BINGLE, Captain John

1796 - 1882  (85 years)

• Name	BINGLE, Captain John  [1]
  Born	15 May 1796	Gillingham, Kent, England
  Gender	Male
  Died	10 Apr 1882	Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia
  Person ID	I3152	My Genealogy
  Last Modified	16 Sep 2023

  
  

  Father	BINGLE, John Rayden,   b. 31 Dec 1764, Deptford, Kent, England ,   d. 7 Jul 1840  (Age 75 years)
  Relationship	natural
  Mother	OWENS, Unknown,   d. 21 Sep 1831
  Relationship	natural
  Married	7 Oct 1790	Greenwich St Alphege, England
  Family ID	F3883	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	CROSS, Mary,   b. 13 May 1790, Kent, England ,   d. 20 Sep 1873, Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia  (Age 83 years)
  Married	Aug 1824	Land, Grant, Minnesota, USA
  Children	1. BINGLE, Mary Elizabeth,   b. 30 May 1825, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia ,   d. 22 Jun 1897, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia  (Age 72 years)  [natural]   2. BINGLE, John Rayden,   b. 1829, Scone, New South Wales, Australia ,   d. 27 Jan 1889, Ashfield, New South Wales, Australia  (Age 60 years)  [natural]   3. BINGLE, Sarah Cross,   b. 2 Jul 1832,   d. 29 May 1909, Macquarie House, 129 Macquarie Street, Sydney  (Age 76 years)  [natural]
  Last Modified	16 Sep 2023
  Family ID	F842	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

• Photos

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• Notes

  Bingle, John (1796–1882) by Nancy Gray This article was published in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 1, (MUP), 1966 John Bingle (1796-1882), sailor, merchant and landholder, was born on 15 May 1796 at Gillingham, Kent, England, the only surviving son of John Rayden Bingle, a naval draughtsman of Deptford, and his wife, née Owens, who was a relative of Lieutenant William Bradley of the Sirius. He was educated at Chatham, and employed at the naval dockyard from 1812 to 1817, when he joined the merchant marine. He arrived at Port Jackson as a settler on 16 December 1821 in the Minerva and in the same month was commissioned by Governor Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane 'to survey the coast as far north as Moreton Bay and to explore the bay for fresh-water streams'. As master of the colonial cutter, Sally, Bingle entered Moreton Bay on 5 March 1822. He failed to discover fresh water but received Brisbane's commendation for his work and, with Robert Coram Dillon, was given permission to build a vessel for trade with Newcastle. Bingle & Co. established the first regular trading service between Sydney and Newcastle in 1822, carrying coal, cedar and merchandise in the Sally. The Eclipse, a small trading vessel which they built at Newcastle in 1822, was stolen from the harbour there by a gang of convicts soon after Bingle sold his interest in the venture. In August 1824 at Hobart Town, Bingle married Mary, daughter of George Cross of London, who came out in the Lang to join him. After a short period as a commission agent and merchant in Sydney Bingle acquired 1800 acres (728 ha) of land at Dart Brook, in the Upper Hunter district, which he named Puen Buen and on which he settled. For almost twenty years he played a prominent part in the development of the district, serving on the bench of magistrates, subscribing generously to church and hospital funds, and waging vigorous and successful war on bushrangers. The first court-house in the Scone district was built by Bingle in 1832, after he had been severely censured by Governor (Sir) Richard Bourke for holding, in his own home, courts at which his assigned servants were tried by a visiting magistrate. Believing the governor's censure unjust he published his defence in A Letter to the … Secretary of State for the Colonies, printed by Stephens and Stokes in Sydney in 1832. This evoked further adverse comment from Bourke, who believed him to be the tool of his more powerful friends. Openly associating himself with the faction which opposed Bourke, Bingle gave such provocation that he was removed from the magistracy in 1836, as were others whose conduct as magistrates was considered 'unbecoming'. Next year he agreed to carry to the British government a petition demanding Bourke's recall, but shortly before his proposed departure he was arrested on a charge of cattle-stealing. The charge, which created great public interest, was dismissed, but the newspapers regarded his arrest as a political manoeuvre designed to discredit him before he reached London. They suggested that he was being persecuted, a charge foreseen by Bourke five years earlier. The vigorous support given by the Sydney Herald to 'The Case of Mr. Bingle' was probably influenced by the fact that one of its proprietors, Alfred Ward Stephens, had bought Puen Buen and the other, Frederick Stokes, had agreed to act as its superintendent until payment was completed. After his acquittal Bingle joined his wife and family in England where, in 1837, he published a Letter to … Lord Glenelg, setting out the charges against him and the evidence in his defence. He bought a home at Sydenham, but Ward Stephens's spectacular insolvency in 1842 forced him to return in order to salvage what remained of his property. Governor Sir George Gipps reinstated him as a magistrate and he remained an active, autocratic and powerful member of the Scone bench until 1850. In this year Bingle opposed John Dunmore Lang's use of the local court-house for public meetings although, as Lang recorded later, it had been made available only a short time before to a band of travelling players. Poor seasons accentuating his financial problems, Bingle sold Puen Buen to John Robertson of Yarrundi and began business as an agent in Newcastle. Within five years he became director of two banks, a member of the diocesan committee of Christ Church, chairman of the Exchange, and first chairman of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce. The first message sent by telegraph on the line from Sydney to Newcastle, on 11 January 1860, was from his office. He retired from business soon afterwards, devoting his remaining years to writing his reminiscences, of which Past and Present Records of Newcastle (Newcastle, 1873) was his one significant publication. John Bingle died at Newcastle on 10 April 1882 and was buried beside his wife in Christ Church cemetery. He was survived by his only son, John Rayden, and two daughters. Autocratic, impetuous, often over-confident of his ability and judgment, he was prepared at all times to accept public office and to discharge his duties, even when, as in dealing with bushrangers, personal risk was involved. He was a man of initiative, enterprise and imagination. —— From Radicals, Renegades & Revolutionaries John Bingle (1797-1882) was one of the earliest environmental campaigners in Newcastle, advocating for public parks and cultural amenities. He was a sailor, merchant and landholder, who first visited Newcastle in 1821 where he met Major Morisset who took him for a walk around the town. It was not until 1851 that he returned and established a business in Newcastle and became director of two banks, a member of the diocesan committee of Christ Church, and was the first Chair of the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce in 1856. As its first order of business the Chamber lobbied the Government to grant the Horseshoe beach, the coastline and the Windmill hill areas that Bingle had visited all those years ago to the citizens of Newcastle. The Chamber also asked for two blocks of land in Watt Street to establish an Exchange and Reading Room. Bingle and the Memorialists had attempted to secure the Recreation Ground, but the decision was deferred by the newly established Newcastle Municipal Council; nevertheless Bingle helped to establish Newcastle Recreational Reserve now known as King Edward Park. Bingle died at Newcastle on 10 April 1882 and was buried beside his wife in Christ Church cemetery. https://hunterlivinghistories.com/2019/08/29/radical/ ----- Taken from https://www.jenwilletts.com/john_bingle.htm John Bingle was about twenty-five years of age when arrived as second officer on the convict ship Minerva on 16th December 1821. Very soon afterwards he embarked on a journey to Lake Macquarie with Rev. George Augustus Middleton....... Our parson, the Rev. G.A. Middleton, (who was an especial favourite with the blacks) started with myself with the whole tribe of upwards of one hundred on a walking trip to Lake Macquarie; our necessary supplies, blankets etc they carried on their heads. On arrival I was enchanted with its beautiful scenery, and can never forget it. The whole surrounding country and lake were serene and still, solitude reigned, no tree disturbed, and no trace of the white man's civilization, but all in it's natural wild state. We enjoyed all the wild sports of Australian bush life in it s primitive state as the Aborigines of that day (before they were contaminated with our vices) were accustomed to enjoy them. Shooting, fishing, kangarooing and hunting - our game was ample for us all. They supplied us also by diving, with the finest mud oysters for which the waters of the lake are noted, these we scalloped on our bush fires, and we spent five or six days of as much enjoyment as I ever had in any part of the world. [3] John Bingle became partners with Robert Coram Dillon and together they established a Commercial business at No.2 Watt Street, Newcastle.  In January 1822 John Bingle received instructions from Governor Brisbane - to proceed on the Sally to Port Macquarie and then to sail in search of a large River supposed to exist between Port Macquarie and Sandy Cape..... [2] The business of Bingle and Dillon was dissolved by 1824. Allotment 2 in Watt Street Newcastle abutted to Lot 1 at the rear. It was sold in 1828 to Philip Cavenagh and John Robson who were merchants of Sydney. [1] When they sold the allotment that same year to Frederick Boucher of Newcastle there was already a dwelling house, warehouse and other buildings erected on the site. Boucher conveyed it to J.B. Bettington in 1830 and in 1835 Bettington sold to James Reid of Newcastle. John Bingle acquired 1800 acres named Puen Buen in the 1820's. He later moved to England, returning to Australia in 1842. He sold Puen Buen to John Robertson, son of James Robertson and later returned to Newcastle. ....State Library New South Wales John Bingle enjoyed the lifestyle of a minor member of the colonial squattocracy, playing a prominent part in the development of the local district, serving on the bench of magistrates and waging war against bushrangers. In later life, he compiled a fascinating, illustrated account of these years for his memoirs......... Read [4] He was highly respected and when he died aged 80 on 10th April 1882, the flags were flown at half mast at Newcastle in his honour. Gravestone of John Bingle - Newcastle Cathedral Burial Ground - The following convicts were assigned to John Bingle at Puen Buen. Search here to find out more about each convict Charles Dix Isabella 1832 Margaret Doyle - Palambam 1831 William Bean/ McBean - Isabella 1832 William Smith - Georgiana 1831 Charles Shepherd - Portland 1832 John Anderson - Speke 1826 William Henry Jones - Mary 1833 Patrick Arnold Dorothy 1820 Benjamin Cordell - Earl St. Vincent 1820 William Smart - Asia 1825 Jesse Coleman - Midas 1827 Rachael Davies - Lord Sidmouth 1823 Thomas Hollands - Grenada 1827 Thomas Kairnan - Hooghley 1825 Francis Norris - Hercules 1825 Elizabeth Bullard - Burrell 1832 Margaret McConnell - Diana 1833 Samuel Dawes - Strathfieldsaye 1836 Thomas Burley - Hadlow 1818 William Carlyle - Anne and Amelia 1825 Thomas Neaves - Norfolk 1837 William Nuttall - Hercules 1832 George Newman - Royal Sovereign 1835 Joseph Poe - Calcutta 1837 Thomas Morgan - Prince Regent 1827 William Springall - Portland 1832 Henry Hughes - Royal Admiral 1830 John Wilson - Georgiana 1831 Henry Wright - Susan 1834 Edward Cussan - Backwell 1835 John Budgell - Lady Kennaway 1836 John Webb - Susan 1834 Adam Baxter - Mangles 1833 NOTES AND LINKS: 1. John Bingle's daughter Sarah married William Little of Invermein in 1858 - Design and Art Australia Online - Biography of John Bingle's daughter Sarah Cross Little 2. John Bingle - Australian Dictionary of Biography Online 3. Reminiscences of Edith Alice Little granddaughter of John Bingle - Australian Women's Weekly 4. Origins of King Edward Park - Hunter Living Histories 5. Sir Thomas Livingstone Mitchell passed through the Upper Hunter area in 1831. He conversed with the aboriginal tribe from the Puen Buen area. 6. Article from the Newcastle Morning Herald on the 100 year anniversary of the arrival of John Bingle in Australia.... Captain John Bingle, who arrived in Australia 100 years ago to-day as an officer of the ship Minerva, and whose name is identified particularly with the Hunter River, was born in Gillingham, Kent, England, on the 15th May, 1796, his people having been for many years naval architects and associated with the construction of the ships of the line, frigates, etc., built at the dockyards at Chatham and Deptford. Brought up in these surroundings, it was not strange that he went to sea, first in the Honorable East India Company's service, and afterwards in the navy. The Minerva (Captain Bell), in which he came to Australia, as a junior officer, took six months on the voyage, and brought 169 male prisoners under a military guard commanded by Lieutenant Hingston. Young Bingle left the vessel at Sydney, and seems to have been immediately commissioned by the Governor, Sir Thomas Brisbane, to take command of H.M.S. cutter Sally, and survey the coast, and especially to look for a large river believed to exist north of Port Macquarie. The Sally, after calling at Newcastle, seems to have met with bad weather, and we next hear of her arrival in January, 1822, in Moreton Bay, Queensland. It is recorded by Captain Bingle that the blacks there had never seen a white man and were amazed at his white skin, boot prints, firearms, etc. The Governor gave Captain Bingle a certIficate expressing appreciation of the survey operations carried out by him. Captain Bingle would then appear to have retired from His Majesty's services, as he applied to the Government and obtained leave to build a vessel for the coal trade between Newcastle and Sydney. In 1824 this vessel, the Eclipse, while lying at anchor, was cut out by a gang of conviets, ran away with, and nothing more was ever heard of her or her crew. Captain Bingle then became a squatter at Puen Buen on the Dartbrook, Scone, and as a most active magistrate and public spirited citizen, had exciting experiences with the turbulent spirits of the district, being instrumental in chasing and bringing bushrangers to justice. At one meeting of the Scone Bench of Magistrates, of which he was chairman, no less than six bushrangers were sentenced. He claimed to have been the first white person, except perhaps an escaped convict or two, on the Liverpool plains. One day, riding by the Wollombi route to Sydney from Hunter River, he stopped to water his horse at a small pool, and was surprised when a couple of kangaroo dogs came out to him, as he could not see any human beings. Shortly afterwards a bushranger in gaol sent for him, and reminded him of the incident, saying, "I saved your life then, as my mate had you covered with his gun, but I pulled him down, so I think you ought to do something to help me now." Captain Bingle did, and was successful in getting him a reduced sentence. Droughts, which were even worse then than now, caused Captain Bingle to sell out his pastoral interests, and to start business as a merchant, tug owner, etc., in Newcastle, New South Wales. His name is identified with practically every one of the movements in the early days for the advancement of the city and district. He was chairman of the first Chamber of Commerce in 1856, and built up a large business with nearly every part of the world. He was the designer of the Coat of Arms of the City of Newcastle, and was also responsible for the adoption of the New South Wales flag, the white ensign with the blue cross and stars. He remained in Newceastle until his death at the age of 86, and was buried in the Cathedral graveyard overlooking the city. About 70 of his descendants are scattered about Australia and New Zealand, including Mr. John Bingle, manager of the head ofice of Melbourne Commercial Bank of Australia, and Mr. Walter Bingle, the permanent head of the Commonwealth Department of Works and Railways.   - Newcastle Morning Herald and Miners' Advocate Fri 16 Dec 1921 REFERENCES: [1] Cadell, F.A., A Survey of Newcastle, Royal Australian Historical Society, 1936 p.387 [2] Colonial Secretary's Papers, 1788-1856 Copies of Letters Sent Within The Colony, 1814-1827 [3] Bingle, John, 1796-1882. Past and present records of Newcastle, New South Wales, Newcastle [N.S.W.] : Bayley, Son and Harwood, 1873. [4] Squatters Reminiscences - State Library of New South Wales.

  
  

• Sources

  [S308] Ancestry Family Trees, (Name: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members.;;), Ancestry Family Tree.