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James Forsyth 1818 - 1907

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• Birth	4 May 1818	Freeschool, Bermondsey,, London, England
  Gender	Male
  Died	11 Apr 1907	"Sofala", Alma Street, North Sydney. St Leonards Reg No 6521/1907
  Buried	13 Apr 1907	Wesleyan Church Cemetery, Mobrawy Rd, South Chatswood, NSW
  Person ID	I0007	Forsyth Tanners
  Last Modified	10 Jan 2018

  
  

  Father	Thomas Warner Forsyth,   b. 12 Jan 1790, St Johns, Horsley Downs, London, England ,   d. 12 Apr 1849, The Workhouse, Bermodsey, England
  Mother	Martha Rosewall,   b. Abt 1800,   d. 1828, Newcastle on Tyne, Northumberland, England
  Married	2 Feb 1817	St John the Evangelist, Horsley Downs, London, England
  Family ID	F005	Group Sheet

  
  

  Family	Margaret Todd,   b. 22 Oct 1818, Tyneside, Newcastle on Tyne, England ,   d. 21 Feb 1891, "Sofala", Alma Street, North Sydney, N.S.W., AUSTRALIA. St Leonards Reg No 13732/1891
  Married	26 Feb 1837	All Saints, Newcastle on Tyne,Northumberland, England
  Children	1. Robert Forsyth,   b. Abt Jun 1837, Newgate St, Newcastle on Tyne ,   d. 1837, Died as baby. Newgate St, Newcastle on Tyne, Northumberland, England.   2. Robert Todd Forsyth,   b. 23 Aug 1838, Newgate St, Newcastle on Tyne, Northumberland, England ,   d. 1 Feb 1839, Died as baby. Newgate St, Newcastle on Tyne, Northumberland, England.   3. Thomas Todd Forsyth,   b. 2 Nov 1839, Holdforths Square, Mill Street, Kirkgate, Leeds, York, England ,   d. 2 Aug 1921, Willoughby, Sydney, N.S.W., AUSTRALIA   4. John Rosewell Forsyth,   b. 6 Jan 1842, 17 William St, Harper St, New Kent Rd, Newington, England. ,   d. 6 Mar 1928, Ryde Reg No 4151/1928   5. James Forsyth,   b. 10 Nov 1845, 2 Charles St, Bermondsey, London, England ,   d. 3 Apr 1854, Died as child. 1 Cottage Place, Bermondsey, London, England   6. Robert Forsyth,   b. 16 Apr 1848, Abbey St, Bermondsey, London ,   d. 1 May 1917, St Leonards   7. Jane Todd Forsyth,   b. 14 Jun 1852, 1 Smiths Buildings, Bermondsey, London, England ,   d. 13 Jan 1854, 1 Cottage Place, Bremondsey, London, England   8. Margaret Dorling Forsyth,   b. 19 Jan 1855, Smiths Buildings, Bermondsey, London, England ,   d. 27 Aug 1939, North Sydney, N.S.W., AUSTRALIA   9. Edward Dorling Forsyth,   b. 24 May 1857, 48 Smiths Buildings, Bermondsey, London, England ,   d. 29 Aug 1859, 48 Smiths Buildings, Bermondsey, London, England   10. Sarah Jane Forsyth,   b. 24 Oct 1859, 48 Smiths Buildings, Bermondsey, London, England ,   d. 21 Jun 1887, Elizabeth St, North Sydney. St Leonards Reg No 5418/1887
  Last Modified	19 Jul 2022
  Family ID	F004	Group Sheet

  
  

• Photos		James Forsyth 4 May 1918 - 11 April 1907
  		Forsyth Family Immigration Deposit 19 May 1862 lodged by James to bring family to Australia
  		James Forsyth Baptism St John Horselydown Bermondsry 30 Aug 1818

  
  

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• Notes

  I had dob as 4 April 1818 don't know where got from Baptism London, England, Births and Baptisms, 1813-1906 Name: James Forsyth Record Type: Baptism Estimated Birth Date: abt 1818 Baptism Date: 30 Aug 1818 Father's Name: Thomas Forsyth Mother's Name: Martha Forsyth Parish or Poor Law Union: Horselydown St John Borough: Southwark Register Type: Bishop's Transcript James came to Australia in 1853 Rosewell Tannery - Corner of Stan & Ann Streets, Willoughby James Forsyth established the Rosewall Tannery in 1869 on part of the 278 acres he owned in Willoughby. He became Mayor of Willoughby in 1875, remaining an Alderman until 1881 when he retired passing the business on to his sons, Thomas Todd and Robert. Thomas Todd was an Alderman for 27 years and Mayor in 1882 & 1887-88. In 1906 Broomham Bros bought the tannery and renamed it Enterprise Tannery. The brothers, Joseph, Robert, William and Albert and their father, Charles Broomham had worked for James Forsyth. Robert was an Alderman of Willoughby Council from 1920-22. In 1957 the tannery became the Willoughby Bus Depot. Obituary SMH Monday 15 April 1907 The funeral of the late Mr. James Forsyth took place on Saturday, and was largely attended. Tho interment was made in the Methodist Cemetery, Chatswood. Prior to leaving his late residence at North Sydney a short service was held, at which the Rev. W. Halse Rogers officiated. At the graveside the service was conducted by the Rev. W. Halse Rogers, assisted by tho Revs. W. H. George, B. J. Meek, and H. W. Pincombe The chief mourners were:- Messrs. T. T. Forsyth, Robert Forsyth, and John Forsyth (sons), J. B. Forsyth (nephew), W. H. Forsyth, R. C. Forsyth , R. T. Forsyth, W. F. Forsyth, Edward Forsyth, Dr. J. E. Forsyth, Albert E. Forsyth, 3. Forsyth, Frederick Forsyth, Percy Forsyth syth, Crawford Coulter, and T. Richardson: (grandsons), J. W. Forsyth, W. S. Forsyth, Chas. Forsyth, and Herbert Forsyth (grand nephews), A. E. Lea, C. Knight, J. Cunning- ham, H. Campbell, Kells, Clark, A. Walker, G. White, T. M. Sims (grand sons-in-law), and A. Hughos. Amongst others present were:- Messrs. G. F. Bailey (President Master Tan- ners' Association), E. M. Farley (Master Tan- ners' Association), Frazer (Pitt, Son, and Bad- gery), G. Hodson (Edison Swan Co.), IC M'Lcan, Charlton, J. M. Lane, S. E. Hutton, W. Cleland, son-, W. Cleland, jun. (Mayor of Willoughby), T. Ackllng, W. Wilkio (Presi- dent Chatswood Bowling Club), Crawford (C. B. Club), A. Saddington (North Sydney Bowling ing Club), the Revs. G. McIntosh, D. Murphy, A. Y- Toy, Messrs. S. W. Goorlug, Chaffer, IL Fleming, F. Over, T. W. Richards, F. G. Lano, J. IC Small, E. M. Fry, J. S. M'Court, T. Simpson, J. Gafes, and H. Abercrombie. The Methodist (Sydney, NSW : 1892 - 1954) Saturday 20 April 1907 p 6 Mr. James Forsyth. Mr. James Forsyth, one of the oldest residents of the State, died at North Sydney on Thursday evening, April 11, at the age of 89. He was born at New castle-on-Tyne (Eng.), and went to California during ''the gold rush.'' Reports of the finds on the Australian fields attracted him to this country to- wards the end of the fifties. He made his way to the Turon, and afterwards to Ballarat, and was at these places during many of the stirring events of their history. Deciding to enter com- mercial life, he opened a business at Surry Hills as a boot manufacturer, and also started a small tannery at Parra- matta. Subsequently he admitted his sons into partnership under the style of James Forsyth and Sons, taking the premises in George-street West, and later starting the tannery business at Willoughby. These concerns were car- ried on very successfully for many years under his supervision, until he retired from the management about 25 years ago, leaving his two sons to succeed him. In the interval he devoted his time to the management of his personal pro- perty, in addition to taking frequent pleasure trips to the other States and the Islands. Mr. Forsyth had a very thorough knowledge of the leather busi- ness, and his interest in the develop- ment of the various branches of the trade was very keen. He resided for many years at Willoughby, and always took an active interest in all matters connected with the welfare of the dis- trict. He was closely identified with the growth of the Methodist Church in the northern suburbs, and his generous support enabled many efforts at church building to be carried out, both in Wil- loughby and North Sydney. He possess- ed a remarkably vigorous constitution, exhibiting all the vitality of a very much younger man, and right up to his last illness travelling was a genuine pleasure to him. For some years past he had been a frequent visitor to Tas- mania, Fiji, and Norfolk Island, and it was during one of these holiday trips to Hobart that he was seized with the sick- ness which caused his death. The symp- toms were serious, but he rallied suf- ficently to allow of his being brought back to his home at North Sydney, where he lingered for a few weeks. He left three sons and one daughter, be- sides a large number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The funeral took place at the Methodist Cemetery, Chatswood, on Saturday afternoon. In later life James went travelling around the Pacific. The following shipping arrivals appear to be of James travels New South Wales, Australia, Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1826-1922 about James Forsyth Name: James Forsyth Port of Departure: South Sea Islands Port of Arrival: Sydney, New South Wales Voyage Arrival Date: 2 May 1871 Vessel Name: Gulnare New South Wales, Australia, Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1826-1922 about James Forsyth Name: James Forsyth Port of Departure: Melbourne Port of Arrival: Sydney, New South Wales Voyage Arrival Date: 13 Apr 1874 Vessel Name: Dandenong New South Wales, Australia, Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1826-1922 about James Forsyth Name: James Forsyth Port of Departure: Auckland, New Zealand Port of Arrival: Sydney, New South Wales Voyage Arrival Date: 13 Mar 1878 Vessel Name: Heron New South Wales, Australia, Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1826-1922 about James Forsyth Name: James Forsyth Port of Departure: Cooktown Via Northern Ports Port of Arrival: Sydney, New South Wales Voyage Arrival Date: 17 Jun 1878 Vessel Name: Elamang New South Wales, Australia, Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1826-1922 about James Forsyth Name: James Forsyth Port of Departure: Auckland Via Russell Port of Arrival: Sydney, New South Wales Voyage Arrival Date: 18 Dec 1882 Vessel Name: Teanau New South Wales, Australia, Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1826-1922 about James Forsyth Name: James Forsyth Port of Departure: Melbourne Port of Arrival: Sydney, New South Wales Voyage Arrival Date: 28 Jan 1883 Vessel Name: Barrabool New South Wales, Australia, Unassisted Immigrant Passenger Lists, 1826-1922 about Mr James Forsyth Name: Mr James Forsyth Port of Departure: Melbourne Port of Arrival: Sydney, New South Wales Voyage Arrival Date: 8 Sep 1887 Vessel Name: Konoowarra The Methodist (Sydney, NSW : 1892 - 1954) Sat 21 Jan 1899 Page 6 Brief Mention. Mr. James Forsyth, of St. Leonards, has generously given a block of 100 feet frontage, adjoining, the Parsonage, Clan-William-street, Willoughby, within a stone's-throw of the new tram, for a church site, and the work of obtaining the necessary funds for a new church is already in hand. The Methodist (Sydney, NSW : 1892 - 1954) Sat 26 Jan 1901 Page 3 Interesting Items. The Memorial stones of our new church at Clanwiiliam- street were laid on Saturday by Mr. James Forsyth senr, Mr. W. H. McKeown senr., Mrs. R. Forsyth and Mrs. H. Fleming. A large gathering of friends, including several prominent ministers, were present, and a very pleasant time was spent. The meeting was a pronounced success in every way. The President, the Rev. W. H. Beale, was at his best in an address that soon had the hearty appreciation of all present. Others who took part were the Revs. W. H. Rogers (Secretary of the Conference), G. Brown, D.D., H. W. T. Pincombe, F. C. Boyer, H. C. Foreman, B.A., and the Circuit ministers. The Methodist (Sydney, NSW : 1892 - 1954) Sat 4 Jul 1931 Page 1 TWO DIAMOND JUBILEES TWO DIAMOND JUBILEES Chatswood South and Old Hornsby By J.E.C. THE present year marks the Diamond Jubilee of two of the oldest causes of Methodism on the North Shore line. In the year 1871 the church at what was then called Willoughby was erected; in the same year a chapel was built at what was then called South Colah, the present location of Old Hornsby or Normanhurst. A few items with regard to the change in the nomenclature may here be appropriate. Sixty years ago St. Leonards was the designation locally employed to describe North Sydney; and the St. Leonards circuit extended along the whole of the line now reaching from Milson 's Point to Hornsby, with. four churches then under different names than those by which they (or their successors) are now known. Walker Street Church then appeared on the Plan as St. Leonards ; Chatswood South was Willoughby ; Gordon was Lane Cove; and South Hornsby was South Colah. It is interesting to note how the changes came about. To begin with, St. .Leonards dropped out when the more general and appropriate name - was officially applied of North Sydney. Chatswood superseded Willoughby, by reason of the planting of a railway station of that name hard by. Gordon became a local name instead of the designation of Lane Cove, by which name the whole of the upper portion of the district was known 60 years ago; and Hornsby succeeded Colah because of the necessity of a name to designate a post office then for the first time established there. Chatswood derived its name from an interesting domestic circumstance. The owner of the land on which the railway station was located was Mr. Harnett; and on the rail way authorities requesting him to give a name by which the railway station was to be known, he conferred with his wife. The pet name by which he was accustomed to address that lady was ' ' Chatty. ; ' 'All right, my dear,' he is reported to have said, we'll call the ?station Chatswood. ' ' That designation it bears to-day. Hornsby was suggested by the late Mr. J. G. Edwards to the old-time settler who was to have charge of the new post-office ? Mr. Jonathan Wild. The land on which Mr. Wild's home stood was on portion of the grant made to a Mr. Home, and with a ready adaptation, the name Hornsby was suggested and adopted. These two items of information were given to me by my late brother-in-law, Mr. J. G. Edwards, than whom no one knew more about old times in the North Sydney-Gordon-Hornsby districts. On the 1st July, 1871, the foundation stone Old Hornsby Church. Help Old Hornsby Church of the (then) Willoughby Church was laid by Mr. John Dawson, a leading Methodist of old York Street circuit and a prominent business man in the city. The superintendent of the circuit was the Rev. F. W. Ward, who a few years later resigned to follow the profession of Journalist, and who (as Dr. Ward) achieved a very high and honourable position in that profession. South Chatswood Church (Originally Willoughby) Help South Chatswood Church (Originally Willoughby) The cost of the church, as then erected, was £400, and it was completed before the end of the year. The 9th November (then the Prince of Wales birthday) was observed for many years as the anniversary occasion. Friends gathered from all the other parts of the circuit, and from the city also, to share in the festivities of the day. An elaborate luncheon was provided at 1 p.m., followed by a public meeting, with musical programme and congratulatory addresses by local and visiting ministers. The little church, with its Gothic architecture and its miniature tower and spire, was a prominent object on the road side, and was frequently referred to by visitors and others as "the pretty little church." Mr. W. H. McKeown, of Lane Cove; Mr. James Forsyth, of Willoughby, and his sons, Mr. T. T. and; Mr. R. Forsyth, were prominently connected with the building of the little sanctuary. Mr. and Mrs. Bryson, who lived immediately opposite to it, were greatly devoted to its interests; and families of the name of Leek, Johnstone, Fleming, Crick, Robinson, Montgomery, and Roseby, were among its early and regular attendants and supporters. In 1883 ? eleven years after its erection ? the church was enlarged by the addition of transepts and its accommodation was doubled. As it stands to-day it has received further enlargement, and has been greatly beautified. Its diamond jubilee celebrations will awaken many sacred memories and will doubtless call forth much sanctified enthusiasm. Hornsby (then South Colah) was originally missioned from Lane Cove by Mr. McKeown and a few other earnest-souled lay workers. The original chapel adjoined the residence of Mr. Jonathan Wild, and was a small wooden erection capable of holding about 80 people. Mr. Wild played the organ, and the principal families were those of the name of Hewitt, Paterson, Duffy, Evans, Lipscomb, Osborne, and Gambling. When, the railway station was located at what is now known as Hornsby, it became a junction station, and was originally designated Hornsby junction. But in process of time the second word was, dropped and the important railway centre claimed sole possession of the designation Hornsby, leaving Old Hornsby (originally Colah) to find another name for itself. The adjacent railway station is named Normanhurst; but Old Hornsby is still uncertain whether to call itself by that name or Hornsby South or to adopt the railway station name. Pearce's Corner used to be the name applied to the Anglican Church a few hundred yards off, but that appellation is now no longer heard. In 1882 the original church was enlarged; and later on the wooden edifice gave place to a neat and substantial brick edifice on the same site. The neighbourhood now known as Thornleigh was included in the area served by the church ; but, of course, the population in those days was almost infinitesimal compared to what it is to-day. New Year's Day used to be 'great day of the feast,' so far as Old Hornsby was concerned; and a great feast it was. Great provisions of the table were spread in tempting abundance, and the feast of oratory and flow of soul succeeded in the afternoon. Sixty years ago, was the day of small things. But the men and women of those days were not small- . souled. They were large-hearted; they loved their church and provided for it; and they laid the foundations on which the men and women of to-day are building. May we do as well for our posterity , as those who have gone before.