Chittick Family History Archives - Clover Hill Diaries

One Saturday, two events, and the story of three orphans who built this district

Every object on this table holds a story. Yours do too, and most of those stories are one generation from being lost. Saturday 18 July, Kiama Library, the Royal Australian Historical Society is teaching us how to capture them before they go.

Three orphan girls built lives we still drive past every day

I write stories so the people we love are remembered. Memory has a shelf life of about two generations. Your grandchildren will know your name. Their children probably won’t, unless someone writes it down. Every family has people worth remembering, and most families never get around to it.

So when I heard what the Kiama Historical Society has organised for Saturday 18 July, I paid attention.

In 1821 three young sisters, Cecelia, Caroline and Catherine Rutter, were sent to the Female Orphan School at Parramatta. The Orphan School was where the colony put children it had no other place for. It was not a beginning anyone would choose.

Fifty years on, their names were attached to some of the finest homes in this district. Cecelia married Michael Hindmarsh of Alnebank at Gerringong. Caroline married Thomas Surfleet Kendall of Barroul House. Catherine’s second marriage, to Thomas Chapman, made her home at Hartwell House.

For me, one of those names is personal. In 1880 my grandfather’s family, the Chitticks, arrived in Sydney aboard the Samuel Plimsoll, a wool clipper 74 days out of Plymouth. The shipping list records six brothers, aged 15 to 27, every one of them an agricultural labourer, with their mother and sisters listed as domestics. In time the Chitticks bought half of the Alnebank farm. The orphan girl’s ground became my family’s ground. My grandmother’s people had already been in this district since 1831, and my father’s side arrived in 1841. These stories don’t just overlap with ours. They share fences.

I know all of that because somebody kept the records, and somebody else taught me how to read them. A shipping list, a family tree in a booklet, dates and ages in a column. That’s how a name becomes a person whose story you can share.

Carol Liston, president of the Royal Australian Historical Society, tells the Rutter sisters’ story at Kiama Library Auditorium on Saturday 18 July at 1.45 pm. It costs $3 for Historical Society members, $5 for guests, afternoon tea included, and you can just turn up.

The morning session is the one I’d urge you to book

Before the talk, Carol and the Society’s senior vice president Christine Yeats are running a research workshop, 10 am to 1 pm at the same venue. This is a rare thing. The two most senior figures of the Royal Australian Historical Society, in Kiama, teaching the practical craft: how to search Trove so it gives you answers instead of noise, how to use the Historical Land Records Viewer to trace a property and the people who held it, how to read colonial records for the personal detail that turns a name into a person.

Almost every family around here has the shoebox. The photographs with no names on the back. The family tree that stops dead somewhere in the 1880s. The house with a name nobody can explain. This workshop is for that shoebox. BOOK YOUR SPACE HERE

It’s $25 for historical society members, $30 for everyone else, and that includes morning tea, cakes and lunch. Bookings are essential, so don’t leave it until the week of.

I’ll be there with my own list of dead ends. Whether Trove can crack them is another question. That’s rather the point of going.

🐄🌱🥛 New Chapter in Cowra. The Chittick Family’s Dairy Farming Legacy Continues at Silvermere Holsteins 🚜🐮

Photo source Slivermere Holsteins website

In the rolling hills of Cowra, New South Wales, a new chapter unfolds in the storied legacy of the Chittick family’s dairy farming tradition. Known for their deep roots in dairy farming and cattle breeding, the Chittick family has acquired one of the most impressive dairy farms in Australia, Colin and Erina Thompson’s Silvermere Holsteins. This acquisition not only marks a significant expansion in their agricultural endeavors but also symbolises a commitment to excellence and innovation in the dairy industry.

Silvermere Holsteins, renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities and dairy cows, represents the pinnacle of modern dairy farming. Check out their commitment to the 360 degrees business model

Photo source Silvermere Holsteins website Gallery

With the Thompson family’s focus on sustainable practices and the highest standards of animal welfare, the Silvermere farm is a testament to dedication to quality and deep respect for the land and livestock.

At Silvermere, the Chittick family aims to continue their tradition of family farming, excellence in dairy production, building on their legacy of success and community involvement.

As the Chittick family embarks on this new venture, they carry with them a rich history of agricultural achievement and a vision for the future that promises to elevate the standards of dairy farming in Australia and beyond.

#ChittickFamily #SilvermereHolsteins #DairyFarmingExcellence #CowraAgriculture #AustralianDairy #SustainableFarming #CattleBreedingLegacy #AgriculturalInnovation #RuralAustralia #DairyFarmingFuture

Footnote I am excited by this new era. I am a Chittick on my mother’s side of the family. My father moved our family from his family dairy farm on the South coast of NSW to Cowra in 1958 and the last thing he wanted to do was dairy farm. This move by the Chittick family to dairy farm at Cowra almost 40 years later will please many ancestors

After growing up in Cowra and moving back to the South Coast I know Cowra has its charms but I am confident the Chittick family are going to miss this view

Photo by Ken Duncan of Chittick family Alne Bank farm at Gerringong in 2005

The source of my blogs is “The Chittick Family History”, as chronicled by Mr. J.H. (Jack) Chittick and Ms. Betty Chittick. It can be found in the National Library of Australia, and it is an enduring testament to a family’s journey through hardship to prosperity. I have done my best to blog it in a similar language to how it was documented in this book.

#ChittickFamilyLegacy #CourageousJourney #IrishHeritage #AustralianSettlers #HistoricVoyage #FamilyResilience #AncestralPride #FaithAndPerseverance #PioneerSpirit #CommunityBuilders #HeritageAndLegacy #GenerationsStrong

Vale Colin Thompson – an Australian Dairy Industry Legend

The founder of Silvermere Holsteins, Colin Thompson passed away at the age of 63 on June 21st 2024. Read about this dairy industry trailblazer here and here

🌱🏡📚 Legacy of the Chittick Family. A Tale of Resilience and Achievement in Australia 🐄🧑‍🌾🧺

This is the second in a series of four blogs outlining my mother’s family’s journey to dairy farm in Australia beginning very humbly the 1880’s with starting capital of 10 shillings and proudly continuing today

Photo source

The journey begins with a ship the “Samuel Plimsoll” which carried 9 members of the Chittick family. Leaving Plymouth in April 1880 and arriving in Sydney in July 1880.

In the picturesque landscapes of Australia’s Gerringong and surrounding areas, the story of the Chittick family unfolds—a tale rich in history, resilience, and accomplishment. It’s a narrative woven through generations, beginning with Henry Chittick, the patriarch, and stretching across the lives of his descendants, impacting the dairy farming industry and local communities significantly.

This is what Henry Chittick’s “Alne Bank ” family farm purchased in the late 1800’s looks like in the 21st century – This photo was taken by Ken Duncan in 2005

Born in 1860, Henry Chittick’s life was a testament to perseverance. Arriving in Australia in 1873, he faced early adversity with the death of his mother and the loss of family capital. His arrival in Gerringong with his brothers marked the beginning of a remarkable journey. Henry, along with his brother Robert, found work on a farm in Saddleback Mountain, laying the foundations of their future.

Photo source

Henry’s commitment to hard work saw him involved in various ventures, including working for the Miller family and witnessing the transformation of Omega, where he once plowed fields that would become part of the Omega railway station. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to acquire land at Kangaloon, where he and his brother Robert embarked on dairy farming and potato growing—a venture that would define the family’s legacy.

Henry married Margaret Johnston in 1885, and the couple eventually settled in Jamberoo, leasing the Woodbrook property. It was here their first son, Charles, was born. The family’s move to Jerrara, to lease Cunningham’s farm, marked the beginning of a significant chapter in dairy farming. Henry’s diligence in carting milk to Kiama Railway Station showcased his dedication to the burgeoning city milk trade.

By 1898, Henry had made his first land purchase in Jerrara, an expansion that signaled the growth of the Chittick family’s influence in the agricultural sector. His savvy in business led to more acquisitions, including Glenburn farm and a part of the Riversdale estate, culminating in the purchase of Alne Bank in Rose Valley.

Tragedy struck with the untimely death of his wife, Margaret, leaving Henry to care for their five children. His devotion to his family and his land remained unwavering, establishing a successful dairy enterprise and becoming a respected figure in public affairs.

Henry’s sons, including Charles and Gustavus Ernest Chittick, continued their father’s legacy in dairy farming and cattle breeding. They became renowned for their prize-winning AIS cattle, contributing significantly to the local and national agricultural scene.

Sons of Henry Chittick

Gustavus, born in 1892, took over the Alne Bank property, expanding the family’s dairy farming and cattle breeding ventures. His marriage to Daisy May Nelson and their two sons continued the Chittick lineage in agriculture. A respected figure, Gus’s contributions to local government and the dairy industry were immense, earning him an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honors in 1962.

The Chittick family’s story is not just about land and cattle; it’s a narrative of community involvement and leadership. From serving as mayors to participating in church and public affairs, the Chitticks have left an indelible mark on their community.

The story of the Chittick family, from Henry’s arrival in Australia to the achievements of his descendants, is a profound reminder of the impact one family can have over generations. Their legacy in dairy farming, community service, and personal resilience continues to inspire and shape the regions of Gerringong, Jamberoo, and beyond. As we walk through the fields of “Alne Bank” or pass by the Gerringong Methodist Church, we are reminded of a family that not only cultivated the land but also nurtured a community’s spirit.

The source of my blogs is from “The Chittick Family History”, as chronicled by Mr. J.H. Chittick and Ms. Betty Chittick. It can be found in the National Library of Australia, and it is an enduring testament to a family’s journey through hardship to prosperity. I have done my best to blog it in a similar language to how it was documented in this book.

📜🌿🚢 The Legacy of Gustavus and Jane Chittick. A Journey of Courage and Faith 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦💼🌏

Recording family history serves as a bridge connecting past, present, and future generations. It’s not just about cataloguing dates and events; it’s about capturing the essence of what motivates a family through time. These stories, woven from the threads of individual experiences, triumphs, and challenges, help future generations understand their roots. They provide a sense of identity and belonging, offering insights into the values and decisions that have shaped their heritage. This rich tapestry of familial lore becomes a treasured legacy, enlightening and inspiring those who seek to find their place in the story of their lineage.

I have been documenting my Lindsay family heritage ( my father’s side of the family) n my blog for a number of years.

I am a 6th generation dairy farmer’s daughter of a 5th generation dairy farmer who turned beef farmer as soon as the opportunity arose. I can always remember my father telling me from a very early age “Lynne never ever learn to milk a cow”

Today I am going to share with you how the family dairy tradition continues today on my mother’s side of the family.

Robyn Lindsay ( nee Chittick )

My mother was the daughter of Robert Charles Chittick who was the son of Henry Chittick

This is the first in a series of four blogs outlining her family’s journey to dairy farm in Australia beginning with very humbly the 1880’s and proudly continuing today.

This family’s story is a poignant reminder of the power of faith and the resilience of the human spirit.

The remarkable tale of the Chittick family unfolds in the rugged mountain terrains of Ireland, where Gustavus Chittick, a prosperous farmer, managed a significant 40-acre estate. Born to Thomas Chittick and Eleanor Sharp, Gustavus’s life took a joyful turn when he wed Jane Moffat, a daughter from a neighboring farm, on December 30, 1851.

Tragedy struck when Gustavus, at the age of 32, met his untimely demise in a steeplechasing accident, leaving Jane a widow with eight young children. In an era when women were neither expected nor encouraged to take on such burdens, Jane defied the odds. With unwavering determination, she managed the family farm for fifteen years.

The year 1880 marked a turning point when Jane decided to embark on a bold journey to Australia, a land she believed brimmed with opportunity. With her brother, James Moffat of Gerringong, awaiting her arrival, she planned meticulously for the future, selling her property and entrusting £1000 to her brother for the purchase of a new farm.

Armed with hope and her six sons and two daughters, Jane set sail on the Samuel Plimsoll, leaving behind her homeland. Despite the perils that such a voyage entailed, especially for a woman without a husband, the family looked forward to a new beginning.

However, fate had other plans. As the Samuel Plimsoll neared Sydney, Jane fell ill with what was later diagnosed as typhoid fever. Upon arrival, they rushed to the residence of her brother-in-law, James Maxwell, in Sydney. Despite all efforts, Jane Chittick passed away on August 20, 1880, without seeing the dreams for her family fulfilled.

Further anguish followed when the family discovered that their entrusted funds had been misappropriated, leaving them with barely enough to start anew. Yet, the true inheritance Jane and Gustavus passed on to their children was not of material wealth but of indomitable spirit, integrity, and the relentless pursuit of a better life.

The Chittick siblings, guided by their uncle’s wisdom and the support of esteemed community members, thrived against all odds. Known for their entrepreneurial spirit, horsemanship, and success in cattle breeding, the Chittick brothers made a name for themselves. Their commitment to the community, service in local government, and unwavering church loyalty were testaments to their character.

The source of my blogs ( text and photos) is from “The Chittick Family History”, as chronicled by Mr. J.H. Chittick, Ms. Betty Chittick and families. It can be found in the National Library of Australia, and its is an enduring testament to a family’s journey through hardship to prosperity.

I have done my best to blog it in a similar language to how it was documented in this book.

Remember my father’s famous words ” Lynne never learn to milk a cow” As it turns out these famous words have inspired a book

Never Learn to Milk a Cow: A Psychologist Writes to His Teenage Children – January 14, 2009 by Carlos W. Davis, Jr. Ph.D.

The blurb from the book

Never Learn To Milk A Cow was the only advice his grandmother gave to his mother before she married his father. On a challenge from his wife, Carlos Davis, psychologist and father writes for his teenage children what he thinks he knows and what he wants them to know. These nineteen insightful essays were offered in a spirit of gratitude to his kids and they offer guidance and hope to everyone who struggles with conveying their experience and wisdom to those they love.

and this from Facebook