The Boorman Story

In 1834 James married Jane Beaumont Watts, the 21 year old daughter of Concemore and Ann Watts of Staplehurst, Turnbridge, Kent, hop growers. Jane's father was a grandson of Sir Isaac (1674-1748) famous hymn writer and theologian. photo on left. James and Jane's first daughter, Mercy, only lived a few months. Probably because of this sorrow, they were converted to god under the ministry of the Rev. Thomas Collins, in the Sandhurst Methodist church. About this time James' younger sister Eliza was married to Samuel Doust, and in 1836 her son David Doust was born, who was to influence the Boorman family for the next 100 years in Australia.

Because food was scarce in the penal colony of N.S.W., due to the few farmers amongst the convicts who worked on the farms, the Govt. sent a surgeon of the fleet to the southern counties of England to pursuade farmers to emigrate. Encouraged by the 'bounty scheme' of 30 pounds plus 5 pounds for each child, the Boorman family sailed on the sailing ship 'Moffatt', and after 6 months on the ocean sailed into Sydney harbour in July 1841. The record in the Mitchell Library in Sydney says that James and Jane; farmer and dairymaid 'could read and write'

The Boormans had with them their 2 sons (born in Lamberhurst), William born 1837 and Thomas, 1839. They were sent to the Hunter River to assist a squatter there. But the treatment (and punishment) meted out to the convicts in their chain gangs was anathema to the kindly nature of James and his wife Jane., so they left after 6 months and leased a farm at Bloomfield's swamp near West Maitland. There were many privations for the new chum settlers to endure, droughts were frequent. Then when the floods cattle and crops were swept away. In 1844 the family moved to Bolwarra to higher ground. Here they had the privilege of Christian fellowship with other Methodist families. Religious services were commenced and a church opened for worship, with James Boorman as Sunday school superintendent, and class leader. In the obituary notice published in the 'Methodist' religious journal half a century later, it was stated that 'James Boorman took every opportunity amongst his neighbours and the convicts with whom be was brought into contact, to witness for his saviour, and to recommend his religion. By his consistent godly life he gave evidence of the sincerity of his profession. Under his leadership and active supervision the cause of god flourished his godly character and devotion endearing him to all who become acquainted with him.

In 1859 James Boorman's nephew emigrated with his wife Mary (nee Waters) to N.S.W. and joined his uncle at bolwarra. This nephew David Doust was a hard worker and a fellow Christian. But alias, disastrous floods followed, and many settlers looked northward to the Clarence river. In the parish of Southgate near Grafton, James Boorman was balloted a selection in 1860, and his family, accompanied by David Doust moved to the Clarence river. By this time the Boorman family consisted of 5 sons and 2 daughters, the 2 English born sons were married.

From the Clarence River the crops of corn were shipped to the Sydney market, but the price was low, & often floods ruined the crops. Following the opening of a new timber Methodist Church in Grafton, James Boorman gave the address at a tea meeting, in April 1861. He and his nephew David Doust obtained the use of a barn at Ulmarra the same year, with Doust preaching the first sermon. Again at the village of Brushgrove, Doust used corn bags for a pulpit. In 1862 a new church was opened at Ulmarra, and James Boorman was class leader and Sunday school superintendent. Again we quote from the 'Methodist': 'subsequently a glorious revival of religion took place, when scores were converted to god. James Boorman showed his concern for the spiritual welfare of the people, who before that time were destitute of the means of grace. As a local preacher he was remarkably successful and acceptable. His bright smiling face, his cheery words, his strong steadfast faith, his upright characters, all contributed to make his religion attractive, so that even sceptics were heard to say, 'we believe in James Boorman's religion'. (End of quote)

Later on David Doust acquired a selection of his own. In a small booklet 'Pioneering Days' he tells of the hardships of those early pioneers... 'The bush hut was made of slabs cut from the tree trunk, and splinters smoothed with an adze. The roof was made from strips of bark, and the floor was dirt, stamped hard. Windows and doors were openings covered with corn bags. The beds were hammocks made from corn bags. Everything depended on clearing the scrub as quickly as possible, burning it when dry, and planting the corn seed in the ashes. Usually only the brushwood burned, big logs and stumps merely charred. Weeds and thistles came up with the corn, and had to be chipped out with a hoe. This meant that about 10 acres was all a mans family could manage. White people were scarce, but aboriginals and mosquitoes were in great numbers. When the floods washed away our crops, we existed on the pumkins which washed down stream, and the porridge made from cracked corn, flavoured with molasses.'

The hard conditions of the pioneer often involved the mother, surrounded by small children, working alongside her husband. Mrs. H. Biddle says: 'working alongside their menfolk, the women developed calloused hands like their brothers. Cooking had to be done in an open fireplace... just a couple of iron bars placed across bricks or stones to stand the kettle on... or maybe the camp oven. No one could expect a nurse or doctor during childbirth... perhaps a neighbour with more confidence than the rest would come and stand by... a black lubra was often called in as a midwife.'

Jane Beaumont Boorman, James's wife, died at Southgate on the Clarence River, and is buried in the Grafton cemetery. The headstone bears the inscription: 'Jane Boorman, died 17th April, 1886, aged 73 years. father was Concemore Watts, labourer, born Staplehurst, Kent, England. in colonies in N.S.W. for 45 years. Married in England aged 21 years to James Boorman.

Children living

1. William, aged 49;
2. Tryphena, aged 43;
3. James, aged 40;
4. Walter, aged 38;
5. Jane Ann, aged 34;

Children deceased:

1. Mercy;
2. Mary;
3. Thomas;
4. John.'

The James, mentioned above as being 40 when his mother died, was my grandfather, born at Bolwarra, 10.5.1845. He was 15 when the family came to the Clarence. Eventually he married Julia Ann Lee, daughter of Thomas & Ann Lee who emigrated from Cambridgeshire. As you will see from the Family Tree, they produced a family of 7 sons and 5 daughters. My father was Charles Henry Southgate Boorman, the second child, born 28.1.1869 & died 4.2.1927. My mother was Sarah (nee Fraser) from Maclean,(1876-1956). Of their family of 4 sons and 4 daughters, I came number 6, Donald Fraser Boorman, born 4.7.1906.

Donald Fraser Boorman, the author of the original 'Boorman Story' (above) was born 4.7.1906, and died Friday 29.9.1992. In late 1991 Don and Olive sold their house at Balgowlah at auction, and moved to Manly. One night, I was talking on the phone to Patricia Noakes, nee Garnsey, (the wife of David James Noakes who is a descendant of Terah Lee and Jane Ann Boorman) to check the Family Tree information I had previously acquired, when she mentioned that they had just purchased a new house at Balgowlah. It turned out that David and Patricia had purchased Don and Olive's house. Don and David are double cousins, linked by both the LEE and BOORMAN family lines.

Around 1990 Don wrote a book 'To Be a Pilgrim', which covers his direct history, to the James Boorman, who came to Australia in 1841. The book includes a section covering the Boorman's Lamberhurst, Kent England, and a picture of the house they lived in. The house is still their today.

Don died on Friday 25.9.1992, and was cremated on 28.2.1992 at Lane Cove Crematorium. A thanks giving service was held on the same day at 2pm at the Balgowlah Uniting Church.

JAMES, the eldest son of James and Frances Boorman lived at Yew Tree Farm, which was left to him by his father. He went to America because two of his sons fell out. Lawyer's expenses were heavy.

David Doust and James Boorman arrived Clarence River District in Feb 1861. They pioneered the first Methodist services at Brushgrove and Ulmarra The first Brushgrove service was conducted by James Boorman's nephew, David Doust on 8th August, 1868

James Boorman & his wife actually left Plymouth in England on 23.1.1841, arriving Sydney on 31st May, 1841 in 128 days. The shipping record shows James as being a Wesleyan, and as being brought to Australia by Nicholas James & Co. Nicholas James & Co brought many (but not all) of the passengers on this trip to Australia.

There was a school on board the ship catering for 33 children and some adults.