James Andrew Richmond (1840 - 1879)

Born 24 Nov 1840 in Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Husband of Ann Isabella (Dobson) Richmond — married 26 Feb 1867 in Burrumbeet, Victoria, Australia

Descendants

Died 29 Dec 1879 at age 39 in Burrumbeet, Victoria, Australia

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Biography

James was a Presbyterian Scotsman, born in Hamilton, Lanarkshire in 1840. He was the son of Andrew Richmond and Elizabeth Hamilton. He was the ninth child in a family of 15. In 1867 he married Ann Isabella Dobson at the home of the bride’s father, at Burrumbeet. James had migrated to Melbourne arriving 23 July 1862 on the City of Melbourne after 140 days at sea. His first job was as schoolmaster of the new Weatherboard Hill School, a few miles north of Burrumbeet on the Learmonth Road. The following press report appeared on the opening of the school. “The Weatherboard Hill School was opened on 3rd September 1862. The building, which is of bluestone, is 38 ft x 32 ft with a high Gothic roof and the fittings and furniture are substantial and appropriate. The entire cost of the building and furnishings has been £450. The school is under the charge of Mr Richmond, and there are some 50 children on the roll with an average attendance of 40. Mr David Kinnersly of Learmonth has been the prime mover, and the thanks of the residents are due to him.” (Ballarat Star September 1862) While schoolmaster at the Weatherboard Hill School, James boarded with the Kinnersley family, which included daughter Amy. Amy said that her father never stopped singing James’ praises. James is believed to have been a graduate with teaching qualifications and to have held an educational inspector position in Scotland. He wanted to work at a high school or university. He was disappointed with his job at Weatherboard Hill. When the previous part-time Secretary absconded with council funds in 1866, James was chosen from several applicants to become the first full time Secretary of the Shire of Ballarat, with a starting salary of £250. On his departure from the school be was presented with a deed box with the following inscription: “Presented to/Mr James Richmond/by the scholars/Weatherboard Hill School/Learmonth/27th April 1866”. This box was handed down the line of Douglas Richmond in Adelaide. James used to come by the Dobson farm on his horse, courting Ann. A year after he joined the Shire, they married. He called her Annie and would often sing “Annie Laurie” to her in his rich voice. He could sing beautifully, and formed and conducted the first Learmonth Presbyterian Church Choir, where he was also the first treasurer. He was a straight shot, keen fisherman and good all round sportsman. He was well liked in the district because he used his reading and writing skills to help those who were less educated. He was to spend almost 14 years as Shire Secretary, where he managed to get Lakes Burrumbeet and Learmonth stocked with trout and be awarded a bonus of £15 for his efforts by the Council (1876). One particular issue he fought for was the creation of a park and picnic area on the shores of Lake Learmonth. The parkland, which remains by the foreshore behind the township of Learmonth, immediately recognisable by the dark foliage of pine trees, is named “Richmond Park”. James died suddenly of endocarditis (rheumatic fever) in December 1879, at Learmonth, at the age of 39. He was to play bowls in a tournament and did so against doctor’s orders, had a relapse and died. Reports of his death appeared in the Ballarat Courier of 29 December 1879, and the Ballarat Star of 1 January 1880. “The remains of Mr. J. Richmond, late secretary of Ballarat Shire, were conveyed to the Learmonth Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon (29 December). The respect felt for the deceased in the district was shown by the large number of persons who attended the funeral, there being between 50 and 60 conveyances in the cortege to the cemetery... The Shire Council held a brief meeting during the day, at which it was decided to defray the expenses of the funeral and to erect a memorial tablet at the grave as testimony of the services rendered to the Council by the late secretary. It is understood that the Council will also vote a liberal sum to the widow and family of the deceased, who has, we believe, left little property behind him except an insurance policy of £500.” (Ballarat Star 1 January 1980) Many tributes were paid to James at the Council’s next meeting 12 January 1880, where the minutes record that the President appeared so deeply affected that he resumed his seat. James’ will left everything to “my dear wife Annie Richmond” and Anne referred to herself as “Annie” on his gravestone.

Research Notes

Sources

• Family Record