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Huon Valley.net.au: History of the Huon: Founding Fathers |
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Below is a list of people who were among the first settlers of the Huon Valley region. If you have any information or photographs that could be of value to this page that you would like to add, please feel free to contribute.
Resource: "The Cyclopedia of Tasmania" Printed 1900.
Kindly supplied by Peter Clark.
For more information the Families, visit the Colonial Tasmanian Family Links database:
http://portal.archives.tas.gov.au/menu.aspx?search=8 |
| William J Baily |
|
|
W.J
Baily
was
born
in
Windsor,
England
and
was
the
son
of
J.R
Baily,
whose
job
as
cabinetmaker
landed
him
at
Windsor
Castle,
where
he
had
the
proud
distinction
of
fitting
up
Her
Majesty
the
Queen's
library,
and
several
rooms
in the
Imperial
Palace.
Baily's
father
received
a
valuable
token
of
the
Queen's
appreciation
in
the
shape
of
a
bible
sent
to
him
by
her
librarian.
William
arrived
with
his
father
to
Tasmania
in
1841
when
J.R
Baily
asked
to
come
out
and
manage Bishop
Nixon's
affairs.
William
Bailey
learnt
the
storekeeping
business
and
moved
to
the
Huon
district
in
1860,
where
he
opened
a
general
store
on
the
main
road
at
Huonville
and
became
a
well-known
identity
at
that
location.
In
1876
he
became
postmaster
at Huonville
until
in
1896
his
daughter
L.C
Baily
took
over
the
position.
Baily
was
interested
in
the
mining
industry
and
formed
several
prospecting
parties.
He
was
rewarded
by
the
finding
of
a
splendid
copper
and
silver
lode
at
the
Mount
Mueller
Mine
in
the
Tyenna
district.
Baily
was
noted
as
the
first
to
ship
apples
grown
in
the
Huon
to
the
English
market.
He
realised
the
good
prices
and
many
followed
his
actions
soon
after.
He
married
in
1874
to
miss
L.C
White,
a
daughter
of Captain
B.
White,
and
they
had
eight
children. |
General
Storekeeper
and
Orchardist |
| David BALLANTYNE |
|
|
David
Ballantyne
was
born
at
the
Franklin
in
1840.
He
went
to
school
in
Franklin
but
at
an
early
age
he
left
and
followed
farming
pursuits
with
Mr.
P
Ballantyne
for
many
years.
He
went
to
Victoria
when
the
gold
rush took
place
in
the
1860s
but
after
a
couple
of
years
returned
to
his
home
state
and
continued
farming
on
his
own
property.
At
the
age
of
22
he
became
master
and
part
owner
of
one
of
the
rivercraft.
After
spending
two
years
of
sea
life
he
returned
to
farming.
He
had
a
beautifully
appointed
estate,
"Rose
Mount"
on
Upper
Huon
Road,
Huonville
that
consisted
of
40
acres,
18
of
which
were
under
orchard
and
22
pasture.
Ballantyne
also
had
another
property
called
"Glenbrook",
a
56
acre
property,
18
acres
under
orchard
the
rest
pasture.
He
was
considered
one
of
the
most
successful
exporters
of
fruit
in
the
Huon
district
at
the
turn
of
the
20th
century,
due
to
obtaining
the
highest
prices
ever
reached
on
the
English
market
for
Tasmanian
apples,
one
consignment
having fetched
32s
a
case.
David
Ballantyne
married
in
1873
to
a
daughter
of
John
Clark
who
was
an
orchardist
and
miller
in
the
Franklin
district. |
Orchardist,
"Rose
Mount" |
| George Dunn BENNETT |
|
|
George
Dunn
Bennett
was
born
at
Franklin
in
1841,
and
was
educated
at
the
State
School
there.
He
was
the
only
son
of
G.D
Bennett,
who
came
to
the
colony
from
Lincolnshire
in
1839,
in
the
barque
"Wave",
and
settled
in
Franklin.
In
1855
G.D
Bennett
purchased
"Hemerton"
in
Geeveston,
managing
it,
with
the
help
of
his
son,
until
1886
when
he
passed
away
and
George
Bennet
junior
took
on
the
estate.
His
training
in
farm
work
was
thorough,
and
under
his
care
the
orchard
was
enlarged
step
by
step til
it
covered
15
acres.
There
was
also
a
fair
amount
of
land,
which
grew
crops
and
grain,
while
large
pasturelands
made
up
the
rest
of
the
farm.
In
1865
Bennett
married
Miss
Schultz,
a
daughter
of Mr
Schultz,
of
the
Huon,
and
they
had
a
family
of
seven
sons
and
three
daughters.
He
took
a
lively
interest
in
local
matters,
and
was
for
some
time
a
member
of
the
Geeveston
Road
Trust.
He
then
became
a
leading
member
of
the Board
of
Agriculture
and
of
the
Codlin
Moth
Board.
Mr
Bennett
was
also
a
director
of
the
Geeveston
Hall
Company,
and
a
warden
of
the
Church
of
England. |
Orchardist, "Hemerton" |
| James Edward BLACKMAN |
|
|
James
Edward
Blackman
was
the
son
of
Isaac
Blackman,
a
schoolmaster
of
fifty
years
standing
in
his
native
town.
After
studying
under
his
father,
James
entered
the
College
of
Preceptions
in
1873
and
received
his
diploma.
He
then
opened
a
private
school,
which
he
coached
for
twenty
five
years
for
the
Army
and
Navy.
In
1893
he
severed
his
connection
with
the
school
life
and
went
to
the
antipodes.
After
travelling
around
the
different
colonies
he
settled
down
at
“Sheppey
Farm”
in
Castle
Forbes
Bay,
a
65acre
property
with
32
acres
equally
divided
in
pears
and
apples. |
Orchardist,
"Sheppey
Farm" |
| Isaac BROWN |
|
|
Isaac
Brown
was
a
native
of
Cambridgeshire,
England,
and
was
born
in
1822.
He
was
brought
up
to
farming
pursuits
in
the
old
country,
and
came
to
Tasmania
in
1854
in
the
ship
"Kingston."
He
immediately
took
up
land
in
the
Huon
district,
and
as
of
1900
had
about
8
acres
down
in
orchard.
The
homestead
commanded
an
uninterrupted
view
of
the
river
and
district,
and
was
situated
on
one
of
the
healthiest
spots in
the
Huon.
Brown
did
a
large
trade
in
the
nursery
business
previous
to
1900,
and
never
failed
to
obtain
top
market
prices
for
his
seedlings.
He
was
married
in
1844,
in
Cambridgeshire,
to
Sarah
Cadman,
and
in
1894
they
celebrated
their
golden
wedding. Mr.
&
Mrs.
Brown,
although
both
seventy-seven
years
of
age
in
1900,
enjoyed
almost
perfect
health.
|
Orchardist,
"Riverview", Glaziers Bay
(postal address, Shipwright's Point) |
| John Hy. CAWTHORN |
|
|
John Hy. Cawthorn was a native of Tasmania, having been born at Macquarie Plains in 1840, and was the eldest son of Henry David Cawthorn, and grandson of John Henry Cawthorn, who came to Tasmania in 1818. The subject of this notice was educated at the late Mr. Robert Giblin's school, which was, as of 1900, Pressland House, Hobart, and on completing his studies went in for farming pursuits on his mother's property at "Arundel," Macquarie Plains.
In 1879 Mr. Cawthorn took up "High Arundel", a property at Wattle Grove, which consisted of 133 acres, 14 of which were laid out in small fruits and general orchard. He grew an excellent class of Sturmers, pearmains, French crabs, and other kinds of apples, whilst a few varieties of pears were also produced. In small fruits, such as apricots, plums, and currants, Cawthorn had a splendid lot. He also had a small nursery, and grew both dwarf and standard trees. As a shipper of fruit to the Sydney market he was very successful.
As a public man he did much to promote the interests of the district, being at the turn of the century a member of the Port Cygnet Branch Board of Agriculture. Cawthorn had been a member of the Port Cygnet Road Trust and Fruit Board, but owing to living some distance from the place of meeting he was compelled to relinquish the positions. He was married in 1869 to Martha A. Cockerill, daughter of Henry M. Cockerill, and as of 1900 they had a family of eight living children. One of his sons, W.S. Cawthorn was captain of the s.s. "Pilot," trading between Strahan and Kelly's Basin. |
Farmer and Orchardist,
"High Arundel"
Wattle Grove, near Port Cygnet |
| Henry Edward CLARK |
|
|
Henry Edward Clark was born at Woodside in Franklin and was the eldest son of John Clark, the first to take up land in the Franklin district. H.E Clark was educated at the Franklin and worked for a couple of years in a flour mill before joining the building trade where he was employed for some years in the shipbuilding industry after which he started doing general contracting in the colony.
Clark bought "Feronia", a 200 acre property at Cradoc, Huon River on which he put aside 8 acres for the use of apple and pear orchard as well as wheat for his own personal use. As well as growing fruit, he also ran sheep and cattle for home consumption and market purposes. Henry Clark was chairman of the Woodstock Road Trust and took a great interest in the welfare of the district. He was married in 1877 and had one son and one daughter. |
Orchardist, "Feronia" |
| John Kellaway CLARK |
|
|
John Kellaway Clark was born in 1852 at Franklin, and was educated there. He was the third son of John Clark, of Franklin, and after leaving school assisted his father in conducting a flourmill there. As of 1900, modern machinery was not in vogue, the mill was being run by water power. A few years later he went to New Zealand, and engaged in mining pursuits in the Cormandel district for a couple of years. Clark then sought fresh fields in New South Wales and Charters Towers, where he engaged in mining.
His birthplace, however, again attracted him, and after two years' sojourn in Queensland, he returned to Franklin. He joined Thomas Inches at Shipwrights Point, and remained with him for two years, after which he spent some little time in timber-getting, and then, in company with his brother, accepted large contracts from the Government for roads and bridges in the Huon district. After two years at this occupation he purchased the "Glenburn" estate at Port Cygnet, and by his energy and ability built up a beautiful home.
In the homestead Clark had some 230 acres, of which 9 acres were laid out in scarlet pearmains, Adams' pearmains, Sturmers, and other varieties of the most marketable fruits procurable. The remainder was devoted to general farming pursuits. Clark also possessed some 417 acres of land at the Sandfly. As a fruit grower he had been singularly successful, and during the busy season exported largely to intercolonial and London markets.
He had always taken an interest in matters having for their object the advancement of the district, and during the eight years he occupied the position of a representative on the Port Cygnet Road Trust he had the proud honour of filling the chair during several successive years. He was appointed a member of the Welsh Road trust in 1895, and as of 1900 was in his second term as chairman of that body. Clark had also been for some years a member of the Port Cygnet Fruit Board and of the Board of Advice. He married Mary Skinner at Franklin in 1883, and, as of the turn of the century, they had three children. |
Orchardist, "Glenburn",
Port Cygnet |
| John Cleary |
|
|
John Cleary was born at Gordon, and in 1869 made his home at Port Cygnet, where, with the exception of an absence of a year or two, he remained ever since. His property had an area of 90 acres, 5 of which were laid out as orchard; the principal varieties of fruits grown being apples and pears for exportation.
Cleary had a splendid assortment of Sturmers, French crabs, scarlet pearmains, Adams' pearmains, and other varieties, and also a good assortment of small fruit. He was elected a member of the Port Cygnet Road Trust in 1899, and took a great interest in matters relating to the advancement of the district. He was married in 1892 to Miss Dishington, eldest daughter of Mr. A Dishington, of Aberlady Mains, Scotland, and, as of 1900 they had a family of four. |
Orchardist, Cradoc Road,
Port Cygnet |
| Rev. Uriah COOMBS |
|
|
Rev. Uriah Coombs was born in Milborne Port, Somerset in England in 1832. He arrived in Victoria in 1853 where he studied theology at the Victoria College in Melbourne. He was ordained shortly after and accepted an invitation to the Independent Church, Warrnambool, where he remained for fifteen years, being considered an able preacher and conscientious worker in the Christian cause.
Failing health compelled Coombs to relinquish his ministerial position in Victoria and in 1881 he came to Tasmania where he engaged in missionary work for six years taking up the stations from Bellerive to Bream Creek. After that he took charge of the Congregational Church at Franklin for four years and then moved on to Richmond Church for two years. After again being subject to ill health he retired and settled on his property at Belmont, North Franklin where he engaged in cattle breeding and fruit growing. He preached occasionally around the local area and was always ready to assist philanthropic objects.
The reverend gentlemen had an extensive and valuable library consisting of over 3,000 volumes. He was married in Bendigo to Miss Ann Elizabeth Harbour of Chard, Somerset England and their family consisted of eight, two of which were still living by the turn of the century. |
Belmont, North Franklin |
| Hy. Lucas CROWTHER |
|
|
Hy Lucas Crowther was the second son of Hon. W.L Crowther, and was born at Hobart on 3rd July 1847, and educated at Hutchins School, Horton College, and Mr T.P Cowle’s Academy. He was engaged in pastoral pursuits for a time, and then managed his father’s sawmill at Little Oyster Cove for some years.
On his father’s death, Crowther joined the Civil Service, and on 21st January 1886 he was appointed Clerk of Petty Sessions and Registrar of the Franklin district, a position he held until being promoted to the position of Stipendiary Magistrate and Commissioner for Mines at Mount Bischoff. This involved work of an onerous and responsible nature, embracing, as it did, the whole of the Western Mining Division.
Crowther was compelled to travel at all times overland through Pieman and Heemskirk, on to Mount Lyell, which, though in it’s infancy, produced a considerable amount of litigation. Disputes over mining properties were of frequent occurrence, and (together with Secretary of Mines, Mr Francis Belstead) Crowther settled such important cases as those of Jones v Crotty, Jones v Dixon, Carlson v Dixon, Pearce v Carlson, Pearce v Jones, Ritchie v Pearce, and others.
The next appointment Crowthers held was at West Devon, where he occupied the position of stipendiary magistrate and commissioner of the Court of Bequests, being located at Ulverstone. He remained there for five years, when, owing to the retrenchment policy of the Government, he was transferred to Franklin to take the place of Mr E.L Hall, who had been given charge of the West Coast.
Crowther was appointed territorial magistrate on 18th July 1870 and still held the position at the turn of the century. He married Emily Caroline Bennett, the youngest daughter of Henry Bennett, J.P, of Launceston. They had two children, a girl, Victoire Marian and a boy, Edward Muller Pearso. |
Commissioner of the Court of Requests, and Visiting Magistrate for the district
of Kingborough |
| Arthur DAVIES |
|
|
Arthur Davies was born at Honeywood, in the Huon district. He was the youngest son of William L. Davies, of Geeveston, who emigrated to the colony at an early age Arthur Davies was educated by Mr S. O. Lovell, the inspector of schools at the turn of the century, and occupied the position of pupil teacher under this gentlemen for twelve months, but finding the work uncongenial, he resigned the appointment and went to Port Cygnet as assistant to Matthew Fitzpatrick, who at the time was the leading businessman in the district.
Subsequently they embarked upon the orcharding business together, upon the "Glen Fern" Estate, which at the time was but a cattle run. The subject of this sketch was carried on at "Auburn" (part of the "Glen Fern" estate) horticultural pursuits. He had 12 acres under cultivation as an orchard, the principal fruits that were grown being Adams' pearmains, scarlet pearmains, New Yorks, and Sturmers. The "Auburn" Estate was situated about one mile from the township of Lovett, and was on the main road to Lymington.
The road ran along the western side of the bay, so that Davies had an interrupted view of the whole port and surrounding district. He had been hon. secretary of the local Board of Agriculture since 1894, and represented that body on several occasions at the periodical conferences of the boards. He was hon. secretary to the local Fire Relief Committee, who worked so earnestly and effectively in relieving the dire distress caused by the terrible bush fires which rages through the Huon district during the summer of 1898, carrying destruction with their train; but, thanks to the able and untiring advocacy of the local committee, they obtained for the unfortunate sufferers large sums of money for the erection of houses, etc., together with gifts of fencing wire and grass seed.
The work of investigating the various cases of distress and apportioning the grants was a difficult and onerous work for the committee, and as a report of each case had to be submitted to the central committee, it involved a voluminous amount of correspondence. Davies was a member of the Board of Advice, and sat for some time as a road trustee and member of the Fruit Board. While his services have ever been willingly and cheerfully given for any public, worthy or charitable object, he found time to indulge in his sporting proclivities.
He was the hon. secretary to the Recreation Grounds Trustees, held a similar position for some time to the Racing Committee, and had been secretary of the Port Cygnet Regatta Committee since 1892, being instrumental in tiding more than one stream of adversity. Davies was a Roman Catholic, was a church warden, and took an active part in church matters. |
Orchardist, "Auburn",
Port Cygnet |
| James Falconer DAVIS |
|
|
James Falconer Davis was born at Port Esperance in 1867 and was the youngest son of William Davis. On leaving the local school, he occupied the position of acting postmaster for about fourteen years, during which period he also assisted his father in the storekeeping business.
When his father died in 1893, he took over the premises, and carried on the trade into the 20th century. The stock is a varied one, consisting as it does of all descriptions of hardware, groceries, and produce, whilst the trade extended to all the sawmills, orchardists, and farmers within a radius of over eight miles.
The bakery and butchering departments were important factors in the business. The former had developed by leaps and bounds during 1898-1900, owing to personal delivery of bread being made daily. Davis held the position of secretary and treasurer of the Port Esperance Road Trust for fourteen years, but resigned in 1899. He had been secretary and collector to the South Huon Fruit Board since 1888, and was also a colour-sergeant in the local defence force. Davis married in 1898 to Isabella Lydia Lewis, daughter of James Lewis, and they had one daughter, Irene Gladys Alexrna the same year. |
General Storekeeper, Butcher, Baker |
| William Lewis DAVIS |
|
|
William Davis was born in the district in 1860, and was educated at the local State School. On leaving school he went to Hobart, and was apprenticed for six years to David Dingwall, blacksmith. On completing his apprenticeship he returned to Geeveston to fill the position of journeyman blacksmith to Messrs. John Geeves and Son, an establishment, that as of 1900 he had managed for fifteen years.
Around 1888 Davis selected 100 acres of land, 8 of which he laid out in orchard. He had done all the clearing himself and planted no less than 1250 trees, half of which were in full bearing. Davis was a member of the Foresters' Friendly Society, and a colour-sergeant in the local Rifle Corps. |
Orchardist and Blacksmith |
| John Hilton DEAN |
|
|
John Hilton Dean was born in Wellington, Shropshire, and was the only son of John Dean, of that place. After completing his scholastic training he came out to the colonies when he was a mere boy, arriving at Moreton Bay, Queensland in 1862.
Together with some of his shipmates he went inland, and joined Government road works. Dean only remained a few months at this occupation, and then went further up country, where he was engaged at bush work and shearing. After eight years of this life he again joined Government service as a bridge carpenter.
He soon afterwards took charge of some of the most important works in the Burnett district, and was ultimately promoted to the position of chief overseer and inspector of the entire works in the district, a position he held for six years, when divisional boards were appointed to take control.
Failing health then induced Dean to take a trip to Sydney and Melbourne. Twelve months were spent in travelling in Victoria and New South Wales, and in 1880 he came to Tasmania. The mineral wealth of the West Coast attracted his attention, but after five months of hardship, and no success there, he decided to quit the colony. However, hearing there might be a vacancy in the Public Works Department of the colony, he made an application to the then Engineer-in-Chief, James Fincham, and was immediately engaged.
After many vicissitudes he worked his way up, and six years later was sent to the West Coast district as Inspector of Roads. In 1888 he was removed to a similar position at the Huon, which he occupied til 1896, when he retired from the Public Works Department, and purchased a property at Cairns' Bay.
Dean's property consisted of 33 acres, 20 of which he had grubbed and cleared, and half of that portion planted with fruit trees. His estate was certainly a picture of neatness, and a model to the locality. A comfortable house, with the necessary outbuildings, was erected rather quickly, and the whole surroundings indicate the industrious nature of Dean. |
Orchardist |
| Philip Devereux |
|
|
Philip Devereux was born in North Bridgewater, near Hobart, in 1820, and was the grandson of John McCarthy, who was a pioneer of New South Wales and Tasmania, and died in Melbourne. Devereux 's father was a farmer at North Bridgewater. In 1847 Philip Devereux settled down in business in the Huon district and was engaged in fruit-growing for many years. He had 23 acres under fruit adjoining the hotel at Port Cygnet, 20 acres at Irish Town, and another orchard at Lymington South.
As a proprietor of the Huon Hotel since 1887 he had been very successful, being careful always to pay that attention to visitors, which the most exacting expected. Opposite his well-known hostelry was a large entertainment hall. Devereux was identified with all local affairs, and was for many years a member of the Port Cygnet Road Trust. He married Miss Rooke, a native of the district, and as of 1900 they had a family of sixteen children. |
Hotel and Orchardist,
Port Cygnet |
| James EVANS |
|
|
James Evans was the son of Captain Evans and was born at Norfolk Island in 1845, and was educated privately and at Trinity Hill School in Hobart. Captain Evans, together with Captain Gourlay, were the pioneers of the Huon River, having navigated it and taken soundings in the paddle steamer "Colloden", of which boat Captain Gourlay was part owner. It was owing to this circumstance that Mr Evans made his first acquaintance with the Huon area, he accepted the position of manager of a timber business for Gourlay.
Eventually he acquired business for himself, but the demand for timber temporarily slackening, he turned his attention to other pursuits, namely, orcharding and grazing, and during his thirty eight years' residence in the Huon, he was singularly successful. He was a past master Mason and a member of the Codlin Moth and Agricultural Boards. He was also a churchwarden and a founder of the local English Church.
James Evans' property, "The Fernery" in Geeveston, had a splendid estate of 247 acres, of which 18 acres were laid down in orchard. The homestead occupied a commanding position fronting the Scott's Rivulet Road. Nine acres of the block were under cultivation as an orchard, the principal fruit grown being Sturmers, French crabs, scarlet pearmains, ribstons, and New York pippins.
In a fair season the crop averaged about 400 bushels an acre. Pears were also cultivated, but in much smaller quantities. The balance of the orchard of 9 acres is situated on a different block. |
Orchardist, "The Fernery" |
| Matthew FITZPATRICK |
|
|
Matthew Fitzpatrick was named after his father, who emigrated from County Cork, Ireland, in 1836, to Tasmania, with his wife and two sisters. He soon settled down in the Port Cygnet area, and became one of the largest employers of sawyers and splitters, employing, when trade was brisk, no fewer than 500 or 600 hands. He was the first to export timber to the intercolonial markets, and also to lay out an orchard in the district.
The last-named was on a selection at Petchey's Bay and was occupied by Mr Lord at the turn of the century. Matthew Fitzpatrick was born at Port Cygnet in 1849, and at the age of eleven, he, together with his brother, was sent to England to be educated. In 1865 he returned to Tasmania, and assisted his father in farming and horticultural pursuits. A few years later he opened a general store, and combined with it the occupation of fruit-growing. Eventually he devoted all of his energy to the latter pursuit, and as of 1900 had 20 acres of orchard attached to his well-appointed home.
Fitzpatrick long entertained the idea that coal deposits existed in the district, and after prospecting for many months with Richard Hill, he was rewarded by finding the well-known Port Cygnet Coalfield, which had since been worked with unqualified success. Of course these prospecting operations were not carried out without a large amount of expenditure, and it is not too much to say that he spent many hundreds of pounds before he met with his reward.
He was appointed a territorial police magistrate, and occupied the position for many years, when important demands on his time caused him to relinquish the honourable duties, and a gratifying recognition of his uprightness and integrity was accorded him on the occasion by the residents of the district, who presented him with a purse of fifty sovereigns and an illuminated address. The pressure of business cares, however, slackened, and Fitzpatrick found himself again able to be placed on the honorary list of justices of the peace of the colony.
As a public man in the Huon district, his record stood out pre-eminent. He was Government inspector of roads, returning officer of the electoral district of Kingborough, chairman of the local Board of Agriculture, and member of the Board of Advice. He was formerly chairman of the Road Trust and Board of Education, assessor for the Government in the district of Kingborough, first president of the local rifle club, first captain and president of the cricket club, and first chairman of the Board of Health. He was elected chairman (in 1898) of the fire relief committee.
The committee was composed of clergymen of every denomination and the leading men in the district, and several thousand pounds were expended in relief of sufferers by the bush fires. It was thus seen that Fitzpatrick had occupied many honourable public positions. He was married in 1878 to Annie Hill, a daughter of Richard Hill, of Honeywood near Geeveston, and they had a family of five daughters and four sons. |
Orchardist, "Glen Farm",
Port Cygnet |
| William FLETCHER |
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William Fletcher, the son of a respected farmer of the Upper Huon who died at the age of ninety-one, was born in 1852. Fletcher started business for himself as a fruit-grower at "The Oaks" at Upper Huon in 1881. He used to travel to the other surrounding colonies from time to time to educate himself of the ins and outs of the business and to get acquainted with the markets and how the buying and selling procedure worked. "The Oaks" had a 7 acre orchard laid with scarlet pearmains, Adam's pearmains, sturmers, crabs, lady's snow, ribstones, New Yorks etc totalling around 1400 trees.
The property was approximately 2 and a half miles from the Huon Bridge and just one and three-quarter miles from the shipping jetty. William Fletcher took a great interest in the welfare of the colony and was a member of the Upper Huon Road Trust. He married Miss Rodman, in 1878, who was the daughter of Jonah Rodman, a very old resident of the district. William and his wife had one son and one daughter. |
Orchardist, "The Oaks" |
| Arthur James FRANCOMB |
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Arthur James Francomb was born 31st October 1857 and attended the City School in Hobart. At the age of fifteen he was articled to Messrs. Roberts and Allport, lawyers of Stone Buildings, Macquarie Street and remained with them for almost nine years. In July 1884, he was admitted as a solicitor and barrister of the Supreme Court of Tasmania, and after practising on his own account in Hobart for one year, decided to return to his roots in the Huon where he was the only legal gentleman in the district, attending at least five courts a month travelling as far as South Esperance.
Francomb was the third son of Thomas Francomb of the Huon and was a member of the Church of England choir. He was a sports enthusiast, holding the position of secretary of the Huonville Cricket Club and captain of the local bicycling club (at the time totalling 25 members). He was also an active member of the Derwent Rowing Club and secretary of the Southern Tasmanian Cricket Association, and the Base Ball Club. |
Barrister and Solicitor |
| Thomas Amsby FRANCOMB |
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Thomas Amsby Francomb was born in July 1864 and was named after his father. He completed his education at the City School in Hobart in 1879 under the mastership of H.M. Pike. He then studied mechanical engineering for five years in Hobart before travelling to Melbourne to gain further experience with the Austral Otis Coy for two years.
In 1886 he returned to Huonville to work on his father's orchard where he learnt everything connected with fruit growing. In 1893, when the family estate was to be sold, T.A. Francomb and Mr Courtney of Franklin bought it between them. As of 1900 the first-named held 290 acres, 52 of which were orchard, the remainder was used for agricultural and pastoral pursuits.
T.A Francomb's orchard was one of the "show" fruit estates of the district, and was worked on most thoroughly scientific principles. He believed in getting the most satisfactory results for the least costs and with this in view, he bought a couple of staunch fat horses, which did the whole work of the property. He bred Shropshire sheep and started with a few ewes and a purebred ram hoping to achieve success. |
Orchardist, "Clifton" |
| James GARTH |
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James Garth was born on Norfolk Island, and was the son of First Fleet convict parents who were also members of the first party of 9 convicts who went with Phillip Gidley King to start the first settlement on the island. James Garth settled in the Huon by 1844, where he owned sawmills. In 1851 he was listed as a timber dealer at Port Cygnet and was both a master and ship owner. His daughter Mary, was married to Thomas Inches, senior, who arrived in the district around the same time as him. |
Timber Dealer, Port Cygnet |
| Osborne GEEVES |
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Osborne Geeves was born on 21st April 1831 and was the youngest son of William and Mary Geeves, who settled in the Franklin district in 1842. He started storekeeping in Geeveston in 1856, and 1881 added a sawmill to the business. Geeves retired in 1896, when he handed business over to his sons, but he intended to resume operations at an early date.
He took a deep interest in all that appertained to the Huon district and had been a member of the Liverpool Road Trust for over twenty-eight years, and was for a lengthy period connected with the School Boards of Advice for Geeveston and Castle Forbes Bay.
As of the turn of the century he was a member of the Board of Advice for North Franklin, of which body he had been chairman. Geeves took an active interest in Church matters, having held the position of lay reader in the Geeveston Church, and secretary and deacon of the Congregational Church.
He had a mill at Geeveston capable of turning out 40,000 super feet of timber per week. The plant included a 25hp tubular boiler and engine (manufactured by Allborough and Co.) and breaking down frames; a circular bench, board frame, and, in fact, all the essentials to a complete working plant. Geeves was married in 1856 to Eliza Hickman, a daughter of Richard Hickman, of New Town, and they had a family of three sons and three daughters, all were married.
He also had no less than twenty-nine grandchildren as of the turn of the century. He was the discoverer of the "Lakes" on the now famous Hartz Mountains, on 25th January 1878. He lived in a property called "Hartzview" at Shipwrights' Point. |
Sawmiller, "Hartzview" |
| Stephen GEEVES |
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Stephen Geeves was born in Cambridgeshire in 1826 and was the son of William Geeves, and came to Tasmania when he was sixteen. He first settled in the Franklin, where he remained for nine years farming and clearing the property.
In 1851 he went to Geeveston with his parents and brothers, they being the first settlers in the district, and after them the township was named. As of 1899 the surviving members of the family were John Geeves (aged seventy-nine); Stephen Geeves (aged seventy-three); and Osborne Geeves, the youngest at sixty-seven years of age.
In 1852 Stephen Geeves was attracted by the gold rush to Victoria, but like many others he did not make a fortune. He then returned to Geeveston, where he comfortably settled down to pursue a horticultural lifestyle. His property consisted of 50 acres, 28 of which were in Geeveston, and 22 in the Parish of Price. There were 4 ½ acres under orchard, some of the trees having been planted around the 1850's, and the remainder about half that period; the balance of the land being used for grazing purposes.
Geeves grew New York pippins, Sturmers, French crabs and other varieties, the oldest of the trees was still bearing most prolifically at the time. He took great interest in local matters, and was for many years a member of the Road Trust, and also accepted the position of inspector under the Codlin Moth Act. He was also a deacon of the Congregational Church, and led the singing there for about twenty-four years.
Geeves married in 1851 to Miss Lois Hickman, a daughter of Richard Hickman, of Kangaroo Valley, and they had twelve children living out of fourteen by the turn of the century eight daughters, four sons. |
Orchardist
b. 1826 - d. 1914 |
| Joseph GREEN |
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Joseph Green was born at Geeveston on 4th December 1872 and after receiving a public school education was employed as a bushman, subsequently assisting in laying the Scott's Rivulet Road. He followed this kind of work ever since, contracting, and at other times, working on wages.
With the outbreak of the Zeehan silverfields, he sought employment there, and was engaged for some eight months trucking ore and following other occupations. He also had been at Kelly's Basin, on the West Coast, where he worked for some time. Green was the only son of Edward Green, who had a farm in the Geeveston district.
At the age of three years he lost his mother, and when but twelve years of age his father died and left him dependant on his grandparents, who then became his guardians. Then in about 1894 his grandfather died, since which time Green supported his grandmother, aged about eighty years, and his aunt. His father was a well-known identity in the Huon district, and for years held the proud distinction of being a champion rower.
At the age of sixteen years Green joined the Liverpool Brass Band at Geeveston, being the third cornet soloist, and soon showing signs of musical ability, was raised to first cornetist. He also played the euphonium in the Zeehan Band for upwards of eight months. |
Sawmiller, "Hartzview" |
| Charles GRIGGS |
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Charles Griggs was the third son of Enoch Griggs, a very old respected resident of Franklin, and was born there in 1870. He was brought up to the fruit growing industry on his father’s estate, and in 1893 he started his own account.
In 1898 he erected a splendid residence on his property at “Fair View”, which comprised of 21 acres, 5 of which were laid out as orchard. Griggs had eight varieties of apples and ten of peaches, besides a considerable area of currants, raspberries and cherries.
He joined the Oddfellows’ Lodge in 1895, and always took a great interest in its working. He was elected secretary for two terms and then appointed Vice-Grand. In June 1899, he rose to the honourable position of Noble-Grand, which was placed in the chair of the Lord Franklin Lodge. Griggs married the same year to Margaret Hague, a daughter of Martin Hague of Huonville. |
Orchardist, "Fair View" |
| Frederick GRIGGS |
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Frederick Griggs was the eldest son of Joseph Griggs and was born in 1858. He was educated locally and brought up to fruit growing with his father. Griggs purchased a property in Franklin in 1880 and had shown both knowledge and perseverance in his calling. His property "Boronia House", was noted as one of the most charming in the Huon district. It was situated 120 feet above sea level and commanded an uninterrupted view of the Huon. It was constructed of weatherboard and contained ten rooms.
The orchard itself comprised 20 acres, 5 of which were sowed with fruit trees and showed what patience and enterprise could do. It was perhaps the most varied in the district, there being about twenty one kinds of pears, seven of apricots, twelve of plums, eight of peaches, four of nectarines, besides currants, raspberries etc.
Griggs spared no pains or expense in perfecting his orchard, many of the different kinds of fruit grown having been specially imported, at great cost on many instances. Griggs took an active interest in the Welfare of the Wesleyan Church and was associated with the Congregational and well as the Wesleyan Church. He was a member of the Franklin Road Trust as of 1895. He married Ellen McIntosh, a well-known resident of Geeveston in 1883 and they had six children. |
Orchardist |
| Herbet Hy. GRIGGS |
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Herbet Hy Griggs was born in Franklin in 1873 and was the youngest son of Joseph Griggs a well-known orchardist of the area, who died in 1894. Herbet Griggs was educated locally and was brought up to the fruit growing industry in his father's orchard.
After his father passed away, Griggs, in conjunction with his brother, George William, carried on the estate till 1898, when the partnership was dissolved and each started out on their own account. Griggs purchased a property called "Riverslea" in Franklin. It consisted of 16 acres, 6 of which are laid out as orchard. He grew Sturmer pippins, scarlet pearmains, French crabs, russets, New Yorks, Napoleons, Gibbins seedlings, and other varieties, as well as some pears.
Griggs was married in 1898 to Kate Emmerline Geeves, a daughter of Stephen Geeves, of Geeveston, and they had one son, Ronald Geeves one year later . Herbet Griggs was closely associated with the Wesleyan Church, and took a great interest in the welfare of the general district. |
Orchardist, "Riverslea" |
| Benjamin Brown HARRISON |
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Benjamin Brown Harrison was born at Cradoc in June 1857, and brought up to farming pursuits on his father's property. He started business on his own account in 1879, and a few years afterwards went into horticultural pursuits. He had two orchards, that on which the homestead stood, comprised 100 acres, 15 of which were under fruit, and the other of 50 acres, 14 of which were fruit-bearing. Harrison grew various descriptions of fruit, but principally Sturmers, scarlet pearmains, Adams' pearmains, ribstons, and French crabs.
Portions of his acreage were also under pear crop. He exported largely to the intercolonial markets, and his brands were a guarantee of quality. He had taken a great interest in public affairs, and was for a few years a member of the Port Cygnet Road Trust. He was married to Miss Honorah Marie Stack, a daughter of an old identity in the Huon district, and as of 1900 they had a family of five children |
Orchardist, "Huondale",
Cradoc |
| Frederick William HARRISON |
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Frederick William Harrison was the second son of Frederick Harrison, a very old resident of Cradoc, who was for many years chairman of the Woodstock Road Trust, and one of the first sawyers in the district. Frederick Harrison, junior, was born at Cradoc in 1865, and after receiving his education was brought up to farming on his father's property. He had almost continually been engaged as a farmer and orchardist on the estate, but in addition had carried out, in conjunction with his brother, Benjamin Harrison, some important road contracts.
He also contracted on the West Coast for a short time, but his father's indisposition caused him to return to Cradoc and purchase and manage the property, which consisted of 200 acres. Harrison had about 4 acres laid out in hard fruits, whilst he also possessed some 5 or 6 acres of raspberries, and black and red currants. When full bearing the estimated output of raspberries was considered to be fifteen tons, and of currants five tons. The greater portion of the product was shipped to Melbourne and Sydney, the remainder was converted into wines.
He had upwards of 100 quarter casks maturing and had two large stores especially for this business. He also turned out an excellent parsnip wine. Harrison took an interest in all local affairs, and was a member of the Woodstock Road Trust, having been appointed to the vacancy caused by the retirement of his father. He had also done valuable work as a member of the local branch Board of Agriculture. |
Farmer and Orchardist
Cradoc Hill |
| Robert HARVEY |
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Robert Harvey was born in Port Cygnet in 1855. He commenced business in 1878, and owned the largest business in Southern Tasmania, outside Hobart. He was one of the first shippers of apples to London, and had packed large quantities of fruit for that market every year since. He also established fruit drying and preserving works, which were the largest and most complete in the colony. Here were manufactured the celebrated " R.H." brand of evaporated apples, cider, etc., which had a large and increasing sale. |
Commercial Stores, Port Cygnet;
Butcher, Baker and General
Storekeeper; Fruit Merchant,
Orchardist, Landowner, and
Investor; Sawmill Owner and
proprietor of the Mount Cygnet
Coal Mines. |
| Charles Richard HEFFERNAN |
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Charles Heffernan was born in Hobart and was brought up in the bakery trade, serving two years with Mr Stevens, of Macquarie Street, Hobart. After that, he went to New Town, and engaged in the trade for sixteen years. In 1880 he went to the Huon, and entered the service of Mr O.G Geeves at Geeveston, where he remained til 1896.
Heffernan opened his own bakery in Franklin the same year, purchasing the oldest establishment in the district, having originally opened in the early 1850’s. In 1876, he married Miss Jones, a daughter of Captain John Jones of Hobart, and they had a family of four. Having only lived in Franklin for two years, Heffernan lost his wife after a long and painful illness. |
Baker, Confectioner, etc |
| Father Patrick D. HENNESSY |
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Father Patrick D. Hennessy was born in County Limerick, Ireland, in March 1874. He received a classical education at St. Andrew’s Seminary, Kilfinane, and read philosophy and theology at All Hallow’s College, Dublin. At the age of twenty-four he was ordained priest for the Archdiocese of Hobart. Soon after his arrival he ministered for some months at St. Joesph’s Church, Hobart, and was appointed to the Franklin district on the death of the late Father Murphy.
Father Hennessy had a large circuit under his charge, having to make periodic visits to St. Joseph’s Church, at Honeywood; St. Mary of Hope, Port Esperance; Star of the Sea, Southport; and stations at Huonville and Lady’s Bay. There was attached to the Franklin Church a convent and school which had been erected since his arrival, and which was presided over by the Sisters of the Order of St. Joseph. |
St Mary's Church, Franklin |
| Richard HILL |
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Richard Hill was born in Hobart in 1825 and was educated locally. He served an apprenticeship to the engineering trade with Messrs. Easby and Robertson, and on completing the same he purchased 100 acres of ground at Honeywood, together with a sawmill, which was the oldest in the colony, and was worked by water power.
In the early 1850's, Hill started a pottery business, but owing to the large exodus of population to the Victorian goldfields about this time, together with the high price of timber, he decided to devote his sole attention to the latter commodity. After a few years he added a flourmill to the property, and subsequently cultivated about 6 acres of hops.
Hill was the promoter of tram lines in the Huon area, and it was needless to say what a potent factor they had been in opening up the vast resources of the locality. A company was formed for this purpose, and two miles of tram road laid down, and eventually Hill added about four miles west and three miles north, tapping some valuable timber forests.
In 1877 he built the "Annie Hill" schooner and "Governor Weld" ketch for his timber trade. Hill's property consisted of 111 acres, 100 of which were at Honeywood, and the balance in Geeveston. There were about 9 acres under orchard, the average crop being about 1,200 bushels and 70 bushels of pears. The principal varieties grown were New York pippins, Sturmers, scarlet pearmains and French crabs.
Mr Hill had always taken a lively interest in local matters. He was the first returning officer for the Franklin electorate, and subsequently appointed justice of the peace, a member of the first Road Trust, and succeeded Dr. Crook, who was the first chairman.
He was a retired captain of the Defence Force, and was chairman of the Agricultural and Fruit Boards. He was also identified with the formation of a company to work the Port Cygnet Coal Mines. Hill was married in 1852 to Miss Mary Ann Brady, a daughter of Philip Brady, of Hobart, and they had two daughters and two sons. |
Orchardist, Honeywood |
| William Smith HINTON |
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William Smith Hinton was born in Shropshire, in 1834 and was educated in England. He came to the colonies in 1854, and settled in Hospital Bay, where he cleared and planted an orchard. In 1892 he took up ground in Geeveston, and settled there. His property consisted of 68 acres, 46 of which were at Geeveston, and 22 at Hospital Bay.
The first-named estate was well watered by Scott's Rivulet and by springs, whilst Hospital Bay orchard was entirely dependant upon rains for its source of moisture. About 12 acres of ground were under crop, the principal apples being Sturmers, New Yorks, and French crabs. As of 1900, the whole orchard was within a year or two of full bearing.
Mr Hinton exported largely to Sydney and the London markets, and had practically eradicated the black spot from his orchard by spraying his trees with phosphate of lime and sulphate of copper. For some time the whole orchard was infested with the troublesome pest, rendering the fruit practically worthless. After the spraying treatment, there was very little black spot to be seen, and Hinton could well lay claim to having one of the cleanest estates in the area.
A large portion of his property was used for grazing purposes, whilst a considerable area was devoted to potato growing. Hinton was a member of the local Road Trust. He was a widower with two children, a son and a daughter, both were married. |
Orchardist, Scott's Rivulet Road |
| Patrick HOLLOWAY |
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Patrick Holloway was born in King's County, Ireland, in 1853, and was named after his father who was one of the early settlers in the Huon district. He emigrated to Tasmania in 1867 with his parents, and was brought up to the fruit growing industry on his fathers property. Holloway, senior, was married at Ferlow, King's County, Ireland, to Miss Boland, who died at Port Cygnet in 1868. The issue of the marriage was four sons and two daughters.
One son, Joseph, was accidentally killed at the erection of St. Mary's Cathedral, Hobart, in February, 1878; one daughter, Mrs. Phelan, died in May, 1878, and the other daughter, Mrs Synott, was still living as of 1900 and resided at Port Cygnet. Mr Holloway, senior, died in 1887, and Patrick Holloway, junior, then assumed the management of the estate, which comprised 32 acres, 4 being under such standard varieties of apples as Sturmers, scarlet pearmains, French crabs, New York pippins, ribstons, romebrants, and Rokewoods. He also grew a few raspberries.
Patrick Holloway shipped to both London and Sydney markets. He was always to the front of local politics, and was a member of the Port Cygnet Road Trust since 1897, and treasurer to that body as of 1899. He was married at St. Francis' Church, Melbourne, in 1876, to Miss Malkin, a native of Battersea, England, and as of 1900 they had a family of four children. |
Orchardist, Woodcock Road
Port Cygnet |
| Harold HOWARD |
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Harold Howard was born in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, 1862, and was brought up to a seafaring life. After serving seven years trading to different ports, Howard settled in the Huon district in 1883 and was employed by W J Baily, a well known shopkeeper in Huonville. He worked there for seven years before opening up his own account at North Franklin. In 1896 he built “The Emporium” in Franklin and was ranked as the head dealer there.
The shop had 50ft x 40ft frontage and was stocked with the most modern class goods. The establishment was directly opposite the main jetty and commanded a large trade. Howard had always taken an interest in cricket and aquatic matters, having being a member of the Huon Regatta Committee for a number of years, acting as starter since 1891. He was a member of the local Board of Health and Mechanics’ Institute and Library Committees and, whilst evincing an interest in all matters of public concern, refrained from taking an active part.
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