William Walker 1828-1908 and his home Crescentville, Windsor NSW

By
Cathy M^cHardy

William Walker was born in Glasgow in 1828, the eldest son of George and Elizabeth Walker. The Walker family arrived in NSW aboard the Portland in 1837. His father was one of fifteen schoolmasters recruited by Rev. John Dunmore Lang to conduct Presbyterian schools in the colony. His father opened a Presbyterian school in Windsor, building a home in New Street about 1845. Scant information remains about his early life but he was probably educated in his father's school. In his book entitled Reminiscences of a fifty years residence at Windsor on the Hawkesbury he says that he also studied at night with the guidance of his father and in the early morning with the assistance of Rev Matthew Adam, the local Presbyterian minister.

In 1841 at the age of 13 he was articled to Francis Beddek, a local solicitor. Beddek had set up a very successful practice in Windsor, commencing in 1828. There were other solicitors in Windsor in the 1840's according to James Steele's Early days of Windsor but little is known about them. Beddek was very involved in local affairs and Walker followed his example in this respect. With Beddek's introduction he made social connections with all the families of note in the district and his book contains many descriptions of picnic parties and regular events such as the Windsor Races which was held over a three day weekend each year. Beddek's practice still survives as John J Paine, Ross & Co, George Street, Windsor.

Walker was admitted as a solicitor on 30 October 1852. He opened his own business in Windsor two days later. The business was very successful and from the records can be seen the great range of business attended to. There are numerous of cases debt recovery, conveyancing and assault. He stated his income as £1000 per annum in 1855.

Fortunately the original Day Book owned by Walker survives and is held by Hawkesbury City Council Library at Windsor, NSW.

Walker wrote on the first page of his fresh new book:

'Admitted an Attorney Solicitor and Proctor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales on the last day of the third term 1852 (30th October).... Monday November 1st 1852, commenced business in George Street, Windsor'

The Day Book is a daily record of the business conducted but it also contains many items of a personal nature which give us an insight into the man himself.

For example:

'Wednesday 3rd November, got bookcase and books into office.'

Walker was an avid collector of books about Australia and had quite an interesting library by the time of his death. The Mitchell Library holds a four page listing of his Australian literature collection dated 1887.

There are several photographs of the Walker family held by Hawkesbury City Council Library. One of the images shows William Walker outside his George Street practice, taken about 1899. Also included in this photo is son Robert Bruce Walker whom Walker took into partnership in 1899 to form William Walker & Son. In the centre of the picture stands Mr W Ross.

Walker was a prolific writer and a meticulous recordkeeper. During his life he produced many articles, books and pamphlets. He married three times and was survived by eleven children when he died in 1908. He was very active in the political and social life of the district. He was MLA for Windsor from 1860 to 1869, MLC from 1887 until his death and an alderman on the Borough Council of Windsor from 1871 to 1880 also holding the office of mayor in that year.

He was an active campaigner for local issues such as the railway to Richmond, a bridge over the Hawkesbury at Windsor and the provision of Windsor Public School. The list of cards which were sent for his first wedding reads like a who's who of the Hawkesbury. Names such as McQuade, Bowman, Beddek, Fitzgerald etc...

A large amount of documentary evidence relating to the building of Crescentville and his relationship with Mary Hassall is held as uncatalogued material at the Mitchell Library, Sydney. MSS Set 501 and MSS Box 390 contain much relevant primary source material pertaining to Walker's personal and professional life. The collection of correspondence is a wonderful record and spans the years 1848 to about 1905. The material includes correspondence to his first wife Mary Cover Hassall, letters from Mary to Walker, letters from prominent citizens of the colony such as Sir Henry Parkes and Henry Kendall and his own compositions and memorabilia.

Walker had met Mary Hassall and by 1848 was corresponding regularly with her. He addressed the letters to 'Miss Hassall, 'Berkshire Cottage', South Creek'. Walker, his mother and sister were regular visitors at the Hassall family home. In April 1849 he wrote a special piece entitled Reflection in which he revealed that he had fallen in love with Mary. A year later in April 1850 he had resolved to ask Mary to marry him. He knew however, that he would have to wait until he had served his articles with Mr Beddek and set up his own practice before he would be in a suitable financial position to marry.

By August 1852 Mary had agreed to the union and Walker had a ring made for her at Lambs jewellers in Sydney, from 'colonial gold and garnet stone'. Mary and William Walker were married on 29 March 1853 at 'Berkshire Park', South Creek. In his Day Book he noted:

'Married this Day to Mary Hassall'.

In Reminiscences… published in 1890, Walker stated that he lived with his parents in New Street until he was married. It is surprising that he did not mention the date of commencement of residence at 'Crescentville'.

Walker's home 'Crescentville' still exists to day and is located at 80 The Terrace, Windsor, NSW. The home is privately owned by one of Walker's descendants.

According to the parish map for the town of Windsor, Thomas Riccaby was the first grantee of the 20 acre triangular block which includes the location of 'Crescentville'. He named his parcel of land 'Catherine Farm'. Research at the Land Titles Office of NSW has showed that this land then passed from Riccaby to Samuel Terry, to Maria Cope, then to Laban White. The land was part of Cope's Subdivision of the land bounded by Catherine Street, New Street and The Terrace which was advertised for sale in the Australian newspaper 1841. The conveyance dated 17 September 1853 from Laban White to William Walker consisted of Lots 34, 35 and 36. Part of Lot 34 was subsequently sold to Miss Mary Robinson in 1877. Walker then bought part of Lot 37 from William Hopkins in September 1855.

We must look to primary sources for clues to where the Walkers lived after their marriage in 1853.

In his Day Book, the entry for Friday 17 June 1853 Walker wrote:

'First Day this week in office, had to vere about 16 miles - to head the Chain of Ponds Creek - before I could get into Windsor.'

This entry indicates that they were not living in Windsor at that time. If he had been living at 'Crescentville' he would have been able to attend the office as usual. Walker disliked the flood prone nature of the Hawkesbury and his writings often mention the weather. He contributed articles to the Sydney press about the floods when they occurred. He said in a letter to Mary Hassall dated 10 October 1852:

'you know how I dislike wet weather.'

He often travelled to Sydney in the course of his business and to get there he rode on horseback to Parramatta, stayed overnight and left for Sydney early the next morning by steamer (letter to Mary Hassall, 10 January 1852). Good weather for travelling was important for an enjoyable journey in those days.

In a letter dated 28 January 1853, Walker wrote that he had inspected Mr Town's house at Richmond. He was not terribly impressed with the accommodation it afforded and stated that:

'the only good rooms are the front ones, There was just room for a couch, piano, round table, four or five chairs and your large easy chair'

in the drawing, room which he declared to be rather small. He was also worried about the small bedrooms and said:

'I fear there will be no room for the wardrobes.'

He was pleased however, that the kitchen had a very good oven but lacked a kitchen dresser. They were to also have use of the paddock next door, belonging to Mr Hale. The rent was £30 per year commencing 1st March. On the 11 March Walker asked Mary if he should order the cake for the wedding from Beveridges. As only a few of Mary's letters were found in the collection we do not know whether he ordered the cake from Beveridges or not.

Two days before the wedding (27 March 1853) Walker again wrote to Mary saying that repairs had been completed to Mr Town's house and that he had unpacked all the crockery etc. but not Mary's clothes and personal items which he felt should be left for her to arrange as she wished. He wanted everything to be right for his bride and you can see from his writings that he had a very strong sense of what was honourable and gentlemanly behaviour. From this information we now know that Mr & Mrs William Walker lived in Town's house at Richmond when they were married and possible resided there until 'Crescentville' was ready for occupation.

An intriguing entry in the Day Book for 16 March 1854 noted,

'Agreed with Mr Graham of Wilberforce to make me 10,000 shingles and deliver them in Windsor before the end of July next at £1 2/- per thousand.'

The entry does not state that the shingles were for the building of 'Crescentville' but it is likely that they were. The material in the Mitchell Library also included lists of assets and liabilities that he termed 'our worth', drawn up by Walker each year from 1855 until 1867. Note that he used the word 'our' indicating that he felt the assets to be owned jointly by himself and his spouse.

The material also includes a comprehensive listing of the furniture and furnishings he had purchased for the house amounting to an expenditure of £180. He had purchased a:

'loo table, horsehair couch, fender and fire irons, stretcher and stand and one set of knives and forks in a case (very superior and cost £4 10 -)'.

The piano, for example which was very important to Mary cost £40.

Two children were born to Mary Walker, Alfred William, born July 1854 and George Jonathan Hassall Walker, born May 1856. Mary however, died in childbirth in July 1858. Walker wrote:

'My dear wife Mary Cover Hassall died this evening.'

Neither of her two children survived infancy. He then married Henrietta Medora Cooper daughter of Robert Cooper of Paddington, NSW who was the 12th child of her fathers 3rd marriage. Henrietta died in 1874. He married Jessy Wood in 1876. Jessy Wood outlived William and lived at 'Crescentville' until her death. Walker invested in real estate and shares and often bought and sold allotments of land in Windsor but his only home was 'Crescentville'.

Several photographs of 'Crescentville' have survived. One picture taken in 1871 shows from left to right: Mrs Dick, Robert Walker, Ann Ward holding Robert Bruce Walker, William Walker, Mary Walker and the second wife of William Walker, Henrietta Walker nee Cooper.(original owned by Mrs Pam Galloway)

Another photograph taken about 1909 after the death of William Walker shows Lucinda Isabel Walker, wife of Robert Bruce Walker holding William Bruce Walker in her arms. This photo enables the viewer to see down the side of the house to the kitchen wing.

(original owned by Mrs Rhona Walker)

A scrapbook held by the Mitchell Library also contains a photograph of the house. It is marked 1860 but the date has not been verified from other sources. The book also contains a photo of a young woman, Jessy Wood although William did have Mary's 'likeness' made and gave one copy to her mother as a gift (letter to Mary 17 October 1857).

It has not been discovered when the house was named 'Crescentville' the earliest envelope in the Mitchell Library collection bearing the 'Crescentville' address was dated 4 January 1892.

'Crescentville' itself is a charming and commodious home located in The Terrace, Windsor, NSW a precinct which has retained its distinctive residential character.

The home was built in the Colonial Georgian style with the symmetrical façade suggesting a sense of balance and proportion. It retains many original features. The front verandah is supported by six colonial columns. Half columns, reminiscent of pilasters are placed on the wall at either end of the facade. The house is of full brick construction laid in English bond with a plinth of picked sandstone running around the perimeter of the main building, the top of this plinth being just above floor level. At the front of the house however, this course has been rendered smooth. The front door which appears to be original is low waisted and comprises six panels. The entrance is flanked by a pair of windows to each side.

The original windows in the house are double hung sash with twelve panes, sandstone sills and rendered brick lintels. The window shutters have been retained and are in working order including their shutter flaps which are attached to the shutter lining with parliament hinges. Windows in the modern additions are multi-paned and of large proportions.

The house also features original cedar joinery. The doors have four panel and most retain their original timber finger plates, escutcheon covers and metal knobs. The house features skirting boards 250mm in height of Colonial or early Victorian style.

A sketch plan of the house and locale shows that the kitchen wing is built on the boundary line of Lot 37. The breakfast room now connects this wing with the main dwelling. The family room at the rear of the house was originally divided into servant's accommodation and laundry. The billiard room in the main building was formerly two rooms, one being the library. This part of the house was extended outwards and the bathroom was added in 1948.

The house occupies a large landscaped block which includes a brick barn with loft. This building is constructed of brick laid in the Flemish bond pattern.

Extensive restoration work was carried out on 'Crescentville' in 1993/94 by the owners. During this process many interesting things were discovered.

Mr Mick Scruci was engaged to carry out the restoration work on the plaster surfaces. Mr Scruci removed the plaster where needed and re-applied the material to the walls of much of the building. He had a good opportunity to study the materials used in construction of the building. Work revealed that at least two different types of bricks had been used. The older red/orange dry-press bricks as well as fired kiln bricks which were a red/brown colour and much harder than the dry-press bricks. The fireplace in the sitting room at the front of the dwelling was constructed in a style that was commonly used for weatherboard houses of the period, not those of brick construction. Mr Scruci felt that there may have been an existing structure on the site which was incorporated into the new dwelling.

He considered the barn to be older than the house as it was built from different brick, laid in a different bond pattern to the house. These discoveries shed new light on the construction of 'Crescentville'.

Chronology covering the period 1848 to 1871

August 1848 - Walker, his mother and sister visited home of Hassall family, 'Berkshire Park'.

April 1849 - Walker revealed in Reflection that he had fallen in love with Mary Hassall.

April 1850 - Walker resolved to ask Mary Hassall to marry him.

August 1852 - Walker had a ring made for Mary at 'Lambs'.

November 1852 - Walker commenced practice as Solicitor, George Street, Windsor.

January 1853 - Walker had inspected Mr Town's house at Richmond which they were to rent for one year commencing 1 March 1853.

27 March 1853 - Walker had prepared Town's house at Richmond for their occupation.

29 March 1853 - Walker married Mary Hassall at 'Berkshire Park.'

June 1853 - Walker was unable to attend his office in George Street, Windsor due to flooding indicating that they were not living at Windsor at the time.

September 1853 - Walker purchased Lots 34, 35 and 36, Windsor from Laban White on which 'Crescentville' was built.
March 1854 - Walker made an agreement with Mr Graham of Wilberforce to supply and deliver 10,000 shingles to Walker in Windsor by the end of July 1854.

July 1854 - First child born, Alfred William Walker.

August 1855 - List of assets and liabilities entitled 'Our Worth' includes the amount of £350 paid in building materials and £180 on furniture for the house.

September 1855 - Walker purchased part Lot 37 from William Hopkins. (adjoining 34, 35, 36.)

December 1855 - 'Our Worth' lists the building materials which have been paid for and notes that there were extra bricks and timber to be delivered.

May 1856 - Second child born, George Jonathan Hassall Walker, abode registered as Windsor.

1858 - 'Our Worth', House and premises at Windsor valued at £1500.

July 1858 - Mary died in childbirth.

1860 - Photograph of 'Crescentville' dated 1860. (date not verified)

1871 - Photograph of 'Crescentville' viewed from the front showing William Walker and his second wife Henrietta Medora (Cooper).

From the above documented events drawn from primary source material it may be concluded that the building of 'Crescentville' was commenced in about March 1854 and the house was almost ready for occupation in December 1855 when Walker was taking stock of his assets and liabilities. When the birth of the second child to William and Mary, George Jonathan Hassall Walker, was registered in May 1856 Walker gave his abode as Windsor.

Mitchell Library, Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW
William Walker MLA Uncatalogued MSS SET 501

Summary of material compiled by Cathy McHardy - 20 September 1993

30 AUGUST 1848
Walker, his mother and sister visited home of Hassall family, 'Berkshire Park.' The letters to Mary Hassall from Walker were sometimes addressed to 'Miss Hassall, 'Berkshire Cottage', South Creek.'

27 APRIL 1849
Walker reflected upon his meeting with Mary Hassall and revealed that he had fallen in love with her. He called his piece of writing Reflection.

6 APRIL 1850
In an essay entitled Reflection and Resolution, Walker resolved to ask Mary Hassall to marry him

10 JAN 1852
Letter from Walker to Mary Hassall. Walker described his journey to Sydney in which he rode on horseback to Parramatta, stayed overnight and left for Sydney early the next morning by steamer.

12 AUGUST 1852
Letter from Walker to Mary Hassall written from Sydney, Thursday morning. Walker had a ring made for Mary at Lambs from 'colonial gold and garnet stone.' Mrs Stewart of 'Fairfield' had given him a 'pair of worked slippers upon black cloth' as a present. The letter also mentioned Mr Thomas Iceton's Office in Castlereagh Street, Sydney and Rev. W. Salmon, Mr Lumsdaine and a place called 'The Retreat.'

16 SEPTEMBER 1852
Death of Mr Callaway of Windsor who was the Secretary of the Windsor Savings Bank.

10 OCTOBER 1852
Letter from Walker to Mary Hassall in which Walker declared 'you know how I dislike wet weather.'

28 JANUARY 1853
Letter from Walker to Mary Hassall. Walker had inspected Mr Town's House at Richmond and wrote: 'the only good rooms are the front ones, and that on the right hand intended for drawing room is rather small. There was just room for a couch, piano, round table, four or five chairs and your large easy chair.' Walker remarked that the house had very small bedrooms which had low ceilings, 'I fear there will be no room for the wardrobes.' There was a garden at the side and a paddock at the back of two acres. 'The corner paddock next to Windsor belongs to Mr Hale but Mr Town has the use of the paddock and so may we.' The rent charged by Mr Town was to be £30 for one year commencing 1st March. Walker noted that there was no kitchen dresser and therefore he would have to get one but he was pleased that the kitchen had 'a very good oven.'

11 MARCH 1853
Letter from Walker to Mary Hassall. Walker wrote that he had purchased items for their house while he was in Sydney, including a 'loo table, horsehair couch, fender and fire irons, stretcher and stand and one set of knives and forks in a case (very superior and cost £4-10-0 ).' He had also ordered the cards, envelopes etc and had bought the ring. Walker asked Mary if he should order the cake at Beveridges.

27 MARCH 1853
Letter from Walker to Mary Hassall. Walker mentioned that he had repairs made to Mr Town's house by 'a carpenter and a man.' The wedding cards were to be addressed by Miss Hunt. He had unpacked all the crockery etc but not Mary's clothes and personal items. Walker wrote that Mary's Uncle Richard had been hurt in an accident at 'Jericho' at Kurrajong. He told Mary that he would not forget to bring home 'the melon and loaves' that she had asked for. He had taken the steamer from Parramatta to Sydney.

29 MARCH 1853
Original Marriage Certificate of William Walker, Solicitor, of Windsor and Mary Cover Hassall, daughter of Jonathan Hassall (deceased) of 'Berkshire Park', South Creek. The marriage took place at 'Berkshire Park', South Creek.

2 AUGUST 1853
Poem written by Walker to Mary Walker 'on a Monday night'.

26 NOVEMBER 1854
Letter from Walker at Windsor to Mary Walker who was staying with Mrs E Terry at 'Percy Lodge', Darlinghurst (Sydney). Walker wrote 'I hope my dear little wife and child are well.' He also mentioned the ball held at Dr Day's house, 'I hope you will enjoy yourself.' Walker also said to give his regards to Mrs Terry.

LISTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES MADE BY WALKER COMMENCING 13 AUGUST 1855 AND ENDING FEBRUARY 1867, UNDER THE HEADING 'OUR WORTH'.

Walker also included a list of the furniture and furnishings he had bought for the house and the cost of each item amounting to a total expenditure of £180 - 10 - 0. The piano for example cost £40. Walker then listed his income and expenditure for the year 1855.

OTHER EXAMPLES FROM 1858 TO 1867 WERE NOT TRANSCRIBED.

1857  Letter from Walker to Mary Walker during her visit to Hobart in 1857. Walker mentioned that Susan was the name of his servant at Windsor and that she would fix his trousers for him.

17 OCTOBER 1857
Letter from Walker to Mary Walker dated Windsor, Saturday evening. Walker had several copies of Mary's 'likeness' made. He wrote 'I shewed them all your likeness which they pronounced very good. I gave mother hers.' (Walker does not say whether 'likeness' meant a photograph or a painting of Mary.)

23 NOVEMBER 1857
Letter from Walker to Mary Walker who was staying in Hobart Town. Walker wrote:
'I hope you are continuing well and becoming more and more 'interesting' every day.' (Mary was pregnant at that time.)

3 FEBRUARY 1866
Funeral notice of Mr Thomas Tebbutt of The Peninsula, Windsor. Benjamin Isaacs, Printer.

15 MAY 1866   Letter to Walker as Member of Parliament for Windsor from Mr Thomas McDonald of Jamison Street, Sydney, who wished to start a weekly newspaper in the Hawkesbury with the assistance of George D Land. 'I am desirous of establishing a weekly paper for the Hawkesbury District in Windsor.' Mr McDonald was formerly a storekeeper in Windsor and latterly proprietor of the Bananjong Tribune and Gundagai Herald. McDonald stated that Messrs Greville had already raised £100 in support of the venture.

7 JUNE 1866
Advertisement for the performance of Othello by Shakespeare at Royal Lyceum Theatre. The handbill stated that the play would be performed by 'gentlemen amateurs.'

1887
A four page listing of published books on Australia which were part of Walker's collection.

NOVEMBER 1891 Letter to Walker from James McVeigh, 25 Queen Street, Dumfries, Scotland. Mr McVeigh had published a book on Scottish history and asked Walker if he wished to purchase a copy.

4 JANUARY 1892
Earliest letter in this collection that bears the name 'Crescentville' on the envelope.
'Crescentville'
Windsor NSW

19 OCTOBER 1902
Letter to Walker asking for subscriptions to finance a 'Public Demonstration' to welcome and entertain His Excellency, the Governor and Countess of Jersey on the occasion of their visit to Richmond to officially turn on the Richmond water supply. The letter was from C S Guest and Edward Campbell, Joint Honorary Secretaries.

MITCHELL LIBRARY, SYDNEY - WALKER, WILLIAM MLC & FAMILY - UNCATALOGUED MSS - BOX 390

One box containing scrapbook of newspaper cuttings and correspondence. Compiler of scrapbook unknown.

Photograph of 'Crescentville' dated 1860. (?) House viewed from northern side showing Camphor Laurel trees at front boundary.

Clippings from Hawkesbury Herald, Sydney Mail, Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph and Windsor Advocate, at the time of William Walkers's death in 1908.

Copy of poem written by Walker.

MITCHELL LIBRARY - INDEX TO AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER - 1824 to 1842

Australian, January 2, 1841, page 3.
Advertisement for the Auction Sale of a portion of Cope's Paddock, Windsor.
(The land on which 'Crescentville' was built formed part of Cope's Estate at Windsor)

Photographs by Mrs Pavlove Caine – 1981

Photographs by Cathy McHardy – April / May 1992

Click to view the Floor Plan