cockatoos without.
I forgot before leaving home to give him particular directions about the beef to take care the flies do not get into the Cask, always to give the beef for the home before breakfast and take care the cover is not left off and to take notice that the pickle well covers the meat and does not turn sour.
I shall expect my dear Tilly to hear from you on Tuesday now I who give you so much trouble am away you can begin to take care of yourself by keeping very composed and have frequent shammy andas (?) in the morning.
If you see Mr Wood Tell him that in consequence of the state of the roads I shall not be able to bring up half a load, I shall therefore not have it in my power to bring any up for him.
Tell my dear Derrdy Papa hopes he is a very good boy, he must begin to set little brother a good example his cousin little Edwin Statham already knows some of his letters.
Promising to write again on Tuesday I will now my dear Tilly conclude with assuring you that I cannot say how much
I am
Your affectionate Husband
G C Curlewis

Kiss both the dear boys for me I trust little pet has quite recovered Sydney - at Goulds China Shop- I have seen your Father, he has taken lodgings for the bride and is only at the House in Goulburn St. during business hours. I wished him joy but he has not invited me to see the Lady - I am told she is of very respectable family.

Gosling starts tomorrow for Melbourne. I have sold my wool(?)pretty well. I am on my way to make arrangements for Gippsland Lastly my dear Tilly
Your affectionate
GCC

Notes by Evelyn Bromley

Gould's China Shop was on George Street

The postmark begins "MA" so the letter was written in March or May 1842.  Gosling leaves for Prt Phillip on Tuesday 16 March 1842 and Tilly's father and Emily Tandy were married on 2 March 1842, so this was most likely written in the March. He was 55 years of age, she was 19.  The marriage did not survive.

Tilly is something like 4 months pregnant,  hence his advice to compose herself and have frequent "shammy andas" in the morning.  Not sure what they were, possibly an alcoholic drink (champagne?) which was recommended for morning sickness in times past.
 

Australian 26 April 1842 page 2: a court case – Aspinall v. Browne and others.  (Browne sometimes has an e, sometime not.)  It refers to Aspinall, Browne and Gosling being in business together.  By 2 Jul (Sydney Herald) the firm is renamed Gosling, Brown and Co.  The principals are Warham Jemmett Browne, John William Gosling, and Edward Aspinall.  All three are mentioned in other letters.

 

50 LETTER
FROM: George Campbell Curlewis
TO: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall
DATE March 1836 (Year of letter undated, but if these dates are correct, ie Sunday 6 March, Thursday 10 March, the year is 1836)
ORIGINAL: National Library of Australia: Papers of George Campbell Curlewis

Sunday Evg 6thMar
My dearest Matilda
I am just returned from spending the day with my friend Smith at his Cottage Ornee**** near Double Bay, for a genteel (but not gay family) it is one of the best houses I have seen in the Country, combining  elegance of style with all the comfort and conveniences that Aunts Martha or Betty could desire; the grounds are extremely pretty and although it appears a miserable barren (sand?)  and rocks every thing in this Garden thrives. If any thing could reconcile me to Sydney it would be the possession of a similar property. There is I think something very delightful in rendering what a few years since was considered a useless barren waste into productive garden and vineyards.

We took a long stroll along the beach from Wooloomooloo to Rose Bay, it is quite astonishing to see the number of pretty cottages peeping up Mr (?) is building a le (jethie???) it extremely pretty object from the water but the interior is greatly deficient in convenience. Even McDonald and Samuel Terry appear to be lovers of the picturesque they have each their box - .

Mc Donald has made a very pretty place by introducing a small area of the Sea into his grounds, he has a good sized fish pond, abounding with mullet and bream and studded with islands, on one or two of those is a rabbit warren and the others covered with agreeable shrubs

Monday morning.
I told you I intended to visit the Theatre on Saturday but I found myself in too jovial a party , to think of leaving until 11 O' clock. I assure you it was not later.

I am to dine at Mr C H Chambers this evening an invite I accept with reluctance. They are no favourites of mine, this is about the twentieth overture of acquaintance I have had from them. Mrs Betty Chambers is a good hearted creature that sad vulgar body,
I had six musical boxes to amuse me yesterday at Breakfast I have selected one I take the old one to Johnson this morning. Contrary to your prophecy Sturgis to use an elegant phrase, one that a lady will perfectly understand is as steady as a (pump) bolt.
I was quite satisfied in the choice I made of Miss Ellen Lonley, when her box came from ? .home, she produced a certificate of character from the clergyman of the Village, nothing could be better. I am longing for Thursday to hear from my dearest Tilly, until the Drays come in I can say nothing about leaving Sydney but I should not think it will be later than Wednesday week. Not having an opportunity of sending a parcel to you, I thought it better to request Mrs Oliver to have a french Merino made up for you besides my dearest Tilly you know you will have so much work to do, and I believe the work you will have is somewhat tedious, I recollect frequently hearing Ladies say that small, that is children's, things are the most troublesome. I am not quite sure you will admire my choice it is an uncommon pretty green, although green is not generally a favourite color of mine yet as I always admired my dear Tilly so much in her habit. I thought it must be becoming to her, and I flatter myself that my dear Matilda loves dearly to appear pretty in my eyes.

The merino stuff is a kind of red or lavender colour more neat and serviceable than handsome - The French merino I bought for you to present to Jane is nearly the color of your silk that came up last, but a little darker, the merinos are a beautiful fabric and Mrs Olvier says will wash well .  I enquired.at two or three places for poplin as you desire for  when they laughed and said that in twenty years hence, Mrs Grumpy would be a very proper person for poplin not now -the Merino is 12/- per yard. I have also desired Mrs Oliver to have the bonnet trimmed fashionably for winter.

I have treated myself to a broad brim my friends tell me it makes me quite majesterial. I certainly have noticed that the brims to me far more profound than previously, having also purchased one of the fashionable shape. I should keep the broad brim for when I find it necessary to be very consequential in my own family.

I am now going into the Town so good bye, I shall not close this until near post time. Perhaps you will be very surprised at me writing so soon again but I thought that my dear Tilly would be (??) if a post arrived and no letter from me. Give my love to them all and as you love me, take care of yourself. I would rather that you should not ride during my absence, in your letter tell me that you will not. I am a great fidget that you will know. Longing once more to fold my dearest in my arms.
Your affectionate husband
G C Curlewis

Thursday evening 20
My dearest Matilda
When I wrote you this letter I expected it to have gone by the Monday post but in further enquiry at the Post Office I ascertained that that Post only went to Goulbourn. I therefore declined sending it and was in the point of tearing it up when I thought it might afford my dearest love half an hours assessment or rather that you would be pleased to see how much I thought of you and that how much I loved a chit chat with you though unhappily only on paper.
My dearest Matilda I received yours of the 7 this morning it is really unkind of you to be so very laconic, you seem to have the same dislike as ever to write to Gentlemen you can little think how I prize every affectionate.sentiment; every expression of regret for my absence; how anxious to know everything that can possibly affect your happiness or health; how you pass your time, in fact the most trivial circumstances that in the most degree affects my dearest Tilly would be of the greatest interest to me if my dearest Matilda felt the pang of absences as keenly as myself she would feel more for me and endeavour to soften it and write me letters not longer than these she occasionally honoured me with previous to the 30 th of glorious morning but I shall reserve my scolding until next week then beware.

You tell me you are not in very good spirits. I hope my dearest love there is no other cause than my absence, that I trust will soon be over I expect to leave on Wednesday Thursday at farthest and to have the delight of encircling you in my arms on Friday or Saturday I think it will be the latter. I attended to your wishes, I must send to Mrs Hamilton for what you have requested her to get for you.
Tell Charlotte I gave her letters into Mrs Johnstone's own hands she enquired very kindly after Charlotte and yourself and hoped you would visit Georges Hall  on your way down. Mrs J. seems an amiable woman but neither pretty or stylish as I expected. The Drays arrived on Wednesday in consequence of considerable repairs being required to them we shall not load until Saturday and start on Monday
Friday Morning I was at Market early and purchased the quinces and lemons I have so much trouble to get the least thing done that I shall not get any other fruits for your own use. I have three jars of Jam that with some sweet wine will be something nice when you are disposed to see company in the stilling room.
If you knew what a slave I am in Sydney you would pity me. I have not a moment to myself. There was a regatta yesterday I could not go.
I purchased the cattle from Morton and we are excellent friends again.
As I shall not receive your answer in time I must take the charge of pleasing you about the Mangel &c.. I dined last night at Mr Aspinalls Mrs A is an amiable women neither young or handsome, the very last women I should have expected a dashing fellow like Mr Aspinal to have chosen.

Notes: by Evelyn Bromley

Comments: The reference to "the 30th of glorious morning" could be a reference to their wedding day which was September 30 1835. 
It seems as though Tilly is making baby clothes ("small that as children's thing are the most troublesome") for the baby who was born at Krawaree in July 1836, and who died there early in the following year.  
The "stilling" room could be a still room, the room where they hung herbs to dry, made jams and liquers.  In a small house, which is most likely in remote Krawaree, the Stilling room could have been where she entertains people.  Incidentally, this house no longer exists.  Jane is most likely her sister, who died in 1839.
"Cottage Ornee"  is a rustic building of picturesque design according to English heritage.
There’s a lot of them built in Sydney in the late 1820s and 1830s.  Many are listed as “suitable for a genteel family”.
The phrase is traditionally “as steady as a pump bolt” but it’s hard to see whether he has actually written pump or something else. GCC uses these types of phrase occasionally – “vulgar body” and “kick against the pricks” are others
CH Chambers was a solicitor in Sydney

Georges Hall turns out to be a place name, rather than a Hall relative I had never heard of, and is where Mr and Mrs David Johnstone had their home.  She was the former Selina Wiltey, niece of Major Antill of Jarvisfield, and she married in Feb 1836 so she was a very new bride. The Australian 16 Feb 1836.


52 LETTER
From George Campbell Curlewis
To: Matilda Curlewis (Matilda Martha Burnie Hall)

Date: ? Most likely after March 1842, when he refers in a letter to a planned trip to Gippsland and before he acquires the Holey Plain
ORIGINAL: National Library of Australia: Papers of George Campbell Curlewis

Mrs Curlewis Ravenswood Bungonia
To be left at Mr (Frosi's) farm

12/

on Tuesday, you will see that hither to in spite of some showery weather we have got through all the work I expected when I began this Diary.
Yesterday a man came in from GippsLand. Booth formerly an overseer of your Fathers he brought the account of the Blacks having killed one of Mr McAlisters shepperds; This is likely to throw a damper on our party and I am afraid will increase the difficulty of hiring men to go alone. It is the first accident of the kind that has happened and when a few establishents are there less likely to occur again.
I have had a long conversation with Booth who has seen about every part of the Colony and is a very intelligent old man and has been there more than two years and from his account I suspect it is the finest part of the Colony discovered yet. Glengarry and his family arrived safe they are living in a beautiful spot about seven miles from the Port, I shall endeavor to get nearer the Port than McAlister as the Blacks are likely to be less troublesome and the sheep and stations will be more saleable; the greatest objection is that the land is likely to be sold sooner near the Port but I think I may wish that it is not likely to be sold there for several years The Scotchmen have named the Country Caledonian Australis and the rivers McAlister, Glengarry and even old Booth has the honor to give name toa River called Old Booths River.
One of the Lakes is Sixty miles long and more than ten broad and abounds with fish Mr Severn has just come from Mr Balfours and tells me a gentleman as leaves there tomorrow morning so I must conclude this diary and say a few words on business. I am every moment expecting Thomas back I did not like sending the last cart down again for fear you should have borrowed one and sent Thomas back with Sovereigns and another reason is that I am not sure but that I shall have to send the teams down as an other Carrier offers to take the Wool. If you have not already sent for the mares tell Brandon not to commence ploughing with the horses until I return but that he and McArthy if he is with you are to thrash out as much Wheat as they can for I shall want to send a large quantity to be Ground. Henry with (Fossissey) will get on with the Plough with Bullocks as the ground is not too hard if they cannot plough it Henry will know what best to do
I am My dearest Tilly
Your affec husband
G. C Curlewis

Notes: Difficult to know where Curlewis was writing this letter from.  It sounds like he had landed at Port Albert and was making his way inland.  In June of that year 1842 he takes up Holey Plain near Rosedale.   In "Letters from Victorian Pioneers" there is a letter written by W Odell Raymond in August 1853, describing his journey into Gippsland.  On 20th June 1842 Raymond arrives at the Mitchell River, Gippland with his stock and says "I beg to state Mr. Curlewis's and Mr Reeve's sheep preceded me a few weeks".   This does not necessarily indicated that George is himself with this party.

Letters from Victorian pioneers/ edited Thomas Francis Bride 1898
 

51 LETTER
FROM: George Campbell Curlewis
TO: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall
DATE February 21, 1844
ORIGINAL: National Library of Australia: Papers of George Campbell Curlewis

(Post mark Sydney General Post office Feb 21 1844 )
Sydney Wednesday Aftn
My dearest Tilly I received your letter enclosing the Land Orders and thank you for your kind and business like attention.
We arrived in Sydney on Monday, we spent a pleasant day at Stathams on Sunday. Mrs Statham appears much improved in health - it is a very nice baby
The Smiths would not take no and Mrs Smith assured me that she had desired Whistler to include Derdy in the Invitation. He is very different this time much more manly not crying when I leave him, I have now left him to see the girls at their lessons and afterwards to come to Sydney in the carriage.
I took him to bathe this morning and I assure you he is not a little proud of it. I am sure it will agree with him, he was quite in aglow after coming out.
Your father is looking very well and in good spirits
You will be glad to hear that Mr Fosters biill is found.
I saw Capt Barker yesterday (?) seems in tolerable spirits and he has determined to go on.
The state of things is very bad in Sydney that is a great many individuals must inevitably fail, a number of houses will go in a few-days amongst them I am afraid our old friends Gosling, Bremer and Co.
The Lawyers promised to have the Deeds ready on Saturday but I think we shall not leave until Monday.
I have bought your flats not quite so large as your dimensions but longer than your present one price 24 shillings - I think it will suit.
I have hired a house Servant wages 12 pounds - and a man Cook wages 18 pounds. They appear two good servants and have good characters you will (like) Alice I engaged the woman because I find Mrs Frosi will continue on the Farm in which case her mother said she would require her I think the man will prove useful and I have been very explicit about their work.
Tell Miss Abbot Mr Hirsts's brother is well.
I never saw two men more alike and cursing they are equally short sighten.
I intend calling on Mr Hirst either tomorrow or Friday - I am sorry to find by this mornings paper that his difficulties are not over -
I am writing this at Statham' s office where I am settling my accounts for the wool, bacon etc. Not knowing what sugar may have been sent by the Dray I have purchased two cwt of crushed loaf sugar at 4 pence.
I have made several enquiries about your Watch the one I would wish to buy you would cost 20 (pounds). The lowest would be 10 pounds. I have not determined yet but shall do so tomorrow.
I think I have now given you all the news my dear Tilly, I trust the children and yourself have been quite well since I left - I must now my dear Tilly say goodbye
Your affectionate Husband
GC Curlewis

 


51A LETTER
FROM: George Campbell Curlewis
TO: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall
DATE Around either April 1843 or February 1844 ie is this the start of the trip to Sydney that he writes about in other letter February 1844?
ORIGINAL: National Library of Australia: Papers of George Campbell Curlewis

My dearest Tilly

It was rather a dull morning when we left Paddy’s River* Wednesday but it cleared off and became a pleasant day, we arrived at Mrs Cutler’s in good time, Derrdy stood the journey well and was quite at home at Mrs Cutler’s.

On Thursday we reached the ? quarry he was rather more jovial this day the  Inn  was not near so clean and nice as Ms Cutlers but I looked well after the linen and made them give us things as comfortable as possible.

Derrdy had here a great fright. I left him to look after the horse. He fancied from a noise he heard outside that bushrangers were coming and began to scream when a half drunken man came from the adjoining room into him which frightened him, the same poor little fellow how delighted he was when I came in, he soon recovered and passed the remainder of the evening very happily.

We could get no further than  Campbell Town on Friday and got here on Saturday a little before sunset.

In all my experience I never knew the roads in such a state it was a most fortunate invention that of cutting the gig seat, otherwise he would have shook to death, whereas I really think he has not felt the journey so much as myself – I changed my plan about going to Parramatta it would have added to the expenses, the Steamer did not leave until 4 O’clock and not arrive in Sydney until after 6 O’clock which would have been too late for him to be on the water and the wharf where the Steamers stop is more than a mile from Fort and it would puzzle me how to get him and the luggage there I therefore determined on driving direct to Sydney, as we came through the Streets he kept exclaiming look, look Papa there is the shop to buy boots, there is the shop to buy Mamma some Gloves etc.. the ships also the sea attracted his attention greatly.

He was soon at home with Mrs Watkins and a lady who is staying here.

He is also quite satisfied with Kitty who is a clean nice looking girl putting him to bed so that I go and stay with him until he is asleep – I have found him an uncommonly well behaved child few in his weak state would have given less troubles he pays great attention to all I tell him – When in bed last night he said Papa how long ought I think of Mamma for I am so tired I cannot think of her long.
He or rather we enjoyed the cake, there was abundance for us both we gave Aunty and Sep some for their lunch and I have now two pieces for him – After breakfast this morning he was quite reconciled to my leaving him to go and look for Aunty who he seemed very desirous to see.

I found them at Mrs Penson’s and brought them with little cousin Derrdy was amazingly fond of little cousin who really seemed to know him, you never saw a child thrive more in so short a time, he is really

* there is a Paddy's River on the Hume Hiway between Exeter and Goulburn and would have been an obvious stop off on the way to Sydney from Bungonia.

Notes: Evelyn Bromley

On Apr 3 1843, Mr Curlewis, who is at Mrs. Watkins’ on Fort street, advertises for a married couple to act as general farm servant and cook, and a housemaid.  SMH  Other editions indicate Mrs Watkins is a widow and is running a lodging house named Durham Cottage.  So he stays here on a regular basis, I think.

Sep is obviously back in town, having married Maria Ann in Feb 1842.  It appears that they arrived on the Spartan from London on 22 Oct 1842.  (SMH 24 Oct 1842) Their first child was born 15 April 1843. 

Sydney Gazette 7 Feb 1832, page 3, contains a “for sale” advertisement for a house on Prince street that is presently tenanted by Mrs. Penson.  (It is put up for sale on a fairly regular basis.) While there are a number of Penson families in the area, I think it likely that this is the letter’s Mrs. Penson because she appears to be running a lodging house at No 15 Prince street.  Sydney Gazette 1 Oct 1829 page 3.  By late 1842 she is in residence at Park street, from which an ad is posted in the Sydney Morning Herald 10 Nov 1842 page 3:  “WANTED, two shepherds to proceed to Gippsland.  Apply to Mr Curlewis at Mrs. Penson’s, Park-street”.  She is listed as a lodging house keeper on 13 May 1847 – SMH page 3.


 

49C LETTER:
FROM: George Campbell Curlewis
TO: Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis nee Hall
DATE: unknown (Probably after daughter Matilda was born in 1844 because of his reference to the "next two or three girls". Plus this is the only letter written on paper with gold edging, indicating an increase in affluence)
ORIGINAL: National Library of Australia: Papers of George Campbell Curlewis

Sydney Tuesday Morning

My dearest Tilly

I yesterday started a Team for Kimo and by it sent a case for you containing as per enclosed account and Memorandum – the dishes will not be ready until tomorrow.

I hope you will like little Kiss eyes bonnet it cost as much as 7/6 but it is of such good material that it will do for the next two or three girls, I hope you will like it.

The boys common hats will go by the next Dray, those in the case are their carriage hats I hope you will approve of them – price 3/3 to 4/6 – I have sent a humming top to each of the boys , the box of paints is your present to Derrdy---

I have taken a good deal of pains in my purchases and hope every thing will suit you – I fasten your watch key in side this letter, I advise you to use the old common one at night for winding your watch up, the new key not having a steel pipe will sooner wear out.

I have purchased some very nice sugar both crushed loaf and moist –

Your ladyship will also receive a nice supply of stationary adapted to your fashionable correspondence.

Very little of the Kimo wool has arrived yet I expect to get a good price for it, I am anxious that it should come before I leave and that I may decide what is the best to be done with it, sell it or send it home.

I have every reason to expect that Mr Atkinson will pay me the interest for the past year he is most difficult to bring to terms he has succeeded with Mr Forbes but still hangs back from paying me the interest he is to meet me on 10’Oclock on Thursday.

You will see by the papers that the Shamrock does not sail until Saturday although the delay has been greater than I wished, yet the week has not been idly employed it has given me an opportunity of concluding two or three good purchases there is one large lot of 12,000 sheep which the parties require more for than our offer, I suppose it will be determined today if we are to have them.

I shall call on Mrs Birnie this week Tuesday aftn. My dearest Till, I hope every thing will please you – the pair of Blacksmith’s pincers you will give by Jex.  I think you will say the key is pretty.? By the post that brings this you would receive a notice from the Bank regarding a bill it was my mistake I Have paid it.  As the post is nearly starting I must conclude my dearest Tilly – kiss all my dear little pets Papa is delighted to hear they all think so much of him does Mamma

Notes: (Evelyn Bromley)

His daughter Matilda Emma was born 8 May 1844 at Ravenswood, is he calling her 'Little Kiss Eyes'?

James Birnie died at his residence in O’Connell street on or slightly before 15 Jul 1844.  Although Birnie had been declared a lunatic, possibly by 7 May 1842, he died at his residence and not in an asylum, so it is probable that George is visiting after the Captain’s death, otherwise he would likely have said he was visiting “the Birnies” and not just Mrs. Birnie. 

 He sends tops to the boys (there are three of them at this time) but also sends a second gift to Derrdy – one that is going to be from his Mamma, which implies that there will be another gift for him from Papa.  Could this be a birthday gift for Derrdy, whose birthday was 17 Oct? Or a Christmas gift?

He is waiting for the wool clip from Kimo.  He owned Kimo in Sep 1844:  “The river and all its tributary streams were flooded to an unparalleled degree, and wholly impassable by Wednesday night, the 18th. The river continued to rise until in many places it overflowed its banks, and so suddenly did its waters increase that sheep and shepherds were completely isolated for several days. On the establishment of G. C. Curlewis Esq., at Kimo, three flocks of sheep were in this way surrounded for the space of eight entire days, on a small piece of land containing only a few acres; and with such an expanse of raging water around them that no force could compel them to cross it. No doubt in places great losses have been sustained. On the establishment in question, had the river risen a few feet higher there would have been no possibility of saving the sheep.”  SMH 10 Oct 1844

and was still there in Dec 1844 when there’s a massive thunder storm at “Kuico”, identified as Curlewis’s property near Gundagai – the worst ever seen in the area.  Was he even there at the time? SMH 30 Dec 1844

 He says the wool from Kimo hadn’t arrived – “I am anxious that it should come before I leave” makes it sound like it had been expected.  Judging by published reports, the wool clip was waiting to be taken to Sydney but there was so much of it, with more arriving daily at the stores, that it was taking extra runs to get it there.  And probably extra time to load as well, which might explain his comment about the Shamrock.  Shipping Gazette 27 Dec 1845 page 323.

 Saturday, Jan 11, the Shamrock leaves Sydney for Port Philip with with GCC on board.   Shipping Gazette 11 Jan 1845 page 10

 Therefore, I think the letter was written Tuesday, January 7, 1845.
 


53 LETTER
From Victor Hall
TO: Edward Smith Hall
DATE: 22 February 1847

Original: : ES Hall's papers at the National Library of Australia

Strathbogie
22nd February 1847

My dear Father

It is now a long time since I wrote to you, and I feel sorry when I think of it - the only excuse I have to make, is, having too much to do. Since the warm weather commenced I have been assisting to muster Cattle, and taking them down to Melbourne - in fact I have not been at home above two days in a month, and then have alsways had plenty of work preparing for another trip - I only returned from Melbourne yesterday, and am waiting for another person to go off collecting again I therefore take advantage of the spare time to write to you.

I wrote to Edward a short time ago respecting my cattle, I informed him of my wish to sell them and of my intention of investing the money in sheep, and requested him to write me respecting numbers, sexes and ages. The plan you proposed of writing a number of kind and patient letters, (although I thought very well of it ) I could not bring myself to do, for although I like Edward very well, yet in writing the letters you proposed I should have to say a good many things I did not really feel, therfore I thought it best not to write them at all. I consulted Mr S Curlewis on the subject and after maturely considering the matter over, we came to the conclusion the it was better to write a strait-forward letter and come to the point at once, at the same time couch it in such a way that he cannot but grant the request, and come up and sell them myself.

By-the-way, I beg to make a request of you to ask Frank (who must know a great number of Settlers & people dealing in stock) if he would endeavour to sell them for me. It would be saving me a great deal of expense, if when i came up, I had nothing to do but deliver them. Having nothing more to say on business I will conclude this short note by saying that I am happy, Mr Curlewis is kind to me and I am glad to say I think I give him satisfaction - however I do the best I can.

Matilda and all the children were all well when I was in Town. Mr and Mrs S Curlewis were well in bodily (?) , but their eyes were affected by the sand blite (a very common complaint down here....)
And now my dear Father, hoping that you are enjoying good health, together with the rest of my family in Sydney.
I will remain
Your affectionate son
V HAll
PS Direct your letter to the care of Mr G C Curlewis, as the station I am on, is going to be sold, and goodness knows where I shall be when your letter arrives.

 


54: Newspaper item:

Port Phillip Herald Tuesday July 6 1847.

;"On Sunday evening 4th instant, at his residence, Richmond, George Campbell Curlewis Esq., J.P., after a short and severe illness deeply regretted by a large circle of friends and acquaintances both in this and the wider district":


56: Letter: from Septimus Lord Curlewis
To: Maria Ann Collins
Date: 1841
original held by Peter Marshall

To Miss Collins
c/o Miss Hall
Elm Walk
Folkingham
Lincolnshire

dated 24th December 1841
South Street
Greenwick

"My own dear love
I have just received yours of the 22nd inst., for which accept my --------[word missing]. I fear you will get tired of my numerous letters so this shall be a very short one. I am pleased to find you are enjoying yourself, you had not received my last letter. I hope my dear girl you will read it attentively. I certainly agree with 'Lord Byron' that love was never without 'the pang, the agony, the doubt, etc. etc'. for my dear love, you cannot think how many doubts I had concerning your health when tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and part of Friday passed without one line about your health. I will not tease you any more about your health. I feel quite sure that you will be careful.
I promised you I would make no engagements after Thursday, I full expected to have left this on Monday, this morning a letter came from some friends in 'Have[?] in France, some of them are to be here for dinner on Monday, my father begs as a particular favour, that you will allow me to remain that day. I have answered for my love.
So you must not expect me till Tuesday evening, you see my dearest Maria when once we do separate, it appears an age before we meet again.
I am sorry to hear of Mr Halls illness, make my kind regards to them all at the Bank. I shall have pleasure in accepting Miss Hall's invitation, but will make it Tuesday instead of Monday.
I hope my dear girl you will read my last letter very very attentively and fix an early day. I have written to Mr Hall (of Sydney) and to the girls. I have prepared them for the happy event.
I have a great [deal?] to say to you when we meet.
My Mother and Polly are quite well, and send their love to my dear girl. I have tired my dear Father, I think he will come down and carry you off, I have said so much about you.
I have received the measure of the dear finger
I have not yet got the 'Women of England' home, so I cannot refer to the passages that pleased you, I fancy you will not have much time to read.
I hope you take care of my poor head, in your visits.
Mrs Statham gets me invitations from all quarters, and of course her daughter Charlotte was to be of the same party. I have respectfully declined them all, they are for the 29th, 30th, 31st inst., and 10th & 12th prox.
I have now kept the boy longer than my father likes, so I must say adieu and believe me my own love
to remain
yours most lovingly
S L Curlewis
P S if you do not hear again expect me on Tuesday evening



58: LETTER
FROM: Herbert Raine Curlewis
TO: Ethel Turner
DATE: 7 February 1889
Original held by Philippa Poole or Ian Curlewis?

Stanmore
Feb 7th 1889

Dear Miss Turner
I have received a copy of the "Parthernon" from some unknown friend. If from the Editors(!) I have to thank them very much.
If I may pass an opinion on the subject I think it splendid --reserving my right to criticise however. But --and here I come to the real "motif" of this letter, I do not think it is usual for an Editor (or an Editress either) to publish what is sent privately. I did not think that ridiculous effusion on p.8 would be recognized I should not so much care, but I know that whoever recognizes the Latin Verses at the beginning will at once know the author of the rest - as they are from a piece known only to two or three in Sydney. (I call it Latin but there is not much Latin in what the ingenuity of the compositor has transformed it into).
If you inserted it by mistake it may save you such mistakes in future if I tell you (though I think you must know it already) that pieces intended for publication are always addressed to " The Editor" , and not in the personal name of the editors. This particular piece, so far as I can remember, was not addressed at all, being simply slipped in between the pages of a volume of Swinburne, (which I have to thank you for returning) more in jest than anything else. I knew that you used to write once under the nom de plume of "Talking Oak" and as I had a high opinion of your literary powers I tried to express it in verse --- which is certainly not poetry though it may scan and rhyme. To put a cap to the horrible absurdity of the thing you have headed it (shades of the poets listen to this) "Invitation of Tennyson' s Talking Oak" !!!
Words fail me to do justice to it.
There is one consolation however, by inserting such rubbish you have spoilt the general excellence of your paper though I do not envy the failings of the present " Talking Oak" (Miss Maynard)?
If you could mention in your next issue that the piece was inserted by accident or mistake I shall feel obliged, but please do not make another mistake and insert this letter.
Wishing the "Parthenon" all the success it deserves and I can wish it nothing more than that.
I am yours sincerely
H R Curlewis


59: LETTER
FROM: Herbert Raine Curlewis
TO: Ethel Turner
DATE: undated
Original held by Philippa Poole or Ian Curlewis?

Hermsley
Thursday
Dear Miss Turner
When the first number of the Parthenen appeared, I well remember the feeling of pleasure with which the article which launched the little bark filled with the throughts and fancies of girls on its fairy voyage over the sear of letters. With all my heart did I " wish it 'God Speed'" , and thought that here at least was what I had desired to see so long, "a magazing devoted to literature only" . Edited by girls I thought that here was what would raise the standard of womanhood amongst us, and destroy the idea handed down from the ages of barbarism --- the idea that woman is a brainless creature delighting only in ornament and show and incapabnle of understanding or caring for anything higher or better.

Now as a passenger who fancies he perceives breakers ahead and reports it to the captain, at the risk of being told that the captain can manage the ship without his aid, and that he is interefering with matters he does not understand, and is raising a false alarm, so I now -- like that passenger taking a personal interest in the safety of the ship, venture to point out what I conceive to be a danger.

That danger lies in the two columns "a la mode" and "social", which would better be name "Frivolity" and "Scandal". Does the Parthenon aim at rivalling the "Young Ladies Journal" and the "Family Herald"? or does it aim at becoming the magazine which shall form the literary taste of Sydney, and lead the girls of Australia to think of something higher and more ennobling than the rubbish so well burlesqued by Artemis Ward in the first chapter of "Moses the Sassy"?.. Read the following extracts from the Pathenon, "the engagement of Miss.... to Mr ....is announced" (p No IV) "We have to contradict the report of the engagement of Mr -- and Miss --- (pNoV).

What good or elevating influence can the reading of such stuff have on any mind? "But" you will say "the paper cannot be entirely composed of the good and elevating "Granted -- for then it would grow monotonous and defeat its own end.

 


60: LETTER
FROM: Herbert Raine Curlewis
TO: Ethel Turner
DATE: 28 September 1890
Original held by Philippa Poole or Ian Curlewis?

"Clifton"
Sunday
28.9.1890

Dear Miss Turner
thank you for your kind invitation for Tuesday which I shall be most pleased to accept --- if not on duty with the "force."
I don't understand what you mean by looking at you as if I wanted to annihilate you --- my feelings towards you are more like those of a Roman Cahtolic to his particular saint than anything else I can think of
Yours faithfully

H R Curlewis

 


61: LETTER
FROM: Herbert Raine Curlewis
TO: Ethel Turner
DATE: 5th March 1891
Original held by Philippa Poole or Ian Curlewis?

Hermsley

March 5th 1891

Dear Miss Turner
In answer to your note I have nothing whatever to say except to thank you for the gentleness you showed in doing what you felt to be your duty.
You must not ask me ever to see you again ..my pain is now greater than I can bear and I could not trust myself to increase it. I have various letters and tokens of you that I have not the courage to destroy and so shall ask you to do so for me. I shall ask Creed to give them to you -- he knows I never go to your house though he does not know why.
So ends the last letter I.shall write you
God bless you and keep you my darling you will I know always think kindly of me.
I remain
Yours sincerely
H R Curlewis


62: LETTER
FROM: Herbert Raine Curlewis
TO: Ethel Turner
DATE: August 1891
Original held by Philippa Poole or Ian Curlewis?

0 .8.91
Dear little girl
I am in the worst of tempers ---I went down to the Macks' making sure of seeing you and was disappointed, found I had let myself in for a children's party, came away at a rudely early hour and am now writing to you to relieve my feelings. Likewise I am sending you some tickets for the Concert -- do go. Tell Miss Rose I am sorry I could not rake up a ticket for her but I can't get hold of one anywhere. She told me the other day that the chief grievance of this life that was bringing her grey hairs in sorrow to the grave was that the University men("boys" I think she said) always seemed to think she was too young to go out anywhere and did not send her tickets. Tell her that even if I could get her one I should be doubtful about sending it to her as going out at night might be dangerous for her as she is now so old and feeble.
I sincerely trust you will be at the Hague Smiths' tomorrow night, two disappointments running will be more than I can endure. I shall very much like to meet you there again,. I shall take you out next time I do meet you, to the place where a year ago you told me you could never care for me, and make you confess again there that I have conquered. We have never been there together since that eventful evening.
If you are not there tomorrow night you must write to me ---write anything you please as long as you write. You are not on any account to write me short letters as you proposed in your former letter your quotation was most inapt.
I received a letter from Miss Mack yesterday-- it was all about you - - somehow it struck me as. an exceedingly well-written and instructive letter well worth a careful perusal.
I don' t think I ever mentioned it to you before so I shall tell you now before I forget --that you are the most beautiful girl in the world.


63: LETTER
FROM: Maurice Piscone Curlewis
TO: Terry King
DATE: September 1979
Original: unknown

Please reply always by registered air mail

Rome, Sept 18th 1979
My very dear Terry
So many hearty thanks for your very welcome (lengthy) letter, dated, August 16th 1979, and only yesterday received.

Before, going on, more and more into ? dear Terry, I must below give you a picture, (the most kind one) of my liniegae:::::::::::::::::

I have my own direct descent to STEAVENS LUPTON CURLEWIS: son of Edward Curlewis, Curlews, Curlewe; Frommage of Shadwell, Horsley-Down (? Horsley Down), Southwark and of Mary Bryant, (Bryan) of St Mary Magdelene's, Bermondsey, Surrey (1766 - 1851) and who was father of my glorious ancestor, Lietn. Royal Navy, William Edward Curlewis; Curlews, Curlewes Curlewy; H.M. Ship Cerberes who fought with Admiral Nelson at Trafalger (1788 - 1853)

W.E.Curlewis married at Alverstoke, nr Portmouth A D 1817 my ancestress Caroline Smith, daughter of ? John Smith, Victuellar of Gosport (Nr Portsmouth) and of Mary Bradley; Their only male son, Captain Ritchie, (H.M. Merchant Navy) H.M. Bu-Ares; (on the line from Southampton B.Ayers, Argentina) was father of Henry Curlewis whose only son I am (1768 - 1768). He was named "Ritchie" after a fellow Naval officer, probably a Scotchman, who was very dear to my forbear (Lt Wm Curlewis).

As you see, my family (Branch) has always been thoroughly English and allow me to state, that I am extremely proud of it.

Also, the maiden name of the numerous Curlewis wives since the end of the 16th Century until now are admittedly very English i.e.

Worland, Johanna or Joan - Newman, Grace-Mary ? - Mary Steavens, Stevens, Stephens - Mary Bryant - Sarah Prentice, Prenis, Prentys - Mary Bradley - Adelaide Keen - and so on. My descent is completely English and is ??? profoundly, from other members of our kin who more or less are well tinctured with non -English blood.

This is a fundamental fact for me: England ideally is home to me! As to your information concerning the puzzle of the Campbell name, tagged on our Curlewis family, name of a Scotch or Scotch Irish possible, surname please note

Well we must before all remove the uncertainly bound with the puzzling number of our common Ancestor Steavens Lupton Curlewis offspring which may, easily engender a certain confusion i.e. there are some members of my family who trace their descent from S Lupton's second (third) wife Margaret Lord (not Skelton, please note) a Kentishwomen, who our common forefather married 9.0.1789, at Greenwish, Kent and whose first child, was baptised with the name of Septimus Lord (after his own mother M Lord as I have explained you above) perhaps, he was the seventh son of our forbear) and maybe, the "Squatting George Campbell" was another son born of by second married i.e Kent; In my family bible (my glorious Naval-Ancestore, W E Curlewis own Bible ) the George Campbell is not at all mentioned and ? Septimus Lord: I am perfectly aware and alive to the fact that, many of our relatives both in S Africa and Australia really do descend from Steavens Lupton Curlewis ? (third) wife and my connections with them all are ? remote in blood. Only my Branch (the Argentinian and Italian one) do trace their descent from S Lupton's second marriage with Sarah Grimsdale Prentice of Richmond Surrey.

I have repeatedly, when referring to S.L. Curlewis, ?, marked Margaret Lord as the second wife of S Lupton's but I had to label her as the third one as St Lutpon Curlewis married thrice, as follows:

A D 1784 St Margaret Patt? London, with Deborah Davis

who died two years after the wedding of consumption leaving no children

A.D. 1788 Rchmond Parish Church with my ancestress Sarah, daughter of John Prentice of London and Sarah Grimsdale, of Richmond, Surrey

A.D, 1789 Grennwich Kent with Margaret Lord
As you see, my descent goes back to the main branch of th Family completely, unmixed in blood, since the rise of our stock in the S E Midlands (Herts and Essex A D 1504, onwards)

The branch I do repeat it once more again is thoroughly English

As, to your elusive, Henry Ch Curlewis I have never heard of him neither in my own family bible or elsewhere he is a mystery to me

I should be extremely anxious to have photocopies of my ancestors you could be able to let me have by Registered Air-Mail post

At this point I must cease my letter which is too lengthy for an air mail writing

Another question, have you a sound good, history of my dear England, richly illustrated and commented for my delight?

I am 68 years of age, my wife's Italian (Sicily her home) and I have an only daughter, Mary Grace whose outlook is thoroughly English, and has a splendid baby Alexander Stephen now two years old) she married 5 years ago on Italian engineer and lives near my home.My heart conditions however since many years are disastrous as I suffer since a long time ? serious nervous troubles. And now I must stop as really I risk not to send by post such a voluminous writing

To hear from you, again very soon, with possible photocopies etc, I am sincerely yours
M Curlewis Esquire

-38 Via Luigi Angelone 00145 Rome Italy


64: LETTER
FROM: Septimus Lord Curlewis
TO: E S Hall Esq, Folkingham, Lincolnshire

DATE: October 19, 1841. Postmarked "Folkingham Oc20 1841"

South Street, Greenwich 1841
My dear Sir,

You will perhaps think I had quite forgotten you all at Folkingham, from my not writing before - I am sorry to say I found a sick house on my return, my Father had been dangerously ill, and continues still in a very delicate state of health. When I left Folkingham you were rather indisposed, I trust long since you have regained your usual good health. I have seen a letter from Mr Statham of New South Wales, he says your son still lives in Sydney, and intends to commence business as an accountant and "Arbitrator". I sincerely trust he will succeed. I have written to your son and given him , and the young ladies a very particular account of you all at Folkingham, Halifax and Liverpool.
If I can be of any service to you, or any of your family during my stay in London, I shall be most happy - I think I shall have business near Lincoln after my return from the :South", I will if possible take Folkingham in my way.
Be please to make my kind regards to your Daughters, and accept my sincere wishes for the welfare of you and yours
Believe me
My dear Sir
Yours very truly
SL Curlewis

TO:
E.S,Hall esq
Folkingham
 


In 1921 a party of surveyors and astronomers from WA and South Australia constructed the Austral Pillar near the border of WA and NT on what was then the Argyle cattle station. Five of the senior party members are pictured here. M.P. durack is standing centre. The men shaking hands are G P Dodwell, government astronomer SA (pith helmet
left) and Harold Curlewis, Government astronomer WA (right). Hoping to identify the other two men who are believed to be from South Australia.


65 Will of George Campbell Curlewis

Written 26th June 1847, 8 days before he died.
Original Verified handwritten copy presented for Probate, held in National Library of Australia

 

This is the last Will and Testament of me George Campbell Curlewis of Richmond near Melbourne in the district of Port Phillip and Colony of New South Wales Esquire. I Give and devise unto Archibald McLaclan of Melbourne aforesaid Accountant and Septimus Lord Curlewis of Richmond aforesaid Esquire their heirs and assigns. All that piece or parcel of land situate in the parish of Moolap in the County of Grant and District and Colony aforesaid containing four hundred and twenty eight acres portion number Twenty four. And also all that piece or parcel of land situate in the Parish of Moolap in the said County of Grant containing three hundred and ninety two acres two roods and sixteen perches portion number twenty three . And all other my messuages Lands and hereditaments whatesoever and wheresoever situate with their rights members and appurtenances To hold the same unto and To the use of the said Archibald McLachlan and Septimus Lord Curlewis their heirs and assigns To the uses upon the Trusts and for the ends intent and purposes herein after limited expressed and declared of and concerning the same Upon trust that the said Archibald Mclachlan and Septimus Lord Curlewis and the survivor of them and the heirs and assigns of such do and shall pay or otherwise permit my Wife Matilda to receive and take the rents and profits of my said lands and hereditaments herein before devised for and during the term of her natural life. And from and after the decease of my said Wife to the use of the Archibald McLachlan and Septimus Lord Curlewis and their heirs Upon trust to pay and apply the rents and profits of my said lands and hereditaments unto and for the maintenance and education of my children lawfully begotten share and share alike as Tenants in common and not as joint Tenants for and during the minority of the youngest of my said children then living. And from and after such youngest child then living shall obtain the age of twenty one years Upon trust that the said Archibald McLachlan and Septimus Lord Curlewis and the survivor of them and the executors or administrators of such survivor do and shall make sale and absolutely dispose of the said lands and hereditaments by public auction or private contract and either together or in parcels as to them or him shall seem expedient for the best prices that can reasonable be procured for the same and shall convey and assure the same to such purchaser or purchasers his her or their heirs executors administrators or assigns or otherwise as he she or they shall direct or appoint. And also give a receipt to such purchaser or purchasers thereof which shall effectually discharge the person or persons taking the same from seeing to the application of the monies therein acknowledged to be received And shall stand and be possessed of the same upon and for the several trusts intents and purposes hereinafter expressed and declared That is to say Upon trust to pay the proceeds of such sale or sales as aforesaid unto and amongst all and every my children lawfully begotten such share of every such child shall become vested in him her or them respectively immediately after the decease of my said Wife I give and bequeath unto the said Archibald McLachlan and Septimus Lord Curlewis and the survivor of them and the executors administrators and assigns of such survivor all my goods cattle sheep and horses and all other my personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature nature or kind soever according to the several natures and qualities thereof respectively Upon trust that they the said Arichibald McLachlan and Septimus Lord Curlewis and the survivor of them his executors and administrators do and shall as soon as conveniently may be after my decease collect and get in such part of my estate and effects as shall consist of debts and money and shall dispose of and convert into money so much of my personal estate as shall be considered advisabe and necessary and shall give receipts for the same which shall effectually discharge the person or persons paying the same for so much money as therein shall be respectively acknowledge to be received And that they shall stand and be possessed of the monies so collected and got in and arising from such sale as aforesaid Upon trust with and out of the same to pay all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses And upon trust to lay out and invest the surplus of such trust monies in the names or names of them the said Archibald McLachlan and Septimus Lord Curlewis or the survivor of them his or their executors or administrators upon such security as they shall approve of And shall and may alter vary and transpose the same as occasion may require And that they shall stand and be prossessed of the interest monies arising thereform Upon and for the several trusts ends intents and purposes hereinafter expressed and declared And as to all the rest residue and remainder of my personal estate consisting sheep and cattle I direct that the same be managed by the said Arichibald McLachlan and and that two pounds ten shillings per centum per annum be allowed and paid to him upon the annual profits of the said sheep and cattle during such time as he shall continue such management and to the satisfaction of his Co-Trustee for the time being shall pay and apply the remainder of the interest and annual produce of my said trust monies and other property unto the hands of my said Wife Matilda. To the intent that the same may be for her separate use and free form the debts control or engagements of any future husband she may have And also for the benefit of all my said children To the intent that the same interest and annual produce of my said trust monies and other property may be applied for and towards the maintenance of my said Wife and the support and education of all my said children lawfully begotten during the natural life of my said wife. And from and immediately after her decease I direct my said Trustees or Trustee for the time being to sell and dispose of all my sheep and cattle and all other my personal estate for the best price that can be reasonable gotten for the same at public auction or by private contract and either together or in lots as to them or him shall seem best And shall stand and be possessed of the same and all other the several trust monies Upon trust to invest the same again in the purchase or sheep and cattle or in such other manner as my said Trustees shall think best in so many portions as there are number of children then living of my body Upon trust for all my said children then living in equal proportions their executors and administrators And I direct that such share or shares of every such child shall be vested in every such child or children immediately after the decease of my said wife and payable to him her or them on his her or their arriving at the age of twenty one years. And that in the meantime the interest arising out of each respective share of such child or children respectively or a portion thereof shall be applied for and towards the maintenance and education of such child or children respectively. And I further declare that it shall be lawful for my said Trustees or Trustee for the time being with the consent in writing of any of my said children respectively (and after the decease of my said Wife) during their respective minorities to advance any sum or sums of money not exceeding in the whole one third part of the capital of the presumptive share of such child or children in or towards their placing out and advancement in the world as my said Trustees or Trustee shall think proper I direct that my Trustees or Trustee for the time being of this my Will do reimburse themselves and himself all proper costs charges and expenses they or he shall or may be put at in the execution of the different trusts of this my will out of any sum or sums of money that shall come to their or his hands or hand by virtue of the trusts aforesaid And I appoint the said Archibald McLachlan and Septimus Lord Curlewis trustees and executors of and also my wife Executrix of this my Will and Guardians of all my children. And I declare this to be my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former and other Wills made by me. In Witness whereof I the said George Campbell Curlewis have to this my last Will and Testament my hand and seal this twenty sixth day of June one thousand eight hundred and forty seven G C Curlewis
Signed sealed published and declared by the said George Campbell Curlewis as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses

S L Curlewis
Richd O'Cock Solr Melbourne

In the Supreme Court of New South Wales
for the district of Port Phillip
Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction

Whereas on the twenty fourth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty seven Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis of Richmond near Melbourne in the district of Port Phillip in the district of Port Philip in the Colony of New South Wales Widow, Archibald McLachlan of Melbourne aforesaid Accountant and Septimus Lord Curlewis of Richmond aforesaid Esquire Executrix and Executors name and appointed in the last Will and Testament of George Campbell Curlewis late of Richmond aforesaid Esquire deceased (a copy of which Will is hereunto annexed) applied to the Honorable the Supreme Court of New South Wales for the district of Port Phillip that administration of all and singular goods and chattels rights credits and effects of the said Testator might be granted unto them the said Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis Archibald McLachlan and Septimus Lord Curlewis which was there upon ordered accordingly.

NOW be it known to all Men by these presents that Adminstration of all and singular the good chattels rights credits and effects of the said deceased was and is hereby committed to the said Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis Archibald McLachlan and Septimus Lord Curlewis they the said Matilda Martha Birnie Curlewis Archibald McLachlan and Septimus Lord Curlewis having been duly sworn that they will pay all the debts and Legacies of the said deceased as far as the good chattels credits and effects shall extend and the law shall bind them And that they will exhibit a full true and perfect inventory of all and every the good rights and credits of the said deceased together with a just and true account of their administration into the Registry Office of this Honorable Court when they shall be lawfully called thereunto. And that they believe the goods chattels credits and effects of the said decease to not exceed the value of five thousand pounds.
Dated at Melbourne this twenthy fourth day of July in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty seven

J d PInnock Deputy Registrar

William A'Beckett Resident Judge.

Extracted by John Duerdin, Proctor
We certify and attest that the writing contained on this and the three proceding sheets is a correct copy for the Probate of the last will and Testament of George Campbell Curlewis Esquire deceased having examined the same therewith

Fred H Boulton
Willm Jhn Fookes
Clerks to Messrs Duerduen and Frenchard of Melbourne aforesaid solicitors.


Family bible of Septimus Lord Curlewis
note re Margaret Matilda Curlewis

"On August 10th 1919 - on the 8th Sunday after Trinity - Margaret M Curlewis, our dear & revered sister, left us for the House above. For half a century she noble bore the thorn in the flesh & very zealously worked in her Master's vineyard, even within a week of her translation to the wider field - very pleasant hast thou been unto me - thy love to me was wonder"


LETTER: From Fannie Moller
To: Richard Curlewis

PO Box 114
Sale
Gippsland 3850
2.10.67

Dear Cousin Richard
thank you for your letter of 23.9.67 in regards of my dear sister's death* it was a terrible shock because she seemed quite as usual and we were together in the evening as usual, reading and had gone to bed and she had gone to sleep, and I just heard a little unusual sound and spoke to her but got no answer and I went to her and saw there was something very much wrong, so I hurried to the one in charge everyone had gone to bed and she came and rang for the Dr. he was there in minutes and he said it was a bad stroke and he just stayed with us till the end, she never showed any sign of consciousness at all. It was the 8th of april.

You are still following up the Curlewis history, of course in the Family Tree of G. Curlewis it showed that he married a Miss Hall of Sydney, but I'd never seen anything about the family except that, a George Curlewis was out somwhere in the 1800 hundreds about 1813 or so I haven't got anything with me to see, I've been very under the weather since early in July with a wretched alergy of so kind, we think from the little flower Primula its noted for it, Aunti Fan Curlewis couldn't go near it. I had it once before we went to Clarence Court and once since we got there but not as bad or as lasting as this, the itch nearly drove me crazy.

It was getting a bit better and our Matron and my Dr thought the change might clear it up so my niece Janie, my sister Nellie's eldest daughter, and her husband picked me up from Clarence Court last monday evening and I"m staying here till about 23 or 24 October. By the way my niece Janie is terribly interested in the Curlewis history.

I knew Cousin Alfred Curlewis the Inspector you spoke of and Cousin Jessie his wife and his sons Arthur, who later lived in Sydney and Charles who went to W A with his family, and they spent many holidays with us in Glengarry, also Charles's son Alfred, who is rather a public figure in WA Perth, Alfred and I used to go for many rides together at our farm Meadowlands, Glengarry. Re cousin Alfred, he was head Inspector of Schools when I was going to school and one of my school chums who was going to school in Melbourne for a time knew him in his capacity as Inspector and used to say he was very strict but fair and she liked him. He came with his son Charles once to stay with us.

Well I must stop. Greeting to you wife and daughter. I've just thought Sale where I'm staying was know as the Heart Estate and in the Gippsland History it sad George Curlewis and his brother Walter owned the Heart Estate and Holey Plains at one time

yours very sincerely
Fannie A Moller

* Margarita?


=67 Various references to Henry Charles Curlewis, 1800 - 1873 in primary sources, newspapers, court cases, certificates etc
 

Tailor of London 1831 and 1857, references in the Times (7/9/1831 and 17/4/1857).

  1. 1846 Son born: Copy of birth certificate obtained: Frederick Charles born 20 August 1846 at Tooting Hall, Tooting, Graveny.Father Henry Charles, (this time) Gentleman, and mother Susan Curlewis, formerly Butler. Informant, Robert Aldred, Occupier Tooting Hall, Tooting, Graveny.[image]

Addressed to Mrs Curlewis

At Mr E S Hall’s Junr

Lake Bathurst

From Sydney

Undated but probably march 1836, which is when ESH jnr wrote a letter to his father addressed to Statham’s office at the Monitor office.One small section of this letter seems to have been torn off on one side , hence the first part has been hard to transcribe.The second half is complete)

Statham showed me the (letter
yesterday from Edward to your
father and your father’s wife
I must say that I am both
astonished and disappointed (at)
finding such serious differences (?)
exist in the family, I have not shewn
the papers to Mr M (?)
but had them in my pocket (for)
that purpose but in consequence of
what I then saw and on..in reflection I have (come)
to a positive determination
not to interfere in the
remote degree in the family]
quarrels,,I trust my dearest (you)
will not consider this unkind
coming to this decision. I think (that)
consulting your happiness as I (do)
perfectly well differences will (?)
that may….. of your
being parted from your Sister
altogether. ---- I am sadly des…
I always pictured you as a happy
united family, the letter I saw.
such as one as a son must soon
repent having written

I think you had better say nothing about what I have
now said if you have any regard for my happiness
Dearest Tilly keep up your spirits and never let family
dissensions disturb your for …..you are not the
cause nor have you the means of allaying them.
Give my love to them all and be assured that I am in the
greatest impatience once more to
embrace my dearest wife

G C Curlewis

 


68 letter from John Tassie concerning the family of Harold Burnham Curlewis after marriage separation. (John Tassie was the father of Janet Curlewis, wife of Harold)

Central Station Hotel
Glasgow
July 25th 1922

My dear Annie

Your letter of June 11th reached me here this morning – also Beryls and Jacks.  I will write to them by a later mail.  Thanks for attending to the matter of the flowers for Jeffs grave.  I am glad you asked Jean for the weekend with a view to taking her to the Cemetery on the Sunday – You refer to mother having a severe cold – you would no doubt learn later that she had rather a serious illness – congestion of the lungs – I received a letter from her today and although she was up and about she was evidently rather shaky and was not making a rapid recovery.  I hope next mail will bring news that she was getting stronger – Yes I knew Peggy has gone back to WA but I cannot understand why Tot should have sent her back before ascertaining definitely that she could get back to the P.L.C.  – By this mail I learn that Jack also was going back having got a billet at the observatory, the wisdom of which is I think somewhat doubtful – Judy is to go to the Perth Hospital in August and it seems they were all going over on July 4th and that they are going to live at the Darlington house.I hope it will pan out all right but I am rather sorry they did not stay in South Australia........etc


69 Letter in "The Argus" 8 September 1913.

MEMORIES OF GIPPSLAND

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS

Sir, - In the article "Jubilee of Sale" in "The Argus" of the 9th inst., your special reporter writes in reference to The Heart Estate: - "After a few years Mr Curlewis became afraid of the aborigines, who were numerous in that vicinity, and disposed of his cattle and sheep to Mr Foster." Your reporter's information has evidently confused two brothers, George Campbell Curlewis and Walter Curlewis. I should therefore feel obliged by your granting me, as the son of the former, space to correct the error. In 1842 Walter, on behalf of his elder brother and himself, took up The Heart and the Holey Plains stations. On the dissolution of the partnership The Heart fell to George Campbell while the Holey Plains was taken by the younger brother. Not long afterward Walater sold his station, and left the district to join a twin brother in Cape Colony. That one of his reasons for leaving was that mentioned in connection with his brother seems probable. But, to the best of my knowledge, G.C. Curlewis was never in Gippsland, or, if so, only on a brief visit of inspection. Ther real reason for his selling The Heart was that he had entered into partnership with Robert Cambell, Tertius, of Sydney, and wished to concentrate his capital and energies in the development of the firm's stations in the Goulburn and Swan Hill districts. That the dangers from the aborigines in the latter district were if anything greater that in Gippsland is evidenced by the murder of two shepherds on the firm's stations, the murder of Mr Beveridge, near Swan Hill, and the following statement on p 145 of "Letters from Victorian Pioneers" : - "The aborigines....showed much hostility ....towards Mr Curlewis. The latter sustained loss from their attacks on his cattle of about six thousand pounds" - Yours, &c

A C Curlewis
Hambledon Queensland


70 Peter C. Neff II
Source: Internet

Source; www.masslive.com

" Published in the Republican from December 28 to December 29 2011"

Peter C. Neff, II 1955 - 2011 SPRINGFIELD - Peter Curlewis Neff, II, 56, passed away on Friday, Dec. 23, 2011, at Baystate Medical Center. Born on Nov. 17, 1955 in Springfield, MA, son of the late Peter C. and Audrey (Howland) Neff, he spent much of his childhood in South Africa before returning to Springfield. Peter was the beloved husband of Marilyn Feldman. He served his country honorably as a Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy. For the last 26 years he was employed by the U.S. Postal Service as a Mail Handler at the Springfield NDC (Bulk Mail Center). Besides his wife Marilyn, Peter is survived by his daughter, Allison L. Preble of Houston, TX; his four brothers, Stephen of Orangeburg, SC, Roderick and his wife, Carolyn of Milford, PA, David and his wife Elena of Culver City, CA, and Mark of Manchester, VT; his sister, Karen L. Mitton of Enfield, CT; stepmother, Dorothy Neff of Hampden, MA and several nieces and nephews. He was also predeceased by his brother, Brian. Peter made friends easily and had many friends of all ages. He was kind and affectionate and made life better for those around him. He loved to make people laugh. He could always be counted on for a favor and was extraordinary at handling emergencies. Peter had traveled extensively and had a profound respect and knowledge of nature and all its animals. His favorite places were by the ocean where he could snorkel, surf, or sail. He was especially fond of the Hawaiian Island's where he was planning to retire with his wahine (wife). Family and friends will gather for a period of visitation on Monday, January 2, 2012, from 4-6 p.m. at Forastiere Smith Funeral Home, 220 North Main St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028, followed by a brief reading at 6 p.m. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Peter's name may be made to Dakin Humane Society, P.O. Box 6307, Springfield, MA 01101.


71 Letter From Margaret Burnham Curlewis (Peggy) to her sister Kathleen (Judy) while staying with her maternal grandparents in Glenelg Feb 8th 1915 (original spelling)

Seawall
GlenelgFeb 8th /15
My dear Judy
I hope you are all well.
We went to town to-day and had a good time. Met Auntie Polly she bought me a gold bangle like yours and Brian a train on rails. And your bangle is getting gold lenks put in. We go for a bath with grandfather every morning my foot is getting better. Brian and I went to school on tuesday. I went to Kingston (Miss Kensington) Grannie likes it better than Miss Dow. I only have morning school and I like it she is a pretty teacher like mother. Brian goes in the afternoons to Miss Stanton. Grannie and I went down with him the fist morning now he goese with a little boy. I have two little dolls one is a boy and gril all my dolls sleep in duke room with me. We are haveing nice cool wether that we all sleep with blankets. Mary Mayfaeld going to take us to sunday (school) we all sat down and Grandfather plad some pices and Grannie is gon to play to night. The gril that we got is going away and Grannie is going to get a nother gril so we put it in the paper today. Arther ..gave me a dear little kitten Auntie gave me little dish with pussy with much love Peggy

 


72 Letter From Margaret Burnham Curlewis to her mother Janet Jeffries Tassie while staying with her maternal grandparents in Glenelg 1915. (Original spelling)

Sea Wall
Glenelg
May 19th 1915

My dear Mum
Grannie has made me a blue coat out of hers. Grannie gave it to Auntie Annie so she did not take it back with her so Grannie made me a coat out of it. Duke went up to Uncle Jack's farm on Saturday. Grannie took us all to the King Matinee there were acrobot and all sorts of things it was good Grannie took Brian and I to town this afternoon she brought me two hair rubbers and a cap to mach the coat and stuff to make a dress and Brian a sweeter then went to see Aunti Pollie she gave Brian and I two shilling each and a big bunch of flowes how are you getting on with your work Grannie is making buttens holes in my Blouse. We are having holerdays now the maid is getting on mille (?) Grannie helps her I don't know when we are coming home. Grannie eye is better I have just been down the street for Grannie to buy four reels of cotten in my new coat with a red tye and hair both the same with love from Peggy


73 Letter From Margaret Burnham Curlewis to her mother while staying with her maternal grandparents in Glenelg date unknown

My dear Mother thank you for the pin cossin and the three pennies and the hanky and the thimble Grannie has made me a bran dress and is going to make me a cream dress Grandfather gave me a writing desk Grannie bought me a pair of boots and two pairs of sox and a teddy bears hat Grannie brought Auntie Annie a new hat and unbrella Grannie gave Beryl and Jack a box of blacks I gave Grannie for her birthday 3 shillinga and 3 but she said that she would buy me a pair of slips with 2 shilling and I with the slips Grannie brought Beryl and I a clasped each Auntie Annie and the other a riveor (?) Ducke and Grannie are playing bidlic (?) Grannie can play or right Beryl has been sick once Uncle bought Beryl a dear little doll I am going to adress all the letters I writ. We had a consit last night our sunday school's teacher won't us to go to the gardens on Saturday. Beryl and Jack went to Sunday school last Sunday


74 Letter From Margaret Burnham Curlewis( Peggy) from Brookton, Western Australia: Year unknown probably between 1915-16? Original spelling

26 August
Brookton

My Dear Mother
The first time I wore my hat on sunday when I went to chick Kathleen played the piono. Mr Young drived us home not Mr Curleiws only and I. Mr Curlewis and Jack that is the boy they have to work I wrote a letter to Grannie. My Haywood is not better yet I will be glad when Judy comes up for company. I go to bed harfe past eight every night. I play tedeliwinks every night but not on sunday.
How is Judy getting on with her knitting. Sinch I have been up here I've only done about six or seven roses it is not very much is it.
Mrs Curlewis was making a cap for the soligls and I finished that for her and started a nother one.
I sleep with Mrs Gordon she stayes in bed for breackes so I creep out quitly and go in to Mrs Curlewis room and dress. I sung now the day is over they said I con sing very nicly. I have five sweet under my pillow and I eight them at nigt. Mr Curlewis and Mrs Curlewis and Mr Haywood and Mrs Gorden play brige every night and I play tidelwink every night but sunday which I have told you. Jack comes in and reades his book and looks at them play brige. Mr Haywood and Jack sleep in the same room and Mrs Curlewis and Mr Curlewis sleep in the same room two. I go for walks today Mr Haywood and Mrs Gorden and I went up where Jack and Mr Curlewis were clearing walked there and back it is about a mile there and back.
I brush my teath and I take my ovil oil now but not threes times a day but twice becase I have two cups of milk at night and one at the morning. They say that you won't know me unless you come up quickly We don't have very much creem they have one of those (amch?...) things full nely every meail we have Mr Haywood and I have breackfast alone in the dining room. I have proweg (?) up here we just have eggs or backing and ggs. Where the pig was killed and gets meat from it. I have work to do that is to tidy the silver droor and knoves too. You get beautiful yellow orkerts and all sorts of spider orkerts they are so pretty when you have all different cureded it looks so preety don't you think too. Mrs Curlewis finnishes the cumberbad cap last night that is she soad it at one side and at the top. You will see it when you some up with Judy. Mr Curlewis is making the pig into baken this morning. I set the table as well as doing the sliver and (?).
Ther beautiful vesterbubs (vegetables?) I will tell you what they have ? and raddershishs and spiring unyins and lettes and radberyes and termon and beatroot and a lot of other things.
A man came to dinner on sunday and Monday night. Mrs Curlewis had four visitrs for tea. Mrs Curlewis dose not playes the piano. She only playes it on sunday is Brian still learning music if he is I will be all out of ? won't I? There croop is coming on beautiful.
with much love from
Peggy

 



75 Letter From Margaret Burnham Curlewis( Peggy) to her father Harold Burnham Curlewis from from her grandparents house in Glenelg, South Australia: Year unknown probably between 1915-16? Original spelling

My dear Dad
Uncle Jack gave Brian and I six stamps each for our berthday and grandfather gave Brian and I a post card with all little pitctuis under it and Brian to. Duke gave me a book and pincle and Brian to and Grannie gave me a ester egg and to hair ribbons and Brian a ester egg and nice top. Brian has a cold but it is not very bad Grannie thinks that he got it not wearing his boots and soxs one of our sunday school teachers sent Brian and I a post card for our berthday I went to the cotties homes with Grannie one day and one old women are going to make me a dolls (?). We are turning out the wood horse for a plad horse. Auntie Annie gave me a post card Grannie took Brian and I to the gum tree after Sunday school one sunday last sunday she took us to see Mis Genders. I do like glenelg and I don't think I will not coming back with Auntie Annie Grandfather is still away we don't know when he is coming back Grannie was going to the zoo today but Grannie thought that it would be too (?) so we will wate till Auntie Annie comes back. There was a lot of people here on the beach today. Dear Dady I am sorry that I did not writ sooner with love from Peggy


76 Letter from Susan Hall to her daughter Sophie in New Zealand, 10 February 1898.

"Lal" is Harold Burnham Curlewis and this is a reference to him obtaining a position at the Perth Observatory. Louisa is his mother. The "salvation of the family" refers perhaps to Edgar Curlewis's financial problems:

"I am so pleased at Lal’s good fortune. Give my love to Louisa and my congratulations with it. I hope it may turn out the salvation of the family eventually."


77 letter from Susan Hall to her husband Victor, from New Zealand 24 March 1898. Jumbo is Athelstan Burnham Curlewis

I wonder if Louisa gets the same help from Lal that she used to do. I think its very serious Jumbo still being out of employment"


78 A report in the NSW Police Gazette, perhaps explaining a bit more about Edgar Curlewis and his financial problems

New South Wales Police Gazette 27 March 1895

Sydney– A warrant has been issued by the Water Police Bench for the arrest of Edgar Curlewis, charged with uttering two forged promissory notes for the sums of (pounds) 50 and (pounds) 30 with intent to defraud, on or about the 1st October 1894 and 10the January 1895.  He is between 40 and 45 years of age, 5 feet 10 inches high, slim build, very white prominent front teeth in upper jaw, sandy beard, whiskers and moustache medium length, sandy hair cut short rather thin and long face, clear complexion, long and thin hands, gray eyes; generally wears a blue serge suit and low-crow felt hat; a brickmaker.  Complainant, Lewis Levy, Mont de Piètè, No. 74, Castlereage Street.


79: Henry Charles Curlewis, record of prison attendances in Australia from: New South Wales Gaol Description and Entrance Books 1818-1930

1851:

Name: Henry Curlewis                                  
Ship: Scotia
Free
Committed by whom: JP Stacy JP:
Where: Newcastle:
When: February 18th
Crime: Larceny
Purpose: Trial

When received in gaol: March 20
Name: Henry Curlewis
Ship: Scotia
Disposal: 3 Cal months hard labor
Gaol No. 72
When discharged: July 8

1852:

Name: Henry Curlewis
Ship: Scotia
Year: 1849:
Year of Birth: 1822
Stature: Height: 5 feet 4 1/2 inches: Make: Strong
Complexion; Ruddy
Colour of Hair: Brown
Colour of eyes: Brown
General remarks: Anchor on left arm

21 May 1852

When received in gaol: May 21
Gaol No. 111
Name: Henry Curlewis
Ship: Scotia
Condition: Free
By whom: J W Cracken (?)
Where: Maitland
When May 19
Crime: Assalt
Purpose: 1 cal month confined pay (pounds) 2

May 1852

Gaol annual no.111
Name: Henry Curlewis
Arrival Ship: Scotia
Arrival Year:1949
Free or bond: on arrival: f
Free or bond: on entering Gaol: f
Native place: Plymouth
Religion: P
Trade or calling: Seaman
Admitted: When: May 21
Admitted: Where" Maitland
Purpose: One calendar month ....(indecipherable.)
How
When: June 18/52

[image]

June 1853

Gaol annual no: 183
Name: Henry Curlewis
Arrival: Ship: Scotia
Arrival: Year: 1849
Free or bond: On arrival: F
free or bond: On entering gaol: for Newcastle F
Native place: Plymouth
Religion; P
Trade or calling: Seaman
When: June 23
Where: Newcastle
Purpose: 20 days confined

 


80 Hermsley, A summary

A house was built on the property, (see photo taken in 1957).

Hermsley Homestead 1957

It is unclear when is was built, but a local historian, Dr David Rowe, Heritage Consultant Geelong noted in 2014 the following:

"Without a full understanding of the history of the original property, part
of the property was advertised for lease on 23 March 1860 (which included
farm buildings but no mention of homestead), while a proposed sale in late
1867 suggests that it had been subdivided into four farms, with four
homesteads. So, I'm not sure which homestead was surviving in 1958 (see photo)
I assume it must have been the original portion of the landholding given that the  property was still named Hermsley?
It is interesting to note that one of the sale notices (17 Feb 1868) gives a
detailed description of the land, location, views and farming prospects, but
nothing about the homestead. Later references suggest that potential
purchasers were disappointed with the homestead, hence why it did not sell.

I still can't be sure when the dwelling was constructed. There were
obviously quite a few members of the Curlewis family living there in the
early 1860s, which might suggest that a six-roomed dwelling had been built
by this time (see attached sale notices in 1877 when the property was again
offered for sale). Yet, the design (as shown in the aerial) is far more
common as the standard Victorian styled dwelling built in the 1860s-1880s.
My guess is that the dwelling could have been built in the late 1850s/c.1860
(the verandah is more reflective of early Victorian design)". 

Transcripts of newspaper articles related to Hermsley

BIRTH: On Friday, the 27th instant at Hermsley, the wife of Septimus L. Curlewis, of a son. (this was Alfred William Curlewis, b 1860 died c 1932)

John Davison has been favored with receipt of instructions from Septimus Lord Curlewis Esq., as executer of the late G.C.Curlewis, Esq, to offer for sale by public auction at his rooms, as above on Monday 17 February at 12 o'clock,The whole of that justly celebrated property in the parish of Moolap, being sections 23 and 24 and known as

THE HERMSLEY ESTATE,

Containing 830a 2r 16p of the Richest Agricultural Land in the district, the whole of which is Securely Fenced and sub-divided into Four Farms, with their Homesteads - Tenants' Leases expiring on 1 March next.

This property was selected by the late G.C.Lewis Esq., in the year 1843, when the whole of the colony was proclaimed, by his Excellency Sir George Gipps, as open for that purpose, and does infinite credit to the selector's astuteness and discernment of the beautiful, for, without exaggeration, no more lovely spot could be possibly chosen, washed by the waves of Corio Bay, to which it has a frontage of one mile, its boundary being high water mark, securing facilities for yachting, boating and bathing, commanding views seaward and landward on which the eye never wearies in gazing: sheltered from the hot winds, possessing a soil and climate eminently adapted for the production in the greatest profusion not only the commoner description of fruits as the apple, pear, peach, plum, cherry, apricot, strawberry, etc. but the more rare and semi-tropical as the orange, lemon, citron, loquat, pomegranate, mulberry, vine, etc (as may be seen by their present luxuriance in the adjacent grounds at Coryrule); it offers to any gentleman of taste and means the opportunity of possessing an estate capable of being made the object of envy in every beholder, while to the more practical and mere utilitarian it secures the profitable investment of capital.  On the land are several springs of good water and a valuable layer of limestone for which tempting offers have been made for permission to quarry and an unlimited supply of sea shell and weed so valuable as manure may be procured from the beach.  Geelong is reached in fifty minutes over excellent metalled Government road (along which the Estate has a mile frontage); and Melbourne in two hours from thence, per rail.  There is also a daily mail and post-office within a chain of the entrance gate.  320 acres of the land has never been broken up, having been kept to grazing only and is considered as some of the best for that purpose in the locality.  The timber on this portion - principally she-oak and lightwood - is no trifling addition to the value of the estate, an experienced judge estimating is at £1500 for firewood only.

Plan may be inspected and cards to view obtained on application at the office of the auctioneer, Market Square.

In the Supreme Court of The Colony of Victoria

Notice is hereby given that under and by virtue of certain process issued out of the Supreme Court of the Colony of Victoria, and directed to the Sheriff of the Southern Bailwick, requesting him to levy certain moneys of the real and personal estate of Edgar Curlewis, near Drysdale, the said Sheriff will on the 14th day of February instant, at the hour of 12 o'clock noon, cause to be sold on the farm, situate at Curlewis, distant about 10 miles from Geelong, on the Drysdale Road (unless the said process shall have been preciously satisfied, or the said Sheriff be otherwise stayed) all the under-mentioned goods and chattels belonging to the above-names Edgar Curlewis' houshold :-

Furniture, cooking and dairy utensils, and other goods and chattels, too numerous to mention

 

A sale of horses, cattle, hay, farming implements etc, was held at Mr E Curlewis' portion of the Hermsley estate, on Thursday by Messers George Synnot and Co.  There was a large attendance of farmers and speculators and the sale of farm produce realised satisfactory prices.  Some fine

Messers George Synnot and Co. offered for sale yesterday, at their wool warehouse, 428 acres of the well-known Hermsley estate, situated at Curlewis in 19 lots.  In no one instance were the prices offered equal to the fixed value of the land, and consequently the whole was withdrawn from sale.

Hermsley from the air, date unknown

 


82 Letters from Edwyn Statham.

Edwyn was the nephew to Edward Smith Hall who was the father of Matilda Birnie Hall, wife of George Campbell Curlewis. These letters were discovered in the Mitchell Library, Sydney and transcribed by distant relative of the Hall's Evelyn Bromley. The letters reveal that Edwyn was in love with Matilda (his first cousin) and wanted to marry her, but she was persuaded by her father to marry Curlewis instead because of his better prospects. The last letter also reveals that Septimus Lord was engaged to Jane Hall sister of Matilda. Jane unfortunately dies the next month. The Brother Crug reference is to the school which Septimus attended in London, the  Christ's Hospital and Bluecoat School. I have included extracts only, relating to the Curlewis's.  If you wish to look at the complete letters, contact me

Letter from Edwyn Statham to his brother Sydney 1 Dec. 1833

This is a lengthy letter, mainly describing his experiences sperm whaling, and includes verious bits of information about members of their families.The relevant part is as follows:

"Sydney is fast improving I find many fine buildings since I last saw it.  It is my intention to pay my Cousins at Lake Bathurst a visit as soon as our Cargo is discharged.  My heart is still true to its Pole Star- (you know who I mean) when I return I shall give you a full & particular account of the Beauties Natural & personal of the Lake."

Letter from Edwyn Statham to his brother Sydney 8 May 1835

"I have well considered your generous proposal and should not hesitate to embrace it were I not at present prevented by various circumstances – the main obstacle to my return is removed by my once dear and affectionate Matilda having been persuaded by her Father to accept a more wealthy suitor – she is to be in Town in a week or two, previous to the fatal event being solemnised.  I dread the meeting although I have pledged myself to remainfirm and as becomes a man of the world"

Sunday 16 May 1835

– my dear Cousins arrived in Town on Thursday night and I yesterday had an interview with Matilda who (it gives me some pleasure to think) still loves me and would not hesitate to marry me were I capable of supporting her.  I was convinced in my own mind she would not have accepted Curlewis’s offer had there been a prospect of me being shortly able to have provided for her but I must in despite of the anguish of my feelings admit that I should not be acting honourably and uprightly were I to take advantage of her love for me to endeavor to
persuade her to forego a capital offer for the chance of my being able in a year or two to maintain her comfortably. Well, God’s will be done.  I wish her every happiness –"

Letter from Edwyn Statham to his brother Parramatta 4 September 1839

I duly received your introductory Letter from Mr Gibbons – but having left the Printing Business
I was unable to do more for him than speak in his behalf to my successors and shew him that regard which any Friend of yours whould ever receive at my hands – I introduced him to Mr Hall’s family and in the course of conversation it turned out that he was in some way related to the Curlewis’ – one of whom you will recollect married into Mr Hall’s family and another – our little friend Septimus Lord Curlewis of Brother Crug memory is about to be united to Jane Hall – Gibbons however, in his blunt way is rather in bad odour with Mr Hall & Family, through having spoken disrespectfully of Curlewis’ Father calling describing him as a little waddling Tailer – whereas they, the said Halls, were of opinion, that he, the said Curlewis Senr, was an “Army Clothier” – to the manifest grievous  shock of their Family Pride! "

He seems to have recovered from his disappointment in not marrying Matilda as he goes on to say:


I believe I have not written to you since my marriage I have then to respond to the beautiful ideas so well expressed in your
letter of what a fond woman is or should be. Without entering into any laboured detail of the virtues of my partner
I need only say she is all that I could wish for – and more than I deserve


83: Letter from Susan Hall to Victor Hall June 19th 1900

.....I seldom see any of the O'Briens as I cannot afford to go about much.  Burnie is going over to W.A. as he has only been earning 10/- a week in Tom's office.  Lal's had a rise and is engaged to a girl in Perth - Louisa Tassy or some name very like it.  I think all the family intend going over there to settle and I think they could not do better for I feel Edgar will never do more than keep himself.  If that Flossie is a very clever girl and if she is strong enough will make a very good teacher.
Lucius O'Brien is still absent  and poor Cousin Tillie still struggling on.  They live at Mossman's Bay and have two boarders and Burnie Curlewis and Lal pays for him. ....

 


84 H B Curlewis Biography
Source unknown

H B Curlewis 1874 - 1968

Harold Burnham Curlewis was born at Moolal Farm, near Geelong in Victoria in 1874
He began his formal education at Newington College, Stanmore, outside of Sydney.  From there he won a Bursary to Sydney Univeristy where he took a Classics Course,studying Greek, Latin, French and Mathematics.
He was not only an excellent scholar but earned his "University Blue" for sporting activities.  Late in life he became a yachtsman, sailing on the Swan River
In 1898 Curlewis became a computor-observer at the Perth Observatory, where the Government Astonomer, W.E. Cooke, taught him astronomy and he assisted Cooke observing on the Astrograph Telescope.  On the departure of the Chief Assistant, H.M Jocelyne, in 1908, to the Federal Bureau of Meteorology, Curlewis assumed his job as Chief Assistant at the Perth Observatory.  In 1912 he became Acting Government Astronomer when Cooke left to become Government Astronomer in Sydney.  Eventually he became Government Astronomer in 1920.
In 1912, as Acting Government Astronomer, Curlewis had to complete the work left by Cooke on the International Star Catalogues, and also carry on the work on the Meridian Cataolgues.  None of this work was printed until the 1950's owing to lack of Government printing funds.  Curlewis circulated these catalogues thru ought Britain, France and America looking for funds and a printer but he was unsuccessful.
Other work he performed was computing tide tables for the West Coast, and for the British and American Admiralties.
Curlewis was responsible for time-keeping for the State Railways, Telegraph, State commercial utilities, the timeball at Fremantle, the time cannons at Fremantle and the Observatory, and for the inauguration of the time signals from the Applecross Wireless Station.  His work also included observing and computing Trig Points, establishing the longitude and position of the State Boundary, for both the interstate Railway and the Surveys Department.  In 1922 he equipped and organised an observatory party from the Perth Observatory which included two astronomers from Greenwish Observatory, to observe the Total Eclipse of the Sun.  His observations also included the tracking of comets and bright meteors to their resting place.
His writings included calendrical histories from pre-Christian times to the present.  He wrote papers and articles for overseas jounals and articles for Australian newspapes.  His ability as a lecturer during visits to the Observatory were hightly regarded, especially by hundreds of school children.  He enjoyed inventing and building sundails and exhibiting them.
Curlewis retired in 1940, after 42 years of service to the Perth Observatory, the longest serving officer.  He died in 1968 at a home for the blind.


85 Carlyle Journal Friday 4 April

A DEAR "DROP". - A gentleman named Henry Charles Curlewis, a first -class passenger in the noon train from Scotland, was brought before the Rev. W. Rees, on Wednesday last, charge by Mr Rhodes, excise officer, with having in his possession two gallons of whisky, which he had unlawfully brought with him over the border.  The liquoir was discovered amongst his luggage, on the arrival of the train at the Citadel Station; and the case being clearly proved, he was fined in the mitigated penalty of 10 (pounds) and costs, amounting in all to  10 pounds, 7 shillings and six pence.


86 The Morning Chronicle Tuesday February 17 1829

COURT OF CHANCERY - Monday 

COCHRANE V. CURLEWIS

This was a motion of appeal from an order of the Vice-Chancellor, restraining the defendant from suing out execution on a judgement in an action at law, by which he obtained a verdict for a sum of l.300 against the plaintiff.  It appeared that the plaintiff, Mr Peter Cochrane, is a young man, who will become entitled to a sum of 30,000l. on his attaining the age of twenty-five, and that the defendants, fashionable tailors living in Hanover Street, Hanover Square, were in the habit of giving him credit for expensive clothes, and supplying him with money, to be repaid when the plaintiff attained his majority.  For these advances, as well as for the debts contracted by way of trade, the plaintiff gave his acceptances, payable as distant dates, by was of security.  The business in Hanover Street had been at first carried on by Curlewis the younger, but becoming embrassed in his circumstances, he transferred it to the father, and afterwards took it back again, paying the father, as consideration money, a bill for 1.500, drawn on and accepted by the plaintiff.  On this bill Curlewis the father brought an action, which was tried at the last assizes for Guildrod, and a verdict taken for 1,300l and a fraction.  The plaintiff then filed his bill in this court, praying that the acceptance on which the action was brought might be delivered up to be cancelled, on the ground that it was obtained by fraud and misrepresentation: for although he admitted the acceptance of several bills for various amounts, yet he denied the existence of any bill for 1,500l, alleging that it was either a bill altered to represent a larger sum than that for which it was originally given, or a bill drawn on a blank stamp, to which he had been induced to affix his name.  Under these circumstances the Vice-Chancellor granted an injunction to stay the further proceedings at law, and ordered the bill to be delivered up on the payment into court of the sum for which it was drawn, to abide the issue of the suit.

Mr Rolfe, on the part of the defendant, now moved to set aside this order of the Vice-Chancellor, on the ground that the case had been already fully investigated in a Court of Law, all the witnesses cross-examined and a verdict given in the defendant's favour.  It was true that the verdict gave only 1,300l, but that did not proceed from any doubt in the mind of the jury that the whole of the 1.500l., was not due from the plaintiff; it arose solely from its appearing that 1,300l. was the whole of the sum due to the elder Curlewis by the son: with respect to the transactions between them, whatever might be their nature of character, they had nothing to do with the facts of this case, there was no reason to believe that the elder Curlewis had not received the bill as a bona fide payment  of the debt due to him by his son, and without the slightest knowledge or suspicion of the transactions between him and the palintiff: without, therefore, admitting that those transactions were of the character ascribed to them, still there was no reason why the elder Curlewis should be prohibited from taking advantage of the verdict he had obtained against the plaintiff.
At three o'clock his LORDSHIP said he was abliged to go to Westminster, and the further hearing of the case was therefore postponed till the next day of motions.


 
87 Admission Records for Christs Hospital and Bluecoat School London.  
Microfiche. London Metropolitan Archive.

date of clothing and admission
26 March 1817
Cloathed
March 1819
Septimus Lord Curlewis Son of Steavons Lupton Curlewis Cit(izen) and Ironmonger born 26 February 1812 admitted from St Paul Covent Garden Middlx.  Christopher Magnay esq
1826 October 17
Septimus Lord Curlewis on this day discharged from the hospital fixture by his father Steavens L Curlewis living at Blackheath who will provide him a master..

transcript of presentation paper
"That the Petitioner has a wife and seven children to provide for with an income not exceeding l250 per annum which he finds insufficient for the maintenance and education of so numerous a family"
 
88 The Australian (newspaper) Sydney New South Wales Thursday 16 May 1839

Later Articles identfy this as Septimus Lord Curlewis
 

The southern roads of the Colony, especially that from Berrima to Goulburn, were never more unsafe to the traveller than they are at the present time. A party of armed men (four in number) attacked the house of   Willoughby Beadman of Paddy's River, about ten days ago, in the evening, during his absence in Sydney, and plundered it of cash, &c. to the amount of twenty pounds, compelling even a   traveller who happened to pass at the time, to come into the house, and submit to be searched in his turn for further spoil......... Only a few days previous to the robbery of Mr Moses's dray, a team belonging to Mr Curlewis was stopped and plundered within sight of Berrima — so confident do these marauding vagabonds feel in their strength over that of the Police in that district. It is incumbent on the Government to do some thing to prevent a recurrence of such outrages — otherwise, all communication between Sydney and the new country must cease ; for who would incur the risk of travelling where not only his property but his life it exposed to tbe utmost peril

 


89 Citation: Aurthur Curlewis Young:  Original with Dina Barret Lennard

Honours and Awards
Distinguished Flying Cross
Flight Lieutenant Arthur Curlewis Young

 

40661
Citation
 
Flight Lieutenant YOUNG has particiated in strikes against extremely well defended targets in the GASMATA and PALMALAG areas, and on one occasion continued to attack despite severe damage to his aircraft from anti-aircraft fire.  On another occasion he was successful in bringing his aircraft safely to base after it had been extenisively damaged by the premature explosion of a bomb.
In all his operations against the enemy Flight Lieutenant YOUNG has displayed outstanding courage, determination and skill and has been a considerable asset to the Squadron

90 EARLY MEMORIES OF QUEENSCLIFF - By D.O.D. Published 1931

(not known where this was published.  Copy held by Dina Barrett Lennard)

Getting back to the "Carlyle" Estate, George Bryant sold out in 1866 to Septimus L Curlewis whose name was quoted in the Show issue of the Geelong "Advertiser" as one of the originators of the Geelong Agric Show.  There were several brothers of this family, one of whom was killed and eaten by cannibal natives in Queensland while looking for fresh country there.  When the second generation became of age, the "Hermsley" property was cut up and sold.  Septimus Curlewis bought "Carlyle" and brought his family over there to live.  I was 12 years old then and I remmber the day of Bryant's clearing sale.
The Curlewis family stuck to "Carlyle" till 1890.  In the meantime Septimus and his wife and their eldest son Frank had passed away.  George the second son, had bought a farm further along the Geelong Road and there his four sons, Gordon, Selwyn, Arthur and Campbell were born.  The first three paid "the supreme sacrifice" at the historial landing at Gallipoli.  Campbell, the fourth and youngest son came home with a bullet wound through his lungs, but recovered and is now married and settled down in Westralia.  Alfred the third and youngest son of the old generation , who had acted as Stock Inspector for the Department of Agriculture for many years, also lost his only son Kenneth in the Great War.  So the Curlewis family "did their bit" in maintaining the prestige of the British Empire and the glory of their native country of Australia.


91 Copy of part of letter to A C Curlewis and in possession of John C Curlewis

(AC Curlewis would most likely be Arthur Claribeau Curlewis, John C would be John Campbell Curlewis his son.  This paper is included in the papers of Dina Barrett Lennard)

From the little I know, I think that no clear cut distinction has been made between George Campbell Curlewis and one Walter Curlewis who I think was his brother. Of the two, the one with most stations to his name was G C Curlewis but he does not appear to have held any of them independently and 5 runs near SwanHill, held in conjunction with Robert Campbell and sons were really all subdivisions of one big station.  The other station that is associated with his name in the official records was Holey Plain Gippsland, held in conjunction with Walter Curlewis for 7 months from June 1842

Walter Curlewis is recorded as being the sole holder of the Holey Plain from JAN 1843 until Jan 1845 when he was succeeded by Crooke where descendants are still there.  Walter Curlewis is also stated to have had a run in the County of Grant (Geelong District) from 1842 to 1845 but George Campbell Curlewis is not mentioned in this connexion

Another Report of a George Campbell Curlewis named in Goulburn Charter Book in 1844

 


CURLEWIS BROS. - GEORGE, WALTER & SEPTIUS AS PIONEERS AND SQUATTERS

My great, great grandfather, Steavens Lupton Curlewis - born in London 1763 was described as a gentleman and apparently, well-to-do financially, as well as the size of his family - he had 14 children.  On his death certificate his age was given as 87 - and cause of death "worn out"!

His 4th son, George had a roving spirit and when aged 21 decided to migrate to Australia - arriving in Sydney May 1824.  At that time he would have heard stories of the vast grazing runs that could be take up under licence.  So he persuaded 2 of his younger brothers, Walter and Septimus to join him.

His first move from Sydney was apparently to Krarwaree, south of Braidwood on the headwaters of the Shoalhaven River where he held a primary Government grant of 2560 acres and spent considerable time there clearing and fencing as required.  His next move was to Bungonia - south of Goulburn - where he purchased 500 acres and this appears to have been his permanent home form 1837 - 1846 and where most of his children were born.  We next hear of him going further south along the coast to Tilba Tilba run - then leaving his brother Septimus to manage it as a dairying and pig raising farm.  Following this and hearing tales of Gippsland, he decided to move further south over the Monaro and across the mountains bringing a flock of sheep with him.

He took up the rights of the "Heart" run which then included the land where the city of Sale now stands, in 1842 - but sold the rights of the run to John Foster in 1843.  His brother, Walter, annexed the rights to the "Holey Plain" run in the same year.  George now bought 840 acres on the Bellarine Peninsula, south of Geelong at 1 pound per acre.  Leaving this for his brother Septimus to manage, he now went north to a run at Tatong (near Benalla) where he ran 5000 sheep and 650 head of cattle He also had several smaller runs - one at Strathbogie.

Still restless, he travelled north-west to Reedy Creek - south of Swan Hill and with a partner named Campbell, took over the very large run of 370,000 acres and held it for 5 years.  After George's death in 1847 this station or run was leased by various owners in the 1850's and in 1966 it was divided into 17 stations. Writing to relative in South Africa,- concerning George's death, Mrs Septimus Curlewis mentions that he was a great adventurer - a very loveable brother-in-law but had never had good health and died when 44.  Not having good health is hard to believe - considering the pioneering he had done in those few short years.

One of his grandsons, Judge Herbert Curlewis married Ethel Turner (the authoress) and their son - now Sir Adrian Curlewis of Sydney - was also a Judge.  Another great grandson, Alfred was Deputy-Mayor of Perth, Western Australia for several years.

Walter Curlewis, who followed his brother George to Gippslad applied and secured the licence to the "Holey Plains" run.  From letters written by him to Mr Crooke (grandfather of the present owner of "Holey Plains") it is evident that when taking up the rights to a run, one needed a sufficient number of cattle or sheep, or both, required by the Commisioner of Lands, in this case, a Mr Tyers, to stock it.  Otherwise your licence could be forfeited or acreage reduced.  In Walter's case, he only had 300 cattle, when according to Mr Tyers' estimate, he should be able to run 700 head on his 40 square miles - approx 8,000 acres.  Beause of this in 1844 he began negotiation with Mr Crooke of Hinnounjie station and the correspondence between the two gentlemen is very interesting.   Crooke needed a stop-over for his stock between his station and Port Albert from where he was shipping cattle and horses to Tasmania and New Zealad.  So arrangements were made whereby Curlewis seems to have taken charge of some of Crooke's cattle on the Holey Plains as well as his own - and thus have it stocked to the required number.  He would charter a sailing vessel on the basis of 2 pound per head for cattle and 2/6 (two shillings and sixpence) for sheep.  As part of the contract he also had to provide 250 lbs of beef for crew rations and was allowed free passage for himself to Tasania and back when needing necessary supplies such as flour, sugar, tea etc. These vessels would carry a cargo of from 30 to 40 head of cattle or horses and 250 sheep a trip.  At this time any prospective applicants for land or runs were entering Gippsland, both from Melbourne and the northern areas - so if a run was forfieted,someone else would immediately make application for same.

Aborigines were a constant worry, any large tribes were in the area and resented the intrusion of the white man into their hunting grounds.  Curlewis said he would see his cattle grazing quietly nearby at the end of the day - and often by morning they would be scattered far and wide - occasionally 1 or 2 speared and butchered.  There were no fences of course and the cattle would be miles away probably in your neighbour's herd.

Finally in 1845 Crooke took over the run and then purchased it in 1854.  Curlewis moved on to Emu Plains near Alberton, but after a short period, he left Australia to join his twin brother James in South Africa.

Septimus Curlewis, my great grandfather, purchased Tilba Tilba run in 1843 in partnership with his overseer John Jauncey, as assigned convict.  He had risen from convict servant to overseer, then to partner, in the employ of the Curlewis Bros.  They found him trustworth and had every confidence in him.  Apparently they treated their convict servants very well.  For instance, a young Irish lad, named Healey transported for 7 years for stealing a donkey was assigned to George Curlewis in whose service he completed his sentence and who was so well satisified with him, that in the final 12 months of his sentence, paid him the wages usually paid to a free man.

Septimus some time after purchasing Tilba-Tilba went back to England, married and returned with his bride.  Here at Tilba their two eldest children were born, - one being my grandmother Ellen Frances Jane.  In 1846 he sold the property and came south to manage and later purchaed the 840 acres his brother George had purhase on the Bellarine Peninsula - overlooking Corio Bay, and in the are now known as "Curlewis".  He built a large substantial home and name it "Hermsley" after the Curlewis home in England.

It was here that their daughter Ellen met and married Carl Christian Moller, son of a Danish couple who had arrived in Australia in1839.  Carl and his bride made their home at "Naringal", Cape Clear - south of Ballarat, where Carl was overseer on W Rowe's station until 1899.  All their children including my mother, Nellie Moller were born there 5 boys and 7 girls.

In 1899 they decided to look for and buy a property of their own and moved to Gippsland and eventually bought land on River Road Glengarry from a Mr Farmer, grandfather of the late Cr Eric Farmer.

Here my mother Nellie Moller met Stewart King, son of John King of Brookleigh and on July 17th 1901 were married at St John's Church of England Glengarry making their home at "Glen Farm" where my brother Fred now lives.

compiled and written by

Janie C Saxton (nee King)
Naringal
RMB 6260
Longford
eldest daughter of Steward and Nellie King

 


93 Biography of George Campbell Curlewis b 1893 source unknown, date unknown

George Campbell Curlewis was born at Queenscliff, Victoria on the 15th March, 1891 and is an Australian of the thrid generation.  His Grandfather and brother with their cousins, the Campbell brothers, were early settlers in Sydney and conducted business there as merchants, and became large land owners.  At one time they owned the land which surrounds Canerra and the Officers Mess at the Royal Military College at Duntroon was the station homestead.

MR CURLEWIS was educated mostly at State Schools in Fremantle, and on leaving school joined in Insurance office and later a Real Estate Agents Office.  In 1911, he went farming with two of his brothers near Brookton.

When World War I broke out in August 1914, MR CURLEWIS and all his brothers (3) enlisted, and all landed on Gallipoli on 25th April 1915.  MR CURLEWIS was the only one of the 4 brothers to survive from the Gallipoli Campaign.  He was promoted to Commission rank there, and won an acting Company Commander until wounded and invalided to England.  Soon after the War finished, Mr Curlewis established himself in business at Northam as a Real Estate, Insurance Agent and Sworn Valuator and  conducted that business until he disposed of it in October 1962.  During his 45 years residence in Northam he gave a lot of his time to public service.  He was on the Town Council for many years and was the Treasurer of the Municipality and was the Acting Mayor for many months.  He was the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer of the Northam Sub-Branch of the R.S.L. for 26 years, and was a Country Vice President of the League.  He was a joint Secretary of the Northam Agricultural Society, of which he is a Life Member.  For many years he was the only member in Northam of the Perth Legacy Club and had many children of deceased services men as his Wards - and he took an active part and interest in many other organisations including Rotary and various sporting bodies.  He is a Life Member of the Northam Rifle Club.  He has been a Justice of the Peace since 1932.  In all his public and social activities he has been ably supported by his wife, who is a very talented musician.

When in 1949 a Migration Centre was established in Northam Mr and Mrs Curlewis immediately took an interest in Migrants and Mr Curlewis was appointed the Northam Representative of the Good Neighbour Council of W.A.  Mr and Mrs Curlewis claim with pride, that now some of their closest friends are ex European Migrants.

Mr and Mrs CURLEWIS have two sons who both graduated as Staff Officrs from the Royal Military College and served during World War II in various campaigns. After serving in the Army of occupation in Japan their eldest son retired from the Army with the rank of Major and went farming in New South Wales.  Their youngest son is still an Army Engineer Officer with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.  Mr Curlewis also served in the Army during World War II and was mobilised as a Staff Officer soon after the declaration of that War and Seved for 4 years.

MR AND MRS CURLEWIS are now living in their new home at Cottesoe.

They have 6 grandchildren.


94 extract from The Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser Wednesday 24 October 1838 page 2
Description of bushrangers at Ravenswood Bungonia home of George and Matilda Curlewis.  The ladies referred to would have been Matilda and perhaps her sisters.

"Bushrangers. - Three bushrangers,-mounted and  armed, paid a visit to Mr. Curlewis last week at Ravenswood, which is a farm situated between Inverary and Lake Bathurst.  Mr Curlewis was from home. They were exceedingly polite to Mrs. C. and two other ladies, whom they found at home. None of the servants were about the farm, and the bushrangers came in and went away without seeing a single man on the farm. They begged permission to borrow a few of Mr. Curlewis's clothes and shirts, they being short of a change  also a few rings and trinkets, &c. But a gold chain, which at first the taker much admired and put round his neck, he returned at the particular request of the owner. One of them nursed the infant, and took him in his arms to see the horses. On going away they asked for wine. and one of them put a bottle in his pocket. Out of the decanter they drank the ladies' healths, and requested Mrs Curlewis to take a glass. and on being requested very kindly a second or third-time to do them the honour to pledge them, she thought it prudent to comply. They then shook hands with the inmates, and observed, it was a great deal better for all parties that they had not been interrupted in their visit, and that they had found the inmates so utterly defenceless. They much wished for fire arms and ammunition but finding none, they were content. They then peaceably departed. The mounted  police made their appearance in the evening, and followed them to Mr. Lynch's of Bungonia, where they repeated, the same sort of hospitality, but we have not heard the particulars.

(Mrs Curlewis was Matilda Hall, and "the ladies" could have been her sisters, possibly Jane and Charlotte or Sophie)


 95 Robert Grey Curlewis (South Africa).Series of handwritten records and documents
in the period 27/12/1900 to 8/91902 obtained from various South African archives
Transcribed copies made by Ian Curlewis
December 2019

Letter 1

Paarl
27 December 00 (1900)
(handwritten)
To Captain Levett
4N Stafford Regiment
Camp Paarl
Sir,
Referring to our conversation of this morning re: parole, and in the matter of my application to
extend my geographical sphere within which I shall be allowed to perform my business duties
outside the town of Paarl, together with portions of the adjoining districts, such as
Malmesbury, Stellenbosch, etc, I beg to submit for consideration, & in support of my
application the following facts and circumstances attending my case:
1 Under & in terms of certain proclamation issued at Johannesburg by HS Field
Marshall Lord Roberts dated 30 May 1900, I laid down my arms and took an oath of
neutrality to abstain from further participation in this war, thereby receiving according
to the said proclamation, the protection of the military, and the privilege of enjoying
freedom from all restraint consequent in the case of a person on parole i.e. a
prisoner of war.
2 In August last I received a written order from Lieutenant Colonel Maye,
Commissioner of Police at Pretoria to proceed to Europe, and which order was,
however, at my request, modified in so far that I was permitted to remain in the Cape
Colony.
That on leaving Pretoria a pass was issued to me, passing me unhindered to my
house at Cape Town for Paarl.
That forced by domestic circumstances I have undertaken canvassing for The South
African Mutual Life Association Society, which action necessitates my travelling
about in the Paarl district and into the adjoining districts.
That any action on the part of the military authorities to curtail the liberty I at present
enjoy of visiting for business purposes, the Paarl district and adjoining areas, will
precipitate me into a most awkward & impecunious position-debarring me from
meeting my domestic expenses.
In conclusion I would particularly call attention to the to the fact that I have taken the
oath of neutrality to abstain from further participation in this war, & with all due
deference I will assert, that my conduct hitherto has been such as to justify no
restraint being placed upon me.
I therefore desire that the military authorities with regard above mentioned
proclamation as sufficient reason to exempt me from any future and possible
restraint, or in the event of your authorities not acceding to my wishes, but under no
other circumstances, I pray to be allowed freedom to travel as above.

2
I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant
“R G Curlewis”
(then aged 26)

Also submitted
Certificate from JF Kirsten, a “canvassing agent” for SA Mutual Life Assurance
stating that RG Curlewis is assisting as “travelling agent”.
and
Certificate from JI de Villiers manager of Paarl Board of Executors stating that RG
Curlewis “is absolutely indispensable” to be permitted to visit Paarl and adjourning
districts to canvass for life, fire and accident insurance.

Letter 2 handwritten
Paarl
CC

To SOP of W
(Staff of Prisoners of War)
Cape Town
27 December 1900
Sir,
Can you instruct me as to my action in the following three cases of Paroles? Are the persons
named, to be put on Parole or not?
1 James C Walker, Transvaal burgher
He has taken the oath of neutrality.
I believe him to be sound.
2 James Frederick Inglis Curlewis, a burgher of the Transvaal. Was with General
Harts column for a time as … & intelligence duty. Comes from the
Potchefstroom district. Leave to Cape Colony signed by Captain Banin. He has
taken oath of neutrality and has ## to take oath of Allegiance but was told it was not
required.
I believe him to be sound.
3 RG Curlewis Transvaal burgher & was fighting against us. Has so far taken no oath.
Is working as Insurance Agent, and wants leave to travel all over the surrounding
district, if on Parole. I believe him to be distinctly disaffected and to use his Agency
work as a screen principally. He states that if not allowed to continue to travel for his
Insurance Companies, he would prefer being made a prisoner of ## but on Parole.
Both numbers 2 and 3 are brothers and from the Church Anglican Clergyman home.
No 3 appears to have differences with his family and does not stay with them but
lives apart.
Obedient servant
Walther Levett, Capt
4
th N Stafford Regiment
 

(letter 3 typed)
To O C Det
4
th Nth Stafford Regiment
PAARL
With reference to your letter of the 27
th December, I am directed to inform you that:
(1) James C Walker should be placed on parole but need not report himself weekly.
(2) James Frederick Inglis Curlewis should be placed on parole but need not report
himself weekly.
(3) R G Curlewis should be placed on parole to report himself weekly as you direct, and
should be confined to one place in future. It is noticed that in his statement of the
27
th inst. the last named person states that he has so far taken the oath of neutrality
or surrendering, whereas your letter of the 27
th December that he has so far taken
no oath. In any event it should be explained to him that in view of the present
situation the oath of neutrality taken in the Transvaal or O.R.C. cannot be
considered a sufficient hold upon him while resident in the Cape Colony. If he
refuses to take the parole oath, he should be sent under escort to this office.
Captain
for S.O.P
The Castle
Cape Town
30
th December 1900.

(Letter 4 handwritten)
Paarl
25 May ‘01

To the
Staff Officer
Prisoners of War
Cape Town
Sir,
I hereby, beg to apply for leave to take up residence either in Cape Town or Malmesbury.
Circumstances attending my health compel me to seek a change of climate, locality and the
use of baths.
Cape Town though not favoured with natural or mineral baths, nevertheless affords one the opportunity of utilising Turkish baths.
Subject to your decision the definite selection of either of the above places will depend upon the beneficial affect afforded by one of the localities.

In support of my application, I hereby enclose a letter from Dr de Jager of this town.
For your information I desire to bring the following facts to your notice.
On the occupation of Pretoria by the British troops, and under and by virtue of certain proclamations issued by the Field Marshall for the time being H.S. Lord Roberts, I surrendered myself.
That subsequently & while on parole here, and as a result of certain charges having been laid against me for alleged non compliance with certain verbal instructions issued with respect to Prisoners on parole here and in conjunction with regulations falling under my parole oath, I was ordered by the Commandant Major Wedgewood, to confine myself absolutely to my premises or house.
That during an enquiry brought against me 3 weeks ago for the alleged non compliance as above, the Commandant when called by me as a witness, made a conditional reflection upon the integrity of Dr Weber of this town.
That Dr Weber who was also called as a witness in the said enquiry has hitherto been my medical adviser.
That the reflection alluded to was contained in the following remark or words to the following
effect: “If it was not a “put up job” between the Doctor and himself (i.e. myself) he (i.e. myself) he would be justified” etc.
2
That the enquiry failed to establish a proof of my guilt is not complying with the instructions as above and resulted in an absolute exoneration from all alleged charges brought against me as will appear from a note in my ## session addressed by the Commandant.
Since the use of the above words by the Commandant throw, according to my humble opinion, a doubtful light on the relations between Dr Weber & myself, I have esteemed it inadvisable to submit in writing any medical order or advice he may suggest – and taking for granted that this application will be referred to the Commandant here, in which case he may otherwise become prejudiced, I have submitted the letter of Dr de Jager.
I finally beg that you will kindly give this matter your earliest attention as a matter of urgency.
I have the honour to be your obedient servant
“R.G Curlewis

 

(letter 5 handwritten)

Paarl
May 23
rd 1901

Dear Mr Curlewis,
I must strongly advise you at once to make a change. I do not think the Paarl is now, or will be for the winter months, a suitable place for you to reside in – Malmesbury or Caledon, with their mineral baths also at your disposal, will be suitable and would urge upon you the necessity of the change.
Yours sincerely
LL de Jager
M.B ##

 

(letter 6 handwritten)
To Commandant Paarl
Referred for your remarks. It is noted that the medical certificate mentioned Caledon which Mr Curlewis appears to have read as “Cape Town”.
CT
28.5.01 “MA ## Capt
for S.O.P of W
3
(letter 7 handwritten)
Staff Offices
Prisoners of War
Mr Curlewis would like to go to Malmesbury.
C Wedgewood Major
Commandant
4
(Letter 8 handwritten)
Commandant Paarl
Will you please say whether you recommend this application being granted, as nothing is
known in this office of the writer of this letter or of the circumstances mentioned in the letter.
“MA ## Capt
for S.O.P of W
4.6.01

5
(Letter 9 handwritten)
S.O Prisoners of War
Cape Town
The oversight in not replying fully is regretted. I shall be very glad to get rid of Curlewis. He is a nuisance. I have no reason to believe that he is infringing on his parole in any serious way, but he is constantly breaking minor ## law regulations. I believe him to be ill & would recommend the change.
C Wedgwood Major

 

Commandant 6/6/01
PAARL

6
(letter 10 handwritten)
Commandant Malmesbury
Have you any objection to this man being allowed to proceed to Malmesbury please?
MA ## Capt
for S.O.P of W
7.6.01
7
(letter 11 handwritten)
A S.O Prisoners of War
I have no objections.
“ ## “
Commandant
8.6.01

8
(letter 12 handwritten)
Commandant Paarl
Mr Curlewis may be permitted to proceed to Malmesbury. Please notify Commandant #  Malmesbury and his office and his date of departure and direct Curlewis to report to the former on arrival.
“MA ## Capt“
for S.O.P or W
C.T
9.6.01

 

 

(letter 13 )

Memorandum
Army Form C346
From Commandant Paarl
To
R.G Curlewis
On Parole
Paarl
June 11
th 1901
Permission has been granted for your transfer to Malmesbury. Please call & inform me whenyou propose leaving & to receive your permit.
C Wedgwood Major
Commandant

(letter 14)


Memorandum
Army Form C346
From Commandant Paarl

 

To R Curlewis
Paarl

June 15th (18th) 1901
Please do not leave Paarl without first reporting yourself to me.
C Wedgwood Major
Commandant
Paarl

(Letter 15)


POST Office Telegraph
Cape of Good Hope
Handed in at Cape Town 4.20 Received 4.36
Date Stamp of Delivery Office – Paarl 18 June 1901
____________________________________________________________________

 

From To
S O Prisoners of War Commandant PAARL

____________________________________________________________________
June 18th. My Minute of 10th instant. If Curlewis has not already proceeded to Malmesbury please cancel permission.

(letter 16 handwritten)
From Commandant Paarl
To S. O Prisoners
Cape Town
Acting on attached ##, Curlewis has not been permitted to proceed to Malmesbury & is still in
Paarl.
Paarl

 

28.6.01 C Wedgwood Major
Commandant

(Letter 17 typed)
Malmesbury
23rd August 1901

The S.O Prisoners of War,
Cape Town
Sir,
I have the honor to enclose herewith private papers found in possession of Prisoners of WarR.G Curlewis ad R.H. Nippa, who were sent to you under escort on the 16th inst.
Kindly acknowledge receipt.
I have the honor to be
Sir,
Your obedient Servant
Capt
Commandant

 

(letter 18 Handwritten)

Morgans Island
Bermuda 10.10.01

Staff Officer
POW
Cape Town
Sir/
I understood from you before embarking on SS. Montrose, Cape Town, that all private letters & documents including P/N £100 by Rooth belonging to me would have been handed to the military authorities on board the above vessel.
Will you finally return all documents etc – my “private property” to the above address to enable me to recover the same.
Obediently yours
R G Curlewis

(letter 19 typed)

The Staff Officer
for Prisoners of War
Cape Town
With reference to your memo no. PRA/1491 dated 9/12/01, I beg to acknowledge the receipt of a registered packet, containing letters and Promissory Note for £100 for Prisoner of War No. 20903 R.G Curlewis.
## Major A.A General for Prisoners of War
Bermuda
20/01/02

(letter 20 handwritten)

Paarl
8
th Sept 02
The Staff Officer
Prisoners of War
Cape Town
Sir
Desiring to return to Pretoria. I hereby beg to apply as an ex burgher of the late South AfricanRepublic, for a permit to proceed by rail to the above mentioned city.
I am obediently yours
RG Curlewis
“Permit issued

 


In support of my application, I hereby enclose a letter from Dr de Jager of this town.
For your information I desire to bring the following facts to your notice.
On the occupation of Pretoria by the British troops, and under and by virtue of certain
proclamations issued by the Field Marshall for the time being H.S. Lord Roberts, I surrendered
myself.
That subsequently & while on parole here, and as a result of certain charges having been laid
against me for alleged non compliance with certain verbal instructions issued with respect to
Prisoners on parole here and in conjunction with regulations falling under my parole oath, I
was ordered by the Commandant Major Wedgewood, to confine myself absolutely to my
premises or house.
That during an enquiry brought against me 3 weeks ago for the alleged non compliance as
above, the Commandant when called by me as a witness, made a conditional reflection upon
the integrity of Dr Weber of this town.
That Dr Weber who was also called as a witness in the said enquiry has hitherto been my
medical adviser.
That the reflection alluded to was contained in the following remark or words to the following
effect: “If it was not a “put up job” between the Doctor and himself (i.e. myself) he (i.e. myself)
he would be justified” etc.

2
That the enquiry failed to establish a proof of my guilt is not complying with the instructions as
above and resulted in an absolute exoneration from all alleged charges brought against me as
will appear from a note in my ## session addressed by the Commandant.
Since the use of the above words by the Commandant throw, according to my humble opinion,
a doubtful light on the relations between Dr Weber & myself, I have esteemed it inadvisable to
submit in writing any medical order or advice he may suggest – and taking for granted that this
application will be referred to the Commandant here, in which case he may otherwise become
prejudiced, I have submitted the letter of Dr de Jager.
I finally beg that you will kindly give this matter your earliest attention as a matter of urgency.
I have the honour to be your obedient servant
“R.G Curlewis”

 


96 Interview with James Frederick Curlewis

Interview with JC Curlewis by reporter Marie Van Niekerk 7 June 1901
JC has for security reasons asked me not to photograph him, but was kind enough to allow me to use a childhood photograph which caused us some laughter. Humor during this time of war, is always welcome!
Marie: Is JC a nickname?
JC: Yes, JC is a nickname which stands for James Curlewis. My full name is James Frederick.
Marie: Tell me more about yourself and your family.
JC: I am 24 years old and was born and bred in the Paarl. I am still single. I am the oldest son of Walter Henry & Johanna Jacoba Minnaar Curlewis. My father is a wine farmer and trader.  I was a teacher after I relocated to the Free State. I have 3 sisters Alida (22), Joan (17) & Daisy (20) and two brothers, Harry (14) and John (9).  My uncle is the retired Rev JF Curlewis from the Paarl.
Marie: Tell me about your current position in the Free State Government?
JC: I am the adjutant to Commandant OIA Davel who is in charge of the body guard detail of President MT Steyn. 
Marie: What does your duties include?
JC:Without disclosing too much sensitive information; it entails a lot of administrative duties and a lot of coordination. I am the Commandant’s gofer if you will; doing various things that need to be done during war. Marie: Last question JC. Your grandfather was James Curlewis, a British immigrant to SA. Now you are on the side of the Boers. Is this not a strange position to be in?
JC: (Gives my question some thought) You know Marie, I always remember my British roots, but I am a third generation child born in SA. My Mom is from a Boer family. I have a loyalty to my homeland and my people.
Marie: Thank you for your time. I know you are very busy.
JC: Nods and dashes off to duty… After thoughts by Marie: A short man 16 with loads of energy and a big heart beating for the Boer cause!


97 Interview with RG Curlewis by Adriaan Thiele on 6 May 1900: Secret location, somewhere in the capital, Pretoria ZAR

Robert Gray Curlewis was appointed clerk- & registrar of the High Court in Pretoria prior to the outbreak of the Anglo Boer War in 1898. His appointment was signed by President Kruger after he became a naturalized burgher of ZAR. Due to the circumstances of war, he is currently unable to practice Law.  He is working for the “South African Mutual Life Association Society”. He has made no secret of where his loyalties lie in terms of this war. He is a staunch Boer supporter. 
Adriaan: Mr Curlewis, there is an interesting story behind your first names Robert Gray. Tell me more.
RG: Yes, I was named after the first Bishop in Cape Town, Robert Gray. He ordained my father, James Frederick Curlewis as deacon in 1859 in the Anglican Church, Paarl.
Adriaan: So you grew up as a minister’s child? Were you the naughty Rev’s son?
RG: (Laughs) Yes, very much so! I think I gave my parents grey hair! Maybe that’s where my second name also comes in! I am the youngest child of the 5 children of JF -& Mary Curlewis. I also have two half siblings from my Mom’s previous marriage to Robert Shaw who died tragically. -William & Mary Jane. 
Adriaan: How did you get into the Law profession?
RG: Well, my second oldest brother Jack, is a judge. He very much inspired me to take up the law and also paid for my studies.
Adriaan: And now it is war!
RG: Ja, dit is oorlog!  I fully support the cause of the War and will help the Boers in my own way.
Adriaan: Have you taken up arms?
RG: (Pauses to think) Yes, I have.  More than this I cannot and should not say.
Adriaan: Thank you for your time. 
 


 

 

98 RG Curlewis held in Irene Cells: Adriaan Thiele reporting on 6 June 1900:
RG Curlewis was interned on 5 June 1900, 29 at possibly the Irene POW cells. His brothers, John Stephen and James Frederick Inglis, were allegedly briefly detained in the Irene cells earlier too. They all had to sign an oath of neutrality and will be paroled as part of their rehabilitation and allowed to travel to Muizenburg (JS) and Paarl, (JFI & RG) in the Cape Province were they originally hail from, before they became naturalized ZAR burghers.30 The fate of  RG seems to be in the balance as he is a tough cookie and thoroughly getting on the British’s nerves.31 By all accounts, prisoners are treated quite well under these circumstances since they are not hard combatants as such and have some privileges.32 In the mean time, a journalist colleague of mine in the Cape Province, Jan Van Staden, has reported that two distant cousins of the three brothers-their grandfather’s twin brother Walter’s clan- have joined the Petrusville Town Guards on side of the British. They are apparently father and son: Nr 10 W Curlewis (Senior) and Nr 11 JW

 


99 Article from the Guardian Australia Saturday August 22, 2020

'We take no risks at all': a voice from the Spanish flu outbreak

by Matthew Curlewis

A letter from an ancestor who worked as a nurse in Sydney during the Spanish flu reaffirms what we know about societal responsibility and protecting others

Sat 22 Aug 2020 06.00 AEST

 

Does history repeat? Ask an ancestor.

I was in hotel quarantine when I discovered a letter written in 1919 by my great-aunt Jean about her work as a voluntary aide during Australia’s Spanish flu outbreak.

Young writer Jean Curlewis, aged 21, was writing to her mother, Ethel Turner (Curlewis), the popular author of Seven Little Australians, about why she wouldn’t be taking casual leave from her role at Walker hospital, in Parramatta, relieving nurses who were exhausted from carrying out precautionary measures and overworked from caring for ill and dying patients.

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“Matron asked me was I coming home on my 24 hours’ leave and said she thought there would be no risk if I had a Lysol bath, wore a mask all the time, and clean clothes, and kept six feet away because, of course, the visiting medical officers come out every day, but when I asked her was she going home, she said, ‘No.’ On the whole, though I long to see you all, I think I would rather not spend the subsequent nights worrying myself sick for fear I had given it to you. Some of the girls do go home, and some do not. I’ll spend a luxurious and quite happy day here – 20 hours in bed and four in the garden. Oh – my camera and a couple of films. But there’s no hurry. And Mother, it really is far worse for me to feel you go into town to shop or send me parcels than to go without the things.

You know I am not given to imaginations in worrying, but up here, all the girls find it almost unbearable to think that people belonging to us might get this awful thing, through lack of precaution. Up here, we take no risks at all – in all these seven days I have never seen a single soul though they were blind with weariness, yield to the temptation to omit one tiresome detail of the long, long ritual of getting clean four or five times a day. So, don’t.”

During 1919, from a population of about 5 million, nearly 15,000 people died from the Spanish flu in Australia.

Jean Curlewis, who worked as a volunteer nurse during the Spanish flu outbreak. Photograph: Matthew Curlewis

I found this unnervingly prescient letter during my two-week isolation in a Sydney hotel. I had rushed from my now home in Amsterdam to say goodbye to my father, Ian – Ethel’s grandson and Jean’s nephew – who had been placed under palliative care for bone cancer.

Worried I was starting to lose my mind from being locked in a guarded, airless room after a too-close-to-strangers terrifying flight, and while being anxious I wouldn’t reach my father in time, I dived into exploring some family archive material about Jean. I was quickly stunned to stumble across direct parallels between both my specific situation and our collective one at this unique moment in time.

Just like today there were clearly gaps between how seriously some people were behaving and others who were “carrying on as usual”. Further explaining why she can’t simply “leave her post”, Jean comments on this disparity, and the social pressure she was receiving from friends:

“ ‘Flu is real – ‘flu is earnest – and whew, one gets letters such as I did the other night from Gwen and Rosie, insisting on my coming to picnics, and to be tried on for seven bridesmaid’s frocks. One doesn’t quite know how to answer them without appearing either melodramatically tragic, or else apparently putting them off for insufficient reasons, as they seem to think that it is the easiest matter in the world to come out.”

Right as I discovered these writings, my application for exemption from quarantine, based on compassionate grounds, gets – compassionately, I’m pleased to report – declined. Until explained by a NSW health department representative, I had no idea that if I was released sooner than 14 days everyone I came into contact with, including my already ill father, would then have to isolate for their own two week periods.

 

Proclamation from the NSW government during the Spanish flu outbreak Photograph: Matthew Curlewis

Having just travelled from pandemic-ridden Europe, the last thing I wanted to do was spread Covid-19 among my family or friends.

So precaution it was and will continue to be.

The letter from Jean – who died aged 32 from tuberculosis – reaffirms what we have known about societal responsibility and protecting others for more than 100 years.

Wash our hands. Keep a physical distance. Wear a mask.

Let’s make these things ritual and allow our ancestors to slumber peacefully. In 2020 we don’t need to have even 1,000 deaths, let alone 15,000.

And although it was a difficult 14 day wait for me, I made it in time to say goodbye to my father. I was with him when he died this week.


 

100 Palm Beach Surf Club August 22, 2020

Ian Curlewis

 It is with deep sadness we inform members of the passing on 19 August 2020 of our 17th Life Member, Ian A Curlewis QC. 

 

For the first time since its foundation in 1921, the Palm Beach Surf Club will not record the name Curlews on its roll of current members. We have lost a wonderful contributor at Palm Beach and another of the gossamer fine links with our early years has sadly been set aside.
Never before have a father and son been elected to Life Membership of PBSLSC.
Ian’s family were 1920’s residents of Palm Beach. Ian’s father Adrian, was a foundation member, our third Captain and subsequently President of Surf Life Saving Australia for a remarkable 37 terms, including when he was a POW in Changi and was elected in absentia.
During these war years Ian, as a school boy and a fine swimmer would patrol the beach, willingly taking the place of SLSC members, who were overseas on active service.
Ian formally joined the Club in 1945 and served on the Management Committee for 12 years. When he was just 34 years of age he was elected as President of the SLSC, the youngest person to serve in this role in four decades. Subsequently he served as a Director of the Cabbage Tree Club for 4 years.
His involvement with our club reaches far beyond the many years served on Committees; he was heavily involved with all aspects of club life and in particular its social events with Boxing Night and New Year’s Eve being his favorites. Ian swam in The Big Swim from Palm Beach to Whaley until 2010 and competed for as long as he could in the Twilight Masters, named in his father’s honour.
Ian was a fine athlete, a wine maker, a farmer, a distinguished QC, a member of the Sydney University Squadron, a private pilot, a former Chairman of Outward Bound and the Foundation Chair and Life Member of the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, the family cannot stage the kind of party Ian envisaged. They will be creating a celebration of Ian’s life online and welcome photo and story contributions.
Ian absolutely loved Palm Beach and this Club. It is the poorer for his passing.
Tony Bancroft - President PBSC   Scott Mathers - President PBSLSC


 101 The Murder of Curlewis and McCullagh

 Mount Alexander Mail Monday 22 September 1862

The follwing particulars,extracted from the journal of Mr F C Curlewis, brother of the deceased George Curlewis, who conducted the search after the two missing gentlemaen, are communicated to the press:-
August 6. - Our party, consisting of Mr Commissioner Sharpe, and two troopers (Chapman and Carroll) myself, and two black boys, left Cambedore, on the Darling, for the Parro.
August, 1-10,- The express waggon breaking down, Mr Sharpe, with one of the black boys, returned.   After burying the greater portion of our provisions, the rest of us proceeded, taking with us only two days' rations, - all we were able to carry.
August 11. - Fell in with some natives, from whose account it appears that George and Mc Cullagh on their way out, picked up a black known on the Darling as Peter, who they took with them as guide, and to whom George gave a tomahawk &c.  They afterwards fell in with eight others, four of whom Peter persuaded to assist in the murder.  On their return to a place called Wallerun, he removed the firearms whilst the other two were asleep, and with the assistance of the other four, tomahawked the poor fellows, George defending himself for some time with a fire-stick.  The wretches then stripped the bodies, and threw them into the water as also the saddles, fire-arms &c, taking such things as were useful to them.
August 12. - At Wallerun - With great difficulty found the spot we were in search of.  We discovered only a stirrup-iron, a girtee (a large kind of club) and a spear hidden in a hollow tree.  The girtee was still clotted with blood, &c., for it had been well hidden and the rain had not got to it.  Want of provisions compelled us to return sooner than we would otherwise have done.  This evening our supper consisted of a rat among five of us.  The same cause prevented our going after the five black fellows who we were told, were out in the back country.
August 14.- Got back to Wendalee, where we had buried our provisions, and after our privations, found a good meal very acceptable.
August 17. - Got back to Cambedore

 


102 Report on George Edward Curlewis's exploration party in the Argus 1862

The Argus. Tuesday 29 April 1862. Page 5

Letters have been received in town which lead to the apprehension that some contretemps has occurred to Mr Curlewis, who was out exploring north of Menindie, on the confines of Queensland, as his horses have made on the Darling.
 


 

103 letter to the Argus from W E P Giles during the search for Burke and Wills.  George Edward Curlewis is in his party.

 The Argus. Friday 1 November 1861 Page 7

THE EXPLORATION PARTY.

The following despatches were received yesterday by Dr. Macadam, from Menindie, and have been handed to us for publication :

 " Menindie, Darling River,
Oct. 15, 1861.
" Sir-We do ourselves the honour to enclose To you a despatch from Mr. Howitt, according to Premise made previously to obtain if planted at a point given, viz., at the spot where he left Mr. Burke's track. We were on our return from a trip round Bulla and the adjacent country. The en closed was planted on Porio Creek, at Mr. Howitt's twentieth camp from Menindie, near Mr. Burke's fiftieth camp from Melbourne. The tree was marked AH conjoined over XX, the broad arrow pointing north-west- in the direction Mr. Howitt was going; close by, on the same tree, was DIG, N (north) under, XVII yda. under. The despatch was placed in an old cartridge tin. We crossed Mr. Howitt's track previously (on the 19th September), on a creek called by the natives Yanburrowa, the track leading north west, straight for Mr. Burke's second depot on Cooper's Creek. Mr Howitt had rain where he left the despatch, was making good progress, and we anticipated he had arrived at the depot by that day (the 19th September).
" We have the honour to be, Sir,
' Yours obediently.
W Gloun,
G. E. Curlewis. "
W. E P. Giles.

"John Macadam, Esq., &c., Secretary Royal Society."


104 Letter re Curlewis/Conn expedition.  Finding an unknown grave of some white men

Bendigo Advertiser.  Friday 1 November 1861 page 2

Dear Haverfield, Conn and Curlewis have arrived here from their trip to Bulla. They have been within twenty-five miles of Cooper's Creek. They bring no news of any importance, only a despatch of Howitt's, which they found at a place called Pariah Creek. Conn tells me the Blacks took them to some white men's graves at a creek, about one hundred miles this side of McDonough's Creek. The Blacks also described how the white men were speared. The graves are very old, and no marks or anything to tell who they are. They have seen some of Hampshire's camps, at a place called Nuntherungee Creek. He was making then for the Darling: that is the only trace I can get of him. I am afraid he has perished, as Conn says the water is drying up fast, and will not last another week. The weather is setting in very warm, and the river still rising; it has risen about a foot since you left. Conn saw the remains of McPherson's and Lyon's horses, and two camels out there. You must excuse this, as the mail is just leaving. Yours truly, A. Dunbar. Cadell's store, Menindie, 15th October, 1861.

To Mr. K. K. Haverfield, Sandhurst


105 Mention in monograph by Ernest Giles / Australia Twice Traversed: Vol 1 pp xlii-xliii.

At this time a friend of mine, named Conn, and I were out exploring for pastoral runs, and were in retreat upon the Darling, when we met Howitt going out. When farther north I repeatedly urged my companion to visit the Cooper, from which we were then only eighty or ninety miles away, in vain. I urged how we might succour some, if not all, of the wanderers. Had we done so we should have found and rescued King, and we might have been in time to save Burke and Wills also; but Conn would not agree to go. It is true we were nearly starved as it was, and might have been entirely starved had we gone there, but by good fortune we met and shot a stray bullock that had wandered from the Darling, and this happy chance saved our lives. I may here remark that poor Conn and two other exploring comrades of those days, named Curlewis and McCulloch, were all subsequently, not only killed but partly eaten by the wild natives of Australia—Conn in a place near Cooktown on the Queensland coast, and Curlewis and McCulloch on the Paroo River in New South Wales in 1862. When we were together we had many very narrow escapes from death, and I have had several similar experiences since those days.
 


106 letter to the Argus Saturday 28 December 1861 concerning the graves found by George E Curlewis, Conn and George's intention to find them again.

WHITE MEN'S GRAVES.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE ARGUS.

Sir,—I have observed in the Weekly Argus of the 8th inst. in extract from the Bendigo Advertiser, of a letter from a correspondent of Mr. Haverfield's stating that Mr. Conn told him he had seen the graves of some white men on a creek 100 miles on Menindie side of M'Donough's Creek. Mr. Haverfield then states that he knows of no such creek. Most likely not, since he was never so far north as the creek the graves are on, the name of which is Inutera ; it is about fifty miles south-west from Wright's Depot, on Bullo Creek, and about seventy miles from Burke's fifty-fourth camp, on M'Donough's Creek , and Mr. Haver-field's furthest north was Koringbini—a mountain lying nearly 200 miles south from Inutera Creek. I am perfectly well aware where Mr. Poole's grave is, also those of Wright's party. The graves alluded to are not these, and are appa-rently very old.
Trusting you will afford space for this in your valuable journal,

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

G. T. CURLEWIS.

P.S. I am starting out again, and hope to be able to give you some information on the matter when I come in, which will probably be within six months.

Mount Murchison, Darling River, Nov. 28.


107 Account of George Edward's death by Duncan McIntyre

Age (Melbourne, Vic. : 1854 - 1954), Tuesday 3 January 1865, page 6

But it will be heard with satisfaction by the relatives and friends of the late Mr Curlewis, that his remains, together with those of his companion, M'Cullch, were discovered by Mr M'Intyre, and that his fate, has been placed beyond all doubt. The blacks pointed out the grave in which they were laid together, and described how they had been murdered. The bones were disinterred, and the skulls of both these unfortunate young men were found to have been fractured by blows from some heavy weapons. They were undoubtedly the remains of white men, and part of a bridle rein was found tied round them, as if it had been used by the blacks to carry the bodies. A piece of a Guernsey shirt, very much blood-stained, was also found. They were killed, it appears, about a mile from where they were buried, in a dry billabong. Tho excuse given for the murder was that Mr Curlewis had coerced a blackfellow to accompany him to show him the country, and that this man, not liking to go, persuaded four others to assist him in killing the two white men. One evening, after the party had camped, this blackfellow asked permission from Mr Curlewis to go out to look for ducks. The permission was granted him, and he went away to the other blacks, and arranged with them to come at a given signal during the night. Having removed the firearms and planted them, he gave the signal as soon as the two travellers were asleep, when his accomplices came up and speared them, after which they smashed their heads in with waddies and tomahawks. This Mr M'Intyre believes to be a correct account of the murder. The remains were carefully reinterrcd, and the spot marked. A special note of the locality was taken, as Mr Curlewis was well known to Mr McIntyre, and he was desirous of doing all in his power to honor the memory of the unfortunate deceased.