George Sippe

Australia, Marriages, 1788-1935 Transcription First name(s) George Last name Sippe Birth year - Residence New South Wales, Australia Marriage year 1837 Marriage date 10 Oct 1837 Spouse's first name(s) Frances Spouse's last name Smith Marriage place St. Andrews Scots Church, Sydney, Cumberland, New South Wales, Australia Town - County - State New South Wales Country Australia Record set Australia, Marriages, 1810-1980 Category Life Events (BDMs) Subcategory Marriages & divorces Collections from Australia & New Zealand

First name(s) George Last name Sippe Denomination Presbyterian Marriage year 1837 Registration year 1837 Registration district Sydney, St Andrew's Scots Church State New South Wales Country Australia Spouse's first name(s) Frances Spouse's last name Smith Registration number - Volume reference V1837315 75 Cross reference - Record set New South Wales Marriages 1788-1945 Category Life Events (BDMs) Subcategory Marriages & divorces Collections from Australia & New Zealand

Notes from Robert Sippe's contact with the Professional genealogical researcher, Estelle Verbeke The information came from British Army Records. George Sippe was born in Galway, County Galway, Ireland 5' 2" in height;grey eyes, brown hair, round face, fresh complexion enlisted at age 28 (22 November 1823 at Kinsale, County Cork). NOTES ON THE ORIGINS OF THE SIPPE FAMILY ROBERT A. D. SIPPE JANUARY 1990

1. INTRODUCTION

The earliest known ancestor of the Sippe family is George Sippe who came out to Australia with the 57th West Middlesex Regiment as Bandmaster in 1826. With one exception, all known Sippes in the world can be traced to him1. However, nothing is known about the date and place of George Sippe's birth or of his parents, siblings or origins. These notes summarise the results of a number of years of work in trying to find further information.

2. GEORGE SIPPE FROM BIRTH UP TO HIS FIRST MARRIAGE (c.1790- 1814)

The earliest known reference to George Sippe is his marriage registration in Norfolk, England in 1814. The average age of males at marriage in the early nineteenth century was 26 years2. This would make his birthdate about 1788. From his death certificate in Australia in 1842 his age was given as 41. This would make his date of birth 1801. This is unlikely as it would make his age 13 years in 1814 - the year of his first marriage. Therefore for the purposes of these notes, his birth year is assumed to be c.1790.

3. GEORGE SIPPE FROM HIS FIRST MARRIAGE UNTIL ENLISTMENT IN THE ARMY (1814-1823)

George Sippe married Mary Ann Banton at St George's Colgate, Norwich, Nortolk on 25 December 1814.

George Sippe (whose name was spelt Sippee on the marriage certificate : the only known reference to this spelling) was cited as a bachelor and Mary Ann Banton a spinster "both of this parish". Witnesses were Charlotte Stevens and William Banton.

Mary Ann Banton is presumed to be the youngest child of John Banton and Mary Lucas, married on 21 January 1776 at All Saints, Norwich, Nortolk4. The children of this marriage were:

1. Jane, baptised 12.12.1789, All Saints

2. Robert, baptised 29.4.1792, St Clements

3. Mary Anne, baptised 19.3.1795, St George's Colgate

4. Thomas, baptised 18.5.1796, St Clements

There is a further baptism for Mary Ann Banton on 20.6.1813, St George's Colgate. However, there is no record of the death of a person of this name and it seems that for an unaccountable reason she may have been baptised twice. Baptism records show that she was born on 17.3.1795.

The banns for the marriage of George Sippe and Mary Ann Banton show the occupation of George Sippe as worstead weaver, as was that of his father-in-law John Banton. In the early 1800's the worstead weavers were starting to have a lean time which got worse as the English North Country industrialised mills expanded. Consequently a lot were thrown out of work and accelerated emigration5.

George and Mary Ann Sippe had 3 confirmed children and a presumed fourth child:

1. George, born c.1813 in England, died Australia 18.1.1884, age 766.

2. William7.

3. Susan Jane, born c.1819, in England, died Australia 16.5.1882, age 638.

4. Matilda, baptised 5.2.1822, died 7.2.1822 infants.

Mary Ann Sippe, nee Banton died on 14 February 1837 at Castlereagh St. Sydney "in her 36th year".10

It is presumed that Mary Ann, and her three surviving children, accompanied George Sippe to Australia. Shipping records merely note that 8 women and 12 children belonging to the troops arrived with the ship.11

No information is known of George Sippe and his family from the date of his marriage until his enlistment in the Army apart from the parish records of the baptism and death of Matilda. However it is of some interest to note that the baptism entry for Matilda shows his profession as musician for the first time, and his name was spelt 'Sippe', rather than 'Sippee'.

4. GEORGE SIPPE: ARMY CAREER (1823-1831)

The details of George Sippe's career in the Army are reasonably well known from records. Chronologically the following are the key points:12

24 November 1823 Enlisted in the 57th West Middlesex Regiment, Chatham, Kent as master of the band without bounty.

4 May 1824 Appointed Sergeant, occupation given as Bandmaster.

24 March 1825 Quarterly return. Sergeant George Sippe, 8th Company, Chatham.

24 June 1825 Quarterly return. Transferred from 8th to 5th Company.

Paid eight guineas for the quarter.

24 September 1825 Chatham.

30 November 1825 Sailed with the Regiment on the 'Sesostris' under Captain Drake and Surgeon Superintendent Dr Dalhunty, R. N. from Portsmouth with 150 male prisoners (3 died en route). Major Campbell and Ensign Benson commanding the guard.

The 'Sesostris' was a 488 ton barge drawing 19 ft. when loaded. It was built in Hull in 1817, owned by G Watson and described in Lloyd's Register as a second class boat.13

24 December 1925 Quarterly return lists George Sippe as being paid for the quarter.

21 March 1826 Arrived in Sydney on the 'Sesostris'.

25 April 1826 -December 1830 Present at every quarterly return, based in Sydney.

4 February 1831 Discharged in Sydney at the expiration of his 7 years

service.

5. GEORGE SIPPE FROM ARMY DISCHARGE UNTIL DEATH (1831-1842)

George Sippe's life during this time is reasonably well documented from contemporary newspaper reports, official documents and histories of early Australian music. Relevant information to the origins of the family are presented later in these notes.

He married (for the second time) Frances Smith nee Blackburn from Belfast, Co. Antrim, Northern Ireland on 10 October 1837 by special license, Sydney NSW.14

Children from this marriage were:

• Robert Dixon Sippe (b. 27.7.183814, Sydney, NSW)

(my great-grandfather)

• Charlotte Sophia Sippe (b. 6.9.184014, Sydney NSW)

• Charles Henry Sippe (b. 16.9.184214. Sydney, NSW)

George Sippe died on 10 April 1842 and was buried on 12 April 1842 : the ceremony being performed in St. James Church (Anglican) County of Cumberland, Sydney by the Reverend J.C. Grylls. His age was given as 41 years, his address Pitt Street and profession as musician.14

He would have been buried at the Sydney Burial Ground (Devonshire Street) which was closed about 1900 to make way for Sydney's Central Railway Station : remains were removed to other burial grounds. No records exist of a headstone for George Sippe being transferred elsewhere.15

The circumstances of this death were described in the 'Sydney Morning Herald':

"Death by Apoplexy - At the close of the performance at the Victoria Theatre on Saturday night, Mr Sippe, one of the musicians connected with that place of amusement, was suddenly seized with apoplexy and was carried home insensible where he expired yesterday morning. Mr Sippe was well known as a member of the music profession in this Colony, where he arrived as Bandmaster of the 57th Regiment which he left on it leaving the Colony. He was the first leader of the orchestra of the old Theatre Royal, George Street and since then has always been a member of the Theatrical band."16

An inquest was described in the following terms:

"Inquests - Yesterday morning an inquest was held at the Cricketer's Arms, Pitt Street on the body of Mr Sippe, late of the Victoria Theatre, whose decease we noticed yesterday when a verdict that death had been caused by apoplexy was recorded.17

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser

Tuesday 6 November 1832

Royal Hotel.--By an advertisement

in another column we perceive that Mr.

Sippe is about to dispose of his interest

in the Royal Hotel, together with the

whole of the household furniture, plate,

linen, wines, &c. To an enterprising

individual, possessed of a moderate capital,

with a knowledge of the business of

so extensive an establishment, and a

disposition to attend to it, we can safely say,

that an opportunity is now presented of

realizing an independence in a Very few

years. As a family hotel, the house leaves

all other similar establishments in Sydney

at an immeasurable distance - its

accommodations and fitting up are of the

very first order; and when we add, that it is

likely the box entrance to the intended

theatre will be through the splendid saloon,

we need hardly say more in favour of

its many and great advantages. Mr. Sippe

we understand, has had a property left

him in his native country (Ireland);

which, with the desire to see his father,

his only surviving parent, induces him

to relinquish an establishment wherein

within the last twelve months, he has

cleared nearly £600, notwithstanding a

variety of difficulties which he had to

encounter. Mr. S. purposes to embark for

Ireland early in the ensuing year; but

expects to return to the colony in a short

time.

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Tuesday 20 November 1832

The Royal Hotel

The residue of the Proprietor's Interest

in the above first-rate Establishment,

extending over a period of nearly Four

Years, together with all the Household

Furniture, Porcelain, Plate, and Plated

Ware, Linen, Glass, Earthenware, Billiard Table,

Horses, Stock in Trade, etc, etc.

The Proprietor proceeding to Europe,

BY MR. BODENHAM,

Upon the Premises, on Wednesday, the 12th of

December, at half-past 11, and following days.

MR. BODENHAM has the honour

to announce, that he has been instructed to

SELL, by AUCTION, the whole of the present

LEASE of this most extensive, valuable, and well

arranged ESTABLISHMENT, being decidedly

the most superior hotel and tavern, in point of locality

and extent, in the colony of New South Wales, and now

in a highly flourishing and prosperous state of trade ;

together with all the modern household furniture, plate, 

and plated ware, linen, porcelain, wines, billiard table, glass,

earthenware, &c.

The Royal Hotel, since its erection, has possessed the

patronage, upon public occasions, of the

whole of the Government officers of the colony ; the

St. Andrew's, St. Patrick, and other festival dinners having

been conducted there, upon each respective occasion,

with eclät and satisfaction to their stewards.

In offering this splendid establishment

to the public, it would be utterly impossible,

within the limits of an advertisement, to demonstrate

all its advantages : Mr. Bodenham will there-

fore confine himself to the under mentioned facts :

First.-The house contains eleven well-furnished

bed-rooms, five sitting-rooms, bar-room, royal saloon,

65 feet by 30, with music gallery, an excellent

billiard-room and table, together with extensive

cellarage, tap, stabling, coach houses, stores ; and,

in fact, every convenience for such an undertaking.

Secondly.-The Proprietor will demonstrate to

any person desirous of purchasing his interest in

the lease, that the establishment, although labouring

under the disadvantage of its unfinished state

in the commencement, has been very successful,

and also profitable.

Thirdly.-The sole reason of its being disposed

of is, that the Proprietor, Mr. George Sippe, is

proceeding to Europe, for the purpose of taking

possession of some property which has been left to

him in Ireland.

Fourthly.-The order of sale will proceed as follows :

First-the residue of the lease of the present

occupant ; possession being given upon the first

day of January, as the next transfer day. . One

year of this lease is at the very low rent of three

hundred pounds per annum ; the three last years at

£4. O per annum, including the tap, which is now

sub-let by the Proprietor at the low rate of £ 104

per annum, reducing thereby the rent of the Royal

Hotel to that of any private residence.

Terms of payment-Under "£30, cash ; above

that sum, an approved endorsed bill, at 3 months'

date, will be taken.

The catalogues of the whole of the modern furniture

and effects will be printed forthwith,

The good-will of the Tavern and Hotel may be

treated for privately, until the day of sale, upon application

to Mr. Bodenham, at his Offices ; or,

to Mr.Sippe.at the Royal Hotel.

Mr. Sippe requests that all persons to whom he

is indebted, will furnish their accounts, for the purpose

of being liquidated ; and he also respectfully

requests, that all persons who are indebted to him,

will be pleased to pay the same, to prevent the necessitv

of his giving them over to his Solicitor.

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Saturday 5 January 1833

A CARD.

MR. SIPPE most respectfully takes leave, to return

thanks to the ladies and gentlemen of Sydney who have

hitherto patronised him; and begs to announce, that

having availed himself of the proffered kindness of a

friend who is about to return to Ireland to arrange his

affairs there, he has relinquished his intention of leaving

the colony at present, and intends to follow his profession

as a Professor of Music, and will continue to give instructions

on the Pianoforte, Violin, Violencello, Clarionet, Flute, Etc

either abroad or at his own residence, as may be most convenient or

agreeable to those Ladies or Gentlemen who may honour him by 

becoming his Pupils. For terms, apply at No. 48, Phillip Street.

Pianofortes tuned on the shortest notice.

January, 1st, 1833.

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Saturday 27 April 1833

PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY IN SYDNEY.

To the Editor of the Sydney Gazette.

Sir,

As Sciences and Arts are so closely connected, I feel much pleasure in acquainting the public, through your respected journal, that a society of the above description has been formed in our town. A locale has been hired, and the preparations have advanced so far, that in a mouth or six weeks' friends may be admitted to witness the proceedings of the society. We must apologise, when, in the hurry of other occupations, we might pass over names, more or less connected with the society; but' "when we find that Messrs. Edwards, Sippe, Cavendish, F, Wilson, Sic. are connected with the institution of the Philharmonic Society, we congratulate the lovers of musical sience upon this opportunity to improve the minds of our fellow citizens.

Dr. J. L.

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Saturday 2 May 1835

To the Editor of the Sydney Gazette.

Sir,

We the undersigned, beg leave to contradict a paragraph in your paper of Thursday last, stating that we seceded from the Theatre in consequence ofwanting an increase of salary.

We beg to state in contradiction, that the following was the case, viz:-the late Proprietors allowed us the privige of entering the house, when not required in the orchestra, and on the evening of Monday the 20th we were refused admittance, by order of the present Proprietors.

This was the only reason for our seceding from the Theatre.

1. H. P. WILSON.

GEORGE SIPPE.

Castlereagh Street, May 1. 1835.

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Thursday 16 June 1836

SYDNEY.

THIS EVENING June 16th, 1836

Will be performed for the third time in the

Colony and by particular desire, Shakespeare admired

play in 5 Acts, called the

MERCHANT

OF

VENICE.

Bassanio.Mr. Spencer

Lorenzo.Mr Peat

Duke.Mr. Collins

Gratiano.Mr. Mai-kny

Gobbo.Mr. Buckingham

Launcelett. Mr. Wiuteis I

Tubal.,.Mr. Lee

Shylock.Mr Knowles

Antonio ....,...Mr- t-imes

Sslernio.Mr.Dyball

Jessica.Mrs. Taylor

Portia.Miss Douglass

Nerissa.,.. Mrs. Downes

In the course of the piece, the admired Song

CALLED THE

"DAUGHTER OF ISRAEL

By Mrs. Taylor.

To conclude with the favorite entertainment,

A Race for a Dinner'

Lovel.Mr.'Sime

Dalton..,.Mr. Dybal

Measureton.Mr. Johnson

Doric.Mr. Peat

Feedwell.Mr. Lane

Frances.Mr. I ee

Bailiff.v.Mr.Collii

Waiter.Mr. Fitzgerald

Sponge,...Mr. Knowles

The Company as now formed, will be found it is

presumed more numerous than on former occasions.

Leader of the Orchestra Mr. Wilson ; Direotor

and Composer of the Music, Mr. Sippe.

The Doors will be open at Half-past Six o'clock

and the Curtain will rise at Seven precisely.

N. B. ~ Applications for Private Boxes for the Season Night,

to he made at the Theatre daily, from

Ten till Three o'clock.

s. d.

Boxes. 5 0

Upper Boxes. 4 0

Pit. 2 0

Gallery. 1 0

C. KNOWLES, STAGE MANAGER.

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser Tuesday 12 April 1842

Sudden Death. -- On Saturday night, shortly after the performances at the Victoria Theatre Mr Sippe, one of the muscicians attached to the orchestra, whilst conversing with some friends was suddenly seized with apoplexy. He was immediately borne home insensible, in which state he remained until Sunday morning, when he died. Mr Sippe came to this Colony as bandmaster of the 57th Regt.

Advance Australia Sydney Gazette Thursday February 21st 1833

We lately observed, in a contemporary, a notice of death, at Tralee, in Ireland, of Mr Andrew Sippe, professor of music, and for many years master of the band of the Kerry Militia. We have been since informed that the deceased was father to our respectable fellow-colonist, Mr Sippe of Sydney. The Dublin playgoers - and we among the rest - well remember the elder Mr Sippe as principal oboe player in the orchestra of the Theatre Royal. His performance on that instrument had arrived at a pitch of excellence never excelled, if equalled, by any other player; and we have no doubt that there are many in the colony who will bear us out in stating that the applause which he used to receive when playing solos on the oboe was enthusiastic in the extreme. Indeed it was rarely that an overture was written by a local composer, without the introduction of a solo for the oboe, in order to afford an opportunity for a display of Mr Sippe's talents. We were not personally known to him in Ireland, but are enabled to state that we believe he was much respected.

Early details of George Sippe

Added by Wendy_Ralph on 23 Jul 2008

 George Sippe married Mary Ann Banton in 1776 and gave his occupation as a worstead weaver, as was John Banton his father-in-law.  He was most likely a German immigrant but at the time of marriage they were both members of the All Saints Norwich parish.  They had three living children, the eldest being Jane, who eventually married John Hooke of Dingadee, Dungog.

In the early 1800's worstead weavers were being superceded by industrialised mills in the North country, this accelerated emiration from that area. George enlisted in the 57th West Middlesex Regiment, Chatham, Kent as a master of the band without bounty. He was promoted to Bandmaster and after being in the 8th then the 5th Company then in 1825 sailed from Portsmouth on the convict boat the 'Sesostris' to Sydney. He stayed and was discharged after 7 years of army service in 1831. He made his living as a musician in the Sydney area. His first wife died in February 1837 and he remarried in October the same year. He had a further three children including Charlotte who later in life married James Hooke, John's brother.
After the conclusion of a performance at the Victoria theatre in April 1842 he fell ill and died the following day, He was reportedly 41 years of age, but must have been older. He was buried at the Sydney Burial Ground which eventually became the site of Central station.
From notes and story by Robert Sippe. January 1990

• ***************************************************************************************************************

Barnett Levey's Theatre Royal

by Ailsa McPherson, 2010

Barnett Levey's Theatre Royal

For the first 40 years of settlement at Sydney Cove any theatrical venture had to have the governor's consent. Then in the late 1820s local entrepreneur Barnett Levey emerged as the leading figure in a long-running campaign against Governor Darling for permission to open a commercial theatre.

These negotiations took place in a settlement without a purpose-built theatre, but Levey had a plan. Through his successful older brother Solomon, Levey had acquired a warehouse on George Street, roughly where the Dymocks building now stands. He had grand plans to expand this into his Colchester Warehouse, a five-storey complex, with a windmill on top and, inside, 'a large space for the purpose of dramatic representation'. Other entrepreneurial colonists thought Levey's grandiose building plans were suspect and there were few investors in the project. So he changed tactics. Levey converted the street front of his warehouse into a grog shop, which he styled the Royal Hotel, and opened several of the warehouse spaces as the Royal Assembly Rooms.

Descriptions of these Royal Assembly Rooms vary, but rough and ready, it was a rectangle about 90 feet (27.4 metres) long, with two tiers of boxes and a pit. The forestage had doors on each side, painted with portraits of the Muses. There was a green baize front curtain and a painted act drop showing steps leading to a distant temple. It was a theatre in all but name. One estimate is that it held about 700 people.

Levey announced a concert to be held in August 1829. The theatre was licensed and performances continued erratically for about a year. Then, to overcome falling returns, Levey tried to expand into his own solo 'at home' presentations, in the style popularised by the leading British performer Charles Mathews. It was too much. The governor threatened to revoke his licence and Levey did not go ahead.

With the departure of Darling and the arrival of Richard Bourke, Levey again tried for permission and this time, in April 1832, he was granted a licence to present theatrical entertainments at his George Street site. Unfortunately by then he was bankrupt and no longer owned the building. The former mortgagee Daniel Cooper arranged to complete the theatre space and finish the hotel in the front. Levey, meanwhile, leased part of the building from the new licensee of the hotel, George Sippe. He called his area the Salon Royal, again set it up as a theatre and held a series of successful concerts, with himself as solo performer. After establishing a repertory company, on Boxing Day 1832 he staged, in the same area, the popular British nautical melodrama Black Eyed Susan and the farce Monsieur Tonson – a picture of the Englishman abroad. The first night was a great success and business remained quite good.

It is unclear when the 'proper' theatre designed within the building was completed. This involved structural changes, including raising the ceiling to just under nine metres over the stage and raking the floor of the pit. The interior was decorated in green and gold, with mirrored stage doors, and an audience area of two tiers of narrow boxes and a gallery. The whole area was about 26 metres long.

Levey finally reached an agreement with the owner Daniel Cooper to lease this theatre and opened his Theatre Royal on 5 October 1833 with his company playing the well-known melodrama The Miller and his Men and the even older farce The Irishman in London. The repertoire remained drawn from British popular standards, but Levey also organised the first professional performance of Shakespeare in Australia in his theatre – a production of Richard III on Boxing Day 1833.

Initially business was good at the Theatre Royal. Unusually for the times, Levey promoted the dress circle as the best part of the house, and he charged from two to five shillings for seats. As a venue, however, it had its ups and downs. The pit was often the scene of disruption, and the cause of much complaint.

Levey, also, was not a particularly good businessman. He was quick-tempered and litigious and his liking for drink rapidly increased. The result was deterioration in discipline in the theatre, and there were quarrels with the actors over money. In 1835 Levey was forced to lease his theatre to a group of six businessmen. One of these, Joseph Wyatt, bought out the other partners in 1836 as the lessee. Levey returned briefly to the then failing theatre enterprise, and appears at this time to have also regained ownership of the building. But he died a year later. Wyatt then persuaded Levey's widow to sell him the building. Wyatt had plans for another theatre, so he closed the Theatre Royal. Two years later, in 1840, it was destroyed by fire.

References

Ian Bevan, The Story of the Theatre Royal, Currency Press, Sydney, 1993

Eric Irvin, Dictionary of the Australian Theatre 1788–1914, Hale & Iremonger, Sydney, 1985

https://www.findmypast.com.au/transcript?id=ANZ%2FBMD%2FNSW%2FD%2F0...
First name(s) George
Country Australia
Last name Sippe
Father's first name(s) -
Birth year 1801
Mother's first name(s) -
Death year 1842
Registration number -
Registration year 1842
Volume reference V1842215 26B
Age at death 41Y
Category Life Events (BDMs)
Registration district Sydney, St James'
Subcategory Civil Deaths & Burials
State New South Wales
Collections from Australasia, Australia

DR GRAEME SKINNER | Curator Australharmony
Honorary Associate, Sydney Conservatorium of Music
THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY
E graeme.skinner@sydney.edu.au
Australharmony https://sydney.edu.au/paradisec/australharmony

https://www.sydney.edu.au/paradisec/australharmony/sydney-amateur-c...
George was one of the 3 "conductors/directors/leaders/chief instigators" of the first public concert in Sydney - along with Thomas Kavanagh (master of the band of the 3rd regiment, and John Edwards, a civilian) - and indeed of the whole first series of Sydney
Amateur Concerts that extended into the new year of 1827, as I've fully documented here:

You can download and view a copy of the MP4 file, and a PDF of the printed program, here:
https://ses.library.usyd.edu.au/handle/2123/28800