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I have been able to find out surprisingly little about John Cullen Harrison - why he left England and what he had hoped to establish in Australia. It is believed he came out about 1838, his Death Certificate, dated 1883, states that he had been 45 years in Australia (often these are just educated guesses). There is no record of his arrival in the shipping records. With a number of Harrisons involved in shipping, he probably came out as crew.
John married Jane Moore, Spinster, at The Scots Church, Pitt Street, Sydney on 16th September, 1846. They had five children - our Great grandfather John, was the only one who married. Charles and Jane both died as small children, and George who lived for 77 years, seems to have been always involved in his brother John's activities.
John's daughter, Jane's birth certificate show the family's address as Jenkins Street, and interestingly her Mother's signature is an X - her mark.
At the time of both John and Jane's deaths the family address is given as Richmond Cottage, Bay Street, Double Bay, Woollahra.
Jane's Birth Certificate also gives her Father's occupation as Grocer. It is believed he built up a business as a Ships Victualler in partnership with a Mr. Attwood. They were members of the Liquor Merchants Association of Australia and could have had a lucrative business with their connections in shipping.
In the Harrison Family Bible held by Max Hall is a letter written by Norwood Harrison to our Great grandfather, the John Cullen Harrison who came to Australia. I will reproduce it because I was so fascinated when it turned up, and because it reveals the strength of the family bonds that still existed at that time, and also what kind of people those Harrisons were.
London, April 6th 1877.
My dear John,
As my brother William's children are in Australia and as you have one of them I have considered it advisable to send you the ages etc. of them. William John Harrison born in Huntingdon St. Barnsbury July 13 1864 Edmund Harrison born at sea on board "Blackwell" in Lat.2.19degree S. Long.23 degree E. (Note: off the coast of Ceylon) 15th April 1866. James Harrison Harrietsham, Kent 2nd Aug. 1867 Leslie Harrison Parramatta N.S.W. Dec. 28th 1868. Robert Lennox Harrison Harrietsham Kent Nov. 14th 1870.
My brother William died at sea on board the ship Highbyrn on the voyage from Sydney to London on April 25th 1872 in Lat 43.21S Long 51.10W.
As it is well for a man to know his own age and where he was born and perhaps you will be enabled to let some of their relations (I mean those with whom Edmund, Leslie and Robert are living) have just a copy of this register of their births - I feel conscious my dear cousin John, that in giving you all this trouble you will not consider I am imposing on your already great kindness towards my late brother's family.
The "Windsor Castle" is again taken up for emigrants for Brisbane to sail on or about May 25th. I think my wife will accompany me this time but she is not yet quite certain. Your sister Elizabeth who I now call my Aunt (note: he had married Elizabeth's niece) is looking remarkably well. Jack & his wife leave on the 14th (tomorrow week) in the "Ben Cruachan" for Melbourne.
My wife joins with me in kind regards to yourself & Mrs. Harrison & trusting you are all well. I remain Dear John
Yours sincerely, N. Harrison
Kindly remember me to Attwood & his Wife. (Note: John Harrison was in the partnership Harrison & Attwood, ships victuallers)
April 15th: Finding I could not send this on the day written I finish it now -My brother John & his wife sailed from Gravesend yesterday. It is settled my wife is coming with me. I fear your sister Elizabeth will feel rather lonely for a time. Yours etc. N. Harrison."
Note: The Windsor Castle left London on 8th June, and arrived 96 days later at Brisbane Roads on 18th September 1877, bringing with her 366 passengers - the ship carded a schoolmaster, and I wonder if Mrs. Norwood
Harrison kept her teaching skills by helping him!! (Incidentally, Mrs. Norwood H. was still sailing round with her husband in 1890, and running Rock Hill House as well - I have a copy of a letter written by her in which she refers to "my school, Rockhill House, Folkestone", dated June 21st 1890, with the address given as S.S. "Clan Drummond", Dunkerque - she must have been quite a lady! !)
I have copies of the death certificates of Edmund Harrison and Robert Lennox Harrison mentioned in Norland's letter. Robert was a station hand on Tourane Station, Bourke "and died on or about 25th December 1942", and Edmund was a stockman on Lachlan Downs Station via Cobar, Western Division, N.S.W. He died on 3rd February, 1942, and an inquest was held on him on the 10th February. I have found nothing on their brothers - has anyone heard any mention of James, William or Leslie -one of them must have lived with our Grandparents at one stage.