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- Married 5/8/1852 V185221 38C. Parish of St Jame's, County of Cumberland, Sydney, Gosford Kincumber. Witness' Henry E ISSACCS and Eliza ISSACCS of Morton Bay
BDM - NSW - Death 1916/5933 5933/1916 BURCHMORE William F = George M = Anne, Ashfield _______________ Newspaper item The Evening News, Thursday, October 26, 1911 (Sydney - Australia) SYDNEY'S OLDEST. A GRAND OLD MAN "FATHER" OF THE SOFTGOODS TRADE. SEVENTY-FIVE YEARS IN HARNESS. Few of those engaged in the soft goods trade of Australia will fail to recognise the portrait of Mr. William Burchmore, reproduced on this page, from a photograph taken of him a few days ago by the "Evening News" reporter, who also had the pleasure of an interesting interview.
A grand old man in his 92nd year - he was born in England in the year 1819 - Mr Burchmore has been connected with the soft goods trade for 75 years, and in this respect has broken all Australian records, being rightly recognised as the father of the trade. His boyhood days were spent on a Lincoln farm, which he remarks with pride, has belonged to the Burchmore family for over 300 years. At the age of 15 he was apprenticed to the principal drapery establishment in Lincoln. Subsequently, after serving his time, he had experience in the warehouses of Liverpool, Manchester, London, and other large towns in England, before the chance fall of a stick determined a career for him in Australia.
SUDDEN RESOLVE TO GO ABROAD
"How did it happen? " he repeated the question put to him, and went on to explain cheerfully, as though delighted in being asked to trace his footsteps. "From the earliest days --- my recollection, I had always nurtured an ambition to travel abroad, but the nature of my calling provided little opportunity for its realisation. It was in 1852 that I made a sudden resolve to try my luck in the colonies. At that period Australia was only known to the outer world as a distant penal settlement; I was, however, brought into closer touch with it perhaps on account of the wool industry, which already was in a flourishing condition."
"Were you not actuated by an attack of the gold fever which was rife in those early days?" he was asked.
"No," was the answer. "Gold, as far as I can recollect, was little talked of in England at that time, although there was occasionally a wild report of a big find, especially the Ballarat boom, which I well remember; but I was never influenced by a lust for gold. My coming out to Australia was a mere act of chance, I had taken my seat at the breakfast table one morning when I suddenly made up my mind to travel. The astonishment of those present was amusing - for in those days a trip to the colonies was by no means a trifling undertaking - when I made known my resolve, " 'Where are you going - to America or to Australia?' one of the company asked. " 'That I can't say; I haven't the faintest notion, ' I replied.
A CURIOUS TOSS
"We can soon settle that, then' he said, taking hold of a walking stick he began to spin it, explaining that if it fell handle pointing towards me it decided Australia, and the reverse it was America. I got the luck of the handle, and in less than twenty-four hours I had packed up my simple belongings and was on board the clipper Euphrates, bound for Sydney.
" You had the experience of a long, monotonous voyage on board a wind-jammer, then?"
"Yes, 120 days out, and a good passage. I didn't find it monotonous, either, on the contrary, it was one of the happiest and luckiest times of my life. Yes; for it was on board that ship that I met the lady who, a few days after landing, became my wife."
FIRST LANDING AT SYDNEY
Mr Burchmore soon found employment on landing, starting with Tutton, of Pitt Street - that was in 1852. He was afterwards nine years with Despontes, and about two years with E. Webb and Company, Bathurst. Later came his forty years' association with the firm of Henry Bull, Sydney, in which service Mr Burchmore was best known.
Mr. Bull, he explained, served his apprenticeship with old Mr Anthony Horden, whose daughter he married, and then commenced business in partnership with his son, young Anthony Horden, founder of the present firm in a shop in the Haymarket, Sydney. The partnership was brief, for Mr Bull soon after opened business on his own account at the corner of Liverpool and George Streets, Sydney, afterwards removing higher up the hill, into premises built by Mr. Libieth Hordern.
It was in this shop that Mr. Burchmore joined the firm of Henry Bull, with whom he remained for so many years, only leaving it a few years ago, when, his legs failing him, he could no longer get to and from his home, otherwise his health is wonderfully sound, and to see him at his daughter's pleasant residence in George Street Redfern, surrounded by his grandchildren, smoking his favourite cigar, and joining in a hand of crib, one would never imagine him to be the aged veteran that he is.
A most remarkable fact about Mr. Burchmore's Sydney career is that he was rarely seen very little of the city outside his own particular sphere of business. He has never crossed over to the North Shore, nor to Balmain, nor has he ever made the almost inevitable trip to Manly.
INTERESTING REMINISCENCES
At the time of his landing in Sydney, the leading firms were David Jones', Farmer's, Chisholm's, Pike and Preston, and Tuton's. Anthony and John Hordern were twin brothers; the former kept a weatherboard shop in George Street and the latter a shop in Charlotte Place, City. One would have thought that in those days of slow communication and long sea voyages, consignments of new goods would be rather belated, and fashion consequently behind times. But this was not so, according to Mr Burchmore. The fact of Australian seasons being directly opposite to those in England, counteracted the effect of delay in transport.
Mr. Burchmore is a staunch advocate of freetrade, and talks enthusiastically of the grand old politician, the late Sir Henry Parkes, who he remembers working at his lathe in the window of his small ivory-work shop in Bridge Street.
"With free trade in favour, at the time I landed" he said, "I was astounded at the cheapness of goods. Things could be bought as cheaply almost as in England."
THE WALK TO THE COOK'S RIVER
The most trying period of the veteran's life was the death of his wife, leaving him with five young children. He recalled this vividly when mentioning that, after working frequently until 11 o'clock at night he had to face the long tramp to his home near Cook's River.
"The 'bus fares were too prohibitive," he said "2/6 each way; short journeys to and from the near points of the city were charged 6d for." He also spoke of the great Pitt Street fire, in which Henry Bull's premises were destroyed. The firm, by the way, had several changes of address before it settled in its present place.
Mr. Burchmore is fond of reading, his favourite author being Charles Dickens, which is not surprising, as he himself is a keen student of human nature. He treasures two faithful companions over 45 years old - a youthful looking white cockatoo and a walking stick. In appearance, Mr Burchmore is a striking personality. He is over the medium height, with a heavy, well knit frame and the head such as an artist would reveal in a painting. Ruskin must have had such a one in mind when he wrote: "Every right action and true thought sets the seal of its beauty on person and face." Writing of the veteran a few years ago, The Australian Traveller: stated: "Clean in every action, he is a hater of all double-dealings and anything that savours of hypocrisy. Whilst a most independent and unflinching critic, no man has ever found in him an enemy."
FOND OF SPORT AND THE "KIDDIES"
Mr. Burchmore, thanks to the beneficent and appreciative firm, is now enjoying a careful, well-earned rest in his old age. He does not believe in retiring to bed early, but makes up for it in the forenoon. During the afternoon he may be seen basking in the sunshine, seated in his armchair in the front verandah. Until he was incapacitated in his walk, he was an ardent follower of cricket and football, Saturday afternoon, wet or fine, invariably finding him at the Associated Ground. It was a pastime, the deprivation of which he feels keenly.
Opposite Mr. Burchmore residence is a public school, and the fact lent a striking touch of human nature to the scene presented to the interviewer - grand old hoary age, crowned with the snow-white locks of time; the faltering footstep and the voice of nearly a century, blending with the pater of restless feet and the merry prattle of the childhood of the adjacent school. It was not a case, however, of "Crabbed age and youth." of the old man's nature has not become crabbed and bitter with age. His sympathies are with, the children whose voices he loves to hear, as they repeat their lessons or sing their simple school airs. It fills him with a joyous hope, and reminds him of that other childhood of the future which is already dawning upon his present life's horizon. ________________ In probate left £1,778/6/3
Will of George BURCHMORE, late of Haberfield, Gentleman
This is the last will and testament of me William BURCHMORE of Young St Redfern in the State of New South Wales Warehouseman. I revoke all testamentary dispositions heretofore made by me And declare this to be my last Will And I appoint my Son George BURCHMORE to be the Executor and Trustee of this my Will. I devise and bequeath unto my said Trustee all the real and personal estate of which I shall die devised or possessed Upon Trust to sell and convert the same into money at such times and in such manner as my said Trustee shall think proper And after payment of my debts funeral and testamentary expenses Upon trust to divide the residue of the proceeds of such sale calling in and conversion into five equal parts and to pay one of such fifth parts to each of my children William BURCHMORE, Thomas BURCHMORE, George BURCHMORE, Annie Emma HOWE (the wife of Peter HOWE of Redfern in the State of New South Wales) and Susan VANE (the wife of Thomas VANE of Redfern in the State of New South Wales) And I decla
In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will and testament contained on this sheet of paper set my hand at Sydney aforesaid this thirteenth day of February One thousand nine hundred and five William BURCHMORE Signed by the said William BURCHMORE the Testator as and for his last Will and testament in the presence of us both hereof present as the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereto submitted our names as Witnesses Ernest W PERKINS Solicitor 122 Pitt St Sydney W G WHITING Merchant York St
30 June 1916 On this Date Probate of the Will of the said deceased Eilliam BURCHMORE was granted to George BURCHMORE of Watkins St Arncliffe Engineer The sole Executor named in the said Will Testator and at Haderpelt 22 May 1916 Estate sworn at £1,778-6-5 _________________ Obituary in Sydney Morning Herald May 24 1916 page 9
"The late Mr. William BURCHMORE, whose death occurred at his daughter's residence, "Birchgrove", O'Connor St, Haberfield, on Monday, was known in Sydney as the grand old man of the softgoods trade. For nearly 40 years he was an employee of the one firm - Henry Bull and Co. Ltd. Born in England in the year 1819, on a farm, which has belonged to the Burchmores for 300 years, deceased was, on attaining the age of 15 years [ie 1834], indentured to the principal drapery establishment at Lincoln. In 1852 [ie 33 yrs] he came to Sydney. In 1863 he joined the establishment of Mr. Henry Bull, which later became Bull, Price, and Co. and Henry Bull and Co. Ltd., in whose employ he remained to the time of his retirement. His devotion to duty was such that he insisted on coming to business until he was 87 years of age [ie 1906]. Deceased had scarcely known a day's illness the whole of his life. His wife pre-deceased him many years ago.
The funeral will leave his daughter's residence at 1.30 to-day for the Congregational cemetery, Rookwood Cemetery, via Summer Hill station.
LDS film 1040653 Church records Flamstead Page 41 No. 321 Christening LDS 7412907/23 Marriage LDS 1040653 page 41 no. 321
BDM - NSW - Marriage 1852/2127 38C/1852
unmatched New South Wales, Australia BDM entries marriages BDM - NSW - Marriage 1894/77 Charles J Burchmore & Isabella Broadbridge @ Sydney BDM - NSW - Marriage 1908/3149 Charles K Peter & Loisa Burchmore @ Wickham BDM - NSW - Marriage 1921/16417 Henry P T Dolan & Louisa Burchmore @ Newcaswtle BDM - NSW - Marriage 1937/6251 Coulson Sydney Burchmore & Annie Margaret Coyte (Root) @ Sydney BDM - NSW - Marriage 1945/5820 James Reginald Burchmore & Betty Jane Maclean (McLean) @ Waverly BDM - NSW - Marriage 1941/14363 Thomas Henry Caines & Alison May Burchmore @ Wollongong
Arrived in Sydney Australia aboard the "EUPHRATIES" 25/5/1852, departed London/Plymouth 10 Feb 1852 Reel No SMH Lists 4/4923 AO Reel 59
LDS records possible Hertford trace Christening 20/8/1819 Flamstead Hertfordshire film 7412901 s/n 23.
Other LDS records: Anne BURCHMORE [722] Flamstead 21/01/1832 7412907/22 George BURCHMORE [766] Flamstead 10/11/1816 7535109/96 John Norton BURCHMORE [31] Flamstead 27/10/1821 7412907/22 Thomas BURCHMORE [224] Flamstead 16/4/1818 7412907/23 William BURCHMORE [276] Flamstead 20/8/1819 7412907/23
Burchmores noted in New South Wales, Australia BDM index records.
BDM - NSW - Marriage 1894/44 Charles J BURCHMORE m Isabella BROARDBRIDGE possibly the CJ Burchmore listed in unassisted shipping records "Chimborazo" departed Plymouth 14 August 1881 with 240 passengers on a 90 day voyage for Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney, including C J Burchmore aged 21 who disembarked in Adelaide. "Potosi" departed 26 May 1887 with 250 passengers for Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney including a C J Burchmore who disembarked in Sydney. BDM - NSW - Death 1921/8865 Isabella BURCHMORE d f=Richard m=Jane, wife of Charles J BURCHMORE BDM - NSW - Marriage 1908/3149 Louisa BURCHMORE m Charles K PETER BDM - NSW - Marriage 1920/2100 Nellie M BURCHMORE m Alexander J INGRAM BDM - NSW - Marriage 1921/16417 Louisa BURCHMORE m Henry P T DOLAN BDM - NSW - Marriage 1937/6251 Coulson Sydney BURCHMORE [4964] m Annie Margaret ROOT/COYTE [4965] BDM - NSW - Marriage 1941/14363 Alison May BURCHMORE m Thomas Henry CAINS BDM - NSW - Marriage 1945/5820 James Reginald BURCHMORE m Betty June McLEAN/MACLEAN BDM
Subject: Burchmores Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2001 15:01:11 -0000 From: "Patricia Ward" To:
Dear Terence
I have just obtained some Bi/urchmore burial entries and enclose some for your interest. Name bur age abode Parish BIRCHMORE Thomas, 1 Aug 1806, Harpenden, Flamstead [#137] BIRCHMORE Thomas, 5 Apr 1814, 12, Flamstead, Flamstead [1802] BIRCHMORE Thomas, 2 Sep 1846, 69, Flamstead, Flamstead [1777] BIRCHMORE Elizabeth, 3 Jul 1808, Flamstead, Flamstead BIRCHMORE James, 30 Oct 1850, 9, Pepperstock in Flamstead, Flamstead [1841] BIRCHMORE William, 1 Jan 1805, inf, Flamstead, Flamstead BURCHMAN Ann, 12 Mar 1835, 58, Old Kiln, Gt Gaddesden [1777] BURCHMORE George, 4 Aug 1843, 80, Flamstead, Flamstead 1763] BURCHMORE Hannah, 2 Oct 1826, 56, Flamstead, Flamstead [1770] BURCHMORE Sarah (Mrs), 23 Feb 1816, 81, Harpenden, Flamstead [1735] BURCHMORE Sarah, 21 Mar 1830, 15m, Flamstead, Flamstead [1815] BURCHMORE Thomas, 9 Feb 1816, 29, Redbourn, Flamstead [1787] BURCHMORE Thomas, 25 Nov 1816, 56, Hammonds End, Flamstead 1760] BURCHMORE William, 30 April 1841, 76, Flams
Patricia Ward _____________ Death Notice Sydney Morning Herald - http://www.rootsweb.com/~nswsdps/b/ausdb616.htm http://www.rootsweb.com/~nswsdps/b/ausdb688.htm NAME DATE AGE TYPE PLACE PUBLISHED
BURCHMORE, Alma Susan 06 MAR 1988 85 Death late of Banksia, died in U.K. 12 MAR 1988 SMH
BURCHMORE, Coulson Sydney 26 NOV 1976 70 Death late of Camperdown 27 NOV 1976 SMH
BURCHMORE, Ernest Kemp 14 FEB 1976 62 Death late of Caringbah 16 FEB 1976 SMH
BURCHMORE, Florence Ada 01 AUG 1985 Death at Bexley 03 AUG 1985 SMH
BURCHMORE, Jean Alveen 13 JUL 1974 71 Death late of Bexley 15 JUL 1974 SMH
BURCHMORE, Ernest Kemp 14 FEB 1976 62 Death late of Caringbah 16 FEB 1976 SMH
BURCHMORE, Winifred Ruby 26 MAR 2000 78 Death late of Cronulla 29 MAR 2000 SMH
BURCHMORE, Yvonne Dawn 01 FEB 1993 57 Death late of Lugarno 02 FEB 1993 SMH
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1819 - 1916 (96 years)
