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PIPER FAMILY

Prominent in the Sutherland Shire in business, community and the Methodist Church after relocating from Dungog and Tamworth. Their family in Australia began with the arrival of James Piper in Sydney in 1857.

James PIPER, 1824-1897 

        

Prominent businessman, community leader and active member of the Methodist Church in Dundog and Tamworth with family connections to Sutherland Shire.

James Piper was born on 30 September 1824 at Cranbrook, Kent, the son of Thomas Piper and his wife,Mercy, nee Craddock. He was baptised on 31 October 1824 at the Chapel-On-The-Hill-Independent at Cranbrook, Kent. 

On 4 October 1848 at St. Olave’s Church in Bermondsey, Kent he married Jane Allender (1822-1851) the daughter of Robert Allender and his wife Elizabeth, nee Hobbs. They had two sons, Frederick William born in January 1849 at Hollingbourn, Kent and Edward born in January, 1851 at Sutton Valance, Kent. In the 1851 Census James is described as a draper and grocer with Charles Allender, aged 16, his brother-in-law as his apprentice. In November 1851, his wife Jane died leaving him with two young children.

On 12 October 1952, James Piper married Elizabeth Allender (1831-1908) the younger sister of his late wife, Jane.

James and Elizabeth had three children, Kate Jane (1853-1930), Mary Louisa (1854-1926) and Joseph James (1856-1939) and arrived in Sydney with them as well as Frederick and Edward in July 1857 on board the ship ‘Wisconsin’. Also on board were Charles, Edward, Anne and Joseph Allender the siblings of his wife Elizabeth and Mercy Piper his mother. They were all described as Unassisted Passengers. They settled in the suburb of Newtown where James established a grocery business. In 1859 Mercy Piper died aged 69.

In 1859 James and Elizabeth were joined by Elizabeth’s parents Robert and Elizabeth Allender who arrived on board the ship ‘Black Swan’ with their domestic servant Hannah Allender. James Piper had deposited funds for their trip but this was declined and they arrived in Sydney as Unassisted Passengers. On 23 July 1862 Robert Allender died at the home of his son-in-law, James Piper in Newtown. Elizabeth Allender continued to live with her daughter Elizabeth and son-in-law James until her death in Tamworth in 1893 aged 93.

During their time in Newtown, the family of James and Elizabeth Piper increased with the birth of Anna in 1858, Maud in 1860 who died in 1860, Lily Jane in 1861, Robert Allender in 1863 and Charles Thomas in 1865. 

About 1867, James decided to try his luck in Brisbane but, by 1870 had settled in Dungog NSW where he set up a general store and welcomed two more children – Rose Elizabeth, born in 1870 and May Eliza born in 1872. In 1873 he sold the business to his son Edward Piper and purchased the soap and candle works of Messrs. Nathan Cohen and Co. at Tamworth.

James Piper became a prominent member of the local Tamworth community with a municipal career extending over eighteen years during which he was twice elected Mayor, campaigned for the installation of the first water supply, the town pump, and the introduction of electricity. He was Mayor when the municipal power station was built and, on 9 November 1888, his wife Elizabeth used a golden key to switch on the Tamworth street lights, the first town in Australia to be so serviced.It was not until 1904 that Sydney had street lights powered by electricity.

In addition to his municipal duties James Piper was a member of the hospital board. He was on the committee and a trustee of the Building society, served on the commission of the peace being very attentive to his duties at the Court, also Vice-president of the Agricultural Society and trustee of the Wesleyan Church.

James Piper was a man of very strong religious convictions brought up in the Congregational Church. However he became a member of the Wesleyan community as there was no Congregational church in Tamworth at the time. His children were all educated in the Wesleyan faith and he was connected to the Rechabite and Good Templar Lodges becoming an advocate for total abstinence.

James Piper died on 14 February 1897 and was buried in Tamworth Cemetery. He was survived by his widow, Elizabeth (1831-1908), six daughters and five sons who carried on their father’s commitment to the community and the Wesleyan faith.-  Frederick William (1849-1935), was a storekeeper at Parkes, Edward (1851-1916) J.P., a coroner and storekeeper at Dungog, Joseph James (1856-1939) became Mayor of Narrabri, Robert Allender (1863-1945) was an officer of the Bank of New South Wales, Armidale, and Charles Thomas (1865-1940) continued the family business at Tamworth and, in 1912 like his father, became Mayor of Tamworth. After Charles retired and moved to Manly, the business continued under the management of Andrew Telfer, who had married May Eliza Piper in 1899, until his death in 1936.

At the time of his death James’ daughters Kate, Mary Louisa, and Annie were married. Kate married Walter C Denniss in 1879 and George Sydney Evans in 1885, Mary Louisa married George Abbott in 1876, Annie married Charles Thomas in 1889. In 1901 Lily Jane married Herbert Charles Kingham. Rosa Elizabeth never married.

James Piper’s wife, Elizabeth, died at Mosman in 1908 and was buried with him in the Tamworth Cemetery.

 

Edward PIPER, 1851-1916

Businessman, community leader and pioneer of the Methodist Church in Miranda and Cronulla

When his father James decided to move to Tamworth in 1873, Edward Piper took over the Dungog business and soon proved himself to be a capable and astute business man. Under his management during the next forty years, the store, known as Piper’s Cheapside was on the corner of Dowling and Hooke Streets and occupied positions where Styman’s Bakery and the businesses of J.W Scott and C. Sweeney were later located. He was highly respected and prominent in local community matters being the first electoral officer of the municipality. As JP he presided over matters before the Dungog Police Court and, as a conscientious parishioner, filled almost all the offices of the Methodist Church that were available to him as a layman.

 In all his work as a respected citizen and prominent Christian, he was ably supported by his wife, Eliza, nee Arnott, whom he married on 6 April1876 in Newcastle, NSW. Eliza Woods Arnott was the daughter of William Arnott and his wife, Monica nee Sinclair. William Arnott was the founder of Arnott’s Biscuits company, opened a bakery in Morpeth in 1847 and in 1865 moved to Hunter Street, Newcastle, NSW. Arnott’s remained under family control until 1975.

Eliza Woods Piper (1855-1923) was a devoted member of the Methodist church and much influenced by her father’s example. Her father, William Arnott, was superintendant of the Newcastle Wesleyan Sunday School for 22 years, president of the Newcastle YMCA and prominent in all kinds of religious and philanthropic matters. In commercial circles he was regarded as a a community leader and business man of integrity and high principles. Before her marriage Eliza was a Sunday School teacher, a member of the church choir and involved in charitable works. During their marriage, she supported her husband Edward in all his church, business and civic duties and was a diligent worker in church and charitable causes in Dungog and later Miranda and Cronulla. Her obituary in ‘The Methodist’ 29 September 1923 described her as ‘devout and gracious…a joy and comfort to all preachers and an example to the congregation’.

Edward and Eliza Piper and their children – Frederick William (1877-1931), Edward Charles (1878), William Arnott (1881-1931), Heydon Leslie (1885-1959) and Effie Gladys (1892-1923)  - were active supporters of all Methodist Church and charitable causes in the town and district of Dungog and the family home, ‘Hillside’, was always open to the ministers who worked in the circuit. In later life, Edward and Eliza would also be significant in the establishment of the Methodist Church in Cronulla.

After forty years of successful trading, Edward Piper sold the Dungog business in 1907 to North Lauchlan and Co., moved to the Sutherland Shire with his wife, Eliza, son Leslie and daughter, Effie Gladys. With the assistance of his son Leslie, he set up Piper’s Store in Miranda on the corner of Malvern Road (renamed after 1916 as the Kingsway) and Kiora Road.

 

In the 1909 Electoral Roll for Sutherland, the names of Eliza, Edward (independant means) and Heydon Leslie (storekeeper) appear for the first time at Malvern Road, Miranda. The family later lived in Cronulla in a property, near the beach, known as ‘The Breakers’ and Effie’s name appears on the 1913 roll.

In 1907 a small Methodist church was established in Miranda. In ‘The Methodist’ of November 1907, a letter from H H Small described the need for a larger Methodist church in Cronulla which was popular as a holiday destination and where many Methodists had purchased property and built cottages. Situated within the Helensburgh Circuit, services were only conducted twice a month in a rented hall. Land had previously been purchased by the Home Missionary Society and trustees appointed to appeal to all Methodists and others for subscriptions towards the building of a church in Cronulla. The Piper family were involved in fund raising and Mrs.Piper accepted donations on behalf of the trustees. An architect, Mr.Slade, drew up plans for a brick building, with a tiled roof, to seat 250 and the foundation stone was placed on 1 August 1908. By 1909 the church stood in a prominent position in the town and had a neat, little belfry with bells donated by two visitors. It was regarded as the central point of Methodism in the area attracting well known preachers such as the Principal of Newington College, Rev. C J Prescott. Mrs.Piper continued to appeal for donations of cash or goods to deal with the church debt.

After his son Leslie, enlisted in the army, Edward Piper continued managing the Miranda store but his health deteriorated. After suffering a stroke, he died at his home ‘The Breakers’ on 25 July 1916. He was buried in the family plot in the Methodist Monumental Vault Section in Woronora Cemetery.

After the death of her husband Piper’s Store at Miranda was sold and Eliza Piper continued her involvement with the church. When a branch of the Red Cross Society was formed in Cronulla, she became a member with her daughter and was involved in activities to support the war efforts. After the war, she encouraged her son Leslie in his career as a Gospel singer and missionary involvement and was joyful when her daughter Effie married and in 1922 became mother to baby Joan. However that joy was cut short when the baby died. When her beloved Effie died on 22 July 1923 after giving birth to a son Jack, Eliza was heartbroken and died a week later on 30 July 1823. She was buried in the family plot in Woronora Cemetery.

On 18 May 1924, the Cronulla Methodist Church was crowded for a service of memorial and dedication of a tablet erected to the memory of Edward Piper and Eliza Woods Piper and their daughter Effie Gladys Shaw. In unveiling the tablet, Rev.S.Vercoe Cocks spoke of their ‘loving services…influence for good…and unselfish ministry’.

Frederick William Piper (1877-1931), who had assisted his father in the Dungog store, had married Annie Louise Burgess in Dungog in 1896 and they already had two children – Hilda 1898 and Eileen (1902) - when the store changed hands. Frederick took over a business in Gresford near Dungog and a son Boyce was born in 1904. After the birth in Annandale of another child, Jean Louise in 1907, the family moved to Toronto where Frederick again opened a store. Frederick William Piper died in Toronto NSW on 15 June 1931. He was interred in the family plot at Woronora Cemetery.

William Arnott Piper (1881-1931) became a banker employed at the Bank of Australia and, in later life, became a bank manager. In 1906 in Tamworth, he married Annie Mabel Denning. Their children Gwen  and Brian were born in 1907 at Marrickville. William Arnott Piper died on 1 April 1931 at Wollstonecraft. He was interred in the family plot at Woronora Cemetery.

Heydon Leslie Piper (1885-1959), known as Leslie, attended the Superior Public School at Dungog and his musical talent was recognised early in life. He was a member of the Methodist church choir and was a featured soloist at church services and concerts. His mother had been a member of church choirs and encouraged him to continue his training when they left Dungog and moved to Miranda. Leslie studied under professional musician and teacher August W Juncker and performed at concerts in Sydney. In 1915 he returned from a European tour and performed at concerts to raise funds for the war effort. He enlisted in the army in March 1916 but, due to health problems had a chequered experience.(see p324 ‘Service and Sacrifice’). While temporarily back in Australia in 1917 he organised and sang at a concert to raise funds for the Cronulla Soldiers’ Convalescent Home at the request of his aunt, Rosa Piper and his sister Effie.

Leslie Piper returned to Australia in 1919 and as the store at Miranda had been sold after his father’s death he decided to travel to the USA to continue his musical studies and become a gospel singer. After his return, Leslie was in demand as a soloist and organiser of choir and musical programs at special church events in the Shire and other districts. In 1929, he was invited back to Dungog as soloist at an after church Gospel song service held in the local picture theatre where the various churches of the town were represented. He was described in the Dungog Chronicle as ‘the world-famed and far travelled singer of the Gospel’. He also organised the program and taught the congregational choir.

Leslie Heydon Piper had become part of the evangelistic missions conducted by the Rev. Tom Sykes, the British Conference Evangelist, whom he had met at a Newcastle-on-Tyne Conference. He became a member of Sykes’ many missions to the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, China, Korea and Japan. His contribution to the mission was described as ‘The Gospel in Song’. Back in Australia, he was a regular soloist at the Wesley Chapel’s evening services at the Lyceum theatre continuing the family connection to the Methodist faith.

After living in Cronulla for some years Leslie Heydon  moved to the Eastern Suburbs in the 1930s and lived in Darlinghurst and Potts Point. In the 1940s he again moved to Quail Street in Coogee where he lived until his death on 3 February 1959 (RN744) He too was buried in the Methodist Monumental Vault Section in Woronora Cemetery

Effie Gladys Piper 1892-1923, like the rest of her family was an active member of the Methodist Church involved with raising funds for the establishment of the churches in Miranda and Cronulla and with youth groups and activities. When a branch of the Red Cross Society was established in Cronulla with her aunt Rosa as Secretary, Effie and her mother both joined and took part in the activities which were organised to support the war effort. When the VAD detachment was formed Effie joined and became commandant of the unit. She assisted at the convalescent home where Rosa had been appointed Matron.

On 27 April 1821, Effie Gladys Piper married Edward Seymour Shaw (1898-1968) son of the Rev A.R. and Mrs Shaw of ‘The Rectory’ Bulli. In 1922, a daughter Joan was born but died on 31 May and was buried in the Piper family plot at Woronora. On 8 July 1923, a son, Jack Seymour, was born. He became a grazier and lived in Gunning NSW. He died in Canberra on 3 July 2002. Effie Gladys Shaw died on 22 July 1923 and was interred in the family plot at Woronora Cemetery. On 13 January 1924, the Cronulla Methodist Church was overcrowded for the dedication and unveiling of a beautiful marble baptismal font. It was placed in the church by Edward Seymour Shaw in memory of his wife Effie Gladys Shaw nee Piper.

The Piper Family plot is in the Methodist Monumental Vault Section Numbers 0010-0011 at Woronora Cemetery. The following family members were buried in it or their ashes were placed there:

Edward Piper d.1916 and his wife Eliza Woods Piper d.1923

Their children:

Frederick William Piper d.1931, his wife Annie Louise d.1934 and daughter Hilda Sinclair Davies (ashes) d.1966

William Arnott Piper d.1931, his wife Annie Mabel Piper (ashes) d.1951

Heydon Leslie Piper d.1959

Effie Gladys Shaw d.1923, her daughter Joan Shaw d. 1922

By Colleen Passfield 2019

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