A History in Three Rivers', Dungog Shire Heritage Study
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A History in Three Rivers Dungog Shire Heritage Study Thematic History August 2014 Michael Williams Gresford Crossing source: Dungog Shire Heritage Study, Karskens, 1986 Ships at Clarence Town source: Dungog Shire Heritage Study Karskens, 1986 Mill on the Allyn River source: Dungog Shire Heritage Study, Karskens, 1986 carste STUDIO Pty Ltd Architects and Heritage Consultants Dungog Shire Thematic History A History in Three Rivers Dungog Shire Heritage Study – Thematic History Introduction p.4 Historical Overview & Chronology p.5 1. Natural evolution/environment p.10 2. Peopling Australia 2.1 Aboriginal p.15 2.2 Convict p.32 2.3 Ethnic influences p.39 3. Developing economies 3.1 Exploration p.42 3.2 Agriculture p.44 3.3 Dairying p.51 3.4 Pastoralism p.58 3.5 Forestry p.63 3.6 Commerce p.68 3.7 Industry p.75 3.8 Mining p.80 3.9 Transport p.83 3.10 Communication p.91 3.11 Health p.95 3.12 Events p.102 3.13 Environment Cultural landscape p.106 3.14 Technology p.109 3.15 Science p.114 4. Building settlements 4.1 Land Tenure p.115 4.2 Accommodation p.121 4.3 Towns and villages p.125 4.4 Utilities p.133 5. Working/labour p.135 6. Education p.140 2 Dungog Shire Thematic History 7. Governing 7.1 Administration p.155 7.2 Law & Order p.159 7.3 Defence p.163 7.4 Welfare p.167 8. Cultural life 8.1 Social Institutions p.172 8.2 Religion p.178 8.3 Domestic p.187 8.4 Leisure p.191 8.5 Sport p.198 8.6 Creative Endeavour p.202 9. Phases of life 9.1 Birth & Death p.204 9.2 Persons p.208 Appendices 1. Settlements p.212 2. Schools p.213 3. Social Institutions p.215 4. Churches p.217 5. Cemeteries p.218 Acknowledgments p.219 Bibliography p.220 3 Dungog Shire Thematic History Introduction This thematic history of Dungog Shire is based upon the themes produced by the Office of NSW Heritage and is part of a wider Dungog Shire Heritage Study. Such a thematic approach is intended to bring out a range of factors and features in a regional history that might otherwise go unnoticed in a more standard chronological or narrative historical approach. In addition, while not providing a listing of heritage items in itself, the thematic history is designed to enable the heritage of Dungog Shire to be placed within context more readily than might otherwise be the case.1 These numerous themes provide an excellent opportunity to highlight the role of many institutions, groups, families and individuals in the history of the Dungog Shire district. As well, they assist in focusing on often forgotten details, whether of domestic life, working life or technology, details of changes and influences that, while often small in themselves, can have a great impact, especially over time. A shire by the name of Dungog has only existed since 1958 when the Dungog Municipal Council merged with Wallarobba Shire (itself having only just added the Paterson and Vacy districts to its area), to create a new area of local government. Despite the relatively recent re-drawing of boundaries, the historical connections along the river valleys of the Paterson, Allyn and Williams, flowing from the Barringtons to join with the Hunter River, have a validity reaching back before the first European settlers. The title of this study - A History in Three Rivers - is deliberately chosen to highlight the significant role of the three main rivers of the area: the Williams, Paterson and Allyn Rivers.2 These rivers provide a unity to the history of the district that the term ‘Dungog Shire’ does not. While Dungog as a settlement appeared early, it was only one among many such settlements.3 The rivers and their valleys, on the other hand (including of course their many tributaries), have always played a significant role, providing divisions and boundaries, unities and separations that find a natural place in this history. It has been suggested that this history says more about wealthy males than it does poorer ones and women.4 This cannot be disputed, since, as with any history, this work is hostage to its sources and inevitably the wealthy and the prominent leave more in the way of records and evidence. However, within the brief of a heritage study, every effort has been made to include the full range of society and much has been said about tenant farmers, women and workers of various kinds. Nevertheless, this history too, particularly one commissioned and written to a deadline, must leave out more than can be included. In the past, once the printing was done, a work such as this was doomed to remain largely unmodified. However, modern technology now allows for easy alteration and continual improvement, and it is hoped that the community whose history this is will continue to contribute to and help to refine this work. 1 For this reason a list of ‘Heritage Survivals’ is appended at the end of each section. These lists are not intended to be complete but to highlight possible heritage items arising directly out of the history that for many reasons (political, social, legal, etc.) do not tend to make it onto ‘official’ heritage lists. 2 The Williams River was originally named the William River or River William and was gradually transformed into the Williams. It is referred to here always as the Williams River. 3 Where ‘Dungog’ appears alone it refers to the town itself. 4 Dungog Historical Society, Comments, p.1. 4 Dungog Shire Thematic History Historical Overview & Chronology 1800 – 1830: Early contact & Settlement 1801 First explorations The valleys of the Paterson, Allyn and Williams Rivers, to give of Hunter, them their recently bestowed European names, were home to many Williams & generations of the Gringai people. From the early 1800s, and with Paterson Rivers increasing intensity after the late 1820s, large portions of land were 1804 Convict timber granted to various individuals who moved up the valleys cutters 1812 Small holdings establishing farms and attempting to transform the landscape. begin (Paterson) 1821 Major land grants At the beginning of this period, exploration up the Hunter River begin (Paterson from Newcastle saw Europeans go as far as the navigation on the River) Williams River. By 1812, a number of small holdings were 1825 Small holdings begin (Clarence established around what became Clarence Town and Paterson. It Town) was not until the 1820s that large grants began, at first along the 1825 Courthouse & navigable section of the Paterson and Williams Rivers. By 1825, a Lockup (Old lockup was established on the Paterson River and the first land Banks) 1829 Major land grants grants began to be made higher up both the Williams and Allyn begin (Williams Rivers. In 1830, the ‘Limits of settlement’ for the Colony of NSW River) were defined and Durham County was one of the original nineteen counties within these limits. 1830 – 1860: Churches & Schools Grantees employing convict labour began to establish farms for 1831 William IV built sheep, cattle and crops such as wheat and corn. The heads of 1833 Court at Dungog navigation on the Williams and the Paterson Rivers became the 1834 School at Lowe’s transshipment points for the produce of these farms. The William IV shipyard was built on the Williams River at Clarence Town - the first ocean- (Clarence Town) going steamship built in Australia. In 1832, 90 acres were purchased 1835 Charley hanged at on the Paterson River for a town site (Paterson) and in the same year Dungog 1837 Blanket the settlement of Erringhi changed its name to Clarence Town. distribution to Dungog and Paterson received Courts of Petty Sessions in 1833 and Gringai people postal services were established by 1834. 1838 Barracks for troopers (Dungog) The hanging of a Gringai man at Dungog in 1835 marked a period of conflict. A few years later, a barracks for mounted troopers was built 1840 Bishop Polding at Dungog and blankets distributed to the Gringai. By the 1840s, four visits Dungog settlements of note – Paterson, Clarence Town, Dungog, and 1840 Catholic Chapel Gresford – were developing with a mix of government services Summer Hill (courts & lockups) and private businesses (inns & stores). 1842 St Ann’s Church (Presbyterian) 1844 Horse race In the generation following the initial grants, a mixed farm economy (Clarence Town) developed in the three valleys based on a combination of convict 1845 St Paul’s Church labour and free settlers, with the convict element quickly dwindling (Anglican) after 1840 with the ending of transportation. The main crops were 1846 Oddfellows wheat, corn, and tobacco, along with sheep and cattle, while timber (Paterson) 1848 Troopers was also cut. The pattern for both Dungog and Gresford was set from withdrawn this early time, with these towns positioned at the centre of 1849 First National prosperous agricultural districts supporting their existence and School (Clarence gradual growth. Their relative isolation from larger centres and the Town ) 5 Dungog Shire Thematic History coast also kept them from developing faster, while the size of the Paterson/Allyn Valley relative to the Williams Valley is reflected in the 1851 National School relative size of these two service centres. Clarence Town and Paterson (Dungog ) 1852 German also acted as service centres for their districts, but thrived largely as vinedressers in river ports transshipping goods between settlements further up their Allyn Valley respective valleys and the wider world. 1855 Two Presbyterian Churches at Dungog National Schools (later Public Schools) were early established at 1858 Rev Vanderkiste Clarence Town, Glen William, Brookfield and Dungog.