James, William

DESCRIPTION

NameJames, WilliamOccupationFarmer, Stonemason.Place of Residence'Bravella', Dunmore.BiographyWilliam James arrived in Australia in the 1850s. He was a stonemason by trade, and settled at Dunmore where he built his family home 'Bravella', which translates to ‘hills and vales’ in Cornish. James Road at Dunmore, is named for the family.

William purchased breeding stock from local farmer Andrew McGill, and established the James dairy herd. William was heavily involved with the Wesleyan church and local government. He served as Mayor of Shellharbour Municipality 1870 to 1871 and Alderman on the first Shellharbour Municipal Council in 1859 to his death in 1888. He assisted with building the Presbyterian, Methodist and Anglican churches in Shellharbour.

William’s son Thomas James was Mayor of Shellharbour Municipal Council, 1925 to 1928, and Alderman 1920-1931. He took an active part in agricultural interests and the establishment of the Illawarra Dairy Cattle Association, where he served as secretary for many years.

Thomas married Rachel Arnold in 1890 and they built their home, 'Rosemont' at Dunmore. In 1965, Rachel and Thomas’ son John Thomas James, inherited 'Aronda' (now a restaurant in Mary Street, Shellharbour) from his Aunt Ellen Arnold. In the 1920s, the Arnold sisters operated a guesthouse adjacent to 'Aronda', in Mary Street.

External LinkEpiscopalian Church 1858Address to Mr. Parkes Shellharbour 1864Death of a bull named Robin Hood 1878Shellharbour Steam Navigation Company 1887Shellharbour 1887 Departure for EnglandObituary William James 1888Obituary Mrs W James 1899In Memoriam Service The Late Mrs William James 1899

William James.

Photo courtesy of Loma Nash.

CONNECTIONS

CollectionPeopleShellharbour City Council CollectionFamilyRadeskiThomasJamesLocalityDunmoreOrganisationShellharbour City CouncilPersonJames, ThomasJemima JamesPlaceBravellaArondaKurrawongRosemontJames Road Fig TreesMethodist Uniting Church - Shellharbour

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James, William