Chisholm, Caroline

DESCRIPTION

NameChisholm, CarolineDate of Birth30th May 1808Date of Death25th March 1877OccupationPhilanthropist Last edited by: June Hockey

BiographyCaroline was born in Wootton Northampton, England in 1808. Her parents were William Jones and Sarah Jones (Allen). The family lived on a farm and had servants along with the farm workers. She was the youngest child. Her father, a successful farmer, was a philanthropist, and helped many people so Caroline learnt about other families that were not as fortunate as her family and the importance of helping the less fortunate.

At an early age Caroline decided that her life would be spent helping others so when Archibald Chisholm, a Scotsman in the East India Company Army, who was on leave, asked her to marry, she didn't agree until he understood she needed to be free to carry on her work.

In 1830 they were married and moved to Brighton. Archibald was recalled to Madras India and again Caroline continued her work of improving life for others setting up schools for the children of the officers. It was here that their first two children were born.

Archibald's years of service had affected his health, he applied for furlough and so the family came to Australia on 23rd March 1838 on the Emerald Isle.

Caroline was distressed by the conditions in Sydney town and so commenced her work, making improvements for the single female immigrants at first, then eventually the families that had migrated and improved the conditions on the ships bringing future immigrants.

Caroline Chisholm had an idea for a scheme that would give the immigrants security along with a future. She believed, with the assistance of the government, the settlers would be able to support themselves. Captain Robert Towns, an admirer, who was the son -in-law of D'Arcy Wentworth, provided 4,000 acres at Shellharbour, for a 6-year lease and provided food to support them for the first 6 months. Her ‘Shellharbour Experiment’ gave families the opportunity to settle on these clearing leases, enabling them to live rent free for the six years on the condition they clear the land of trees and scrub for future farming.

On the 6 December 1843, Caroline Chisholm brought 23 families by steamers to Shellharbour Harbour. The families were reported to have lived in tents until bark huts were built. Matthew Dorrough, his wife Martha and their children, came with Caroline and farmed the area known as Shell Cove today. The family was off-loaded onto the beach, now known as Little Park, in the afternoon and spent their first night under the stars, with the children huddled up under the roots of a large fig tree at the edge of the beach. The next morning, they were picked up by bullock dray and transported to the site of their proposed farm. Caroline hired 2 experienced bushmen to assist the families showing them how to clear the land and she stayed with the families for some time to advise, encourage and assist, as she did with all her work with immigrants. Caroline accompanied and settled immigrants throughout N.S.W. often leading the party on her white horse Captain.

By 1857, many of the settlers had secured or leased homes and properties, and they turned mainly to dairy farming to make a living. By 1861, the population had grown to 1,415 and land began to open up throughout the whole of the new Municipality of Shellharbour.

Archibald and Caroline had 7 children:

Archibald Joseph bn.1836 Madras India married Ann Jane Loder in 1870 in Sydney and died in 1875.

William bn.1837 Madras India married Susannah McSwiney in Melbourne in 1857.He died 1858.

Henry John bn.1839 Sydney N.S.W. married Kate Mary Hefferman Died 1923 Sydney. Henry joined the Department of Justice in 1859 he was aged 20, in 1898 he was the Police Magistrate at Wollongong visiting the courts in the district.

Sydney Carew bn.1847 on board the ship 'The Dublin' married Isabella Mary Loder in 1871 after he returned from London in 1870 on the 'La Hogue' Died 1895 at Parramatta N.S.W.

Caroline Agnes bn.1848 Middlesex England she married Edmund Dwyer-Gray. She died in 1927 in Drumshambo County Leitrim Ireland.

Sarah Monica bn.1850 Died 1850.

Harriet Monica bn. 1851.Islington, Finsbury, London. Married Arthur Lloyd Gruggan.

Caroline's 'Shellharbor Experiment' was successful however the governments at the time didn't continue the scheme.

Caroline became well-known for her work with immigrants, the reuniting convict families and improving the conditions on the migrant ships coming to Australia. In both England and Australia for her many achievements she was called 'THE EMIGRANTS FRIEND.' Australia had Caroline's picture on the 5 Dollar note and a stamp was printed in her honour and in England, on her residence in Islington, a plaque in her memory describing her as a philanthropist and the Emigrants Friend.

Caroline died in England in March 1877 at her home in Waltham-Green Fulham and Archibald died in the following August.
Archibald had kept his promise, and supported Carolines work throughout their married life in many practical ways.

In a newspaper article reporting the wedding of one of Caroline's daughters, it refers to Caroline suggesting the motto " Advance Australia".

Sources:
Tongarra Heritage Society Files.
Fifty-One Pieces of Wedding Cake. -Mary Hoban.
100 Great Australians-Robert Macklin.
Caroline Chisholm The Emigrants Friend. -Liz Steele.
Caroline Chisholm. -Margaret Swann.
Shipping Records.

External LinkThe Morning Chronicle The Unemployed Operatives 1843Report from the Select Committee on the Petition from Distressed Mechanics and Labourers 29 Nov 1843The Times 25 Nov 1843Suggestions for an Improved System of Immigration 16 Dec 1843Small Settlers Dec 1843News from the Interior Dec 1843History of Shellharbour Communicated 1867Family Colonisation Loan Society 1851 Last edited by: June Hockey

Death notice 1877 Last edited by: June Hockey

Death Notice and Biography 1877 Last edited by: June Hockey

Mrs Caroline Chisholm's Daughter - Advance Australia 1883 Last edited by: June Hockey

Henry John appointed Police Magistrate Last edited by: June Hockey

Caroline Chisholm The Emigrants Friend 1924 Last edited by: June Hockey

Caroline Chisholm The Emigrants Friend 1931 Last edited by: June Hockey

Shellharbour by Arthur Cousins 1943The Towns Subdivision at Shellharbour 1950New South Wales Jan 1844

Photograph