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Murrurundi - Pages River t |
Murrurundi District Residents 1840's
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In
March 1832 Australian Agricultural company
Commissioner Sir Edward Parry, together
with his party consisting of Henry Dangar,
Charles Hall, William Telfer, six
assigned servants and 2 natives passed through the
Murrurundi district on their way to inspect land
on the Liverpool Plains. After leaving Captain
Dumaresq's St. Heliers station, they arrived
at Page's River where they halted on the
banks of ' a pretty brook', (Pages River) opposite
William Henry Warland's farm. The following day they crossed the Page and proceeded along 'a good
flat road with generally good country being a
valley between high hills closing in gradually '.
There was a high perpendicular mass of 'Pudding
stone' and after passing this they gradually
descended for about a mile and a half through
inferior country to the foot of the pass. They had
been obliged to unload their dray entirely.(2) On
the plains side the descent was easier and they then camped near a
brook where some natives joined them. The natives inhabiting the
region were from the Wanaruah and Kamilaroi tribes. Sir Edward
thought it noteworthy that as the Wanaruah
or Kamilaroi tribesmen could not communicate with
the natives from Port Stephens, the two tribes
resorted to conversing fluently in 'English
gibberish'. This was Henry
Dangar's second trip to the area and a few
scattered settlers were already in the district
having followed in his previous path. As well as
William Henry Warland, Hart Davis,
Thomas Haydon and William Nowland had
also settled in the area. Small settlers and ex
convicts such as Benjamin Hall who had
arrived on the 'Midas' in 1827 moved to the
district and began to eke out a living from their
land. The area was distant from law and order and
in time came to be frequented by disreputable men
with questionable means of support. Many
were transient, stopping merely to patronize one
of the two hotels or stock up on supplies at
Rundle's Store before proceeding over the ranges.
In November 1840 the correspondent
for the 'Australian' reported that: 'A watch-house
is much wanted at Murrurundi, but no contractors will undertake it, as
Government requires good seasoned timber which cannot be procured in
the bush, besides, they have not allowed enough for building it. Our
Police Magistrate (Robertson) cannot hold a court there for want of a
temporary lock-up, which is much to be regretted; a Court could be
held in the Inn, which has been offered, but our Police magistrate
thinks otherwise, which some suppose is a good excuse for not visiting
the Page. My humble opinion is, that holding Courts at the Page would
be much more service to the public, than sallying out after
bushrangers, and losing himself in the bush'.(6) In December 1840 the
infamous Jewboy
Gang arrived in the village.
After the gang had been hunted from their
Hawkesbury River haunts they escaped to the Hunter
Valley where they robbed a store at Muswellbrook.
Then with loaded packhorses they proceeded to
Scone where they bailed up townsfolk at the St. Aubins Inn. After
23 year old storekeeper John Graham was shot and killed the gang
headed for the Liverpool Ranges. They arrived in
Murrurundi on their way to the Plains where
they bailed up 30 people. Perhaps among their
captives were postmaster John Button and pound
keeper A.C. Barlas. While they were at
Murrurundi, at least two shots were fired at a man
on horseback between the
Traveller's Home
Inn and Rundle's store. The man was an
employee of Mr. Single. Innkeeper Richard South
later said that the man showed him his pocket
through which a shot had gone without injuring
him.
(5) After partaking of a hearty
meal of beef, bread and beer the seven bushrangers swapped
their tired horses for fresh and headed for the
Liverpool Ranges unaware that Edward
Denny Day and his pursuit party including
Dr. John Gill were just a
few hours behind them. The dramatic shootout and
capture when Day's party caught up with them took
place at Doughboy Hollow not far from Murrurundi.(5)
In 1843 four constables and a
chief constable were allowed at Murrurundi.
Murrurundi was said to be infested with a band of
rogues and vagabonds committing all sorts of crime
and drunkenness. The chief constable had the job
of dispersing these 'idlers' and restoring order.
An Association was formed to try to deal with the
cattle duffers and horse thieves operating in the
district. Rewards were offered for the
capture of offenders and the Government was
persuaded to offer immediate Ticket of Leave
passes or Conditional Pardons. In August 1845 the
following notice was posted in the Government
Gazette: 'Whereas, it has
been represented to the government that Benjamin
Hall of Murrurundi, and Alexander Paterson,
lately in charge of Mr. John Chilcott's
station; at Doughboy Hollow, against both of whom
warrants have been issued for their apprehension
on charges of horse stealing, have effected their
escape; his Excellency the Governor directs it to
be notified that, in addition to the pecuniary
rewards offered for the apprehension of these
persons by the Association recently formed in the
upper Hunter District for the suppression of
horses and cattle stealing, a ticket of leave will
be granted to any prisoner of the crown who shall
apprehend and lodge in gaol either of the above
named parties, and if the person apprehending
either of the above named already a ticket of
leave holder, application will be made to her
Majesty for the allowance to him a a conditional
pardon'
(3) It seems
that townsfolk were reluctant to betray one
another despite the inducement of rewards. James Gowan was lock up keeper in Murrurundi at this
time. He was dismissed from his position after
being accused of giving or permitting an
intimation to Benjamin Hall to keep 'out of the
way'. By March 1846 Gowan was the local school
master. His school was eighty yards from the
lockup and was said to be patronized by 'the most
respectable people in Murrurundi.' One of his
students was nine year old Mary Hall. Six months after
the above notice was posted, a Court case was
heard at Maitland Quarter Sessions. William Hall
the 13 year old son of missing Benjamin Hall was
cross examined in Court as was his nine year old
sister Mary. Mary stated that her brother William
had been told by a fellow prisoner that if he did
not do as he was told he would be sent away in a
ship and drowned or be put in Newcastle gaol and
hung. William was in fact put in a dark room near
the Murrurundi lockup, the windows of which had
been boarded up. It was said he cried very much
through fear; he was kept there some days and then
put in with another prisoner who told him' Beware
of men in wigs, only give them such answers as
suits'. The cries of the boy, terrified in the
darkened room, were said to be such that they had
brought tears to the eyes of the lockup keeper's
wife. Although the
prosecutor thought that William Hall, albeit
young in years, was 'evidently old in crime and
well versed in dissimulation', William must have
impressed some in the Court that day as it was
stated to the court that a gentleman was willing
to take him as an apprentice, being strongly
impressed with the belief that his obvious
intelligence and energy of character could be
turned to good account. The Attorney General was
of opinion that in the absence of the father who
had absconded the court had authority to bind the
boy. His mother Eliza (Somers) Hall, was in
Court and consented to the arrangement.
(4).
(William's father Benjamin Hall was captured at Mr. Hamilton's station
on the Lachlan (near Bathurst) two years later by Trooper Hoy of the
Mounted Police.) Perhaps William
was more fortunate than his younger brother Ben
who was destined for an early grave after becoming
one of Australia's best known
In the late 1840's a visitor passing through Murrurundi described the area:
'Murrurundi affords a fair specimen of an inland town. We were greeted with the sight of something green; for the rain, probably attracted by the hills, often drives through the deep valleys as through so many open tunnels. We have two inns both well built; and one is kept by a widow of real, homely, English aspect, and as kind and attentive as neat and respectable. Her nicely plaited widow's cap and her fine countenance tell a long and touching tale. There is a slab built Roman Catholic chapel, with broken windows and otherwise much out of repair; and, behind it, is an open graveyard, with some neat monuments and head stones. There are two or three brick cottages, and a tolerable sprinkling of bark huts; and, at a little distance in the bush, is the court house. Here divine service is performed once a month by a clergy man of the Church of England who travels twenty five miles for the purpose; and the magistrate's clerk gives the responses. A Roman Catholic priest comes from Maitland four times a year to shrive his flock at the slab built chapel. He also catches every stray drunkard, of whatever denomination, on whom he can lay his hands, and insists on his becoming a tee totaller. There is a large store, where every thing that can possibly be required in the bush is to be bought. In one of the bark huts you would find a good natured, intelligent, and comfortable looking medical man, who came out in charge of emigrants, and has not exactly made up his mind when he shall return, but will probably think about it some day or other. In the meantime, he turns his skill to account, and is gradually accumulating cattle and horses; and, for the love he bears them, may perhaps become a fixture. He reads 'Blackwood,' and is fond of talking of 'that fine old fellow, Christopher North,' whom he follows through all his fishing excursions. In the climate of NSW a bark hut is as substantial a dwelling as a man needs; such abodes are often very comfortable; but they do not, unless double roofed, afford sufficient protection from the sun. The river Page runs, or rather lingers, in the rear of the town. The people seem happy and contented; and as all of them have cattle running on the waste land, they are at no loss either for meat, or a matter of constant interest.' (1)
Although this gives a peaceful almost idyllic picture, the district still had a reputation for lawlessness. In April of 1848 four men were tried in Maitland for the assault of a Constable at Murrurundi in the previous February. A violent encounter occurred when a half drunken William Wilsdon 'grossly abused' Magistrate William Henry Warland as he rode through the town. Magistrate Warland instructed Constables McDonald and Doyle to arrest Wilsdon and the gathering crowd responded by obstructing the constables in their task. Constable Berkely and Mounted Policeman Trooper Barnam were called to assist and they were jostled and kicked particularly Berkeley who was said to have been terribly bruised and hurt. Despite this the men accused were found not guilty as Constable Berkely, remaining loyal to the townsfolk and reluctant to betray them, had stated that the only blows received were from a man named Wood, (not one of the defendants). One of the magistrates hearing this case was Edward Denny Day. He could be forgiven for thinking that the rough little town had improved little since the days of the bushranging Jew Boy Gang.
ALLAGAN - Archibald Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
BARLAS, A.C, - Pound keeper, 1840
BARNES - Thomas per 'Maitland' Obtained Ticket of leave 1846
BARNETT - George and Jonathon, Found not guilty of sheep stealing 1845
BARNUM - William. Trooper mounted police
BARTON - George 1847
BATTY - Robert Johnson 'Eden' Obtained Ticket of leave 1847
BELL - Patrick 1847
BICKHAM- Estate at Page's River 6 miles from Murrurundi 1846
BIRKLEY - Thomas Appointed chief constable at Scone and Murrurundi 1847
BLAIR - Thomas James. Offering reward for lost mare 1844. Clerk of Petty Sessions 1846
BLOOMFIELD - Alexander Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
BOOTE - James . 1847 Store keeper
BRADLEY - James and Mary 1847
BRITTON - William Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
BRODIE - Alexander Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
BROWN - John Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
BROWN - Robert Indicted for stealing 12/- from J. Bradley in Alexander Wightman's Hotel Sentenced to 15 yrs transportation
BURNS - John Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
BURTON - Thomas, per 'Eden' Obtained ticket of leave 1846
BUTLER - Celia Wife of Henry
BUTLER - Henry Bishop, 1847 Publican
BUTLER - William per 'Surry' Ticket of Leave cancelled 1845
BUTTON - John, Postmaster 1839
CAREY - Thomas. Indicted for obtaining a saddle from Thomas Dun by false pretences. acquitted 1846
CAUGHLAN - John Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
CAVENAGH - Mary, 1841
CAVENAGH - Michael 1841
CHILCOTT, John. Died 21 6 45 after accidentally shooting himself
CHINNERY - William 1847
CLARKE - John Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
COHEN - Lewis . Woolpack Inn at Murrurundi 1848
COLE - William 1848
CRAWLEY - William Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
COGHLAN - John per 'Forth' Obtained ticket of leave 1847
DANGAR - Thomas, Won tender for mail between Scone and Murrurundi 1845
DANGAR - William Appointed councillor for district
DAVIS - Hart, 15,000 acres
DODD- John Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
DONOHOE - William Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
DOWLING - William 1847 constable
DOWNEY - Thomas per 'St. Vincent' Obtained ticket of leave 1847
DUFFY- Michael, per 'Caroline'. Absconded from service of Hart Davis 1832
DUGGAN - William 1848 Sentenced to 3yrs on roads for attempting to defraud Lewis Cohen
DUNN - Thomas, Replaced as lockup keeper in 1835
DUNN - Thomas , constable 1846
EDWARDS Sergeant Thomas Mounted police 1847
ELLIS - James per 'Lord Lyndoch' . Obtained ticket of leave 1847
ELLIS -Samuel, 1846
FAIRBAIRN - Mrs. 1847
FALLON - Patrick Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
FALLON - Patrick - Indicted for stealing 12/- from J. Bradley in Alexander Wightman's Hotel Sentenced to 15 yrs transportation 1847
FARRELLY - Michael per 'Heber' Ticket of leave obtained 1845
CADNESS - George per 'Maitland'. Obtained Ticket of Leave 1845
GALLAGHER - Mrs. Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
GILL, Dr. John, Accompanied E.D. Day when he captured the Jew Boy Gang 1841
GOWAN, James Lock up keeper dismissed 1846
GOWER- Richard Constable1847
GRADY - James Mailman between Murrurundi and Tamworth. 1847
GWYNN - David 1847
HALL - Ben 1845 16 August. Warrant issued for apprehension
HALL - Thomas 1846
HALL - Mary 1846
HALL - Eliza 1846
HARVEY - James, Sawyer in 1841
HARVEY - John Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
HAYDON - Thomas, Adjoining property to Dangar's Inn. Steward at Pages River Races 1842
HOCK - James Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
HUMPHRIES - Charles Henry 1847
JOHNSON - James , Chief constable 1846 / 1847
JOHNSON - John per 'Heber' Ticket of Leave cancelled 1847
JONES - John Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
JONES - Thomas per 'Lord Lyndoch' Obtained ticket of leave 1846
KEALTY - John Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
KINGSTON - W. Opened stores at Murrurundi 1847
LENNARD - James 1846 Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
LEVY. A . 1845 Warrah
LEYTON - Thomas 1848 To revise electoral lists
LODER - Andrew Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
LONG - Thomas per 'Guildford' 1845 Ticket of leave
LOXTON - Thomas. Business of J.B. Rundle to be carried on by Thomas Loxton 1847
LUKE - Joseph per 'Mangles' Obtained ticket of leave 1846
MAHER - Thomas per 'Middlesex' Obtained ticket of leave 1846
MACKIN - William Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
MACKINTOSH - A . Pound keeper 1846
MARSHALL - William Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
MARTYN - William Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
MCCONOCHIE - James 1846 Constable
MACDONALD - George. 1847 Waiter at Butler's hotel
MCDONALD Mathew McDonald Constable 1847
MCDONOUGH - James Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
MCKENZIE - John . Witness in trial of Barnett 1846
MCMILLAN - James, Ticket of leave cancelled for being absent from district 1842
MELVILLE, - George Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
MITCHELL - John H. Auctioneer and Commission Agent 1845
MITCHELL - Mr. & Mrs. Opened school and receiving boarders 1845
MOORE - James Scott 1848 auctioneer
MORRIS - Charles 1847
MURPHY - James per 'Elphinstone' Obtained ticket of leave 1846
MURPHY - Martin 1846
MURRELLS - David, Ticket of leave
NEWMAN - Robert per 'Bengall Merchant' Obtained ticket of leave 1846
O'ROURKE - Michael per 'Forth' 1848 Obtained Ticket of Leave
PATERSON - Alexander. Warrant issued for arrest 1845
PEDLOW John In service to Ruth Phelps 1846
PERKINS - Michael . Sentenced 2yrs in irons 1846
PERRY - Thomas, per 'Hadlow'. Assigned servant of Hart Davis 1832
PHELPS - Ruth. 1846
PRATT - Thomas per 'Henry Porcher' Ticket of leave cancelled cancelled 1846
QUINLEY - Phillip Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
REARDON - Dennis. Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
RICHARDSON - William per 'Lady Nugent' 1847 Obtained ticket of leave
ROBERTS - John, per 'Eden' Received ticket of leave 1844
ROBERTSON - Donald Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
RODWELL - Edward, per 'Waterloo. Obtained Ticket of leave 1845
ROLPH - Robert per 'Woodbridge' Obtained Ticket of leave 1846
ROSS - Alexander 1848 Found not guilty of assaulting Constable Berkeley
ROSS - John 1846
ROURKE - Richard 1847 Employed as a shepherd by Dr.Gill
RUNDLE - J.B., Treasurer Pages River Races. Storekeeper
RUSHTON - Thomas 1846
SADLEIR - Anthony appointed chief constable 1848
SAUNDERS - George. Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
SEATON - Edward Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
SEXTON - Thomas Apprehended 1847
SHEARMAN - William, Found not guilty of murder of George Clerk 1841
SIMMONDS - Henry 1846
SIMMONDS - Thomas Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
SINGLE - F, Cresswell Park. 1842.
SOUTH - Richard, Publican at Atkinson's Inn. 1841
STEEL, John Mytton, Newspaper correspondent known as John Tobias. died 1846
STRINGER - John, per 'Barossa' 1845
STUDDY - John Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
SULLIVAN - John, per 'St. Vincent' 1845
SWAINE - William per 'Planter'. Ticket of leave 1845
TAUSLEY - James per 'Barossa', 1845
TAYS - David Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
TELFORD - William Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
THOMSON - David Esq. Appointed Magistrate. Pentland,1847
TURNER - Charles per 'John' Obtained ticket of leave 1845
TURNER - Ninan, per 'Clyde', Obtained Ticket of leave 1845
WARLAND - William Henry . Magistrate
WATT - Mrs Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
WEBBECK, - William 1847
WELSH - John 1847
WHALLEY ?(Whelan) - Charles per 'Marquis of Huntley'. Ticket of leave cancelled 1845
WHITE - Robert 1846
WILKIE - John 1847
WILLEY - George per 'America' Obtained ticket of leave 1846
WIGHTMAN - Adam Stuart, Died of apoplexy aged 45, 1845
WIGHTMAN- Alexander. White Hart Inn
WIGHTMAN - John Gave subscription for Irish Relief Fund 1846
WIGHTMAN - Mrs. Lived at Inn with her son Alexander 1847
WILCOX - John Ostler at Mr. Wightmans Inn 4yr old son died when his clothes caught fire 1847
WILLIAMS - John Indicted for stealing 12/- from J. Bradley in Alexander Wightman's Hotel Sentenced to 15 yrs transportation
WILSDEN, William 1848
Sources
(1) Crowley, Frank., A Documentary History of Australia, 1841 - 1874
(2) Dungog Chronicle, Early Days of Port Stephens, Extracts from Sir Edward Parry's Diary
(6)The Australian 26 November 1840
Herald Supplement 5 May 2004