John BROADBENT [851]

  General Notes:

1901 SA Deaths 277/425 BROADBENT John undefined Morphett Vale

John BROADBENT arrived in the colony at the age of 7y with his parents, Luke & Harriet, and other siblings on HMS Buffalo. [The same arrival as Capt John Hindmarsh, the new Governor of South Australia.]

South Australian Register Tuesday 13 April 1852 and Adelaide Observer Saturday 17 April 1852
JOURNAL OF AN OVERLAND PARTY FROM SOUTH AUSTRALIA TO THE MOUNT ALEXANDER GOLD DIGGINGS IN VICTORIA.
Wednesday, February 11, 1852 -We started from Cherry Gardens for the Diggings at about 11 o'clock, and about 7 at night camped at the head of the Meadows. A warm day.
Thursday. 12 -Got four miles beyond Strathalbyn; and
Friday, 13 -To Wellington about 6 o'clock. This was a hard day's work, caused by some sandy road. Two warm days.
Saturday, 14 -Crossed the Murray about 9 o'clock, and camped about ¼ mile from Mr. Whewell. There baked our first damper.
Sunday, 15 -A hot day. Part of the forenoon I spent with Mr. Whewell; in the afternoon he came to our camp. From this place I wrote to my father.
Monday, 16 -A fine day. We had about four miles of heavy sand, and went about 20. Saw Flupham returning home from the diggings.
Tuesday, 17 -A fine day. Went through the desert to McGrath's Flat, 25 miles,18 through solid sand. Met with Messrs. Goss and Edgecombe. Our cakes lasted till tonight. Party all well.
Wednesday, 18 -A cool day. Got to Wood Wells; bought from the blacks 38 fish for eight biscuits. I baked a damper while Isaac washed Jessy (a young mare, first shod and harnessed for this journey) began to limp.
Thursday, 19 -A fine day. About 3 o'clock we passed Salt Creek. Here I left a letter, and we went on to Sheepskin Wells. The road was over a succession of stiff sand hills and black flats, from a quarter of a mile to a mile in length.
Friday, 20 -A warm day. In the course of this day's journey there were eight carts, one dray, 16 horses, 12 bullocks, and between 20 and 30 men helping each other through a bog. We accomplished 27 miles notwithstanding, and camped not far from Tilley's Station.
Saturday, 21 -A good road. We passed a great number of inscriptions on trees, and left one as follows: "L. Broadbent's party passed here 21st February. All well." Camped 11 or 12 miles up Tilley's Flat.
Sunday, 22 -A very hot day. We camped amidst such a collection of ants, flies, and mosquitos as I never saw before; one could not sit anywhere, but there seemed to be thousands of little ants. At night we had a prayer meeting. Monday, 23-A. German stockkeeper pulled a nail but of Jessy's shoe, and she has not limped since. This has been the hottest day's journey we have encountered; made about 28 miles, two of which were very sandy.
Tuesday, 24 -A very sultry day. Got within five miles of Mackinnon's; killed a large snake. We took up the packs of four men who were walking, the head of one of them was almost as white as my father's. A good road all day. Wednesday, 25-A fine day. Got to Mosquito Plains. Saw this day 11 white women, two at a station and nine on the overland journey; passed many carts and came up with Mr. Thomas Hall, of Elizabeth-street, Adelaide. Isaac shot a large duck. We had some very hard road; went over 20 miles.
Thursday 26 -Got to Mackintosh's about 11 o'clock; the finest place we have seen since we left Strathalbyn. Here James left a letter and bought 2 lbs. of cheese at 1s. 3d. per lb. Crossed the Boundary Line about 5 o'clock and camped about two miles within the Victoria territory. We had a good road all day.
Friday, 27 -A fine day and good road; at night we camped among good feed. Baked a damper almost as large as a grindstone.
Saturday, 28 -A fine day and good road; we went about 21 miles and camped at a place which we named Shea-oak Flat.
Sunday, 29 -A fine day; dined on roast jay, roast duck, roast cockatoos, and roasted potatoes. In the evening we had a prayer meeting.
Monday, March 1 -A warm day. Got to Mount Arapiles; a level road, but some of it very sandy. Isaac and I went to the tip-top of a rock which stands on about an acre of ground, 100 yards or more from any other hill, and is about 170 feet high. We could see, as I imagined, over 100 miles of distance; about four miles east of it we camped in middling feed and near to water. Baked two dampers.
Tuesday, 2 -A hot day, and one among the many on which I found my veil very useful. Elijah and I had a bathe in the Wimmera. Travelled about 22 miles.
Wednesday, 3 -An uncommonly hot day, and a great deal of what we call "Bay of Biscay" road; journeyed about 23 miles.
Thursday, 4 -A fine day. Eat our last biscuit this day, and went about 24 miles; camped at a place which we named Tolmer's Flat.
Friday, 5 -A very cold day; went through a tremendous forest of trees, about 18 miles.
Saturday 6 -A cool day. I shall not forget this day; Francis, the before-mentioned stockkeeper, had £9 10s. stolen from him last night. They allowed a wayfaring stranger to sleep in their wurley, and this morning the above sum, all Francis had, except a few shillings, was gone. About 4 o'clock to-day we met the Adelaide Escort, travelled about 20 miles.
Sunday, 7 -A cool day. We called the place of this day's encampment, Wattle Flat. Had a prayer-meeting at night.
Monday, 8 -A fine day; went about 24 miles; camped in good feed.
Tuesday, 9 -A fine day. Met many returning to Adelaide; we got to the Lodden; here the cart stopped, whilst Isaac and I went forward to the diggings. We got there about 5 o'clock, lay under a cart, but got very little sleep. Wednesday, 10-Found Messrs. Hill's party this morning. I also saw Peter, lately belonging to the cutter Breeze, went back to the cart and we all got to the diggings about 5 o'clock, and pitched our tent. There are temporary habitations innumerable, hundreds of tents, and thousands of men.
Thursday, 11 -A warm day; the horses earned £1 12s. Mr. Hill came to see us at night.
Friday, 12 -A cloudy day; the horses earned £2 7s. 6d. We have obtained licenses which everyone is required to have; Jas. and Elijah have commenced the work of search by opening their first hole. JOHN BROADBENT.

N.B. -The journal was accompanied by the following letter to the writer's wife.
Dear Eliza -We arrived at the most wonderful place in the world (the Mount Alexander diggings) on the 10th of March, all well, and without breaking "a stick or a strand," or the loss of anything in our list, save a pencil, a pen-holder, and a fork. We were exactly one calendar month on the road. You will see by our log-book [journal] how many days we rested and how many days we travelled. The horses did not flinch at one inch of their ground all the way. We met many parties on their way back, who, by their sad reports, would have daunted lions; but the diggings we were determined to see, if the Lord gave us health; and the diggings we have seen. Now, Eliza, take no notice of what you may hear said, but listen to what I now tell you:-Though we have come at a wrong time, there is no fear of our starving for want; we have plenty to eat and drink. One thing I can tell you, I would rather return and live with you at home on bread and water than have brought you overland to this place. If we do not succeed tolerably well, we shall soon be at home again. Isaac excepted: he is for stopping, unless he alters his mind; but, mind you, we intend giving it a trial, and, good luck or bad luck, we mean to be back by seed time, God willing. Tell those who may ask my advice as to coming that, if I were at home and knew what I know now, I would not come, at least till spring, because if it does not rain soon (and from what I know of the summer of 1837, it may hold off three, if not four months yet), gold-washing at Mount Alexander, or at any other place, as far as I can learn, will be little better than growing corn and potatoes surrounded by the comforts of home. James and Elijah are both well, and would have written; but as time is precious, we thought one letter would do for all. The Post Office is 6 miles distant from us. Lest I should forget it, I now tell you that if any one writes to us they must address to the Upper Loddon. Tell the - - that letters have been sent both by sea and land; their husbands, and all with whom they are connected, are well. We have not heard of Henry yet, but William is gone to Bendigo Creek. There are some here making their fortunes, and scores wishing they had never heard of the diggings. It is now 15 minutes to 9, and while writing the word just above, four guns were fired off at once, which made my pen recoil. There are scores of guns fired off every night. Flour is from £3 10s. to £4 per bag; oats, from 15s. to 20s. per bushel; bran, 8s. per ditto; sugar, 4d. per lb. by the bag-5d. retail; ham, 2s. per lb.; bacon, 2s. 6d. per lb.; dates, 1s. per lb.; tea, 2s. by the box, and from 2s. 6d. to 3s. per lb. retail. Mutton, 2s. the fore quarter, 2s. 6d. the hind quarter; and potatoes 5d. per lb. Carriage from Melbourne to the diggings, £20 per ton.
I am, dear Eliza, Your affectionate husband,
Friday, March 12, 1852. JOHN BROADBENT.


South Australian Chronicle and Weekly Mail Saturday 14 December 1878
COROMANDEL VALLEY, Dec. 10.
On Sunday and Monday, December 8th and 9th, anniversary services were held in connection with the Wesleyan Church, in this place. On Sunday sermons were preached by the Rev. George Lee, minister of the circuit, to large congregations. On Monday tea and public meetings were held. Mr. Elijah Broadbent presided at the latter. Addresses were given by Mr. John Broadbent, Mr. Turner, Sen., Mr. E. Shepley, and the Rev, George Lee. Several capital selections of music were rendered by the choir, Miss Bartleet presiding at the harmonium. The proceeds of the anniversary were £20, thus reducing a debt of £80 to £60. - The hay crop has been gathered, and the yield is considerably less than last year. Early potatoes are turning out pretty well. Peas have been light. The fruit crop is not at all large, although cherries and gooseberries are goad. Large quantities of fruit are taken in daily at Messrs. Murray's jam and biscuit factory, and converted into jam. The proprietors have added two large copper jam boilers this season. Something over 300 tons of excellent, jam were made last season, and then it was found difficult to supply all the orders.


Southern Argus (Port Elliot) Thursday 2 December 1880
Country Intelligence:
(From our own Correspondents.)
Meadows, November 24
The Wesleyans of Prospect Hill celebrated their chapel anniversary on the 21st and 22nd inst. Mr. P.C. Thomas conducted the Sunday services. On Monday the usual tea was followed by a public meeting (Mr. W. Hubble, of Dashwood's Gully, in the chair). The meeting was also addressed by Messrs. G. Griggs (the Treasurer), John and Elijah Broadbent, and the Rev, P.C. Thomas. The Treasurer's report showed a debt on the chapel of about £30, which, considering that a nice shed has been erected during the year and paid for, is considered very good. All the services were greatly enlivened by some nice pieces sung by the choir, led by Miss Neil with the organ. The total proceeds of the anniversary was about £8. After the usual votes of thanks, the meeting broke up at an early hour. Nice showers have fallen.


Australian Christian Commonwealth (SA) Friday 25 Jan 1901
A Local Preacher's Jubilee.
Mr. John Broadbent, of Blackwood, conducted his jubilee services at Cherry Gardens, in the Clarendon Circuit, on Sunday, January 6. It is just 50 years since, in the same church, he preached his first sermon. There were two persons present at the jubilee who heard the first sermon. Our brother is one of the oldest South Australian colonists, having arrived in the colony by the ship Buffalo in 183(5. In 1839, at the age of 11 years, he joined the membership of our Church, in connection with the first revival in South Australia, and under the ministry of the saintly Rev. John Eggleston. Twenty-two years of age when he preached his first sermon, he has continued his useful and successful ministry almost continuously, and in the following circuits:-Clarendon, Willunga, Kadina, Moonta, Port Adelaide, North Adelaide, Gawler, Mount Barker, and Gumeracha, but chiefly in the Clarendon Circuit, where in the early days he preached every Sunday for nine months, often reaching home after midnight. He also did excellent service as a Home Missionary at Clarendon, Kangaroo Island, Ardrossan, Franklin Harbor, Goolwa, Crystal Brook, Wilcannia (New South Wales), and recently at Kingston. Rich in spiritual experience, an emotional nature, and an intense sympathy, he presented the chief doctrine of Christianity in a clear, plain, forceful manner, with a free use of apt illustration, which made his ministry very acceptable and effective. His was a soul-saving ministry. Many persons remember his sermon on the words, "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" Amongst those who were led to God under this sermon were some members of his own family. Mr. Broadbent has also filled nearly every office open to the laymen of Methodism, and only recently retired from the stewardship of the Clarendon Circuit. After half a century of almost ideal married life, Mrs. Broadbent died last year. Our brother, having just recovered from a long and painful illness, is again able to take up his much loved work, of which he says- "I have often been weary in it, but never of it." To such loyal and devoted local preachers Methodism owes much. May she never lack a succession of them.


The Advertiser (Adelaide) Wednesday 29 May 1901
Death Notice:
BROADBENT.-On the 27th May, Prospect Hill, Meadows South, John Broadbent, late of Blackwood, beloved husband of E.A. Broadbent, in his 72nd year,leaving seven children, 35 grandchildren, one great-grandchild. A colonist of 64 years. Arrived in the ship Buffalo.

The Advertiser (Adelaide) Wednesday 29 May 1901
Funeral Notice:
THE FRIENDS of the late Mr. JOHN BROADBENT are respectfully informed that his Remains will leave the Woodville Railway-station, TO-MORROW (Thursday), at 2.30 p.m., for interment in the Woodville Cemetery. D. TESTER. Undertaker, Kangarilla.

The Advertiser (Adelaide) Thursday 30 May 1901
Funeral Notices:
THE FRIENDS of the late Mr. JOHN BROADBENT are respectfully informed that his Remains will be removed from the Woodville Railway-station, THIS DAY (Thursday), at 2.30 p.m., for interment in the Woodville Cemetery. D. TESTER, Undertaker, 149-50 Kangarilla.

NORTHERN STAR TENT, No. 1, A.D. I.O.R. -MEMBERS of the above Tent and ORDER are requested to meet at the WOODVILLE RAILWAY-STATION, THIS DAY, May 30, at 2.15 p.m., to attend the FUNERAL of our late BRO. JOHN BROADBENT. FREDK. H. HAYNES, Secretary.


The Advertiser Thursday 30 May 1901
PERSONAL.
Mr. John Broadbent, who died on Monday, May 27, was a pioneer colonist, having arrived in the Buffalo in 1836 with Governor Hindmarsh. He was then a lad of 8 years of age. For eighteen months he was with his father at Kangaroo Island, and afterwards the family settled at Cherry Gardens, where he resided on the same spot for 30 years, being absent from it for 16 days only. Mr Broadbent was employed on the Goolwa tramways in 1872, and he remained in the service for two years, after which he removed to Kadina to start in business as a general produce merchant in partnership with Mr. Rosewarn. In 1877 he purchased the business of Mr. J. Deslandes, of Glanville, but in 1881 he relinquished business and entered the Home Mission service of the Wesleyan Methodist Church, doing useful work at Blackwood during the construction of the Southern railway-line. Then he worked at Kangaroo Island, Ardrossan, Franklin Harbor, and other stations, where he was sent by the president to take charge during the temporary absence of ministers. Failing sight caused him serious anxiety and trouble, and as the affliction greatly increased of late years he was compelled to retire from the work, and during the last few years he had lived in retirement. For over 50 years he was a local preacher, and he was always at work on the Sunday, many times taking three services a day. There is no layman who was better known in the country districts, or who was more highly appreciated.


Australian Christian Commonwealth (SA) Friday 26 July 1901
CHURCH TRIUMPHANT
JOHN BROADBENT was born in the village of Hadfield, Derbyshire, on July 2, 1829, and died at Prospect Hill on May 27, 1901. He was the son of Luke Broadbent, who, for many years, was well-known and highly respected in this State. Luke Broadbent was a great student of the Bible, and took a deep interest in the history and destiny of the Jews, concerning which he frequently wrote to the newspapers of that day. He was also the author of a book entitled. "Britain's Power; the Hope of Israel."

The family reached South Australia in the ship Buffalo on December 28, 1836. Being under an engagement to the South Australian Company, they went almost immediately to Kangaroo Island, and remained there for about 18 months. On returning to the mainland our brother joined the Sunday-school connected with the first Wesleyan Church, in Hindley-street. At the opening of the Gawler-place Church he was selected to "line out the hymns." After about four years' residence in Adelaide the family removed to Cherry Gardens, where John spent 30 years of his life.

In 1839-at the age of 11 years-he joined the membership of the Methodist Church, in connection with South Australia's firsr great revival, and under the ministry of the saintly Rev. John Eggleston. It was a definite surrender to God, from which he never went back. His first sermon was preached on the first Sunday In 1851. On January 6, of the present year, he preached in the Cherry Gardens Church, where, fifty years before, he had conducted his first service.

In the days when Willunga, Yankalilla, Goolwa. Mount Barker, and Clarendon were all included in one circuit, he conducted services every Sunday for nine months, and took about 30 services a quarter, and at a distance that often necessitated an absence of days from home and business. He loved to preach; wherever he went he preached, and the Clarendon, Wiillunga, Kadina, Moonta, Port Adelaide, North Adelaide, Gawler, Mount Barker, Gumeracha, and many other circuits enjoyed the benefit of his ministry.

In 1881 he accepted the position of Home Missionary, and did good work at Blackwood during the construction of the Southern Railway line, and afterwards at Kangaroo Island, Ardrossan, Franklin Harbor, Goolwa, Crystal Brook, Wilcannia, and Kingston. His diary and numerous newspaper clippings show how deep was his interest in the mission to Kangaroo Island. He reached the Island on April 4, 1883, and in his diary for the following day says -"I visited and prayed with six families, all of whom expressed delight that some one had been sent to look after their spiritual welfare."

Of the first Sunday service, he says- "We had 100 persons present, all of whom stayed to the prayer meeting, and felt much of the presence of God. That He may pour out His Spirit and save souls is my humble prayer." He often speaks of the great kindness shown by settlers, and especially of Mr. T. Buick's hospitality.

The difficulty of travel was very great, and he had many heroic struggles in bush and flood in order to reach his appointments. Exposure resulted in bad eyes. Still he kept on. He says, "My wife led me to Hog Bay two Sabbaths to conduct service, Brother Buick kindly reading for me." On September 9, he says, preached at Cuttle Fish and Hog Bay; rode 14 miles with my eyes bandaged."

The Treasurer of the Home Mission Fund made it possible for him to visit Melbourne, where, by the blessing of God and the skill of Dr. Jackson, he regained his sight. When on the Island as a boy, in 1839, he one day climbed a tree-as he said, to preach and in the tree he found a leatherbound copy of the New Testament, which had evidently been left there years before by some visitors to the island. At the opening of the first church on the Island, in 1884, the Rev. W. A. Potts says - "Mr. B., who assisted, read the lessons and the text from the New Testament found at Kingscote 47 years before."

In those early days a brother had died and been buried on Kangaroo Island, and 47 years after we find John Broadbent on his knees on that brother's grave, giving himself afresh to God. His was a soul-saving ministry. Many persons still remember his sermon on, "How shall we escape," which made a great impression, and under which members of his own family were converted.

Mr. John Thorpe-an old fellowworker in the Clarendon Circuit speaks of a memorable service in the Cherry Gardens Church, where, as John Broadbent prayed, the power of God came down, and a great revival began, and amongst the converts was Mr. Broadbent's mother, of whom, her son said, "I never saw a fault in her."

Rich in spiritual experience, possessed of an emotional nature, and intense sympathy, he presented the leading doctrines of Christianity in a clear, plain, and forceful manner, and with a free use of apt illustrations, which made his ministry very acceptable and effective. He was an intense Protestant, and in Conference and elsewhere, pointed out the need of watching Roman Catholic diplomacy.

He believed in famiily religion, and would on no account neglect regular family worship, not even when his visitor was a sceptic. He was almost an ideal husband and father, and he and his late excellent wife agreed to make great sacrifices to give their children the best possible education, a choice which they never regretted. He filled almost every office open to Methodist laymen. Methodism in the Clarendon district has lost much by his death, but it gained much by his life and many years of exceptional service, but thousands of people in this State knew and honored him. One says, "He was a grand old standard-bearer; few men in South Australia have done the work for God and humanity that he did."

"John Broadbent was always the same, an earliest, zealous Christian." Another, "You cannot visit any part of the State without hearing testimony of his good work. . . I know of no life more consistently lived." Suitable in memoriam services have been conducted in several churches by Rev. George Hall, who, with the Revs. T. Lloyd, R.S. Casely, and W.A. Potts, conducted the funeral service at the Woodville Cemetery.

  Research Notes:

A melding of two stories about JOHN BROADBENT - both from "The Advertiser.
One was a story from Blackwood printed on 28 December 1896 & the other was his Obituary printed on 30 May 1901.
John Broadbent, was a pioneer colonist, having arrived with his family in the Buffalo, in 1836 with Governor Hindmarsh. For eighteen months John was with his father at Kangaroo Island, and afterwards the family settled at Cherry Gardens, where John opened the first store and held the office of post-master for over twenty years. In 1872 John was employed on the Goolwa tramways, and he remained in the service for two years, in that time being appointed stationmaster at Goolwa. Thence he removed to Kadina to start in business as a general produce merchant in partnership with Mr N. Rosewarn in a corn and chaff business. In 1877 he purchased the business of Mr. J. Deslandes, of Glanville, but in 1881 he relinquished the business. Whilst here he was invited by the Wesleyan Quarterly Meeting of Clarendon to engage in home mission work doing useful work at Blackwood, among the navvies constructing the Southern Railway. On the completion of the line he was stationed at Kangaroo Island, then at Ardrossan, and subsequently at Franklin Harbour and other stations, where he was sent by the president to take charge during the temporary absence of ministers. Failing sight caused him serious anxiety and trouble, and as the affection greatly increased of late years he was compelled to retire from the work, and during the last few years he had lived in retirement. For over 50 years he was a local preacher, and he was always at work on the Sunday, many times taking three services a day. There is no layman who was better known in the country districts, or who was more highly appreciated.

John married Eliza LEWIS [825] [MRIN: 279], daughter of Joseph LEWIS [581] and Elizabeth NEWMAN [582], on 26 Nov 1850 in Wesleyan Church, Cherry Gardens, South Australia. (Eliza LEWIS [825] was born on 12 Jan 1832 in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire, England, baptised in 1832 in Burton Latimer Baptist Church, Nhants, England, died on 28 Jun 1900 in Queenstown, Port Adelaide, South Australia and was buried on 1 Jun 1900 in Woodville Cemetery, Adelaide.)

  Marriage Notes:

1850 SA Marriages 10/200 BROADBENT John LEWIS Eliza Adelaide

John next married Elizabeth Ann GRIGGS [14302] [MRIN: 4084], daughter of William GRIGGS [14305] and Unknown, on 5 Mar 1901 in Res Mrs Maidment, Prospect Hill. (Elizabeth Ann GRIGGS [14302] was born on 12 Feb 1844 in Rushton, Northamptonshire, England and died on 19 Sep 1921 in Gawler, South Australia.)