Larkin, Bessie
Family background
Bessie Emily Larkin was born in Picton in 1873, only child of miller Thomas Larkin and Elizabeth Larkin nee Crisp, widow of Thomas' younger brother, who had four children from her prior marriage. While Bessie and her half-siblings likely grew up at her paternal grandfather's farm 'Windmill Hill', in Picton, by the time she began her teaching career her parents had relocated to Sydney.
Pupil teacher: Camperdown Public School
In March 1889, age 16, Bessie was employed as Pupil Teacher on probation in the Infant's Department at Camperdown. A report confirming her appointment after three months stated that she was of 'exemplary character', punctual, diligent, and obedient. Over the next four years, she had a few short episodes of ill-health but passed her annual examinations on schedule, and by April 1892 had reached Pupil Teacher Class I. At the end of that year she attended an entry examination for the Sydney Training School but was unsuccessful, explaining she was unable to attend to study for the most part of a year due to 'the illness of my mother and sister ... a great deal of my time at home was required to assist in nursing them'. She continued at Camperdown as an Ex-Pupil Teacher, then in mid-1895 was awarded a provisional teaching classification based on her practical skills and success at an examination, and was transferred shortly after.
Enmore Public School
Bessie's next appointment was to the Infants Department at Enmore where after six months she applied to be promoted as she had 'a delicate mother and a sister who is a complete invalid from spinal complaint and both are almost entirely dependent on my salary'. This application was accompanied by supporting letters from a local MLA and a businessman, which drew forth an official reminder that teachers were prohibited from 'seeking outside influence' in regard to appointments, and the information that she was currently 39th on a list of ex-Pupil Teachers awaiting appointment. After another six months at Enmore, Bessie required extended leave to recover from pleurisy. She then returned to duty, now awaiting a position as teacher in charge of a small school.
Brooklands Provisional School
In July 1897 Bessie was appointed to Brooklands where she was offered 'fairly comfortable lodgings' near the school, her travel from Sydney being reimbursed by the Department (although she was asked to justify her purchase of a 1st Class rather than 2nd Class rail ticket). Within six months the school's attendance was sufficient to recommend conversion to a Public School, but this was postponed on the advice of the Chief Inspector who doubted the accuracy of Bessie's record keeping. At inspection in early 1898 two instances of incorrect roll marking were noted and Bessie's explanation, that these inaccuracies were caused by illness and carelessness, was not considered satisfactory so she was warned 'that the question of dispensing with her services will be considered in case of incorrectness in the marking of the class-roll, in future'. (The local inspector actually recommended Bessie's classification be cancelled for twelve months but the Chief Inspector overruled him).
Despite Bessie's uneven start at Brooklands, she was recommended to retain charge of the school when it was upgraded in April 1898, now receiving an annual salary of £113. In July 1899 she requested a position closer to Sydney due to her mother's 'very delicate state of health', adding that 'it is impossible to send or receive a telegram here as the nearest telegraph office is at Ginninderra eight miles away'. Shortly after this, she was compelled to take leave for 'nervous prostration and ... palpations of the heart', her doctor considering she needed a rest and a change, 'her food and surroundings not being fit for her illness'. She returned to Sydney to recuperate, there consulting another doctor who diagnosed 'Tachycardia'. After four weeks leave, she was not directed to return to Brooklands but was given successive short-term appointments at Woonona (Wollongong district); Guildford (Liverpool district); and Leichhardt (Sydney).
Stanmore Public School
In December 1899 Bessie was appointed to the Infants Department of Stanmore, her proximity to her family home likely compensating for her lower annual salary (£104). She remained at Stanmore for the ensuing twelve years, during which time first her father, then her mother died, the latter bereavement precipitating a period of illness for Bessie. In 1911, now aged 38, Bessie was granted three months long service leave preliminary to retiring on September 30, having completed 22 years' service.
Later Life
Shortly after retiring, Bessie married Frederick William Hinton, a draper, and they jointly purchased a house in Campsie where Bessie's invalid sister lived with them. In 1934 Bessie was widowed, after which she and her sister resided together until her sister's death in 1943. Three years later Bessie died, aged 73, and was buried in Rookwood Cemetery.
[Biography prepared by Joanne Toohey, 2025. Sources include NSW school teachers' rolls 1868-1908, NSW school and related records 1876-1979, historic newspapers, probate records, NSW births, deaths and marriages index, and 'Early Education and Schools in the Canberra Region', (1999) by Lyall Gillespie.]
Schools
- Brooklands
07/1897 - 09/1899