Charles Trimby Burfitt

by Derek Hambly B. Sc.

Local roads are sometimes named after people who had a connection with the area. Burfitt Road, Riverstone was named after Charles Trimby Burfitt, who was also known as C T Burfitt. C T was for a period of time an auctioneer/land agent. He handled the sale of a number of land estates around Riverstone including Marsden Park, Lincoln and Blenheim. The following 1927 newspaper obituary provides an insight into Charles Trimby Burfitt.

“DEATH OF FORMER DUBBOITE
C. T. BURFITT.

The death occurred on Saturday, 27th ult., at his residence, Glenleigh, Victoria-road, Bellevue Hills, Sydney, of Mr. Charles Trimby Burfitt, who for many years was a prominent member of the Royal Australian Historical Society, he was at one time president and secretary.

The late Mr. Burfitt, who was 78 years of age, was the son of the late Mr. James Burfitt, of Rodstone, Somersetshire, England. Mr. James Burfitt was one of the pioneers of the western district of New South Wales, where he had extensive business interests. Mr. C. T. Burfitt was also a grand-nephew of the late Dr. James Ingram, president of Trinity College, Oxford.

Born at Springfield, near Orange, he was in his younger days a store keeper at Dubbo, arriving in 1869. First he was employed by Messrs. Tait and Smellie, but a year later entered storekeeping on his own account in partnership with a Mr. Thompson. The first business premises were on the site now occupied by Bebarfalds Ltd., but afterwards Mr. Burfitt had his store on what is now the Exchange Hotel corner.

He married Miss Fitzmaurice, aunt of Mr. E. J. Stevens, now clerk of the Talbragar Shire Council, Dubbo. Going to Sydney, he carried on business as an auctioneer. He retired about 20 years ago. For many years past he had been a recognised authority on Australian history, and had written a book on the wool industry, which was used as a text book by the Department of Education. He had also made a study of the language and customs of the aborigines. He was a member of the Royal Colonial Institute.

Mr. Burfitt is survived by Mrs. Burfitt, two sons, and two daughters. The sons are Dr. Walter F. Burfitt, of Macquarie-street, and Mr. James Ingram Burfitt, solicitor, of Sydney; the daughters, Miss Frances M. E. Burfitt and Dr. Mary Burfitt Williams (wife of Dr. Grosvenor Williams, of Macquarie-street). There are 15 grandchildren.

The funeral look place in the Waverley Cemetery, the service at the graveside being conducted by the Rev. Father O’Reilly (parish priest) and Dr. O’Reilly (rector of St. John’s College, Sydney University).

The principal mourners were Mr. J. I. Burfitt (son), Dr. Grosvenor Williams (son-in-law), Messrs. Walter S. Burfitt, Maurice Burfitt, David Burfitt, Thomas Burfitt, and Desmond Burfitt (grandsons), and Harold Gill, Gabriel Gill, and Peter Cahill (cousins).”

Dubbo Dispatch and Wellington Independent, Tuesday 6 September 1927, page 4, Accessed via Trove.  https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/228213363?searchTerm=burfitt#

C T Burfitt also promoted land sales around Blacktown. The following promotional lithograph advertised the virtues of becoming a resident of Blacktown. Readers could obtain details from C.T. Burfitt.