CJ's History
It takes 150 years for a sesquicentenary to unfold, and it is that time since Charles James Turner was born of English parents at Camden NSW on 3rd November 1859. The colony of NSW was only 71 years old at the time of his birth.
At the age of 18, CJ joined his hometown branch of the Australian Joint Stock Bank at Richmond, Sydney in 1877. CJ quickly became Branch Manager and met his his future wife, Caroline Shields (born July 1st 1861), who was the Primary School Mistress at Wallsend. On the 17th March 1885 they were married by the St Andrew's Church of Scotland Minister at Forest Lodge Manse in Kent Street, Sydney.
CJ and Caroline had seven children- six boys and one girl. Their fourth son, Robert Malcom was killed in action in France during the First World War on November 28th 1916. He was only 24 at the time.
Philip Jasper, their fifth child, only lived until he was five. There are no records as to the cause of his death. There is in entry in CJ's family Bible that reads: "Died at Arncliffe June 29/97 at 1pm. Buried Rookwood 30/98" and an inscription on Phillip's memorial (see below) but no indication of the cause.
CJ and Caroline's children:
~ Charles Harold, born at Yass, 25th January 1886
~ Violet Sommers, born at Columbo (now Bemboka), 27th April 1887
~ Henry Raymond, born at Columbo (now Bemboka), 4th September 1889
~ Robert Malcolm, born at Tumut, 24 July 1892
~ Philip Jasper, born at Tumut, 3rd May 1893
~ Geoffrey Paul, born at Tumut, 13th August 1894
~ Oliver Clive, born at Marrickville, 29th September, 1901
CJ moved up through the bank's ranks with managerial appointments at Wallsend, Columbo (Bemboka), Tumut and Yass until, at the end of the financial year 1895, his banking career also came to an end when the AJS Bank went "belly up" as a result of the great depression of the 1890's. What was an unemployed husband and father with 5 children going to do? His Scottish in-laws, who lived at 385-387 Riley Street Surry Hills, provided some temporary respite. The situation was exacerbated as there were no redundancies, long service leave, superannuation or other severance payments.
CJ’s only expertise was property and finance, but through necessity he discovered that work was available at the newly opened area of Berowra, just north of Sydney. However, while walking to Sydney rail station, CJ passed the Belmore Markets noticing that a political tussle was progressing with those wanting to build new markets on the other side of Parramatta Road at Quay Street. The latter were successful and CJ secured premises there in the early 1900's and established an auctioneering business.
In March 1902, CJ gained title to three acres of land (on the corner of Berowra Creek and what was later to be called Turner Road), for the sum of fifteen pounds. After a considered delay, he built 'Wharepaka' (white man's house) in 1908. He offered his half sister, Ella Tabitha Turner, who was sixteen years his junior, to keep house for him and his five living sons and his only daughter's future husband (Charles Spencer Woof) who would all sleep there at weekends. He built chicken coops and presumably the eggs from here were sent to his auction rooms in Sydney.
In 1910 he secured title, again by way of mortgage, to fifteen acres of land bounded by the later Turner, Alan and Woodcourt Roads. To expand his activities there he sold Wharepaka in 1914 and built what became known as 'Eureka' (still standing in 2010) later in 1914. Ella Tabitha came with him to Eureka as she had developed the contagious TB (the reason why their father, Henry, had come from England to NSW in 1857).
During 1914, CJ also expanded his property development portfolio and subdivied land at what is now known as Lalor Park, Blacktown. The area subdivided was bound by Turner, Charles and Raymond Roads (presumably it was CJ that named these roads).
In 1910 he secured title, again by way of mortgage, to fifteen acres of land bounded by the later Turner, Alan and Woodcourt Roads. To expand his activities there he sold Wharepaka in 1914 and built what became known as 'Eureka' (still standing in 2010) later in 1914. Ella Tabitha came with him to Eureka as she had developed the contagious TB (the reason why their father, Henry, had come from England to NSW in 1857).
During 1914, CJ also expanded his property development portfolio and subdivied land at what is now known as Lalor Park, Blacktown. The area subdivided was bound by Turner, Charles and Raymond Roads (presumably it was CJ that named these roads).
Interestingly, CJ never lived permanently in Berowra, residig mainly in Marrickville, and later at Petersham. Caroline also never lived at Berowra, but remained in Sydney for the education of her children. However, CJ frequently visited Berowra well into his 70's and his last business enterprise was a plant nursery developed in Turner Road near the present "Wittianga" in the 1930's.
CJ spent his last days as a widower in a rest home at George St., Marrickville NSW. He died on 9th February, 1941 aged 81 years.
CJ spent his last days as a widower in a rest home at George St., Marrickville NSW. He died on 9th February, 1941 aged 81 years.
Philip Jasper's Memorial
Charles Henry Turner