Looking for Barker Joseph BENSON, born Whitby 1815?

[carna]

Hi all,

Thanks JM, that makes sense and thanks for the picture. There were at least 3 wharves operating at the time, so that could be what happened.
I also looked at Max Sollings book at State Archives. It was interesting reading about medicine at the time and about Glebe. Thanks for the source JM.

Can't wait to get together. It would be great to look at the diaries, thanks Kim.

Barker's 1867 insolvency mentions gout.
Maybe he suffered this over a period of time.

I will continue to search local resources and will hopefully have more definite info when we get together.

Thanks to all,
Karen

[Barkrelsatthepoint]

Hi everyone,

Great to see so much discussion in our absence. We called in at Carcoar on our trip to Willandra NP (Nothing to do with us), and I left my details for the Historical Society there. A lady by the name of Jill has responded and says she has no record of Dr Barker Joseph Benson but has some information on him. She wants me to tell her what I've already got so we don't double-up. I looked back through the messages on this site and Kim, you seem confident that Thomas Barker Chapman Benson- his and Hannah's first son, was born there so I'll chase that line for now as we've got so much other info.

Guess what Richard his great great grandson suffers badly from time to time? - you got it 'Gout'!!! Unfortunately goes 'hand in hand' with heart trouble which he has too. Who says there nothing in genetics?

Having been to Carcoar by car etc - up and down Victoria Pass etc, one wonders how on earth people survived. It's been good reading Vivian Stuart's 'The Australians' factual historical novels which gives a bit of an insight into the personal side of things. Carcoar was a gold town and one wonders if it might have been 'gold fever' or a posting as a Dr Neilsen gets an official posting to there 'about the time Barker 'left' and he came from you guessed it 'Brisbane Waters'. 

Sad what you've written Karen about Willis. I know reading all this stuff here is light-hearted and heady and it's nice to paddle around in the 'romantic stuff' but the reality is 'Resilience' is not a 21st century phenomenon. It seems to me that what it brings home was that times were so tough and 'broke people' which is still going on today. I'm sure Richard's grandfather's issues with the grog stemmed from the depression and the deaths of his wife and daughter.

As Karen lives Gosford Way and we're south of Sydney, perhaps we need to meet somewhere in the middle. Any suggestions?

Cheers for now barkrels. 

[blynch2]

Hi everyone!

I have always wondered why Barker and Hannah went to Carcoar. They were there well before the goldrushes, so it couldn't have been that. I always wondered if they knew someone there, but haven't been able to find any connections. I've also wondered why they went to Gosford too. Did they know someone there? It was  a bit out of the way as well. It is interesting that Edward Hammond Hargreaves "discovered" gold, and also lived on the central coast at the same time as Barker and Hsnnah were there. A weird co-incidence? I'm pretty sure the Rutters were also at Gosford in the early 1840's, but don't know for how long.
I'm in the Blue Mountains, but don't mind where we meet. Sometime on the school holidays would be good perhaps.
Regards, Kim.

[Barkrelsatthepoint]

Hi everyone,

Just a quick reply, this site is so... interesting. Have emailed the lady in Carcoar,  and waiting on her reply. I was interested in the Hargraves connection too Kim, and had noted the Rutters presence in Gosford.

I'm posting here a comment from an email that is ten years old by Gwen Dundon who I noted on the Kendall site as a researcher. Karen you may be able to chase this as you are closer and I'm wondering who the great-great grandson is who is mentioned?

>Another early medico at East Gosford was Barker Joseph Benson, a
surgeon, whose wife Hannah Emily gave birth to four children while there...
William Robson 1845, Edward 1847, Emily Lancaster 1854 and Willis Allatson
born 1860. I had a letter in 1989 from a great grandson of this doctor
looking for information.

Private nurses and midwives cared for people in the early days of
the district, along with the doctor, and anyone seriously or injured was
transported (painfully!) to Sydney Infirmary etc, as I understand it.
In the 1920s, perhaps a bit earlier and later, there were some private
hospitals conducted in Gosford, by nursing sisters such as Khandala
(Sister M. Ricketts) in Hills St. Gosford District Hospital was not opened
until 1945, although a fund to build a cottage hospital in the town was
inaugurated in the late 19th century.

I would be grateful for any information about early medicos to add to
my very small file.

I tried the email address but it bounced (asking a bit much anyway)
 

Could we get together sometime in June as Rick and I are planning a trip north for the whole of July?

Cheers barkrels

 

 

[mumagill]

Hi, Everyone. I am new on here, But just had to comment. I am also related. Through General Robson Benson, he was my Great great great grandfather (hope thats enough greats )
I have been searching for the Benson family for several years now. Last year i hit the jackpot and have been handed heaps of info thro my mums aunt. also it confirmed all I searched is correct, bonus. I have a will of Sarah Benson, havent sat and worked out which one yet tho. Been busy trying to id a photo??!!  Also given letters couple Birth, death, baptist certificates etc and have Diarys James ( Hamish ) Benson wrote. They had me in stitches!!! i now know why most of my family are slightly... strange hahaha.
 Anyone following the Benson Simpson Chapman Walker trail, knows how confusing it can be and sooo addictive! I love the Bensons lol.

I got real buzz reading everyones posts. My partner found you all and emailed me. I will read thro again because i skimmed over to get to message box! Think i saw few things i didnt know about.
                               Thank You all
                                     

               

[blynch2]

Hi Naughty Gene!
Wow! How interesting! I would love to know more about General Robson Benson, Barker's brother. I do know he had an orchid named after him, and that he lived at Ruswarp House (which I saw when I visited the U.K. two years ago.
I'd like to know more about his children etc..
I'm happy to share any info you might need about the rest of the family.
Regards,
Kim.

[carna]

Hi again to all Benson Rels,
Sorry for the delay in posts. Have returned to full time teaching after 20yr gap (only until Oct, so should be back on track then). Soooo much preparation. Not much time for anything else.
Had replied about get-together and have only just realised that I mustn't have hit send.
Great to hear from you Naughty Gene.
Where in the world are you situated?
Karen

[mumagill]

Hi Kim, Karen & all
I live in Surrey, Uk. I have attatched some info i think may help you in your search.
I am travelling to Whitby this weekend to further my search and will post any new finds and pics upon my return.
Gill

[blynch2]

Hi Gill!
Many thanks for the info. There were a few names there that I had come across in my research but until now hadn't been able to place exactly. I was lucky enough to travel to Whitby 2 years ago. Didn't have much time, but visited the church and cemetery.
Karen - weird coincidence - I have also just returned to full time teaching after many years of casual. I know what you mean about having limited time!
Regards, Kim.