Baker and Builder
James Ryall was the son of Timothy and Ann Ryall (NSW Death Certificate 3433/1905) of Leigh, Salisbury in England. In the 1861 Census he is recorded as a son of Timothy a ‘pigdealer’ aged 10 years ‘Apr Lab’ which indicates he is an ‘apprentice labourer’. There are no clear records for when he came to Australia, with one reference for a James and his brother Percy in 1865 but this immigration record states this ‘James Ryall’ was 18 years of age who was sponsored by Joshua Ryall with parents living in Gundagai. The records show ‘James Ryall of Leigh’, parents remained in England.
The first reference to James Ryall in Grafton is a very small reference to a court matter of ‘J Ryall’ for obscene language and drunkeness. It is not clear if this was ‘James’ but if it was he made up for this less than edifying start, by beginning a new business venture, his first bakery in Grafton – ‘Ryall and Mellis’ dated 29 April 1879.
James Ryall and David Mellis took over the business from D. Duggan.
Just a few months after opening the bakery and business they had a setback when a fire started in a nearby mattress factory playing ‘havoc with Ryall and Mellis’s shop’ on 23 October, 1879.
Seemingly undaunted by 22 November the pair had set up a temporary bakery to continue on with their business, assuring customers of their continued quality baked goods.
However, in April 1881, the partnership was dissolved ‘by mutual consent’ due to the retirement of David Duncan Mellis.
James Ryall then started out on his own solo Bakery business.
On 18 June 1882 James Ryall married Hannah Hooker nee Eggins, a widow with a four year old son, Cecil Hooker. Hannah was born in Raymond Terrace on 2 June 1857. Hannah was the daughter of Herbert Eggins and Caroline Unicomb and the sister of Mary Jane Gray nee Eggins who had married George Abner Gray, so this adds in the dimension of a very early Gray family connection to the little cottage in River Street Yamba. Hannah’s first husband was Samuel Hooker who was also known as ‘Wilson’ as he was the stepson of Robert Wilson a Baptist Minister. This is confusing in reconciling birth and death records but is clarified in the Eggins Family History by Nola Mackay.1 He died in 1879. Their son was Cecil Herbert Rhodier Hooker.
As an up and coming businessman in Grafton like William Henry Alderson, James was a member of the local MU Oddfellow’s Lodge which also had the advantage of catering for their ball.
In 1882/1883 James is also found catering for a Champagne dinner at Copmanhurst and helping out at the Wesleyan Methodist Sunday School picnic providing ‘substantial things.’
James and Hannah Ryall had five children;
- Mildred Hanna b: 25 Apr 1883 Grafton
- Frederick James b: Nov 1884 d: 31 Mar 1885 Yamba
- Ernest James b: 30 Mar 1886 Yamba
- Walter George b: 26 May 1888 Yamba
- Ethel Caroline May b: 7 May 1890
Hannah’s son, Cecil Hooker was also part of their family.
In 1884 an opportunity arose for James and Hannah in Yamba, Mrs Gregory’s ‘Ocean view’ Boarding House was offered for sale.
The Boarding house land was purchased by William Kinnear in 1877 – Section 1 Allotment 2 on Pilot Hill, Yamba.
The original Land Grant on Pilot Hill Yamba where ‘Ocean View’ Boarding House was built was Section 1 Lot 2, 3 and 4. There are 3 titles connected with the 3 allotments in the NSW Land Title; Lot 2 is Vol 16 Folio 114; Lot 3 is Vol 496 Folio 64 and Lot 3 is Vol 496 Folio 65. Lot 2 was sold by auction on 9 May 1864 to Maurice Connell Laycock of Woolli, grazier, for £3. On 23 July 1875 it was sold to Thomas Fisher of Grafton, Merchant. It was sold again on 10 Nov 1877 to William Kinnear of Grafton, Builder, he had a mortgage over the property from 1882. Lot 3 and 4 were Crown Land sold by auction 23 June 1897 to William Kinnear of Grafton, Contractor for £2 17s.
On 28 June 1888 it was sold to ‘James Ryall of near Grafton, Baker’, who had a mortgage on it until 2 Match 1891. James Ryall sold it on 21 January 1902 to Sarah Jane Graham of Yamba, widow.
‘Ocean View’ was originally built by George Bale for William Kinnear in 1877 after he purchased the land. George Bale then managed the Boarding House for William Kinnear until 1879 when the family moved to Maclean.2 George Bale’s sister Evelyn Maud Miriam married Frederick Clarence Eggins who was a cousin to Hannah and Mary Jane Eggins. George Bale was born on South Grafton and was a wheelwright and also an Undertaker.
In September 1879, William Kinnear advertised for Tenders to take over the lease of Ocean View Boarding House. This was followed by George Bale advertising for the sale of household items. It was leased by Mrs Adelaide Gregory. A mortgage was taken out over the property in 1882 by William Kinnear.
By November 1884, the Boarding House name has changed to ‘Mrs Ryall’s ‘Ocean View’ Boarding house, the dining room has been renovated and James is obviously catering for both guests and day tourists to Yamba. The 1882 mortgage had been discharged and a new mortgage taken out in 1884 by William Kinnear.
In 1886 it can be seen that in addition to running the boarding house James and Hannah have built a Bake-house, Shop etc at ‘Ocean View’.
It was said to be the first bake house in Yamba.
On 28 June 1885 ‘James Ryall of near Grafton, Baker’ purchased the property however despite there being a Transfer of Title it was not finally stamped as produced and entered until 29 January 1889. A series or mortgages appear on the title – on 2 Sep 1884 until 16 Sep 1884; 20 Aug 1884 until 13 May 1886; 28 June 1888 until 29 Jan 1889. These series of mortgages are of note as in 1889 William Kinnear filed for Bankruptcy NSW Archives – INX-59-15176 KINNEAR William (1888-1929) Saw Mill Proprietor – Grafton & Lawrence. Date of Sequestration 18/11/1889. His son William Turnbull Kinnear, Mail Contractor, filed for bankruptcy on 09/09/1892 NSW Archives – INX-59-15177. Within the context of the times, historically from about 1888 the economy had started into a downturn due to a property boom and over-lending by banks. 3 One wonders if the push by governments to open up land and businesses lead to a feeling of optimism and a capacity to ‘better themselves’ which flowed onto over capitalising with ‘easy money’ from the banks. The downturn pushed the country towards the bursting of the bubble of the property boom, the failing of banks and the great depression of the 1890’s. Many people at this time were struggling financially and many ended up insolvent in the Bankruptcy Court. 4
On 28 June 1888 James Ryall took a mortgage over the ‘Ocean View’ property from the Bank of NSW which was discharged when Jane Graham of Yamba, widow took over at Ocean View on 21 January 1891. It exchanged hands for £1400. The final Land Title transfer to Sarah Jane Graham occurred on 21 January 1902. It could well have been an astute move on James and Hannah’s part, to down size, go back to basics, and consolidate with the severe economic depression along with the drought impacting on everyone, meant there would be less money for holidays and dining out however bread in particular and baked goods, are a staple food.
River Street Yamba
It is at this point that James and Hannah Ryall move down the Yamba hill to Section 10 Allotment 10 with frontages to Coldstream, River Street and the laneway now known as Little High Street. In 1887 William Henry Alderson had advertised the three allotments owned by William Lowther for sale. Allotment 10 had not sold at the time, however in 1891, James and Hannah Ryall purchased the whole section 10 with all six allotments.5
James wasted no time in organising Tenders for the erection of a weatherboard cottage and bakers oven on the allotment now known as 3 River Street. These are the first buildings on this whole section of allotments. By August the bakehouse has the addition of providing the local newspaper for customers.
Most importantly for the history of 3 River Street is an advertisement that James Ryall took out on 7 December 1892. He had decided with his additional allotments to build two four roomed cottages that were to be leased out at Yamba referred to as ‘The Brighton of the Clarence’. The town was beginning its progression as a tourist and health destination.
In 1893, James purchased Clara Brady’s Bakery in South Grafton. In October 1891 her husband John Richard Brady had died. ‘On Thursday evening Mr. J. R. Brady died at South Grafton, having never thoroughly recovered from the fall he received some months back. He was but 37 years of age, and for about 15 years resided at South Grafton, where he conducted a bakery business, and was well known as a caterer at many of our entertainments. He leaves a widow and one child. His remains were interred in the Grafton cemetery yesterday afternoon, the members of the Star of the East Lodge of Oddfellows, to which deceased belonged, marching in procession.‘6
By 1893 Clara Brady was ready to sell her husband’s bakery and move on.
James began providing refreshments for functions back in Grafton and in April 1893 Milly Ryall left Yamba School when the family moved back to Grafton.
On 17 April 1894 James and Hannah purchase Smail’s Bakery in Prince Street Grafton after Robert Smail retires. Ever the entrepreneur James Ryall introduces his new malt digestive bread ‘the first baker in the district to introduce it.’
It was noted on 14 Apr ‘Mr. Ryall, of South Grafton, has taken over the bakery in Prince-street for many years conducted by Mr. Smail.’ 7
As a result of moving back to Grafton, Section 10 changes hands again but with two differences. The original section contained 6 allotments, in 1894 allotments 5 and 6 running along the rear is absorbed into allotments 2,3, and 4. The corner allotment 1, now 4 River Street with the identical cottage to 3 River Street remains the property of James Ryall with a small reduction in land size width of Allotment 1.
However, there was an additional chapter to the story of the transfer of the property from James Ryall to Dr James Houison involving a rather ‘colourful’ Mr Arthur Tredwell. CHARGE OF ILLEGALLY PREPARING DEEDS. [BY TELEGRAM.] SYDNEY, FRIDAY.- An application to make absolute a rule nisi, calling upon Arthur Tredwell, of Grafton, to show cause why he should not be deemed guilty of contempt, and punished accordingly, for having drawn up a legal document for a fee, came before the Full Court yesterday. Respondent did not appear, but filed an affidavit, and positively denied that he ever promised to prepare the deed in question. The only money he received was £10, which was paid by Ryall, transferror, to Dr. Houison, to equalise the exchange of two properties. He admitted having filled a memorandum of transfer under the provisions of the Real Property Act; but this was not done by pre-arrangement or for a fee, but because the doctor was inclined to think that he (Tredwell) launched him into too expensive an undertaking … Respondent also denied having attempted to act as a solicitor, or leading anyone to believe he was such. The Chief Justice said that one of Ryall’s affidavits must be absolutely false. In the face of conflicting statements, he apprehended that, as far as this gentleman was concerned, the Court would put his affidavits out of consideration altogether. The further hearing was adjourned till next term, for a fresh affidavit. The Court expressed the hope that Mr. Donaldson would furnish additional evidence in regard to the matter.8
The Bowral newspaper reporting on the case gave a different perspective; AMUSING CASE IN THE SUPREME COURT. UNLIMITED amusement was afforded those in attendance at the Supreme Court the other day by the reading of affidavits in support of an application for a rule nisi calling upon Arthur Tredwell of Grafton to show cause why he should not be deemed guilty of contempt for practising as a solicitor without being a qualified member of the profession … The first affidavit read was by Thomas Shoveller, which set out that Tredwell carried on business at Grafton, styling himself a law and general accountant. Tredwell prepared legal documents in connection with a land transaction between James Ryall and James [Houison]. Tredwell had an advertisement in a paper published at Grafton, by means of which deponent believed that a large number of persons were led to believe that Tredwell was duly qualified as a solicitor, and were induced thereby to resort to the said Arthur Tredwell to have conveyances, transfers, and other leading documents prepared. The advertisement read as follows:- “Arthur Tredwell, in thanking his numerous constituents for past support and soliciting a continuance of their favors, begs to inform them and the general public that he has removed to comfortable and commodious offices in Prince street, two doors from the Lands Office, next door to Mr. Driscoll, and exactly opposite the leading hotel. (Greave’s), and where they can consult him at any hour of the day upon all matters-temporal, spiritual, medical, legal, financial, commercial, matrimonial, controversial, theoretical, actual, past, present, and to come, and to come whenever they like, when they will be cordially welcomed, and can enjoy the utmost secrecy and perfect satisfaction.” ‘[Great laughter.] … The affidavit of C. J. Burns, secretary of the lnstitute, showed that he despatched a letter to Tredwell, and in the latter’s reply he said ” I refuse to give any explanation whatever of my business to gratify the dastard spirited cub your informer, who would be a more eligible member of your august body if he would confine, himself to his profession, which he is dishonoring by combining with it that of usurer and pettifogger. For the sacred majesty of the law it is a shame that her mantle should cover such carrion.” The rule was granted returnable that day fortnight.9
Mr Tredwell was eventually found guilty; UNLICENSED CONVEYANCERS.- On Thursday, … The Chief Justice said that the Court had no doubt that the respondent had been guilty of the offence charged, and it was to be regretted that he had attempted to bring in persons to make a defence for him, because his position appeared to be, to say the least of it, unsustainable … The Court had power to go a great deal further in the matter than the justices, but taking a lenient view of the matter it thought that it ought to impose the minimum penalty of £20 with the cost of the Proceedings. Order accordingly: amount to be paid by the 31st August next.10
The Ryall’s continued in their work at the bakery and life in Grafton until on 3 Mar, 1898 Hannah Ryall nee Eggins died suddenly aged just 40 years.
On 9 July 1901 it was reported that ‘Mr. Edward Avery reports selling Mr. Ryall’s bakery business plant, etc, to Mr. Joseph Walton at a satisfactory price.’ 11 James Ryall and his family were headed to Sydney. It is also at this time that the cottage at 4 River Street Yamba was sold to George Moore, Engine Driver on 24 September 1902.12
James Ryall and his family ran a bakery at 159 Oxford St Waverley. The business records can be found in the NSW State Archives Item No: [2/8549] File No: 33878 and Item No: [2/8538] Page No: 342 File No: 15084
However on 21 January, aged just 54 years James Ryall died in Sydney. He is buried in Waverley Cemetery, Sydney.
James and Hannah would have been proud of the family continuing on with hard work and enterprise. Their son Ernest James was also a Master Baker and Pastrycook. In 1910 a small article appeared in the Sydney newspaper; RYALL’S BIG BAKERY. In our advertising columns in this Issue appears an announcement relating to the well-known Bondi firm of Ryall’s bakers, pastrycooks, and caterers. The growth of this business has been so remarkable as to be interesting. It started in a small way in 1901 with a small shop and a couple of carts to deliver orders. A bread business was then bought, and the number of carts doubled. Three years ago the custom had grown to such an extent that it was found advisable to open a branch at Paddington. Since then the development of the business has been such that it is now intended to establish a further branch at Charing Cross. Finding that the concern was prospering so much the firm soon realised that their factory was too small, and more spacious premises were consequently built in Spring street, photographs of which appear in our advertising columns. In the near future it is possible that this enterprising firm will launch out to a still greater extent.13
In 1953, Charles Paine of Grafton, in an article in the Daily Examiner14 after his death, recalls working for James and Hannah Ryall. ‘After two years at the Paragon Stores he sought further experience and spent five years at a bake house owned by his uncle and aunt, James Ryall and Hannah Ryall (formerly Eggins). The business, known as Dellow’s bake-house was at the rear of Prince street. Mr. Paine spent part of his time driving the Southgate cart down the Southgate road and up along the river bank and down Gear’s lane into town. On “off days” he would be engaged in the bakehouse at small goods before working with bread at night until the early hours of the morning. The next move was to Queen street where Mr. Ryall had an oven and re-sidence built to serve the requirements of the trade.’
The impact of James and Hannah Ryall in regards to the the land at Section 10 at Yamba is significant. They were the first to build on the land, three buildings and a business. The allotment changes in regards to boundaries largely never changed after this point, except for a later dividing of the Titles for numbers 2 and 3 River Street. James Ryall’s advertisement in 1891 for the erection of a house and baker’s oven and in 1892 is that it puts a date to the house at number 2 River Street as 1891 and the cottage at 3 River Street, as 1892, making the two buildings 131 and 130 years old in 2022, the oldest buildings still left standing in Yamba.
References
- The Eggins Family History by Nola May Mackey Dip FHS, Ass Dip LAH, TC – Grafton 1991
- Daily Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1915 – 1954), Monday 17 October 1938, page 4
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_banking_crisis_of_1893
- https://www.rba.gov.au/publications/rdp/2001/2001-07/1890s-depression.html
- Certificate of Title Volume 905 Folio 63 New South Wales Land Registry Services (NSW LRS)
- Clarence and Richmond Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1889-1915), Saturday 24 October 1891 page 5
- Clarence and Richmond Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1889 – 1915), Saturday 14 April 1894, page 4
- Clarence and Richmond Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1889 – 1915), Saturday 1 June 1895, page 5
- Bowral Free Press & Berrima District Intelligencer (NSW : 1884 – 1901) Saturday 25 May 1895 page 4
- Clarence and Richmond Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1889 – 1915), Tuesday 30 July 1895, page 5
- Clarence and Richmond Examiner (Grafton, NSW : 1889 – 1915)Tuesday 9 July 1901 – Page 4
- Certificate Title Volume 1130 Folio 19 New South Wales Land Registry Services (NSW LRS)
- Sun (Sydney, NSW : 1910 – 1954), Friday 23 September 1910, page 11
- https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/192650538?searchTerm=walter%20ryall%20pastrycook
A Cottage By The Sea 