Hall, Richard

DESCRIPTION

NameHall, RichardOccupationTeacher, AldermanPlace of ResidenceShellharbour VillageBiographyRichard Kingsley Hall was born in 1822, London, England, to William and Mary Hall (nee Kenny).

According to his obituary, Richard arrived in Australia in 1853 at the age of 31. If this is correct, it is presumed Richard must have arrived with his wife Eliza, and children Richard Kenny aged about 12 years, and daughter Eliza Catherine aged about 5 years (recorded on 1851 England Census - St Pancras), though no shipping record can be found.

Eliza Hall is presumed to have been Eliza Pile or Pyle prior to her marriage, born 1826 to parents Alexander and Eliza.

Richard and Eliza had -
Eliza Catherine (known as Nola) b. 1848, d.1942, Chatswood
Richard Kenny b.1850, died 1923, Gerringong.
Both born in England

And several more children after their arrival in Australia -

Frederick Samuel b.1854, died 1940, Chatswood,
Louisa Sarah Ann b.1856, died 1940, Chatswood,
Charles Alfred b.1858 (married Catherine Wilson), died 1938, Huntley's Point, buried Gerringong.
Emma Jane b.1861, died 1931 Chatswood,
Clara Emily b.1863 (married Alfred Bowie), died 1937, Ashfield,
Amelia Mabel Pile b.1866 (married Alexander Nicholson), died 1947 Chatswood.

Richard Hall was appointed Shellharbour Municipal Council’s first town clerk in 1859. He arrived in Australia in 1853 when he was 31 years old. Ten years later, he became the headmaster of Shellharbour School.

Richard served in the position when Shellharbour’s main industries were wheat and dairying, and main roads were little more than bush tracks. The role of town clerk during the 1800’s included maintenance of roads and fences, undertaking surveys and overseeing the development and growth of the new municipality.

During his years serving as town clerk, many improvements were undertaken to the municipality including the establishment and redevelopment of the harbour and jetty, the construction of Shellharbour’s first Council Chambers in Addison Street in 1865, the construction of the first bridge over the Minnamurra River, the construction of Shellharbour School in Mary Street, the commencement of basalt quarrying at Bass Point and the sale of the original Terry’s Meadows estate at Albion Park which was broken up into smaller farms.

An address and presentation of three books were given to Mr Hall on his departure from Shellharbour at the Schoolhouse in Mary Street.

‘To Mr R.S. Hall
Dear Sir – We, your fellow teachers cannot allow you to leave us without an expression of our approval of your conduct and valuable services as a fellow worker in the Sunday School. We therefore trust you will accept the books we have purchased as a lasting, though small reminder of your connection with the Shellharbour Sunday School. In wishing you good-bye, we feel we have lost one of our best workers, but hope your removal from us may be for your ultimate advantage in every way, and that success, health and happiness may attend you wherever you go – We remain, dear sir, your sincere friends,

Humphrey Dunster (Superintendent)
Joseph Dunster
WC Dunster
Henry Hicks
Edward Allen
Mary Ann Arnold
Sarah Dunster
Mary Dunster
Mary Ann Bars
Joseph Allen.’

K/I Tuesday 30 August 1881.’

Richard Hall served in the position of town clerk of the municipality for 20 years. At the time of his departure, the population of the municipality was 1400.

Richard died in 1894 and Eliza in 1903. They are buried at Gerringong Cemetery.

External LinkThe Late Mr Richard Hall 1894Obituary Richard Hall 1894Handsome New Year's Gift 1896Municipal Jubilee of Shellharbour 1909Marriages Bowie-Hall 1888Obituary Richard Kenny Hall 1923The Late Miss Hall 1931Miss Louie Hall 1940Obituary Miss Eliza Hall 95 Years 1942Mr Alex Nicholson 1945Obituary Frederick Samuel Hall 1940

Photograph

Shellharbour Municipal Council Aldermen and Town Clerk

Object

Minutes Of Teachers Meeting Shellharbour

Place

Shellharbour Public School

Shellharbour Municipal Council Aldermen and Town Clerk, c.1870.

L-r: William James (Mayor), John Fraser, Thomas Fenwick, Thomas Coughrane, William Fryer, Edward Killalea, John Russell, Richard Hall (Clerk).

CONNECTIONS

CollectionPeopleLocalityShellharbour VillageOrganisationShellharbour City CouncilPlaceShellharbour School and Tree

Menu

Hall, Richard