Penrith City Library Photographic Collection
James William Bennett
James William Bennett was born in England in 1822. He arrived in Australia in March 1853 and after working in Sydney and Emu Plains moved to St Marys in 1857. Here he worked as blacksmith, wheelwright and publican, operating from various sites before settling on the corner of the Western Road, and Princess Mary Street in about 1866. On this site he built a new ‘Volunteer Hotel’ behind which he established a wheelwright and blacksmith’s shop (1).
In 1875 James Bennett senior, transferred his blacksmith and wheelwright business to his sons James, junior and George Thomas and they continued to work there for some years before moving to George Bennett’s new premises in Queen Street (2).
It was during this period that the brothers decided to combine their trades of wheelwrighting and blacksmithing and to specialize in the construction of sturdy wheat and wool waggons. Initially they worked in partnership, but at some stage prior to 1892 an argument led to the establishment of a separate works.
Few details are known about the establishment or management of these businesses, despite the fact that their waggons are reputed to have been renowned throughout Australia.
James Bennett, Junior (1852-1921)
It appears that James Bennett, junior, had established a successful business by the late 1880s, as in 1889 he built ‘Bronte’ a two storey villa which at that time was the most substantial house within the town.
By the beginning of 1892 he had established his own firm, which was advertised as a Coach and Waggon Works with general blacksmith, wheelwright and shoeing services etc. (3). The location of these works was given as Station Street (now Queen Street), St Marys.
In 1899 James Bennett purchased a block of land on the south-western corner of the present-day Queen Street and Carson Lane from Rosanna Donnelly (4), and it is this site which is generally known as the location of his Coach and Waggon Works. No evidence has been found to confirm that he was working from here when he advertised his services in the early 1890s, but it is quite possible that he leased the site for a number of years before having the opportunity to buy.
Unlike his brother George, James did not advertise his waggons widely or enter them in many agricultural shows. He appears to have concentrated almost solely on the construction of sturdy waggons suited to heavy loads and rough conditions, and it was on his success in this field that his product became widely known.
One of the only references to his work which has been located is an unconfirmed local report that in about 1916 he built the largest waggon in the Commonwealth. This is reputed to have stood 2 metres high (5).
After his death on 15 June, 1921 James Bennett’s Coach and Waggon Works were taken over by his sons, Ernest (Pat) and Harold (6). They continued to produce high quality tabletop waggons and in 1923 were contracted to build a waggon suitable for a record attempt by Mr. Con Hildebrand of Calleen. This waggon was loaded with 407 bags of wheat, weighing 35 tons, 17 cwt & two quarters gross, and drawn by a team of 15 horses. In 1927 a photograph of this event was displayed at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembly, London, and a challenge offered to anyone who believed they could beat this record. No-one came forward (7).
Despite the high regard in which their waggons were held the introduction of motorized transport gradually reduced the demand for their product and the last Bennett waggon was built in 1934 (8). Business continued with repair work and general blacksmithing until the death of Mr. Ernest (Pat) Bennett in 1956. Two years later the site was sold and the buildings have since been demolished (9).
George Thomas Bennett (1853-1944)
In December 1888 George Thomas Bennett purchased lots 4 & 5 of Section 2 of the subdivision of Webb’s Tannery site (10). It was this site, which is located on the north-western corner of the present-day Queen Street and Carson Lane, which was subsequently developed as G.T. Bennett’s Coach and Waggon Works.
In January 1892 he advertised the firm as builders of buggies, waggonettes, sulkies, spring carts, box and table-top waggons, farmers trolleys, vans, lorries, drays etc. General blacksmith and wheelwright services were also offered (11).
From this advertisement and from general oral history sources (12) it appears that George produced a much wider range of vehicles than his brother. Unlike James he was also a regular exhibitor in the regional and Sydney agricultural shows and his name frequently appeared in the Nepean Times as the winner of various prizes for his waggons. The following examples give an indication of the quality and range of vehicles made at his works (13):
New South Wales Royal Agricultural Show
1892 : 4 silver medals 1901 : 9 gold medals
1904 : First prize for his collection of waggons, lorries and drays
First prize for his collection of vehicles exhibited and built in NSW
Gold medals for his table-top waggon, farm waggon, box waggon and lorry up to 80cwt
1906 : Gold medals for his table-top waggon, bakers cart and milk-cart
Wagga Wagga Show
1894: First prize for his farm dray
First and second prize for his table- top waggons Certificate of Merit
for the workman- ship of his table-top waggon
In 1920 George Bennett closed down his business and retired to Sydney where he died in August 1944 (14).
The Construction of Bennett Waggons
No detailed records have been located which describe the layout of the two factories or their method of operation. However, from oral history sources (15) it has been recorded that about 25 men would be employed for about a week in the construction of one waggon. These tradesmen were the body-builders, blacksmiths, wheelwrights and their labourers.
On completion the waggon would be handed over to the painter/signwriters. The standard colours of Bennett Waggons were a blue top with bright red under-carriage and wheels, unless otherwise specified by the purchaser. Most waggons were given names such as ‘The Invincible’, ‘The Pioneer’, ‘The King of the Road’ etc.
In all, it is believed that about 50 tradesmen were employed at the two works in their heyday (16).
References:
- Penrith City Library, Local Collection Vertical File – St Marys, Notes prepared by Mr Evans
- Penrith City Library, Local Collection Vertical File- St Marys
Nepean Times, 25 June 1921 James Bennett, junior’s obituary - Penrith City Library, Local Collection Vertical File – St Marys, Notes prepared by Mr Evans
- Land Title Office, Book 641, Folio 581
- Penrith City Library, Local Collection Vertical File – St Marys
- Penrith City Library, Local Collection Vertical File – St Marys, Notes prepared by Mr Evans
- Penrith Press, 8 August 1973 : 29
- Penrith City Library, Local Collection Vertical File-St Marys, Notes prepared by Mr Evans
- Penrith City Library, Local Collection Vertical File- St Marys, Notes prepared by Mr Evans Land Title
Office- Book 2461, Folio 56 - Land Title Office, CT, Volume 431, Folio 186
ML, St Marys Subdivision Box, Richardson and Wrench Auction Poster dated 2 October 1886 - Penrith City Library, Local Collection Vertical File – St Marys, Notes prepared by Mr Evans
- Oral history programme undertaken by Mr Bert Evans
- Stapleton, E., Other Days, Other Ways Australasian Leather Trades Review NT, 6 October 1894
- Penrith City Library, Local Collection Vertical File – St Marys, Notes prepared by Mr Evans
- Penrith City Library, Local Collection Vertical File – St Marys, Notes prepared by Mr Evans
- Penrith City Library, Local Collection Vertical File- St Marys,