Illuminated address and photographs relating to James Chuey, ca. 1890-1938

MLMSS 9600

fonds

ca. 1890-1938

Textual Records, Graphic Materials, Photographs

1206207

0.52 metres of textual and graphic material (1 outsize box)

James Chuey (1862-1938), also known as James Wong Chuey, was a successful woolbroker, Chinese community leader, and President of the Chinese Masonic Society of Australia. He arrived in Australia from China as a young man in 1878, and worked in various central western towns of NSW. In 1887 he established himself, along with a partner, in Junee, NSW, as wool buyer and general merchant. He prospered, becoming a noted woolbroker and was well regarded by local graziers and the community. Chuey married Rose, the adopted daughter of James Chung Gon, a notable Chinese immigrant, patriarch and businessman. He moved to Sydney in 1917 and was prominent in the Chinese Masonic Society of Australia. When he died in 1938, large crowds gathered in Sydney’s Chinese quarter for his funeral held at the Chinese Masonic Hall.

Reference:
Compiled from the collection

BOX 1X
[Illuminated address presented] To James A Chuey, Esq., Sydney. 7 Dec 1921, President of the Chinese Masonic Society of Australia, Director of The Chinese Australian Mail Steamship Company. 4 illustrated leaves mounted on silk boards and bound in red leather with gold embossing, 43.5 x 36 x 5.5 cm.

4 mounted photographs of James Chuey, ca. 1887-ca. 1938, including studio portraits, a scene of wool bales on horse-drawn cart outside 'J. Chuey, cash buyer of wool, skins hides' (possibly Junee, NSW), and a group portrait of three Chinese gentlemen including Chuey, in formal attire in the gardens of a Sydney harbour side property.

Loose newspaper cutting ca. 1938 including obituary of James Chuey.

Copyright status:: In copyright
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales