POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

American-style light box delivery wagon used by Wong family, NSW, 1870s-1916

Object No. 99/69/1

Horse-drawn shop wagons were a familiar sight in Australia well after the introduction of motor vehicles. The Newcastle and Suburban Co-operative stores still used more than 100 such delivery wagons in the 1940s. This wagon belonged to Sat and Amelia Wong who ran a general store at Bolong, near Crookwell, NSW, until 1916. They used to pick up goods from as far away as Goulburn, nearly 50 km, at least two days travel away, and to make deliveries to nearby properties. The Wong family also used used the wagon for the pick-up of goods from the McAlister railway siding on the Goulburn to Crookwell line. S. Wong was the original purchaser of the wagon, which is inscribed with the name of the his first property 'Fullerton'. The family moved to Bolong in 1878 where they set up and ran a general store. The wagon was made by the Sydney Carriage Company in about 1870. General stores were a vital part of the regional communities that developed throughout Australia in the 19th century. They were the link between their communities and the metropolis and to overseas markets. Chinese immigrants were a dominant part of this retail trade across the country. By 1901 there were 800 people of Chinese descent working in NSW shops - a statistic that suggests the existence of several hundred 'Chinese stores' in the state.

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Summary

Object Statement

Delivery wagon, horsedrawn, 'S. Wong Fullerton', wood / steel, used by the Wong family, made by The Sydney Carriage Company, Orwell Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, c. 1870

Physical Description

Delivery wagon, horsedrawn, 'S. Wong Fullerton', wood / steel, used by the Wong family, made by The Sydney Carriage Company, Orwell Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, c. 1870 A light delivery vehicle drawn by two horses. The panelled body is mounted on three elliptical springs, which in turn are attached to an undercarriage with a central perch and two outer reaches. The wheels comprise narrow steel tyres, half rims and staggered spokes fitted to wooden hubs, which are secured to common axles. Brake blocks are on each side of the vehicle. The seat consists of a wooden length, angled sides and wood length back. The arms are curved metal rails. A removable pole is attached to the front of the wagon. There is a removable wooden seat, tray and bracket. Inscribed on the body panels are 'S.WONG Fullerton' and almost illegible 'The Sydney Carriage Company'.

PRODUCTION

Notes

The design features of the wagon are generic to this type from the 1860s-1920s. It was referred to as a one horse Amercian Light Box wagon.

HISTORY

Notes

The wagon has remained in the family ever since.

SOURCE

Credit Line

Purchased 1999

Acquisition Date

23 July 1999

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