Thomas Balcomb (Crittenden)

  General Notes:

Entry from Brede St George 1813 - 1833 Ch
First names Thomas Baukham
Surname CRUTTENDEN
Sex s
Baptism Date 14-Jun
Baptism Year 1818
Mother first names Hannah
Mother surname CRUTTENDEN
Notes Pauper
Town Brede
County East Sussex

Thomas Baukham [as spelt in a transcript, original entry not seen] Cruttenden was baptised son of Hannah Cruttenden, a pauper, at St George, Brede, on 14 June 1818.
Crittenden/ Cruttenden One Name Study

Title:Maintenance order
Date:14 Jul 1818
Repository:East Sussex Record Office
ESRO reference:PAR 253/34/3/22
Level:File
Description:Thomas Balcomb of Beckley, labourer to pay 12s 6d maintenance, £2 costs and 2s 6d per week for the maintenance of the illegitimate son (born at poorhouse, 12 May 1818) of Hannah Cruttenden of Brede, singlewoman, she to pay 8d per week

Amellia Thompson- Ship September 1839
Ths Cruttenden, 21, Shoemaker from Sussex, Protestant, reads and writes. Sponsored by Mr John Masshall. Paid 18 pounds bounty.
Alice Cruttenden, 22, House servant, Sussex, Protestant, reads only, paid 18 pounds, total 36 pounds.
State Records Authority of New South Wales; Kingswood New South Wales, Australia; Persons on bounty ships (Agent's Immigrant Lists); Series: 5316; Reel: 2134; Item: [4/4784]

Name of Nominee- Whiteman, James Age 55 Name of Depositor Thomas Balcomb Amount paid in the colonty for Passenger 12 pounds.
12 pounds returned to depositor.
Whiteman- Anne 54, depositor- Thomas Balcom paid 12 pounds.
Anne Whiteman having had an attack of paralysys and then *par???* declined to emigrate.
12 Pounds returned to depositor.
Whitemen, James (jnr) 28 Depositor- Thomas Balcomb, paid 4 pounds.
Married and declines to emigrate- four pounds returned to the depositor.
Ancestry.com. New South Wales, Australia, Immigration Deposit Journals, 1853-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010.

Whiteman, Alfred 28, depositor- Thomas Balcomb, paid 4 pounds, declined to emigrate
Whiteman, Sarah 26, depositor- Thoms Balcomb, 4 pounds paid- declined to emigrate
Whiteman, Thomas, 10, depositor- Thomas Balcomb, 2 pounds paid- declined to emigrate


Occupation at time of baptisim of Sarah- Shoemaker.

Thomas, Alice and Sarah were living a Maquarie Plain at the time of Sarah's birth.

1903 Electoral Roll- Conoblas Division, Toogong Polling place shows Thomas Balcomb living at Toogong, occupation- farmer.

NASH'97BALCOMB.'97May 6, at Barrigan Hall, by the Rev. Mr. Allen, Robert Herbert, eldest son of Mr. Caleb Nash, J.P., Fairview, Parkes, to Alice, second eldest daughter of Mr. Thomas Balcomb, of Sussex Farm, Toogong.
1885 'Family Notices', Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907), 6 June, p. 43. , viewed 16 Jan 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71028793


BARRAGAN.
November 5.
THE TEA MEETING AND CONCERT in aid of the Anglican Church parish fund, in the Barragan Hall, were successful. An excellent tea was provided by Mesdames A. W. Stevens, Wren, Craven, Thomas, Balcomb, and Nash; and the concert at night was well attended. The chair was filled by the Rev. M. Smith. The programme was a long one.
1887 'BARRAGAN.', Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1907), 12 November, p. 15. , viewed 16 Jan 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article71091200


Cranbury.
Presentation to Miss Louise Ross. Last Friday afternoon witnessed a charming little function at the residence of Mr. George. Loomes, of Granbury, the occasion being a presentation to Miss Ross, the late teacher of Cranbury Public School. The function took the form of a picnic and alfresco tea and was splendidly carried out by tbe parents of the school children in honor of tbe guest of the day.
Needless to say the children mustered' to a man,' and they were in time too. Miss Ross bad a full roll call that day. Games were provided during the afternoon and these were not only appreciated by the youngsters but also by others who were once young '97 and had not quite forgotten it! The confirmed 'old fogies ' looked on, some admiringly, perhaps, some enviously, wishing that they also were young. In all that company we are sure there was no younger heart than that of dear old Grandfather Balcomb, and
he must be within cooey of ninety! Of course the young ladies were there to give grace and charm to the affair. Can anyone imagine a picnic without them? It would be too dreadful! It goes without saying the young men were there also '97 who ever saw the one without the other? Longfellow was right when he said, 'As unto the bow the cord is, so unto the man is woman. . . useless each without the other.' Of this the GENUS HOMO was fully convinced when, a little later, be was invited to do justice to the appetising dainties which his lady friends had provided.
The Rev. A. Stephen occupied the chair, and, after grace bad been sung by the company, gave the signal for a combined attack on the good things. But it was a useless endeavor, for the 'besiegers ' made but little impression on the loaded tables and the apparently inexhaustible supplies in the back ground. With true instinct as to the unconventional tastes of the young folks they had their spread on the ground, and needless to say had a good time. Whoever heard of a boy and a bun not having a good time? The inner man being satisfied, amidst suppressed excitement and mysterious mutterings, the surprise of the day
was to take place. A small table had been improvised and as the company gathered round, the children forming the inner circle, Mr. Thomas Balcomb came forward and read the following address, which he banded to Miss Ross
To Miss Louise Ross. '97 Dear Miss Ross, '97 On behalf of the parents and children of Cranbury, we desire to express our high admiration for those admirable qualities which you have displayed both in your private capacity and public career during your stay of nearly three years amongst us. Your endeavors to preserve
a high moral tone amongst the children placed under your care, and their general advancement in secular knowledge under your able tuition have been gratefully appreciated by us. We would also mention
our due regard for the spirit which prompted you in your acts of self-denial in giving up your own leisure, in order to cultivate the love of the useful and ornamental amongst the young folks. While insisting on discipline in the school routine, it is most gratifying to us to note the love which the children have always
had for you, and the general respect in which you have been held. In conclusion we would ask you to accept the accompany ing small token of our respect for you, and to express a hope that the Divine Blessing may always rest upon you and your work. '97 Signed on behalf of parents and children, William Loomes, Albert Balcomh, W. G. Taber, Thomas Sharp, Thomas Balcomb.
The 'small token ' referred to consisted of an exquisite Morocco dressing case, the silver - mounted contents of which were reverently unearthed and displayed on the table by Mr. Will Loomes. The case bore Miss Ross's name, neatly -embossed in silver letters, and was presented by one of her old scholars, Miss Bessie Nash. Mr. Stephen replied on Miss Ross's behalf, thanking tbe Granbury friends for their kindly appreciation of the service of love she bad tried to render the children. Three cheers for Miss Ross, the School and the King brought a happy and harmonious function to a close.
1903 'Cranbury.', Molong Argus (NSW : 1896 - 1921), 24 April, p. 13. , viewed 16 Jan 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article144156393

Speech given by Winifred Scoble (granddaughter) at the Balcomb family reunion at 'Sussex' 14/8/1976:

We are here today to pay tribute to the memory of Thomas and Elizabeth Balcomb.
Thomas Balcomb was born in Sussex, England on 24th May 1819. He was just one year older than the late Queen Victoria and very proud of the fact that he was born on her birthday. In 1839 he came out to NSW. He first settled in Oberon. He married Alice Whiteman and they had three daughters: Sarah, Hannah and Alice. Alice died at 15 years of age and his wife died also about this time. Later, he married Mrs Elizabeth Bailey who was a widow with two children: William and Jane. They lived at O'Connell Plains and had six children named Thomas, Miriam, Alice, Albert, Lillah and Frances. Hannah Balcomb married George Starr and had four sons and two daughters. Sarah married Robert Gransden and had six sons and three daughters. William Bailey married Eliza Bellamy and Jane Bailey married George Stapley. Thomas Balcomb was never wealthy and used to help out by mending boots and shoes. Grandma used to sell homemade butter and hen eggs - she would ride into Bathurst to sell these goods.

On the night that Thomas was born there was a bad storm causing the wreck of the ship "Dunbar" off Sydney Heads leaving only one survivor. The storm also blew the roof off their home. There is a photo of Minnie Balcomb taken on the verandah of this home in today's collection.

In the year 1876, after Hannah and Sarah married, Thomas Balcomb and family came here to "Sussex" to live. They were a Christian family and used to either hold a service of worship in their home or walk down to Toogong where a Methodist minister would come from Molong. This was before Barragan Hall was built.

They grew wheat and had a few sheep. One year they harvested only one bag of wheat which they took to Cudal to be ground into flout. Grandfather planted Kentish cherries around a small paddock or orchard and they were the only fruit we would get in my childhood days.

The home at "Sussex" has four rooms and a kitchen with a mud floor. Outside there was a brick and mud oven in which the bread was made.

Grandma was an excellent cook- her buns, brownies pound cakes and plum puddings were perfection. She catered for her three daughter's weddings making the wedding cakes. If she did not have the right number of tins for the wedding cakes, she would sew several thicknesses of brown paper and make the sizes she needed.

Both Grandfather and Grandmother were good walkers. They thought nothing of walking from here to "Macquarie" and then around by our place "The Cedars" and then home.

Their eldest daughter Miriam married Iram Nash, they had a family of seven children. Thomas Balcomb Junior married Annie Poole and had two daughters and one son. Alice married Herbert Nash and had a family of eight children. Lillah married Joshua Nash and had a family of three girls. Albert married Maryanne Thomas and reared a family of five sons and two daughters. The Nash and Balcomb families are very closely linked. Grandma was asked at Lillah's wedding "If you had three more girls could you find husbands for them?" Her reply, "Yes, if there were three more Nash boys." All the daughters were married at Barragan Hall.

Thomas Balcomb built a home when he was married and he and Granfather used to conduct Sunday School in it. The Loomes, Sharp, Wren and Swansbra families as well as the Nash and Balcomb families used to attend.
Albert lived at "Sussex" and reared a family of five before he acquired "Rutherfield" from Mr Henry Thomas. Florrie and Noel were born at "Rutherford". Grandfather was past working at this stage and they used to rent part of their home to help out - no pension in those days.

Mr & MRs May, school teachers, were the first tenants and later Mr & Mrs R Baker and son were still at "Sussex" when Gran died. They were very proud people when the Methodist Church was built. It had four corner stones instead of a foundation stone and Grandfather was asked to lay one. My parents put some notes in an old purse for him to put on the stone, and in his excitement he put the old purse (much to mother's disgust) on the stone. He only lived four years after that. He would be pleased to see present church and hall. He used to always attend church and did so until three Sundays before he died. During the children's address he used to answer the questions put to the children. He was staying at "Macquarie" when he took ill and asked to go home to "Sussex" to die. With help from Mr Whitmee they made an ambulance out of the buggy and brought him home to "Sussex". When asked if he was in any pain, he would answer, "No, I'm just going home." And so he passed away peacefully on 6th February, 1906.

Grandma was a wonderful wife. In her youger days she used to ride to Cudal with eggs and butter in a butcher's basket and bring home the groceries. On one occasion when she was returning home she found Oakey Creek in flood and had to return to Cudal and go home via Toogong. Her wonderful Christian life was an influence in this district. They have left a good heritage of men and women. Two grandsons were Presbyterian Ministers - his son and grandsons local preachers and Sunday School teachers, a granddaughter a great lady of the parsonage. Several grandsons served in the First World War. There are local preachers and Sunday School teachers in the next generation. And so we are here to pay tribute to two of God's great Christian people. The late Roy Balcomb MBE became the next owner of "Sussex" and you cn appreciate how he worked and made it what you see. The home was built in 1915 and the bricks were made on the property. After Thomas Balcomb died, more land had been acquired and Roy, Horace and Ira used to come and stay in the old home and plant and harvest crops.

1878-79: Official Post Office Directory : Balkam, Thomas, farmer

Adapted from: History of Toogong, Dorothy Balcomb, 1972

The Balcomb name, with or without an 'e', has been associated with Toogong since 1876 when Thomas Balcomb at the age of 58, selected "Sussex", 3 1/2 miles from Toogong.
Thomas was born in 1818 in Sussex, England, came to Australia in 1839 settling first in Bathurst, then at Oberon and later O'Connell Plains where all of his children were born.



Registration Number:00913
Date of Death:6 Feb 1906
Place of death:Sussex Farm, Cranbury NSW
Name:Thomas Balcomb
Occupation:Farmer
Sex:Male
Age:88
Cause of Death:Senile Decay: Magistrates Order For Burial
Duration:2 Months
Medical Attendant:S. Landover, J.P,Cudal, 7Feb 1906
Father:Thomas Balcomb
Father's Occupation:Farmer
Mother-Maiden Name:Not Known
Informant:Thomas Balcomb Jr. Son, Cranbury
When buried:7 Feb 1906
Where:Toogong Cemetery, NSW
Undertaker:T.J.Curtis
Minister:Reverand R.J.Thomas
Religion:Weslyan
Witnesses:William Loomes, Alexandra Swansbra
Where Born:Ryde, County Kent, England
Time in Colony/State:69 years in NSW
Place Married:England; Bathurst NSW
Age at Marriage:19;36
Spouse:Alice Whiteman; Elizabeth Bailey
Children of Marriage:1st marriage - Hannah 58, Sarah 55, Living 1 female
deceased
2nd marriage -Marian 50, Thomas 48, Albert
46, Alice 37, Lilla 33, Living, 1 male 1
female deceased

On Tuesday, February 6, Mr Thomas Balcombe, one of the oldest, worthiest, and most respected residents of the Molong District, passed, at the ripe age of 87 years, to his eternal reward. He was born in England on May 12, 1818. In 1839 the old homeland was left for New South Wales, and he first settled in the Bathurst district, and while resident there he married, and, some years later, buried his wife. In Oberon a new home was found. Here he married the worthy lady, who, for 52 years, has shared his life's varied experiences, and who still survives him.
The severity of the Oberon climate made a change of residence necessary; hence our late brother removed to O'Connell Plains. After dwelling here for some time he was induced in 1876 to remove to Cranbury. Here he continued for the rest of his life. The late Mr. Balcombe religious life commenced in the year 1837. At the age of 19 years he was converted to God. Immediately he joined himself to our church, and for 68 years he has continued as a memeber beloved, a trusted official, and the minister's friend. Among the many graces which adorned his fine character were his transperent goodness and utter sincerity. These characteristics, combined with other graces, enabled our brother to inspire and retain the confidence and esteem of all classes in the communities where he lived. Animated by a sincere love for the souls of men, he became a pioneer in religious work. Several successful Methodist churches had their origin in his home. Gathering the children of the neighbourhood together in his home, he with his good wife, worked faithfully and well, until Class and Prayer Meetings, together with public preaching services were established. This led eventually to the building of churches, in which a good work is still being done. One of the largest congregations in the Molong Circuit is found worshipping in the Cranbury Chruch. When this fine building was in course of erection the trustees honoured his worth and work in the community by getting him to lay the foundation stones. He loved and was loyal to the Lord Jesus Christ, and greatly loved his Church. In all financial operations he assisted generously. From the service of the sanctuary he was rarely absent. A short time ago the writer conducted a special service for children in the presence of a large congregation. The children could not answer some of the questions addressed to them. In every instance in which they failed the answer was supplied by this dear, aged servant of God. Three weeks later his mortal remains were laid to rest in the Togoong cemetery. The service at the graveside was pervaded and hallowed by the Presence Divine. Perhaps the best tribute to this good life is rendered by the very excelent character possessed by all the members of his large family. In well-nigh every instance the sons and daughters are respected members and useful officials of our Church in the Molong. Parkes and Oberon Circuits. As a tribute of love to the memory of a good man the grandchildren have decided to have a beautiful marble tablet placed in the Cranbury Church. This will be unveiled, if possible, when the "In Memoriam" services is conducted by the circuit minister.
1906 'Thomas Balcombe.', The Methodist (Sydney, NSW : 1892 - 1954), 10 March, p. 14. , viewed 16 Jan 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article155452876

On the 6th February Mr. T. Balcomb, of Sussex farm, Cranbury, went to "that bourne from which no traveller returns" after a short but painless illness. He had reached the ripe age of nearly 88 years, and as the organs the body had worn out in their years of work the gentleman passed painlessly to the next world. He was familiarly know to young and old in the district as "Grandfather Balcomb," and was beloved by all who knew him. A man caring little for the affairs of this world, he had deeply rooted religious convictions, and his one pleasure was to attend his church and worship the Great Creator ;in fact he was at Church
three Sundays before his death, and in this world of sham and hypocrisy it is refreshing to know that the old gentleman practiced as he preached, and was a true follower of the meek and lowly Jesus. Mr. Balcomb was born at Sussex, Kent, in 1818 on 12th May, coming from England to New South Wales in 1839. He settleed in the Bathurst district for a time and arrived at Cranbury on 27th January 1876, exactly 30 years ago. He took up a farm and reared a large family of sober, industrious, and honored children, who are a standing monument of the goodness of Mr. Balcomb and his bereaved widow. What more could a man do for his country '97 as he was a pioneer settler and he has left reared a family of most desirable citizens '97
men and women who are a credit to any community and any country. Having thus discharged his duty to his country, his family and his God, is there any wonder he was so widely respected and deeply mourned by those who knew him. His remains were interred in the Toogong Cemetery and followed by 30 vehicles and 17 horsemen. The funeral service was read by Rev. Thomas who came from Molong especially.
His widow and family have the heartfelt sympathy of all in the district in their very sad bereavement.
1906 'Cranbury.', Canowindra Star and Eugowra News (NSW : 1903 - 1907; 1910 - 1911; 1914 - 1922), 16 February, p. 5. , viewed 16 Jan 2018, http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article144477371


Headstone, Toogong Cemetery- Anglican Section.
Ornate Marble Headstone only.
Thomas 6 Feb 1906 88yo.
Elizabeth wife of above 8 Jan 1918 90yo.

Headstone Reads:
In Memory of
Thomas Balcomb
Died Feb 6 1906 - Aged 88 years
Elizabeth Balcomb
Wife of above
Died Jan 8 1918 - Aged 90 years.
"Blessed are the pure in heart."

From the transcript of his death:
Place of death: Sussex farm, Cranbury. Occupation: farmer. Cause of death: senile decay.
Father's occupation: farmer.

Headstone:
In Memory of
Thomas Balcomb
Died Feb 6 1906 - Aged 88 years
Elizabeth Balcomb
Wife of above
Died Jan 8 1918 - Aged 90 years.
"Blessed are the pure in heart."
Grave C(30)- Australia Cemetery Index, 1808-2007

Occupation shoemaker from 1845-1855- Fish River, NSW. Employed as a farmer 1859-1872 Bosworth Falls, O'Connell. (Rhonda Davis)

Thomas married Alice Whiteman, daughter of James Whiteman and Ann Butcher, on 13 Apr 1839 in Parish Church, Peasmarsh, Sussex, England.¹⁵⁹ (Alice Whiteman was born in 1818, died on 30 Apr 1854 in Macquarie Plains, New South Wales, Australia ¹⁶⁴ and was buried on 2 May 1854 in Macquarie Plains, New South Wales, Australia.)

  Marriage Notes:

From transcription of death certificate - states that Thomas married Alice Whiteman in England at the age of 19. They must have migrated soon after their wedding as his death certificate stated that he had spent 69 years in the colony/state.

Vol 7 P 387

Marriage cert. shows Thomas Crittendon (Bachelor)- fathers name Thomas Balcomb occupation Shoemaker residence Peasmarsh. (Signed)

Alice Whiteman (spinster) occupation servant, residence Peasmarsh, father James Whitemen, Labourer. (Her mark)

Witnesses- Alfred Whitemen (signed) and Sarah Taunton (her mark)
Registration District Rye, April 13th 1839.

Thomas next married Elizabeth Enright, daughter of Charles Enright and Jane Mathews, on 5 Mar 1855 in O'Connell Plains Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia ¹⁶⁰.^,161 (Elizabeth Enright was born on 24 Apr 1828 in Limerick County, Ireland and died on 8 Jan 1918 in Cargo, New South Wales, Australia ¹⁶⁵.)