November update

An update from our President, Judy Grieve:

We are very close to getting the required number of people for the UNE
beef and taste testing
next Friday 29th November. We still have places available so please let us know if you can help out. This is a major fundraiser for the Society.

We will be contacting people early next week to confirm your preferred
times.

The Excursion to Hillgrove and Metz will be on Saturday 30th November.
There are still places available. Please let us know if you would like
to come before Thursday 28th. Cost per person $40. Bus leaves Visitor
Information Centre at 8.30 am.

Sad news: On a more sombre note we have lost:-

Ros Townsend OAM – her funeral will be on Monday 23rd November at 11am
at St Peter’s Cathedral.

Pam Harvey – her funeral will be on Friday 29th November at 11am at St
Paul’s Presbyterian Church.

Judy Grieve

Recollections of early Armidale

In September, 1931, the Armidale Express published an article resulting from an interview with Mrs Hirschberg, a long-time resident of Armidale, in which she recalled many memories of her more than 70 years in the district. I’ll put the text of the article below – it’s fascinating reading! – and following it some more information about Mrs Hirschberg.

Armidale Express and New England General Advertiser, Wednesday 16 September 1931, page 7

LOOKING BACKWARD.

Nightmare Trip to Australia.

Mrs. M. M. Hirschberg’s Vivid Recollections.

When Armidale Was . in Swaddling Clothes.

A glimpse into the past—days when men and women ware pioneering tins great New England tableland, days when baby bonuses, wage taxes and endowment taxes and the like were stfll undreamt of as a possible aid to the attainment of political power—was afforded a representative of the “Ex press’ yesterday by Mrs-. M. M. Hirschberg, of Faulkner-street, Armidale, who confidently ” expects to celebrate the 88th anniversary of her birth in March next.

This old pioneer’s mental power is wonderful. She can conjure up a vivid picture of her homeland as she saw it, as a child, in the late forties, the ancient “windjammer” in which she and her fammily set sail for Australia, the dreadful ordeal of the six months’ voyage, and her earliest experiences In the Parramatta and Ryde and, later, in the Armidale district.

Mrs. Hirschberg is one of the earliest pioneers of this district now surviving. Though she has been an invalid for some time, her mental vigour is as great as event was, and she takes the keenest interest in the. events of the day.

Her maiden name was Zartmann, and she came of an agricultural family of the province of Wurtemberg, South-west Germany. Like so many other people in.Great Britain and else where, her father’s interest was aroused by tales of marvellous gold finds in the newly discovered continent in the south. One could pick the precious metal up in the streets, he was told. There was gold everywhere—a veritable El Dorado. And so, after selling; up his home and his property, Zartmann booked a passage for himself and his family on a typical old-time sailing ship, the Pero.

Mrs. Hirschberg was at that time a child of ten or eleven, but her memorv is so good that she can remember not only the name of the ship, but the towering masts, the positions of the berths, and other details which most people would have forgotten, years ago.

The Pero started out from Hamburg. that great German maritime city, but, before reaching the open sea, was compelled to shelter for six weeks, owing to the fierce storms which were raging. Two ships had foundered, while one was returned smashed and broken and barely afloat. It was while the vessel was sheltering that Mrs. Hirschberg’s mother lost he youngest child, a tiny baby, through illness. Then-the voyage proper commenced—a voyage lasting six months without once touching land. There were fearful storms and heart-break ing calms, when little or no progress was made for days at a time; hut most terrible of all was the shortage of food.

Deaths at Sea.

During the voyage to Australia, 48 of the three or four hundred souls on board perished from lack of proper nourishment. When the ship finally sailed in through Sydney Heads the only food left on board consisted al most wholly of a few ship’s biscuits, The ordeal had been to much for Mrs. Hirschberg’s mother, and she passed away almost immediately after arrival.

‘The family settled in the Parramatta district and, soon afterwards, Mr. Zartmann married a second time, Mrs. Hirschberg, then in her teens; was given the opportunity of coming to Armidale and at once grasped the chance of seeing the true rural Australia.

After residing here for a few years she became the wife of Mr. Hirschberg, a cabinet-maker and timber merchant, and there were ten children by the marriage. Mr. Hirschberg died in 1910 and five of. the children to-day survive, namely, Mrs. Bruyn (Wollomombi). Mrs. Perry (S. Coast). Miss E Hirschberg (Armidale), and Messrs. W. A. and Joseph Hirschberg.

There is little that Mrs. Hirschberg does not know about Armidale. She has seen it grow little by little, and she knows the intimate history of all the old families—their good fortune and bad fortune, their births and deaths, their adventures in the sphere of romance! She has seen humble families rise to positions of wealth and affluence, and others follow the reverse process. A book of her reminiscences would give both pleasure and pain to many now living in this city.

Merely a Village.

Mrs. Hirschberg recalls the time —71 or 72 years ago—when Armidale was not much more than a village.

“When I first came here,” she said, ‘There were more shops in Dumaresq street than in Beardy-street. Can you believe it?” And she laughed a little to herself, recalling the things she had seen which no one else in Armidale had ever seen.

“There were four hotels, she went on. “The names—no, I can’t remember them very well. There was Barney Norton’s, there was Mr. Scholes, there was Mrs. Molloy’s – yes, I can remember them clearly, just as though it was yesterday.

“That terrible, fire in Beardy-street—have you heard about-that? I cannot | remember just when it was, but we were living in the building where Mr. Simpson, the dentist, now is. I know that fire was started on purpose. I know who did it. You had better not say who it was—that would not be fair now, would it?

“Yes—the fire started early one j morning, about’ two o’clock. There had been several other atlempts, but this j one was a success—yes, a great success. It burnt from next to our place right along the street. About five or six little shops went up in smoke that night.

“I hear that there are houses still being built up on the gaol hill. Well, there was hardly one when I first came. to this town. There was not even the gaol—that came later. I saw it built and I saw the last of it. Mr. Caldwell was the chief gaoler—I can remember him well.

Opening of the Railway.

“The opening of the railway was something 1 wii) never forget. I was with my sister at Uralla when the first train arrived there. Of course, that was some months before it came to Armidale. There were great cele hrations—some of the funniest sights you ever saw. But of course that was only fifty years ago—it seems like yes terday.

“Did I tell you that my father and brother lived near Ryde? Before the railway came to Armidale, I went down to see them, by coach and car riage. It took two or three days to get as far as Newcastle and then we had to get into a little boat for the rest of the journey. The second time I went we were rowed across ihe Hawkesbury to where the train was waiting on the otber side.

“Oh. it was a terrible trip in the coach. We hardly ever stopped for a minute. New horses would be put on. and off we would go again. The road in parts was terrible. We often had to walk—we’d have had our necks broken if we hadn’t! Of course, in those days all our goods came up from Sydney by bullock dray, usually taking about three months. My hus band made all our furniture, mostly

from cedar from near Ihe Grafton road. Later there were several flour mills, and a Mr. Moses had a big boot factory and tannery at West End, employing about 50 men. But most things we wanted we had to get from Sydney. It was very hard to get oil for the lamps, and we usually used candles.

“When I first came here there were only a few good buildings; most of them were slab houses and bark huts. There was not a house that I can remember on the North Hill and none east beyond Taylor-street, except the Catholic Church, which stood where the College now stands. Father Mc Carthy was the priest at the time. The church in Dangar-street came a good bit later and then they pulled that down and built St. Mary’s Cathedral.

“Yes, I remember hearing all about Thunderbolt. Everyone was talking about him, but, of course, I never saw him. I remember the shooting of Con stable King. I knew his wife well. She afterwards had a dress-making place near what, is now the court house.”

Hillgrove’s Rise and Fall.

Mrs. Hirschberg said she paid several visits to Hillgrove. The first time she went there was not a house there. It was many years after her arrival in Armidale that the mining boom came and she recalled going out to see her sister, who had moved there from Uralla, and was conducting a refreshment stall at the bottom of the gorge.

“I went right, down to the bottom,” said Mrs. Hirschberg—”down a long, winding path, on which two people could not pass, except at little landings here and there. My sister later started a place up on the top and built a house there.”

Referring to the old landmarks, Mrs. Hirschberg explained that the lock up and post office were run jointly and the site was that of the present massive Post Office structure. The court was often held in a wooden structure behind where the present imposing building stands.

Mrs. Hirschberg recalls that the ‘Express’ made its appearance some years after her arrival in Armidale. When the “Chronicle” later made its appearance, it was printed in a building at the back of the premises in Fauikner-street in which Mrs. Hirschberg now resides, but later moved in quarters in Beardy-street,

Mrs. Hirschberg told the “Express” representative that she would not now be alive if it weren’t for one golden rule, which she always followed and which, she considered, was the only road to health and vigour in old age.

“And what is that?” she was asked. “Hard work,” replied the old lady.

You can download a PDF image of the original article by clicking on the link below:

About Mrs Hirschberg

Some sleuthing today has revealed the following information about Mrs Hirschberg. Mary Magdalena Zartmann was born in 1844 in Wurtenberg, Germany, the daughter of Martin and Katharina Zartmann. The family emigrated to Australia on the ship Peru (not the Pero, as in the article above), arriving in late May, 1855. There were about 375 German immigrants on board. Due to the illness on board ship, the ship was quarantined for some days.

Mary Zartmann came to Armidale about 1859, aged 15. She married Carl Joseph Hirschberg on the 12th August 1865.

Newspaper marriage notice of Mary Magdalen artmann and Carl Joseph Hirschberg
Armidale Express, 19th August 1865

CJ Hirschberg was not only a cabinet maker and upholsterer, by the 1870s he was also advertising himself as an undertaker, a business that continued for many years. After her husband’s death in July, 1910, Mrs Hirschberg continued the undertaking business with the assistance of a manager, T, Crowley.

Mrs Hirschberg died aged 88 on 24th June, 1932, and the Armidale Express reported on the closing of her ‘eventful life’ on the same day, and on the large attendance at her funeral at St Mary’s Cathedral a few days later.

The Armidale Diamond

A fascinating tale uncovered by our intrepid researchers, Denise Townsend and Timony Schaeffer.

August 11 – Melbourne Argus 1869

A telegram from Sydney makes an announcement which, if true, or only approximately correct, would be calculated to create immense excitement among the searches for gem stones.  According to this statement about the accuracy of which we must confess to entertaining very great doubts, there has been found in a creek on Perry’s Station, in the neighbourhood of Armidale, a diamond weighing 7oz, 18dwt.  The stone, it is added is on its way to Sydney under police escort and is expected to arrive in that city to day.  

Latest Telegrams, Sydney, August 11, 1869

The Armidale diamond has reached Sydney, and has been entrusted to the Rev. Mr Clarke for examination  

Melbourne Herald August, 1869

Some ten or twelve days ago an old man, who has been engaged as a tutor on a station near Bendemeer came into Tamworth, and immediately on his arrival asked where the bank was situated.  He was told, but it being somewhat early, and that institution not yet open, he walked about the hotel where he was staying in a state of trepidation, and it ultimately transpired that he had with him an enormous diamond – supposed to be the largest in the world 

We were permitted to inspect the diamond yesterday and we give a description as near as we can.  It is about the size and shape of a duck egg, a little larger  at one end than the other and measures 6 7/8 inches by 6 inches in circumference, and weighs 6oz 12dwt 13gr troy.  It has somewhat the appearance of crystallised quartz  ……We offer no opinion on the nature or the quality of the stone.  

No report has yet been published as to the real value of the Armidale diamond.  It is at present detained at the mint until the escort charges on the amount of its supposed value are paid.  The ASN Company also claim a large percentage for freight from Newcastle.

In the meantime we have been informed by a gentleman, just arrived from Sydney that for some years past the finder of this precious stone has been engaged searching for diamonds, and the success has wonderfully attended his efforts, several jewels found by him having been already sent to England.  The Bank of New South Wales, at Armidale, advanced 700pounds after testing it. People in Sydney talk about it being worth a million and a half of money, but that will depend upon its purity.  

It would seem that this Armidale diamond was picked up from the surface of the ground on a station and not at the Armidale diggings.  It was rumoured  in Sydney that the proprietor of the station intended to test the ownership with the finder.

Latest Telegram, Melbourne 13th August, 1869

A telegraph has been received from Sydney stating that Mr Butters has purchased the great Armidale diamond.  A difficulty is said to have arisen about liens and carriers and custom duties.  

The Herald 16th August 1869

The Herald reports a company was formed in Sydney on Saturday morning, owing in a great measure to the exertions of Mr Butters, for the purchase of the great Armidale Diamond for the sum of 1000pound cash down subject to a further payment to the seller of 4000pound should the stone on being examined by experts prove to be truly a diamond.  Ninety shares were taken in Sydney at once, and on receipt of a telegram that the other ten shares had been received for Melbourne speculators.  

Telegram Sydney 16th August

The Armidale diamond was delivered to the shareholders to day.  The package, however is at present unopened.  Great speculation is taking place in shares

Sydney 17th August

The Armidale diamond is being exhibited to the public for an entrance fee of half a crown.  Good judges of precious stones have pronounced the supposed gem to be a piece of quartz

Of whatever character or value the stone received per northern escort, and now lying at the Sydney mint, may prove, it seems at least to possess one characteristic of the great diamond family – that of involving its finder or owner in difficulties.  No illustrious stranger, however high in rank or celebrated in character could have induced greater excitement or provoked more enquiries than Mr Townsend’s supposed diamond did yesterday.

Telegram Sydney 17th August

A number of scientific men have examined the Armidale Diamond, but the result has not yet been published.  In the meantime the stone is being exhibited to the public at an entrance fee of half a crown.  Good judges pronounce the gem to be nothing else than a piece of quartz crystal A telegram from Sydney yesterday morning informs us that the great Armidale (supposed) Diamond, having been tested proves to be a white topaz and having been publically exhibited caused considerable disappointment and dissatisfaction  

The inhabitants of Portland intend to hold A public meeting, to take into consideration the desirability of calling on Mr Butters, their present representative, to resign his seat in the Assembly.  We cannot have any reasonable doubt that a motion affirming the desirability of that step will be carried without a dissentient voice;  for, unfortunately for all parties, that  gentlemans  career as a legislator has not been such as to reflect credit either on himself or his constituents.  The promptitude with which he proceeded to turn his opportunities to profitable account.  

The Rev. WB Clarkes letter on the Armidale “diamond” of which calls for extract:  He says:  “The statement Mr Townsend gave of size of the alleged diamond – however truthful it might be – showed the improbability of its identity with that mineral.  For, if not more than one in ten thousand diamonds in a diamond district, is, as is said, worth much consideration, how many million chances must there be against one, that a diamond larger than any hitherto known should be picked up from the surface of what  is certainly not a diamond area.

Poor pebble:  What has it done that it should be dragged out of the quiet of unnumbered centuries and forced into the turmoil of history.

James Stewart Butters had been serving as the member for Portland (Vic) for about a month when he was expelled from Parliament for bribery.

Afternoon tea

Members and friends are warmly invited to afternoon tea to celebrate our exhibition of wedding photos, gowns and accessories, this Wednesday, 6th November, at 2,30pm,

Please feel free to bring your favourite tea cup and saucer (although we will have plenty there.) Afternoon tea will be provided.

Do come along for a pleasant afternoon with fellow members, and a stroll around the wonderful display set up by Colane Simmons, Nancy Bruyn, and other members including Sue Tanner and Alan Wilkinson.

Display of wedding photos and three wedding dresses