BEAVER, William - Midas - 1827 - 1 Apr 1842 Recommended Conditional Pardon [4/4478; Reel 797 Page 192] Recommended by H Bingham JP, George Stewart PM
BEAVER Willliam Midas 1827 35/383 Ticket of Leave [4/4098; Reel 923] District: Goulburn; Tried: Rutland ass
BEAVER William - Midas 1827 43/131 1 Apr 1842 Conditional Pardon [4/4441; Reel 780 Page 469] -
BEAVER William - Midas 1827 - 41/0396 24 Sep 1841 - Ticket of Leave Passport - [4/4242; Reel 968] Ticket of Leave 35/0383; On the recommendation of Goulburn Bench
...............
Surname Firstname Alias Vessel Year No Date RecordType Citation Remarks
BEAVER, John BOCKMORE, John Glatton 1803 - 31 Jan 1816 Conditional Pardon [4/4430; Reel 774 Page 097] -
BEAVER, William - Midas 1827 1 Apr 1842 Recommended Conditional Pardon [4/4478; Reel 797 Page 192] Recommended by H Bingham JP, George Stewart PM
BEAVER, William Midas 1827 35/383 Ticket of Leave [4/4098; Reel 923] District: Goulburn; Tried: Rutland ass
BEAVER, William - Midas 1827 43/131 1 Apr 1842 Conditional Pardon [4/4441; Reel 780 Page 469] -
BEAVER, William - Midas 1827 41/0396 24 Sep 1841 Ticket of Leave Passport [4/4242; Reel 968] Ticket of Leave 35/0383; On the recommendation of Goulburn Bench
.................
Crime: Sheep-stealing
Convicted at: Rutland Assizes
Sentence term: Life
Ship: Midas
Departure date: 7th October, 1826
Arrival date: 15th February, 1827
Place of arrival New South Wales
Passenger manifest Travelled with 147 other convicts
UK
Robert (1st) BEAVER came to Sydney Australia on 14 September 1818 as a convict from Manchester, England on the
"ISABELLA"
Ship 'Isabella' which came via Rio from Spithead on 3 April 1818.
He was sentenced at Lancaster Quarter Sessions on 17 July 1817 to transportion to NSW for seven years.
At the time of sentencing his native place was Manchester,
Calling was blar dyer in the textile industry,
age 21,
height 5ft 7in, hair brown and eyes hazel.
Certificate of Freedom No. 097/2526 issued 12 August 1824 (SR Ref 4/4423, Film 601,
Ticket of Leave - (No. 188/413).
On 22 Sept 1818 he was on a list of convicts disembarked from the 'Glory' and 'Isabella' and forwarded to Liverpool for distribution. On 26 May 1823 there was official correspondence concerning obtaining a ticket of leave under false pretences from Denham Court, home of his master, Capt. Richard Brooks, to Rev. Thomas Reddall, JP Airds:
'Sir I have lately heard with some surprise that a man by name Robert Beaver has obtained a ticket of leave, and as he was sentenced to three months hard labour in the Gaol Gang at Liverpool for breaking into my Brother's house with the intention of seducing the sister of his wife or of robbing the house, I suspect he has obtained this ticket of leave in a clandestine manner, and as not withstanding the judicious regulations of the Government those things still too often take place. I wish to submit this case which is within my own knowledge to your consideration, the man having been my government servant. Yours Sir, your very able Brooks'
The involvement of his master, Capt Richard Brooks, in the affairs of NSW is well documented, not all of it praiseworthy, and he came in for much criticism for his poor management of convict transports under his control, resulting in the death of Irish convicts, in the colony's early days.
On 26 Jun 1823 Robert (1st) was on list of prisoners assigned to Henry Sayward - Lower Minto.
Then he was listed as being a government servant employed by the Brooks family from 6 July 1821 to 6 Nov. 1823.
In the 1828 census Robert (1st) Beaver was listed as age 29 - free by servitude - employed by squatter, Henry O'Brien, as a stockman at 'Dourro' near Yass.
Robert's occupation at time of his marriage was sawyer and at the baptism of his children (in the Roman Catholic faith) his occupation was shown as farmer.
By 1872, Robert (1st) was shown in Greville's directory as living in Adelong NSW as a farmer.
Another Beaver descendant, Mrs L. Le Blang, notes in 'Founding Families', Nepean Family History Society, that Robert (1st) was convicted of stealing thread and cloth. He became one of Moss Vale's earliest colonists and later owned land in the area. He was also a veteran of the famous Battle of Waterloo.
Robert (1st) BEAVER married Miss Cecilia GALLAGHER - She was born in 1821 in County Donegal, Ireland.
She came to Sydney on 21 July 1841 as a bounty emigrant from Tullaghobegly, Co. Donegal, Ireland, aged 20, leaving Liverpool on the 4 April 1841 on the 'Helen' in the company of Mr Charles Boyle, his wife and two children. Her occupation according to ship records was 'general servant' and religion was recorded as Roman Catholic. She was the daughter of James and Cicely Gallagher.
She could neither read nor write, and her health, fitness and usefulness was regarded as very good.
She died on 15 December 1877 in Hillas Creek, District of Adelong NSW and buried 16 December 1877 in Adelong Cemetery, after being attended by Roman Catholic clergyman, M. Slattery.
1. Charlotte BEAVER, b. 10.01.1843, Sutton Forest NSW, m. Joseph Thomas 28.2.1866, Berrima NSW
2. SARAH BEAVER, b. 10.01.1843, Sutton Forest NSW, m. John Bunt 23.9.1867, d. 14.5.1874 bur. Hillas Creek
3. MARY BEAVER, b. 24.12.1849, Sutton Forest NSW, m. John Richardson 6.5.1873 Billapalap Station, d. 1.9.1873 bur. Billapalap
4. Edward (1st) BEAVER, b. 16.04.1852, Sutton Forest NSW, m. Ruth Stratter 13.11.1873 Hillas Creek,
5. Robert (2nd) BEAVER, b. 18.08.1845, Sutton Forest NSW, m. Sarah Wiggins 13.8.1875 Goulburn NSW, d. in Wagga Wagga NSW 19.07.1920
6. JAMES BEAVER, b. 14.7.1847, Sutton Forest NSW, m. Eleanor Wiggins 16.6.1879 Gundagai NSW, d. 01.04.1889, Wagga Wagga NSW d. 22.05.1904, District of Wagga Wagga
7. William BEAVER, C.1854, Sutton Forest NSW, m. Mary Jane Hasset 17.11.1879 Adelong NSW, d. 24.2.1898, Uranquinty NSW
8. Benjamin BEAVER, b. 08.11.1858, Sutton Forest NSW, m. Margaret McCutcheon 05.07.1881 Cootamundra NSW, d. 1905, District of Wagga Wagga NSW
9. John BEAVER, b. 09.11.1861, Sutton Forest NSW, m. Catherine Lucy Leary 05.02.1882 Adelong NSW, d. 31.07.1929 Sydney
Cheers,
Gabrielle Wright
(gg granddaughter of Robert Beaver)
....
1949 - OBITUARY - MR. THOMAS K. BEAVER - The death at the Community Hospital on March 9 öf Mr Thomas K.. Beaver, removed an old employee of the Department of the Interior.
Hé had served the Department for more than 30 years, and was at the time of his retirement; supervisor of the field employees of the Lands, Agricultural and Stock Section of the Department.
He was born at Goulburn near where the present Cathedral now stands and, after the death of his parents at an early age, went to live at Yabtree Station near Gundagai.
When the first mail service was introduced from Humula on the present Wagga-Tumbarumba line, to outback stations and wayside post óffices, he ran the mail on horseback.
Leaving Yabtree, he went to live at Adelong, where he married Alice Cupitt, daughter of one of Adelong's first farmers, who had taken up land in that district about 1860.
Following the occupation of a carpenter, he built many buildings around Adelong and Tumut, and constructed barges; one of these was still working recently on the alluvial flats at Grahamstown. He also worked in the Gibraltar Mines and for a number of years he was constructional officer in the NS.W, railways.
Being a prominent member of the M.U.I.O.O.F., he was presented with a sash before leaving Adelong. This sash draped the coffin.
After a short service at St John's Church of England, Canberra, by the Rev G F Pyke, the remains were interred in the Canberra cemetery. Four of his grandsons, Messrs K and D Beaver and M and N. Short acted as pallbearers.
Besides his widow; he leaves four children, Ernest (Queanbeyan), Jinnie (Mrs, W Blair of Kew, Vic ), Olive (Mrs. F. Short of Wentworthville) and Thomas (Canberra). - (Ref- The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1954)(about) Previous issue Wednesday 23 March 1949).
Subject: [PJ] Robert Beaver - convict and early settler
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 2003 09:35:59 +1000
ROBERT BEAVER was born 24 December 1797 to Robert and Sarah Beaver in Manchester England and died in Hillas Creek, Adelong, New South Wales on 20 March 1877. He was buried in Adelong Cemetery after being attended by Anglican clergyman, W.J. Shelley.
He married CECILIA GALLAGHER on 13 June 1842 in Sutton Forest NSW (Parish of All Saints, County of Camden, both signing with X marks). The incumbent was George Vidal of Sutton Forest and Berrima and they were attended by Emma and James Dovey of Sutton Forest.
ROBERT BEAVER came to Sydney Australia on 14 September 1818 as a convict from Manchester, England on the ship 'Isabella' which came via Rio from Spithead on 3 April 1818.
He was sentenced at Lancaster Quarter Sessions on 17 July 1817 to transportion to NSW for seven years.
At the time of sentencing his native place was Manchester, calling was blar dyer in the textile industry, age 21, height 5ft 7in, hair brown and eyes hazel.
Certificate of Freedom No. 097/2526 issued 12 August 1824 (SR Ref 4/4423, Film 601,
Ticket of Leave 188/413).
On 22 Sept 1818 he was on a list of convicts disembarked from the 'Glory' and 'Isabella' and forwarded to Liverpool for distribution.
On 26 May 1823 there was official correspondence concerning obtaining a ticket of leave under false pretences from Denham Court, home of his master, Capt. Richard Brooks, to Rev. Thomas Reddall, JP Airds:
'Sir I have lately heard with some surprise that a man by name Robert Beaver has obtained a ticket of leave, and as he was sentenced to three months hard labour in the Gaol Gang at Liverpool for breaking into my Brother's house with the intention of seducing the sister of his wife or of robbing the house.
I suspect he has obtained this ticket of leave in a clandestine manner, and as not withstanding the judicious regulations of the Government those things still too often take place. I wish to submit this case which is within my own knowledge to your consideration, the man having been my government servant. Yours Sir, your very able Brooks'
The involvement of his master, Capt Richard Brooks, in the affairs of NSW is well documented, not all of it praiseworthy, and he came in for much criticism for his poor management of convict transports under his control, resulting in the death of Irish convicts, in the colony's early days.
On 26 Jun 1823 Robert was on list of prisoners assigned to Henry Sayward - Lower Minto. He was listed as being a government servant employed by the Brooks family from 6 July 1821 to 6 Nov. 1823.
In the 1828 census Robert Beaver was listed as age 29 - free by servitude - employed by squatter, Henry O'Brien, as a stockman at 'Dourro' near Yass.
Robert's occupation at time of his marriage was sawyer and at the baptism of his children (in the Roman Catholic faith) his occupation was shown as farmer.
By 1872, Robert was shown in Greville's directory as living in Adelong NSW as a farmer. Another Beaver descendant, Mrs L. Le Blang, notes in 'Founding Families', Nepean Family History Society, that Robert was convicted of stealing thread and cloth. He became one of Moss Vale's earliest colonists and later owned land in the area. He was also a veteran of the famous Battle of Waterloo. His son Edward took up land at Hillas Creek and then went to Mundarlo and purchased a hotel. Edward was a fancier of blood stock and owned a racehorse, 'Whalebone' which won him 25 pounds and was then sold. Son John was also a hotel keeper at Adelong having owned two in his time.
More about CECILIA GALLAGHER
She was born in 1821 in County Donegal, Ireland.
She came to Sydney on 21 July 1841 as a bounty emigrant from Tullaghobegly, Co. Donegal, Ireland, aged 20, leaving Liverpool on the 4 April 1841 on the 'Helen' in the company of Charles Boyle, his wife and two children. Her occupation according to ship records was 'general servant' and religion was recorded as Roman Catholic. She was the daughter of James and Cicely Gallagher. She could neither read nor write, and her health, fitness and usefulness was regarded as very good.
She died on 15 December 1877 in Hillas Creek, District of Adelong NSW and buried 16 December 1877 in Adelong Cemetery, after being attended by Roman Catholic clergyman, M. Slattery.
CHARLOTTE BEAVER, b. 10.01.1843, Sutton Forest NSW, m. Joseph Thomas 28.2.1866, Berrima NSW
SARAH BEAVER, b. 10.01.1843, Sutton Forest NSW, m. John Bunt 23.9.1867, d. 14.5.1874 bur. Hillas Creek
ROBERT BEAVER, b. 18.08.1845, Sutton Forest NSW, m. Sarah Wiggins 13.8.1875 Goulburn NSW, d. in Wagga Wagga NSW 19.07.1920
JAMES BEAVER, b. 14.7.1847, Sutton Forest NSW, m. Eleanor Wiggins 16.6.1879 Gundagai NSW, d. 01.04.1889, Wagga Wagga NSW
MARY BEAVER, b. 24.12.1849, Sutton Forest NSW, m. John Richardson 6.5.1873 Billapalap Station, d. 1.9.1873 bur. Billapalap
EDWARD BEAVER, b. 16.04.1852, Sutton Forest NSW, m. Ruth Stratter 13.11.1873 Hillas Creek, d. 22.05.1904, District of Wagga Wagga NSW
WILLIAM BEAVER, b. 02.08.1854, Sutton Forest NSW, m. Mary Jane Hasset 17.11.1879 Adelong NSW, d. 24.2.1898, Uranquinty NSW
BENJAMIN BEAVER, b. 08.11.1858, Sutton Forest NSW, m. Margaret McCutcheon 05.07.1881 Cootamundra NSW, d. 1905, District of Wagga Wagga NSW
JOHN BEAVER, b. 09.11.1861, Sutton Forest NSW, m. Catherine Lucy Leary 05.02.1882 Adelong NSW, d. 31.07.1929 Sydney Cheers, Gabrielle Wright (gg granddaughter of Robert Beaver)
HOTELSWilliam Beaver, who for many years kept the Uranquinty Hotel and also the Hillas Creek Hotel,
Wife - She died at the residence of her son, Mr Robert Beaver, in Crampton Street, Adelong, at the age of 57 years.
The late Mrs Beaver was a native and relatives. She leaves a family of four sons and three daughters,
Messrs Robert and
James of Wagga,
William, of Yabtree Station, and
John, the youngest, country at the front, and has also been wounded,
Mrs H, Fisher, of Urana,
Mrs F. Ingram and
Miss Florence Beaver, of Wagga, and
fifteen grandchildren.
She also leaves three brothers,
William and
Frederick Hassett, of Adelong, and
John Hassett of Wagga,
1. 12552/1858 BEAVER, WILLIAM T parents WILLIAM & EMILY in TUMUT
2. 13573/1861 BEAVER, JOHN parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
3. 15858/1865 BEAVER, WALTER E parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
4. 15354/1864 BEAVER, GEORGE H parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
5. 16820/1867 BEAVER, MARY C parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
6. 18752/1869 BEAVER, HENRIETTA parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
7. 18306/1871 BEAVER, ADELAIDE parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
8. 20143/1874 BEAVER, JAMES EDWIN parents WILLIAM & EMILY HERO in TUMUT
9. 16820/1867 BEAVER, MARY C parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
10. 15858/1865 BEAVER, WALTER E parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
11. 15354/1864 BEAVER, GEORGE H parents WILLIAM & EMILY H IN TUMUT
12. 13573/1861 BEAVER, JOHN parents WILLIAM & EMILY H IN TUMUT
13. 13082/1859 BEAVER, MILDRIDGE parents WILLIAM & EMILY H IN TUMUT
1. 21481/1877 BEAVER ALICE B parents WILLIAM T & MARY A P in TUMUT
2. 23149/1878 BEAVER MARY A parents WILLIAM THOMAS & MARY A in TUMUT
.....
1. 12552/1858 BEAVER, WILLIAM T parents WILLIAM & EMILY in TUMUT
2. 13573/1861 BEAVER, JOHN parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
3. 15858/1865 BEAVER, WALTER E parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
4. 15354/1864 BEAVER, GEORGE H parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
5. 16820/1867 BEAVER, MARY C parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
6. 18752/1869 BEAVER, HENRIETTA parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
7. 18306/1871 BEAVER, ADELAIDE parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
8. 20143/1874 BEAVER, JAMES EDWIN parents WILLIAM & EMILY HERO in TUMUT
9. 16820/1867 BEAVER, MARY C parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
10. 15858/1865 BEAVER, WALTER E parents WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
11. 15354/1864 BEAVER, GEORGE H parents WILLIAM & EMILY H IN TUMUT
12. 13573/1861 BEAVER, JOHN parents WILLIAM & EMILY H IN TUMUT
13. 13082/1859 BEAVER, MILDRIDGE parents WILLIAM & EMILY H IN TUMUT
1. 21481/1877 BEAVER ALICE B parents WILLIAM T & MARY A P in TUMUT
2. 23149/1878 BEAVER MARY A parents WILLIAM THOMAS & MARY A in TUMUT
BEAVER AGNES E - 3648/1892 - PARENTS - JOHN J & CATHERINE L in ADELONG
BEAVER HAROLD S - 830/1895 - Parents -JOHN J & CATHERINE L in ADELONG
.....
BEAVER THOMAS - 13140/1877 - PARENTS - WILLIAM & EMILY H in ADELONG
BEAVER ANNIE SARAH 15740/1880 - parents WILLIAM & EMILY HERO in ADELONG
.....
BEAVER JOHN - 12727/1876 - PARENTS - EDWARD & RUTH in ADELONG
BEAVER CECILIA ANN - 15689/1880 - Parents - EDWARD & RUTH in ADELONG
.....
BEAVER ROBERT JAMES - 15671/1880 - Parents - WILLIAM & MARY JANE in ADELONG
BEAVER CECELIA M - 30949/1883 - Parents - WILLIAM & MARY J in ADELONG
.....
BEAVER JANE E - 31512/1906 - Parents - THOMAS & ALICE in ADELONG
BEAVER ERNEST J - 726/1905 - THOMAS & ALICE A E in ADELONG
3372/1879 - BEAVER, WILLIAM married Miss HASSETT, MARY J in ADELONG
3373/1879 - BEAVER, WILLIAM married Miss HASSETT, MARY J in ADELONG
2822/1876 - BEAVER, WILLIAM THOMAS married PEEL, MARY A in ADELONG
2672/1873 - BEAVER, EDWARD married Miss STRATER, RUTH in ADELONG
BEAVER, JOHN 5325/1861 ROBERT & CECILIA in BERRIMA
...
BEAVER, IDA M 11423/1909 PERCY & CEMILY M in ANNANDALE
BEAVER, JOYCE G 14190/1913 PERCY & CEMILY M in NEWTOWN
...
BEAVER, (MALE) 2003/1860 CHARLES & MARY A in SYDNEY
...
BEAVER, ELLA E 3000/1910 CHARLES WANNIE F in COBAR
....
BEAVER, JOHN 13573/1861 WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
BEAVER , WALTER E 15858/1865 WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
BEAVER, JAMES EDWIN 20143/1874 WILLIAM & EMILY HERO in TUMUT - -- - - HEREAS the Estate of James Beaver and Charles Beaver was, on the 7th day of October, 1858, placed under sequestration by order of the Honorable Roger Therry, I hereby appoint a first meeting of the Creditors of the said Insolvent to be holden before me, at my Office, Supreme Court House, King Street, Sydney, on Thursday, the 28th day of October instant, to commence at 2 P M., for the proof of debts against the said Estate and a second meeting to be holden before me, at the same place, on Tuesday, the 2nd day of November next, to commence at 11*30 a.m., for the further proof of debts, and €or the election of a Creditors' Assignee, if required.—Dated at Sydney, the
9th day of October, A.D. 1858.
WILLIAM ALEXANDER PUREFOY,
Chief Commissioner of Insolvent Estates.
BEAVER, ADELAIDE 18306/1871 WILLIAM & EMILY H in TUMUT
....
BEAVER, CATHERINE 4196/1868 THOMAS & MARY A in PADDINGTON
...
BEAVER, MATTEW 4212/1869 CHARLES & MARY A in REDFERN
...
BEAVER WILLIAM J 2840/1871 JOHN & ANNIE in SYDNEY
...
BEAVER, RICHARD J 14640/1871 CHARLES H & MARY M in NEWCASTLE
Government Gazettes: Browse New South Wales Government Gazette (Sydney, NSW : 1832 - 1900) Tue 12 Oct 1858 [Issue No.158] Page 1650 WHEREAS the Estate of James
the Insolvent Estate of James Beaver, of Castlereagh-street, Sydney,- and Charle Beaver, of King-street, Sydney, trading
under the style or firm of " J. and C. Beaver of Castlereagh-street, Sydney, under
takers.
.................
Reedy Flat of Eighty Years Ago - As told by Gavan Mouat and Ted Corbett to Ted Robson
24 October 1950 The Tumut and Adelong Times
One day in Tumut I was asked the question: 'Who grew the first apples in Batlow?'
On my confession of ignorance I was told it was Thomas Callaway. It was then that I remembered an old orchard I had seen 50 years ago, said to have been owned by a Thomas Callaway.
I made further inquiries into the history of Reedy Flat and Adelong. the result of which follows: —
Reedy Flat got its name from a flat that was over-run with reeds up to eight feet high, and the same state occurred in the creek which bears the name of Reedy Creek today.
Thomas Callaway with his wife, Catherine, and family came out to Australia in the ship 'Hero' in the late '50's or early '60's of the last century.
Thomas was a native of Oxfordshire, where his father had a farm, and he was well trained in all that pertained to farm work.
In England at this time conditions were very bad.
Disraeli had said in 1849, 'In industry, commerce and agriculture there is no hope'.
The Duke of Wellington said shortly before he died in 1851, 'I thank God I will be spared from seeing the consummation of ruin that is gathering around.'
Such was the gloom and despondency abroad in England at the time, while on the other hand gold had been discovered in parts of the new land, Australia.
No wonder then that the Callaway family, together with hundreds of others, came to the new country, when the old offered them no hope.
The Adelong Goldfield was pro- claimed in 1853, and Thomas Callaway and his family procured 40 acres of land in the vicinity of Upper Adelong, probably the first land to be selected thereabouts.
He planted an orchard of fruit trees and cherries, and he grew the beautiful and stately elms, oaks, laurel, chestnuts and filberts.
Each year he would pack a couple of cases of the apples he grew and take them over to the school children at Reedy Flat.
Gavan Mouat and Ted Corbett know that even after eighty years their mouths still water at the thought of those apples.
Besides the orchard, Thomas had a very extensive vegetable garden, and his vegetables found a ready sale amongst the diggers of Adelong and Reedy Fiat.
It was he who grew the first hops in the district from which many a cask of beer was brewed by the miners.
Even years after, when the Flat, became known as Batlow, one could still see the hop poles about twelve feet high with the vines entwined about them.
Other side lines were honey mead, cider and wines made from the various berries, and for these there was always a ready sale.
Thomas Callaway lived to the ripe old age of 84, and his wife Catherine was 87 when she died. They were both buried in the old orchard, and here also was buried William Carliam Carter, (father of William Carter, later of Gilmore).
There was no cemetery at that time and when a death occurred the usual practice was to bury close to another grave, hence the fact there were several others also laid at rest in the old orchard.
Thomas and Catherine had four sons, John, William, Edward and Isaac, and three daughters Emily Hero (Mrs. Beaver), Pauline (Mrs. W. Carter), and Henrietta (Mrs. H. Hayward).
John settled at Reedy Creek, William and Edward settled down in the Hay district, and Isaac was, a well known identity around Batlow where he partnered August Eichorn in the snake bite antidote, and lived to a great old age respected by all who knew him.
Upper Adelong was at this time as big a town as Adelong. Abraham Watson had a store, hotel and butcher's shop at Middle Adelong, where the main Adelong Creek now junctions with the Upper Adelong.
As there were too many “Adelongs” the names were altered from Adelong Crossing to Tumblong, and from Main Adelong to Wondalga.
A great deal of digging was carried out in the two creeks and several reefs were opened up.
Although the prospects were good the heavy inflow of water eventually beat the reefers, and it was a few miles further on to-wards Upper Adelong that became the main business centre.
Watson also had there a store, hotel, butcher's and baker's shop and as a side line he operated a sawmill driven by a water wheel.
He offered a fifty per cent rise in wages to R. R. Timmis, a lad who was earning 5/- per week. Timmis then did the packing of meats and goods to be despatched to the diggers' camps, when he had saved £50 he started a small store of his own at Reedy Flat. As the result of his keen buying and good business acumen he was able to retire a very wealthy man.
The Chinese had two stores, a Joss house, Cook house and Shoemaker Business.
Of a Sunday they would congregate at Upper Adelong for their shopping, and indulge in gambling and the smoking of opium.
Ah Chee had a store and a sluicing claim there and later he shifted over to the Flat where he married an English woman. Sometime after he established a big store in Tumut.
One morning the manager of Watson's store discovered that, despite the presence of their savage watchdog, there had been a robbery over-night in the store, and rice among, other things had been stolen.
Apparently there had been a small hole in the bag made off with and a thin trail of rice led the would-be detectives to a Chinese hut, where they caught the two occupants and found the tell-tale rice.
They took the culprits down to Watson's where a “Judge”, one of the diggers, was appointed to try the case.
Evidence of the robbery and its discovery as furnished. The Judge after summing up the evidence gave his verdict, "That each would have to cut the other's pigtails off."
There was much squealing and jabbing before the awful sentence was carried out, but it proved most effective and there were no more robberies. The cutting off of a pigtail, at that time precluded a Chinaman from being allowed to re-enter China.
Upper Adelong had a large colony of white diggers as well as hundreds of Chinese who were working ground for the second and third time.
Everything was carried in and out of the town by pack horses, as it was almost impossible to carry goods in any other way.
The roads were mere bridle tracks, and occasionally a bullock dray would struggle through with a good lump of green sapling to brake it coming down a steep hill.
All horses had to wear cog shoes and many of the diggers had their heel plates turned up a little to prevent slipping.
About once or twice a year, a parson used to find his way from Tumut or Yass and hold services, and celebrate marriages and christenings.
Sometimes there would be a double event - a couple getting married and their offspring being christened at the same time - and then there would be a prayer said over the grave of someone departed since the last visit of the minister.
One old timer told me that a way for a couple marrying, was for the bride groom and bride to stand, one on each side of running water, linking hands.
They would each drop a stone into the water and promise to be true to each other so long as the stones would not float to the surface.
The next parson who passed that way (of any sect) would be asked to perform the orthodox ceremony.
It is estimated that, independent of what the Chinese got, there must have been a very large amount of gold won at Upper Adelong.
The names of the various sections denoted the inhabitants, such as Yankeeland, Germantown, Irish Point and Chinkey Town.
Amongst the many diggers were Jackson Kimball, Ned Corbett (father of Ted), Alf Duffy, Johnny and Peter Sullivan, Harpy Fallon, Bob, Dick and Jack Currie, Dick McKay (father, of Bob, Stan and Dick), James Simmers, Big Geo. Westphall, Jack Grubb, Carl Pfnieg, Paddy Welsh and Beardy Jim.
And now to come back to Reedy Flat.
John Callaway, the eldest son of Thomas, built an hotel, store and butcher's shop up at the Mayday.
W. Beaver was manager of the store, and W. Carter had charge of the butcher's shop.
Reedy Flat was divided into two sections.
The flat was where the present town of Batlow now stands, and the Mayday was about half a mile up the creek close to where the present Mayday orchard is.
Each section had its hotel, and stores etc., and each had its own ballroom and billiard rooms. These buildings were mostly of stringy bark slabs, and the flooring cut with pit saws, bark or shingles covered the roof.
Whenever a dance or ball was held, Sam, the fiddler, was engaged to play, and he was usually accompanied by his wife, who was known as Brandy Mary. The flat on the Tumut River now bears their name as this was where the couple lived.
John Callaway married Sarah Green, of Tumut, and they had four sons, John (Jnr.), William George and Charlie. John and William are now both dead.
George lives in Sydney, and Charlie is well and favourably known from here to Bega, and up along the Barrier Reef in the winter months.
Of the four daughters only Annie (Mrs. H. Butler), and Miss Emily survive. Mrs. Harry Butter is, at 88, the oldest native of Reedy Flat, while Gavan Mouatt at 86. is the oldest resident native of the town.
Charles was the father of Charlie and Walter, one time of Gundagai.
The Reedy Flat diggings were very rich and carried a large population.
The syndicate which owned the Reedy Creek claim consisted of J. Callaway, W. Carter, W. Beaver and Gavan Mouat (father of our old friend Gavan).
They also had another claim known as The Mudholes, which was situated about where A. E. Herring now has his orchard.
The Reedy Creek claim reached from where the swimming pool is to the Mayday, and this claim was owned by Tim Foley, and Con Ducey.
The claim owned by Sutton and Workman, where the road crosses to the recreation ground and below the packing sheds towards the little Gilmore, was reputed to be the richest on the field.
There were other claims worked by George Sturgess, Steve Williamson, Johnny Campbell. Johnny Adams, Martin Corbett, Mick Scanlan, Paddy Hynes, Paddy Glynn, Maurice O'Connell, Bob Hobson, Bill Wallace, Harry Webber and a host of others all over the country.
There was a big police camp about where Fred Purcell's home is.
The Police would patrol from Wilson's Creek, up the Adelong, over to Reedy Flat, and then back to the camp.
Tom Holland was the first school- teacher; and he taught in a slab hut with a bark roof. He was a well educated man, and in after years his pupils gave evidence of the good training they had received. Pat Hourigan, father of the late J. D. was another well-educated man, and these two men between them, together with a few helpers, did most of the clerical work, assisting their less-gifted workmates.
Bradstreet was the first official teacher to be appointed, and he arrived in a light trap - the first of its kind in Reedy Flat. It caused a good deal of attention, and was looked upon by the Flatites as a sign of progress.
The Stockwell Brothers had a team of bullocks and a dray and besides carting they used to strip bark and split slabs for the diggers' huts for which there was a constant demand.
Butter and eggs from - Tumut, Yellowin, Gilmore and Adelong, found a ready market.
There were also several Chinese gardens, and it was always a source of wonder how the Chinese could carry such heavy loads in baskets slung, on a bamboo over their shoulders.
In those days there was no doctor nearer than Tumut, and if medical attention was required, he had to be fetched on horse-back, and then taken back again.
There is a story told of a woman who was bitten on a finger, and the case being urgent her husband chopped the finger off with an axe. The patient soon recovered from the shock and lived to a good old age.
David Emery, who followed butchering, was a keen observer of anatomy, and could set a broken bone in a human as well as any doctor, and better than many of them.
Another old-timer set her mind on having a special kind of a clock, and you know what a woman is like when she wants anything.
Not being able to get one locally, she walked to Tumut and then to Adelong where she finally got what she wanted, and arrived back at the Flat about 2 a.m. the next morning.
That is an example of what the pioneers could and often did.
John Callaway (Snr.) had, in the meantime, sold his hotel and bought two selections for his two sons, John and William.
Wm. Carter took up a selection between the Callaway blocks, and lived to be 88 and his wife, when she died some years later was 94.
W. Beaver took his family to Tarcutta where he followed other pursuits.
The Reedy Flat Hotel, kept by Charles Frazer, was where Sheather's Garage stands to-day.
Frazer sold out to Jim Dunston (the Britisher), who remained there some years, and then sold out to Mrs. Dacey.
Later Peter Bourke married Mrs. Dacey, and managed the hotel until it was burnt down some years after.
During this period Sutton and Workman had sold their claim and had taken up land on the Gilmore.
To-day a second and third generation of the Sutton family are still living on the farm.
William Sutton (Snr.) also bought property in Tumut, and it was he who built the Royal Hotel, and set Charles Frazer up in it.
Walter Workman took up the selection known as the Elms.
Dick McKay and James Simmers came to Tumut when their claim worked out. McKay went into the Bakery building (now owned by Frank Tweedie), where he carried on business, and with Dave Emery used to manufacture tobacco.
James Simmers went into the flour milling, first at the Tumut Racecourse and later at Gilmore. As their claims were being worked out some of the diggers came to the lower country, and took up farming.
Steve Williamson and Johnny Campbell bought a farm from Mick Downing later selling it to James and Pat Naughton.
George Sturgess who was digging in the Little Gilmore. afterwards taking up a farm known as 'Woodlands', now owned by A. J. and A. W. Davis.
Dave Emery who followed the butchering business took up the farm now held by Moran Beattie. Johnny Adam's selection is now owned by Jack and Billy Murray.
John Hides, of Pilot Hill, first started cutting timber on a sawpit and gradually increased his power to a big turnover, sending mountain ash timber all over the State.
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obituaries
CUPITT Joseph death removed on Tuesday evening last one of the most interesting of the Adelong identities, in the person of Mr. Joseph Cupitt Snr. October 26, 1923
CUPPITT Martha one of our very old identities, in the person of Mrs. Martha Cupitt, widow of the late Joseph Cupitt whose life span was much greater than average, having reached the great total of 84 ½ years. July 17 1928
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Beaver Agnes E 1892 — 1892 New South Wales Births Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Beaver Alice Angelina Elizabeth 1913 Australia Electoral Rolls Adelong, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
Beaver Annie Sarah 1880 — 1880 New South Wales Births Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Beaver Benjamin — — 1891 New South Wales 1891 Census New South Wales, Australia
Beaver Cecelia M 1883 — 1883 New South Wales Births Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Beaver Cecilia 1812 1877 1877 New South Wales Deaths 1788-1945 Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Beaver Cecilia Ann 1880 — 1880 New South Wales Births Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Beaver Ernest J 1905 — 1905 New South Wales Births Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Beaver Harold S 1895 — 1895 New South Wales Births Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Beaver Jane E 1906 — 1906 New South Wales Births Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Beaver Johanna Catherine — 1939 1939 New South Wales Will Books 1800-1952 Adelong NSW
Beaver John 1876 — 1876 New South Wales Births Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Beaver John 1897 — 1897 New South Wales Births Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Beaver John — — 1901 New South Wales 1901 Census New South Wales, Australia
Beaver Olive I 1908 — 1908 New South Wales Births Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Beaver Robert — 1877 1877 New South Wales Deaths 1788-1945 Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Beaver Robert — 1920 1920 New South Wales Deaths 1788-1945 Adelong, New South Wales, Australia
Beaver Robert James 1880 — 1880 New South Wales Births Adelong, New South Wales, Australi