Irish Roots of the Australian Clampett Family
Small Debts Court
Hayes, v. Clampett. [One pound] for loss of time,
purchase of horse-feed, and use of a horse and dray. - Plaintiff deposed: I
heard that defendant had loading to take to Frogmore, and sent my wife to see
what quantity there was. He said he would only have about 8 cwt, and told
my wife to tell me to come up in the morning; when I did so, he said I could not
take the goods; I said, “Why?” and he said nothing, only that it was
not his fault; I cut four bags of barley to feed my horses, on account of my
going to Frogmore. - To defendant: Your boy met me on the way and told me not to
come up but I did. - Plaintiff’s wife deposed: I went to Mr Clampett
on Monday evening, and he said the weight was 8 cwt, and no more; he told me to
send my husband up in the morning,, which I did.- Defendant deposed: I have some
loading to send to Frogmore; Mrs Hayes came up in the morning, and I told her it
would not pay a man to take them for less than [a pound]; there was one case we
measured, and it was an inch wider than plaintiff’s dray; he might have
left under the impression that he was to have the job. - The Bench thought that
plaintiff went away under the impression that he was to have the job, and gave a
verdict for 10s.[27]
But a much more worrying indication that he was actually in quite serious financial trouble during this time, appeared in the April 17 1885 edition of the newspaper:
But a much more worrying indication that he was actually in quite serious financial trouble during this time, appeared in the April 17 1885 edition of the newspaper:
Curran v. Ryan.- In the Supreme Court, on Monday,
(before his Honor the Chief Justice and a jury of four), the case Curran v. Ryan
was tried. Mr Rogers, instructed by Mr F. J. McCarthy, appeared for the
plaintiff; and Mr Salamons and Mr. Heydon, instructed by Messrs. Slattery and
Heydon, for the defendant. This was an action brought by John Joseph
Curran against Patrick Ryan to recover the sum of [83 pounds, 5 shillings 1
pence]., being a promissory note at two months’ date, drawn by Joseph H.
Clampett and endorsed by the defendant. The facts alleged by the plaintiff
being admitted by defendant, Mr. Salomons opened the case for the defendant,
from which it appeared that in 1883 J. H. Clampett, a store-keeper at Burrowa,
was indebted to the plaintiff for certain goods sold and delivered.
Clampett getting into difficulties executed a bill of sale in favour of the
plaintiff for the amount of his account, and as collateral security he gave six
promissory-notes, which were endorsed at different times by Patrick Ryan and
Patrick Dwyer. Subsequently all the notes were either met at maturity or
withdrawn with the exception of one for [83 pounds 5 shillings 1 pence], which
was a renewed note endorsed by the defendant. In the meantime Clampett
called a meeting of his creditors, who accepted a composition of 6 shillings in
the Pound, but Curran, unknown to the other creditors, persuaded Clampett to
agree to pay him in full. The only question was whether the plaintiff had
any ground for action, the renewal of the promissory note having taken place
after the composition. Mr Rogers, after calling the plaintiff and another
witness, accepted a nonsuit.
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Leaving Burrowa – “How I have felt that
thing that’s called to part, and feel it still” [28]
Joseph finally left Burrowa for Sydney early in 1886. In September 1885, he advertised for sale for the last time:
Joseph finally left Burrowa for Sydney early in 1886. In September 1885, he advertised for sale for the last time:
the Stock-in-Trade of a good Drapery and Grocery
Business in the thriving and prosperous town of Burrowa;
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The final auction was held on Wednesday 11th November
1885, it included the whole of that Stock-in-Trade, Counter, Fittings, Glass
Cases, &c &c. His financial position following these sales is not
known but he would have needed enough money for travel (probably by train) and
to establish a home for the children in
Sydney.
However, all the news was not bad for the family during these years. The children were doing quite well at school and the Burrowa News has a record of some of their achievements, in particular those of William and Mary. The older boys all attended the church denominational system of education, which was established in Burrowa in 1848 and was the basis of the first community school in the district.
The school was conducted as the Catholic Denominational School and, by 1879, 91 children were attending it. At this stage the community requested an organised order of nuns to supervise the teaching of their children and a convent school, run by the Sisters of Mercy, was established in church building in 1882, this was replaced by St Joseph’s School in 1885.[29] The younger Clampett children attended St Joseph’s school.
However, all the news was not bad for the family during these years. The children were doing quite well at school and the Burrowa News has a record of some of their achievements, in particular those of William and Mary. The older boys all attended the church denominational system of education, which was established in Burrowa in 1848 and was the basis of the first community school in the district.
The school was conducted as the Catholic Denominational School and, by 1879, 91 children were attending it. At this stage the community requested an organised order of nuns to supervise the teaching of their children and a convent school, run by the Sisters of Mercy, was established in church building in 1882, this was replaced by St Joseph’s School in 1885.[29] The younger Clampett children attended St Joseph’s school.