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John William Penn Blick arrived
in Port Jackson on the John Dennison in July 1835. He married Sarah
Ross (nee
Vine), daughter of Captain Henry Loveday Vine, in 1838 at St. James Church in Sydney.
 St.
James Church
He purchased land from Thomas Coulson
(junior) east of Thomas Coulson senior's original grant
on Black Creek. The grant was
named Bellmont by the Coulsons.
A son Francis was born to John
and Sarah in 1839 followed by Louis in 1840 and sons Wynter and William in 1843.
By this time Dr. Blick had fallen victim to the depression and was undergoing
insolvency proceedings, although he retained his land
His daughter Alice was born in this year and three more daughters and a son
before 1853.
John Blick experienced the usual problems of
landholders with their employees. In 1846 Mrs. Blick charged employee Henry
Pike with neglect of duty. Pike, in Dr. Blick's absence had refused to
work to the satisfaction of superintendent William Russell. Pike's employment
agreement was cancelled and wages forfeited. Stockman Robert
Fleming was sentenced to three years work in irons after he was found
guilty of stealing a horse from Dr. Blick in 1847. Blick stated in Court
that he sent stockman Fleming to Black Creek with two horses to be shod,
giving him strict directions to return the same evening whether the horses were
shod or not. Fleming failed to return and later attempted to sell the horses in
Maitland.
As well as problems with employees he
suffered a setback in 1847 when a bush fire swept through his property. The fire
had appeared to be some distance away from 'Bellmont' and thought not to be a
threat however 'during the night a strong wind arose, increasing almost to a
hurricane after midnight, and so powerful was its effect in forwarding the
flames, that early on Sunday morning an alarm was raised that the barn was on
fire. All hands were roused up in a few minutes, but in spite of every effort
the flames gained ground and shortly threatened the destruction of the dwelling
house and the whole establishment. Attention was turned to preventing the
advance of the fire and several panels of fencing between the barn and house cut
down, and the space between cleared of loose stuff, while the horses and animals
were driven away from the buildings. These efforts were fortunately successful,
and the house was saved. A valuable thrashing machine, and other implements,
with fifty bushels of wheat, a large quantity of straw and some other articles
were, however destroyed as was the barn and outbuildings'.
In 1848 John Blick made a claim to lease
Crown Land in the New England district described as 17,280 acres named
'Tyringham'. Estimated grazing capability 800 cattle or 5000 sheep.
Bounded on the east by the Harness-Cask River 3 miles, running north to its
junction with O'Connell's 'Main Water'; on the north by the said 'Main Water' by
a line north 3 miles to the top of a high range of hills' on the north by the
said range running west or thereabouts four miles and a half; on the west by a
line south 6 miles crossing the said 'Main Water'; on the south by a line east
to the commencing point. The runs adjoining -
the Stockyard or Mitchell's
on the east, Ward's (new run) and Hyland's on the north west, O'Connell's on the
west and Freeman's and
Henry Dangar's 'Bald Hills' on the south.
In December 1848 Bellmont, was
advertised for lease. There were 1000 acres with 150 cleared
that had been under cultivation. 300 acres were in paddocks each with a
frontage to Black Creek with a never failing supply of excellent water. There
was said to be a good house upon the premises with a vineyard of two acres in
full bearing and a large orchard. The old road ran through the property and
there was an extensive back run. Dr. Blick was still on the property at this
time however he was able to offer immediate possession. By 1849 he was
undergoing insolvency proceedings. Claims proved included that of William Henry
Burne, Leslie Duguid, and Michael & Eliza Savage. The creditors allowed him to
retain his household furniture and wearing apparel. All remaining assets in the
estate were to be realised as soon as possible.
John William Penn Blick died on 24th May 1854 aged 42
years'after a long and severe illness. The death notice stated that he was the second son of the
late Capt. Thomas Blick of the Royal Bucks Militia and left a widow and nine
young children.
Seven months later the Maitland Mercury carried the
following notice:
'To the deep grief of their afflicted mother, on the 19th &
20th of cholera, after 12 hours severe sufferings, Emily Sarah, aged 7 yrs 8
months and Alice Mary McMullan aged 9 yrs and 4 months; and on the 20th of
malignant scarlet fever, Louis Lawrence, aged 14 yrs and 2 months; the eldest
son, and second and third daughters of the late John W. Penn Blick'
Bellmont later became a vineyard known as Belbourie.
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