| What's Special about Arthur Muskett Darken? Arthur Muskett Darken basically grew up as an orphan but, with the assistance of his grandmother, was able to become a sucessful pharmacist. Although he was born in England, he tried to find a better life for himself by first emmigrating to the United States and later to Australia where he eventually settled. Arthur bought his own pharmacy which he ran for almost 50 years and which still had the Darken name on the window another 50 years after he sold it. Details Arthur Muskett Darken was born June 7th 1859 Holt, Norfolk England (ref. 59/1) , the 6th child to John Joseph Darken (b. 1816 Norwich), the 3rd by his second wife Anne Muskett Darken (b. 1829). At the time of his birth the family lived in a 2 storey stone residence in Holt known as Shrublands. The 1861 census shows John Joseph Darken living in a house on Norwich Rd. Arthur's mother died in 1863 when Arthur was just 4 years old, leaving John Joseph to care for all his young children. By 1866 Agnes was at boarding school. In a letter to her from John Joseph had this to say about Arthur : "Arthur reads very nicely from the bible and remembers well what he reads. He is however full of fun like a boy. Being troublesome the other Sunday afternoon when Jenny was giving their Sunday instruction, she ordered him to stand in the corner and after sometime, seeing the others laugh, she looked around to her amusement saw him standing on his head, his heels in the air." (ref. 66/1) By the age of 10 the family moved to the town of Wells-next-the-Sea. Arthur's father
died in 1870 reportedly from blood poisoning contracted when he cut his foot on a rusty
tack. Arthur returned to Holt. He and Agnes were living with their grandmother Anne
Muskett when the census was taken in 1871. Arthur was listed in the census as a scholar,
so he must have been at school on a day basis rather than boarding. The children were
raised by their grandmother, assisted by their uncles Edwin Muskett, Joseph James Muskett
and other friends. By 1873, when Arthur was 14, he was attending the 'Sir John Gresham's Free School in
Holt' where he received a prize for being second in 2nd form (8th grade) (ref. 73/1). He did not remain there much longer. In 1874 a chemist and druggist in a nearby town of
Cromer, Edward Raven Priest wrote to Arthur's grandmother regarding a 5 year
apprenticeship for Arthur at the cost of either 25 or 50 pounds a year for the first 4
years with a full salary on the fifth year of 20 pounds (ref. 74/1). In July of that year, at the age of 15, Arthur began his apprenticeship with Edward
Priest "to learn his art". The terms of the apprenticeship required Arthur to
agree that "he shall not commit fornication nor contract Matrimony within the said
term, he shall not play at Card or Dice Tables or at any other unlawful games...nor shall
he haunt Taverns or Playhouses nor absent himself from his said Master's service day or
night." Apparently Arthur did not complete his final paid year with Edward Priest as in 1878 he
was offered employment with a Mr Skoulding of Yarmouth at a salary of 25 pounds per annum.
5 pounds a year more than he was to receive with Mr Priest. He was apparently helped
obtain this position by a friend of his father, a Mr D. Smith of Norwich. (ref. 78/1) It seems that Arthur was not satisfied in Yarmouth and wrote to his Uncle Joseph James
Muskett in 1879 about plans to go to drop everything and head to Texas at a months notice,
buy 100 acres and become a farmer. His uncle made it very clear that, although he approved
of Arthur's wish to emigrate, he was not happy of Arthur's choice saying "Texas has
as bad a name as any country in the world; abounds as you know with assassins which
perhaps you would not care about, and with swindlers who are much more
objectionable". He also felt that the price Arthur had to pay for the land (75
pounds) was "simply monstrous" and that perhaps Arthur was not suited as a
farmer; " I doubt not that men have gone out and done exceedingly well in the farming
life but you will find that they had some acquaintance with their pursuit and they were
possessed of much physical strength" (ref. 79/1) Arthur stayed with Mr Skoulding a while longer, but at the same time continued to make plans to emigrate to America. Perhaps, as he did not have his heart in his job, he was given "notice to quit" in February 1880 (ref. 80/1). By April of the same year, encouraged by his uncle who said "I believe you will do well in America. Honesty and perseverance are the real secrets of success", Arthur had made plans to go to live with his first cousin Dr Edward John Darken. (ref. 80/2). On April 29th 1880 at the age of 21, Arthur departed for New York. The 1880 New York census shows Arthur living with Edward and his family. In 1882 he was
living in the suburban town of Yonkers. He had a job as an assistant apothecary at a
dispensary. It has been suggested that Arthur would have remained in New York had there
been a position more attractive. Because he did not enjoy the success he was hoping for,
he and his sister Agnes began making plans to go to Australia. Once again his uncle Joseph
Muskett encouraged his plans remarking that "America does not offer the advantages of
a colony. As a chemist who can prescribe for ordinary ailments and charge fairly but
sufficiently, you would do well in some up country place in South Australia." (ref.
82/1) Arthur’s departure for Australia did not occur for nearly 2 years however. He
returned to England and in June 1883, was living in Ryde on the Isle of Wight where his
half sister Jane (Jennie) was married to a Mr Ellis, a Wesleyan minister at the town of
Sandown. Arthur didn't get to see Jennie much however as his only day off was Sunday and
Mr Ellis discouraged him from visiting on the Sabbath. (ref. 83/1) Arthur was employed by J.M Pletts as a dispenser and bookkeeper (ref. 84/3). It seems
that Arthur got a taste of a rural environment and spent some of precious leisure time
with horses and, although he obviously got on well with his employer and his
employer’s family, both he and Mr. Pletts realized that Arthur was performing a job
below his abilities and earning less than he deserved. It may have been that the fact that
he liked the family so much meant that he was a little embarrassed when he finally made up
his mind to leave. He hurriedly left the Isle of Wight and later wrote to apologize (ref.
84/4) In a job reference Dr Pletts wrote for Arthur (ref. 84/3) he described Arthur as
"very steady with quiet gentlemanly habits most punctual and conscientious in the
performance of his duties and I can strongly recommend him for my part of trust and
confidence. I am sorry to lose his services, his natural desire to improve his condition
being the reason of his leaving me" Arthur's brother, Edward, was already in Australia and studying at the Prince Alfred
College in Adelaide in 1884. Edward advised Arthur "to come 3rd class in one of the
Orient Steamers in preference to a sailing vessel. You’ll have fresh meals all the
way, do it in less time and save 3 pounds." Some other advice he gave : "If you
have much money do not bring it with you. Bank it in London and draw it out when you get
here. Then you will not spend it on the voyage - you will need every penny upon first
arriving here." and also.... "wear your flannels summer and winter, take some
Cockles Pills and quinine for the voyage. Never omit to say your prayers night and
morning. Make up your mind not to drink spirits on the voyage. They are expensive and
useless. Tobacco you can buy from the sailors." "Upon arrival take care not to be led away by the many temptations which will
assail you.....Farming you would not like and I am glad to hear you wish to study. I shall
be glad to help you. ...... You may find it very hard work at first to get on but patience
and perseverance conquer all difficulties." (ref 84/1) Arthur, then 25, sailed from Graves End for Australia on November 12th in the 16 pound class (ref. 84/2) on the Orient Line S.S Austral (ref. 84/4) stopping at Plymouth on November 14th and arriving in Adelaide on December 31 1884 where, on the advice of his uncle, he applied for a Land Order which would have made him eligible "to Waste Lands to the value of 20 pounds at any Government Sale of Waste Lands" (ref. 84/5) had he remained a resident there for 2 years. Arthur initially lived in the Adelaide YMCA and was there until at least June of 1885
(ref. 85/2). He worked as a Chemist's Assistant for 8 months with B. Grummet which was
possibly part of Fit Faulding & Co. Arthur was described in a job reference (ref.
85/1) as "an industrious and thoroughly trustworthy assistant" (ref. 85/1). In a letter to his former master Edward Priest, Arthur wrote about various parts of the
region ..."New Zealand and Tasmania are sleepy and behind the times especially the
later. NSW is dull and lacking in energy perhaps being a little too conservative. QLD is
fit for salamanders. South Australia is experiencing the result of a financial depression
following drought and bad seasons. Victoria is at present the most flourishing. W.A is, I
believe the coming colony, if I should manage I should go there" (ref. 86/2). Arthur never made in to Western Australia but perhaps it was the economic problems in South Australia that convinced Arthur to move to Melbourne in September 1885 where on his second day he was hired by William Ford and Co where he worked in the laboratory and, for a time, 3 nights a week dispensing in the retail drug store. He continued to work towards having his own pharmacy and in June 1886 received certification as a registered pharmaceutical chemist by the Pharmacy Board of Victoria. At this stage he was living on Swanston St, in the center of Melbourne. (ref. 86/1) Again, in the same letter to Edward Priest Arthur wrote "City businesses of the first class are as you may suppose seldom on the market but every month there are several suburban ones for disposal. The fact that there are small fortunes to be made in this line is a undeniable fact. The usual way is to begin in a small way in a new place - work the business to 200 or 300 pounds a year, then exchange or sell out and get a better. All that is necessary in the start is a little money and unlimited cheek" In 1888 he was obviously speculating on a possible gold rush and had shares in several gold mines which must never have amounted to anything as the certificates remain (ref. 88/1). Also, sometime before 1889, Arthur met Clara Louisa Lyne nee Harvey (b. 1857, Tasmania), a widow and one of a 9 children to Henry Lyne and Mary Amos. Clara's first husband was William Harvey of Hobart who died in his mid 20's possibly from scarlet fever. She had one son by that marriage - Stuart Lyne Harvey. Clara was living in Tasmania for most of her courtship with Arthur and just how the two met may never be known. A wonderful collection of "love" letters from her to him revealing how they maintained a long distance relationship for about a year. They were married at the Holy Trinity Church in East Melbourne on June 12 1889 when Arthur was 30 and Clara was 32. (ref. 89/2) Arthur and Clara had 3 children :
In July of 1891 Arthur was finally in a position to purchase his own pharmacy. True to his word about needing a little cash and a lot of cheek, Arthur purchased a pharmacy in Albert Park, a Melbourne suburb, by himself for 500 pounds in cash and 525 pounds in promissory notes to be paid over 2 years.. Arthur and Clara were living in Auburn at the time. (ref. 91/1). It appears that Arthur had no way to raise the additional money owed and may have bought a friend, Alex Nicholson, in as partner. In a letter to Arthur, Alex mentions having asked his uncle if he could borrow some money. (ref. 91/2) No partnership agreement has been found, but the pharmacy was called "Darken and Nicholson", a name which remains on the pharmacy to this day (1995). In 1916 Alexander Nicholson withdrew from the partnership. (ref. 16/1) In 1921 Arthur became a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australasia. Clara died in 1934 of pneumonia. John Darken, Arthur's grandson recalls "After Clara died Arthur kept a live in maid (possibly A. White who wrote to Claire after Arthur's death. ref. 42/2), who looked after him pretty well. He continued to look after the rather large garden long after most people would have put their feet up." Arthur finally sold the pharmacy in about 1940. Was he a good pharmacist? John Darken said "I remember my father (Harry) telling me the purchaser of the business told him Arthur was a 'cracker-jack' chemist. He was apparently almost overawed by all the formulas & things in the shop, so he seemed to have no doubt about Arthur's ability. I remember he had some cough medicine which he should have, and could have made a lot of money from had he patented it" Arthur died in 1942. His obituary read simply "Darken - On Oct 24th at his residence 59 Wanda Rd, Caulfield Arthur Muskett beloved husband of the late Clara Louisa and loving father of Claire and Harry." (ref. 42/1). Estate papers show value of Arthur's estate at the time of his death to be 2,433 pounds (ref. 42/3). John Darken thinks he died either of angina pectoris (or old age) as he was taking tablets for his heart. John Darken remembers "I was only 17/18 when he died so my own recollections of him were of an elderly man. He was never-the-less very active right up to his death. He had a good sense of humor, rather dry, and being his only grandson, I suppose he spoilt me a bit. I also remember Claire and Harry remarking that Arthur did not talk much about his earlier life but he was a great saver of letters etc and they learned a great deal about him after his death from all the papers in his archives." |
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