PROFILES OF THE PIONEERS IN MANLY, WARRINGAH AND PITTWATER

Transcription

1 PROFILES OF THE PIONEERS IN MANLY, WARRINGAH AND PITTWATER by Shelagh Champion, OAM, B.A.(Lib.Sc.) and George Champion, OAM, Dip.Ed.Admin. Acknowledgements Our sincere gratitude to our friend the Honourable James Macken, for his generous support and assistance with primary source material, over a long period of time. We also acknowledge the assistance given by the staff of the Australian Archives, the Archives Office of New South Wales, the New South Wales Land Titles Office, the State Library of New South Wales including the Mitchell Library, and Manly Library s Local Studies. Copyright 1996 Shelagh and George Champion. I.S.B.N Revised Tipperary Avenue Killarney Heights N.S.W

2 Introduction These profiles have been prepared as a resource for those seriously interested in researching the pioneers who contributed to the early European history of our peninsula, in the main up to the time of the 1850s. We have endeavoured to rely on primary and contemporary material, and have avoided using secondary sources, almost entirely. The list is not exhaustive, nor is it intended that each profile be a complete in-depth study of each person named. Obviously this would be impossible because of space and time restraints. However we do hope our work will at least provide a basis for further research where necessary. For easy reference the contents have been arranged alphabetically, and where required cross references have been given. Many available sources have been cited throughout the text. Although of necessity some interpretation has been made in compiling these profiles, we have tried to remain factual and not express our own opinions. Should any errors, which can be substantiated, be detected in our work, we would be pleased to be advised of them. It would no doubt be apparent to readers, that it has taken a lot of time and effort to prepare these profiles, and if our work is used by others we would appreciate an acknowledgement. Shelagh and George Champion, 1996 (revised 2013) Abbreviations AA (N.S.W.) ADB AO HRA LPMA LTO ML PA RAHS Syd Gaz or SG Syd Mail SMH SR Tas A Australian Archives Australian Dictionary of Biography N.S.W. Archives Office (now State Records) Historical Records of Australia N.S.W. Land and Property Management Authority (formerly Land Titles Office) N.S.W. Land Titles Office (now Land and Property Management Authority) Mitchell Library Primary Application (LTO) Royal Australian Historical Society Sydney Gazette Sydney Mail Sydney Morning Herald N.S.W. State Records (formerly Archives Office)) Tasmanian Archives

3 Andrews, Charles page 4 Andrews, John 4 Bacon, Matthew 5 Baker, Gilbert 6 Bens or Binns, Joseph 7 Bolton, Thomas 8 Brady, Edward 8 Bruin, Thomas 8 Bryant, Jeremiah 9 Burke, Martin 10 Burton, John 12 Campbell, Robert Jnr. 12 Cario, Joseph 13 Charlton, Matthew 13 Cheers, Richard 14 Clarke, John (Phoenix) 15 Clarke, John (Tellicherry) 17 Collins, Jeremiah 17 Collins, John 17 Collins, John Thomas 22 Collins, Thomas 31 Comerford, Michael 36 Cooper, Thomas 36 Cossar, William 37 Crew, Benjamin 38 Culhane, Thomas See Doyle, John Dawson, William 39 Doyle, John 40 Ellery, Peter 41 Farrell, Daniel (I) 44 Farrell, John (I) 44 Farrell, John (II) 46 Fincham, John 52 Flinn, Edward 53 Flynn or Flinn, Patrick 54 Foley, David 55 French, James Harris 60 Gaskin, Henry 61 Geary, Patrick 62 George, William 63 Haynes, Ann See McCarr & Murray Heaton, James 64 Henderson, Robert 65 Howard, John B. (Customs) 66 Howard, John (fisherman) 67 Hughes, Martha (elder) 68 Hughes, Martha (younger) 68 Jenkins, Charles (Scotland Is.) 68 Jenkins, James (I) 68 Jenkins, James (II) 74 Johnson, John & Edward 76 Kirby, James page 78 Lees, John 78 Lovett, John 79 McCarr, James 82 McCawley, James 83 Macdonald or McDonald, Alexander 83 Macdonald or McDonald, James 84 McIntosh, Robert (I) 86 McIntosh, Robert (II) 87 Mallen, James 90 Melville, Robert 90 Mildwater or Milewater, William 91 Miller,William 94 Moore, Isaac 95 Murray, Kennedy 98 Napper, James 99 Nolt, William 99 O Ferrall, Rolla 99 Oliver, William 101 Parker, John Crane 105 Parker, Thomas Daniel 107 Parker, William Frederick 107 Pass, Capper 107 Patullo, Peter 108 Picking or Pickering, George 108 Porter, Richard 110 Poyner, Francis (Frank) 110 Ramsay, John 112 Rhodes, William Barnard 113 Schaffer, Philip 113 Scott, Thomas 116 Shaw, Joseph 116 Sheehan, Cornelius 117 Sheehan, Dennis 118 Skally, Christopher 119 Stokes, James 119 Sullivan, Michael 120 Taylor, John 121 Therry, John Joseph 123 Thompson, Andrew 125 Tiffin, Robert 128 Warner, Thomas 129 Wentworth, D Arcy 129 Whaley, John 130 Wheeler, George 133 Wheeler, James 134 Wheeler, John 139 Wheeler, William 140 Williams, John 140 Wilson, Thomas 141 Two location maps at end of work. 3

4 Profiles of the Pioneers in Manly, Warringah and Pittwater Revised 2013 ANDERSON, Robert - See HENDERSON, Robert ANDREWS, Charles Charles Andrews was the younger brother of John Andrews. Born in 1799, in March 1818 he joined the 80th Regiment of Foot (the Stafford Volunteers), in which his brother was already serving. The Regiment came to Australia in acres of land at Cabbage Tree Bay (North Manly) was advertised as Lot 7 on 8 February Charles teamed up with Christopher Skally to purchase the land, both of them being due for discharge. Under the regulations of 15 February 1840, a remission of 50 was authorised for Charles as a late Sergeant in the 80th Regiment, and a remission of 25 was authorised for Christopher Skally as a late Private in the 28th Regiment of Foot. The purchase price of 60 was well covered, and the land was granted to them on 9 May [LTO SN75/18] Charles Andrews, settler of Manly Cove, and his wife Jane Isabella, and Christopher Skally of Windsor, and his wife Bridget, sold the land in acres went to Isaac Lowry on 2 August 1847 for 10 [LTO Book 13 No.241]; 16 acres went to John Whaley on 9 August 1847 for 16 [LTO Book 35 No.160]; and 74 acres went to John Sims on 9 August 1847 for 63 [LTO Book 13 No.235]. John and Mary Anne Sims sold the 74 acres to Henry Miles, Thomas Youl, Thomas Kirby and Robert Symon on 19 December Symon sold his share for 8 to the other three, who partitioned the land among themselves on 27 November [LTO Book 35 No.799] Kirby immediately sold his share to Henry Gilbert Smith for 140, while Henry Miles, gardener, and Thomas Youl, stonemason, sold part of their land to Smith, but remained as residents. Whaley sold his 16 acres to Smith for 200 on 30 January This gave H.G. Smith ownership of all land along the ocean front north of the Corso, except a small part near Manly Lagoon, which still belonged to Thomas Youl. Isaac Lowry s 10 acres passed through a number of hands before being purchased by James Farrell on 14 July This was the land commonly known as Farrell s Paddock. ANDREWS, John John Andrews was born in the village of Severnstokes, Worcestershire, in 1795, the eldest child of Charles and Mary (or Martha) Andrews, farmers. When he joined the 80th Regiment of Foot (the Stafford Volunteers) on 13 May 1816 he could neither read nor write, but he learnt to do so while in the Regiment. John came to New South Wales in the advance guard of the Regiment, arriving on the Lady Kennaway on 12 October His duties in the next few years included guarding the iron gangs of convicts who were building roads around Hartley and Lithgow. Sergeant John Andrews was discharged on 30 April 1841, after 25 years service. He received a pension, and also applied for and obtained the authorised remission in the purchase price of land, for which he was eligible. [AO Reel 1083] On 8 February 1842, fifty acres of land at the Basin, Pittwater, were advertised for sale as Lot 8. 4

5 John Andrews purchased the land with the 50 remission to which he was entitled, and it was granted to him on 18 April [LTO SN75/1] He married a widow, Hannah Jackson, on 4 January Both gave their place of residence as Broken Bay. John Andrews agreed to sell six acres to commence and be taken from the western boundary of his farm to Joseph Shaw on 4 May He agreed to give Shaw legal title at any time he may require on condition of the purchase money being paid. John Collins was witness to the agreement. [LTO Book 82 No.492] See Joseph Shaw. On 4 November 1859 John Andrews sold his grant to John Smith for 150. [LTO Book 71 No.929] John Smith made his will on 11 April 1862, just three days before he died, leaving the land to Hannah Andrews. Probate was granted to Hannah Andrews on 11 April On 10 October 1872 John and Hannah Andrews exchanged their land, which is still known as Soldiers Point, for a much smaller block of land at Careel Bay, belonging to John Collins, on which Collins had built a cottage. [LTO Book 132 Nos.923 & 924] This block of land was Lot 1 of Section XIII, bounded by John Street on the south, William Street on the west, and the creek on the north. Bedridden since April 1877, John Andrews died on 12 May 1879 at the home of John Gould, Brighton Cottage, Whistler Street, Manly. He had no children. BACON, Matthew Matthew Bacon, it appears, arrived free in the Colony on board the Surry (or Surrey), which departed England on 22 February 1814 and arrived in Port Jackson on 28 July He would probably have still been in the 73rd Regiment and acted as a guard on the voyage out. After his arrival he was in the Commissariat Department. Matthew married Mary A. McDonald in 1821 at St. Philip s Church, Sydney. Matthew purchased Cossar s land, totalling 700 acres, before January 1822 [about 1819]. John Bray advertised in that year a 5 reward for his dark brown filly, now a mare, that was stolen or strayed from the farm of Mr. William Cossar, now Mr. Matthew Bacon s, at Long Reef in He also offered 3 per head for each of her increase, but after two months the offer would cease, and any person or persons having possession of the mare or her increase would be prosecuted. [Syd Gaz 4 Jan 1822] The September 1822 Land and Stock Muster showed that Bacon was not resident on his 700 acres of land. 40 acres had been cleared; he had 4 acres of wheat, 6 of maize, and 2 of potatoes. He also had four horses, 85 horned cattle, and 17 hogs. His occupation was given as merchant Sydney. In 1823 Matthew owned a general store at 2 York Street, opposite the Barracks, which advertised the sale of tobacco, tools, salt and candles. [SG 5 June 1823] 5

6 By March 1824 the following notice or similar was advertised many times until at least July Mr Bacon, and Family, leaving the Colony in a few Months, request all Claims [except those connected with the Wellington Brewery] to be presented for Payment; and those who stand indebted will, with as little Delay as possible, settle their respective accounts. [SG 11 March 1824] However, the Bacon family did not depart before Matthew unfortunately died in Matthew had entered into a partnership with John Payne regarding a brewing business in George Street Sydney, known as the Wellington Brewery. This partnership did not last and was dissolved in July A court case Payne V Bacon then followed. The Supreme Court ruled in favour of Payne. This meant that Matthew lost all of his property and assets at Long Reef, as well as elsewhere. Consequently, the farm was advertised for sale by auction on 15 June 1825, by direction of the Sheriff, at which time 15 to 20 acres were in cultivation, there was a good house and other buildings, and facilities for making and drying salt. Separately, Bacon s property, consisting of two working bullocks and harness, pigs, poultry, a cart, farming implements, a quantity of wheat and maize, and household furniture, was to be sold. [Syd Gaz 16 June 1825] The auction finally took place on 4 August To be SOLD by AUCTION by Direction of the Sheriff, this Day, at Twelve o Clock in the Public Market-house, Sydney, the Defendant s FARM, at Long Reef. [SG 4 Aug 1825] Matthew Bacon, late 73rd Regiment and Commissariat Department, died at his home in York Street, Sydney on 24 August 1825, aged 36 years. [SG 25 Aug 1825]. His death certificate unfortunately does not give the reason for his death. He was survived by his widow Mary who died in The Australian of 25 August 1825 provided some additional information. To be Let for a term of years, as may be agreed on, that desirable Farm at Long Reef, lately the property, and in the occupation of Mr Matthew Bacon, deceased, containing 730 acres of land, of which 32 are cleared, and have been in cultivation. There is a substantial stone house, two stories high, with four good rooms, besides skillings; also, a barn, a paddock of about 7 acres, a garden of about 5 acres, and salt works, comprising among other conveniences for salt-making, two excellent pans, capable of boiling 10 cwt. of salt per day. The farm was acquired by D Arcy Wentworth, from whom it was purchased by James Jenkins. Matthew Bacon was a valued member of the community and was appointed as one of the Stewards in January 1824 for the Colony s Anniversary Dinner in Commemoration of the Establishment of the Colony on 26 January [SG 15 Jan 1824] BAKER, Gilbert Gilbert Baker was sentenced at the Old Bailey on 9 September 1789 to seven years for theft/burglary. He was one of 106 convicts who arrived in Port Jackson on the Atlantic on 31 August He received a 30 acre grant at Manly Cove in January 1810, as did Richard Cheers 6

7 who received 100 acres. The fact that Baker was an employee of Cheers accounts for his grant not being developed separately. Known as Cheers farm, both grants passed to Robert Campbell Junior in 1814, and later D Arcy Wentworth. Baker was a constable in He died in 1824 aged 56 years. BENNS, (other spellings), Joseph The ownership of Scotland Island had been assumed by John Dickson by 2 July He appointed trustees of his estate, including Scotland Island, for the benefit of his children, John, James and David Dickson. [LTO Book F No.169] New trustees were appointed in 1838, then John Dickson Senior died in London about John Dickson Junior also died, about 1850 or Pittwater was described in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald of 30 January Near the head there is a small island, which contains a large number of fruit-bearing peach trees, the remains of former cultivation. Joseph Benns, master mariner, was born about 1816 in Brussels, Belgium. He married Catherine Sanville (or Lewis) when he was 66 years old. There was no issue of the marriage. He leased uninhabited Scotland Island from James and David Dickson of London, England, on 24 August 1855 for seven years. Benns and Charles Jenkins, a mariner and farmer, went to live on Scotland Island, building a house from timber that grew there, cultivating part of the island and running cattle on another part. They paid rent to the Dicksons agent until 1859, when they discovered that the Dicksons had no title to the island. They paid no more rent, but continued to live there and improve the place. In 1883 they attempted to bring it under the provisions of the Real Property Act, but were unsuccessful at that time. David Dickson wrote from Adelaide on 18 April 1889, stating that Scotland Island was the property of himself and his brother James, who was living in England and suffering from mental disability. However, he was unable to prove their ownership satisfactorily, and Certificates of Title were issued to Joseph Benns and Charles Jenkins on 8 February 1892, mainly on the grounds of continual possession. [LTO Vol.1044 Fol.101 &102] They had lived there without interruption, having brought ten to fifteen acres under cultivation, grazed cattle, horses, goats and other live-stock over the whole island, and constructed a path-way right round the island, cut into the sides of the hill. [LTO PA 6016] Only a few days later on 12 February 1892, Benns and Jenkins transferred their ownership of Scotland Island to William Wallace Elmslie, Charles Bond and Thomas Wilshire as Tenants in Common. Soon after the transfer of ownership, Charles John Jenkins died on 11 August 1892, aged 65 years. He was buried on 12 August in St. John s Cemetery, Mona Vale. Joseph Benns died on 29 March 1900 on Scotland Island, Pittwater, aged 84 years. His death certificate states that he was buried on 31 March 1900 in the Roman Catholic Cemetery, Bayview, by the Manly undertaker Thomas Waugh. The minister was Thomas Haydon of Manly, R.C. Priest, and witnesses to the burial were Samual Morrison, J.P., the teacher at Pittwater Public School (located at Bayview), and John A. Ellison of Manly, cabinet maker. 7

8 There was no Roman Catholic Church at Bayview, and the small cemetery at Church Point was strongly Protestant. Most of Bayview s residents were Protestant, except for John Roche s family, whose 80 acre property included the Bayview Post Office. The Roches were strong Roman Catholics. A grave apparently existed on this property for some years but was covered over when the road was made to Church Point. The evidence points to this site, on the Roches land, as being the most likely location of any Roman Catholic Cemetery at Bayview in BOLTON, Thomas Thomas Bolton arrived in the Colony as a free settler on the Minorca in He briefly held the position of Constable at Pittwater, from 9 May to 5 December The 1828 census listed him as a stonemason, of Cumberland Street, Sydney. He then owned 3 horses and 100 head of cattle. BRADY, Edward Edward Brady was a Sydney publican. His public houses were Saint Patrick or Old Saint Patrick ( ), Patent Slip ( ), and Jack s Delight (1839). The Patent Slip and Jack s Delight or Sailor s Delight, were also licenced at different times to Thomas Jones or his son-in-law Isaac Moore. There appears to have been a close connection between Brady and the Moore family. Edward Brady purchased the 60 acre grant, later known as Clontarf, from Isaac Moore and his wife on 10 February 1840 for 200. [LTO Book Q No.483] He also purchased John Fisher s 30 acre grant from the Moores on 6 March 1841 for 200. [LTO Book W No.219] He built his house on this land, on the point to the east of Fisher Bay. On 24 March 1848 he became one of the trustees of 10 acres of land at Middle Harbour belonging to Elizabeth Moore, and other property. He was to keep the property in good order, and pay and apply the rents and profits towards the maintenance, support and education of the Moores four sons. [LTO Book 14 No.413] Edward Brady, farmer, Middle Harbour appears in directories from 1851 until his death in Brady s Flat (later Clontarf) was an early picnic spot in Middle Harbour. In 1863 an advertisement for Clontarf Pleasure Grounds, formerly known as Brady s Flat stated that they were the oldest, largest, and most shady pleasure grounds in the harbour. [SMH 30 Dec 1863] Edward Brady, farmer, of Middle Harbour, died on 4 April 1869, aged 69, leaving Clontarf to the Moores three surviving sons, Edmund, William and Thomas, in equal shares. BRUIN, Thomas Except for his name, which appears on maps as a grantee, Bruin s association with our area was brief. His 50 acre grant was measured by Meehan at Freshwater on 27 September Meehan began in his Field Book 86, Dy Beach - Marked a Honey Suckle Tree - near the Beach the Rocks 1- back - a pt back S 36 E... A check against his map [AO Map 1316] confirms that Meehan named the bay at present Freshwater Dy Bay, while a later transcription in his Field Book 99 gives D.Y., perhaps to clarify the pronunciation of the name. When the grant was 8

9 confirmed three years later, on 25 July 1818, the document was delivered immediately to D Arcy Wentworth, the land having changed hands before the grant was registered. [LTO SN11/37] The link with Wentworth raises an interesting possibility regarding the name Dee Why. His daughter Katherine later married Captain Benjamin Darley, whose mother came from a Dublin family named Deey. As many Irish families knew one another both in Ireland and Australia, this may be the source of Meehan s place-name Dy. BRYANT, Jeremiah Jeremiah Bryant was a private soldier in the 73rd Regiment, stationed at Port Dalrymple (Launceston) when he was tried before a Bench of Magistrates on 3 September 1811 on a charge of having robbed His Majesty s Stores there. He was convicted and sentenced to seven years transportation. On 13 May 1813 the remaining part of his sentence was remitted owing to some degree of informality in the trial and sentence. He was instructed to return to his duty as a private. [AO Reel 6003; 4/3492, p.224] After going back to England, and being invalided out of the Army, he sought in 1819 to return as a settler. A passage was authorized for himself and his wife to travel on the convict ship Eliza. He was advised to arrange at Chelsea Hospital with respect to drawing his pension in New South Wales. [AO Fiche 3014; 4/1823, p.162] On arrival in Sydney, he applied on 23 February and 1 July 1820 to go to Port Dalrymple to settle, but his efforts were not successful. [AO Reel 6020, p.425; Fiche 3014, p.161] Meehan noted in his field book on 15 April 1821 that he meant to measure 80 acres for Bryant at Pittwater, next to Peter Patullo, up to the swamp (Winnyjimmy). He added - cannot trace it, perhaps indicating his difficulty measuring in the swamp. Bryant advertised and cautioned the public in August 1822 that the 80 acres were his absolute and indisputable property. [Syd Gaz 23 Aug 1822] He had one acre of maize in September By 19 September however, he had sold the land to Robert Henderson. [Syd Gaz 4 Oct 1822] Henderson s father-in-law, Patrick Geary, was living on this farm in It was officially granted to Jeremiah Bryant on 6 July 1833 [LTO SN33/51], and formally conveyed to Robert Henderson on 8 February [LTO Book Z No.349] Henderson died on 11 November 1869, leaving the land to his grandson, who conveyed it to Frederick Thomas Humphery on 14 October [LTO Book 232 No.299] At the time of the 1828 census, Jeremiah Bryant (listed as Brayne) was a tenant on Robert Henderson s 60 acre grant, with a housekeeper, Mary Bearey, and one labourer, Isaac Marsh. 10 acres had been cleared and 5 cultivated, and he owned 6 head of cattle. In 1832 Surveyor Larmer reported that, The first person that squatted upon the land E of Stream [McMahon s Creek, Bilgola Plateau and Newport] was Isaac Marsh then in the service of Jeremiah Bryant - he cleared part of the land on the West side of stream for Bryant and on the East side for himself. Michael Sullivan was also employed by Jeremiah Bryant to clear the land W of the Stream. 9

10 Jeremiah Bryant was still living at Belgoula at the time of the 1841 census. He purchased 5 acres from Henderson on 2 October 1841 for 5, the same 5 acres being purchased by John Farrell II on 7 January 1848, also for 5. Bryant died in BURKE, Martin Martin Burke, an Irish political exile with the same rights as a free settler, arrived in Port Jackson by the Tellicherry in February He experienced varying fortunes, but in September 1820, having heard, probably through Meehan, that James McNally s grant at Newport was available for occupation, he purchased it from William Mahoney, to whom it had been given by McNally, and moved there. On 30 September 1820 the Sydney Gazette announced Burke s appointment as constable at Pittwater, Broken Bay. He also applied for a grant of the neighbouring land, on the west side of the creek. Meehan surveyed Burke s own grant on 13 April He was concerned with the fact that Martin Burke s house and a great part of his cleared land were on McNally s grant, on the east side of the creek. He noted that he was obliged to extend Burke s grant, adjacent to McNally s, to take in his house and cleared land, which were apparently next to the creek. It seems that he was adjusting the boundary in an effort to help his friend. John Oxley, to whom Martin Burke owed lease money, announced in July 1822 the sale by public auction of the McNally grant, now owned by Burke. It was described as containing about thirty acres of land, part cleared, together with a house, and growing crops. [Syd Gaz 5 July 1822] It was purchased by John Farrell. It is not hard to imagine Farrell s reaction when Burke tried to explain that he still owned the house and cleared land. Farrell purchased Burke s grant on 21 November 1823 for 45 [LTO Book 32 No.740], and Martin Burke moved next door to Campbell s 700 acre grant, then being advertised to let by D Arcy Wentworth. In response to an enquiry from Superintendent of Police D Arcy Wentworth, Burke wrote from Pittwater on 21 November 1823, stating that he had married in 1807, but had no children. However, he had always supported his wife s two children, and was allowed their rations from the Government store. He added, I beg leave to observe to you that I have some enemies (of the lower order) who would, if it lay in their power do me any injury because of my Executing Government duty in the district where I live. [AO Reel 6057 p.68] His wife was Phoebe Tunstall, and one of her two children was Sarah Andrews, who married David Foley on 14 February Burke had remained friends with a soldier on the Tellicherry, John Clarke, who was entitled to select a grant of 100 acres when the Royal Veterans Company was disbanded on 24 September Clarke selected 100 acres of land, consisting of 60 acres at Great Mackerel Beach and 40 acres at Little Mackerel Beach. Martin Burke purchased the land from him in February [AO Reel 1104, M. Burke] In 1826 William Miller and other residents of the district brought a complaint against Martin Burke, who was probably still living on Campbell s grant with his step-daughter and son-in-law, the Foleys, and was thus Miller s neighbour. An enquiry, reported on by Captain Rossi, Police 10

11 Office, Sydney on 25 April 1826, revealed that Burke, a police constable of Sydney, stationed at Pittwater, owned cattle and took in the cattle of others. He had no stockmen, and no stockyard to put the cattle in at night. Consequently the cattle trespassed on his neighbours land, to their disadvantage. As Burke was the pound keeper as well as constable for the district, there was noone that they could turn to, to redress their injury. It was also found that Burke kept no account of the proceeds of the poundage, which were small, and which he regarded as his perquisite. Rossi recommended Burke s removal from office, and that the position of constable and pound keeper in future be held by a person holding no property in the district. It was further revealed that during the six years he had been constable at Pittwater he had only taken one or two bushrangers, tho that part of the country is well known to be much resorted to by the Bushrangers and other bad characters. [AO 4/1888; 26/2292] The problem was dealt with by dismissing Burke and replacing him with Thomas Bolton as constable and Patrick Geary as pound keeper. [Syd Gaz 10 May 1826] Geary lived on Jeremiah Bryant s grant, which had been purchased by Robert Henderson, his son-in-law. A proper pound was constructed, which was paid for by Government. [AO Reel 2563; 28 July 1826] By 1828 Burke had moved once more, to McIntosh s 200 acre grant at present Bayview. Of the 200 acres, 12 had been cleared and cultivated, and he had 34 head of cattle. Living with Burke, then aged 57, were a 69 year old invalid named John Clarke, and two labourers. A map in surveyor Larmer s field book showed Burke still living on McIntosh s 200 acres in However, Robert McIntosh Junior sold the 200 acres to William Timothy Cape on 6 June 1834, and this may well have been the time that Burke moved to Mackerel Beach. Burke filed a claim for the Mackerel Beach land with the Commissioners for hearing and determining upon claims to grants of land: No.188. By Martin Burke, of Pitt Water, to 100 acres of land, promised by Sir Thomas Brisbane to John Clarke, now of Launceston, a pensioner of the 102d regiment, described as follows: situate in the county of Cumberland, parish of Broken Bay, 60 acres of Great Mackerel Beach, on the western shore of Pitt Water, and 40 acres adjoining and extending towards an inlet called the Basin, bounded on the north by James Reibey s 40 acres, on the west by a line south 16 chains, and on the east by the Little Mackerel Beach, Pitt Water, and the Great Mackerel Beach. [Syd Herald 28 April1834] Burke s old friend John Clarke (Tellicherry) described as labourer had moved to Van Diemen s Land, where he died on 28 December 1839, aged 80 years, in the District of Launceston. On 20 December 1833 Burke applied to have the deeds to the Mackerel Beach land prepared in his name, and this was done on 16 January [LTO SN33/181] On 6 November 1834 he sold the 60 acres to James Marks for 50, provided that Burke should occupy the house and outhouses and three acres of the land during the term of his natural life. [LTO Book G No.695] On 23 December 1836 Burke leased the 40 acres at Little Mackerel Beach to Patrick Flinn for 2/- per year for 999 years, upon trust for his daughter Ellen Flinn. [LTO Book K No.837] 11

12 Martin Burke was still living at Mackerel Beach at the time of the 1841 census, but he died at the Benevolent Asylum, Sydney, aged 72 years, and was buried on 30 July BURTON, John John Burton purchased Allotments Nos. 15 and 21 in the Village of Balgowlah for in February 1845, and 30 acres of land at Middle Harbour in July 1846 for 27, after Elizabeth Moore had forfeited 3 deposit. [AO Reel 1105] On 25 September 1845 he purchased the two grants of 100 acres each, originally granted to Matthew Charlton, for 150 each. [LTO Book 7 Nos. 505 &506] Burton was living at Manly Cove in April 1850 when he purchased further lots of 46 acres and 66 acres in the Parish of Manly Cove for 112. [AO Reel 1105] He was listed as settler, Manley Cove in the Sydney Commercial Directory for 1851, and his name also appeared in the 1856 Electoral List. However, although he still owned land at Manly Cove, at the time of the Electoral Roll he was living in Parramatta street, Sydney, and does not appear to have returned to Manly. Burton Street Balgowlah is named after him. CAMPBELL, Robert, Junior Robert Campbell Junior ( ), merchant, entrepreneur and pastoralist, arrived in Sydney on the Albion in August 1806 to work with his uncle, Robert Campbell Senior. He was a successful and prominent member of Sydney s commercial life by October 1813, when Governor Macquarie promised him a land grant of 700 acres at Bongin Bongin. (The farm was first called Kilmain and was not called Mona Vale until the late 1850s.) This 700 acre land grant, ordered in 1813, was surveyed on the 4th and 5th May 1814 by James Meehan (A.O. Map 4729). It was officially confirmed by Governor Macquarie on 31 August (LTO SN 12/32) The land was already in occupation in 1814, as Meehan mentioned Mr. Campbell s hut in his field book. On 28 September 1815, while surveying D Arcy Wentworth s land grant at present Manly Vale, Meehan mentioned finding line of Mr. Robert Campbell where it crossed Manly Creek, indicating that Campbell had made a track from North Harbour to his land. Part of this track was later (1826) upgraded by James Jenkins, and became known as Jenkins Road, while further north the tack was known as Campbell s Road or Campbell s Avenue until at least With modifications, this original track of Campbell has been gradually upgraded to form our main roads of Condamine Street and Pittwater Road. Having almost the whole of the Peninsula to choose from, it was likely that Campbell would choose the most fertile part. In 1880 an anonymous (real estate) author confirmed this opinion when he wrote: The soil of this locality is very rich, and it is rather strange that it is not cultivated. (The Pittwater and Hawkesbury Lakes Album, page 2.) Geographically, the area was potentially important as a settlement site; it was the natural junction for land routes on either side of Pittwater, it included the end of the long Pitt Water Range (Surveyor Govett s term now the route of Mona Vale Road), and there was access to Pittwater where port facilities might be constructed. Denis Sheehan and William Chadwick were already living on the 20 acre Kilmain Farm (out 12

13 of the 700 acre grant) when they agreed to rent it on 25 August 1817 for seven years. Campbell had left the area by His reason, stated in a letter from the Land Board Office to the Colonial Secretary, dated 12th March 1827, was that after expending some Capital in improving the Land then granted him, he found the soil of so bad a quality, that he was induced to sell Evidently he had found better land elsewhere. Campbell sold his Pittwater land to his horse-racing friend D Arcy Wentworth, and on 8th February1822 the following advertisement appeared in the Sydney Gazette: To be LET, a FARM, containing 700 Acres, situate at Pitt Water, and late in the occupation of Mr. ROBERT CAMPBELL, near 30 Acres of which are cleared, is a good run for Stock, and has a House erected thereon, and a Stock-yard. The said Farm is well supplied with water in the driest season. For particulars apply on the Premises, to Mr. Sommers, or to Mr. Chippendall, Sydney. CARIO, Joseph Joseph Cario ( Portugee Joe ) married Eliza Oliver in In a Statutory Declaration dated 30 April 1891 [LTO PA 10712], Thomas Oliver stated that McDonald s 30 acre grant at Salt Pans had been leased to Joseph Cario from 20 March 1878 for three years, where he lived with his wife in a two-room humpy. Both Oliver and Cario had cut wood on the land. Oliver Brooks wife Emma described the Carios home as a bark hut with a nice garden, on Salt Pan Point. Joe was sometimes known as Portugee Joe. Emma Brooks stated that they had no children, but on 29 October 1880 Joseph Cario nominated a boy, Robert Joseph, aged 9, to attend the school which was being established at Church Point.[AO 5/17356] Joseph Cario applied for 40 acres on the north side of Lovett s Bay under the Crown Lands Alienation Act of It was surveyed in November/December 1881, at which date improvements had been made to the value of 40, viz. clearing 4, cultivation 6, and house 30. A hut and garden are marked on the plan, close to the water. [LTO Map C ] Cario paid 40, and received his grant by purchase on 16 July [LTO Vol.799 Fol.108] He sold his land grant in August Joseph Cario owned a vessel, the Maid of Australia, which traded between Pittwater and Sydney. Eliza Cario died in 1893, and her husband Joseph died at Parramatta in CHAFFER, Philip - See SCHAFFER. CHARLTON, Matthew Matthew Charlton was convicted at the York Assizes on 6 March 1819 and sentenced to life (crime not stated). He departed Woolwich on 30 July 1819 for Port Jackson on the ship Recovery and arrived on 18 December He was one of 188 convicts on the ship. He was granted a Ticket of Leave for the district of Sydney on 15 April In 1833 he married Matilda Smith in St Philip s Church, Sydney. 13

14 Matthew received a Conditional Pardon from the Governor on 10 July He was a publican in Cumberland Street, Sydney when, on 14 January 1836 he applied to purchase 100 acres east of Parker s 50 acres, being a swamp. It was advertised as Lot 278 on 6 February 1837 and he purchased the land for 25. The deed was executed on 29 July [LTO SN65/61] He also applied for the adjoining 100 acres, bounded on the north by the Road from the Village of Balgowlah and on the west by his previous 100 acres, on 17 March It was advertised on 31 May 1837, but as it had not been measured at that stage it could not be sold. It was eventually measured by Surveyor Dalgety in 1841, and advertised again, as Lot 19, on 7 January By this time the price of land had risen, and Charlton requested that he might be allowed to purchase it at the 1837 price of 5/- per acre. His request was not granted, however, for he had to pay 60. The deed was executed on 5 April [LTO SN75/4] Charlton s property was known as Greendale. Charlton and his wife Matilda sold both of the 100 acre grants to John Burton on 25 September 1845 for 150 each. [LTO Book 7 Nos. 505 &506] CHEERS, Richard Richard Cheers was sentenced to death, commuted to life, at the Surrey Assizes on 26 March 1788 for stealing two geldings, valued at about 25. This led to his transportation to NSW for 14 years. He was one of 25 convicts on board the store ship Guardian which sailed from England in September The Guardian was crippled by an iceberg after leaving the Cape of Good Hope in December Richard was transferred to the Surprise and finally arrived in Sydney in June Cheers received a conditional pardon in recognition of services rendered at the time the Guardian was wrecked. David Collins reported in December 1791, In the course of this month a warrant of emancipation passed the seal of the territory to [thirteen convicts including Richard Cheers], convicts who left England in the Guardian, on condition of their residing within the limits of this government, and not returning to England within the period of their respective sentences. [David Collins Vol 1 page 160] He claimed to have been the first butcher in the Colony, and to have followed the business since his arrival. [AO Fiche 3002; 4/1821, No. 59] He held a 30 acre grant at the Eastern Farms in 1792, and leases of land in the Town of Sydney were listed in 1792 (the West side of the Cove), 1806 and 1809 (adjoining the Road leading to the Spring). His 100 acres of land at Manly Cove was granted on 6 November 1809, and confirmed by Governor Macquarie on his arrival in January [AO Fiche 3268; 9/2731] Cheers received a Wine and Spirit Licence in Under Governor Macquarie these licences were restricted but in 1810 Cheers s licence was renewed. [SG 17 Feb 1810]. His house and 14

15 premises at the time appear to have been on the corner of Hunter and George Streets Sydney. When Cheers wife Margaret (née Fogarty) died at their home in Sydney on 23 August 1810, an inquest was held, the jurors concluding unanimously that she came by her death in consequence of excessive inebriety. One of the witnesses at the inquest was Gilbert Baker. He stated that between the hours of six and seven o clock this morning he came to the House of Richard Cheers (to whom he is clerk), that he found the front door open, that Richard Cheers was up and as usual about the House with two of the children, that Cheers was preparing himself to go to his Farm, that he departed for the Farm in about half an hour after the Witnesses arrival at the House, that the Witness Henry King observed to this Witness that Mrs. Cheers had lain unusually long abed and King thence went into the Bed Room and returned immediately to Witness telling him that his Mistress (the deceased Person) was lying dead in Bed, that on his seeing Richard Cheers this morning he appeared in his usual manner of deportment, in no wise agitated or indicative of any act of criminality. [AO Reel 6021; 4/1819, p.80] Cheers found it necessary to warn trespassers to keep away from his North Harbour farm: Whereas some evil disposed Person or Persons have at different times committed serious Depradations on my Farm at North Harbour, by destroying and burning the Paling and Railing of the Stockyard &c. - Any Person who will give Information of the Offender or Offenders, so that they may be brought to Conviction, will receive a Reward of Two Pounds Sterling; and any Persons who may be found trespassing in any manner whatever on the said Farm after this Public Notice, will be prosecuted with the utmost severity of the Law. Richard Cheers. [Syd Gaz 19 Oct 1811] Robert Campbell Junior acquired Cheers farm. [Syd Gaz 14 May 1814 supp.] It later passed into the possession of D Arcy Wentworth, who then leased the property to Gregory Blaxland. (See also Whaley and Patullo) On 24 August 1825 the farm was advertised in the Australian by D Arcy Wentworth of Home Bush, as follows, To Let that capital dairy or grazing Farm, at North Harbour, commonly called Cheers s Farm and containing about 130 acres [which included Gilbert Baker s 30 acre grant], lately in the occupation of Gregory Blaxland, Esq. Cheers was very successful as a butcher and regularly supplied large quantities of meat to the Government of the time. [SG 3 August 1816] He also possessed farming skills. According to his death certificate, Richard Cheers died in Sydney on 21 February 1827 aged 77 [As he was born in 1759, he was really about 67 years.] He was buried in the Devonshire Street Cemetery. (now Central Railway Station) CLARKE, John (Phoenix) John Clarke was tried at either Winchester or Southampton Assizes on 30 July He was transported for fourteen years for felony, arriving in Hobart Town by the convict ship Phoenix on 20 May 1822, aged 47. His conduct record [Tas A CON 31/6] showed that he was sentenced to 25 lashes on 3 February 1823 for neglect of duty and disobedience of orders, and on 15 March 1823 he was sentenced to 50 lashes for a similar offence. A note in the margin stated, SC 15

16 [Supreme Court] May 1824 Verdict Insane. Also, the record stated, Gaol report Is well conducted & been a most respectable farmer ; Hulk report Orderly ; Stated this Offence Forged Notes; Wife and one child went on to Sydney in the Mary Ann. Clarke departed Hobart Town for Port Jackson on 31 July [Tas A CSO 63/1 p.83] A note on the document stated, Lunatic Prisoner forwarded to be placed in the Lunatic Asylum at Parramatta. On 26 September 1828 the Sydney Bench recommended that Clarke receive a Ticket of Leave. He was described as having been born in 1771, and being 5 feet 10¼ inches tall, of pale complexion, with hair brown to grey and bald, and grey eyes. An earlier description stated that he had a scar on his upper lip. His Ticket of Leave was granted on 26 December 1828, endorsed, Allowed to remain in the District of Hunters Hill. [AO Reel 911, TL 28/643] While in this district (North Shore) he apparently made the acquaintance of Robert Mackintosh II, and Capper Pass, the husband of Frances Johnson (who had a family connection with William Foster). John Clarke borrowed 40 from Capper Pass, for the purpose of purchasing Schaffer s Narrabeen farm from Robert McIntosh II. Robert Stewart was a Trustee for Capper Pass, and therefore the conveyance of the land was executed to Robert Stewart, on account of the 40 loan, on 19 March [LTO Book D No.368] The deed of grant to Robert Stewart as trustee was finally executed on 7 July [LTO Book 33 No. 222] The loan was repaid, with interest, to Stewart, and ownership of the land then reverted to John Clarke and his wife Sarah. On 23 October 1835 John Clarke of Narrabeen near Pitt Water applied to the Surveyor General to purchase 50 acres in Narrabeen Swamps, joining and bounded on the South West by Schaffer s 50 acres, and John Lea s 40 acres... [AO Reel 1110] The land was purchased by W.B. Rhodes. In 1837 Clarke had a 23 year old assigned convict named George Witherington working for him. John Clarke became a victim of escaped convicts. [SMH 27 March 1837] BUSHRANGERS. On Thursday last, a Mr Clark a settler, residing at Pittwater, proceeded to his daily avocations on his farm, a short distance from the dwelling house, leaving the gate and doors unlocked as usual; on his return home, he saw three fellows coming out of the house heavily laden with all the portable articles of furniture, wearing apparel, provisions, etc. and on meeting Mr. C they desired him to make haste home, intimating at the same time, that they would also accompany him; on his arrival at the house, they insisted on his undressing himself, even his shirt, which they took away with them, leaving Mr. C in a complete state of nudity. Resistance was fruitless, as there was no one that he could call to his assistance, Mrs Clark being in Sydney, and the men servants were at a great distance from the house at work. From the description given, there is no doubt that they are the three convicts who effected their escape from Goat Island a short time since. The bushrangers robbed other settlers at Pittwater, and were captured on 5 April [SMH 17 April 1837] The account of their capture is presented under the name, William Oliver. Clarke purchased John Lees grant in 1838, but the deed of grant was executed in the name of Capper Pass, the mortgagee. [LTO SN58/43] Mr and Mrs Clarke paid all their debts to Capper Pass. 16

17 At the time of the 1841 census, John Clarke was living at Narrabeen with his wife and two assigned convicts, one male and one female, in a wooden house. The male convict was probably Thomas Collins. Thomas Collins, who received his Ticket of Leave on 9 May 1843, was then in the service of John Clarke, and after Collins married Lavinia Maria Ellery on 11 March 1844 the couple continued to live with him. Mrs Sarah Clarke had died, and John Clarke was becoming very feeble by February 1847, when Collins bought three pigs from Clarke for 3. Five days later, on 16 February, Collins agreed to take all Clarke s land at Narrabeen, with all his possessions, 38 cows and all utensils for is use for 4 yeares for 40 per annum. Clarke made his will on 9 April 1847, leaving all his real and personal estate and effects to Thomas Collins. He died on 1 May CLARKE, John (Tellicherry) John Clarke had been a soldier on the Tellicherry in 1806, and had remained friends with Martin Burke since that time. He was a member of the Royal Veterans Company when it was disbanded on 24 September 1823, and in consequence he was entitled to receive a grant of 100 acres in any part of the Colony [AO Reel 6011; 4/3509 p.484; AO Fiche 3263; 4/7015 p.27] Clarke selected 100 acres of land, consisting of 60 acres at Great Mackerel Beach and 40 acres at Little Mackerel Beach. Martin Burke purchased the land from him in February [AO Reel 1104, M. Burke] By 1828 Burke had moved to McIntosh s 200 acre grant at present Bayview. John Clarke, then a 69 year old invalid, was living with him at this time but by about 1833 Clarke had moved to Van Diemen s Land near Launceston. He died there from decline, on 28 December 1839 aged 80 years. (see also Martin Burke) COLLINS, Jeremiah Jeremiah Collins of Anakissy, County Cork, who arrived in New South Wales with his wife Catherine (née Roche) and their children in early 1841, was Father Therry s main tenant and resided at a farm at Careel Bay. They may well have taken over as tenants from Jeremiah s nephew, John Doyle. The Collins known sons were John, Francis (Frank), William and Æneas. The 1841 census listed one Ticket of Leave man and one free employee working on the farm. Their known daughters were Mary, who married John Connolly in 1854, and Catherine, who married Bernard Daly in Jeremiah died at the age of 72, and was buried on 10 November His widow Catherine for many years lived with her daughter, whose husband, Bernard Daly, held the licence for the Union Hotel at North Sydney. She died in 1872 at the age of 81 years. [SMH 15 April 1872] This Collins family was unrelated to Thomas Collins, who lived at North Narrabeen. COLLINS, John John Collins, the eldest son of Jeremiah and Catherine Collins, married Honorah (probably 17

18 Honorah Stanton, in 1847). Their children were Ellen (b.1848), Patrick John, Margaret (b.1850), Jeremiah Joseph (b.1851), Katherine Mary (b.1853), Francis Edmund (b.1855) and twins John and Matthew Æneas (b.1859). John junior died in infancy. Following his father Jeremiah s death in 1852, John senior took over the farm at Careel Bay, assisted by his unmarried brothers, particularly Frank. Members of the Collins family were staunch supporters of the Roman Catholic Church at North Sydney. They frequently welcomed priests, who travelled to Pittwater, to their home. They were industrious workers, and built a dam at the head of Careel Bay to keep back the fresh water for use on their farm. Frank Collins worked as a boatman at the Customs Station for many years. A meeting was held at the Pier Hotel, Manly, on 17 September 1861, to enable the trustees of the Pittwater Road to hear the opinions of the residents on road repairs, the formation of new bridges, and the outlay of money voted by the Government for roads in the area. John Collins attended. [SMH 21 Sept 1861] When the dwelling and out-houses of Mona Vale farm, lately let to James Therry and family, were burnt down under suspicious circumstances on 5 November 1862, an inquiry by the City Coroner, Mr Parker, was held at the house of Mr John Collins. [SMH 3 Dec 1862] Frank Collins was mentioned by Mrs Therry as being one of the sympathetic and willing neighbours who was helping to rebuild the house in February In 1861 Charles de Boos described the Collins farmhouse: After crossing the creek, we came in sight of a homestead, small but neat, having evidently been only recently whitewashed. The paddock was now clear of all undergrowth, and, as a goodly cluster of large trees, the remnants of the former occupants of the soil, had been left standing round the house, it had an exceedingly pretty and picturesque appearance, its white sides gleaming out markedly from amongst the bright green of the shrubs around it, and the dark and sombre verdure of the forest monarchs that overshadowed it. This, said Tom, is Tom Collins, and he s the man that will show us the cave. [Probably John Collins was meant.] The cave? asked I. What cave? You ll see, he answered, a rum ʼun; such a one as you won t find anywhere else within a day s ride of Sydney, I can tell you. Here was a surprise indeed. I had never, during the whole of my lengthened sojourn in Sydney, heard of this cave, and I don t believe that fifty persons in the metropolis are to this day cognisant of its existence; thus, with a feeling something near akin to that of a first discoverer, I hastened up to Collins domicile. A tap at the door brought out the mistress of the house, accompanied by her brood of little ones, all fat, chubby, and rosy faced, bearing on their countenances the imprimatur of good health. Having mentioned our errand, we were invited to enter, and we found the interior of the domicile even more neat, and white, and bright, than the exterior, for it was the very beau ideal of cleanliness, and care. The tinware which hung from the shelves was polished till it shone like silver, whilst the shelves themselves being of deal, were scoured almost to whiteness. The floor, though an earthen one, was swept so clean that it more resembled a single large slab of stone 18