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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 BushrangersIn the late 1840's a visitor passing through M urrurundi 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
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