Thanks ALL for the thoughts on the 'marriage by special license' question.
The particular case I mentioned involved Eli Hellier's older brother
Thomas who migrated to Bendigo from Bristol with Eli in the 1850s.
Luckily for me, Thomas worked for the Bendigo Advertiser as a compositor
and by May 1895 he had served in that industry for 50 years and the
Advertiser not only recognised the occasion, but was kind enough to give
me a large write-up of the event. The article is quoted in full below,
but I'll summarise the pertinent biographical info that was revealed:
Thomas was apprenticed in England on the 25th May, 1845.
When Thomas was apprenticed, his indentures provided that he was to be
paid one shilling per week for the first year, his wages being increased
at the rate of one shilling a week annually until the last year of his
apprenticeship, when he received eight shillings per week. The
provisions of the indenture further provided that the young apprentice
was not to marry during the term of his apprenticeship without the
permission of his master.
(NOTE: he was way out of his apprenticeship so that wouldn't have
required a special license!)
Thomas joined the composing staff of the Advertiser, in the early part
of 1856, and with the exception of a short period while he was away at
Ararat, he had been connected with the office ever since.
The death notice when he died in 1902 added:
Thomas had almost completed his 73rd year. He was a native of
Somersetshire, England, and was a Victorian colonist of 51 years'
standing. His career on this journal as an employee in the composing
department extended, with but a brief interval, over the long period of
46 years, and he was, with one exception, the oldest employee in the
service of the proprietary. He was well respected by all who knew him,
and his death has caused unfeigned regret. The late Mr. Hellier suffered
from a chest affection, but he continued his work as a compositor until
last Thursday week, when he was forced to take to his bed.
Definitely a company man!
Cheers, ROB!
rnelson@xxxxxxxxxxxx
---->
Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 - 1918), Monday 27 May 1895, page 3
BANQUET TO MR. THOMAS HELLIER.
A PRINTER'S JUBILEE.
There was a unique and pleasant gathering, at the Masonic hall on
Saturday evening, when the Bendigo Advertiser employees banquetted Mr.
Thomas Hellier in honor of the completion of his year of jubilee as a
printer, he having been apprenticed in England on the 25th May, 1845.
There were between 40 and 50 gentlemen present, and the proceedings
throughout were marked by the utmost cordiality. Mr. E. A. Nagel, the
foreman of the composing room, presided, and was supported on his right
by the guest of the evening, and Mr. George Mackay, and on his left by
Mr. Angus Mackay and Mr. J. Glen. Apologies were received from Messrs.
R. D. Mackay, E. R. Gillingham (sub-editor) and J. Anderson (head
machinist).
A very tempting repast was provided by Mrs Roberts, of
Hargreaves-street, and after the more substantial edibles had been fully
discussed, the chairman proposed the toast of "The Queen," which was
loyally honored.
The chairman, in a neat speech, proposed the health of "The Guest." He
warmly congratulated Mr. Hellier on having attained his year of jubilee
and expressed the hope that he would be spared for many years more. He
expressed his pleasure at seeing two members of the proprietary of the
paper present, as he regarded that as a special compliment to the guest,
who had been employed in the Advertiser office for many years. As
showing the difference between the condition of affairs now and at the
time Mr. Hellier was apprenticed, the chairman remarked that that
gentleman's-indentures provided that he was to be paid one shilling per
week for the first year, his wages being increased at the rate of one
shilling a week annually until the last year of his apprenticeship, when
he received eight shillings per week. The provisions of the indenture
further provided that the young apprentice was not to marry during the
term of his apprenticeship without the permission of his master. (The
idea of a youth marrying on a wage of 7s or 8s shillings per week
aroused the risible faculties of the company immensely.) In conclusion,
the chairman asked the company to join him in drinking health and
prosperity to Mr. Hellier. The toast was drunk with musical honors.
The guest, on rising to respond, was warmly received. He thanked the
company sincerely for the enthusiastic manner in which the toast of his
health had been drunk. He had joined the composing staff of the
Advertiser, in the early part of 1856, and with the exception of a short
period while he was away at Ararat, he had been connected with the
office ever since. He was very much gratified at the compliment paid him
that evening, and was particularly pleased to see two of the proprietors
of the paper present.
Mr. W. Byrne, president of the Bendigo branch of the Typographical
Association, pro-posed the sentiment, "Success to the Advertiser and
Bendigonian," and in doing so, congratulated the proprietors on the high
position held by the Advertiser as the leading daily newspaper in the
Northern district, and expressed the opinion that the Bendigonian was an
illustrated paper of which the city might well be proud. The most
cordial relationship had existed between the proprietary and the
employees, and he trusted that they would long continue so. The toast
was drunk with musical honors.
Mr Geo. Mackay, in responding, expressed the pleasure he always felt in
meeting the employees round the festive board. The aim of the present
proprietary was to maintain the high reputation the paper had achieved
through the exertions of the worthy gentlemen who had been associated
with it in the past. They would try not only to achieve success, but to
deserve it.
Mr. A. Mackay also responded. He said that in some quarters it was the
custom, when an employee arrived at a certain age, for him to be
discharged, as being unfit for further use. Such a practice, however,
was not carried out in the Advertiser office. When a man, served his
employers faithfully and well for a number of years, it was only right
that he should be retained in the service. Their experience was often of
the greatest value. This had been the case in regard to the publication
of the Bendigonian, and on behalf of the firm he desired to acknowledge
the loyal support that had been given by the employees in that connection.
Mr. G. Mackay proposed "The Departments," and in doing so referred to
the number of veterans on the staff of the Advertiser. While Mr. Hellier
had been on the Advertiser for 39 years, Mr. Joseph Anderson could also
claim the same length of service, Mr. John Glen 34 years, and Messrs. V.
Byrne and F. Foot 25 years each.
The toast was drunk with musical honors, and suitably responded to by
Mr. Glen on behalf of the literary department, Mr. Nagel for the
composing staff, Mr. V. Byrne (machine department), and Mr. R. Stephens
(commercial department).
"The Visitors" was proposed by Mr. Vinnard, and responded to by Mr.
Caldwell. The health of "the Chairman" was also honored.
During the evening the chairman read a long humorous paper (composed by
himself), which was of a meritorious nature, introducing all the names
of the various employees in the office. The reading provoked hearty
rounds of applause, and created much merriment. Songs were admirably
rendered by Messrs. H. V. Roper, R. Stephens, M. Fox W. Robinson, R. H.
Bennett and Herr Markert, Mr. W. Baker being an efficient accompanist.
Mr. C. P. Davies, the hon. secretary, had a vast amount of work to
perform, and the arrangements made by him and his committee were
admirable, for which he is to be complimented.
<---->
Bendigo Advertiser (Vic. : 1855 - 1918), Monday 21 April 1902, page 2
DEATH OF MR. T. HELLIER.
LENGTHY PERIOD OF SERVICE.
We have to announce, with extreme regret, the death of a very old and
respected member of the staff of the "Advertiser," in the person of Mr.
Thomas Hellier, who passed peacefully away on Saturday morning, at the
residence of his son-in-law, Mr. P. Coyle. blacksmith, Bull-street. The
late Mr. Hellier had almost completed his 73rd year. He was a native of
Somersetshire, England, and was a Victorian colonist of 51 years'
standing. His career on this journal as an employee in the composing
department extended, with but a brief interval, over the long period of
46 years, and he was, with one exception, the oldest employee in the
service of the proprietary. He was well respected by all who knew him,
and his death has caused unfeigned regret. The late Mr. Hellier suffered
from a chest affection, but he continued his work as a compositor until
last Thursday week, when he was forced to take to his bed. Dr. Fullerton
attended him, and called into consultation Dr. J. D. Boyd. but despite
careful nursing and attention he died from broncho-pneumonia and
syncope. His wife pre-deceased him years ago, and though a family of 10
were born of the marriage, only three are surviving—Mrs. Coyle, Mr.
Chas. Hellier, and Miss Eva Alicia Hellier. The funeral took place to
the Bendigo Cemetery yesterday. It was largely attended by the members
of the "Advertiser" staff, the proprietary being represented by Messrs.
G. and A. Mackay. Others present were Messrs. Campbell-Houston, M. Hayes
(ex-senior-constable'), W. Wilkins ("Evening Mail"), H. M'Devitt, R.
Souter, J. Anderson, and E. R. Coverlid, the latter two being the oldest
surviving members of the "Advertiser" staff. The chief mourners were the
relatives of the deceased already mentioned, the coffin being borne to
the grave by Messrs. H. Eyres, J. Barker, L. Hunt and M Bolton (fellow
employees of the deceased). The funeral service was performed by the
Rev. J. J. Brydges, the interment taking place in the Anglican portion
of the cemetery. Large offerings of floral wreaths, including one from
the proprietary of the "Advertiser," were placed on the coffin.
<-----
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