Alex Creyghton - Gawler Town Crier

First published on the ‘Gawler: Colonial Athens’ blog on 16/02/2021

 Alex Creyghton was employed by the Gawler South Council (previously District of Munno Para West Council), which covered the south side of the South Para River.
 Creyghton was a painter who worked from Union Street but also worked as a lamplighter, billposter (signage) and town crier.
He was a town crier in Gawler South from as early as 1888 up until he died in 1905.[1] He worked as Gawler’s principal Lamplighter from 1866 until 1897.

 

 Creyghton was employed in Gawler to light and extinguish the gas lamps around the town. He rode a bicycle with a ladder on his shoulder. Gawler Council refused to light the gas lamps for 6 nights before, and six nights after a full moon. It also demanded all lamps to be extinguished from 10:30 p.m. to save money.

From 1866 until 1897 Gawler’s lamplighter was Mr Creyghton. Creyghton was replaced in 1897 after a lamp exploded, and he could not explain to the council how it occurred.

 

The Bunyip published a short epitaph regarding Creyghton on 13 January 1905,

DEATH of Mr. Alex Creyghton

On Tuesday last Mr. Alex Creyghton, Gawler's well-known billposter and town crier, expired at his residence, Gawler South. The deceased arrived from Somerset in the Forfifeshire in I876 and settled at Gawler, where he followed the avocation of painter and signwriter until about eighteen years ago, when he entered into the bill-posting business. He attained the ripe age of 72 years.[2]

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2021

Picture: Alex Creyghton 1888 Advertising Bunyip 12 October p. 3.
[1] 'Advertising', Bunyip. (19 October 1888), p. 3.
[2] 'EDITOR'S NOTES.', Bunyip, (13 January 1905), p. 2.

  

Old Bill Taylor – Gawler Town Crier

 First shared on ‘Gawler: Colonial Athens’ blog, 9/2/2021

St George's Anglican Cemetery
Photo: Gawler History Team

William Taylor was born in Buckinghamshire England in May 1818. He married Mary Hillsdon (1817-1879) in 1839.

Their children Ann, Sarah and John were born in England, and Hannah and the children following were born in South Australia. Their children were:
Ann Taylor (1840–1840), Sarah Taylor (1842–1921), John Taylor (1844–?), Hannah Taylor (1847–1849), Elizabeth Taylor (1849–1866), Lucy Taylor (1850–1924), Thomas Henry Taylor (1851–1911), Lydia Mary Taylor (1854–1917), William Richard Taylor (1857–1933), James Taylor (1859–1864).

 

William Taylor was known around Gawler as ‘Old Bill’. He was a local Town Crier.

 

A 1925 The News article reported the following on Gawler Town Crier ‘Old Bill’ Taylor,

In its early days Gawler possessed a town crier, who combined poetry with oratory. For the poetry he made an extra charge. When announcing a sale at a building where its solitary room was used for religious services, and the collars as a store for wines, the crier was frequently heard to recite the foIlowing lines, much to the amusement of the public:

"There's a spirit above and a spirit below,

A spirit of weal and a spirit of woe,

The spirit above is the Spirit Divine,

The spirit below is the spirit of wine."[1]

The verse above is a quotation from Anna L Wards Dictionary of Quotations written by “MS”. It was written about 1825 about the vaults below Portman Chapel, Baker Street, London.[2]

Old Bill Taylor commentated on the 1869 election vote between Samuel Bradley and David Thompson. As printed in the Bunyip at the time (and later reprinted in 1932):

Gawler In Other Days

Only 28 ratepayers voted on Wednesday last in the contested Ward (South)

No one seemed to take the least activity hunting up voters for the involuntary candidates, and nothing tended to show that any election was going on with the exception of the town crier, Mr. William Taylor who perambulated the Ward read the following notice, which he has left with us for publication, that his name may be emblazoned on the herald of fame as one of local laureates:

To all the electors of South Ward.
Haste to the pool and quick record
Your votes for Dave or Sam;
If Dave is elected, you will place
The saddle on. him who won the race;
But if for Sam you vote.
You'll send in one who soon will prove
That public interests him move,
He'll never turn his coat.
You that have not voted in this Ward,
I hope you'll come in time;
I think you will not judge me hard.
For it will enhance the rhyme,
You know that for the contest
There's two, that's Dave and Sam.-,
Now all take your opinions
And vote for the best man,
Because there is no botheration
In being one of the Corporation.

The result showed— Samuel Bradley, 20; David Thompson, 8. Dec. 4, 1869.[3]

 

In 1871 Mr John Knowles proposed that Town Crier, William Taylor run for Council.[4]

 

Old Bill Taylor died on 4 February 1876 while walking from the Gawler Railway Station towards Murray Street.

SUNSTROKE: Mr. W. Taylor, our bill sticker and town-crier, received a sunstroke today about noon while in the occupation of his duty. He was travelling between the Railway Station and Gawler, and was observed to fall down. Dr. Popham was in immediate attendance and did everything possible for his recovery. He died about 3 o'clock, to-day, just as we Were going to press. [5]

 

William Taylor is buried at St George’s Cemetery, Cheek Avenue, Gawler East.

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2021

---

[1] 'GAWLER COUNCIL', News, (25 November 1925), p. 6.
[2] 'CORRESPONDENCE.', The Register, (29 October 1910), p. 4.
[3] 'GAWLER IN OTHER DAYS.', Bunyip, (20 May 1932), p. 10.
[4] 'MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.', Bunyip, (25 November 1871), p. 3.
[5] 'BAROSSA MINING NEWS.', Bunyip, (4 February 1876), p. 2.

  

Thomas ‘Tommy’ Kendall – Gawler Town Crier

First published on the 'Gawler: Colonial Athens' blog on 2/2/2021

Thomas ‘Tommy’ Kendall was one of Gawler’s early Town Criers. He came to South Australia on board the barque Kingston on 18 December 1848, arriving at Port Adelaide from Sydney. He travelled with his wife Catherine.[1]

Thomas had previously been a Private in the 80^th Regiment of Foot, based at Chatham Kent.

 

Thomas Kendall's grave, West Tce. Cemetery
Source: Dwight Baker - Find a Grave 2016

The Bunyip wrote the following about a Town Crier named Kendall in 1879 under an article titled ‘Sayings and Doings Colonial Athens’:

BILL STICKING AND TOWN CRYING.

So we are to have a new bill poster and town cryer in Gawler. That's a sign of progress I think, and he's sure to get large patronage.

His name is Kendall, and I wouldn't wonder if he don't 'kindle' some enthusiasm in the hearts of the people here. Why do town cryers always use bells? This is an age of novelty, and I would suggest a drum as a better style of announcing sales and entertainments. The beating of a drum would stir all hearts with the enlivening sound; even yet I fondly remember how in childhood I often listened to the drummer, as he twirled his stick with rub a dub, 'dow-de-dow,'

Therefore my advice to, the new cryer is to introduce the drum, and beat up a hearty 'row-dow-dow' whenever a sale is on.[2]

Thomas suffered an elbow injury while working as an ostler at the Mill Inn in 1881.

Accident.—A serious accident happened on Tuesday morning at the Mill Inn, Gawler, to Mr. Thomas Kendall. It appears that Kendall although warned against doing so, went into the stable and began to clean a horse belonging to Mr. Denton, of Morgan, when the horse, which is generally quiet, kicked Kendall in the right elbow, putting it out of joint Mr. Popham was immediately in attendance, and set the fractured limb.[3]

 

Thomas died at the Adelaide Destitute Asylum on 25 July 1883. He was 73 years old.[4]

 

Upon his death, The Bunyip newspaper published the following epitaph regarding Tommy’s death, buried deep within another article:

On Monday a Gawler celebrity took his departure for that bourne from whence no man returneth. Thomas Kendall, or "Tommy," as he was more generally known by, died in the Adelaide Hospital from general decay. For some years past he has been the favorite town crier and bill sticker, and well has he done his work. He lived in poor circumstances, and although there were many who would have helped him, his independent spirit kept him from taking their aid, as he preferred to be free of obligation to any one.[5]

 

Also printed in the Bunyip was this epitaph in 1883. The excerpt from an article is written in the exact language used below, mocking the poor and uneducated. Perhaps this was an attempt at humour.?

Mrs. Harris On Things In General, Gawler Things in Particular

A few days ago, poor old Tommy Kendall took his larst journey for a distant shore, where I trust neither bill-sticking nor crying will be required of him.

The old gentleman was not a bad sort, full of informashun bought and paid for, possessing many good traits of character ,and your Betsey espeshily kan testify to his honesty, independent spirit, and an earnest desire to act squarely. I think those are very good traits in a man an nis poverty ort not to be a barrier for honorable menshun. May he have better times of it than he have had lately are the earnest wish of

Yours trooly,

Betsy Harris.[6]

Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2021.

Photo: Dwight Baker (contributor 47306645), Find a Grave, database and images memorial page for Thomas Kendall (unknown–26 Jul 1883), Find a Grave Memorial no. 159724849, citing West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide, Adelaide City, South Australia, Australia ; 

[1] 'SHIPPING INTELLIGENCE.', South Australian, (22 December 1848), p. 2.
[2] 'SAYINGS AND DOINGS COLONIAL ATHENS.', Bunyip (21 February 1879), p. 4.
[3] 'GENERAL NEWS.', Adelaide Observer, (8 October 1881), p. 31.
[4] Thomas Kendall, Australia, Death Index, 1787-1985, vol. 129, p, 407
[5] 'TAXATION.', Bunyip, (3 August 1883), p. 2.
[6] 'MRS. HARRIS ON THINGS IN GENERAL, GAWLER THINGS IN PARTICULAR.', Bunyip, (10 August 1883), p. 3

 

Gawler Town Crier’s

First published on the 'Gawler: Colonial Athens' blog on 26/01/2021

The Town Crier’s job was to make public announcements in the streets. Traditionally they dressed very elaborately to distinguish themselves as someone of importance separate from the public. The Town Crier would ring a large bell and shout the words “Oyez, Oyez, Oyez!” before making their announcement. ‘Oyez’ is late Middle English for ‘Hear ye’ and means ‘silence and attention’.[1]

(Some of) Gawler’s Town Criers

Old Bill Taylor. (William Taylor)[1]

Thomas ‘Tommy’ Kendall.[2]

Mr E. Luxton.[3]

Alex Creyghton [4]

Rowley (ex-police officer Crier for the courts).[5] 

Over the coming weeks, research about these Town Crier’s will be revealed.

A photo of the Gawler Town Criers bell can be found Gawler Cultural Heritage Centre’s eHive - Click here:


Researched and written by Allen Tiller © 2021


Advertisement:  'DROPS OF INK.', Bunyip, (3 March 1876), p. 3.

[1] Oyez, Merriam-Webster, Incorporated, (2021), https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/oyez.

[2] 'Out among the People', The Advertiser, (15 October 1937), p. 31.

[3] 'SAYINGS AND DOINGS COLONIAL ATHENS.', Bunyip (21 February 1879), p. 4.

[4] 'Local and General Topics.', Bunyip, (22 August 1913), p. 2.

[5] 'LOCAL AND GENERAL.', Bunyip, (14 January 1921), p. 2.