W. Froomes

Bendigo Goldfields Petition Cover, August 1853. State Library of Victoria (MS 12440) and Condemned them to hard labor on the Public Roads of the Colony - A proceeding Your Petitioners maintain to be contrary to the spirit of the British Law which does not recognise the principle of the Subject being a Criminal because he is indebted to the State
That the impost of Thirty Shillings a Month is unjust because the successful and unsuccessful Digger are assessed in the same ratio
For these reasons and others which could be enumerated Your Petitioners pray Your Excellency to Grant the following Petition
* First. To direct that the Licence Fee be reduced to Ten Shillings a Month
* Secondly To direct that Monthly or Quarterly Licenses be issued at the option of the Applicants
* Thirdly To direct that new arrivals or invalids be allowed on registering their names at the Commissioners Office fifteen clear days residence on the Gold Fields before the License be enforced
* Fourthly To afford greater facility to Diggers and others resident on the Gold Fields who wish to engage in Agricultural Pursuits for investing their earnings in small allotments of land
* Fifthly To direct that the Penalty of Five Pounds for non-possession of License be reduced to One Pound
* Sixthly To direct that (as the Diggers and other residents on the Gold Fields of the Colony have uniformly developed a love of law and order) the sending of an Armed Force to enforce the License Tax be discontinued.
Your Petitioners would respectfully submit to Your Excellency's consideration in favour of the reduction of the License Fee that many Diggers and other residents on the Gold-fields who are debarred from taking a License under the present System would if the Tax were reduced to Ten Shillings a Month cheerfully comply with the Law so that the License Fund instead of being diminished would be increased
Your Petitioners would also remind your Excellency that a Petition is the only mode by which they can submit their wants to your Excellency's consideration as although they contribute more to the Exchequer that half the Revenue of the Colony they are the largest class of Her Majesty's Subjects in the Colony unrepresented
And your Petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray etc.

Red Ribbon Movement Monument in Rosalind Park, Bendigo [detail], 2013. Ballarat Heritage Services Picture Collection

Background

William Froomes was born at the George Inn, Hounslow, England. His father was the innkeeper, and he kept change horses for the royal coach as it travelled between London and Windsor. William was apprenticed to Mr Bartholomew Calaway, a London draper, and after completing his indenture he migrated to South Australia and found work at the copper mining town of Burra Burra in the employ of Mr. Carrington Smedley. After the discovery of gold at Forest Creek (Castlemaine) his employer sent him to the new diggings via Port Fairy, with a load of goods to sell.

He established a business in a canvas and iron structure at the corner of Barker and Mostyn Streets, one of the corners of the Market Square. In 1853 Froomes purchased the business and the land from his employer, and made substantial improvements to them over the years. He was joined in Castlemaine by his parents and siblings after the railway made the privilege of keeping horses for royal coaches a redundant occupation (Gardner). William Senior is listed in a number of Castlemaine directories as the owner of a Boot and Shoe Dealer next door to his son's Drapery store in Market Square.

An 1861 advertisement in The Mount Alexander Mail gives a good indication of the range of Froomes' stock, and the discounted prices for his 'clearing out the winter stock' sale. He advertised items ranging through both men's and women's clothing, but not surprisingly (given his father's business), excluding boots and shoes.

In 1865 William Junior's failing eyesight led him to take his brother Henry into partnership while he went to England to seek treatment. The Castlemaine directory for that year held by the State Library of Victoria lists the firm as 'W. & H. Froomes, Drapers, Market Square.' The treatment was not successful and he lost his sight completely before he returned to Australia. On his return he sold the business to his brother and a partner, Mr Walters, who then traded under the name H. Froomes & Co. (Gardner). The business continued in the hands of a John McKenna and then Robinson and Halford before being wound up, sometime before 1910. In that year W. Froomes' son, A.W. Froomes, was a draper in Mansfield.

William Froomes was a member of the Roads Board between 1857 and 1862, including three terms as Chairman; a director of the Gas Company; a trustee of the Campbell Creek Cemetery; and an officer in the Castlemaine Greys volunteer force. In 1863 he was a member of the twenty-two man Australian squad that played Cricket against the first All-England team to tour Australia.

Goldfields Involvement, 1853-1854

Signed the 1853 Bendigo Goldfields Petition. Agitation of the Victorian goldfields started with the Forest Creek Monster Meeting in 1851, but what became known as the Red Ribbon Movement was centred around the Bendigo goldfields in 1853. The Anti-Gold License Association was formed at Bendigo in June 1853, led by George Thomson, Dr D.G. Jones and 'Captain' Edward Browne. The association focused its attention on the 30 shillings monthly licence fee miners were required to pay to the government. They drew up a petition outlining digger grievances and called for a reduced licence fee, improved law and order, the right to vote and the right to buy land. The petition was signed by diggers at Bendigo, Ballarat, Castlemaine, McIvor (Heathcote), Mount Alexander (Harcourt) and other diggings. The 13 metre long petition was presented to Lieutenant-Governor Charles La Trobe in Melbourne on the 01 August 1853, but their call for a reduction in monthly licence fees and land reform for diggers was rejected. The diggers dissatisfaction erupted into the Red Ribbon Rebellion where agitators wore red ribbons on their hats symbolising their defiance of the law and prohibitive licence fees.

Family

Children of William Froomes

Richard Froomes

Mary Froomes

GOUGH.—On the 20th October, at. Berkeley-street, Mary, widow of late Henry Gough, of Ballarat; daughter of late W. Froomes, sen., of Castlemaine, aged 77 years.

William Froomes Jnr

Information was received by telegram to Mr Smart on Saturday evening that Mr William Froomes, senr., had died at 6 o'clock at Woodend, where he resided for about sixteen months. He was induced to remove there by his son, Mr Richard Froomes, who desired to have the old gentleman near him, that he and his wife might bestow upon him such kindness and affection as they could administer. Mr Froomes was one of the very early residents in Castlemaine, and built a shop next to that of his son William's, who had preceded him, and been successful in business as a draper in the place that is still known as Froomes' Corner. The old gentleman, who had passed his 85th year, had lived at Hounslow, England, in the glory of the coaching days and of the large roadside inns. He succeeded his father as keeper of a hostelry, and was postmaster to Her Majesty, which was the furnishing of chaises and horses for Royalty when travelling that way. He kept from thirty to forty horses, with suitable conveyances for a large retinue, and he spoke with great delight of those old times, with Some of the stirring themes of conversation that then engaged the gossips from the stable, the coachman on the box with his four-in-hand, and the frequenters of the inn. The relations between George IV. and Queen Caroline were impressed upon his earliest recollections. His father had held the same commission, called "postmaster," for Royalty preceding him, so he was well posted up in events, and vividly recollected the appearances, manners and usages of many mem-bers of the Royal Family who were supplied with horses at Hounslow. About twenty years ago Mr Froomes, retired from business, and lived on his private means, in a quiet, unobtrusive way, with a singular objection to take a favour of anyone, even if offered by way of kindness or hospitality He had but a short illness, during which he received great kindness and attention from his son and his wife. His remains are to be brought by the afternoon train from Woodend to-day to be deposited in the Castlemaine Cemetery.

Obituary

DEATH OF WM. FROOMES, ESQ., J.P.

Another of the old identities whose name is associated with the foundation of the township and with several of the most important public institutions that now exist, passed peacefully away to his lopg rest yesterday morning, at his residence at East Melbourne. In the early part of the year 1853 Mr Wm. Froomes, to whom we refer, established a drapery business at the corner of Matket-Square, and conducted it with a large measure of success, until failing sight compelled him to relinquish it to his successors. Following the directions of his medical advisers, be took a voyage to England to consult the chief oculists there upon the restoration of his sight; but, though he did so, and observed all their instructions with punctilious care, none of the remedies pre scribed for him were efficacious in restoring the impaired vision, or in ultimately averting total blindness. But for several years before this sad calamity he had rendered in a brief period more valuable public services than are done by most men in a whole lifetime. About a year after the establishment of the first Municipal Council he became a member of that body, and took an active part in all the measures that were then discussed with a fervour which would astonish the serene and methodical gentlemen who now occupy the seats. Displaying aptitude for public business, comportiqg himself with unvarying courtesy, and being strictly honourable in every phase of life, he gained and retained the confidence of the councillors, who elected turn as their chairman. He was not one of those to accept honour as a mere inert ornamental distinction, but he was always ready to come to the front as a champion in defence of his colleagues and his office whenever they were assailed. For several years he occupied the seat of chairman, arn it was with a feeling of deep regret that his avowal was heard that he did not purpose again joiing the local representative body. But there were many other spheres of usefulness open to him, in which he engaged for the public benfit and tbere was no one more ready to push forward any institution or association that was designed to promote the welfare of the people or conduce to the prosparity of the town. It may also be mentioned that he early received recognition from the Government by being appointed a Justice of the Peace. Yet it was not alone by the discharge of public duties that Mr Froomes will be remembered. In bis private life he cemented many friendships by his urbanity arid integrity among his 'equals', and by kindness and generosity among those less fortunately circumstanded. It is melancholy, however, to reflect that a life that abounded with so many sterling qualities of head and heart was fated to be blighted when a competence had been procured to render the remaining years of the circuit enjoyable and free from corroding cares. For the last two years he suffered existence spent that long dull period in bed— till at length the impaired reason itself gradually faded away. His remains will be brought to 'own this afternoon by the:3.20 train, and will be followed by friends, of whom there may be expected a great concourse, from the railway station to the Campbell's Creek Cemetery.

Notes

RETURN OF MR W. FROOMES.

Last evening Mr W. Froomes, whose name in Castlemaine is as familiar in our mouths as household words, returned to Castlemaine from England, whither he had gone in the hope of securing the restoration of his failing sight. During his absence of fourteen months his friends have anxiously watched the arrival of each succeeding mail trusting to hear that his mission had been successful. It having become known that he was a passenger in the Suffolk, aud at the last moment that he would arrive by the 10 20 p.m. train of last evening, the leading inhabitants of the borough determined to meet him at the Railway Station and give him a hearty welcome back to the town with which he has been so long and honorably connected. Accordingly, the Mayor and Borough Council, wiih large number of friends, assembled on the platform, and greeted him on alighting with three hearty and prolonged cheers. Mr Froomes was then conducted to the Impe rial Hotel, where all who had not done so at the station had an opportunity of shaking him by the hand, and expressing the gratification they felt in bis return to them. After a few minutes conversation, the Mayor of Castiemaine pro posed the health of Mr Froomes. He said that 14 months ago many of the faces he saw around him had gathered for the purpose of expressing the regret so generally felt at Mr Froomes' departure. They had now met to give him a cor dial welcome on his return. Many more would have been present, but it was thought that per haps Mrs Froomes and the members of his family would be with him, and that on the follow ing day it would be better to give him that demonstration of good will he was so worthy of. He (the Mayor) felt that no words of his could increase the high sense of esteem in which Mr Froomes was held in Castlemaine. He would, therefore, content himself with proposing his health, and heartily welcoming him back. After the toast had been drank iu the most cordial manner, Mr Froomes said that since he left Castlemaine, during the voyages he had made, the parting from his old friends had often passed before his mind. The circumstances at tending that leaving he was able to see. He had no idea such an enthusiastic welcome would have been accorded him, and that so large a number would have taken part in it. He could assure them that Castlemaine had never been forgotten by him. It was never ©ut of his mind. He felt highly flattered when he went away, he felt that he did not leave an enemy behind; and now, when he returned, they gave him a heartier welcome than ever. Though he had not suc ceeded in the main object of his mission to Eng land, he was glad to say he was in excellent health. Those amongst them who were working too hard he would advise to allow themselves relaxation. The most eminent occulists in Eng land whom he had consulted had told him that hard work, more than the climate, had conduced to the disease from which he suffered. He cor-dially thanked them from hia very heart for their kind welcome. Mr Froomes added : I cannot tell how you knew how I was coming up. I can't think bow you found it out— (laughter). I really thank you. Hearty cheers followed the short speech. Mr Froomes evidently labored under the intensity of his feelings, and there was not one around him who did not sympathise in the great loss be had endured. The health of the Mayor was then proposed by Mr Froomes, aud properly responded to, after which Mr H. N. L. Kentish, Clerk of Petty Sessions, said that it had been the inten tion ot the whole magisterial beuch, of which Mr Froomes was a member, to receive him on his arrival had the time been known, and that they would yet give him that cordial welcome they desired to do at his own convenience. The company then separated. Cr Christie states that Mr Froomes would be at his house to-day, and that any friends would be received with pleasure. A more hearty and feeling ex pression of respect is seldom accorded to any more than that awarded to Mr Froomes last evening, and to that expression we would in all sincerity add our own . Very expensive Breaches. — Breaches of promise. Wanted— a feather from the dovetail of a carpenter. Cunning,— The greatest cunning is to have none at all.

See also

Bendigo Goldfields Petition

Ballarat Reform League Inc. Monuments Project

External links

https://blogs.slv.vic.gov.au/family-matters/collections/did-you-ancestor-sign-the-bendigo-goldfields-petition/

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