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

19 than what it really was; and the fire in the huge bush fireplace was nicely kept in the centre, each side being swept as carefully as the floor itself had been. The hut had been recently whitewashed throughout, and the whole had such a light and cleanly air as strongly to remind me of some of the farmhouses it has been my lot to visit in the mother country.... Unfortunately our man, Tom [i.e. John] Collins, who knew all about the cave, and who was in fact, its first discoverer, was absent from home; his brother, however, would very willingly guide us to the spot, so said Mrs. Collins, and waiting the arrival of her brother-in-law, she brought forth a huge jug of milk, from which she desired us to help ourselves. [de Boos: My holiday] One of John Collins brothers arrived, and conducted the three friends to St. Michael s Cave. St. Michael s Cave, and the Hole-in-the-Wall (sometimes called St. Michael s Arch) were natural features which people enjoyed visiting, often with one of the Collins brothers as a guide. The Illustrated Sydney News of 15 October 1864 pictured the Hole-in-the-Wall, and advised intending visitors, As the scenery along the coast from Manly Beach to the [Broken] Bay is of the loveliest description, we advise all lovers of the picturesque to hire a spring cart from Mr Miles who lives about half a mile from the Pier Hotel and proceed, early in the morning, to Mr Collins house, about thirteen miles distance so as to be able to inspect this extraordinary specimen of natural architecture, and to return to Manly the same day. An article, A ride to Barranjoey, provides another beautiful description of the Collins farm: A view suddenly breaks on the way-farer, certainly, unsurpassed, we think, in this or any other country. It is a magnificent valley, nearly surrounded by hills, in the centre of which is the dairy farm of Mr John Collins, nearly opposite whose door rises, to the height of 360 feet, the South Head of Broken Bay. On the west side are the ranges that divide Pitt Water Harbour from the Hawkesbury River, and through a narrow flat, may be seen the placid water of one of the numerous bays of this fine haven. This farm is part of the property of the late Rev. Mr Therry, R.C., and is also well covered with rich grass. Mr. Collins is seldom without a visitor, either by sea or land, and very few ever pass his hospitable cottage on the way to Barrenjoey without calling. Once again, the cave and the arch were described. In 1867, this was the limit for vehicles; from thence to Barranjoey it is only a bridle-track over a mountain, rugged with broken rocks and gnarled trees... [SMH 22 March 1867] Alas, three months later the arch was destroyed by phenomenally bad weather. A correspondent (probably John Collins) at Broken Bay wrote: June 24. We have had tremendous weather, but, as far as Pitt Water is concerned, no damage has been done, with the exception to one of our picturesque curiosities, St. Michael s Arch. It has at length yielded to the mighty elements and the destroying influence of time,... there is only about one half of the outer support left, looking at it from a distance it has the resemblance of a colonial pillar. In its fall it carried a large portion of the overhanging rock with it, a thousand tons of gigantic boulders, and in such masses that I think it will stop the ingress from that part to the cave, but as yet we have had no close inspection, for the rollers are dashing to the height of the stupendous rocks. The only idea I can give of the gale is, that the froth of (not spray) the sea came over Mount St. Joseph, opposite the house, half a foot in size, and spread itself down to the dam, at times shading the heights of the mountain, - its resemblance was that of an overwhelming snow storm. Debris from the Hawkesbury River covered the beaches from Barrenjoey to Long Reef. [SMH 27 June 1867] John Collins was appointed to be a member of a committee, at a meeting held in the Church of England schoolroom, Manly on 1 July, the object 19

20 being to make a collection to relieve the suffering of distressed settlers on the Hawkesbury, Nepean and other rivers. [SMH 3 July 1867] Another public meeting was held in the schoolroom, on 24 August 1868, this time to discuss the defective state of land communications with Sydney, and particularly the expediency of establishing a public punt across Middle Harbour. Mr John Collins of Pitt Water took part in the discussion and seconded a resolution, adding that residents in his neighbourhood were greatly prejudiced by their inability to get their produce to market, as well as in other ways. [SMH 29 Aug 1868] On 23 August 1870 Frank Collins, John, and John s son Jeremiah all signed a petition for a biweekly mail service between Manly and Barranjoey. John Collins was identified as being a trustee for the St. Leonards and Pitt Water Roads. The petition was presented on 15 November 1870 by Thomas Black of H.M. Customs & Telegraph Station, Broken Bay. A Post Office was established at Barranjoey with Mr Black as Postmaster and a weekly mail between Manly and Barrenjoey in July [AA (NSW) SP32/1 Barrenjoey] Archbishop Vaughan, attended by Rev. Dean Hallinan, visited Pittwater on 8 November 1875, for the purpose of holding confirmation. The rite was administered to a considerable number of applicants, in the chapel lately erected near the residence of Mr John Collins, which was decorated for the occasion. [SMH 11 Nov 1875] A general election was held in New South Wales in October The whole Peninsula came within the St. Leonards electoral district. Polling was to take place on Wednesday, 31 October, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the polling place at Pittwater was Mr. Collins cottage. James Squire Farnell was elected as the member for St. Leonards. In October 1877 John Collins offered a wooden slab building in a fair state of repair at Careel Bay for use as a Provisional School. The building measured 32 feet by 13 feet; there was a schoolroom about 20 feet by 13 feet, and three extra rooms for the teacher s accommodation. The building had windows, a boarded floor, and was roofed with Hobart Town palings. Thirty children lived within a radius of two miles. The applicants were Mr Black the Customs Officer, and John and Frank Collins. Mr John Ryan was appointed teacher in January The Collins landlord, Revd J.J. Therry, had died on 25 May In his will he desired that the Irish Jesuits and they alone should have the management of the whole of my property for the purpose of appropriating its proceeds, whether of sales or rents or in any other form, for religious, charitable, and educational purposes. A series of trustees carried out the provisions of the will. Therry had other property besides his Pittwater estate, and land sales were made elsewhere before the trustees turned their attention to Pittwater. Therry had expressed the wish to have a village, to be called Josephton, established at Pittwater, and the Marine Village of Brighton (Josephton) Pitt Water was subdivided in [ML M /1871/1] The first sale appears to have been to John Collins on 10 October [LTO Book 132 No. 924] Collins had built a cottage on Lot 1 of section XIII, which lot was bounded by John Street on the south, William Street on the west, and the creek on the north. He paid the 20

21 trustees 5, but the value of the lot with its improvements was 40. The lot was to be conveyed to Hannah Andrews, the wife of John Andrews, in exchange for the Andrews 50 acres at the Basin, on the opposite side of Pittwater. [LTO Book 132 Nos. 923 & 924] Later, John Collins widow Honorah conveyed this land to her son, Patrick John Collins, on 28 September [LTO Book 372 No.284] John Collins purchased Thomas Warner s 50 acre grant at Stokes Point from George Green on 21 October 1870 for 70. On the same day he sold it to the Revd. Joseph Dalton, one of the trustees of Therry s will, for 100. [LTO Book 121 Nos.729, 730] The whole of Therry s Pittwater estate was advertised for sale in the Sydney Morning Herald, 17 April [See ML Subdivision Map N2/20] On 22 May 1880 the Freeman s Journal carried an article by Cruig Barry called A trip to Pittwater. His friends had recently bought land on the estate, and were going to inspect their investment. As they approached, a splendid valley lay before us with the homestead of the patriarch of Pittwater, Mr John Collins, in the distance... Mr Collins farm is situated in the valley, being flanked on the east by St. Michael s Cave and the South Head of Broken Bay, and on the west by Mount St. Mary. After doing full justice to Mr Collins s hospitality, we sallied forth under his guidance to survey that part of the estate in which we were interested. His friends had purchased land at Long Beach, on Pittwater, and they were delighted with their investment. John Collins also purchased twelve lots in the Brighton (Josephton) subdivision, totalling approximately 4¾ acres, for 12 on 2 December [LTO Book 212 No. 345] On the same day his brother Frank purchased three lots for 9. [LTO Book 212 No. 346] Sales may have been slow, for a further advertisement appeared in the Herald on 9 and 12 May 1881 advertising a sale by auction. At this auction, on Monday 16 May 1881, Collins farm, consisting of Block III (128acres 1r.34p.) and Block IV (65 acres 0r. 32p.) of the North Division of the estate, were sold to Gustave Adolphe Lix, farmer, for s 8d. [LTO Book 313 No. 217] Four days later, on 20 May 1881, John Collins was found floating in the water at North Sydney. The following two items appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald on Monday, 23 May: DEATH - COLLINS, - May 21, at the residence of his brother-in-law, John Connolly, St. Leonards, John Collins, late of Pittwater, aged 64 years. May his soul rest in peace. Immediately after the arrival of the ferry steamer Wallaby at Lavender Bay at a quarter to 6 o clock on Friday evening, the fireman, named John Butler, discovered that a man had fallen overboard. Butler threw off his coat, plunged into the water, and succeeded in rescuing the man, who proved to be Mr. John Collins, a resident of Pittwater. Collins was taken to the Union Hotel, and was attended by Dr. Browne, but, without recovering consciousness, expired at a quarter to 3 o clock on Saturday morning. The doctor has given a certificate to the effect that death arose from capillary bronchitis. This indeed was a sad ending for the man who, in stark contrast with others who lived in the Pittwater district, had done so many positive things to assist the community. On 21 July 1881 John s widow Honorah applied to the Secretary for Public Instruction for back 21

22 rent at the rate of 12 per annum for the cottage which had served as a Provisional School since February The District Inspector pointed out that no rent was charged or expected by the late Mr Collins, and Mrs Collins had no claim; further, rent was not paid by the Department for Provisional School premises. Payment was refused. [AO 5/14813] On 8 September 1881 Honorah Collins purchased from Therry s estate the 80 acre grant at Bayview, next to Winnyjimmy Swamp, for 80, which was the market value of the land at the time. [LTO Book 229 No. 144] Honorah and her daughter Katherine lived at Bayview, Katherine taking on the duties of Post Mistress to the growing Bayview area on 21 August She married James Roche on 18 April 1883, and the land became known as Roche s farm. Meanwhile, Lix offered Collins homestead buildings for use as a school in June In January 1885 Lix appointed an attorney, and went overseas. By 16 May 1885 he had paid 250 of the purchase money, the balance owing to the trustees being 866 6s. 0d. On 29 June 1885 Lix s attorney sold the farm to Josef Kretschmann, Professor of Music, for [LTO Book 313 No. 216] On 10 December 1885 the Sydney Morning Herald advertised for sale by auction: That very choice property known as KRETCHMANN S FARM, containing a total area of 193 acres 2 roods 26 perches, two sides of which are fenced with a two-rail fence. The HOMESTEAD consists of two slab cottages, roofed with iron, one containing 4 rooms and the other 2 rooms, besides which there are various sheds for cattle, pigs, poultry, &c. There are also two paddocks, one of 6 and the other of 8 acres newly fenced, with a 6-barbed wire fence, and cleared ready for cultivation. There is a plentiful supply of water on the property, while the land has a frontage to the main road of 1673 feet by a great depth to the waters of Broken Bay, to which it has also a large frontage. Fine views of the Hawkesbury River and the ocean, at same time well sheltered from adverse winds. The tramway on the Military-road is expected to pass through the farm, and it is only 10 minutes walk from Clareville Pier, Pittwater. A contract for sale to John Davison was transacted on 5 February [LTO Book 336 No. 603] On 18 May 1886 an order was made by the Chief Commissioner for Insolvent Estates, placing Kretschman s estate under sequestration. The official assignee of the estate, Lancelot Threlkeld Lloyd, finally conveyed the estate to John Davison on 20 February [LTO Book 381 No. 150] Davison paid 816 1s 6d to Lloyd, and 30 to Simeon Frankel. John s brother, Frank Collins, died at Barrenjoey on 9 May 1886 and was buried in the Lane Cove Cemetery. [SMH 11 May 1886] Honorah Collins died on 20 October 1897 and was buried in Chatswood R.C. Cemetery. [SMH 21 October 1897] COLLINS, John Thomas John Thomas Collins, the son of Thomas and Lavinia Collins, both of whom were involved in the case concerning the murder of David Foley in 1849, was born about He should not be confused with John Collins, the son of Jeremiah Collins, who lived at Careel Bay. Land measuring 93 acres 1 rood was advertised as Lot 38 in a proclamation dated 25 March This was on the western side of Elizabeth Jenkins nominal 80 acres, on the northern side 22

23 of Narrabeen Lagoon. It was purchased in the name of John Thomas Collins, then aged about five years, and granted by Governor Denison on 14 July [LTO SN 132/1685] However, Elizabeth Jenkins claimed that it overlapped her 80 acres, and J.T. Collins surrendered it to the Crown on 19 August The area beyond dispute, 38 acres only, was re-granted to J.T. Collins. John married Sarah Ann, the eldest child of John and Mary Ann Farrell, and they had one child, also Sarah Ann, born In they had a store in Raglan Street, near Whistler Street. Two entrepreneurs, Charles Jeanneret and George Pile, wished to establish a township at Newport, and the first building constructed by them in 1880 was the Newport Hotel, a very simple timber building. Apparently the hotel had almost been completed by the Queen s birthday on 24 May 1880, when the steamship Kembla ran a family excursion to Pittwater and the new marine township of Newport. Refreshments were obtainable at the Newport Hotel or on board the steamer itself. Tickets for the trip were five shillings each for adults, with children half price. In October 1879 John T. Collins held the mail contract between Manly and Pittwater. He wrote to the Secretary of the General Post Office in Sydney on 22 October, stating that he was unwilling to give it up, as I have made arrangements for Continuance of same. However, the contract went to C.E. Jeanneret from 1 January [AA(NSW) SP32/1 Barrenjoey] A few months after the Kembla excursion Charles Jeanneret and George Pile decided to lease the Newport Hotel to John Thomas Collins for a twelve month period commencing on 21 September Collins inserted the following advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald the day after his lease was granted: NEWPORT HOTEL PITTWATER JOHN COLLINS, Proprietor FIRST-CLASS ACCOMMODATION BOATS ALWAYS AT THE WHARF for Fishing Parties Buggies for Excursionists at the Hotel. The steamer Florrie starts from the wharf for Gosford and the Hawkesbury. Splendid Ocean Beach. Grand Mountain Scenery. Pending the issue of a licence the Hotel will be conducted as an Accommodation House. Coaches leave the Manly Wharf and the Colonnade Hotel Manly whenever required. John T. Collins wanted to lease his own steamboat and advertised in December 1880: TO STEAMBOAT PROPRIETORS Wanted to Charter, for 6-12 months, a steam LAUNCH, capable of comfortably carrying not less than 16 passengers, to ply from Newport about Pittwater and the Hawkesbury. Apply, by letter, John Collins, care Mr John Farrell, Manly. [SMH 27 Dec 1880] A tragic fatal boat accident occurred at Pittwater on 11 April 1881, while Collins was still the lessee of the Newport Hotel. This disaster may have had some bearing on Collins inability to ever obtain a liquor licence anywhere at Newport. 23

24 A verbal statement as to the circumstances attending the deaths of Mrs Phillips and George Cobb, at Broken Bay, on the 11th April, has been made by Joseph Medina, the man who was in charge of the boat, and has been corroborated by a son of the deceased lady, John Henry Phillips, who was also in the boat at the time of the disaster. The statement is as follows: I was in company with George Cobb, at Newport, at an accommodation house kept by John Collins, on Sunday, the 10 th instant. He had engaged me to take him there that he could arrange for the reception of a headstone over a grave near there. I was to be paid 1 for the service. While there I saw him buy two bottles of brandy and one of schnapps, for which he paid Mrs Collins the sum of 10s. She said to him he was still in debt 2s more for the grog. He was the worse for liquor. Leaving there he returned the same day with me to Pittwater. On the following day, Monday, I took George Cobb at his request again to Newport; he said he wanted to go there and get a little more grog to put him right. He was quite sober going over. I went there myself to bring Mrs Phillips home. She had been there working for the Collins. George Cobb got some grog there, and I started home in my small boat, in company with him, Mrs Phillips, and her son John Phillips. All went well till after passing Stokes Point, when George Cobb wanted a little grog, which Mrs Phillips did not want to give him, saying he had had plenty. He said he would get some himself, and on getting up for that purpose he slipped, lurching the boat over to the port side. The lurch threw Mrs Phillips over the side, also causing me to step on the thwart. The boat gunwale went under, and she filled, throwing us all into the water. With young Phillips I tried my best to save Mrs Phillips and Cobb, but could not, and they sank. Phillips, after some time swam for shore, which he reached. He got a boat there, and with a man named Alfred Wilson, came to my help. They took me off the bottom of the boat, to which I had been clinging from the time they sank. I think the whole accident came about through the grog. Signed, Joseph Medina, John Henry Phillips, before Albert Thomas Black, J.P. Mr Black, Customs officer and J.P., held an inquest yesterday into the causes which led to the accident, but the result is not yet known. The Coroner will also, it is expected, hold an inquest on the bodies. [DT 19 April 1881] The boating accident led to a charge of sly grog selling. At the Water Police Court on Wednesday 4 May 1881, Mrs Sarah Collins, the holder of a colonial wine licence at Pittwater, near Manly, was charged with unlawfully selling spirituous liquor without a licence, on Sunday, 10th April last. Mr Gannon appeared for the defence. Joseph Medina, a fisherman residing at Broken Bay, deposed that he saw defendant supply one George Cobb, since deceased, with two bottles of brandy and a bottle of schnapps, and he saw the latter give her half a sovereign in payment. Witness went to defendant s place in a boat, in company with George Cobb and a lad named Phillips. Defendant, who was inside the counter, told George Cobb that he was 2s in her debt, which he promised to pay in a few days, when he expected some money. The defendant s husband was not present when she sold the liquor. Nothing was said about payment for any meals had by Cobb. John Henry Phillips, a fisherman residing at Broken Bay, corroborated the evidence given by the previous witness. He took the spirits from George Cobb, who, he said, became very drunk. Owing to this, the boat in which they embarked to return capsized, and Cobb was drowned. In cross examination this witness said he could not swear that the half sovereign which Cobb paid was not for meals had by him. They had a meal together at Collins place. 24

25 For the defence, Mr Charles E. Jeanneret, J.P. was called, who deposed that he had a contract for carrying mails between Newport and Manly Beach. He had been in the habit of ordering spirits through Collins, the defendant s husband. He got the spirits for his friends on special occasions when he went on an excursion. He had given an order to some of his men to get spirits from Collins, but not to Cobb on this occasion. John Farrell, a publican at Manly Beach, said he knew the late George Cobb. He had supplied two bottles of brandy and schnapps to Collins, and had sent the spirits to him for George Cobb. He had previously supplied Collins with spirits when ordered. On the Sunday previous to Cobb s death, witness supplied Cobb with spirits on the order of Collins. Defendant was his daughter. John Collins, who was his son-in-law, ordered the liquor from him (witness) for George Cobb. The Bench dismissed the charge. [DT 5 May 1881] Although his twelve month lease of the Newport Hotel expired on 21 September 1881, John Thomas Collins refused to vacate the premises, saying that he was entitled to hold possession under a verbal agreement, and that certain negotiations for his purchase of the property for 1,100 were pending. The owners of the hotel, C.E. Jeanneret and George Pile, declined to renew the lease, and took Collins to court. On 14 November the magistrates in the Water Police Court ordered a warrant of ejectment to be issued unless the premises were vacated within fourteen days. [DT 15 Nov 1881] After Collins departed, the Newport Hotel was taken over by William Boulton, who was granted a liquor licence on 31 January Having been disappointed in his tenancy of the Newport Hotel, John Thomas Collins entered into a form of lease on 22 September 1882, with his brother-in-law Daniel Farrell, a son of John Farrell II and owner of an original fifty acre grant made to Richard Porter, adjacent to the new township of Newport. The lease was never registered. This lease permitted John Thomas Collins to occupy the dwelling at Newport called Bayview House, together with the hotel [accommodation only] yards and paddocks, outhouses and buildings, which covered in all about six acres of land. The lease was to run from 1 October 1882, for ten years, and the rental was set at 60 p.a. for the first six years and 80 p.a. for the remaining four years. In addition to paying rent Collins agreed with the lessor to repair and paint the outside of the dwelling every third year. During his period of tenure he was not permitted to keep or depasture more than six cows and three horses on the premises. Further the lessee agreed with the lessor that he would as soon as possible obtain a licence for the sale of spirituous liquors on the premises, and that he would not use the premises for any other purpose than as an hotel and public house. The lessor (Daniel Farrell) still retained the right for himself, his servants and workmen, to use the wharf on the premises, and the lessor was also to have the free and independent use of two stalls in the stables of the premises. Free entry to the premises during the term of the lease was also granted to the lessor or his servants. [(LTO Appn Unregistered Lease] 25

26 John T. Collins never obtained the hotel liquor licence for Bayview House that he so much desired and in 1883 he was brought to court for sly grog selling. WATER POLICE COURT LICENSING BUSINESS NEWPORT John T. Collins was charged by Sub-inspector Atwill with having, on the 14th March 1883, he (defendant) not then being the agent or servant of the holder of a licence authorizing the sale of liquors under the Licensing Act of 1882, in a house situate and being at Newport, in the metropolitan licensing district, sold certain liquor, to wit whisky, without holding a licence authorizing the sale thereof. Defendant pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr W. Roberts, sen. Walter Love, butcher, residing at Surry Hills, deposed that he knew defendant before the Court; witness was at the defendant s house, at Newport, on Wednesday, 14th instant; witness arrived at 10 o clock in the morning, and stayed there all that day and that night, having dinner and tea there; defendant kept a grocery store; about half an hour after arriving at the store witness had some whisky; the whisky was paid for by the coachman who drove witness from Manly to Newport; the coachman was supplied with some beer; the whisky was supplied to witness by the defendant; the coachman paid 2s for the whisky and beer; after dinner, and at about 3 o clock in the afternoon, the coachman (who drove witness down), Mr. Wansdell (surveyor), and witness were in the bar, and were each supplied with one glass of whisky; the three drinks were supplied by defendant, and witness paid 1s 6d for them; defendant got the drink off the shelf. Subinspector Atwill was about to examine the witness as to whether he was supplied with whisky at 7 o clock that evening, but Mr Roberts objected to the question being put, on the ground that every sale constituted a separate offence. He had come there on behalf of his client to answer one charge, and not a series of charges in one information. Mr Buchanan said that it would be better if Mr Atwill confined his examination to one case. Witness was further examined by Mr Atwill, and said that he was supplied with a bottle of whisky that day. Cross examined by Mr Roberts: Witness was not seeking an appointment in the police force; he had given information in that case for the good of the colony; some time ago he followed his occupation as a butcher, but recently he had been living at home and assisting his father to get the Collaroy off the beach; Mr Wansdell lodged at defendant s house; witness called for the drinks which were supplied at 3 o clock on the afternoon of the 14th instant; witness did not know that, in the event of there being a conviction, it was competent for the magistrates to award him some portion of the fine; he did not want any portion of the penalty; he had instituted these proceedings simply as a matter of honesty. In re-examination by Mr Atwill, witness said that there was a counter in the place where the drinks were served, and at the back of the counter a shelf containing bottles of liquors; the place resembled the bar of a public house. Alexander Atwill, acting sub-inspector of police deposed that the defendant was not the holder of a publican s licence, nor was he the agent or servant of a person holding a licence. Mr Atwill was about to give evidence with respect to an alleged seizure of liquors on the premises of the defendant on the 16th instant, but Mr Roberts objected to the admission of such evidence, on the ground that it had nothing to do with the charge before the Court. Mr Buchanan said that the Bench were divided on the question. He considered that the evidence which was objected to might be of a corroborative character, and he thought it was admissible, but he would not 26

27 exercise a casting vote in favour of the thing objected to. The proposed evidence would not be admitted. John Wansdell, civil engineer and consulting land surveyor, deposed that he knew the defendant, and had been stopping at his place on and off for the last two or three years; witness knew the informer by sight; witness was at the defendant s on the 14th instant; the man Love did not to his (witness ) recollection call upon Collins to supply him with any drinks; witness was quite sure that Love did not call upon the defendant to supply him, the coachman, and witness with any whisky; three glasses of whisky were not supplied to the three men, and Love did not pay 1s 6d for any drinks; Love paid for no drinks at Collins that day; witness was generally sober enough, but occasionally he took too much; the witness Love arrived at the defendant s house at 11 o clock on the morning of the 14th instant, but did not see him until that evening, when the candles were lighted; Love slept in the same room as witness that night; witness had a bottle of whisky, which he had borrowed from Collins, in his room, and Love helped him (witness) to finish it; witness had a running account at Collins ; next morning witness learned that Love had obtained a bottle of whisky from Mrs Collins in his (witness ) name, and had gone away with it; Love was to have gone out to assist witness in some surveying. John Thomas Collins deposed that he was the defendant; on the 14th instant he did not sell the man Love any whisky or other liquor; Love never paid witness 1s 6d for whisky on that day; it was true that Mr Wansdell occasionally borrowed a bottle of whisky from witness, and a day or two afterwards gave witness another bottle of whisky for that which had been borrowed; on the 14th, Love, Wansdell, and the coachman were not in the shop together; there was a counter in the shop; Love did not call for, nor did witness supply him with, three glasses of whisky. By Mr Atwill: Witness had had whisky, porter, beer, wine, wine glasses, tumblers, and decanters behind the counter, but he kept those stores there because it was the only place that was locked up; the other parts of the house were open to the public; could not say whether he, on the 16th instant, told Mr Atwill that there was no whisky in the house; Mr Atwill found some whisky in a cellar; it was not a publican s cellar; besides forage and crockery, there were some cordials and some whisky in the cellar; witness told Mr Atwill that he had given Mr Wansdell a bottle of whisky. By Mr Macintosh: There were no spirits or wines on the shelves at the back of the counter on the 14th instant. By Mr Roberts: The whisky witness drank and the porter his wife drank; he had the liquors for his own use. Mr Buchanan said that a majority of the Court was of opinion that the defendant was guilty. He would have to pay a fine of 30 and the costs of the Court. Mr Roberts gave notice of his intention to appeal against the decision. [SMH 30 Mar 1883] Mrs Sarah Collins was also charged in 1883 with selling spirits without a licence. The Licensing Court sat at noon on Thursday, 12 April, when the Bench was occupied by Messrs. Buchanan (chairman), Marsh, and Addison S.Ms; and the Hon. L. Macintosh, L.M. Sarah Ann Collins, wife of John T. Collins, was summoned by Inspector Atwill for that she, not being the agent or the servant of the holder of a licence authorizing the sale of liquor under the Licensing Act of 1882, did, on the 15th March, in a house situate and being at Newport, in the metropolitan licensing district, sell certain liquor, to wit, whisky, without holding a licence under 27

28 the said Licensing Act, authorizing the sale thereof, contrary to the Act in such case made and provided. The defendant pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr W. Roberts, sen. Walter Love, butcher, deposed that on the night of the 14th March he stopped at the house of the defendant s husband, John T. Collins, at Newport; witness got up at 7.15 a.m. on the 15th March, leaving Mr Wansdell, who occupied the same room, asleep in bed; witness went into a little room called the bar, and called for four whiskies, a spirituous liquor, for himself and three others who were in the bar; Mrs Collins, the defendant, served them, and witness paid her 1s; defendant took the bottle from the shelf behind the bar; the other three persons had slept in the house that night, but not in the same bedroom as witness; they went away in a steamer; witness and the others had the four drinks before breakfast; witness had breakfast by himself at 8 o clock in the morning. Mr Atwill was proceeding to examine the witness with respect to a bottle of whisky which it was alleged he purchased from the defendant, but Mr Roberts objected to the evidence being admitted, stating that every sale constituted a separate offence. They had, he said, evidence with respect to four sales of whisky. Mr Buchanan overruled the objection. The examination of the witness was then resumed by Mr Atwill. After breakfast witness was, he deposed, supplied with a bottle of whisky by Mrs Collins; he paid her 5s 6d for it; defendant got the whisky out of a box which was in a room behind the bar; the bottle of whisky was rolled up in red tissue paper; there appeared to be other bottles in the case; witness put a mark on the bottle of whisky and gave it to Sub-inspector Atwill; the bottle of whisky produced was the same; that bottle of whisky was similar to the other bottle of whisky produced; witness had not spoken to Mr Wansdell, who was in the same bedroom as that which witness had occupied; they had had whisky the night before in the bedroom; some of the whisky was left in the bottle from over night, and on the morning of the 15th witness emptied what whisky was left, and went to the defendant, gave her back the empty bottle, and asked her for another bottle for himself. At this stage of the proceedings the bottle of whisky the witness deposed he had purchased from the defendant was opened in Court, and the witness and Sub-inspector Atwill tasted the spirit. Witness had now tasted part of the contents of that bottle, and would swear that it was whisky; there was no one in the bar but the defendant when she served him with the bottle of whisky; witness paid her 6s, and she returned him 6d.; there was no one else in the house but Wansdell; the defendant put the money into her pocket; the three men were three young fellows, who came down from the Hawkesbury; witness did not know them. Sub-inspector Atwill then entered the witness box, and was about to give evidence with respect to an alleged seizure of spirits on the premises occupied by the defendant, on 16th March, but Mr Roberts objected to the evidence being admitted. The Bench were divided upon the point as to the admissibility of the evidence, and as no casting vote was given by the chairman, the evidence on that point was excluded. Mr Atwill then deposed that he was a sub-inspector under the Licensing Act; the defendant was not the holder of a licence, nor the agent or servant of any holder of a licence authorizing the sale of liquor; on the 15th March the bottle of whisky produced was brought to witness by the witness Walter Love; witness had tasted some of the contents of the bottle and found it to be whisky; the label represented that the bottle contained Royal Household Whisky. Sarah Ann Collins deposed that she was the wife of John Thomas Collins, and that she resided 28

29 with her husband at Newport; on the morning of the 15th March, Love was a lodger at witness s house; there was a lodger named Wansdell there also; witness s husband was at home that morning and was attending to domestic duties; he was on the premises until 8 o clock on the morning of the 15th; witness did not supply Love or any other person with four nobblers of whisky; she received no money from Love, who was still indebted for his board and lodging; Love had breakfast at about 5 or 10 minutes past 9 o clock; witness s husband was not on the premises at that time; part of the night of the 14th Love slept in the same room as Mr Wansdell; after Love had had his breakfast he came down, and said Mr Wansdell had sent him for a bottle of whisky; witness, believing that statement, gave Love a bottle of whisky for Mr Wansdell; Love did not pay anything for that bottle of whisky; witness saw Mr Wansdell at between 9 and 10 o clock, and asked him, Did you send the man who agreed to work for you down for a bottle of whisky? Mr Wansdell said, No. Love came on Wednesday and left on the Thursday morning, when he owed 8s for board and lodging; he had never paid that sum; no one had ever paid anything for that bottle of whisky; Wansdell, who had lodged at witness s place for three years, occasionally borrowed a bottle of whisky, but he always gave other bottles of whisky in return for what he had borrowed. By Mr Atwill: Witness had bottles of whisky bearing the same brand as that produced on her premises on the morning of the 15th March; Love brought down an empty bottle when he got the bottle of whisky for Mr Wansdell; when Sub-inspector Atwill visited the place on the morning of the 16th he found some bottles of whisky in a box in the cellar. John Wansdell, surveyor, deposed that he was lodging at Mr Collins place on 15th March; witness engaged Love to assist him at surveying in the field; Love slept in the same room as witness on the night of the 14th March; witness did not on the morning of the 15th send Love for a bottle of whisky; when witness came down stairs on the morning of the 15th Mrs Collins informed him that Love had obtained a bottle of whisky on his account, and he then stated to Mrs Collins that he had not sent Love for any whisky; witness sometimes borrowed a bottle of whisky from Mr or Mrs Collins, but he always gave another bottle of whisky in return. Mr Roberts having addressed the Bench, Mr Buchanan said the majority of the Bench were of opinion that the charge had been borne out by the evidence. The defendant would have to pay a fine of 30 and costs. Mr Roberts gave notice of his intension to appeal against the decision of the Court. [SMH 13 April 1883] The appeal cases were heard at the Metropolitan Quarter Sessions at Darlinghurst on Thursday, 14 June, before Mr District Court Judge Murray. John T. Collins, of Newport, near Pittwater, storekeeper, appealed against the decision of the licensing magistrates of the Water Police Court, under which he was fined the sum of 30 for selling whisky on March 14 last, at which time he was not the holder of a publican s licence. The grounds of appeal were that the applicant was not guilty of the offence with which he was charged, and that the evidence of the informer was not corroborated. Mr Tarloton, instructed by Mr W. Roberts, sen., appeared in support of the appeal; and Mr Backhouse and Sub-inspector Atwill appeared to show cause why it should not be allowed. In a great measure the case was a rehearing, but some additional evidence was given. Sub-inspector Atwill gave evidence to the effect that appellant s premises presented the 29

30 appearance of an hotel, and that he had found considerable quantities of liquor, together with glasses, there. Evidence was also called to prove that so far as a man named Walter Love was concerned liquor had been sold and paid for at the place. Appellant contended that it was untrue that any such sale had taken place, and called witnesses in support of his contention, but it was admitted that he was in the habit of giving people liquor and not charging them for it. The Judge said that he did not intend to upset the decision of the magistrates, because he believed, from the evidence now produced, that it was perfectly right. The place was a sly grog-shop of a very common character. Those who lived in towns were not aware of the existence of such places, but those who travelled through the country knew that they had been carried on for years. In fact, there was a strong impression in the minds of some persons that the Act was an unfair one, and that they could sell liquor with impunity; but the law was that such persons, if they broke it, must be fined. He would uphold the decision of the magistrates, and would also allow 5 5s costs for council against the appellant. Sarah Ann Collins, wife of the above named appellant, appealed against a similar conviction against her. The evidence was of the same character as that in the preceding case. Sub-inspector Atwill deposed to having found liquor on the premises, and Walter Love proved that he had purchased a bottle of whisky from appellant. The contention of appellant was that the whisky was obtained by Love under false pretences for another person who was a lodger. This conviction was also upheld, and costs were given against the appellant. [SMH 15 June 1883] J.T. Collins continued to advertise. Hawkesbury River. Visitors wishing to see the beautiful scenery on the noted Hawkesbury, second to none in the world for scenery and beauty can start from Sydney every Friday 2.15 p.m. steamer to Manly, Farrell s coach from Manly 3.15 p.m. to Newport, where passengers will find comfortable apartments for the night at Collins Retreat [another name for Bayview House], Steamer Young Charlie, leaving Newport 6.30 a.m. Saturday, arriving Wiseman s Ferry 12 o clock for luncheon, leaving 2 o clock p.m., arriving Sackville Reach 5 p.m., where Underwood s coaches will convey passengers to Windsor Railway 6.53 p.m., arriving in Sydney 9 p.m. Book Cole s, King and George Streets. [SMH 11 Jan 1884] On 23 November 1885 John Thomas Collins leased Bayview House and its six acres of land to Tom McLeod and Robert Burman. McLeod then leased to Burman on 7 January 1886, and Burman leased back to Collins on 3 May None of these leases was registered and it is doubtful if any of them were legally binding. On 27 May 1886, for a sum of one hundred pounds, John Thomas Collins surrendered his unregistered lease of Bayview House and its six acres, to Daniel Farrell the owner of the property. In a registered conveyance dated 29 April 1886 Daniel Farrell sold all his interest in Robert Henderson s 60 acres and Richard Porter s 50 acres as well as McDonald s 30 acres to Benjamin James for the sum of [LTO Book 337 No 526] An advance payment of 100 on account of this sale was made by James to Farrell on 27 May 1886, the day Farrell paid 100 to John Thomas Collins for the surrender of his lease 30

31 Benjamin James sold twenty-five acres of the above purchase to David Scott on 1 March [LTO Book 360 No 981] The land was subject to mortgage. By 1 May 1896 the land owned outright by Daid Scott had been reduced to about five acres, on which stood the original Bayview House, by this time more commonly known as Scott s Boarding House. [LTO Book 638 No 79] This respectable establishment continued for many years, and had a high reputation for good food, service and comfortable accommodation. The sole liquor licence at Newport at this time remained with the Newport Hotel. John and Sarah Collins later lived at Narrabeen, where they had their own farm and butcher s shop. This was situated at North Narrabeen, on the eastern side of Pittwater Road, where a Collins Street is now to be found. Sarah died on 25 January 1902 aged 51 years. John Thomas died at Narrabeen on 7 September 1916 aged 64 years. They were both buried in Manly Cemetery. COLLINS, Thomas Thomas Collins arrived in Sydney as a convict on the Lady Nugent, on 9 April He was sentenced to transportation for life at the Lancaster Assizes on 9 August 1834, for assault. His occupation at the time of sentencing was given as farm labourer. He was single, a Protestant, and could read, but not write. He was aged 20, and described as being 5 feet 9¾ inches tall, of brown pockpitted complexion, with brown hair and grey eyes. There was a perpendicular scar over the inner corner of his right eye brow, the nail of the little finger on his left hand was split, and there was a scar on the back of the fore and middle fingers of the same hand. He had lost the fore finger from his right hand. His native place was Cheshire, England. He had no record of any previous conviction. Collins, who had been working as an assigned convict on Mount Ramsay farm in 1837, was recommended in January 1843 by the Hyde Park Barracks Bench to be granted a Ticket of Leave and allowed to remain in the District of Pitt Water for so long as he remains in the service of Mr. John Clarke. His Ticket of Leave was granted on 9 May [AO Reel 949] John Clarke lived on Schaffer s farm at North Narrabeen. Thomas Collins married Lavinia Maria Ellery on 11 March 1844, at St Philip s Church, Sydney. He was described as a bachelor of Pitt Water and Lavinia as a spinster of Pitt Water. They were married by Rev. William Cowper, with the consent of Lavinia s father Peter Ellery, as she was only 18 years of age. Witnesses to the marriage were Peter Ellery of Pitt Water and William Cock of Sydney. Both Thomas and Lavinia signed the marriage certificate with their mark. Collins continued to live on Clarke s farm, with his wife. By 1847 it is evident that Mrs Sarah Clarke had died, and John Clarke was becoming very feeble. On 11 February 1847 Collins bought three pigs from Clarke, for 3. Then five days later they came to an arrangement: 16th February 47. Thomas Collins on the One Part and John Clarke on the Other Part. Thomas Collins to agree to take all my land at Narabean and all that I have or have any thing to do with in my possession with 38 Cows and all utensils for is use 4 yeares for 40 Pounds P. Anum. wittnes our hands - Thomas Collins - John Clarke - Susan H. Ellery - Peter Ellery. [LTO] 31

32 On 9 April 1847 John Clarke, landholder, made his will, leaving all his real and personal estate and effects to Thomas Collins, who was then residing with him. The will was witnessed by John Williams, and Richard Driver Junior. [Supreme Court of NSW; Will No Series 1] Clarke died on 1 May 1847, and Thomas Collins thus became the owner of the farm. He received a Conditional Pardon on 1 March 1848, in consideration of his good conduct since his arrival in the Colony. The Schaffer grant was still legally in the name of Robert Stewart, who had died. On 14 September 1848 the grant was conveyed by Robert Stewart s son John to Thomas Collins, on payment of which John Stewart had paid to the Crown in the form of fees and quit rents. [LTO Book 15 No.304] W.B. Rhodes, of Wellington, New Zealand, merchant, sold his land, the site of the present Narrabeen High School, to Thomas Collins for 50 on 5 September [LTO Book 40 No.940] Thomas and Lavinia had four children: Mary (b.1848), John Thomas (b.about 1852), Peter (b.about 1856), and Samuel. Frank Poyner, Lavinia s uncle, was living with the Collins on their farm when he and Thomas Collins were suspected of murdering David Foley, on 8 November (See The Murder of David Foley in 1849 near Bungin (now Mona Vale), by S. and G. Champion. Collins received other land grants by purchase in the Mona Vale area, on both sides of Mona Vale Road, in 1858 and 1859: 115 acres 2r. Advertised as Lot 1 on 22 November 1858 Purchased by Thomas Collins on 29 December 1858 for Granted to Thomas Collins on 13 May 1859 [LTO SN150/680] 20 acres Advertised as Lot 2 on 22 November 1858 Purchased by Thomas Collins on 29 December 1858 for 65 Granted to Thomas Collins on 13 May 1859 [LTO SN150/679] 80 acres Advertised as Lot 2 on 21 February 1859 Purchased by Thomas Collins on 30 March 1859 for 80 Granted to Thomas Collins on 4 July 1859 [LTO SN152/1101] 40 acres Advertised as Lot 3 on 21 February 1859 Purchased by Thomas Collins on 30 March 1859 for 40 Granted to Thomas Collins on 4 July 1859 [LTO SN152/1102] 26 acres Advertised as Lot 5 on 21 February 1859 Purchased by Thomas Collins on 30 March 1859 for 39 Granted to Thomas Collins on 4 July 1859 [LTO SN152/1103] 55 acres Advertised as Lot 8 on 21 February 1859 Purchased by Thomas Collins on 2 May 1859 for Granted to Thomas Collins on 4 July 1859 [LTO SN155/1864] 32

33 In 1861 Charles de Boos, with his friends Nat and Tom, took a walking holiday northwards from Manly. They had just crossed Narrabeen Lagoon in company with a local guide, who happened to be a sailor (probably Frank Poyner). Whose place was this? This! - why this was Collins. And now we approached a tender point - one upon which we all felt, I won t say tenderly, because we didn t, but ravenously. Didn t he know where we could beg, borrow or steal a piece of meat, salt or fresh? He shook his head doubtingly. We had evidently given him a puzzler. Ducks, wallobi or pigeons could be mapped out with a wave of the hand but the location of meat, which I had always deemed an indispensable requisite to man s carnivorous nature was not so readily to be pointed out. At last he said You see meat is rather a scarce article in these parts. They have to bring it all the way from Sydney, for they can t always get it at Manly, and in consequence, they often run out of it. It s hard to say where you ll get any. But, and here he brightened up a bit, and, of course, our countenances which had got ruefully long during this speech, brightened up a little also, - come up to Collins. If he s got any he ll let you have some. Is this Collins place here? Yes, answered the sailor, he s a very decent fellow too. And so to Collins, under the guidance of our nautical acquaintance we determined to go, and with something like hope in our hearts we shouldered our loads. We entered the paddock by the slip rails, and followed the cart track up to the house. When within fifty yards of this, another fence occurred, with a slip rail also, that had just been let down to allow the passage of some five and twenty head of small, ill-bred cattle, mostly milkers, that were being driven through by two children - a girl and a boy; the one about eight, and the other perhaps seven years old. The little creatures were only scantily clad, and were bare-footed and bare-legged, the latter being more prominent in the girl s case, from her having (since her frock had been made for her) taken one of those periodical shoots upward that children are accustomed to make, whereby the lower part of the leg protruded very much more beyond the frock than had been originally intended. They were two pretty interesting children, although they stood gaping at us with that bashful, halfwondering, half-spoony look so often seen on the faces of youngsters who are unaccustomed to strangers. The boy simply stood in open-mouthed astonishment, whilst the girl assumed an attitude of a most remarkable kind, and one perfectly emblematical of Australian mauvaise honte. Raising the left leg, she rested the left foot against the inside of the right knee, the left knee being thus projected sideways neatly at right angles, the body being meanwhile poised upon the right foot only. This attitude, not unlike that of a goose on a dull day, she maintained, steady as a rock, although upon one foot only, until we had passed. A few words passed between the children and our guide in reference to Ball who hadn t come home, and to Daisy who had calved, and then we caught sight of a tall, stalwart, but not very smart-moving man, who, with a bucket of milk in his hand, was coming out of the stockyard, where he had evidently just finished his morning s work of milking. This was our man, the padrone of the establishment, upon the plenitude or emptiness of whose harness cask, our fate depended. At him, Tom, cried Nat and I, for we knew that if negotiation was to be carried on successfully, it would be by our companion. Cautiously Tom attacked him with the weather and the season, and then with the stages and distances on our route, into which Tom with his usual judgment managed to introduce some facetious small talk with a view of making a favourable impression. At last, fancying he had gained some ground he put the question, Oh! by the by, as if he had forgotten it till then, can you sell us a piece of salt meat; we have unluckily come away from Manly without any. We listened breathlessly for the reply, and Nat even turned pale with anxiety. No, at last he said, I ve been out of it these three days, and my missus has gone to Sydney to see the doctor and get some. Here we were down again. Our nautical guide, who seemed to take considerable interest 33

34 in our proceedings, now came up, and told us he was sure that Collins had none, or else he would not have denied it to us. But what? asked I, did he mean by saying that his wife had gone to the doctor s to get some. The seaman looked at me with something like contempt. Why, you don t suppose as she gets corned beef at the doctor s? he asked. Well, I thought not, and that made me wonder. Wonder! said he, there ain t nothing wonderful in a woman wanting the doctor. Hanged if I think women are ever happy unless they are running after the doctor. This was a physiological fact that I had never noticed, and I told him so. Well, he replied, you would notice it if you lived hereaway; for you would see that all the women about wanted the doctor every fortnight or so. Dear me, said I, it must be a very unhealthy neighbourhood. Not at all, he answered, but - and here he sank his voice mysteriously, and winked knowingly at Tom it s my opinion that it s all ribbons! I didn t see how ribbons made the doctor necessary, but of course Tom did, and roared with laughter. Nat looked at Nauticus for an explanation. Why, don t you see, and he appeared disgusted at our slowness of perception, a fortnight of the bush tires em, and they want to see what s going on in Sydney, and what bargins is to be had in ribbons, and so a little cough, or a headache, or a queerness or something or other, and then they must see the doctor.... This important question settled, he asked us if we felt inclined to try the swamp road [through present Warriewood wetlands] - we might get a duck, and he would pilot us. Of course we did; ducks were the very object of our ambition. He didn t know how the road was after the late rains, but would ask. He did ask, and Collins told him it was up to the waist in water. We had had quite enough that morning of water up to the knee [crossing Narrabeen Lagoon] and didn t feel inclined to dip any deeper in it that day; and not even the prospect of roast duck could induce Nat or me to undergo such an immersion. We had no alternative then, but to fall back on the road we had left, and this we did by crossing the paddock diagonally, thus reaching the corner of the fence, after the perilous passage of a deep, muddy creek [Mullet Creek], by means of a tree thrown across it, and forming a very precarious bridge, not from any want of solidity, but from the slippery nature of the stem. [de Boos: My holiday] Thomas and Lavinia Collins, and Frank Poyner, were involved in the persecution of James Therry and his family in , but they were not brought to trial. (See Arson, Horse and Cattle Stealing, by S. and G. Champion.) On 20 January 1865 the Empire published The Story of Mona Vale, which detailed the murder of David Foley and the more recent cattle stealing crimes. Lavinia was due to face trial herself, but on 27 January 1865 she was killed by the upsetting of a dray, on her way home from Manly. She was aged 39. It appears that on Friday morning she left home with a cart from her farm, some nine miles from Manly Beach, with a load of vegetables and butter. After making various sales she called at Cook s public house [Manly Beach Tavern on the Corso] where she drank two or three glasses of ale. She left at seven o clock and was under the influence of drink. She afterwards called at Mr. Frazer s where she had a cup of tea, and here also it was noticed that she was not sober. No more was seen of her till half-past eleven when she was found near Therry s house [on East Esplanade, now Belgrave Street] by her uncle Poyner quite dead. It was supposed, for nothing contrary to the opinion was elicited at the inquest, that the wheel of the cart must have gone against a stump, and overturned the vehicle, and one of the shafts must have struck her on the head, for she was most fearfully crushed about that part of the body. A verdict of accidental death was returned. [Freeman s Jnl 1 Feb 1865] 34

35 Later in 1865 Thomas married Bridget Colbert; there were no children of the marriage. This does not seem to have been a happy time in the Collins household, for in 1868 Thomas Collins was charged in the Water Police Court with using threatening language towards his daughter Mary, and was ordered to find sureties to keep the peace for six months. [SMH 7 Jan 1868] Bridget died early in the morning of Saturday, 28 October 1871, aged 30, in circumstances very similar to those of Lavinia s death, except that her husband was with her. FATAL ACCIDENT NEAR MANLY. Shortly after dusk on Friday evening last a man named Collins left Manly in a cart, accompanied by his wife, and drove in the direction of Pitt Water. Some distance from Manly they visited the house of Mr. Redman, where they remained till about 1 o clock on Saturday morning, when they started in the cart in the direction of Narrabeen. Collins is said to have been under the influence of liquor when he left Manly. From the home of Mr. Redman the cart was driven by Mrs. Collins, her husband sitting down in the cart and going to sleep therein. Collins does not appear to remember anything till he was aroused by finding himself below the cart which had been upset; with great difficulty he succeeded in extricating himself from his position. No sooner had he done so than he observed that the horse was plunging in the waters of Deewhy Lagoon, and conjectured that the animal must have gone off the road and fallen over a steep bank worn away by floods into the bed of the lagoon, dragging the cart after him. Collins soon observed that his wife was missing. He found her jammed beneath the cart. Being unable to raise the vehicle he went back along the road for about a mile, where he obtained the assistance of Mr. Jenkins, with whom, together with Mr. Smith J.P., and senior-constable Carton, he returned to the cart. On the cart being lifted from her, Mrs. Collins was found to be dead. Her head had apparently been crushed by being struck by a portion of the iron work of the vehicle, at the time it became upset. [SMH 30 Oct 1871] Much greater detail was given in evidence at the inquest, which was held in the Pier Hotel, Manly Beach. [SMH 31 Oct and 2 Nov 1871] There were suspicions that Collins might have caused her death, and one woman gave evidence of Bridget s asking for a night s shelter in her cottage near Dee Why Lagoon, after Collins had thrown her out of the cart about a fortnight previously. In spite of some strange circumstances, the jury returned a verdict of accidental death. At the age of 57, Thomas Collins married again, in His third wife was Harriet Marshall, aged 15, and there were 7 children of the marriage: Jane, Martha (b.1877 or 78), William Herbert (b.1880), George (b.1882), Charles Henry (b.1885), Harriet Beatrice (b.1887), and Lilian (b.1889). George, and probably the other children, had no idea that his father was a convict serving a life sentence, and was not told about his father s rather colourful life. Collins 55 acres, just north of the bridge over Narrabeen Lagoon, on the western side of Pittwater Road, was conveyed to F.C.Hedemann on 26 November 1883 for 460. [LTO Book 280 No. 742] The bridge was constructed at this time, which enhanced the value of the land. Collins five grants near Mona Vale Road were conveyed to F.C. Hedemann for a total of , being 20 deposit, previously paid at Collins Narrabeen house at a.m. on 7 April 1883 [LTO Book 280 No.486], and on 3 December [LTO Book 280 No. 741] 35

36 A Sale Note was also made on 3 December 1883, Hedemann agreeing to purchase J.T. Hughes grant on Mona Vale Road for 350, Mr. Collins to endeavour to find the title deeds within two years, or the sale would be void. [LTO Book 280 No.487] The sale went ahead on 13 November [LTO Book 328 No.171] Collins sold Rhodes grant, the site of Narrabeen High School, to Manly builder James Blair on 30 September 1886, for 900. [LTO Book 349 No.730] Collins contracted to sell Lees grant, which formed part of his own farm at North Narrabeen, to John George Cousins of Manly for 30 per acre on 3 May [LTO Book 337 Nos 584] Cousins paid a deposit of 250 but the contract was cancelled on 15 June 1891, Cousins then owing Collins for interest and his costs. [LTO Book 482 No.376] Collins applied to have two grants (Schaffer s, granted in the name of Robert Stewart, and Lees, granted in the name of Capper Pass) brought under the Real Property Act, and a Certificate of Title was issued to him on 15 June [LTO Vol.1060 Fol.211] The farm was sold to Edward Augustus Macpherson on 20 March It was finally subdivided and sold by Sir Allen Taylor, timber merchant, in Thomas died at his Manly home, Addiscombe on 6 June He was 82 years old, although his gravestone in Manly cemetery wrongly states that he was aged 94. Harriet married twice more, to brothers with the surname Joyce, and had more children. COMERFORD, Michael Michael Comerford, single, a Catholic with no education, had been a farm servant in County Kilkenny. With no former conviction, his offence was unlawful oath, for which he received a sentence of transportation for life. He arrived in the Colony by the barque Java from Cork, on 18 November He was described as 5 feet 6¾ inches tall, with a ruddy and freckled complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes. In 1837 he was assigned to William George at Long Reef Farm, and was still there in January (See story under William George) He received his Ticket of Leave on 11 February 1842, allowed to remain in the District of Pitt Water. This was followed by a Conditional Pardon on 31 December He was listed in Low s 1847 Directory as landholder, North Harbour, and in the 1851 Sydney Commercial Directory as farmer, Manly Cove. His name also appeared in the 1856 Electoral List. COOPER, Thomas Thomas Cooper was living in a wooden house at Manly at the time of the 1841 census. Living in the house were a married woman (C of E), and two men, one married and one single, one C of E and one RC. Thomas Cooper is known to have been C of E, so that it may be inferred that he was the married man in the household. In Low s directory for 1847 he was listed as landholder, Pitt Water, and electoral lists show him living at Pittwater in 1856 and In 1863 Cooper was living somewhere close to the Farrells, whose farm was at present Newport Beach. In evidence given by witnesses in the cattle stealing cases against John Farrell, a butcher named Walter Edward Hooker stated that he went down to Pitt Water with two other persons to shoot; we lost our way, and the first house we came to was Farrell s. He gave us a supper, and sent a man with 36

37 us to show us the road to Mr. Cooper s... [Syd Mail 3 Oct 1863] Another witness, Malcolm Turner stated: Farrell came home after dark, and said that after he had done his work he went down to Cooper s to have a yarn. (Farrell and Turner had been felling timber at Barnes Point, now Green Point.) Miss Therry stated that on the 23rd she was with her mother near Cooper s... [Syd Mail 17 Dec 1864] Cooper married Jane Boxwell or Sheahan in (See Cornelius Sheehan.) Mrs Thomas Cooper made a presentation of coverings for the communion table and for the reading desk on the occasion of the consecration of the new St. Matthew s Church in Manly. [SMH 6 April 1865] On 14 January 1871 Thomas and Jane Cooper conveyed their land at Little Mackerel Beach to Joseph Starr, mariner, who was already living there, for 45. [LTO Book 128 No.186] Thomas Cooper died at Pittwater in 1875, aged 72. COSSAR, William William Cossar was appointed Master Boat Builder of His Majesty s Dockyard, Sydney, on 22 February [AO Reel 6038; s z 758 p 282] He was on a list dated 23 April 1814, of free settlers and other persons who were to receive grants of land in 1814, at North Harbour, and in June 1814 he was to receive Government cattle on credit. Meehan measured his 500 acres at Long Reef on 25 September [AO Map 1770] The grant, to be called Cloonagun, was officially confirmed on 31 August [LTO SN11/49] In 1815 Cossar placed the following advertisement in the press. TRESPASS Whereas daily Trespassers are committed on the Farm of Long Reef, the Property of Mr. William Cossar, by Horned Cattle, Horses, and Pigs: - All Persons are cautioned to keep the same off after this Notice, to prevent their being impounded. W. Cossar [SG Sat 24 June 1815] On 21 August 1816 Cossar s name was on another list to receive land at Long Reef, and this 200 acres was measured by Meehan From Long Reef Dy Lagoon on 12 April As he had mentioned Dy, six years previously, at Freshwater Beach, the name was evidently intended to cover a large area. The Government large long boat the William Cossar, named after him, was stolen from her moorings close to the King s Wharf on 7 July 1817, by a party of convicts. [SG 12 July 1817] In November the stranded boat was discovered on a beach near Port Stephens. It was retrieved and returned to Sydney in April [SG 1 May 1819] This reference is made to Cossar in the Lachlan Macquarie Journal of Thursday 23rd April I drew a Draft of this day s date in favor of Mr. Wm. Cosar (sic), Master Builder in the King s Dock-Yard, for the sum of Twenty Pounds ( 20) Sterling, as a Donation from Government to be paid him from the Police Fund for his zeal and activity in so expeditiously fitting out H.M. Cutter Mermaid for the Surveying Service She is now employed on. In October 1819 William Cossar advertised that he was leaving the Colony. 37

38 Mr. WILLIAM COSSAR leaving the Colony by the first Opportunity, all Claims to be presented; and all Persons indebted to settle the same. [SG 2 Oct 1819] An unusual story appeared in the Sydney Gazette Saturday 18 December From Mr. Cossar we receive an account of the following extraordinary occurrence, the truth of which he solemnly assures us of; and to the lovers of Natural History it will doubtless be acceptable. Mr. C. has a farm at the Long Reef, about ten miles north of the Heads of this harbor, it having a lagoon within 100 yards of the sea beach, as large as Sydney Cove, above a mile round it. The banks of this lagoon, though several feet above the high water level at spring tides, is forced into a communication with the sea on heavy falls of rain, as it is supplied with fresh water from a rivulet which quickly overflows with a rapid stream sufficient to force away the embankment of the lagoon, which is sandy. The depth of water in the lagoon, which is always more or less salt, never exceeds 6 or 7 feet in the deepest parts, and is sometimes one to twothirds dried up on the margin, which reduces the centre to a mere pool. At a time within the present twelve month, when the sea and the lagoon had become united as above remarked upon, a fine water dog was observed to dash into the water, at an erect moving spire, which had the appearance of a shark s back fin, and he was soon perceived to be engaged with this voracious fish; the shark, predominant in his own element, seized the dog by the nose, and disappeared with him for a minute. This rencontre was in three feet and a half water; and the master of the dog, overseer to Mr. Cossar, having then a long fowling-piece in his hand, went to the dog s assistance, and, striking with the butt of the piece, had a furious battle with the shark (which was about 5 feet long) for some minutes; when [with] the stock flying, he continued his engagement with the barrel, the shark maintaining his ground with vigour, and by an accidental change of position intercepting the man s retreat to the bank. The courage of the dog was useless from his wound, and to go into deeper water would have been doubtless fatal. Another man, the overseer s assistant on the farm, happened fortunately to arrive at this critical instant, and heroically went with a stick to the assistance of his distressed associate; and as the shark had turned to bite at him, he pushed the stick vigorously down his throat, and was himself thrown upon his back by the superior strength of the adversary; which then made off into deeper water, yielding up the triumph to the victors, whose courage we cannot sufficiently applaud. The same dog had previously to the above, taken out of Mr. Ramsay s lagoon, which is very spacious, a large stinger-ray, which he dragged ashore without receiving the slightest hurt. However, it was not until nearly a year later that William Cossar finally departed the Colony, as the carpenter of the brig Favorite, under Captain Lambert. The brig sailed from Port Jackson for Calcutta on Friday 8 September [SG 9 September 1820] Matthew Bacon had purchased Cossar s grants by January 1822 [Syd Gaz 4 Jan 1822] The 200 acre grant was issued in the name of James Jenkins on 29 August [LTO SN33/129] CREW, Benjamin Benjamin Crew was born in Bristol, England in about He arrived free in the Colony as a seaman on the Bridgewater, 750 tons, from London. The ship reached Port Jackson on 12 March Crew remained in the Colony for the rest of his life. The Bridgewater, under Capt. E.H. Palmer, arrived with flour and stores from England including 38

39 a great quantity of salt meat from the Cape of Good Hope. It also carried on board as a private investment the following articles, namely 200 bhds [bulkheads] of ale and brown stout, soap, cordage, shoes, men s clothing, tobacco, Irish linen, watches, leather, harness and saddlery, 20 bhds [bulkheads] of crockery, slops [cheap clothing], 24 casks of Constantia [wine from the Constantia farm near Cape Town], &c. Benjamin Crew was part-owner of a vessel called the Bee, which was engaged in the Sydney to Hawkesbury River trade in the years 1803 to On 16 December 1803 the Bee carried lime from Broken Bay to Sydney. On 25 June 1806 Crew left Sydney on the Bee to go to the Hawkesbury with Thomas Bryant, who had charge of the vessel. They were caught in a hurricane which damaged the vessel s rigging, loosened her mast, and shifted her ballast to one side. The vessel was tossed up and down as chance directed, and after a distressing ordeal, during which Bryant died, Crew, at the point of death, was rescued by Captain Worth of the Brothers, and brought back to Sydney. The Bee was set adrift 180 miles to the northward. [Syd Gaz 27 July 1806] Crew settled at Bong Bong, where he received a 60 acre grant of land on 9 July Although he may well have visited Pittwater, it does not appear that he ever resided there permanently. Mary Finegan or Crew, the wife of Benjamin Crew, purchased Peter Patullo s 80 acre grant at the head of Pittwater at a Sheriff s sale in She died on 13 September 1831, leaving the 80 acre grant, and property in Pitt Street and Kent Street, Sydney, to Revd. J.J. Therry. On 22 November 1833 Benjamin Crew entered a caveat, stating his title to the land and his reasons for requiring the grant to be made out to him instead of Revd. Therry. [AO Reel 1115] Crew won his case, and was granted the 80 acres on 26 August [LTO SN33/100] He then sold all the property in question to the Revd. Therry on 10 September 1834 for 500, of which 400 was to be paid at a later date. [LTO Book G Nos. 379, 390] Benjamin Crew died in Berrima NSW in 1856, aged 89 years. CULHANE, Thomas See DOYLE, John DAWSON, William William Dawson was tried at the Jedburgh Court of Justiciary (Scotland) on 20 September 1819 and sentenced to 7 years. He sailed on the transport ship Minerva from Downs England on 26 July 1821 and arrived in Port Jackson on 16 December He received his Certificate of Freedom in September [SG 27 Sept 1826]. Margaret McGarr (various spellings) a single woman aged 22 years, was tried in 1827 at Galway Ireland and sentenced to 7 years for picking pockets. Her native place was Kildare and she was employed as a servant on a dairy farm. She sailed on the City of Edinburgh to Port Jackson in In 1830 William Dawson married Margaret McGrath or McGraw or McGarr at St Philips Church, Sydney. Between 1830 and 1854 William and Margaret Dawson had twelve children (8 boys and 4 girls). 39

40 William Dawson was established at North Harbour by November 1845, when he signed a letter appealing for assistance for William Mildwater, whose house had been destroyed by a bush fire. [SMH 12 Nov. 1845] In December 1849 Dawson gave evidence in the Foley murder case that he lived at North Harbour, and kept a boat for the conveyance of produce to Sydney for hire. He remembered on the morning of the 8th November, about ten or half-past ten, Foley coming with a cart, and a calf, and some butter, which he left with Dawson to take to Sydney. He also left his servant with Dawson, to take over. Foley stayed about a quarter of an hour at his hut. About an hour after Foley, Poyner came to Dawson s house with a tub of butter, to take to Sydney. John (William?) Dawson, waterman, North Harbour, was listed in the Sydney Commercial Directory for On 11 May 1851 William and Margaret Dawson, of North Harbour, Manly Cove, had four children christened at the same ceremony. They were Alfred, born 14 June 1843; Mary, born 10 April 1845, John, born 22 March 1847; and Frederick, born 9 January The Dawson family probably moved away before 1856, when James Heaton was in residence at North Harbour as a boatman, or waterman. In 1858 the Dawsons last child, Charles R., died at Camperdown at the age 4. DOYLE, John John Doyle, whose native place was County Cork, had been sentenced to seven years transportation on 14 September 1822, arriving in New South Wales by the Earl St. Vincent in His year of birth was He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, with a ruddy complexion, brown curly hair and chestnut eyes. John Doyle of Pittwater was granted his Ticket of Leave on 29 December [AO TL 27/938] He was employed as David Foley s ploughman in On 22 December 1837 David Foley wrote to Father Therry: Revd. Sir, I have to inform you that I have seen Doyle and Culhane as you requested, they told me they intend to remain another year and that they will pay their rent as soon as they can get their Produce to Sydney. Again, on 14 February 1839 Foley wrote Father Therry s agent, John O Sullivan, J. Doyle I saw several times, respecting his rent, he promised to pay but as yet has neglected to do so. He is in partnership with another Man on the Farm. As they treated Foley and his authority as useless, he suggested the execution of a distress warrant against them to obtain the rent. [ML MSS 1810/18 p.199; 1810/55 p.137a-b] John Doyle and Thomas Culhane wrote to John O Sullivan from Pittwater on 12 August 1839: Sir, Having seen the Revd. J.J. Therry s overseer some few days since and being informed that he was empowered to rent the farm which I now occupy, my lease being out, I beg leave to state to you that I should be willing to hold possession of the farm as usual at a fair rent (namely) 30 per annum which is as much as it ever realised - you being aware that none of the Revd. Mr Therry s tenants ever paid him any rent at least but a small trifle - and me being a tenant under the above Gentleman so long, I consider I should have the first preference. I am willing to find 40

41 security for the rent if required. I am a very old resident in that District and my Cattle being Bred here it will put me to an ill convenience which I flatter myself you will take into consideration....i am rather surprised to find that Mr Foley should be appointed to fix a rent on the farm after all the improvements I have made on it. The rent was 16 per annum....there is one year s Rent due but I beg leave to state that there is some accounts between me and Mr Therry which was to be allowed me for some improvements made on the Farm, (namely) Ploughing the Ground in the first instance together with fencing some of the said Ground, Doors for the House, and some Wheat & Maize that was given to some of the Men by Mr Therry s orders, the whole amounting to about 9 which still leaves the balance of about 7 which I will settle when I receive your answer. A note at the top of the letter states: He took a new piece of ground & fenced for his own use & advantage. Another note at the end of the letter states, Rent 45 from 1 Septr. Mr Hurly Security. [ML MSS 1810/55, p.193-5] On 29 February 1840 Doyle and Culhane wrote again, to know whether they should pay the rent to Mr Hurley or into the bank, if it is in the Bank mention to us the name of the Bank it is to be paid in two as it will be Due next month. A reply to their letter was to be sent to David Jordan at the Bird in Hand, Gloucester Street, Sydney, to be forwarded to Thomas Culhane. [ML MSS 1810/55, p.325-8] John Doyle was a nephew of Jeremiah Collins. He drowned at Pittwater on Wednesday 20 January Following his death the following Public Notice appeared in the press. The Public is hereby cautioned against paying any money, or otherwise dealing, on account of the late Mr. John Doyle, of Pittwater, who accidentally drowned on Wednesday evening [20 January 1841] last. THOMAS MAGNER January 22nd, 1841 [Australasian Chronicle Sat 23 Jan 1841 p3] ELLERY, Peter Peter and Susanna Ellery and family arrived in New South Wales as immigrants from Cornwall by the ship Orient on 4 April The family consisted of Peter Ellery (34), laborer; Susanna Husband Ellery (née Poyner) (34), servant; Lavinia Maria (14); Harriet (13); Richard (10); Catherine (7); Kesiah (5); and Johannah (1). Also travelling on the same ship was Susanna s brother Francis Poyner, apparently passing himself off as his older brother John. A son, John, was born to Peter and Susanna Ellery in At the time of the 1841 census, the family was living in an unfinished stone house in the Parish of Willoughby (listed under the name Allery ). Harriet had probably died, as there was only one female aged listed, and on 20 June 1843 another daughter was born, who was again christened Harriet. On 11 March 1844 Lavinia Maria Ellery married Thomas Collins of Narrabeen at St. Philip s Church, Sydney. Because Lavinia was under 21, Peter Ellery of Pitt Water had to give his consent to her marriage. The family was definitely living on the northern side of Middle Harbour, but not necessarily at Pittwater. The place name of Pitt Water could apply anywhere north of Middle Harbour, right up to Broken Bay. Baby Harriet was also christened at St. Philip s in March A list of instructions in the hands of Assistant Surveyor William Shone, dated May 1847 [AO Reel 3089; 2/1578A] included: 41

42 45/54 20th Feb.[1845] 20 ac. Middle Harbour app. for by Ellery (p.288) Shone s Progress Journal for October 1847 showed (p.322): October 19 Surveying 20 ac. at Middle harbour (Hensley app.) ac Middle Harbour (Ellery app.) ac. (app. by Brady) and 10 ac. (app. for by Ellery) 22 Surveying line of shore at Middle Harbour, to tie in work. 23 Plotting and drawing 20 ac.(app. for by C. Hensley) 24 Sunday 25 Drawing and Plotting line of shore at Middle Harbour. Shone s Sketch, showing the situation of some of the farms on the northern side of Middle Harbour, Parish of Manly Cove, 1847, gives the correct line of shore at Seaforth. [AO Map 3372] Ellery did not proceed to purchase the land he had applied for. The 10 acre lot was probably that at Pine Point, Seaforth, purchased by Robert Hughes in December [LTO SN91/187] Peter Ellery Junior was born in Peter Ellery, farmer, purchased John Burton s 30 acre grant near Parsley Bay, Middle Harbour, on 7 September 1855 for 33. [LTO Book 39 No.955] However, there are definite indications that he was living in the vicinity, probably on Burton s land, prior to this date. On 8 November 1849, the day that David Foley was murdered, Thomas Collins visited his father-in-law, Peter Ellery, and it is clear that Ellery was then running a ferry service. Constable Peter Thomson gave evidence on 13 December 1849, I was a quarter of an hour at Ellery s... Prisoner [Collins] did not cross in the boat with me. The following description appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, 30 January 1850: At Middle Harbour there is a ferry, kept by a person named Hillary [Ellery]. The place to which the passengers are ordinarily taken is a point immediately opposite Hillary s residence; but any person who has walked from Pittwater will find it decidedly to his advantage to land near the Willoughby Falls. For this purpose he will, for a few pence extra, be conveyed some two or three miles up one of the most picturesque arms of Middle Harbour, and will save about four miles of very bad road. On 24 January 1855 Henry Gilbert Smith mentioned in a letter, Having to cross two Ferries it takes me nearly two hours to get to Sydney by land. On 18 May 1856 he wrote, With a ride to Sydney twice a week... In 1857 H.G. Smith asked Peter Ellery to purchase on his behalf five parcels of land, described in a proclamation dated 25 August Ellery purchased these lots, just north of Smith s Fairlight estate, in his own name on 28 September [LTO SN137/ ] Ownership then had to be conveyed to H.G. Smith. [LTO Book 55 No. 83] Ellery also made purchases on his own account. On 29 December 1858 he paid 13 for another lot near the Village of Balgowlah. [LTO SN150/675] He also owned land at St. Leonards. On 6 April 1861[SMH] may be found a reference to a punt (rather than a boat): A mile through this path leads to a somewhat rugged descent to the sandy spit, projecting half way across, where Mr. Ellery, on being hailed, brings the punt across to fetch both cattle and men. The charge for this service is half a crown each way, and if the horses are swum across 42

43 sixpence less. The punt being under repair, we had to swim the horses - a very safe proceeding, which they appeared to enjoy amazingly; although at first I was not over confident in the propriety of trusting my favourite steed to so very unceremonious an immersion. The distance was about a quarter of a mile and free from sharks.... On landing from the punt we looked in at Ellery s, where everything reminds you of a neat English farm; and the oude wife having regaled us with plenty of new milk, we ascended the zigzag path, cut in the solid rock at least 200 feet high, and reached the path leading to Manly Beach on the right... The punt being under repair suggests that it was not new in 1861, and may have been operating for some time. In 1868 Elizabeth Jenkins caused a mare and foal to be driven to the pound at Parramatta, by a road described as impracticable. In defence, it was stated that the difficulties and delays occasioned by crossing Ellery s ferry at Middle Harbour rendered it a saving of time to take the animals to Parramatta, instead of Surry Hills or Newtown. She lost her case. [SMH 12 May 1868] In August 1868 a public meeting, called by prominent Manly residents, was held in Manly to consider the expediency of establishing a public punt across Middle Harbour at the Spit. In spite of a good steam ferry service between Sydney and Manly provided by Captain Heselton, the residents also desired land communication of such a nature that horses, vehicles and foot passengers may proceed at all hours and in all weathers between the two places. [SMH 29 Aug 1868] Subsequently, on 3 February 1871, the N.S.W. Government Gazette advertised the lease of the Government ferry at Sandspit. Peter Ellery I seems to have retired from active life about this time. On 11 April 1870 he conveyed to his son, Peter Ellery II, part of his 30 acres in consideration of the natural love and affection which he bore to him. [LTO Book 118 No.776] A government road passed through the land, and a cow-house on the road was used in the measurement of the land. Peter Ellery the elder reserved the beach as recreation grounds. Peter II was allowed at all times and for all purposes to draw and carry away water from the well situate in the said 30 acres. He was also allowed to pass through the 30 acres at all times with horses or other cattle, carts or other vehicles. On 2 June 1873 there was a further conveyance of land from Peter Ellery I to Peter II. [LTO Book 135 No. 994] On 2 September 1872 Peter Ellery I conveyed 1 rood 24 perches to Joseph Cook, William H. Rolfe and John B. Smithers, trustees for the Church of England, for 25. [LTO Book 131 No. 982] This was the site of St. Paul s, Seaforth; it will be noted that this land was not donated. It is known that Peter Ellery I was living in a cottage near the water s edge in The square, white house which is to be seen on the Manly side of the Spit in many photographs and paintings, and reputed to have belonged to Peter Ellery, was probably built by Peter Ellery II. The house is still there, in Avona Crescent, although much changed, with an exterior staircase. By 1886 it was clear that the small, toy-like punt, which could only safely take one vehicle at a time, was not satisfactory. The road approaches on the Manly side also needed to be upgraded, and a Notice of Resumption was given in the Government Gazette, 5 November Land was resumed from Peter Ellery I for a new road on 16 February 1888, for 376 1s 3d; [LTO Book 43

44 386 No.153] and from Peter Ellery II on 26 March 1888, for 664 2s 10d. [LTO Book 385 No.457] Peter Ellery I died on 14 June FARRELL, Daniel Daniel Farrell, the elder son of John and Martha Farrell, was living on his father s land at present Newport, in the farm-house built by Martin Burke, at the time of the 1841 census. In June 1842 he was cutting timber at Cowan Creek in company with James Toomey when they discovered casks of brandy and rum, smuggled from the Fair Barbadian. (See Illicit Stills and Smuggling in Manly, Warringah and Pittwater, by S. & G. Champion.) Identified as an informer in the affair, Daniel received 160 reward in February There was a case involving Dan Farrell and attempted arson in (See under David Foley) Farrell was also charged with larceny on 25 October 1843, but found not guilty and discharged. [AO Reel 2431] Daniel purchased James McDonald s 30 acre grant from William Charles for 40 on 22 July [LTO Book 9 No. 197] He mortgaged this land for 50 on 24 December 1846, to be repaid on 24 June [LTO Book 12 No. 192] The mortgagee, Francis Nesbitt McCron was never repaid. It was probably Daniel who set up the salt pans near Salt Pan Cove, as he was listed in Low s 1847 directory as salt-boiler, Pitt Water. No further mention of Daniel Farrell I, locally, after this date has yet been found. He must have made enemies over the Fair Barbadian incident; certainly the other informer, James Toomey, feared for his life and left the district quickly. According to Daniel s nephew John Farrell III, Daniel disappeared on the Turon gold fields, which were opened in However, we now know that Daniel Farrell I departed on the barque Artemisia for San Francisco on 4 March 1851, apparently for the goldfields. [SMH 5 March 1851] No record of his return has yet been located and it appears likely he died in the USA. The later history of Daniel Farrell s land (James McDonald s grant) is interesting. The mortgagee, F.N. McCron assumed ownership, leased it to various people, and after his death, his widow and his eldest son sold it to Arthur Walker on 21 August Walker applied to have the grant brought under the Real Property Act, but John Farrell III entered a caveat against his application, and Walker s application was rejected in Meanwhile, Daniel Farrell II (the son of John Farrell II) sold the land, together with other parcels of land, to Benjamin James on 29 April On 6 April 1925 John Farrell III eventually lodged a successful application, based on possession, and sold the land soon afterwards. The Farrell family thus appears to have benefited three times from the same piece of real estate! [LTO PA 10712, 26684] FARRELL, John (I) John Farrell arrived in Port Jackson on the Fortune on 11 June He had been sentenced on 16 March 1812, at the Kent lent Assizes, to fourteen years transportation, for knowingly having a forged banknote in his possession. On arrival he was assigned to Reuben Uther, hatter, and in January 1820 he petitioned Governor Macquarie for a Conditional Pardon or such other Mark of 44

45 Favour as to His Excellency may seem meet. He had a wife and family to support, which he would be better able to do if he had his freedom. Reuben Uther described Farrell as a sober, honest hardworking man, and highly deserving any Favour His Excellency may think proper to bestow on him. [AO Fiche 3207; 4/1862, p.62] Macquarie granted him a Ticket of Leave and he married Martha Hughes at St. Mary s Church on 6 March Incidentally, there were two women named Martha Hughes, who arrived on the same ship, the Wanstead, in The younger one married George Picking, who was also associated with our area. John Farrell and family lived in Macquarie Street, Sydney. He and his wife Martha had four children: Hannah (b.1818, married Robert Rogers 1837), Daniel (b.1819 or 20, sailed for San Francisco 1851), Mary Ann (b.1821 or 22, married Walter McEvilly 1847), and John (b.1823, married Mary Ann Foley 1850). Farrell purchased the 30 acre McNally grant, then in the possession of Martin Burke, on 12 July 1822, for In September 1822 he had 35 horned cattle. He purchased Burke s own grant, which he believed measured 40 acres, adjacent to McNally s, for 45 on 21 November Farrell s occupation at this time was dealer. At the end of October 1826, when Farrell applied for his own grant of land at Pittwater, he had a house in Macquarie Street worth about 100, 60 in cash, a family consisting of himself, wife and four young children. At Pittwater he said he had 70 acres of land, purchased, of which 18 acres were cleared, nine of those being under wheat. He had 93 head of horned cattle, two mares, two colts, eighteen pigs, and a logged house worth about 40. During the previous year he had maintained three convict servants. Adjoining Farrell s land, Robert Henderson owned a farm, Belgooler, and also held a ticket of occupation over 1000 acres. Farrell had been allowed to graze his cattle on this 1000 acres without payment since By November 1826, Henderson had moved to Brisbane Water, leaving only 20 cattle on the 1000 acres. Thomas Bolton was also grazing 80 cattle there. Henderson threatened to impound Farrell s cattle unless he consented to pay rent, or grazing money, as Henderson believed that he was now liable to pay for the use of the land. Farrell requested a ticket of occupation in lieu of Henderson, but this was not granted. The land had already been promised to the Revd. J. J. Therry. By the time of the 1828 census, Farrell had probably purchased John Williams grant at Clareville from Thomas Street, who had bought it from Williams in The census records that Farrell had 8 horses and 205 cattle, an extraordinarily large number for the amount of land he possessed. He had only 5 acres under cultivation at that time, compared with 9 in The Farrell family continued to live in Macquarie Street, Sydney. (See Daniel Farrell for the period ) John Farrell I, cowkeeper, made his will on 3 May His elder son Daniel was not mentioned in it. He left his estate to his wife Martha, and then to his younger son John. Martha died on 16 May 1849, and John I died on 7 November 1851, leaving John Farrell II to inherit the estate. [LTO Book 214 No.392] 45

46 FARRELL, John (II) John Farrell, the younger son of John and Martha Farrell, was living at Pittwater on 7 January 1848 when he purchased 5 acres of land, being the eastern corner of Robert Henderson s 60 acre grant, for 5. John II married David Foley s daughter Mary Ann at St Mary s Church on 8 February 1850, witnesses being Francis Collins and Mary Ann s sister Joanna Foley, both residents of Pittwater. John and Mary Ann s first child, Sarah Ann, was born on 23 January 1850, and baptized on 9 February. She later married John Thomas Collins. Other children were John (John Farrell III, often known as Johnny, b.8 June 1851), Hannah Martha (b.24 Oct 1852, married John T. Malcolm 1881), Mary Jane (b.4 Jan 1854, married Sydney A. Malcolm 1881), James (b.1855 or 56), Daniel (b.3 June 1857), and Thomas (b.1858 or 59). The estate which John II inherited from his father may be summarized as follows: 30 acres Promised to James McNally 4 July 1814 Given to William Mahoney Purchased by Martin Burke 1820 Measured by James Meehan 13 April 1821 Purchased by John Farrell 12 July 1822 for Measured by James Larmer August 1832 Granted to John Farrell 13 January [LTO SN56/168] (Conveyed to John Farrell III on 18 February [ LTO Book 214 No.573]) 50 acres Promised to Martin Burke 31 March 1821 Measured by James Meehan 13 April 1821 Purchased by John Farrell 21 November 1823 for 45. [LTO Book 32 No.740] Measured by James Larmer August 1832 Granted to Martin Burke 6 July 1833 [LTO SN33/15] Farrell applied for the deed of grant on 20 January 1843, after Burke s death. There was a deed for 50 acres in Burke s name, but the description of the grant did not agree. [AO 4/4559.3] John Farrell II applied again on 28 April 1854, but was informed by the Colonial Secretary s Office that it had already been issued to the original promisee (Burke). Farrell then registered the document dated 21 November 1823 [LTO Book 32 No. 740] and confirmed his ownership by paying Quit Rent due at the rate of 1/- per annum for the past fifteen years. (Conveyed to John Farrell III on 18 February [LTO Book 214 No.573]) 60 acres Promised to John Farrell 16 May 1825 (not 31 March 1821 as recorded by LTO) Measured by James Larmer in August 1832 Granted to John Farrell 6 July 1833 [LTO SN33/52] (Conveyed to John Farrell III on 18 February [LTO Book 214 No.573]) 60 acres Promised to John Williams 24 December

47 Measured by James Meehan 15 April 1821 Purchased by Thomas Street 14 January 1824 for 40 Measured by James Larmer July 1832 Purchased by John Farrell prior to 9 April 1835 Enquiries made by surveyor Samuel Dalgety August 1841 Granted to John Farrell 18 May 1843 [LTO SN56/180] (Conveyed to Thomas Farrell 16 February 1881 [LTO Book 214 No.392]) (Conveyed by Thomas to his sister Hannah Malcolm.[LTO Book 327 No.903]) 60 acres Measured by James Meehan 14 April 1821 Promised to Robert Melville 1 December 1821 Granted to Robert Melville 19 October 1831 [LTO SN30/113] Purchased by William Barnes 16 or 17 June 1837 for 160 Barnes died 10 May 1841 Purchased by John Farrell I 2 June 1851 for 30 (Conveyed to Thomas Farrell 16 February [LTO Book 214 No.392]) (Conveyed by Thomas to his sister Hannah Malcolm. [LTO Book 327 No.903]) 5 acres Part of 60 acres promised to Robert Henderson 10 September acres measured by James Meehan 14 April acres granted to Robert Henderson 1 March 1841 [LTO SN56/98] 5 acres purchased by Jeremiah Bryant 2 October 1841 for 5 Same 5 acres purchased by John Farrell II on 7 January 1848 for 5 (Conveyed to Daniel Farrell II on 16 Feb 1881 for 5. [LTO Book 214 No.343]) Other lands owned at Pittwater by the Farrell family were the grants to Robert Henderson and Richard Porter. Henderson purchased Porter s grant, and both grants were purchased by John Farrell II before Henderson died on 11 November However, no conveyance had been executed, and the trustees of Henderson s will conveyed the two grants to Daniel Farrell II, with John Farrell II as trustee, on 17 July [LTO Book 162 No.26] These purchases meant that the Farrell family owned land stretching across the peninsula, from the Pacific Ocean to Pittwater. Journalist Charles de Boos and two friends called on John Farrell in 1861: At last we came down to a broad, noisy, dirty watered creek, crossed by a rough but substantial bush bridge of logs, over which were thrown a number of ti-tree bushes. The approach to the bridge on either side was guarded by a wide belt of mud... Over this ti-tree brush had been pretty freely thrown down, in order to allow of a passage by horses and carts. After crossing the bridge they looked around. In the centre of the picture stood the homestead, a long low slab building faced with weatherboards, and fronted by a verandah supported on rough bush posts that gave a kind of rude picturesque air to a building that would have otherwise passed as tame. It was perched on the crest of a small though sharp rise that started up from the bed of a deep and brawling creek which ran between where we stood and the house, and from which we were separated by between two and three hundred yards of flat swampy land. This creek ran away to the eastward, 47

48 widening out rapidly until it emptied itself, in company with the muddy brook we had first crossed, into a miniature lagoon, separated from the sea by an extensive sand bank. It was crossed by a substantial timber bridge, raised high above flood level.... To the left of the house a clear flat, on a considerably higher level than the one we were on, stretched out to a belt of honeysuckle [banksia] and ti-tree, which separated it from the line of sand banks that intervened between it and the sea-shore, whilst in the background was a high, bleak range covered with scanty stunted scrub and running far out into the sea, terminating in a bold rocky headland. Immediately to the right of the house were the barn, stables, and various other out-houses, all neatly and handily arranged. [de Boos: My holiday] A large area of land had been enclosed for cultivation, and de Boos discerned corn stubble, a plantation of sorghum, and a belt of young barley. As they followed the dray track to the house, they were set upon by a dozen assorted cattle dogs. John Farrell, described as a fine strapping, fresh complexioned man, with a face the very personification of good humour, called the dogs off, and welcomed the walkers to his house. And now I had an opportunity of looking round me, I perceived that we had passed through a skilling or leanto, that served as a store, tool house, and work shop, and had entered a good sized apartment, the common keeping room of the establishment, in which the first thing that took my attention was the enormous fireplace, that extended nearly the whole width of the room, and in which were burning two logs, or rather young trees, that would have furnished fuel to a Sydney fireplace for a fortnight at least. The women of the house were preparing and cooking fish which had been caught on a candleing expedition the previous night. The rain was pouring down in torrents, otherwise the visitors would have been taken on a similar expedition. As it was, they enjoyed a fish dinner and supper before retiring to bed. De Boos recorded long, interesting conversations between Farrell and himself, covering such subjects as Free Selection and the state of the road from Manly. [de Boos: My holiday] After the murder of Mary Ann Farrell s father, David Foley, in November 1849, the Farrells appear to have run their own and the Foley farm as one, enjoying the use of hundreds of acres of land for their cattle. The 700 acre farm was leased for a short time by Henry Bate and Fred Berkelman in , but their venture failed, according to Henry s daughter, because of cattle thieves who frequently drove off and killed their cattle. For a time, a caretaker named Lush was installed; then in August 1862 James Therry, a relative of Father J.J. Therry, became the tenant of Mona Vale. He spent some time renovating the homestead for his large family, but before they moved in, it was burnt down, on 5 November John Farrell II was suspected, but it could not be proved. Farrell made it quite clear to Therry that if he stayed, he could expect further injury. The Therry family persevered, living in tents and a makeshift hovel until they could build another house. However, the feud grew worse, with charges and counter charges brought to the Courts, and eventually John Farrell II appeared in the Central Criminal Court on 28 December 1864, charged with stealing and killing ten cows. He was sentenced to imprisonment with hard labour for seven years, but inexplicably he was released after only four and a half years, in spite of a memorandum by Mr Justice Wise that the term of imprisonment should not be shortened. His wife, Mary Ann faced the Central Criminal Court on 6 February 1865, charged with stealing thirteen calves. She was sentenced to three years imprisonment with light labour, but was released after two and a half years. James Therry had lost at least forty head of cattle and twelve horses, and was now ruined as a farmer. (For more detail see Arson, horse and cattle stealing by S. & G. Champion) 48

49 During the trial of Mary Ann Farrell, evidence was given that carcases and bones from the slaughtered calves were buried around fruit trees that were being established to the north of Manly, on land that was sometimes referred to as Farrells paddock. A search in the N.S.W. Land Titles Office resulted in the following information: The 100 acres was originally granted to Charles Andrews and Christopher Skally. They sold 10 acres of their grant on 2 August 1847 to Isaac Lowry for 10. Two weeks later Lowry sold it to James Wheeler for 16. Wheeler sold it to Henry Gilbert Smith on 12 May 1853 for 30. H.G. Smith sold it to Thomas Youl on 28 February 1855 for 200; Youl mortgaged the 10 acres to George Turnbull on 3 November 1858 for 329. Youl defaulted and died, then George Turnbull died. The executors of George Turnbull s estate sold the 10 acres at public auction on 12 November 1861, the purchaser being Richard Driver the younger, for 145. This was apparently the same Richard Driver who was the solicitor defending the Farrells on cattle stealing charges, whom John Farrell II had known since childhood. The Farrells appear to have had the use of this land, although they did not own it at that stage. On 14 July 1871 Richard Driver sold the 10 acres to James Farrell for 100, and he conveyed it as a gift to his sister, Mary Jane Malcolm, on 25 May At no time did any part of Andrews and Skally s grant belong to John Farrell II. Farrell s paddock is bounded by the following present day streets: Balgowlah Road on the west, Alexander Street on the north, Collingwood Street on the east, and a line between Pacific Parade and Pine Street on the south. When John Farrell II was released from gaol, he applied for a licence for a public house at Manly Beach, but was refused by the Water Police Court. [SMH 2 Feb 1870] Then in March 1870 the licence of the New Steyne Hotel in the Corso, Manly, was transferred from George Watkins to John Farrell. [SMH 31 March 1870] The Chief Justice, Sir Alfred Stephen, commented that not only had John Farrell II been set at liberty before he had served his full term of imprisonment, but more than that, that the very same person had now a public house at Manly Beach. He queried whether Farrell should have been granted a licence by a bench of magistrates. [SMH 18 Feb 1871] The New Steyne Hotel was on the same side of the Corso as St. Matthew s, approximately where Coles supermarket is at present. While his parents were running their public house in Manly, John Farrell III had the management of the Little Reef farm at present Newport, and unfortunately continued in the same bad way. After James Therry, Thomas Wilson was the tenant of Mona Vale, and he witnessed Johnny driving one of his heifers towards the Farrell farm on 4 August Police investigating the incident found evidence of the heifer having been slaughtered. After protracted legal proceedings and a counter charge by Farrell against Wilson, John Farrell III faced court in February 1871 and was sentenced to three years imprisonment, being released from Port Macquarie gaol two and a half years later, in August (For greater detail, see Arson, horse and cattle stealing by S. & G. Champion.) Trouble continued between the neighbours. With John Farrell III in gaol, apparently his sister Sarah was in charge of Little Reef farm. In November 1871 Thomas Wilson took Sarah Farrell to court for a breach of the Impounding Act, but the case was dismissed. [SMH 8 Nov 1871] Residents of Manly Beach and Pittwater, including John Farrell, had petitioned for a Post Office at Barranjoey on 23 August In 1871 an officer from the General Post Office visited the 49

50 Pittwater area to ascertain the needs of the inhabitants. Displaying a lack of trust, several of the petitioners stated that if John Farrell (II) should be appointed mail contractor, they would not send their correspondence by him. [AA(NSW) SP32/1 Barrenjoey] In January 1871 John Farrell II rented the new Pavilion, which had just been erected in Ivanhoe Park, Manly, for Anniversary Day (26 January). A Programme of Sports was announced [SMH 25 Jan 1871]: First Race - To start at 12 o clock Flat Race, distance 200 yards Prize 1 Second 1 Best Hop, Step and Jump 1 Third 2 A pig with a greasy tail a pig Fourth 3 Live Wheelbarrow Race 1 Fifth 4 Three-legged Race, distance 200 yards 1 Entrances to the above races, 1s. Pig with greasy tail free to all. A first class Brass band is engaged. Dancing in the New Pavilion, Ivanhoe Park. As well as the hotel business, the Farrells were also in business in Manly as butchers. In January and February 1873 George Marshall was charged on warrant with embezzling from John Farrell amounts of money, stated variously as /2 down to [SMH 16 Jan 1873 et seq.] It was alleged that Marshall was employed by Farrell to serve in his butcher s shop, and to collect accounts, and that Marshall had failed to hand over money which he had received for meat. The case depended on the questions of whether Marshall was Farrell s servant, and whether Farrell was worthy of belief. Some witnesses swore they would not believe Farrell on his oath, and Farrell himself admitted that he was not a man of excellent repute. [SMH 7 Feb 1873] Marshall was found not guilty. In February and March 1873 Farrell charged Marshall again, this time for embezzling 4-4-3, but the outcome of the case could not be found, and was probably dismissed. [SMH 17 Feb 1873 et seq.] John Farrell II still owned the family home in Macquarie Street, and he mortgaged this for 600 on 27 October This no doubt assisted him on 17 November 1873 to purchase his first land in the Corso, portion of Lot 7, for [LTO Book 139 No.120] This land had a frontage of 25 feet to the Corso, on the side opposite to St. Matthews, and a depth of 99ft 6in. to the lane at the rear. The remainder of Lot 7, measuring 15ft. frontage to the Corso, was purchased by Sarah Savage, and on this site she conducted a fruit-shop. Farrell purchased Lot 6 in the Corso on 19 June 1874 for 200. [LTO Book 143 No.172] On 25 July 1874 John Farrell advertised to let at Manly Beach a new stone house of 8 rooms, kitchen, stables and out-buildings; also, a furnished cottage of 4 rooms and kitchen. On 24 April and 24 May 1875 he advertised to let furnished a large stone house, 10 rooms, stable, and every necessity. [SMH] In October 1875 he tendered the house, situated on the Corso next to the Colonnade Hotel, as premises for Manly Post Office, requiring rent of 120 per annum. [AA(NSW) SP32/1 Manly] It was advertised again on 5 November 1875, apply Colonnade Hotel. [SMH] The Colonnade Hotel must have been on either Lot 6 or 7, as Lot 8 was not purchased until 31 January 1876, also for 200. [LTO Book 161 No.215] Farrell moved into the Colonnade Hotel in October or November 1875, and remained there until 1882, when he became the licensee of the Bridge Hotel, Western Street, Balmain. The Adrians moved to the Colonnade in 1884 and renamed it the Ivanhoe Hotel; the Farrells remained the owners, however, and did not sell out to 50

51 the Adrians. Lots 6 and 8 in the Corso were both later conveyed by Mary Ann Farrell to her daughter, Hannah Malcolm. The butcher s shop was apparently on Lot 7, as it was conveyed by John II to John III on 6 September 1880, for 700. [LTO Book 208 No.150] He later leased the premises known as Farrell s Butcher Shop, Corso, to a chemist, Charles J. Carroll. There was a large, destructive fire in some houses on the West Esplanade on the evening of Sunday, 27 May Due to the exertions of a party of young men, including John Farrell III, the fire did not spread to adjoining buildings. [SMH 30 May 1877] On 7 June 1877 Manly Council instructed the Council Clerk to write to John Farrell, requesting him to remove all stone from off the Corso street and pavement. [SMH 4 Aug 1877] In October 1877 John Farrell II and John Farrell III were fined 21 shillings in all for assaulting Matthew Malier, with the alternative of seven days in gaol. [SMH 27 Oct 1877] On 11 September 1879 Manly Council referred John Farrell s application to build at the corner of Whistler and Raglan Streets to the foreman of works, to act thereon in accordance with the bylaws. [SMH 18 Nov 1879] (These premises were probably for his daughter Sarah and son-in-law J.T. Collins.) At the Manly Council meeting on 27 May 1880 James Farrell, a butcher, was ordered to be written to with reference to a complaint made about sheep belonging to him being depastured in the streets, calling his attention to the necessity of conforming to the by-laws. [SMH 7 June 1880] On 24 June 1880 Manly Council accepted the tender of John Farrell III for levelling Gilbert and Sebastopol Streets, where they join the reserves. [SMH 5 July 1880] On 29 June 1880 John Farrell II sold the old family home at 203 Macquarie Street for It consisted of 11 perches of land with a family residence thereon. [LTO Book 205 No.262] At Manly Council meeting on 18 May 1882 the Inspector of Nuisances requested instructions from Council as to steps he was to take regarding a nuisance caused by boiling down. The Inspector was instructed to give the owner of the boiling-down premises (John Farrell) notice to immediately abate the nuisance. [SMH 9 June 1882; Manly Council minutes] The Farrells eldest child, Sarah Ann, married John Thomas Collins. They conducted an unlicenced hotel at Newport, called Bayview House or Collins Retreat, from about 1880 to 1885, on land leased from Daniel Farrell. In November 1880 John Farrell of the Colonnade Hotel was acting as booking agent for Collins Line of Newport Coaches. In January 1884 Farrell s coach conveyed visitors from Manly at 3.15 p.m. on Friday to Collins Retreat, Newport, where they stayed the night before going up the Hawkesbury by the steamer Young Charlie. [SMH 11 Jan 1884] John Farrell II was listed in Sands Directory in 1884 and 1885 as coach proprietor. Various members of the Farrell family seem to have been responsible for the butchery business in Manly: James , Daniel II , John III 1886, John II , John III

52 In December 1887 an accident occurred to the punt at the Spit. Mr Farrell, butcher, of Manly, was having a number of horses and cattle conveyed across Middle Harbour. Just as the punt left the shore several animals took fright at a steamer passing by. The animals crowded to one side, and the punt capsized, plunging men and livestock into the water. Fortunately, they were near the shore, and the only casualty was a bullock with a broken leg. [SMH 24 Dec 1887] John Farrell II died on 17 January 1889 aged about 66 years and was buried in Manly Cemetery. His widow, Mary Ann Farrell, lived off Pittwater Road, Manly, from 1896 onwards. She died on 27 April 1912 aged about 84 years, and was buried with her husband. FINCHAM, John John Fincham was sentenced at the Old Bailey on 15 September 1790, to seven years transportation for burglary. He arrived in the Colony on the convict ship Albemarle in September He was living at present North Harbour in The whole district, from North Harbour to Barranjoey, was known as Broken Bay or Pittwater at this time. This concept is not hard to accept when it is remembered that Peter Patullo s land was described in 1816 as being at North Harbour, opposite Scotland Island! On 30 September 1823 Fincham reported to D Arcy Wentworth, the Superintendent of Police, that about four days previously three bushrangers had entered his house and carried off a box. His Certificate of Freedom had been in the box, and in his sworn deposition he stated that the certificate was lost and he had not made any improper use of it. [AO Reel 6026; 4/1713, p.171-2] In 1824 he petitioned the Governor, saying he was a settler at Broken Bay with fifty acres of land on which to depasture his 39 head of cattle. There was a considerable quantity of Crown land adjoining, of which Fincham asked to be allotted a sufficient quantity. [AO Fiche 3045; 4/1829, No. 120] The reply, dated 13 February 1824, conveyed the Governor s sanction to Thomas Fincham for the temporary occupation of 500 Acres of Land in a circle touching the Western boundary of the Farm granted to Richard Cheers. [AO Reel 6012; 4/3510, p.329] This reply confirms that Fincham resided at North Harbour (not Broken Bay), also that there were few, if any, other people around. Baker s grant was ignored in the description given of the cattle run, indicating that Cheers and Baker s grants were regarded as the same farm. Fincham, listed as John Fencham in the 1828 census, was then an 87 year old man, holding a seven acre farm (at North Harbour, not Pittwater), all cleared, and 4 acres cultivated. He had 50 head of cattle. His previous claim of 50 acres of land predated the planned siting of the Village of North Harbour by White and Mitchell in John Fincham was promised Allotment 20 (2ac. 2r. 32p.) in the Township of Balgowlah by Governor Sir Ralph Darling on 5 October 1830, possession was authorized on 13 September 1831, and James Larmer surveyed it in On 14/15 December 1836 Fincham sold the allotment to Edward Shakley for 12. [LTO Book P No.650] Shakley sold the land to Charles Whitney. John Fincham died some time before April 1840, and the land was granted to Charles 52

53 Whitney of Sydney in accordance with a report made by Commissioners in the Court of Claims on 12 July [AO Reel 1249 Fol.46 Case 695] Whitney received his grant on 9 September [LTO SN51/44] Fincham s old hut was still there, about one hundred feet north of the allotment boundary. FLINN, Edward Edward Flinn was convicted in London at the Middlesex Session on 9 October 1782 and sentenced to seven years transportation. He arrived in New South Wales on the First Fleet ship Friendship in 1788 and married Sarah Ault in On 28 May 1810 he was convicted of burglary at a Court of Criminal Judicature held in Sydney, and received sentence of death. On account of some favourable Circumstances, in Mitigation of his Offence, Governor Macquarie was induced to extend Grace and Mercy unto him and to grant unto him the said Edward Flynn a Pardon for his said Crime. [AO Reel 6070; 4/7020 No.5] He was to reside as a convict in New South Wales during the term of his natural life, and be kept at hard labour. He was employed by Robert Henderson, possibly at Pittwater, in At the time of the 1828 census he was aged 74, and was one of three old fishermen who lived on the Pittwater side of Barrenjoey headland. The others were William Nolt, then aged 64, and John Howard, another First Fleeter, also aged 64. At least one of these fishermen was living at Barrenjoey in 1826, when we are told that the usual place for crossing Broken Bay was at the mouth of Pitt Water, at a projecting rock called Barren Joey. Travellers are left to find their way across in little cockle shells of boats, when the fishermen think proper, and at a rate of more than one shilling per mile each passenger. [Australian 20 Dec 1826]... It is hardly credible that human beings can exist in such perpetual filth and darkness, as in the fisherman s hut at Broken Bay.... Cockroaches, in thousands, were marching and counter-marching on the rushy sides of the dwelling, and our persons in a few minutes were literally covered with them. Fleas, bugs, and mosquitoes were only less annoying, because they were less numerous.... The old fisherman had just lost his black gin, who it appeared, had been his housekeeper for many months, and had completely left her black associates for his company and hut.... The NSW Calendar and General Post Office Directory for 1832 mentions: Barranjuey, a rocky peninsula, extending East and West, and joined to the mainland by a narrow isthmus of sand. This remarkable spot is inhabited by three old fishermen who supply the farmers of the Hawkesbury, as far as the river admits of navigation. They also ferry travellers across to Brisbane water. Mrs Felton Mathew, the wife of a surveyor, described the fishermen s home in January 1834: On the southern side of Baranjuey is the bower of three old Fishermen, completely hidden by rocks and the most luxuriant native Fig-trees, which indeed form the principal parts of the structure; two of its inhabitants were absent, labouring in their vocation, the other was very civil, offering dried fish, poultry, & what he had; We stopped here to breakfast, and afterwards proceeded across Broken Bay. [RAHS Journal, 29, 1943] Edward Flinn was listed in the 1837 muster, but the three fishermen had gone by the time of the 1841 census. 53

54 John B. Howard, Customs Officer, wrote to the Collector of Customs on 14 March 1844: There were some old Fishermen lived here for ten years or more, their names were, John Howard, William Nalt and Coffee Flinn - they had a Hut, and Garden in Cultivation and never acknowledged Wentworth as their Landlord. [AO 4/5113 p.225] It seems, then, that the three fishermen lived at Barrenjoey from approximately the mid-1820s to the mid- or late 1830s. FLYNN or FLINN, Patrick Patrick Flinn or Flynn arrived in Sydney by the Southworth on 9 March A ploughman and soldier, he had been convicted and sentenced to life transportation at Wexford County in March 1821, at the age of 30. His birth place was Limerick, and his native place Cork. His height was 5ft 10in., he had a dark sallow freckled complexion, dark brown hair, hazel eyes, a long nose and a scar on his right jaw. His religion was Roman Catholic. His offence was whiteboy. According to the Oxford dictionary this meant that he was a member of an 18th century illegal agrarian association in Ireland wearing white frocks at nightly meetings and outrages. Collins dictionary calls whiteboys an Irish band of terrorists. [State Records NSW Fiche 647, p.81] Patrick was sent to the Government establishment at Emu Plains, and on 22 December 1822 he was assigned to Mr Palmer s clearing party. A year later his name was on the monthly statement of changes in convicts at Rooty Hill Station, from Prisoners Barracks, Sydney, sent up for the purpose of fencing. [State Records NSW Reel 6028, 2/8283, p.129, 245] Honora Connor had married Patrick in 1811 and had three children, Ann, Thomas and Patrick Junior, when she departed on the ship Thames from Cork on 14 November 1825, bound for New South Wales. The Thames carried 37 free women, 107 children and Government Stores. It arrived in Sydney on 11 April She moved quickly to petition Governor Darling, saying that she was unable to provide for her three children, and praying that her husband might be granted to her as an assigned servant. An accompanying certificate, signed by George Blackett, Superintendant at Rooty Hill on 18 April 1826, said that Patrick had been under his superintendency since 19 December 1823; I have found no fault in his conduct, having been very attentive to his duty, and all along demeaned himself in a manner much to my satisfaction. Honora s request was granted immediately.[state Records NSW 4/7084 Reel 588] By October 1829 Honora and Patrick had two more children, Mary and Ellen. Their eldest daughter, Ann, had married in Residing at 47 Kent Street Sydney, Honora petitioned Governor Darling again. With the industry and help of her husband, she had obtained 27 head of horned cattle, for which she had to pay for the grazing, with the exception of a few milk cows. She solicited the Governor to allow her a portion of land for the running of her cattle. [State Records NSW 4/2167 p , Reel 2194] Patrick was already living at Pittwater in September 1830, when the Sydney Bench recommended he be given his Ticket of Leave. He received Ticket of Leave 30/888 dated 27 December He was allowed to remain in the District of Pittwater. [State Records NSW Reel 914] 54

55 A sketch map in Surveyor Larmer s 1832 field book shows the name Flynn on Robert McIntosh s 200 acre grant at the head of Pittwater, near Martin Burke, who occupied a farm on the same grant. This land was sold in June 1834, and it is likely that Burke and Flynn then moved to Mackerel Beach. On 19 December 1836 Governor Bourke confirmed that Flynn had been granted a Conditional Pardon. [State Records NSW Reel 776, CP 523] Only four days later, on 23 December 1836, Burke leased his 40 acres at Little Mackerel Beach to Patrick Flinn (or Flynn) for 999 years, for 2/-per year upon trust, until his daughter Ellen Flinn (or Flynn) attained the age of 21 years or married, when the remainder of the term was to be assigned to her.[land Titles Office Book K No. 837] Patrick made two applications to purchase land but did not proceed with either. On 29 July 1837 he applied for 50 acres on the south western shore of Narrabeen Lagoon, which was taken up by James Wheeler in 1842, and on 21 January 1839 he applied for 50 acres at Coasters Retreat, which was purchased by John Andrews on 18 April [State Records NSW Reel 1127] The 1841 census shows three households at Mackerel Bay: those of Martin Burke, Patrick Flinn and Cornelius Sheehan. Flinn s household consisted of himself, his wife and one male (probably Patrick Junior) There is no information on the other children. The whole of Napper s grant, with the exception of the Customs Station, was leased to Patrick Flinn on 28 February 1844 for per annum. [State Records 4/5113 p. 239] A relevant anecdote has been recorded: There was once a well-cultivated garden. It was kept by an old man named Pat Flynn. Old Pat s garden is still remembered, for he grew vegetables of many sorts and sold them at a low price. He delighted to tell visitors of a day when, during a furious storm, the waves of the ocean had swept across the isthmus. [M. Anderson, RAHS Journal 6, p.4, 1920] Patrick Flinn was listed in Low s 1847 directory as landholder, Pitt Water. On 1 October 1851 Ellen Flinn married John Henry Merritt. On 19 December 1854 Patrick Flinn, Henry Merritt, and his wife Ellen assigned the 999 year lease at Little Mackerel Beach to Cornelius Sheehan for 45. [Land Titles Office Book 40 No 52] Patrick Flinn died at Balmain on 21 May 1862, said to be aged 86 years, but by calculation 79 years old. FOLEY, David David Foley was a native of County Cork, Ireland, where he had been occupied as a clerk. He was convicted with three others in March 1817 and sentenced to transportation for life. His offence was felony, wounding, but further details may never be known. He arrived in Sydney as a convict on the ship Guildford on 1 April 1818, aged 19. In Sydney, he gained experience as a wheelwright. About January 1823 he petitioned the Governor, Sir Thomas Brisbane, for a pardon, saying he had received a letter from his parents in Ireland, and they thereby state, that Lady Ennismore and the Honorable Mrs Hare have spoken to your Excellency on the subject of 55

56 my enlargement, that those ladies have assured them of every hope of the same upon your arrival in New South Wales. Your Memorialist have now to pray that your Excellency may deign to let me know at what time I may assure myself of my pardon (if such your Excellency may be benevolently pleased to extend) that I may by a letter which I am about to send home, express my gratitude to those ladies, and comfort my parents with that grateful tidings. [AO Reel 6056; 4/1763, p.187-8] On considering the matter, however, Sir Thomas Brisbane decided that it was not within his power to grant Foley any indulgence which would enable him to quit the Colony. [AO Reel 6010; 4/3507, p.301] Foley resigned himself to spending his life in New South Wales, and married Sarah Andrews, the step-daughter of Martin Burke, on 14 February In November 1823 the Sydney Gazette reported that eleven days before, on a Sunday, David Foley had left his home in Kent Street to visit his father-in-law at Long Reef. He crossed the water in safety from Dawes Battery to Billy Blue s Point, and has never since been heard of. The most diligent search has been made by the disconsolate wife, but it is supposed the poor man must have lost his way among the North Rocks [the country between Port Jackson and Broken Bay], and there perished. However, he was found by two young men named Dempsey and Foster, after he had been missing for fourteen days, just at the crisis when he was nearly extinct. Such is one of the effects of converting the Sabbath into a day of business! moralized the Sydney Gazette. On 4 April 1825 Martin Burke sub-leased the 700 acre farm, Bungin Bungin, to David Foley, his lease having three and a half years to run from 1 April. It was necessary for a deed of assignment and conveyance to be executed in favour of David Foley, and this was done, in consideration of five shillings and other good causes and considerations. A covenant reserved to Martin Burke cattle grazing rights, the use of one room in the dwelling house and half an acre of garden ground. On the recommendation of the Grand Jury of Cork, Foley was granted a Ticket of Leave by the Governor, Sir Thomas Brisbane, on 9 May [TL 26/177] On 26 February 1829 a new one was issued, the original one being returned mutilated and cancelled. [AO TL 29/14] This stated that his year of birth was 1799, he was 5 feet 4 inches tall, with a fair, florid complexion, dark hair and grey eyes. One night in January 1827 Foley s Government servant informed him that a man, having the appearance of a bushranger, was hiding in a haystack near the house. Together, they apprehended him and sent information to the nearest constable. He was not at home, but handcuffs were procured and the man, who gave his name as Stanly, was manacled and taken into the house, where he was secured for the night. Foley gave him every necessary refreshment, and the next morning proceeded to take him to Sydney. Foley borrowed a loaded musket from Jenkins as he passed his farm. When they reached Manly Beach, the Sydney Gazette reports, it was necessary to take a boat. The handcuffed man seized his opportunity to strike a violent blow to Foley s head. When Foley recovered, the man had freed himself from the handcuffs, using the key from Foley s pocket, and had taken possession of the musket. He demanded money, which Foley threw on the ground. As he stooped to pick it up Foley rushed him; there was a violent struggle during which the gun went off, severely wounding the bushranger s forehead. The wound bled profusely, and although he made his escape, Foley 56

57 reported to the police in Sydney that the man could not have gone very far, and might be tracked without much difficulty. Although he had given his name as Stanly, it was thought from the description that the man was probably the bushranger Ward. [Syd. Gaz. 6 Jan. 1827] A black and brown heifer, about 18 months old, strayed into Foley s herd in July Foley advertised that the owner might have it back by giving a proper description and paying the expenses. [Syd Gaz 9 July 1827] The 1828 census shows that Foley was then aged 29, while his wife Sarah (née Andrews), who had been born in the Colony, was 25 years old. They then had three children: Margaret aged 5, Mary Ann aged 3, and John aged 1. Of his leased 700 acres, 40 acres had been cleared and 18 acres were in cultivation. He owned 54 cattle, and employed two men. His father-in-law, Martin Burke, had moved to Robert McIntosh s 200 acre farm nearby, holding it as a tenant. David and Sarah Foley continued to occupy Campbell s 700 acre grant. Altogether, they had nine children: Margaret (b.1824); Mary Ann (b.1826, married John Farrell II); John (b.1828, died 1843); Sarah (b.1829 or ʼ30); Joanna (b.1832, married Henry Whaley); another girl; David (b.1839), Ellen (b.1841); and Thomas (b.1844). Foley received a Conditional Pardon on 21 June He was then described as being 5 feet 4 ½ inches tall, with a dark ruddy complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes. [AO Reel 775; 4/4432] The family appears to have led a very settled, industrious life, with Foley regularly taking the produce of his farm to North Harbour for transport to Sydney. In 1837 there were seven assigned convicts working on the farm. In December 1837 and February 1839, at the request of the Reverend J.J. Therry, David Foley saw John Doyle and Thomas Culhane about rent due to Father Therry. By April 1839 Foley had acquired 640 acres of land at Mulbring Creek, in the County of Northumberland, for which he paid 160. [AO Reel 1128] At the time of the 1841 census David and his wife Sarah were living at Bungin with two sons and five daughters. There were four assigned convicts. David Foley was appointed a Constable, on the Sydney Police Establishment, on 3 July He resigned on 2 April [AO Reel 2657; 7/92] In 1843 he was appointed to assist the Chief Constables in compiling Electoral Lists in the Police District of Sydney, beyond the Corporate Limits of the City. [SMH 22 March 1843] There appears to have been some trouble between Foley and his neighbours, the Farrells, in Under Police Court Business appeared the charge David Foley vs John Farrell, threats, bound to the peace. [SMH 25 Feb 1843] Other items concerning David Foley and John Farrell s eldest son, Daniel, appeared in the news. [SMH 17 March 1843] ARSON AND PERJURY - The Police Court was occupied for upwards of two hours yesterday, before Mr. Windeyer, investigating a charge of contemplated arson, preferred against a young 57

58 man named Farrell, by David Foley of Pitt Water. Only two witnesses were examined in the case; but their evidence, so far as it went, was directly opposed. The case will be resumed on Tuesday, when some other witnesses are to attend for the prosecutor, from the spot where the offence is alleged to have been committed. Mr. Nichols, who conducted the defence, intimated his intention of proving an alibi, and also of having witnesses who gave evidence yesterday committed for perjury. [SMH 22 March 1843] POLICE COURT BUSINESS 22nd March 1843 Attempt to commit arson, Daniel Farrell, committed, but allowed bail, himself in 100 and two sureties in 50 each. So far, no evidence has been found to indicate that the charge was ever taken any further. Unfortunately David Foley s son John, aged only 15 years, was found lying dead in the bush at Pitt Water from a gun-shot wound. [SMH 26 April 1843] POLICE COURT BUSINESS. Another inquest was subsequently held in the vicinity of Globestreet, opposite the Queen s Wharf, on the body of John Foley, late of Pitt Water, who it appeared had met his death by a gun-shot wound, inflicted from a gun which had accidentally gone off while the deceased was leaning on it in the bush, near his father s residence, from which he had taken the piece for the purpose of frightening the cockatoos from some grain which had lately been put into the ground. From the direction of the wound it was apparent that the muzzle had been under his chin, and that the shot had passed through to the back part of the head, in such a direction as must have caused almost instantaneous death. Dr McKellar having certified that death was caused by a gun-shot wound, the jury confirmed his evidence by their verdict. The Coroner subsequently, on 6 June 1843, recorded a finding of accidental death. In The story of Mona Vale [Empire 20 Jan 1865] the writer commented, whether he was killed by accident, or whether he was murdered, has never been satisfactorily ascertained. On 11 September 1849 David Foley charged his other neighbour, Thomas Collins, with robbery. The following evidence was presented: [SMH 11 & 12 Sept 1849] Foley stated that on the night of 3 July 1849 his premises were entered and about twenty pounds of butter, fifteen tin milk dishes, about one hundred weight of butter salt and three iron wedges were stolen and carried away. He also said he believed the goods were concealed on the premises of Thomas Collins. Foley procured a search warrant in Sydney, and in company with two constables (Peter Thomson and Thomas Newton), and his two daughters, implemented the warrant. On entering Collins house, one of Foley s daughters recognized on a bed quilt a piece of print; a portion of an old frock, which covered the butter the last time she saw it in her father s dairy. On going into the dairy of the prisoner [Collins], five milk dishes were selected from the lot as some of those which had been stolen. While the Foleys and one of the constables were walking from the house to the dairy, the second constable remained in the house. Overhearing some noise, he looked to a dung heap, and observed the prisoner [Collins] burying a dish there. The constable mentioned this incident, and the dish was produced. Foley claimed it as one of his. The six dishes selected were left in charge of one of Foley s daughters. While the rest of the party instituted a further search, the prisoner Collins went round the house, took the dishes and ran off. The daughter gave the alarm, and the prisoner [Collins] was pursued, but not overtaken. He called out to the police that he would not allow himself to be taken into custody until the 58

59 return of his wife from Sydney, when he would give himself up. The next day the prisoner [Collins] met with the constables in Sydney, his servant, Frank Poyner, being with him carrying the dishes. Collins then gave both himself and the dishes up to the police. Collins claimed that the dishes had belonged to the former occupier of the property, a Mr Clarke, and that they had been left to him. Collins stated that he took the dishes away to prevent Foley from having an opportunity of putting any mark upon them by which he might make his claim to them seem more probable. Foley and his daughters identified the dishes as their property. There was no private mark upon them, but they had had them in use a long time and were satisfied as to their identity. There were others in the prisoner s dairy which were like some of the fifteen which had been stolen, but which they could not swear to identify. The prisoner [Collins] was committed to take his trial, but allowed bail, himself for 40, and two sureties of 20 each. Thomas Collins indicated his intention to plead guilty to the charge. The trial date was set for 12 November 1849, but before the trial could take place David Foley was murdered, on Thursday, 8 November, about a half a mile from his home. The perpetrators of this dreadful crime were never brought to justice. (See The Murder of David Foley in 1849 near Bungin, by S. and G. Champion.) Sarah Foley and the children continued to live on the farm for a number of years, no doubt assisted by John Farrell, who married David Foley s daughter Mary Ann in In 1858 the farm was occupied by Bate and Berkelman, and at this time became known as Mona Vale. In 1861, when Charles de Boos and his friends called, the farm was occupied by the Lush family as caretakers. The homestead was so nestled down amid the sand hills that surround it as to be unperceived until you are within a hundred yards of it. We found it a neat looking little place so far as outside appearance went, but evidently the worse for wear, like every building we had then met, and I may add, like every one we afterwards came to in the district. It had, at one time, been a dwelling of some pretension, as was evident from the stabling, fowl-house, and dairy, now somewhat dilapidated; and from the enclosed garden in front of the house, in which flowering plants, roses, pinks and geraniums, struggled manfully for existence with the straggling couch grass, amidst which they were all but buried. A large stockyard, in which was a shed, covering in the milking bails and calfpen, lay to the north of the house, the venerable grey hue of the timber speaking for the antiquity of the construction, as well as for the durable characters of our colonial timber, since the posts, though somewhat eaten away by decay below the surface, were still sound and hard as flint above it. At the back of the domicile, or eastward, the high sandbanks sheltered it from the fierce sharp breezes from the ocean.... To the right, or northerly, a high range terminating in a rocky headland which jutted far out into the sea, and abruptly ending the long line of beach, arose almost bluffly from the edge of a small paddock reserved for a kitchen garden; whilst southerly a close belt of honeysuckle [banksia] protected it. [de Boos: My holiday] The mistress of the house welcomed them inside as it was beginning to rain. She placed them in comfortable seats around the fire, upon which logs were heaped in true bush fashion, causing the flame to roar and leap up joyously.... But that which formed the chief attraction for us, was a vast three-legged iron pot, which hung over the fire, and the steam from which sent forth an odour so savoury, so captivating to our olfactories, that, having once inhaled it, I am sure, from 59

60 the savagely determined glance that passed between Nat and Tom, that nothing but force, and superior force, too, would ever have driven them from that spot without a share of its contents. They were invited to share the contents, followed by bread and honey. David Foley s widow, Sarah, died on 26 January 1867 at Mount Street, St. Leonards (North Sydney). Her son David, of the same address, was the informant. FRENCH, James Harris James Harris French was born on 25 December 1816 or 1817 at Dalwood, now in Devonshire, near the Dorset boundary. He arrived in Sydney as an immigrant on board the Alfred on 19 January On 10 August 1842, he married Mary Tiffin, the daughter of Billy Blue and widow of Robert Tiffin, at St. Philip s Church. At first they lived near Blues Point, and later moved to Willoughby, where French had a 40 acre farm called Paradise. On 5 June 1851 French was sworn in as a Special Constable and Ranger of Crown Lands under the Crown Lands Bailiff, Simeon Henry Pearce. Simeon H. Pearce and James Pearce, of Randwick, received a grant of 200 acres in what is now known as French s Forest, on 23 February 1854, for which they paid 300. [LTO SN93/6] The land was known as Pearce s 200 acres, or Rodborough. French received two grants, each measuring 41 acres 12 perches, adjoining Pearce s 200 acres, on 24 July He purchased the lots for each. [LTO SN121/3577 and 3581] On 23 July 1858 the Pearces sold 171 acres 34 perches of their 200 acres to James William Bligh for 450. [LTO Book 56 No.252] Bligh sold the same land to French on 18 July 1859 for 525. [LTO Book 62 No.224] The Pearces disposed of the remainder of their land to other purchasers. On 3 August 1858 the New South Wales Legislative Assembly voted the sum of 100 to open up a new road from Bantry Bay to Rodborough, thus giving access from Middle Harbour to the new grants of land. There were no other roads into the area. In reply to a question in Parliament as to whether the money had been spent, Mr. Robertson replied that the 100 had been placed at the disposal of the hon. Mr. Bligh, Mr. W. Redman, and Mr. French. Mr. French had, however, resigned the trust. Without further enquiry it was not known how much of the money had been expended. [SMH 18 Nov 1858] French established a farm on his Rodborough land, and on 8 June 1860 the Sydney Morning Herald carried this advertisement: TO LET, an improved FARM, at Manly Cove from 40 acres upwards, for such period as may be agreed upon. The improvements are a six-roomed cottage, a three stall stable, a large stockyard, a store, fowlhouse, and piggery; about seven acres enclosed, and two acres in cultivation. For further particulars apply to JAMES H. FRENCH, Paradise Farm, North Shore. As well as farming, French developed a timber industry, with two sawmills, one of them being where the Forest Business Park (site of the old drive-in theatre) is now situated. Timber was conveyed to Bantry Bay by bullocks and shipped to various parts of the Harbour shores, where 60

61 settlers used it for building and fencing. French s house at Rodborough seems to have been occupied intermittently. The following paragraph appeared in the N.S.W. Police Gazette on 23 August 1865: Stolen, sometime since the 12 instant, from an unoccupied house at Middle Harbour, the property of James French, farmer, North Shore, - 2 plain bed-ticks, 1 pillow-case, 2 white sheets, 2 white blankets, 12 lbs of salt beef, 4 lbs of pork, and an American axe; value, 15s. The ticks identifiable. In 1877 French attempted to subdivide Rodborough into farms of 8 to 10 acres, with frontages to Bantry Bay Road, Rodborough Road (now Warringah Road), and other Government Roads. Adjoining these farms, he proposed to establish Ranger s Retreat Village, subdivided into 30 blocks, each one acre, with frontages to Bantry Bay Road, Ranger s Retreat Road, and two Government Roads, and adjoining the Reserves (each 3 acres) for Church school and Minister s paddock (now the site of St. Alban s Church) The land was described as very favourably situated, only two miles from Bantry Bay, and about four miles from the pier at Manly Beach, with a good road the whole distance. Apparently nothing resulted from the public auction held on 23 March [SMH 17 March 1877] French however made two early sales. On 2 January 1879 he sold 10 acres to Emma Page, the wife of Henry Page, for 50 [LTO Book 187 No.45] The Pages established a farm off Bantry Bay Road. On 10 December 1884 French sold about acres on the corner of Bantry Bay Road to William Hews for Hews went on to establish a brickworks, with about forty employees, many of whom had followed him from similar work at Petersham. James Harris French died at his home in Willoughby on 2 March 1893, aged 76. His wife, Mary, died at Lane Cove, on 27 March 1895, aged 85 William Hews bought further lots of land from French s estate on 1 June GASKIN, Henry Henry Gaskin was sentenced at Kingston on 2 April 1787 to 7 years transportation. He sailed from Plymouth on 27 March 1791 on The William and Ann and arrived in Port Jackson on 28 August He selected land at Crele Bay, Pittwater and by 2 July 1820 was residing there with his wife. He had planted nine acres of wheat, and five acres were ready for corn. Governor Macquarie had inadvertently forgotten him, and asked him to renew his request for a grant of 50 acres, which he did in a Memorial to the Governor. [AO Fiche /1824A No.274] His grant of 50 acres at Careel Bay was surveyed by Meehan in 1821 and again by White in Henry Gaskin was listed in the September 1822 Land and Stock Muster with a wife, Margaret Evans, and a daughter, Ann Gaskin, aged 8. In the 1828 census he was listed as Andrew Gascon, aged 62. His grant was shown as 60 acres, of which 20 acres were cleared and 10 cultivated. Gaskin s wife, Margaret, aged 63, and a five-year-old boy, Thomas Godard, lived with him. He 61

62 also had a tenant, Andrew Woodsworth, 42, who had cleared and cultivated 5 acres. Henry Gaskin sold his 50 acre grant at Careel Bay to George Coy on 29 November 1834 for five shillings. [LTO Book H No. 374, Book T No.961] The following advertisement appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald, 15 August 1844: TO BE LET, for a term of three or five years, as may be agreed on, a Fifty-acre Farm, acknowledged to be the best ground in the vicinity of Pitt Water, lately in the occupation of Mr. Robert McIntosh. Twenty-five acres are under cultivation; there is also a Wharf on the Farm, at which the boats to and from Sydney arrive and take their departure. For further particulars, apply, if by letter post-paid, to the sole proprietor, Mr. George Coy, boot and shoe maker, No 21, Castlereagh-street South, Sydney, next door to Mr. Peter Howell. George Coy s widow Ann sold the land to Robert McIntosh II for 50 on 16 October [LTO Book 22 No. 609] He in turn agreed to sell it to Revd. J.J. Therry for 300 on 5 February 1857, conveyed 7 July [LTO Book 47 No. 838, Book 56 No.33] The Gaskin grant thus became an important part of Therry s estate. The Marine Village of Brighton (Josephton) Pitt Water was subdivided in 1871 [ML Map M / 1871/1], a large part of the subdivision covering part of Gaskin s grant. It is very likely that the building and fenced land shown on this map, near the corner of Patrick and Therry Streets, represented Gaskin s former farm. GEARY, Patrick Patrick Geary was a soldier serving on Norfolk Island when his daughter Catherine was born to his wife Elizabeth on 4 March They returned to Australia in 1805, and Catherine married Robert Henderson on 4 March 1817 at St. John s, Parramatta. Following the disbanding of the Royal Veteran Company on 24 September 1823, Patrick Geary became entitled to select 100 acre grant in any part of the Colony that had been surveyed. He received his grant at Brisbane Water, naming it Veteran Hall. In 1826 Geary was living on Jeremiah Bryant s grant, at the head of Pittwater, which had been purchased by Robert Henderson, his son-in-law, in [Syd Gaz 4 Oct 1822] When Martin Burke was dismissed as constable and pound keeper at Pittwater, Geary took over the pound keeping role. [Syd Gaz 10 May 1826] A proper pound was constructed, which was paid for by Government. [AO Reel 2563; 28 July 1826] Geary s farm was referred to in Journal of an Excursion to Brisbane Water. [Australian 20 Dec 1826] The excursionists crossed Narroby Lagoon, over a fine sand that felt so velvety to our naked feet that we almost regretted it was not broader. Another head land, as usual, succeeded to this sand, and after ascending it we turned to our left through the bush and arrived at the head of Pitt Water, and regaled ourselves at the farm of one Geary. Here a Sydney boat was at anchor, and very fortunately for us, had no objection to accept 15s., for putting us across to Brisbane Water. The usual place for crossing Broken Bay was at Barrenjoey, but we preferred the boat, and the smooth placid inlet, at sun-set, to the rocky, unpleasant journey by land. 62

63 Geary died at Veteran Hall, Brisbane Water, in GEORGE, William The Jenkins family s farm, Long Reef was let to a tenant, William George, in 1835 or 1836, and he disputed James Wheeler s right to occupy land belonging to the Jenkins family. At the time of the 1837 General Return of Convicts in New South Wales, Thomas Wilson, age 22, who had arrived in the Lady Nugent in 1835, and Michael Comerford, aged 30, who had arrived in the Java in 1833, were both assigned to William George. Wilson and Comerford remained in our area and played a part in its later history. An incident involving both Wilson and Comerford was reported in the Sydney Gazette, 22 January 1839: DEATH BY DROWNING On Wednesday last a man named Henry Joyce, better known as Long Harry, went in company with an assigned servant of Mr. Georges of Long Reef [Thomas Wilson], and another man named Rail, towards Pitt Water. They landed from a boat at North Harbour, and walked towards Pitt Water. After Rail and his companions had advanced about seven miles on the road, they missed Joyce. Little notice was taken of the circumstance at the time, they thinking that he had stayed behind; they halloed for him but received no answer, on which they went on their journey. The next morning, Thursday, another assigned servant of Mr. Georges [Michael Comerford], while going along the road, observed the body of a man floating in a creek called Deewhye Creek, and in turning it over discovered that it was the body of Joyce. Information of this circumstance was communicated to the Coroner for Sydney on Saturday morning, and he instantly gave directions to the Water Police to have the body brought down within a reasonable distance for the purpose of an inquest. The performance of this duty by the Water Police was opposed by Colonel Wilson, on which the Coroner issued a precept to the Chief Constable to have the body removed. This order Mr. Mitchell was compelled to comply with, and arrangements were yesterday made for that purpose - five days after Joyce s death! An inquest was held [on Monday at the St. John s Tavern] on the body of a man named Henry Joyce, whose body was found at Pitt Water on Wednesday last. Michael Comerford, an assigned servant to Mr. George, of Pitt Water, deposed that he found the body floating in the water at D.Y. Creek, Pitt Water; the left eye and nose were black, and the face was very much disfigured and swelled, but was not generally black, except the eyes and nose as described. Thomas Wilson, also an assigned servant to Mr. George, accompanied the deceased from Sydney to within two miles of Mr. George s farm, where he lagged behind the cart, and did not again join the cart; on the following day, the first witness (Comerford), gave intelligence of having found the body. The deceased was very drunk, and fell several times on the journey; at the place where he was missed there was a bridge and a log across the creek. Mr. Surgeon Savage certified that from its decomposed state, he could not examine the body so as to elucidate the cause of deceased s death, but from the evidence, he was of the opinion that death ensued from drowning, and the jury returned a verdict of found drowned. [SMH 23 Jan 1839] William George applied to purchase two portions of land. On 9 March 1838 he applied for 50 acres at Curl Curl (Queenscliff) Head, and on 22 October 1840 he applied for 100 acres to the west of Ramsay s 410 acre grant. [AO Reel 1130] They were measured for him by Surveyor Dalgety in 1841, but he did not proceed with either purchase. 63

64 William George was still at Long Reef at the time of the 1841 census. His household appears to have been composed of himself, his wife, six children, two assigned convicts and another employee. HAYNES, Ann. See McCARR, James and MURRAY, Kennedy HEATON, James James Heaton married Susannah Pickering in St James Church, Sydney, on 21 May According to her birth and baptismal record she was then three months short of her fifteenth birthday, and she was married with the consent of her parents. Although married, it seems that James and Susannah continued to live with their respective parents. Perhaps this is not surprising, in view of Susannah s extreme youth. James Heaton s parents, James and Nancy Heaton, lived at the foot of Dowling Street, Woolloomooloo. Others in the household were their married daughter, Hannah Blood, a granddaughter Anne (daughter of their son William), and a servant. Another son, John Robert, lived nearby in the Domain. William, married with his own family, and Priscilla Dixon, a married daughter, lived elsewhere. James I, James II, and William were all boatmen, or watermen, while John was a carpenter. In October 1849 James II apparently fell out with his father, left the parental home and joined his wife and her parents in the bush at North Harbour. Tipsy, he went back on Friday 26 October and had words with his sister Hannah. He had a cannister of gunpowder with him which his brother John asked him to give up. James refused, saying I mean to do something with this before Monday night s over. At about five minutes to eight o clock in the evening of Monday, 29 October 1849, George Pickering and his son-in-law James Heaton burst into the Heatons home at Woolloomooloo, wearing cabbage-tree hats, their faces muffled with dark handerchiefs or scarves, brandishing pistols and demanding money. According to the servant, Thomas Charlesworth, James entered first and threatened his mother. He called out, Jim, Jim, would you shoot your own parents? Meanwhile, George Pickering drew aside the curtains of James Senior s bed, presented a pistol and said he would blow his brains out if he did not bail up. Mr Heaton answered Blow away and Pickering snapped the flint-lock pistol. Both intruders then fled up the hill. Pickering and Heaton were arrested at North Harbour on 1 November and charged with assault with intent to rob. Found guilty, the Judge sentenced each of them to twelve months imprisonment with hard labour. [SMH 1 January 1850] The jury apparently did not believe the testimony of Martha Pickering and Susannah Heaton, that the men were both at home at North Harbour on the night in question. Interestingly, a record in the Archives Office [AO 4/5730] includes the name of another man who was apparently willing to swear their innocence, Fras. Hillary [Francis Ellery]. This man was Francis Poyner, the brother of Susannah Ellery, who only a week later, on 8 November 1849, was suspected of being deeply involved in the murder of David Foley near Mona Vale. According to the official records, Susannah Heaton s child was born on 24 May 1850, presumably while the menfolk were in gaol. She was baptized Hannah Selena on 9 June

65 James and Susannah Heaton were living at Woolloomooloo Bay at the time of birth of three children, viz. James (b.14 July 1852, who did not survive); Maria (b.6 June 1853); and James George (b.10 Nov 1855). James Heaton I made his will on 26 June 1853, appointing trustees to sell his Dowling Street property and divide the proceeds equally among his five children. On 1 January 1854 he sold a further 13 perches at Woolloomooloo Bay to his son William for 10. [LTO Book 30 No. 381] He died in 1854, aged 66. On 27 August 1857 James Heaton II, John and Priscilla Dixon, and John Robert Heaton sold their shares to William for 90, or 30 per share. [LTO Book 50 No. 820] James and Susannah Heaton appear to have moved to North Harbour in 1856, as the name James Heaton, leasehold, North-harbour, appears on the electoral list that year for the North Riding of the County of Cumberland. There seems to be no reason to doubt that James took over the position of waterman at North Harbour from William Dawson, who was there as waterman with his wife Margaret and their family for some years prior to this date. From that date onwards, also, children born to the Heatons were registered in the district of St. Leonards. James and Susannah Heaton lived on the Whitney grants, formerly occupied by the Pickings [Pickerings], from approximately Their last child appears to have been Andrew Archie, born 1877, before Susannah died on 6 September 1878, aged 44 (not 48). In February 1880 James Heaton, waterman, formerly of Manly Beach, was living in Market Street, San Francisco, California. [LTO Book 201 No.673] One of James sons, Francis William Heaton, in a Statutory Declaration dated 5 October 1889, said that his father had been in undisputed possession of the Whitney grants until September or October 1885, when he first heard that someone else was claiming the land. Charles Whitney had died on 3 May 1860 leaving the land to his wife. She died on 28 March 1876, leaving it to their son, John Sydney Whitney. John S. Whitney filed a petition for insolvency on 16 June 1884 and the land was offered for sale at public auction on 4 September It was purchased by the highest bidder, Francis O Brien, for 620, subject to payment of quit rent. O Brien paid eighteen years quit rent to the Crown, amounting to O Brien, desirous of perfecting his title to the land also paid 100 to James Heaton on 30 October 1885 for any right title by possession (if any) interest property claim and demand whatsoever that Heaton might have had to the land. [LTO PA 7900] For O Brien, it was an expensive piece of land! James Heaton II died on 18 March HENDERSON, Robert Robert Henderson was born at Parramatta in 1796, and married Catherine Geary on 4 March 1817 at St. John s, Parramatta. Henderson was promised a 60 acre grant at Pittwater on 10 September 1818, under the name Anderson. Meehan surveyed the grant in September 1821, but because the wrong name was used Robert Henderson had to wait another twenty years, until 1 March 1841, before the deed of his grant, which he named Belgooler, was issued. [LTO SN56/98] By 1828, Jeremiah Bryant was 65

66 a tenant on Belgooler or Belgoula. Henderson bought Jeremiah Bryant s 80 acre farm at the head of Pittwater in [Syd Gaz 4 Oct 1822] See Patrick Geary for a reference to this farm in From 1824 Henderson held a ticket of occupation over a grazing run of 1000 acres adjoining Belgooler. By November 1826, Henderson had moved to Brisbane Water, leaving only 20 cattle on the 1000 acres. Thomas Bolton was also grazing 80 cattle there. Belgooler was land-locked, but Henderson gained access to and from Pittwater by his purchase of Richard Porter s adjacent grant, on 29 September [AO Reel 1173] Catherine Henderson s father was Patrick Geary, a soldier. Following the disbanding of the Royal Veteran Company on 24 September 1823, Geary became entitled to select a grant of 100 acres in any part of the Colony that had been surveyed. He selected his grant at Brisbane Water, naming it Veteran Hall. Henderson had moved to Brisbane Water by November 1826, and after Geary s death in 1827 he inherited Veteran Hall. From there he traded with his vessels, one of which was the sloop Northumberland. He was closely involved in the Fair Barbadian smuggling incident in (See Illicit Stills and Smuggling in Manly, Warringah and Pittwater, by S. & G. Champion.) Robert Henderson died on 11 November 1869, having sold his own and Porter s grants to Daniel Farrell II, with Daniel s father John Farrell II as trustee. [LTO Book 162 No.26] Henderson left Bryant s 80 acre grant to his grandson, who sold it to Frederick Thomas Humphery on 14 October [LTO Book 232 No.299] HOWARD, John Broadley (Customs Officer) John B. Howard received his appointment as 4th Clerk to the Collector of His Majesty s Customs in Sydney in Following the Fair Barbadian smuggling incident, it was resolved to open a Customs Station at Broken Bay, and on 1 November 1842 Howard wrote to His Excellency the Governor, soliciting the appointment as Customs Officer. From the Customs House, Sydney, he wrote that I have been upwards of six years a Clerk in this Office, and that previously I had been many years engaged in Maritime pursuits abroad & am well experienced in the management of Boats and affairs of shipping generally. He was also intimately acquainted with all the vessels belonging to the port at Sydney, and their owners, which he thought would give him an advantage over a stranger in the job. [AO 4/2723] His appointment was recommended by Colonel Gibbes, the Collector of Customs on 23 January Gibbes described him as being the third clerk in the Long Room at the Customs House. Howard was given his orders by Colonel Gibbes on 15 April [AO 4/5113] Three tents will be lent, one for the Officer, one for the Coxswain, and one for the five men until such time as the Huts are erected. The men s Huts are to [be] built on the Green mound at the foot of the Mountain called Barrenjuee to the Northward and Westward of the Creek and not to extend to the Southward of a supposed line drawn from a large rock on the western Beach, directly East to the Sea. These Huts to be formed of Slabs, with Shingle Roofs - a door - window - and fire place. 66

67 The Main Hut to be fourteen feet by ten and the Coxswain s Hut ten feet by eight exclusive of the fire places. The Officer to place his House on such Spot as he may select - but not more than 400 yards from the men. The first point to be attended to will be to lay down the moorings for the large Boat near the Beach, but where she will not ground at low water and to which she is to be chained and locked. The next to deepen the water hole up the mountain by which a constant supply will be insured. The third to form a winding path up the South face of the Mountain (by clearing the bushes and making steps where required) to a flat space on the top near the western end where a Sentry Box, or watch Hut is to be built, and a flag staff erected. The Commander of the Cutter will point out the several sites. The Coxswain and two hands should be sent to procure slabs, posts, and ground plates and Bark. Two men should first clean the water Hole and afterwards clear the Path. Shingles and battens will most likely be bought cheaper than the men can split them; I should think from 7/- to 10/- the thousand and 3000 will do the two Huts. Stone enough can be procured for rough chimneys and some shells burnt for lime. The Carpenter should put up the bark watch Box and then proceed with the Huts, assisted by the two men who will have finished the Path. When all these matters are finished, all hands can go on with the Officer s House, store and kitchen. The men in the Broken Bay Party were the Coxswain, John Bailey, Ticket of Leave, and five convicts (a carpenter and four boatmen). Howard s salary was fixed at 175 per annum, with an additional 50 per annum to provide quarters for himself and family, and for the six men. The Government did not provide a house for him, but he regarded his allowance for rent as handsome, and thought it fair to put up a respectable cottage. By June the buildings had already cost 85; by August he had laid out above 100 and reckoned on 50 more before he had made the station look at all comfortable. There was another worry: there was no suitable Government land available in the vicinity, and he had to build on private land belonging to the Wentworth family. By March 1844 he was in debt, the buildings having cost more than 200, besides which there was a demand from Captain Towns (the husband of D Arcy Wentworth s daughter Sophia) for 25 per annum rent, which Howard, although resisting, appeared to think was his responsibility. In September 1845 Howard received a promotion, being appointed Sub Collector of Customs at Portland Bay, Victoria. [AO 4/2685] His place was taken by Richard Williams, who proved to be an efficient Acting Coast Waiter at Broken Bay, in spite of the total loss of sight in one eye. HOWARD, John (fisherman) John Howard was convicted in London at the Middlesex Session on 23 July 1783 and sentenced to seven years transportation. He arrived in New South Wales on the First Fleet ship Scarborough in January He obtained his Certificate of Freedom on 9 September 1813, with the consequence that he was then struck off the victualling list. In November 1828, aged 64, he was one of three old fishermen living on the Pittwater side of Barrenjoey headland, the other two being Edward Flinn and William Nolt. A John Howard, said to be aged 94, died in See Edward Flinn for descriptions, and references to the three fishermen. 67

68 HUGHES, Martha (married John Farrell) Martha Hughes the elder arrived in the Colony on the Wanstead on 9 January See John Farrell I for further information. HUGHES, Martha (married George Picking or Pickering) Martha Hughes the younger arrived in the Colony on the Wanstead on 9 January In England, she had been a children s maid, and, included in the Middlesex Gaol Delivery, she was sentenced to life imprisonment on 2 December Aged only 17, she should not be confused with an older Martha Hughes who also arrived on the Wanstead and who married John Farrell I. Martha Hughes the younger married William Day at St. John s Church, Parramatta, on 19 September They apparently continued to live at Parramatta as a daughter, Annes, was born to William and Martha Day on 6 September 1829 and baptized at St. John s Church on 4 April William Day apparently died some time before November 1833, for she married George Picking on 17 November See George Picking for further information. JENKINS, Charles Charles Jenkins, mariner, and farmer on Scotland Island, Pittwater, was not related to James Jenkins and family. He died on Scotland Island on 11 August 1892, aged 65, and was buried on 12 August in St John s Cemetery, Mona Vale. See Joseph Bens for further information. JENKINS, James (I) James Jenkins and his brother William were sentenced to death at the Wiltshire Assizes on 11 March 1797, for stealing four ewe sheep and three wether sheep. This sentence was later commuted to transportation for seven years, and they eventually arrived in Sydney on the Coromandel in June The brothers engaged in a farming venture at Ryde from 1804 to William was unfortunately murdered during an incident at Parramatta Toll Gate on 28 May James later stated that before 1821 he employed himself building houses and ships, and cutting cedar in the Illawarra district. He was an experienced stonemason. He married Elizabeth Saunders on 12 December 1815, and they lived on land situated between Kent Street and Darling Harbour, where there is now a Jenkins Street. A solicitor, George Allen, stated later that James Jenkins was living on this land prior to [AO Reel 1213 Case 441] Their children were Elizabeth (b.1816), Mary (b.1818), William (b.1819 or 20), James (b.1822), Martha (b.1826), Philip (b.1829), Ann (b.1831) and John (b.1835). James received his first land grant of 50 acres, off present Pacific Highway, in He cleared only a few acres before deciding that it was not very good land. Also in 1821 his friend Alexander McDonald died, leaving 200 acres of land at North Narrabeen to Jenkins eldest child, Elizabeth. McDonald s bequest may very well have drawn Jenkins attention to the agricultural potential of the area. John Ramsay s Narrabeen farm was sold up in February 1823, the purchaser being D Arcy Wentworth, who in turn sold it to James Jenkins. On 20 October 1823, having by 68

69 purchase become possessed of 410 acres of land granted to John Ramsay in the District of North Harbour, which I find is entirely too small to depasture my Herd of cattle now amounting to 200 Head, Jenkins applied for a ticket of occupation over 700 acres of land between the two grants of Robert Campbell and Alexander McDonald, stretching from the sea to the Lane Cove Road. He described this land as being chiefly Rocks & swamps, and from its Barrenness and situation is not likely to be taken by any Individual as a Grant. [AO Reel 3066; 4/1835A, No. 160] This was sanctioned by the Governor on 6 December [AO Reel 6011; 4/3509, p.661] Wentworth also owned William Cossar s grants of 500 and 200 acres, and James McDonald s grant of 30 acres on the south shore of Narrabeen Lagoon. These were all bought by James Jenkins on 29 September Jenkins also purchased Daniel Rowan s 50 acre grant, and applied for and received his own grants of 250 and 100 acres from his ticket of occupation land, north of Narrabeen Lagoon. Overall, Jenkins land totalled 1540 acres, while his daughter Elizabeth owned a further 200 acres. Sir Thomas Brisbane promised a land grant of 100 acres north and south of Manly Creek to Thomas Steele, a retired soldier, on 15 November The land was on the route of the track to North Harbour, referred to by James Meehan as Campbell s line in September For James Jenkins, Steele s grant provided an ideal stopping place between his farms, at Mount Ramsay and Long Reef, and North Harbour. He bought the land from Steele on 19 April 1826 for 25, even though there was a seldom enforced regulation which said that the land must not be sold for seven years. Surveyors Elliott and G.B. White measured the land in September 1827, and it was entered on the official chart of the Colony, in the usual manner. James Jenkins proceeded to improve the said land, by clearing and fencing, cultivating and building thereon; he erected a stone dwelling house, thirty feet in length and seventeen feet in breadth, containing five apartments; and moreover, he constructed at his own expense (save that he was assisted with the loan of four convicts, for the period of seven weeks, who, however, were victualled by himself) a line of Road extending from Long Reach [i.e. Long Reef] to North Harbour, and including not less than thirteen bridges, which also were erected at his own expense; and these improvements cost him at least three hundred pounds Sterling. [Mrs E. Jenkins Memorial, 5 March 1835] Thereafter, the road from North Harbour to Jenkins farms was known as Jenkins Road. James Jenkins also had petitioned Governor Darling on 19 March 1827 for a landing place at North Harbour, before it had been decided to site the township of North Harbour there. [AO Reel 1216 No. 670] The Humble Memorial of James Jenkins of North Harbor respectfully sheweth, That Your Excellency s Memorialist whilst acknowledging with gratitude the favor Your Excellency has already bestowed on him, by the assistance afforded Memorialist of the Government Men to assist him in making a Public Road from North Harbor to the Long Reef a distance of nine miles, takes the liberty now to represent to Your Excellency the many disadvantages Memorialist will labor under by not possessing any Land convenient to the water s edge whereon he could build a small dwelling as a sort of Half way House. Your Memorialist on his way to Sydney with the produce of his Farm is obliged to leave his horse tied to a tree - Secret the Harness and leave his Cart exposed to any malicious or 69

70 felonious person till his return thereto, as also his boat to the mercy of every fugitive Convict or other evil disposed person. That such a place is necessary Memorialist need hardly acquaint Your Excellency, and altho the Land is not fitting for agricultural purposes being rocky and scrubby, still Memorialist under the circumstances would take it as a great favor if Your Excellency would make him a grant of 50 or 100 Acres (not Coastwise but sufficient for a landing place) or to allow Memorialist either to purchase or rent from 100 to 300 acres on the usual terms - The place Memorialist is desirous to obtain is situate about 2 1/2 miles from the North Head of Port Jackson and about 1 1/4 miles from Cheers Farm. That notwithstanding the assistance Your Excellency has rendered your Memorialist in the construction of the before mentioned road, Memorialist himself has gone to a great expense in so doing without the least assistance from any of the Settlers in that neighbourhood whose number amounts to about thirty, and who now feel the good of the undertaking. Memorialist has constructed nine substantial large Bridges and made a road not inferior to many of those in the Interior under his own superintendence. Memorialist feeling conscious that were Your Excellency to see his labours and the good he has done the Public in his neighbourhood, that Your Excellency would unhesitatingly acquiesce in his wishes. Memorialist therefore most earnestly and respectfully solicits Your Excellency to be graciously pleased to Grant Memorialist any of the before mentioned favors for which Memorialist will ever gratefully pray. Sydney, 19th March [Note] This petitioner is well known to me and others as a very industrious and honest man. The inconvenience of which he complains is obvious to those who are acqainted with the way in which he is obliged to transport his market produce, and I can feel no hesitation in respectfully recommending (if not incompatible with other arrangements) the prayer of his petition. Fredk. A. Hely December Jenkins said that on 20 March 1827 (the day after he submitted his Memorial), some evil disposed Person did maliciously shoot at, and maim Two of my Breeding Mares (one of which is 7 Months gone in Foal), in the District of North Harbour. He offered a reward of one hundred dollars for information leading to conviction of the perpetrator of such a wanton, diabolical act, adding that the offending party is not unsuspected. [Syd Gaz 31 March 1827] Surveyor General John Oxley reported to the Colonial Secretary on 19 September 1827: Sir, - With reference to your letter dated the 13th instant enclosing an application from Mr. James Jenkins for certain land situated at the head of North Harbour which he is desirous of obtaining for the purpose of erecting thereon a half-way house between his farm and Sydney, referring me also to your letter dated 22nd March last, enclosing a former application from the same individual, and directing me to report thereon. I beg to state that the ground requested by Mr. Jenkins affords the most convenient point at which Settlers on the coast to the North of Port Jackson, & in the vicinity of Broken Bay can stop and communicate with Sydney, and that therefore to give to any individual the quantity of land applied for by Mr. Jenkins would be to exclude all other persons necessarily using that line of communication from an equal participation of its advantages & place in private hands a power which should only be possessed by the Government. The land has long been pointed out as a proper situation to be reserved for the site of a village & Mr. Jenkins, by having a suitable 70

71 allotment assigned to him, will be enabled to possess those conveniences which by his letter he seems to require. Assistant Surveyor White is now in that vicinity completing the survey of the coastline and has been directed to mark out the area which the Commissioners have set apart as the site of the village, comprising 160 acres. I am Sir Your most obedient Servant J. Oxley. This letter indicates that the survey of the Village of North Harbour was carried out by White (and probably Mitchell) at the end of Because this was before 1831, when the regulation requiring the reservation of 100 feet above high water mark was introduced, the Village lots had, and still have, absolute water frontages. Allotment no. 29 was promised to Jenkins on 27 December 1827, and the land having been duly measured for him, he wrote to Major Mitchell, then the Acting Surveyor General, on 6 March 1828 for permission to build. He said, I have engaged two Stone Masons for the purpose of immediately erecting a dwelling before the days get short. Possession of this land was authorized on 13 September However, it was not until 2 December 1839 that Jenkins widow Elizabeth applied for the deeds to be made out in her name, the same having been devised to myself and children under his will. The Commissioners of Claims reported in her favour, and the deed was duly executed on 21 July [AO Reel 1216; Case no. 670] Jenkins was still having trouble with someone shooting his cattle in June 1828: FIFTY DOLLARS REWARD WHEREAS some Person or Persons have, for some time past, been in the practice of wilfully and maliciously SHOOTING at CATTLE, belonging to JAMES JENKINS, of Long Reef, he having lost a considerable number the last twenty Months past; and, on slaughtering a Bullock on Monday last, several small pistol ball shots were discovered on the off shoulder, besides several pieces of cut lead taken out of other parts of the animal; and about twelve months since he had two valuable Mares shot at, and wounded in a most barbarous manner, at which time a Reward of One Hundred Dollars was offered, and which still holds good, and will be paid together to any Person or Persons who will give such Information as will lead to the Conviction of the Person or Persons who committed these most wanton and barbarous Depredations. [Syd Gaz 6 June 1828] Jenkins improved road from North Harbour, with thirteen bridges, went only as far as his farm. Beyond this, Robert McIntosh lived on fifty acres which he had purchased from Philip Schaffer, and David Foley rented the 700 acres originally granted to Campbell. Both regularly took their produce to Sydney, and had to pass through Jenkins land on their way to North Harbour. Jointly, they sent a memorial to Governor Darling on 15 November 1828, saying that Jenkins was denying them the right to pass by the road, which was generally understood to be a public highway, and was threatening them with an action of trespass. They asked for their right of passage to be confirmed by the proper authorities. Jenkins also petitioned the Governor, on 26 December 1828, saying that beyond the public road (Jenkins road) the two settlers, McIntosh and Foley, were in the habit of making different tracks on his land, pulling down his fences and using all parts thereof at their pleasure and caprice. He asked for a surveyor to be sent out, to mark one road through his land, which McIntosh and 71

72 Foley could be compelled to use. [AO Reel 1146] On the same day, the Colonial Secretary wrote asking Jenkins to please explain, the Governor thinking that Foley and McIntosh were referring to Jenkins road, which Government had assisted Jenkins to construct. Jenkins wrote on 21 January 1829, referring to his previous letter and asking again that a road might be marked out for their use, as they are not content with using one or two ways, but in every direction their vindictiveness leads them to. Not only did they wickedly knock down his fences which had cost him so much money, but his cattle were then exposed to straying and impounding, which obliged him to pay enormous charges to the pound keepers. One of his valuable mares, for which he had refused 50, had strayed and been staked. McIntosh, in particular, had told Jenkins that he would go through any part he thought proper, pulling down one part of his fence one day and another the next time. Hely, a sympathetic friend of Jenkins, commented that this constant source of litigation and ill-blood will be done away with when a road is marked with Government Authority thro Jenkins grounds. [AO Reel 1146] This was subsequently done. On 24 October 1828 Jenkins applied for permission to depasture his livestock on two areas, of 600 and 500 acres. He was granted permission to use the 500 acres, to the north of his own land and to the west of Campbell s grant, on 22 April 1829, rent to be paid at the rate of 2/6 p.a. per 100 acres. In August 1829 Jenkins applied to the Land Board for an additional grant of land, to provide further pasturage for his cattle. At that time he said he had 400 acres by grant, 1850 acres by private purchase, 440 head of horned cattle, fourteen horses, four stone houses with suitable offices, and had completed twelve miles of fence. During the previous year he had maintained seven convict and seven free servants. He lived on his farm and brought his produce to market weekly, while his wife and seven children resided in Sydney for the purpose of attending school. Although the Land Board recognized Jenkins great industry, competence and success, and were in every way disposed to recommend his application to the Governor, they thought it was their duty to remark that no other person, originally a prisoner of the Crown, who had previously received land grants to such an extent as Jenkins, had been considered eligible for an additional grant. [AO Reel 1146] From 25 July 1829 to 25 December 1831 Jenkins maintained an old neighbour, Margaret Schaffer, the widow of Philip Schaffer. She lived with the Jenkins family, but he did not wish for any compensation, requesting that any claim he might have might be transferred to the Benevolent Asylum, where she went to live. [Letter, J.D.Lang, Aug 1835, AO Reel 1220, Case 915] Jenkins applied on 26 June 1832 for the deeds to three grants of land which he had purchased, one of which was Steele s 100 acres. By this time the Surveyor General s Department had come into possession of James Meehan s records, and Surveyor Larmer was asked on 15 October 1832 to ascertain the boundaries of Wentworth s 380 acres at Manly Vale. Steele s land was found to overlap Wentworth s, and had therefore been measured in error. On 15 March 1833 the Colonial Secretary informed Jenkins of the error, and that it would be necessary for Steele or his representative to select his land elsewhere. 72

73 A surprised and indignant Jenkins petitioned the Governor on 13 April 1833 for compensation for the sums he had expended in improvements, in addition to his being authorised to select an equal quantity of land elsewhere. In reply on 8 July 1833, the Colonial Secretary stated by command of the Governor, Richard Bourke, that it did not appear to His Excellency that any other person than the original owner, Steele, could be recognised by Government in the matter. On 13 November, 1833 James Jenkins of Darling Harbour and Long Reef, sought from the Surveyor General permission to purchase land. [Reel 1146 State Records] Sir, Being desirous to purchase the following piece of land, I request you will obtain the Governor s authority, that it may be put to sale, agreeably to the Regulations contained in Government Order of the 1st August, 1831 No 22, viz:- twenty acres more or less, comprehending the small sandy beach called Dobbys or Dobroyd Bay in North Harbour Port Jackson Bounded on the East by North Harbour, and North, South and West by lines to include the quantity. I own considerable Landed property at Long Reef on the sea coast to the northward of Port Jackson and I find it necessary to form a larger establishment at North Harbour. I am now free and arrived in the Colony by the ship Coromandel from England in the month of June I have etc, James Jenkins. The following notice appeared in the N.S.W. Government Gazette, Wed. 22 January Sale of Land Colonial Secretary s Office, Sydney, 20 Jan At 11 o clock on Friday the 11th day of April next, the Collector of Internal Revenue will put up to Auction, at the Police Office, Sydney, the undermentioned Portions of Land, on the conditions authorized by Government. 1. Cumberland, Manly Cove 20, Twenty acres, more or less, the small sandy beach at Dobby, or Dobroyd Bay, in north harbor, bounded on the east by the waters of Port Jackson, and on the north and south and west by lines to include the quantity: applied for by James Jenkins. Price 5s per acre. There things stood when James Jenkins died on 27 January 1835, leaving his estate to his widow Elizabeth and their eight children. The eldest child, also Elizabeth, was then only eighteen years old. Widow Elizabeth Jenkins took up the matter on 5 March 1835, going over the Governor s head and appealing to the Right Honorable the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Lord Glenelg replied to Governor Bourke on 7 September 1836, Under all the circumstances of the case, I am of opinion that Mrs. Jenkins has an equitable though perhaps not a legal claim to the compensation which she seeks; and you will, therefore, grant to her a remission of the Purchase Money for any Land, which she may bid for, equal to the value of that which she has lost and its improvements. I perceive that she estimates those improvements at 300; and the Land at 25. You will of course cause enquiry to be made as to the correctness of her statement on that point. [HRA Ser.1 Vol.18, p.526-7] Mrs Elizabeth Jenkins purchased land measuring 33 perches next to the family home in Kent Street, the total price being s, with the remission of s sterling authorized for her 73

74 in compensation for the loss sustained by her late husband James Jenkins, in being deprived of certain land purchased by him at Manly Cove. It was granted to her on 10 September [LTO SN215/184] Her children still being young, Mrs Jenkins leased the Long Reef farm to William George, and Mount Ramsay to Rolla O Ferrall (1837) and John Henlock (1841). Mary Jenkins married James Fullerton in 1840, but died in 1852 at the age of 34, after bearing six children. JENKINS, James (II) James Jenkins II reached the age of 21 in 1843, and applied to his mother, who had remarried and was now Elizabeth Burnicle, for his share of his father s estate. He and the other interested parties agreed to the conveyance of the Mount Ramsay estate to James Junior. He had married Ann West in 1842 and they took up residence at Mount Ramsay, while James older, unmarried brother, William Jenkins, took over the Long Reef farm. James and William were both listed in Low s 1847 directory as landholders, Pitt Water. Both James and William Jenkins were on the road between their farms and North Harbour on the day David Foley was murdered, 8 November Both gave evidence at the murder trial, as also did James wife Ann, who, except for the murderer, was the last person to see Foley alive. Philip died in 1851, aged 23, and William died in 1853, aged 33. Both were unmarried. After this date Miss Elizabeth Jenkins was regarded as head of the family at the Jenkins homestead at Long Reef. Also in the household were her unmarried sister Martha, and a much younger brother, John. Another sister, Ann, married William Hendren in Charles de Boos and his friends passed by in 1861: After crossing the Deewy bridge, the road takes round the northern edge of the Deewy lagoon, through a country covered with a pretty close scrub, intersected rather frequently by wallobi tracks, on which the imprint of these animals claws and tail were freshly left.... After passing, for rather more than a mile along the edge of the lagoon, the road takes away to the left, over the point of a broken spur of a range that comes from the west almost down to Deewy and then by a series of gentle ascents leads up to the station of Miss Jenkins. [Long Reef] This is a most beautifully situated homestead. The house, lying slightly back from the road is nestled in at the foot of a lofty and thickly timbered range, and has a beautiful outlook to the north, south and east, over the Pacific and over many of the bold headlands that breast its mighty rollers. This property includes a very large number of paddocks, all enclosed, but none of them bearing any appearance of being cultivated for some years past. In fact the road for a considerable distance passes between fences on either side, though, from the absence of cultivation and even of stock - for not a beast was to be seen cropping the herbage which grew thick and rank in the enclosures - the tout ensemble of the scene, whilst picturesque and interesting, was one entirely of a quiet life, impressing upon the mind a greater feeling of solitude than was experienced even in the thickest and least frequented gullies of the bush. House, yards, paddocks all seemed deserted and lonely; no smoke curled up from the chimney; no dog barked in the yard; no shrill challenge was sent forth to us by bold chanticleer; the only evidence of life about the place being some article of apparel, which, fluttering from a clothes-line, showed that somebody was, at all events, 74

75 sometimes there. [de Boos: My holiday.] When James Therry s house at Mona Vale was burnt down in November 1862, John Jenkins helped to build a new one. In March 1864, after the Therry family had been brought almost to ruin by John Farrell II, Mrs Therry said, But for the kindness and good nature of my esteemed neighbour Miss Jenkins I could not manage at all. May God bless her. [ML MSS 1810/46 p.91-93] On 19 July 1864 John Jenkins faced the Sydney Water Police Court, charged with shooting at with intent to do grievous bodily harm, and assault. Witnesses for the Crown were George Harris, Reuben Harris, and William Ellery. He was granted bail on the sureties of James Therry of Pitt Water and Elizabeth Jenkins of Long Reef. At the Sydney Quarter Sessions on 16 August 1864 he was found not guilty and discharged. [AO Reel 2434] In May 1868 Elizabeth Jenkins appeared on summons before the Water Police Magistrate, charged with driving animals to a pound not the nearest by a practicable road. James Wheeler had a mare and foal who were trespassing on Miss Jenkins land at Long Reef. Wheeler said that although Miss Jenkins, her family and servants knew the mare to be his, the mare and foal were driven 39 miles to the pound at Parramatta by an impracticable road, although there were nearer pounds at Surry Hills, Ryde, and Newtown. The Court s decision was in Wheeler s favour, and Miss Jenkins was fined 40s, and costs. [SMH 12 May 1868] Martha Jenkins died on 28 September Elizabeth Jenkins, who had formed a close association with officers of the Salvation Army, died on 26 June For details of her dealings with the Salvation Army see N.S.W. Bankruptcy and Probate Cases, Hendy v. Jenkins, 1900 and Much evidence was given concerning Miss Jenkins eccentricities. John Jenkins lived until 13 October Returning to the Mount Ramsay estate, Ann, the wife of James Jenkins II, died in 1852, aged 30. James remarried and then he died, on 31 October 1855, aged 33. Apparently it was James second wife, Eliza Louisa Jenkins (née Noble), with up to seven children, who were living at Mount Ramsay in 1861 when de Boos and his friends stopped nearby to camp for the night: Tom was despatched to a station we saw ahead of us with instructions to purchase a piece of meat, that being an article which we, by some singular mischance had neglected to bring with us. Tom, however, returned from Mount Ramsay station half an hour later empty-handed. Poor Tom gave us a rueful account of the barrenness of the land into which our spirit of discovery had led us. The farm house ahead, which perched on a prominent rise, had a most imposing appearance, he described as little better than a heap of ruins inhabited by a varied assortment of women, children and fowls, the first of whom he summed up as being big, bony, and not too young; the second as being brown, chubby and ragged; and the last as being longlegged and rough-feathered. He had opened negotiations for the purchase of flesh of any kind, but his overtures were listened to with astonishment.... No, she said, she hadn t got any meat. They didn t use much of it; it was too hard to get. Any eggs? No, no eggs - the fowls weren t laying. Any butter? No didn t make no butter. What do you think of that? said Tom, What do you think they live on? I could not say, of course, but suggested, Corn cobs. Nat thought for a minute and then ventured, Potatoes. You re nearest, said Tom, They live on 75

76 bread, pumpkins, potatoes, and honey, - except when they catch fish, and then they live on that as long as it lasts. The next morning, Descending to the road, a few minutes walk along it brought us abreast of a cluster of buildings which we had mistaken for a farm, and which is known amongst the natives as Jenkins old place. And old enough it is in all conscience - the houses having a ricketty tumble-down appearance sufficient to deter any but one who had a very heavy insurance on his life from venturing to live in them. There appeared to be no signs of cultivation, in so far as we could see from the road, the only relief to the otherwise forsaken look of the place being a solitary cabbage-tree palm, which grew at the foot of the hill in the bed of a small water course.... At the bottom of the hill by the roadside was a half broken down stockyard, and by the side of the stockyard was a quite broken-down cart, the body turned bottom upwards, and the wheels lying rotting alongside of it. Philip Jenkins, the only son of James Jenkins Junior, finally came to a settlement with his stepmother and five sisters. Trustees of his father s will had been appointed, and on 14 April 1877 Philip paid 600 to them; he then became the sole owner of the Mount Ramsay estate. [LTO Book 168, Nos. 739, 740] He lost very little time, Mount Ramsay being advertised for sale in the Sydney Morning Herald on 18 May 1877: MOUNT RAMSAY, NARRABENE FOUR HUNDRED AND TEN ACRES - TWO MILES FRONTAGE TO THE SEA OVER A MILE FRONTAGE TO LAKE NARRABENE ~ One of the most beautiful Estates in the Colony. GILCHRIST, STUBBS, and WESTON will sell by auction, at the Rooms, 273 George-street, on WEDNESDAY, the 23rd of May, at 11 o clock ALL THAT FOUR HUNDRED AND TEN ACRES of land known as MOUNT RAMSAY, six miles by excellent road from Manly Beach pier. This very excellent and picturesque estate possesses perhaps more advantages than any other property of like area in the colony. SOME 250 TO 300 ACRES are cleared and laid down in grass, the plentifulness of which even at this season is amply verified by the condition of the cattle depasturing on the property. About 150 ACRES are still clothed with the beauties which nature has so bountifully lavished on this district, and more particularly on the portion now offered for sale. Combining real intrinsic value with all its charms of position, scenery, and climate, it is unsurpassed, and, either as a whole or cut up into farms, would form at once a substantial and paying investment, as well as a delight to the purchaser; in fact, words fail to convey any adequate idea of its merits, and it is seldom such an estate can be secured. TITLE, indefeasible, may be inspected at the office of Messrs. Heron and Thompson, Solicitors, Pitt-street. The Mount Ramsay estate was purchased by John Wetherill for 2000 on 4 July Subsequently it was subdivided. JOHNSON, John and Edward Brothers John and Edward Johnson travelled as cabin passengers from London on the Renown, arriving in Sydney on 24 June [AO COD 24] Their mother was Frances Johnson, who had 76

77 been transported as a convict on the Lord Melville in In the 1822 General Muster she was listed as wife of J. Foster, Sydney, while the entry under John Foster stated that he came free on the Surry, and was an Ordinary Constable, Sydney. The couple had two children, William aged 4, and Eleanor, aged 1½. In the 1828 census Frances was the wife of Capper Pass, tallow chandler, George Street, Sydney. Her son William Johnson, aged 10, lived with them, while her daughter Eleanor Johnson, aged 7, was with Wm. Fisher, Hunters Hill. William Foster, farmer and district constable, whose grant was at present Killara, was meant. Eleanor was shown in 1828 as having her own farm of 10 acres, all cleared and cultivated, with 5 horses and 3 cattle. John Johnson was issued with a publican s licence for the Gate Hotel, situated on William Foster s grant, on 2 July As the Green Gate Hotel, the licence was renewed on 3 July On 25 February 1833 John Johnson married Charlotte Oliver, the daughter of William s unmarried sister Bridget and her employer, Daniel D. Mathew, an English settler who owned a saw mill in the area. Johnson moved to the new Sawyer s Arms, a long slab and bark hut situated on Henry Oliver s grant opposite Fidden s Wharf Road. A publican s licence was issued to him there from 1834 to 1838, although William Oliver held the licence briefly in 1836 and [Australian 7 Oct 1836] In 1839 Johnson moved to the George Inn in Sydney, while the licence for the Sawyer s Arms was transferred to Daniel Bullock. William Oliver held the Sawyer s Arms licence in 1840, and Bullock moved to the New Inn, Lane Cove, holding a licence there from 1843 to Also on 25 February 1833, Charlotte s mother Bridget Oliver married Daniel Bullock, a sawyer, in a double wedding. They were married by the Presbyterian minister, Dr. J.D. Lang. William Oliver s other sister, Margaret, married Peter Joseph Duffy in Duffy was living with Johnson at the George Inn, corner of Market and Castlereagh Streets, when he applied for 40 acres of land in the Parish of Gordon on 29 May [AO Reel 1121; 2/7846] John Johnson applied for 50 acres of land at the Basin, Pittwater on 27 November 1840, stating his intention of establishing a market garden there. [AO Reel 1146] He did not proceed to purchase, and the 50 acres was sold on 6 April 1842 to James McCawley. [LTO SN75/7] On 1 January 1841 William Timothy Cape leased McIntosh s 200 acre grant at present Bayview to John Johnson for 20 per annum. [LTO Book V No.569] John and Charlotte Johnson were living there, with three children, at the time of the 1841 census. They were still there in 1845, when John Johnson, Peter Duffy, and Daniel Bullock were all named as being associated with illegal distilling at McCarr s Creek. The three were all married to Oliver women. John and Charlotte s children were: John Junior, born 1834; Frances (b.1836, married Richard Augustus Willoughby Green 1858); Henry (b.1840); William (b.1841); Charles (b.1847); Daniel (b.1850); Charlotte (b.1855, died 1875). William was born at Pittwater. The Johnsons had departed from Pittwater by 30 August 1845, when Cape leased the 200 acres to Thomas Johnson Jones. [LTO Book 9 No. 442] There were two Charles Johnsons on the North Shore. One married Louisa Oliver in 1870 and 77

78 the other married Elizabeth Henry in Present indications suggest that Charles the son of John and Charlotte was the one who married Elizabeth Henry, while the other Charles Johnson married Louisa Oliver. John s brother Edward Johnson was also living at Pittwater at the time of the 1841 census. Records indicate that he had married Esther Browne in Biographical notes in the Ku-ringgai Local History Centre state that Edward went to the U.S.A. during the gold rushes there. KIRBY, James James Kirby s father was a marine with the First Fleet. On 9 March 1831, aged 34, he petitioned Governor Ralph Darling for a grant of land, saying that he was the only support of his 63 year old mother; he possessed 20 head of cattle but no land for their pasture. He selected land at Great Mackerel Beach and received his grant of 40 acres on 18 October [LTO Vol.1163 Fol.47] On 16 April 1832 James Kirby of York Street, mariner, conveyed the land to George Green of Sussex Street, shipwright, for 9. [LTO Book E No.9] It was sold to James Marks on 16 March [LTO Book K No.124] LEES, John John Lees petitioned the Governor for a grant of land on 20 February 1830, saying that he was the second son of Mr. Jno. Lees a very respectable settler formerly of the 102 Regt. who resides on a farm granted to him for his services, in the district of Rouse. He had been born in the Colony, was 23 years old and unmarried; he held 15 acres of land by inheritance and was desirous of extending his cultivation. His petition was approved on 4 December 1830, and on 4 April 1831 he identified the land he desired as being north of Schaffer s grant. He was permitted to take possession of 40 acres on 6 July Surveyor James Larmer reported to the Surveyor General on 2 September 1832 that he had measured Lees 40 acres. A condition of the grant was that Lees should reside personally on the spot for seven years, cultivating it and improving it during the whole of the period. Writing from Penrith on 15 January 1838, he advised the Colonial Secretary that he had cultivated and improved the land in accordance with the regulations, and that he was then authorised to convey it to a third party. He requested that the deed be made out in favour of Capper Pass, publican at the Royal Oak, George Street, Sydney. The deed of grant was executed in Capper Pass s name on 11 December [LTO SN58/43] Pass was most probably the mortgagee for Clarke (Phoenix), as Lees grant formed part of Clarke s farm, and was contracted for sale by Thomas Collins to John George Cousins of Manly in [LTO Book 337 No. 584] Capper Pass died on 10 March At the request of some relatives, a Coroner s inquest was held, the jury returning a verdict of natural death, accelerated by the excessive use of ardent spirits. [SMH 15 March 1839] At the time of the 1841 census, John Clarke was living on the grants of Schaffer and Lees at North Narrabeen, with his wife and two assigned convicts, one male and one female, in a wooden house. The male convict was probably Thomas Collins. 78

79 LOVETT, John The convict indent shows that John Lovett was a seaman who faced a court martial at Morne Bruce, Dominica on 11th and 13th March 1817, and received a sentence of 14 years. His native place was Waterford, Ireland. He was 30 years old, height 5ft 9½ inches, with a dark ruddy complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes. He sailed from Spithead England on the 3 April 1818 on the ship Isabella carrying 230 male convicts and arrived in Port Jackson on 14 September On the voyage from England, John Lovett and James Kelly were involved in a plan to take possession of the Isabella and considerable evidence against them was provided. [AO Reel 6006, 4/1740 p ] In Sydney Lovett and Kelly were both convicted on 31 October 1818 by the Governor and sent to Newcastle for three years per the Lady Nelson. [AO Reel 6006, 4/3499 p 123] On 15 June 1819 John Lovett was one of several prisoners sent to Sydney as witnesses in a case of murder. Major Morisset, the Commandant of Newcastle on 21 July 1819, appealed to the Colonial Secretary in Sydney: I hope you will cause these men to be sent back, which will do away with the mischievous Idea, that Prisoners sent to Sydney as witnesses will not be obliged to return. [AO Reel 6067, 4/1807, p 45-6] It was reported in the Sydney Gazette of 17 July 1819 that J. Lovett lately from Newcastle had escaped. However, about this time, while still in Sydney, he was abducted with ten others by Captain Riggs of the American brig General Gates and taken on board. The General Gates sailed from Port Jackson for New Zealand on 29 July On 12 April 1820 His Majesty s transport ship Dromedary under Captain Skinner reclaimed the prisoners of the Crown and all were subsequently returned to Sydney. The General Gates returned to Port Jackson on 12 May The Supreme Court on 15 September 1820 gave a verdict of 12 penalties of 500 each against Captain Riggs of the General Gates. Eleven were for carrying away so many persons, and the twelfth for quitting the harbour without a proper clearance. [SG 16 September 1820] It was probably because of his co-operation in the General Gates affair, that Lovett was recommended for a pardon on 15 December [AO Reel /3502 p 26] By 8 September 1821, John Lovat (sic) Coxwain was receiving in Sydney 1½ rations from H.M. Magazines, under charge of Deputy Commissary General Weimyss. [AO Reel 6023 X820, p 35a] At a Convention of a Court of Criminal Jurisdiction held at Sydney on 25 February 1822 John Lovett, Overseer of the Sail Loft in the Government Dock Yard, was charged with stealing one bolt of canvas from H.M. Stores, the property of our Sovereign Lord the King. He was found guilty and sentenced to be transported to such place as His Excellency the Governor may direct for the term of seven years. In this crime his name was bracketed with that of William Wright, a mariner who had come free per the Almorah in In 1822 Wright was mate on one of the Colonial brigs. [AO Reel 6023 X820 p 35a] 79

80 Lovett and Wright were transported to Newcastle per the Elizabeth Henrietta on 20 March [AO Reel /3505 p 43] On 10 June 1822 the Colonial Secretary s Office advised Major Morisset: The Lady Nelson is now dispatched to Port Macquarie but she is to touch at Newcastle for the purpose of embarking John Lovett and William Wright who are to form part of the Crew of a Life Boat to be stationed at Port Macquarie. A further letter was sent on 27 June 1822, advising that the Sally was to touch at Newcastle for the before-mentioned purpose. It was intended that these Men should have proceeded on the Lady Nelson, but it blew so hard from the Westward that she was unable to make Newcastle. [AO Reel /3505 pp 393,395 and 439] John Rolland, the Commandant at Port Macquarie, wrote on 19th June 1824: My dear [Ovens?] I enclose a letter of Mr. Scotts which will show you that we have had a good deal of trouble here, though he is certainly very easily alarmed. On the occasion of the capture of the boat I was very much at a loss for men when two prisoners Lovat (sic) the Coxswain of my boat and Whitehead a constable over my Men volunteered to endeavour to take the runaways, which they did without assistance from the Military, and in consequence of their good conduct on that occasion I was enabled to take some other runaways and a number of sails saws &c. which had been stolen, and would have been the source of endless plans if they had remained in Plant. I trust the People will now be quiet for a time, but I have been under the necessity of taking pretty decisive measures to reduce them to obedience. [AO Reel /1815 p 407-8] John Lovett married Sarah Amelia Milford at St Thomas Church in Port Macquarie in She was found guilty of stealing at the Middlesex Assizes on 18 February 1824 and at the age of 21 years was sentenced to death. However, this was commuted to life. She sailed from England on the Grenada and arrived in Port Jackson on 23 January Very soon after her arrival she was sent to Port Macquarie. Sarah and John had six children [BDM] during the period 1826 to However, it seems that only one of their children, Sarah, was likely to have been born at Pittwater, in John Lovett appears to be listed in the 1828 census as John Lovell, Port Macquarie. His 7 years at Port Macquarie would have expired in 1829, and his overall transportation sentence of 14 years would have expired in Sarah was advised on 17 April 1830 by the Colonial Secretary s Office, Sydney, that she had received her ticket of leave for good conduct. Port Macquarie - Milford, Sarah, now Lovett, Grenada, in married state. [SG 20 April 1830] The entry Lovett, John, Pitt Water Sydney appeared in the New South Wales Calendar and General Post Office Directory for 1834 and This reflects the position of late 1833 and indicates his presence in Pittwater around that date. As Lovett s 14 year sentence only expired in 1831, he would not have been likely to receive a grant of land as early as He and his family therefore had to squat in a hut on Crown land, 80

81 which was many years later granted to Joseph Cario, in what is now known as Lovett s Bay. As he lived on the water s edge it would have been necessary for Lovett to have been in possession of some kind of vessel. As he was a seaman it might be expected that he engaged in the Hawkesbury River trade but to date no reliable evidence of his taking part in this has been found. While living in the Pittwater area, Constable Lovett was involved in April 1837 in the recapture of bushrangers who had escaped from Goat Island. [see details under William Oliver Sydney Herald 17 April 1837] In July 1837 Constable John Lovett apprehended in Bathurst Street Sydney Dominic Kelty, who had been assigned to James Brown of Lane Cove, on suspicion that he was a runaway. Kelty, who was drunk at the time, stated that he was a free man. When he was brought to the watch house he made his escape but in his hurry he ran foul of the churchyard wall and was recaptured. Mr Brown was advised of Kelty s arrest. There was really little reason for Lovett to remain in Pittwater as he couldn t cultivate or improve the Crown land on which he squatted with his family. His employment prospects as a constable in Sydney were good and the move from the isolation of Pittwater would have been beneficial for his family. By 1839, apart from being a constable he was listed in the General Post Office Directory as a watchman living at Rock Court, Sussex Street Sydney. In November 1839 the First Police Magistrate, Colonel Wilson, was suspended from his office by Governor George Gipps, after a long investigation into Wilson s various misdemeanors. One of the charges against Wilson related to a constable named Lovett who was employed for two or three months superintending a party consisting of two of the Water Police and two assigned servants collecting shells for lime for the Colonel s new residence. It seems highly likely that this work was carried out in the Pittwater district because of Lovett s local knowledge of the area. On Monday 27 July 1840 in the Sydney Herald a brutal assault on a constable was reported. On Thursday evening, between nine and ten o clock, as constable Lovett was conveying a drunkard named Peter Peate to the watch house, he turned on him and flung him on the ground with such violence as to dislocate his shoulder-blade and otherwise severely injure him. Peate was however secured by another constable, and on the following day was fined five pounds with costs. Another incident involving Constable Lovett, when he caught an absentee, was reported in the Sydney Herald of Tuesday 24 November Yesterday John Valentine alias Anderson per Parmelia, assigned to Captain Hungerford of Maitland, was placed in the dock of the convict side of the Police Court under the following circumstances:- On Friday morning, about 2 a.m., constable Lovett had occasion to take a person in custody, who subsequently knocked him down. Lovett got some assistance, and in passing along Sussex-street, recognized the prisoner as the person who had knocked him down. On inquiry it turned out that the prisoner had been absent since the 24th of February, It 81

82 appeared that the prisoner when taken to Hyde Park barracks on Saturday last, stated that he came free to the colony by the Charles Eaton in The prisoner has been forwarded to Maitland to be dealt with. Around this time Lovett was still living at Rock Court in Sussex Street. John Lovett was working as a watchman at the Union Wharf, Sydney in November [Syd.Gaz Saturday 20 November 1841] Rather than following his original training as a seaman, Lovett apparently preferred the occupations of police constable and watchman. He continued as a watchman for the remainder of his working life. In May 1861 John Lovett died at his residence in Castlereagh-street North, Sydney, aged 73 years. His cause of death was given as decay of nature. [SMH 29 May 1861] Sarah, his wife, died in January 1886 aged 81 years from old age, at the residence of Michael Melly, her son-in-law, Abercrombie-street, Redfern. [SMH 13 January 1886] She was buried in the Devonshire Street Cemetery. McCARR, James McCarr is the name used to identify present McCarr s Creek. However, this man s real name was almost certainly James McGrath. Aged 35 years, James McGrath was sentenced to 7 years in Dublin in His occupation was given as labourer. He departed Cork on the Tellicherry on 31 August 1805 and arrived in Port Jackson on 15 February Ann Haynes was sentenced on 24 July 1804 at the Hereford Assizes to 7 years. She sailed from Cork on the William Pitt on 31 August 1805 and arrived at Port Jackson on 11 April By 1820 she was free by servitude and claimed to be married to James McGrath (spelt as such) but no marriage record has yet been located. It will be observed that both the Tellicherry and the William Pitt departed Cork on the same date. These ships remained together as part of a convoy for a considerable part of their journey to NSW and both arrived in A well-known Irish political exile, Martin Burke, was also on the Tellicherry and had taken up residence in the Pittwater district by He and James McGrath would have known each other. James McGrath was living with Ann Haynes, near present McCarr s Creek in James had to go to Sydney, and on his return on Tuesday, 23 May he found that his house had been plundered. He compiled a long list of missing articles, ranging from a feather bed, blankets and a chest full of clothing, through tools, utensils, food and seven goats. His boat, oars and sails, which he had lent to a seaman, James Gribble, were also missing. Ann Haynes had left the house in the evening of 22 May, leaving James Newcombe (or Newcome), who said that James Gribble was his master, in charge. Three days later Constable John Williams was going from Broken Bay to Windsor, when two 82

83 Aborigines informed him that a bushranger, with McCarr s boat and property, was in Mangrove Creek. With their assistance Williams apprehended Newcombe, who acknowledged he had taken the property. Williams took him to Windsor and secured him in the gaol. William Cox, J.P. described Newcombe as a Most Notorious Bush Ranger who had absconded from the Coal River (now Hunter River) for the second time. It was expected that Constable Williams would receive 20/- for his trouble and expense in taking and securing a runaway, namely Newcombe. [AO SZ791; COD451B No.33, p ] The Sydney Gazette reported that in the Sydney Court of Criminal Jurisdiction James Newcome (sic) was arraigned on Tuesday [4 July 1820] for feloniously stealing a book and other property (being the whole contents of his house), from the premises of James McGarr; and being found Guilty was sentenced fourteen years to Newcastle. [SG Sat 8 July 1820 p.3 col.1] Later, as a runaway from Port Macquarie, Newcombe was sent to Van Diemen s Land. McCAWLEY, James James McCawley was a soldier in the 28th Regiment of Foot, from North Gloucester, which came to Australia in Regulations allowed discharged soldiers to take part of their pay by remission of the purchase price of land. As a Private, McCawley was entitled to 25 remission. He purchased 50 acres adjoining John Andrews grant for 30, paying the remaining 5 to the Colonial Treasurer. The land was granted to him on 18 April [LTO SN75/7] However, being chief constable at Cassilis, he never lived on the land. He sold it to Gordon Gwynne, surgeon of Parramatta for 23, and Gwynne sold it to John Williams of Baulkham Hills on 16 August 1843 for 15. [LTO Book 7 No.567] The land remained unoccupied. MACDONALD or McDONALD, Alexander Alexander Macdonald was a private marine who arrived in the First Fleet, on the Friendship. A son, James, was born on 5th September 1789 to convict Mary Phillips, who reared him on Norfolk Island. James father, Alexander Macdonald, did not go to Norfolk Island. Alexander Macdonald received a 130 acre grant at Field of Mars in January 1792, and married Mary Oliver on 18 March. He was a successful farmer, and received further grants of land. He was promised 60 acres on or before 30 October On 26 September 1815 Meehan surveyed an unstated number of acres for Alexander Macdonald just north of Narrabeen Lagoon. On a list dated 16 January 1816, the grant at North Harbour was directed to be enlarged to 80 acres including what is already listed for him there. Meehan did not re-measure this grant when he visited the area in 1821, and uncertainty as to its size led to later confusion and litigation as to the exact location of the western boundary. When the grant was surveyed with greater accuracy many years later it was found to contain 68 acres, which sounds remarkably like Meehan s generous 60 acres. [LTO SN30/167] On 8 July 1820 Macdonald petitioned Governor Macquarie for more grazing ground. He had 147 head of horned cattle, and found the quantity of land he held at Naraboine not sufficient to graze them on, as, he said, he had thirty acres out of the 100 in cultivation, and no water in a dry season. The 100 should read 80, but in fact it was smaller still; little wonder that he did not 83

84 find it large enough! 60 acres more were ordered for him on 31 March Mary Macdonald s daughter, Barbara, had grown up in England, married Thomas Styles or Stiles, and had three children. Encouraged by the inducement of a substantial inheritance, the family arrived in New South Wales in January On 29 May 1821 Macdonald made a new will, making his wife Mary his heir, but cutting Barbara out of any inheritance. On 8 July 1821 Barbara and Thomas Styles were charged with receiving stolen property. Thomas was acquitted, but Barbara was sentenced to life transportation at Newcastle. Alexander and Mary Macdonald, with their son-in-law Thomas Styles were all drowned on 21 December 1821, when their boat upset on the Parramatta River as they were returning home to Field of Mars from Sydney market. An inquest was held, the verdict being, Accidentally drowned, in consequence of the whole party being in a state of intoxication, and quarrelling. In that awful state, moralized the Sydney Gazette, they sank into eternity. [Syd Gaz 22 Dec 1821] Probate of Alexander Macdonald s will was granted to Quarter Master Sergeant George Macdonald and Sergeant James Smith, both of the 48th Regiment, the executors named in the will. Petitions by Barbara Styles and her children challenging the will were unsuccessful. Alexander Macdonald s Narrabeen land was left to Elizabeth Jenkins as the eldest child of his friend, James Jenkins. It fell to Surveyor G.B. White to measure Macdonald s grants, on 6 September Meehan had already neglected to re-measure the original grant, which should have been enlarged to 80 acres, during his visit to the area in White did not measure it either, or he would have found that it was not large enough. Instead, he measured two more grants of 60 acres each, whereas he should have only measured the one promised in March This extended the land inherited by Elizabeth Jenkins northwards along the coast, to the vicinity of present Mona Vale Hospital. [LTO SN30/165, 30/166] Macdonald s grants were all issued in the name of Elizabeth Jenkins on 19 October MACDONALD or McDONALD, James James Macdonald of Bedlam Point (Gladesville) was ordered a grant of 30 acres on 31 March Meehan measured 40 acres for him on the bank of the Narrabang Lagoon (Pipeclay Point) on 16 April On 10 May 1822 John Oxley certified that James Macdonnell was in actual possession and occupation of 30 acres of land in the district of Broken Bay. [AO Fiche 3049; 4/1830, No. 226] On 11 May 1822 William Harper, Assistant Surveyor, stated that Macdonald had an order for 30 acres of land in the district of Broken Bay, and the greater part thereof is cleared and in cultivation. [AO Reel 6055; 4/1760, p.71] On 17 May James Macdonald, settler, and a convict servant were to be victualled from Stores at Sydney for six months [AO Reel 6009; 4/3505, p.308], and convicts were assigned to him in June 1822 and February [AO Fiche 3290; 4/4570D, p.43] The September 1822 Land and Stock Muster showed him as resident on his 30 acre grant. 20 acres had been cleared, with 8 acres of wheat, 4 of maize and 2 of potatoes in cultivation. He had 10 horned cattle and 6 hogs. 84

85 It is probable that James Macdonald was the son of Alexander Macdonald, born in 1789 and raised by his convict mother on Norfolk Island. In a petition to Governor Darling dated 15 July 1829, Constable Robert Melville stated that Macdonald had sold his Narrabeen Lagoon land to Matthew Bacon, and afterwards sold by Execution and Purchased by Mr James Jenkins who still holds the same. (The land was officially granted to James Jenkins on 15 August [LTO SN33/114]) Melville asserted that Macdonald obtained money from each and on that account was dismissed from the Masonic Society. Melville also alleged that James Macdonald by false representations to your Excellency has obtained a double portion of Land. By this second grant, Melville asserted, the said James McDonald has pitched and settled on part of Petitioner s Land. Robert Hoddle, surveyor, investigated the matter and reported on 25 July 1829: James McDonald has lately received a grant of 30 acres adjoining Melville on the North and bounded on the West by Pitt Water. Mr. McDonald has not yet been measured, but Melville was measured by Meehan. It would appear from the applicant s representations that on inspecting the Maps in this Office, he found McDonald s grant intruding on his; which is not the case, McDonald s name being merely in pencil adjoining. With respect to Petitioner s charge against McDonald; there is no memorandum on the maps to show that James McDonald has received any grant in the neighbourhood. Jenkins is said to have possession of most of the small farms there. There are two grants of 60 acres and one of 80 acres to an A. McDonald. [AO Reel 1162] Hoddle should have asked Jenkins about the matter, for Surveyor Larmer wrote to Surveyor General Mitchell on 2 September 1832: Mr. Jenkins claims a farm of 200 acres given to William Cossar at Deewy Lagoon, and another of 30 acres at Narrabeen Lagoon given to James Macdonald which appears (by papers I have seen) were sold by the then Sheriff John Mackaness Esquire on the 18th August Darcy Wentworth Esq. became the purchaser who afterwards sold them to Mr. Jenkins. I have no doubt the farms were originally measured by Meehan as the Trees are well marked and agree with the descriptions produced by Mr. Jenkins. Signed by the Sheriff and Meehan. It seems that James Macdonald may well have double-dipped! Macdonald lodged his own complaint with the Colonial Secretary on 25 July Having gone to a deal of trouble and expence in felling 20 acres [of his 30 acres grant adjoining Melville], and cultivating three acres more, Macdonald said he was continually annoyed by one Peter Sullivan (Free man) who without any order, or grant, has gone and taken possession of the said ground, and will not leave unless your Honor s interferance. He further stated that Sullivan had no means of subsisting but by resorting to dishonest purposes, and also associating with bush-rangers. [AO Reel 1162] Peter Sullivan is shown in the 1828 census as a labourer to Rev. J.J. Therry, and as Macdonald s grant appears to be excised from 1200 acres of land promised to Therry, Sullivan may well have been within his rights to be on the land in question. James Macdonald sold his 30 acre grant to William Charles on 20 February This was the 85

86 land tenanted by James Toomey (shown as Tuohy in the 1841 census), an informer in the Fair Barbadian smuggling incident. Charles subsequently sold it to Daniel Farrell, the eldest son of John Farrell I, for 40 on 22 July [LTO Book 9 No.197] McGRATH, James (Tellicherry) See McCARR, James McINTOSH, Robert (I) Robert McIntosh, master of the 46th Regimental band, arrived in Port Jackson on the Windham in February 1814, accompanied by his wife Ellen and three children, Eliza, Robert II, and John. The 46th Regiment had come to replace Macquarie s own Regiment, the 73rd Highlanders. When the Regiment was posted to India, Robert paid 20 to effect his discharge, in September On 1 October 1817 he was promised 200 acres of land at Pittwater [AO fiche 3266; 9/2652 p.40] and in April 1819 he was on a return of persons indebted to Government for cattle issued from the Government herds, to be paid for in kind. [AO reel 6048; 4/1742 p.261] On 5 June 1819 he was appointed a Constable for Pittwater and North Harbour. The family apparently lived for much of the time in Sydney, while grazing cattle at Pittwater. Meehan measured McIntosh s 200 acre farm on 15 April 1821, and Larmer did so again in However, the deed of grant was not formally executed until 6 July 1833, after Robert Senior s death. [LTO SN 33/50] In 1820 McIntosh was working as storekeeper for the Government when he was charged with robbing the King s Stores. He was found guilty in the Criminal Court on 20 June 1820 and sentenced to four years transportation to Newcastle. [Syd Gaz 24 June 1820] In August 1821 McIntosh was returned to Sydney, and on 8 September he was assigned as a servant to his wife, to be victualled from H.M. Magazines. [AO reel 6016; 4/5781 p.66] Needless to say, he no longer held the position of Constable at Pittwater, his place being taken by Martin Burke. Evidence given later in the Supreme Court by Robert Henderson and Henry Harris indicates that the McIntosh family lived on their 200 acre farm at Pittwater from 1821 to Robert Henderson stated that he used to see the children in a boat; he saw Robert II in a boat fishing, and on the farm. Henry Harris, a boatman, gave evidence that Robert and John were engaged as boatmen, bringing produce from Pittwater, in 1823 and (Another son, James, legally challenged whether Robert II was the heir-at-law of Robert I, there being some doubt as to his age, and whether he was a son of Robert and Ellen s 1807 marriage. The jury found in favour of Robert II.) [SMH 16 June 1851] In 1822, Robert I appeared on lists of persons indebted to the Crown for livestock issued from the Government herds and flocks. [AO reel 6052; 4/1753 p.118, 119] In September 1822 he was residing on his 200 acre grant. Thirty acres were cleared, and he had 3 acres of maize, 1 of potatoes and 1 acre of garden/orchard. He had 34 horned cattle. In 1824 he applied for a ticket of occupation for a piece of unoccupied land between his own farm and McCarr s Creek, on which to run forty head of cattle branded RM, and this was sanctioned on 9 March [AO reel 6012 p.474] His wife Ellen, who had a further five children after her arrival in the Colony, died in Robert married again but had no more children. On 21 August 1827, he applied for a grant by 86

87 purchase of a house or hotel (The Black Bull) in George Street which he said belonged to him, as he wished to rebuild and enlarge the premises. [AO reel 1159] When the census was taken in November 1828, the 200 acre McIntosh grant was occupied by Martin Burke as tenant. The McIntosh family was living on Philip Schaffer s 50 acre farm at North Narrabeen, McIntosh having taken possession of the farm in early 1828 in payment of Schaffer s debts to him, according to Dr. Lang. Margaret Schaffer, aged 81, was living with the family. Of the 50 acres, 12 acres were cleared, with 8 under cultivation. There were four horses and 24 cattle. This farm may have been given by Robert McIntosh I to his eldest son, Robert McIntosh II, by a deed of gift dated 28 November The deed of gift was produced in the Supreme Court in Robert I was authorised to select a reserve of 100 acres of land on 23 August He wrote to the Surveyor General, Major Mitchell, on 12 November 1828, stating that he had made his selection of land, situated at the head of Narrowbine Lagoon, bounded on the West by Rocks & Scrubs, on the East by a small creek & swamp within 20 Rood of the south west corner of Jenkins farms, on the South by barren ground, & the North by the head of the said Lagoon. The Colonial Secretary conveyed the Governor s sanction to take possession of the land on 2 December 1828, on condition that McIntosh supported Mrs. Schaffer, and produced satisfactory proof of having done so. There were other conditions, including, The land is not to be alienable under any pretence whatever before the expiration of seven years from this date. [AO Reel 1220, Case 915] This 100 acres is the site now occupied by Cromer Golf Club. Margaret Schaffer was received into the Benevolent Asylum on 2 July 1829, but on 25 July she went to live with James Jenkins family. Schaffer s farm was shown as occupied by Casy on a map compiled by surveyor W.R. Govett in late In 1861 John Farrell told Charles de Boos that Casey was a bushranger who frequented Casey s Hill, now known as Bushranger s Hill. Farrell described Casey and his fatal shooting by an Aboriginal named Black Bowen, who was often employed as a tracker by the Colonial authorities. [de Boos: My holiday] There is no evidence to support John Farrell s reported claim. In fact it appears to be unrtue. Robert McIntosh I died intestate in Sydney on 3 November McINTOSH, Robert (II) Robert McIntosh junior, aged 21, married Jane Pymble in They lived at Gordon, where they had an orchard opposite St. John s Anglican Church. The inscription on their gravestone at St. John s, Gordon, states that Robert was born on 4 February 1809 and died 30 June 1889, while Jane died 28 June 1882, aged 72 years. Robert II divested himself of both the 100 acre reserve on South Creek, Narrabeen, and Schaffer s farm. The 100 acre reserve was formally conveyed by deed of gift from Margaret Schaffer to Robert McIntosh II on 25 May [LTO Book E No.169] He sold it to the Reverend John Joseph Therry for two mares of the value of 25 on 4 March 1833 [LTO Book G No.56], and Therry claimed it as a grant in May The Commissioners of Claims to Grants of Land gave Therry the grant from 31 March However, there was a query by the 87

88 Surveyor General: The Commissioners do not point out as represented to them in my report on this Memorial that this land was only reserved for McIntosh on condition of his supporting Mrs. Schaffer... and a note, Let enquiry be made before the Deed is prepared whether Mrs. Schaffer is still alive and if living how maintained. [AO Reel 1220, Case 915] Enquiries were directed to the Reverend J.D. Lang, and he replied on 7 August 1835: Sir, - I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 31st ult. stating that the Commissioners of Claims had reported in favour of the Revd. J.J. Therry s title to the One Hundred acres of land authorised for Mr. Robert McIntosh as a Reserve to be converted into a Grant upon proof of his having supported Margaret Schoeffer or McKinnon during her natural life in a creditable & proper manner, & desiring to be informed if the said female is still alive, & if so, how maintained. In reply, I have the honour to inform you that Robert McIntosh in whose favour the reserve of (100) One Hundred acres was conditionally made maintained the individual in question only a few months after the arrangement had been assented to by the Government, at the expiration of which period Margaret Schoeffer came to Sydney & was maintained for some time by a reputable native of the Colony, the daughter of a deceased friend of her own. In the meantime, McIntosh died, & his son expressly renounced all claim to the land, in as far as his repeated declarations to that effect to myself, which I am ready to bear testimony about, constitute such a renunciation. In these circumstances a respectable inhabitant of the Colony of the name of Jenkins, agreed to maintain the old woman in his own family as he had known her in better days & he accordingly did so for about two years. At the end of that period, however, Margaret Schoeffer, being of a querilous disposition got dissatisfied with her situation & Jenkins became tired of raising her in his family. I accordingly applied, at the suggestion of Jenkins, for her admission into the Benevolent Asylum, into which she was accordingly admitted & in which she still remains as an inmate. I beg to enclose a letter from Mr. Stack of the Benevolent Asylum, certifying to the correctness of the latter part of this statement, & I beg to add, in explanation of that letter that the period during which the individual in question was maintained in the family of Jenkins was from 25th July 1829 to 25th Decr I beg therefore most respectfully to submit that as McIntosh failed to fulfil the conditions of the Reserve, & had in reality no claim whatever for compensation for the few months he maintained the poor woman, (as he had got other property belonging to herself & her late husband,) & as Mr. Jenkins repeatedly told me he desired no compensation for the time he had maintained her & wished that any claim he might have should be transferred to the Benevolent Asylum, the property of the One hundred acres of land reserved as aforesaid ought decidedly to be vested in that Institution or sold on its behalf. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Most Obedt. Humble Servant, John Dunmore Lang. [Enclosed] Benevolent Asylum, 4th August Rev. Sir, - Margaret Chaffey was received with this Institution on 2nd July 1829, absconded the 25th same month, was received again on the 25th December 1831 and has remained here since to the present date. I am Rev. Sir, E.R. Stack. Surveyor S.A. Perry reported on 11 February 1841 that the deed to the 100 acres did not appear to have been prepared, and the case went back to the Commissioners of Claims to Grants of land, 88

89 the Benevolent Asylum contesting the claim of Revd. Therry. By this time Margaret Schaffer had died. The Commissioners reported on 26 August 1841 that the previous decision was right, and recommended that the deed of grant of the land be made to the Revd. J.J. Therry. Legally, they argued that there was no breach of conditions on the part of Robert McIntosh. There was one other hitch, as Assistant Surveyor Butler had marked out 50 acres instead of 100, but the land was re-measured by Surveyor Dalgety and an amendment made to the deed, which was executed on 16 November [LTO SN61/17] This land is now the site of Cromer Golf Course. On 19 March 1831, Robert McIntosh II sold Schaffer s 50 acre farm to John Clarke (Phoenix). [LTO Book D No.368] As elder son and heir at law to Robert MacIntosh the elder, Robert II also disposed of the family s 200 acre Pitt Water Farm to William Timothy Cape for 130 on 6 June [LTO Book G No. 238] Robert I had conveyed 50 acres of this land to his daughter, Eliza Barnes, by deed of gift, on 2 March [LTO Book G No. 443] Presumably Robert II came to some arrangement with his sister on this matter. This stretch of land at Bayview was known as Cape s Flat. After Cape s death it was sold to Albert Henry Turner for 200 on 2 June [LTO Book 170 No.52] In his own name, Robert II had applied to purchase 40 acres next to the 200 acres, on 28 March This was also sold to W.T. Cape on 6 June 1834, for 25. [LTO Book G No.239] The deed of grant was made to Cape on 8 April [LTO SN 60/27] Robert turned his attention to land at the Basin, which Martin Burke had applied for, but not proceeded to purchase. He applied to purchase it on 30 May 1834, and paid 17 10s for it on 31 December The deed was executed on 8 April [LTO SN38/91] He sold this land to William Oliver on 28 December 1839 for 50.[LTO Book Q No.489] Apparently, except for Sarah, who had married William Pymble, Robert s younger brothers and sisters did not share in his good fortune to the extent to which they considered they had a right. IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES IN EQUITY Between John McIntosh, James McIntosh, George Wilson and Mary his wife, Charles McIntosh, George Bawn and Ellen his wife, plaintiffs; and Robert McIntosh, William Pymble and Sarah his wife, and Hugh McLean and Elizabeth his wife, defendants. PURSUANT to a decree made in the above cause, all persons claiming to be next of kin of Robert McIntosh, late of Clarence-street, Sydney, musician, deceased, who died on or about the 3rd day of November, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine, are forthwith to come in and establish their said claims before the Master in Equity of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, at his office, in the Court House, King-street, Sydney aforesaid, or in default they will be excluded the benefit of the said decree. Dated this 7th day of September, A.D SAMUEL FRED. MILFORD Master in Equity W.G.A. FITZHARDINGE Solicitor for the plaintiffs. [SMH 10 Sept 1844] 89

90 This family quarrel surfaced again in 1851, when James McIntosh mounted a legal challenge against his brother Robert. [See SMH 16 June 1851] Robert II was apparently in occupation of Gaskin s grant at Careel Bay: TO BE LET, for a term of three or five years, as may be agreed on, a Fifty-acre Farm, acknowledged to be the best ground in the vicinity of Pitt Water, lately in the occupation of Mr. Robert McIntosh. Twenty-five acres are under cultivation; there is also a Wharf on the Farm, at which the boats to and from Sydney arrive and take their departure. For further particulars, apply, if by letter post-paid, to the sole proprietor, Mr. George Coy, boot and shoe maker, No 21, Castlereagh-street South, Sydney, next door to Mr. Peter Howell. [SMH 15 Aug 1844] Robert purchased this land from George Coy s widow, Ann Coy, for 50 on 16 October [LTO Book 22 No. 609] His address in 1849 was Lane Cove (now Gordon), but when he contracted to sell Gaskin s grant to Revd. J.J. Therry for 300 on 5 February 1857, his address was 32 Riley Street Woolloomooloo. [LTO Book 47 No.838] The land was conveyed to Therry on 7 July On 18 August 1873 Robert bought three lots at Brighton (Josephton), Careel Bay, for 9. [LTO Book 155 No.37] His address at this time was Marshbank, Botany. Robert also held grants of land on Foley s Hill, on each side of present Mona Vale Road. His grant of 100 acres now contains Katandra Bushland Sanctuary. [LTO Vol. 87 Fol. 63] On the other side of the main road he had 26 acres. [LTO Vol. 232 Fol. 239] Robert and Jane McIntosh had ten children. George McIntosh was born on 14 June MALLEN, James James Mallen was aged 23 years (DOB 1794) when he was tried at Tyrone Court in 1816 and sentenced to 7 years transportation. His native place was Dungannon Tyrone County and he was a weaver. He sailed from Cove of Cork on the Pilot on 9 March 1817 and arrived at Port Jackson about 29 July or 2 August He appears to have been associated with Philip Schaffer. Writing to the Colonial Secretary in 1824, he stated that he had lived in the Broken Bay district since He requested and was given the temporary occupation of two hundred and fifty acres of land as a grazing run for his herd of 25 head of horned cattle, branded with the letters JM and PC on off hip. PC stood for Philip Chaffey or Chaffer, a variation of Schaffer, indicating either that he had bought cattle from Schaffer, or he was looking after cattle for him. Eight months later he petitioned Governor Brisbane for a grant of portion of this grazing run, adjoining Philip Schaffer s grant, for the purpose of cultivation, as he had to purchase grain for the support of himself and his Government servant. On 15 June 1825 he was listed to receive a grant and in 1828 he was in occupation of land at Brisbane Water. [AO Fiche 3098; 4/1838a No.611, p.571-6] [AO Reel 6012; 4/3510, p.188] [AO Reel 6014; 4/3514, p.484] [AO Fiche 3266; 9/2652, p.95] MELVILLE, Robert Robert Melville was sentenced to transportation for life at the Perth (Scotland) Court of Justiciary on 20 April He left England by His Majesty s Ship Glatton on 23 September 90

91 1802 and arrived in Port Jackson on 11 March He was appointed a constable in Sydney on 11 February [AO Reel 6038; SZ759, p.38] His 60 acre grant at Pittwater was surveyed by Meehan on 14 April In September 1822 Melville, holding an Absolute Pardon, was residing on his grant with his wife Elizabeth and three sons, Robert (18), Andrew (13) and George (8); he had 10 acres cleared, with one acre in wheat, 7 in maize, ½ in potatoes and ¾ in garden/orchard. He had two hogs, and 20 bushels of maize in hand. On 6 December 1826 the Sydney Gazette announced that Melville had been appointed Constable at Broken Bay in the place of Thomas Bolton, who had resigned after only six months. In 1828, aged 57, he was living on his farm, Glen Melville, with his wife Elizabeth and sons Andrew and George. He had cleared 16 acres, with ten acres under cultivation, and he owned two head of cattle. In a petition to Governor Darling dated 15 July 1829 he stated that he was a constable at Pittwater. His complaint that James McDonald had pitched and settled on part of his land was found on investigation to be not the case. [AO Reel 1162] A son, Robert Melville Junior, had his address in Sydney at this time, but later he settled at Brisbane Water. The Pittwater land was granted to Robert Melville Senior on 19 October [LTO SN 30/113] He was still living there in January 1837 when both Melvilles, with William Oliver s assistance, arrested a bushranger named Lazarus Bara. (See under William Oliver.) However, on 17 June 1837 Robert Melville conveyed his grant to William Barnes for 160. [LTO Book L No.502] Barnes, a Sydney innkeeper, died on 10 May 1841 and the executors of his estate conveyed the 60 acres to John Farrell on 2 June 1851, for 30. MILDWATER (various spellings), William William Mildwater was born about 1818 in Dorset, England. He migrated to Sydney about 1839 and married Jane Selby at Scots Church, Sydney, in [V A/1840] He first lived in the Rocks area of Sydney where he had a grocer s shop. Before 1845 he had moved to North Harbour, Manly, where he established a successful boat building business. Unfortunately he suffered a severe set-back at North Harbour from a bushfire on 3 November, [SMH 12 Nov. 1845] FOR THE CHARITABLE PUBLIC DISTRESSING CASE OF FIRE On Monday, November 3, 1845, the House of William Milewater [Mildwater], carpenter and boat builder, situated on Manly Beach [North Harbour] in consequence of the bush being on fire in every direction, was burnt to the ground, and such was the rapidity of the flames, that it was with the utmost difficulty the lives of his young family could be saved, but the whole of his tools, clothes, bedding, and furniture were destroyed, which has thrown himself and family into a state of utter destitution. He now appeals to the benevolent for their assistance to enable him to repair, in a small degree, the serious loss which he has sustained, that he may be enabled to provide for his family, without which he has no means. The smallest contribution will be gratefully received at the Herald Office. We, the undersigned, do hereby certify that the above statement is correct in every particular, and 91

92 that the unfortunate sufferer, William Milewater, is an honest, industrious, and deserving man. JAMES JENKINS, Mount Ramsay, Pittwater. WILLIAM WHEELER, Manly Cove JOHN CRANE PARKER, Manly Cove, WILLIAM DAWSON, Manly Cove. In February 1852 Mildwater was wrongly charged with being an accessory to a robbery in Sydney on a boat named St George. When the alarm [of the robbery] was given [Mildwater s] boat was found alongside the St George and on being searched, Mildwater and his little boy were found asleep in the stern sheets. He pleaded perfect ignorance of the way in which his boat had been taken alongside the St George. He is a boat builder residing in North Harbour, and having come into Sydney for provisions, he and his little boy were lying in the boat waiting for the turn of the tide. They were asleep when aroused by the police, and found that the boat had been removed, most probably by the prisoner Davis. Mr Inspector Powell testified as to the excellent character of Mildwater, and the bench was unanimous in dismissing the charge without any imputation upon him. [SMH 14 Feb 1852] At a sale of land held at Sydney on 15 December 1853, William Mildwater and Thomas Wilson as tenants in common purchased Lot 33 at Curl Curl Creek (now Manly Creek), to the east of John Wheeler s 100 acres. They paid 80 for 80 acres, and the deed of grant was issued on 13 February, [LTO SN 99/243] It doesn t appear that Mildwater ever lived on this land. William inserted this advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald 8 November Brighton Manly Beach Boats built and repaired by William Mileswater. [Mildwater] William Mildwater inserted another unusual advertisement in the Sydney Morning Herald of 23 October Notice - I have, This Day, purchased from J.L. Hayne, Esq, all his interest in that portion of Timber, shipped by him per Emily Hort, and now wrecked at the Heads of Port Jackson. WILLIAM MILESWATER. Apparently he intended to recover timber from the wreck for building purposes. In 1861 William had 3 children enrolled at the National [later Public] School at Manly. The Brighton Estate at Manly Beach was put up for sale by Messrs. Street, Norton & Co. of 30 O Connell Street Sydney. The first sale was made on 6 September 1859 and sales continued until For the purposes of sale the Estate was divided into blocks A,B,C,D,E,F,G,H,and I. [Norton Smith Papers Box 2, Mitchell Library] William Mildwater [on sale map shown as Mileswater] purchased Lot 28 and part Lot 29 Whistler Street, Manly block B, for the sum of 60. However the deed was not issued until 28 June [LTO Book 206 No 998] By July 1862 it is clear that William intended to erect his two-storey home on Lot 28 and part Lot 29 Whistler Street, Manly, when he advertised for plasterers. 92

93 To PLASTERERS Wanted, TENDERS for Plastering a House at Manly Beach; labour only; stuff all made up; containing about 200 yards ceiling, walls about 200 yards, all three-coat work. Tenders to state at per yard each. Address to WILLIAM MILDWATER, Manly Beach, on or before the 14th July. [SMH 5 July 1862] The following advertisement indicates that a change is about to occur in William s occupation. TO BOAT-BUILDERS, - Honeysuckle Knees and Timbers for SALE. WILLIAM MILDWATER Manly Beach. Will be delivered to any part of Sydney. [SMH 1 Nov 1862] Sands Directory in 1863 lists Mileswater [Mildwater], Wm., grocer, Whistler-street. Listings continue up to By 1867 the listing changed to grocer and carpenter and from then on carpenter is frequently repeated. Apparently his wife Jane was mainly responsible for the grocery business. One of William s greatest achievements in Manly was the erection of the first police station on the corner Fountain Street (now Sydney Road) and Market Lane, in Local citizens had been pressing for a police station for a considerable time. Land with a frontage of sixty feet in Fountain Street was promised by Henry Gilbert Smith for the station. However, he stipulated that the building must be of decent appearance for such a prominent position in Manly. It was estimated that the cost would be 850. This included a stable and a room of suitable dimensions for the holding of a Court of Petty Sessions. The plan was approved on 23 December [AONSW 2/609] The tender of William Mildwater for 635 was accepted. He undertook to complete the work in eighteen weeks and the station was finished by March At the Water Police Court on Tuesday 10 September 1867 the following unusual charge took place: Before the Water Police Magistrate, with Mr M. Levy and Mr T. Dangar. William Mildwater, 50, carpenter, was brought up by senior constable Carton on suspicion that he was of unsound mind. Yesterday afternoon he met prisoner in Norton Street, Manly Beach, and prisoner then told him that he was the Holy Ghost, sent to warn people, and that the end of the world was come. He added that he had set fire by preaching the Gospel in Manly, but he did not know whether it would take. After a medical examination, Mr Egan was of opinion that the prisoner was of unsound mind, laboring under religious delusions, and that in his present state it would be unsafe for him to be allowed at large. He was remanded for a week for medical treatment. [SMH 11 Sept 1867] The following week the matter was resolved satisfactorily in the Water Police Court. Before the Water Police Magistrate, with Mr M. Levy and Mr J.B. Smithers. William Mildwater, 50, brought up by senior constable Carton on the 10th instant on suspicion that he was of unsound mind, and remanded until this day for medical treatment, was now discharged, having recovered his senses. [SMH 18 Sept 1867] An attempt was made in 1877 to sell the western half of the 80 acre grant held jointly by William Mildwater and Thomas Wilson, on the north bank of then Curl Curl Lagoon (now Manly 93

94 Lagoon). For further details see under Thomas Wilson. [SMH 10 Oct 1877] William Mildwater disposed of his important block of land at Little Manly Cove about May 1885, when the East Brighton Estate allotments were being sold. His block at Little Manly was the only one which had a complete water frontage at Little Manly Cove. On 8 January 1887 William, aged 69 years, died at his son Robert s residence Wescoe, Belgrave Street Manly. His wife Jane died on 29 July 1891 aged 70 years. Both are buried in Manly Cemetery. MILLER, William William Miller was convicted in the Lincolnshire Court in 1790 and sentenced to 7 years. He left Portsmouth, England, on the Third Fleet convict ship Britannia on 27 March 1791 and arrived in Port Jackson on 14 October In 1805 he was the owner/master of the William and Mary engaged in the Hawkesbury River trade between Winsor and Sydney. Four prisoners absconded from the settlement at King s Town (now Newcastle) in January The following day it was their fate to fall in with a body of the bush natives who very cordially approached them after having for some time brandished their thirsty weapons in terrorem, and reduced the fugitives to a supplicating posture; then soliciting article by article stripped them of their cloathing, having previously demanded their whole remaining stock of provisions, as the price of their ransom from immediate death. They afterwards met a second group of natives by whom though unassailed, and the hand of famine was already raised, when providentially noticed, and received on board the William and Mary. They had with eagerness embraced the first occasion of deliverance from the dangers that had threatened them and from which they had but narrowly escaped. The prisoners were brought in to Sydney from Broken Bay by another vessel, the Francis. [Syd. Gaz 3 Feb 1805, p.4] The following week the William and Mary, together with other Hawkesbury craft, was detained for many days in Broken Bay by foul winds. The Sydney Gazette reported that the Argument came in to Sydney on Wednesday 6 February, and the next day the Hope, Charlotte, William and Mary, Bee, Raven and others also reached port. [Syd. Gaz 10 Feb 1905 p.4] In April 1805 a piracy attempt was made against the vessel by Australian Aborigines in Pittwater. While the William and Mary, Miller, lay at Pittwater, the small boat was dispatched for a supply of water and fuel; and although the natives were numerous, yet they did not appear to have any evil design in contemplation until the boat was about to put off again; when several rushing towards her, one of them made good his grappling, in order to board on the bow, but receiving a smart earnest across the knuckles from one of the boatmen, was induced to relinquish his claim. The Aborigines at once embarked in five of their vessels and went out to the William and Mary, led by the same man, who commanded her in English to strike. Miller replied by pointing his musket at him constantly, saying that he would kill the first to venture nearer; whereupon they all turned tail, contenting themselves with threats and imprecations. [Syd.Gaz. 28 April 1805, p.4] On 15 April 1821 Meehan carried out a trace to know the Situation of Wm Millar s Farm, 94

95 using Patullo s door as a landmark. Miller had apparently established a farm for himself on Robert Campbell s land, and seemed to be under the impression that the Crown had granted it to him, although the official records do not support him in this. In September 1822 he was shown in the Land and Stock Muster as residing on his farm. He had 5 acres of wheat, and 15 hogs. He was evidently known in the Windsor area, for convicts were assigned to him from that place to help him on his Pittwater farm in November 1822 and August He petitioned Governor Brisbane on 20 September 1824 to purchase 50 to 100 acres of land and was advised that his claim to purchase land would be considered when Crown land was for sale. [AO Reel 6013; 4/3512, p.472] On 12 January 1825 he petitioned the Governor for temporary relief. At the last general muster he and his wife had been required to attend in Sydney. The day after they left their Pittwater farm seven armed men came and robbed them of 300 lbs of meat, chiefly bacon, about 5 bushels of flour, 6 lbs of tea, 30 lbs of sugar, 112 lbs of tobacco (Nag s head), a gun, powder and shot, and all their clothing. Added to this misfortune, their crops had failed because of blight. His request was recommended to the Governor for consideration. [AO Reel 6063; 4/1785, p.32] In 1826 William Miller and other residents of Pittwater brought a complaint against Martin Burke. (See Martin Burke.) MOORE, Isaac Isaac Moore arrived in the Colony by the ship Elizabeth from London on 5 October His native place was Richmond, Surrey, and he had been sentenced to a term of seven years on 5 April He was a seaman, aged 30, height 5 feet 7½ inches, with a dark freckled complexion, black hair and hazel eyes. He petitioned Governor Macquarie for a Ticket of Leave on 20 December 1819, which he subsequently received.[ao Fiche /1859 p.55] The 1828 census listed him as a mariner with the shipowner Thomas Street, corner of Market and Sussex Streets, Sydney. He held a publican s licence for the Sailor s Delight, Fraser s Lane, Sydney (1833), and Jack s Delight (1838). On 15 April 1834 he applied to purchase 60 acres of land at Middle Harbour, opposite Shell Cove, the place from which Barney Kearns and his successors ferried people across. From here, there was a path leading to North Harbour and Pittwater. When surveyor James Larmer measured the land on 12 August 1834, he noted that there was already a hut on the land. Isaac Moore s father-in-law, Thomas Jones, purchased the 60 acres for 48, and it was granted to him on 29 August There was a reservation of 100 feet from high water mark. [LTO SN32/161] When it was surveyed more accurately later, the grant was found to measure 70 acres 3 roods 6 perches. Isaac Moore purchased the land from Thomas Jones for 100 on 20 March 1839, and sold it to Edward Brady on 10 February 1840 for 200. [LTO Book Q No.483] There appears to have been a close connection between the Moore family and Brady, who was a Sydney publican. At the time of the 1841 census, Isaac Moore was living alone in a wooden house at Middle Harbour. He was also a publican, at the Patent Slip Inn, Cumberland Street (1835) and

96 Lower George Street, on the corner of Globe Street ( ) and later at the Customs House Hotel, Argyle Street (1855, ). Mrs Elizabeth Moore deposed to the police, during their investigation of the murder of David Foley, concerning a visit by Thomas Collins to the Moores hotel in George Street. Isaac and his wife Elizabeth (née Jones) had a number of children. Of those surviving to adulthood, Isaac Junior (born 1837) died on 22 April 1864, leaving three brothers, Edmund (b. 1839), William (b. 1840) and Thomas (b. 1843). Thomas was blind. Edmund married Eliza Craig in The Moores appear to have operated their Clontarf Pleasure Grounds from the end of 1863, when an advertisement appeared for a Grand Steam Excursion by St. Benedict s and St. Patrick s Young Men s Societies to Clontarf. [SMH 23 Dec 1863] However, according to a later report, the young men joined with another excursion at Balmoral Gardens, without visiting Clontarf. [SMH 28 Dec 1863] The following advertisement appeared on 30 December 1863, seeking patrons: CLONTARF PLEASURE GROUNDS, Middle Harbour, formerly known as Brady s Flat. - Parties wishing to engage the above grounds for New Year s Day will receive information at Mr. Moore s, Custom House Hotel, Argyle-street. The above grounds are the oldest, largest, and most shady pleasure grounds in the harbour. N.B. Quoits, skittles, cricket bats &c., always kept on the ground. The Catholic Young Men s Societies did hold an excursion to Clontarf on Anniversay Day, 26 January 1864, when a band was engaged, and arrangements made for dancing. There was also an Irish piper and fiddler. Up to two thousand people attended, and provisions and temperance drinks ran short. Isaac Moore Senior died on 19 November By this time the pleasure grounds, run by his sons, were well established as a destination for excursions on public holidays. On 12 March 1868 there was an attempt to assassinate Queen Victoria s son, the Duke of Edinburgh, while he was attending a picnic at Clontarf. The attempt and subsequent events were fully covered in the newspapers of the day, the Illustrated Sydney News providing graphic illustrations. A Norfolk Island pine, planted to mark the place where the Duke was shot, still exists in Holmes Avenue. Edward Brady, farmer, of Middle Harbour, died on 4 April 1869, aged 69, leaving the 60 acres to Edmund, William and Thomas Moore in equal shares. In 1870 a very extensive pavilion, 150 feet by 40 feet, was erected. [SMH 16 April 1870] Although a gale was blowing on Boxing Day, 1870, 6000 people visited Clontarf. During the summer of entertainment was provided in the form of acts on the wire cord, and fireworks. Rowdyism made its appearance, and Easter 1872 was marked by stricter supervision. However, on Boxing Day, 1872, there was a crowd of 3500 to 4000 people, and one disgraceful instance was reported of a young girl being plied with drink, until someone 96

97 stepped in and escorted her home to her parents. Mrs Elizabeth Moore died in October In June 1874 the three brothers mortgaged the 60 acres for 700. [LTO Book 142 No. 810] In March 1875 Edmund Moore s wife was walking from Clontarf to Manly Beach when she trod on a brown snake, which coiled itself up and fastened itself to her dress. On her putting her right hand down to shake it off it bit her on the thumb. On returning to Clontarf, her husband administered to her ammonia in doses of fifteen drops at a time, with brandy, at intervals. During the night, Mrs Moore lost the use of her limbs, but recovered the following day. Four years previously, Mrs Moore had been bitten by a black snake while in bed. [SMH 1 April 1875] By February 1876 a rift seems to have developed between Edmund and his two brothers, as William and Thomas, who together held a two-thirds share of Clontarf, announced in the Sydney Morning Herald that Edmund was inserting advertisements without their consent. In March 1877 Edmund Moore conveyed his one-third share to William and Thomas for At the same time, William and Thomas transferred their mortgage, this time for 1700, to the AMP Society. [LTO Book 167 Nos.215, 216] William Moore took out a publican s licence for the Clontarf Hotel in December In September 1879 the completion of extensive alterations and improvements was announced. There were now two wharves, one of which had just been completed, and a new dining room. Rowdyism at Clontarf was in the news again. William Moore used to turn away known offenders and prostitutes before they embarked at Circular Quay, but often they would travel to Manly, and walk overland to Clontarf. Sometimes, known offenders would be rowed over to the Spit, landed, and left to find their own way home. On Boxing Day 1880 a disgraceful disturbance occurred at Clontarf and was reported in the Sydney Morning Herald and other newspapers, including a new publication, the Bulletin. William and Thomas Moore took legal action against the proprietors of the Bulletin for libel; the jury found in the Moores favour and awarded them one farthing damages. (See The Clontarf Case, by S. and G. Champion.) The potent mixture of dancing and strong drink was held to be responsible for the bad behaviour of the young people, who were labelled as larrikins and larrikinesses. The grounds were extensively improved again in 1883, and a splendid new pavilion built. While dancing in the old pavilion was free, there was a charge of 1/- to dance in the new pavilion. [SMH 31 Dec 1883] Many church and work groups patronised Clontarf. One organization which chose to hold its picnic at Clontarf on Good Friday, 1884, was the Freethought Society. The Moores had their own steam tug, the Leveret. On 22 August 1885 it was discovered on fire while lying alongside the floating jetty at the foot of Phillip Street. [SMH 24 Aug 1885] The Moores operated a daily steam service from Sydney to Clontarf and the head of Middle Harbour, with four services per day each way, in At this time, they had the fast and splendid saloon 97

98 steamer Grand. [SMH 2 March 1887] William and Thomas Moore discharged their mortgage to the AMP Society on 22 September 1887, paying out s 1d. On the same day they mortgaged the land to David Peter Dickson and John Soame Richardson for three years for [LTO Book 371 Nos. 485, 486] On 26 January 1888 there was a fatal fall from a swing at Clontarf. Two young men were operating the boat-swing by pulling ropes. One let his rope go, to show that his skin was rubbed off, just as the swing reached its highest point, and he fell backwards. He died later in Sydney Hospital. [SMH 31 Jan 1888] William Moore died at Clontarf on 18 March Thomas took over his publican s licence for the Clontarf Hotel for several years, but by 1898 he appears to have concentrated on the steamer side of his business. Thomas Moore s steamers, the Birkenhead, Waterview, and Me-mel were advertised to call at Balmoral, Flat Rock, Bantry Bay, Spit, and head of Middle Harbour, [N.B. not Clontarf] while John Dunbar Nelson, who apparently had a lease of the Clontarf grounds, had the Lady Manning, Lobelia, Bruce and Wyong, calling at Clontarf, the Spit, Pearl Bay, Bantry Bay, Green Point [Killarney], and head of Middle Harbour. In addition, Nelson advertised the steamer Alathea, every Wednesday evening, Concert on board and social at Clontarf. Return fare, including admission to Pavilion, Ladies 6d, Gentlemen 1s. [SMH 15 Jan 1898] Thomas Moore died in 1900, the mortgage not repaid. On 5 June 1900 the surviving mortgagee, David Peter Dickson, conveyed the Clontarf grounds to Jane Warwick Lane for Her husband, Edward James Lane, was the proprietor of Fern Bay Pleasure Grounds, on the Parramatta River. Dickson continued as their mortgagee. The Lanes ran Lanes Gardens at Clontarf until March 1906, when they conveyed the grounds to the Balmain New Ferry Company. [LTO Book 799 No. 126] MURRAY, Kennedy Kennedy Murray was tried on 14 September 1786 at Glasgow Court of Justiciary and received a sentence of transportation for fourteen years. He arrived in the Colony by the Pitt in February His memorial to Governor Macquarie in 1820 stated that he had been free for twenty years and had a wife and five children to support. He requested a portion of land and 40 acres was allowed. [AO Fiche 3026; 4/1825A, p.91, 94] At their meeting on 9 July 1823 the board administering the Male Orphan School resolved, that the four children of Murray aged from 3 to 10 years whose mother died insane at Castle Hill, and whose father is stated to be now insane, be admitted into the school. [AO Reel 6040; 4/400, p.56] William (7), Henry (6) and James (4) were admitted to the Male Orphan School on 22 October 1823, while John, who was older, remained with his father. At this date Kennedy Murray, labourer, resided at Richmond. [AO Fiche 3307; 4/7208, p. 9-10] Kennedy and John Murray were both living at Pittwater in November 1828, with Ann Haynes as 98

99 housekeeper. Kennedy Murray is known to have been living at the Basin in (Larmerʼs field book) Kennedy s son William was probably the William Murray who lived in Manly and district for many years, working as a painter and dying in 1898, parents unknown. NAPPER, James James Napper was a naval surgeon on HM Colonial Brig Kangaroo, and had a wife and child. His name appeared on a list dated 30 June 1814 to receive a grant of land. In April 1815 Drs. Wentworth and Redfern examined Napper and found him medically unfit to proceed on a sea voyage. Mr. Noble, the surgeon of HM Colonial Brig Emu, took his place on the Kangaroo, which was taking troops to Ceylon. When Napper recovered, he resumed duty on the Emu. Meehan probably surveyed 400 acres at Barrenjoey for James Napper in September 1815 [AO Map 1745 in 2 parts] and Napper formally received his grant, to be known as Larkfield, on 16 March [LTO SN8/104] His grant included the whole of the Barrenjoey headland. He was issued with horned cattle from Government herds in June By July 1822 D Arcy Wentworth was in possession of Napper s 400 acre farm, and advertised it to let. [Syd Gaz 26 July 1822] NOLT, William William Nolt was convicted at the Old Bailey on 7 May 1788 and sentenced to seven years transportation. He arrived in the Colony on the Salamander in August Listed in the 1828 census as William Nott, aged 64, he was one of three old fishermen who lived on the Pittwater side of Barrenjoey headland, from the mid-1820s to the late 1830s. The others were Edward Flinn and John Howard. Nolt died in 1841, aged about 77. See Edward Flinn for descriptions, and references to the three fishermen. O FERRALL, Rolla Rolla O Ferrall, (correct spelling) died at his residence Fairlight House Five Dock on 16th May 1852 (death certificate record), aged 74 years. It has been claimed that he was the illegitimate son of the Duke of York and that he used this connection to his advantage. He was born in England about To establish Rolla s association with our peninsula it is necessary to briefly recount some of his earlier history. Rolla, a naval officer, arrived in Hobart Town, Van Diemen s Land, on 7 February 1826, aboard the ship Toward Castle, from Portsmouth. [Hobart Town Gazette 11 Feb 1826.] Although Lieutenant Governor Arthur had already happily appointed William Henry Hamilton, a very reliable person, as Naval Officer of the Port of Hobart-town, Rolla O Ferrall used his influence with the Colonial Office in England to overturn the appointment of Hamilton in favour of himself. He arrived to take up the position of Naval Officer. At the same time in February 1826 Jocelyn Thomas was appointed to be Colonial Treasurer. O Ferrall, who then apparently had little knowledge of accounts or business transactions, was again rewarded with a further rapid promotion. (The Hobart Town Courier 3 Nov 1827) 99

100 Government Order Colonial Secretary s Office, Nov. 1, His Excellency The Lieutenant Governor has been pleased to appoint Rolla O Ferrall Esq., the Naval Officer, to be Collector of the Customs for the Port of Hobart-town, under a Deputation received from the Commissioners of His Majesty s Customs, which appointment supersedes that of Naval Officer at the said Port. In 1832 Lt. Governor Arthur decided to carry out a sudden examination of the Treasury. It was found that Jocelyn Thomas the Colonial Treasurer was involved in defalcations amounting to many thousands of pounds. It was also found that there had been extensive money transactions between O Ferrall and Thomas. (A History of Tasmania Lloyd Robson p. 294) Both Thomas and O Ferrall were subsequently dismissed from office as further investigations were made. Thomas submitted quietly and sold a lot of property to meet his debts. On the other hand, O Ferrall protested his innocence and became extremely angry with Arthur, who was also very displeased with O Ferrall. As a result of this dispute, the following notice appeared in the Gazette. (Launceston Advertiser 24 January 1833) Colonial Secretary s Office, January 17th, The Lieutenant Governor has been pleased to suspend Rolla O Ferrall, Esquire, from Office of Collector of Customs, until the pleasure of His Majesty s Government shall be known. By His Excellency s Command J. Burnett Another notice appeared later in The Hobart Town Courier 19 Dec Government Notice, No 202, Colonial Secretary s Office, Dec 11, The Lieutenant Governor directs that the Lords Commissioners of His Majesty s Treasury have been pleased to appoint George Henry Barnes, esquire, to be Collector of Customs at Hobart Town, vice Rolla O Ferrall, esquire dismissed. William Proctor, esquire, will resume the office of Controller of Customs. By His Excellency s Command John Montagu As regards O Ferrall, Arthur claimed that he arrived in Van Diemen s Land with nothing but since then has accumulated a capital of between 15,000 and 20,000. O Ferrall continued to protest his innocence and was not charged but strangely, merely dismissed. Rolla claimed that he wished to return to England but instead decided to favour the Colony of NSW with his presence on Saturday 29 November (The Australian Tuesday 2 Dec 1834) From Calcutta, via Hobart Town, on Saturday last, having sailed from the former port the 10th August, and the latter the 19th instant, the Ship Princess Victoria, 473 tons, Captain James Bisset with merchandise. Passengers, Dr Wilson, R.N., Mr John Stubbs, Rolla O Ferrall, Esq, Captain Laird, late of the 31 st regt, Mr William Clay, and 13 European prisoners of the Crown from India. Not long after O Ferrall s arrival in NSW he became a tenant of Mount Ramsay near Narrabeen Lagoon. This occurred following the death of James Jenkins I on 27 January The 1837 General Return of Convicts listed six convicts assigned to him at Mount Ramsay, 100

101 namely:- Thomas Collins, Isaac Longbottom, Thomas Pratt, John Riley, Thomas Smith, and Frederick Taplin. Of these, Thomas Collins, aged 21, who arrived on the Lady Nugent in 1835, convicted of assault, later became a land owner in the area and played a significant part in our history. On 23 April 1836 O Ferrall applied to purchase 50 acres of land, which he wished to cultivate, on Narrabeen Lagoon. (AO Reel 1169) This was measured for him by Surveyor Dalgety in 1841, but he did not proceed with the purchase. He had left Mount Ramsay by 1841, as the census of that year shows that it was then occupied by John Henlock, with a household consisting of six single males and two females, one married and one single. O Ferrall became a large land-owner of property around Balmain and elsewhere in NSW. He also had business dealings in New Zealand. He continued the aggressive attitude he so clearly displayed when in Van Diemen s Land as Collector of Customs. He was known to have been involved in court cases in NSW either as defendant or plaintiff in 1836, 1838 (twice), 1842, and In spite of his great wealth he failed to leave a will. This meant that after his death in 1852, at his permanent residence Fairlight House Five Dock, it was found necessary for Robert Johnson to take out Letters of Administration of his estate. This involved a very lengthy process for over a decade. Rolla had four children, apparently by three de facto relationships. The children were: Portia Florence baptised 1834 (mother Mary), probably born in Van Diemen s Land; William born 1841, died in infancy 1843 (mother Catharine); Louisa Portia born before 1851, and baptised in 1854, after her father s death in 1852, probably for legal reasons (mother Louisa); and Frances Ann born 1851 (mother Louisa). Rolla s eldest child Portia, who was baptised in NSW in 1834, may well have lived with her father and mother at Mount Ramsay before he departed about OLIVER, William William Oliver was born 27 September 1805, the son of Henry and Margaret Oliver. Henry had a 45 acre grant of land on present Pacific Highway, Killara, opposite the turn-off to Fidden s Wharf. The Olivers were engaged in cutting timber, and as the land was cleared it was cultivated. William looked further afield, and found good stands of timber on the shores of Pittwater in the 1830s. He was at Pittwater in 1837 when District Constable Robert Melville needed assistance in capturing three bushrangers. William Oliver was later identified as the man who shot Bara through the leg. [Syd Gaz 10 Jan 1837] Some time since a Frenchman named Lazarus Bara in company with two of the revolted Jamaica Negroes, absconded from Hyde Park Barracks, and found their way to Pitt Water, the neighbour-hood of which they have been keeping in a state of alarm ever since. On Sunday last Mr. District Constable Melville accompanied by his son, and one or two hands, took a boat and pulled to the spot, where the fellows were supposed to lie secreted, a remarkable rocky piece of ground, and very precipitous; having made the place as near as was thought prudent, they 101

102 brought up, and laid perdu; this was in the evening; the following morning about the time of the morning star, rising, they left the boat, and clambered with considerable difficulty up the rocks; in the distance, they saw a man approaching evidently to look out; catching a view of them, he took to his heels and escaped into the bush, on proceeding up the ascent, they came upon a cave in which were two men; one a black, the other the Frenchman, they both upon seeing the party endeavoured to run away, Melville s son called out to fire, which three of the party did; when Bara fell, the black escaped. On examining Bara it was found, that a bullet had passed through his thigh, and another had grazed his leg. He was secured. Upon searching the cave a loaded musket was found, and half a cannister of powder, some cartridges and pieces of files and nail rod iron, cut up to serve as shot. There were also potatoes, onions and beef, the latter of which to preserve had been roasted in hide. There was a fire, and pots upon it as though they had been breakfasting. The country surrounding this spot is of an excessively impassable character, intersected at every few yards with ravines and gulleys, independent of an almost impervious scrub, which rendering the capture of this man still more praiseworthy. Parties well acquainted with this spot stated that twenty men might be within a few yards of them without any risk of discovery. A second party of bushrangers, after holding up John Clarke (Phoenix) at North Narrabeen, paid Pittwater a visit. [Syd Gaz 6 April 1837] Bushrangers are again out in the district of Brisbane Water [i.e. Pitt Water]. On Saturday last four men supposed to be runaway prisoners of the crown, piratically seized a boat belonging to a man named Sullivan, with which they crossed the creek towards the house of a person named Oliver, a publican; the fellows were armed to the teeth; three of them left the boat and made towards the house, in which there was a man and a boy, but the only arms they possessed was a loaded pistol, and a musket unloaded; thinking that it would be dangerous to be found with loaded arms, the pistol was thrown under the bed, and they waited the approach of the marauders, who were shortly at the door demanding admittance, it was granted, and they entered the premises enquiring for Mr Oliver, whom they were told was not at home, they sneeringly replied, they supposed he was gone to give information respecting the bushrangers, knowing that he was an active man and had been instrumental in the capture of several. They then proceeded to rob the house, and took a pistol, a musket, an iron pot, gimblet, tommahawk, a quantity of ammunition, and two bags of wheat; they then killed a pig belonging to Oliver, and a heifer the property of a person named Foley; with this plunder they loaded the boat, and then made sail among the hiding places of the Brisbane Water. The boy, who kept his eye upon the men at their departure, is of opinion that he could recognize two of them, they standing, according to his idea, upwards of six feet in height, the other was a short man; as regards the man in the boat, the distance was too great to distinguish whether he was white or black. Both Mr Oliver and Mr Sullivan have gone down, each with a party of constables from Sydney, to scour the district. The three bushrangers were finally captured and committed for trial for the various robberies. [SMH 17 April 1837] BUSHRANGERS. - Our readers will recollect that about a month since three men named Joseph Bennett, William Wicks, and William Smith, absconded from Goat Island during the night. Nothing was heard of them for several days, when a report was made to the Police of several robberies that had been committed in the district of Brisbane Water [i.e. Pitt Water]. District Constable Shields, of the North Shore, and Constables Hogan, Brophy, and Loveitt, were 102

103 sent in pursuit, and were out for some time before they came in sight of them. On Wednesday, the 5th instant, they saw the prisoners in a boat; but having no boat themselves they were unable to follow them. They then borrowed a boat and went in the direction of the spot where they had seen the boat. The following day they found the boat near Mooney Mooney Creek, full of stolen property, guarded by Wicks, who was armed with a fowling-piece. Shields called to him to surrender, but he ran away, upon which several shots were fired at him, but he made his escape up the rocks followed by Shields, who found him about half an hour afterwards concealed under a rock with the fowling-piece laid at his feet. Shields then left Wicks in charge of Brophy and Hogan, and with Loveitt proceeded in search of the other men. On the following Tuesday (the 11th instant) a black-fellow named Bowen told Brophy that the other bushrangers were on an island near Mooney Mooney Creek, upon which, leaving Hogan in charge of Wicks, he started by himself in the boat towards the place described by the black-fellow. On his way thither he saw the two men on a raft making their way from the island to the main land. He called on them to put down their arms, when they replied they had no arms, and surrendered. The next morning Shields joined the party, and they made the best of their way to Sydney On Friday morning they were placed at the bar of the Police Office, when, after the evidence of the Police to the above facts had been taken, witnesses to prove the following facts were called: - A Mr. Clark, residing at Pittwater [i.e. North Narrabeen], had occasion to leave his house for a few minutes to give directions to some men that were at work on his farm, and on his return saw the three prisoners come out of his house with nearly all the property there was in it, made into bundles, and the prisoner Wicks had his gun in his hand, which he presented at a dog that ran at him, upon which Mr. C thought it more prudent to go into the house without making any resistance. An elderly man named William Lowe, residing near Melville s, at Pittwater, stated, that one day in March, on returning to the house where himself and three old men resided, he found that the house had been broken open and all their clothes taken away. Mr. Michael Sullivan lost his boat, which was taken from a neighbour s wharf in the night. On the 1st instant the prisoners went to the house of Mr. Oliver, who was out, and took away a pig, a pistol, two bushels of wheat, a quantity of ammunition, and several other articles. They enquired several times for Mr. Oliver, whom they said they wished to see very particularly, as he was so fond of taking bushrangers. (Mr. Oliver was very active when the two negroes and the Frenchman were in the district, and it was Mr. O who shot the Frenchman through the leg.) The whole of these witnesses identified portions of the property found in the boat in charge of Wicks, and Mr. Oliver identified the boat Mr. Ryan identified the prisoners as being prisoners for life by the Lady Kennaway, belonging to the second class of Convicts at Goat Island; and Mr. Walter Scott, Superintendent at Goat Island, proved that they had absconded. The prisoners were committed to take their trials for the different robberies, and the Bench found them guilty of absconding, but reserved their sentence. William Oliver had married Mary Brown in They had 14 children, one of whom, a male, was unnamed. William (b.1835) and Henry (b.1837) These two older boys of the family drowned in a boating accident at Pittwater. Mary Ann (b.1838) married Gerald Archbold in Emma (b.1841) married James Heaton in Thomas Albert (b.1843) married Martha Shaw in Frederick (b.1845) was killed in a fall from a horse in His grave is at Lovett Bay. Charlotte Margaret (b.1847 or 1848) married George J.H. Leonard in

104 Eliza married Joseph Cario or Carriel in Frances (Fanny) (b.1852) married Thomas Wilson in Louisa (b.1853) married Charles Johnson in January There were two Charles Johnsons. This was probably not her cousin Charles, the son of John and Charlotte Johnson (née Oliver). George. There were two George Olivers. One married Anne Jane Mildwater in 1873, while the other married Cecilia Terry in Both had some connection with the Peninsula. Ann (b.1859) married James Shaw in Sydney (b.1861) married Martha -. From the surnames, it will be recognized that many of this generation of Olivers continued to live around Pittwater. On 22 October 1838 William Oliver of Pitt Water applied for permission to purchase 25 acres of land, bounded on the east by the waters of a small bay about one mile south west of Scotland Island... He added, My intention is to convert the same into a market garden. His application was approved on 9 January 1839, but he does not appear to have proceeded with this purchase. [AO Reel 1169] Instead, on 28 December 1839 William Oliver purchased 50 acres of land at the Basin from Robert McIntosh II for 50. [LTO Book Q No.489] He sold this land to William Small for 300 on 5 December [LTO Book 35 No.78] William Oliver s first grant of land at Pittwater was 30 acres of land opposite Scotland Island, at the head of Elvina Bay, which he purchased on 9 March 1842 for 45. [AO Reel 1169] This was granted to him on 18 April [LTO SN75/10] According to Thomas Oliver, the family moved to Pittwater in 1844, before he was one year old. At first, they lived on this grant, and also worked the land at the Basin. William conveyed the Elvina Bay land to Thomas Oliver for 100 on 28 November [LTO Book 238 No.125] Thomas, farmer and master mariner, conveyed part to Arthur Wood, Master of Petersham Public School, for 40 on 7 May [LTO Book 291 No. 547] He also conveyed 31 acres (of the nominal 30 acre grant) to John George Cousins on 4 November 1885, for which he received 523. [LTO Book 329 No.477] William Oliver s second land grant was 40 acres at Lovett Bay, adjacent to his Elvina Bay land. He became the purchaser by Conditional Sale for 40 on 4 March 1862, and it was formally granted to him on 27 September [LTO Vol.34 Fol.84] This land became their family home. Ownership was transferred to Samuel Crawford on 15 July 1881; it then passed to Thomas William Williams on 16 June William Oliver s third grant of land was 66 acres at Church Point. He paid 66 for it on 16 June 1864, but it was not formally granted to him until 25 January [LTO Vol.115 Fol.110] Soon afterwards, on 28 September 1871, part of this land was transferred to William Henry McKeown, George McIntosh, William Oliver, James Jones, Thomas Oliver, John Alderton, and William Baker. They were all local residents except McKeown, who lived at Lane Cove (Gordon). The purpose was for a community church which was to be built on the land, and a burying ground. The residue of the land was transferred to two sons-in-law of William, Thomas Wilson and Charles Johnson, on 21 July [LTO Vol.129 Fol.63] 104

105 On 29 October 1880 the Rev. Frank Firth and W.H. McKeown, both Wesleyan, applied for aid for a provisional school, to be held in the church at Church Point. [AO 5/17356] It was stated that the owner of the property, which consisted of one acre of land, was the Wesleyan Church, and that a lease of 1 per annum was to be paid to W.H. McKeown, trustee. There were 22 children living within a two mile radius of the proposed school, and three others about three miles away. 11 of the 22 were grandchildren of William and Mary Oliver: 3 children of Thomas and Martha Oliver, 4 children of Charles and Louisa Johnson, 3 children of Thomas and Fanny Wilson, and one son of Joseph and Eliza Cario. The proposed school building (the church) was described as weatherboard, 25 feet by 18 feet, in very good repair, and provided with sufficient school furniture. The Inspector described it as large, healthy, and comfortable. He also reported, All the applicants, except one, are small holders of land and settled in the locality. They live chiefly by obtaining wood for Sydney and growing a little fruit and vegetables, which they sell in Manly or Sydney. (Thomas Oliver owned a vessel, Thomas & Martha, and Joseph Cario owned the Maid of Australia.) He added, The people profess to be very anxious to have the school established and promise to use their best efforts to maintain it when it is established. The first teacher, young and newly trained, was Martha Perry ( ), then Matilda Cannon ( ). Samuel Morrison took up duty on 1 May 1884, and the school was made a Public School from 21 July On 25 April 1885, District Inspector McIntyre recommended the resumption of one acre of land for a Public School site from Mr A.T. Black, excised from land originally granted to George Weller. Frank E. Collins tender to erect Public School buildings at Pittwater for a total cost of 615 was approved on 19 July 1887, and the land was resumed from A.T. Black in April School lessons were held in the church, therefore, from 1881 to 1888, before moving to the more permanent Public School site. Mary Oliver died in 1879, and William Oliver died on 15 May Their memorial is at Church Point. Some interesting statements were made by Thomas Oliver and others in connection with James Macdonald s grant at Salt Pan Cove. [LTO PA 10712, 26684] In a Statutory Declaration dated 30 April 1891, Thomas Albert Oliver of Pittwater, timber merchant, said he had lived at Pittwater ever since his father took the family there, before he was one year old. (He was born in 1843.) He told how he used to get green wattle bark from Macdonald s grant, to tie up shingles. Both Oliver and Cario had cut wood on the land, while Thomas Wilson had obtained firewood there. Thomas Oliver rented the land for some years from PARKER, John Crane John Crane Parker, his wife Elizabeth, and two sons, William Frederick and Thomas Daniel, arrived in New South Wales by the ship Courier from the Cape of Good Hope in March The census in November 1828 showed John, aged 42, working as a gardener to William Carter at Piercefield, Hunter River. His younger son Thomas, aged 14, was with him, but Elizabeth, aged 43, was a servant to William Carter in Sydney, and their 19 year old son William, a carpenter, had Clarence Street, Sydney as his address. Possession of 20 acres at the head of Neutral Harbour was authorised by Governor Darling and granted to John Parker on 21 October 1831, as a special reserve for establishing a market garden. [NSW Govt Gaz 2 July 1834 p.462] Writing from Neutral Harbour on 28 February 1835, John Parker applied to purchase Lot 25 in 105

106 the Village of Balgowlah, but the sale did not proceed. [AO Reel 1170] However, on 12 September 1836, John Parker of Balgoulah applied for 50 acres at present Brookvale. His Balgowlah address suggests that he may have been living on Lot 25. Also on 12 September 1836 John Parker of Balgoulah applied to purchase 20 acres of land at North Harbour, agreeably to the Regulations contained in the Government Order of 1st August 1831 No. 22 and Government Notice of 1st November [AO Reel 1170] The Land Regulations [Syd Gaz 4 Aug 1831] contained as Clause 14, No land within one hundred feet of high water mark on the sea coast, harbours, bays, or inlets, is to be considered open to purchase, unless for the purposes of commerce or navigation. This clause was significant in relation to this land, as John Woods, a later owner of Fairlight, tried to purchase the reserved land, to give Fairlight estate absolute water frontage and exclude the public. The land was advertised as Lot 79 on 10 October 1836, and purchased by J.C. Parker for 36. The deed was executed on 12 April [LTO SN63/170] The 1837 General Return of Convicts listed two convicts, Henry Collinger and William Hilles, assigned to John Parker. An interesting description of the Parker family appeared in The Colonist, 28 February 1838: There is a respectable family of the humbler walks of life settled at Manly Cove whose establishment exhibits in a very strong light, the immense benefits which this colony will eventually derive from the introduction of reputable and industrious families of a similar class in society into its extensive territory, under the admirable system introduced by the Whig ministry, in appropriating for that most important purpose the proceeds of all Crown land sold in the colony. The family we allude to is of the name of Parker. It consists of a husband and wife, rather past the middle age, and two stout young men, their sons. The father is a gardener, who emigrated with his family from England to the Cape of Good Hope a good many years ago, but preferring this colony, from all he had heard and read of it both in England and at the Cape, came on to New South Wales, leaving his third son in business at Cape Town. One of Mr. Parker s other two sons is a stonemason, and the other a carpenter and cabinet maker, each of whom appears to be as much an adept in his own business as his father, who is a remarkably intelligent, shrewd, and well-principled old man, evidently is in his. Mr. Parker has purchased twenty acres of land and rocks on the eastern side of the cove, part of which he has laid out very tastefully, his two sons having been occupied in the mean time in erecting a neat stone walled cottage with suitable outhouses, part of the walls of both being the solid rock, which has been hewn away in certain places, and allowed to remain in others to suit the taste or convenience of the proprietor. In short the combination of mechanical force which Mr. P s virtuous and respectable family have been able to bring to bear on their little property is one of the happiest we have witnessed in the colony, and the result, we are confident, within a very few years hence will be the transformation of their twenty acres of rocks and land, hitherto deemed good for nothing, into one of the best cultivated, most romantic, and most valuable properties of its size within a day s journey of the capital. Mr. P s object has been to establish himself as a gardener and nurseryman, to supply the Sydney market with vegetables, fruit, fruit-trees, and shrubs. On 3 May 1838 W.F. Parker on behalf of his father applied to purchase two portions of land, of 10 and 20 acres, adjacent to his 20 acres and bounded on the south by North Harbour. On

107 October 1840 John Parker applied to purchase 70 acres, bounded by the Village of Balgowlah on the west, Wentworth s 380 acres on the north, William Butts application on the east and his own two applications on the south. Nothing seems to have eventuated from these applications. The 1841 census listed John Parker and his wife living in a stone house at North Harbour, with two assigned convicts. John Crane Parker was listed in the Sydney Commercial Directory for 1851 as freeholder, Manly Cove. Henry Gilbert Smith purchased from J.C. Parker and his wife their 20 acres, and a 5¾ acre strip (see under Thomas Daniel Parker), on 11 May [LTO Book 26 No. 675] This land, with its magnificent view through the Heads of Port Jackson, was later to become the site of H.G. Smith s private home, Fairlight. The Wheeler family formally conveyed the 5¾ acre strip to H.G. Smith on 23 September [LTO Book 45 No. 449] John Crane Parker died at North Harbour on 11 May PARKER, Thomas Daniel Thomas Daniel Parker was living apart from his parents, John and Elizabeth Parker, in another stone house at North Harbour, in He purchased a strip of 5¾ acres adjoining his father s 20 acres on the western side, from John Wheeler on 25 April 1842, for 10-16s-9d, but no conveyance was executed. Later, he sold it to his father for the same amount. He moved to Sydney where his livelihood was in groceries, and then to North Sydney. PARKER, William Frederick William Frederick Parker, one of John Parker s sons, wrote from Neutral Harbour on 3 September 1835, applying to purchase two portions of land, each 50 acres, one on each side of the road from North Harbour, at present Old Pittwater Road, Brookvale. [AO Reel 1170] The land was advertised as Lots 28 and 29 on 13 October 1835, and purchased by W.F. Parker, market gardener, for a total of Deeds were executed on 29 March [LTO SN46/65, SN46/67] On 12 September 1836 John Parker applied for 50 acres, between his son s land and John Wheeler s 100 acres. This was put up for sale as Lot 80, 58 acres, and purchased by W.F. Parker of North Harbour for The deed was executed on 12 April [LTO SN63/171] William Frederick Parker, listed as stonemason in 1851, but usually as farmer, continued to live at present Brookvale. He died on 24 December PASS, Capper Capper Pass was married to Frances, the mother of John and Edward Johnson. He was a publican, at the Royal Oak, George Street, Sydney and was the mortgagee for John Clarke (Phoenix) in his purchase of the grants of Philip Schaffer and John Lees at North Narrabeen. Capper Pass died on 10 March At the request of some relatives, a Coroner s inquest was held, the jury returning a verdict of natural death, accelerated by the excessive use of ardent spirits. [SMH 15 March 1839] The Clarkes had discharged their debt to Capper Pass. 107

108 PATULLO, Peter Peter Patullo was sentenced to life at the Cornwall Assizes on 6 August He sailed from Portsmouth England on 10 December 1796 in the Ganges and arrived in Port Jackson on 2 June Residing at Field of Mars, he was on the January 1816 list of persons to receive land, at North Harbour, opposite Scotland Island. With his residence listed as North Harbour in July 1816, he received horned cattle from the Government herds. In April 1819 he was listed as being indebted to Government for cattle, to be paid for in kind. In September 1820 action was taken by Arthur Martin against Peter Patullo, when the Governor s Court ordered Patullo s 80 acre Pittwater farm to be sold. About ten acres had been cleared, and the frame of a house had been erected. The land was recommended for grazing or general agriculture. [Syd Gaz 30 Sept 1820] The farm was again offered for sale in October It was purchased by Mary Finegan, the wife of Benjamin Crew. It was granted to Benjamin Crew on 26 August 1834, after his wife s death. [LTO SN33/100] Peter Patullo was in trouble for stealing a musket, the property of Gregory Blaxland. At the time, Blaxland held the lease of Cheers Farm, then owned by D arcy Wentworth. William Willis and Joseph Gray were two convicts who lived in a hut in a retired valley at Manley. (The retired valley was probably Little Manly.) Patullo went to stay at the hut on Saturday, 6 October On the Monday following, Gray was going to Ramsay s farm to get some corn ground. Patullo declined going with him as he could not walk as fast as Gray, but he left the hut soon afterwards. Willis then left and went to Middle Harbour, but when he returned a gun, two blankets, two shirts and a canvas bag had been taken from the hut. When Willis met Patullo at Dee Why the next day, he charged him with the robbery, which Patullo denied. Willis then reported the matter to William Foster, a constable at Lane Cove (Gordon), who said Patullo had slept there the previous night. He had offered a musket for sale, a broken stock and other particulars identifying it as the missing gun. Patullo, with a musket on his shoulder and a canvas bag on his back, had also been to the house of schoolmaster William Farro, who had examined the musket while Patullo rested, and noticed a piece broken out of the stock. Patullo was committed to take trial, but his was one of thirteen minor offences discharged by Governor Brisbane on assuming the government.[ao Reel 1976 SZ795, p.344-8] Patullo was a resident of the Benevolent Asylum in September 1822, and was still there in November 1828, aged 87. PICKING or PICKERING, George George Picking was born at Nantwich, Cheshire, about While serving as a soldier in the 22nd Regiment on Mauritius, he was convicted on 22 January 1818 and sentenced for a term of seven years. In company with another convicted soldier, Thomas Strettles, he arrived in New South Wales by the schooner Little Mary on 13 May Then aged 21, he was 5 feet 7 1/2 inches tall, with a dark ruddy complexion, dark brown curly hair, and dark eyes. [AO Fiche 627, p.108] From a letter sent by the Colonial Secretary to Captain Rollo, Schooner Little Mary, Sydney Cove, dated 14 May 1819, we learn that for the voyage Picking and Strettles were outfitted with straw hats, long cloth jackets, long cloth pantaloons, white cotton shirts and shoes. For sustenance on the voyage they were provided with 270 lbs of biscuit, 180 lbs of salt meat, 108

109 360 lbs of wood, and nine gallons of rum. [AO Reel 6006, 4/3500 p.111] In September 1821 Picking was employed on grass boats for the Colony, and received 1½ rations from H.M. Magazines. [AO Reel 6016, 4/5781 p.110] At the age of 26, on 3 February 1825, he received his Certificate of Freedom. [AO Reel 601, 4/4423 No.23/3146] George Picking, bachelor, of North Shore, married Martha Day (née Hughes) on 17 November 1833 at the Scots Church, Elizabeth Street, Sydney. Their daughter Susannah is recorded as having been born on 15 August 1834 and was baptized in the same church in October They continued to live on the North Shore (not North Harbour or Manly) until at least the time of the 1837 muster. The 1841 census lists a George Pickering and family at Middle Harbour in the Parish of Willoughby, but a profile of the 8-member household (Roman Catholic couple with four children and two others) does not fit very well with other known facts about George Picking. Annes Day, who would have been twelve years old, was not one of the children. Susannah Pickering, by calculation aged 14 years and 9 months, married James Heaton on 21 May The earliest record that has been found of George and Martha Picking living in the bush at North Harbour was in October [SMH 1 January 1850] By this time the alternative name Pickering was sometimes used. The story of Heaton and Picking s attack on James Heaton s father at this time is recounted under James Heaton. In 1840 Charles Whitney had been granted allotments 19 and 20 in the Township of Balgowlah, which had been promised to and previously occupied by John Fincham and Robert Tiffin. Whitney, who was a Sydney publican, does not appear to have lived on or used his Balgowlah allotments. It is not surprising, therefore, to find that George and Martha Picking moved in, perhaps as early as 1849, certainly in the early 1850s. In a Statutory Declaration dated 5 October 1889 Anna Selena Owen (born Hannah Selena Heaton on 24 May 1850) stated that she recollected the land from her earliest infancy, and lived with her grandfather George Pickering and his wife upon the said land until she was 12 or 13 years of age. [LTO PA 7900] Pickering had a cottage on the land, the two lots were enclosed, he cultivated part of the land and had fruit trees on other parts. The location of the cottage, with the name Pickering and the word garden, is shown on a map drawn up by surveyor J.C. Drake, dated 22 July [LTO Map ] George Picking died on Friday, 19 April 1867, aged 69 (not 82 or 84). The Sydney Morning Herald of 23 April 1867 gave an account of his death: CORONER S INQUEST. - An inquiry was held yesterday at the Steyne Hotel, Manly Beach, respecting the death of an old man, eighty-two years of age, named George Picken. Deceased was a fisherman, and had for many years resided near Brown s Creek, North Harbour. From the evidence it appears that he was in the habit of going to Manly Beach almost daily, and in order to get there it was necessary for him to pass over some cliffs, and the road was also in a very dangerous state. He left home between 3 and 4 o clock on Friday for Manly Beach, and on his way home in the evening it is supposed he missed his footing and fell into Brown s Creek, where his body was found on the following morning by his wife, lying amongst the rocks. Dr. Shaw stated that he had examined the body, and found a wound over the left eyebrow, which might have been inflicted by deceased s head [hitting] a rock, he believed death to have been occasioned by asphyxia by drowning. Verdict: accidentally drowned. 109

110 Martha Picking continued to reside on the Whitney grants for a further twelve months, and then James Heaton, their son-in-law, assumed possession. Martha Picking died in 1874, aged 78 years (not 89). Their ages as shown on their gravestone in Manly Cemetery, and in the official death records, are incorrect, as family members believed that the couple was in their eighties. The claim on the gravestone, that they were the first white people to settle in Manly in March 1814, is not supported by any historical evidence. PORTER, Richard Richard Porter was born about 1766 or 1767 at Nottingham, England. He was tried at the Nottingham Assizes for burglary on 30 March 1789 and sentenced to death (reprieved to transportation for life). He sailed on the Surprise from Portsmouth in December 1789 and arrived in Port Jackson on 26 June Richard was recorded as residing on his farm at Kissing Point in June [Syd Gaz 19 June 1808] Still living at Kissing Point, married with a family, a 40 acre grant was ordered for him on 30 June 1814, and on 16 January 1816 he was listed to receive a 30 acre grant. Meehan measured 40 acres at Pittwater for Michael (i.e. Richard) Porter on 14 April However, there does not appear to be any evidence that he ever lived on this land. It was granted to him on 19 October [LTO SN35/259] In anticipation, he sold it to Robert Henderson on 29 September [AO Reel 1173] Henderson s possession of this land gave him vital water access to his own neighbouring grant, which otherwise was land-locked. Richard died on 20 September 1849 at Pennant Hills and was buried in St Anne s cemetery Ryde. POYNER, Francis (Frank) Frank Poyner was the brother of Peter Ellery s wife Susannah. He claimed to have been on board the Orient with the Ellery family when they arrived in the Colony on 4 April Listed, was John Poyner, aged 22, laborer, but not Francis. He may have been passing himself off as his older brother for some reason, such as age, as he would then have been only about 16 or 17 years old. (He was baptised on 8 October 1822.) [International Genealogical Index Cornwall, England] Frank Poyner found work as a seaman on one or more of the small sailing vessels based in Sydney. Over the next 35 years, Poyner s name cropped up repeatedly in our area, often associated with some unsavoury activity. The 9 ton coaster Mary Ann, master Black, delivered cargoes of shells, shingles and other commodities such as lemons or onions from Pittwater to Sydney every ten days or so, returning on the same day in ballast or bringing passengers or sundries. In October 1844 Poyner (sometimes spelt Payner in the Sydney Morning Herald) took over as master of the Mary Ann. On 6 November Poyner arrived in Sydney with 250 bushels of shells from Port Aiken, which is 110

111 in Sutherland Shire, and was a place where a great deal of smuggling was carried on. Poyner then proceeded to Pittwater with the Mary Ann in ballast. He visited Sydney again on 15 November with 250 bushels of shells from Pittwater, and returned to Pittwater on the same day with sundries. He had two passengers, Alan Cook and William Farr, who unloaded from the Mary Ann a copper still and other necessary materials intended for the establishment of an illicit distillery near McCarr s Creek. It is significant that Poyner, as master of the small 9 ton vessel Mary Ann, would have been well placed to deliver illicit spirits to Sydney. In fact a thirty six gallon still was put into operation, and a quantity of rum from this still was sent by the Mary Ann and sold in Sydney. The illicit distillery was discovered and destroyed by men from the Customs Department. After the death of John Clarke (Phoenix) in 1847 Poyner went to live with Thomas and Lavinia Collins at North Narrabeen. Lavinia was the daughter of Peter and Susannah Ellery, and Frank Poyner although only three years her senior, was her uncle, As Fras Hillary (Francis Ellery) he was cited as a witness for the defence by George Picking and James Heaton, when they were arrested on 1 November [AO 4/5730] He was evidently prepared to swear an alibi for them, but was not called upon to do so. On 8 November 1849, a mere seven days later, David Foley was murdered, Frank Poyner and Thomas Collins being the chief suspects. Poyner was brought to trial, but the crime could not be proved as his niece, Lavinia Collins, gave him an alibi, or proved his innocence. (For greater detail see The Murder of David Foley in 1849 near Bungin by S. and G. Champion) In July 1858 John Jenkins of Long Reef reported stolen a 7 year old brown gelding, about 15 hands high, unbranded, quiet in saddle and harness. It was recovered by the police a few days later. Under the alias of John Williams, Francis Poyner faced Central Criminal Court, indicted for stealing a horse, the property of Elizabeth Jenkins. The horse had been taken from a paddock at the rear of her house. The evidence showed that Poyner had taken the horse into Sydney, where he had attempted to sell it to a publican residing in Campbell Street, Haymarket. The intending purchaser, a man named Rayner, asked Williams, as he called himself, to bring some person who could vouch for him, and, after some time had elapsed without his return, Rayner told the police of his suspicions of dishonesty. When Poyner did come back, not having found anyone that he knew, the police arrested him. His defence was that he thought the horse was his, both horses having come from the same stock and being the same colour. The prosecutrix (Miss Jenkins) was questioned at the instance of the prisoner himself as to the character which he had borne, but her answer was that this had been bad; and no evidence was given to rebut or weaken the inference against the prisoner which was thus raised. He was found guilty and sentenced to four years hard labour on the roads or public works. [SMH 3 Aug p.2] It seems that this was the only time that Poyner was actually caught, tried, convicted, and sent to gaol. He was described in the records as age 36, 5ft 6in high, with hairy arms, a sallow complexion, dark brown hair, dark grey eyes, and a scar on the corner of his left eyebrow. He was sent to Cockatoo Island Penal Establishment, where he was appointed cook. He was released on 24 March His name was next in the news in connection with the persecution of James Therry and his 111

112 family at Mona Vale in Although John and Mary Ann Farrell were brought to trial and imprisoned for cattle stealing during this period, there was also evidence that John Farrell III, Frank Poyner, Thomas Collins and Lavinia Collins were also involved. On 8 October 1864 the Sydney Mail reported that in the Water Police Court, Frank Poyner, of Pittwater, was charged with stealing and driving away fourteen cows and three calves, the property of James Therry, of the same place, and John Farrell, Thomas Collins, Mary Ann Farrell and Lavinia Collins were charged with receiving, harbouring and maintaining the said Frank Poyner, well knowing that he had committed the said felony. The offence charged was alleged to have been committed about the 8th of July last. The taking of further evidence was adjourned, and meanwhile, John and Mary Ann Farrell were brought to trial and convicted. Lavinia Collins met her death, having been thrown from a dray on 27 January The New South Wales Police Gazette, 8 March 1865, stated that John Farrell Junior, Frank Poyner, Thomas and Lavinia Collins would not be prosecuted. In 1871 Frank Poyner was associated with James Wheeler and his son in a case in which a fishing net was destroyed by acid at Narrabeen Lagoon. (See James Wheeler) The evidence reads as though Poyner actually carried out the destruction of the net, under the direction of Wheeler. The last reference we have of Poyner in our area is in the Sydney Morning Herald of 13 October He was in his fishing boat Jane when he saw a boat under sail in high seas off Dee Why. A party of gentlemen, who had hired the boat and were returning from Broken Bay, were caught in a sudden squall and let the mainsail go with a run. Poyner concluded that the boat had capsized, and believing that he could not render any assistance, went to Barranjoey, where there was a telegraph station, to give the alarm. However, the boat was safe and the report was incorrect. Frank Poyner s whereabouts between October 1875 and March 1885 are unaccounted for. Our thanks are due to John MacRitchie, Local Studies Librarian, Manly Library, for drawing our attention to 1885 references in the Sydney Morning Herald. Frank Poyner applied to erect a jetty on piles in front of his property at West Callan Park, Long Cove (now known as Iron Cove). He was granted a special purpose lease.[smh 1885, 14 March p.5; 3 September p.2] Advertisements in the Herald after this date show that he conducted a boat building and boat dealing business in Church Street Leichhardt (now Lilyfield) until at least According to his death certificate, he died there on 8 October 1911, aged 91. RAMSAY, John John Ramsay, a former sailor, was convicted for highway assault and theft, and arrived in Port Jackson in the First Fleet, on the Scarborough. He married Mary Leary at Parramatta in December 1790 and settled at The Ponds, where Watkin Tench observed their great industry and likelihood of success. Whilst living at The Ponds, Ramsay in 1795, together with Matthew Everingham and William Reid set out to cross the Blue Mountains but failed and only reached to about Mt Tomah. [Everingham Letterbook] By 1800 they had moved to Field of Mars, where Ramsay purchased 60 acres, and again they farmed successfully. 112

113 John Ramsay was granted 410 acres in the District of North Harbour by Governor Macquarie, on 21 August It was to be known as Mount Ramsay. [LTO SN 11/39] However, he was already established just south of Narrabeen Lagoon in September 1815, when Meehan described his residence there as a house, rather than a hut, in his field book. [Also AO Map 1745 in 2 parts] With his residence given as Long Reef, he contracted to supply fresh meat for the use of His Majesty s Stores in March 1817 and January [S G 27 Dec 1817] On 23 September 1818 Ramsay mortgaged his land to the Bank of New South Wales. [LTO Book 7 No.480] In January 1822 the Sydney Gazette advised that 30 bushels of wheat would be received from Ramsay at Long Reef into His Majesty s Magazines, and 30 bushels were required from Long Reef in April (It may have been the same 30 bushels.) In August 1822 there were signs that John Ramsay was in trouble. His neighbour on Cossar s land, Matthew Bacon, took action against him, the Provost Marshall giving notice that twentyseven head of horned cattle belonging to Ramsay would be sold by public auction. [Syd Gaz 23 Aug 1822] The Land and Stock Muster held in September 1822 showed that Ramsay had 10 acres in wheat, 20 in maize, ½ acre in pease/beans, and 3 in potatoes. He had 6 horses, 20 horned cattle, and 16 hogs. To recover the sum of 300, the President and Company of the Bank of New South Wales sold up the Mount Ramsay grant of approximately four hundred acres in January 1823, the purchaser being D Arcy Wentworth, on 14 February In March 1823 a crop of corn and potatoes growing on the farm, and Ramsay s other effects were sold. [Syd Gaz 23 Jan & 6 March 1823] This seems to have been the end of Ramsay s grand plans, and in 1828 he was working as a gardener at Kissing Point. He died in 1836 at the Sydney Benevolent Asylum. His burial was registered on 21 January 1836 at St Philip s Church, Sydney. His age was given as 85 years but if he were born c1762 he would have only been about 73 or 74 years of age. RHODES, William Bernard Fifty acres of land to the east of Schaffer s grant were advertised as Lot 35 on 22 December 1835, and purchased by William Bernard Rhodes on 13 April 1836 for The deed of grant was executed on 16 December [LTO SN64/192] In a note dated 22 October 1838, Rhodes was referred to as Captain Rhodes, his Sydney agent being A.B. Smith & Co. Rhodes was a merchant, of Wellington, New Zealand, in September 1849, when he sold the land to Thomas Collins for 50. [LTO Book 40 No.940] SCHAFFER, Philip Philip Schaffer was one of nine farmers and others recruited by the British Government at Governor Phillip s suggestion, to be superintendents of convicts. He was born in Hesse Germany. He reached Sydney aboard the Lady Juliana on 3 June Because he could not speak English very well he did not remain a superintendent, but was established as a farmer in March 1791 on 140 acres at Parramatta, which he named The Vineyard. He was granted sixty 113

114 acres at Field of Mars in 1794, after which he sold The Vineyard. His 50 acres of land at North Narrabeen were promised to him on 18 January 1816, and he received cattle from the Government herds in June The deed of grant to this land was not issued until much later, on 7 July [LTO SN33/222] Schaffer s wife was a Scotswoman from the Isle of Skye named Margaret Mackinnon, whom he married on 14 October 1811 at St Johns Parramatta. She petitioned Governor Brisbane in 1825, saying that she and her husband are poor and infirm and upwards of seventy years of age, that they live on a small grant of Land near Broken Bay [50 acres at North Narrabeen] but being past labor they are forced to live on the produce of a small herd of cattle which their grant is too limited to support. She requested that a spot of rocky ground in their immediate neighbourhood, fit only for pasture, might be given to her husband, which will enable them to wear out the small remains of their lives in tolerable comfort. [AO Fiche 3142; 4/1843A, p ] On 12 November acres was reserved for their use during their natural lives. [AO Fiche /2740 p.20] Writing on 21 January 1829, James Jenkins said that he had taken his neighbour, Philip Schaffer, then an old man, to the Benevolent Asylum, where he died. As shown in the following letter from the Revd. J.D. Lang, Philip Schaffer died in approximately January Concerned for the welfare of Schaffer s widow Margaret, the Reverend J.D. Lang wrote to the Colonial Secretary on 24 May 1828: [AO Reel 1220; Case 915] Sir, - I do myself the honour to represent to His Excellency the Governor the case of an aged female - a native of the Isle of Skye in the Hebrides - with a view to prefer the following request to His Excellency on her behalf. The name of the female I allude to is Margaret McKinnon subsequently McDonald & latterly Schoeffer. She was transported for the crime of arson (as it is styled in the law of Scotland) or setting her neighbour s house on fire - a crime which I have learned from a gentleman who formerly resided in Skye, she committed in a fit of jealousy. She arrived in the Colony in the Third Fleet or about 37 years ago, & was married some time after her arrival to Philip Schoeffer, a German who arrived with Governor Phillip at the settlement of the Colony & held a subordinate situation as a superintendent under Government some time thereafter. Whether her husband had been transported or not, I do not know, but he was at one time possessed of considerable property in Sydney, the ground on which the Gaol, Mr. Sparke s premises, St. Philip s church &c. &c. now stand being formerly his property. For a considerable time past Schoeffer & his wife resided on a Fifty acre farm of their own at Long Reef, Broken Bay, & during Sir T. Brisbane s Government, they obtained through the intervention of Mr. McLeod [McLeay?] a reserve of one hundred acres more, the certificate of which I do myself the honour to enclose. About four months ago Schoeffer died & the Fifty acre farm was taken possession of by a Scotch Highlander of the name of McIntosh who alleges that he had claims on the deceased to a considerable amount. Whether the farm was regularly purchased by McIntosh, I have not been able to ascertain, as Schoeffer s relict in addition to the infirmities of age & the weight of accumulated sorrow, speaks a strange compound of Gaelic, German & English which it is impossible to understand. At all events the aged widow has personally received no consideration for the farm, & been turned out as a miserable dependant on private benevolence in her old age. She is at present residing with a native of the Colony, a 114

115 young woman of very reputable character, whose deceased mother was also a native of the Highlands of Scotland, and who has lately been married to a Scotchman of respectable character & connexions, the master of one of the Colonial craft. The request therefore to which I have already alluded, & which I do myself the honour to prefer on behalf of the aged female in question, is that His Excellency the Governor would be graciously pleased, in consideration of the circumstances above mentioned & with a view to prevent the said Margaret McKinnon from spending the remainder of her days in a state of entire dependence, to commute the enclosed certificate of reserve into a grant which ought be disposed of to her personal advantage, or at least so as to afford some small remuneration for her further maintenance to her disinterested friends. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Most Obedt. Humble Servt. J.D. Lang. He wrote again on 4 August 1828: Sir, - I do myself the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th inst. stating in reference to the case of Margaret McKinnon or Schoeffer which I did myself the honour to submit to His Excellency in my letter of 24th May, that His Excellency considered that it would be better to give possession of the Reserve of (100) One Hundred acres of land formerly granted to Philip & Margaret Schoeffer during their lifetime to those persons who have been supporting her for some time past, & confirm the grant to them upon her death, provided it shall appear that they continued to maintain her in a comfortable manner. I beg therefore to state in reply that as the persons, who have been supporting the individual in question for some time past, expect to leave the Colony in a few months, it was necessary to secure her maintenance in some other quarter, to fulfil the condition which His Excellency had stipulated. This favour I have succeeded in effecting, as you will perceive from the enclosed document, though a little delay has been occasioned, from its being necessary to send for the parties concerned to Broken Bay. And I beg only to add, that having made the requisite enquiries, the arrangement submitted for His Excellency s sanction in the document referred to appears to me quite sufficient for securing a comfortable provision to the said Margaret Schoeffer, (who has requested me to express her gratitude to His Excellency the Governor for his favourable consideration of her case), during the period of her life, & for preventing her from becoming a burden to the public. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your Most Obedt. Humble Servt. John Dunmore Lang. [Enclosed] I, Robert McIntosh, formerly master of the band of His Majesty s 46th Regt. & now residing as a free settler in the vicinity of Broken Bay, do hereby bind myself & my family to maintain in a comfortable manner during the period of her natural life Margaret Schoeffer, relict of Philip Schoeffer, late of Broken Bay, on condition of being put in possession of a Reserve of (100) One Hundred acres of land, formerly located in the district aforesaid to the said Philip & Margaret Schoeffer, & receiving a grant thereof on the decease of the said Margaret Schoeffer, provided I shall then be able to give the Rev. Dr. Lang, or the Minister of the Scots Church for the time being, satisfactory evidence of having fulfilled the abovementioned condition. Sydney 2 Augt Robert McIntosh. Margaret Schaffer was living with the McIntosh family, on the farm that had belonged to her husband and herself, in November After a few months she went to live with the daughter 115

116 of a deceased friend, but on 2 July 1829 she entered the Benevolent Asylum. She lived with James Jenkins and his family from 25 July 1829 to 25 December 1831, when she again went to the Benevolent Asylum. She was still there in August 1835, but had died by February SCOTT, Thomas Thomas Alison Scott arrived in the Colony as a free settler on the Elizabeth in He married Maria Anne Crone [Came free Jupiter 1823] on 17 December 1827 at Scots Church, Sydney. He and his 18 year old wife Maria Anne and one child Mary Anne aged 8 years, born in the Colony, were tenants of a farm on Porter s land at the time of the 1828 census. Scott employed four men as labourers. He was then aged 38 years [born c1790] and his religion was Presbyterian. Of the 40 acres (later registered as 50), 16 had been cleared and five were in cultivation. On an 1829 map, Scott s house is shown in roughly the same location as Scott s boarding house sixty years later. [Govett s map] Thomas Scott moved to Brisbane Water, where he was granted land in He died at Gosford on 16 October 1881, aged about 91 years not 105 years as stated in the ADB. Maria Anne his wife also died at Gosford on 19 August 1905 aged 94 years. SHAW, Joseph Joseph Shaw was residing at Pittwater when John Andrews agreed to sell him six acres to commence and be taken from the western boundary of his farm at Coasters Retreat, on 4 May Andrews agreed to give Shaw legal title at any time he may require on condition of the purchase money being paid. John Collins drew up and witnessed the agreement. [LTO Book 82 No.492] James Shaw, dealer in shells for lime at Pitt Water, was listed in the Sydney Commercial Directory for Joseph Shaw, with a freehold house and land at Pitt Water, was listed in the electoral roll (St. Leonards) for Three children of Joseph and Susan Shaw are listed in the records: Joseph (b.1847); James (b.1849); and Martha (b.1852). The agreement for sale, indicating that Shaw paid 6 for the six acres of land at Coasters Retreat, was registered on 8 April 1863, suggesting that this had been, and was then, the Shaws place of residence. Joseph Shaw could not sign his name, and John Collins witnessed his mark. However, in a statutory declaration dated 6 July 1889, Collins widow Honorah stated, At the time the conversation took place between Joseph Shaw and John Collins, Shaw said, I have no money to give you for the land, when Collins replied, I do not want any. My late husband put the receipt on the document at Andrews request. On 10 October 1872 Andrews grant was conveyed to John Collins. A query arose later as to whether the Shaws had some legal right to the land, but this was discounted by the authorities, on Mrs Collins statement. [LTO PA 7492] The Shaws must have been close friends of the Oliver family, who lived nearby, as Martha 116

117 married Thomas Albert Oliver in 1871, and James married Ann Oliver in A Joseph Shaw died in 1872, aged 77, and a Susan Shaw died in 1876, aged 72. James Shaw, residing at Towler s Bay, Pitt Water, was listed in the electoral roll; James Shaw and Joseph Shaw junior were listed in A Conditional Purchase of 40 acres of land at Towler s Bay by Joseph Shaw lapsed, and was taken up by Arthur Wood, being granted to him on 10 July [LTO Vol.931 Fol.231] SHEEHAN, Cornelius Cornelius Sheehan was tried at Cork City Court in 1823 and sentenced to 7 years. He sailed from Cork Ireland on 28 September 1823 on the transport ship Castle Forbes and arrived in Port Jackson on 15 January He was 44 years old, 5ft 7¼, brown eyes, bald-headed, brown complexion. He was assigned at first to the Minto Road Party. By 1828 he was an assigned servant to Mr James Jenkins at Long Reef when the following event was reported in the Monitor 19 March 1828:- SUPREME CRIMINAL COURT, SATURDAY 8th. John Naturau and William Rose, were indicted for stealing twelve bags, containing twelve bushels of maize, value 6 from the store of Mr. Jenkins, at Long-reef on the eleventh day of February last. Cornelius Sheehan, an assigned servant to Mr. Jenkins, deposed, that on the day in question, he left his master s house to get some bullocks. On his approaching the creek, he saw a boat lying in the basin. There was no person in the boat. Three or four minutes after, he saw two men come out of his master s paddock, and upon asking them who or what they wanted? was answered, they came on shore to look for fresh water. They enquired if his master wanted to purchase any oil, as they had some in the boat? Witness replied no; his master bought his oil in Sydney. They then went to their boat, and put away from the shore. Witness observed then put in again about 20 or 30 rods further up the creek, and having left their boat some time, he further saw them return with four bags, containing something, and put them into the boat. Witness then ran to the store, and missing four bags of maize, proceeded on to his master s residence, which was about a mile distant, keeping the men in sight the whole of the time. Witness, by his master s desire, procured a boat and a man named Hill, also in Mr. Jenkins s service, and pursued the prisoners, who were making off. He captured them. Witness remained on shore, and on searching more closely, discovered there were six bags gone from the store, when the boat was brought back. He saw six bags in the boat, which he swears were his master s property. Mr. Justice Dowling Was the store always kept locked? Witness It was; and the prisoners opened a window to get the bags. When I returned to the store it was locked. It was sunrise in the morning, but it was sufficiently light to enable me to identify the prisoners. William Hill. I am an assigned servant to Mr. Jenkins. On the morning of the eleventh of February last, my master sent me to North-harbour to get a boat. I got one, and went in pursuit of the prisoners, who were pulling away down the creek. When I came near them, I presented a musket,and told them I would fire if they did not heave too; they stopped, and I found six bags of maize in the boat, which I knew to be my master s property. The bags were branded with an I and H. I knew them particularly from the way they were tied at the mouth. I tied them myself, with a kind of withy or vine, which grows plentifully about the premises. James Jenkins. I am a farmer, near Broken Bay. On the eleventh of February, my servant came 117

118 and acquainted me, that he had seen two men putting four bags into a boat, and that he was certain they did not come by them honestly. I sent a man in pursuit of them, and when they were brought back, I discovered six bags in a boat which were mine. The one now produced is one of them; they were branded with my brand. The prisoners were the persons who were in the boat. (The Jury after a short consultation, returned a verdict of guilty. Remanded for Sentence.) Cornelius married Isabella Hindson on 22 October Their abode was Pittwater. They were living at Mackerel Bay in a wooden house at the time of the 1841 census, with Martin Burke and Patrick Flinn living in houses nearby. On 19 December 1854 Patrick Flinn, his daughter Ellen and her husband Henry Merritt assigned their lease of Little Mackerel Beach to Cornelius Sheehan for 45. [LTO Book 40 No.52] Cornelius is invariably described in records as being a farmer at Pittwater, but whether he lived at Little Mackerel Beach or elsewhere is difficult to ascertain. The Sheehans appear to have been very quiet people. Isabella died in 1859, aged 84, and Cornelius died at Pittwater in September Jane Boxwell, known also as Jane Sheehan (Cornelius de facto wife?), married Thomas Cooper in On 14 January 1871 Thomas and Jane Cooper conveyed the land at Little Mackerel Beach to Joseph Starr, who was already living there, for 45. [LTO Book 128 No.186] SHEEHAN (Shaen, Shaew, Sheahan, Sheen), Dennis Dennis was tried in County Cork in August He was transported for seven years and arrived on the Providence in Port Jackson on 7 February He was then 34 years old (born about 1777). In the 1822 Muster he was free by Servitude, a landholder, Sydney. Dennis petitioned Governor Brisbane in 1824, stating that he was a free subject, and rented a farm from Mr Robert Campbell Junior. He had 25 head of cattle and not sufficient ground for depasturing them. He requested the use of land lying to the South West of Broken Bay. [AO Fiche 3110; 4/1839B, p.665-6] The Colonial Secretary replied on 22 January 1824, conveying the Governor s sanction for his temporary occupation as a grazing run of 250 acres of land, touching the South West angle of the farm granted to Mr Robert Campbell. [AO Reel 6012; 4/3510, p.228] Sheehan, however, wrote to the Colonial Secretary on 24 April 1824, saying that notwithstanding there is a run for 10,000 head of Cattle, Mr. James Jenkins is continually impounding Memorialist Cattle, on account of his holding a Similar indulgence in that district, and declare that he do not care, for the occupation grant Memorialist hold, but is determined to impound his Cattle if he let them outside his Stock Yard. Memorialist has repeatedly paid sums of money for the poundage of his cattle. After asking for relief, Sheehan added that Mr. Jenkins says that he hold an occupation from all the Government Land, consisting of upwards of 14,000 acres in that district. [AO Reel 6013; 4/3511, p.144] The Governor instructed that the point in question had better be decided by arbitration. [AO Reel 6013; 4/3511, p.14] No check by Survey Department staff seems to have been made before issuing Sheehan s ticket of occupation; Jenkins ticket of occupation predated Sheehan s by seven weeks. 118

119 Dennis Sheehan appears to be listed as Dennis Shaew in the 1828 census. He had 5 acres of land, with 2 cleared and cultivated, and, at that time, only 4 head of cattle. He employed one labourer, William Chadwick. SKALLY, Christopher Christopher Skally, a Private in the 28th Regiment of Foot, teamed up with Sergeant Charles Andrews of the 80th Regiment to purchase 100 acres of land at Cabbage Tree Bay (North Manly), which was advertised for sale as Lot 7 on 8 February Both of them were due for discharge, and under the regulations of 15 February 1840, a remission of 50 was authorised for Andrews as a late Sergeant, and a remission of 25 was authorised for Skally as a late Private. The purchase price of 60 was well covered, and the land was granted to them on 9 May [LTO SN75/18] Although Andrews and his wife settled on the land grant at Manly Cove for several years, Christopher and Bridget Skally were living in Windsor, where Skally may have been the Superintendent of the Hawkesbury Benevolent Society s Asylum, when Andrews and Skally sold their land in See Charles Andrews for information regarding the disposal of the land. STOKES, James James Stokes [listed as James Stocks] was sentenced to 7 years. He left Gravesend England in October 1798 on the Hillsborough and arrived in the Colony on the on 26 July On the ship there were 300 male convicts, 95 of whom died on the voyage following an outbreak of typhoid. James Stokes, of Sydney, limeburner and sole owner of a sloop called the Happy Return, signed a bond to the Naval Officer in Sydney on 29 August He promised: 1. Not to take any person whatever without the Governor s written permission after being duly advertized nor to bring any person whatever from the Out Settlements without permission from the Lieutenant Governor or Commandant of that place. 2. Not to depart the Port without a regular Clearance. 3. Not to navigate without the limits of the Territory comprized within the Latitudes of and South and 135 East Longitude from Greenwich inclusive of the penalty of the Bond given on Registering. 4. Not to receive Deserters from His Majesty s Ships from Merchant Vessels or from any Colonial Vessels or Gangs engaged at this place or stationed under agreement at any of the Islands within the limits of this Territory, but may receive men from Colonial Vessels or Gangs who have no pay consideration or maintenance from their Employers. 5. Not to fail or neglect providing a sufficient quantity of Provisions where the Gangs are stationed, whereby they may become distressed. 6. Not to break Bulk until reported and entered by the Naval Officer and fees paid according to the General Order of the 15th October

120 7. Not to authorize Strange Vessels to take any person who is a British subject from the Gangs. 8. Not to purchase or receive more than twenty gallons of Spirits from any ship they meet. 9. Not to purchase or barter to receive provisions, tools or clothing from convicts that are allowed to them by Government. If there were any default in observing these rules then James Stokes would be liable to a penalty of 500 sterling and his two crewmen 50 sterling each. [AO Fiche 3284; X702 p ] As a limeburner before he signed this bond, however, he had been obtaining shells for lime from Broken Bay. One record states that the Happy Return was proceeding to Broken Bay under ballast on 23 August As owner and master of a vessel, Stokes would have known Pittwater well. He was recorded as being a salt boiler in September 1822, with Mary Dursdale as his housekeeper. It is not surprising to find him at the age of 54 (recorded as Stocks in the 1828 census) settled on 25 acres at Stokes Point, which he had purchased from Thomas Warner. He had cleared 5 acres and cultivated 3. A housekeeper, Margaret Shinnie, and her 11-year old daughter, also named Margaret, lived with him. James Stokes sold his 25 acres to William Charles on 29 July 1835 for 10. This transaction brought Warner s 50 acre grant under one ownership once more. William Charles sold to George Green on 2 March 1854 for 70. [LTO Book 30 No. 888] On 21 October 1870 George Green sold the land to John Collins for 70, and on the same day Collins sold it to Revd. Joseph Dalton, a trustee of Revd. Therry s will, for 100. [LTO Book 121 Nos. 729, 730] James Stokes was living by himself in a wooden house at Careel Bay at the time of the 1841 census, and was listed as landholder, Pitt Water, in Low s 1847 directory. Stokes died in SULLIVAN, Michael Michael Sullivan departed Cove of Cork Ireland in the Minerva on 26 August 1819 and arrived in Port Jackson on 18 December A native of County Waterford, he was sentenced to seven years at the Waterford Lent Sessions, in When he arrived he was 27 years old, was 5 feet 5¾ inches tall with a dark sallow complexion, black hair and hazel eyes. In September 1822 he was working as a Government Servant to Matthew Bacon, probably at his Long Reef farm. He obtained a Ticket of Leave. By the time of the 1828 census he had served his sentence and was working as a labourer to John Farrell I. In 1832 surveyor Larmer noted in his field book that Sullivan had been employed by Jeremiah Bryant to clear the land west of McMahon s Creek at present Newport. In 1837 four bushrangers piratically seized a boat belonging to a man named Sullivan, with which they crossed the creek [Pittwater] towards the house of a person named Oliver. [Syd Gaz 6 April 1837] (For a fuller account of this incident see under William Oliver.) In 1838, visitors reported, we crossed Broken Bay in Sullivan, the small settler s boat... we confess that sailing in such a vessel is somewhat dangerous. [Colonist 28 Feb 1838] In the 1841 census Sullivan was shown as living at Barrenjoey; he was married, with three children. He was then living on and working the farm which is known to have been on the site of present Palm 120

121 Beach golf course, but he was probably there much earlier. In June 1842 he was associated with Daniel Farrell in the Fair Barbadian smuggling affair. After finding the smuggled casks of brandy and rum at Cowan Creek on 12 June, Toomey and Farrell rowed back to Pittwater, and Farrell called in at Sullivan s for a gun. While Toomey rode to Sydney to report the matter, Farrell and Sullivan visited Cowan Creek. Farrell s servant, Thomas Whitmore, gave evidence that they landed some of the casks and hid them on Sullivan s farm. On 2 May 1843 the newly appointed Customs Officer at Broken Bay, John B. Howard, wrote to the Collector of Customs: Our neighbours the Sullivans are horrid folks, especially the woman - she threatens us with all manner of persecutions - I think she is mad - In order to get some hold of the place I got a written engagement from Sullivan to rent me all the land twixt the Creek and his boundary for 3 a year till his Lease Expires. I gave him 1 in advance and got the Coxswain to witness the agreement. [AO 4/5113 p.121] Howard wrote again on 25 May 1843: There was a most unaccountable and terrific sea running in Pitt Water that afternoon without any wind - Sullivan and the oldest fishermen say they never saw anything to equal it. No boat could possibly have ridden at moorings - indeed all my sawed stuff, shingles &c. were washed off the Beach, some of it as far as Sullivan s cultivation & the reck of the Rover into Sullivan s garden. [AO 4/2606.1] On 10 June he wrote: I was surprised to observe in the Herald of the 6th instant Sullivans Farm to Let (it is called Napper s Grant). I can make nothing of these neighbours - they tell me that they hold a Lease and have paid their rent up one day and then deny it the next. [AO 4/5113 p.131] The Sullivans told Howard that they paid 25 per annum for their farm. We also learn from the correspondence that Sullivan had a hut, and that the tide flowed up Sullivan s Creek. Sullivan was listed in Low s 1847 directory as landholder, Pitt Water, and in the Sydney Commercial Directory for 1851 as dealer in shells for lime. He would then have been aged 63. TAYLOR, John John Taylor was sentenced to 7 years in London Court on 27 October He left Portsmouth on 27 March 1791 on the Albemarle with 282 male convicts, and arrived in Port Jackson on 13 October John Taylor was already residing at Broken Bay when his name appeared on a list of settlers to receive grants, dated 16 January He was probably the John Taylor, per the Albemarle, 1791, of Windsor, whose name was on a list dated 16 November 1816 of persons who came as convicts and who claimed they were free at the last General Muster, without supporting documentation. [AO Reel 6038; SZ759, p.283] John Taylor sold his grant, described as 50 acres, to Mary and Joseph Yeomans for one shilling on 10 January [LTO Book G No. 578] Meehan measured the 30 acre grant at Taylor s Point on 15 April

122 In October 1821 Barnard Williams announced that he had purchased John Taylor s 30 acre farm at Pittwater. He cautioned all Persons from trespassing on the said Farm, either by grazing their cattle thereon, or by carrying away the Timber therefrom, on pain of being prosecuted for the Offence. [Sydney Gazette 27 Oct 1821] At the time of the 1822 General Muster, Charles Sommers and family were listed as residents At J. Taylor, Broken Bay. Surveyor General Mitchell in 1832 referred to him as Captain Taylor. His grant was officially confirmed on 6 July [LTO SN33/17] In spite of previous occupants and claimants, on 2 December 1840 John Taylor conveyed the 30 acre grant to Samuel Taylor for 90. [LTO Book U No. 117] On 20th November 1841 Samuel Taylor conveyed it to his father-in-law, Edward Kelly and his trustee, for 200, and on the same day Kelly made a settlement upon trust for his daughter, Mary Taylor. [LTO Book Y Nos.393, 396] The 1841 memorials note that a Capital Messuage or Dwelling house has lately been erected. The 1841 census shows that Charles Taylor and others were living in a wooden house at Taylor s Point. Samuel s wife, Mary Taylor died in 1842, aged 42. In 1865, the Empire made known many of the horrible crimes that had been committed in the Pittwater area, in an article entitled The story of Mona Vale. [Empire 20 Jan 1865] The experience of Samuel Taylor, then engaged in gold-mining in the Bathurst area, was recounted: So far back as 1840, a Mr Samuel Taylor who had just arrived in the colony, with his wife and family, from England, purchased a farm at the locality in question, adjoining the Mona Vale farm. He immediately commenced to fence and improve it, and built a substantial house at a cost of 350; but Mrs Taylor dying in Sydney just as the house was finished, and before it was occupied, Mr Taylor, instead of going into farming pursuits himself, determined to let the place. He shortly afterwards secured an eligible tenant, who was about to take possession, when word was brought that the house and premises had been totally destroyed by fire. In a letter received a few days since from Mr Taylor, who now resides in the Bathurst district, that gentleman, in reference to the treatment which he experienced, says: When it was known that I had let the place, those parties who had the benefit of my ground, and would of course lose the benefit of their cattle grazing there if the tenant had come, rendered the place useless to any one by maliciously firing the dwelling-house; and the fences having all been destroyed, the place has lain waste ever since; and Mr Farrell has had the use and benefit of my land for a number of years. David Foley was a police constable for Pittwater, and the following police court cases appear to be pertinent: David Foley vs John Farrell, threats, bound to keep the peace; John Coghlan vs John Farrell, threats, settled. [SMH 25 Feb 1843] John Coghlan was probably Taylor s intending tenant. David Foley preferred a charge of contemplated arson against a young man named Farrell. [SMH 17 March 1843] John Farrell s eldest son Daniel was committed for trial on 122

123 attempt to commit arson but allowed bail. [SMH 22 March 1843] Further information on this case has not yet been found. Samuel Taylor died at North Sydney on 30 September 1893, his parents being John and Alice Taylor. The land at Taylor s Point remained in the family until a certificate of title was issued to George Inglis Hudson in The grant was found to measure 36 acres; it was subsequently subdivided. THERRY, John Joseph John Joseph Therry arrived in Sydney with a senior priest, Father Philip Conolly, in May 1820, authorized by both church and state. Conolly went to Van Diemen s Land, leaving Therry as the only Roman Catholic priest on the mainland for five years. His influence among the convicts was outstanding, and among settlers impressive. With growing experience and Governor Brisbane s patronage he became more confident and began to feel more secure in gaining recognition for Roman Catholic practice and activity in the Colony. His grants at Pittwater were sought both to give employment to convicts and ex-convicts, and also to generate funds for his other religious and social projects. Governor Brisbane promised him the following: 200 acres ordered 23 July 1824 reserve September 1824 reserve December 1825 grant acres of land were officially granted to Therry on 31 August [LTO SN33/61] In the 1828 census, Father Therry was listed as owning 1715 acres, of which 87 acres were cleared and 20 cultivated. He had 4 horses, 150 head of cattle, and 25 sheep. He had land elsewhere in the Colony, besides Pittwater. His overseer at Pittwater, Michael Ryan, was listed as holding 200 acres of which 12 were cleared and 6 cultivated. He had one horse and 80 head of cattle. Five other men were listed as labourers to Father Therry. One of these men was Michael McMahon, whom Larmer recorded as clearing land north of Bryant, a tenant on Henderson s grant. Evidently it was this man who gave his name to McMahon s Creek at present Newport. Writing on 11 July 1829, Father Therry stated to the Colonial Secretary that he had been in legal occupation of this land for about four years, and had incurred more than 100 in expenses. He had run 100 head of cattle there, employing five free servants, until the fresh water dried up. At that time (1829) he employed one bond and two free servants for the purpose of improving the farm. He wrote again on 4 September 1829, saying that there was not sufficient water on the land he had selected; he had been obliged to send his cattle to Argyleshire, and pay for their being depastured there. Apparently with his eye on 280 acres of unoccupied land to the north of his own, he suggested he be allowed an extra grant in compensation for a fraud or mistake made by a clerk in the Survey Office concerning his building allotment in Kent Street. [AO Reel 1188] After his land was surveyed in 1832 he asked specifically for the vacant 280 acres, in compensation for a great portion of his own land being barren rocks and hills of sand, badly supplied in dry seasons with fresh water. In September 1832 he requested permission to rent the land with the intention of purchasing it afterwards, and in 1834 and 1835 he asked for it in exchange for a building allotment in Parramatta required for a Roman Catholic Chapel. [AO 123

124 Reel 1188] His persistence paid off, as the 280 acres was promised to him by Governor Bourke on 3 July 1835 and granted to him on 11 February [LTO SN57/53] As well as the 1480 acres granted to him, Therry acquired other land in the Pittwater area by purchase. Peter Patullo s 80 acre grant was purchased in 1821 at a Sheriff s sale by Mary Finegan or Crew, the wife of Benjamin Crew. She died on 13 September 1831, leaving the 80 acre grant, and property in Pitt Street and Kent Street, Sydney, to Father Therry. On 22 November 1833 Benjamin Crew entered a caveat, stating his title to the land and his reasons for requiring the grant to be made out to him instead of Revd. Therry. [AO Reel 1115] Crew, who lived at Bong Bong, won his case, and was granted the 80 acres on 26 August [LTO SN33/100] Crew then sold all the property in question to the Revd. Therry on 10 September 1834 for 500, of which 400 was to be paid at a later date. [LTO Book G Nos. 379, 390] Father Therry, in his final will dated 19 March 1857, explicitly stated, I desire that my farm of eighty acres, formerly known as Peter Petilla s farm at Pitt Water, which is beautifully and most advantageously situated, should be divided into four equal parts of twenty acres each which are intended for educational establishments for the Benedictines, Jesuits, Franciscans, and the French Mission of the Propaganda respectively. To prevent any undue preference as to their appropriation the Executors are authorised to determine the matter by lots. The executors of Therry s will sold the 80 acres to Honorah Collins in On 4 March 1833 Robert McIntosh Junior sold 100 acres of land which had been granted to his father, at the head of Narrabeen Lagoon, to Father Therry for two mares of the value of 25 delivered by the said John Joseph Therry to the said Robert McIntosh. [LTO Book G No. 56] This land is now Cromer Golf Course. Henry Gaskin sold his 50 acre grant at Careel Bay to George Coy on 29 November 1834 for five shillings. [LTO Book H No. 374] On 16 October 1849, after George Coy s death, his widow Ann sold the land to Robert McIntosh Junior for 50. [LTO Book 22 No. 609] On 5 February 1857 Robert McIntosh agreed to sell his farm of 50 acres, now occupied by Mr. John Davidson to Revd. J.J. Therry of Balmain for 300. [LTO Book 47 No. 838] In a codicil to his will, Therry expressed a wish that his executors would establish five villages which are likely to become respectable towns - the principal one at Pitt Water to be called Josephton. When Charles de Boos visited the Priest s Flat (on present Avalon Golf Course) in 1861, he reported the following: It had been for some time surmised, taking into account the dip of the coal basin, which crops up to the north at Newcastle, and to the south at Wollongong, that at this spot, which lies so near the north cropping point, the coal seam might be struck at such a medium depth as would allow of payable working. Somewhere about twelve months ago, the reverend proprietor determined upon trying the experiment, and he has continued perseveringly at the work in spite of every discouragement that has beset him. At no time have the men employed ever injured themselves by hard work and when obliged to do something for their money, rather than sink deeper they would break the auger. On another occasion, an overseer that was employed bolted with the 124

125 month s pay of the men, and, not satisfied with that, took also the reverend father s horse. At that time they had reached a depth of 186 feet, at the rate of about twenty feet per month. The enterprise had cost nearly 800. [de Boos: My holiday] The Reverend Therry visited his Pittwater estate on Easter Monday, 21 April 1862, as patron of St. Benedict s Young Men s Society. The Collaroy steam vessel, under the command of Captain Mulhall, was chartered for the occasion. The Collaroy left the A.S.N. Company s Wharf at 10 a.m. freighted with about two hundred and fifty pleasure seekers, and the band of the 12th Regiment. [Empire, 22 Apr 1862] A highlight of the trip was a visit to St. Michael s cave. It was intended that Father Therry should have delivered the inaugural lecture of the season of St. Benedict s Society in St. Michael s cave, but he was compelled, with great reluctance, to turn back without having reached it, having found the journey too fatiguing for him. [Freeman s Jnl 23 Apr 1862] After corresponding with Father Therry, a younger relative, James Therry, emigrated from Waterford, Ireland with his wife, eight children and a servant, arriving in Melbourne on the Queen of Australia on 12 April 1862, and in Sydney by the Wonga Wonga on 17 April From August 1862 James Therry was the tenant of Mona Vale farm, where he and his family endured persecution to the point of ruin at the hands of John Farrell II. John Joseph Therry died on 25 May As he had desired, the executors of his will were members of the Society of Jesus, or Jesuit priests. THOMPSON, Andrew Andrew Thompson came from Kirk Yetholm, Scotland. He pleaded guilty on 22 September 1790 at the Jedburgh Court of Justiciary to stealing cloth from a local merchant and was sentenced to 14 years. He departed on the Pitt from Yarmouth Roads on 17 July 1791 and arrived in Port Jackson on 14 February He was then aged 19 years. He joined the police force in 1793, and remained in it until 1808, rising to the position of chief constable at Green Hills (Windsor), to which place he had been appointed in He was pardoned in Besides his work as a constable, he held other positions of responsibility such as grain assessor, trustee of the common lands, and finally, under Governor Macquarie, magistrate. He acquired many properties in the Hawkesbury district by grant and purchase, often renting his farms to suitable tenants. He established a general store which later became an inn, built a toll bridge on South Creek, and controlled a barge for ferrying passengers and stock across the river. He built four vessels, Nancy, Hope, Hawkesbury and Governor Bligh, and bought the Speedwell. With the exception of the Governor Bligh, which he sold, these vessels carried grain, fruit and vegetables from the Hawkesbury round to Sydney. His acquisition of the Speedwell led eventually to his involvement in the Pittwater area. In October 1804, Captain J. Grono s vessel Speedwell became stranded in a creek near Mount Elliott (Lion Island). People from the Edwin offered assistance in getting her off, without success, and Grono went to procure further aid from the Hawkesbury settlement. [Syd Gaz

126 Oct 1804] Andrew Thompson bought the Speedwell from Grono at all hazards. With his own vessels, Hope and Hawkesbury, and upwards of twenty hands, he was able to refloat the Speedwell with only trifling damage being sustained. While in this place, which may have been Patonga or Pearl Bay, he set up an old boiler as a salt pan, estimated to be capable of producing 200 lbs. of salt each week. [Syd Gaz 2 & 9 Dec 1804] However, it was only a matter of months before the two men employed by Thompson as salt boilers were attacked by a group of Aborigines, who divested them of all their clothes and provisions. They wandered naked through unknown and trackless bush for fifteen days before meeting two Aborigines who befriended and guided them to Sydney, via Pittwater. They were joined on the way by four other Aborigines, and they were all amply rewarded with an abundant supply of food when they eventually reached Mr. Kearn s house in Pitt s Row (now Pitt Street). [Syd Gaz 21 & 28 April 1805] It is sometimes claimed that Governor King assisted Thompson to set up his salt works by supplying him with an iron boiler. King did indeed have two large salt pans at this time, which had been received by the Coromandel, but they were installed as public works, encased in masonry, one at Newcastle and the other in Port Jackson, at the head of Rushcutters Bay. [HRA Ser.I, Vol.5, p. 172, 304] Thompson s boiler was described as old, and there is no indication of where it came from. It has also been claimed that he used oil burners, but no evidence to support this has been found, and it seems more likely that he would have used the abundant sources of natural timber as fuel. By September 1805 Thompson had moved his salt pans to Mullet Island, where his men would not be so vulnerable to attack by Aborigines, but by December 1805 it became apparent that there was too much fresh water coming down the Hawkesbury for this operation to be viable. [Syd Gaz 1 Dec 1805] It is likely that soon after this date he moved his salt pans to Scotland Island, his employees thus becoming the first known permanent inhabitants of Pittwater. He received a grant of Scotland Island on 11 August 1809 [AO Fiche 3268; 9/2731, p.184] and this was confirmed by Governor Macquarie on 1 January [LTO SN5 p.2] Thompson worked tirelessly to render assistance to the Hawkesbury settlers during times of flood, particularly in 1806 and His efforts, and the cold and immersion he suffered, left him in poor health, and he died on 22 October 1810, aged 37. Before his death, he had given the name Geordy to a fine vessel of eighteen tons which was being built at Scotland Island. She was launched on 14 November [Syd. Gaz. 24 Nov 1810] Andrew Thompson got on well with Governor Macquarie, and left a quarter of his real and personal estate to him in his will. In early December Governor Macquarie and his party visited the Hawkesbury settlements. Twenty-one people sat down to dinner together on 6 December, after which Macquarie named the five Hawkesbury towns and townships of Windsor, Richmond, Wilberforce, Pitt Town, and Castlereagh. Macquarie noted in his journal, As soon as we had broke up from the table, Captain Antill, accompanied by Messrs. Lord and Moore, who had dined with us, set out by water for Scotland Island, a part of the estate of the late Mr. Thompson, in order to take an account of his property there. [L. Macquarie: Journals, ] Andrew Thompson s estate, including the extensive Salt-Works at Scotland Isle, Pitt-water, with good buildings and every requisite convenience, was advertised to let in the Sydney 126

127 Gazette for 8 December 1810, and again on 13 January 1811, when the Geordy and the Whale were offered for sale by auction: At the Warehouse of Messrs. LORD and WILLIAMS on Thursday and Friday the 17th and 18th instants, By order of the Executors of the late Andrew Thompson Esq. THE GOOD SCHOONER, entirely new, called the GEORDY, Burthen 20 Tons, with all her Masts, Yards, Sails, Rigging, and Stores, the Purchaser of which will receive a Register in his own Name. Also, the WHALE, Sloop; together with a number of good Horses and Mares with Foals by their sides. Several Tons of Salt. Likewise, a quantity of excellent Household Furniture, consisting of tables, chairs, beds, bedsteads &c., harness, cedar, and a variety of other articles. For the accommodation of Purchasers, 3 Months Credit will be given on approved Security, on all sums exceeding Ten Pounds. A deposit of 25 per Cent. to be paid at the Time of Sale in Cash, Government Bills, or other approved Sterling Money. On Friday will be Let by Auction, for the Term of Two Years, those very valuable Salt-Works at Scotland Isle, with a good Dwelling house and other requisite Buildings attached. Security of the Renter will be required. [Syd Gaz 13 Jan 1811] William Mason became the tenant of Scotland Island, and in July 1811 the Geordy brought 16 tons of salt from Scotland Island to Sydney. [Cumpston] The salt was advertised for sale to the public in the Sydney Gazette. In 1812 a man, whose first name was Dennis and who was employed at Mason s salt works on Scotland Island, was killed on the spot by the fall of a tree. [Syd Gaz 8 Aug 1812] Thompson s estate was advertised for sale by public auction in 12 lots on 17 October Lot 10 was described as follows: Lot 10. Scotland Isle, as Island situate in Pitt Water, Broken Bay; comprising One hundred and twenty Acres of good Land, fit for Grazing and Cultivation, with extensive Salt Works, a good Dwelling House and Stores, Labourers Rooms, &c., and replete with every Conveniency for carrying on the Business of Salt Boiling, well situated for the Establishment of a Fishery, and Ship Building. Also, a Vessel of about 96 Tons, (partly built) on the Stocks, at the Island. [Syd Gaz 17 & 24 Oct 1812] James Meehan, while measuring Robert Campbell s grant in May 1814, mentioned in his field book the old salt pans on Scotland Island, which suggests that they may have been no longer in use. The estate was offered for sale again in November Scotland Isle was described in terms similar to the 1812 advertisement, but this time there was no mention of any vessel on the stocks. [Syd Gaz 26 Nov 1814] Scotland Island was still part of Andrew Thompson s unsold estate in 1818: To be sold at auction... Lot 4 Scotland Isle, an island situate in Pitt Water, Broken Bay; comprising One hundred and Twenty Acres of good land, fit for grazing and cultivation, with Salt Works, Dwelling House, and Stores, Labourers Rooms, and well situated for the Establishment of a Fishery, and Ship 127

128 Building. Executors H.C. Antill and T. Moore. [Syd Gaz 22 Aug 1818] The following advertisement appeared in August 1819: TO be LET or SOLD, all that valuable ESTATE, called SCOTLAND ISLAND, most eligibly situate in Pitt Water, containing about 150 Acres of capital Land, with an excellent House and Out-Buildings standing thereon. This Island possesses many Advantages peculiar to itself, particularly in Regard to Ship Buildings; and there are Salt Works now erected thereon, which may be carried on to great Advantages. Apply to the Proprietor, Mr. R.L. Murray, Sydney. [Syd. Gaz. 21 Aug 1819] Without having sold Scotland Island, Robert Lathrop Murray travelled to Hobart Town by the Minerva in March 1823, and married Eleanor Dixon in December Many children of the couple were born in Hobart and Clarence, the eldest son (and heir to Scotland Island) being Darcy Wentworth Murray, born in The 1828 census lists Robert Tiffen, George Packer (i.e. Parker) and Joseph Shipley as salt boilers, Pittwater. It is tempting to assume that they were at work on Scotland Island, but this may not be the case. The terms Pitt Water, Broken Bay and North Harbour at that time referred to all the land between North Harbour and Barrenjoey. It is known that Robert Tiffen was carrying on salt boiling at North Harbour, not Scotland Island. [AO Reel 1190, 3 May 1830] Salt boiling was also carried on at Long Reef in [Syd Gaz 16 June 1825] It is doubtful whether Scotland Island was inhabited at this time. THOMPSON, John John Thompson, who was later the Deputy Surveyor General, purchased 100 acres at Manly Cove, advertised as Lot 6 on 8 February 1842, for , and the deed was executed on 13 April [LTO SN75/11] On 9 March 1853 this land was sold to Henry Gilbert Smith for 800. [LTO Book 25 No.609] TIFFIN, Robert Robert Tiffin was sentenced to 7 years at Nottingham Quarter Sessions on 14 July He sailed on the Neptune from Downs England on 20 December 1817 and arrived in Port Jackson on 5 May1818. He was only 14 years old when he arrived. Having served his seven-year sentence in 1824, he petitioned the Governor on 2 October, saying that he had resided at North Harbour since his arrival in the Colony. James Jenkins, who had been his master for four years, certified that Tiffin was strictly honest, sober and industrious. Tiffin asked for a small farm of unoccupied land at the end of Manly Lagoon, but was told that land was not available there. [AO Fiche 3113, p , 1221] On 3 May 1830 Willoughby Bean J.P. wrote to the Colonial Secretary recommending Tiffin for a grant of land. He described him as quiet and industrious, and said he bore an excellent character from all, particularly his former master Mr. John Fincham. At that time Tiffin carried on salt-boiling at North Harbour. His close association with Fincham and obvious preference to stay in that area are evidence that he, as well as Fincham, was at North Harbour (not Pittwater) at the time of the 1828 census. The place-names of North Harbour, Broken Bay and Pittwater at 128

129 various times all referred to the area of land between Middle Harbour and Barrenjoey. With Tiffin at North Harbour in 1828 were Mary, the daughter of Billy Blue, and an eight-month old son, Robert. Tiffin married Mary Blue in Robert Tiffin was promised Allotment 19 (2ac. 2r. 32p.) in the Township of Balgowlah by Governor Sir Ralph Darling on 4 March 1828, possession was authorized on 13 September 1831, and it was surveyed by James Larmer in On 14/15 December 1836 Robert and Mary Tiffin sold the allotment to Edward Shakley for 12. [LTO Book P No.649] Shakley sold the land to Charles Whitney, and at the request of the original promisee, Robert Tiffin, it was advertised in Whitney s name on 27 June Allotment 19 was granted to Charles Whitney, of Windmill Street, Sydney, on 31 July [LTO SN51/45] Robert and Mary Tiffin (née Blue) moved to North Shore, where Robert died in On 10 August 1842 Mary married James Harris French, after whom French s Forest is named. WARNER, Thomas Thomas Warner was sentenced to 7 years at Middlesex on 21 February He arrived in the Colony on the Third Fleet ship Albemarle, in October He was the master of two Hawkesbury trading vessels, the Union, during the years 1817 to 1819, and the Tiveot in In his memorial to Governor Macquarie in July 1820, requesting a grant of land, he stated that he had been free for 27 years and had resided at Broken Bay for seven years. He had built a house and cleared and cultivated two acres of land. He was listed as Settler, Broken Bay in the 1822 General Muster. His grant of fifty acres was surveyed by Meehan, and also by George Boyle White in Seventy years old at the time of the 1828 census, he then had 25 acres, of which he had cleared 10 acres and had 5 under cultivation. He had sold 25 acres of the original 50 to James Stokes for 15. Warner transferred his 25 acres to Elizabeth Watson by deed of gift on 10 March [LTO Book C No. 396] She sold it to William Charles on 29 July 1835 for 12 [LTO Book K No. 239]; she then married William Charles. The 50 acres was conveyed to George Green of North Shore on 2 March 1854 [LTO Book 30 No.888] and he conveyed it to John Collins on 21 October [LTO Book 121 No.729] WENTWORTH, D Arcy D Arcy Wentworth was born near Portadown, County Armagh, Ireland in approximately He had an ancient and distinguished ancestry, but the Irish Wentworths had fallen financially. D Arcy s father was an innkeeper. However, they could always rely on assistance from their wealthy, influential English kinsfolk. D Arcy was an Ensign in the Irish Volunteers, and served an apprenticeship for the medical profession. It was while he was obtaining further medical proficiency in London s hospitals that he faced three charges of highway robbery in December He was found not guilty of two charges, and acquitted for lack of evidence on the third. In December 1789 he was found not guilty of a similar charge, after which he took an appointment as Assistant Surgeon in a fleet going to Botany Bay. He arrived at Port Jackson on the transport Neptune on 28 June 1790, and sailed for Norfolk Island on the Surprise on 1 August, there beginning his career as assistant in the hospital. He was also appointed superintendent of convicts on Norfolk Island. When he returned to Sydney in February 1796 he was appointed an assistant surgeon, and finally 129

130 became principal surgeon in the Civil Medical Department. In December 1810 he was put in charge of Governor Macquarie s newly reformed police force, and also became chief police magistrate in Sydney and treasurer of the Police Fund. He was sympathetic to the rebels who overthrew Governor Bligh in January 1808, and was on very friendly terms with Governors Macquarie and Brisbane. Politically he was attached to the emancipist party, and socially he was invariably popular with all classes and both sexes. [ADB] Wentworth s salary as a medical officer was supplemented by land grants. Since he was also active in acquiring land by purchase, his land holdings became very extensive. Meehan surveyed D Arcy Wentworth s 380 acre grant at Manly Vale on 28 September [AO Map 1316] While doing this he found line of Mr. Robert Campbell where it crossed Manly Creek, indicating that Campbell had made a track from North Harbour to his land near Pittwater. As well as his own grant, which was officially confirmed on 25 July 1818 [LTO SN11/35], Wentworth gathered into his ownership the grants of Bruin (25 July 1818), Cheers and Baker, Campbell (February 1822), and Napper (1822). He also briefly owned the grants of Ramsay (14 February 1823), Cossar and James McDonald (both June 1825), but sold them to James Jenkins. When D Arcy Wentworth died on 7 July 1827, he left his extensive land holdings in Manly, Warringah and Pittwater to his daughter Katherine, for her use during her life-time, but they were not to be sold. Katherine was born on 29 January 1825, and was only two and a half years old when her father died; her estate was therefore administered by her brother, William Charles Wentworth, until she married Captain Benjamin Darley on 6 February He died in 1864, and Katherine married William Bassett in The estate became known as the Bassett-Darley estate, and it required a special Act of Parliament in 1877 before the land could be released for sale. WHALEY, John John Whaley (Whealey, Whalan and other variations) and his father, also John Whaley, had been convicted together in County Antrim, Ireland, in March 1821, each being sentenced to seven years transportation. They arrived in Sydney on the Isabella 9 March John Whaley Junior was 16 years old when he arrived, height 5ft 4¾ in., with a pale complexion, brown hair and hazel eyes. His father was 65 years old. As convicts, they were sent to Parramatta, and both were assigned to Gregory Blaxland. [AO Reel 6009; 4/3505, p.11 The Whaleys, father and son, were still under assignment to Blaxland in 1824, when John Whaley Junior moved to Manly Beach where Blaxland held the lease of Cheers Farm. Blaxland was mentioned in 1821 as being the owner of a musket stolen from a hut in a retired valley at Manly, most probably Little Manly. [AO Reel 1976; SZ795, p.344-8] In a statutory declaration dated 10 October 1876, John Whaley Junior said that in 1824, I removed to Manly Beach to take care of cows belonging to my father who kept a dairy in Sydney and as the cows my father kept in Sydney became dry I took them down to Manly for fattening, driving up others which were in milk. [LTO PA 10674] Whaley went on to say, The only road to Sydney then open was that by Narrabeen, Pittwater and Lane Cove and as I constantly travelled backwards and forwards along it with the said cows 130

131 I became well acquainted with the few settlers in the neighbourhood. For several years after 1824 he constantly passed Mount Ramsay on his journeys, and was able to declare that from that time it had been in the possession of members of the Jenkins family. The route taken by Whaley with his father s cows would have been via present Mona Vale Road and Lane Cove Road (now Pacific Highway), crossing from the North Shore to Sydney by boat or punt. It is important to note that he did not say that he had to travel via Parramatta; also, that while the Pittwater Range route was open to animals and men on foot, there was no possibility of wheeled vehicles using it. John Whaley Junior received his Ticket of Leave on 27 June 1827, and his Certificate of Freedom on 17 March Then aged 22, he had grown two inches in height since his arrival in Sydney. The following unusual discovery was reported in the Sydney Gazette of Saturday 27 Nov A circumstance occurred on Thursday which created a considerable degree of excitement and enquiry. A boat s crew was dispatched down the harbor from the Dock-yard to procure some honey-suckle wood. For this purpose they landed on the North Shore [Little Manly Cove], about a mile from the Heads, and proceeded near a mile-and-half into the bush, where they discovered the remains of a human body; the flesh was devoured, and only the skeleton remained. Within a short distance, lay a shooting jacket, drill trowsers [sic], shirt, neckcloth, hat and shoes. The men immediately hastened to Sydney and stated the above particulars, which will of course, lead to due investigation. We have not heard of any respectable person being missed from this part of the colony, and it is therefore conjectured by many that the body must be that of some misguided man who had taken [to] the bush; still the circumstances of the clothes being found off the body, envelopes the affair in additional mystery, and we shall not fail to detain any further particulars that may transpire, for our next publication. The murdered person was identified as Patrick Duffey and a Coroner s Inquest was commenced in Sydney on Monday 29 November 1830 but adjourned to the following day. After hearing evidence the Jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against John Wheally (Whaley) and John Snell. [SG Thursday 2 December 1830] The Sydney Herald for 23 May 1831 carried the following report: John Whealey alias Whalen was indicted for the wilful murder of Patrick Duffey, at North Harbour on 1st October 1830, and John Snell for aiding, abetting and assisting in the said murder. The second count charged both the prisoners principals in the murder. Mr. Moore conducted the prosecution; Messrs. Therry and Williams the defence. The learned Judge recapitulated the evidence, which was very copious, to the Jury, who after an absence of five minutes, acquitted both prisoners. The trial lasted the whole day. [Detailed statements by witnesses were also published in the Sydney Gazette Tuesday 24 May 1831] In the indictment Mr. Moore informed the Supreme Court of New South Wales that John Whealey or Whalan, late of North Harbour, labourer, not having the fear of God before his Eyes 131

132 but being moved and seduced by the instigation of the Devil, made an assault upon Patrick Duffey at North Harbour on 1 August He discharged a pistol loaded with gunpowder and a lead bullet, wounding Duffey in the neck. John Snell aided and abetted Whealey in the assault. Both of them then threw Duffey to the ground, striking, beating and kicking him with their hands and feet upon the stomach, back and sides. Duffey died, from either the bullet wound or the severe beating. Twenty witnesses were listed, and of these, twelve names were ticked. Among them were long time residents of North Harbour, John Fincham and Robert Tiffen. Because of the lack of sufficient evidence against them, both Whealey and Snell were found not guilty. [AO T32 No.56] On 7 January 1834 John Whealey applied to the Surveyor General to purchase 25 acres of land bounded by Burnt Bridge Creek on the north, and the Township of Balgowlah on the east. This was followed on 2 June 1834 by a second application, this time for 15 acres, in the same location - the situation selected appears by the map in your office to be appropriated for small lotters and my object in applying is to build myself a residence. The application was refused as the lot was too small, 50 acres being the minimum size. [AO Reel 1197] John Whaley supplied milk to the Quarantine Station. The Minerva was quarantined in 1838, and Dr. Stuart wrote to the Colonial Secretary on 29 January, There is a person who keeps cows in this neighbourhood, and as the milk is better than that from Sydney, I will thank you to authorize me to draw from him which quantity I may require for the sick. At the end of the quarantine period J. Whaley residing in the neighbourhood of Spring Cove was paid 35 for his milk. [AO 4/2426] In December 1839 John Whylie a resident near Spring Cove was authorized to supply milk to emigrants in quarantine from the ship North Britain at the contract price of 8d per quart. [AO Reel /3892] The 1841 census listed John Whaley living at Manly Cove, apparently with his wife and six children. His wife was Jane Shadwick or Chadwick, whom he married in Some of their children were: Daniel; Elizabeth; Henry (b.27 October 1839, married Joanna Foley 1864); Sarah (b.7 Jan 1842, married George Sly 1867); William (b.27 Oct 1844); Helen (b.28 March 1846); Anne (b.29 April 1852); Crawford (b.24 Sept 1859, married Sarah Booth 1885). John Whaley purchased sixteen acres of land at Cabbage Tree Beach from Charles Andrews and Christopher Skally on 9 August [LTO Book 35 No. 160] The Sydney Commercial Directory for 1851 listed him as woodman, Manly Cove. This land was sold by Whaley and his wife Jane to Henry Gilbert Smith for 200 on 30 January [LTO Book 35 No. 969] On 16 May 1855 Whaley received a land grant of 20 acres at Forty Baskets, which he purchased for 70. [LTO SN113/1570] It appears from directories and electoral rolls that he probably lived on this land at North Harbour, Sand s directory for 1875 listing him again as woodman. The land actually measured more than 20 acres, and he sold the excess, of about nine acres, to James Alexander Cowan on 16 August He sold 20 acres to Jabez William Small for 140 on 27 February [LTO Book 140 No.762] Whaley (recorded as John Whalan) purchased Lot 37 on the east side of Whistler Street from 132

133 H.G. Smith on 28 April 1875, for 50. [LTO Book 149 No.752] He lived there for the rest of his life. His wife Jane met an unfortunate death in 1880: Yesterday afternoon, at the Ivanhoe Park Hotel, Manly, the City Coroner held an inquest touching the death of the woman Janet Whalay [Jane Whaley], whose body had been found floating near the pier at Manly, on Tuesday morning. John Whalay, the husband of deceased, deposed that she was 63 years of age, a native of the colony, and had left a family of twelve; she was last seen by witness on Monday evening, between 8 and 9 o clock at the back of the Pier Hotel; she did not then appear quite sober, and had of late given way to intemperate habits; the deceased frequently stayed from home all night remaining with relatives in the district; on Monday night witness was in no way alarmed about her absence from home. George Sly, a son-in-law of the deceased, saw her during Monday night near the Pier Hotel in a state of intoxication; it was between 8 and 9 o clock. [George Sly was married to the Whaleys daughter Sarah.] Mary Lewis, living at Manly, had known the deceased for a long time, and saw her on Monday night near the Pier Hotel, very drunk; with the assistance of George Sly witness (who was then quite sober), took deceased to her husband, and there left her; subsequently witness heard them quarrelling; Sly was somewhat drunk at the time; when witness last saw deceased, the latter was with her husband, and Sly and all were arguing about something. To a juror; Would swear was not in the Pier Hotel about 11 o clock, nor did she go there with the deceased; was only there once that night. George Sly, recalled said he did not go to the hotel with Mrs. Whalay, but she came in while he was there, and they had some drinks together; deceased was then intoxicated and drank only tonic water; after helping Mrs. Lewis to take deceased home, witness returned to the hotel, but could not swear he was not there about 11 o clock that night; left Mr. and Mrs. Whalay sitting on the verandah at Mrs. Lewis s house. Thomas Walker, a seaman on board the Fairlight, found the body of the deceased in the water, about thirty yards from the pier. Dr. Halkett had examined the body, and found no marks of violence upon it. In his opinion the cause of death was asphyxia from drowning. The jury returned an open verdict of found drowned, there being no evidence to show how she became drowned. [SMH 6 May 1880] Daniel Whaley (Whealey), John and Jane s son, was a waterman or boatman at North Harbour. He died in John Whaley (Whealey), who first came to the area in 1824, died in 1885, aged 85 (79? Born 1806?). What enormous changes he had seen! WHEELER, George George Wheeler had arrived in the Colony on the Shipley on 24 April 1817, having been sentenced to fourteen years transportation at Somerset Assizes on 30 March A cloth weaver by trade, he was employed on arrival by Simeon Lord in his Botany factory. George s wife, Sophia, and their children Elizabeth, John, William and James came free to join him in the Colony, arriving on the Mary Ann on 2 May The family lived for many years in Phillip 133

134 Street, Sydney. John and James Wheeler were both holders of extensive amounts of land in our area, and William had some connection also. Elizabeth had a very slight connection: she married William Butt (or Bott) in 1828, but died in 1832 at the age of 29. William Bott applied for two lots of 100 acres each, between present Manly Cove and Manly Lagoon, in These were measured for him by Surveyor Dalgety in 1841 but the sale did not proceed. The land was later granted, 100 acres to John Thompson, and 100 acres to Charles Andrews and Christopher Skally. WHEELER, James James Wheeler, the younger brother of John and William, married Elizabeth O Brien in He applied for permission to purchase land just eighteen days after brother John, on 28 July He apparently liked the look of the land around Dee Why Lagoon, and applied for 150 acres on the north shore of Dewhy Lagoon. [AO Reel 1197] It was advertised as Lot 118, 100 acres, on 15 August 1836, and he paid deposit on 14 December At this time, the Jenkins family s Long Reef farm was let to a tenant, William George, and he challenged the sale of this land to James Wheeler. James went ahead with his purchase, paying the balance on 13 January 1837, making a total of Apparently no officer in the Surveyor General s Department had checked the existing land grants, or it would have been found that 86 of the 100 acres overlapped Cossar s 500 acre grant, which belonged to the Jenkins family. The deed was executed in the usual manner on 12 April [LTO SN64/208] In the circumstances, James Wheeler prudently built his farm on the fourteen acres to the west of Cossar s grant, although he fenced, cleared and cultivated much of the 86 acres. One of his fences went right to the edge of Dee Why Lagoon. The 1841 census showed James Wheeler living in a wooden house at Dee Why Lagoon with his wife Elizabeth (née O Brien), whom he had married in 1832, and three daughters, Jane (b.1834, married Joseph Thompson), Sophia (b.1837, married Henry Barry), and Emma (b.1839, married James Hilton). A son, George, had been born in 1833, but apparently did not survive; another George was born later. As often happened in the Surveyor General s Department, a backlog of work had accumulated, and it was 6 October 1841 before Surveyor Samuel G. Dalgety reported on the matter: Sir, - In accordance with the instructions contained in your Letters No. 36/708 and No. 41/165, I have the honor to forward a Survey of Deewhy Lagoon, and of Wm. Cossar s and Jas. Wheeler s Farms on it, showing what part of Wheeler s 100 acres has been measured into Cossar s, now Jas. Jenkins land, and I have the honor to report upon the enquiries in Letter 41/165 as follows: s d 1st What improvement Wheeler 5 acres cleared stumped and had made upon the ninety (86?) in cultivation at 10 P acre acres previously to its being discovered to be the property 15¼ acres almost all cleared and burnt of Jenkins, and their value. off but not in cultivation at 3 P acre ½ acres partially cleared at 1 P acre Rod of Three railed Fence at 4/- per Rod Rod of Two railed Fence at 2/6 per Rod

135 nd. The average value of the Crown The land adjoining is of the poorest quality Land adjoining the Ten (Fourteen) being either barren rocks, or low flats of acres on which Wheeler has built White sea sand, unfit for either agriculture his house. or pasturage. Its average value is not above the lowest minimum price. 3rd. What improvements were made 3¾ acres, cleared, stumped and in by Wheeler on the Ten (Fourteen) cultivation at 10 P acre acres, previously to the discovery of the error, and their value. 5¼ acres, almost all cleared and burnt off, but not in cultivation at 3 P acre Rod of Three railed Fence at 4/- P Rod Rod of Two railed Fence at 2/6 P Rod House Barn Stockyard Pigsties th. The date of discovery of the error alluded to October 1840 I have the honor to be Sir, Your obedient Servant S.G. Dalgety Asst. Surveyor. See also Dalgety s Survey of Dee Why Lagoon, and the Farms upon it, showing what part of Jas. Wheeler s 100 acres is in Wm. Cossar s now Jas. Jenkins Land [AO Reel 2779 X756 Surveyor General Sketchbook Vol. 4 folio 62] With the authorised for him in compensation for improvements made at Dee Why Lagoon, James Wheeler selected portions of land as follows: 1. South Creek (100 acres), advertised as Lot 14 on 7 January 1842, 60. [LTO SN75/15] 2. Narrabeen Lagoon (50 acres), advertised as Lot 16 on 7 January 1842, 30. [LTO SN75/13] 3. Dee Why (90 acres), advertised as Lot 20 on 7 January 1842, 54 ( compensation+ remainder of duly paid). [LTO SN75/12] He also purchased another 50 acres on Narrabeen Lagoon, Lot 15, for 30. [LTO SN75/14] These deeds were all executed on 18 April

136 The 100 acres of land at Dee Why Lagoon were surrendered to the Crown on 9 February In compensation for the surrendered 86 acres, Wheeler selected 86 acres just north of Narrabeen Lagoon, naming it Fox s Flat. It was advertised as Lot 7 on 21 December 1844 and granted to James Wheeler by Governor Gipps on 30 July [LTO SN61/188] The 14 acres on which his farm buildings stood were also granted to him on the same date. [LTO SN61/189] Additional purchases by James Wheeler were 1. Narrabeen Lagoon (20 acres), 20, deed executed 30 May [LTO SN76/95] 2. Narrabeen Creek (Deep Creek), (30 acres), 30, deed executed 16 July [LTO SN76/164] 3. South Creek/Narrabeen Lagoon, (15 acres), , deed executed 5 December This land linked his 100 acres and 50 acres. 4. Town of Balgowlah, Allotment 26 (2ac.1r.5p.), , deed executed 15 November [LTO SN233/202] 5. Town of Balgowlah, Allotment 16 (2ac.2r.32p.), 8-2-0, deed executed 15 November [LTO SN233/201] 6. Town of Balgowlah, Allotment 22 (2ac.2r.32p.), deed executed 26 November [LTO SN128/574] 7. Town of Balgowlah, Allotment 30 (5ac.1r.24p.), deed executed 26 November [LTO SN127/410] James and Elizabeth had many more children: Eliza (b.1841, married Joseph Smith), William George (b.1843), Louisa (b.1845, died 1864), Martha (b.1847, married Augustus Mahoney), Matilda (b.1849, did not survive), James (b.1851), Elizabeth (b.1853, married John Fraser), and George (b.1859). It is not clear when James I moved to the homestead on South Creek, Narrabeen Lagoon, but when giving evidence in the Foley murder case, on 13 December 1849, he stated, I reside at Narrabeen Lagoon. James Wheeler appeared as a witness in defence of Mary Ann Farrell when she was charged with cattle stealing. [Empire 8 Feb 1865] He also spoke in defence of John Farrell III when he was charged with cattle stealing. [Syd Mail 19 Nov 1870] As well as agricultural land at Narrabeen and Dee Why, and town lots at Balgowlah, James Wheeler also owned land at North Sydney. This was situated at the corner of William and Mount Street, and is commemorated by present Wheeler Lane, behind North Sydney Post Office. The family lived there while the children were being educated. James Wheeler I maintained a continuous connection with his farms in our area. While James II returned to Dee Why and Narrabeen as an adult, William and George continued to live at North Sydney. On 23 November 1868 James Wheeler executed a Conveyance appointing Andrew Reynolds and James Harris French trustees of his estate, for the benefit of his wife and children. [LTO Book 111 No.555] James Wheeler was a trustee for the St. Leonards and Pitt Water Roads when he signed a petition dated 23 August 1870, for a bi-weekly mail service between Manly and Barrenjoey. 136

137 On 5 October 1871 James Wilson, James Pashley, George Sly and a boy went fishing with a net in Narrabeen Lagoon. Wilson had previously been told by James Wheeler I that if he went fishing in Narrabeen Lagoon he would come to grief. [SMH 24 Oct 1871] About an hour before sunset the net, having been taken out of the water, was spread on the grass to dry. They went to sleep about 8 or 9 o clock in a fisherman s hut on Miss Jenkins land. In the middle of the night, it was alleged, Pashley woke the others, as something was happening in the vicinity of the net. All except the boy went to see what it was. Hiding in the rushes near the net, they saw James Wheeler and James his son, and Frank Poyner on the net. George Sly heard old Wheeler say, Frank, this is the bunt [the baggy part of a fishing net]. Poyner had a tin jar in his hand. After about half an hour old Wheeler went towards his residence, while young Wheeler and Poyner went towards Jenkins. Afterwards, portions of the net were found to have been destroyed by acid. James Wilson sued James Wheeler and his son for wilful and malicious destruction of a fishing net valued at 5. In defence, the Wheelers maintained that they were at home on the night in question, and did not go to Narrabeen Lagoon. The Bench was divided in opinion, and no adjudication was made. [SMH 1 Nov 1871] It was later reported that the Wheelers were ordered to pay a fine, together with the costs of the proceedings. [SMH 28 March 1872] In November 1871 James Wheeler took action against Wilson, Pashley and Sly for perjury. [SMH 28 Nov 1871 et seq.] Having been brought before the Central Police Court, Wilson was committed for trial. He was not tried, however, as the Attorney General declined to prosecute. (The others were not tried either.) Wilson then took action against Wheeler for malicious prosecution, suing him for 200 damages. [SMH 28 March 1872] It was necessary to prove that the case for perjury had been determined, by a memorandum of the Attorney General, and there was much wrangling by the opposing lawyers on this point. The judge held there was evidence to go to a jury, and protracted litigation was anticipated. In the interests of both parties, a settlement was made. A verdict was given for Wilson for 20, it being understood that no admission was made one way or another; and further that this settlement had been come to to save the expense of protracted litigation - such as now appeared to be inevitable. [SMH 29 March 1872] Under the heading The Sydney Fish Supply - The Experiences of Practical Fishermen, Mr James Wheeler, a fisherman on the Narrabeen Lagoon, gave it as his opinion that the main cause of the destruction of fish there, as elsewhere, was the use of the small mesh. [SMH 30 Oct 1880] It is not clear whether this was James I or James II. Two law cases are recorded in the Sydney Morning Herald of 28 June 1883: Wheeler v. Dargan, and Dargan v. Wheeler. It appeared that James Wheeler and J.J. Dargan had entered into an agreement respecting some timber which was growing on seven acres of land situated between Manly and Narrabeen. Wheeler said that Dargan had agreed to pay 7 for the right of cutting timber suitable for firewood, but five trees, suitable for fencing timber, were to be left. Dargan had paid 3 10s, and Wheeler was seeking to recover the balance, also the value of 120 posts and rails removed from the land by Dargan, but belonging to Wheeler. Dargan produced the agreement, which provided that he was to have all the timber growing on the land in question, with the exception of one tree. Dargan said he had not removed half of the timber when Wheeler 137

138 broke the contract by preventing him from removing the remainder of the timber. Dargan won both cases. In the second case judgement was given against Wheeler for 31 10s, which, together with costs, amounted to 70. Wheeler was unable to pay this amount, and with Dargan threatening to take further proceedings, Wheeler petitioned for insolvency on 8 November 1883, saying that he was compelled to surrender his estate to the Insolvency Jurisdiction of the Supreme Court for the general benefit of his creditors, and he therefore sought the protection of the Court. [AO 2/10,027] The claims of his creditors amounted to 185. Notice was given of his insolvency in the N.S.W. Government Gazette of 16 November 1883, and on 26 November 1883 he appointed James Wheeler Junior and James Harris French to be trustees of his estate. [LTO Book 298 No.588] Wheeler was examined in Court on 3 December. One debt was proved on 14 December 1883, and on 20 December 1883 Francis McNab, the Official Assignee, declared that a Conveyance in trust dated 23 November 1868 [LTO Book 111 No.555] was void. [LTO Book 281 No.272] The matter was again before the Court on 7 March The Sydney Morning Herald of 29 August 1884 carried an advertisement to sell by public auction the right, title and interest of the Official Assignee in the quite extensive properties, which were listed, of James Wheeler, of Narrabeen. However, no land appears to have been sold at this time. On 14 May 1885 the following Public Notice appeared in the Sydney Morning Herald: IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW SOUTH WALES IN INSOLVENCY In the Insolvent Estate of JAMES WHEELER, of Narrabeen, near Manly, Farmer. TAKE NOTICE, that on the 28th day of May instant, at 11 o clock in the forenoon, or as soon thereafter as the course of business will permit, this Honorable Court will be moved that the Estate of the above-named Insolvent be released from sequestration upon the grounds that the whole of the debts proved in the estate, and all claims made by or on behalf of the Official Assignee, have been paid and satisfied in full... In the Insolvency Court, on 28 May 1885, an order was made for James Wheeler s estate to be released. On 15 February 1887 James Wheeler sold over 4½ acres of his 90 acre Dee Why grant to George Pile and John G. Griffin for [LTO Book 360 No.207] James Wheeler I died at South Creek, Narrabeen on 29 June 1890, and was buried in the family grave, which is still there. This was situated behind his homestead, which has since been demolished. James wife Elizabeth, who arrived in Port Jackson on 7 October 1828 as Elizabeth O Brien, then aged 13 years, on the ship Sir Joseph Banks, died on 9 May 1905, aged 92. She was buried in Manly Cemetery. James II gave evidence before the High Court of Australia in 1908 in a case concerning Dee Why Lagoon. [ML Q333.9/W] He said, Our home was on a 14-acre grant to the west of the lagoon, about 200 yards away from the lagoon. My first recollection of Deewhy Lagoon was about I went there with my father to look for wreckage from the Dunbar. We found some sperm candles and panama hats. When he first knew the bank between the lagoon and the sea it 138

139 was from 40 to 60 feet high and covered with different kinds of native trees: honeysuckle (banksia), swamp oak, Port Jackson fig, and stunted tea-tree. The mound began to crumble away during the 1870s, bringing the timber down with it. He used to fish in the lagoon, first with a hook and line, and then in the 1870s with a net, which used to be hauled about a hundred yards from the entrance, on the flood-tide, when there would be from two to four feet of water in the channel at the entrance. He had seen wild ducks, wild fowl and swans in the lagoon, and had had a good deal of shooting there. In 1908 there was nothing like the same sheet of water that had been there when he was a boy. It had always been the case that the lagoon was sometimes closed and sometimes open. In many cases people cut the channel to let the water out, so that the tide could come in. WHEELER, John John Wheeler, aged 23, petitioned the Governor in November 1830 for a portion of land, giving his address as 54 Phillip Street. At that time his father George was a licenced publican, while he himself was in business as a grocer. He possessed thirty head of cattle, yearly increasing, had other means, was well acquainted with husbandry as practised in England, and was anxious to settle on the land and proceed to cultivation. He had recently married Elizabeth Brumby, who had come to New South Wales as a nurse with the family of John Lamb, J.P., in which position she had conducted herself with great propriety. On 22 January 1831 John wrote that he was a married person of a rising family, and described and requested a vacant parcel of land in the District of Illawarra, bounded on the west by Illawarra Mountain. On 16 December 1831 he possessed fifty acres of land in the County of Camden known by the name of the Five Islands. He applied to purchase a town allotment in the planned township of Caimate, intending to expend 300 in erecting a general store to serve the settlers of the district. [AO Reel 1197] However, John Wheeler s life changed direction. On 10 July 1836 he applied to the Surveyor General for permission to purchase 100 acres of land on the Road from Balgowlah Village bounded on the south by Fresh Water Creek [Manly Creek] bounded on the west by the Above Road [Condamine Street]... A note from the Surveyor General stated, I have directed it to be measured which will be done in three months; and it may therefore be immediately advertised for sale but it is to be observed that Steele s grant occupied part of this land; by CSL 33/256 Jenkins (now dead) was authorised as the purchaser from Steele to select 100 acres elsewhere, but this has never been done - it is not therefore impossible but that the Executors may wish to select in this spot, altho the long delay would seem to argue otherwise. The Governor decided, Let it be put up as applied for and it was advertised on 6 September John Wheeler paid a deposit of 13 on 14 December 1836 and finalised the sale on 13 January 1837, paying a total of 130. Following the description of the land, there is a note: This is not the 100 acres in question between [James] Wheeler and Mrs Jenkins tenant Wm. George. [AO Reel 1197] The deed was executed on 12 April [LTO SN64/209] This land is now occupied partly by Warringah Golf Course. On 28 July 1837 John Wheeler applied for permission to purchase a further 80 acres to the east of his 100 acres, and he was advised that this had been approved on 24 October This purchase did not proceed. In the 1841 census John Wheeler was listed as living at Manly Farm, with his wife, five 139

140 daughters (Mary, Sophia, Elizabeth, Louisa and Emily) and a male employee. They lived in a stone house. John Wheeler applied for permission to purchase 20 acres, between the Village of Balgowlah and Parker s 20 acres [later Fairlight ] on the water frontage of North Harbour, on 29 July This 20 acres, and a further 19 acres on the Manly side of Parker s land were advertised as Lots 3 and 5 on 8 February 1842 and purchased by John Wheeler for 34 and respectively. Deeds were executed on 18 April [LTO SN75/17, SN75/16] One week later, on 25 April 1842, Wheeler sold a 5¾ acre strip of his land, adjoining J.C. Parker s 20 acres, to Thomas Daniel Parker. The 19 acres were later purchased by Henry Gilbert Smith. John Wheeler also purchased 39 acres to the east of the previously mentioned 80 acres for 39 in 1842, and the deed was executed on 21 November [LTO SN77/2] This land also was later purchased by H.G. Smith. John Wheeler died on 22 May The records state that he was 43, but calculations indicate that he was 39 years old. At the time of his death he was a publican at Strawberry Hill. His wife and four daughters inherited his estate, the eldest daughter Mary having died in A son, John, born 1836, died in infancy. Sophia was married to Charles P. Corrie, the name being commemorated in Corrie Road, North Manly. Two daughters, Sophia Corrie and Louisa Brennand, lived on different parts of the North Manly land. WHEELER, William William Wheeler, brother of John and James, was farming John s 100 acre Manly Farm in 1849, as is known from evidence given at the inquiry into the murder of David Foley. He may well have taken over the farm before this date, as he was listed in Low s 1847 directory as landholder, Pitt Water. Later, in Sands Directory for , his address was Blue Bell, Phillip Street, Sydney. This was the hotel kept in earlier times by the parents, George and Sophia Wheeler. William was apparently working for his brother James in 1861, when James charged him in the Water Police Court for absconding from hired service. William s wages were cancelled, and the case discharged. [SMH 3 Sept 1861] In 1868 William Wheeler appeared on summons in the Water Police Court, charged with leaving a fire at North Harbour, without previously extinguishing the same. He was ordered to pay a fine of 20s, and 6s 6d costs. [SMH 21 Oct 1868] WILLIAMS, John John Williams was sentenced in the Old Bailey in 1787 to 7 years. He sailed from Portsmouth on the transport ship Britannia on 27 March 1791 and arrived in Port Jackson on 14 October John was already a police constable, of Hawkesbury, when his name appeared on a list dated 24 December 1816 to receive a grant of 50 acres at Pittwater, next Taylor. The grant was measured by Meehan on 15 April At some stage, the amount to be granted was enlarged to 60 acres. 140

141 The Land and Stock Muster of September 1822 showed Williams residing on a 50 acre grant, with 9 horned cattle. In 1822 he submitted a memorial, stating that he had been constable for the lower part of the River Hawkesbury and Pitt Water in Broken Bay for seven years, drawing rations from His Majesty s Stores at Windsor. As it was closer and more convenient to convey prisoners to Sydney rather than to Windsor, he asked, with the sanction of Mr William Cox at Windsor, to be transferred to the books at Sydney. [AO Reel 6056; 4/1763, p.293-4] This was approved by His Excellency the Governor, but Williams found it necessary to write to the Colonial Secretary on 4 July 1823, saying that, for the convenience of the inhabitants he was removed from Windsor to Broken Bay on 3 August 1822, where he continues to do duty, to this day, but has never received wages or clothing since his removal. [AO Reel 6059; 4/1772, p ] A certificate dated 7 November 1823 stated that Williams, his wife and one child were entitled to receive the common allowance, and in 1824 his name appeared on lists of constables doing duty for the town of Sydney and its vicinity who were entitled to a weekly ration. [AO Reel 6061; 4/1779, p.97d, 119d, 140d] On 14 January 1824 John Williams sold his Pittwater farm to Thomas Street for 40. Thomas Street was the owner/master of the Black Jack when it visited Broken Bay in 1822, and he also owned the Hawkesbury trader Echo in Possession of the land appears to have passed to John Farrell about the time of the 1828 census, for Farrell s holdings were listed twice, once as 140 acres and again as 200 acres. Williams confirmed that Farrell was the owner in April 1835 and October [AO Reel 1198] The land was granted to John Farrell on 18 May [SN56/180] WILSON, Thomas Thomas Wilson arrived in Sydney on the Lady Nugent from England, on 6 April He was aged 21, single, a Protestant who could read and write. He came from Kent, and was a skinner and poulterer. With no former conviction, he was found guilty of assault and robbery at Montgomery quarter sessions on 17 October 1833, and sentenced to seven years. He was 5 feet 4¾ inches tall, with a ruddy and freckled complexion, brown hair and grey eyes, his eyebrows partially meeting. Among various marks and scars, he had (presumably tatooed) a sun, half moon, seven stars and a crucifix inside his lower left arm. In 1837 he was assigned to William George at Long Reef Farm, and was still there in January (See story under William George.) He received his Ticket of Leave on 29 May 1839, allowed to remain in the District of Pitt Water. He was living at Pittwater in a wooden house with another single male at the time of the 1841 census. With his wife, sometimes known as Priscilla and sometimes as Sarah, he had many children: Mary Jane (b.1843, married James Tobin 1861), Emily (b.1845, married James Warren 1870), Thomas (b.1847, married Frances Oliver 1870), Alfred (b.1849), Nancy (b.1852, married Albert H. Turner 1872), Pauline (b.1854), Priscilla (b.1859), Bertha (b.1866), Blanche (born 1868, died 11 November 1870), and Edgar Rock (b.1873). A marriage between Thomas Wilson I and [Sarah] Priscilla Cundah in 1870 is recorded in the N.S.W. Births, Deaths and Marriages, suggesting that until this date it was a de facto marriage. At a sale of land held at Sydney on 15 December 1853, Thomas Wilson and William Mildwater as tenants in common purchased Lot 33 at Curl Curl Creek (now Manly Creek), to the east of John Wheeler s 100 acres. They paid 80 for 80 acres, and the deed of grant was issued on

142 February [LTO SN99/243] Wilson may have lived on this land for some years, as he had a house and land, freehold, in 1859, and Sand s Directory listed him as gardener, Lagoon, in 1863, and farmer, Pittwater-road from 1865 to 1869, while William Mildwater was a grocer in Whistler Street, Manly. The Wilsons were tenants of Mona Vale during the years 1869 to On 4 August 1870 Wilson saw John Farrell III driving some of his (Wilson s) cattle on the side of a hill (Bushranger s Hill) towards Farrell s farm. A three-year-old heifer who was within six weeks of calving was missed, and after investigating, the police arrested Farrell and charged him with having portion of a stolen carcase in his possession. The legal proceedings were protracted, and while at the Central Criminal Court, Thomas Wilson received the shocking news that his daughter Blanche, aged 2 years and 2 months, had drowned at Mona Vale in a shallow pond about eighteen inches deep, on 11 November In February 1871 John Farrell III was sentenced to three years imprisonment with hard labour in Parramatta gaol, but was transferred to Port Macquarie penal settlement. While Thomas Wilson was at Mona Vale, his North Manly farm was let to Charles Brady, a silk grower, and his wife. In June 1870 there was a distress for rent, and Wilson sold Brady s furniture, silkworms, etc. Wilson was present at the sale on 22 June, and purchased some goods himself. When he proceeded to take the goods away, Brady saw that the silkworms were being destroyed and remonstrated with Wilson, who agreed to leave them on payment of 1 to bind the bargain. Brady stated that he had agreed to make up the deficiency in rent, and Wilson had agreed to bring the furniture back for the price he had paid for it. About a month later Brady was ready to pay, but there was disagreement between the two, resulting in court cases in The court held that the goods belonged to Wilson. [SMH 12 June 1872] A perjury case brought by Brady against Wilson was dismissed. [SMH 17 June 1872] On 4 June 1872 Joseph Starr of Sydney, mariner, conveyed to Thomas and Sarah Wilson of Pittwater the 40 acre land grant at Little Mackerel Beach, for 60. The property was in Sarah s name, with her son-in-law, James Tobin of Manly Beach as trustee. In October 1880 Thomas nominated his youngest son, Edgar Rock, aged 7, as a pupil in the school which was being established at Church Point. He would be attending the school in company with his nieces and nephews, the children of his brother Thomas, who lived at Church Point, and the children of his sister Nancy, married to Albert Turner, who lived at Bayview. Wilson and Mildwater offered the western half of their North Manly grant for sale in It was described thus: Manly Beach - Valuable block of land, in all about forty acres on the North Bank of Curl Curl Lagoon, about 1½ mile from the Pier at Manly, being the western half of Mildwater s and Wilson s grant, adjoining Wheeler s 100 acre grant. It has been in cultivation, was formerly fenced, and otherwise improved. The greater portion of the land is rich alluvial soil, in every respect admirably adapted for Market Gardens, and the elevated parts are suitable as good Building Sites. The attention of Capitalists, Speculators, Builders, and others is directed to the sale, as it is now but seldom that so large a block of land, within such easy distance of the steamers wharf at Manly is offered in one lot. [SMH 10 Oct 1877; ML Subdivision map M5/205] 142

143 Bibliography Bate, Frank R.M.: Samuel Bate, singular character, Forestville, N.S.W., Brookdale Press, Champion, S. & G.: Arson, horse and cattle stealing in Manly, Warringah and Pittwater. Killarney Heights, The Clontarf case. Killarney Heights, Illicit stills and smuggling in Manly, Warringah and Pittwater. Killarney Heights, The murder of David Foley in 1849 near Bungin (now Mona Vale). Killarney Heights, Cumpston, J.S.: Shipping arrivals and departures, Sydney, De Boos, Charles: My holiday. Sydney Mail, 22 June 1861 and successive Saturday issues. Also available in My holiday and other early travels from Manly to Palm Beach 1861, compiled by Guy Jennings. Newport Beach: Aramo, Johnston, H.A.: The seed that grew: a hundred years of Catholic life on the north shore, Mathews, Mrs Felton: Journal. Royal Australian Historical Society Journal, Vol.29, OʼBrien, Eris M.: Life and letters of Archpriest John Joseph Therry. Sydney, Angus & Robertson, Therry papers. Mitchell Library MS

144 144

145 145