Son of Conrad and Louisa
Christie, as he was popularly known, has the distinction of being the first Simshauser to be born in Australia. He was born Frederick Christian Simshauser on 19 October 1862 at West Maitland, just two months after Conrad and Louisa’s arrival in Sydney (interesting to note that Louisa Schmidt was registered as a witness to the birth – giving reason once again to believe that plans were made prior to departing Frankenberg – in this instance to head for Maitland and meet up with this particular group of settlers).
Very little is known of Christie’s early days except that it is presumed that he would have moved up the Hunter, Maules Creek and “Mt. Lindsay Station” with his parents until arriving eventually at “Slatey Gully”. By this time Christie would have been 12 years old or perhaps older.
His education by today’s standards would have been extremely limited and it could be imagined conditions primitive, and no doubt by the time he reached “Slatey Gully” he would have been expected to work like a man. Christie would have continued to work at “Slatey Gully” until his marriage to Rosina Rebecca Edmunds on 21 November 1889.
However, according to church records, he had some employment outside “Slatey Gully” as early as 1890. He was a stockman at “Tareela” during September 1890, May 1892 and January 1894; a labourer at “Plumthorpe” in 1896; and at
“Campo Santo” in 1900 and 1902. Church records also mention visits to the parishioners in 1901/1902 – Frederick Christian and his wife Rosina were at “Campo Santo” with Emily (13), Annie (11), Ivy (9), Albert, Wilfred, Beatrix and Stella. In the same church records of 1901/1902, Conrad and his wife were in the Hawkins Creek area with Charles (32), John, Willie, Louisa and Annie.
Times would have been tough for Christie and Rosie. By the turn of the century the seventh of their eight children was born at “Campo Santo”, and the rearing of a large family would have been extremely difficult in those times. History tells us that Australia during the 1890’s had been in a period of depression. It is believed that Christie and Rosie lived in the “Old Tareela” house. They had a family of eight children – Emily, Annie, Ivy, Albert, Wilfred, Beatrix, Stella and Frederick.
Their marriage floundered at this period of time (1910-1912) and Christie moved eventually to a more humble abode at “Te Whare”. Rosie and her family stayed on living in the “Old Tareela” House. Rosie continued her employment with George Capel, assisting with household duties. Christie later apparently was employed on “Barraba Station” and then by the Witten family on “Te Whare”. Fences and a garage (which is still in use for the family car), were built by Christie.
It is well known that Christie co-habited with Tilly Johnson and created a second family while at “Te Whare”. A broken marriage in those times would have been taboo. Christie continued to live at “Te Whare” until a year or so before he died. For a short period of time he lived at Randwick where he died on 20 July 1932 aged 70 years, just one month before the death of his mother, Louisa. He is buried at the Church of England Cemetery, Rookwood, Sydney. It is believed that Rosie was present at his funeral, along with Fred and Ethel Simshauser and Stella Matthews. It is also believed that there is no monument or headstone on Christie’s grave.
Arthur Brodbeck recalls that Christie worked consistently.
‘Christie was a good worker – he always worked to my knowledge, first at “Campo Santo” and then at Wittens (“Te Whare”). He was good with his hands – a carpenter, really.’
Harry Witten, who now lives at “Te Whare” would have been a young boy when Christie lived there but remembers him.
Christie was a good worker, a gentleman and very generous to others – thought of self last. Christie came here before I can remember. My brother Mo and I thought the world of Christie. It took both of us to take a message up to him because he always gave us a bought biscuit which was something we didn’t get at home. He always addressed the boss as “Sir”. He gave the Mater a message once that, “The gentleman black ox had escaped from the paddock.” Finally, his health was going and Christie came down in the dray that he used and gave my father his chest of beautiful tools all branded “F.C.S.” He went off somewhere and was soon gone.’
On a visit to “Te Whare” 1991, Harry Witten showed these relics of Christie’s.
Speaking of Christie being good with his hands Margaret Crowley says, ‘Apparently he built my grandmother a nice wooden box for keeping blankets in.’ (This information from her mother who was also of the Witten family.)
A story worth relating is that of Charles Mason (local historian of Barraba).
‘I never really knew Christie, but from my father I knew him. Did you know that on one occasion Christie was almost drowned? A party of men had been swimming in the Manilla River near “Plumthorpe”, and Christie, who apparently was a poor swimmer, got into difficulties, unnoticed by the others except one chap who stuttered badly.
He was so moved that he couldn’t tell the others. All that would come out was “C – C- C- C.” At last he was able to say, “C- C Christie’s gone!” and pointed to where a few bubbles were coming up. My uncle, Jack Mason, dived under and was able to get him out, and although none of them knew much about reviving anyone from drowning, they managed to get him breathing again. My uncle told me the story himself and his final remark was, “Another ten seconds and he would have been too late!”