Significant People in Australia’s Early History Caroline Chisholm
A Short Biography on Caroline Chisholm
Caroline Jones was born in Wootton, England, on the 30 May 1808. She was the daughter of William
Jones, a land owner and pig farmer. At the age of 22, she married Captain Archibald Chisholm of the
East India Co. and, as a result, changed her name to Caroline Chisholm. He was thirteen years older
than her and was a Roman Catholic. At the time, Caroline had made a sudden conversion to
Catholicism and it is believed that Captain Archibald had a major influence on Caroline’s decision.
The young couple went to India where Caroline started The Female School of Industry in
Madras for the children and orphans of soldiers. In 1838, they went to Sydney because Archibald’s
health. Caroline set up a Female Emigrant’s Home and later built a free registry office and day school
attached to it. She found jobs for the women by travelling from farm to farm, asking for work for
them. She also did many other things, “Her biggest job was the bringing out of whole families in ships
specially chartered for the voyage.”1
Caroline Chisholm’s Role in Shaping Australia’s Society
The Chisholms moved to the Emerald Isles in Sydney, Australia, in September 1838. They settled at
Windsor where Caroline stayed with her three sons as Captain Archibald was called back to active
service in 1840. New South Wales was passing into depression at that time and rural labour was
required. Many immigrants, particularly young women, were unemployed. Caroline met every
immigrant ship on the wharves. Many of the immigrant girls were taken into her home and she
assisted them in finding work.
In 1841, Caroline approached the Governor, Sir George Gipps, and requested a plan for a
house for immigrant women. Her first approach was turned down but her persistence eventually
persuaded the Governor to give her a part of the empty Immigration Barracks that was in a slightly
poor condition. Caroline established the Female Immigrants Home that provided shelter for
approximately ninety-six women and a free employment registry. This establishment was supposed to
house, “...newly arrived unmarried and unprotected females...”2. She established several employment
agencies in rural centres and was able to close the Female Immigrants Home in 1841 because of her
success in finding work for the unemployed women. Caroline later extended her work to helping
families as well as single women. Between 1841 and 1844, she assisted 14,000 people to settle in
New South Wales.
Caroline Chisholm’s Effect on the Idea of the Australians
Caroline Chisholm had a great impact on the idea of Australians. She was the prime example of
charity. Caroline spent her time and effort to help other Australians, and by doing that, she gave
others the idea of aiding those that are in need. Caroline also promoted equality between men and
women. She was a supporter of human rights and helped women find jobs. Thanks to Caroline, people
are encouraged to work, no matter their gender. She herself was quite a prominent female figure that
people looked up to, “It is true that Mrs, Chisholm was something of a legend...”3
Websites
http://www.abc.net.au/schoolstv/australians/chisholm.htm
http://www.mrschisholm.com/history.htm
http://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/chisholm-caroline-1894
My Primary Sources
The Sydney Herald, Friday 24 September 1941
The Argus Newspaper, Tuesday 4 October 1949
The Advertiser Newspaper, Saturday 29 July 1950
Footnotes
1. The Argus Newspaper, Tuesday 4 October 1949, p. 23
2. The Sydney Herald, Friday 24 September 1941, p. 2
3. The Advertiser Newspaper, Saturday 29 July 1950, p. 6
Thomas Truong 9B3