The Shamrock Inn, Black Creek

Free Settler or Felon?

Hunter Valley Inns & Hotels

The Shamrock Inn

Black Creek

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Edmund Doyle held the license for the Shamrock Inn in 1839

Henry Joseph Cohen was proprietor in 1840. He was present when the Inn was raided by the bushrangers early in December of that year. The gang had arrived at the Inn soon after bailing up John Larnach and his companion John Barker on the Maitland to Singleton road. >>The Australian

The Sydney Monitor reported - 'poor Mr. Cohen was in a terrible fright, and it is supposed will not for a considerable time recover the bruises he then received', - and quoting from a private letter they received - ' the only violence used by the bushrangers was breaking a constable's staff over his arms, which were smashed to pieces (29)

James Watson was innkeeper at the Shamrock Inn in 1842. Next door to the Shamrock at this time was the business of James Bourne a blacksmith, whitesmith and bellhanger. In 1845 James Watson announced that he had opened 'a commodious house' at the Chain of Ponds which had been built by Mr. Nowland.

By late 1843 William Slack was innkeeper. He was in financial difficulty and 'in consequence of the great depression and low prices of all kinds of produce' reduced the charges at the Shamrock in an attempt to attract more patronage. He offered breakfast, dinner and supper for 1/6- each; Bed 1/-. Servants 1/- each. Horses were to be charged 2/6- for the night and a feed of corn or hay would cost the patron 1/--. (26) However these measures were unsuccessful as he was undergoing insolvency procedures by December of 1843 (27) Nevertheless he was issued with a licence for the Shamrock in April 1844. William Slack later moved to the Union Inn in East Maitland and then the Rose Inn at West Maitland.

In August 1844, Samuel Marshall was advertising the house at Anvil Creek 'lately known as the "Shamrock Inn" ' for lease. It contained six rooms, a kitchen and stable with a good enclosed paddock attached. (30)

(26)MM 8 October 1843

(27) MM 16 December 1843.

(29)Sydney Monitor. 4 December 1840

(30) MM10 August 1844