Jonathon Miller Halbert was born on 28^th Mar 1856 in Kingower, Vic., Aust. He was the fourth child of James Lamb Halbert and Isabella Halbert (nee Miller) who married at Gateshead, Newcastle on Tyne on 11 Jun 1849.

The Halbert family (2 adults and 13 children) eventually sailed from Liverpool aboard the SS Great Britain (launched in 1843) on the 13th June 1854 arriving in Melbourne on the 18th August 1854 but only after much controversy.

Newcastle Courant, Friday 5 May 1854

“On Saturday last, Mr. James Halbert, landlord of the White House public house, 86 Pilgrim St in this town, suddenly decamped leaving his creditors minus a considerable sum…Halbert had gone to Liverpool to embark for Australia…(the police) arrived at Liverpool and proceeded to the Great Britain steamer where they discovered him on board…” (He had bad luck – the steamer had developed a fault after setting off which delayed it.)

“Halbert had entered himself amongst the passengers as James Charlton. He was accordingly brought to this town on Monday and safely lodged in gaol awaiting the due course of the law.”

“It appears that the plan for his flight had been well matured by Halbert, as, previous to his departure by the Saturday night’s express train, he sold every piece of furniture in his house. He, however, left a short supply of ale and spirits with which several of his friends, after he left, made too free, some of them afterwards having to be conveyed to the station house on barrows by the police, drunk and insensible. Hence arose the rumour of his departure.”

Newcastle Courant 12 May 1854

“The Liberation of Mr. Halbert – We alluded last week to the sudden departure from this town and capture of Mr. James Halbert of the White House. Since then, it is stated that after settling with his chief creditors he was liberated from goal and departed once more to raise his falling fortunes at the diggings in Australia.”

But back to Jonathon Miller Halbert…….

Jonathon moved to Wentworth N. S. W. in about 1878 in his early 20’s, where he was employed by the late Mr. John Egge as a butcher. (You can read about Mr. Egge in another post on this site.) Being a careful and competent tradesman, he soon made his way to the top, and with Mr. F. Egge entered into partnership in the business he had been managing. Later on, he became the sole proprietor, and carried it on successfully for many years.

He married Miss Susan Egge, eldest daughter of the late Mr. John Egge, in August, 1884 and they had 4 daughters, all born in Wentworth between 1885 and 1894.

Wentworth Advocate, 14 June 1888.

Refrigerator at Halbert and Egge’s Wentworth Butchery. Halbert and Egge Wentworth Butchery Sandwych Street. “Just completed the erection of a refrigerator of large capacity which enables them to supply meat of the very best quality in frozen state during the summer months. Ice supplied.”

Riverine Recorder (Balranald), Wed 5 Jan 1898.
By wire from our Wentworth Correspondent.

Another death took place yesterday afternoon when Miss Annie Stuart, a new arrival in the town in the employ of Mr J M Halbert, died very suddenly from heat apoplexy. Several other cases have been reported, three being near death’s door. The heat became alarming in its severity, day after day bringing no change.

In 1896 there was a fire at their premises.

Evening News, Sydney, NSW, Friday 27 March 1896, page 5

“Wentworth News, Friday. — A fire broke out at about half-past 4 this morning in an underground parlor and store, the private residence of Mr. J. M. Halbert, butcher, of Wentworth, but the origin is unknown. Mr. Halbert, having occasion to rise early, made the discovery, and endeavored to extinguish the flames, but failing to do so alarmed the brigade. Boxes containing valuables, ladies’ dresses, and the whole of the furniture and stores were destroyed, to the value of about £100. There is no insurance.”

AND in 1899… there was a burglary.”

Evening News (Sydney, NSW), Thursday 23 March 1899, page 3

“Burglary at Wentworth”.

Thursday.— During last night the premises of  J. M. Halbert, butcher, of this town, were entered, and the till ransacked, to the amount of 5s 10d, by some person or persons unknown. The mystery is how they effected an entrance into the establishment, as doors and windows were intact. The cashbox was left on the meat block after it had been forced open. There is no clue to the theft.

A most interesting story however was this one.

Barrier Miner Broken Hill, NSW Monday 17 July 1899

“An example of the endurance of the canine species was brought forcibly under the notice of the people of Wentworth during the past week (the local Standard says). A dog belonging to Mr. Halbert was lost over five weeks ago, and as no trace of the missing animal could be found it was believed it had been stolen. Last Sunday Price, who is working for Mr. Halbert, was showing someone the underground refrigerating chamber, and when he got to the bottom felt something touch his leg. He naturally started back, and upon further investigation found the dog, nearly starved to death. He was, in fact, just a mass of skin and bone, and could hardly stand up. It was just five weeks to the day since he was first missed. He was taken in hand at once by Mr. Halbert and is, we believe, undergoing a special diet of fried sausages and milk.”

In 1904 the Riverina Recorder (Balranald, Moulamein, NSW), of Wednesday 22 June 1904, page 3 noted.

“Mr. J.M. Halbert our late well-known townsman has purchased a large butchering business in Timaru, New Zealand, where he has settled down with his family.”

Later in 1904 the Riverina Recorder (Balranald, Moulamein, NSW), Wednesday 10 August 1904, page 4 further stated….that the Halberts were doing well.

“According to the New Zealand papers Mr. J. M. Halbert, late of Wentworth, who recently went over to that part, and bought a big butchering business, is doing remarkably well. Says the ‘Herald’: — ‘Mr. J. M. Halbert had a record bill to pay for slaughtering at the abattoir last month, the slaughtermen’s tally against him being 50 large cattle, 408 sheep and lambs, 17 pigs and 4 calves.”

Jonathon’s health took a dive while in New Zealand however, as he was very much affected by the cold conditions there. He returned to Wentworth in 1906 recovering only sufficiently to allow him to get out of doors on just a few occasions before his demise on 12^th July 1906. He was just 50 years of age, was well known to many South Australians, a prominent Freemason and one of the kindest and most generous of men. He has left a widow and four daughters.

His bereaved wife and family command the sincerest sympathy of the whole town and district.