The Alchins and the Stears: Chas, Mary & the Mayor of Gulgong

Henry Lawson and "The Times Bakery" on the disused $10 Note

Article by Garry Norman Smith

When Charles Alchin (1837-1908) married Mary Stear (1843-1897) in the Wesleyan Church at Gunning on 22 March 1860, they “immediately” set about having at least twelve children between 1861 and 1886. One of those children was my great grandfather, Edward Alchin (1863-1941).

Home for this branch of the Alchin family was initially Oolong Creek, later Chain of Ponds and enduringly “Pine Range” near Gunning. Charles became a freehold farmer from the late 1850s, also running cattle into the 1880s and 1890s.

Charles Alchin (1837-1908)   Mary Alchin (nee Stear) (1843-1897). Photo supplied by Garry Smith.

It is so good to be able to gaze upon images of my great, great grandparents. Try as I have there remains a complete absence of great-grandparental images of Edward Alchin and Elizabeth Ann Alchin (nee Bailey) (1872-1964), albeit I met Elizabeth Ann on a precious few occasions when she lived her later years at Castle Hill.

So where are the missing images of Edward and Elizabeth? Other less relevant images have appeared during research into the Alchin, Stear and Bailey/Bayley families. I have even uncovered quite a treasure trove of information about Mary Stear’s brother, Richard John Stear (1853-1929). Richard was a businessman, magistrate, alderman and mayor of Gulgong.

Gulgong Councillors 1888. Photo supplied by Garry Smith.

Born in Gunning on 11 June 1853, the son of William Stear (1808-1855), a Cornish copper miner and Eliza Stear (nee Tiddy) (1819-1906), Richard went to the Gulgong gold rush via the Araluen goldfields and eventually became a timber merchant, produce merchant and master baker. Richard’s baker shop, Times Bakery, appeared at the top right-hand corner of the Australian $10 note between 1966 and 1994.

Richard John Stear (1853-1929)

Ironically, the note also carried the image of Henry Lawson. In 1875, Richard John Stear married Phoebe Emily Albury (1850-1926) at Gulgong; Phoebe was the aunt of Henry Lawson. My tenuous but worthy connection to Mr Lawson.

Lots of images available but where are Edward and Elizabeth? 

Garry Norman Smith is a regular contributor to the Gunning & District Historical Society's blog. If you have an idea for an article or photographs you are willing to share, please contact us at gunninghistory@gmail.com.