In history studies it is often the case that the stories of the so called “lesser” individuals of our society ie. children, are over-looked. But although their stories are small they are not insignificant or uninteresting. Recently the beautiful writings of Ivan Stevenson brought to our attention the world of the child and how these little individuals interacted with Thompson Square.
* From the Sydney Monitor, 1836 :- The Funeral and Internment of Mr James Doyle – “ “The procession from Mr Doyle’s house ( in Thompson Square) was peculiarly interesting. The hearse was preceded by a number of children, vested in white and decorated with crepe, one of whom walked before the rest bearing in his hands the cross, the emblem of redemption......”
* From “The Empire”, 1857 comes the following delightful and gentle story :- “On Monday an interesting spectacle was presented in the streets of Windsor. About 10 o’clock a procession was formed opposite the Wesleyan Chapel, Macquarie Street, composed of about 160 happy looking children, accompanied by their teachers, emerged into George Street from their school in the above place and formed themselves into a large circle in Thompson Square opposite the new residence of Dr Dowe, when a hymn was selected for them which was excellently sung by the choir of “infant voices”; after which they again formed themselves into marching order and wended their way down George Street, turned in the direction of Mr Dawson’s at Claremont, exciting much attention during their progress. On arriving at their destination, a beautiful grassy lawn was selected, in which the difficulty of assembling all hands , we suspect, was much lessened by the sharpening effect of the morning walk upon their appetite, for the cravings of which, however, the supply of sandwiches, buns, cakes, oranges and tarts etc. was fully equal to the demand. Cricket, running and various other games occupied the attention of the majority of the young....while a few preferred the more quiet and less laborious enjoyment of a walk in the orchard and garden.........they were assembled in the lawn and turned towards Windsor......there was no casualty to mar the pleasure of a very happy day.” ( The “new residence of Dr Dowe” refers to No. 10, Bridge St. Thompson Square.....now the “home” of River Music.)
* From the Gazette, 1909 :- Empire Day “At Night – two huge bon fires were lit in Thompson Square and the celebration closed with a fireworks display given by Mr A.C. Stearn from his balcony.” Evidently, little boys with bungers were seen every where that day. It must have been a marvellous spectacle for the children who had had a day of celebrations and formal assemblies at their schools all day.
* And we can’t forget the role “Craignish” Maternity Hospital played in fostering a continuous supply of little children to come and play in the Square. “Craignish” was the former home of Dr Dowe which had been honoured with a hymn by school children in 1857.
* And where there are children.....there are schools. The Square was been the place of many schools form the beginning of the settlement of the Green Hills to the establishment of St Katherine’s Private Girl’s School and the Windsor Grammar School – both of which were at No 10 Bridge St....Dr Dowe’s old home. What a useful building!
* Thompson Square was a continuous source of amazement for children. In 1929 Windsor was lit up like never before for a festival and parade which extended from Thompson Square to McQuade Park. The Rector of Pitt Town was about to retire when he noticed an unusual brightness in the Western sky, which proved to be the preliminary glory of Thompson Square. But presently there leapt high into the clouded heavens a brilliant hemisphere of radiance, a veritable Aurora Australis , whose reflected glow actually illuminated the otherwise deep, dark waters of the Lagoon and cast a definite shadow in the Rectory verandah floor. “Now the children must see this” quoth he and he brought a telescope to bear through the nursery window-pane. Ancient glass distorted the vision quaintly, to appear as a series of filmy fairy coronets, outlined in light.”
* During the 1920’s-1950’s Council added some child-friendly facilities to the Square, such as swings and seating and thought about a round-a-bout, but it was considered too dangerous.
* In 1949 another useful and entertaining facility appeared. Financed by the library rate and Government subsidy the Windsor Free Public Library opened in George Street, Windsor, Opposite Thompson Square, between the old School of Arts and the Hawkesbury Garage. A special feature was the children’s section with books provided for all ages and it was children who were the most enthusiastic borrowers! I can just imagine happy and excited children hurrying forth with their books to lie in the grass of Thompson Square, chins in hands and noses in books.
* From the Sydney Monitor, 1836 :- The Funeral and Internment of Mr James Doyle – “ “The procession from Mr Doyle’s house ( in Thompson Square) was peculiarly interesting. The hearse was preceded by a number of children, vested in white and decorated with crepe, one of whom walked before the rest bearing in his hands the cross, the emblem of redemption......”
* From “The Empire”, 1857 comes the following delightful and gentle story :- “On Monday an interesting spectacle was presented in the streets of Windsor. About 10 o’clock a procession was formed opposite the Wesleyan Chapel, Macquarie Street, composed of about 160 happy looking children, accompanied by their teachers, emerged into George Street from their school in the above place and formed themselves into a large circle in Thompson Square opposite the new residence of Dr Dowe, when a hymn was selected for them which was excellently sung by the choir of “infant voices”; after which they again formed themselves into marching order and wended their way down George Street, turned in the direction of Mr Dawson’s at Claremont, exciting much attention during their progress. On arriving at their destination, a beautiful grassy lawn was selected, in which the difficulty of assembling all hands , we suspect, was much lessened by the sharpening effect of the morning walk upon their appetite, for the cravings of which, however, the supply of sandwiches, buns, cakes, oranges and tarts etc. was fully equal to the demand. Cricket, running and various other games occupied the attention of the majority of the young....while a few preferred the more quiet and less laborious enjoyment of a walk in the orchard and garden.........they were assembled in the lawn and turned towards Windsor......there was no casualty to mar the pleasure of a very happy day.” ( The “new residence of Dr Dowe” refers to No. 10, Bridge St. Thompson Square.....now the “home” of River Music.)
* From the Gazette, 1909 :- Empire Day “At Night – two huge bon fires were lit in Thompson Square and the celebration closed with a fireworks display given by Mr A.C. Stearn from his balcony.” Evidently, little boys with bungers were seen every where that day. It must have been a marvellous spectacle for the children who had had a day of celebrations and formal assemblies at their schools all day.
* And we can’t forget the role “Craignish” Maternity Hospital played in fostering a continuous supply of little children to come and play in the Square. “Craignish” was the former home of Dr Dowe which had been honoured with a hymn by school children in 1857.
* And where there are children.....there are schools. The Square was been the place of many schools form the beginning of the settlement of the Green Hills to the establishment of St Katherine’s Private Girl’s School and the Windsor Grammar School – both of which were at No 10 Bridge St....Dr Dowe’s old home. What a useful building!
* Thompson Square was a continuous source of amazement for children. In 1929 Windsor was lit up like never before for a festival and parade which extended from Thompson Square to McQuade Park. The Rector of Pitt Town was about to retire when he noticed an unusual brightness in the Western sky, which proved to be the preliminary glory of Thompson Square. But presently there leapt high into the clouded heavens a brilliant hemisphere of radiance, a veritable Aurora Australis , whose reflected glow actually illuminated the otherwise deep, dark waters of the Lagoon and cast a definite shadow in the Rectory verandah floor. “Now the children must see this” quoth he and he brought a telescope to bear through the nursery window-pane. Ancient glass distorted the vision quaintly, to appear as a series of filmy fairy coronets, outlined in light.”
* During the 1920’s-1950’s Council added some child-friendly facilities to the Square, such as swings and seating and thought about a round-a-bout, but it was considered too dangerous.
* In 1949 another useful and entertaining facility appeared. Financed by the library rate and Government subsidy the Windsor Free Public Library opened in George Street, Windsor, Opposite Thompson Square, between the old School of Arts and the Hawkesbury Garage. A special feature was the children’s section with books provided for all ages and it was children who were the most enthusiastic borrowers! I can just imagine happy and excited children hurrying forth with their books to lie in the grass of Thompson Square, chins in hands and noses in books.