Hertslet’s Family Hotel, Wellington.

Rare c.19th engraving of the J.L. Hertslet’s Royal Hotel, Wellington, New South Wales.

The hotel was erected and owned by Joseph Matthews and the licensee was James Lewis Hertslett.

There were several ‘Royal’ hotels in Wellington during this period. Originally boasting four parlours, ten bedrooms, an assembly room (also used for billiards) and a sixteen-stall stable, the hotel was one of the fine, early substantial buildings of Wellington. The stables were destroyed by fire in December 1868.  In January 1865, James and his partner, Mary were involved in a serious dogcart accident. The horse bolted; Mary pulled the nearside reins; the wheel caught a stump and capsized the cart. Mary was thrown with her head to the ground. She died the following day. James was left with bruises.  Stricken with grief, James immediately advertised the hotel lease for the next month or so. However, he eventually reconsidered, and continued to run the Hertslett Royal Hotel on his own. In 1875, he relinquished his lease, transferring it to Henry Hughes. The hotel then became known as ‘Hughes’ Royal Hotel’.

From the original edition of the Town and Country Journal.

Collections:
National Library Australia: Bib ID 41861
State Library New South Wales: 1870-1919 TN83A
State Library Victoria: RARENSL N.S.W. 1870-1919