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Thornton's Family
Hotel was built by
Silvester Thornton in 1842 and
commanded the
trade of the principal thoroughfares of the township. Silvester Thornton
arrived as a convict on the
Marquis of Huntley
in 1826 having been tried in Lancaster in 1824 and sentenced to
transportation for life. He held the licence for this hotel for the
years 1843 and 1844.
When he died in April 1845, the Hotel was advertised to be let for a
term of 3 or 5 years.28
The
house contained:
On the ground
floor - One large parlour 15' 4" by 14'
6 "
Large bar, 14 '2 " by 15
' 4 "
Inner Parlour, 15
' 4 " by 15'
Bedroom , 10' 6 "
by 10 '
Sitting Room 10' 6"
by 10 '
Laundry 17 ' by 10
'
There was a large kitchen, offices
and servants' bedrooms; one six stall stable and coaching house; a garden
in full cultivation and yard attached. The Upper flat contained four
bedrooms the whole length and breadth of the house. There was also a
small cottage adjoining which was to be included along with the hotel.29
Alexander Johnston held the license in
1850 when he moved to the Woolpack Inn at Scone. His son Gilbert
Johnston continued to run the Family Hotel until September 1851 when he
advertised the premises for sale.
Hugh McCauley applied for a publican's
license but was refused by the Bench as there were too many hotels in
Muswellbrook.
Select here to read the Muswellbrook Heritage Study of the site (33
Sydney Street) and a photograph of the Muswellbrook Hotel/Motel.. The
original building was extended or re- built in 1895 and is described as a
two story brick building with an iron roof.
(28) MM 4 October 1845
(29)MM 4 October 1845
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