William Samuel Makin (abt. 1802 - 1887)

Born about 1802 in Manchester, Lancashire, England

Husband of Eleanor Selina (Bolton) Makin — married 23 Jan 1837 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Descendants

Died 20 Jan 1887 at about age 85 in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Colin Makin [send private message]

Biography

Large Makin family made its mark

Date: 06/02/2013 Words: 561 Source: ... Publication: Wollongong Advertiser Section: News Page: 21

Wollongong has a fascinating history and each week the Advertiser brings you a story from its rich past. When William Samuel Makin, a sawyer, married Ellen (later known as Eleanor) Bolton in January 1837 at Parramatta, this was the start of a family whose offspring would not only leave their mark on the Illawarra's but also Australia's history.

Leaving Parramatta around 1842, they arrived at Charcoal Creek where Mr Makin took up a clearing lease. In December 1843, William Makin was declared insolvent with personal debts in excess of #75 and with personal property valued at less than six shillings. The Makins then moved to Fairy Meadow around 1849 and for a short while William was farming. Then by 1851, they were dealers in Crown Street.

In 1853, the family moved into Corrimal Street near the Harp Hotel. The Makins first purchased two corner lots on Market Street, and then they purchased the old Steam Packet Hotel, which was turned into the family home. Mr Makin held the position of agent of the Illawarra Steam Navigational Company for 35 years. Both lived into their 80s. William Samuel Makin died in January 1887. Eleanor buried William on their 50th wedding anniversary. Mrs Makin died in March 1890.

Their first child, Thomas, was born in 1838 at Parramatta. He served many years as a blacksmith at the Mt Keira Coal Mine. While Thomas was attending his sister Mary's funeral in October 1871 his children were left alone at the old Corrimal Street home. Six-year old Thomas climbed up to reach a shelf with a lighted candle. Somehow, some grains of gunpowder spilt onto the candle. The flask of powder exploded and in no time, the kitchen was filled with flames and smoke. Samuel Stumbles heard the noise and when he arrived managed to extinguish the fire.

Ben Fawcett also attended and applied homeopathic medicine to the boy's burnt hands and face.

Mary Ann Makin was born about 1840 and at the age of 21 married Edwin Searle, who became a director of the Illawarra Mutual Building Society in its early days. Mary Ann Searle died in 1871, aged 31.

Joseph, the Makins' third child, was born in 1843 at Charcoal Creek. As a young man, he carted loads of metal from the Keira Street Quarry. Later he drove people from Wollongong Harbour to local hotels and years later owned and operated the Royal Hotel from 1892-1911.

John, the fourth child, was born in 1845 at Dapto. He and his wife Sarah operated the Royal Alfred Hotel from 1871-73. They moved to Sydney in 1873 and by 1892, their cruel activities ensured them a place in Australia's legal history as the "baby farmers", caring for illegitimate children in exchange for payment. John was executed in 1893 and Sarah sentenced to a long jail term.

William, born about 1847 at Wollongong, was five years old when he fell into a pot of boiling water in January 1853. For over a week, the poor boy was hovering between life and death. William remained a single man and devoted his life to training racehorses.

Alfred, born in 1849 at Fairy Meadow, moved to Canowindra where he was a mail contractor for more than 37 years.

Daniel, born 1853, became a fruiterer. George Henry, born 1860, remained single and became the agent of the Illawarra Steam Navigational Co after the death of his father.

Frederick Edwin, the youngest son, was born in 1877 and worked as a blacksmith's assistant to J. A. Walker. He died before his 17th birthday from typhus fever.

Two daughters, Emily, born in 1851, and Elizabeth, in 1856, married and raised families.

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