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WILLIAM BALLENY'S STORY

May I introduce myself to you all, I am William Balleny Howden, I have had a very full life, busy,

adventurous, periods of great joy and sense of achievement, and also very sad times. I was the first of a

generation of the family who came to the Colony of New South Wales and settled in the town of Port

Albert, Gippsland. I hope that this summary of my life will be of interest to my children and their children's

children.

The cold winters of Scotland are no time to come into this world, but January 26th in the year 1816, mother decided

it was time. The house was certainly kept warm with fires in the important rooms throughout the house, and I did

not have to face the fierce cold that many others less fortunate had to endure.

Our family were able to afford the luxury of a fine home as our forebears had built a profitable watchmaking and

jewellery business in Edinburgh; so before I tell you my story, let me tell you something of my father and

grandfather.

Grandfather James started as an apprenticed watchmaker in 1764 at the age of 15.He died three years before I was

born, so I never found out why he started under the guidance of Alexander Farquharson but after 7 years with him

he transferred to James Cowan to serve out the remainder of his indenture. In November 1771 he completed his

indenture and moved into his own shop and hence started what became a very successful family clock making and

jewellery business.

They say in real estate that the 3 key issues are position, position and position. Grandfather obviously knew about it

when he started his shop as he chose Hunter Square on the corner of High St and South Bridge, one of the busiest

parts of Edinburgh. Not satisfied with being an indentured Watchmaker he continued study until he presented his

essay to the essay masters in 1775 for the highest qualification in watchmaking.

Grandfather worked diligently so that his reputation as an excellent watchmaker grew along with his business that

he passed on to my father, James, and my uncle William in 1808. I have read some of the advertising and reports in

Edinburgh journals including one on Scottish clockmakers and all have praised James Howden in Hunter Square in

glowing terms such as "-- there was not a better known business in Edinburgh than that of James Howden".

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The shop in the photo is 3 Hunter Square in 2010, it was probably not much different in 1800, except for the man

with a mobile phone in the doorway.

Although father finished his watchmaking indentures in London before returning to work with grandfather, he did

not take over management of the shop until five years later, by which time he had also produced his essay and

obtained the same high watchmaking qualification as my grandfather. Uncle William also completed his indentures

in London as a jeweller and silversmith and had to have some years of experience in the shop before the two were

given joint ownership. The tradition of quality was firmly instilled into the two young managers and no advertising

was ever allowed to make such comment as "moderate prices". "cheap" never entered their head, instead their

advertisements were "--3 Hunter Square beg to announce that their stock of watches, jewellery, silver plate, cutlery

etc. --will be found to be extensive and of the best quality."

The firm of J and W Howden had outgrown the Hunter Square shop before I was born and they moved almost across

the road to 9 South Bridge. This was only a short 5 minute walk from our home in Buccleuch Place, and I remember

walking to the shop with mother as a young boy. By the time that I was 8, Father and Uncle William had been

managing the shop together for fifteen years and they decided to split up. Father moved his watchmaking business

further along South Bridge to No.56 New Buildings, North Bridge St. The new shop was much larger and the watch

making and watch repair business was "---one of the best establishments in town." Many people who came to our

home commented on the quality of the clocks and how clever it was to make them; I was very proud of my father.

54-56 North Bridge is the 3rd shop down from the corner of High St (commonly known as the Royal Mile) you will

notice the sign on the building on the top right corner.

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The three shops the family had were all within a stone throw of the busy corner of High St and where South Bridge

changed to North Bridge. I am sure that this contributed to the success of the business. Yes my forebears were not

only good watchmakers but also good businessmen.

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I left you a while back with my mother and the midwife while I spoke to you about my father and grandfather. Well

mother and father did not waste time having me christened. Born on January 26th and christened on March 1st, yes,

in the same year. Of course I was Baptised in the Church of Scotland Kirk, St Cuthbert's. A church popular with the

freemen at the time. It was about one mile from our home, a short walk but not entirely level. The church has a

history that dates back to 1127 when King David 1 gave the land below Edinburgh castle to St Cuthbert's. The church

that I was christened in was build in the early 1800, so was very new for my ceremony

This is St Cuthbert's as it is today and although there was an upgrading in the late 19th century and again in 1990 it

is much the same as when William Balleny was Christened. It stands in large grounds and in the shadow of the

Edinburgh Castle.

As I grew I was able to play in the common that was at the end of our street. Fortunately the city fathers had enough

foresight to maintain possession of this land which is now being developed into a fine parkland. I went to school at

the church school and hence was well schooled in the Presbyterian theology and the strict way of life. My Mother

certainly taught us what was right and wrong and I quickly learned not to step into the wrong area. With 5 children

under the age of 10, mother certainly was kept busy but I did not appreciate the stress that my siblings and I put on

her until I had a family of my own. Mother died eight days after Janet was born and I suspect that was why Janet was

named after my mother. I was then the second oldest at seven, James was nine, Ann five and Andrew three. Life

changed suddenly after this and father spent much more time with us than he had previously. We were looked after

by two servants who lived with us in the house.

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When visiting the shop in North Bridge, I got to know the senior watchmaker, Mr Brown. he was a nice man and

often came to our home. Mr Brown had worked for father for a long time and when I was 12 years old Father made

him a partner of the business and changed the name to Howden and Company.

Another major change was the move to 25 Windsor St, a much larger house in a fashionable area with wide streets

but not close to the large parkland I was used to playing in. It was still close to the church and to fathers business but

on the other side of town.

Number 25 Windsor St is the house with the green door on the left of the photo. It would have been the home of

WB before he left for Australia.

Throughout my school years I was interested in sport but was not very interested in academic study. I worked for

father in the shop and sometimes went to London with him on buying visits. London opened my eyes to broader

possibilities in life and these did not include watchmaking. I know that father wanted me to decide on a career but I

had my eyes on something different.

The papers were telling about some of the colonies in the new world and the government were encouraging people

to move to a number of far-away places. Many Scottish people had taken the plunge and I talked about it with my

friends, none of whom were game to take the risk, although I knew a couple of people who had.

I gathered as much information as I could from papers, journals, books and talking with anyone who had knowledge

about these new places offering exciting opportunities. Finally I decided that Australia was to be my destiny and I

drew the family into discussions on the subject. Of course they brought up all of the reasons why life would be much

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easier at home where a lucrative business was waiting for me, but a young person of 23 years does not want the

easy life if there is a chance of excitement.

Money was not a problem so I started looking for ships sailing to Australia, finally choosing the Abberton, due to sail

from London on 15th April 1839. It is a 451 Ton three mast square rigged ship and on this voyage it was due to carry

sheep from the Scottish Moors, general cargo, 25 officers and crew and 36 passengers.

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