James MOORE

Story

James MOORE was born in Newry, County Down, Ireland, about 1812. It appears that he arrived in Tasmania in the late 1820’s or early 1830’s. Of some interest, there is a James MOORE listed as a passenger on the “Othello” sailing from Hobart Town in March 1834, and arriving Sydney, 14/3/1834. That boat had disembarked the REID family at Hobart Town, only weeks before. James later married Maria REID in Hobart Town on 17/3/1835.

After their marriage, James and Maria had two children in Hobart Town, in 1836 and 1838, however, these two were actually baptised together in Sydney in 1839. At this stage, James’ occupation was a marble mason, and residing in Pitt Street. In 1841 he had moved to the Appin area, where his occupation was described as Post Master and School Master, although it is known he was still involved in stone masonary. Three more children were born at Appin between 1841 and 1846.

It was in 1840 that James MOORE became involved in the commencement of work on “St Mark the Evangelist Church of England”, Appin. The church was built of hewn stone, worked by James, the stone being taken from a local quarry in Market Street, or another quarry near Kings Falls Bridge. On 25/4/1843, the Lord Bishop of Australia consecrated the church and burial ground. It was noted that the altar, or Communion Table was of stone and “admirably worked by Mr MOORE of Appin”. However, three days later the stone altar was removed and replaced by a wooden table, as it was found the altar had been erected without the consent of His Lordship (the stone altar was later found beneath garden refuse around 1905, and is now part of the Reredos).

The three children of James and Maria MOORE who were born at Appin, were baptised in that church by the first minister, Rev SPARLING.

James ran into some hard times whilst living in Appin as he became insolvent. On 26/9/1843 he was in the custody of the Sheriff at Campbelltown Police Office within the provisions of the Insolvency Act. He wrote a letter requesting his release so he could attend Sydney to comply with the Insolvent Act, however, the Court papers for 16/10/1843 were marked “Not Before Court”. His given assets at the time were one wheelbarrow, one table, and cooking utensils, of the total value of 3 pounds, while he himself was owed 3 pounds by Mr HANLY and 1 pound 10 shillings by Mr LYNCH. However, James MOORE was in debt to 7 creditors in the total amount of 43 pounds and 14 shillings. These debts were for goods and promissory notes. Apparently there some other debts totalling 34 pounds, including 3 pounds and 6 shillings owed to Edward MURRAY for bread and meals.

The Government Gazette of 3/10/1843 reads, “Insolvent estate of James MOORE of Appin, School Master, 30/9/1843, placed under Sequestration in my hands by order of His Honour, Sir James DOWLING, appoint meeting of creditors, Supreme Court House Sydney on 16/10/1843. If less than 100 pounds, the Commissioner will summarily rank debts, and be distributed by the trustees”.

In 1850, it appears that James had left the Appin area, as he was School Master at Gerrigong, at the time of the birth of another child. As there was no actual school at Gerrigong until the 1860’s, he may have been tutoring, or conducting lessons under the auspices of the church. By 1856, at the baptism of 2 more children, James was residing at Grange Farm, Jamberoo, and his occupation listed as farmer.

Although not confirmed as to whether this relates to this James MOORE, the Government Gazette also shows a James MOORE being appointed Public Pound Keeper, Kiama, District of Illawarra, on 2/9/1847. The Government Gazette then indicates that on 16/2/1848 two cows had been impounded, and would be sold by the pound keeper, James MOORE if damages in the amount of 10/- was not paid by 12/3/1848.

In principle, James MOORE was a stone mason, and he often signed his name on headstones with ” J MOORE”, sometimes “APPIN” or “JAMBEROO” and sometimes “SCULPTOR”. 17 examples of his headstone masonary work can be located at the following cemeteries:

St.Peters, Campbelltown (3 x 1844); St.Marks, Appin ( 2 x 1841 – 1846); St.Bedes, Appin (5 x 1839-1851); St.Stephens, Jamberoo (3 x 1849 – 1853); St.Matthews, Jamberoo (4 x 1852 – 1855)

James MOORE died in his early 40’s at Jamberoo on 19/8/1856, from phthisis (wasting of body) and haemoptysis (coughing blood) He had been suffering from this condition for 3 or 4 years. Both these diseases are associated with tuberculosis, however, could they have also been assosicated with his occupation of a stone mason? He was buried at Wesleyan Church Cemetery, Jamberoo on 20/8/1856, however, there is no headstone, and the actual grave site is unknown.

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