Source:
Early Days of Port Stephens
Details:
Commander of the cutter 'Lambton' for the Australian Agricultural Company
Place:
Stroud, Port Stephens
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Daughter Eugenia Kate died aged 12mths
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Signed petition to Gov. Bourke re the power of Magistrates in dealing with the convict population
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Present at the annual meeting of the Port Stephens District Association of the Newcastle Church Society
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Appointed to assist in revising the electoral lists
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Wife gave birth to a son on 26th July
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Requesting that Captain P.P. King allow himself to be nominated as representative in the Legislative Council for the counties of Gloucester and Macquarie
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On list printed in the Gazette for New Commission of the Peace
Place:
At the residence of Mrs. Favene, McLeay Street, Woolloomooloo
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Death of Arthur Henry, infant son of James Corlette of Stroud on 29th November
Source:
Australian Almanac
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Present at Meeting held at Morpeth to consider the expediency of adopting a petition to the Queen praying her Majesty to send out a commission to inquire into the state of the Church of England with a view to framing and granting of a constitution
Source:
Register Book of Christ Church Cathedral, Newcastle
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Witness at the marriage of James Taylor and Ann Kingston
Place:
St. Phillips Church, Sydney
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Marriage of John Rayden Bingle, only son of John Bingle of Newcastle, to Frances Elizabeth, eldest daughter of James Corlette of Newcastle on 29th January
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Death of James Corlette on 8th August 1876 aged 70 years
Place:
Buried St. Andrews Church Burial Grounds, Waratah
Source:
Newcastle Morning Herald
Details:
Mr. James Corlette was buried in 1876, the grave being marked by a simple stone, on which is inscribed: JAMES CORLETTE, Born Dec. 25, 1805, Died August 8, 1876. Standing by this grave many memories are revived when one thinks of a bygone time in which men like Mr. Corlette assisted to develop the resources of the colony, and this district in particular. Mr. Corlette was a Manxman, and spent his boyhood in the quaint old town of Douglas, where, without doubt, he imbibed the taste for nautical life, which afterwards shaped his career. The beginning was a voyage made with a friend of the family, who was a commander of a ship, and so strong was the attraction of the sea to the young Manxman, that he continued for several voyages, and strangely enough, during one of them, visited Newcastle, little dreaming it was to be his future home. On one of his later deep water voyages, the captain and other officers cap- able of navigating the ship died, when the duty of taking the ship home devolved upon the young sailor. Fortunately he had been an apt pupil, and after an eventful voyage, succeeded in safely handing the vessel over to her owners at the port to which she belonged. We next hear of him in Port Stephens, in 1826, whither, like many others, he had been attracted by the Australian Agricultural Company, which was then commencing the development of its estates. One of the necessary adjuncts to the working plant was a cutter in which passengers and stores could be conveyed between Port Stephens and Sydney, and to supply this want a large cutter-rigged vessel, called the Lambton, was provided and employed in trading regularly between Port Stephens, Newcastle, and Sydney. Mr. Corlette was appointed to the command, and successfully sailed the Lambton for some years. It was during the time he was so engaged he was brought under the notice of Sir Edward Parry (the Arctic explorer) then superintendent for the A.A. Co. Sir Edward took a strong liking for the young Manxman, and being a sailor himself, probably dis- covered in their calling a bond of sympathy. At any rate he decided to advance him in the service by offering Mr. Corlette the position of storekeeper at Port Stephens, then the headquarters of the company. At first he hesitated about accepting the offer. He was a sailor, and concluded that such a position would not suit him. Sir Edward was firm, however, and pressed his desire, saying anybody can be a master mariner, but a chance for advancement in a service like this does not offer every day. Eventually Mr. Corlette accepted the position, and settled down at Stroud in the position of storekeeper. Notwithstanding his own doubts as to his capacity for shore work he proved an excellent business man, and rapidly advanced in the service. After a trip to England he returned to take up the duties of accountant and shipping manager for the company at Newcastle where his previous seafaring experience proved most useful. He occupied that position under Sir Arthur (then Mr.) Hodgson, and also Mr. Merewether, during the periods those gentlemen were superintendents of the company. It was while filling this office he inaugurated the first benefit society in connection with the miners. The society was formed in 1857, Mr. Corlette holding the position of treasurer for several years. He was very popular with the miners, who manifested their appreciation of his ser- vices at a later date by presenting him with a solid silver service. Like most men of his class he was a good churchman, and for years held a position as member of Synod and trustee for the church. When the British and Foreign Bible Society was formed over 40 years ago, he took an active part in the movement, and for a considerable time was its president, while other charitable and religious agencies ever met with his warm support and approval. When the city was incorporated in 1859, Mr. Corlette was chosen as one of the first aldermen, and together with Messrs. J. Hannell, Bolton, Turton. A. A. P. Tighe, P. Fleming, Martin Richardson, T. Adam and George Tully, directed the early municipal life of the city. Dr. Stacey was the municipal returning officer, and some interesting meetings were held at later stages, when candidates came forward for municipal honours. He died respected and beloved by a large circle of friends, having been just half a century in the service of the A.A. Company, whose employ he entered in 1826. Speaking of him at the time of his decease the New castle Chronicle says He was a man who endeared himself to all. His name was a synonym in every household in the colony for sterling honesty and inflexible uprightness of purpose. In private circles his great experience united with his simple straightforwardness of action have rendered him repeatedly an invaluable friend and adviser. Ever acting on the principle of never letting his right hand know what his left hand was doing, very few even of his intimate friends were aware of the blessings he diffused around, nor does the district contain a gentleman in whom was reposed a larger amount of confidence than in Mr. Corlette. Mr. Corlette married a Sydney lady (Miss Turn bull) who died about two years ago, and was buried at St. Marys, near Penrith. There were six children by the marriage, of whom two, Mr. Curphey Corlette, and the Rev. Canon Corlette, are dead. An other son, the Rev. A. C. Corlette. of Kogarah, is a well known Church of England clergyman. The daughters were Mrs. Bingle, who married a son of the late Captain John Bingle, Mrs. Hooper, now in England, and Mrs. Cranmer Kenrick, of Waratah.
Source:
The Newcastle Sun
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In recognition of the expansion of Newcastle, a Crown Land sale was held in May, 1868. The land was described as being in the vicinity of Waratah and Tighes Bridge. On the first day of the sale about 10 people turned up and only a few blocks were sold. Next day however, more than 100 attended, bidding was spirited and the prices obtained were well above the reserves set. There were 93 lots, some called town lots, others suburban and others country lots. The country areas ranged up to 321 acres but few were interested in them. The total amount realised was £2585 6s Id. For one of the suburban lots, Mr. Peter Crebert, the celebrated orchardist and vine-grower, paid £15 an acre for 11 acres. Mr. W. A. Sparke paid £20 an acre for six acres. Alexander Brown and J. B. Winship, two -leading citizens, bought a number of lots. John Scoley paid £4 13s for one acre, Mr. A. T. Brain bought 18 acres for £4 2s, Mr. Peter Mclsaacs paid £9 3s an acre for five acres and Mr. T. W. Mathieson £10 an acre for 17 acres. Other purchasers who founded still well-known families or whose names are perpetuated in locality and street names included: G. T. Alcock, George Gardner, Frank Gardner, N. Parkington, Thomas Tudor, John Thorn, Alexander Flood (the health inspector), Mr. Fenwick of Wallsend, R. Ingall, Henry Bryant, J. Williams, F. W. Shaw, S. Proctor, W. Crocker, A. Lindsay, L. Wood, James Corlette. T. H. Bryant, A. A. P. Tighe and E. Finlayson.— From The Newcastle Chronicle
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Gave birth to a son on 21st February
Surname:
Corlette (obit.,)
Source:
Newcastle Morning Herald
Details:
Obituary James Corlette, Esq., J.P. It is with feelings of the deepest regret that we have to record the decease of the above gentleman, who entered into his rest yesterday morning shortly before six o clock, after a very brief illness. Mr. James Corlette was a native of the Isle of Man, and inherited largely that energy of purpose which forms so characteristic a feature amongst the Manxmen. He was born in the year 1805, and had consequently more than fulfilled the allotted period of three score and ten. He became connected with the Australian Agricultural Company in the year 1826, and has therefore completed his fiftieth year of service with that Company. For many years he has acted as Chief Accountant to the Company, and also as their Attorney in connection with the General Superintendent. Bringing with him from the Old Country, a thorough knowledge of the advantages of Benefit Societies, he was one of the first to establish one of these praiseworthy institutions amongst the large number of miners employed in the AA. Company pits. So thoroughly satisfied were the miners with Mr Corlette, and so highly did they appreciate his endeavours for their welfare; that a short, time back, the whole of the men united in their presentation to him of a rich silver testimonial. The event was celebrated by a banquet, at which a large number of the most influential residents of the district were present. The Government gladly availed themselves of the opportunity of utilising his local experiences by creating him a Justice of the Peace. He was also elected a lay member of the Church of England Synod for the Diocese of Newcastle, and was for years trustee to one of the church funds. Having been for so many years connected with the A, A. Company, the directors will, we are certain, regret the loss of his services, and will also find great difficulty in securing the services of a gentleman to succeed him who will possess such an intimate knowledge of the company s affairs. Immediately upon the news of the sad event being received in Newcastle, the flags of the various vessels in the harbor and at other places were hoisted half-mast high.
