Saturday, November 19, 2022

BLANCHARD

Three Blanchards were in Gulgong in the 1870s.

  • Alfred Blanchard - born 1838, married Emmeline Amelia, the divorced wife of Mr. George Booty in Gulgong in 1877
  • Charles Blanchard
  • Walter Norman Blanchard - born 18xx, married Mary Abbot Perry in 1854 at St John's Church of England Parramatta (NSW BDM 361/1854 V1854361 41B). Their children included:
    • Alfred C Blanchard - born 1856 (NSW BDM 8014/1856)
    • William Blanchard - born 1858 (NSW BDM 13160/1858)
    • Alice M Blanchard - born 1860 (NSW BDM 13455/1860)
    • Blanch D Blanchard - born 1862 (NSW BDM 14693/1862)
    • William W Blanchard - born 1864 (NSW BDM 16184/1864)
    • George E Blanchard - born 1869 (NSW BDM 19503/1869)
    • Blanche E Blanchard - born 1872 (NSW BDM 19287/1872)
    • May Huddy Blanchard - born in Gulgong (NSW BDM 15172/1875)

Alfred Blanchard's Butchery, Mayne Street Gulgong, next to the Red Hill Hotel, 1872
Note Beaufoy Merlin's A & A photographic cart, right
Source: Mitchell Library, SLNSW

Alfred Blanchard, detail from Dillon's Hotel photo
Source: SLNSW

Michael Dillon's Hotel in Mayne Street between Thomas McDonough the Jeweller and Blanchard's Butchery. Dillon's wife Ellen and daughter stand in the doorway, and butcher Alfred Blanchard from next door is near the lamp post.
Source: Information supplied by Baldwin & Davis, Research Gulgong (Dec 2006)

NEWS ITEMS

1872 - PASTORAL ITEMS
650 head of store cattle, (belonging to B. Phillips, Esq., of Wallanbillan) started from there for Wagga Wagga in charge of Mr. A. Blanchard; Mr. E. Goodisson, agent. A finer lot of store cattle has seldom left this river and out of the above number 100 of them or even more could be with greater justice designated fat cattle.
Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 30 Nov 1872 Page 11

1875 - DIVORCE COURT. THIS DAY. SITTINGS at DARLINGHURST
(Before his Honor Mr. Justice Hargrave and Juries of Four.)
BOOTY V. BOOTY
This was a suit for a dissolution of marriage between George Booty, [45] of Obley, innkeeper and storekeeper, and Emmeline Amelia Booty, [37] his wife, formerly E. A. Gaudry.
Mr. Pitcher, instructed by Messrs. Daintrey and Chapman, appeared for the petitioner, George Booty.
The respondent did not appear by counsel, but filed affidavits rebutting the petitioner's case. From the evidence the following facts of the case may be summarised. On or about June 10th, 1863, both parties were married at Emu Plains in St Pauls Church by the Rev. Thomas W Unwin, a minister of the Church of England. Booty was born at Teirtshall near Warwick, in Norfolk, England. He is 45 years old, and has been 20 years in this colony, at the time of his marritge he was superintendent of Bulgandranine cattle station on the Bogan river, and afterwards was proprietor of an hotel at the same place, and subsequertly to the present time kept a store and hotel at Obley. Mrs. Booty, prior to the marriage, lived with her mother at Emu Plains, and maintained herself principally by needle work, and since such marriage has been supported by her husband. Of such marriage two children were born, one Emmeline Blanche, at Bathurst, on March 16th, 1863, and the other, Clarissa Eliza at Emu Plains, on July 9th 1864. Both parties, as Booty states, lived together from the time of the marriage until January 17th, 1871 with the exception of 7 weeks in November, 1872, when Mrs. Booty was at Goodrick taking charge of a branch store for Mr. Booty. On January 17, 1874, Mrs. Booty left her husband's house at Obley, taking with her the two children for the purpose of placing them at a school in Bathurst [before leaving he gave her a cheque for £60 to defray her expenses, she returned him £10 of the money, and sent the buggy and horses back from Bathurst]. After placing the children at school, Mrs. Booty proceeded to Gulgong but before doing so she wrote the following letter [which she forwarded by an Aboriginal youth named Toby]:—
"Bathurst. Friday, 23rd January, 1874.
Dear George.—You will he astonished when you get this. I cannot return to you any more, my mind has long been made up. I am very sorry for the disgrace, I am bringing on you and my darling girls. No one can conceive the sacrifice 1 make in parting from them, perhaps never to see them again, but I am determined not to work myself to death for other people's benefit, as I have been doing. You ought to have felt from my manner lately that I would not hold out any longer, now, that storekeeping is wasting what I have worked so hard for, and you will not see it. They all know it, but will not say to you what is doing. Then the discomfort of home, more especially since you have grown suspicious, I feel that without my children in that house I should go mad. I trust that you will look after the children, and give them a good schooling. They are now well provided for, and I have left plenty with you for them, for I take no more away than what I brought to you— just my clothes only, for I will send bills to account for the money you gave me. I have provided the children with all that is required for them, and whenever I get a home their presence would content me if in the lowest depths of poverty, and you must remember that I am now just as fit a preceptress for them as at any time for the last eight years, I have always been honest in all things, and done my very best in every other duty, but now I will not work for half the country. I would like to work for the children, but they cannot be in a better place than they are now. Keep them there as long as possible. They seem contented. I feel sorry for putting you about, but it is better for me to go now quietly without making more trouble for you. I hope things will prosper with you. For myself I dare not even hope, but, oh! look to my girls my anxiety is all for them. You may let them come to me. Until that day arrives. Heaven help me. Farewell, God bless you."
After receipt of this letter Mr. Booty was unable to find out where his wife was, and in consequence of information he received, he wrote to Alfred Blanchard, and in reply received a letter from his wife in these words:—
"Gulgong, February, 23rd, 1874. Dear Booty, Alf received a letter to-day from you, stating your anxiety to know where I am. I am here with him. You can not mean to say you did not know or feel sure that it is with him that I would sure to be. Where else could I go without means? When I saw him at Molong he was coming here, and I persuaded him to take me with him. I thought that the letter I sent by Toby I made it clear to you I made up my mind long ago that I would not stay there if I possibly could get away. I have not been comfortable for years. You may be surprised at my leaving a home that had full and plenty in, but what was that to me when I felt it was not a home. Lawrence was here on Sunday persuading me to go home again. Is it possible that you would have a woman back who dishonoured you eight years ago, and in this one thing deceived you all that while and now ends all by a disgraceful flight. No; believe me it is better for both of us that I keep away now you have plenty for yourself and the children. Let them stay at that school two or three yeats; they are all right; but allow me to see them occasionally. It is better that you and I do not meet. I confide my children to their father's care. Have you not been a good father to them? Had it not been so, I would have brought them away with me. They are quite safe with you, and all I have worked for could not be better applied than to educate them. Everything here has been done for my comfort; but whatever happens to me I have brought on myself and abide the consequences I shall never return to that district under any circumstances; I hope you will not let that creature Davis touch anything that was mine; I hope you will rid yourself of Paul Davies and Kirby * * I am sorry to be obliged to write, but I do not wish to deceive you in one particular; I have made a great effort— now please forget me."

Mr. Booty deposed that he never ill-used his wife or quarrelled with her, and that Alfred Blanchard used to visit his house on the Bogan, as a neighbour, and his hotel at Obley, as a customer. He never saw any act of adultery between his wife and Blanchard.
Adolphe Durand, keeper of a school at Goodrich, deposed that in January last at Gulgong, he paid a visit by invitation to Blanchard's house, and slept there for several days. Mrs. Booty was living with Blanchard an unmarried man; as his (Blanchard's) wife, and every night he (witness) slept in the house, Blanchard slept in the same compartment with Mrs. Booty. Mrs Booty was always addressed by visitors to the house as Mrs. Blanchard.
The respondent, in her answer to her husband's charges, positively denied having committed adultery with Blanchard, and that the reference to dishonour in her letter does not apply to any act of adultery on her part eight years ago. She averred that at times they had been separated for months, when her husband took cattle to Victoria and elsewhere, and that her life was rendered very unhappy by her husband's conduct. While she lived with her husband she worked hard as a storekeeper, &c., and after she left him she says she earned her living by needlework until Blanchard engaged her at 10s per week as a servant The jury retired at twelve o'clock, and had not come into court when we went to press.

1875 - [DIVORCE DECISION]
His Honor, in summing up, informed the jury of the fact that both respondent and co-respondent had filed affidavits denying positively the allegation of adultery. At the request of Mr Pilcher his Honor reserved this point: - That his Honor, in directing the jury, should not put before them any evidence that could not be submitted to cross examination. The jury, after an absence of about an hour, returned a verdict of guilty on both issues. His Honor granted a decree nisi for dissolution of marriage, not to be made absolute until after the expiration of six months.
1877 - [MARRIAGE]
BLANCHARD—BOOTY.—February 12, at the Church of England, Gulgong, by Rev. W. S. Newton, M.A., Mr. Alfred Blanchard, of Windsor, to Emmeline Amelia, the divorced wife of Mr. George Booty, Hotel and Storekeeper, Obley and Goodrich.
Source: Australian Town and Country Journal (Sydney, NSW : 1870 - 1919) Sat 5 May 1877 Page 33

Sidenote: George Booty remarried in 1880 and died in 1881.

1880 - [MARRIAGE]
BOOTY—McILVEEN.—September 2, 1879, at Obley, by the Rev. F. M. Dalrimple, Church of England minister, George Booty, of the Overlanders ' Hotel and Store, Obley, to Jane, widow of the late William McIlveen, Newtown.

1881 - Death of Mr. George Booty. MOLONG. Saturday
Mr. George Booty, a very old and respected resident, died at Obley on Friday at 5 a.m. His death has cast a complete gloom over the town and district, where he was highly respected by all.

1875 - For Sale 2 June 1875 - Snug Freehold Good Rental
Under instructions for R Armstong Esq. to sell all that Allotment of land, together with buildings erected thereon at present occupied by Mr Charles Blanchard as a Butcher’s Shop, situated in the Best Position in Queen Street. The premises are in good repair and the purchaser may either enter into possession or continue the present tenancy at a good weekly rent.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, Saturday May 29, 1875

1876 - Licence 
At the Police Court, yesterday the application of Mr Walter Blanchard for a publican’s license for the Guntawang hotel was granted.
Source: Gulgong Evening Argus, Wednesday April 26, 1876

1877 - ELECTION RUMOURS
A telegram from Gulgong states that Mr. Rouse addressed the electors at Cogdon's Theatre on Saturday. About 300 persons were present. Mr. Charles Bird was in the chair. The candidate explained his views generally and answered questions satisfactorily. Mr. Alfred Blanchard proposed, and Mr. Thomas Ryan seconded, a vote of confidence in him, which was carried almost unanimously.

1878 - MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS.
GULGONG, February 9. — There were four candidates, and the polling resulted as follows Alfred Blanchard 101 votes, Charles Bird 87, Richard Rouse 80, Smith Ross 74.

1881 - GULGONG MUNICIPALITY
I HEREBY certify that the following gentlemen were duly elected Aldermen and Auditor at the annual election held this day, 1st February, 1881, namely,—
As Aldermen.
Messrs. Charles Zinsmler,
Henry James Holland, and
Alfred Blanchard.
As Auditor.
Mr. Frederick William Russell. 
JOHN SCULLY, Returning Officer.
Council Chamber, Gulgong,
1st February, 1881.

1881 - [LAND PURCHASE]
Allotment 1 and 2 in Section 61, Village of Gulgong. Area, 1 rood each, and cost £5 each

Corner of Bowman and Moonlight Street, Gulgong
Source: 1887 Parish Map

1881 - TRUSTEES.
Messrs. Charles Zimmler. William Guinan, William Selff, John Powell, and Alfred Blanchard, to be trustees of the Gulgong temporary common.
Messrs. George Ramsay and Alfred Blanchard, in the place of Messrs. G. A. Reid and H. J. Woods, resigned, have bean appointed trustees of the land dedicated on the 31st December, 1878, for public recreation at Gulgong, being portion of No. 91, parish of Guntawang, containing 10 acres.

1884 - SUBURBAN AND COUNTRY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
GULGONG.—Nominations for Aldermen: Charles Zimmler, Alfred Blanchard, Henry Holland, Richard Stear, Samuel Bursell, William Wesley, Montague Marks. Auditors: Samuel E. Bishop, Frederick W. Russell, Robert W. Heard, and Saturday is named as, polling day, and a lively contest is expected.

1884 - SUBURBAN AND COUNTRY MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS
Gulgong.—The polling resulted as follows:—Richard Stear, 161; Samuel Bursill, 153; Alfred Blanchard, 140; Charles Zimmler, 123; Henry Holland, 92; Montague Marks, 35 ; and William Wesley, 32. The first three named were declared elected as aldermen. Auditors Samuel T. Bishop, 143 ; Frederick Russell, 137; Robert Heard, 134. The first two were declared duly elected.

Appointed Mayor, 1886
Source: New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900) Tue 16 Feb 1886 [Issue No.92] Page 1136

1887 - COUNTRY NEWS - GULGONG, WEDNESDAY.
The following are the nominations for aldermen: Arthur Garling, Richard Stear, Alfred Blanchard, and
John Hewett. Auditors: Samuel Bishop and Frederick Russell.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Thu 27 Jan 1887 Page 7

1887 - THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. 
GULGONG.—The aldermen elected are Richard Stear, 161; Alfred Blanchard, 152; John Hewitt, 148.

1889 - IMPRESSIVE BEASTS
It is worthy of notice (says the Mudgee Post) that four sheep, two of which turned the scale at 70lbs. each, and the other two at 65lbs. each, and a four-year old heifer, which weighed 900lbs., were to be recently seen at Mr. A. Blanchard's butchering establishment in Herbert street, Gulgong. The sheep were bred by Mr. Peter Goady, of Reedy Creek, and the heifer by Mr. G. Rouse, of Biraganbil.

Emmeline Blanchard, at the age of 50, died on 26 October 1889. The cause of death was "cancer of the uterus" of 12 months duration. She was buried at Gulgong.

1889 - DEATH
A very old and much respected resident of Gulgong, Mrs. A. Blanchard, died during the week at her husband's residence, Gulgong. The deceased lady was an invalid for some time, and before her illness was a general favourite with all who knew her.
Source: The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912) Sat 9 Nov 1889 Page 1063

Note: By 1889, Blanchard's butchering business was operating from Herbert Street, Gulgong.

1890 - PROBATE
In the Supreme Court of New South Wales. ECCLESIASTICAL JURISDICTION.
In the will of Emmeline Blanchard, late of Gulgong, in the Colony of New South Wales (wife of Alfred Blanchard, of Gulgong, aforesaid, butcher), deceased. 
NOTICE is hereby given that after the expiration of fourteen days from the publication hereof, application will be made to this Honorable Court, in its Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction, that letters of administration, with the will of the said deceased annexed, may be granted to Clarissa Eliza Biggs, the wife of Alexander Biggs, of Forbes, contractor, and a beneficiare under the said will; the executor, Henry Marchant, of Emu Plains, farmer, named in and appointed by the said will, having duly renounced the execution thereof.—Dated this 10th day of January, A.D. 1890.
EDWARD BENEDICT WHELAN,
Proctor for the said Administratrix,
By Russell & Sons, his Agents, Forbes.
359, George-street, Sydney.

1890 - MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. 
GULGONG.—For aldermen: Patrick William Dunne; 81 votes; Alfred Blanchard, 80; John Hewitt, 77; John Smith, 58. The first three were elected. For auditors, William Rudolph Bentzen and Walter John Dobbs were elected unopposed.
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Mon 10 Feb 1890 Page 5

1891 - GULGONG MUNICIPALITY.
NOTICE is hereby given that Alderman Alfred Blanchard has been appointed by the Council Returning Officer at the ensuing Municipal Elections, the Major being a candidate for re-election as an Alderman.
EDWARD M'CULLOCH, Council Clerk.
Council Chambers, Gulgong,
7th January, 1891.

1892 - GULGONG COMMON.
NOTICE.—A Public Meeting of Commoners will be held at the Common Office, on Monday, 18th January, 1892, at 8 p.m., for the purpose of electing five Trustees in the place of Alfred Blanchard, John Hewitt, John Scully, and George Smith (Canadian), retiring through effluxion of time and being eligible for re-election; also a Trustee in place of George Smith, of Gulgong, deceased.
Take Note the word Commoner means only those whose names appear on the Common Roll entitled to vote.
ALFRED BLANCHARD,
7th January, 1892. Chairman.

1892 - AMENDED SCHEDULE A.
DESCRIPTION and Number of Commoners' Stock to be Depastured on the Common at Gulgong, and Scale of Pasturage Fees:—


Five goats, 6d.; all over, 1s. 6d.; not more than 10 allowed. One pig, 6d.; no more allowed.
ALFRED BLANCHARD, Chairman, 
JOHN SCULLY.
GEORGE SMITH.
RICHARD WHITE.
JOHN HEWITT.
JAS. STOCKMAN, Secretary.

1892 - Department of Lands, Sydney, 30th December, 1892.
IT is hereby notified, for public information, that His Excellency the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, has been pleased to approve of the appointment of the undermentioned body as Trustees (in the places of Messrs. Richard Rouse, jun., Alfred Blanchard, John Moverly, George Ramsey, and Thomas Henry Matthews, resigned) of the land at Gulgong, area 10 acres, viz., portion 91, parish of Guntawang, county of Phillip, dedicated 31st December, 1878, for Public Recreation, namely: 
The Council of the Municipal District of Gulgong.
HENRY COPELAND.

1893 - [RETIREMENT]
The retiring aldermen at Gulgong are Messrs. John Hewitt, Alfred Blanchard, and Patrick Dunne.
1893 - GULGONG, MONDAY.
Messrs. John Hewitt, Alfred Blanchard, and Patrick Dunne are the retiring aldermen. No nominations for some months.

1893 - MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. 
Gulgong. Alfred Blanchard returned, John Hewitt and Thomas Eddy having withdrawn. William Bentzen and Walter Dobbs were returned as auditors.

1893 - GULGONG MUNICIPALITY
NOTICE is hereby given that His Excellency the Governor has been pleased to apooint the following gentlemen Aldermen of the Gulgong Municipality, viz.:—
Alfred Blanchard.
John Hewitt.
Frederic Wm. Russell.
Richard Stear.
John Tuxford.
Richard White.
ROBERT W. HEARD, Mayor.
Town Hall, Gulgong, 24th June, 1893.
1893 - NEWS OF THE WEEK
The Gulgong Council having been in abeyance for some months, Alfred Blanchard, Richard White, John Tuxford, Richard Stear, John Hewitt, and Frederick Russell having consented to act, the Governor has appointed them as aldermen. These, with the Mayor (Robert Heard) and Aldermen John Appleyard and George Smith, will now be enabled to carry on the municipal duties. This is the first instance in the colony of a council collapsing through not being able to obtain sufficient aldermen.

1894 - GULGONG
—Last night Alderman Alfred Blanchard was elected Mayor.

1894 - Hospital Sunday at Gulgong.
Gulgong, Tuesday. — The Hospital Sunday Demonstration was a success, and resulted in £55 being collected. The Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows and the school children, headed by the Mudgee and Gulgong town bands, marched through the town to Victoria Park. The Mayor (Mr. Alfred Blanchard) presided, and a number of addresses were delivered.

1894 - COUNTRY NEWS. (FROM OUR CORRESPONDENTS.)
HOSPITAL SUNDAY DEMONSTRATION AT GULGONG.
The Hospital Sunday Demonstration was held yesterday. The weather was fine and warm, and the affair was a success. The Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows and the school children, headed by the Mudgee and Gulgong town bands, marched through the town to Victoria Park. The Mayor, Mr. Alfred Blanchard, presided. Addresses were delivered by Mr. Richard Rouse, of Biragambil, president, Father Long, the Rev. S. Haviland (Church of England), the Rev. W. Dobbie (Presbyterian), and also Mr. Richard Rouse, of Guntawang, and Mr. C. R. Young. A number of young lady collectors canvassed the town and park successfully. Collections and donations amounted to £55. Appropriate selections were played by the bands between the speeches.

1894 - GULGONG, Monday
Mr Robert Jones, M.L.A., addressed a large and enthusiastic audience on Saturday night at the theatre. The Mayor, Mr Alfred Blanchard, was in the chair. Mr. Jones who was suffering from a severe attack of influenza, briefly thanked the electors for returning him by a large majority. He expressed the hope that now the election was over his late political opponents would become his friends again. The malicious untruths circulated about him he would forgive and forget. He hoped the first legislation would be a new land Act. Mr Jones, who has been confined to his bed for some days returned to Mudgee after the meeting. 

1894 - GULGONG TUESDAY
Influenza has attacked almost every household. Several deaths have occurred. The Mayor, Mr Alfred Blanchard, is seriously ill.

1894 - BREVITIES
Alderman Alfred Blanchard, Mayor of Gulgong, died on Thursday from inflammation of the lungs. Source: Evening News (Sydney, NSW : 1869 - 1931) Fri 24 Aug 1894 Page 6

1894 - Funeral of Mr. A. Blanchard.
ON Saturday last the remains of the late Mayor Alf Blanchard, whose death occurred under especially sad circumstances, was interred in their last resting place in the Gulgong cemetery. As a last tribute of public respect and regret, some five hundred residents of Gulgong and surrounding localities, representing all classes, assembled for the mournful occasion. The Town Band, who proceeded the hearse played the "Dead March in Saul." On each side of the hearse Aldermen Sculley, White, Appleyard, Russell, Stear and Mr. Heard officiated as pall bearers, then followed in procession, aldermen and officers of the Council, Messrs George, William, and Charles Blanchard the brother and nephews, Mr Mottram, Miss Bessie Brown and friends, &c, of the deceased all marching in solemn order to the Church of England. The coffin was carried to the altar by the respective aldermen. The edifice was crowded to its uttermost capacity, and amidst the deepest silence the Rev. T. Haviland delivered an impressive service.
A hymn suitable to the sorrowful occasion was rendered by the choir in an effective manner, after which the coffin was again borne to the hearse. The procession restarted in the same order to the cemetery where the last obsequies were performed by the officiating minister. The funeral was the largest seen since Gulgong's palmiest days, and must be a gratifying, if sad testimony, to relations living, of the general esteem of the community towards the deceased, who will be universally missed on account of his many useful aud good qualities as a townsman and benefactor to the poor. -" Guardian.

1894 - Obituary.
A FEELING of profound regret was experienced in Gulgong on Thursday, (says the " Unionist") when it became known that Mr Alfred Blanchard, our much respected Mayor, had succumbed to the illness from which he had only a few days been suffering. It was but this week that the eftects of an attack of influenza began to assume a serious complexion; but inflamation of the lungs having set in, the fell malady did not long leave the issue in doubt. Deceased will long be remembered in Gulgong for his upright conduct, his liberality, his kindly nature and charitable disposition. He was in every sense of the word a good townsman, and his loss will be keenly felt throughout the district. He was born in 1838, at Windsor, on the Hawkesbury, and was educated in the same town, where his father was in business as an hotelkeeper, and very much respected.
When a young man, Mr Blanchard left Windsor, and obtained employment as a drover for the then well-known firm of Dargin and Co., and was afterwards on a station called " Timbrebongie." Dargin Brothers failing in business, he travelled to the Bogan district, and took charge of "Mungery" station on behalf of John Dargin, a son of the original firm. From there he went to McPhillamy's station "The Oaks," on the Bogan River, where he took charge. He then started in business as a butcher at Goodrich, near Wellington, and ultimately came to Gulgong, where he has since resided continuously. Mr Blanchard took a lively interest in local affairs for the well-being of the community, and few, if any, townsmen showed the same activity. Soon after his arrival here—the Municipal Council having been some two years in existence—he was nominiated as an alderman at the municipal yearly election, held early in February, 1878. From that time to the present, covering a space of 16 years, he continued to hold his seat, being re-elected from time to time, polling a large number of votes on each occasion. The deceased was unanimously elected Mayor for the current year and has done good work during the six months be was in office.
A correspondent writes: 
Alfred Blanchard was a native of Windsor, and aged about 56 years. His father, Walter C Blanchard, was a very old hotelkeeper, in Windsor. He kept the hotel, up to the time of his death, in George-street — where Mr Beard's ironmonger's shop now stands. The name of the house was "The White Heart." Next door was the hotel called 'The Farmers' Home,' kept by the late Edward Robinson. The deceased, Alfred Blanchard, was born at the 'White Heart.' His father removed to the old corner public-house, which he kept for many years and until his death. It was named the 'Barraba Hotel' by its owner, the late John Hoskisson-always called " Grandfather" — on account of him owning a cattle-station up the country at that time named 'Barraba.' Alfred Blanchard went to school to the late Mr George Walker. He has a brother in Sydney and a sister in Windsor.

1894 - GULGONG, August 23.
The. Mayor (Alderman Alfred Blanchard) died this afternoon from inflammation of the lungs, supervening after a severe attack of influenza. His demise is generally regretted. He was always foremost in everything for the benefit of the district and was interested in nearly all public and private associations, being also generous and charitable. The deceased was a widower and leaves no family, but has a brother residing in Sydney.

1894 - GULGONG, August 30.
At a call of the council this morning Alderman Frederick William Russell was unanimously elected Mayor in the place of Mr. Alfred Blanchard, who recently died.
Source: The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1871 - 1912) Sat 8 Sep 1894 Page 514

1910 - MEMORIES
When Thomas Marsden kept the Fitzroy Hotel, Charles Blanchard, junr., was his right-hand man. When Charley left Windsor I lost the run of him for a long time, and the next time I saw him was in Gulgong, where, with his brother Alfred, he was in a butcher's shop. Afterwards he kept a pub at Guntawang [Pig and Whistle], and I heard he died there.

______________________

Mr and Mrs Alfred Blanchard are buried in the Church of England Section of Gulgong Cemetry as follows:
  • Emmeline: Section A, Row F, Plot 304
  • Alfred: Section A, Row F, Plot 305
Blanchard headstone, Gulgong Cemetery
Source: Austcemindex


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