Tuesday 20 September 2016

Trove Tuesday - A Madman

For today's Trove Tuesday, well, the title of the article says it all. 

A Madman at Pennant Hills. (1890, November 15). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate
(Parramatta, NSW : 1888 - 1950)
, p. 8.
Retrieved September 20, 2016,
from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86267263
Transcription:

On Monday last a man unknown in the district was noticed running about in a wild and aimless state at Thornleigh and Galston, and on the following day he turned up at Pennant Hills, near Thompson's Corner. A good deal of alarm was caused in the neighbourhood by the strange behaviour of the man, several of the residents undertaking to watch him while another (Mr. Allen) went into Parramatta for the police. Mr Allen was informed that the police could do nothing without a conveyance was placed at their disposal, and owing to this strange piece of Fosberryism the man was left to knock himself about as much as he liked. The messenger properly pointed out that it was not his place to provide conveyances for the police. The messenger returned without the regular custodians of the public safety, and the man afterwards commenced to knock himself about with huge pieces of rough stone which he held in his hands. Mr Gallard and others who had been watching him moved forward to disable the unfortunate man; but the threatening attitude of the man warned them to be careful, and they had to look on the terrible spectacle of the poor fellow battering his hands and face beyond recognition. The sickening sight of blood spurting from the man's face made them shudder, and at last he fell down from exhaustion. Those who had been looking on rushed forward to secure the man; but he was up again in an instant and raced madly across the field until he came to a waterhole, into which he threw himself. Almost drowned he was recovered from the water, and placed in Mr Gallard's cart in an unconscious state and driven into Parramatta to the lockup. The police sent him to the Hospital but he was denied admission, on the assumption that he was either mad or suffering from the effects of the drink and his conduct might injuriously affect some of the patients. He was again taken back to the lockup, but after a time Sergeant Megarvey secured his admission to the hospital. 

Wow! Pennant Hills is the suburb in Sydney where my Grandparent's lived, and is where I stay whenever I'm in Sydney.

Sunday 18 September 2016

Thompson's Corner

Whenever I'm in Sydney, one of the places I frequent is a little shopping village called Thompson's Corner. My Dad & Aunt often talk about walking up to Thompson's Corner and going to the bakery when they were kids. On my recent trip to Sydney in July, I stumbled across the historical marker at Thompson's Corner. 

Historical Marker at Thompson's Corner
[Photo taken August 2016]
Transcription:
In 1877, Thomas Thompson, whose father was transported to the colony of New South Wales in 1813, commenced business in the store and bakehouse on the site now occupied by the island between the traffic lights. 
The bakehouse fell into disuse, and from 1932 to 1939 became a place of worship until the Bethlehem church opposite was constructed. Bethlehem means 'house of bread.' 
The store/bakehouse was demolished in 1961. 
I did not know the history of Thompson's Corner until I read that. When I got home, I decided to enter Thompson's Corner into Trove and see what I could find.

Map of Thompson's Corner
[Source: Google Maps]
Street View showing the original site of the store and bakehouse.
[Source: Google Maps]
A DISTRICT IDENTITY.— MR. THOMAS THOMPSON. (1897, April 17). The Cumberland
Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 - 1950)
,
p. 14. Retrieved September 17, 2016, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article85774364
PENNANT HILLS. (1918, March 9). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers Advocate
(Parramatta, NSW : 1888 - 1950)
, p. 8. Retrieved September 17, 2016,
from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article86209465
HELD CHURCH IN BAKEHOUSE (1939, May 3). The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers
Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 - 1950)
,
 p. 15. Retrieved September 17, 2016,
from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106215131
"BAKEHOUSE" CHURCH (1939, July 26).The Cumberland Argus and Fruitgrowers
Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 - 1950)
, p. 7.
Retrieved September 17, 2016,
from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106197112
'BAKEHOUSE' CHURCH (1939, August 9).The Cumberland Argus
and Fruitgrowers Advocate (Parramatta, NSW : 1888 - 1950)
,
 p. 9. Retrieved September 17, 2016,
from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article106210412
Five years later, my Grandparents married in that church!