Bateman, Dr Arthur Wigley

DESCRIPTION

NameBateman, Dr Arthur Wigley Last edited by: June Hockey

Date of Birth1844 Last edited by: June Hockey

Date of Death1899 Last edited by: June Hockey

OccupationDoctor Last edited by: June Hockey

Place of ResidenceRavensthorpe Last edited by: June Hockey

BiographyArthur Wigley Bateman was born 18 October 1844, at St. Pancras, to Thomas and Marianne (nee Daubeny).

Thomas was the son of John Buckby and Ann Wigley.

John Buckby had married his cousin in 1801 and as they were descendants of the Bateman family, decided to change the family's name to Bateman by indenture at the Herald College 8 December 1827.

Arthur's ancestors lived in Warwickshire at Biggen Hill, Newton at the time of Charles I. The Mr. Bateman at that time, (1645) was churchwarden of his parish and provided horses and saddles for the cavaliers fleeing from the battle of Naseby, and also had to provide horses for Cromwell's troopers in pursuit. He left a record of expenses incurred and a statement "that in these troubled times he was fortunate enough to preserve both his land and loyalty."

This document was presented to the Carisbrooke Museum, Isle of Wight, where a number of documents connected to Charles I are preserved. Mrs. Grace Lees, a cousin of Arthur, presented the documents to the Carisbrooke Museum.

Arthur's father was a solicitor and the family lived at 250 Endsleigh St. St. Pancras. In the 1851 Census Arthur, his parents and sister, are living at 250 Endsleigh Street St. Pancras and have four servants.

By the 1861 Census, Arthur is at a boarding school called, Rossall School, located in Lancashire, which was referred to as the " Eton of the north".
In 1863 Arthur matriculated from Magdalen College Oxford.

In 1865, Arthur began a journal/ diary of his journey to Australia on the ship 'Venus', leaving Gravesend in May, and arriving in Melbourne in August at the age of twenty.

Book 1 Vol. 1 of his journal is addressed to his sister Mary Daubney Bateman at 16 Endsleigh Street Tavistock Square, London.

The journal is filled with his experiences on his trip to Melbourne. The "Venus" was a sailing ship and was at the mercy of the prevailing winds. On reaching the tropics was becalmed and King Neptune and wife came "on board" for the ceremony of crossing the equator for the first time. (this practice is still performed today). During the trip, an entry in the journal, is written in Latin (P.39) and the translation tells us of an altercation between crew and in further entries the problem becomes more serious (Pg.48-60) eventually a person is placed in the brig.

On arrival in Melbourne, he travels around visiting various places including a visit to Adelaide.
Arthur returns to England in September the same year on the ship "Kent" which was both a sailing and steam ship, steam was used for 30 days during the voyage and so was faster journey home.

The next journey to Australia was on the ship Agamemnon in 1868 (Pg. 80.) and he dedicates this journal to his sister, Mary, and says that the journey is partly scientific. Once again Arthur sails into Melbourne and then, after being recommended to go to Tasmania and collect specimens for Dr. Rolleston in England, he collects various specimens and sends them to Oxford University. On his return to Melbourne, he then travels to Sydney and on that journey passes the cargo ship" Chimborazo" which had run ashore at Point Perpendicular Jervis Bay Pg.266 in pencil on (Pg 182) his father comments that he is visiting the town or stations of Tonks and Bolivia.

Arthur travels up the coast from Sydney in the vessel called' Commerce', and after sailing up the Richmond River he travels through various towns to reach his destination. Tenterfield is one of the many towns that is mentioned in his journal and in 1878 when he returns again to Australia, he decides to live in Tenterfield, where he meets his wife and marries in 1879.

Arthur returns to England and in the Census for 1871 he is boarding with another student and is recoded as a medical student.

At some stage in 1872 he visits Germany possibly to visit his uncle Edmund and perhaps it is here where he encountered the Volapuk language, which is a universal language and was invented by a German priest, in 1873 he goes to Stockholm.

In 1874 he travels to Africa on the' Asiatic' and on the way the ship berths at St. Helena Island where he visits Napoleon's tomb (which is located on the island). He continues on his journey also visiting the gold and diamond mines. (Journal entry Pg.271 to Pg 387) give details of his experiences. He once again returns to England and 27 July 1875 registers as a Physican and surgeon.

Arthur is working in London in 1876 according to the U.K. and Ireland medical register.

On Arthurs third trip to Australia, he arrives from England on the 'S.S. Garome' April 1878, and registers in Sydney as a doctor 6 May 1878, having obtained his degree in 1875.

The Medical Gazette for N.S.W. on the 16 July 1878 states that Arthur is registered as government Medical Officer for the district of Tenterfield and in the public service lists for 1880 he is working in Tenterfield.

In a newspaper article on the history of Tenterfield Arthur was the medical attendant at the local hospital.

In 1879 Arthur marries Anna Louisa Kennedy who was the daughter of George Kennedy.

After marrying Anna, they both leave Australia on a trip to London, and it is there that their first child Mary Louisa Daubeny is born, in 1880 Arthur is registered as working in London at 13 Canonbury Lane London.

The family return to Australia on " Gulf of Finland" arriving in Melbourne on 17th February 1881 and departing Melbourne for Sydney 25th February 1881 on the" Rodondo" with his wife, daughter and a nurse.

The Medical Gazette for N.S.W. shows the family are residing at Rylstone, and they remain there for some years.

Arthurs next entry in the gazette shows he is living in Manly in 1890, apparently having left Rylstone due health problems, and then moving to Albion Park.

While in Albion Park Arthur was involved in debates held at the School of Arts and is on the committee for the School of Arts with other well-known names from Albion Park.

In 1893 he built 'Ravensthorpe', the family lived there until his death in 1899.

Unfortunately, in 1897, the eldest son of Anna and Arthur, John Kennedy Bateman, died in an accident while on a fishing on Lake Illawarra.

Children of Anna and Arthur Bateman -

Mary Louisa Daubeny bn.1880 St. Pancreas London. Married John A Raftery. Died 1970.

John Kennedy Bateman bn. 28th December 1881 at Rylstone N.S.W. died 1897 Albion Park.

Thomas Arthur bn.1883 Rylstone. Married Violet Ada Bloomfield died 1960.

Grace Daubeny bn.1885 Rylstone. Married Ludlow E Strangways died 1972 St. Leonards' Sydney.

Rose Madeline bn. Rylstone 1886 Married Carl Thomas Stolling.

Blanch Ethel Minter Bateman bn. 1888 Rylstone died 8th August1891.

Frederick George Hazelrigg Bateman bn.1890 Manly N.S.W. Married Ada F Byrne died 4th Aug.1955.

Charles Daubeny bn.1892 Albion Park Married Dorothea G Loveday died 1979 and is buried at Albion Park.

Richard Minter Bateman Bn.1894 Albion Park died 1973 buried Albion Park.

Mabel Daubeny bn. 1896 Albion Park. Died 8th June 1921 buried Albion Park.

Florence Kennedy Bateman bn.1898 Albion Park Married Harry J Devenish-Meares. died 5th August 1985.

Arthur Wigley Bateman died suddenly aged 52 in 1899 at his home 'Ravensthorpe'.

Sources

England and Wales Census.
Medical Register records.
Tongarra Heritage Files.
Arthur's Journal (Discover Shellharbour)
Various newspaper articles.
N.S.W. Birth Marriage Death records. Last edited by: June Hockey

External LinkPatients in Tenterfield 1878 Last edited by: June Hockey

Tenterfield A W Bateman Medical Attendant 1879 Last edited by: June Hockey

Bateman Previous Engagement 1879 Last edited by: June Hockey

Mining in Tenterfield with George Kennedy 1894 Last edited by: June Hockey

Left Tenterfield for England 1880 Last edited by: June Hockey

Leaves Rylstone for Manly 1889 Last edited by: June Hockey

Volapuk Language 1889 Last edited by: June Hockey

Volupak 1889 Last edited by: June Hockey

Volapuk Lessons 1889Volapuk 1889Current Literature 1890Union Postale Universelle 1890Albion Park Show 1893 Last edited by: June Hockey

Volapuk Language Albion Park 1894Albion Park Show 1894Registration of Physician in Albion Park 1895 Last edited by: June Hockey

Stray Notes 1897Death of Doctors Son 1897Death at Ravensthorpe 1899 Last edited by: June Hockey

Death Dr AW Bateman 1899 Last edited by: June Hockey