James Gough book review RAHS

The following book review appears in the current edition of History, the Magazine of the Royal Australian Historical Society March 2014

James Gough: a very industrious man

Author: Marion Starr 

Convicted London joiner and carpenter James Gough (1790 -1876), who arrived on the Earl Spencer in 1813, was involved in the joinery at Old Government House, the first Hospital and the Barracks at Parramatta and projects in the Hawkesbury. After gaining his Conditional Pardon in 1821 he won the contracts to re-roof the Old Supreme Courthouse in Sydney. Private commissions included John Wylde's 'Cecil Hills' at Cabramatta; schools in the Hawkesbury and Blacktown; the White Hart Inn between Parramatta and Windsor; William Cox's house in O'Connell Street, Sydney and by 1828, Joseph Underwood's terraces on Church Hill. Awarded the construction of Berrima Gaol in partnership with John Richards in 1834, the contract was terminated in 1836.

The publication includes biographical details of fifteen people including Gough's wife Ann Cain and later partner Mary Allen and their children; an appendix of nineteenth century carpenter's tools; extensive bibliography, notes and index. Starr also reveals a serendipitous finding which led her to further research into Gough's English family, that adds a fascinating epilogue. Illustrated with photographs, drawings, plans, tools, portraits and documents, Starr has produced a work that uncovers the legacy of the man in the well-chosen title and the vicissitudes of life in the colony.

Margaret Dalkin RAHS

The White Hart Inn rediscovered

The remains of the White Hart Inn have been unearthed by workers preparing to build the North West Rail link in Kellyville, NSW, and a full archaeological dig has been underway for several months. The footings and a cellar for the two storey building was found with many artifacts including coins from 1816 and 1853.

Images: The Australian 10 March 2014

This inn was owned by William Cox and was probably built by James Gough about 1825 when he was working for Cox in the Hawkesbury district at Castlereagh, Richmond and Windsor, including repairs and renovations to St Matthew's Church in 1824. By then Gough, (who was free and a contract builder with at least five assigned convict tradesmen and an apprentice), had been associated with Cox in Sydney at his various properties in O'Connell Street, and was described when giving evidence in a court case in 1824 as, '' supervising the private concerns of William Cox, Esquire". Gough was the innkeeper at the White Hart in 1826 although the first licence was not issued until 1830.  

There is a full chapter about the history of the White Hart in the James Gough book.

 Update: More info & video here http://nwrail.transport.nsw.gov.au/The-Project/Heritage#1

Image: Marion Starr

Update: Spent a very interesting morning on Sat 5 April at the Open Day on the site. Fascinating to see the actual layout of the inn and imagine the lives of those who stayed overnight or who lived there over many years.  My favourite artifact was the 1816 coin found on the site. Thanks to all who organised this very successful open day inspection.

Book reviews

There has been a wonderful response to the James Gough book with a lot of interest in his story. Reviews of the book will be published in two Australian magazines next month so watch this space for further details.

More information about James Gough's family in London in the late 1700s has recently been discovered and research is ongoing...

 UPDATE  

 James Gough review in RAHS History magazine March 2014

James Gough book

This book covers his life in NSW in detail from his arrival in 1813; his colonial crime; work at the Parramatta Lumberyard and Old Government House; marriage and children with Ann Cain; the Old Supreme Courthouse, Sydney; patronage from William Cox at Sydney and Windsor; managing the White Hart inn; work on the church schools at the Hawkesbury (including his original tenders); the Berrima Jail fiasco with John Richards; life at Sutton Forest with Mary Allen (nee Sherwin) and their children; a brief stay at Cockatoo Island and an Absolute Pardon in 1842. Evidence given by Gough in a number of NSW court records provides contemporary information and confirms his business relationships with William Cox, and Dr. William Sherwin. Intriguing details of his English ancestry not previously known are also revealed after a chance discovery in an old newspaper of a legacy.

208 pages; 16 pages of illustrations containing 29 images, (including photos inside the roof of the Old Supreme Courthouse, a collection of 19th century tools, and a letter from James Gough); bios of family members; 313 reference sources.

Price: $40 plus $12 postage within Australia
Other international locations: please contact me for details 

Payment by direct bank deposit or cheque. 

Contact Marion Starr to order 

Welcome to all recent visitors from New Zealand! Yes, James Gough was the elder brother of John Gough. Their UK story is included in the book. 

*** This book is copyright. Apart from any use as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission from the author. This particularly applies to copying information or images to the internet.***

Comments about the book:

J.P. ...''A wonderful book. New information for all Gough family researchers. Very well researched. What an achievement. I didn't want to put it down.''

L.Mc ... ''I am impressed by how much research must have gone into writing this. You have  done a great job.''

R.H. ..."The coloured photos are fantastic!"

N.P. ... "I appreciate greatly all the time and effort you have put into this book. It is an excellent resource.'' 

S.O. ... "I found the UK details very interesting."

F.S. ... "I loved reading about Gough's family origins in England - it all adds a special twist to his story!'' 

 J.P. ...  "Congratulations on such a wonderful book. You have done a great job and I am so grateful to have all these interesting details."

M.S. ... "This book has been well researched and has a number of surprises to be found. Marion has published other historical books, great if you want true facts for your family.''

James Gough Family Tree

James Gough had 10 surviving children and 74 known grandchildren. How many can claim to be part of the Gough Family tree today? 

The following names are all linked to this family and appear in the James Gough book.

Baldwin of Windsor:  
Phoebe married Dio Baldwin, son of Henry & Elizabeth Baldwin and they had 10 children.

Billingsley of Cootamundra:
Sarah married John William Billingley, the son of William & Caroline Billingsley and had 8 children.

Dundas of Hobart: 
John married Agnes Dundass. 

Eather of Windsor:
After her separation from James Gough, Ann Cain lived with Charles Eather and they had 6 children.

Forrester of Richmond:
Louise married George Forrester, the son of Henry & Lucy Forrester, and grandson of First Fleeter, Robert Forrester. They had 4 children.

Horsley of Gundagai:
After her separation from George Sewell, Eliza lived with Richard Frederick Horsley. They had 3 children.

Johnson of Sutton Forest:
Thomas married Catherine Johnson, daughter of James and Margaret Johnson. They had 7 children.

Roberts of Windsor:
Mary married Edward Roberts, the son of First Fleeter William Roberts & his wife Kezia. They had 12 children.

Robinson of Windsor:
Alexander married Jane Robinson, daughter of Richard and Mary Robinson. They had 5 children. 

Sewell of Sutton Forest:
Eliza married John Sewell and they had 3 children.

Sherwin of Parramatta: 
Mary was James Gough's second partner, and they had 5 children. She was the daughter of William Sherwin and Mary Duggan. 

South of Sydney: 
Elizabeth married Richard South and they had one child. 

Walker of Windsor:
Alexander's second wife was Elizabeth Walker and they had 10 children. She was the daughter of William and Mary Walker. 

Ward of Wilberforce:
James married Amelia Ward, daughter of Michael and Sophia Ward. They had 11 children.

 

14 October 1813

Today marks 200 years since the convicts from the Earl Spencer were finally landed at Sydney Cove. The ship had arrived on the 9 October and five days later the men were mustered in the presence of Governor Lachlan Macquarie prior to their distribution. The Sydney Gazette reported that they were:

 

...a healthy set of men, and appeared thoroughly sensible of the kind treatment they experienced from Captain Mitchell and his Officers during the passage.

 

With other skilled tradesmen from the ship, James Gough was selected to be employed at the Sydney Lumberyard, located on the corner of George and Bridge Streets. After only three months there he was appointed the Overseer of Carpenters on 22 January 1814.

 

*** STOP PRESS ***

Next month, the book James Gough, a very industrious man, will be published and available to purchase. Please contact me to be added to the list to receive notification and full details.

A day in the life of a convict

 

Look for the entry for James Gough here

http://www.hht.net.au/discover/highlights/kids_fact_sheets/a_day_in_the_life_of_a_convict/james_gough

 

Next Saturday 13 July from 10am to 3pm,  join in the fun at the 'Redcoats & Convicts' day at Hyde Park Barracks Museum, Queens Square, Macquarie St, Sydney.  Enquires: 8239 2211