Second Generation  

3. Christina Straith MATHESON [28017] (Thomas¹) was born on 22 Feb 1835 in Aberdeen Aberdeen Scotland and died on 5 Feb 1921 in Bondi Sydney NSW Australia at age 85.

Christina married George Henry BETHEL [28019] [MRIN: 10633], son of William BETHEL [33170] and Mary McLEAN [33171], on 12 Feb 1855 in Woolloomooloo Sydney Colony of New South Wales. George was born in 1832 in Co. Clare Ireland and died on 23 Oct 1915 in Sydney NSW Australia at age 83.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 11 M    i. George Thomas BETHEL [33172] was born in 1856 in Sydney Colony of New South Wales, died on 8 May 1921 in North Sydney NSW Australia at age 65, and was buried on 20 May 1921 in Waverley Cemetery Sydney NSW Australia.

   12 F    ii. Mary Straith BETHEL [33173] was born in 1859.

   13 M    iii. Christian S BETHEL [33174] was born in 1860.

+ 14 M    iv. Walter Edmond BETHEL [28020] was born on 14 Apr 1863 in Sydney Colony of New South Wales and died on 8 Sep 1941 in North Sydney NSW Australia at age 78.

   15 F    v. Helen BETHEL [33175] was born about 1869 in Sydney Colony of New South Wales and died on 22 Mar 1928 in Bondi Sydney NSW Australia about age 59.

   16 F    vi. Lillian BETHEL [33176] was born in 1873.

   17 M    vii. Ernest Stuart BETHEL [33177] was born in 1875.

5. Ellen MATHESON [18502] (Thomas¹) was born on 23 Aug 1839 in Sydney Colony of New South Wales and died on 2 Mar 1866 at age 26.

Ellen married John Thomas PLAYFAIR [18501] [MRIN: 7420], son of Thomas PLAYFAIR [18524] and Mary Anne ARNOLD [18525], on 7 Nov 1860. John was born on 4 Jan 1832 in Earls Colne Essex England, was christened on 12 Feb 1832 in Essex England, and died on 15 Nov 1893 in Sydney Colony of New South Wales at age 61.

General Notes: (John) Thomas Playfair, known as Thomas, was born at Earls Colne, Essex, England, on 4 January 1832. His mother Mary Anne Arnold was also a native of Essex, and his Father, Thomas Playfair, gave his birthplace as St Andrews, Scotland, at the time of his marriage to Mary Anne, but no record has been found of his birth. Thomas Playfair (senior) gave his profession as a tailor, and a publican, at varying times.

Thomas Playfair (junior) joined the British Royal Navy at the age of 12 in 1845, and served on a number of ships including Hecla, Tyne, Rattler, Hecate, Asia, Swift, Brisk, and Pelorus, on which ship he traveled to Melbourne as Wardroom Steward, arriving on 30 September, 1859. Here he was voluntarily discharged, and almost immediately made his way to Sydney, arriving there on S.S. London on 7 October, 1859.

In 1860 Thomas formed a partnership with Edmund John Bailey, a carcass butcher, trading as Bailey and Co. In the same year he married Ellen Matheson, a younger sister of Bailys wife Margaret. In 1860 the partnership purchased the Shipping Butcher business from George Read at 107 George Street Sydney and traded as Baily and Playfair. After Bailys death in 1862, it appears that his wife Margaret sold his interests in this business and the shops at South Head Road and Crown Street to Thomas Playfair. After the death of Ellen Matheson, Thomas married her half sister, Georgina, in 1867.

The property was originally leased to Thomas, but at sometime prior to 1882 Thomas purchased it and the business remained there until the early 1900s except for a period from c1879 when he leased it to other interests while he rented 101 George Street across the Suez Canal to carry on his business until he returned to 103 in 1885.

The names Baily and Playfair continued to be linked in the business until c.1885. Thomas must have had great respect for Baily as he named his second son Edmund John Baily Playfair. Thomas may have had some knowledge of the meat industry, because his mothers sister Susannah was married to a butcher, Henry Hugh Tipper who had his business at Whitechapel in England. Also his own older sister Mary Ann was married to another butcher, Walter Chaplin. However, Thomas had been at sea for most of his adult life. Thomas two surviving sisters, Mary Ann Chaplin and Susannah Tipper also migrated to Australia.

In 1875 Thomas was elected as an Alderman for the Sydney City Council for Gipps Ward, one of the eight wards into which Sydney was divided at the time, and which included the George Street North and the Rocks area. He served continuously for eighteen years until his death in 1893. He was elected Mayor of Sydney in 1885 (the title of Lord Mayor was not used until 1902, soon after Federation.)

During Thomas term as Mayor a medal was struck to commemorate the Return of the Soudan Contingent, inscribed PRESENTED BY THE CITIZENS OF SYDNEY, T PLAYFAIR, MAYOR 1885. A coloured picture was also published in a supplement to Illustrated Sydney News on Saturday July 4, 1885 to celebrate the occasion. The scene was in Oxford Street and the Baily and Playfair shop was clearly visible in the original picture.

Thomas Playfair was responsible for the establishment of the Homebush saleyards in 1882 at a cost of £60,000. The brass plaque originally found on the foundation post of the saleyards is now in the possession of Ross Playfair. The plaque reads THIS POST WAS LAID BY ALDERMAN THOMAS PLAYFAIR JP ON 20TH SEPTEMBER 1881. JOHN HARRIS ESQ. MAYOR.

Nearby was the Thomas Playfair Memorial Fountain, which now stands within Sydney Olympic Park. Amongst the memorabilia held by John Feakes is a beautiful trowel with an ivory handle, with the inscription PRESENTED TO THOMAS PLAYFAIR ESQ. MAYOR, BY THE DIRECTIONS OF HER MAJESTYS THEATRE AND GRAND OPERA HOUSE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. JANUARY 27TH 1885.

Thomas Playfair entered politics on 2 February 1889, being elected to the Legislative Assembly as a member for West Sydney and as a free trade supporter of Sir Henry Parkes. They belonged to no Party, but the sitting members were defeated at the elections on 6 June 1891. These elections were regarded as historical because it was at this time that the Australian Labour Party first won seats in the Legislative Assembly, thus permanently changing the political make-up of the Chamber.

On 6 October 1891 Thomas was called to give evidence at the Chinese Gaming Commission to consider its effect on the local community.

Thomas earliest recorded residential address was Wimbledon Cottage at Waverley in 1864. It is believed that Thomas resided at 103 George Street, Gloucester Street and Argyle Place before moving out of the Rocks area in about 1887 to Goldah House at 61 Darlinghurst road (Kings Cross), which he renamed Chelmsford after the capital of the English county of his birth, Essex.

Thomas Playfair died at his home on 15 November 1893. He was buried at Waverley Cemetery in a family plot with four graves and an impressive brown granite monument. This plot also holds the remains of other Playfair members, including his first son Thomas Arnold and his wife Olive, and Thomas daughter from his second marriage, Jessie with her husband Francis Walker and their son Francis and Alfred (Wakka). A stillborn baby Walker was also interred there on 19 January 1924.

At the time of his death, Thomas Playfairs Estate was valued at over £33,000. This included a good deal of real property, much of which he left to his daughter and sons other than Edmund, to whom he left the meat Company. Thus Edmund became the Companys sole owner. In 1960, to commemorate the centenary of the meat Company, Thomas Playfair Pty Ltd, his descendants erected the memorial Doors in The Garrison Church at Millers Point, in memory of Thomas.

Children from this marriage were:

+ 18 M    i. Thomas Arnold PLAYFAIR [18503] was born in 1861 and died in 1898 in St.Leonard's Sydney Colony of New South Wales at age 37.

+ 19 M    ii. Edmund John Bailey PLAYFAIR [18490] was born on 22 Aug 1863 in Sydney Colony of New South Wales and died on 6 Oct 1926 in Sydney NSW Australia at age 63.

   20 M    iii. Alexander PLAYFAIR [18504] was born on 24 Feb 1865 in Sydney Colony of New South Wales and died on 9 Mar 1865 in Sydney Colony of New South Wales.

   21 M    iv. Alfred Matheson PLAYFAIR [18505] was born on 23 Feb 1866 in Sydney Colony of New South Wales and died on 12 May 1867 in Sydney Colony of New South Wales at age 1.

8. Georgina Hope MATHESON [18509] (Thomas¹) was born on 26 Dec 1849 in Sydney Colony of New South Wales and died in 1878 in Sydney Colony of New South Wales at age 29.

Georgina married John Thomas PLAYFAIR [18501] [MRIN: 7422], son of Thomas PLAYFAIR [18524] and Mary Anne ARNOLD [18525], on 26 Feb 1867. John was born on 4 Jan 1832 in Earls Colne Essex England, was christened on 12 Feb 1832 in Essex England, and died on 15 Nov 1893 in Sydney Colony of New South Wales at age 61.

General Notes: (John) Thomas Playfair, known as Thomas, was born at Earls Colne, Essex, England, on 4 January 1832. His mother Mary Anne Arnold was also a native of Essex, and his Father, Thomas Playfair, gave his birthplace as St Andrews, Scotland, at the time of his marriage to Mary Anne, but no record has been found of his birth. Thomas Playfair (senior) gave his profession as a tailor, and a publican, at varying times.

Thomas Playfair (junior) joined the British Royal Navy at the age of 12 in 1845, and served on a number of ships including Hecla, Tyne, Rattler, Hecate, Asia, Swift, Brisk, and Pelorus, on which ship he traveled to Melbourne as Wardroom Steward, arriving on 30 September, 1859. Here he was voluntarily discharged, and almost immediately made his way to Sydney, arriving there on S.S. London on 7 October, 1859.

In 1860 Thomas formed a partnership with Edmund John Bailey, a carcass butcher, trading as Bailey and Co. In the same year he married Ellen Matheson, a younger sister of Bailys wife Margaret. In 1860 the partnership purchased the Shipping Butcher business from George Read at 107 George Street Sydney and traded as Baily and Playfair. After Bailys death in 1862, it appears that his wife Margaret sold his interests in this business and the shops at South Head Road and Crown Street to Thomas Playfair. After the death of Ellen Matheson, Thomas married her half sister, Georgina, in 1867.

The property was originally leased to Thomas, but at sometime prior to 1882 Thomas purchased it and the business remained there until the early 1900s except for a period from c1879 when he leased it to other interests while he rented 101 George Street across the Suez Canal to carry on his business until he returned to 103 in 1885.

The names Baily and Playfair continued to be linked in the business until c.1885. Thomas must have had great respect for Baily as he named his second son Edmund John Baily Playfair. Thomas may have had some knowledge of the meat industry, because his mothers sister Susannah was married to a butcher, Henry Hugh Tipper who had his business at Whitechapel in England. Also his own older sister Mary Ann was married to another butcher, Walter Chaplin. However, Thomas had been at sea for most of his adult life. Thomas two surviving sisters, Mary Ann Chaplin and Susannah Tipper also migrated to Australia.

In 1875 Thomas was elected as an Alderman for the Sydney City Council for Gipps Ward, one of the eight wards into which Sydney was divided at the time, and which included the George Street North and the Rocks area. He served continuously for eighteen years until his death in 1893. He was elected Mayor of Sydney in 1885 (the title of Lord Mayor was not used until 1902, soon after Federation.)

During Thomas term as Mayor a medal was struck to commemorate the Return of the Soudan Contingent, inscribed PRESENTED BY THE CITIZENS OF SYDNEY, T PLAYFAIR, MAYOR 1885. A coloured picture was also published in a supplement to Illustrated Sydney News on Saturday July 4, 1885 to celebrate the occasion. The scene was in Oxford Street and the Baily and Playfair shop was clearly visible in the original picture.

Thomas Playfair was responsible for the establishment of the Homebush saleyards in 1882 at a cost of £60,000. The brass plaque originally found on the foundation post of the saleyards is now in the possession of Ross Playfair. The plaque reads THIS POST WAS LAID BY ALDERMAN THOMAS PLAYFAIR JP ON 20TH SEPTEMBER 1881. JOHN HARRIS ESQ. MAYOR.

Nearby was the Thomas Playfair Memorial Fountain, which now stands within Sydney Olympic Park. Amongst the memorabilia held by John Feakes is a beautiful trowel with an ivory handle, with the inscription PRESENTED TO THOMAS PLAYFAIR ESQ. MAYOR, BY THE DIRECTIONS OF HER MAJESTYS THEATRE AND GRAND OPERA HOUSE ON THE OCCASION OF HIS LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE. JANUARY 27TH 1885.

Thomas Playfair entered politics on 2 February 1889, being elected to the Legislative Assembly as a member for West Sydney and as a free trade supporter of Sir Henry Parkes. They belonged to no Party, but the sitting members were defeated at the elections on 6 June 1891. These elections were regarded as historical because it was at this time that the Australian Labour Party first won seats in the Legislative Assembly, thus permanently changing the political make-up of the Chamber.

On 6 October 1891 Thomas was called to give evidence at the Chinese Gaming Commission to consider its effect on the local community.

Thomas earliest recorded residential address was Wimbledon Cottage at Waverley in 1864. It is believed that Thomas resided at 103 George Street, Gloucester Street and Argyle Place before moving out of the Rocks area in about 1887 to Goldah House at 61 Darlinghurst road (Kings Cross), which he renamed Chelmsford after the capital of the English county of his birth, Essex.

Thomas Playfair died at his home on 15 November 1893. He was buried at Waverley Cemetery in a family plot with four graves and an impressive brown granite monument. This plot also holds the remains of other Playfair members, including his first son Thomas Arnold and his wife Olive, and Thomas daughter from his second marriage, Jessie with her husband Francis Walker and their son Francis and Alfred (Wakka). A stillborn baby Walker was also interred there on 19 January 1924.

At the time of his death, Thomas Playfairs Estate was valued at over £33,000. This included a good deal of real property, much of which he left to his daughter and sons other than Edmund, to whom he left the meat Company. Thus Edmund became the Companys sole owner. In 1960, to commemorate the centenary of the meat Company, Thomas Playfair Pty Ltd, his descendants erected the memorial Doors in The Garrison Church at Millers Point, in memory of Thomas.

Children from this marriage were:

   22 F    i. Jessie PLAYFAIR [18510] was born in 1869 and died in 1951 at age 82.

Jessie married Francis B WALKER [18523] [MRIN: 7428] in 1891 in Sydney Colony of New South Wales.

+ 23 M    ii. Alfred Donald PLAYFAIR [18511] was born in 1871 and died in 1943 at age 72.

   24 M    iii. Walter PLAYFAIR [18512] was born on 22 Aug 1872 and died in 1872.