Author: TM Diep

Page 9

EGERIA

292-294 Queen St: Hannah’s Place

The second building has been called Hannah’s place by the CFWH. It was found that this building was the home of William Bursill, his wife, Hannah and their children. Hannah Bursill had been a mother, a midwife and a pioneer. This connection to The CFWH made the choice very easy.
William Bursill was transported in 1820 for theft. After the death of his first wife, Catherine, in 1833, William married Hannah Smith, the daughter of two transportees in 1834. At time, they lived in Airds. Hannah gave birth to twelve children, two of whom died early. She also raised her two stepchildren.
William Bursill bought the property in 1844. He was well known as a dealer, storekeeper, auctioneer, farmer and owner of various properties. William completed his two-storey house on this site some time in the 1840s. According to Roxburgh, William Bursill took part in the hunt for the bushranger, Ben Hall.
Hannah was in demand as a midwife, not only for her grandchildren but by others. The work of the midwife at this time was extensive. She not only delivered the baby, but then, took over the management of the household. This included caring for the mother, looking after other children, cooking, washing and ironing.
In 1851, they left Campbelltown for the goldfields. William and Hannah retired to Sydney where William died in 1872. Hannah then travelled to the goldfields to help set up house for her three sons who had gone to Gulgong in search of gold.
Hannah lived to be ninety. Both William and Hannah are buried at St. John’s cemetery in Campbelltown.
The Hannah building was sold to postmaster, William Fowler in 1850 by the couple for £375. It was then acquired by Joseph Atkinson, an innkeeper, in 1881. Joseph Atkinson was one of the first aldermen elected to the first Campbelltown council in 1882. In 1889, the building was owned by James Wilson, a butcher who had bought the property for 675 pounds. George Chinnocks, a storekeeper, acquired the property in 1912.
According to Liston, the premises were then given by Helen Wilson, James’ widow, to George Chinnocks for ten shillings. This was to honour a request by Wilson before his death.
Margaret Chinnocks died in 1933 and George in 1938. Later, “Chinnocks Store” passed to Georgina Highfield and her son Norman Campbell in 1946. Norman Campbell sold his portion to the State Planning Authority in 1964 for 12,000 pounds.
The building was restored under M. Herman under the supervision of Chris Cunningham. It was then leased to Legacy and was known as the “Legacy House” until it was bought by the Benevolent Society in 1995.

Advertisement