HUDSON, Job

Little is known of JOB HUDSON, apart from scant details handed down through the family archivists, such as DOUG CARROLL, and JOHN ORMAN. It is believed that he was born in 1807, in Liverpool.

The information available to me, at the time of writing this, showed that Job arrived from Liverpool, England, on board the ship 'Vestal', on 25th August, 1834 - a Free-Settler. Recently, a descendant of Hudson, has come up with new information. She claims that this information shows Job Hudson, indeed, arrived on the ship 'Mary Catharine', with wife Ann Edith, at Port Jackson, in 1833. Also, on the same ship, was MARTIN RICHARDSON and his wife, Ann. Both men were shown as Cabinet Makers!

Job and Ann Edith (maiden name unknown ), had two children. Unfortunately, both daughters died in infancy - neither surviving their first year, and Ann Edith died (BDM Reg'n # V1836992 20/1836), on the 26th December, 1838, and was buried at Christ Church, aged 26 yrs.

The daughters were Ann E. (presumably named after her mother) (1835-1835) (b. BDM Reg'n # V1835279 19/1835) and (d. BDM Reg'n # V18351843 19/1835) - unknown burial site, and Elizabeth(1836-1836) (b. BDM Reg'n # V18361177 20/1836) and (d.BDM Reg'n # V1836986 20/1836) - buried at Christ Church cemetery, with her mother.

Presumably having met through fellowship of the Church, Job married Mary Ann (White) (Hewson) HANNELL, at the Christ Church, Newcastle, on 30th July, 1838. The ceremony was presided over by the Rev. C. Pleydell N. Wilton. M.A.

As a builder/cabinet maker, Job soon struck up a business partnership, with the aforementioned Martin Richardson - 'Hudson and Richardson', of Castlereagh St, Sydney. In July, 1836, contracts for the erection of Military Barracks were let and Hudson and Richardson were awarded the contract for Newcastle. The barracks were intended to be extensive and built upon a style then adopted in England. They also built the existing fence around the Watt St, Mental Hospital, in Newcastle, now called the John Fletcher Hospital.

Lt. Lugard, of the Engineers, was sent to Newcastle to inspect the site. A delay was incurred awaiting the official approval for commencement of work, and it wasn't until 1839, that the Master General of the Board of Ordnance sent a communication indicating his refusal to sanction the erection of the new barracks at Sydney and Newcastle.

Finally, after nearly seven years, approval came through and work commenced - almost immediately. The Newcastle Barracks were completed in 1849 and contained eight rooms, each 36ft x 24ft; four rooms 18ft x 10ft - as well as warehouses, storerooms etc.

The contract price for this construction, was £20,000, which included the surrounding walls. It was during construction, on 25th October, 1847, that a small detachment of the 11th Regiment, under the command of Lt. Parker, marched in and occupied the barracks for the first time.

Not much more is known of Job, other than the fact that he had five children with Mary Ann, prior to his leaving for a trip to New Zealand. It was an ill-fated trip, resulting in his death, on, or around, 20th July, 1848. It is suggested (see: Obituary column) that Job committed suicide by jumping overboard. One can only wonder as to the reason.

Death appeared to be NO barrier to the continued expansion of the Hudson clan, with four children born to Mary Ann after the death of Job, yet commanding the Hudson name. See: BOWKER, Dr. R.R.S. and the HUDSON Family. Information from Baptismal records of Christ Church show, registrations 416-417-418-419 all having parents, Dr. Richard Ryther Steer BOWKER and Mary Anne HUDSON. These are the four children born after Job's passing. Why they have the Hudson name, was a choice for Mary Ann. I feel it was to save 'face', in a morally judgmental society. Mary Ann remained a widow, and Dr. Bowker, a bachelor, until his marriage in later years.

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