Image right: Postcard c.1909 of Nathaniel Thomas Collins outside his pharmacy, Tekoa at 12 Homebush Road, Homebush. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies
Recently acquired from the USA are several postcards relating to Homebush chemist, Nathaniel Thomas Collins, JP whose home and business were once in the terrace house Tekoa at 12 (formerly 10) Homebush Road, Homebush. He is pictured out the front of his business, possibly with an assistant, c.1909. Built during the early 1890s, Tekoa had been home to several chemists/dentists prior to Collins’ arrival. You can see the embossed ‘chemist’ sign on the top of the building’s façade while ‘N.T Collins’ and ‘Chemist’ have been painted on the side wall of the building. The interior, shown below, is neatly arranged. Collins and his assistant pose briefly for a photo while serving a customer.
Postcard c.1909 of interior of Nathaniel Thomas Collins' pharmacy, Tekoa at 12 Homebush Road, Homebush. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies
Collins was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, USA in 1853 but arrived in Australia during 1877, settling in Gunning, NSW where he became a prominent public figure. He married Asenath Georgina Adams in Goulburn in 1879.
Collins was naturalised in 1883 and was often mentioned in the newspapers with interests in cricket, tennis, music, parks etc. He and his wife travelled to the USA and Europe for a visit during 1886. [1] He also undertook the role of coroner in Gunning on occasion,[2] appointed to the post in 1906.[3]
Nathaniel Collins was a foundation member of the Eureka Lodge of the International Order of Good Templars, a temperance and prohibition organisation formed during the mid-19th century. Mr and Mrs Collins were farewelled on their 1886 trip at a large dinner where they were presented with addresses and tokens of esteem.
NSW Cycling Gazette - Official Organ of the NSW Cyclists' Touring Union Vol.1 No.1, 19 November 1896
N.T. Collins was also an early adopter of the bicycle, serving as Consul for Gunning on the executive of the Cyclists’ Touring Union.[4] Accompanied by his sister-in-law, Josie Adams, Collins took part in several long-distance cycling adventures. He wrote about one eventful trip in the first and second issues of the NSW Cycling Gazette: official organ of the NSW Cyclists’ Touring Union of November 1896:
‘The two enthusiastic members of the CTU whose pictures are shown on this page represent the very antipodes of cycling. One, Mr N.T. Collins, JP, of Gunning, is, perhaps, the oldest cyclist in Australia, having commenced, in America, with the “bone-shaker” as far back as 1866, and ridden every class of machine since. The other, Miss Josie Adams, had been riding less than six weeks at the time the tour was undertaken…’ [5]
The pair had set out to ride from Gunning to Temora, NSW, a distance of 181 km. But when torrential rain and darkness fell, the road became impassable and the miserable cyclists sought shelter at Illalong Station near Binalong, the childhood home of poet, Banjo Paterson, where they were welcomed for the night. They continued on their journey the next day, Miss Adams cycling 130 miles in two days.
On another adventure the following month, Miss Adams rode 90 miles in one day.[6] Both she and Mr Collins rode brakeless bicycles.
In 1907 Collins was elected to the newly-created Gunning Shire Council, becoming its first President.[7]
Collins was founder and Grand Master of the ‘True Friendship’ Gunning lodge of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows, often representing the lodge further afield on committees and giving speeches.[8] But in 1908, after 30 years in Gunning, Mr and Mrs Collins relocated to Homebush. The Oddfellows were very sorry to lose him, tendering him an address and gift of farewell.[9] The move to Homebush may have been prompted by the state of his wife’s health. The couple purchased Tekoa (possibly named for a ship), at 12 Homebush Road, opening their pharmacy business downstairs and living upstairs.
In February 1911, Nathaniel Collins’ wife, Asenath died. The Goulburn Evening Penny Post noted that she ‘had been ailing for a long time.’[10] In October that year Collins married Asenath’s younger sister, Edith Mary Adams at the Strathfield-Homebush Congregational Church. Collins was elected to the executive of the Burwood Cricket Club during 1912.[11]
It appears that Nathaniel Collins travelled back to the USA on several occasions, representing the Oddfellows and visiting family. The three postcards acquired recently were sent by Collins (and his wife) to family and friends in Westfield, Massachusetts between 1909 and 1912.
Postcard of Middle Harbour sent from The Pharmacy, 12 Homebush Road Homebush 20 September 1912 probably by Edith Mary Collins to the USA.
Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies
Nathaniel Collins died in Homebush in February 1941. He was the oldest surviving Past Grand Master in NSW of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows.[12]
There were no children from either marriage.
12 Homebush Road, Homebush, the site of N.T. Collins' pharmacy, 3 July 2026. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies
Apartments now stand on the site of N.T. Collins’ chemist. Valuation records suggest that the terrace house/shop was converted into three apartments c.1950 when it was owned by John and Gladys Thompson. Later valuation records indicate that the building was replaced by a block of eight flats during the early 1960s.
By J.J. MacRitchie
Local Studies Advisor
References
[1] The Yass Courier 7 May 1886 p.2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/263931025
[2] The Sydney Mail and New South Wales Advertiser 19 March 1887 p.597 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/163284970
[3] The Queanbeyan Leader 9 November 1906 p.2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/135695999
[4] Sydney Morning Herald 1 May 1897 p.12 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14101038
[5] NSW Cycling Gazette: official organ of the NSW Cyclists’ Touring Union Vol.1, No.1, 19 November 1896 p.19 https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3521293454/view?sectionId=nla.obj-3557761849&partId=nla.obj-3521315951#page/n18/mode/1up
[6] NSW Cycling Gazette: official organ of the NSW Cyclists’ Touring Union Vol.1 No.3, 19 December 1896 https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-3521293498/view?sectionId=nla.obj-3557757295&searchTerm=N.T.+Collins&partId=nla.obj-3521309502#page/n12/mode/1up/search/N.T.+Collins
[7] Australian Town and Country Journal 20 March 1907 p.28 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/71590514
[8] Yass Evening Tribune 2 July 1906 p.2 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/248433983
[9] Goulburn Evening Penny Post 16 April 1908 p.1 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/98788836
[10] Goulburn Evening Penny Post 11 February 1911 p.6 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/98808679
[11] Daily Telegraph 12 July 1912 p.5 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/238638798
[12] Sydney Morning Herald 8 February 1941 p.8 https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/17721122