Jimmy Helm's Cottage

The Helm family of Campbelltown settled in the area as early as 1859.

 James Baptist Helm, born c1851, is thought to be the son of German immigrants who arrived in Australia on the ship Beulah as Assisted Passengers. His father was known variously as Ludwig, Louis and Levice, and his mother was generally known as Catherine.

 His wife, Elizabeth Smith was born in Ireland, but came to Australia as a baby. Her family went straight to Maitland, but came to Campbelltown two years later. It was here she would meet James Helm and they married in 1876. Her father Robert was a Railway employee who was killed in an accident at the Sydney Rail Yards. Robert and his wife Mary are buried at St John’s.

 James was one of the early fettlers employed at the Campbelltown Railway by NSW Government Railways. James and Elizabeth had three children, Mary Agnes, otherwise known as Pearl born 1877, Lewis James born 1883 and Patrick born 1887. The family lived at a tiny cottage in Lindesay Street. Tragically, Patrick drowned in a tragic accident at the Woolwash. During the holidays in 1907, Patrick headed to the Woolwash with four friends, none of whom could swim more than a few strokes. At a spot known as the “Elbow” he entered the water, found himself in difficulties and was unable to get back to the bank. His mates tried to render assistance to no avail. Patrick was buried at St John’s Cemetery.

 Daughter Mary Agnes married John Walker, and they continued to live in Campbelltown.

Son Lewis James also continued to live in Campbelltown, but never married. He lived in the same small cottage in Lindesay Street, which was commonly known as Helm’s Cottage. His sister’s daughter Mollie Walker looked after him in his old age. Catherine Helm, Elizabeth and James Helm, Patrick Helm, Lewis James Helm, and Mary Agnes Walker (nee Helm) are also all buried at St John’s. The little cottage, which had been known as Helm’s Cottage in Lindesay Street was eventually demolished in 1973. 

Helm's Cottage, 160 Lindesay St (Bagley Collection, CAHS)

Written by Claire Lynch

Sources 

Trove

"More than bricks and mortar" by Andrew Allen

Rachel

Last week I was invited to the launch of Jeff McGill's new book titled Rachel. Jeff's book has been 40 years in the making and is the result of meticulous research and passion, typical of his books. I enjoy the way Jeff transports you back in time. I feel as though I am there on the crowded and chaotic goldfields; with Rachel on her horse as she chases brumbies through the Warrumbungles or sharing her overwhelming grief for her husband, taken so early as many from that period were. What a life she led. Too often the lives of women such as Rachel are overlooked, despite the significant contribution she made to the places she lived. It is easier to write about men from the time as their lives were regularly described in glowing obituaries. However, pioneering women's achievements were often overlooked. This makes Jeff's Rachel all the more deserving of recognition.

If you are seeking a book that you can't put down for your next read, look no further than Jeff McGill's Rachel. Published by Allen Unwin- Australia, it is available at most book shops and copies have been ordered for Campbelltown Libraries.

Written by Andrew Allen