Guide to the Papers of the Symon Family
MS 10061
National Library of Australia View Catalogue Record
Created: 2008
Collection Summary
- Creator
- Symon Family
- Title
- Papers of the Symon Family
- Date Range
- 1873 - 1998
- Collection Number
- MS 10061
- Extent
- 4.1 metres (4 Archive boxes + 4 Medium folio-boxes + Briefcase)
- Language of Materials
- English
- Repository
- National Library of Australia
Introduction
Scope and Content
This collection consists mainly of miscellaneous papers belonging to Sir Josiah Symon. It also includes some papers of two of his sons, Carril Symon and Charles J. B. Symon and his grandson, Charles C. Symon. The papers comprise correspondence, published speeches and addresses, addresses and personal writings, biographical and genealogical notes, will and estate papers; printed material, invitations, menus and other items of ephemera, photographs, and a deed box.
Conditions Governing Access
Available for research. Not for loan.
Conditions Governing Use
Copying and publishing of unpublished manuscript material is subject to copyright restrictions. For such material, written permission to publish must be obtained from the copyright holder(s). Copying of unpublished material for research purposes is permissible 50 years after the death of the creator of the material.
Preferred Citation
Items from this collection should be cited as '[Title or description of manuscript item], Papers of the Symon Family, National Library of Australia, MS 10061, [series/file number]'.
Provenance
The papers were donated to the library in 2007 by Mrs Mary Symon (wife of Charles C. Symon and grandson of Sir Josiah Symon).
Related Material
Papers of Sir Josiah Symon are also held at MS 1736.
Arrangement
The Library has arranged the papers into four series, each of which has been described in this finding aid.
Biographical Note
Josiah Henry Symon, son of James and Elizabeth Symon, was born in Wick, Scotland, on 27 September 1846. He received his early education at Stirling High School and at Moray Training College, Edinburgh.
After emigrating to South Australia in 1866 Symon commenced employment at his cousin's law practice in Mt Gambier, and completed his studies in the employment of Way and Brook, in Adelaide, being called to the Bar in 1871.
In March 1881 he was appointed Attorney-General in South Australia's short-lived Morgan Government. A few weeks later he was elected as the member for Sturt in the House of Assembly and retained that position until 1887, when he unsuccessfully contested the constituency of Victoria.
On 8 December 1881, Symon married Mary Eleanor Cowle. They had five sons and seven daughters, two of whom died in infancy. Four of his sons served in World War I: three of them with the British Forces and the other with the Australian Imperial Force.
After leaving State politics, Symon devoted himself to the growing movement for Federation, becoming President of both the South Australian Federation League and the Commonwealth League. He was elected a member of the South Australian delegation to the Australasian Federal Convention, 1897-1898, and served as Chairman of its Judiciary Committee. In recognition of his work towards Federation he received a knighthood (KCMG) in 1901.
Elected to the Senate in 1901 to represent South Australia, Symon held the portfolio of Attorney-General in the Free Trade - Protectionist Reid - McLean Coalition Government in 1904-1905. In 1909 he stood out from the arrangement under which the Protectionists and Free Traders came together to become what was known for a time as the Fusion and later as the Liberal Party. Refusing to sign the Liberal Movement manifesto he contested the 1913 Senate elections as an independent and was defeated. He then returned to his legal practice, which he had maintained while in politics, until his retirement in 1923.
Symon is also remembered as a philanthropist. He was a member of the Council of the University of Adelaide, 1897-1901 and in 1926 gave the University £10,000 to establish the Lady Symon Building for Women students. His law library was given to the University of Adelaide Law School, and in addition he established scholarships at the University of Sydney, Scotch College, Adelaide and the High School at Stirling, Scotland. In 1927 Sir Josiah gave £1,500 to the Australian Inland Mission to build the Eleanor Symon hospital at Innamincka, and later he helped establish the Northcote Rest Home for Mothers and Babies.
Sir Josiah Symon died on 29 March 1934, and was accorded a State funeral. His wife, five sons and five daughters survived him.
Biographical Reference(s)
Sir Josiah Symon, Australian Dictionary of Biography online, http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A120174b.htm.
Item Descriptions
Series 1. Papers of Sir Josiah Symon, 1884-1955
This series comprises papers and personal items belonging to Sir Josiah Symon. It includes printed copies of speeches; addresses and writings by Symon; invitations, menus and other items of ephemera; photographs; and a deed box from his time as Attorney-General (1904-1905).
Many of the invitations and menus have been placed in five cloth scrapbooks. They record Symon's attendance at official functions in Australia and overseas including the Australasian Federal Convention (1897-1898); the opening of Parliament and Commonwealth celebrations in Australia (1901); the Imperial Conference and coronation of King George V in England (1911); the laying of the foundation stones for the Federal capital, Canberra (1913); and the opening of Parliament House in Canberra (1927). There are also a small number of invitations sent to Lady Symon (1934-1935) and her daughter, Kilmeny (1952-1955).
Speeches, addresses and articles, 1897-1931 (File 1)
Mainly reprints of speeches and addresses by Symon relating to the Federal Convention and the Constitution.
Also includes a pamphlet entitled Life: an essay read at the Stirling Baptist Church Bible class, 11th Jan., 1861 (1929.)
Lectures and articles on Shakespeare and Scottish poetry, 1884-1929 (File 2)
Includes copies of Shakespeare quotation: a lecture (1901); Shakespeare at home (1905); and Shakespeare the Englishman (1929).
Also includes a copy of Some Scottish poetry: a lecture delivered by J. H. Symon to the Caledonian Literary Society, at Adelaide, Tuesday, May 27, 1884 (1884).
Printed material, 1901-1935 (File 3)
Mainly publications relating to the Constitution and the siting of the Federal capital.
Invitations, menus and other items of ephemera, 1886-1909 (File 4)
Scrapbook titled 'English and Canadian - menu and invitation cards - 1886-1909'.
Invitations, menus and other items of ephemera, 1895-1928 (File 5)
Scrapbook titled 'Menu and invitation cards - Australia - 1896-1914'.
Includes a small number of items outside the date range of the cover title.
Invitations, menus and other items of ephemera, 1911 (File 6)
Scrapbook titled 'Menu and invitation cards - 1911'.
Mainly relating to Symon's visit to England to atttend the Imperial Conference and coronation.
Invitations, menus and other items of ephemera, 1911 (File 7)
Loose items from the scrapbook titled 'Menu and invitation cards - 1911' (from Bag 6).
Mainly relating to Symon's visit to England to atttend the Imperial Conference and coronation.
Invitations, menus and other items of ephemera, 1914 (File 8)
Scrapbook titled 'Menu and invitation cards - 1914'.
Mainly relating to Symon's visit to England.
Invitations, menus and other items of ephemera, 1921 (File 9)
Untitled scrapbook containing a small number of items relating to a visit to England.
Invitations to various functions associated with the opening of Parliament in Melbourne, 1901 (File 10)
Invitations and other items of ephemera, 1900-1901 (File 11)
Mainly relating to the Commonwealth celebrations and the opening of Parliament. Includes a small number of cards dated 1900.
Invitations and other items of ephemera, 1913-1927 (File 12)
Includes items relating to the visit of the United States Fleet (1925); and the visit of the Duke and Duchess of York for the opening of Parliament House in Canberra (1927).
Invitations and other items of ephemera, 1913-1955 (File 13)
Includes items relating to the laying of the foundation stones of the commencement column for the Federal capital, Canberra (1913).
Also includes invitations sent to Lady Symon (1934-1935) and her daughter, Kilmeny (1952-1955).
Miscellaneous family photographs, c.1908-1945 (File 15)
Includes portraits of Lady Symon and two of her children, Oliver and Kilmeny.
Also includes prints of Sir Josiah's library at 'Manoah' and Lady Symon's bedroom wall containing photographs of her husband (1945).
Photograph album, 1898 (File 17)
Album titled 'Mahoe' which was a Symon Family property at Upper Sturt.
Series 2. Papers of Carril Symon, 1908-c.1959
Carril Symon, the fourth son of Sir Josiah and Lady Symon, was born in 1893. He attended Brasenose College at Oxford in 1913-1914. Following the outbreak of World War I he joined the British Army serving with the 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment.
The bulk of the material in this series consists of correspondence between Carril Symon and his father. Carril's letters relate to his studies at Oxford and his service in the British Army, while his father's discuss his activities at home as well as commenting on the war. There is also a file of miscellaneous correspondence which includes letters between Carril and his mother; and miscellaneous correspondence between Sir Josiah and his children, Oscar and Kilmeny, Lord Kitchener and others.
Other papers in the series include a typescript narrative of a trip taken by Carril in 1923; an autograph book; and correspondence and legal papers relating to his father's will and estate.
Letters from Sir Josiah Symon to Carril Symon, 23 February-2 December 1912 (File 1)
Letters (13) refer to Carril's voyage to England; his preparations for entrance to Oxford University; cricket; and a newspaper interview with Trumper.
Letters from Sir Josiah Symon to Carril Symon, 9 January-11 December 1913 (File 2)
Letters (18) refer to Sir Josiah's business activities; Oliver Symon's passing out and assignment to HMS New Zealand; and Sir Josiah's failed attempt at the Senate.
Letters from Sir Josiah Symon to Carril Symon, 14 January-29 December 1914 (File 3)
Letters (23) refer to a holiday in Europe and Sir Josiah's opinion on home rule. There is also reference to Carril's letter of 20 August describing war influences in England.
Sir Josiah also comments on the good progress of the war and that 'Kaiser Bill must see the game's pretty well up'.
Letters from Sir Josiah Symon to Carril Symon, 14 January-19 December 1915 (File 4)
Letters (34) include clippings from The Mail and The Advertiser reporting on Oliver's and Carril's war service.
Letter of 15 April advises that Sir Josiah was sending Lord Kitchener 500 pounds for a motor ambulance. A copy of the letter to Kitchener is in File 15.
Letters from Sir Josiah Symon to Carril Symon, 27 January-27 December 1916 (File 5)
Letters (33) include news of military postings of acquaintances; clippings of war news; and a copy of Sir Josiah's address, 'Shakespeare - the Englishman' (6 May 1916).
Letters from Sir Josiah Symon to Carril Symon, 9 January-23 December 1917 (File 6)
Letters (21) include references to Sir Josiah's investment in war loans. An attachment to a letter of 1 July outlines endowments to be granted to Carril at the end of the war.
Letters from Sir Josiah Symon to Carril Symon, 6 January-31 December 1918 (File 7)
Clipping on the Australian spirit by Sir Josiah.
Letters from Sir Josiah Symon to Carril Symon, 12 January-30 December 1919 (File 8)
Letters (21) refer to plans for peace time; disappointment at not achieving captain; award of an MBE to Kilmeny Symon; criticism of the pace of demobilisation; and encouragement for Carril to enter barristers chambers.
Letters from Sir Josiah Symon to Carril Symon, 1920-1928 (File 9)
Letters (15) refer to finances and maturing war loans to be credited to Carril's account in London.
Also includes clippings on the 3rd cricket test between Australia and England at Leeds, 1921 as Sir Josiah was in England.
Letters from Carril Symon to Sir Josiah Symon, c.1911-1914 (File 10)
Letters (31) refer to university entrance to Oxford and years at Brasenose College, Oxford. A letter from Epsom advises that he has joined the Royal Fusiliers of the Regular British Army.
Letters from Carril Symon to Sir Josiah Symon, 1 January 1914-26 November 1915 (File 11)
Letters (22) refer to his enlistment in Kitchener's army, the University and Public School battalions; his training for war; and several references to Oscar (his brother) applying for a commission in London.
Letters from Carril Symon to Sir Josiah Symon, 9 February-29 December 1916 (File 12)
Letters (22) including letters from the front. A letter of 10 September 1916 refers to the proximity of locals to the firing line.
Letters from Carril Symon to Sir Josiah Symon, 26 January 1917-31 December 1918 (File 13)
Letters (29) refer to optimism for the war to end by January 1918; his support of conscription; and the extremely cold weather. Carril was based in Belgium from April-December 1918.
[Title not available], 10 January 1919-21 October 1920 (File 14)
Letters (22) refer to his time in Belgium supervising 'Chinks' on salvage work; his return to Brasenose College, Oxford; preparations by himself and his sisters to return to Australia; and the coal strike.
Letters, 1914-1925 (File 15)
Includes letters from Carril to his mother; Lady Symon to Carril; letters to Sir Josiah from Oscar and Kilmeny Symon; various letters between the Symon siblings; and letters from Sir Josiah to Lord Kitchener.
Typescript manuscript, 1924 (File 17)
A personal narrative entitled ' A holiday: three thousand miles by car from Anama to Adelaide via Broken Hill, Sydney and Melbourne, November 2nd to 27th, 1923'.
Carril Symon was accompanied on the trip by C. R. Howard, Trevor and Elsie Hawker of Anama Station and Zinna Knox. Also includes photographs of the journey.
Roneoed manuscript, 1924 (File 18)
A second copy of the narrative described above in File 17. Includes a dedication 'To Miss Zinna Knox in memory of a pleasant and thrilling journey - I inscribe these pages' which is not present in the typescript volume.
This copy also contains a loose map inside the back cover showing stations visited during the trip.
Series 3. Papers of Charles James Ballaarat Symon, 1916-1949
Charles James Ballaarat Symon, the eldest son of Sir Josiah and Lady Symon, was born on 1 July 1886 onboard the SS Ballaarat en-route from England to Australia. Following his attendance at Oxford University in 1906-1909 he returned home to Australia and joined his father's law firm. In 1915, after the outbreak of World War I, he returned to England where he joined the British Army becoming a Second Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, Coldstream Guards.
This series consists mainly of letters written by Charles to his father and his sister Kilmeny during World War I. They provide a detailed account of some of his operations and experiences in 1917-1918 while serving with the Battalion in France. There is also a copy of the recommendation for his award of the Military Cross. Other papers belonging to Charles Craven Symon can be found in Series 4.
Comprises File 1.
Series 4. Papers of Charles C. Symon, 1873-1998
Charles Craven Symon, the son of Charles J. B. Symon, was born on 11 November 1932. The papers in this series are mainly of a biographical and genealogical nature relating to research being undertaken by Charles Symon on the Symon, Cowle and Lewers families. There are also photographs of members of the Cowle and Lewers families.
Also included are various articles relating to Sir Josiah Symon and tributes received after his death in 1934 along with a copy of the official letter relating to his knighthood (c.1900).
Correspondence, notes and articles, c.1900-1998 (File 1-2)
Predominantly material relating to family history research being undertaken by Charles Symon on the Symon and Cowle families. Includes correspondence with family members relating to genealogy (c.1989-1998); notes on various family members; and copies of computer generated 'family trees'.
Also includes articles relating to Sir Josiah Symon and tributes received after his death in 1934. There is also a copy of the official letter relating to Symon's knighthood (c.1900).
Photographs, 1873-c.1940s (File 3)
Mainly photographs of the Cowle and Ewers familes (1873-1897). Includes a number of undated photographs which may fall outside of this date range.
Also includes an ambrotype in a velvet lined case. While undated and unidentified it is possibly Thomas Pressland Cowle.
Container List
Series | Files | Box |
---|---|---|
1 | 1-3 | 1 |
1 | 4 | Folio Box 1 |
1 | 5 | Folio Box 2 |
1 | 6-7 | Folio Box 3 |
1 | 8-9 | Folio Box 4 |
1 | 10 | Folio Box 1 |
1 | 11-15 | 1 |
1 | 16-17 | Folio Box 2 |
1 | 18 | Folio Box 4 |
1 | 19 | Folio Box 5 |
2 | 1-8 | 2 |
2 | 9-18 | 3 |
2 | 19 | 4 |
3 | 1 | 4 |
4 | 1-3 | 4 |