CARROLL, John Hannell

My Great Grandfather, John Hannell CARROLL, was born at Hexham, NSW, on 18th April, 1867.

He was first born of seven children to Martin James and Jane Elizabeth Carroll (née Hannell). In my family, as far as I recall, he was always referred to simply, as "J.H."

Life was good for John, being educated at home in 'Hexham House', in the normal school subjects, and sport, but also in music. Music was to be a consuming passion in later life.

Artist's impression

At 19 years of age, John met Margaret Ann Phillpott, b. 1867, a Dungog girl, nicknamed 'Maggie'. (Maggie would also, in the future, be referred to as 'Nanna' Carroll). After a short engagement, they were married on the 25th September, 1885, at St. Paul's Church, West Maitland.

In the early years of their marriage, John worked in various capacities - including clerical and grocery.

John and Maggie lived in St. Andrew's Street, in West Maitland, and around 1900, John opened his first business at 495 High Street, West Maitland. This business was to become an extremely successful and prominent one. John imported Pianos, and followed them, with Tea. If memory serves me, it was to become, "The Great Northern Piano and Tea Emporium".

John and Maggie were to have eleven children, two of which, died at birth. They were;

1. Claude Hannell CARROLL. b. 25th December, 1885 - d.25th December, 1950
2. Gordon John CARROLL. b. 11th September, 1887 - d. 27th April, 1936
3. Clive CARROLL. b. & d. 1st February, 1889
4. Pauline Constance CARROLL. b. 17th October, 1890 - d. 3rd April, 1969
5. Harry Beresford CARROLL. b. 18th October, 1892 - d. 23rd June, 1945
6. Dorothy Margaret CARROLL. b. 20th October, 1894 - d. 17th October, 1969
7. Clive Maitland CARROLL. b. 16th September, 1896 - d. 2nd August, 1946
8. Thomas Joseph CARROLL. b. 19th October, 1898 - d. 30th November, 1978
9. John Hannell CARROLL. b. 25th November, 1900 - d. 10th January, 1957
10. Un-named son. b. & d. 17th September, 1902
11. Clarence Herbert Hudson CARROLL. b. 3rd February, 1906 - d. 3rd February, 1958

Photo: L - R:
Clive M., Claude H., John H., (Snr.), Pauline C., Thomas J., Aunt 'Jenny' CARROLL. (sister of J.H.), Maggie, Gordon J., Harry B..

Absent: Dorothy M., John H.(Jr)., Clarence H.H.,

With the pianos being so prominent, and a love of music, so ingrained, John's family were naturally, schooled in Music and Singing. When the children were growing up, and the eldest could 'run' the shop, Great Grandfather had the opportunity to indulge himself in one of his passions - motor bike riding. He either wasn't very good, or had an uncanny knack of crashing. (Now, I know where I get it from).

The Maitland Mercury Newspaper reports, on the 13th May, 1905...

"Another Motor Bike Accident"...'While on his way to Bungwahl yesterday morning and just this side of Raymond Terrace, Mr. J.H.Carroll the well-known Tea Merchant of High Street, West Maitland, had the misfortune to meet with another motor cycle accident. The front wheel of the motor struck the fence post, splitting it in halves, while Mr. Carroll was hurled rapidly through the fence. He sustained a nasty gash on the head, his wrist and ankle were sprained and he was otherwise cut and bruised, receiving a great shaking. Beyond the fact that the front wheel was buckled slightly and a pedal broken, no very extensive damage was occasioned to the motor. Mr. Carroll is extremely unfortunate, for it is only a few weeks since he met with a rather serious accident at Rutherford.'

Following these mishaps, common sense prevailed, and a rather lovely new 'big' motor car was purchased.

John became a very wealthy man, both financially, from his business interests, and aesthetically, from his family's talent in music, and other interests. John had many properties, from which 'rent' was collected, and my father, Noel, Pauline's second son, used to tell me of some of the characters he met, while earning himself some pocket-money, collecting those rents. However, there was never a 'character' who did not regard Mr. J.H.Carroll, in the highest esteem.

One of the interesting relics I have, is a copy of the payment receipt for John's Appendectomy Operation. The sum is for £63, and the Surgeon was a Sir Alexander MacCormick, a Macquarie Street Specialist, for surgery at the 'Private Home Hospital', The Terraces, Paddington, Sydney. The date was 16th December, 1919. Interestingly, too, the telephone number for the Doctor's Rooms, at 185 Macquarie St, was '9536 City'.

John Hannell Carroll died from carcinoma of the Pelvic Colon (Bowel Cancer), on 27th October, 1936.

Maggie lived on, with her family around her, until Boxing Day, 1942.

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