BOWKER, Dr. R. R. S., and the HUDSON Family

Many people have contacted, and inquired of me, as to the connection between the Hudson family and a certain Doctor, of eminent position, not only in Newcastle, but the Colony of NSW, in general.

The husband of Mary Ann HUDSON, (née WHITE, aka HEWSON, and HANNELL), was an Englishman named Job HUDSON. Job was a prominent builder in Newcastle, who died on his return from a business trip to New Zealand, in 1848. Mary and Job had five sons prior to his demise: -

Job Butler H. b.1839-d.1909
Albert William H. b.1841-d.1921
Walter George H. b.1843-d.1901
Edwin Robert H. b.1846-d.1902
John Butler H. b.1848-d.1877

After Job's unfortunate mishap, that of either falling, or jumping, drunkenly, from the deck of the ship, and therefore, drowning, Mary Ann was delivered of four more children, from what is reported on Linley and Jim Hooper's Family History ¹

... From 1849 'Richard' had a relationship with Mary Ann Hewson, the widow of Job Hudson, and they had four children, baptised in 1869."

The 'Richard' referred to here, was Dr. Richard Ryther Steer BOWKER ², eminent Surgeon, and Politician. The actual number of children, incidentally, was four!

This perfectly natural dalliance, a romantic interlude, if you will, between a Widow, and a handsome Bachelor, lasted for almost 9 years.

The children were:

Richard Ryther Steer (Bowker) HUDSON, b.1/6/1850-d.1888
Charles (Bowker) HUDSON, b.14/2/1853-d.?
Catherine Elizabeth (Bowker) HUDSON, b.17/10/1854-d.1921
George (Bowker) HUDSON, b.14/10/1857-d.1924

Baptismal records at Christ Church Cathedral in Newcastle confirm this (see: Index 24 'B' entries 416-419). Although baptised under the name of BOWKER, Mary brought them up as HUDSON.


Dr. Bowker was born at Campsall, Yorkshire, U.K., on the 30th August, 1815, son of Thomas and Elizabeth, née STEER. He studied Pharmacology, and began his medical training in 1836, in Scotland, at St. Andrew's University. He studied in Paris, as well. He was also accredited at Sydney University.

In 1841, Richard arrived in Melbourne, but was soon in New South Wales, where he was accredited to practice from 1842. He resigned from practice in 1844 and acted as surgeon on the Lady Flora Hastings, which twice carried cargoes of 'coolies' from Calcutta to Mauritius, and in 1847, on the Fiandra, when 200 coolies were transported from Madras to Durban, South Africa.

As we know now, Richard was back in Newcastle during 1849-53 and, became such a respected member of the society, he was awarded a 'plate' worth 150 Guineas, as a token of appreciation, from the people of Newcastle. He worked as Surgeon at the Hospital, and also, was responsible for the eradication of burials on the Church 'Hill'. It was postured that seepage from the hill, ran through the cemetery and into the drinking water wells lower down, in the township. Richard suggested and lobbied, successfully, for relocation of the cemetery, to what is now 'Sandgate'.

Richard went back to England in 1854, ostensibly for the purpose of extra studies (L.R.C.P. F.R.C.S.).

Upon his return to Newcastle, presumably around 1856-57, Richard courted and eventually married Lydia Frances PHILLIPS, b.1830, the third daughter of Peninsula War veteran, Major James Phillips, of the property called 'Bona Vista', Paterson, in 1858, - a neighbour to the 'Tocal' homestead.

Richard and Lydia had their own 'Bona Vista'-styled home on Tyrrell and Perkins Sts, Newcastle, which has been compared to the grand 'Tocal' homestead, as reported by Cynthia Hunter ³ (see: NMH May, 24, 2008 - p.15). Cynthia wrote of the comparison between these homes. Here is an image of Richard and Lydia's home, used with appreciation, from that article -

From a story by Newcastle Newspapers reporter, Mike Scanlon, on 24th May, 2008, entitled, 'Grand Plans', the home was sold to the Dominican Nuns when Richard moved the family to 'Avoca House', Darling Point, Sydney, in 1873. The 'Star of the Sea' Roman Catholic school occupied the site for many years, until around 1960. Sadly, progress has seen demolition and re-building on the site. There is a small plaque, apparently, attached to the Tyrrell St. side of a townhouse, once the stables of Richard and Lydia's home. When you consider that the average home in those years was worth around ₤10, this home, at ₤150, must have been truly grand.

Richard shared representation of the township/city with the likes of James HANNELL, in those early days, but from 1887, until his death, was a member of the Legislative Council of NSW.

Richard was also a breeder of race-horses and an owner of a handful of ships, including 'coalers', from Newcastle to Sydney.

Lydia was 28 years old at the time of her marriage to Richard, and together, they had ten children - 7 male and 3 female. Many of the children would follow Richard into Medicine, or related professions. Sadly, Lydia passed away in Sydney, in 1878 (see: BDM Reg# 3259/1878).

After a long and illustrious career, Richard passed away in 1903. He was buried at Paterson.

I can only re-iterate sentiment when I say that there is far too little to mark the presence of such a man as Richard - Health Reformer, Surgeon, Politician, Owner of ships, Breeder of champion race-horses, and father to 14 children!


References:
¹ Linley and Jim Hooper's Family History
² Australian Dictionary of Biography
³ Cynthia HUNTER - Newcastle Newspapers - Sat. May 24, 2008. p.15. and, Mike SCANLON - Newcastle Newspapers 'Grand Plans', 24th May, 2008



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